Serene’s POV

It was Artins Sensei, he had barged in along with Mariela Sensei and a bunch of slayers. They began to blast the enemy with their magic spells. I noticed the purple shield covering us, it was Famios; the slayer who had helped us reach home safely. My heart swelled at the sight. They were here, they came to our aid.

"Father, take grandmother to Infirmary. We can handle the situation here now." I shouted and he picked her up to take her away. Her body was limp in his arms and I knew she was barely breathing. Glancing in Artins Sensei’s direction with reverence my father nodded at him who nodded back. Both men acknowledge each other in the process.

"Serene, can you fight?" Artins Sensei inquired once my father was gone while blasting a few more creatures and vampires with the flick of his wand.

"Yes, Sensei." I showed him my sword and he understood I was depleted of energy.

"Stay behind me." He instructed as he locked his eyes with the woman ahead, who smiled evilly. Surrounded by vampires and creatures, she appeared as a queen in their midst.

The windows crashed and shards of glass flew all over as several flying creatures hurled inside, the shield protected us. They had clearly been summoned by her mind control. One of them flew my way with its beak wide and I chopped it down with one swift blow to the head.

But Mariela Sensei had brought her own creatures. A pack of bloodhounds, I also saw Suri rushing forward, he leapt in the air and pounced on the flying creatures, tearing them apart with his teeth.

It was absolute mayhem, the snarls, shrieks, bloodied screams, spells and blood filled the air of the once peaceful hall of my castle.

A vampire’s power to freeze everything over hit the shield and it began to crack. Kilamin wasted no time in impaling him with a summoned golden arrow.

Our protective shield shattered and we could feel her mind control tugging at our minds. Some of my energy had been restored so I brought my shield up, covering everyone around me. Artins Sensei took this opportunity and launched a full-on attack on her, sending her flying and banging her against the wall.

She screamed in a high-pitched voice, breaking my shield and mind-controlling several Slayers who turned on us. It was a distraction as we held them at bay and tried to fight them, she climbed on the back of a giant black flying creature and spoke in a haunting voice:

"I will be coming for all of you again. Send my Arlo back." A mesmerizing smile tugged on her lips as she escaped through one of the broken windows. Other creatures and vampires shielded her, helping her get away. A few escaped with her while those remaining were being slaughtered by Kilamin, other Slayers and Fae soldiers.

"You alright?" Artins Sensei inquired placing his hand on my shoulder. I lowered the bloody sword I had been fighting with.

"I am, but I have to go check on father and grandmother," I remembered that grandmother was in a bad shape.

"Go, we will handle the situation here." He reassured me, his eyes held kindness for me although his face was stern.

"Thank you Sensei for coming to our aid." I was full of gratitude for him and others who had come to protect us.

"It’s my duty to ensure your safety and we should unite against her to stand a chance of ever defeating her. Now that we know where she is residing and what her plans are, we will figure out a sound plan to deal with her." I nodded at him before heading out, jumping over the dead bodies, shards of glass and blood, which strewn the floor of the hall.

I rushed to the Infirmary, my heart thudding heavily in my chest for what I might find. Father was pacing outside as I reached him, his steps ardent.

"Father, how is grandma?" I called out to him, his tumultuous eyes focused on me and I could see the stress lined on his face. He engulfed me in his arms, making sure I was alright.

"She is in a critical condition, Serene." My father was choking on his words, the man who had lost so many people in his life was on the brink of seeing his mother battle for life. My heart screamed in pain for both of them. I rubbed his back, trying to console him for I knew no words could do that today.

The door opened and Ayara emerged with a gloomy face and slowly said: "My King, we have tried to make her as comfortable as possible. But you must prepare for everything. Although you can meet her now." Tears welled up in my eyes and trickled down my cheeks. My father was stunned at her words, unable to move. I took his hand in mine and lead him in. Turning around I asked Ayara to fetch General Kilamin. She bowed and left.

Grandmother was lying on a bed with her eyes closed. She seemed to be sleeping peacefully, her rosy cheeks and white hair gave her the look of an angel. She slightly opened her eyes as we neared.

"My children," she whispered, picking up her hand she extended it toward us. Quickly, I took it in mine and kissed it. A weak smile covered her face as she whispered:

"Don’t cry, Serene. Everyone has to leave one day and I think my time is finally here."

"No, mother. You will heal. Don’t utter such absurdities." My father moved closer and hugged her, his whole body shaking as he held her and I knew he was crying.

"It’s fine Eradius. I lived a comfortable life, I had an incredible son who gave me such lovely grandchildren. I know our realm will be in safe hands and you will get rid of this impending evil one day."

She coughed loudly and spit out some blood. With age, it got difficult to heal all the injuries. Being young one had a rapid healing rate, with age healing became much more difficult and grandma had received too many internal wounds.

I wiped her face with a cloth, trying to make her as comfortable as possible. My hands shook and my throat felt tightened with the overwhelming emotions I felt.

"Serene, my dear... I wish I could have met... Zeph and his family. But that was not meant to be, knowing you I am sure he is one fine gentleman." She spoke weakly, hardly able to utter the words.

"Grandma..." I choked and no other words came out. The door threw open and Kilamim rushed in, his eyes darting to us holding unbearable pain.

He raced to her side and held her other hand, I could see he was barely holding on from breaking down. She reached out with a trembling hand and cupped his face, he gently kissed her palm, his shimmering eyes taking in all she had to offer.

"You are my... golden boy, Kilamin and I can’t even begin to tell you how proud I am of you. The perseverance... you hold, the wisdom you contain and the love... you hide. I hope you find all the love you deserve someday." Grandma offered him her warmest smile.

"Grandma, thank you for being there for me. But you have to get better now. We need you." His voice came out soft as he smiled back at her.

"I wish I had more time my boy. I truly.....do." Another cough surfaced and she couldn’t speak anymore, her eyes closed slowly, and her hand slipped from Kilamin’s face and fell to her side.

"Grandmaaaa...." I wailed, her breathing was becoming raspy and her body was slightly going limp. I shook her lightly, my sobs grew into screams by now.

"Grandmaaaa, open your eyes. You can’t leave us like that...." I shrieked like a banshee, taking hold of her shoulders I shook her. My mind had lost the capacity to think and all I wanted for her was to open her eyes.

"Nooooooo..." my agonizing yelling echoed in our castle as Kilamin rushed to my side and held me close to him from behind.

"Calm down, Serene. Please," he whispered to me but my heart was so restless that I could feel it would burst open from the emotions I felt. My throat burnt and my eyes couldn’t stop brimming with tears. Everything became hazy, the world became hazy and shook.

"How can she leave us so soon Kilamin? We should have protected her." I cried out as my father’s tender hand patted my head. He was shaking, badly, while he wrapped both of us in his arms. And all three of us cried together.

She was our strongest bond who always held us together, my safest place, someone with whom I could share everything. Buy now she was gone and I felt that something inside me broke, forever.