The Royal Mark-Chapter 381: Three Choices

Elandir went to Vrenada as soon as he received the message from King Stefan. Everyone was startled when he slammed the door to Chris’ room. He went straight to his and carried him.

"Whoa, whoa, wait a minute, Elandir, where are you taking my brother?!" Neia exclaimed.

"I am taking him to the Tree of Life!"

Hoven and Baahu stopped him right away. "The King already went there and he was told that he was going to die anyway. What difference would it make if it’s you who would bring him there?" Hoven said.

Elandir burst out in tears which surprised everyone. "I already lost the love of my life and I am not going to lose my best friend as well! I won’t be able to forgive myself if I don’t at least try to save him!

Look at him, he is still breathing, right? So, hope is not yet lost! I will ask the goddess to reduce my years and give it to him... Yes! That’s right! That’s exactly what I am going to do!" Elandir yelled and tried to carry Chris once more but he was too heavy for him to carry alone.

"Let me help you. I think you’re crazy but I don’t want him to die as well," Hoven uttered and helped Elandir carry Chris.

Elandir threw an enchanted stone to the ground with force, breaking it apart. A portal materialized and Elandir glanced at Stefan and Neia and said, "Let’s hope for the best. Wish that we will come back with him alive," before going into the portal.

Neia sighed and slumped on the bed feeling relieved and frustrated at the same time. "I don’t know if I am thankful or worried that my brother has crazy friends."

"I think you are more than thankful than worried, that’s why you married me," Stefan jested.

"Right... We just got married. We should send our guests home and tell them that the after-party is canceled due to a family emergency. I don’t think I am in the mood to finish the three-day celebration," Neia suggested.

"Alright, that’s what I want as well," Stefan replies before turning to Baahu and Lexi. "But you two should stay. Let’s wait for Hoven and Elandir before you decide to leave, is that alright?"

"Yes, we would like that. If that’s settled then, let me escort my wife back to our chambers. She’s still not feeling well," Baahu commented.

"Oh! Right, I am sorry Lady Lexi, it was too chaotic that I forgot to congratulate you both. Congratulations! I can’t wait to see your baby soon!" Neia said.

"It’s alright My Queen. I’ll join you for dinner tonight, this baby hates the day and only gives me a break at night," Lexi said before retreating to their room.

In Qiryin...

Hoven hurriedly helps Elandir carry Chris into the Tree of Life but Elandir immediately stops him before he can go any further.

"I will take it from here. If you go in, the goddess might ask you for an offering as well and she’s hard to please, I don’t want you to offer anything that would make Chris kill me."

"Fine, go and beg her if you need to. I don’t want to lose Christopher," Hoven replied.

"Trust me, I will." Elandir dragged Chris inside the Tree of Life, placed him in the middle, and waited for the goddess to appear.

He waited a long time, perhaps more than three hours before losing his patience. "OH COME ON!" Elandir yelled. "Aren’t you even curious about what I had to offer?"

Hours passed and still, Elandir didn’t even hear a single sound.

"Fuck this! You are a useless goddess, a useless tree! What if I cut you down huh?! You are taking everything from me anyway so let’s just completely ruin my life and everyone around me so we could all die at the same time. That way you won’t be able to destroy anything anymore!"

Elandir waited for a few seconds and when he still didn’t hear anything he started hitting the walls using his staff and throwing earth bombs with all his might causing a lot of noise.

"Silence! How dare you demand for my presence!"

He smirked, finally getting the attention he wanted.

"I can make it noisier you know! You know why I am here and my offer is half of my remaining years. Take it and give it to Christopher," Elandir brazenly ordered the goddess.

He heard the goddess laugh and said, "I admire your audacity young elf. But your friend is beyond saving."

"Fuck that, fuck you! You and I both know that you can do it, and you just don’t want to! You can take everything I have just fucking make him live! Just take everything already, I am sure that will satisfy your greediness!" Elandir angrily uttered.

"Be careful with our words young elf. Remember your place, I do not tolerate disrespect! But since you are calling me greedy, then let me prove how greedy I am. I want your life in exchange for a chance for your friend to choose if he wants to live or not."

"Are you insane? You want something so big, but you’re only offering him a choice instead of a guarantee?"

"Take it or leave it. You’ll never know what he’ll decide unless you give it a shot. So, what’s it going to be?"

"Fine! You win! You have my life. I don’t want to live without Marina anyway. Do what you have to do!" Elandir said.

"Good choice. I will talk to your werewolf friend then."

Chris’ body glowed and Elandir sat by his side as he waited for what would happen next.

—-------

"Wake up werewolf!"

"Argh... Please just let me die in peace..." Chris begged the goddess. His whole body was in pain and yet he was too weak to even complain.

"Your audacious friend was willing to cut down the Tree of Life and die just to save you. And I accepted to take his life and give you a choice in case you still what to live."

"Unbelievable! Can’t you just all go away and let me die?"

"I will let you live, but you have to choose from the three choices I will give you about how exactly you want to live the new life that I am about to give you."