Isle of Beasts and Shadows (The Forgotten Isle Saga #1)

Chapter 42

“You’re going to hate me again…” Alikad whispered into Airella’s ear, gently stroking her cold cheek as Jonathan stared at him with a mix of concern and disbelief, his brow furrowed in worry. “Really, really hate me…”

“What? What are you going to do?” Jonathan’s voice rose with a hint of desperation, the tension between them palpable.

Arii’s sobs of sadness for his sister grew louder, his hands trembling as he watched Alikad’s intense gaze fixed on Conivx’s lifeless form.

“Hopefully with me at her side, she could bring Airella back and leave you be.” Alikad’s words hung in the air, filled with both determination and sorrow as he continued to stare at Conivx, a sense of regret flickering in his eyes. “I can’t save Airella. She’s already long gone. She’s… dead. However, Conivx feeds off of power. If she can feed off of mine, maybe I can convince her to bring Airella back to life.” Alikad’s voice cracked with emotion as he held her limp body tighter, the weight of his helplessness bearing down on him. “I can’t save her, but maybe Conivx can.”

“You can’t be serious! You want to bring Conivx back from death to save Airella? That’s beyond reckless.” Jonathan’s tone was a mix of disbelief and urgency. Tears welled up in his eyes, and he moved closer to Alikad, empathy and concern etched on his face.

Alikad’s frustration boiled over, his fist slamming into the icy ground, cracks spreading out as a physical manifestation of his inner turmoil.

“It’s the only way!” Alikad exclaimed passionately. Conivx had achieved her goal—the humans now resided on the island. With a pointed look at Jonathan, Alikad continued, “She won’t bother you anymore if you play it smart. She has everything she desires, except for one crucial thing. Me.” His words were laced with determination as he recounted the island’s history. “Mortals vanished here long ago as we failed to safeguard them from dwindling too quickly. But now, there’s a thriving community. Should Conivx seek me, she shall have me. Besides, just look around you. When Conivx died, so did the isle. It’s withered away. How will your people survive here? I have to bring her back. I have to try.” With a last glance at Airella’s resting place, Alikad strode purposefully towards Conivx’s still form.

He kneeled beside her, placing his hands on her chest. A dark mist enveloped her, a desperate attempt at rejuvenation. Though lacking healing abilities, Alikad knew the consequences of her draining presence. A Miscreant of her caliber could drain others to heal themselves when in dire need. He felt himself grow weaker as his essence was stolen from him. The wound inflicted by Airella sealed itself as the mist dissipated from Conivx’s body, her breath deepening.

Alikad, taking charge, pulled her to her feet, the greenery around them blooming once more as he held her arm firmly. The island had come back to life alongside Conivx.

A slight gasp resonated from her mouth as she gave Alikad a cocky glare. “You should have left me, my dear,” she threatened, her voice laced with a mix of defiance and amusement.

Alikad raised the blade of his scythe to her throat.

“Don’t test me, Conivx. Bring her back,” Alikad demanded, his gaze unwavering as he locked eyes with her violet ones. “Do it, or I swear on my life I will brutally end you just to bring you back again, over and over.”

She chuckled softly, a mischievous glint in her eye while nonchalantly brushing the dirt from her shoulder. Her gaze shifted from Airella’s lifeless form to Alikad, a sly smile playing on her lips.

“What is in it for me? If I bring this troublesome girl back from the dead, what shall I have in return?” With a teasing gesture, she raised her hand as if to caress Alikad’s face, but he instinctively pulled away, his expression a mix of reluctance and determination.

“I brought you back to life,” Alikad stated clearly, his voice tinged with frustration.

“I want more. I want you.” Conivx gazed into his golden eyes, her tone dripping with malevolence.

“Why? Father was always doing your dirty work, I see that now, but why keep me locked up for centuries?” Alikad demanded, his confusion morphing into anger.

“I love you, Alikad. You were always meant to be mine.” Conivx spoke honeyed words, yet they carried a sinister undertone.

“Then why never show your face?” Alikad asked, bewilderment clear in his voice.

“I could never get you under control. You were uncontrollable, and almost still are. But now that I have all these human souls, Father grew strong enough to control you and create your gem.” Conivx’s confession was as chilling as it was revealing.

With many questions still lingering, Alikad knew he was running out of time. He also knew the rumors about Conivx’s power—how her life magic was intertwined with the life of the island. Airella’s only chance lay in Conivx’s twisted hands.

