VERMILLION: The fall of Zaleon

Chapter 28

As they trekked across the borders, the sight of Paulina, Clea and Remo had become clear, and Amana found herself rushing forward to jump into Remo’s open arms, enjoying the feeling of love that she could finally embrace on a full time basis. Paulina had agreed for Amana to live with Remo on the basis that he was her top guard, and he deserved a prize, and she was a Doirekh, a woman who didn’t really need to be trained and would not fit in with the rest of the Warmecks that easily. She would be assigned a job like Remo’s to prove her equality in their world, and they would work their way up from there. She was already much senior to Remo in her status, though truthfully she cared not what she had to do as long as she got to enjoy the next years of her life after the misery life on Crest had been. 

Remo caught her in his arms, picking her up and spinning her around dramatically, as if he hadn’t seen her for months, and when he put her down, he pecked her mouth, aware that Dregov was right there, and he had no intention of pissing off the other Doirekh just yet. 

‘Are you insane?’ He began, aware of the plan that the woman had conjured up. ‘You could have put everything at risk-’

‘Do you really think I would create a plan with flaws? I have you to lose now, and I won’t risk that, you know that. But look at how the plan turned out! The woman went insane thinking that there was no way she could prove her innocence. Of course my brother is her little puppet but even he didn’t believe her, neither did anyone there, it was truly hilarious!’ She exclaimed, content, overjoyed and extremely proud of herself. Remo and the other laughed, and he embraced her once again, keeping her tightly wrapped in his arms. 

‘You i***t, I’m glad you’re alright’ he whispered to her, and then they turned round to face the rest. Amana had expected the worst reaction from Paulina, but she too, was laughing around calmly for once. 

‘Normally I would livid, but you’re right, it all does sound pretty deserving. Now that you all have moved here, I don’t see why you shouldn’t have done it. However, now that you are here, that also means that we need to discuss strategies to take out Daraz tomorrow morning, and get our rules straight about your stay with us. Please, follow me to my office’ she commented, only leading them to the office near the borders, aware that the trek up to Warmeck territory would be a long one, and Eliana and Razaar needed to return to Gloarian for the night to check on their large pack.

Dregov had grabbed onto Clea the minute his eyes laid on hers, and while his reaction had not been as extreme as Remo’s, Clea had been content with the attention she was getting after a long couple of days. He pecked her mouth and shot her a wink and a smile, enough to let her know that he had been thinking of her. 

As Eliana and Razaar glanced out at the couples they realised just how fortunate they were to have found some permanency in their togetherness, and although they missed the kick of action and being the center of attention, they were glad to see their new Vermillion friends fit into a world that hadn’t done them justice for so long. Still the pair loved each other more than ever, and despite the dangers that lay ahead they felt more relieved than ever, grateful that they no longer had to do everything on their own, that they had found a family in their entire planet and that they had just a final push to go before peace would be restored and the only thing they would have to worry about was what food to have for dinner, along with pack finances. They grabbed each other’s hand, shooting each other a smile as they walked ahead, following the rest into the office. 

Seating themselves down, they waited for their commander to speak up to give them the instructions. It had occurred to them that whilst all the action had been bestowed upon them, the mastermind and main brain of everything had been Paulina, and not only did that ease their path to peace, it made them realise the unity that they already had within their planet that just needed to be unleashed. She certainly was a commander that was destined for greatness, and soon she would find someone worthy of that greatness. 

‘Well, firstly I’d like to welcome both of you Doirekh’s into Tetra, officially. As I believe it, this will now be your new home. Dregov, since you are Clea’s mate, I believe you will join her on Fairen land and help her rule there. Nothing for me to worry about there. Amana, being my top guard’s mate, means that you will be on my territory. I have already discussed this with Remo, you two will be permitted to live together, only on the condition that you join me and my Army. I could do with an extra helping hand, and a good at that too. I want to offer Remo a promotion, as my second in command, and you a position beside him. Both of you will be my seconds, and I will be promoting someone new to the top guard position. You will be given an office on territory, and you will work with me. I have come to realise that I have too much on my plate, and it’s time I start sharing the responsibilities with others. After all, I am getting old, and I would like someone worthy to take over when I retire’ she mentioned, and their mouths lay open at her words. 

