The Alpha King's Nemesis-Chapter 55: The Stranger ()

~Zariah’s Childhood~

A seven year old Zariah peeked out from behind a cluster of trees as she watched her father activate the Crimson barrier with his blood.

Young Zariah’s brows were furrowed in confusion, her father had always told her to be careful of her blood, the Crimson Alpha was formed of the very essence of the Earth,

The oldest and purest form of magic flowed in their veins, this was why all earth magic submitted to the Crimson blooded even when they were not species of magic like the witches or the fairies.

The Crimson Alpha possesed the purest form of Crimson blood, hence the blood of the Crimson Alpha was even more precious.

The ancient magic contained within the Crimson Alpha was too powerful, too volatile that not even the Crimson Alpha himself could ever dream to manifest it beyond the Crimson Flame.

The blood of the Crimson Alpha could replenish the Earth and at the very same time, destroy it and enriching the great Crimson Barrier was just one of the many things the blood of the Crimson Alpha could do.

Young Zariah had not heard any complications with the Crimson Barrier and so she did not understand exactly why her father was activating the barrier with his blood.

As young Zariah pondered over this baffling situation, the answer soon became clear to her, she watched in shock as the Crimson barrier came apart, creating an opening to pass through.

Young Zariah’s eyes widened, she could not believe it, her father had opened the Crimson Barrier which was the ward of protection of the Crimson Moon,

Keeping them safe and hidden from the rest of the supernatural realm so they could live out their solitary existence, away from the troubles and power tussles of the supernatural realm.

Now what baffled young Zariah was not for what reason exactly her father would want to cross over to the other side of the Crimson Barrier,

Zariah knew as Crimson Alpha, there were times when her father’s duty required him to venture into the supernatural realm in disguise,

The darkness was part of the Earth’s essence just like ancient magic and the source of power of all supernatural creatures and so it could never truly be vanquished,

Whenever the darkness stirred, the Element Seal reacted to it and the Crimson Moon was always first to know while the rest of the supernatural realm remained unaware,

Zariah’s father would lead the element lords beyond the barrier in disguise to investigate the situation, identify the danger and eradicate it before it could spread.

Her father had always told her of his adventures, it was on one of such trips he had met his mate, Zariah’s mother and had brought her back with him to the Crimson Moon after receiving the blessings of Zariah’s maternal grand parents.

What actually baffled Zariah was the fact that her father was actually opening the barrier rather than just going through it,

The Crimson Barrier was forged to recognize those of Crimson Blood, the Crimson wolves did not need to open the barrier to get through it,

As long as permission was granted by the Crimson Alpha, they could easily just walk through the barrier to the other side without resistance.

Hence there was no feasible reason Zariah could see for her father to open up the Crimson barrier except he was not the one who intended to go out but instead he was granting entrance to someone else.

Zariah was proven right when a dashing young man soon stepped through the barrier into the territory of Crimson Moon, a fond smile on his lips as he exchanged a friendly handshake with Zariah’s father.

There was something about the stranger that eased Zariah’s mind and calmed her apprehension, even when Zariah could not pick up on any scents on him and so she could not tell his specie.

Although Zariah still could not understand why her father would grant entry to a stranger without the knowledge of the element lords or the elders but Zariah felt this stranger did not look to be dangerous at all.

In any case, Zariah stayed in the shadows to watch closely, she would not let her father out of her sight when there was a stranger of unknown origins lurking around.

"Zewin...it has been far too long." The stranger said to her father.

Zariah’s was surprised by this, it had been far too long anyone had called her father by his given name in her presence.

The Crimson Wolves always addressed her father as Alpha Moonstone.

"Indeed it has." Zariah’s father replied in a fond tone which Zariah knew was rare of her father to use save for when he used it on her or his closest confidants.

"The outworld fares well, I trust?" Zariah’s father asked.

"The volatile races keep stirring up trouble but that is a usual occurrence, with your efforts, everything is in order." The stranger replied with a nod.

"The outworld never changes, greed and thirst for power has eaten too deep, it is why the darkness lingers all around, darkness calls to it’s kind... what can be done when we harbour darkness within?" Zariah’s father said with a shake of his head.

"Truer words have never been said." The stranger said in agreement before his expression turned serious. 𝐟𝕣𝗲𝕖𝕨𝗲𝐛𝗻𝗼𝐯𝗲𝚕.𝗰𝚘𝐦

"I apologise for intruding in your privacy once again, however I am out of options and I needed your advice on a certain matter,"

"Of course, I also just wanted someone I can talk to...there is a lot on my mind, my friend. Will you lend me a listening ear?" The stranger asked.

"No talks of intrusion, you will always be welcome within my territory, you know this." Zariah’s father said in a dismissive tone.

"I came out with a bottle of the finest nectar too..."Zariah’s father added.

"I come to lament my troubles and instead of being turned away, I am awarded with heavenly brew...and that my friend is why I always come to you." The stranger said in a teasing tone.

Zariah’s father laughed heartily, shaking his head at the words of the stranger.

Zariah watched as the two sat down, sipping from their goblets and conversing in low tones,

Zariah did not dare strain her ears to eavesdrop on the conversation, following her father all the way out here would already get her in enough trouble.

Zariah also knew she couldn’t head back now or she risked the chance of being spotted and so she remained in place.

The pair conversed for minutes that soon stretched into hours, long after the nectar had been drained and just when it reached the crack of dawn, the stranger rose to his feet.

"Your wisdom is boundless as always Zewin, you have solved a great trouble for me. Not for the first time, it makes me wish dearly that the Crimson Moon would return to reclaim your rightful place in the supernatural world..."

"Under your rule, perhaps things would see a turn for the better." The stranger murmured wistfully.

"You know this is the one thing I cannot do... however if you cannot win the supernatural realm a worthy King, then you must raise one." Zariah’s father said, also rising to his feet.

"I understand your meaning Zewin...he is just as you have predicted." The stranger said.

Zariah wondered who exactly was being said to be just as her father had predicted,

The stranger had called a name but Zariah could barely pick up bits and pieces of their conversation and so she had not been able to hear the name that was called.

The two exchanged a few more words in quiet tones before the stranger stepped back.

"Well I must go now, I will handle things exactly as you have instructed. But first, do you truly not intend to introduce me to our company?" The stranger asked in an amused tone, his head snapping over to the exact spot where Zariah was hidden.

Zariah’s heart dropped, she knew she was caught and she could not help but lament her decision to linger till they finished their conversation.

Zariah knew her father would never let her hear the end of it now that she had been caught trailing him.

"Did we not agree not to say anything?" Zariah’s father asked the stranger in an exasperated tone.

"I know...I know, but I can’t help it, it’s been seven years Zewin. I am desperate to see the little one..." The stranger lamented.

"You can’t keep me from seeing her forever, I am her father’s dearest friend, I should have the rights to know my little niece and win her favor before other less worthy uncles beat me to it." The stranger insisted.

Zariah’s father heaved a sigh before he turned his gaze to where Zariah hid, eyes tightly shut in apprehension.

"Come on out Zari, we know you’re there." Zariah’s father called out to her.

Zariah heaved a pitiful sigh as she gathered her wits and reluctantly stepped out from the cover of trees.