The return journey was pleasantly calm, and uneventful, which gave me a lot of free time, and although I wanted to use that time to practice my martial arts, and further train my divine powers to unlock the second gate as fast as possible, I couldn't due to my grievous wound, which left me bedridden most of the time.
Thankfully the long trek wasn't plagued by boredom, since every time the symptoms of that ghastly disease began to appear on me, both Horus, and Hasdrubal took it upon themselves to ward it away, as they spent hours in my company simply talking, or playing a variety of card and board games, which also allowed me to recultivate the lost friendship I once had with Hasdrubal in my past life.
Finally though, after eight days of ceaseless marching we once again beheld the mighty city of Abaddin, which had a completely different air of festive joy about it, greatly contradicting it's once depressive, and fearful one, as thousands of people surged through the once barricaded gates, to welcome their valiant soldiers home, as they chanted the names of their loved ones at the top of their lungs, much to the glee, and honor of said men.
But to the dismay of the men who were from here, who were busy joyously bathing under the people's heartening acclamations, Abaddin wasn't our final destination. And briefly after our arrival here, we once again headed towards our true target, Ekleposus.
And a few hours march later, as we got closer and closer to the ancient fabled city, I donned my heavy armor, and mounted my warhorse, which was uncomfortable due to my still healing bones, and then began to march at the head of the army with Hamilcar, Sodarus, Hasdrubal, and all the other generals and commanders close behind me as we entered the gates of the city, which slowly opened to reveal a scene that stole the breathes of the men away, and when later asked about this day, these men would all answer with the same captivating word, as a longing look settled in their eyes "Elysium!"
A gentle drizzle of white, pink and red flower petals cascaded down on us, as our ears were engulfed in the revelry of the populace, while our eyes bore witness to the hypnotic sight of millions of people lining the streets, the alleys and the roofs of the capital, chanting ferociously into the sky, as they welcomed their champions home!
The men straightened their backs even more, as they saw their fathers proudly puffing their chests and pointing at their sons to their friends in blissful pleasure. They broadened their smiles, when they witnessed their mothers weeping tears of relief and joy at their safe return. They blushed and laughed as some of their wives lovingly rushed into their embrace. And they further steadied their walk, as they resolutely marched forward in dignity as children stared at them with stars in their eyes, wishing to one day be like their new found heroes!
Even the usually stoic Hamilcar, Abraham and Sodarus couldn't help but be swept in this typhoon of cheerfulness, as they nostalgically recalled an ancient era, where such celebrations were a near yearly event! While the handsome Horus, and Hasdrubal were nearly mobbed by a stampede of admiring young maidens, as they were bombarded with countless flowers, much to the amusement and jealousy of the men around them.
No one knew who started it, but like an avalanche of noise the soldiers began to beet their shields and stomp their legs as they began to fanatically roar "Long Live His Majesty!"
The people were momentarily shocked and scared by the noise that managed to eclipse their own, but before long they joined the soldiers, turning the entire capital into a thunderous cauldron of stentorian clamor!
I draw my sword and raised it to the high heavens, as my horse reared and stood on it's hind legs, which further fueled the people's enthusiasm, but contrary to my outer appearance I was completely unaffected by all this, since I knew the dangers of drowning in one's own ego and hubris. But more importantly, I knew better than to succumb to the ever changing tides of public opinion. Since today's peaceful cheer, could become tomorrow's bloodthirsty revolt!
But I had more relevant things to worry about right now as anxiety gnawed at my heart, while I unconsciously sped up my pace when I saw the imperial palace.
Within a few minutes I finally entered the main courtyard and leapt of my horse, as I embraced my two younger siblings and Kira, as they balled their eyes out, while the ever mature Nizam calmly walked to my side, before tightly hugging me as well, though I could still tell that he was thrilled at my return, even if he tried to hide it.
After a few seconds, Nizam and Kira composed themselves and released me, while Cyrus and Alisar simply refused to even budge, which I didn't mind, as I looked at the other people present, who were smiling at our show of familial affection.
"Welcome back, your Imperial Majesty." Darius, Isaac and all the gathered Palace Guards, maids and staff greeted me in unison.
I nod back to them before asking in concern "Where's mother?" since I stopped receiving messages about her health ever since yesterday, saying that she was entering into labor.
Darius smiles as he replies "Although her majesty gave us quite the scare last night, after she lost a lot of blood, she managed to pull through, and she is currently resting in her room."
I feel a great weight vanish off my shoulders as I excitedly ask "And?"
But before Darius could answer, Cyrus who had stopped hugging me by this point answered in exhilaration "We have a new baby sister, and baby brother now!"
My mind goes blank for a second, before I rush into the palace, and arrive before my mother's room with my brothers trailing behind me, whilst my sister is in the arms of Kira. I slowly open the door and see my beloved mother calmly laying on her bed, looking a little pale and tired, with a gentle smile on her chapped lips, as she looks at me.
Before she could say anything, I rushed to her side and bowed so low my head touched the cold, hard floor as I said apologetically "I'm sorry mother for..."
But before I could finish I felt her arms tightly ensnare my body as she pushed me closer to her body, while planting soft kisses on my forehead, as she soothingly said with crystalline tears pooling in her gorgeous emerald eyes "Ssshhhh. You don't need to apologize. I'm just glad my baby is back to me, safe and sound. I'm so, very proud of you."
I struggle keeping my emotions under control as I hear her kind words that were brimming with love and care, while feeling her protective embrace around me, and remembering that by now in my last life, I had already lost her.
My mother kept hugging me for a few minutes, before she let go of me and happily showed me my new siblings as she lovingly said "Say hello to your new brother and sister, Alex. This handsome young boy is Azrael, and this lovely princess is Dido." (Dai. Dow)
I smile, while looking at them in wonder, since I never got the chance to meet them in my past life, as Cyrus and Alisar kept nagging our mother to allow them to hold our cute new siblings.
But little did we know at the time, that this was the beginning of an eternal legend of four brothers, and two sisters that would forever be hailed in the endless eons to come for their talent, ingenuity and courage, or that our mother would one day earn the title of Esmerelda, The Mother of Monsters, due to our future actions and achievements!