Rashnov paced back and forth in Rheynoak's room as he waited for the rest of the leaders to arrive. His body was badly battered and bruised and his hands and face were caked with blood and scars from the attack, but his heart was still ablaze with the adrenaline of the events that had occurred only hours ago.

Lying on the bed unresponsive was Raebar Casvionel, the great leader himself. His body was still drenched in blood and he had lost most of his strength from deteriorating for so long, but his body was still carved with the marks of his accomplishments.

It has been five days since the attack on Elsavior. Ever since then, it has been a treacherous road to gather the necessary ingredients needed for the resurrection. Finding the immortal beings who were willing to perform the ceremony was hard enough and contacting the other tribe leaders to let them know of the resurrection of their leader was a tedious job

Even more so, the body had to be prepared, cleansed, blessed and rested for three days before the ritual could take place.

However, he was their last hope. Their only hope. Rashnov only prayed that Rheynoak would not be essential for resurrecting his father back to his former glory.

A knock sounded on the door before it creaked open and in stepped Irene, her tresses flowing behind her. Following close on her heel was Heather and Arsen Regbay, and Caldwin Tundris who had returned from their tribes to join them once again upon hearing the reincarnation of Reaebar would be taking place today. "Great news. We found exactly who we need for the reincarnation of Raebar on the desert tribes. We don't need Rheynoak" Heather announced.

A sigh of relief came from Rashnov's lips, darting over to Arsen and Caldwin. "Arsen, Caldwin. Have you contributed towards this reincarnation as well?" Rashnov asked. They both nodded exchanging looks with one another. "We will be participating in the ceremony. Caldwin will provide dark magic since he is experienced, and I will contribute the blood sacrifice."

"I have also found a hell siphon, a witch, and an Elementalist on the tribal grounds to assist us" Irene commented, going out into the hallway and pulling them into the room. The tribe members stumbled into the room; confused expressions worn on their faces. "Rashnov, this lovely gentleman here is Faex. He is a cross between a SilverClaw Witch and a Fae. His magic is strong enough to channel for the ceremony."

Rashnov nodded at the young boy with copper hair and tanned skin. He seemed unfazed, perhaps even ready for this commitment that might get him killed. He nodded his head at him, respecting his dedication to sign his death wish. His eyes moved over to the tall, lanky blonde with green eyes and dark skin. "This is Raevin. She is a full-blooded hell siphon and has aided in several reincarnations in her long years." She bowed her head towards him, simply nodding. "An honor to assist you, Rashnov."

"The honor is all mine, Raevin" he responded, smiling at her willingness to assist in bringing back the greatest threat to the Inner Circle and all Asxairo. "And this, dear Rashnov is Iresil. She is one of the few Elementalist on the tribal grounds and has worked with Rheynoak and Onyx before, so she has a good idea on how their minds work."

"And how will she be essential to the ceremony? Reincarnation has never needed the help of an Elementalist" Rashnov questioned. Heather nodded, walking over to Iresil. She threw a hand over her shoulder, squeezing her tightly. "While that is true, research on my behalf has discovered that witches usually drain all their power during a reincarnation. This can cause them to faint and die during the ceremony. However, if an Elementalist can help draw the energy of their surroundings around them and channel it through the witch, it may be enough energy to keep him or her alive for the whole ceremony."

Rashnov nodded, looking over at Iresil. She was short with midnight blue hair and slate grey eyes. Though her initial appearance suggested her to be feeble and weak, her eyes spoke a different language. They were raw and ferocious, spewing with the urge to explode. "Nice to meet you, Iresil," Rashnov greeted. "I hope to be well acquainted with you." She simply nodded, darting her gaze elsewhere.

"Now that all the formalities are out of the way, are we ready to start the ceremony?' Irene asked. She looked around the room, looking for any signs of disapproval. Rashnov nodded his head, looking over at Raebar who was still lifeless. "Might as well. We have nothing to lose."

