Chapter 27

Hi guys! I ended my internship, so I'm back on writing...I think. Anyway, here's a new chapter. Sorry for the long wait. Ignore the mistakes. This is not edited at all. I clean them up later. Sorry for that. Thank you so much for reading and sticking with this story and I really hope that you guys would like this chapter.

Thank you.

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Chess. It’s a war game that the civilization knew, whether young or old; people had been playing it for ages. There are the soldiers, bravest of them all. The ones who stood on the front line, charging front with no turning back. Behind them stood mighty clever knights.  With their unusual movements, they’re easily able to outsmart their opponents. Placed next to the knights are the bishops, the key to the death trap; fianchetto.

At the corner squares of the board, there are the rooks, the powerful chariots and the one of the major pieces on the board. Then we have the most powerful chess piece of them all, the queen who can wipe their opponents with a blink of an eye. Lastly, the one head and the heart of the nation who if defeated, the whole kingdom goes down with him, the king.

These are the pieces available on the board, which are all important pieces. To win chess, you need these pieces, a winning strategy, courage and a little bit of luck. This also applies for the real war.

To win a war, you need an army, a great and clever strategy, courage and a little bit of luck. Well, aside from weapons of course but anyway, even if you have the best weapon in the world, it wouldn’t really help if you didn’t have an army or a strategy.

In the lair her father build, Elektra sat on the comfortable black office chair that her father once sat when he needed to think. With her elbow on the table, her fist underneath her chin, Elektra thought about her army.

Well, it’s not really an army considering that there were only three people in it. It was she, Angela and Henry. The Protector, the sorceress and the vampire.

The ultimate team.

She admitted that they were strong but Magnus was strong as well. Not to mention that he had a complete army.

Logically thinking, they had no chance winning over them.

But she had no choice. She did not want to bring anyone else in this. Having Angela and Henry fighting with her already scared her so much. She didn’t want any other blood on her hands. This was her problem and her demons to face, not theirs.

She might not win, heck, she might die, but she wouldn’t quit trying to stop Magnus from living and destroying the peace among humans and magical creatures.

So lost in her thoughts, she was startled when an arm wrapped around her waist and a chin rested on her shoulder.

She smiled softly as she didn’t need to know who was it. The feeling and the scent gave it away. “Hi.”

“Hi.” Blake whispered in her ear. “So, your boyfriend would like to know why his girlfriend is still up at this hour when she should be sleeping?”

“I just need some time alone to think.” She replied, her eyes still staring straight at the things in front of her. “I missed you. How did you get in and when did you come back?”

Blake was away for two days due to a business meeting in Vancouver. He didn’t want to go but he had no choice. He made the deal with his father and he couldn’t back out of it now. Elektra told him that even if he was unhappy with being his father’s heir to his company, he could still do what he loves at the same time. She told him to bring his sketchbook along so that he could draw the stunning places in Vancouver.

Listening to her, he brought his sketchbook along and drew the interesting things he saw in Vancouver.

He was actually happy during this business trip and it was all because of her.

She sensed him smiling, his breath caressing her neck.  “Through you bedroom window. I came back this evening. I missed you too much that I couldn’t wait for the next sunrise to see you.”

God, that was so cheesy but she couldn’t lie that it made her all warm inside.

Smiling, she turned to meet his brown eyes. “Again with those cheesy words. You should be careful with it. Girls might flock all over you.”

“But the only girl I want is you.”

His cheesy remark made her laugh as she slowly leaned towards him and kissed him.

“Charming…very charming.” She said, resting her forehead on his after they broke the kiss. She was glad to have him back with her. She was able to see his handsome face again and those amazing brown eyes that she missed so much.

“Honestly, I’m exhausted and my neck is killing me.  Can I crash here and snuggle in bed with you?” He asked.

“Definitely up on the snuggling part.” She replied.

He unwrapped his arm around her, standing straight as he took her hand in his. “Come to bed with me?”

Elektra smiled, slightly amused as she nodded.

She yelped and her yelp soon turned to laughter when he picked her up in her arms like a bride and brought her to her bedroom.

He laid her on the bed gently before taking off his coat and threw it dramatically to the floor, which made her laugh while she slipped underneath the covers. As she scooted over to the left to make room for him, Blake got underneath the covers and wrapped an arm around her waist, bringing her closer to him.

