One Step at a Time

Oliver found the trio shortly after the battle ended. He had been dealing with more guards, but after The Dark Lord fell, the rest of the guards around the castle all collapsed. He helped Renji walk while Illya helped Nemi as they returned to camp. The silent question on all of their minds was almost as stressful as the questions they held before the battle had begun. “What now?”

As they sat around their fire, eating the food that Hestia had lovingly made for them, the combatants were all silent. Hestia didn’t know Balam very well, and she felt wonderful for their victory. Mariel, however, sensed the distress coming from the others. When they had explained what had happened, and just who The Dark Lord really was, all was quiet again. The meal was wonderful, absolutely fit for a royal victory, but such a treat didn’t have the impact it otherwise would have. Renji’s tongue went over the teeth in his mouth as a scowl formed on his face. He had never altered his head before, and he knew Tiamat wished against it. It was evident now as to why. While he was able to maintain his brain, his head didn’t return to how it was before. His teeth were sharper, his upper canines had noticeably lengthened to him, though nobody else seemed to notice. Perhaps the change wasn’t too dramatic, but it bugged him greatly. It was like his mouth wasn’t his own anymore, but it was just something he’d have to get used to, especially if he was ever pushed to alter his head again.

“When we get back to Aldelthorne, I’d like to propose something.” Renji turned to Nemi and Illya, his expression serious. “The Dark Lord will come back one day. I had hoped to find a way to seal him away for good before we fought him, but such was not the case. We may not live to see his return, but we should do what we can now to ensure that future generations can at least handle it when he does come back. Otherwise, this cycle of war will never end.”

Illya and Nemi were silent for a moment, but it was Nemi that spoke first. “I have thought the same thing, but I couldn’t think of any way to do it. I’ll do some research in the grand archives later. If Count Draeven was able to absorb spirits of great beasts, then it’s not impossible to believe that we could use a similar method to seal him away. Leave it to me, Renji.”

Illya’s thoughts, however, were not on The Dark Lord, Balam, but the people. Her heart hurt not just for the people of Aldelthorne, but for the people of Barathûn. Without a leader, there will undoubtedly be turmoil amongst the people. Banditry, disorganization, and they will certainly be open for any of the other Kingdoms to try and take over. Their jugular was exposed to the world, practically begging for the numerous fangs that surrounded them. However, Aldelthorne was also in turmoil. Without their king, she could only imagine just how badly her people must be suffering. Surely, she thought, Balam hadn’t corrupted every individual that served him. Would such a force await them? When they returned, if they made it to the castle, she would have to be crowned as the queen. She had always dreamt of the day her father would retire, the ceremony that awaited her, the beautiful dress she always imagined of wearing as the crown was placed upon her head. The dream seemed so childish now beyond the bleak reality of their situation.

They had won, but they lost something very important along the way.

“What happens now?” Renji asked Illya. He knew he needed to be the one to ask, but he also needed Illya to know through his tone that she was their leader. Whatever they do, it would be at her word.

“I-I’m not sure.” Illyandaril admitted, staring at the fire crackling before her. “I was hoping we’d go home, have a ceremony, but I’m worried that my people might hate me. I wasn’t there for them when they needed me most. They might even think I just ran away.”

Illya’s shoulders began to quake as tears began to well in her eyes. It was a fear they all felt. Renji, however, wrapped his left arm around her, pulling her close as they sat beside each other. “You cannot control how people think, Illya. If you try, well, you get what Balam did. Some will hate you, sure. Not every ruler is one-hundred percent beloved. However, I know from what little I saw of your people that they love you. I’m sure that they pray, even now, begging the gods to see you safely home. Let’s just take it all one step at a time. We’ll all be there for you every step of the way.”

His words were a comfort she should have expected, but she still found herself melting into his words. She always seemed to believe his words more than the others. “Okay. One step at a time. You’re all getting promotions, though. I’ll need all of you to help make sure everything is okay after we get home. Can I count on all of you?”

Oliver saluted Illya swiftly, swallowing the food he still had in his mouth hastily so he could speak. “Your Majesty, I renew my oath to serve the crown faithfully! You will have my shield for as long as you’ll have it!”

Hestia nodded firmly, beating her chest. “Of course. I’ve managed to learn a lot, so I can make sure both you and the rest of the castle will get their fill so they can perform at their utmost!”

Mariel offered a soft, kind smile as she bowed deeply to Illya. “My lady, I fear I have done little to help, but I shall be ever vigilant, and you shall always have my one-hundred percent. Ask anything of me that you need, and you shall find your needs met.”

Nemi smiled softly at first before her lips expanded into a wicked grin. “Promotion? No idea what that would make me, but you’ve always got me, Illya. Plus, I’ve learned so much already, once we have a moment of peace, I’ll reach even new heights of magic. That, and I already promised to figure out how to get rid of The Dark Lord permanently, so consider it all done!”

Before Renji could offer his words, Illya looked up to him, her eyes meeting him with all the stoicism that she could muster. “You…you’ve done so much for us already. If you want to, we can try to send you home. You don’t have to feel obligated, it’s the least we can do to thank you for all that you’ve done for us.”

Renji’s mouth hung open for a while. He had thought about returning home a few times, but other than his coworkers, he truly couldn’t think of any worthwhile reason to go home, especially not with the family that he had found for himself here. “No. I’ll stay. After all, what would you do without me? I’ve got your back, Illya.” Renji smirked, trying to seem confident, but he was resolved, even if it was a bittersweet decision. This was his home now.

The tears that welled up in her eyes had begun to spill over. Hugging Renji tightly, her face pressed against his chest to hide the tears that escaped from her. This would probably be the last time she’d be able to let herself be so vulnerable, but at least she was sure that she had one more person she knew would never leave her. Renji had stayed by her side through thick and thin, while she was at her worst and while she was at her best. She hoped that he never changed, and that he would stay at her side forever.