Queen Of Adis

Present

Huge and calloused werewolf-like hands gently stroke the silver hair strands of an androgynous beauty who was resting his head on the side of the bed while sleeping. His long eyelashes fluttered and his eyes gradually opened from the familiar touch.

"Good morning, my general," Frost whispered his sweet greetings in a voice thick with drowsiness. He smiled tenderly upon seeing his fated mate looking at him with worry.

"My brothers are here. Take a rest in the adjoining room for a while." Graves whispered back and leaned down to kiss his beloved's forehead while massaging his shoulders to ease his tired muscles.

Then, the general looked at the couple who were peacefully sleeping on the bed. "How are they?"

"Ngh! They are doing okay," Frost replied while yawning and stretching his body. "No abnormalities in their pulses and I still have three more blood supplies for the queen."

He watched Fang and Drako stealthily moved as they parted the velvet canopy of the enormous bed and tied it on the side to let the warmth of the sunlight touched their sleeping masters. He then shifted his attention to his mate and c.a.r.e.s.sed his muzzle."Are you feeling okay? Your complexion doesn't look good. Is the Blood Hound's case taking its toll on you?"

"If that is true, then you should consider leaving him as that would only entail that he's a weakling and he won't be able to protect you," Fang chimed in while brushing the top of the bookshelf with a feather duster.

"Nah, I'm fine. My body is trained for more gruesome and difficult situations. But our search left us... disheartened. It was just like the other mansions we apprehended; pile of female corpses, ritual circles, and air that reeks of s.e.x. And yet, not even a glimpse of Pier and Alfred's shadows were on sight." Graves wiped his face with his hand in exasperation, then added, "I feel like we are always one step behind. General Triton almost flattened the entire southern part of Umbra, but he still refuses to rest without securing at least one solid lead."

Drako proactively provided the context to their other plan. "Due to the rampant abduction of women throughout the realms, we have already set a curfew for all the ladies, especially the v.i.r.g.i.n ones. A decree from chief elder Camus, which is backed by the pope, was also implemented. All maidens are required to have a chaperone or a guard whenever they will go outside. This way, if the supply of v.i.r.g.i.n women will reduce, if not completely stop, the enemy will be forced to make a drastic move and come out from hiding."

"And when that time comes, the army, General Triton and I will be there to strike with all that we've got," Graves finished the details with an unyielding expression.

The doctor sighed helplessly as he looked back at the sleeping king and queen of Umbra. "I just hope that the other side is currently doing much better when it comes to their mission. And more importantly, they are moving with the utmost care."

KNOCK KNOCK

Their conversation was interrupted with a faint knock, and in came the wise pope Elior. Everyone simultaneously bowed to pay their respect to the newly arrived gentleman.

"Ah, the weary general has arrived to check on his beloved, I see. Such a moving act makes this old man's heart feel inspired." Elior greeted the lovebirds and the two other Ignis brothers with his usual radiant aura. He continued, "But you all look tired. Why don't you get some proper shut-eye and leave your masters in my hand? I shall guard them with my life until the time for Her Majesty's blood transfusion."

Frost shook his head, not liking the idea to impose his duty to the already busy clergyman. "Thank you, Your Holiness. I'm sure Her Majesty would be happy to know that you wish to take care of her. However, I understand that you are also a busy man and--"

"I insist," the pope interjected. "I would like to make up for the years that I wasn't on Haru's side. I implore that you give me the chance to be with her."

With sincere words and gentle eyes, Frost forgot any means of retort and conceded in the end.

Elior's smile widened and his eyes shone in gratitude. He suddenly bowed which made everyone panicked in surprise. "Fang, Graves, and Drako, you have shown your loyalty beyond compare. I thank you for your endless service and protection to your king and his family. Doctor Frost, may you continue to improve the healthcare system of this world and help the Queen save more lives."

But none had voiced out their assumptions as they were just mere servants compared to the supreme being in front that could rival their King in terms of influence and power. They could only nod their heads in acceptance and started to take their leave.

Before he could completely step out of the bedchamber, Frost turned around to check on his masters but inadvertently stared at the pope instead. His scowl deepened when he saw that his entire body seemed to be fading, like a flame that slowly diminishing its light once it reached its end.

He shook his head vehemently at the morbid idea. He snapped around and ran out as though the devil was on his trail.

'There is no way in hell that Elior would reach his end. No way in hell, right, Your Majesty?'

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Inside the bedchamber, Elior cupped Haru's cheek with one of his hands and stroke her face with his thumb. He smiled tenderly upon observing her serene beauty, unaware that his vision had blurred by the tears that instantly welled in his eyes.

A small whimper suddenly escaped from his trembling lips as he tried to alleviate the suffocating pain that he was feeling in his c.h.e.s.t. "Dear child, m-my... past self visited me last night. H-he told me how happy he was when he found out... that we reunited in the future. He even bragged about meeting the twin little devils." He croaked and had to pause multiple times due to the huge lump in his throat.

"T-this... old man may no longer be here once you wake up, but I just want to let you know... that I love you. I-I have always longed to have my own child, but I'm afraid that he might inherit these cursed eyes of mine. But... when I saw you the first time, I thought that having you is enough. That's how precious you are to me."

"My past self will hang on and distract the enemy so they won't notice you, Haru. So run in the opposite direction and as far away from me as possible. If you can hear me, please do not attempt to help me. As long as you are alive and happy... that's all that matters to me."

Elior chuckled as the tears fell uncontrollably to his cheeks and onto his l.a.p, drowning his resolve and making him utter words that he truly felt but embarrassed to admit. "This is embarrassing, but... I-I don't want to die. I still want to see your smile and your radiance. I want to hug you and carry your twins in my arms. There still more I want to do. I still want to live. Someone... please help me."

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Past

Rats, roaches, and spiders scampered away while murky water splashed and splattered on a man's white robe as his staggering footsteps trudged on the dirty puddle. He squinted his eyes at the endless blackness while his nose could only smell the scent of death that's looming over his head instead of the nauseating smell of the entire place.

His always neatly tied auburn hair was now disheveled, one of his thick-rimmed lenses was cracked and his eye-catching face was marred with grimes and blood. His forehead and clothes were soaked with sweats, but his hands and feet were stiff cold.

He knew that today won't be just another ordinary day, but he still took the risk of going out just to see Haru being on the stage for the very first time. And it was worth it. His eyes glistened in pride when he saw her standing gracefully on a golden chariot, waving her hand and smiling like a true regal queen. At that time, he felt a strong urge to come out from his hiding spot and shout out her name in praise. His sweet child had grown beautifully in a very short time.

However, his quiet observation was cut short when a gun was suddenly pointed at his lower back. Without any word, the assailant mercilessly pulled the trigger. Fortunately, Vesta moved in a Flash and attacked the man with her sharp claws, hence the bullet only grazed his waist. But, due to his vigorous movement, his wound had worsened.

A glaring blotch of bloodstain on his waist added to the abstract taint on his once immaculately clean ensemble. He was panting, wheezing even, due to extreme exhaustion from running for several hours. Though he knew he still couldn't stop, not when his life was literally on the line.

He needed to reach that place, to the only place he knew Adis would go first to look for him. He promised that he would hang on... for as long as could. Besides, he wouldn't want this godforsaken sewer to be his tomb, his followers would definitely mock him to high heaven.

With that in mind, Elior tightened his grip to the Cheshire cat in his arms who was vigilantly peeking over his shoulder for any incoming enemy.