Chapter 245: And it shall continue

Cherry blossoms were carried by the wind on the bright sunny day. Tranquillity flowed around the peaceful Immortal World. Loud laughter and buzzing streets filled the capital. The brilliant plaza in front of the palace was a crowded place for vendors and people to mingle with each other.

Above each stall and on each roof golden letters hung to symbolise today's event. Masses of people clad in beautiful attires from all over the Immortal World and ghosts mingled under them stormed to the capital to celebrate today's big day.

People ran to the plaza while soldiers made sure that everything was kept in order and secure. On one roof in the first layer, a beautiful woman with short black hair watched over everything.

Her flushed cheeks and the warm glint in her eyes could only describe her as a spring person. The people who walked to the first layer saw her. Some children exclaimed happily and pointed at her, "Look! It's commander Eri! She's so cool"

Eri picked up the shouts and gave them a warm smile. Glowing in a dazzling light no one remembered her as the icy beauty anymore.

Eri saw that everything was going well and returned to the palace.

"Oh, Eri already back?" a voice greeted Eri at the entrance. She stared at the grinning male and a lazy man before her.

She smilingly nodded, "There aren't any problems for now. Have you finished the preparations?"

"Almost done, Lu's taking his sweet time," Holn circled around Lu who indifferently said, "I'm already done. Holn's slacking off and forcing his work on me."

"C'mon we both know that's not true. You love doing my work! Just admit it!"

Lu stared at Eri, "Are you looking for Lia?"

Eri's smile dropped and she hesitatingly twirled her fingers, "Does she want anyone to bother her?"

"Why you so shy?" Holn found a new teasing target, Noel and Zero were doing it all the time, "They're currently with her."

"What about Lily and Maria?"

"Preparing for the council meeting."

"Just go to her," Lu put his hands in his pocket, "Both of us still got to finish everything before tonight. Oh by the way," Lu turned to Eri as he and Holn walked out of the entrance, "Your brother's with Lia too."

Eir opened and closed her mouth. What a headache.

Why was it that her brother loved spending time with Lia more than her? Was she still a bad person in his eyes? How many years have passed now? Why were her parents allowing him to always run to Lia?

Eri made her way through the palace until she arrived at the pavilion. Out of all places, Lia really adored the pavilion and spent most of her time here.

Now the garden full of beautiful flowers, the tall and open pavilion was laced with soft colours glistening under the sun.

The grass crunched underneath Eri's shoes. Holding her breath, Eri watched the magnificent woman with long black hair flowing in the wind, her brilliant curved eyes lighting up the area and her plump lips moving seductively. The light satin robe fit her figure perfectly.

Once again Eri couldn't help but be stunned by the outstanding beauty, elegance and charm Lia exuded. Eri had always thought that but because they were always in a battle back then Lia was dirty and injured.

But now her peerless appearance with flawless skin and complexion could finally be seen again. Next to Lia was Noel with his teasing smile and eyes full of warmth for Lia.

If any handsome male looked at a female like this, they'd faint. However, even though Noel hasn't confessed and probably never will, it wasn't hard to see what he felt for Lia.

Eri found it a bit sad that Noel would never stand a chance with Lia as Lia still loved Yano.

Then between these good-looking people was a little brat.

Eri stomped towards her brother and picked him up by the ear, "Heard you're playing around again?"

"Ow! Ow! Big sis! I'm sorry," her brother looked wronged but Eri didn't care.

All of a sudden, Zero jumped up from behind Lia and put on an annoyed expression, "He's always around Lia, it's annoying!"

Zero was now a head taller and his adorable angel-like appearance turned into a deadly weapon to seduce women.

"Ain't you too?" Noel teased Zero who was offended.

"I-"

"Are you finished?" Lia smiled at Eri and Eri immediately turned flustered, "Yes."

"Good job."

"Yes," Eri let her brother go and joined them, "Your majesty are we going to have the meeting now or after?"

"Haha, you still call Lia that? Ain't suiting her, no, no, not at all," Noel grinned.

"It does, it absolutely does suit Lia!" Zero puffed his cheek and let Lia pat his head.

"Shut up," Eri growled at Noel.

"When everyone's available," Lia poured Eri tea.

"That," Eri shifted uncomfortably on her seat, "Are you still visiting him?"

Lia knew who Eri meant. She gave Eri a little smile, "Here and then. Why? You want to join?"

Eri seriously looked like she was considering, "Maybe…"

"Good. I might see how things go in a while. He's been there for more than 10 000 years now, so he should finally die. I kept him suffering for too long," Lia put the cup to her lips.

More than 10 000 years… It has been now 100 years since the last battle, since Lia banished Min to the abyss and let him suffer there. 100 years passed.

Full of hard work that paid off into great accomplishments. When Lia spent 2 years watching Min suffer, a day has passed after she dissapeared in front of the others.

When she came back they were still at the same spot waiting for her. The only difference was that they tied everyone who was alive under Min up. It was only when everyone fell into her arms, did they all realise that it was finally, finally over.

Min was stopped and the war would never come back. They would make sure of it. From then on, the stony path began. They purged the rest of the vengeful ghosts around the world with the help of others.

The biggest obstacle was Lia washing herself clean and being accepted as the Immortal King. As Lia wasn't completely innocent, as she also held the deaths of so many in her hands, it was normal that she met the contempt and hatred of everyone.

It took many years for Lia to establish herself and many more years to gain the trust of the people. During these years, Lia has reestablished the council with new members and kept Min's idea of the army and academy to train new exorcists.