“Okay. I’ll go with you.” Alikad’s voice carried a hint of regret, belying the complexity of his emotions. She met his gaze with an evil grin, relishing in the power dynamics at play. “However, there will be ground rules.” With a decisive tone, Alikad pushed her away, his demeanor firm. “First, no harm comes to the humans, at least not until this island is well populated. Second, if anything ever happens to Airella, Jonathan, or Arii, death will come to you. You are to never harm them. Ever. Do you understand?” Alikad concluded, his words echoing in the still night air.

Conivx silently nodded in acknowledgment of the pact being formed, but her eyes sparkled with a sinister glee. She then made her way over to Airella with a gentle yet mysterious aura surrounding her. Softly, she chanted unfamiliar words as she delicately placed her hands on Airella’s chest, as if weaving a delicate thread to reconnect her soul with her body. A wave of relief washed over Alikad as he witnessed Airella’s chest rise with a breath once more.

Yet, the tension between Conivx and Alikad was palpable. He could sense the malevolence behind her every move, the beauty she wielded like a weapon. Alikad’s eyes never left her, his heart pounding with the realization that he had made a deal with someone who could turn on him at any moment. Conivx’s power was undeniable, but so was the danger she posed. Alikad’s mind raced with the possibilities, each one darker than the last, as the fragile pact they had formed hung in the balance.

In a rush of emotions, Alikad dashed to Airella’s side, his heart pounding with a mix of overwhelming gratitude and deep concern. With a swift and decisive movement, he pulled Conivx away from Airella and then kneeled down to embrace her limp body in a tight hug. Relief washed over him as he felt the soft rise and fall of her chest.

“You’re okay, Airella. You’re okay,” Alikad whispered, his voice trembling with emotion. He pulled her closer, kissed her forehead tenderly, and rocked her gently in his arms. Tears of joy streamed down his face as he realized she was unconscious but breathing. She was alive, and that was all that mattered.

In that moment, a realization struck Alikad like a bolt of lightning—he should have destroyed the gem that Conivx tightly clutched in her hand when he had the chance. But right now, all his focus was on Airella. The depth of his feelings for her became undeniably clear; he loved Airella and had never found the courage to tell her.

As Alikad held Airella, a heavy silence enveloped him. His eyes met Conivx’s gaze, filled with a mix of astonishment and suspicion. The speed at which Conivx had acted was remarkable, as if she possessed an otherworldly grace. But beneath that grace, he saw something else—jealousy.

Conivx’s voice broke the silence, dripping with both power and envy. “That, or I can have you and do as I please with them. You’ll be at my side forever and nothing can stop us. Why care for a mortal?” She cradled the gem close to her chest, her eyes darkening with jealousy as she watched Alikad’s tender reaction to Airella.

Alikad’s resolve hardened. He gently stroked Airella’s short hair, his heart swelling with love and a newfound determination. It was all thanks to Sirius. He felt everything he did. He would protect her at any cost, and when she woke, he would finally tell her how much she meant to him. However, now that he’s made his promise to Conivx, that day may never come. For now, he held her close, knowing that in his arms, she was safe.

Alikad’s voice hardened with resolve, his loyalty shining through his words. “My friends are honest and kind. Airella is honest and kind. I’m doing this for their sake, but if that’s what you’re planning, I’ll just have to kill you.” Alikad’s growl echoed with determination, momentarily forgetting the threat of Conivx possessing his gem as he took a step closer to confront her.

“Now, now, who’s in charge here?” Conivx waved the gem in front of Alikad’s face, her eyes gleaming with a mix of triumph and mischief.

With an unexpected jolt, Jonathan jumped at her, his hand outstretched to reach for the gem before Alikad lost his will once again. Yet, with a swift and eerie grace, Conivx’s shadow—once known as Father to Alikad—materialized and seized Jonathan by the throat, hoisting him high in the air as if he weighed nothing more than a feather. Panic flashed in Alikad’s eyes, realizing the gravity of his mistake the moment Conivx regained her stance.

“The last time you walked free without the constraints of Limbo, you did as I commanded. Now you will stay that way for as long as I please,” Conivx’s voice dripped with authority and a hint of malice, each word laced with power.

Alikad might have made a grave mistake by resurrecting her. Now, the consequences loomed over him like a dark cloud. Airella remained in a slumber, her presence a haunting reminder of the tangled web of fate woven around them. He gently rested Airella’s head on the ground and stood.

