Chapter Twenty One: Together
Elsword was struck dumb. Lady Danaley of all people was the culprit behind Ara's murder, Raven's collapse, Elesis's kidnapping and raping, the death of an innocent family, the kidnapping of two friends, and the death of two others. Danaley stood in front of him, easily within distance of his sword. One strike, one strike would end it all. But Elsword stayed his blade, he didn't know if killing Danaley would trap Ara in the altar forever.
"What are you waiting for?" Elsword twitched as Danaley addressed him, "Because of me your love was taken, a family murdered, and friends lost. Why do you not strike me down?" Danaley held her arms out, "I am defenseless, my guards lay dead by your hand."
"Why?" Danaley looked up at him, "Why have you done this?" Elsword's answer came in the form of that same scream that echoed through the castle ever since he entered. Danaley looked back at the altar.
"I wanted him back." Danaley said and began to walk to the altar. Elsword followed and helped Eve to her feet.
"You alright?" He asked her as she clutched her chest.
"Y-Yes...I'll recover." Elsword helped Eve to the door and turned back to Danaley who now placed her hand on the altar. It was covered with vines and foliage and seemed to be falling apart.
"I just...wanted my son back." Danaley began to weep, and fell to her knees. The altar began to glow, and the top cracked off. Elsword approached cautiously, and saw Ara laying in the altar which was now cracked open. Ara's eyes slowly opened, and she turned her head to see Danaley on her knees.
"Dana...ley?" Ara sat up slowly, and placed her hand on Danaley's shoulder, "He doesn't hate you."
"Then why does he scream..." Danaley sobbed, and Elsword realized Ara must have been communing with the spirit of Danaley's child.
"Because he's lonely...he wants to be with you." Ara said, and stood up. Elsword saw now she was in Eun form, her long tails fully restored. Danaley, with tear filled eyes, looked up at her.
"Please...bring him back..." Danaley pleaded, making Elsword bite his tongue in anger. She had caused so much pain, and dare to ask Ara to bring her son back from the dead?
"You dare ask that?!" Elsword yelled, "Because of you...Tiichi and Rena are gone!" Ara and Eve stared at him, gasping.
"Rena...is...dead?" Eve breathed, shocked and struck with disbelief. Ara looked down at Danaley in anger.
"I refuse to bring him back." Ara growled, then placed her hand on Danaley's forehead. Ara's tails began to glow, "But I will send you to him." Elsword cringed, Ara was going to kill her. No...Ara wouldn't do something like this...I have to stop her!
"Ara!" Elsword ran forward and grabbed Ara and pushed her back. She stared blankly at him as he clutched her, "Don't do this...you never wished to take a life...I won't let you!" Ara's hair began to turn black again.
"Elsword...What was...Why..." Ara seemed ashamed, and Elsword stood up, sword in hand. Danaley was on her knees, staring at him as he walked to her side.
"I'll do it." Elsword said, and raised his sword, prime to cut off her head, "Any last words?"
"Yes." Danaley closed her eyes, "I am sorry...for all the pain I have caused. But..." Danaley looked at him, "You can bring back the dead Elsword. She can." Danaley glanced at Ara, then closed her eyes, "Do it..."
"May you rest in peace...Lady Danaley." Elsword swung his sword down, and ended her life. Danaley's spirit visibly left her body, and circled the altar. Another spirit, smaller and paler, came as well and the screaming stopped. They circled each other, a mother and son reunited. They two wisps flew up to the ceiling, and vanished from sight. A voice echoed through the halls.
"Thank you Mister..." It was a child, the son who now had his mother once again. Ara was now staring at the altar, strange markings lining the coffin.
"Ara..." Ara turned as Elsword extended his hand, "Let's go." Ara nodded, and took his hand. They walked over to Eve by the door, and Elsword helped Eve walk as they walked up the stair way to the main hall, where Rena lay. Elsword pushed the doors open, and Eve and Ara cringed as they saw Rena's body on the floor before them. Elsword looked at her.
"Danaley said you could bring her back. How?" Elsword wondered if even Ara knew. Ara suddenly morphed back into Eun, and walked past Rena and into the Walkway of Souls that led to the exit. Elsword picked Rena up, and followed along with Eve who struggled to walk straight. She held onto Elsword's shirt for balance.
"Oh great fox..." Ara stood at the edge where the walkway opened up and a massive hole punctured the center of the platform. Spirits began to encircle her, "Your home is here, in a world that fell to darkness in your absence. Oh Eun, great fox of life, grant these spirits the love and life they deserve." The tails left Ara's body, and burst into rays of light. Ara's hair turned black, and Eun formed before her above the pit as a shade of light.
"My seal has been broken." Eun said, her voice echoing, "As an act of repayment, I shall grant your wish." Eun held out her hands, and two bright flames appeared. One shot for the exit, and the other slowly levitated to Rena's body. Elsword laid her down on the floor, and the flame began to burrow its way into her chest. Eun smiled, "The portal will remain open until you have left, but please hurry. The souls of the dead bear little love for the living." Eun vanished, and everyone jumped as they heard a groan.
