The Dragon Prince - Marked

Part 60

"Astoria, how is he?" Seri asked, still primarily focused on her task. She just finished using magic to heal his heart, now just looking for any other damage. Astoria was quiet as she focused.

"He's slow, but constant. He's in a peaceful state."

"Good, say something if that changes. Ghia, hand be the suture kit, and wipe."

"Mom? Is it you? Really you?"

"Yes Callum, its me."

"But how? I was just.." Callum looked for Rayla but couldn't see anything but white.

"Callum, you were dying. I managed to stop you, spiritually at least." Callum faced her again. "Before you start, I'm sorry. I should never have agreed to the mission, but I was not going to let Harrow kill himself. I'm so sorry I.." Sarai was cut off by Callum hugging her.

"I missed you so much." Sarai wrapped her arms around her son.

"I know. I've been watching you. Ever since that day. I don't know what kept me around, but I've watched you grow into the man you are now, and I can't tell you how proud I am. I was so worried that you would just shut everyone out, and for a time you did. But that day you held Ezran, I was amazed to see your smile." Callum sniffled.

"I remember. It was a week since Dad returned. I just remember thinking that Ezran was now my responsibility. I was never going to let him feel alone like I had."

"From that day, I knew you'd be fine. It wasn't until you met Rayla that I knew you would find happiness again. I really like her by the way." Callum wiped his eyes as they pulled apart.

"That's good. Cause we can't exactly leave each other." Sarai placed her hand over Callum's mark.

"Perfect."

"There, finished." Seri said, tired. Callum's wound was stitched, dressed, and wrapped. "How is he Astoria?"

"The same. Maybe a little stronger."

"Rayla, hey. You doin better?" Ethari asked, gently rubbing the hair from her face.

"It hurts. But I'll live." She looked at Callum's still body. "We'll live."

"When you threw the stone at Rayla, I thought she was gonna kill you then." Sarai said laughing.

"Yeah, she wasn't too happy about that. For the rest of the day, everything she touched gave her a shock. She chased me for hours." Callum spoke happily. "I don't think it was as bad as when I lit our bedroom on fire."

"Which time?" Sarai asked through her giggles. "In your sleep or your wedding night?" She asked in a teasing manner. She lost it when Callum's face went red.

"Mom! Why?"

"Relax Cal. I was just teasing. It must be difficult to live with a mage. Rayla truly has her hands full."

"I'm not that bad." Callum said with a huff.

"If it makes you feel better, Harrow and Viren would often get themselves into trouble far to often for a King and a High Mage." Callum's smile dropped at the mention of Viren's name. Sarai placed a hand on his shoulder. "I know what he did Callum. I won't defend him on that. But there was a time when he would have done anything to protect you, Ezran, and Harrow. I don't know what changed him, but I believe it started after their return from Xadia. I won't ask you to forgive his actions. But maybe one day, for Soren and Claudia's sake, you can remember the caring man he used to be."

"That... will take a long time."

"I congratulate you on your successful surgery doctor." Seri's head wipped around to Adonis' body. "Now if you'd kindly back away from him so that I can take what belongs to me."

"Aaravos." Rayla hissed.

"In the flesh." Adonis' body pulled itself off the wall. "Well, just mine." His hands came up and pulled the sword from his chest. "I suspect that your companions will be returning any time, so I'd prefer to take my descendants body now please. Seri was quick.

"He can be moved, go!" Ghia and Astoria wasted no time in hauling Callum away from the mage.

"What a shame. I'll have to stain the ground red." He raised his hand over Seri, but Janai was quicker. The others had just returned to the courtyard and Janai swiftly moved toward the mage, cutting off his arm. Aaravos simply lifted the stump. "A shame. Seems I'll need to hurry this up. Move sunfire." Aaravos flicked his wrist at Janai and slammed her against the castle walls. The rest of the sunfires surrounded Aaravos, still powered by the sun Callum made. "Sit children." With a snap, the sunfires when pressed against the ground. Stepping over them, the next thing in his path was Rayla who had managed to stand.

"You're not touchin him." She brought her blades out as Ethari pulled his bow. The other moonshadows all lined their bows on Aaravos.

"Oh, it's you. Perfect. Come here." A flick of the wrist is all it took to pull Rayla off her feet. By the time she made it to Aaravos, it was evident that she was being choked. "Moonshadow elves are wonderful resources. I'll take your soul energy."

"NO!" Ethari screamed as he let lose the arrow.

"Begone." The arrow turned back around and pierced Ethari's shoulder, the force sending him back. Aaravos looked at the other archers. "You as well." They were pushed over the edge of the wall. "Back to you little one. You're in my way. Et metunt eos." Rayla felt herself grow increasingly tired until she was tossed to the side, Seri and Astoria catching her limp body. Aaravos inhalded deeply. "Wonderful. Now the rest of you. Freeze." Everyone standing around Callum was frozen. "Come here boy." Slowly, Callum's body had risen out of Ghia's arms and floated over to the wizard.

"What happened to her Seri?"

"Aaravos took her soul energy. She's fading fast." Seri looked at Callum's body. "Callum please wake up." An idea popped into Astoria's head.

"Seri, I need you to take my energy and give it to Rayla." The younger elf whipped her head back to face her.

"What?"

"Trade my life for Rayla's. It's an easy choice. If we do, Callum will wake up. It'll be like jolting him awake."

"But you'll die."

"Seri, they're worth it."

"It seems your friends figured it out." Sarai spoke.

"Figured what out?" Callum questioned.

"How to bring you back."

"I don't want to go just yet. There's still so much I want to talk to you about." Callum spoke solemnly.

"I know love. But there's nothing more you need from me. Just know I will always be with you. I love you Callum. Now go save the world. Save your world, save Rayla."

"Et commercia quidem se hanc vitam." Seri cried as she cast the spell.

"It's okay child. Its okay..." Astoria's eyes closed, smile still present on her face.

"Goodbye Mom."

"Goodbye my son." As Callum was brought back to reality, he felt as though he was surging with energy. His eyes flickered open to see Adonis, but he knew it was the eyes of Aaravos he stared into.

"What?" Aaravos snapped.

"Fuliminis!" Callum roared. Aaravos was sent flying back, his spells all breaking from the loss in concentration. As everyone regained themselves, they began to cheer Callum on.

"How could you possible be alive?!" Callum stumbled slightly, his hand pressed against the stitches over his heart. His eyes focused on Aaravos, glaring.

"DoI need to spill it out for you?" Callum's voiced boomed. "You tried to killRayla, now you'll pay!"