The next five minutes were spent prepping the room for the ceremony. Rashnov walked over and unwrapped the sheets around Raebar's body, moving his body to the floor with the help of Arsen. Heather created a circle of standing candles around his body while Irene closed the windows and pulled the blinds closed. Arsen placed a gold bowl underneath his feet, sharpening a dagger against an iron rod.

Faex pulled out a spell book while Raevin closed her eyes and channeled her powers. "Are we all ready to start the ceremony?" Heather asked. Everyone nodded and the three tribal leaders gathered in the corner of the room as the others initiated the ceremony.

"Da mihi potestatem remittendi tenebris. Da mihi potestatem remittendi tenebris. "Da mihi potestatem remittendi tenebris." Caldwin recited the ancient tones of dark magic, his eyes turning glass white and his fingers kissed with black wisps of smoke. The room suddenly turned black, the candles illuminating one by one. The ground rumbled, the underworld awakening at the sound of dark magic pushing its way through the cracks of hell below.

As the chanting continued, Arsen pulled out the sharpened knife, dancing the blade across its skin. "With this blood, I sacrifice a part of my mind, body, and soul to Raebar Casvionel's body to bring him from the depths of hell and back to the reality of life." With those last words uttered on his lips, he slid the blade across his skin and ripped through muscle and veins. Blood gushed through the wound, staining his fingers.

The blood pooled into the gold bowl at his feet, filling it until it swayed halfway full. He stooped down and picked up the bowl, dousing Raebar's body in his blood. Iresil closed her eyes, hands pressed flat against the floor. Her eyes rolled to the back of her eyes and glowed an iridescent white, colors ranging from different color spectrums illuminating her hand. She reached out to touch Faex who began to chant spells against his lips. "Hic est sanguis vitam inferni liberari. Hic est sanguis vitam inferni liberari" he chanted, reaching out to touch Raevin.

Her whole body lit on fire as her fingers dug through the floor. Her eyes turned a raging fire of orange, her lips moving at incredible speed as she began to speak an undecipherable tongue of siphon. The ground below them shook before splitting into two, flames of hell shooting through the cracks. They rose and roared, sizzling around Rabear's body. "Souls of hell, release Raebar's soul. Let him return to his former glory." The fire roared to the ceilings, screeches from hell echoing throughout the room. Raevin screamed, chants coming from her lips as she simulated herself through the depths of hell, searching for his lost soul. A gasp escaped her lips, blood pooling from her nose as she executed all her power to find his soul.

The windows flew open, strong wind ravaging the room as the floor beneath them shook and crumbled, the orange flames of hell flickering shadows against the wall. Raevin screamed, hunching over in pain as bullets of sweat ran down her face. A brightly lit orb ascended from the depths of hell, small but powerful in what it contained. With a weak hand, Raevin reached out and cupped the orb of light before pressing int deep into Raebar's chest.

His chest illuminated brightly as Ravein pushed the orb deep into his bones, sanctifying the bond between his soul and body as she exuded all her power into his being. A warrior cry escaped her lips as she collapsed beside the body, her fingers coated in blood. The wind whipping around the room died and the ground stopped shaking. The scalding depths of hell closed, the cracks that were formed on the ground sewing themselves back together.

Iresil and Faex fell after her, taking in deep breaths as they unlinked their powers from one another. "Did it work?" Arsen asked, watching as the cut on his arm healed, the blood clotting along the wound. "Is our great leader restored to his former glory?"

Rashnov shrugged, looking stepping out of the corner and edging his way close to Raebar's body. His chest was heaving up and down, his body seemingly shaking with the breath of life rushing through his veins. Rashnov stooped down and nudged Raebar's arm, running his fingers around the numerous bracelets that circled his wrist. He stopped at his fingers, running his hand along with the rings around his fingers.

Raebar's fingers tightened around Rashnov's, a crushing strength keeping him in place. The head tribe leader held his breath as the veins around Raebar's body began to glow, running up his legs and arms and up to his neck until it circled his face. The glow became brighter, blinding him.

Raebar's eyes flew open, copper eyes welcoming the first sunlight of life. His body stiffened then relaxed as his chest heaved with the first breath of life. He moved his legs and his arms before pulling himself up. Rashnov stood up, bowing down to his master. "Raebar, my king" he whispered.

