Chapter 367 - 367

As Allias had ordered a party of elves had been sent out to meet the young hunter and receive the last Avgee elf. Theseus hadn't talked about it more; he hadn't even dared to look at the king after what he told him. The general had never been so shocked before when it came to them. They would always fight, shout at each other and sometimes even throw hands but in the end he always knew deep inside him that everything would be fine. They were soulmates after all, made for each other. This time Allias had seemed too cold, too distant and too disappointed to even pay any attention to him, to even get mad. A silence surrounded the two of them, so cold that Theseus felt he would end up freezing to death. 

He didn't have the time to talk to him. After his orders the king had gathered everyone in the throne room. He sat at his throne, gazing all of them, his eyes focusing on Ea. Theseus had been devastated when he saw his brother, suddenly all the things he never told him, all the love he hadn't shown him became a spear made of pure guilt and stabbed him. Later he had heard that there was a chance for him to come back. He wanted to find him, bring him home. Maybe even that was a part of Allias' kindness. He showed no emotion, he chose not to fight knowing how hurt he was, he simply focused on fighting his brother. 

The general took a deep breath, standing a bit further from the rest as his sorrow about Ares and his worry about the king were getting mixed up. This awful mix was spreading through his veins like some kind of poison. He wanted to speak, say something while everyone else conversed but he couldn't. Just the exhausted sound of Allias' voice was enough to paralyze him. So he simply stood there, his hands behind his back, fingers interlocked and listened. 

"So, we know that Vines has Ares' body. We are sure of that." Allias stated and Asmodeus nodded. "What we don't know is why he asked Ea if he was actually dead. Some kind of spell maybe?" he asked rubbing his chin as he wondered. 

"I think…" Asmodeus mumbled, his eyes moving as he gathered his thoughts. "I think it could be a spell. But this kind of magic is performed by very old and knowledgeable witches. Honestly I don't even think the Chaos Sisters would be able to do it." He stated. 

"How is it called? I am sure we could find a witch who could help." Ea said, a small hoping lighting up his delicate face. 

"Tempus Mortis, basically it's called the time of death. A witch must have charmed Ares' body in a way that he could be lethally hurt but not die, something like a fake death. I think my brother simply wanted to trick you into thinking he is dead and then run away with his body. If I know him well, we don't really have that much time. He is going to alter his memories. He is really good at doing that." Asmodeus explained and Ea bit his nails nervously. He was pacing back and forth trying to find something, a clue or an idea as to how they would continue. 

"I think it would be better to find a witch first. Bring her here though. That way we won't have any suspicious eyes looking at us. It is better to stay in a safe place with a maniac demon on the run. Also about the council…" Mark proposed at first and then he got ready to ask him a question. 

"I won't be able to bother with the council anymore. Let them deal with everything on their own. I am tired of them. Once I have finished with Ares' case and…something else I am planning to go there myself and clear things out but until then I don't really want to hear about them. Mark you're right. I think we should bring a witch here." Allias agreed and all of them remained quiet for a second, thinking of possible candidates. All of them except Mark of course. 

"I don't think we have that many friends out there at the moment." Ea said with a frown. It was true, their allies could easily be counted in the palm of one hand. The old glory of the elves has been long gone, faded and traveled with the wind together with Allias' memory. The moment their golden king died the shine of the elf nation had faded, flickered and diminished. 

Allias sighed, his face resting in his palm as the gears of his mind began to turn. Faces and names from hundreds of years back started appearing in his mind but none of them would help them. They were never really allies; they were just…people he knew. Someone would introduce themselves on a ball or at a war meeting. Another would shake his hand at a visit. All of them looked at him and admired him from afar but none of them were his friend. 

"Ea, go and write a letter to Amelia." Allias ordered. 

"I don't really think Amelia would be willing to help us after everything." Ea told him. 

"We don't have another choice. Write her a letter, offer her gold, jewels, whatever she wants but make her come here no matter what. In two days. If she doesn't come until then we will have a problem. The sooner the better." Allias said. 

"Alright then." Ea said and disappeared. Rushing instantly out ready to carry out the orders. Ready to start the plan to bring his husband back.

"Allias…" Mark called out his name and the king looked at his best friend. "Are you alright?' he asked and the elf smiled. 

"I am fine. Just a bit tired that's all." 

"You don't…"

"Come on, let's go." Asmodeus told the red head and took his hand in his. His friend had a frown on his face and was looking at the king with squeezed eyes, making really obvious that no matter what he couldn't hide from him. Allias shrugged his shoulders as the exorcist was being forced out and smiled. 

They were once more left alone. The king sitting on his throne while the general stood far away, his gaze wary and hesitant as their eyes met. Allias stood up and straightened his pants elegantly before he stepped down the small steps. He didn't say anything, silence spreading in the lonely room once more and Theseus couldn't stand it. Seeing him walk away as if he didn't acknowledge his presence. As the king walked past him Theseus grabbed his wrist, stopping him abruptly. 

"What is it?" The golden king asked calmly. A ray of light was landing gently on his face, escaping from the curtains. It lit up his green eyes, making Theseus lose his breath for a moment. Green, like endless valleys and like the fresh leaves of blossoming trees in spring. His never ending winter, the soft and constant white of the snow, these two eyes simply broke them, those two eyes were the bearers of spring, of life, his life. 

"Allias, I am sorry, please can we talk?" Theseus asked him, his tone pleading as he spoke to him. 

"I don't want to talk right now." Allias said and pulled his hand away. 

"You don't? Why? We always fought but we would also always talk about it so tell me why not talk about it now?' The general asked him. 

"Theseus…"

"I need to know. I am aware that what I did was horrible. Idiotic. But why is your attitude so different now? Why treat me like I don't exist? Swear at me, hit me, shout at me. Why can't you do that?" he asked, tension in his eyes. 

"I can't" The king stated. 

"Why? Why can't you?" Theseus asked him again, raising his tone

"Because your brother is gone Theseus! He was dead and now he is gone! I saw your eyes, the pain in them while you looked at his body and no matter how angry I am, no matter how much I want to swear at you and fucking murder you I love you too much and I am stupid for saying it! You are in pain and I…I can't cause you more but I can't simply stand by your side like nothing happened…" Allias told him, tears gathering in his eyes. "I want to be mature, I want to be smart and responsible but I…I simply didn't want to hurt you more so I decided to remain silent. Even if it hurts, even if I am hurting too. Because I love you, like the enormous fool I am. I didn't want to add another fight. I am also too tired" 

"I am sorry, I am so sorry." Theseus said. How could Allias be so kind, so gentle and he…how could he be so careless, so impulsive? His head fell, his fists closed shut at his sides as he realized how selfish he had been. "I, Allias, I…"

"We call ourselves soulmates but we don't seem to see eye to eye, do we?" Allias said and Theseus raised his head. He faced a bitter smile, his heart breaking at the sight. 

"Marry me then." The general stated and Allias' eyes widened.

"W-what are you talking about?"

"Marry me, now, right this instant. Be my soul link." He proposed.