Chapter nine
1326 Words
Even with Kaos's kind words I still trained. Antho's trained up both hard and unrelenting in all weather. Snow, sleet, rain, wind, blizzards, hurricanes, extreme heat. Anything and everything he could think of to put us through he did. He sent us through mazes, underground tunnels, labyrinths with unholy monsters lurking inside that we had to defeat in our quest to get to the end. I lost count on how many things, how many monsters, how far we ran. All of it blurred together as we kept progressing and was coming closer to time for us to go.
If I was being honest with myself that was what I was pushing for. I was ready to go home. I missed my father and my mates with a burning passion. I wanted to hug my father and tell him I forgive him, I want to be in my mates arms and never leave them again. I want to feel their arms around me as they hold me close and tell me to never leave them again.
Distracted by my thoughts of home I hard hit landed on my stomach causing me to double over dry heaving. Now normally I would retailiate but this was training so the only thing I did was flounce back and sprawl out on my back panting. "Adam, I want to go home." I admitted to him. Adam sat behind me and placed my head in his lap as he played with my hair. Hair that has grown amazingly fast in this world. My hair that was about mid back was now to my knees. The white blonde now holding streaks of silver.
"I know Ariel, we will be going home soon." He assured me. I closed my eyes shaking my head as I breathed in the fresh scent of flowers and pine. "No, I want to go home now. We've trained enough, it's time to go home." I couldn't wait anymore. I needed to be home, needed to be with my father and mates.
"Ariel." I looked and saw Anthos standing over me smiling. "Oh, hey Anthos. How are you?" I asked. "I am well thank you young queen. Nyx had decided it is time you returned to your home." I was on my feet in a flash and grasping his hands tightly in mine. "Seriously? Are you playing with me?" I know I was squeezing his hands to the point it hurt but I couldn't bring myself to care. Anthos laughed lightly. "Yes my lady. She has decided you have trained as much as was needed and are ready return home to train the others."
My smile widened and I turned to Adam. "Come on Adam lets go." I yelled and took off towards the throne room. Adam on my heels we were across the lawn and into the castle in a flash. Adam was behind me laughing at my enthusiasm and all I could do was smile. I was more than ready to go home.
We burst through the throne room doors causing them to slam into the wall with a loud echoing bang. I cringed at the sound. "Sorry." I muttered as I cam to a stop in front of everyone who was only laughing. "It's alright child." Nyx laughed. "I know you are excited to return home to your father and mates. You and Adam have trained well and have learned a lot, much more than we initially planned." Nyx walked over to me and pulled me into a small hug. "I am so proud of you my daughter, do not ever change who you are, you are beautiful inside and out." I smiled "I promise mother."
Next was Erebus with his cocky half smile and his walking swagger. "You my niece are a remarkable warrior. We would be lucky to have you here as a palace guard but I know that won't happen, you have loved ones back on earth. Come and visit us after you beat that demons ass, ok?" I laughed. "Of course uncle Erebus." When Kaos came to me he had a large smile on his face. "Never did I think I waould have such a worthy granddaughter, but here you are. You my precious grandchild remarkable in so many ways. I want you to have this." He handed me a beautifully crafted gold music box that had sapphires and emeralds lining the lid, with my name delicately carved into it. I was astonished at the beauty and craftsmanship of the box.
"Open it." Kaos said. Still in shock I opened the box and gasped. A pure silver necklace with a large ruby pendant was nestled into the satin of the interior. The music played a song I've never heard but loved all the same. "This necklace was crafted by the gods. All of them placed a piece of their power into it in hopes that one day a child would be born of one of them, that was worthy enough and strong enough to have that power. I believe that person is you."
I was frozen in shock. Never in a million years did I ever believe or dream I would recieve a gift of this magnitude. The power of the gods? Why was this created? That seems like it would be way too much power for one person to hold. "Wow." I whispered. "I am honored that you believe so deeply in me. Are you sure about this?" I breathed out. Kaos chuckled. "Of course I am child. And that's not all." Kaos snapped his fingers and Gaia rushed forward two envelopes in her hands. One was normal sized the other was a larger one.
Handing me the first one "Both of these are for you and your mates. This." He said handing me the smaller one. "Is a fortune I have collected over the eons. It's yours." I looked in the envelope and what I saw forced a gasp from me. There was a few thousand in cash and the paper which now held my name read an account balance of three hundred billion dollars. Tears welled in my eyes as I looked at my grandfather. "This..this is too much." I whispered. "No. Nothing is too much for my granddaughter. Now." He said handing me the larger one. "Is the deed to the castle you now own. It's located in Ireland. It is surrounded by a few thousand acres of forest, perfect for your wold to run."
Thinking of my father I snapped my head to him. "The angels have already attacked once. Is the land blocked or shielded from them?" Kaos must have seen the concern on my face and he gave me a soft smile. "It is shielded from any being of that earth. I am sorry to say the Shadow Demon will be immune because he is not of that earth." I nodded as relief washed through me, my father could go there. "I am no longer afraid of the Shadow Demon. At least this will give me some time. He will not know where I am and will search for me. While he is searching I can help train my mates and father."
Kaos nodded in understanding and surprised me by pulling me into a crushing hug. "Be careful child." He whispered. "I will be." I choked out, trying and failing to hold back the tears. "If you need any of us, all you are to do is call our name and we'll be there." Kaos told me gently. "Come now child. It's time you return home." Nyx called. I turned to look at her and noticed she had already opened the portal. "Thank you, all of you. You will never know what all this means to me."
They all bid me goodbye and with watery eyes and a full heart, I took Adam's hand and we stepped through the portal that would finally lead us home.
- Writer