“It’s colder today.” He said in the dark. Only the light from the street lamp outside her house creeping through her window was lighting the room.

“It’s cold, really? I didn’t even notice it's winter.” She replied sarcastically, resting her forehead on his chest.

“Okay, miss sarcastic. I was just saying.” He chuckled while his thumb caressed her arm.

“You could use the cold as a legit excuse to snuggle me.”

“I don’t need an excuse to snuggle my girlfriend.” He chuckled.

She smiled, playing with his shirt as they fell into a comfortable silence.  It was nice. She was warm in her arms and his scent soothed her. She never wanted to leave her bed and his arms.

It was almost the second full moon of October. She had a week left till she was off to battle. She was worried, terrified that she might not win. She needed to win in order to protect the world and especially the one she loves. She didn’t want what she had right now to end.

“You’re thinking too loud.” She heard him say.

She lifted her head from his chest to meet his worried eyes. “What’s wrong?”

Not wanting to worry him, she shook her head and smiled weakly, her eyes away from his. “Nothing.”

Blake sighed, cupping her face to stroke her cheek. She should know that he could tell when she's lying “Something’s wrong. Tell me.”

Biting her lip, she debated whether to tell him or not, but seeing his pleading eyes, it made her spoke about her fears.

“I’m worried about the war.”

Blake frowned, his lips set into a thin line. She had told him about the war on the night he confessed his love to her. He didn’t like one bit that there was a man out there who wanted the love of his life to be dead. He never felt so angry and scared before in his life. He wanted to go against it but he knew better. She was the Protector and it was her duty. He couldn't stop her from doing what she had to do.

“Honestly, I don’t know how to make it better. I wish that I had super powers like Superman or armours like Iron Man so that I could kill this evil dude for you…but I can’t. I don’t have special powers, I don’t have any amazing armours…I’m not a superhero. I’m just Blake Conrad, a normal guy… but I do know that I will be by your side and I'll support you till the end. I know that I believe in you and I know that you can save us all.”

Touched by his words, Elektra smiled. There was a sense of happiness in her heart knowing that he trusted and believed in her. He didn’t lie and say that everything will be okay because it won’t. He just said what he thought and his words made her feel better.

“I love you and I believe in you, Ela.” He said with a smile on his face. He leaned towards her and kissed her slowly and softly, making her forget the world for a minute.

Breaking the kiss, she rested her forehead on his. “Thank you.” She whispered, her eyes closed with blissfulness.  “You made me feel better.”

“Does it score points on being a great boyfriend?” He asked.

She chuckled; opening her eyes to see the brown eyes she loved so much. “Hmmm…Maybe.”

He chuckled and rolled his eyes before closing his them as tiredness crashed him.

“Blake?”

“Hmm?” He hummed, as he pulled her closer to him.

“I love you and I wouldn’t want to have you any other way.”

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Walking towards the huge mansion she hadn’t been to for years, Elektra felt slightly nervous. She didn’t like surprises. She never really did. Being in the Protector business and enemies turning up, surprising her didn’t really amuse or made her happy. Well, those were bad surprises. She wasn’t supposed to like them. Anyway, she just wanted to be prepared in every case so that she knew what she had to do.

Alfred has asked her to come to his mansion located at the north forest tonight. He didn’t tell her why; he just told her that she had to be there. She tried, more like begged him to tell her why she had to be there but Alfred refused to tell her.

With a confused mind and a nervous heart, she decided to go, taking Angela and Henry with her and of course, bringing her sword, Excalibur along as well.

“So, we still don’t know why he’s asking for you to come to his house?” Henry asked, as they were walking through the cold forest.

Before Elektra could answer him, Angela replied. “Of course she didn’t, you dimwit or else she wouldn’t be so nervous.”

Frowning, Henry replied. “I didn’t remember asking you.”

“I saved her from answering a stupid question.”

With a gasp, his eyes furrowed deeper. “It wasn’t a stupid question. It’s a question to be confirmed.”

“Is too.”

“Is not.”

“Yes it is.”

“Shut up.”

“You shut up.”

Growling, he glared at her. “Stop it now.”

“You stop it.”

“Well, you didn’t ask me to stop last night.”

Elektra froze, her eyes wide open. She turned slowly and looked at the two of them. Angela was blushing, her face red from embarrassment, and Henry, who realized what he just said, suddenly found the ground very interesting.

