Chapter 111: Save Me

Everything was set. The rumours were well spread. Majority of the royals were convinced into thinking how rude, disloyal and a traitor King Aenon of Water Realm is. Nobody dared to take his side, except the Demon realm and the Wind Realm. Nobody wished to get in the way of Emperor Tai and no one had a clue about the torture Empress Lihua is out through, even though it has been effecting heal a little too badly. 

The slaughterhouse was prepared, the men to kill has been arranged, earlier than it was set. They preponed the date, to exterminate the family but Emperor Tai had yet to trace about Aqua. He kept failing in getting the clues and he failed to get it out of Lihua too even after putting her under several curses. Huo had no idea about busy taking care of his girlfriend. He failed to check on his mother believing that the Empress would manage on her own. 

The royals were invited to watch the execution of the King and his family everybody used to praise more than they have praised Tai. Tai has never been more excited than he felt in these days. Blood thirsty. He decided to assign his half daughter convincing her to stay by his side, and wished to declare it to the world. Emperor Tai sent his invitation to Demon Realm for the King, and all the officials to attend the extermination. 

General Hawk reached for Huo, to notify the news. Volca was shocked but did not have the courage to do anything against Tai's wills for some strange reasons, afraid of him. 

Huo sat outside Aqua's hut, watching her sleep. He played his flute, as a lullaby for her. She fell asleep listening to them. She was not aware of the last moments her family was spending inside the Water Palace. The wards were set around for them to not escape. The tragedy was dooming upon heaven, but the highest of the gods made moves. Every last drop of hope was washed away from the shores of Water Realm. The good deeds done all these were considered the most meaningless. Judged by everyone just like that, not caring whether that piece of the document was authentic or not, whether there was any truth to the accusations, or why King Aenon chose these paths during his lifetime he was sure about leading it to dangers. And if there has been any bad effects to heaven because of his and his family's actions. Nobody gave a damn about those. Nobody gave values to righteousness. Nobody minded about the lies built up by the tyrant king everyone was aware of. Why did people turn like this, loathsome, full of jealousy, losing their own identity, voice, character, burying their freedom of speech, and expression themselves, lacking the skill to respond and react back to the wrongs. Heaven became worst than Human Realm, worst that Hell, the satan laughed and mocked at the gods, who let the lives to be ruled out by fate and destiny. 

King Aenon sat at the throne for the last time. He summoned each and every inmate in the palace to assemble before him. Queen Rivera, Princess Milan, and Grand Prince Aiden along with parents were sat along with the King in the meeting. The faces were all smiles. None of them were scared, nor worried, strongly holding on to their beliefs. The guards, the knights, the maids, the royal apothecaries, his general, everybody were on their knees, crying and paying for the royals. Probably the only Realm were the civilians cried and loved at King and his family with all their hearts. The Wind Emperor, his son Prince Ash was also present. Master Bo Hai entered the palace at the right time. He had news. Aiden nodded his head and watched Master Bo Hai settling down. 

"Keep the palace clean, Wait for the Crown Princess and serve her well," King Aenon ordered them. "And also Princess Milan, take care of the sisters, they are the only hope of the Water Realm, protect them, never betray the two, remember the goodness is all that will matter in the end, to yourself, for your own satisfaction. Take care of yourselves and remain strong, do not give in to any evil ideas and beliefs, shenlong will protect you all," King advised the crowd. Everybody sobbed in silence. Milan did not understand about what was going on. She glanced at Aiden who stood looking at the crowd, his head held high but she noticed how Master Bo Hai was watching her. She pretended to not have seen it and looked away. 

The wine was served for all, the plum wine, King Aenon made himself and treasured for all the years. He opened all the old barrels and served the best ones to everyone. After couple of hours, everyone left the hall one by one, in total despair. Queen Rivera asked everyone to meet at her chamber and left first taking Milan along with her. 

Milan followed her mother, holding up her gown and running behind.

"Mom, why is Master Bo Hai here tonight, how did he get in through the ward. At the least the Prince Ash and the Wind King is on duty watching us but shifu, how?" 

"Hush, keep your voice low Milan," Queen Rivera said to her. Milan shut her mouth instantly and caught up with her mother who was in a hurry. 

"Did you have dinner?" Rivera asked Milan. 

"Yes ofcourse. Our last meal, I had until my stomach burst open, I enjoyed it well today," she said as if it was something to be happy about it. Queen Rivera shot a look at her and shook her head. Milan smiled wide and held on to her mother's arms. They reached the doors of the chamber. 

"Hmm walk in," Rivera said and let Milan open the door and set her foot in. Rivera pushed her in. And she stood at the door. King Aenon stood with her. 

"Ma, Pa," she said. Master Bo Hai was standing in her front of her. "What's going on?" She tried to step out but Master Bo Hai with the help of Aiden caught her and opened a ward. She took a blow from him and fell unconscious, the final word on her mouth was, "Aqua," she called for her sister and fell with a thud. Her visions were faded and she slowly closed her eyes. She knew it the moment her father said look after Milan she felt it wrong. Aiden carried her and stepped into the opening of the forest. It was dark and covered in mist. Aiden settled her down under a tree and woke her up. Then he got up and hurried towards the ward set up.

"Don't come back, take care of her for us, never step out of the barrier, look after the Fox Queen," King Aenon said and the Ward disappeared. Aiden couldn't believe the words he heard and what had happened in few seconds. There were weapons lying on the found and a small bag full of medicines and various pills. He is locked up with Milan in the forest of beasts within the Water Realm itself where not even an insect can enter. The only place safe where even Tai can't find them ever. 

"Pa, no wait, let me in, let me get through, Pa, Ma," he said and hurried towards the ward that shrinked and disappeared eventually. He knelt down and cried. Thinking of how he will never see them again, his heart shattered into pieces. And he couldn't even scream out loud, afraid of waking the beasts in the forest, attracting them and getting attacked. He was in tears. His heart ached badly, his hatred for Tai grew like a moutian and felt ashamed of being powerless. He held on to his sword and got up. He took an oath that night, and sacrificed a little of his blood. "Before I die, I will make sure, Tai suffers every moment of his life from now on," he wiped the blood on he sword and out it back on its sheath. He walked towards Milan who was still unconscious. She had a nosebleed. Aiden took out his towel and rubbed her nose, without waking her. "Aqua," she whispered in her sleep. "Save me," she said. The wind carried the words. 

Aqua shuddered and woke up from her sleep. "Milan," she said. Huo stopped playing the flute and rushed into the room. Aqua was sweating all over. She took off the quilt from her and wiped her face and neck. "Water," she asked Huo. He took a jug of water, but before he even poured it in the glass, she grabbed them from him and spilled all over. She drank them in one shot and kept panting. 

"It doesn't feel right," she said. She looked at Huo. She was tensed. 

"Relax," he said. "Relax," 

"No something is wrong, or else why would Milan chose to visit me, reveal the truth, why would I hear her now as if she is next to me, asking me for help, something is really wrong," she said and got up from the bed. 

"Wait," Huo said. He closed his eyes. He knelt down. He let go of all the pride and he took something out from his pocket. "I can't handle this in silence anymore, that's not you, that's not me," he said. 

"What are you talking about?" She turned around to see him hiding something behind him. She was baffled. She took a few steps towards him and took the piece of parchment from his hands.