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❤️ War And Death (Part 5) ❤️

"I am so happy for you Gwen," Kira said to her with happy tears as she watched Gwen trying to hush her baby and was succeeding. It made her imagine she was Gwen and that was Storm's child with her. "I know you can do it, Sis." She added.

Gwen smiled in return.

"She looks like you." Phoenix noted as she leaned forward to stare at the child in Gwen's arms. "She will be so beautiful when she grows up."

"Thank you Auntie." Gwen uttered kissing her daughter on her forehead. "You can carry her if you wish." she added and gave her child to Phoenix who took her from her arms with care. Gwen still couldn't believe she has now become a mother. Two days ago she didn't think she would birth her daughter. If she was told back in the Garden of Edenis that she would meet Kando and have his child she would have laughed at that person face. Seeing Phoenix smiling down at her child glads her heart. She felt weak.

"I feel so weak Juno." she whispered at Kira.

"You will be fine Gwen, you just need to rest." Kira told her. "I will need to change this bedspread soaked with your blood."

"I can't even feel my legs so do that after I am awake," Gwen said, yawning.

"No problem." Kira told her. "Go on and sleep, your daughter is safe with us." she assured her sister.

Gwen was grateful for Kira and Phoenix's presence and nodded her appreciation then rested her head on the pillow, closing her eyes.

"Faith went to prepare something for you to eat," Kira said as she remembered Faith's words. "She will come soon, okay?"

"Wake me up when she gets here." Gwen smiled at Kira. "Thank you for everything. I am so glad you are my sister." she added, yawning out once again.

Kira smiled in return. "Me too Gwen, now get that beauty sleep of yours." She told her gently.

Gwen closed her eyes, fallen asleep almost immediately.

Kira sighed and stood up from where she has been sitting for the past one hour and went to Phoenix who was signing quietly to the quiet baby.

"Can I carry her?" Kira asked.

"Of course Juno." Phoenix passed the child to her with a smile.

"She looks like Gwen." Kira said after a while when she stared down at the sleeping baby. It felt so small and weightless in her arms and she wondered if that's how babies are. She couldn't wait for her child and the very thought of that made her blushed hard.

Phoenix chuckled, even with the dim light in the room from the oil lamp, she could see the redness that was spreading on Kira's cheeks.

"When all this is over, I will make sure Storm wed you in the right way." Phoenix's voice brought her out from her fantasies.

Kira could only nod her head and went to keep the baby besides Gwen who made no move to cuddle her child closer to her. She must really be weak. Kira thought and planted a kiss on the child's forehead. She now has a niece.

"Who was that, that knocked?" Kira asked as she faced Phoenix. She remembered someone had knocked and Phoenix had gone to answer but she was too busy to ask Phoenix who it was.

"Oh, it was Rose and her son Fred. I think they heard Gwen scream and rushed here to see if everything was alright." Phoenix answered. "And I can still see that Rose is self centered only about herself. You needed to see the shocked look on her face when she saw me." she added and laughed out a bit, she couldn't hold it back. The look on Rose's face was priceless. Laughing without a care made her realize what freedom meant. She hasn't laughed this hard for a long time.

"Don't mind her, that is how she is, egocentric. Only care about herself and her children, but most especially about herself. She is always looking down on someone and if not that I am someone who respects my seniors, I would have dealt with her the day she called Storm 'devil' 'demon' but I am not that kind of lady and as you can see I'm a gentle lady."

"I know you are lying Juno." Phoenix told her with raised brows.

"Yeah you caught me, if Storm had put her in her place once then I would have made sure she is using clutches." Kira told her with seriousness.

Phoenix started laughing once again.

***

Borderline of Altamon:

Killing and fighting Dean's armies wasn't as easy as Emera thought, they were trained well and right. Even though he was not as young as the rest, he was still strong enough to fight with a sword. And even with the help of Kando and Cando by their side that didn't stop their own armies from dying. If it was within his power, he could have stopped this bloody war and made peace.

Emera was so engrossed with his thought that he didn't see a sword heading towards his face. Kando stopped it in time and killed the army.

"Did you want to get yourself killed?" Kando almost yelled but held himself. "You did that on purpose, right? What if I wasn't watching you, what if I didn't see you in time." He couldn't believe that Emera had almost been killed.

