A/N: Disclaimer: Refer back to Chapter 1.

WARNING: SLIGHT VIOLENCE, OOC, LANGUAGE

Chapter 24: My Final Farewell

He couldn't believe what he had just heard.

His heart stopped. The Resistance had been wiped out!

He listened in more intently…and there, he had learnt that there had been a spy who had informed the Arkanadaran army of their location.

Cielo narrowed his eyes in disgust…

"When I find that spy…I'll tear him in two…" he promised dangerously.

Cielo perked up his ears as he heard the guards slur their speech. He smirked; typical. Those brutes had drunk themselves to the point of heavy intoxication.

Well, whatever.

It proved useful for his plans.

Cielo took a deep breath and after a few moments of hacking his breath, he spat out a tiny metallic trinket that had been attached via an almost invisible and thin cord that was attached to his teeth.

With his precision, he swung the trinket to his hand. Catching it, he maneuvered it towards the lock of his shackles.

Within a minute, he was free.

He took a deep breath and there tied his long loose blue hair with a string. He narrowed his eyes; he needed to get out. And so, blending with the shadows, he unlocked the door to his cell and there pressed himself against the wall and watched the guards with small peeks.

There were three guards…

All of them, drunk.

He smirked but at the same time, he cursed. He hadn't his swords or his mask. But even so, he still had his abilities.

And so, putting them into use, he zipped to their positions and there quickly snapped their necks broken before they could utter any word.

"Too easy…" he told himself.

He then dragged the bodies to his cell and then locked the door. He now had to find Sera. He could only hope that she was alright.

But no matter; there was no use thinking about it. All he needed to do now was to locate her, retrieve her and leave.

That was all.

He had to return to the base. He needed to know if there were any survivors. And so, he ran out of the dungeons.

ooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo

Sera buried her face in her hands.

"Sera…don't cry…"

Sera froze and looked at the figure at the door. She raised an eyebrow, "W-who are you…?"

The petite woman in the hood took it off and there revealed herself to be her friend, Priya.

Sera's eyes widened, "What are you doing here?! They'll kill you!"

She shook her head, "There isn't much time. Come with me if you want to leave here!"

Sera gritted her teeth and nodded. She stood and there felt pain in her belly and her nether regions. She groaned in pain.

Priya came to her side and held her by the waist, "Come on!"

Sera nodded and dragged herself out of the room as fast as she could. Together, they limped out of the room. They descended the staircases, hiding within the shadows every once in a while…

The night had grown late…

Too late…

They both froze as they heard the resonating of footsteps. Sera smiled; although the footsteps were as light as a feather, almost inaudible, she had heard it all the same.

She giggled and Priya gave her a questioning look, "What?"

"It's Cielo…!"

And there, as the footsteps neared even still, the two women moved from their hiding place and moved to meet the possessor of such light feet. And they weren't disappointed.

As silver met blue, time froze.

From Priya's arms, Sera flew to Cielo, her arms wrapped around his neck, "Cielo…! Cielo…I thought…I thought you were dead…" she said in a happy whisper as her face lay buried within his chest, her tears soiling his shirt.

Cielo held her tightly and then pulled away, "I've come for you." He paused as he saw his wife's now flat belly.

Sera followed his gaze and there let her tears trickle down once more, "It's gone…It's gone…" she repeated, sobbing.

Cielo growled but said nothing, just holding her tightly.

After a moment of consolation did he finally choose to speak, "Come; let us leave. Heat would return any moment now."

Sera pulled away, "No!! I cannot leave our child's body here!"

Cielo narrowed his eyes, "How do you know that Heat hadn't already disposed of it?"

Sera shook her head, "He wouldn't…It's his child. He would give it a proper burial…"

Cielo nodded, "Alright. Where do we go from here?"

Sera thought for a moment, "There are the catacombs below. He might have taken it there for preparation for burial. But…he might have taken it to the temple first, for blessings from the gods for a safe passage to Nirvana!" Her eyes widened, "It'll be there, I'm sure of it!"

