Ch-109
Zaros could imagine how much Lenora was thinking. He felt distraught with what she was going through. More importantly, he needs to rescue his wife.
He can't wait to rescue Adira. After all, she was his wife and the love of his life. Zaros never thought there would be a day for him when he would get attached to a person who was not his mother or sisters.
There was not a single day for him that he didn't regret mistreating his wife. He worried she might be beaten, bullied, and kept through so much because of Azazel.
He just wanted to know where she was so he could get her out immediately.
"The ritual happens at the Ancient grave," Ophelia said.
"How do we ruin it?" Zaros asked. His eyes were gleaming red as he stared at her.
He was getting impatient with every passing second. He doesn't want to waste a single second anymore. The thought of Adira going through something worse than Victoria kept him on his toes.
"These types of rituals are treated as pure. Once a single step turns impure… everything will be ruined." Ophelia said it with a scared expression.
Zaros might look innocent, but she knew very well how shrewd he could be. She experienced it firsthand. In those two years, even though he hated Lenora, he did things that kept her out of many of the troubles.
"I don't want to waste anymore time," Zaros said, getting up.
"Don't we need a plan?" Serene asked.
"You sure we have time to make a plan and do the perfect rescue?" Zaros answered with an exasperated expression.
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Few minutes later…
"Is it the place?" Lenora asked as she entered a worn-down place. It is nothing like a graveyard but like an abandoned place. There was a big willow tree. But it looked rather odd compared to normal willow trees. Its bark is scarlet red, making people believe that it was the storage of dead people.
"Ufff…. This place is so eerie," Lenora commented.
"What to do? This is how the graves of the ancients were made," Zaros answered.
"We have to find the entrance first," Maximus's voice sounded all of a sudden.
"Aish… I wish everything ends quickly," Lenora said.
"Are you tired?" he asked.
"I am sleepy for some reason," Lenora replied.
"Alright! Let's finish this and crowning. We will sleep for three days and three nights without any disturbance," he said.
Lenora smiled at him.
"Now, let's rescue my wife. I will have the same plan with her," Zaros said with a scowl.
They inspected the whole area for a while. But they found no trace of anything. The whole place was flat and empty.
"Why is there no grave or door? I am exhausted." Lenora said it with a yawn.
"Maybe we need to use magic," Zaros said.
Just then, they saw Maximus walking near that willow tree and he pierced his thumb. He dropped a drop of blood on it. A bright light glowed on it but it didn't work.
"Let me try," Zaros said. He was panicking with every passing second. Lenora never expected him to be like this. Because he hated this alliance from the start. But now look at him… doing things for love.
As Zaros dripped a drop of his blood onto the tree, a flicker of hope ignited in his chest. But when the red light glowed once more without any sign of the door opening, his heart sank.
"Let me try. Me being a witch may help," Lenora said. Maximus wanted to stop her but he didn't. Zaros knew if her blood works it might be because of Azazel's blood flowing inside her. But…he was also worried that… if this door opened, Azazel might get to know that there were intruders in his realm. But… that doesn't mean they will stop here and do nothing.
Lenora's suggestion took them all by surprise, but they were desperate enough to try anything.
Lenora stepped forward, her hand trembling slightly as she pricked her thumb and let a small bead of blood fall onto the scarlet bark. For a moment, nothing happened. Then, slowly, the bark began to shift and contort, as if responding to some unseen force. A hushed gasp escaped from Zaros and Maximus as they watched in astonishment.
With a low creaking sound, the bark split apart, revealing a darkened entrance that seemed to lead into the depths of the tree itself. The three of them exchanged stunned glances, unable to comprehend what lay beyond.
Gathering their courage, they stepped through the threshold, entering a world unlike any they had ever seen. The air was thick with otherworldly energy, and strange, luminous plants illuminated their path. It was a realm of magic and mystery, far removed from the world they knew.
As Zaros ventured further into the mysterious realm beyond the willow tree, his heart weighed heavy with concern for his kidnapped wife, Adira. Every step he took echoed with the rhythm of his desperation, each beat a silent plea to find her safe and unharmed.
Thoughts of Adira consumed his mind, her image etched into every corner of his consciousness. He remembered her laughter, her warmth, and the way her eyes sparkled with mischief. She was not just his wife, but the love of his life, the one who had softened his hardened heart and shown him the true meaning of love.
But now, she was in the clutches of Azazel, a man whose cruelty knew no bounds. The mere thought of what she might be enduring at his hands sent a shiver down Zaros's spine, igniting a fierce determination within him to rescue her at any cost.
In the depths of his soul, Zaros harbored a profound sense of guilt for the way he had treated Adira in the past. He regretted every harsh word spoken, every moment of neglect, knowing now the depth of his love for her. He vowed to make amends, to show her the love and respect she deserved once they were reunited.
With each passing moment, Zaros's resolve only grew stronger, fueled by the love he held for Adira. She was his beacon of hope in the darkness, the light that guided him through the tumultuous journey ahead. No matter the obstacles they faced, he would stop at nothing to bring her back to safety, to hold her in his arms once more, and never let her go.
Zaros couldn't help but feel a surge of awe and fear as they ventured deeper into this strange new world. What other secrets lay hidden within the depths of the willow tree? And what dangers awaited them as they journeyed further into the unknown?