Act 4: Fallen Heaven - Chapter 633: Avril's Vow

Act 4: Fallen Heaven - Chapter 633: Avril's Vow

"Still alive?" Erden asked, groaning as his one good wing held the broken wing and the nearly-severed leg. The bits of sapphire armor flaked off, revealing his white fur.Th.ê most uptod/ate novels a/re published on n(0)velbj)n(.)c/o/m

"You're still alive, aren't you? Why ask such a meaningless question?" Demon replied. His vision blurred as the deep darkness of the spatial domain melded with the streaks of light burning from the stars and realms that passed by. From outside came the sound of their crossing, high-pitched tunes that resonated into a chorus and rippled across his body as if he were liquid. He took a deep breath and tried to rouse his core. It refused his call, staying dull and unmoving. He could only hang on and ride the light to his destination.

"I didn't speak up earlier because you decided to return to Avril, and I feared my questions may change your mind. But why did you do it?" Erden asked.

"Do what?" Demon pretended not to know.

"Telling the truth to them. That was a nice farewell you put on, but I know you, you bastard. I don't believe for a moment you did it out of the goodness of your heart, if that even exists. You hide your intentions well." Erden said. "So why?"

"You ask now? While we're both staring death in the face?" Demon said. "Perhaps I should get some tea ready since you're eager to sit and talk."

"Answer. The. Question." Erden growled, clacking his teeth.

"They weren't reliable enough. Their loyalty is immense. Their powers are growing. But they're not complete." Demon said. "What binds everyone to me is that I am their savior. I pulled them out of hell and gave them purpose in revenge. However, take me away, and what do they have? Will revenge still drive them? Without me to direct them? Or perhaps they will crumble apart. How does the farm fare without the farmer?"

Hearing nothing from the beast, Demon coughed from the blood welling up his throat before continuing, "I exposed us by fighting the Togros. When the New Dawn comes knocking on their doors, how will they fight? With all the resources gifted by the Primaere at their whims and wishes, what will they do with it? They can try to live quietly, but their faces are now known, never to leave the island without looking over their shoulders. They can try to get revenge, but how will they fight? And who will stay loyal and fight solely for me? They will be tested in my absence, and Oscar will return to a firmer loyalty from those who remain, not to me for revenge, but to him because that is what they have chosen."

"So damned are the ones who leave? You just said they won't be able to live peacefully because they are exposed. You say they have a choice, but from where I stand, I see you have given them an ultimatum: die or serve you." Erden said, spitting in his direction.

"Avril." Remulus, the old Pavilion Master, appeared from thin air, wearing a hood and a mask. He knelt beside Oscar, muddying his blue robes without care, and enveloped them in a bubble of Ein. "I can't believe it. He's back."

"Can you help him?" Avril pleaded.

"I have stopped time momentarily to keep his wounds from worsening. We must leave. The guards will be here soon." Remulus lifted them all up in his bubble and soared into the sky, passing by a few Exalts who couldn't notice them inside the King Exalt's protection. They arrived at her estate in no time, passing the gates and barging into the front door, banging them on the walls.

Avril laid Oscar and Erden on the kitchen table, where she prepped ingredients. Blood flooded the cold metal table, her green vines already drenched in scarlet. Slowly unraveling her vines, she winced at the deep cut on Oscar's shoulder and Erden's leg, both almost severing the limb from the body. Her hands moved briskly, holding a sewing needle and thread. Carefully, she stitched the lesser wounds, cleaning the burns and old blood with a wet towel, already a pile forming in the sink.

"Set the bone and the muscles. The skin will take care of itself." Remulus advised.

Nodding, Avril held Oscar's arm and tightened her grip on the shoulder. In one motion, she pushed and pulled, a loud crack sounding from the bone as it settled back into place. Her hand raised to wipe her sweat. She stopped and shuddered, looking at her bloodied hands, a green color forming on her cheeks as nausea drummed her mind. Avril held her gag in and focused on Erden. After setting the bones and reconnecting them, she bound the wound in thick bandages to hold them together.

Remulus dropped a few droplets of diluted grade-five elixir, the wounds visibly recovering. The rest of the charred flesh flaked away, revealing a layer of new skin underneath. Avril heaved a sigh of relief at their stabilized conditions and washed her hands, using another wet towel, hot and fresh, to clean the foul gunk off them. The lifeless look he had still unnerved her. She had heard about how broken he had become but couldn't believe his current state. She had seen similar expressions on other slaves, the ones who truly gave up and only waited for death, which her mistress easily granted, bored of their lack of reaction.

"Oscar...I'm sorry." Avril held his hand, cupping it in her palms and sending her warmth. Her husband rested lifelessly, not reacting to her words or actions. He would never do that before. She raised him to sit on the table and hugged him, rubbing his back. Gritting her teeth as tears flowed down her cheeks, she buried her face into his good shoulder. "I'm sorry I wasn't there. No matter how many years it takes, even if you never come to, I'll be here by your side forever."

Avril sniffed, "I'll feed you. I'll bathe you. I'll take care of you. So, please, rest now—my dear husband. Rest for as long as you need."