Chapter 78

At the Serial Takers hideout, in Texas, Bruce and Derrick were busy packing up. When they received the news that the war was over, they were relieved. They were, however, saddened by the deaths of the twins and the disappearance of Josh. With Waxx and Maradina settling in Dark Star, it was obvious to them that the Serial Takers were over.

Two men carried a sofa out of the house. It was the last piece of furniture downstairs. Derrick held out his hand while another man placed money on it. Both men shaked hands and Derrick closed the door. He decided to go upstairs and check on Bruce.

Bruce was emptying out his closet when a picture of him and Daisy fell to the floor. He picked it up and longingly looked at it. Bruce touched Daisy's face as the flashbacks of him and her came pouring in. He was so deep in thought that he didn't see Derrick standing at his door. Derrick knocked once on the door and got Bruce's full attention.

"Still packing?" Derrick asked.

Bruce put the picture in one of the bags and zipped it up.

"I am almost done." He answered Derrick with a smile. "What about you?" Bruce folded a sweater and put it into a suitcase.

"As a matter of fact, my taxi is already outside. I just thought of giving you this." Derrick held out the money from the sale of the couch to Bruce.

Bruce looked at it once and turned away. "Man you know that we agreed that I don't want any of the money. What good will it be in Dark Star? Remember I am rejoining the Gamarax Manipulator Association. I won't have need for it."

"Please understand my friend. I can't get all the money." Derrick tried to reason with Bruce.

"Give some of it to charity then." Bruce suggested with a soft laugh.

"You are one stubborn son of a bitch." Derrick laughed. "Alright, I'll see which one I can donate to."

"Where are you going to go?" Bruce asked Derrick.

"I am going back to England. I miss my family." Derrick cheerfully replied.

The two men heard the taxi driver honking his car.

Bruce let out his hand in greeting and Derrick took it.

"It was a pleasure working with you man. I hope to see you soon."

"I hope so too." Derrick tilted his hat and left.

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The sound of chatter and laughter could be heard all over Cherilisia as people journeyed to the royal castle. Everyone wore their best clothes. The children skipped and played on the road while their mothers scolded them. Everyone was excited to go to the castle because they were going to get a glimpse of their queen.

Due to her nature of work, Queen Sharaina was hardly ever seen by the commoners. Her selected representatives addressed the people on her behalf and if they failed to solve a problem, Wadose would take over. It was only when Wadose failed to handle a situation were the commoners able to be in Queen Sharaina's presence.

Hundreds of darkas gods assembled outside the gates of the royal castle. Fathers, older brothers and uncles were seen putting excited children on their shoulders. They cheered for the invited guests of honour as they made their way into the royal grounds in their wagons.

The Enchanted Seven got out of their wagons with their families. The crowd cheered and chanted praises to them. Commander Naraygeous and Diavinx waved to the crowd. Some of the women were blowing kisses at them. This irritated Commander Naraygeous wife and she forced his hand down. Commander Zentz laughed at Naraygeous underneath his breath.

"Lalina, why do you always have to be like this?" Naraygeous whined.

"Don't you even start with me." She threatened and he bowed his head in shame making Zentz laugh even more.

Commander Ronitte blew kisses to the crowd while commander Philanda ignored everyone. She was the first one to go into the castle. Commander Ouman gracefully led his wife into the castle. Commander Yolin lit a cigarette and blew out smoke without caring to look at the crowd.

Akirexer arrived at the castle and went through the opened doors. The servants were running up and down trying to make sure that everything was perfect. Akirexer switched her attention to the Enchanted Seven going up the stairs. She heard Wadose and cringed at the sound of him yelling at one servant.

Akirexer reluctantly went over to him and gave him a little wave. "I'm sorry I'm late Wadose." She apologized.

"Is there a time when you are on time Akirexer?" Wadose sternly asked Akirexer and she dropped her shoulders. "Enough, the queen awaits you. We must hurry."

Wadose led Akirexer upstairs. When they arrived, they found servants putting a golden cape over Queen Sharaina's tight white dress. Her hair was neatly tied in a bun and her crown was firmly fixed onto her head. Sparkling on her ears were diamond earrings. She looked absolutely stunning.

"Wow." Akirexer gasped. "You look so beautiful." She complimented.

"Thank you Akirexer. How did your visit to your sister go?" Queen Sharaina applied red lipstick.