"Alright."

Cielo's eyes then darted from Sera's to Priya's. He smiled at her and bowed, "I thank you for helping my wife."

She smiled, "It's alright…"

Cielo looked at her seriously, "You should leave. We still have errands to do; you'd only be endangered should you remain with us."

Priya shook her head, "Sera can hardly walk…You need me."

Cielo winced; Sera would only slow him down…But he couldn't leave without the child's body…Cielo sighed, "Alright. You and Sera hide. I shall scour the castle. I shall meet you two by the castle gates."

Sera frowned, "No…! Heat will…"

"He'll do nothing! Go! Go now! We don't have much time!" he hissed.

"The temple's by the West Wing of the castle Cielo. You could distinctly see its decorated doors…And…you can tell that you're close when you smell burning incense."

He nodded.

She sighed, "I still…" she paused. Sera looked within his sapphire eyes and saw that he was dead serious. And so, she flung herself against him and there kissed him arduously, slipping her warm and wet tongue within his mouth.

He responded in her kiss and kissed her just as urgently…just as passionately…just as desperately.

Then, suddenly, it was all over.

"Return to me…" she whispered against his lips as her eyes remained shut, her forehead pressed against his.

"Always…"

When Sera opened her eyes, he was gone.

Looking back at Priya, "Come on. Let's go!"

She nodded.

ooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo

Heat found himself wandering the deserted halls aimlessly. His thoughts were in a whirlwind and at the moment, nothing had made sense.

He had killed his son and his wife hated him…

His anger surged through his system like a runaway freight train. Was this the punishment for all the murders that he had committed?

It had got to be.

'A life for a life…' he declared. Yes; that was the law of the land and of the universe.

He sighed; he had thought that it had been Raikiri's…He did not believe Sera…

His eyes narrowed into slits.

Raikiri.

He had not spoken to him as yet.

Realizing the objective that seemed to have eluded him thus far, he turned his heel and headed for the dungeons.

He arrived at the aforesaid dungeon and there noticed that his soldiers were missing. He frowned and there grasped the handle of his sword. He cautiously walked the narrow passageway, being as quiet as possible.

He had reached Raikiri's cell and was glad that it was still locked. Taking a small peek within, his blood boiled as he saw the bodies of his guards piled up within.

"Damn!" he cursed.

He then ran from the cell; he knew where he was headed.

"Sera…"

He reached their chambers and there, his suspicions had proved correct. Sera was gone. Gritting his teeth, he flew from the room as he frantically thought as to where they were.

Knowing Sera…

He narrowed his eyes as he realized it.

He knew where she would head. She would attempt to reclaim the infant's corpse. He frowned; he had sent it to the temple, for prayers…

"The temple…"

ooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo

Cielo blurred past the halls and up the staircases.

"Incense…" he said, whispering into a chilly air.

There…

He smelled it! Faintly…barely…

With his sense of direction and tracking, he was able to locate the source of the incense. A moment later, he found himself standing in front of heavy doors that were elaborated with Arkanadaran art and engravings.

There was no doubt about it. It was the temple.

He pushed the doors open and there slipped quietly inside. He searched left and right for the child. There it was on one of the slabs, in the middle of burning candles…

He walked over to it…His heart broke and shattered. His trembling hand reached out to touch it…

"It was a son…" he said with ragged breath…

"My son…" he said again, letting a lone tear leave his sapphire eyes…He shook his head and there, gathered his son in his arms.

"Kanaye…"

Zealous one.

That was what they had planned to name their son…Kanaye…

Resisting the strong urge to break down, he shook off such thoughts and thought instead of Sera who was still waiting and relying on him.

Having renewed vigor, he then disappeared.

ooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo

Heat reached the temple and there saw that the doors were open. He cursed; he was too late. Again, he racked his brain in hopes of knowing where they were headed. He had considered waking the guards…

But no.

This was personal.

This was a battle between him and Raikiri. Again, Raikiri was taking everything from him…He had taken Sera once before, but this time, it wouldn't happen.

