Survive As The Brute's Wife

Arioch turned to the side to see Maximus approaching at high speed on a horse. Behind him was a wall of sand and above him were pillars of lightning. His eyes were glowing red as his dark horse marched forward.

He lived up to his name - Death on a horse.

Arioch's men darted towards Maximus and Arioch watched as bolts of lightning fell from the sky and attacked them. They all fell on the ground burnt to a crisp. 

Arioch stood there stunned. This is the first time he is seeing the power of Maximus face-to-face. He has heard of the valor of the Brute on the battlefields and he never thought he is this powerful.

<He is wearing my face and carries the blood of my ancestors. How come he is so powerful while I couldn't summon up a single beast in my past life and even now?>

Arioch fisted his hands. His blood boiled as jealousy took over. Grabbing his sword, he ran at Maximus, letting go of Alexandra's hand. 

He wanted to dethrone him. Everything Maximus has is his. He does not deserve to be the emperor.

He was the one who formed the Empire with his blood and sweat. He plotted and used all his days for paving the way to the throne. He sat on the throne but he lost it all.

And now, this life, he's just a paper with nothing to his name and is wanted for being a petty thief! 

<I will take back what is mine!>

His eyes got focused with determination and he didn't see the pillar of lighting that would burn him to crisp with just a command of the man on the horse. His soul had plenty of persistence and he only had his eyes on the prize. 

"Lexa!" 

Maximus was not even looking at Arioch. He kicked Arioch out of the way as his horse whooshed past him. Arioch fell on his butt on the sand and rolled over by the force of the kick. His chest got congested and he coughed drawing in some of the sand and that only led him to a coughing fit.

"Maximus!" Arioch stood up and spat out the sand that got inside his mouth. He got more provoked by getting kicked by Maximus. He charged towards the horse that was speeding towards Alexandra, now kneeling on the sand with her head bowed. 

"Lexa!" Maximus jumped down from the horse and kneeled in front of her.

"What happened?"

She lifted her head and looked at him. His heart skipped a beat seeing the blank eyes staring back at him.

"Maximus!" 

He was not in the mood to turn at the approaching voice filled with reproach. He carried the kick to his arms without any struggle and shielded her eyes from the sand particles displaced by Arioch's shoes.

His eyes were solely focused on Alexandra and seeing her blank expression, he felt his soul leaving his body. His eyes reddened. 

«She is not fine!»

"Fight me, coward!" Arioch swiped his dagger at Maximus. 

"You, rotten filth!" Maximus blocked his attack with his forearm. "What did you do to her?"

He stood up. He couldn't believe what he is seeing. He thought Arioch wouldn't hurt her, but he did. He felt ashamed. 

He thought she would be safe back in her house and left her alone only for her to be abused. He thought she would be safe with Arioch only for her to suffer some ailment he couldn't even understand. She looks the same but he could see that it is not her. 

«How could I be this reckless?»

He drew his sword and lunged at Arioch. 

"It's all your fault!"

-----

Alexandra, lying at the bottom of the pond, felt peaceful. She felt like she is tethered to the bottom but she could move her hands if she wished for it. The peace and calmness under the pond were so unrealistic that she didn't want to lose it.

Her eyes were open all the time. She kept it open not to - she didn't know why. She had a reason some time ago not to close her eyes but now she forgot it. The more she thought about it... 

[I am forgetting a lot after staying under here... But what did I forget?]

She remembered that she wants to be out. But as time passes, the rhythmic waves under the pond lulled her to sleep. She understood that life out of this pond hurts. And she wanted to stay under for the time being. She didn't want to feel pain.

She heard a song at the distance; a familiar song. But she didn't remember how she was familiarized with that song. She looked in the direction of the source of the sound.

'Melda...'

She heard the sweetest voice of a woman.

'Arimelda...'

A gentle male voice interjected the woman's voice making her giggle. She could feel like the flowers were blooming around where the voices were heard and felt nostalgic. 

That was followed by the voice of a little girl and another voice that vibrated in her ears. The vibration was pretty similar to the way one would hear their voice in their ears. 

[Was that me?]

She tried to listen more but the waves got distorted and she couldn't hear more. She wanted to close her eyes so that she would be able to listen more but she saw violent ripples forming on the surface of the pond.

[Trouble!]

She tried to get to the surface of the pond but a bright splash made her relax once more. The ripples on the surface of the pond were gone and she sank to the dark bottom once again. 

[Anyara...]

This voice was filled with reverence and she saw a lot of people surrounding her with smiles on their faces. 

And then there was silence. The silence was so heavy and loud, she thought she lost her hearing ability. She couldn't stay awake anymore and slowly she closed her eyes. 

The voice that was reminding her not to fall asleep disappeared and she even forgot the fact that she should be staying awake. 

The gentle swaying, the soft cushion behind her back, the warmth of the surrounding water, the heavy silence - it all cuddled her and she slowly started to fall asleep.

Any being would want to be free of troubles and troubling thoughts. Anyone would want rest. She was no exception.

"Lexa!"

That familiar voice passed through the dense water and reached her ears like a whisper. But in that silence, his voice was crisp and melodic. 

[Whose voice is this? It is packed with desperation and affection!]

She gained little of her consciousness hearing that voice. She could hear the surface of the pond getting ripples again. Even the water surrounding her became light, lifting her to the surface. She didn't want to be disturbed and wanted to go back to the bottom. 

She just wanted rest.

[Lexa... He is calling me... he... My... My Max!]

The comfort surrounding her felt as she realized that the one calling her name with such affection is the one she has deep feelings over and her eyes opened wide. She lifted her hands and pushed herself forward using her feet. 

[Max... Here I come...] 

She didn't look to the side and only looked at the surface. She didn't even see the wisp sinking back to the bottom. Her eyes were at the surface where she was eager to see the face of the man who called her with such affection.

Alexandra reached the surface. She was confused by everything she was hearing as she reached the top. She could hear the crashing waves and she could smell the salty breeze. Beneath her knees, she felt the prickly sensations of the sand. And there was the distinct shout of two men. 

She opened her eyes. 

"Max?" he was the first person she noticed. "And Arioch?"

The two men were clashing swords on the sand. She covered her eyes as a load of sand was carried to her by the strong evening sea breeze. Maximus rolled on the ground to avoid a blow to his shoulder by Arioch's blade.

"Max!" she called but her voice wasn't reaching any of them. 

Thunders started to roll in the distance and she looked to her front where she heard a hearty chuckle. 

Her eyes lit up with the mesmerizing sight in front of her. She held out her hand to the beguiling sight in front of her. 

The small island that only had a small hill and the lonesome tree was hanging over the still waters. She could see the change in the tidal waves of the sea just around a small perimeter around the island. The crashing waves calmed down around the island. The lonesome tree that bore pure white flowers was glowing brighter than the moon that night. 

The dragon stood up as its eyes met with hers. 

"You have come..." she said with her sweet voice filled with glee.

"Welcome back!" 

Alexandra stood up and walked towards the water.