Chapter Eleven

The fierce battle between Seth and Vulterian had begun. Angered at being deceived by his Princess, Vulterian’s presence was even more fearsome as he exchanged blows with Seth, who was proving that he deserved the title the Varunian people had given him.

They ended up outside on the castle’s upper walkway, exactly as Seth had seen in his visions. He swung the sword with all his might and newfound courage but he couldn’t yet tell if he had gained any mental edge over Vulterian, the evil being still seemed confident that he would stop the threat of the powerful human.
Down below, Seth faintly heard the others fighting bravely. He tried not to think about whether they were winning, he couldn’t afford any distractions and if he defeated Vulterian, his army would surely surrender. He concentrated all his strength and everything he had at the scary man in front of him who wanted him dead.


Nnenii and Nikolai were fighting the double threat of the two witches; Priya and Shivali, not the simplest of tasks. But the Goddess of Fire was not easily intimidated and she wasn’t holding back on them now that they had a chance to get rid of them for good.

“Do you really think you elemental fairies can defeat us? We have already proven our strength against that so-called ‘Water Goddess’. I wonder when you will learn? You and that turncoat centaur are history!” Shivali sneered, igniting the fiery temper of Nnenii.
Red eyes ablaze with anger and contempt for what they were trying to do to her homeland, Nnenii searched deep within herself, finding the greatest power she possessed, “I think you will find that I am not as calm and gentle as she, and I am not a fairy!” she said, an explosion of fire from the depths of her soul erupting from her hands.
Engulfed in red hot flames, the two witches began to shriek with terror as their dark magic proved no match for the burning fire.
Slowly and painfully, Priya and her sister Shivali burned away into nothing but ash, and were finally a threat, no more.
The massive fire had caught Vulterian’s attention for one brief moment. He could feel it…his witches had met their demise. He suddenly felt that familiar feeling of dread, everything he had planned was slipping away. He looked across the short distance at Seth, who was breathing heavily but he was still standing and indeed looked to be a fierce warrior. Blasted human!

His anger exploding at the shattered dreams of taking over Varuna, Lord Vulterian lunged at Seth, swinging his large, black sword directly at his head.

Seth ducked, barely escaping the swift blade as he swung his sword back around, striking Vulterian in the stomach. He stumbled backwards, teetering close to the castle wall’s edge as he regained his balance. Grabbing his side in agony, he glared those fiery eyes at Seth, “Why won’t you just die!” he yelled, running towards Seth, sword swinging wildly.
He lunged at Seth once again, and as he ducked this time, rolled back his shoulder and plunged the legendary Sword of Varuna into Lord Vulterian’s stomach.

A look of shock on his face, Vulterian staggered backwards until he fell over the edge of the wall, plummeting to the ground far below.
Seth peered over at the lifeless form of the most evil man he had ever met. It was finally over. He watched as Vulterian’s body began to disintegrate into nothing, his small group of followers noticing as well as they dropped their weapons and surrendered to the good people of Varuna.

*-*-*-*

Beaming, Seth found the King and Queen who had been reunited with their lovely daughter at last. He bowed to them and handed the King back the sword, though if he were to admit it, he almost felt like he was handing over a piece of himself with it.

Lavinia held up her hands to quiet the crowd that was gathering to honor their hero. “My fellow Varunians! I give to you a truly brave man, one who came from another land by a force unknown to even us. One who sacrificed everything to save our people from the evil being who was threatening to control us forever and who would have succeeded if this dear human had not been brought to us,” she paused, turning towards Seth, “My parents and I have discussed it and although it is against our law, we would like to offer you a place as our King, as my husband.”
The crowd gasped in shock but cheered loudly for Seth, they were so grateful for what he had done, the offer seemed all right to them even if it was against their laws.
One face in the crowd however, was unhappy at this news. Quelani sank back among the group, fading into the background. If he accepted the Princess’ proposal, he would stay but that would also mean he would not stay with her, he would belong completely to the Princess. She watched his face from afar, searching for his response…even if he said no, she would never see him again anyway, he would return to his home and forget all about her. Heartbroken, she fought her way through the crowd and headed back to the comfort of the Crystal Lake where she could be alone.
Seth waved his hands to quiet the cheering people, he was deeply moved by such a fuss over him that it warmed his heart. But a King? He knew that was something he could never be, not in a million years. There was one thing he wanted, maybe two if he were to be honest. Looking through the crowd, he didn’t notice her…he had wanted to say goodbye and thank her for what she had done for him.
Sadly, he turned towards the Princess, “I am very grateful for such a wonderful offer but your people would surely be better served by keeping their current King. I could never lead a Kingdom and if you’ll forgive me, I just would like to go back home where I belong.”
“Of course, we understand, I think everyone would. We are forever grateful for what you have given us, human Seth. You are most welcome in Varuna anytime you wish,” she gave him a blue jeweled necklace and placed it around his neck, “This stone now possesses my power and it will take you home. And if you ever wish to return to us, all you have to do is think of us and the stone will bring you here.”
“Thank you Princess…Lavinia. I will never forget you either, thank you all for believing in me,” he leaned in to the Princess and spoke barely above a whisper, “Do you know where Quelani went to, I would have liked to say a proper goodbye.”

