Immortal Desire
Chapter 60

The nightmare was over. Thanks to the holy celestials who stopped the war that almost caused the empire’s destruction. They distributed healing potions to those who were injured and with the gods’ blessings, they were able to revive those who were killed. But the said revival of the dead was only for humans who were involved in the dispute between the vampires and beasts. Ezekiel, the messenger of the gods and goddesses, had to wipe the memories of the bloody war from the human’s mind, to protect the peace. He believed that if humans knew nothing about the existence of other races among them, as long as the b***d and beast tribe avoid causing conflicts to one another that will harm the mortals, they could live their daily lives without fear.

Ezekiel was meticulous when doing his job, it was almost a complete perfection like nothing happened if not for the bloodstains that could be seen here and there. It made the people in the kingdom wonder about what could have happened. The destroyed buildings were fixed and there were no traces of any damages around, causing more confusion to them.

Mathew Solic and his men were forced to withdraw back to their kingdom, though the beast tribe was not satisfied with the outcome. The king of Wyslien was left with no choice but surrendered against the holy knights and followed what they were told. He was aware of Ezekiel’s strength, to begin with. His whole tribe would probably not stand a chance. With a heavy heart after a complete defeat, Mathew zipped his mouth until they arrived in the kingdom. The war was his complete loss. First, Latina chose to stay by Sebastian’s side. After what he had done to her, her feelings never swayed. Second, Azrene was not found anywhere in the empire. The white alpha vividly remembered when Sebastian told him that he had nothing to do with his missing sister. Finally, despite decreasing the number of vampires, the noble and stronger ones weren’t killed at all. Instead, they easily wiped most of their warriors.

Just like the beast tribe, the b***d tribe was unhappy about the holy celestial’s intervention. Although they live quietly with humans for a long time, the vampires always wanted to crush every beast if possible. They loathe them as much as they were abhorred. There’s no specific reason why. After living alongside humans for several centuries, the b***d tribe has proven that they could get along well with the other race except for the werewolves, werelions, weretigers, and other species of the warm-blooded savages－ as they called them. And there was another problem, Sebastian was severely injured by the werewolf alpha when he was protecting Latina. The vampire lord took quite a lot of fatal blows and was on the brink of death. The elders were panicking when Cisto rushed for Rupert’s assistance. For them, it was fine losing hundreds of kinsmen than losing the one vampire lord. To make things worse for their tribe, Rupert remained in shock for a long while. No one could blame him after he witnessed how Claudia was slaughtered before his eyes.

“GET BACK TO YOUR SENSES!” Cisto yelled while shaking the grieving doctor. “You may think that Claudia is dead but haven’t you noticed? Nothing turned into ashes in the spot where she was attacked, there was only b***d. She must be alive somewhere, don’t forget that she’s a Lachouves.”

Rupert was taken aback by the elder’s words. He couldn’t believe his eyes when he saw his friend laying down on the bed, almost lifeless. “What the heck! Get anyone who could help. His wounds aren’t recovering on their own, instead they’re getting worse!” No one could tell how many people nearby that Cisto yanked to where Rupert was to assist the doctor.

After losing Marco, Rupert realized how the boy was a big help. He thought that the lad was not a human after all. Sadly, the boy went missing before he found out what he really was.

A part of his mind kept on telling him that Marco might be from other races who pretended to be human to spy on them. Deep-down, Rupert wished that his mind was telling lies. He proved himself wrong when the boy came back a month later with Claudia, who was safe and sound.

“H-honey… you’re alive!” The doctor was so happy to see his other-half that he left his dying patient alone to hug her.

“Idiot! Look after your patient. How can you call yourself a man when you can’t even save me, not to mention the poor sick lady on the bed who needs your service now?!” Claudia nagged. She rubbed her temple, “Why do I have to say scold you the moment we see each other again? Goodness!”

“Ah! I could hear your rants again. It’s real! You’re indeed alive!” Rupert wrapped her in his arms and pulled back afterward to examine her face. He closed the distance between their lips in the instance. It was then when Marco, who was left with the patient, realized that he should quit his job in the hospital if he didn’t want to witness their lovey-dovey every day.

At the same time, in front of the gate of the abyssal garden…

“Are you sure about this?”