He then thought as to where they were…He narrowed his eyes; Sera was impaired at the moment…She wouldn't get very far…

And seeing the distance traveled from the dungeon to the chamber and to the temple, Heat had reckoned that Raikiri had used all of his speed and ability to do it.

No.

Sera had not been with him…

He was traveling alone.

But Raikiri loved his wife. He wouldn't have left her alone…He wouldn't…

'He had probably entrusted her to someone…or had left her to hide somewhere…' he thought knowingly.

But Raikiri and Sera knew not the castle's secrets…No. There was but one exit. The main entrance.

They may not know the castle's secret passageways, but he did. He smirked; he'd get there before Raikiri.

ooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo

Cielo reached his wife and there wordlessly handed her the lifeless bundle. Sera took her child from her husband and there nuzzled it to her face as she let her tears flow, "Mother's here now…"

It had been a boy…a son.

"Kanaye…Kanaye…" Sera moaned over and over against it, cradling the child to her chest, crying and sobbing uncontrollably.

Cielo and Priya looked at her with sympathetic eyes. Cielo had already felt the loss of his son to a great extent…But still, he knew that it was different for his wife.

She was the child's mother…It had been a part of her…

He could only imagine how she must be feeling at that moment…

'No…that was wrong…I cannot imagine it…' he thought sadly.

He snapped out of his daze, "Sera…we have to go now."

Sera broke from her reverie and nodded weakly. The three began to walk away when they suddenly stopped, hearing a laugh in the air.

Cielo immediately turned around and hid the women behind him, "Show yourself!" he barked.

Heat emerged from the shadows, his sword unsheathed, "Ah…Raikiri…I knew you would be here…" his eyes left Raikiri's and there rested on his wife.

He frowned, "I see that you had taken it upon yourself to abduct my wife the second time around."

"I'm not your wife!" she screamed at him.

Cielo gritted his teeth, "I did not forcibly take her! Not the way you and your bastard of a king did to her and her sisters!" he yelled.

Heat said nothing and just looked at the bodies behind Cielo. He shrugged his shoulders, "You've killed the castle guards…" he spoke nonchalantly.

"…"

Heat laughed again and advanced at the three. He paused and raised his eyebrow. His eyes looked at the hooded woman behind Sera and Raikiri.

He laughed once more, "Raikiri, what are you doing with that woman?" he asked, amused, as he pointed his sword at the woman.

Cielo narrowed his eyes; was Heat really this stupid?

"What would you know camaraderie?" Cielo asked, sneering.

Heat laughed harder, "You are this naïve, are you boy?"

Cielo was confused; did Heat know something that he didn't?

Sera was bemused; what was Heat saying…? He kept laughing…!

Heat stopped and smirked, "Did you hear about your precious base…?"

Cielo said nothing.

Heat bared his teeth as grinned, "There was a spy…"

Cielo hated this; he was being led around the nose again. "Just get on with it!"

Heat shrugged his shoulders, "The spy who worked with us that allowed us to destroy you rabble…is a woman. She was a part of you…a part of you Resistance…"

Sera's eyes widened, "It…it can't be…!"

Cielo glared at him, containing his anger. No; it couldn't be. He was lying! Wasn't he?

Heat nodded, "The spy that had betrayed you…is none other than the woman that you are now protecting…" he said, nodding, as he pointed the sword at the woman behind them once more.

"Isn't that right…?" Heat asked, sneering.

Cielo and Sera turned to her. Cielo seized her arm, "Is this true?!" he asked, his voice hissing dangerously.

"Yes." Priya answered boldly.

Cielo snapped; he slapped her, hard. Turning his eyes from her, he turned back to Heat, "Let us pass."

Heat shook his head, "I'm afraid not. I cannot let you take my wife once more."

Cielo took small steps back and there felt for the dead guard's sword and pointed it at Heat, "Very well then. This time, I'll kill you. I'll finally get to avenge my clan, my father…and rid this world of your foul soul!"