Raebar pulled himself up, dusting off the dirt and blood that coated his body. He took in his fingers and his clothes, looking around to meet everyone's eyes. His eyes landed on the tribe leaders, acknowledging them with a nod. His brows furrowed as he looked at the tribe members who were huddled together in fright. "Where am I?" he asked, looking around the room. "And who are these people?"

"You are home, Raebar" Irene whispered, taking her place next to him. "And these lovely people helped us bring you back to life. No longer are you stuck dwelling between two worlds. We have finally brought you back to where you belong." He looked down at her to see a wicked grin on her pretty face. "Welcome home, your majesty."

He turned back to the tribe members, bowing towards them. "Thank you for bringing me back to my former glory. I will forever be in your debts. May the Gods bless you all" he thanked, a smile cracking on his lips. Iresil nodded, looking over at Raevin and Faex. "We are happy to assist you in anything, your majesty."

"Please. Call me Raebar. Where is my son?" he asked, looking around the room. "Rheynoak. Where is that brilliant bastard hiding?" He looked down at Irene before glancing up to Rashnov and Heather who exchanged worried glances to Arsen and Caldwin who bowed their head. "Will someone answer me?" he pressed his voice raising.

"He has been captured by the Inner Circle and is being held captive by Draco Vaolcris in Elsavior" Rashnov whispered. "Onouxia and Lezandria are also harboring in Elsavior along with Draco's inner court."

"My son has let himself go and has also let my prize possessions run away to the enemy" Raebar commented, his jaw locking. His fingers curled into a fist, his welcoming copper eyes hardening to a rusty stare. "When I get my hands on him, the streets and rivers of Elsavior will run with his blood."

"We can take you to him, Raebar. The Inner Circle is at its weakest point. It will be easy to infiltrate" Heather insisted. "Not to mention, I have Lezandria's mind in the palm of my hands." Raebar shook his head, holding up his hand. "No. I want to see Onouxia and Lezandria first. I want to see the creations I let my abomination of a son raise before I tear their worlds apart and make them my instruments of destruction."

"Your wickedness was missed, your majesty. We will catch you up on everything that has happened" Arsen commented, smiling. Raebar returned the smile, nodding his head slowly. "Welcome home, Raebar" Caldwin welcomed, bowing. The rest of the tribe leaders did the same, stooping down to their knees.

Raebar smiled, crunching his fingers together. "It's good to be back."

"Elsavior is in complete shambles, Draco and the Inner Circle is falling apart at the seams. We can't keep going on like this."

The emperor cradled a glass of bourbon in his hand, his eyes trained on the table in front of him. Next to him sat Raiyah, looking at her brother with a worried look in her eyes. In front of her was half a glass of wine, a bottle not too far away from her. "Draco, maybe we should surrender. It would cost less damage than what we are doing right now."

"We can't" he insisted, taking a sip from his cup. "We've gone too far to stop now. Onyx and Alesandria have sacrificed too much to just give up. We have put in too much to just stop. I won't allow it."

"But what about the people of Elsavior? Your people? The casualties have been increasing and those in lesser regions have been suffering the most. The evacuation has saved thousands but people who cannot afford to travel have still died. We cannot continue to put the citizens of Elsavior at risk." Draco nodded at his sister's words, reaching out to refill his cup.

"I know, Raiyah. The people of Elsavior deserve a better ruler" he commented, looking up to meet his sister's eyes. "What kind of ruler have I become. I used to be able to protect my people without a single bloodshed. Now, look at me. My kingdom is falling apart and it's all on my hands." He sighed, running his fingers through his hair. "Mom and dad would be so disappointed in me."

"Don't say that" Raiyah commented, squeezing his wrist. "Mom and dad would be proud of you. You are the finest ruler Elsavior has had since their deaths. I could not have done the things you have done for this kingdom in the decades you have been ruling it. I would have been scared. I would have run away to a remote location by now, but you are standing by this kingdom through thick and thin. Even when you were presumed dead, your strength and brilliant mind carried us through the darkest moments. You are an amazing emperor. Never doubt that."