"Ngh..." Rena twitched, and opened her eyes. Elsword, Ara, and Eve stood around her, "Everyone...you're safe but...how am I...?"
"Shh...no one needs to know." Elsword said.
"But I was..." Rena tried to sit up, but couldn't.
"No you didn't, we can't have Chung know you died, however briefly." Elsword picked Rena up and held her in his arms, "Let's head home."
Elsword and the girls hurried through the walkway, and as they left the castle the giant doors slid shut. Ara and Eve stared at Brengulch's body on the steel platform before them. Elsword however, stared at the now open walls on the other side, and the figure trotting towards them.
"Tiichi!" Elsword ran up to his close companion, Rena in his arms, and ran a hand through Tiichi's mane. Nothing else needed to be said, everyone was alive and well. Elsword put Rena on Tiichi's back, and walked over to Brengulch's corpse. He took out the silver belt, and placed it in the fallen Titan's hand. Elsword bowed in honor and respect, "Rest easy Brengulch. Your life of fighting is over, live an afterlife of peace."
"Elsword..." Ara walked up to him and hooked his arm, intertwining their fingers, "Let's go home." With no argument as to otherwise, they began to make their way through the stone maze.
Raven stood on edge at the strange portal before them. Chung and Delilah stood back with Sana and Mari, and Aisha and Elesis were also at the ready. The strange portal had appeared from nowhere in the main hall, Sana running around and almost entering it.
"Something's coming out." Raven said, holding his sword tighter. He wouldn't let anyone else be taken.
"Do we know what?" Elesis asked Aisha, who was focusing on the portal. She was sweating in concentration, and suddenly smiled.
"It's okay..." Aisha said and lowered her guard, panting, "They're home..." Chung and Sana walked forward the distorted figures appeared in the vortex. The next moment, Elsword and Ara, followed by Eve who was holding her chest in pain, entered the hall. Rena came in on Tiichi, having passed out from exhaustion. Chung ran up to her.
"Rena!" Chung pulled her off the saddle and held her tightly. Elsword quickly held his shoulder.
"She's alive Chung, just exhausted." Elsword said reassuringly.
"We all are." Ara breathed before yawning. Sana ran up to Eve.
"Mommy!" Sana jumped at her, but Ara caught her, "Let me go!"
"Sana, Eve's badly hurt, she needs rest." Raven was struck by fear and ran up to Eve.
"What happened? Where are you hurt?!" Eve wearily held his hand.
"I'm fine...Dear...I just need...a good rest." Eve smiled, "After all...I still need to marry you." Raven smiled, and hugged her.
"I'm so glad you're home." Raven said as he started to cry. Delilah smiled and walked over to them with Mari in her arms.
"Welcome home everyone." Delilah said with a feeling of love and tenderness, "It's finally over. But, it's late and I feel we have yet another big day before us. Let us get to bed." No one argued with this, and everyone left for their rooms. Raven, Eve, and Sana all slumbered together in Eve's bed, Sana sleeping happily between them. Elesis finally slept without nightmares that something would happen to her friends and family. Aisha ran her fingers through the sleeping warrior's hair. Chung stayed up that night in the sick bay, waiting for Rena to wake up. And lastly, Elsword and Ara sat together on the balcony of Ara's room. They said nothing; they didn't need to say anything. The pain was over, and they would finally be able to live in happiness.
The cathedral was once again filled as the Bishop of the El once again performed the wedding ceremony for Raven and Eve after they were so rudely interrupted. Ara and Elsword were not there, both fast asleep in the castle and after all they had been through no one wished to wake them. Rena was up and healthy, but couldn't walk and needed a chair to get around with Chung's help. The Bishop began the ending ceremonies.
"If there are any here who can see just cause as to why these two may not be joined in holy matrimony, speak now or forever hold his peace." There was silence, and once more Eve's heart beat fast and her face warm. It was finally going to happen, she would be married, "So be-"
"Stop!" The cathedral doors opened as everyone turned to see Elsword in a suit standing at the door. Raven was furious.
"Elsword!? What are you doing!?" Elsword simply smiled.
"It won't be fair if you're the only one to be married." Elsword said, and walked down the aisle to the bishop, "I believe you can handle two marriages?" The bishop was shocked.
"B-but who are you marrying?" Elsword smiled, and looked back at the door. Every head turned to see Ara, in a silk white dress much similar to Eve's wedding gown, begin to walk down the aisle. Raven turned to look at Eve, on his left, and then Elsword, to his right. He sighed.
"The more the merrier." Raven said, and shook Elsword's hand. Raven and Elsword stood side by side, their betrothed on each side of them. The bishop looked to Chung.
"Do it." Was all he said. The bishop sighed, and took a deep breath.
"Very well. Under the eyes of the holy El, I pronounce thee married. You may kiss the bride." In unison, Raven took Eve's hands, and Elsword took Ara's. They both lifted the veils, and then kissed. The crowd burst into applause. The newlyweds turned to the crowd, and both Eve and Ara tossed their bouquets into the pews. As they had aimed, Aisha grabbed one, and Elesis caught the other. They walked down the aisle, got into the carriage, and left for the castle as the nobles got ready for the party. Upon arrival, Raven and Eve as well as Elsword and Ara ran out of the carriage and headed for their rooms.
