The Damned Demon

Chapter 916: To Fix A Mistake From The Past

Arthur’s consciousness stirred slowly, as if surfacing from deep underwater. His entire body felt heavy, each muscle echoing with dull pain as though a meteor had collided with him.

He groaned softly, eyes fluttering open as the cold white lights of the medical ward slowly blurred into focus.

“Arthur, are you feeling okay now?” A voice, soft yet anxious, softly whispered beside him. That voice alone was enough to lift the heavy ache from his heart.

“Anna…” Arthur croaked weakly, warmth flooding him instantly. He turned his gaze to find her beautiful face staring down at him, dark silver eyes swimming with anxiety and relief.

“I’m fine,” Arthur murmured gently, trying to push himself up slightly, ignoring the protest of his aching limbs. “You don’t have to—”

His words were suddenly interrupted by Anna lunging forward, enveloping him in a tight, desperate embrace. Her slender shoulders trembled softly against him, tears slipping down her cheeks, soaking into his shirt as she whispered brokenly, “Thank you…”

Arthur’s heart twisted tenderly as he returned her embrace, gently stroking her back. “For what?” he asked softly, his voice filled with affectionate confusion.

Anna tightened her hold for a moment, as if fearful he might disappear if she let go. When she finally spoke, her voice was choked, each word filled with deep, sincere gratitude and guilt. “For giving me yet another chance—more than I ever deserved. You never gave up on me…even when I was ready to give up on myself. I feel so guilty…so ashamed.”

Arthur’s expression softened further, a compassionate smile curving his lips. He gently pulled Anna back just enough to look directly into her tear-filled eyes. Brushing aside the dark strands of her hair, he spoke softly yet with unwavering conviction. “How could I ever give up on someone I love? No matter the danger you were in, I’d never abandon you. Those evil people forced you into darkness—but they’ll pay for every moment of suffering they caused.”

Anna’s lips curved into a bittersweet smile as she shook her head slowly, her voice soothing, calming the fire in Arthur’s eyes. “No, Arthur, please. You don’t have to do that. Not anymore. All you have to do now is rest.”

Arthur frowned slightly, confusion knitting his brow as he slowly sat up, despite Anna’s silent yet pleading gaze urging him to lie back down. “What are you saying, Anna? We still need to stop Derek, his followers. They could still—”

Anna gently interrupted him, a relieved, serene smile spreading across her tear-stained face. “That monster is dead, Arthur. And so are his followers. None of them will ever haunt us again. We’re free…we’re finally free.”

Arthur’s breath caught sharply, disbelief quickly giving way to stunned relief and shock. “Dead…? How? Who did it? I thought Derek had a huge army and the Nexus Tower to threaten us…”

A calm, aged voice answered from the doorway, capturing Arthur’s attention immediately. “It was your father, boy,” the voice said firmly yet gently.

Arthur’s head snapped to the side, eyes widening as he saw Hiroto, the venerable Judge, enter the room with his usual composed presence. His gray eyes glistened softly with approval and wisdom, a quiet smile on his lips.

“My father?” Arthur’s voice shook with awe and relief, heart pounding rapidly in his chest. “He killed Derek?”

Hiroto nodded once, his expression serious yet profoundly calm. “Your father fulfilled his vengeance. Derek Sterling is no more, and those who suffered beneath him are finally free or have their souls rest in peace.”

Arthur felt a surge of pride and overwhelming joy swell within his chest. A smile brightened his weary face, his voice brimming with emotion as he muttered, “I knew it…I always knew Father could do it. It is only right that he died in my father’s hands. Where is he? I need to meet him.”

Hiroto smiled faintly, stepping aside, “He remains on the other side. Before that, however…someone else has waited far longer to see you.”

Arthur’s gaze shifted towards the door as Hiroto moved aside. Cecilia stepped gracefully into the room, offering a gentle, doleful smile. Behind her, a frail, elderly woman appeared, holding Cecilia’s hand for support. Her aged face was lined with years of loneliness and hardship, yet her eyes—those hazel filled with immeasurable love—sparkled softly, fixed tenderly upon Arthur.

Arthur’s heart clenched painfully in his chest, a shiver running down his spine. He could feel it in his soul as he looked upon this face.

His voice trembled in disbelief, tears already forming as he uttered hoarsely, “M-Mother? Is that…really you?”

Aira smiled warmly, gently releasing Cecilia’s hand and stepping forward on shaky legs. Arthur rose from his bed instinctively, his movements slow yet steady, walking toward the woman he had believed lost forever.

“In the flesh, my son,” Aira whispered softly, her aged eyes shimmering with love and pride. She reached out gently, her wrinkled hands cupping Arthur’s handsome, youthful face tenderly, tracing her thumb lovingly over his cheekbone. “I’ve waited so very long to see you again. To tell you how much I missed you.”

Arthur swallowed thickly, his emotions overwhelming him. Tears slipped freely down his cheeks as he covered her fragile hands with his own, his voice trembling and breaking, “I’m so sorry, Mother. I had no idea you were trapped…alone all these years. Instead of saving you, I served the monster who put you there. I was blind, foolish—I’ve failed you terribly, I—”

Aira gently placed a finger on his lips, silencing him tenderly, eyes warm and comforting. “You are not a failure, Arthur. I’m the one who owes you an apology.”

Arthur blinked, stunned, as she continued, her voice gentle yet carrying a firm conviction, “You’re the reason we’re alive today, Arthur. You’ve suffered so much because of me, more than you’ll ever know. Compared to your pain, my ordeal was nothing. Any pain I endured, I did willingly to protect you, your father, and our future.”

