NOELLE’S POV,
I try to figure out what I should do but every time I close my eyes, I just go back to what happened in the Under Realm. I see Hella’s face when I burned her, and I see Roan just standing there while they sacrifice me.
Still can’t believe that he betrayed me like that. I should have followed my instincts from the beginning. But of course, I fall in love with the first guy that gives me attention. I don’t want to shed any more tears for that guy though, so I better just try to forget about him.
Then I realize something else. If I am the last heir of the witches that means that my parents are dead for sure. Somewhere I still had hoped there was a reason they left me and that I would see them again someday. Now I probably won’t even find out what happened to them. Tears roll down my cheek and I lean even closer to Thorn. His head shoots up when we hear a sound. He quickly puts his wings to shield me and growls at what is approaching.
I can see Faith emerging while Thorn makes himself ready to blast fire.
”Whoo easy boy. It is a friend,” I put my arm on his belly to calm him down.
Faith smiles at the sight, ”You got yourself a fierce protector there.”
I pet Thorn, ”Yeah animals are amazing, such loyal creatures without a hidden agenda. Look what the Realms have done to it each other over the years. Maybe the end of the world is just what we deserve.” It sounds more bitter than I wanted it to sound. Faith walks to the edge of the cave and sits down, ”Come enjoy the view with me.”
I walk to her and sit down. We have a nice view over the mountain city. On the ground, in between the mountains, there are little shops and restaurants and playgrounds for the kids. There is a variety of different people from different Realms walking there. Just doing their business in peace.
Faith breaks the silence, ”It’s rather beautiful, isn’t it? When Gabriel built this, he wanted to have a safe space for everyone no matter what species you are. So, the homes are in the mountains where they can choose to be with their own people if they want. But down there in the center of Liberum everyone is welcome. For centuries people of the Realms have lived separately. Everyone believed we couldn’t coexist in the same Realm. That there would only be war. At first, people were hesitant and cautious with other species. But look at them now living there in harmony not even noticing anymore that they are different. They prove that kindness and acceptance are there in every species if only they get the chance to show it. It is hope for a better world.”
She stops for a moment, ”Whether you help us or not the war is here. Only with you on our side, we might stand a chance. All these lives that Gabriel spared will be for nothing. They will either be dead or slaves. Maybe you don’t care about your own life, but I hope you still care about the innocent.”
She points at the children at the playground, ”They don’t deserve to die.”
She looks into my eyes and takes my hand, ”I know you are heartbroken and scared and confused but you have a chance to make a better world. A world where no one needs to be betrayed the way you were. A world where children don’t have to grow up without their families. Please help us.”
A tear rolls down my eye and I squeeze Faith’s hand, ”Hey you already had me convinced by just looking at the city.”
Faith laughs and I say, ”Beautiful speech though, Gabriel knows who to send hea?”
Faith blushes, ”We all have our strengths and weaknesses.”
I stand up and take the powder, ”We better go tell them the good news then.”
I take Faith’s hand and transport us back. When we arrive the rest pretends to not be eager to know what happened between me and Faith. Gabriel casually looks up, ”Hey Noelle, I was just about to grab some lunch at my house. It is the mountain next to this one. You want to come?”
I hear my stomach rumble, ”Yeah sure.”
I walk to Gabriel and let him pick me up. When I look over my shoulder I can see Holly, Nolan, and Zeus rush to Faith. They whisper and I hear Holly scream joyful, ”Hhaaaa I knew it.” Then she and Nolan exchange money.
”I can’t believe they bet money over me,” I say while shaking my head.
Gabriel flies away and lands us at the opening of the mountain just a few meters away, ”Ah don’t be mad, they are just trying to find a bit of fun before the dark times ahead.”
He walks in front of me to what seems to be a kitchen. It is cozy with lots of lanterns and a small wooden table at the opening. From the table, you can still see the others in the big mountain. Gabriel walks to the stove, ”How about some spaghetti?”
I look at him surprised, ”You can cook? don’t Kings have servants for that?”
Gabriel starts cutting garlic, ”I don’t want any servants I am perfectly capable of making my own food and wiping my own ass.”
I chuckle at his bluntness, ”Well good for you.”
While slicing tomatoes he asks me, ”So from my sister’s euphoria I gather that you decided to help us?”
I play with a napkin on the table, ”Yeah you send Faith with a rather convincing speech so how could I resist.”
Gabriel puts down his knife and turns to look at me, ”I don’t want you to be forced into anything. I want you to help us because you want to. And for the record, I didn’t send Faith.”
I feel a bit ashamed because so far Gabriel has been kind to me, ”I am sorry I didn’t mean to make fun of the situation. I want to help create a better world. I just feel a bit overwhelmed with everything.”
Gabriel smiles at me, ”I wasn’t mad Noelle. I just want to make sure you know you have a choice. Freedom is important to me, and it is one of the pillars of Liberum. I have been a slave, so I know how important having a choice can be.”
He continues with the food and 15 minutes later a delicious spaghetti with meatballs stands in front of me. I take a bite, ”Mmm my god this is amazing. Having no servants suits you well.” Gabriel laughs and then softly wipes some sauce off my cheek. I look into his blue eyes but quickly look away and start talking about something else. I point at his friends over at the mountain they look like they are debating at the table, ”So tell me about them, how did you meet? What are their roles?”
Gabriel swallows his food, ”Well they are my council but also my friends. Holly is my sister as you know but she also rules the Sky Realm while I am busy with other matters. She is a fierce warrior and creative when it comes to battle strategy. Then there is Zeus, who was brought here by Faith. There is no one who knows more about magic and spells than him. Nolan, I have known since I was a kid and he stuck up for me against bullies. He has never lost a fight and he commands my armies. And then there is Faith. She is the most talented healer I have ever met. She healed my sister when she was close to death after a battle. She is special. After all, she traveled the Realms because she believed everyone deserves proper care. Hella heard of her so I brought her here before Hella would get too interested. I could use her skill and kindness in my council. They are a good balance of kind, fierce and wise. But most importantly they are good people.”
I look at him, ”They seem to be as fond of you as you are of them. You must lead them well.”
Gabriel stands up, ”Good people don’t need much leading. Now let’s get back and see what crazy plans they made while we were eating.”