Pointing her fingers towards them, she blinked a few times before speaking. “You guys…”

“We can explain.” They said together. Surprised with that, they both looked at each other before looking away in embarrassment.

“Okay...okay…”Elektra drawled out awkwardly. Oh god, her best friends were together and she thought they hated each other! How in the world did they end up in one bed together?

Clearing her throat, she looked at two bashful people in front of her. “Never mind about that. You both can explain to me later. We’re almost at Alfred’s house.”

With that, they nodded timidly and Elektra turned and continued walking.

Well, that shut them up, she thought.

A minute later, the huge mansion came into view. Alfred’s mansion was painted in white. His lawn covered with snow due to winter. It was huge, yet it had a homey aura.

Two elves that waited on the porch greeted them as they lead them in. Warmth struck her as she entered the house.

Standing in the mansion, she let her eyes wandered around. The mansion looked exactly the same inside as when she last visited. A huge chandelier hung in the ceiling in the middle of the room, a portrait of Alfred and his family hung on the wall above the staircase; it was just as she remembered.

“Elektra, you’re here.”

Turning towards the voice, she saw Alfred walking towards her with a warm smile on his face.

“Hi Alfred.” She greeted. “So, tell me what am I doing here, actually?” She asked.

Alfred chuckled, shaking his head in amusement. “Oh Elektra, always straight to the point.”

“You know I don’t like surprises.”

“I know…but trust me, this isn’t a bad surprise.” He said, his amazing eyes shinning with amusement.

Before she could reply, Alfred voiced out to the elves on the front porch to stay guard. Turning back to his guest, he gave them a short nod. “Come, we shall have tea in the basement.”

Alfred walked to the basement with them behind him. As she was walking down the stairs, the place came into view. Fire was crackling in the fireplace, soft midnight blue carpet covered the floor and there were shelves behind the furniture that were filled with books.

What surprised her was the crowd in the basement looking at her as she descended the stairs. Almost every creature she knew was here. Shifters, Greyons, Ogres, Fairies, Dwarves, Vampires,  and  others. Even the Griffins were there as well.

Her head started to fill in with so many questions. What was everyone doing here and why? Looking around, her eyes met Luke, the werewolf who was smiling softly at her. Even he was here as well. It confused her even more to why was everyone here.

When her feet met the blue carpet, with her stunned face, she stared at the creatures questioningly.

“I- I don’t understand.” She said, turning to meet Alfred who was standing right next to Luke.

Alfred and Luke smiled gently at her. Sensing the need to explain, Luke spoke, “You think you're all alone in this world, Protector, but you’re not.”

Elektra stared at him blankly, not knowing what he meant.

“Look at all of them, Ela…” Luke said, waving his hand to the creatures in front of her. “ These are all the creatures who wants to help you in the war.”

She broke her gaze with Luke and her eyes wandered around, looking at the creatures that were viewing at her with respect and determination.

“You are not alone in this, Ela. You touched so many of us, you helped us all and you didn’t even think for a second that anyone out there would actually help you.” Alfred voiced out. "We will help you, Protector. We want to."

Silence invaded them and she just stared at everyone. Those creatures that she saved and helped, she had become acquainted to; every one of them was here and they were willing to help her. They could die but still, they were here, wanting to help her in the war.

“It’s supposed to be me who’s protecting you, not the other way around.” Ela said softly, breaking the silence.

“Family protects each other.” Henry spoke. She turned to meet his smiling eyes. His hand grabbed hers. She felt someone grabbed her other hand and turned to see Angela giving her a gentle look. "And we're family, Ela."

Elektra felt her heart clenched, wave of emotions hit her as she looked at all of them. She had already won. Magnus might have an army, he might have a drug that could make him stronger, he might be unstoppable but one thing he didn’t have was a family. A family who cares about you and ready to fight with you.

Smiling with happiness in her eyes, with an army complete, all she needed now was a plan.

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In the lair, with a large white canvas paper spread on the table, Elektra looked at the layout she had drawn. The strategies she had planned in her head, with the help of her friends set on the paper. She looked at it; slightly proud of it yet scared that it might not work.

