Chapter 98 Chapter 98

Chapter 98 Chapter 98
I suppose, after all that went down these past two years, I wasn’t the only one who needed her best friend. As Kira held me tight and we sobbed in each other’s arms, the full weight of missing my old life hit me like a ton of bricks. 

I loved Kira so much, both as Ahri and as Lilith, but as much as I thought I knew what friendship was meant to be this past semester, nothing could ever come close to the bond we shared since childhood. 

I knew what life was like without her and Rose; I had spent two years living it, and I don’t want to ever go back there.

Minutes passed, and the groups that went to scout the academy came back, but we never let go of each other. I was relieved to notice that Gabbie and Rose found some survivors, and Jasper and Kieran said the academy was finally clear of the Grim ones and their portals. So it was now time to return to the kingdoms.

“The fight is not over.” Ivan declared. “We don’t know the state the rest of the kingdoms are in, so we have to prepare for the worst.”

The dark cloud of despair settled around us again, and as we looked around, we knew that this could be the last time we saw each other for a very long time, if ever.

We said our goodbyes, hugging each other and making sure we were all good to fight before portals started materializing around us again.

“You two be careful. I can’t lose you again.” I held Kira and Rose in the tightest embrace I could manage.

“You too. Please be safe. We have a lot to talk about after this is all over.” Rose pointed her index finger in my face.

“Don’t disappear on us again.” Kira glared.

“I won’t, I promise.” I hugged them both one last time and watched with a heavy heart as they each hopped into a different portal.

“Are you ready?” Ivan came up from behind me.

I was about to say yes when out of the corner of my eyes I spotted tree branches swaying with the wind. 

My stomach lurched as I glanced at the body of my cousin, hanging in mid-air and almost unrecognizable. Tears rushed to my eyes, but I held them back, barely.

"What should we do about her?" I nodded towards the tree, unable to look at her again.

"We'll send someone back for her." Ivan choked. "Do you think you can let her down?"

I nodded briefly and waited for him to stand right under the tree. Another flick of my wrist and the branches retracted, slithering like snakes back into the ground. 

Ivan caught the body and gently laid it on the grass. As I looked at him, he wiped the tears that trickled down his face and sniffled.

"I'm sorry." My voice was barely a whisper.

"It's not your fault."

"I killed her."

"She attacked you first." He cleared his throat. "All is fair in war."

"Still..."

"We have to go back, Lilith. The kingdom needs us. Your people need you."

He summoned a portal.

"Are you up for this?"

“Yes.” I nodded firmly and held his hand. “Let’s go save our home.”

\---

Running towards the castle proved to be a more difficult task than we had expected, considering the portal threw us right in front of the main gate. 

Bodies littered the ground, some badly injured and others no longer with us. I tried my best not to look at each fallen mystic as soon as I started recognizing some of them from a past life. 

There will be a time for mourning losses, but we had to save our kingdoms first. Another painful twist squeezed my heart when I remembered that none of this would have happened in the first place if it weren't for my cousin.

A swift movement out of the corner of my eye caught my attention, and I managed to dodge the attack at the very last second. I was too busy running and trying not to trip over a body to notice the small group of Grim ones heading our way. A rush of excitement ran through my veins, and my fire leapt forward. 

I didn't even think twice or hesitate before lighting them all up at once, and the power that surged through my veins both excited and terrified me.

The mystics who were fighting around the castle halted their movements and turned to stare at us. 

Relief coated their features as they realized what happened, followed quickly by surprise and shock as they took notice of me.

"Just keep running," Ivan said. "We have to get to the royals."

"I know."

Whispers quickly erupted around us as more and more people noticed Ivan and me. Some bowed for him first, not quite figuring out who I was yet. But those who did couldn't hold back.

"Is that...?"

"No, it can't be."

"I thought she died."

"That's her."

I tuned them out, running even faster as we made it through the gates and headed towards the throne room. I'd deal with the curious glances and shocked faces later; for now, we had to get to the royal family.
Right before we made it inside, dodging fallen bricks and curious mystics, a familiar face popped up from the shadows. I slowed down just a bit to take a closer look and was surprised to find Daisy engaged in a very animated conversation with a man I didn't recognize. 

Both of them looked like they were faring a lot better than the rest of us. Barely any scratches or tears, their coats – although covered in ash – seemed intact otherwise. The man looked young, his hair a lovely shade of lilac and his eyes dark as night. 

Daisy raked a hand through her blond hair and was about to say something else to him when she finally noticed us. She narrowed her eyes at me, as if trying to decipher what was happening, before they widened in shock.

"Ahri?" She gasped