A few months went by following the destruction of the temple. With Merida’s Key trapped inside the Dark Real and the summoning stones securely separated across the continent there was no possible way for the gate to be re-opened; of course that isn’t entirely true. After the conflict Christel and Hazel finally went home for a much-needed rest and they began planning for their baby girl to be born. The idea of being a father terrified Christel more than any danger he had ever faced and yet somehow he could not contain his excitement.
When things seemed to calm down in the north they made a trip to Taelliwey to see how everyone was doing. No one had heard from Merida or Vivica since the closing of the gate and Christel hoped it would stay that way for a very long time. Johnathan Bernard paid off his personal army of mercenaries and set about cleaning up his empire to the south and rebuilding it in the north; in this state he gave all he had to Saizo before making a deal with the new government of Taelliwey and placing himself under house-arrest. Princess Elena made her deal with Surra, and with Devin as her new personal advisor, she abdicated her position on the throne and handed Noveria to the people. Unfortunately, that didn’t completely end the war.
When Christel heard about the first attacks he went to Sam, who had been stationed at his old barracks in the city. “The king’s generals are still loyal to the king and now they’re looking to turn the north into a military dictatorship.”
“But the princess…”
“Is too weak in their opinion. I have a feeling they were waiting for the king to die, of course they weren’t expecting a coup in the city. That being said, the army is still a force to be reckoned with. My freedom fighters have joined with men still loyal to Elena to form a militia. I’ve been placed in command until the higher-ups can get the new military in a position to strike back.”
“We’ve jumped from one war right into another. How are things with Grey Skull?”
Sam appeared optimistic about this topic. “With all their major players either dead or in custody the organisation is falling apart. Now they’re nothing more than a dying cult. Petra is still in prison and Germaine has been cooperative enough.”
“Well at least that’s some good news.”
They left the barracks and entered the street. A group of children playing ball ran by and Christel remarked at their laughter. It was the first time the city had seemed peaceful. Sam was thinking about Arlandra. “You met up with Arlandra on your way here, didn’t you? How is he?”
Christel laughed. “Disturbingly happy. He was wearing a white shirt which pretty much says everything about this change of character he’s going though. He said something about going back home to Surra to reignite the Order of Eldaviir.”
“Well an army of assassins would be useful about now.”
“Ha! Take that up with him. He’s on the other side of the continent so I doubt he’ll be dropping by any time soon.”
They came to the market square where Juliet was speaking with Hazel. Juliet seemed surprisingly comfortable in an officer’s uniform. Sam and Christel were soon to part ways. “What’ll you do now?” Sam asked.
Christel shrugged. “I got a child on the way so I guess I have to learn how to be a dad.”
Sam placed a hand on his shoulder. “Then good luck. Oh, and congratulations.”
Christel awoke one morning several weeks later and rolled over to kiss his wife. She wasn’t in bed but he didn’t think anything of it. He stretched. Streaks of moonlight swam through the window and painted his bedroom. He got up and dressed himself, worried that Hazel might have had another nightmare. Still drowsy with sleep he stepped through the house.
Hazel was in the dining room. She spun around slowly and moonlight reflected from the tears on her cheeks. All the dread that Christel had overcome returned in a fatal blow as a hooded man stepped around the corner holding a pistol to Hazel’s head. Before he could move he was jumped by two others. He kicked one away but was sprayed by the other with a toxin. The last thing he remembered was Hazel screaming, and then the terrible jolt of a gunshot.
Everything from that point forward was a blur, like some strange dream filled with fragments of torture and the nauseating feeling of being injected with drugs. Christel’s entire life became confined to a cell and his mind so tormented that his memories felt more like dreams. The rest has already been told. Everything changed when he was ordered to take a bath and have a meal, before the mysterious and rather beautiful woman known only to him as the baroness. “Christel,” she called. “You’re late. I’ll have to call for a new pot of tea.”
Finally, Christel remembered everything. He knew how he had come to be imprisoned in the Dark Realm. He knew that the baroness was as much a prisoner as he was, and that whoever brought them here was going to pay for it. Most importantly, he knew where to find his golden pocket watch, and luckily for him it was right within his grasp. “Hazel,” he whispered. “I will see you again.”
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