"I'm sorry Kando, I wasn't watching, I was in a deep thought." Emera didn't lie.

"What sort of person you are to be thinking in the midst of a war. Please don't try this again, I may not be lucky next time to save you." Kando told him.

Emera nodded his head and focused on the fight.

___

Kudarma Kingdom: Palace:

Storm and Dean started throwing punches at each other and they didn't even try to dodge.

"I want to thank you for taking good care of Juno for me. For making sure she stays intact for me. When I was thrusting into her she screams my name. She likes it hard. I yearn for her body and once I am done here I am going to give her a thank you fu.ck for loving me, only me." Storm said all of a sudden and hard punch landed on his chest. "You deserve a standing ovation Dean." he added and punched Dean hard on the same place in his chest.

"I will kill you." Dean gritted out.

"I thought you would do that but seeing that I am still alive and breathing shows how weak you are. You are not as powerful as you claim to be Dean." Storm told him and caught his approaching fist with his hand and twisted it hard and then left it, putting space between them. "Seriously, you are still no match for me." He added with a smirk.

Dean growled loudly and called his other four elements. Water, air and earth, which circled his entire arms. Every metal around them all rises up.

Storm turns to look around, and notices Edgardo and Rumi fighting, then returns his gaze back to Dean.

"Oh, you are now getting serious, you should have done this first instead of wasting your time."

Dean didn't say a word, instead he stretched out one of his hands towards Storm and the fire, water, earth and air which was mixed together and formed into a ball went straight towards Storm.

Storm made no move to get out of the approaching ball, instead he caught it and was out of sight only to reappear in front of Dean and made it touch his chest which made Dean fly backwards and hit the ground hard cracking it.

He wasn't expecting that and so it was a surprise to him when Storm disappeared from where he had stood.

His chest was burning and he quickly summoned his water on it which helped lessen the pain a bit. When his surroundings became clear he tried his metal powers but it didn't work, he saw Storm with the same replica of the ball in his hands, two of them, and with it he hit it in his chest- the same place- and Dean gasped out in pain which just multiplied.

"You just gave me a brilliant idea Dean." Storm said as

No matter how fast Rumi is, Edgardo always finds a way to stop her sword from touching him.

It was as if he knew her next move before she initiated it.

"You are too slow and fighting you isn't worth it." Edgardo told her, catching her sword and then with a swift move, he was holding her neck. He twisted it hard and at the last minute threw her to one side and faced Storm. He saw how helpless Dean looked and without wasting of time, he walked towards where he lay and without any hesitation, he raised one of his legs and brought it down on his face. Hitting his face harder with his legs making blood splitting in different directions and then with his hand, he ripped out Dean's heart, killing him instantly. "You are no longer useful to me." he said to the now dead body of Dean. When his gaze went back to Storm, he gave a lopsided smile when he saw his shock look. "What? Haven't you seen a crueler death before?"

"You gave him an easy death. There was no torture, no cutting of his bodies, tongue, removing his teeth or eyes, you gave him a quicker death and I wasn't done with him yet." Storm told him.

This time it was Edgardo who was surprised. "If it was under different circumstances and we weren't enemies, I would have congratulated you."

"I am glad we are under these circumstances so save your congratulations."

"We are the only ones remaining so give me all you've got." Edgardo told him as he stepped away from Dean's body.

Rumi was seen picking up a sword and running towards Edgardo but he was fast and he turned to face her.

Her arm was stretched out with the sword but it didn't reach him. It was then she noticed she was feeling pain, and saw Edgardo holding a sword handle that was struck in her heart.

She gasped as the sword in her hand fell to the ground and she lost her balance.

"Rumi!" Storm yelled and ran to meet her, catching her before her body reached the ground. "Rumi, don't do this. Wake up."

Rumi tried to speak but couldn't, she could feel death coming and tried not to close her eyes but failed.

"Please don't, please." Storm pleaded in tears and gave out a loud screech cry as Rumi closed her eyes in death, her body going limp and colder in his arms. He closed his eyes as he continued muttering 'No don't do this to me.' sobbing.

It's a pity that you will be joining her next." Edgardo said behind him. "I have done enough killing tonight so I will make your death the fastest." he didn't get to finish his statement when Storm was up to his feet and was in front of him, his fastness made Edgardo blinked and by the time he could register what is going on, Storm had cut off the hand he used in stabbing Rumi.

