Xiran opened the door and stepped inside the office with the broken window and dented wall. Strings of arrows were strewn all over the floor and the two men were seated on the seats, their gazes were towards Xiran.

"He left? Just like that?" Xiran inquired, taking quick strides he approached the nearby sofa and settled down.

"We had to negotiate, even the power rendering serum didn’t work on him properly and our combined powers were still not enough to hold him at bay," Prince Casmian informed him, his hand jostling his perfect reddish-golden hair which fell to his shoulders.

"He killed Carios, I want him dead," Xiran informed them with gritted teeth, his heart bled at the thought as Carios’s face flashed across his eyes. A displeased look crossed Prince Casmian’s face while Amonidus spoke in a soft voice:

"I am sorry to hear that Xiran, I know how much that boy meant to you. But we have to be rational. We need to come up with a solid plan against him, we need a proper army and a perfect weapon to achieve all that."

"The more we will wait, the stronger he will get and the more perilous situation will become. Today, it was my city, tomorrow it will be our whole continent. The Sooner we kill him, the better it will be," Xiran was getting agitated, and his heart was far from being at ease.

"Xiran, that’s why we want to do it right. For now, sit tight and let the city go through the healing process. Your people and your friends need you," Amondius got up and walking over to Xiran placed his hand on his shoulder. He took a deep breath before saying the next words:

"And you have to let go of that girl. Hide her away somewhere, far away from you. I told your father that she doesn’t live with you but he wasn’t really convinced. He said you need to let her go and break whatever bond exists between the two of you."

His words seemed to have submerged Xiran in icy water, for all the warmth seemed to have left his body and he felt extremely cold. That’s what his life would be like if he would let his Leia go.

"I know my father, now that he knows someone like her exists, even if I let her go he would never stop pursuing her until he finds her," the anger rising inside him was reaching a boiling point and he didn’t know how long he will be able to hold himself before bursting.

"Hide her for now, Xiran. Let’s stabilize everything for a while," Prince Casmian said. "If you want I can keep her with me, she will be safe in our city."

"No, Casmian. I have already endangered you by involving you in my matters with my father. You have seen what he is capable of, he will find her there and destroy your city and thousands of innocent lives. I can’t live with such burdens, I have already reached my limit."

The heaviness in his voice didn’t go unnoticed by both men while Amondius patted his shoulder Casmian spoke calmly:

"I understand but my city’s doors will always be open for you and her and I will help you restore Fritez City to its original glory."

"Thank you," Xiran gave him an appreciative look.

They discussed different agendas and the meeting ended after a while. Both men decided to return leaving their forces behind to help in the rebuilding process. While Xiran decided to head over to Rivan.

Warise called again and as soon as Xiran picked up he said:

"Señor! I have bad news. It was your brother Xifin, who broke Treia out of the prison and he took her along without hurting her."

"I see. Leave this issue to me and secure the other prisoners."

Xiran couldn’t comprehend what he was hearing, what did Xifin want with her? How did he even remember her?

One revelation after another was being thrown at him, his frustration level had reached its peak and he felt utterly alone today. Carios was gone, Rivan was fighting for his life while Aselia was far away and he couldn’t even seek solace from her.

He was flying but his mind was preoccupied with the events that had transpired in the last 24 hours, they had turned his world upside down. He knew there were tough decisions he needed to take now.

Observing the streets he saw a girl not more than five years old, crying and walking in the street. He immediately descended and landed right in front of her. Shock and bewilderment had her stopping in her tracks and she forgot to cry for a second.

"Are you alright? Little one," he softly inquired, seeing how distressed she seemed.

"My...my home w..as attacked. My p...parents, something happened to them," she stammered.

"It will be alright, don’t cry. Please," he offered her a smile.

Are you an angel?" her words had him having such a Deja Vu as if he had been through this before.

"Yes, little one. I am. Come with me I will take you someplace safe and will send someone to your house," he offered his hand to the little girl, and a slight smile remained on his face for the sake of the kid. She took it with a bit of hesitation and Xiran flew off with her towards the hospital.

He couldn’t help but look at the girl. She had sad blue eyes and bluish-black hair. The colour of the hair was an indication that the child was a femoris. A sadness descended on him knowing he was holding yet another orphan in his arms and he would have to keep her as far away from him as possible. Or one day she would end up like Carios. 𝙛𝓻𝒆𝓮𝒘𝙚𝙗𝒏𝙤𝙫𝓮𝒍.𝓬𝒐𝙢

He finally reached the hospital and descended. Carrying the girl he stepped inside and handed her over to one of the doctors to be kept safe in the children’s ward.

He made a mental note that once Rivan was better they needed to establish their own orphanage. Where kids will be safe and no one will be able to hurt them or use them for their benefit. A place where kids will be free but it had to be hidden so his father wouldn’t find out about it.