Double pov

With what little energy she had left, Lillybeth managed to open a passage to their world; this enormous effort, however, led her to the border between life and death. Amos and Elijah never wanted to go that far, but the situation was really critical and there were no other options.

For the first time, in an indeterminate amount of time, Amos was torn. On the one hand, he wanted to unsheathe his sword, go through that damned portal and save the girls, but on the other hand, he hoped that the priestess would not be the one to bear the brunt. In addition, to the flood of problems that was currently overwhelming them, the portal was about to close again, and there was no more time to stand around twiddling his thumbs.

Given his obvious indecision, his brother decided to take matters into his own hands and intervene.

«Listen, I understand your state of mind and I only wish we could all get out of this situation unharmed and return to our normal lives, but if we want that to happen, we have to go through this portal and save our companions. We cannot allow Lillybeth to have put her life at risk for nothing.» Elijah explained to them, with sweat beading on his forehead, watching their one opportunity shrinking ever smaller.

Not even giving him time to think, she took him by the shoulders and this time was not as gentle.

«Listen to me, Clara's family will do everything to prevent anything from happening to the priestess while we will go through that portal by throwing ourselves into it even by force if necessary and such a sentence you should have said to me and not the other way around. Seriously brother, Clara and Eliza need us.»

Finally, these words ended all his doubts, awakening his warrior spirit.

«You are right.» And grabbing his brother by the arm, as if he were carrying a rag doll, he hurried to his destination.

«Ladies, do not fear, I will use any means necessary, but I guarantee that you will soon be able to embrace her again. Please, however, take care of her.» He concluded by pointing to their savior.

«We will do everything. You think about saving our little girl and the girl in her company.» Said the mother, kneeling by Lillybeth's side, supported by the rest of the family members.

And without further ado, the two heroes crossed the passage, moments before it closed.

On Lyria, however...

Clara had miraculously managed to avoid the enemy's blow, ducking at the last. The blow had reduced the redwood tree behind the girls' backs to crumbs. It was a gruesome scene to say the least.

«Come on, don't be so hostile and let me kill you. I promise it will be painless.» Said the madman sadistically, while Clara, taking advantage of her moment of pomposity, managed to free her companion from her chains, throwing a small pink ampoule at her, which dissolved them instantly.

"Thank God I still had it behind me," She said. Lillybeth said Mandragora powder would be useful when needed, and how right she was." Thought the girl, bracing herself for the backlash.

«Honey, I thank you for your much-needed help, although I could very well have done it on my own, but now I suggest you stay in the background and watch the teacher at work. Heaven forbid I should do anything to you, I should have to put up with those two knight-servants indefinitely.» Miss Green exclaimed, parading herself before the girl and imprisoning the enemy's lackeys among branches and shrubs.

«I must say that I did not think I could have so much fun with you two, however, I am glad I had to change my mind. In any case, conquest plans take time and effort, so I don't have much time to devote to you.» Said the man with an eerie smile and a falsely calm tone of voice.

«Eliza, watch out...» Clara shot an arrow at the man. She knew she could not kill him with it alone, but an attack from him would certainly not have been expected, and by now they could only count on the surprise factor.

It all happened in a few moments, but, unfortunately, his powerful holy arrow hit another target....

Yes, that evil being had carried at the last Eliza before him, to shield himself with his body. Unfortunately, it was too late and Clara's arrow stuck straight under the girl's left collarbone.

"No, no. I beg you, don't close your eyes, all right. I assure you I will fix everything and we will return to Amos and Elijah safe and sound." Said the redhead, meanwhile, approaching and crouching down beside her. First, she took off her shirt, using it to put pressure on the wound. She needed to pull it out as soon as possible.

«Look at you if I have to be rescued by you.» Replied the wound with a huff, adding: «It's not your fault. I trust you.» And after that, she lost consciousness.

«Well, good. I will take out both women in the life of that ungodly traitor. I should have killed him ages ago now, unfortunately I have a soft heart. However, now I have plenty of time to make up for it. I still remember the day I condemned his parents to a fate even worse than death, not before, however, I let them believe that one of their beloved heirs had died at my hands. At that moment, I acted, breaking the defenses of the general and his wife. For the rest, it was only a matter of time. No one was more able to take the reins of the people like your beloved's father, and I just had to stay in the shadows for a while longer, waiting for ripe times to attack and finally reunite all the peoples under my leadership.» He explained to Clara, holding her by the neck with only one arm, just enough to keep her from fainting before he had finished his mad rant.

«However, I understand that sentimental fool; from what I could see you are a real morsel, it is just a pity to have to end your life.»

Her vision was blurring and her grip was tightening more and more. A final tear of regret wet the young woman's face, aware that she would never see her loved ones or Amos again. She had given her word to everyone that she would not let anything happen to anyone, however, she had failed to keep it.

Just when all seemed to be lost, Clara saw a portal open behind the back of her near-murderer, from which she saw two thunderbolts, one yellow and one black, or so it seemed.

The madman did not even have time to realize what was happening that he was pierced by two gleaming golden blades. Clara felt his grip loosen, but she, no longer having the strength to react, fell to the ground with him.

Needless to say, still confused and in pain, she discovered that the two mysterious saviors were indeed Amos and Elijah, who had truly arrived at the right time.

The man, looking at them with a look filled with hatred and contempt, said to them, «Your beloved parents will remain to suffer in limbo for the rest of eternity. What better revenge? I will not be able to rule among the kingdoms, but I will have definitely destroyed my enemy and all his lineage. My followers will carry out my "mission."» After this, the Dark One closed his eyes, ready to draw his last breath under the grief-laden gazes of the two young men, convinced that they had signed their parents' damnation sentence.

Clara, revived, gathered her strength and got to her feet, approaching the man and resting a hand on his bloodied chest. She did not know what had driven her, but she felt she had to. Drawing on her utmost concentration, the young woman was able to visualize what the spirit of the dying man was hiding and glean the necessary information.

A few moments later, the vision ceased and the man finally expired.

Amos had crouched beside her, asking her what she had done, while Elijah ran to check on Eliza.

«I was able to figure out how to get your parents out. Don't ask me how, but I did it. But how are you guys here? How is Lillybeth? What about my family? They must be dying of fright, I absolutely must...» But this time, too, as whenever she began to speak in a machine-gun fashion, Amos plugged her mouth with a kiss, to which she was quite happy to respond.

«You have to stop kissing me every time I make a serious speech...»

«Why would that be? I love kissing you.»

«Listen, sooner or later we'll have to talk about what's going on between us...»

«There is nothing to talk about. I fell in love with you and you fell in love with me. I don't know what will happen tomorrow, but I assure you that I will make sure to stay by your side...» This time he was taken aback by the girl.

«Tomorrow we will worry about it, for now let's think about everything else.»

«Excuse me lovebirds, I don't want to upset you but there would be a wound here.» Elijah had used his healing powers to ease the pain, however the wound needed to be treated.

«Amos, accompany Clara back, I will take Eliza to the nearest village in search of a physician.» Elijah exclaimed, gently taking the woman in his arms. The latter, however, grabbed Clara's wrist before going and thanked her for keeping her promise.

After that, the two flew away to the nearest village, leaving Amos and Clara alone again, just as when it had begun.

«Well, are you ready for what awaits us from me?»

«After all that has happened to us, I think I can survive even your family.»

After a hearty laugh and with hands timidly intertwined, the two crossed the portal again, aware that their task was far from over.