As Raul fell to his knees and felt the piercing arrows in his body, his betrayed heart felt heavy.
His sword which had been stolen broke him and he remembered his last conversation with Elora, the woman who betrayed him, he felt a sharp pain in his chest and it wasn't the pain of a piercing arrow.
Rage burned in his stormy gray eyes, smoldering with the weight of betrayal.
Raul took a deep breath, channeling the raw fury within him, fueling his every movement.
The mortal army maintained a distance but kept throwing arrows in his direction and with a surge of supernatural strength, he charged toward the enemy forces that had surround him.
They were manipulated and deceived and led to Vallee where they knew Raul would be by an unknown wanderer, whose aim was for Raul to use his divine powers on mortals for his interest.
It was punishable by the law as guardians of the spirit realm. His power shook everything surrounding him, leaving dead bodies on the ground.
Still on his knees, the blood of many arrows in his body came flowing on the beautiful grass.
The garden was stained with the blood of the fallen mortal armies. He finally let himself go and fell on the ground, his subtle breath mixed with the contaminated air surrounding him.
Meanwhile, Elora met with the strange man and demanded to see her lover.
"I did everything you asked me, I demand you let go of Levine" she ordered.
The stranger scoffed and sighed.
"I never said I held him captive, I do not know where he is but I know who has him" he revealed.
Elora's face was etched with frustration and sadness. She knew she shouldn't have trusted the stranger but she held onto the little hope of him being alive.
The stranger sensed the distress and disappointment look in her eyes and smiled.
"Elora ... What's wrong? You seem upset" he stated sarcastically.
Elora took in a deep breath, trying to compose herself. She looked at the stranger, tears welling up in her eyes.
"I... I trusted you, I did everything you asked me to do even breaking an innocent man's heart, and yet you say you don't have my husband" she voiced out angrily.
"I never forced you to do anything you didn't like, my dear Elora, you did it on your own accord because just wanted to see your lover" he toiled with her emotions and drew closer.
The tears came running and fell to her knees and started to plead again.
The situation was appealing to a stranger's eyes. He liked the idea of her being in pain and shattered.
But his smile suddenly disappeared when he noticed Elora without the sword.
"Where is the sword?" he raised his voice.
Elora noticed the anger in his voice, a thought appeared in her mind.
"I hid it"
"You what?" he exclaimed.
"You said I should hide it in a place no one would ever find, and so I did" she pointed.
He scoffed. "Are you trying to play games with me?" he yelled.
"You started it, give me what I want and you can have your sword" she bargained.
He gritted his teeth and sniffed, fueled with rage and anger, he suddenly grabbed her by the neck and tightened his grip.
There was nowhere she could escape or cry for help since they were on the outskirts of the kingdom of Amira.
"If you don't tell me where the sword is I will end you right here and now" he threatened while strangling her.
She tried to loosen the grip with her hands but he was too strong for her.
"Y-y-you a-a-a—, I... C-can't b-b-b-br" she struggled.
He lets go of her and she coughed and panted like her life depended on it.
"I can't help you if you don't cooperate with me Mr. stranger" she stated sternly.
He sighed and massaged his forehead.
"Alright, but I wasn't lying, I do not know where he is but I do know who has him" he stated.
"Who?" she asked curiously.
"Your brother, he probably has him in a dungeon somewhere," he said brushing his fingers in his hair.
"No, he can kill him" Elora exclaimed.
Elora's eyes widen as she listened to the frightening revelation, her heart started to race.
She took a deep breath, trying to calm her nerves, but the unease lingered. Her mind racing with fear and worry.
"No it can't be, Levine is in grave danger, I must find him" she muttered anxiously.
Sophie's hands begin to tremble as she imagines the horrors Levine must be facing.
"Don't give me that look, it's distasteful, I will help you escape but in exchange for the sword.
"But..." he didn't complete his statement and pulled closer and whispered in her ear.
Vallee...
After releasing such power, the mortal realm was not the only realm that felt his power.
Kirrinoth and Paxive with other gods and guardians came in search of Raul. Unfortunately, they found him in a pull of blood and carried him back to the realm.
He was placed in his chambers and
convinced Rhoda not to worry for he was attacked by something dangerous.
"He will recover soon so do not worry" Paxive comforted her.
Three days later he had fully recovered but he had to face judgment.
He was called to Avion where he would be questioned.
Avion was a grand and majestic hall with towering pillars and golden hues. Radiant light from celestial windows cascades down, illuminating the adorned throne at the end of the room.
Seated among the high gods and guardians was Kali who seemed pleased with the occasion at hand.
Kirrinoth and Paxive took a seat by him and so he wiped the face of excitement away.
Seated upon the illuminating throne was The supreme, his presence commanding and powerful. Surrounding him, was high gods and guardians and their expressions were solemn.
At the center of the hall, standing tall amidst the divine presence, was Raul.
