Chapter 169
Graham’s POV.
“Serena,” I cried out in alarm, she was fiercely attacking me, it was as if I couldn’t reach her.
As I fought to fend her off, a sickening realization dawned on me. I may have freed Serena from the bubble, but in doing so, I had unleashed something far more dangerous. And now, as I stared into the eyes of the woman I loved, I couldn't help but wonder if I had lost her forever.
As Serena's relentless assault continued, I struggled to defend myself, each blow landing with the force of a sledgehammer. Fear mingled with confusion as I grappled with the realization that the woman before me was no longer the Serena I knew.
"Serena, please!" I pleaded, dodging a flurry of strikes. "It's me, Graham! You have to fight whatever this is!"
But my words fell on deaf ears as Serena pressed forward, her movements fueled by an unfathomable rage. With each passing moment, it became increasingly clear that reasoning with her was futile.
Drawing upon every ounce of strength I possessed, I didn’t know how, but I managed to create a protective barrier around myself, a shimmering shield that absorbed the brunt of her attacks. But even as I held her at bay, I knew it was only a matter of time before my defenses faltered.
Desperation clawed at me as I searched for a way to reach her, to break through the darkness that had consumed her. And then, amidst the chaos, a glimmer of realization sparked within me.
A loud cackling laughter echoed around us, Douglas was mocking me, his laughter was a slap on my face, on our love.
“This was the prophecy, this was meant to be.” he laughed out loud as he looked at furious Serena.
“What the hell are you talking about?” Raymond snapped at him, out of his restraints, the shadow tendrils going back toward Douglas.
He grinned at me, his eyes zeroed on Serena, “This was the prophecy. Amelia was blessed with a child that will be part of Ambrosia, she has the power to lift and to give the curse. And I was blessed with Aerok, my blood, my shadows ruled the darkness. The prophecy said that the blood sacrifice of the person Ambrosia loves would give Aerok's side more power and she would rule the throne for infinity, and I being the father would be blessed with immortality.” he confessed with glee.
Something changed in Lucien’s attitude, “But, you…you told me…what?” he stammered as he tried to take it all in.
I was furious, “Does it amaze you that he tried to trick you? Look at this man he can treat his daughter like a stepping stone to power then who do you think you are to him? You mean nothing to him.”
Douglas shrugged, “Indeed, you mean nothing to me. I was grooming you, Lucien. I wanted Serena to feel for you so that she can sacrifice you and attain what is rightfully hers. But you are safe now.”
I knew what he meant, but I asked anyway and the protective layer shook as Serena attacked it, again. “What do you mean?”
He smirked, “Don’t you know by now? She hates Lucien, and nothing good will come by attacking him. But we have you, this Alphason and that dumbass girl, ” he sneered at the mention of Eliana and continued, “Anyone of you will work, but Graham’s sacrifice would make her the most powerful.”
I looked at Serena, her eyes were pitch black, and her expression resembled the angry goddess. She looked like some otherworldly force but I knew beneath this rage, she was mine Serena. That sweet little girl, who loved me when nobody did, who even after being burned chose me. She chose me, and even today if I died, I wouldn’t regret it.
Because she was mine, she has always been and more than that I was hers, my soul, my power was her to take.
I took down my protective barrier, bared myself to her.
The bond between us, forged through years of love and longing, still remained, buried beneath the surface of whatever malevolent force had taken hold of her. She might be the blessing of Ambrosia and the power of Aerok, but underneath, she was Serena.
If I could just tap into that connection, if I could find a way to remind her of who she truly was, perhaps there was still hope.
Closing my eyes, I reached out with my mind, searching for that elusive thread that connected us. Memories flooded my thoughts: the laughter we had shared, the quiet moments of tenderness, the unspoken understanding that had always existed between us.
With each memory, the darkness surrounding Serena seemed to waver, I could feel her mind was filled with dark thoughts, there was so much pain in it, faltering for the briefest of moments before regaining its grip. But I refused to give up, pouring every ounce of love and determination I possessed into the mental bond between us.
I played moments shared between us, even though they were brief, I played it and then in the end, I played the moment when I sacrificed my soul for her. This was the moment she needed to know that I was there for her, I will always be there for her. And then, in a sudden burst of clarity, I saw it: a flicker of recognition in Serena's eyes, a glimmer of the woman I loved buried beneath the rage and despair.
"Serena," I whispered, reaching out to her with all the love in my heart. "I know you're still in there. Please, come back to me."
For a moment, there was silence, broken only by the sound of our labored breathing. And then, slowly, almost imperceptibly, the darkness began to recede, replaced by a soft glow of warmth and familiarity.
Tears stung my eyes as I watched Serena's expression soften, the anger melting away to reveal the woman I knew and loved.
"Graham," she whispered. "I'm so sorry."
Without hesitation, I reached out to her, pulling her into my arms and holding her close. In that moment, as we clung to each other amidst the wreckage of the room, I knew that no matter what challenges lay ahead, as long as we faced them together, we would always find our way back to each other.