Chapter 101: Chapter 101

“I’ll help you and Lady Khailista escape,” the man they knew by the name Gilyan declared.

Everybody fell silent when he said this. No one wanted to be the first to speak.

Finally, it was Commander Rus who broke the heavy silence in the air. “And why would you do that? Aren’t you the Ancient Evil’s lap dog? Also, do you think we’ll trust you just because you say that you can’t let Lady Khailis die?”

Shia held her tongue. She was actually thinking of the same thing. She had seen him fight side by side with Sirion several times now, and he had endangered their lives in the past without batting an eyelash. It seemed he had also known Khailis based on their past encounters too, so what had changed since then? Why would he suddenly turn to their side?

“Perhaps you’ve finally known the truth, right,” Eily said, sneering at him. “Did you discover the truth about your past and your powers?”

Gilyan returned a blank stare at her. Before Eily could say something back, the hallway shook a little as if there was a minor earthquake. Everybody’s hearts was overcome with panic.

“What was that,” Shia asked quietly.

“We must be above the soldier’s training ground. Sometimes tremors can be felt here when soldiers are practicing up ahead,” Commander Rus informed them.

“Is the Lady alright now,” Gilyan asked, turning to Eily.

“She should be a bit alright by now… She’ll wake up soon,” she said.

True enough, Khailis opened her eyes. “W-What happened? Are we there yet?”

“No, not yet, but we’ll get there soon. Rest for a bit more,” Commander Rus said, patting her knees a bit.

“No, we must keep moving now. The longer we stay here, the more likely Sirion will discover us and bring us back,” Eily exasperatedly said.

“Khailis is still pale. Just a bit more time can’t hurt,” Shia began to say when Gilyan suddenly got on his knees.

“Lady Humphrey, please get on my back,” he said. “I’ll carry you for the rest of the way.”

“Uh no, I can walk by myself, don’t worry,” Khailis said, laughing a little nervously at his proposal. The truth was that she was beyond surprise to see him there and apparently helping them, but it didn’t seem like this was the right time to inquire about it.

“We don’t have the leisure of making chit chats. Just get on his back. It will also save the eggs some energy,” Eily said with a dissatisfied look.

Khailis sighed loudly. If Gavil saw this, he’d be terribly mad for sure that she’s making someone else carry her and their babies. However, for the sake of her future kids, she’ll have to do this. With everyone’s help, he climbed at Gilyan’s back, and once they had determined that she had been secured, they started to traverse down the path of the labyrinthine escape way.

“Thank you,” Khailis muttered towards the boy who volunteered to help her.

“You’re welcome, my lady,” Gilyan said to which Khailis giggled a little.

“Doesn’t this scene look familiar?”

“Indeed... I remember it too.”

“I hope it brings you fond memories rather than sad ones,” she said.

******************

Gilyan’s face mellowed for a bit, but his reaction was not seen by anyone, especially by the lady in his back.

“What happened to your mother? Did you both make it to Jazamel well?”

“We did. She had recovered soon afterwards. We had the best times of our lives there,” he whispered.

“How did you ever fall into the hands of the Ancient Evil then,” Khalis began to ask. She knew it was a sensitive topic, but her curiosity was getting the better of her.

“It’s a terribly long story,” he muttered and fell silence afterwards.

At the mention of his mother, Gilyan started to recall the conversation he had with the His Darkness earlier when he called him inside the throne room.

“My Lord, you’ve asked for me?” Gilyan has a hunch why he was there, but he still attempted to ask why he was summoned.

“How is my dearest,” His Darkeness asked. “Has she finally regained the strength of her legs?”

“Not yet, but she must be regaining it soon. She has already started conversing with the others,” he said.

“Good. Then, we shall go with the plan, won’t we?”

Gilyan nodded. The plan was simple – they would let Goddess Freya interact with her friends as much as she could before attempting to extract their energy in front of her on the third day. The anguish she will feel will probably break her spiritual energy, making her more vulnerable to His Darkness’ mind magic. When the right time comes, His Darkness will strike.

“Right now, my Freya is still very far from reaching her fullest potential. Her spirit is too attached to this flesh. I shall break her heart by killing those closest to her first, and then when the time is right, I shall seize control of her.”

Gilyan nodded absentmindedly. He has heard of this plan for many times now, and he knew what could happen, and yet, when he thought of Lady Khailis and the child she was carrying, his heart felt a bit heavy.

“What is it, Gilyan,” His Darkness asked. Perhaps he had read his thoughts already, so why was he still asking him?

“My Lord, do you still remember how you rescued me and my mother years before?”

His Darkness lazily transferred his gaze from his face to the fingers in his hand that was touching the rim of the wine he was drinking.

“What about it?”

“My mother, you never asked about her or mentioned her in front of me,” he said, his eyes turning somewhat sorrowful, “but on the night we escaped, she whispered something in your ears before we parted. I had always been curious what it was, and I never got the chance to ask her. Would you be so kind as to tell me what she said to you back then?”

His Darkness smirked. “Do you really wish to know?”

“Yes, my Lord. Since I met you again, I had always wanted to ask of it...”

“Very well,” The God of Darkness said. “Come closer so I could whisper it to you.”

Gilyan did as he was told. He stepped closer into the pedestal where His Darkness’ throne was erected. Then, when he was near enough, he bent his head over to his lips.

“She said... Go to hell.”

“Did she, my Lord?” Gilyan’s eyes were as hard as rock once more.

“Of course not, my boy,” the Ancient Evil said. He stroked the hair on top of his head like a little kid. “She told me to grow up strong so that I could rule this place properly someday.”

“Thank you, My Lord,” Gilyan said. He took some steps back, and bowed down deeply before he bid goodbye to his presence.

That was also the same time he knew for sure that the God of Darkness has been lying to him all along...

That scene that Gilyan asked about never had happened. She never did say something like that to him... Even if she wanted to, she never could. His mother Arabella was a deaf-mute from the time she was born... He had never even heard of her voice his whole lifetime. It was impossible for her to speak.

There was another thing Gilyan had recently discovered. Unlike the claim the God of Darkness had imposed when he had first encountered him on the slave market, his ability to control minds may not necessarily be from the Ancient Evil himself at all...