Armoury: An Apocalaptia Prequel

Chapter 10: Paranoia

Henron listened intently to Athylia's account, his expression growing more grave with each word. The detail she mentioned about the individual who threatened her downfall sent a shiver down his spine, and yet, she conveniently left out crucial information.

Henron leaned forward, his gaze piercing into Athylia. "And this... individual who has been targeting you, did you happen to see his face?" he asked, a sense of tension crackling between them. "Not that I know of" She replied,reminiscing the encounter with the pragmatic stranger,she wonders If her third persuer has some connection to the said danger she wasn't privy to or was the suspect himself ."Atleast for now...." Athylia added absent mindedly.The subtle addition of "at least for now" didn't slip past Henron, and his expression hardened even more. He could sense that his daughter was holding something back, dancing around the truth with half-truths and vagueness.

"What do you mean by "at least for now." he pressed, his sharp blue eyes never leaving Athylia's face.Athylia stilled for a moment realizing she revealed more than intended "Nothing of you're concern,just paranoid it was the most peculiar encounter comapred to any other battlefields I went to" Athylia answered swiftly Henron clenched his fist against the wall,an irritable expression across his face "The last time I heard words along those lines was from your mother...And look how that ended up, since then! He remarked with an unmiskable hint of anger ,Henron's words were laden with pain and grief as he brought up the memory of her mother. A mix of bitterness and regret filled his eyes as the past came flooding back.

"I thought I taught you better" he muttered, his voice tinged with the pain of loss. "Don't keep secrets, especially when it comes to your safety. Your mother tried that, and...look where it led her." "But I'm not her...Im not my mother" Athylia protested with indignation "You're right you're not you're mother...." He trailed off,memories resurfaced of his late wife's (Esdras)fate,memories that he'd rather wish to forget, her death plaguing Henron's mind like a vice,entrenched on its roots "You're my daughter...And I won't stand by idly watching history repeat itself" Her father finished with cold finality leaving no room for arguments his tone full of conviction.The conviction in Henron's voice cut through the air like a blade, and his words echoed in the room, each one filled with a mixture of determination and fear.

"You're my daughter." he repeated, "and I can't bear to lose you too."

Henron moved closer to Athlyia, his expression solemn and resolute. "Tell me the truth" he demanded, his gaze locked with hers. "No more lies, no more secrets. I need to know everything." "You're acting as if I'll let that happen, I will live regardless of what life throws at me.I will persevere no matter for my people for the sake of Alveria if I'm gone who will protect them and if you're going to stop over some tragedy you cannot get over with you're putting nit only my life eat risk but costing everyone else's too...Your just a paranoid amn right now father" Athylia replied Henron's gaze darkened at Athlyia's defiant words, his irritation with her stubbornness evident in his expression.

"And tell me, how do you intend to protect everyone else if you cannot protect yourself?"*

He retorted, his voice taking on an edge of frustration.

"I'm not paranoid, I'm concerned. Concern for you and those counting on you."

"You're not invincible Athylia,you're a mortal,and mortals have limits.Do you have any idea how it feels like to lose someone you love dear wait you probably do just not the part when another person you care about only seems treads on the same path and have them snatched from you're hands the next" Henron sighed ,a wave of realization washed over Athylia, the weight of her father's words sinking in. In the midst of her defiance, she suddenly recognized the depth of his concern and pain.

"I...I know I'm not invincible..." she murmured, the fight in her voice giving way to a hint of vulnerability. "But I can't let fear hold me back. People are relying on me. "And where will that reliance go when you vanish!" He sighed irritably "From now on do not lower you're guard do not go to battles alone especially when your adversaries try to separate you and your allies so you face them alone do not give them that advantage" Henron suggested,though his advice bordered on a warning rather than choice ,Athylia felt a pang of guilt at her father's stern words, realizing the gravity of the situation. With a solemn expression, she nodded in acknowledgment.

" I understand" she replied, her voice tinged with a mixture of humility and resolve."I won't let my guard down again. I'll stay vigilant and alert, and I won't let them isolate me from my allies." "Good.Now promise me one more thing... Do not go fight again until this matter receded atleast a month later,you're pursuer will slowly begin to unravel themselves a swell as their motives,once their patince have run out and have to intervene by force." He stated expectantly,Athylia paused for a moment, weighing the request in her mind. She understood her father's concern, but the thought of remaining idle for an entire month was difficult to embrace.

"A month is a long time" she protested, her voice tinged with a mixture of frustration and resignation. "I can't just sit around doing nothing while there's danger out there."

"Well too bad.The said danger now is targeting you specifically, not exactly the majority of us so until then stay put whether if you like it or not!" He countered leaving no room for further protests,Athylia knew there is no amount of persuasion that would get him to reconsider up to this point onwards inevitably.Athylia's initial protestation deflated as she recognized the determination in her father's tone. She knew that arguing further would be futile, and deep down, she understood his concern for her safety.

"Fine" she begrudgingly conceded. "I'll stay put for a month. But you better keep me updated on any developments regarding this threat."