Edgardo moved out of the way as Storm tried to stab him on his chest. His blood falling like a waterfall, but that wasn't his concern, he could return back to it after he had killed Storm.

"If you think I am not good with my other hand, then you got that wrong." Edgardo said using his leg to kick one sword which he caught effortlessly with his other arm. "Fight me." He added.

Storm ran towards him with the sword he had used in cutting off his hand and their swords met, but Storm surprisingly kicked Edgardo's sword out from his hand and to his surprise, hugged him instead.

Storm hugged Edgardo and he knew it must have surprised Edgardo, but not for long. The second sword that Rumi had flown upwards was seen descending towards them and it landed on Edgardo's head, sinking inside. Storm pressed it making sure that everything went inside Edgardo's head.

Edgardo grinned Rumi had used what he had given her but not on Dean but on him. He could feel it on the sword as it mixed with his blood, tearing him from inside. He could feel his blood coming out through his mouth, eyes, nose and ears. His skin was being cracked open and blood began to come out.

Storm moved back to look at him.

"Death isn't the only way Storm. Open your eyes and see what is in front of you. Open your eye-" Edgardo choked on his words and started laughing, going down on his knees.

Using the sword in his hand, Storm stabbed Edgardo on his chest multiple times.

Edgardo continued laughing until he breathed his last and then started turning into ashes. Picking the sword that has fallen out of Edgardo's head. He went to where Dean's body was and smeared the sword with his blood.

Storm returned to Rumi's cold body and removed the sword struck in her heart, fling it away then held her tight and stayed like that for a while. He began to carry Rumi when he remembered Adaoh. Cleaning his eyes as he left Rumi.

"Adaoh!" he yelled and when he got a response from her, he went to the source of the voice, opened the door and saw her, leaving the room door open. "My name is Storm and I am here to save you on behalf of Juno," he told her.

"I know." Adaoh said. She had heard everything and was glad the fight was over.

Without wasting time, he struck the chains around Adaoh which were now visible with the sword and it disappeared once the sword touched it.

"Thank you." Adaoh thanked and Storm could only nod his head, left the room. She followed behind. She saw that Storm carried someone and looking closer she gasped out loud when she recognized the face.

"I am so sorry, I lost her." Storm apologized and without saying another word, he began the long walk to Altamon. He could have easily disappeared but he wasn't in the mood to do that. He still couldn't believe that Rumi was dead.

***

Ashland Palace:

Faith returned with a cup of hot water and soup for Gwen.

"I'm sorry I wasted time. I had to prepare soup for her." Faith told them.

"No problem."

"She is sleeping."

"Yes, let me wake her up." Kira said and went to Gwen's side and shook her. "Wake up sleepy head, food is ready." But Gwen made no sound. "Gwen, wake up." she said but got no response from Gwen. "I know you are tired but please wake up."

Faith dropped what she was carrying and went closer and touched Gwen's forehead and nose.

"I'm no expert but I believe she is dead."

"Don't you ever say that!" Kira yelled, touching the part that was not covered in clothes and noticed how cold Gwen's body is. "Quickly, tell one of the guards to summon the healer here right now."

"Yes my Lady." Faith said, running out of the room to do as she was ordered.

***

Borderline of Altamon:

After long hours of fighting, Dean's armies were dead, the only ones left were the ones who had surrendered to them.

"It is finally over." Morgan muttered in happiness as he gave a victory shout.

"Yes it is and we won." Emera said in happiness, collapsing on the ground.

Kando and Cando were both smiling.

"Let's head home." Marcus shouted.

"You guys carry on, we are waiting for Storm." Kando said and Emera nodded his head.

"Suit yourself." Morgan said, and he and the others with their prisoners left for Ashland leaving Kando, Cando and Emera behind.

"They will have to clean up this place." Cando said, staring at the dead bodies around them.

"Yeah." Emera agreed.

It wasn't long when they saw Storm approaching them and they saw Adaoh beside him.

Cando could see that Storm was carrying someone and when only he got closer he recognized who it was. What is Rumi doing in his arms? Before he could open his mouth to speak, Storm beat him to it.

"Dean is dead and so is Edgardo but unfortunately, I lost Rumi." From his voice you would know he has been crying.

