Chereads / Between Worlds: The Mystery of the Door / Chapter 7 - Shadows of the Past, Lights of the Present

Chapter 7 - Shadows of the Past, Lights of the Present

The hall, already infused with intense emotions from the family reunion, fills with a new atmosphere of hospitality and gratitude. The king, wanting to honor Alex for his bravery and the return of his daughter, addresses him with a generous proposal. "As a guest of honor in our kingdom," the king declares, "we offer you rest in one of our finest chambers. It will be a fitting place for you to regain your strength for the celebration we will have tomorrow. We want you to attend the welcoming feast, both to celebrate the victorious return of my son, Elren, and the return of Lyria, the princess of our realm. It will be an honor to have your presence and that of your companions at this festivity." With these words, the high esteem and respect that the king and his court have begun to develop towards Alex and his companions are evident.

Alex appreciates the offer and accepts the king's generous gesture to rest as a guest of honor. However, Ruben and the other fishermen, grateful for the hospitality but eager to reunite with their loved ones in their village, decide to decline the king's offer. They explain that their original commitment was to take Alex and Lyria to Aeloria and that they now need to return home. The king, understanding the situation, respectfully accepts their decision and wishes them good luck on their journey back. As a token of gratitude, the king offers them a boat in better condition than their own, which had been affected by the recent events. It is a gesture of recognition for bringing back his daughter and Aeloria's savior to his kingdom.

Lyria, excited to show Aeloria to Alex, proposes to her father a tour of her home. Although the king insists that she must be accompanied by the royal guard for security reasons, Lyria, somewhat annoyed, assures him that she is with her savior, who protected her in much more dangerous situations. Worried but trusting in his daughter's determination and Alex's company, the king agrees and allows Lyria to take the tour alone with her savior.

Among the magnificent gardens of Aeloria, Alex and Lyria enjoy an unforgettable afternoon. Vibrantly colored flowers adorn the landscape, while the gentle murmur of crystal-clear streams creates a tranquil melody. The elven villages, with their elegant architectures, harmoniously blend with the lush nature surrounding them.

The afternoon unfolds in an emotional symphony of laughter and conversation. They share experiences, dreams, and laughter, immersing themselves in Aeloria's rich history. The food, expertly prepared by the kingdom's inhabitants, delights their palates with exquisite flavors and charming aromas.

Together, they stroll through cobblestone alleys, explore ancient monuments, and immerse themselves in elven culture. The sun tinges the sky with warm hues as shadows lengthen their figures. The complicity between Alex and Lyria grows with each step, woven by the magic of Aeloria and the connection they share.

The afternoon progresses until the sun begins to descend on the horizon, painting the sky with golden and purple tones. After enjoying an emotional afternoon exploring the beautiful gardens and villages of Aeloria, Lyria, with a noticeable blush, suggests taking Alex to the Castle to show him her home. They share a meal together and wander until nightfall, immersing themselves in the beauty of the elven realm.

On the way back to the castle, they encounter Lord Arion, a young noble who previously criticized humans. Lord Arion bows courteously to Lyria and, with a fake smile, expresses, "Princess Lyria, how pleasant it is to see your return to the kingdom. Although, I regret to say, I did not expect to find a human in our company."

As they walk away, Lord Arion remains angered by Alex's attitude and mutters to himself, planning retaliation at the party tomorrow. Lyria, realizing the tension, argues with Alex about his behavior towards Lord Arion, expressing her concern about possible reprisals. Despite their disagreements, Lyria decides to leave Alex in his room with a goodnight wish, committing to meet at the party the next day. The tension in the air anticipates challenges in the upcoming celebration.

Inside the sumptuous room, Alex admires the luxury surrounding him, but his attention shifts to his own figure as he begins to remove his clothing and armor. The scars of wars narrate stories of past confrontations, but one stands out with intensity: the wound inflicted by Asmodeus, the commander who took the life of his mentor.

As Alex sinks into well-deserved rest, elsewhere in Aeloria, the king's son, commander of the elite warriors, bravely leads the vanguard in a meadow. In the intense battle in the meadow, Elren, skilled with his twin swords, bravely charges against the demons. His combat prowess is evident as he cuts and parries enemy attacks, leading his army with indomitable determination. The meadow becomes a chaotic stage, but Elren, with his tactical skill, coordinates his warriors to efficiently face each demon.

Finally, after a fierce struggle, the elite warriors under Elren's command prevail. The battlefield is littered with defeated demonic bodies. In an act of triumph, Elren sends a messenger bird, bearing the good news of their victories, to the king's castle to inform his father about the victory. The majestic bird takes flight, carrying with it the news of the brave victory in the meadow.

In the aftermath of the battle, a disfigured demon emerges among the corpses, its face showing unimaginable horrors. Elren, realizing the threat, orders his archers to unleash a hail of arrows towards the putrid being. However, the demon, moving with supernatural speed, skillfully dodges each arrow, laughing as it mocks the attempted attack.

With a sadistic expression, the demon proclaims, "This will be fun," and, in a surprising act, grabs an arrow in mid-air and hurls it forcefully towards one of the warriors. Though the warrior narrowly avoids it, only having slight injured in his cheeks revealing the dangerous agility and skill of the putrid demon. The threat persists, leaving Elren and his warriors on guard.

Faced with the imminent threat of the putrid demon, Elren and his warriors decide to flee to their ship. As they escape, the demon fiercely proclaims, "I will claim 10 lives for every demon that fell here." As second in command of the army, he is determined to avenge the death of his comrades.

In a desperate attempt to stop the demon, Elren orders his archers to shower it with arrows. The demon, agile and swift, moves with skill to dodge the attacks. Though the arrows fly around him, the putrid being continues to pursue relentlessly, leaving Elren and his warriors in a frantic race to save their lives.

As they approach the ship, a problem arises with its departure, and amidst the tension, 10 brave warriors volunteer to stop the demon and allow the others to escape. Although Elren is reluctant, the warriors insist that the future king and sole heir to the throne must not perish before that demon. Determined and brave, they disembark from the ship and charge against the putrid being, facing it with courage and determination. Meanwhile, Elren watches with anguish from the ship, hoping that his fellow warriors can fulfill their sacrificial mission.

While the brave soldiers manage to temporarily halt the demon to allow the ship to set sail, Elren, from a distance, watches in horror as his comrades fall one by one before the creature. The demon, with a guttural and threatening laugh, proclaims its presence with a defiant tone: "All will fall before me! Their lives will pay the price for crossing my path! Prepare for annihilation, weak mortals!" The demon, revealing itself to be third in command of the demonic army, displays ruthless brutality as it devours the fallen soldiers. In a final act of defiance, it hurls the head of one of the brave warriors towards the ship with unmatched force, making it clear that its threat persists.

Elren, from afar, helplessly watches as his ship sails away, carrying in his heart the brave soldiers who sacrificed themselves to stop the demon. Frustration and fury burn in his eyes, feeling the weight of the loss of those who pledged loyalty to him. However, his duty as heir to the throne calls him back to the kingdom to inform his father about the looming threat.

Alex, awakened by the calls of the servants in the luxurious castle room, finds himself ready to face the challenges awaiting them in Aeloria. The previous night has left traces of intrigue and mistrust, but it has also strengthened the bonds between him and Lyria. With the new day, he prepares for the welcoming feast and the revelations that may arise.