ZEIAH || CAPITULO DOS: UNEXPECTED DEMISE

Medi Forest-(OUTSIDE ZEURION CITY)

Althea

"IT'S nice to see you both, once again... after such a long, long time," Serge stated while locking his gaze on us. Then he looked straight in my direction and said, "Am I right my sweet Thea?"

I heaved a deep breath, can't find the right words to say to Serge. It seems so impossible that how come Serge was still alive? I clearly remembered that I left him half-dead, taking out of breath last five years ago in the depths of the forest when he tried to escape after two days of locking him in the dungeon because he threatened the life of the Queen.

Serge was a traitor. He used to work as a loyal VMS class B for the Queen before at the Rayon Castle. We're both in the same group of VMS with Alfonso and Claire though I am classified as a VMS class A because I am a pure ethereal. We are the best 4 of the entire VMS group, but everything changed when Serge surprised us all with his betrayal.

Alfonso and I caught Serge threatening the Queen's life by darting the Queen a poison made by a dark Alchemist at the Dark City that would end the Queen's existence in three days. It was a quick move for Serge, a wise one since no one was expecting that there would be a traitor at the high-rank group of VMS, but thanks to the Great high Abba, the odds were against him.

Thankful that the Queen survived. The incident started a change in our faction when we found out that it's not only Serge who is the traitor. High numbers of traitors are a member of the VMS organization. Grateful there were no VMS Councils, persuaded or else it would be a massive loss for us at that time.

Since all of the members of the VMS Council are loyal and a personal choice of the Queen, it gives us a relief somehow, but by any chance, we are on our guard at all times. 

Since then, everyone is more eager to do their best and 24/7 awake and on guard at all times, missing no one. Everybody is subject to checking for security purposes upon entering the City of Zeurion.

 Every corner part of Zeurions walls and forest has checkpoints, including Dothan and Nahor, since they are under Queen Dorrainne's domination.

I was back in my senses when Alfonso snapped inside my head.

[Althea! Are you okay? You look so pale and sick---shit! I'm sorry, Love.]

Alfonso said into my head while pulling me beside him. He holds my hand, entwining our fingers protectively. I feel safe with Alfonso's gesture.

[I-I'm fine, don't worry.]

Side turning at Alfonso's face, I forced myself to smile to give relief at Alfonso's worried expression.

[I think you should go now, Love---you can't stay here! Serge is dangerous!]

[I know Alfonso! I hate the idea of leaving you, but please assure me that you will follow me once you're done with Serge! I have hopes that you'll defeat him. Bring yourself to us safely---okay?]

[Okay, for now, I'll destruct him so that you can go and escape.]

[Alright! Please be careful and ask me if you need help, Alfonso!]

 Alfonso looked at me, squeezing my hand softly. He assured me that he would do what we had agreed. I looked at Serge for the last time. He was still eyeing Alfonso and me waiting for our next move.

[Go! Althea, go!]

Alfonso uttered inside my head, and that's my cue to move. I have begun to move backward. Then I've seen Serge curve his lips, giving us a devilish smile. Alfonso stayed stood and still, locking gaze with Serge.

Serge can move faster, the same as Alfonso. Both of them are at the top of a Class B VMS, which makes them great rivals in any task.

Alfonso let go of my hand and then used his free hand, forming a barrier that would cover the entire part of the place in which I'm heading on. Serge began to form lightning volts forming into a zigzag line, directing in our direction with its fastest pace.

[Serge is trying to break the barrier using his extreme electric shocks with his lightning volts Alfonso! Please be careful! You know how dangerous his lightning volts voltage is.]

[Yeah, I know, Love, but don't forget that I have counterparts on that!]

I let out a sigh of relief, realizing what Alfonso could do about it. I wrapped my arms around Alfonso's back. I buried my face into his back, smelling his scent at that moment. I disfavored the idea to run and hide, leaving Alfonso alone while facing Serge's fury and revenge upon us.

"Alfonso, I love you please be careful. Come back to me alive, for me and our child." I spoke between my sob. "I will wait, Alfonso... we will wait for you," I added.

I can't stop myself not to worrying about Alfonso since I've felt something strange inside of me that keeps me bothered more about Alfonso's safety.

"I promise Love, so please will you stop crying and go," Alfonso said while he stiffened in my hug. He never looked at me because he was too focused on keeping his hands still, forwardly keeping the barrier where it is, and keeping it firmly in every strike of the lightning volts that Serge keeps on sending in our direction.

Serge is tricky and powerful, which makes me feel fear and keep on worrying too much for Alfonso. I know that Alfonso is strong, and he has matched Serge's ability. But, if only I'm not conceiving a child, I could have had a better chance to defeat and kill Serge in an instance.