"Raul, protector of the realms, your deeds have echoed throughout the realms. But today, you stand before Avion, accused of grave transgressions against the laws of the spirit realm. How do you plead?
Raul's gaze remained unyielded as he replied vehemently.
"I deny nothing, Father. I have committed a great sin, fell into the temptation of the flesh, and was betrayed and stolen from me was my sword which you bestowed on me.
"I will endure and receive any punishment given to me Father so do not hesitate"
"Then so shall it be, you would be sent to the dungeon in hell and spend some time to reflect on your actions Raul" The supreme ruled and stood to leave.
It came as a shock to everyone. Kirrinoth clutched his hands and felt disappointed in Raul, the man he looked up to.
Their eyes locked but Kirrinoth turned away and followed Kali and Paxive who seemed to have been unbothered by his punishment.
He stood at the center alone, feeling lost and shattered. He was stripped of his power and authority and a day was given for him to surrender everything he held.
Alone in his room, came Rhoda and hugged him behind startling him.
"How could you let this happen, Raul? Did you fall in love with the mortal?" Rhoda asked softly.
He didn't deny it and responded.
"Yes, more than I should"
She let go of him slowly and he turned to face her and lifted her face up to look at him.
"I am sorry I betrayed you for a mortal who ended up betraying me too" he apologized.
"It serves you right then," she said.
He laughed softly at her response.
She pulled his hand away and smiled sadly.
"I am leaving," she said and turned to leave.
He called onto her and hugged her tight from behind. "Can you spend the night with me as my days here ends" he sadly requested.
She loved him more than anything in the realms and so seeing her lover in pain, shattered her heart making her give in to his request.
"Alright".
Their eyes locked, and they found themselves drawn to each other's gaze. Their heart entwined in a dance of longing and desire.
The air surrounding the room now felt warm and peaceful. Nothing seemed to matter at the moment as they stared at each other and their hearts pounding with a mixture of excitement and anticipation.
They had been dancing around their feelings for years, but tonight, everything felt different.
As if in slow motion, Raul pulled Rhoda closer to him, his hand reaching up to gently cup her cheek. She leaned into his touch, her breath catching in her chest as her heartbeat thundered in her ears.
At that moment, time stood still. They could hear nothing but the beating of their hearts, and feel nothing but the warmth of each other's bodies.
Raul's eyes sparkled with a mix of nervousness and longing, mirroring Rhoda's own emotions.
Without breaking their gaze, he took another step closer and slowly kissed her softly on the lips, and as the gap between them closed he deepened the kiss and wrapped his hand around her waist.
And the night was filled with moans and sweet kisses.
Days passed and Elora had escaped with Levine and they were on the run.
The rain slowed them down as they run in the thick forest. Elora slipped into the thick mound and her leg twisted so they took shelter in a small cave.
They escaped the army dogs of her brother in the kingdom of Damascus.
The rain wasn't ready to stop, it kept pouring non-stop. Levine noticing how scared Elora was pulled closer to her and held her in his arms.
"I am sorry for being a weakling my love, I promise you one day I will be strong and protect you from any harm" he comforted her.
She smiled and peaked his cheek and kept each other's body warm. Suddenly footsteps could be heard drawing closer to them.
She fret and held Levine's arms tightly.
"Don't be scared I am here" he assured her.
The steps were getting closer and closer and so Levine decided to go out and check who it was but Elora nodded in disagreement.
He insisted and so Elora had no choice but to let him go. He got up and looked around him to find something he could use.
Finally, he saw a big but short stick and took it along. He was nervous but pretended to be alright to scare Elora.
He came out of the cave, soaked in rain and nervous yet he smiled as he saw a bush rabbit passing by.
He turned to face the cave, looking at Elora with a smile.
"It's nothing but" Before he could say another word, blood splashed on Elora's face.
She stiffened, a horrifying feeling crept in her and she feared to look up but she had to.
She slowly looked up only to see Levine, pierced with a sword in his heart, smiling back at her.
She shivered, he body trembled, she was lost and her lips could not move but when his body suddenly fell.
His scream came out, from every cell in her body, she screamed so much that she felt weak and fell on her left side, facing the dead body of Levine.
With her head facing the cave entrance, she saw a figure wearing white clothing, carrying a sword, bigger than one's arm.
That was not all, the man had silver hair...
Dungeon of Hell...
The air was heavy with the stench of sulfur, and the sounds of agonized wails echoed through the dark corridors of the dungeon in Hell. Chains rattled as lost souls dragged themselves across the floor, their eyes devoid of hope.
Raul, now known as the fallen guardian, had been sentenced to this dreadful place for his sins. Flames licked at the iron bars that surrounded him, his eyes filled with pain and anguish.
So many nights had passed and more to come.
The dungeon door screeched open, and a massive creature stepped inside, its body emanating an aura of malevolence.
"Raul", the beast growled