Heat smirked, "Just try your best boy."

Their last battle thus ensued.

ooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo

Sera's heart sank as she heard Priya's confession and there was only one question in her eyes, "Why?!"

Priya shook her head and began to walk away from her, shaking her head regretfully, "For love…"

"Love…?!" Sera asked in incredulity. Didn't their friendship mean anything to her…? So, then, all of those times that they spent together…they were all lies too…? Were they?

Priya read Sera's eyes and she shook her head, "I really was your friend Sera…I really was…But…love outweighs friendship…You know that. Would you really sacrifice Cielo to be with me…? Of course not…"

Sera couldn't believe what she was hearing!

"We could still be friends Sera…! When I'm queen…we would be-"

"You're in love with the king!?" Sera asked, flabbergasted and disgusted.

Priya nodded, "He loves me Sera…Not your sister. He loves me."

Sera knew that that was a lie. His Majesty adored Argilla; there was no way he would replace her sister with Priya…There was no way at all.

She felt pity for Priya though…She felt pity, because, within her hazel eyes laid the innocent promise of love. She had been deceived by the king…

Sera's heart softened; she had done it for love…But then, her heart hardened once more.

"Why did you help us escape then!? Is this another of your sick trickery!?" she asked, her silver eyes flaring in anger.

Priya shook her head, "No…For love…"

"For love?!" Sera yelled, "I don't understand you…!!"

She sighed, "Your heart belonged no longer to the Red Dragon, but to Raikiri. I know what it feels like to be separated from the one you love…That is why I helped you…It is nothing but assistance from one woman in love to another…"

'In love…with the king…' Sera thought; aghast.

Priya smiled, "I know that he loves me…Please forgive me…"

"Priya wait! The king is lying!" she yelled.

Priya's eyes widened and she growled, "What would you know!? You don't know anything!! He loves me! He loves me!!"

And with that, she ran.

Sera turned back to the two men of her life. They were still fighting. Her heart felt heavy once more, "Heat! Cielo…! Please stop! Stop!" she yelled at the top of her lungs, but it would seem that neither men heard her as they continued their intense fight.

ooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo

Serph stared at the ceiling. He hadn't been able to sleep…

Aside from the euphoria of his battle that day, something felt off…That was the reason why he couldn't sleep…

Something felt awry.

He then heard a faint noise.

There was a hidden passageway within their room. He knew that of course…but judging by the sound, it seemed that someone else did too.

He relaxed his muscles and there closed his eyes, listening intently for the would-be assassin. His arm that was around Argilla's waist remained where it was, as he did not wish to alert the person that was now walking within the room…

His breathing was slow; just as slow as a person asleep…

He had heard light footsteps…

It was a woman.

He wanted to laugh; he already knew who it was…It was his informant; the whore.

He could feel her getting closer and closer to the bed…and without surprise, he realized that she had approached Argilla's side of the bed.

She was going to do something. She was going to assassinate his wife. Serph continued to wait there, waiting until the last moment.

There, he heard it; he heard the silent air be broken. As if on cue, his hand immediately flew and grasped the blade that was planning on killing his wife.

The woman widened her eyes and there relinquished her hold on the knife.

Serph got off the bed, the blade in hand, "You were going to kill her."

The woman sneered, "She would have died anyway…You were going to have her killed, isn't that right? So, why wait?" she asked mockingly.

Serph laughed, "You forget that she's mine. She's mine to kill as well. I'll kill her when I deem so but not before then. You've done a bad thing…" he drawled condescendingly.

She narrowed her eyes, "Then have her killed…I want to be your Queen!"

Serph opened his mouth to speak when Argilla suddenly awoke, "Serph…?" she asked groggily.

Her eyes landed on the female and raised an eyebrow, "Priya…? Is that you…? What are you doing here?"

She sneered at the queen, "I'm here to take my place as Queen of Arkanadara, isn't that right Serph?"

Argilla's pink eyes flew from Priya to Serph, the color from her face draining, "Serph…?"

