Chapter 20: Return
Xander, Lillia, Sophie, and the old-sage emerged from the underworld, exhausted but victorious. They had rescued the Emperor, who they now knew was actually a small girl named Xiao Lu. She looked up at them with a mix of gratitude and fear.
Xander approached her and kneeled down to her level. "Don't be afraid, Xiao Lu. We are here to protect you," he said, offering her a comforting smile.
Xiao Lu's eyes widened as she recognized him. "You're the one who saved me from the rebels," she said softly, her voice barely above a whisper.
Xander nodded. "Yes, that's me. And I'm here to make sure nothing ever happens to you again."
Lillia and Sophie approached Xiao Lu and offered her their hands, helping her stand up. "We'll protect you too, Xiao Lu," Lillia said.
Sophie nodded in agreement. "We're all friends here. You don't have to be afraid."
The old-sage stepped forward and looked at Xiao Lu with a wise smile. "You are the Emperor of the Kingdom of Light. And as your loyal subjects, it is our duty to protect you and help you reclaim your throne."
Xiao Lu looked up at the old-sage with a glimmer of hope in her eyes. "Do you really mean it? Will you help me?"
The old-sage chuckled. "Of course, my dear. We will do whatever it takes to help you."
As they began to make their way back to the Kingdom of Light, Xander turned to Lillia and Sophie. "We've got a lot of work to do," he said, his voice full of determination. "We need to make sure Xiao Lu is safe and that the rebels don't pose a threat anymore."
Lillia nodded. "And we also need to find out who was behind the rebellion and why they wanted to harm the Emperor."
Sophie added, "And we need to find a way to prevent something like this from happening again."
The group traveled for several days until they finally reached the Kingdom of Light. The people rejoiced as they saw their beloved Emperor return safe and sound. Xander, Lillia, and Sophie stayed close to Xiao Lu, making sure she was safe and protected.
As they walked through the city, they were approached by a group of knights. The leader stepped forward and kneeled before Xiao Lu. "Your Highness, we are at your service. We will protect you and help you reclaim your throne."
Xiao Lu looked at the group of knights with a mix of gratitude and determination. "Thank you," she said softly. "I will need your help to make things right again."
Xander, Lillia, Sophie, and the old-sage stood beside Xiao Lu, ready to face whatever challenges lay ahead. Together, they would protect the Kingdom of Light and ensure that peace and justice prevailed.
A while later ----
Xander, Lillia, Sophie, and the old sage made their way to the throne room, with Xiao Lu in tow. The group was greeted by a standing ovation from the guards and palace staff who had been anxiously awaiting their return.
As they walked through the palace, Xander couldn't help but notice how the people's faces lit up when they saw him. It was like he was a hero, and in a way, he supposed he was. He had saved the kingdom and brought the emperor back safe and sound.
The group finally reached the throne room where Frata and Merlin were waiting for them. Frata was the first to speak.
"Xander, Lillia, Sophie, you have returned. And with the emperor no less," he said, a smile spreading across his face.
Xander nodded. "Yes, we have. But we couldn't have done it without the help of the old sage," he replied, motioning to the wise old man.
The old sage bowed his head. "It was my honor to assist in any way I could," he said.
Merlin stepped forward, a somber expression on his face. "There is still much to be done. The dark lord may be defeated, but he is not gone. We must remain vigilant."
Xander nodded, knowing that Merlin was right. The dark lord had been defeated, but he could always return. They needed to be prepared for whatever might come their way.
Suddenly, a voice interrupted their conversation. "Xander!" the voice called out.
Xander turned around to see Amara running towards him. She looked even more beautiful than he remembered, her long hair flowing behind her as she ran.
"Amara," Xander said, surprised to see her. "What are you doing here?"
Amara smiled at him. "I heard about what happened. I had to come and see for myself," she said.
Xander felt his heart skip a beat. He had almost forgotten about Amara, but seeing her again brought back all those feelings he had for her.
Lillia nudged him in the side, bringing him back to reality. "Xander, we need to focus. We have a kingdom to rebuild," she said.
Xander nodded, knowing that Lillia was right. He couldn't let his feelings for Amara distract him from what needed to be done.
Together, they all got to work rebuilding the kingdom, with Xander, Lillia, and Sophie leading the charge. They worked tirelessly to ensure that Kidom would be the strong, prosperous kingdom it once was.
As for Xander and Amara, they remained friends, but Xander couldn't help but wonder what could have been if things were different. Nonetheless, he knew that he had a duty to his kingdom and its people, and he would do everything in his power to ensure their safety and prosperity.
A while later---
After returning to the palace with Xiao Lu, Xander called for a private meeting with Lillia and Sophie in his chambers. They sat around a table, each lost in their own thoughts.
Xander cleared his throat, breaking the silence. "Lillia, Sophie, I have something important to tell you both."
Lillia raised an eyebrow, intrigued. "What is it, Xander?"
Xander took a deep breath, his heart pounding in his chest. "I know that we have been through so much together and that we have a special bond. But there's someone else I care for deeply - Amara."
Sophie's eyes widened in surprise. "Amara? The girl you met in the forest?"
Xander nodded. "Yes, that's the one. I know it may seem strange, but my feelings for her are just as strong as my love for both of you."
Lillia and Sophie exchanged a look, and then turned back to Xander. "What are you saying, Xander?" Lillia asked cautiously.
"I'm saying that I want us to be together - all of us," Xander said, looking at each of them in turn. "I want to love Amara as well, and I want all of us to be in a loving relationship together."
There was a long pause as Lillia and Sophie considered Xander's words. Finally, Lillia spoke up. "I admit, this is new to me, but I am willing to try if it means we can all be happy."
Sophie nodded in agreement. "I feel the same way, Xander. We've been through so much together, and if loving Amara makes you happy, then I'm willing to give it a chance."
Xander let out a sigh of relief. "Thank you both. It means so much to me. I know it won't be easy, but I promise to make it work."
The three of them shared a group hug, feeling closer than ever before. They knew that their journey together would continue, but now they faced it as a united force.
As they pulled away from each other, Xander couldn't help but smile. He had found his place in the world - with two amazing women and a girl he had only recently met, but felt a strong connection with. And he knew that they would all be together, facing whatever challenges came their way, side by side.
See you at Chapter 21.