"I just want to go home. Don't bother me and my family, and I won't."
Abel sauntered off without looking back. Confidence shrouded his figure, stopping a few steps from the knights where he would take his leave.
The knights held their swords with trembling hands, staring at Abel for a second. In the end, their swords lowered, and they stepped aside, making way for him.
Abel said nothing as he resumed his steps, walking past the knights without a word.
Meanwhile, London kept his eyes on Abel's retreating back and sighed. He glanced over his shoulder to see the reaction of the captain. The latter was still frowning, bearing this grim expression. However, the captain didn't do anything.
'I'm guessing that's all they need to understand the situation,' thought London, setting his eyes back in the direction Abel was taking. 'Well… no matter how stubborn they were, against that man, it would end in a minute time frame.'
That aura Abel pulled on them simply revealed the difference in his strength and all these knights combined. It wasn't like the knights weren't capable. Matter of fact, the mainland could just send a thousand knights on a battlefield and would still win the war.
But Abel was different.
'I didn't think… there's still more room to get stronger.' London mentally sighed, recalling that Abel wasn't this strong in the past. Abel was strong, but compared to now, Abel just announced to everyone around that as long as he exists, one couldn't sleep peacefully.
After all, Abel… seemed to have reached the peak to control all vampires.
A true king.
And that also warranted many enemies who disliked the idea of such a "vile" existence.
"Now that Maximus is gone… just what would happen now?" London gazed heavenward, having this gut feeling, things were far from over. "Goodness… I am scared."
******
Abel didn't stay long on the palace grounds, flying back to the Forbidden Forest where he left his wife. His expression was still stern, unsmiling. It didn't take long for him to reach the clearing where the mansion stood.
Abel landed on the clearing safety, marching through the main doors. The door creaked as he pushed them open, followed by a thick silence once he crossed the threshold. Aside from his footsteps, nothing resonated in the mansion. Not even Aries's breathing.
Soon, he reached his room where he left her. The moment he pushed the door open, his eyes fell on the bed. The quilt was creased on top of the empty bed. Moving his gaze, he caught a figure lying on the floor.
"Darling," whispered Abel, marching inside the room.
Abel squatted down beside Aries, carrying her in his arms. His eyes scanned her pale complexion. There was blood in her nightdress and palm. Aries was not breathing anymore, making his grip on her shoulder and leg tighten.
"You're still warm," whispered Abel, moving her up to carry her properly.
Without a word, Abel marched outside the chamber. The door was already left ajar, giving him easy access to leave. Marching through the silent hallway, his expression remained the same. His steps were neither fast nor slow, it was just enough for him to reach his destination in time.
Soon, Abel a small chapel within the mansion grounds. It was situated on the farthest wing, almost like an extension of the mansion.
Abel stopped by the entrance of the chapel, gazing at the altar that had nothing on it but a stone coffin. A deep exhale slipped past his tight lips, resuming his steps. When he was in front of the coffin, he gazed down to see nothing in it.
Abel carefully put her down inside the stone coffin.
"Let's do this once," he whispered once Aries was laying inside the coffin, caressing her cheek with the back of his hand. "Forever… is what we promise."
His lips curled up into a subtle smile as his eyes softened, brushing the corner of her lips with his thumb.
Forever.
How he wished for her death every single day since he met her. It was just that when Abel realized that there was a witch inside her; he knew her turning her would be difficult. He didn't like the risk. But now that Aries managed to take a huge portion of the witch within her, the chances were more than enough.
"I'll see you soon, Aries." Abel retrieved his hand carefully.
His hands rested on the rims of the coffin, eyes on her. When a minute had passed, he raised both his hands in front of her. Using his left hand and sharp nail, he slashed across his other palm. Abel immediately gripped his hand, putting his first over her lips, and letting his blood drip into her lips.
Considering he had been feeding her a portion of his blood since the beginning and even suck her blood, their compatibility would be high.
The soundless sound of blood dripping into her dry lips resonated in the quiet chapel with Abel standing beside the stone coffin. And as the darkness enveloped them, Abel began to chant under his breath, giving birth to an existence many would want to kill.
********
[ Back to the Royal Palace, Mainland ]
Minutes after Abel left, the knights dropped their swords in defeat. They couldn't even try after all that determination they mustered to face a Grimsbanne. However, for the sake of peace, they had to swallow the bitter defeat and shame.
As the knights dispersed, London stayed in the quad, watching the knights. After some time, he approached Maximus's remains. The captains and a few knights were already picking his body so they could hold a proper funeral for him.
"Huh?" London furrowed his brows, looking around the quad. When he couldn't find what he was searching for, he approached the captain, who was assisting the other knight to hold the King's remains properly and with respect.
"Captain, have you seen a black and red sword?" asked London, making the captain raise a brow.
"What sword?"
"The one that…" London trailed off, seeing that the captain had no idea. "Nothing. Go on. I'll help you prepare for the royal funeral."
London waved dismissively, turning around to avoid the captain's investigative gaze. As soon as he turned around, horror and panic resurfaced in his eyes. Surely, Abel left without looting that vile sword Maximus used to fight him.
No one was here, aside from Abel, before the knights came.
And that left an enormous question mark on his head.
Where did that sword, which was created with Maleficent's power, go?
'I don't like this feeling…' London shook his head, wide-eyed, storming away to give a secret order for a search. '... if the wrong person gets a hold of that sword, this time, it might become a real problem.'