The Overlords Witch {BL}

Chapter 34 - "Caged Birds"

The next few days were like a blur any memories that remained were mostly faded into vague flickers. One main thing that stayed, however, was a hand, the smell of herbs and medicine. It was tending to Sera's wounds and he took hold of it.

The warmness that spread through his palm was made him feel relaxed until something slammed and the brief warmth quickly faded when the hand retreated. "Phyll...", Perhaps instinctively he called out a name before the darkness consumed him again.

**

Warm light hit his eyelids prompting Sera to slowly open them and above him, Ingrim stood with his usual dispassionate gaze.

He sighed as if something heavy left his chest "As you are awake, I require you to follow me"

Sera sighed weakly and proceeded to sit up but jerked backwards as the pain shot right through his body.

Ingrim winced, seeing the boy in such a state. "You cannot afford to be reckless; your body has weakened and is not yet healed entirely" Whilst narrating Sera's condition he simultaneously went to his side to help him up.

Noticing the cold sweat collecting on the boy's forehead whilst they walked prompted Ingrim to speak. "After this single task, you should remain on bedrest"

At Sera's pace, they had eventually reached a hall where gold decorated the walls, the ceiling could match the vastness in the sky and underneath lay a stormy grey-white marble flooring.

Immediately several figures stood out as they were the only ones that stood in the enormous hall.

Ingrim noted the following 'King Harold of Bel-Jaah, King Lucian of Bel-Vallar, King Charles of Bel-Samu, King Paul of Bel-Narma, King Kurr of Bel-Imman, Queen Rita of Bel-Aman. Each of those people lay the foundation for the Emperors-court ruling. And each delegated to their positions by the grace of his majesty, Ares.
They whose very words can move the waves. All of them, Kings or Queens, and all of them trusted by Ares not by loyalty but by capability.

Sera noticed a particular figure that made it harder to breathe, it was Ares, he towered before him, his unfriendly eyes pierced him. He held his eyes for a moment then returned it to where it was from previously focused.

Sera was moved to the gallery with Ingrim acting as a support, it was not too far from Ares and the others. Finally, Ares spoke, "bring them"

The guards at the door opened them and four people were marched in, two faces he'd recognised one warmed his heart, it was Natashya and the other frightened him. The latter and the one he didn't recognise appeared dishevelled and alert as if they were looking for something.

Sera would've wanted to run over to Natashya but his pain stopped him from doing so, instead, he'd decided to call her, "Na..."

"Don't" Ingrim immediately interrupted, "It's better if you don't" he expanded.

Sera wasn't satisfied with that as an answer, however, from his time with Ingrim, he decided it better that he didn't challenge the older man. He kept his focus on Natashya, the stone he made for her was now a necklace roped around her neck. While she advanced, she shortly turned her head and met his gaze then a smile danced on her lips.

Sera felt his face heat and it took him a moment to realise but his mouth tugged upwards into a smile. Only when her gaze passed from him did he calm down. 

Someone came forward and kneeled to the Emperor's-court, "Janis, the Emperors 5th commander, was proven to have personally 'contracted outside' hands for his own agenda with curious intentions of causing harm. The person who had surrendered him as an accomplice, Gurt, had passed away from severe blood loss, after his confession. Janis has been sentenced to immediate death, by Ares the first Emperor of Bel-Thar."