The party began not long after, and Elesis and Aisha danced to the music as Chung and Rena laughed as Sana devoured the sweets as she sat on Lanee's back, the happy wolf running back and forth to take Sana to the snacks she desired. Chung pecked Rena's cheek.
"I love you." He whispered, and Rena smiled.
"Me too. I'm so glad we're all happy now." Chung smiled.
"I never thought I'd see the day." Aisha and Elesis walked up to them.
"I hope Elsword gives us a little niece or nephew." Elesis said happily.
"I don't know if Elsword could handle a kid." Aisha teased, and they all laughed.
"Wonder where Eve and Raven are." Chung mused.
"They're in the garden." Rena said. Raven and Eve had left for the very hill where Raven proposed to her.
In the garden, Raven lay down on the floor with Eve on top of him. They gazed at the stars, each other, and then the stars once more. Eve traced the grooves of his claw with her finger, and he rubbed her back in return. They were finally married, no more interruptions, no more pain or sadness, no more worrying. They were alone under the clear night sky.
"Thank you so much Raven." Eve whispered softly. Raven took her hand and rubbed the ring on it.
"No, thank you Eve. You've made me the happiest man on Elrios. And, we have a child to care for." Eve smiled, and rested her head on his chest and listened to the rhythm of his beating heart.
"Yes...Yes we do..."
In the tower housing the royal quarters, Elsword and Ara held each other in their bed. They said nothing, their eyes speaking for them. Elsword held Ara tighter, their naked forms tightly pressing against one another under the covers. Ara gently kissed him as he did the same and caressed her cheek.
"I love you Elsword." Ara whispered, rolling on top of him and kissing him once more.
"I love you too Ara. Forever." Elsword replied, and their night began once more.
Two Years Later
Sana ran through the garden maze, going to every dead end and exit she could. Raven stood at the fountain of the courtyard with a stopwatch while Elesis sat with Eve and Mari, teaching Mari to walk. As Sana ran back into the courtyard, Raven stopped the time.
"Nice, you get faster each time." Sana smiled, breathing heavily.
"Thanks dad!" Sana sat down on the fountain and dozed off, tired and bored. Raven smiled and walked over to Eve. Elesis sat on the floor not far from where Mari sat.
"Come to mommy Mari." Elesis cooed, and Mari picked herself up and tried to keep her balance as she hobbled over to Elesis, the crimsonette's arms outstretched. Mari was just about to reach her when she lost her balance and Elesis quickly caught her before she hurt herself, "Well done!" Elesis held her tightly, running her fingers through her violet hair. Mari had Elesis's eyes, and Aisha's attitude. She always got what she wanted, or Elesis paid the price.
"I'm so proud." Elesis got up as she heard Aisha, and turned and kissed her gently as she came from the doorway. Elesis looked up to the tower.
"At least Rena and Ara had the luxury to bear their child normally." Rena and Ara had both given birth at roughly the same time, and not long ago as well.
"You didn't have to do it." Everyone jumped as they turned around to the corner of the castle walkway to see Chung and Rena come out of the garden. Rena's son, Paku, was asleep in her arms. Rena was overjoyed when he was born, another dream come true.
"Hmm...wonder where Ara and Elsword are?" Chung pondered, and then jumped as the doors to the castle hall flew open and Elsword and Ara rushed out.
"Whoa! What's up?" Raven asked, seeing the excited looks in their eyes.
"Jasmine took her first steps!" Elsword proclaimed, ecstatic. Eve smiled.
"That's wonderful; we can begin her lessons soon."
"I wish you would calm down Elsword." Ara said, Jasmine in her arms and looking at the world around her. Elsword scratched his head.
"Sorry...I'm just so happy she's healthy and growing." Elsword leaned over and kissed Jasmine's forehead. She giggled and extended her hands.
"Da da!" Everyone was frozen silent. Elsword felt like he was going to explode. Jasmine continued to hold her arms out, "Da da!" A smile on his face, Elsword picked Jasmine up and held her tightly.
"Yeah, that's right...I'm your dad." Everyone looked at one another. A group of friends, bound by blood and love. A group of lovers forever bound together with families to go around. They all looked up to the sky. As they stared at the still orange sky in the early morning mist, they saw two faint glimmers in the clouds. Everyone smiled, a mother and son still watched over them to make amends for their wrongs. Everyone sighed, and wrapped one another in a tight group hug. Sana woke up as Lanee poked her with her nose, and Sana ran over to them so she wouldn't be left out. It was finally a time of peace, no more war, no more pain. All they woke up to each day from now on was love, and happiness.
EL FINISH
Vayne: QWQ I'm so sad...it's finally over. I have so much to say, so I'm going to post a seperate chapter after this to give my thanks to you guys who have supported me. Without further adieu, Locked Away, my master piece as of this time, draws to a close.
*Bows*
THANK YOU ALL.