“I…I don’t understand,” Arthur whispered hoarsely, confusion evident in his eyes. “I never suffered because of you.”

Aira’s smile was tender, yet held the weight of countless untold truths. “One day you’ll understand. For now, know this—your father and I have never, and will never, blame you for anything fate forced upon us. You are the most precious part of our lives, Arthur. Your heart shines brighter than any star, your soul more brilliant than the sun. Never lower your head in guilt before me. Stand tall and proud, as the prince you truly are. Your father would be proud of who you’ve become—just as I am.”

Arthur’s chest tightened, his heart swelling with emotions he couldn’t contain. Tears continued to fall freely, yet he smiled, feeling a weight lifting from his soul. He leaned forward gently, embracing his mother with the care and love he’d always dreamed of expressing again.

Anna stood quietly beside Arthur and Aira, silently wiping tears that refused to stop flowing from her dark silver eyes. The heartfelt reunion had pierced her heart deeply, stirring emotions she hadn’t fully anticipated. Seeing Arthur reunited with his mother, the love that radiated between them—it all made her realize how desperately she longed for this kind of peace, this sense of belonging.

A gentle squeeze on her shoulder broke her thoughts. Anna turned slightly, meeting Cecilia’s warm, reassuring smile. “They deserve this,” Cecilia whispered softly, eyes shimmering with tears of happiness. Anna returned a fragile smile, nodding wordlessly.

Yet, standing a bit away, the Judge observed the emotional scene silently. Hiroto’s eyes were calm but hid layers of complicated thoughts beneath their composed surface, a deep unease flickering behind his wise, tired gaze.

Arthur slowly pulled back from his mother’s embrace, his dark yellow eyes shimmering with excitement and a restless eagerness. “Mother, let’s go reunite with Father now,” he urged gently, his voice trembling slightly with anticipation. “He’ll be overjoyed to see you. We can finally be a real family—the way it should have always been.”

But a flicker of heaviness passed across Aira’s weary eyes, a subtle shadow darkening her aged features. She shook her head slowly, softly placing her fragile hand on Arthur’s shoulder. “We will reunite, Arthur. I promise you. But you shouldn’t see him just yet.”

Arthur’s expression instantly fell, confusion and disappointment clouding his gaze. “Why? What’s wrong? Derek is gone. All those bad people have been taken care of. What’s stopping us from finally being together?”

Aira sighed softly, her smile tinged with sadness and regret. “Please, just be patient for a little longer. There is still one last thing I must do. Once it’s done, you’ll be free to see your father. Trust me, Arthur.”

Arthur’s heart clenched slightly, sensing there was something his mother wasn’t telling him. Still, he nodded slowly, trust shining through the worry in his eyes. “Alright… If that’s what you want, I’ll wait. But…can you at least tell me what it is you’re going to do?”

Aira gently squeezed his hand, eyes warm yet unreadable. “I’m going to fix a mistake from my past. Don’t worry. Everything is going to be fine, my son.”

Her voice held a quiet strength that reassured Arthur, even though the uneasy feeling persisted in his heart.

–

Meanwhile, back in Zalthor, Asher was savoring the warmth of the embrace shared by Rowena, Ravina, and the women he cherished deeply. He felt as if an enormous weight had finally been lifted from his shoulders. Yet, as he raised his eyes to the giant, radiant portal hovering in the darkened skies above, a complex heaviness returned to his gaze.

Noticing this, Rowena gently reached out, placing a comforting hand on his arm. Her crimson eyes were soft, understanding perfectly what was troubling him. “You want to see him, don’t you? Then go. We’ll be fine here. There is a lot of things left to do before things can become better than before.”

Asher slowly nodded, eyes still fixed on the distant portal. But hesitation clouded his features, his voice shaking with unspoken fears. “I want to see him more than anything…to speak with him, to hold him close and never let go. But I can’t…I just can’t bring myself to look him in the eye. I didn’t even know about his existence until recently…had no idea of the suffering he endured because of me. Look what I did to him in the past timeline—what if I—”

Rowena’s gentle finger silenced him, pressing softly against his lips as she shook her head firmly. “I told you before, didn’t I? Never think of how badly things might turn out. Think only of how happy those you love will be when they finally see you. That goes for your son more than anyone. Trust me—he’s waiting for you, Asher.”

Her words, steady and loving, filled his heart with a fragile hope. A gentle smile warmed Asher’s expression, and he cupped her cheek tenderly. “What would I do without you?”

But before Rowena could respond, Ravina excitedly bounced into her mother’s arms after overhearing their conversation, her little voice chiming joyfully. “Ravina wants to see Big Brother!”

Surprised, Asher chuckled softly, eyes gleaming warmly at Rowena. “You already told her?”

Rowena smiled warmly. “I wanted her to know that she had a big brother…a human at that. Take her with you. Her presence might help ease your worries.”

Asher nodded, hugging Ravina close. “Perhaps that would be best.”

Rowena started to speak again, “We’ll join you both later, once everything is settled and circumstances—” But her words abruptly stopped, frozen halfway.

Asher’s heart skipped a beat, realizing not only Rowena had frozen, but everything around him as well. The air had become unnaturally still, silent as death, and Ravina—whom he held so dearly—was no longer breathing, suspended in time. A terrible dread filled him instantly.

“So this is the you that still breathes…” A haunting voice shattered the eerie silence, a multi-layered whisper that echoed like it was spoken across a thousand shattered timelines.

“It’s you…” Asher whispered, voice heavy with disbelief and heavy realization. Slowly, he turned, heart pounding against his chest as his eyes locked onto the source.

Oh damn it’s not over? Who is it? :#

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