Chapter 33: Rallying the Forces

Alea's POV

We were back at the refugees camp, the rescued prisoners now at ease, and Valen laid on a bamboo stretcher.

Sage came to receive us, and was glad that we were able to finish the mission we went there for as that was to rescue the people Alucard had kept and let to suffer, but Sage became sad when he realized that we lost one of ours. The young boy at that.

“He saved me. He took the fall for me. He died because of me” I said to him sadly and he moved closer, patting my shoulders as a means of consolation.

Everyone felt sorry for me, because I looked really sad and pale in just a few hours, and I wouldn't stop crying because I think it's my fault.

“I don't know what to say, but stay strong” Raven said, took in a deep breath and then walked away but my voice stopped him.

He must also believe that it was because of me that Valen got killed.

“I'm so sorry. If I hadn't gone to look for Kairo, if I had followed you out when you told me to, then this wouldn't have happened” I said to him, not able to stop blaming myself.

He turned back to me, giving me a reassuring smile.

“It's not because of you. There's just one thing we humans cannot avoid, and that's fate. It was Valen's fate to die right there in Alucard's fortress, so don't blame yourself too much for it” He said, and left, heading inside to watch the prisoners who were being tended to.

I cleaned my tears, then walked inside alongside him.

The way he said it, I was supposed to believe that it truly wasn't my fault, but I couldn't get the guilt out of my head.

Getting into the main garden where the prisoners were seated scattered as physicians tended to their wounds, I watched them and was in pain because I knew how much they had suffered.

One of them sighted me and shoved the physician's hand off him gently as he walked to me. He was an old man, but I could tell the man wasn't that old. If well taken care of, the man would look much younger than he looks right now.

“Are…..you really the Phantom Queen?” He asked, and everyone else paused, now looking at me.

I scanned the whole room, and if I wasn't in a mourning state, I would have laughed and boasted about the fact that I am.

“Yes, I am” I simply told the man and that made murmurs arise among the others. But soon they fell silent when the man in front of me fell to his knees bowing deeply.

“Thank you for saving us, Queen” He said, and I was quick to drag him up but he wouldn't even bulge, instead, the others too joined in as they fell to their knees and bowed, saying thank you.

I stared at them, my heart filled with sorrow as I watched them.

“We will support you in any way we can, Queen” Another man said and the others agreed to it.

“Please rise, everyone” I said, more like an order. They did and I smiled at them though it didn't reach my eyes.

“It was everyone's plan here to save you from the prison where you had been locked for days, weeks, months, and years. It took a lot of effort to get you out of there, but we are glad we did” I said and paused, not wanting to take the credit alone.

I allowed them to give their heartfelt thanks to the rest of the people standing there, especially Raven, Sage and the white haired old man who had been here for decades.

Then I continued.

“But in the process of saving you, we lost one of ours. A young boy who had given his all to this fight but was killed by Alucard” I paused, remembering the smile on Valen’s face when he found the key to the prison.

“We will have a burial for him so you all should be prepared” I said.

“Alucard who had treated you all like this will also be taken down at all costs. I Alea, the Phantom Queen would not back down until she drops at my feet begging to be spared” I said, and they all murmured in acceptance.

“Please get treated everyone, because there is a battle ahead” I said, then left.

Sage and Raven followed behind me and when we got into the chamber where we used to have meetings, I heaved a sigh.

“I want him to be remembered as a warrior. I want a tombstone for him in a land where only him would be remembered there. I want him to be sent off to the afterworld in a very special way” I told them.

“He saved me, and that's the least I can do for him,” I added.

“I understand, Alea. We will prepare for it” Sage said and exited the room.

“Raven. Please find me everything you can on his parents and how they lost their lives. He wants me to avenge them and I will do exactly that” I said, staring at a blank space.

Though I didn't make the promise to him, I will make sure his last wish comes to pass. To avenge his parents in his stead.

Alucard.

Kairo.

Those two are what I had to deal with next. I have to take Kairo back and return him to how he was, and Alucard, before I confront her again, I have to know more about her powers.

How she could make those beasts come to life and be controlled under her surprised me. She has the power to control, and that itself isn't a good thing.

I have to find a way to get rid of that power she uses to manipulate people and turn them against their kin.

Alucard…..I will surely see the end of her. Now that I can't give up because of Valen who I had lost because of her, I will be sure to end her.