Serph looked at her coolly but said nothing.

Priya smiled, "So you see…? He doesn't love you! He wants to be with me…!"

"…"

Argilla felt frightened all of a sudden. Serph…loved this woman…?

She opened her mouth to speak but a scream instead left her lips. There, Serph had thrown the dagger in his hands at the poor woman, striking her at her chest.

She fell on the floor instantaneously. Argilla got off the bed and started to stand when Serph motioned for her to stay where she was.

She did as she was told, still at a loss at what had happened.

Serph walked over to Priya and there smirked at her, "Did I hit you…? I am terribly sorry…I apologize My Lady…"

Her hazel eyes began to brim with tears, "Why…?"

Serph sneered, "Simple. I don't want you. I never did. And what's more, I no longer have any use for you…You had outlived your usefulness Priya…You had just been stupid to return here tonight…"

Her tears flowed down, "But…you gave me your word…You gave me…your word…!" she muttered in desperation.

He nodded, "I am aware of that. I gave you my word that I could give you whatever you desire…that I could give you the crown…that I could have my queen killed…I have not lied. I could give you everything…"

She looked at him with confusion.

He knelt down and inspected her profusely bleeding wound, "I never said that I would though…" he laughed mockingly, whispering so that Argilla might not hear.

She had used the technique of technicality with him once before with the issue about Princess Severina…Well, he never really did forget about it. And it was just fair that she suffered for that as well. He smirked; he just returned the favor.

He relished in the ecstatic feeling that surged through his system as he saw her dreams and hopes be crushed right before his very eyes…

Without taking his silver eyes from her hazel ones, he pulled the dagger from her chest, "You are just a stupid wench thinking that you could fool me and have me by the throat…You have no idea who you are dealing with…" he hissed, his voice filled with malice.

Her mouth hung agape now and her crimson blood flowed out of her mouth freely. She then coughed up the blood.

His playful smile then vanished as he quickly narrowed his eyes and just as quickly thrust the dagger back on her chest, twisting it painfully.

Her eyes closed soon after.

Serph stood and there spat the corpse, "Whore."

He then turned to see a horrified Argilla, "Serph…What…what just happened?" she asked, trembling.

Serph did not lie. That was a fact. If she asked, he would tell her…everything…It was just that, she had to ask the right questions…

And right now, she hadn't the right question…

"She tried to kill you…" he told her firmly.

Her eyes mirrored nothing but fright and she hugged herself. He saw her vulnerable state and walked over to her and embraced her, "No one will lay a finger on you Argilla…No one…" he cooed in her ear soothingly.

"Why…Why Serph…? Why would she do that…?" she asked with fear and hurt in her voice, "She…she was…she was a good friend…!"

Serph smirked evilly as his emotional wife sobbed on his chest. Just a little farther…just a bit more…

"In this world…there are no friends Argilla…" he said as he pulled away from her, his silver eyes piercing her pink pools, "No friends…There is only your family Argilla; only your family." he finished, his voice laced with emotion as his hand caressed her swollen belly.

Argilla, hanging with every word that rolled out of his lips, believed him wholeheartedly. Serph took her in his arms once more and smiled as he buried his nose in her hair…

She had been right about Priya after all…Right after they had first met, she had a strong suspicion that the young girl was quite taken with her fiancé…She just didn't think that she would go as far as to attempting to kill her and attempting to manipulate Serph…

In the end, the poor girl, that naïve girl was the only person who had lost everything and gained nothing. She had been used…and discarded…

"Serph…" she breathed out as she clung to him…

He was right…

In the real world, there were no such things as friends…There was only the family…And now that Serph and Priya had openly proved it to her, she now saw her overwhelming impetus to bring in her child with all the love that a parent could muster for it…

And she knew…from the way Serph held her, that he would be there for her…

ooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo

Cielo clutched his arm; Heat had managed to graze it and it now bled. It hadn't been a deep cut though.

It had been a good thing that he was ambidextrous; otherwise it would have impaired his skill.

