AUTHOR NOTE: YOU GUYS CAN REREAD CHAPTER 47 I MADE SOME CORRECTION THERE.
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500 YEARS AGO
1524 (Forest of Arabian)
FLASHBACK (7 days before the present day)
Azriel wandered through the dense woods, the afternoon sun casting a warm golden glow through the thick canopy above. His hazel eyes scanned the familiar path, though his thoughts were elsewhere. Despite his stunning appearance—sharp features, tousled dark hair, and those mesmerizing hazel eyes that held a depth beyond mortal understanding—Azriel felt disconnected. There was a void in his heart, one that even the beautiful scenery around him could not fill.
As he walked, he couldn't help but think of Elysian, the boy with midnight blue eyes and long, flowing red hair that shimmered like fire in the sunlight. Elysian's beauty was otherworldly, surpassing even that of the gods. It was a beauty that captivated Azriel from the first moment he laid eyes on him. But Elysian was sick, his once vibrant spirit now dimmed by a mysterious illness that no healer could cure.
Azriel's love for Elysian was powerful, consuming him with a mixture of longing and despair. He would do anything to save him, even if it meant venturing into the unknown, beyond the mortal world.
His musings were interrupted by a sudden rustle in the bushes ahead. Azriel paused, his senses alert. A figure emerged from the shadows, moving with a grace that was both unnatural and captivating. As she stepped into the light, Azriel's breath caught in his throat.
She was unlike anyone he had ever seen. Tall and ethereal, with long, flowing hair the color of spun gold, her skin glowed with an inner light. Her eyes, a striking shade of blue, seemed to pierce through Azriel's very soul. She was a goddess, that much was clear, and her beauty was otherworldly, commanding attention and respect.
"Who are you?" Azriel asked, his voice steady despite the awe he felt.
The goddess smiled, a soft, gentle curve of her lips that held centuries of wisdom and experience. "I am Irene," she said, her voice like a melody that soothed Azriel's troubled heart. "And you, Azriel, are not like other mortals."
Azriel's eyes widened. "How do you know my name?"
"I know many things," Irene replied, stepping closer. "I have been watching you, Azriel. You have a strength within you that is rare, even among the gods. And you carry a deep sadness, one that I wish to ease."
Azriel's heart pounded in his chest. He didn't know what to make of this encounter, but something about Irene's presence calmed him, made him feel safe. "Why are you here?" he asked.
Irene looked into his hazel eyes, her expression softening. "Because I was drawn to you," she admitted. "There is something about you, Azriel, that calls to me. I want to know more about you, to understand the depth of your soul."
Azriel didn't know what to say. No one had ever spoken to him like this before, least of all a goddess. "I'm just a mortal," he said quietly. "What could you possibly see in me?"
Irene reached out and gently touched his cheek, her fingers cool against his warm skin. "You are more than you know," she whispered. "And I believe our paths were meant to cross."
As they stood there, the connection between them grew, an invisible thread binding their fates together. For the first time in a long while, Azriel felt a flicker of hope. Perhaps, just perhaps, there was a way to save Elysian, and Irene might be the key.
Over the next few weeks, Irene and Azriel continued to meet in secret. Irene, despite her divine nature, found herself increasingly drawn to Azriel's humanity—his kindness, his strength, and the deep love he held for Elysian. She had never known a love like this among the gods, who were often selfish and cruel.
Azriel, on the other hand, was torn. His feelings for Irene were growing stronger with each passing day, but his heart remained with Elysian. He could not abandon the boy who had been his companion, his lover, and his friend. Yet, every time he was with Irene, he felt a pull, a connection that he could not ignore.
One evening, as they sat together beneath the stars, Irene spoke of Mount Olympus, the home of the gods. "It's a place of great beauty," she said, her voice tinged with sadness. "But it is also a place of deception and cruelty. The gods are not as noble as they pretend to be."
Azriel listened intently, sensing the pain in her words. "Why do you stay there, then?" he asked gently.
"Because it is my home," Irene replied. "But I am growing weary of it. The gods care only for themselves, and they look down on mortals as lesser beings. They would never accept our relationship, Azriel. To them, it would be a disgrace."
Azriel frowned. "Then why be with me at all? You could find someone among the gods, someone they would approve of."
Irene shook her head, her golden hair shimmering in the moonlight. "Because I have seen the goodness in you, Azriel. You are different from anyone I have ever known. And I would rather face the wrath of the gods than live without you."
Azriel was silent, his heart heavy with conflicting emotions. He wanted to believe her, but he knew that their love was dangerous. If the gods discovered their relationship, the consequences would be severe. And what of Elysian? He could not abandon him, not when he was so close to finding a cure.
As if reading his thoughts, Irene took his hand in hers. "I know you love him," she said softly. "And I will not stand in the way of that. But know this, Azriel: I will do whatever it takes to be with you, even if it means defying the gods themselves."
Azriel looked into her eyes, seeing the determination there. He knew that Irene meant every word she said, but he also knew that their love was fraught with danger. Still, he could not deny the connection he felt with her, a connection that seemed to grow stronger with each passing day.
And so, their forbidden relationship continued, each of them aware of the risks but unable to walk away. Azriel found himself more and more captivated by Irene, even as his heart remained with Elysian. The tension between his love for the mortal boy and his growing feelings for the goddess threatened to tear him apart, but he knew that he could not abandon either of them.
PRESENT
Azriel returned to the mortal world, his heart heavy with the weight of his secret relationship with Irene. As he approached the small cottage where Elysian lay, he felt a pang of guilt. How could he betray the one person he had vowed to protect?
Elysian was waiting for him, his beautiful midnight blue eyes filled with longing as he watched Azriel enter the room. His long red hair, once vibrant and full of life, now hung limp around his pale face. But even in his weakened state, Elysian's beauty was undeniable. His features were delicate, almost ethereal, and his skin seemed to glow with an inner light.
"Azriel," Elysian whispered, his voice soft and filled with emotion. "I've missed you."
Azriel crossed the room in a few quick strides and knelt beside the bed. He took Elysian's hand in his, feeling the coolness of his skin. "I'm here now," he said gently. "I'll never leave you."
Elysian smiled, though it didn't reach his eyes. "I know you've been busy," he said, his voice tinged with sadness. "But I worry about you, Azriel. You've changed."
Azriel's heart ached at the words. Elysian was right—he had changed. The time he spent with Irene had altered him in ways he didn't fully understand. But he couldn't tell Elysian the truth. Not yet.
"I'm just tired," Azriel lied, brushing a strand of red hair from Elysian's face. "But I'm working on something that might help you. I promise I'll find a way to make you better."
Elysian's eyes searched Azriel's face, as if trying to discern the truth. After a moment, he nodded, though there was a flicker of doubt in his gaze. "I believe you," he whispered. "I know you'll save me."
Azriel leaned in and pressed a soft kiss to Elysian's lips, feeling the familiar warmth and love that had always been between them. As they lay together, Azriel couldn't help but feel a surge of determination. He had to save Elysian, no matter the cost.
But even as he made this silent vow, the image of Irene lingered in his mind, her words echoing in his thoughts. Their relationship was forbidden, and yet he couldn't bring himself to walk away. He was caught between two worlds, two loves, and he knew that the choices he made would have far-reaching consequence.