‘We’d be honoured Paulina, thank you, but don’t tell me you’re retiring so soon-’

‘Not just yet Remo, thank you. I still have a good couple of years of bossing you around before I pass down the position, that is, of course, if you don’t piss me off’ she joked, and they laughed, overjoyed with the amount of good that was coming out of that brief moment. 

All members looked completely satisfied with themselves before the commander reminded them of the war that still needed to end before the happiness would begin, and the planning commenced. 

‘Now that that has been discussed, let’s move onto the real stuff shall we? We need to execute Daraz, any ideas how?’ She asked, and instantly, Razaar spoek up. 

‘Actually, Eliana and I were thinking, why don’t we slightly replicate what Amana did with Elize, and bring him into Tetra? We can give him to the flame, thereby satisfying the first need of the planet itself. I think it’s the best way to do it’ he mentioned, and no one objected. The commander remained silent for a while, considering the option and running through every and any detail in her mind to ensure that it would be a full proof plan, and so far, things were looking fine. 

‘How will you lure him out?’ She then asked, and Amana stood up, much to Remo’s dissatisfaction. 

‘He likes me, I have to’ she said, looking at Remo, who had given her a knowing glance. ‘I will get him to talk to me, and take him into the woods, I’ll knock him out, and Eliana and Razaar can put the blindfold on him, then we can bring him into Tetra’ she explained, and Paulina nodded. 

‘You’ll need the flame’s blessing to get him in’ she mentioned, and Eliana stepped forward. 

‘Razaar and I can get that tomorrow before heading back to Crest’ she answered, and the commander nodded. 

‘Very well. Once you bring him here, we will take him straight to the Galon, and give him to the flame’ she finalised, and everyone around her nodded. ‘Eliana and Razaar, I believe you need to return to Gloarian tonight?’ She then proceeded to ask, and the pair nodded, exhausted, but ready to reunite with their people. 

‘We do. We’ve been writing to Enzo, but we need to go back. We’ve been away for too long and our people need to know that we’re still with them on everything, that we’re still good leaders. Besides, Enzo and Melia need some time off to themselves’ they responded, and Amana laughed from the side. 

‘The people who need some time off are you two. You look exhausted, and you’ve been doing enough since this whole thing began anyways’ she said out of sympathy, back on Remo’s lap. They smiled at her, grateful for her contribution, though they knew that they had to return. A pack without their Alpha and Luna was dangerous, and leaving a Beta in charge could only work for so long. Regardless, Enzo and Demillo had been doing a tremendous job at keeping things running, and it was time that the pair made their appearance back in their own home now that they had the chance. Crest had taken a lot away from them, and they were just happy to be back on lands where they could be themselves again, and be around people they loved. 

‘Thanks Amana, but our people need us, and we need to be there for them. Please, do come visit sometime, it would be great to have the two of you over in Gloarian soon. In the meantime, we will head out, and we’ll reunite with you here at daylight to take out Daraz. Be ready’ Eliana responded politely, and they took their leave shortly after, shifting into their alternate forms to go around the border to cross into Gloarian, and venture to their home with excitement, ecstatic to see the faces of their Beta and Omega gleaming in the distance. 

‘Welcome back, Alpha, Luna’ began Enzo, and they all hugged each other, emotional to see each other after so long. Their joint pack was looking better than ever, and the immortal pair looked out in pride as they saw all that had been built to merge their lands. 

‘This is unbelievable. We cannot express how grateful we are. You guys truly have done the greatest job. We are so proud of you’ Eliana spoke, and they trekked back to the office, where Melia and Fiorena came into sight, having the same reaction as the boys had with their leaders. 