"It went well." Akirexer answered.

Queen Sharaina turned away from the mirror. "Where is Emelinia?" She asked Wadose.

"I am here." Emelinia answered. In her hands was a beautiful diamond necklace. "This will go perfect with your dress."

Queen Sharaina took the necklace and started to put it on. "Thank you."

Emelinia looked closely at Akirexer. Queen Sharaina saw her staring at Akirexer through the mirror and she tapped her forehead.

"Shoot, I forgot to tell you that I have a none pure now." Queen Sharaina said to Emelinia. "Emelinia, this is Akirexer, my none pure."

Emelinia's stunned facial expression turned into a warm smile. "You named her after mama? How sweet." She said and let out her hand to Akirexer.

"My name is Emelinia Naian. I am Sharaina's sister in law." Emelinia introduced herself after Akirexer took her hand.

"It's a pleasure to meet you. You are the first family member of her highness that I have met." Akirexer replied with a smile.

"What, you haven't seen Dawn?" Emelinia asked puzzled.

Queen Sharaina rolled her eyes. "Dawn is hardly ever around Emelinia. You know that he is ever up to mischief."

"Just like his mother." Emelinia teasingly said to Queen Sharaina and she chuckled.

"I'm grown now. I hardly ever get into trouble these days." Queen Sharaina giggled.

"All I'm saying is that the apple doesn't fall far from the tree." Emelinia raised her shoulders.

"Oh come on I wasn't that bad." Queen Sharaina defended herself.

"You were worse." Emelinia pointed out.

Queen paused in thought.

"Yeah I was." She accepted defeat with a chuckle. "We will talk later. I must address my people now." Queen Sharaina pinched Emelinia. "Come on, let's go." She said to Emelinia, Wadose and Akirexer.

Akirexer followed Queen Sharaina upstairs into a larger room. She first took notice of the door leading to a stage. When she heard Queen Sharaina talking, she turned and realized that she was talking to the Enchanted Seven.

Queen Sharaina turned to head to the stage. Her silver heels clacked on the wooden floor as walked gracefully. She stood exactly fourteen floors above the ground. The people cheered upon seeing her. Some even went as far as shedding tears of joy. They sang praises to her. Many more chanted her name.

'Queen Sharaina! Queen Sharaina! Queen Sharaina!'

Queen Sharaina raised her hands up and listened to the cheers. The warriors had to step up and control the people. The vice commanders watched everything from a rooftop.

"My people, how wonderful it is for me to see you all here!" Queen Sharaina began after the crowd quietened down. "Not so long ago a war was declared against us and for the first time ever, we lost our beloved warriors."

The people started sobbing. Many of them lost their loved ones.

"They fought bravely and diligently until the end. It was quite an honor to fight alongside them. Their sacrifice will never be forgotten henceforth I declare that this day will be a public holiday in order to celebrate the lives of our fallen warriors."

The people cheered happily at that.

"My people..." Queen Sharaina continued. "We faced our worst enemy in the battlefield."

The people started cursing Meelzib's name. A servant went onto the stage. In her hands was a red cushion with the Infinite Medallion set on it. She knelt down on one knee, bowed her head and lifted it up to Queen Sharaina. Queen Sharaina picked the medallion up and held it high up for the people to see.

"Meelzib and his accomplice Escabitha used this medallion to oppress us. It is for this reason that today, I shall destroy it in your presence!"

The wind blew Queen Sharaina's golden cape and her two large dragon marks were seen on her bare back. Both dragons were facing in opposite directions. They started from the back of her shoulders and ran down to her waist where their tails met at the tips. Akirexer stared at them in awe because that was her first time to see them.

At least now I know where her mark is. Akirexer thought to herself.

The marks beamed red and left Queen Sharaina's back. They morphed into her swords. Queen Sharaina threw the medallion up in the air and caught her swords. She sliced the medallion to bits before it hit the floor. The crowd exploded in cheers.

"Today we shall celebrate our victory in the war. Drink! Eat! Party like there is no tomorrow! This day is ours! Dark Star, you are victorious!"

Queen Sharaina left the people cheering. The Enchanted Seven stood up upon seeing her.

"You know how to bring in the celebratory mood in anyone my queen." Commander Ronitte said to Queen Sharaina.

"It is one of my specialties." Queen Sharaina winked at her. "Our own party will be in the evening. I will see you all at the ball."