Latina smiled at the elder. “Hmm… I know that he would love me to stay by his side until he wakes up again.” She brushed her delicate fingers on Sebastian’s face.

“You know, he… the lord is not dead. But he’s currently too weak. He knew that he had to come here for his century-long slumber in a few months,” Cisto said. He couldn’t bear to see Latina’s swollen eyes of endless weeping. She could smile but it was a mere curve of her lips edges, it didn’t reach her eyes. “He’s lucky to have you this time. He would no longer stay in that cold and dark place alone.”

The thought of leaving Sebastian in such a place broke Latina’s heart. It wasn’t her time to slumber yet but given the situation, she decided to accompany her lover. It was Sebastian who protected her. Frankly, she didn’t need any protection, but his action was to convey his feelings to her. Even Sebastian knew how strong she became, yet he still chose to protect her like a precious jewel that was about to be taken away.

“The other elders will complain once they find out that you’ll be gone for a while. I have to go back immediately once you pass through the gate,” Cisto muttered. He glanced at the sleeping Sebastian inside a golden coffin. “The guardians of the abyssal garden will guide you.” He pointed at the floating spirits before facing Latina and placed his hands on her shoulders, “It will be your first time to enter the garden. Always remember, you are no longer alone. Sebastian will be by your side. By the time you wake up again, you will both have each other,” he said gently and patted Latina’s shoulders before letting them go. “I’ll stay here until there’s someone who’ll be responsible enough to rule the tribe. Besides, I want to meet the queen. She must be someone that Sebastian could be proud of.”

“You bet,” Latina smiled genuinely for the first time after the war. “She might cause you a headache once you meet her, but she will definitely become the queen among the queens of the b***d tribe.”

“You sounded so certain about it that it tempts me to find her immediately,” the elder laughed heartily. “I’m sure that Seth is taking care of her. You should look forward to many changes when you’re back.”

“I will,” Latina replied. “Thank you for your help all this time,” she slightly bent down to show respect. “I will never forget it. Stay alive until we meet again.”

“I’ll try,” Cisto replied.

The parting words were over and Latina stepped inside the gate. The entrance remained open, waiting for the guardians to enter together with Sebastian. “Wait!” Latina called when she remembered something. She removed her ring and threw it to the elder on the other side. “Give this ring to my daughter. A century is too long, I failed to protect her ever since I gave birth to her. It will protect her once she wears it,” she explained as the gate closed in.

“Should I let her know that it’s from you?” Cisto inquired.

“No,” Latina responded while shaking her head. “There’s no need for her to know about me. Not at all,” she faked a smile again before the gate completely shut.

“ The Vampire lord has arrived,” a voice announced. The guardians lined up as they showed the way to where Sebastian should spend his hundred years of sleep. “The lady over there, say your name and I’ll show you which way you’ll have to go.”

Heaving a deep sigh, Latina answered. “Latina de Llava.” The guardians started to whisper to each other. They seemed to argue about something until the voice scolded them.

“Quiet! Show the way for the b***d queen.”

The guardians lined up and showed a different way, opposite to Sebastian’s. “Can I join him?” Latina asked worriedly. She was dumbfounded when the floating spirits started to laugh.

“How audacious! The Vampire lord was revered by all while the b***d queen was a cursed existence. Guardians, drag this lady away from the vampire lord.”

“W-wait… I didn’t come here to be separated away from Sebastian,” Latina spread her arms before the coffin while shooing the guardians away. “I won’t go anywhere far from him. You can’t make me!”

“Well-said,” a familiar deep voice whispered from behind. She knew that voice. There was no mistaking it. It was him, it was Sebastian!

“How dare you ill-treat my beloved? If you won’t let her stay with me then I can only stick myself to her,” Sebastian pulled Latina inside the coffin. It was spacious inside, like a whole different dimension. “Don’t mind those spirits, Sweetheart. They can try separating us forever, but they won’t succeed even once.”

Sebastian’s words were too sweet for Latina. She had so many things to say, many questions to ask, but she had something more important to do. Lifting her trembling hands, Latina cupped his face and pressed her lips on his. Sebastian pulled her closer to him while moving his lips gently against her. The k**s was sweet, full of longing, happiness, and love.

“Welcome back,” she whispered.