The one thing that Eliana seemed to notice straight away was the growing belly of her second in command, and her eyes widened, shocked that they had missed such a thing. 

‘You’re having a little one!’ She exclaimed, and they all jumped in excitement, congratulating the pair that looked content beyond belief. 

‘We wanted to tell you, but we figured it would be better if we just showed you and saw your reactions. Besides, didn’t want to interrupt all the spying and becoming best friends with the Vermillions’ Enzo mentioned, and the Hybrid leader couldn’t stop herself from placing her hand on the belly. 

‘Oh and, I’m not the only one with a baby on the way’ she mentioned, and the Hybrid leader’s eyes widened even more, looking straight at Fiorena. 

‘You too?’ She asked, and the woman laughed, shaking her head. 

‘Not me, not yet I’m afraid. You might want to check in with your top guard, however’ her response had the woman’s eyes bulging out of their sockets, and a gasp escaped her lips as she dashed out of the room, making her way straight to Armelia’s cottage. Razaar decided to give her a moment with her best friends as he remained, and carried on talking with his second and third in command. 

Eliana reached the cottage in record time, and blasted the door open shamelessly, after hearing Armelia scream on the inside at the top of her lungs. 

‘I told you, I want chocolate, it’s not so hard to comprehend is it Syllia!’ She yelled, throwing a pillow at him from the sofa she had been sitting on. He ducked, and it gave Eliana a chance to get a peek of the large belly on the woman that was her best friend. ‘Eliana!’ She exclaimed after her leader’s face came into view, and the woman stepped in, picking up the pillow on the floor and smacking Syllia with it several times as he protested in pain. 

‘How could you not write to me and tell me this. Both of you! My little niece or nephew is growing in there and neither of you thought to mention anything?’ She spat, rushing to where Armelia sat, wrapping the woman into a very tight, emotional hug of tears and water works before placing her hands gently on the swollen belly. ‘I can’t believe it. I’m so happy for you two’ she said, now getting up and embracing a happy Syllia into her arms. 

‘We’ve missed you Eli’ he stated, and the three of them sat together, mostly discussing baby plans and minor details of the war before the woman elevated to take her leave. 

‘I’ve got to go. Big day tomorrow. We take out the first Vermillion’ she informed, and they both wished her luck, though stopped her before she left. 

‘About team Vienna’ began Armelia, and Eliana decided to interrupt her right there and then. 

‘Don’t even think about mentioning it. You’re out. You have a baby on the way and I’m getting a replacement’ she said, and Armelia smiled, thanking her friend before watching her depart from their home. 

Returning to her own cottage with her husband, she laid down on the bed after an exhausting day, wrapping herself in his arms for a comfortable night.

‘Feels nice to be back. I’ve missed home’ Razaar said, and she couldn’t agree more. They had no care in the world for the possessions or riches the Vermillion had, because after all, home was where their family was, and that was their family. Their family was only growing larger, and they couldn’t be happier about it. The pair that had been so busy and so distant for so long mated that night like it was their first, and forgot all their troubles, reminding themselves of the very reason they were fighting, for their happiness, liberty and peace. 

On the other side of the spectrum had been Dregov, the man who, for the first time, had arrived Fairen territory with his face fully on display, ready to be introduced to his new found people. The complicated history between their kinds had surely been enough to distress the rest of the Fairens that were aware that their leader had found her mate in a Doirekh, and they remained unsure of what to do about it. Clea had reassured him that her people would listen to her, having experienced it before, and they trekked up to the platform in the very centre of her lands, and readied themselves for what was to come. 

All Fairens had gathered, and all were glaring at the man in front of them, some sneering and baring their teeth at him, though he remained aloof and unaffected, just waiting for his mate to get the introduction over with so he could have a word of his own with his new found people. With a final nod to Clea, she began her speech. 

