Worshipper Arc. Chapter 29: A New Family.

Valoran and Artemsia are shocked to see three strangers (3 elves) inside their homes.

Aelina rushes toward Valoran and Artemsia.

“Valoran and Artemsia welcome home. '' She says in excitement.

“Hello Mother.”

“Greetings Aelina.”

“Welcome I have some important news for you.” Artemsia reveals.

“Before that…I must leave and take care of something of extreme importance. Please forgive me.” Artemsia states.

“U-Uhm okay then see you later.” Aelina answers.

Valoran looks slightly suspicious about that.

She exits the home and Valoran is left on his own with his Mother and the three elvish strangers.

“Valoran I want you to meet my Partner Polios Emintra, and these are his two daughters Iris Emintra and Reelia Emintra.” She introduces with joy.

Polios steps forward toward Valoran.

“It’s nice to meet you, Valoran Silver.” He shakes his hand and Valoran’s first impressions of him are positive.

“It’s also nice to meet you sir.” Valoran says with kindness.

“No need in calling me “sir” Polios is fine.” He says.

Polios looks at his daughters who are the same age as Valoran.

“Girls, don’t you want to introduce yourselves?” He questions them.

Both Girls are unmotivated and in a grumpy mood.

“Hey, I’m Iris.”

“And I am Reelia” They express themselves with no motivation or interest.

“Can you girls please show more interest?” Polios whispers.

“Greetings, I am Valoran Silver. It is nice to make your acquaintance.” Valoran greets kindly.

“This is how you introduce yourself.” Polios whispers to the girls again.

Both the Girls face away and make no comment.

“Now that we all know each other let’s have some dinner.” Aelina suggests in excitement.

“Sounds great.” Valoran responds and together with the others they sit at the dinner table.

Valoran sits on the right side of the table, both girls sit opposite on the left, Polios and Aelina sit at both ends of the table.

The feast Aelina prepared is exquisite.

Everyone begins to eat.

“How did you both meet?” Valoran questions.

“We met about a month ago. I was shopping for groceries and carrying heavy bags. Polios came to my aid and carried the bags home for me…and he was so kind to me. We decided to see each other often and now we are here.” Aelina reveals.

“When I saw her I knew I had to help her. But when I spent time with her I fell in love with her kindness and sincerity. I lost my wife many years ago, when both my daughters were still children…I thought that I could never fall in love again until I met Aelina.” Polios says with happiness.

Aelina smiles so brightly which Valoran never saw before. Valoran who sees this, who sees his Mother being happy is melting his heart in a way, he himself is happy for his Mother.

“That’s beautiful.” Valoran says with a smile of his own.

“Thank you.” Aelina expresses with a smile.

“Valoran, I would like to know you a bit more.” Polios says.

“You can ask me anything you like.” Valoran kindly states.

“I have heard your name briefly during the magic duels, I however had no idea that Aelina was your Mother. From what I understand you attend Halivaara Magic Academy.” Polios says.

“That’s correct.” Valoran answers.

“That must be nice, attending the most esteemed and best Magic Academy in Halivaara.” Polios says with enthusiasm.

“It's certainly an adventure.” Valoran responds.

“Pfft” Both girls say with disgust.

“Iris, Reelia.” Polios says with slight frustration.

“What father?” Iris questions with anger.

“He can use magic, big deal.” Reelia also expresses anger.

“Uhm I don’t understand what's going on.” Aelina says with a shy tone.

“We can’t use magic…and my wife was killed by magic users. Ever since that my daughters have despised magic users.” Polios shares.

“And magic academy students looked down upon us, just today when we left our academy magic academy students called us names and giftless. You magic users are cruel.” Iris mentions.

Hearing this makes Valoran angry inside.

“That’s terrible, but Valoran is not like that, I assure you.” Aelina counters.

“I am sorry for what happened to you and your hate is just but please don’t take it out on my Mother she is caring and kind and is happy with your father.” Valoran pleads.

The girls stay quiet.

Two hours pass by and they have finished dinner and Polios, Iris and Reelia leave.

“It was nice having you over.” Aelina says.

“Thank you for your kind hospitality.” Polios thanks.

“What did you think of them?” Aelina asks Valoran.

“I think Polios is a great man, and the daughters are struggling to say the least.” Valoran explains.

