Age of Heroes (Age of Heroes Chronicles)

Chapter 406: The great farewell (1)

EDEN

IN THE CASTLE

The sound of panting can be heard and sweats fill the empress dress. Outside two men look at the healer with worried expression.

'Your grace I…I…I.' The healer is stuttering in telling the emperor the news. Why? Because it is not a good news. That is why the healer hesitated.

'TELL ME!' Arial yelled clearly he is anxious to know about Helia condition considering his pale face.

'Unfortunately they are no possible cure right now.' The healer tells the truth. There is no other way of saying it. 

Even he has the cure in his hand right now, he is not confident to administer it. The cure for the Blood Red Scorpion has its own way of administering it.

'No cure! Are you telling me there is no cure for a Blood Red Scorpion? In the treasure room did I not have any?' 

Arial refuse to believe the healer, showing a furious expression, almost like he wanted to choke the life out of the healer right there and then.

Kyle on the other hand drop to the floor, his face is pale white out of fear.

'Helia. Helia' Kyle muttered. The healer in his fear musters his courage to tell his reason.

'No, Your Grace. It has a cure but it can only be concocted after many months and only a great healer can synthesise such medicine.'

Arial look at the healer for a while and his balled fist is dripping blood and the healer realizes it too. 

Arial has been restraining himself to the utmost. How easy it is for him to lash out right now? Yet he remains calm and stoic.

'ARGGH. IT HURTS' 

The sound can be heard from inside the chamber, of Helia screaming in excruciating pain. Arial faces pale and his ball of fist tightened, as drop of blood fall to the floor. 

And then he orders the healer…. knowing that Helia only has little time. It is not like Arial doesn't know of the Blood Red poison. 

With the time he has...he could not save Helia even if he wanted to. It's not like the poison he was inflicted with…a torturing poison. Blood Red is a fast acting poison.josei

'Give her some relaxant to stave off the pain at least.' Arial must overcome the fact…that Helia will leave him…. still no tears are falling. He refuses to cry. Not now.

The healer nodded and come to the room and begun administering the medicine. Getting out of the room he tells the emperor that the empress doesn't have much time

Then suddenly Arial heard Helia voice from inside a whispery voice but Arial hears it and Kyle hears it. Kyle muster his strength and get up.

'Kyle. Arial. Please…. come in.'

Hearing this word, the two men rushed into the chamber as they watched the frail figure of the woman…. that they both love.

And it broke their hearts.... hurt them in a way only lovers could…. seeing that the one they love suffers and knowing deep in their hearts, that there is nothing they could do. 

This feeling is feel deeply by Arial.

With all his might…he thought he could protect everything, to bear the weight of the world on his back, to hold the apex of the sky with his powers…. yet all he feels right now is powerlessness. 

He has become emperor. He has formed an empire. The whole world is under his feet. If he looks from the balcony of his throne room, the vast land all belongs to him and the four corners of the world all knows his name

Yet he could not protect the one he loves. 

What wouldn't he give to trade the empire for the life of his wife? 

Powerlessness. A feeling he never thought he would feel again. And yet here he is. Looking. Feeling powerless

Praying for a miracle. Praying that the hand of god will reaches down from the heavens and heals his wife.

And yet there are no such miracles. He looks. At his wife. As she lay dying…in pain, and it hurts. 

It hurts knowing, knowing that no matter how much he wanted to, he can't save her. Not with his massive internal energy, not with his medical knowledge, not with his wealth.

Is this punishment? He asks himself. For all the killings? For all the wars? And for the first time, he questioned himself. 

Has he chosen wrong? Is the path he treads is wrong? Has he…chosen poorly?

But he stands. He stands…. looking. And praying …. earnestly for the second time, since that day in the basement.

Helia looks at the attendants and then she orders them away. She looks to be in great pains, sweating, drenched in it. 

Helia look at her husband pained expression and then she looks at Kyle, his eyes are already red, and his hand can be seen trembling.

And Helia knows. She needs to resolve his today. Nothing like death, that could give the mind clarity. 

And Helia finally understand…knowing truly what her heart wants.

This is her great farewell. This is the last time she could see these faces again. This is the end. And it hurts. 

Not only knowing that she has to leave them but also to know, that she will never gaze into their loving eyes again.

She has been loved. 

By both of her best friend. Kyle. Arial. They are her best friend. One is her husband; another is a friend that understands her, in ways that even she does not realize.

'Kyle' Helia said urging Kyle to come closer. Kyle rushed to the bedside and hold Helia hand while Arial just watch in understanding.

'AHHH' Helia yelled again as her body writhed in pain.

'It's fine. It's fine Helia. I'm here. I'm here till the end.' Kyle said holding her hand tighter, hoping that the pain will go away and he try to smile even though his heart is in pain right now. 

Kyle then sipped the medicine into Helia mouth and Helia feels the pain subside for a bit.

Helia lying down on the soft pillow staring deep into Kyle eyes and then she takes Kyle hand and she said. 

'Join me on the bed. Let me look into your eyes. Let me look at it. Let me see you.' she said. 

'Helia are you- 'Kyle said surprised as he looks at Arial.

'Arial already knew. Didn't you, dear?' Helia smiles bitterly looking at Arial, a look of pain and regret….and shame. 

'Let me give my final farewell to him. He deserves it, Arial' she said her eyes pleading. She has her own thoughts.

Arial feel that his heart hurt, but he takes a deep breath and nodded consented and leave the room giving them their time alone.

Kyle lie beside the dying Helia and hold her hands…. tightly…like he is never letting her go, that's somehow if he holds it tight enough, even Death will not claim her. 

Helia look at Kyle, and she tries to smile despite the pain.

'I don't have much time, Kyle' she said and then she coughed a lumpful of blood. Kyle quickly wiped the blood with the towels.

'This is more pitiful than I thought.' Helia said smiling a painful smile.

'No, don't say that. There is still hope.' Kyle said. Helia chuckles. 

'Did you think I can't hear you arguing outside my room?'

Kyle is shocked and he says nothing. Then he looks at Helia and his face is trying to hide it but Helia could feel that he felt fear

And his hand is trembling. Kyle hand is trembling with fear. 

Fear of losing her.

'I…I…. I'm not ready to part with you Helia. I'm not ready to lose you.' Kyle said, his voice is constricted and in as much pain as he can imagine. 

The thought of losing her….it is unimaginable.

Kyle and Helia look at each other, staring at each other eyes and feeling that unbreakable bond and then Helia said.

'I'm so sorry.'

'Hmm.' Kyle just nodded. Helia then continue her words, mustering her strength to tell Kyle all that she could before she departs to the Great Beyond.

'I have done many things to hurt you. I know you love me….and yet I…'she said still looking at Kyle eyes.

Kyle keeps caressing Helia hair, marvelling at her beauty.

'Don't be sorry. I forgive you.'

Then Kyle said. 

'I know you love Arial and it will always be him. It will always be him. But I…. I love you. I love you. You should know that' he said, tears welling in his eyes.

Helia tightened her hold on Kyle hand. Helia has tears streaming down her face and she nodded.

'I know. I know 'she said slowly like a whisper nodding her head.