Alikad, now caught in the clutches of Conivx’s manipulative schemes, was to be easily molded to fit her whims and desires. His loyalty, a double-edged sword, bound him to her will without question. He was a pawn in a game of power and control.

“Just abide by the rules I’ve set, and then I’m all yours. You don’t have any interest in them. You have what you want. Leave the mortals be,” Alikad’s voice quivered slightly as he tentatively stepped forward, his gaze shifting between Conivx and the group of allies—Jonathan, Arii, Zol, and the unconscious Airella—a silent plea for mercy hidden beneath his facade of obedience.

“Very well, Alikad, my dear,” she said with a tone of authority. “Your deal shall and will be kept, but just so you won’t get any nasty ideas about betraying me again, I will keep you under my control until you can prove yourself to me,” she said with a tone of authority, her words echoing through the icy forest. Alikad, feeling a pang of shame, lowered his head in silent agreement, his eyes reflecting a mix of emotions.

“Sirius, I know you’re in there somewhere. Don’t do this,” Jonathan cried out in despair.

Conivx’s shadow engulfed him, forcing him to the ground with a swift and powerful motion.

Conivx, with an air of anticipation, whispered into the mystical purple gem, “Let’s be off.”

Alikad’s gaze shifted back to its emotionless purple hue as he retrieved his scythe, a sense of purpose in his movements. Jonathan, overwhelmed by a mix of fear and determination, tried to intervene, but his efforts were futile against Alikad’s strength and resolve.

“Oh, how I’ve longed for this moment,” Conivx murmured softly. “We will live forever together, my dearest Alikad.” With a tender touch, she kissed Alikad’s forehead, her lips then seeking his, drawing him into an unexpected embrace. As their lips met, an unspoken connection seemed to bind them closer. Alikad’s dark eyes glistened with an otherworldly violet intensity, revealing a hidden depth.

Turning to face Jonathan once more, Conivx flashed a seemingly sadistic smile, a hint of triumph in her gaze. Alikad, with a swift and resolute motion, raised his scythe, slicing through the air with a sense of purpose. The portal to Limbo materialized, a gateway to unknown realms opening before them, setting the stage for what was to come.

“Yes, we shall,” Alikad said blankly, his voice echoing in the otherworldly space. His emotions were tumultuous, a tempest raging within him as conflicting desires warred for dominance.

Despite his inner turmoil, his outward demeanor remained stoic, a mask of obedience concealing his emotions within. He glanced back once more at the unconscious blonde girl, a pang of regret tugging at his heart for the compassion he once felt towards her. Her slumbering form appeared serene, unaware of the impending events that would shape their destinies.

Suddenly, Airella stirred, her eyelids fluttering open. She looked dazed and confused, her eyes struggling to focus on her surroundings. When she finally locked eyes with Alikad, a spark of recognition flickered within her.

“Alikad? What’s going on?” she asked, her voice trembling with uncertainty. Although her head was throbbing, her memories rushed back. Alikad, Conivx, the battle, everything. She observed Conivx leading him into a portal. “Please, don’t leave me. Stay.”

Her words pierced through Alikad’s resolve, creating a crack in the walls he had built around his emotions. He hesitated, his heart heavy with the weight of his duty and the burgeoning feelings he couldn’t entirely suppress. For a brief, fleeting moment, he allowed himself to absorb the raw vulnerability in Airella’s multicolored eyes, a silent plea that stirred something deep within him.

It was just before Conivx whispered into the gem again that Alikad mustered one last smile, a bittersweet expression laden with unspoken regrets and resigned acceptance.

“I’m sorry, Airella,” he murmured softly, the words almost lost in the vastness of the surrounding space.

With a heavy heart and a sense of duty weighing upon him, Alikad prepared himself to follow Conivx’s command, knowing that his path had been set. As the last echoes of her command lingered in the air, he stepped through the portal’s shimmering threshold. Airella’s outstretched hand reached for him in a desperate attempt to hold on to the connection they shared, but his silhouette disappeared into the swirling vortex of light and shadow.

Alikad embarked on a journey from which there might be no return, leaving Airella behind, her heartbroken gaze lingering where he once stood.

As the final echoes of his last words lingered in the air, Alikad stepped through the portal’s shimmering threshold, his silhouette disappearing into the swirling vortex of light and shadow, embarking on a journey from which there might be no return.