The journey had been long and exhausting for Mazikeen and Kaelen, yet they'd found moments of camaraderie along the way. they've conversed, fought, shared meals, and rested under the stars.
As they stepped foot into the heavenly realm, Kaelen's eyes widened in awe. He came to a halt, looking around with childlike wonder.
"Wow!" Kaelen exclaimed, spinning slowly to take in the view. "Is this what the heavenly realm looks like? It's even more beautiful than I imagined!"
Mazikeen slid off the horse with practiced ease. Her gaze swept over the familiar surroundings she hadn't seen in fifty years. Instead of the joy she used to feel, a storm of emotions churned in her heart, anger, pain, betrayal.
"It's not as beautiful as you think," she said flatly.
Kaelen turned to her, disbelief on his face. "This isn't beautiful? Maze, are you blind? This place looks like it fell out of a dream! You sound just like my dad, always finding faults where there's perfection. No wonder you both get along so well"
"Tsk." Mazikeen sucked her teeth and crossed her arms. "I didn't say it wasn't beautiful. But looks can be deceiving, Kaelen. The people here? They're the opposite of this 'perfection' you're so mesmerized by. Not all that glitters is gold."
"Whatever you say," Kaelen shrugged, clearly unconvinced. "But I'll tell you one thing, I'm going to make some cool friends here before I head back home."
Mazikeen raised a brow at him. "Cool friends? Aren't you leaving soon? I thought you were just lending me your horse."
"Of course, I am," Kaelen said, tossing an apple into the air and catching it before taking a bite. "But I think I'll hang around for a few days. My dad won't even notice I'm gone."
Mazikeen stared at him, unimpressed. "And you think that's a good idea? This place isn't as welcoming as you think."
Kaelen just grinned. "I'm sure I'll manage. I've got you, don't I?"
Before Mazikeen could reply, they approached a magnificent golden gate that stood tall before them. She stopped, staring at it, her expression unreadable.
"We're here," she said quietly.
Kaelen nearly dropped his apple. His mouth hung open as he took in the sight. "What? This… this is your place?"
Mazikeen didn't respond. The gates creaked open as though recognizing her presence. She stepped forward, Kaelen trailing behind her. The guards stationed by the gate immediately bowed low as Mazikeen passed.
Kaelen's amazement didn't wane as they moved deeper into the heavenly realm. "This is incredible," he whispered, his eyes darting around. "Everything here looks like it's made of pure light! I mean, look at that fountain, it's glowing!" he said out loud, his voice full of emotions
Mazikeen didn't respond to his chatter. Her senses were on high alert as a sudden wave of unease swept over her. Her instincts were proven right moments later when a troop of guards surrounded them, their weapons drawn but not raised. She sighed lightly as she raised her brow.
"What's going on?" Kaelen asked, his voice tinged with alarm as he glanced at the guards.
"I… I don't know," Mazikeen muttered, though her gut told her otherwise. She raised a hand to signal Kaelen to stay calm. "Let me handle this."
Just then, a figure descended from the sky, her movements smooth and deliberate. The moment the figure spoke, Mazikeen stiffened.
"Maze, oh Maze," the voice said, laced with mockery. "Back so soon?"
Mazikeen's eyes narrowed. "Rose," she spat, recognizing Lord Maximus's right-hand enforcer. Rose's presence was as unwelcome as it was expected. One thing she has always known is that she never got along well with Rose, for some reason they seem to hate each other.
Rose smirked, her arms crossed as she hovered above them before landing gracefully. "Why stop me from going inside?" Mazikeen demanded, her voice sharp.
Rose chuckled, the sound grating on Mazikeen's nerves. "Oh, Maze, aren't you stubborn as ever?"
"You better step aside," Mazikeen warned, her tone icy. "Or I'll make sure Lord Maximus himself puts you in your place." Rose hated that word, she has been punished by Lord Maximus on several occasions because of Maze and she hated it.
Rose's smirk widened into a scornful laugh. "Put me in my place? Oh, sweet Maze, I'm only doing my job, helping him out. Because look at you! Coming back from your little cultivation trip, and not even two hundred years have passed. Tell me, who do you think will face his wrath first?" Rose said, she knew this time, no matter what happens, Maze would be punished greatly for her actions and decisions and that made her very happy and fulfilled.
Kaelen, who had been silently observing, stepped forward. "Hey, pumpkin," he said casually, addressing Rose. "Mind your tone when you're talking to Maze."
Rose turned her sharp gaze on Kaelen, eyeing him from head to toe. "And who's this puppy?" she asked with a sneer.
Kaelen grinned, completely unfazed. "The name's Kaelen. And you should be careful who you're calling a puppy. You wouldn't want to underestimate me."
Mazikeen shot him a warning look. "Kaelen, don't."
Rose ignored Kaelen's comment and focused on Mazikeen again. "You shouldn't have come back, Maze. You know you're only stirring up trouble."
Mazikeen stepped closer, her voice low and filled with defiance. "I came back for answers, Rose. If that's stirring up trouble, so be it."
The tension crackled in the air as the two women stared each other down. Kaelen, sensing things might escalate, nudged Mazikeen lightly.
"Maze, let's just go. No need to waste your energy on someone who clearly has nothing better to do."
Rose scoffed but didn't move to stop them as Mazikeen and Kaelen walked past her. Her smirk lingered as she called out, "You might want to rethink on this little reunion, Maze. The heavenly realm isn't as forgiving as you remember."
Mazikeen didn't look back. "Neither am I," she muttered under her breath.