Back in Alfred’s mansion, they had talked about how the plan was going to be. Elektra drew to them what she had in her mind on the whiteboard and explained to them how it worked. The creatures gave their views and suggestions, which Elektra had listened closely to and picked the ones that might work wonderfully. After nearly two hours of planning, they accomplished the ultimate strategy to beat Magnus and his followers.

They planned on having a brief explanation of the plan again tomorrow morning and training afterwards. She was fine with it because school holidays had started and the daycare was closed since Georgina was bringing her daughters to New York for a family trip, which excludes her and Darcy.

She didn’t mind about it. In fact, she was very happy that they didn’t invite them along. She was able to concentrate more on war, and actually have her house all to Darcy and herself.

Thinking of her little sister who had fallen asleep at the time she got back, she promised herself to spend as much time as she could with her before she went to war. She didn’t know what was going to happen in the future, as it is uncertain. She was afraid that she might not return and Darcy would have no one left. The least she could do was plan everything for her and spend time with her before she goes.

Snapping of her thoughts as she felt a presence behind her, she turned to find Angela with two mugs in her hands, looking at her with a small smile on her face.

“Hey, I brought you tea.” She spoke as she made her way to her and sat on the chair next to her.

“Thanks.” She grabbed the mug of tea as Angela handed it to her.

Staring at the tea in her mug, Elektra cleared her throat and started, “ So…you and Henry…”

She saw Angela blushed, her grip on the mug tightening. “Well…I don’t know how to start.” She chuckled. “So, just shoot me with any question you have in your mind.”

“Umm…how did it happen? I mean... I thought you guys hated each other.” Elektra asked. She remembered how neither of them trusted each other at first. They were always fighting about almost everything.

Bitting her lip, Angela answered her, “I did hate him at first. He’s a self-obnoxious, arrogant, Mr. know-it-all…but I guess things just change.” She said with a gentle smile.

“It started that day after we were attacked at the cabin that Craig tricked us to.” Angela paused for a moment and Elektra didn’t need to ask why. She knew that day haunt all of them. She was tricked, Henry was injured badly with a stake right through his chest and Angela never felt so useless.

“After I left you in your bedroom and went to the lair to treat his wounds...He was in so much pain and losing so much blood. Needless to say, he was hungry. He told me to leave and just let him tend his wound on his own but I didn’t. That idiot couldn’t do it alone.” She chuckled.

“I was trying to hold him down on the bed and the next thing I knew, he was on top of me and kissing me.” Angela said timidly with her face flushed.

“I don’t really know what happened after that… I just started to kiss him back and then I snapped out of it and grabbed the fallen syringe of blood on the floor and inject him with it…After that incident...it just…happened.”

Elektra looked at Angela who was staring at the cup, her face turning red. She remembered how flushed Angela was when she returned to her room. Now she knew why.

“Okay…did you guys…” Elektra paused to clear her throat. The conversation was getting more awkward by the second. “Did he…you know…bit you during…”She trailed on her words as she wasn’t able to finish it. She was embarrassed enough to say the word.

Angela blushed even brighter, tilting her head to the side. “Well…not the first time...”

“It’s not the first time?!” Elektra exclaimed, looking at them with bewilderment.

Smiling sheepishly, Angela placed her hand on Elektra’s shoulder as a way to tell her that she was sorry. “We wanted to tell you. We were just afraid…that you might not like what was going on.”

Elektra’s eyes softened. “I don’t mind my two best friends getting together as long as you’re both are happy.”

Angela’s smiled, hugging her sideways. She was glad that Elektra was cool with what was happening. She admitted, that she thought that Henry was very attractive. She couldn’t deny the attraction between them. She ignored her feelings. She knew his type and she already had her heart broken badly. She didn’t need another one but then, he kissed her and a lot happened after that.

“So, are you guys in a relationship or anything?” Elektra asked as she pulled away from the hug.

Angela’s smile dropped. She shook her head and tried to smile again, but failed. “Anything is the answer.”

Elektra frowned. Before she could say anything, Angela spoke, “He’s not the kind of guy who gets himself in a relationship.”

Her tone made Elektra realized that Angela didn’t want to talk about it anymore and she respected her wishes, knocking Angela’s shoulders with hers gently before drinking her tea.

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Stepping out of the cylinder tube, Elektra stepped into her small comfortable room. She pulled her hairband and let her hair free before she threw the jacket in her hand to the shadow standing near the window.

“Ow….”Henry muttered, taking the jacket off his face.

