11
The fight at the keep was bloody and Daeghun turned out to be right – Bishop did betray us. He opened the gate for our enemies and told me he was joining with the winning side. He disappeared quickly then. "Wimp!"
The battle went on till sunrise, when Garius showed up, summoning an avatar of the King of Shadows. All of my body hairs were up and spreading goosebumps of fear. I still managed to jump on the fiend along with Sand and Ammon, and when it died, Garius fled. What was left of his army then wasn't hard to beat.
Once it was really over, we went back in the keep. The soldiers, Kana, Neval and Nasher were all happy for the defeat, but the greater danger was yet to be faced. Aldanon was ready to teleport us at the king's lair and asked us to prepare quickly.
I was scared to death and there was nothing to prepare – we were all ready as well. I looked around at my companions and marveled at their determined features. Even Grobnar seemed to be aware this wasn't going to be the usual fight… but then it hit me – Daeghun was not there.
I told everyone I had to gather something and ran outside to look for him. "He has to be somewhere…" I told myself while passing through the entire fortress and courtyard. But he wasn't.
"It can't be… where are you?" I shouted on my second round. No answer came and only soldiers looked curiously at me. None of them had seen him, so I returned at the castle with a heavy heart.
Glad that I was finally back, Aldanon summoned the portal and asked us to be careful. He had no idea where exactly in the lair it would lead us and warned that we should stick together tightly. Everyone began wishing us good luck and praying to whatever god they worshiped. We were seconds from entering the glowing circle when I suddenly looked at one of the far back pillars and saw him. He was looking at me as well.
"Wait!" I yelled and ran to him.
"Who knows what would happen… what if I never came back? What if I never saw him again?" I was so scared, that my usual pride and self-esteem disappeared. In a flash, I was hugging him so hard, that I really wonder how it didn't hurt him.
"You're trembling like an idiot – you idiot! And everyone is probably looking straight at you!"
Daeghun was puzzled of this sudden show of emotion of course, but he held me back. "Mani naa raika Anar? (What is wrong Sun?)" He asked calmly even if he wasn't sure I understood the question. I did…
"Amin… Amin… liy llie… (I… I… love you…)" I whispered, not believing what I was doing. I quickly drew back and ran for the portal. Aside from Elanee, everyone thought it was just a natural good bye.
I looked at him one last time before my feet reached the glowing circle and saw his look full of concern. He probably wanted to say or do something, but it was too late. I was gone.