"I don't get you." Cando said and looked closely at Rumi and noticed how she wasn't even moving. He saw her wound.

"I lost her. I couldn't protect her. I am sorry." Storm apologized.

"I don't believe you." Emera, Kando and Cando said simultaneously.

Cando wasted no time in taking Rumi from Storm's hand and noticed how cold and heavy she had become. He couldn't believe it. Does it mean he didn't have a chance with her?

"We won but I don't feel any victory," Storm said sadly. "Let's go home."

The four of them couldn't talk, each of them in their own thoughts.

Storm got to the place where he had tied his horse and released it. He made Emera sit on it as the rest of them walked, he gave the sword he was with to Emera. Cando refused to let go of Rumi's body.

___

Ashland Palace:

The healer came in one hour later and one look at Gwen he knew the answer but still yet, he checked her pulse and shook his head.

"She is dead, my Lady. I am sorry there is nothing I can do to save her."

"Impossible, I don't believe that. It wasn't long when she told me she wanted to sleep, that she was tired. How can you tell me she is dead? No." Kira roared in anger. She doesn't want to believe that even though she has seen the signs. "You are mistaking her for someone else. She can't be dead. No."

"She is dead." the healer told her.

Leaving the room murmuring to herself, she ran into Fred who steady her before she could fall down.

"She is dead Fred, I can't believe that Gwen will leave me alone in this world." Kira said, crying. Gwen didn't show any sign of discomfort or pain, she had only told them she was tired and needed rest.

"It's okay. I am so sorry." Fred said, hugging her and she buried her face one his chest. "What about her baby?"

"She is doing fine."

"What is going on here?" the voice of Storm made Kira let go of Fred and ran up to meet him.

"Gwen." Kira said amidst tears.

"What happened to Gwen?"

"She died after giving birth to her daughter." Kira answered and that shocked Storm, he pushed Kira out of the way and ran inside to confirm.

His mother was carrying a baby, Gwen's baby, and when she saw him she burst out crying.

Storm walked to where Gwen lay and touched her cold skin. Her body was stiff. Someone cried behind him and it was at that moment he noticed Kando and Emera.

He left the room and came outside, standing in the middle of the compound, closing his eyes as years rolled out from it.

He didn't fulfill his promise he had made to himself and Eden. He didn't protect Gwen. He blamed himself for not staying behind. Everything has happened so fast.

"Storm," Kira said behind him touching his shoulder but he didn't respond. "Don't blame yourself."

Storm was quiet and he stayed that way until the morning sun and afternoon sun met them, Kira was standing by his side. Her legs were beginning to hurt her but for Storm's sake she bore it. She didn't want to leave him alone.

"I'm sorry I zone out." Storm spoke and Kira nodded in understanding. "Gwen is really gone."

"Yes, but her child-"

Storm Interrupted her. "I had forgotten about that. How can I lose two people on the same day?"

"I don't understand, someone else died? Who?"

"Rumi, Edgardo killed her. I am surprised you didn't see her in Cando's arms."

"No, Rumi cannot die, I am the only one permitted to kill her." Her fist clenched. "She is strong, she is not supposed to die."

"She wasn't expecting that attack from Edgardo."

"So Rumi is truly Dead?" Kira asked. She remembered her past relationship with Rumi even though theirs wasn't a smooth road, still, she wished the witch wasn't dead. Taking a deep breath. "It's over, the war is finally over even though we lost two most important people in our lives."

Shaking his head slowly. "No, it is not yet over Juno."

___

Reca's daughter was seen entering the palace, stepping on the dead bodies, not minding the smell oozing around as she walked on them.

Her once dark hair was no longer dark but red in color. The roars of the two dragon's were heard as the ground beneath her began to shake. She heads towards the roar of the dragons.

___

Kira stared at Storm in disbelief. "Meaning?" she asked.

___

Reca's daughter entered the place the two dragons were and instead of eating her up, the two dragon's all bowed their stony heads at her before facing each other. Then fire blew out which formed a door.

One by one, the undead armies began to come out from the door which was created by the dragon fire. They bowed before the little girl.

Without saying a word, she turned around and began to walk away. The undead armies also followed her out. Once the last of them was out, the dragon's followed suit.

___

"Meaning the real war is about to start."