Chapter 9: Return to the Castle

"What is going on?!" was the question everyone had in their minds when they saw the sight below.

After they rushed out of the Floating Orb, they saw numerous villages burning around the kingdom. 

There were also purple twisters mixed with black magic slowly enveloping the buildings and residents. 

This meant only one thing — there was more destruction in the Auroras, or the enemies inside had spread more terror.

"But we still have the Auroras!" 

The soldiers cried out while looking around and checking if their multi-layer defense field was broken.

"General Vaelros, let's make this fast and see what's happening. 

I want my children to be safe, but I want our kingdom to be rid of these insurgents and destroyers. 

Our people, the Celestial Drakes, and all our vegetation will be greatly affected by these." 

King Thalorin urged the General, since it appears the situation got worse.

"Yes my king!" General Vaelros replied, also curious why the usually small incidents turned into this wide scale problem. 

They even have the help of the Divine Archmages, who were currently outside the Auroras fighting some enemies he was not aware of.

The General stared at the children being carried by the Rune Masters' drakes.

Their complexions have returned to normal, and their flesh starting to rot a while ago were restored.

It was a huge relief that the prince and princess were safe.

However, they did not even have time to celebrate for a bit since they were now faced with another problem.

Thus, they must escort the royal family to safety then return to the city to help the other soldiers control the situation.

After all, the air in Livingrings had now become thick with the stench of burning. 

Tendrils of smoke rose high, darkening the clouds, and making the atmosphere heavy. 

The smoke swirled and churned in twisters. 

It felt as though the air itself was alive, whispering dark secrets and curses, spreading its taint with every gust of wind.

As they arrived in Halek Plaza, where they had passed by earlier, Vaelros could no longer see his sons.

The crowd cheered upon seeing them. However, Vaelros was more worried about his kids not being there.

He looked around, but he could not see them. He hoped they had gone somewhere safe.

Maybe, they already went home. 

At least they would not be alone since their fellow trainees were there. 

Vaelros could only imagine their faces when he sees them again, fully sweating and impatient for not being able to get strong so fast. 

As their father and trainer, Vaelros always explained to them the importance of mastering the basics. 

Joining the Divine Army was not just based on talent, it considered many factors. 

If they pursue it, they would enter the second layers of the Auroras soon.

It was all the more reason to ingrain in them that the foundation is the key to getting stronger. 

It's not always based on inner talent, status in life, or connections, but more on skills, discipline, and the will to go on.

Vaelros just hoped they ingrain these lessons in their minds. 

He could not even begin to imagine how far his two sons could go if they remained eager to learn and train hard like the others. 

Vaelros was willing to guide them as long as they allowed him to or need to be. 

Just at the thought of his kids, Vaelros could not help but smile even if they were in this situation.

He was still excited to tell his kids what he saw in the Floating Orb. The two may not be able to go there, but they can tell their children someday or to others who would believe it.

However, Vaelros' thoughts were ruined when they got nearer the palace.

They saw enemies in the surrounding areas.

The troops of General Hovereth who returned to the palace before they departed to the Frozen Orb, were fighting eight two-headed monsters in black robes with greenish black hues coming out of them.

Looking at them, they could be the Monster Wraiths that had continuously killed random citizens near Faliamber and sucked their bloods or bitten them to pieces.

It was a good thing the king had ordered Hovereth to return to the palace.

Vaelros and Hovereth were the most trusted Divine Army generals of the king. 

They were almost equal in magical power, but had different fighting styles.

The king decided that General Hovereth and his divisions would defend against any threat that could harm the city and the palace. 

There were also wizards fighting around and providing potions of healing for free. 

These potions were generally being sold at different prices depending on their speed, and the wounds or injuries they were capable of healing.

But, the magical potions of the wizards were more powerful. 

These were being sold at high prices or often given as rewards during training completion for soldiers, on different events for ordinary citizens, or some memorable achievements. 

Even a person on the brink of death could be fully healed with the strongest potions of the wizards.

As long as they were still alive.

"This escalated too quickly.

We were gone for just a short while," some of the soldiers said as all of them curiously looked around. 

They were tight since it had only been a few minutes, but how come the situation turned into this so quickly?

Vaelros glanced at the two Rune Masters who were silent.

He could tell they had a clue about what was happening.

He did not pressure them to say it since they may have a greater reason for keeping silent.

Upon entering the palace, the Queen hurried to her children even when her pregnancy seemed to have weakened her.

Queen Aerathis wrapped her arms around her children tightly and tenderly stroked their foreheads. 

After she let the servants bring the children to their rooms so they could rest and recover, she turned to King Thalorin.

"My dearest king, thank you," she whispered.

"They are also my children," King Thalorin smiled warmly in response and nodded.

Author's Note:

* Halek Plaza - main plaza where people usually gather in Faliamber

*Faliamber - capital city of the Kingdom of Livingrings

*Queen Aerathis - Queen of Livingrings, Wife of Thalorin and mother of Nymeria and Orion