‘Thank you all, for gathering today. As you all know, we are gathered for a very special occasion today, the introduction of your new leader, and my mate, Dregov Doirekh. Now I know that most...well, all of you are completely against this, but before you jump to conclusions, give me a chance to explain’ she began, though people had already begun protesting, and things had already started getting out of control. Dregov looked out at his people with anger, knowing that he would let no one disrespect his mate like that. 

‘Silence!’ He roared, and at once the arena silenced down. ‘I understand that you all hate me, after all, my father is responsible for the extinction of your fellow companions, the Piexens. I understand that you have every reason to hate me and every reason to want someone else to be your leader, but fate doesn’t make mistakes. My father, Gregov Doirekh left my siblings and I at a very young age to pursue a revenge that was pointless. My mother, who loved him the most, who yearned for him every second of the day, lost her partner that day, all because he wanted to give up everything to go after more territory and fulfill revenge! How do you think that makes me feel? Because if you think I respect that choice then you’re very much mistaken. I hate my father, for all that he did, and for all that he put my family through. My mother broke after he left, and she let herself get taken by the flame to put herself at rest after years of surviving and raising us. If I’m here today, as your leader’s mate, it’s because the flame wants us to make amends and put the past behind us. That was the tragedy of the first great war of Zaleon, now it’s time for the second great war of Zaleon, and I plan to make things right, and join the right side to make amends for what my father did, and in turn help this planet restore the unity that it deserves. I will stand by your leader, and I will do whatever it takes to protect all of you and fight for you all, to get you justice. I am standing against my own brother, and plan to kill him, because he chose the wrong side, and because he doesn’t deserve to live anymore. So I ask you, to accept me today as your leader, because I am NOT my father, I am the person who wants to bring change’ he spoke, loud and clear, addressing absolutely everyone in the crowd. A moment of silence went by before a woman in the distance began clapping, and then, all at one, everyone around him began crying and wailing in happiness, clapping their hands and jumping in joy. 

His eyes met Clea’s, and she looked at him with pride, grabbing onto his hand, and sharing the knowing look that this was bound to work, because they were both the reincarnations of the first mated Doirekh and Fairen. Their story dated back years and years, and they knew that it was time to make their relationship work now, like they couldn’t before. Here they were free to be themselves, to be one and be accepted, to rule together and change the fate of their planet for a second time, this time for the best. 

The announcement had led to a short celebration, from which the leaders departed early, knowing they had a big day the next day, and they retired to Clea’s chambers, where they settled into the bed, looking into each other’s eyes. 

‘You did great out there. They all love you. They didn’t hesitate to trust you because they saw the honesty in your eyes. Fairens can do that. They can sense honesty. That’s why I was willing to give you a chance even before I found out the truth about our past’ she responded, and he looked down at her, bringing his lips to hers. 

‘When I was on Crest, I never thought I’d ever see happiness again. My family was broken, my sister, the only person I cared about hated me, and I was living in the shadows of my brother, waiting to outgrow him and beat him, and today, I got the chance to. I protected my sister from him, I did him harm, and now I’m laying in bed with my mate and the love of my life in my arms. I used to think that the flame hated me, but I put my faith in the right person, my sister, and it’s led me here, to you. I could not be more grateful’ he revealed, and Clea looked at him in adoration, giving him a quick peck. 

‘You and  I were meant to be Dregov, whether or not you would have followed your sister. She was certainly on the right path, but the whole reason you’re here is because you have a pure heart and because that pure heart belongs to me. You are here to be with me, because that’s what the flame wanted’ she added, and the pair found themselves falling into blissful sleep, looking into the depths of each other’s eyes. 

The next day would bring the start of the fight they had all been waiting for, and despite how confident they were, nerves had tingled along, and had made them all awaken extra early, ready to overcome the battle that was inevitable, and bring peace to Zaleon.