With a heavy heart, I glance for the last time at Alfonso, and this time he turned his gaze on me. I kiss him without thinking anymore. I wanted to feel him before leaving, not minding Serge watching us. I just don't fucking care! Alfonso pulled away and kissed me on my forehead.

"Take good care of yourself and our baby...I love you both." Alfonso said with so much passion.

Tears run down my cheeks like heavy rains, and this is too much of a sacrifice! But I needed to do the right thing for our unborn child. I wiped my tears as I started to compose myself and run. After 10 feet away, I glance for the last time at Alfonso. I saw him looking back at me.

[I love you...]

[I love you too, Althea, you and our child...]

Hearing those words inside my head at that moment gives me a cue to start running. While running, I painted Alfonso's smile inside of my head. His smiling face gives me the courage to believe in his words, that he'll follow me and come back for me alive. I found myself hoping and praying that everything would be fine.

I sprinted my way to the place Alfonso told me, and I stopped for a while, having on my knees. Gasping, I pushed myself to breathe normally, then got up and finally heard the rushing of the waterfalls. I looked up to see the beauty in front of me, it was beautiful, but I was not in the mood to adore it and smile not until I'm sure about Alfonso's safety.

[Alfonso, Please follow me and be safe... I will never feel safe without you.]

I mind linking on Alfonso, letting him know I arrived safely in our hiding place. While waiting for a response, I averted my eyes in every direction from where I stood.

When I knew in my gut that the place is safe from our enemies, I started to move towards the river. I sought a log to use as a bridge that I could cross the other side of the falls. I am glad that I found one near a big rock a couple of feet away from where I am standing.

Using my ability to move things using my mind, I made the log float into the air, directing it between both sides of the river. Placing it safely, I started to climb over into it. I breathed in and out and took a step being careful so that I would not slip and fall. I took every step that I did, slowly but surely.

The gusts of the wind were cold, which made me shiver together with the swashing waters that came from the waterfalls that are colder. Feeling exhausted, worried, and tensed while I kept on balancing my body while crossing and stepping on the log till I reached the falls on the other side.

I was relieved when I successfully reached the end of it. Getting out of the air to breathe, I jumped and landed behind the waterfalls. It was a cave, a secret cave that I guess no one knew since the time Alfonso and I found it accidentally. This place is our haven from our enemies. 

Moving forward, I began to form a fire in my hand to light up the cave since it was so dark and cold.

It's been three years since we ran away from Rayon Castle in Zeurion City. We had escaped, yet we were still not safe. I took the torchwood, it's currently lying on the cave floor, and lit it with fire. I place the torch between the big rock near, like a candle holder keeping it in place. 

For now, I was like, having the whole world on my shoulders. Exasperated, I feel so terrible. I sat down upon a rock and then leaned my head in the cold and misty wall of the cave. Taking off the bag in my arm and hugged it so tightly. I am waiting for a response from Alfonso.

Seconds, minutes, and hours had passed, and the place's beginning to be cold and darker still... there was no response from Alfonso.

[Alfonso, please tell me that you're okay...]

I telepathically uttered messages to Alfonso several times, and I'm unlucky to get a no-response from Alfonso.

I know there's something... something's not right!

I panicked as fear started to creep into my heart. I forced myself to stand up when suddenly, something pierced my heart. It's piercing down into my flesh. My body has begun to curve then I'm gasping for air.

The pain is so unbearable---it's burning me inside that I can't breathe. 

What is happening to me?

I asked into myself, but another moment became more intense. It made me tremble that I felt so weakened. I felt another extreme pain between my neck and my shoulder located on the right side, the place where Alfonso marked me.

I am shaking on the ground... so helpless. My body curved with so much pain that I am currently enduring. Afterward, the pain started to fade away. My body started to calm down then I felt something empty. I touched my heart and then my stomach to feel my unborn child.

She's okay, thank goodness, but still, something's not right...

Then... ascertained of something that dripped from where Alfonso marked me as my hand is shaking upon touching it. I was surprised by what I perceived, on that part of my neck after touching it. I looked into my hand, and my eyes widened when I saw the blood that came from Alfonso's mark.

 I am dumbfounded that my body has begun to numb. Waterfalls of tears escaped my eyes, and I didn't know what to do. I am lost and empty inside that I am catching my breath.

It's hard to breathe---it can't be! No!

At this moment in time, I knew my other half was gone, and it was breaking me into pieces. Right on my knees, I shouted at the top of my lungs... agonizing about the thought of losing the only man I love and who will always be my one and only.

Alfonso! Why did you leave me!