“That teaches you not to stand there and try to startle me.” Elektra said, taking off her glasses and putting it on the bed stand.

“So…want to tell me about you and Angela?” She asked as she sat down next to him on the bed.

Henry was silent for a moment, staring at his clenched hands. He was deep in thoughts before he started to talk.

“She’s a siren. One minute she makes me so pissed off and other times she just makes me want to throw her against the wall and kiss her senseless.”

“Whoa…too much image there.” Elektra interfered.

Henry chuckled at her words before continuing. “I’m sure she told you why we didn’t tell you sooner. Forgive me for that.” He said, grabbing her hand, entwining their fingers together.

“It’s fine. I’m okay with you two together…but you're not together, are you? Elektra asked.

Sighing, Henry closed his eyes for a moment before opening them once more. “No…I’m not going to lie and say I’m not attracted to her because I do. She’s beautiful and I couldn’t get my mind off her…but... it’s complicated.”

With that, silence fell through them. Elektra debated about her next question. She wasn't sure whether she should ask him about it or not but she wanted to know. Hesitantly, she asked him.

“Is it because of Amelia?”

At the name that she spoke, Henry’s body went tense. His grip on her hand tightened and Elektra regretted voicing her thoughts. “I’m sorry…I didn’t mean-”

“No, it’s fine.” Henry spoke quickly, cutting her off. Elektra stared at him. Sadness painted on his face and his eyes were far away. He looked just a broken as the night she found out about Amelia.

As usual, Elektra and Henry would go on a patrol every night in the forests of their town. Unfortunately, that night, she was a little late since she had to clean up the mess her stepsisters made. Henry waited for her in the east forest and out of nowhere, a group of vampire hunters attacked him.

Henry fought but the hunters managed to shot Henry with a dart covered with poison that could bring a vampire down. Luckily, before they could tie him up and drag him to their car, Elektra arrived. She shot them, making them unable to move before bringing Henry back to her lair. She was so pissed off that they injured him that she went to see the vampire council next day. That was how the rule of Henry being an exception to vampire hunters was created.

The poison made Henry have nightmares and illusion. He was in bed for nearly two days before he got all better again and those two days were torturous to him and to Elektra.

True that he was not injured badly physically but mentally, he was struggling. Her heart broke when she found him crying and screaming in bed. He was shouting for a woman called Amelia, screaming for people to leave her alone and to release her. Elektra had to hold Henry down, hugging him so that he would calm down. It was a very heart breaking sight that she shed tears for the man in her embrace.

When he was awake and healthy again, she asked him about Amelia and Henry froze. She told him about what happened and he decided to tell her. He explained to her that Amelia was his wife, his one true love. She saved his life by sending him away and threw herself to their enemy, telling them that she was what they were looking for.

She still remembered that look he had when he told her about it. It was the first time she ever saw him crying and so broken.

“I couldn’t save her by the time I reached there. She was already dead…. and those people…I killed them all. Every one of them.” Henry cried, his face wet with red tears.

She hugged him that night and let him cry on her shoulder. She never wanted to see him like that anymore and all she ever wanted to see on him was a smile on his face.

Seeing him now, she understood why Henry didn’t want to be in a relationship with Angela. However, she just wished that he would see that he deserves to be happy in this life.

Touching his jaw, she brought his face to meet hers. She gave him a small smile before pulling him into a tight embrace.

“All I ever wanted for you is to be happy, Henry. You deserve it so much.” She whispered.

She felt him smile as he sunk his face onto her shoulder. “I am happy, Ela. I got you.”

“But I’m not that special someone.” Elektra spoke after she pulled away.

Touching his cheek gently, she gave it a gentle pat and smiled. “I’m not going to force you into a relationship. I just don’t want either of you to get hurt. I want you to be happy.”

Henry smiled, holding her hand that was on his cheek. “I know, I know.” He said before pulling her into a hug.

Softly stroking the back of her head, with a smile on his face, he thought of the wonderful girl in his embrace. Elektra Potter. The girl who saved him from a burning house and who he became close friends with. The extraordinary girl.  She was his family.

She made him better. She changed him into a better person than he was before; a sad, angry old man and she didn’t even know it.

He promised himself that he would protect her no matter what, as she was the one thing that kept him alive.

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Thanks for reading! I appreciate it and I love you guys so much. Thank you :)