The Prodigy Antaris - a secret World of magic #1
Chapter 20

King Elior sat on his throne while everyone chattered in panic. Everyone felt they had to say something and everyone had a plan to save Ava. The voices grew louder and the chaos grew worse. The king seemed deep in his thoughts and wasn't listening to anyone. His face was sad and his eyes filled with tears.

Our amicus came to us and told us about the attack. I was glad that they were all fine. Alatus was worried about me after the attack and immediately rushed to protect me. Fortunately, no amicus was injured but very scared.

The woman who appeared before us was Bana. The most powerful among the remaining demon leaders. She was the supreme leader of the dark legions. She was dangerous and powerful, as Aidan explained to me.

"Everybody be quiet!" yelled Avery loudly.

The silence in the hall was what brought the king back to reality. He looked around the crowd and then he looked at me, his eyebrows raising.

"We need to talk father." Avery said worriedly to his father.

The king called off the feast and sent all the guests home, asking everyone to be vigilant. The guards were reinforced and patrols of soldiers ran throughout Antaris.

Aidan and Inna took over the task of dividing the soldiers to check Antaris and after a short time it was reported that everything was secured again. The invasion of Antaris was a mystery because no evil being could get through the barriers. Then how did they get in?

When all the guests left, only us, Ava's close friends and family, stayed.

Bael paced back and forth, stomping angrily across the room while Devas just followed him with his eyes. Aidan and Inna sat with the king and patiently awaited the king's orders. The mansion was additionally guarded by Elian and Alvar and Jade and Noah comforted Avery along with me.

"We have to...I...I'm sorry...Ava is..." the king started talking and we all stopped.

"Father, how long do we have before the blood moon?" Avery asked.

The king seemed to be in a trance and it was difficult for him to get out of his shock. Beijou knelt before the king and asked permission to help him, but the king did not respond.

"King Elior...I know the situation is very difficult. But we have to think logically. That's the only way we can save Ava." I said quietly.

The king looked up at me and exhaled deeply, rising from his tron and nodding his head.

"The next blood moon is in 5 days. They won't kill Ava until then. They need Ava for...well for the trade." answered the king.

"You're not really going to hand Iris over to the princes, are you?" Avery asked angrily.

"There must be another way!" said Devas firmly.

"We have to make a plan and rescue Ava as soon as possible." added Bael.

And while everyone was talking at once, the king and I just looked at each other. If he doesn't hand me over, that means Antaris is going to war. Good versus evil again. Another war. And again there will be deaths. For which I will be responsible this time.... And Ava would be the first to die .

" I will go!" I shouted and everyone fell silent.

"Iris, NO!" Avery protested at my decision.

"My love, I'm not asking your permissions.Ava was kidnapped because of me.They want me...so I'll go.No one needs to get hurt...or die." I said.

"If they get you...we're all going to die!" said Devas emotionlessly.

The king nodded and closed his eyes as if seeking strength in his thoughts. When he opened his eyes again, they glowed a bright purple.

" We need to replace out how they got into Antaris. Who the traitor is... Aidan and Inna you will replace out. Devas and Bael I will need you to advise me when we go to Portus Mali. All soldiers and guards must be on standby in case of another intrusion." commanded the king.

"Jade and Noah you go to the residents and make sure everyone is safe and sound. And Alvar and Elian will get everything ready in the armory." he added.

Everyone listened to the king's orders and immediately set about doing whatever they were told to do.

"What's the plan..what are we going to do?" Avery asked as everyone followed his orders and left the room.

"We will give them what they want..." replied the king.

"Father..." Avery started to speak but the king stopped him.

Alatus was very concerned and growled at the decision.

He looked at Bael and said "They want Iris...so we'll give them Iris."

Bael grinned at the king and with a wave of his hand a second Iris appeared just where he was standing. These tricksters had a powerful gift..

"They will know that I am not him." I said disappointed.

"Not when your amicus is with me. His aura will overshadow mine and it will be impossible to recognize me as a false Iris." replied Bael, speaking as a false Iris in his male voice.

It was strange seeing me right in front of me.

"We're going to trick them, and once we get Ava, we're all going to head straight to Antaris. They can't follow us...the barrier won't allow it. And we will put up a second barrier for protection!As simple as that.” Devas added.

"Simple? What are you talking about? We almost didn't manage to save my amicus and were well prepared. They'll expect us to do something like that.” I said angrily.

"Then you have a better idea?" asked me Devas.

No, I didn't. But that idea was far too risky. The princes of darkness would kill them all if the scam was discovered.

"All we need is an ingenious plan to get in and get out of there without beeing killed...Iris I promised your parents I would protect you and I will keep my word. We will save Ava and it will work ." said the king determinedly.

Bael transformed back and together with Devas they started to make a plan with the king. Avery took me in his arms and comforted me even though he was the one who needed comfort. We sat together late into the night hatching a plan to save Ava. Bael was deeply concerned and even though he said he didn't care about Ava we all knew it was a lie. After many hours, Aidan and Inna came back together with Jade and Noah. Their faces were sad and angry at the same time.

"Did you replace out anything?" asked the king.

Aidan nodded and looked at Inna before reporting to the king.

"After we have all the important reports and the statements of the witnesses..I'm sorry my king but the traitor is obviously the outsider Silak that you took in." Aidan explained disappointed.

"Who is Silak?" I asked Avery.

"Silak is a powerful sorcerer. Once he was on the evil side but he was cast out. We never found out why. My father took him in many decades ago when he swore allegiance to him and wanted to switch to the good side." Avery explained to me.

"Silak is apparently with the princes of darkness and was the one who kidnapped Ava." added Inna.

The king was angry at the betrayal. He was even more angry at himself for he was the one who trusted Silak and gave him permission to live in Antaris.

Jade and Mana, along with all the other witches and sorceresses, immediately destroyed all the magic that the traitor left behind in Antaris. He was so powerful that something like this could only be achieved together.

"Well, at least we know who we're going to be dealing with. Aidan, I need you guys to discuss our plan." said the king as he sat down on his throne.

The plan was stupid and not logical at all. They will replace out that Bael is there as a trickster and they will kill them all. Aidan listened to Bael and Devas, and his expression mirrored my thoughts.

"And that's the brilliant plan?" he asked with a raised eyebrow.

"Well, this or we'll send your sister to the princes personally." Devas replied annoyed.

Aidan ran his hand through his hair and snorted angrily.

"If the king wants us to do it this way...then there is a lot to prepare. We will all be ready behind you. And when I say all...I mean all. All of Antaris is getting ready for a fight must be!" said Aidan while looking at the king.

"But, my king, you must realize that no matter how it ends, this leads to war. So we have no choice.They will do anything to get Iris. And we have to prevent that. We must protect everyone. Because if they capture Iris, we are all lost." Devas said while he and Aiden nodded to each other as a sign of their understanding.

"Then it should be like this...We are preparing for war !" the king announced resolutely.