“I believe she has returned to her home, perhaps it was too sorrowful for her to see you go. I’m sure she knows you are grateful for her help.”
Seth shook his head in agreement, he hoped she knew…he almost wanted to stay, go back to the lake now that it was peaceful again and he no longer had to train. But his thoughts wouldn’t let him as he began to vanish, thinking of his true home.
The people of Varuna waved as their hero returned to the strange place called Earth that he had arrived from.
Quelani was listening to the peaceful waves along the banks of the lake, it had been a long time since the land of Varuna was quiet; no more battles, no more fear, no more threats. Still, she found she wasn’t happy despite the victory.
“He chose to return to Earth,” Nnenii’s voice broke her concentration, “Why did you not stay to say goodbye, he was asking for you.”
Letting it sink in, Quelani sighed heavily, “It does not matter…he is gone, just as I knew he would be,” she stood, walking down slowly into the gentle water.

“I truly am sorry, I wish there was something I could do to help.”

“It is not your problem, it is mine alone. There is only one thing left for me to do,” Quelani said, creating ripples around herself.

“No! You cannot be thinking of that! Can you not bear to live without him? He can come back if he wants…besides, you will not remember anything, you know that!” Nnenii exclaimed, trying to convince her to change her mind.

“I know…but I love him. And this is all I can try to see him again, the water has told me they have seen that he will not return to Varuna despite the Princess’ gift.”
“You would give up your elemental life here for a human? You may never even meet him, Quelani, please reconsider!” Nnenii called but it was too late, Quelani began to vanish before her very eyes.

Seth was back home, happy to be surrounded by the familiar sounds and comforts he had missed. Still, there was a slight sadness in him, he had to admit he would miss the strange creatures he had met during his journey who had helped him achieve so much. He wasn’t 'The Warrior' in this place but it was still his home and he would always have the memory of what he had accomplished in the beautiful place called Varuna.

He went outside to enjoy the warm weather, he hadn’t even called his office since he returned, really he didn’t even know what day it was or how much time had passed since he left and he didn’t care. He was home and for today, that’s all that mattered.
After a swim in his pool that he missed terribly, Seth had decided not to go back to Varuna. They didn’t need him anymore and if they did, he probably would be swept back against his will, so he took off the necklace and placed it in his dresser for safe keeping. Maybe someday he would change his mind, in the meantime, he was enjoying being back where he belonged.
The next day, he was getting ready to go to work when he got the most unusual feeling in the pit of his stomach. He brushed it off and went outside, where he noticed a brunette woman strolling along his sidewalk.
Intrigued, he decided to say hello and approached her, “Hi, I haven’t seen you in the neighborhood before, I’m Seth Rhinehart,” he said, extending his hand. As she got closer to him, that strange feeling returned as he looked into her eyes. They were beautiful…like two blue sapphires.
“Quelani!” he exclaimed, it couldn’t be, she looked like a human! But those eyes…he could never forget them, it must be her!
The woman looked shocked, her mouth nearly fell open, “H-how did you know my name?” she stammered, “I was named after a mythical Water Goddess, but everyone calls me Lani, it sounds less weird. How on Earth did you know?”
Seth was confused…it was her, same eyes, same name even. Why didn’t she recognize him? He smiled, at least she was here with him somehow and at that moment, that’s all that he cared, “Well…you looked like a Goddess to me, I just thought of the one who was the most beautiful of them all.”
Lani smiled back at the interesting stranger, she had to admit he was handsome and had a quick wit too, “Wow, now that’s a good line.”


The End~


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