CHAPTER 524: THE ULTIMATE SACRIFICE

"How did Raziel and Elysia meet?" He asked, puzzling the brothers. They were stunned, surprised by his sudden question.

"You want to know about our parents’ love story." Azrael blurted. His eyes filled with astonishment.

"Did they ever have to choose between love and duty?" Cedric blurted. He wasn’t surprised by their reaction. His question was truly unexpected.

Cedric felt there was something he needed to know. From the way Raziel spoke.

Thamiel’s eyes darted between Cedric and Azrael trying to find a clue. He wondered why Cedric was suddenly interested in Elysia’s and Raziel’s story. Cedric’s face was stern, almost emotionless. The only emotions were his eyes, which were flickering with something unreadable.

"Their story," Azrael blurted, "I don’t know where to start from, but if your question is if they had to choose between love and duty", Azrael’s tone softened.

It was a story he wasn’t there to witness but had heard it several times. His lips parted and he continued. "Father chose love over duty. He sacrificed something most divine beings can’t sacrifice."

Cedric’s eyes narrowed, he was expecting that answer, but what could it be that almost separated soul mates? A sacrifice too grave.

"He made a sacrifice," Cedric muttered. Was he meant to sacrifice his love for Abrielle’s life? Was that the answer?

"That’s what they say," Thamiel was the one who answered. His violet eyes were calm, his mind trying to remember. "As divine beings, we are bound by rules, especially when it comes to love, especially us bound to Netheralis...." Thamiel explained.

Those were the same words Raziel told him. "If the love isn’t fated it is bound to fail," Cedric answered. Thamiel nodded.

Azrael started picking up clues. Cedric was worried about his wife. "Not just that. At times, even a love bound by fate is forbidden, especially if it is between a divine being and a mortal, but that’s not the worst." Azrael chirped in.

It was believed that a mortal being romantically involved with a divine being was shrouded in bad luck. It was bound to be a tragic story which could even cause an early death.

The divine realm wasn’t meant to interfere with mortals to a certain level. There were restrictions on maintaining a balance. The last time a divine being had interfered with the mortal realm it reshaped their history and gave them something they weren’t to have.

Magic

Cassius and Maximus gave the mortals magic, which led to the creation of two kingdoms which reshaped the mortal realm.

But it came at a cost.

"What could be worse?" Cedric glanced at Azrael.

"Darkness and light interfere with each other. A god of Elaris being involved with a demon from Netheralis. Although they are both divine realms. One signifies light, the other darkness." Azrael answered.

Then it clicked with Cedric. "Was Raziel?" He didn’t complete the question. What exactly happened, he wondered?

Thamiel sighed, a soft smile tugged at his lips. "Father was the eldest heir of the king of the gods. The ruler of Elaris, while mother was the only heiress to the former king of Netheralis. They were forbidden." Thamiel explained.

"But father didn’t care; he gave up his right to the throne and privileges to be called a proper God and chose to be labelled as a demon. They called it the ultimate sacrifice." The words felt heavy in Thamiel’s mouth.

The gods were prideful beings; none of them expected Raziel to make the choice. To leave a perfect place like Elaris and choose to stay close to the dead and darkness.

But he did. He chose love over everything he knew. Raziel’s love was selfless but came at a cost. It explained why Raziel’s aura was completely different from the princes of Netheralis, despite being their father.

Like he didn’t belong here but chose to be tied here. Those gold wings reminded him of angels he had heard in fairy tales.

Cedric felt his heart squeezed uncomfortably.

Maybe he truly had to let go.

"What happened to the former rulers of Netheralis?" Cedric blurted out of curiosity.

"That is a question I have no answer for. Maybe the older princes would know," Thamiel answered. His brows furrowed. He never really thought of it before. What happened to their grandparents?

It was a completely different story.

*******

The news of the coronation of the next emperor spread around Heliosa. Nobles from all over the empire came to Emberlynx to witness the rare event.

The streets were filled with colours and celebrations.

Even Abrielle’s mood improved considerably due to the festive air. "Lucian would be crowned after the winter’s prayers. I hear Kaiden will be buried during the event." Evelyn chimed in from Abrielle’s side

.

They were walking down the decorated hallway of Aurelius’s castle. This would be his last days here before he finally moves to the palace of Luminaria as the emperor.

"It was bound to happen," Abrielle answered, Kaiden’s funeral had been delayed for too long. If her assumptions were right, Lucian was the reason.

Lucian von Drakkar was one of her favourite characters. A man with a high moral background, it must be hard for him to accept Callista’s tricks.

But there was also the possibility that Lucian was completely oblivious of the truth. Evelyn’s gaze flickered; she tried to read Abrielle’s expression for the slightest clue, but there was none.

Up till Abrielle kept a tight lip about Cedric’s whereabouts. When asked she simply says he is well and alive. Evelyn, knew deep down there was something wrong with her master, one Abrielle was too stubborn to accept.

They arrived at the main entrance, thick snow covered most of the courtyard, but it was still beautiful, winter moor flowers were in bloom, their white petals blended with the white snow.

Wheels rolled against the stone path, and the creaking sound of the frames caught Abrielle’s attention. Her ears perked up. She glanced at the carriage arriving through the gates with a soft smile.

The carriage came to a stop in front of the main entrance, the doors opened, and a familiar tall figure stepped out. "It’s been a while." She chimed, her eyes sparkled genuinely. It’s been ages, she smiled this way.

Sebastian smiled, his blue eyes carried a familiar glint. He seemed to have changed over the past months. As if he had gotten more handsome. Abrielle laughed at the thought.

"It has been indeed," Sebastian answered with an equal smile, which made his snow white hair more vibrant as it blended with the white surroundings.