Rebuilding the Immortal World was also a huge part. Since the capital was partly destroyed it was the priority and slowly they've started to reform the Veil, Mistand and Neverland to become a better and inhabitable place.

New attractions such as amusement parks, beaches and many more have been finished at Mistand, and Neverland was returned to its former glory as a popular sunny beach paradise.

The palace was also reconstructed. Lia didn't want an ounce of Min inside her new home.

They were also home to every council member. Lia wanted to live with everyone if they wanted to and so they agreed. Most of them.

These past 100 years have been busy and full of ambition. Despite the headaching work, Lia couldn't once forget everyone who was dead.

"Done! Finally!" Lily's voice pulled Lia back to reality.

Lily and Maria have joined them.

"The meeting can begin?"

"Cut us some slack, while you leisurely drank tea we worked our asses off!" Lily poured herself and Maria tea.

"It's done, we can begin whenever you want," Maria smiled and smelt the tea, "Ah so refreshing."

"You sound like an old man," Noel mimicked Maria.

"I do feel like one. At least 10 years have been taken off me!" Lily answered and pinched Eri's brother's cheeks.

"Oh, so you let her but not me?" Eri glared at her brother.

Since her family has reunited, Eri's attitude with her brother slightly changed.

"I can't help it!" her brother shrugged his shoulders and looked even more wronged. Until evening they sat there and chatted while midway Lu and Holn joined.

Everything was peaceful. This kind of life was too good to be true.

"Everyone, thank you for coming. 100 years have passed and we can finally celebrate the new birth of the Immortal World as well as the anniversary of the tragic past!" Lia stood on the balcony and looked at the cheering mass in the plaza.

"It's the Immortal King! Her Majesty!"

"Look next to her is the commander!" Eri waved.

Eri was now the elder of the H family and represented them in the council.

"The healing angel Maria!" Maria was the M family's elder and council member.

"The comedic pair Lu and Holn!" Lia had also made them council families. Two new families were born.

"Oh my, Elder T is so handsome!" Noel laughed and smirked. Noel was also a council member.

These were the people Lia trusted with governing the Immortal World next to her.

Right now there were 5 council members and there were spots for 5 more but Lia kept them open for very special people who might come soon.

Elder L has retired. Lia asked him if he wanted to but he stayed out of it.

Just as Yano's, Skyla's and Mil's family, they supported her but it was not them who'd stand beside her. Oldie surprisingly kept on hanging onto life as if he was waiting for something before he'd finally close his eyes.

"Long live the Immortal King! Long live the council! Long live the Immortal World!" fireworks went off and danced with the stars. After Lia's speech, a big feast and party began.

The hidden families and council members held their own party in their palace. As things went wild, happiness almost covered the past.

Everyone fell asleep. Only Lia went back to the pavilion. More than 110 years have passed since Lia began her hellish nightmare of a journey and hopefully, things would continue to be bright and happy. There was no curse dictating Lia's fate anymore.

As Lia sat there watching the night sky, suddenly a loud rumble came from the sky and a headache tore through her mind. Lia fell to her knees.

This feeling. It has been a long while but she instantly knew what it was. Heavens.

"The time has come."

The voice vibrated in Lia's mind. She didn't miss this splitting pain at all.

"You're very lucky, current Immortal King."

Lia ripped her eyes open. Her heart pumped with joy and anticipation. She could barely contain her happiness.

"Where's the place?" these words instantly were blurted out.

Lia has waited for 100 years. It was only 100 years compared to the 1000 of years or even more, heavens told her it might take.

Yet these 100 years were also painfully long.

"It is here," an image appeared in Lia's mind.

"Rejoice, child who dared to go against heavens. Go before it's too late."

SWOOSH

As fast as the wind, Lia jumped up and ran out of the palace to the plaza under everyone's astonished gazes. She ignored all their shouts and compliments.

Barefoot she felt the marbled ground underneath her tingling feet that yearned to carry her to her destination in an instant.

Up to the roofs, Lia jumped.

Roof to roof to roof until she finally landed on the soft grass of the outskirts.

Standing in front of the bridge, the water surrounding the capital gently crashed against the shore and provided a calming melody.

Tears spilt out of Lia's eyes as she fell to her knees and openly bawled without any care.

Over the bridge, eight figures headed towards her. So distant, so alien yet so familiar.

100 years and even more dreading time Lia thought it'd take. But the wait was finally over.

Even he was here, Maria must be happy to see him. Lia has thought of her for a while before also including him in her wish.

As they stood in front of Lia, tears also ran down their faces and the first who pulled Lia into a long and crushing embrace was an extraordinarily handsome man with the most gentle eyes and a playful smile on his lips.

"I'm sorry, I'm late but I'm here now. Look at you, can't even wait to see me. Now, don't care about the others, let's get married and have loads of children."

One after another one they all fell to their knees and hugged Lia.

Every single one of them has passed the trials of reincarnation, except for one who has chosen not to but Lia didn't know yet.

That was Lia's wish. The deal she made with heavens. The wish that has been granted and finally came true.

Only 100 years.

It took only 100 years and several thousands of years of suffering for Lia to attain the happiness she desperately yearned for.

And this fate she built for herself will never be taken out of her hands again.

Never again.

The story of pain, suffering and revenge finally came to an end. It was time for a new story to begin. A story that would unfold in its most beautiful glory any of them could have never anticipated.

But this is a story solely for themselves to enjoy to their hearts' content.