Levi woke up early the next day to watch the sun rise from the roof of the inn. It was so peaceful in the mornings. It reminded him of home in that way.
Maybe this could be his new one. Ever since his village had been destroyed and Abaddon had first spoken to him, the both of them had wandered around the region searching for more of his soul.
When they finally found all of the fragments, maybe he could finally settle down and live a normal life. With the friends he's made here.
He paused, another thought occurring to him.
It's not like he didn't know they were planning on sending Abaddon away once he fully manifested. He just didn't want to think about that just yet.
They all thought the fell dragon was pure evil, but Levi didn't think so. They had inhabited the same body for years now, and although Abaddon would never admit it, Levi thought of them as friends.
He sighed, unsure of what he would do when that time came. Or what would happen to he himself. He wished peaceful moments like this could also forever.
Soon the sun was shining bright overhead. He slid off the roof and through the window into his room. Then he exited through his front door and out the inn's entrance.
He was thinking of taking a walk before the people began to go about their days. But then he stopped in place, smelling a familiar scent.
The sickly sweet smell of roses.
Larian!, he realized. And that meant Veliona was back as well.
The smell lingered in the direction of the castle. So they must have headed there already.
He changed plans. He would go meet up with Aldrich first and then they could head to the castle together.
×
Levi hadn't been expecting to run into Aldrich at the city gates. He was almost never up this early. And he was with his father as well.
From the serious looks on their faces Levi could tell something was up.
"Oh, good morning." Aldrich greeted Levi. Also surprised to run into him here. "Were you... on your way to our house?"
Levi nodded.
"We're going to the castle," Aldrich said to him. He turned to his father. "Can he come with us?"
Alastair wasn't so sure he wanted another dragon involved in the current events. He sighed, "As long as he can keep the dragon in check."
Alastair strutted past them, continuing towards the castle. His armor clanking as he walked.
Another thing Levi found weird. They were both in their armor.
"Is something going on?" Levi asked Aldrich as they hurried after his father.
Aldrich wasn't sure how to answer. "It's kind of a long story. I'll fill you in later."
They reached the castle a few minutes after Aldrich's father. Alastair was an extremely fast walker, even in full armor. They caught up to him right as he pushed open the doors to the throne room.
Larian turned upon hearing the doors swing open. His eyes moved over all three of them, one by one. He seemed surprised at first but immediately replaced it with his usual smug expression.
"Such a big welcome party for us." He observed with mock joy, concealing his suspicion. "It's so good to see you all again."
Veliona, who was standing beside the king, wanted to wave to them but sensed something was off. The king himself was a bit surprised, unaware the charade was ending this day.
Alastair and Levi stopped walking but Aldrich continued, walking right up to Larian. Larian stared, perplexed.
"I forgive you." Aldrich mouthed, taking Larian's hand in his.
Larian pulled his hand away, unnerved by the amount of eye contact they were making. "What is this? What's happening right now."
Alastair stepped forward. "We know who... or rather, what you are, Larian. And... we want to help you."
Larian stumbled back a few steps, his hand reaching to his swords hilt. "Help?"
Aldrich nodded enthusiastically. "We don't need to fight anymore, now that I know the truth. We can work together."
Larian's shrill laughter cut through the silence in the room. "You think you can help me? You can't do anything."
Then he turned to Alastair. "And you... you let it take me all those years ago and then forgot about me. If there was anything you could possibly do you could have done it by now."
The words pained him but Alastair couldn't confidently refute them.
Larian began to back away again, keeping his eyes on both the king and the others. "You two have spent all these years living in peace in the surface, while I trapped in the hells with it. And now you think you can help?"
Alastair began to reach out to him, but paused. Because he was right to hate him. He was still as powerless as he had been all those years ago.
Larian's eyes flicked around the room, looking for the best exit. But the door was being blocked by Alastair and he doubted he could reach a window fast enough before they tried to stop him. Especially if the king decided to intervene. He breathed in heavily. Whatever he did, he'd have to catch them all off guard.
Alastair sensed his change in demeanor, and that he was about to try something. "Larian... I- I'm so sorry for not being there for you before. Please stay."
The earnestness in his voice made Larian hesitate for a good few seconds. He was almost tempted to listen to him. He gritted his teeth and looked away. "Even if I wanted to... I can't. Lucyfer's claws have dug in far too deep over the years for anything to be done now. It will only be worse for everyone if I try to betray Him now."
[Lucyfer, Abaddon spat. Of course He's up to something. I can't go one century without having to deal with Him.]
"This really isn't about you." Levi shot back in a low voice, not wanting to draw everyone's attention.
"Larian..." Veliona said softly, clutching her hands to her chest. This had all come out of nowhere so she wasn't quite sure what was happening, but it seemed like he needed help. So she wanted to help him as well, like he had done her earlier.
Larian had heard her, but he stopped himself from looking over at her. He couldn't stand to see one more face full of pity, staring at him. He would have to tell the dragon that the game was up. Whatever His plan was, it'd have to be cut short from here.
He sighed. "You haven't needed me before, and you still don't now. But... thank you. For at least asking me to stay."
Aldrich made one more attempt to reach for Larian but he had already made up his mind. Larian pointed his hand to the floor, he would make his own exit.
He looked up one last time at Alastair's despondent face before saying the words. "Limit release."
Aldrich was flung back as countless vines burst from the castle floor, obscuring Larian from view. Alastair caught him, bringing him to a stop. They both watched as the vines broke through the castle ceiling, causing rubble to rain down. And just like that, Larian was gone. It'd be no use chasing after him now.
Alastair sighed as he got up and brushed dust off of his armor. However he had been expecting that to go, this was way worse.
"Are you guys okay?!" Levi asked as he ran up to the both of them. Aldrich nodded as his friend helped him back to his feet.
"What a dreadful mess." The king commented, still sitting on his throne. The vines hadn't come within an arms reach of he and his daughter of course, but now his floors and ceiling were in shambles. The spectacle should also have been visible from outside, he would have to address the knights and public.
"Father..." Veliona muttered. "What was all that about?"
"You should ask your friends about that." The king answered, getting onto his feet. "Sorry to cut your welcome short but it seems I'll have to give a small public address. And then fix all of this."
After Alastair used his own virtue to clear the vines, he and the king made their exit to deal with the aftermath. Leaving the three children alone.
"Okay." Veliona said, strutting up to Aldrich and Levi. She folded her arms as she glared at them. "Tell me just what the hells is going on, and start from the top."