He narrowed his eyes and evaded more of Heat's savage sword-swings. A few moments later, he began to feel dizzy…his vision began to blur and fade. The room around him began to spin.

His shook his head and blinked his eyes rapidly. But it had been the same; his vision was fading rapidly…

"You…!" he hissed at Heat.

Heat smirked as he saw "it" take effect upon the young man's system. He watched, amused, as Raikiri stumbled backwards, wobbling slightly, while Sera ran to him, "Cielo…!!" she yelled worriedly as she caught him in her arms, "What have you done!?" she asked with worry and anger.

Heat shrugged his shoulders, "Why don't you ask him? He knows of these things…"

Cielo's heart palpitated within the moments that passed, but his anger and indignation for Heat wavered not; it blurred not.

Panting a bit, he slowly spoke, "His sword…his sword is laced with poison…"

He cursed; of course he knew what Heat had been up to. As a warrior of the shadows, he too had used such tactics. If only he had been prepared for this fight, he would have had his tricky arsenal. But now, he had been forced to fight almost barehanded…

But still, he had to.

He promised Sera that he would. He would protect his family to the bitter end until his last breath left his lips…

Sera's heart stopped; poison…?

Cielo looked at her as he leaned back, throwing his head backwards, "Hey…I don't have much time…Please…escape…while you can…I'll distract him…" he said to her lamely, his voice losing its usual vibrancy and soul.

Again, Sera's eyes brimmed with tears, "No…! I won't leave you Cielo…! Never!"

He smiled as he touched the hand that caressed his face and held it firmly, "Go Sera…Go…Just remember that I love you…I…love you…"

"I love you too…"

Sera waited for him to respond but he didn't. His hand no longer held hers as his eyes slowly drew to a close…

"Cielo…!!!" she screamed.

Heat, who had been watching their pitiful display of affection from a few feet away, marched towards his now weeping wife.

Sera turned to him and glared, "Don't you come near me!! Don't you dare! I'll kill you! I swear to the gods that I shall kill you!!" she screamed with sheer indignation.

Heat raised an eyebrow, "He's not dead Sera."

Sera, who had been burying her face upon Cielo's chest now raised her head and looked at Heat with a glower, "What trickery is it this time Heat?

He sighed, "It is no trick. That poison is slow-acting; he's just sedated. He would have another twelve hours to live…But any later than that and he would die…"

Sera blinked; she knew what her former husband was getting at. He wanted to arrange a bargain.

"W-what do you want?" she asked, trembling a bit as she laid down Cielo's body on the floor, slowly standing up.

Heat smirked within; he knew she would see things his way…

"I just want you Sera…Just you…" he said silkily as he approached her. When he had reached her, he took her in his arms, and looked deeply into her silver eyes, "I want you back…I haven't been whole since you left me…"

Sera stiffened in his arms…She knew now that not a shred of love remained within her heart for this man…This man had killed their son…and now had nearly killed her husband. And now, he had sunken so low as to strike a bargain with her, holding her husband's life on the line so that she would stay with him…

It was…disgusting.

Now…there was nothing but loathing for him in her heart.

She would never love him again…

'Never…' she thought, seething.

"Give him the antidote Heat." she told him firmly.

Heat continued to gaze at her, his eyes serious and spoke, "Give me your word that you would stay and be my wife…" he paused, tucking her hair behind her ears, "…and be my lover…"

Sera wanted to vomit.

This man was vile…

But still, she kept her face calm and unfeeling, "Alright…I give you my word…I am yours…" she said, her voice mirroring her unfeeling face and eyes.

Heat smiled and kissed her lips chastely.

He then drew back, "Go up to our room and change…I shall give him the antidote."

She searched his eyes for any deceit but found none, but nonetheless, she asked, "How do I know you just won't kill him…?"

Heat held her firmly, "I will give him the antidote Sera." he told her in a resolute voice, "Now go…before I change my mind."

She nodded and there took the corpse of their child once more, and showed it to Heat, "Heat…" she trailed off, uncertain.