“I agree. I don’t blame them for everything that has happened to them…their anger is justified.” Aelina remarks.

“Indeed.” Valoran counters.

Meanwhile

Artemsia is in the middle of nowhere.

“Let’s see if this works.” Artemsia says.

She creates a golden magic circle on the ground.

After a few moments a golden portal opens.

From the portal steps out Daimos.

“Well well well if it isn’t the High Goddess of war…how have you been Artemsia?” Daimos questions.

“Cut it out Daimos, I came here for answers.” Artemsia cuts right to the chase.

“Hahah, it’s been a while since I have been talked to like this. What do you wish to know?” Daimos says in amusement.

“Why did you turn against the very being we once protected?” She questions in spite.

“Well…I discovered that these beings have lost their way, they do not worship us like they used to. We defended them against Titans and other beings and got nothing from them, we were simply forgotten.” Daimos clarifies.

“I can’t believe I looked up to you.” Artemsia says in disgust.

“I have a final question.” Artemsia states.

“Ask away.” Daimos answers.

“Were you behind my imprisonment?” Artemsia questions.

“I was indeed.” Daimos answers.

Artemsia is speechless and holds back her tears.

“I bet you are asking yourself why.” Daimos says.

“You see, during the war with the titans you gained too much fame, other Gods showed you greater respect than me so I ordered some other other Goddesses who were jealous of you to lure you into an empty, separate infinite reality which I have cursed to be your eternal prison, and tell everyone you died to be forgotten” Daimos explains.

Artemsia begins to shed tears.

“Then why not just kill me?” Artemsia says tears shedding.

“Where is the fun in that?” Daimos counters.

“I-I hate you.” Artemsia falls to her knees.

Daimos vanishes.

Artemsia begins to cry and scream and with tears falling like a waterfall.

“It must be hard to know the truth.” Valoran says standing behind her.

Valoran walks in front of her and drops on his knee too and hugs Artemsia.

Artemsia cires into Valoran’s chest.

Valoran holds with one hand the back of her head and the other around her back.

“I promise you. I will make him pay for what he did.” Valoran says in anger and spite for Daimos.

“Valoran, I can’t anymore.” Artemsia expresses in sorrow.

“Artemsia my strength is your strength.” Valoran wipes away her tears.

“Did you know that I was the High Goddess of war?” Artemsia questions.

“I did…Your powers far exceeded that of any God, when I met Aldia and learned about High Gods and their powers being beyond regular Gods that’s when I knew.” Valoran reveals.

“I’m sorry for not-” Valoran cuts her off.

“Don’t need to be.” Valoran says.

Valoran and Artemsia get back up on their feet.

“You are strong Artemsia, stronger than I will ever be, I could never spend countless eons in isolation.” Valoran comforts Artemsia.

“Thank you Valoran.” She replies as she wipes the tears of her face.

Valoran and Artemsia head home.

“How was dinner?” Artemsia questions.

“Well…it went better than expected, he seems like a great man. He makes my Mother happy which I am grateful for.” Valoran answers.

“I’m glad.” Artemsia explains.

Valoran and Artemsia teleport home and call it a day.

The next day.

Valoran, Demonlise, Artemsia, Atticus, Merial, Selina and Biatrix meet up at the academy and go about the daily routine of studying and training.

After the academy ends Valoran heads off to a different direction from where he usually heads home.

Valoran is walking in the direction of the academy where Reelia and Iris attend.

Valoran sees students in green uniforms (non magical students) indeed being harassed by magic halivaara academy students.

Reelia and Iris are also being harassed.

“Hey there ladies…want me to show you magic?” A student asks.

Reelia and Iris and uncomfortable.

They walk past the student. “No, leave us alone.” Reelia instructs the student.

The student turns around and grabs Iris by her arm and pulls her toward him.

“Show some respect. Who do you think you are talking to?” The student says in anger.

“Let me go!” Iris yells and struggles to free herself from the grip.

“Let her go!” Reelia yells pulling on Iris’s other arm to assist her getting loose from the guy.

In that moment Valoran grabs the arm of the student holding on to Iris and starts to put pressure on his arm which leads the student to scream in pain “AHHH!” and lose his on Iris.

“That’s enough…” Valoran then releases the arm.