Draco smiled despite shaking his head. "If you say so, Raiyah. With all of this, I have decided to resort to my last option" he breathed, sighing as he took another heavy sip of his drink. Raiyah furrowed her eyes, tilting her head. "And what is that Draco?" she questioned, taking a sip from her glass. She refilled her cup, never breaking her gaze from her brother.

"We prepare for war and we wait." His words cut through her like a knife, her hand dropping from his. "Draco, you can't be serious. You want us to just wait." He passed her a hard look, shaking his head. "Weren't you the one that said that we should consider surrendering?"

"Well yes but to just wait and sacrifice more of our warriors? No!"

"Raiyah, we have nothing else left! The Inner Circle is falling apart, and my main priority right now is to protect Onyx, Alesandria, and the rest of the inner court and tribe leaders. I've lost so many citizens, warriors, and loyal allies. I can't afford to lose you guys as well." He finished his glass of bourbon, wincing on the bitter taste. "I have a plan beyond this Raiyah" he assured, reaching into his trench coat pocket.

He pulled out a black notebook, throwing it on the table in front of Raiyah. "Open it."

With a concerned look, Raiyah opened the bookmarked page and read through its depths. Her fingers scanned through words and figures, muttering them to herself as she flipped through the pages to continue. A few minutes later, Raiyah looked up, her shoulders squared, and her chest drawn in.

"You have conjured up brilliant plans in the past, but this is simply impeccable. How long did it take you to figure this out?" she asked. He shrugged, reaching over for the wine and pouring it in his cup." Months. It started with simply returning Onyx to her throne and rebuilding her kingdom, but it has blossomed to her fulfilling her role as the reincarnation of Kakarauri Agneyastra. It will require the help of Venix, Lucien, Rheynoak, the underworld, the Gods above, and every little world in between us, but if it truly works, not only will Crojesian be restored to its former glory, Asxairo will once again run with the presence of the banished ones who have been forced into extinction and slavery. Asxairo will thrive once again."

"And what about the sacrifices we will have to make along? The people we will have to give up?" she asked. Draco shrugged, pouring a little bit of his bourbon into his glass to mix it with the wine. "We will figure those out as they come. I do believe this can work. With proper guidance, this can truly work."

Raiyah pressed her lips together, looking out to see dusk barely creeping behind the horizon. The sky was royal blue streaked with the colors of an autumn day and the ruins of the attack stood jagged like scrawny skyscrapers, black silhouettes against the sky. "Have you told the others?" she asked.

"I will soon. I am trusting you with this information for now. Will you keep it safe and hidden for now? Please?" he pleaded, watching his sister admire the scenery behind them. She sighed, her dark hair covering her face. She turned back around, her piercing light eyes twinkling like a spring lake.

"I trust you, Draco. Therefore, I trust you with this plan." She reached over for his hand once more, squeezing it in her grip. "We all trust you and we will help you. Just be careful, dear brother. You reap what you sew."

A sarcastic smile stretched across Draco's face, his eyes down at his glass. "I've already dug my grave. I might as well lie in it."

A/N: And that is the end of Chapter Forty One!

So as you all know, the coronavirus has been spreading like wildfire so my university has been forced to hold online classes until easter break when we can return on campus (hopefully). Even though I have online classes they don't begin until the 30th so I have a lot of time on my hands to hopefully finish publishing the chapters of this book so I can move on to The Shadow Heirs and the novellas.

As for now, all you be careful out there. Be safe, healthy, stay indoors, and wash your hands thoroughly. If you are sick, stay home and take care of yourself. Don't take this lightly. It can be very detrimental. Even though most healthy people with a good immune system usually bounce back, those with health ailments are struggling to recover! It's important to keep them in your prayers and practice safe hygiene and self-quarantine. For more information, make sure to go to the CDC website to receive daily updates on the coronavirus. Another way to keep yourself informed is to visit the website corona.help for daily updates worldwide!

So tell me what you guys thought of this chapter.

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Until next time Lovelies!

With love, May