Heat nodded, "I shall return him to the Temple. He needs to be prepared for the burial…" he said in a low tone. She nodded and handed him the child's body, "Be…be careful with him, won't you?"

"I will."

Without saying anything further, she began to walk away once more but stopped after taking a few steps. She looked back at Cielo's unconscious body and gazed upon it sadly…

Wanting to control her tears, she turned away and walked away from the scene…

Heat watched her go and then stared back at the Raikiri's fallen body. He stared at him, hard, "Sera does love you…But no matter, she would love me again…And you…would be forgotten in her mind and heart."

ooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo

Two days had now passed. Jenna and Argilla still knew not of their sister's reappearance and her miraculous return from the dead.

Sera had deemed it to be. She did not wish to look upon her sisters just yet.

She herself was in mourning. The burial for the child had taken place days ago…and there, she couldn't bring herself to forgive the person who did this to her son; herself. It had been her fault too.

If only she didn't challenge and provoke Heat, perhaps her son would still be alive. For days now, she had refused all food and water.

Heat had to force-feed her once or twice…but she always managed to make it difficult for him. But he never gave up though.

She sighed as she gazed out of the window…She saw the birds flying once more…

"To be free…" she told herself. Funny; it had been the same thing that she had told herself many months ago…She had wanted to be free; that was the sole reason she had run away anyway.

But now, she was back where she started…

She was once more the wife of a heartless man…

The man whom she first fell in love with. The man whom she had given everything to. The man who had crushed her "fantasies" of love. The man who had killed her son.

Again, she sobbed at that thought.

"No…I must not weep…" she told herself, "I must be strong…for my son…" she smiled a bit.

Her son had been a victim of fate but he was pure and innocent.

She was confident that he had reached paradise.

In her eyes, he deserved it.

"He…he's probably at Nirvana now…" she said as her voice shook from a mixture of grief and happiness.

She then wiped off the tears from her eyes; yes, he was in Nirvana now.

Her thoughts then wandered over to Cielo…Her true love…her true husband…her true protector. It had been two days now since Heat had given him the antidote.

She sighed sadly.

Heat had told her that Cielo had left. Her heart broke at that notion though; Cielo would never abandon her.

Flashback

"H-he left…?" she repeated, her eyes brimming with tears, "W-without saying g-goodbye…?"

Heat nodded, "Goodbyes are very painful to say Sera. I told him the condition of your stay here and his state of being alive. I told him the bargain that you and I had. I was the one who told him to leave and never come back. If he didn't, then the deal is off. As I expected, he had chosen valor. That is why he left."

Sera's heart raced painfully and she could hardly breathe; her vision blurred and cold sweat formed on her spine.

She couldn't believe it…

End Flashback

"I…can't believe it…"

Her eyes suddenly narrowed, "I won't believe it."

No.

She didn't want to. There was something going on and she was going to find out. She racked her brains for anything that might help her search; she didn't even know what she was looking for!

She groaned in annoyance. How could she begin her search without having any sort of information…?

It had been a good thing though that Heat wasn't present. He had a meeting with Gale and the king.

It would give her time to think things through. And so, she thought harder. Then, like a revelation from the gods, it came to her…

Within their very chambers, Heat had a private study. He would always be there whenever he would need to think or be alone.

He had told her never to enter it…

Ever.

Sera then stood up, having her courage and resolve rekindled. She walked over to the aforesaid study and stood in front of its doors.

She grasped the handle and pulled. She frowned; locked. She inspected the locking mechanism. Cielo had taught her about those sorts of things too.

She could either, blow it up with a small amount of explosive…or pick the lock. She chose the latter.

Taking a silver pin from her once more glamorized hair, she slowly picked the lock. Nothing happened and the door remained shut.

But she persevered.

She froze though as she heard footsteps outside the room but resumed her task as the aforesaid footsteps echoed away.

After minutes of carefully maneuvering the pin, she heard a soft click. She smiled; she had done it.

She slowly opened the door and walked in.

ooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo