Chapter 20 : Epilogue – Home

Home is where the heart is. ~Pliny the Elder

"We're Al Sarmen and we're here to assist you."

The bright flame that had marked the town in its brilliant red continued to burn albeit quietly despite the screams that threatened to tear apart the sky. The brothers held onto each other tightly; their eyes glued upon the group of mysterious figures.

The silence they shared was tense and the tension was almost tangible enough to be cut.

"You're lying." The silence shattered like a glass being thrown to the cold, hard ground. All their attentions were drawn to the child in the elder's arms who had previously remained as silent as he could. His blue eyes glinted with strong and unwavering strength albeit the fact that a shade of fear was presented within them.

Aladdin's hands formed small fists, curling tightly around the elder's shirt lest he would be separated from his brother. All the while Judal watched with his eyes narrowed suspiciously at the comers.

"We don't lie, child. Now come along and we'll take you to where it is safe." One of the figures voiced.

"No," Judal hissed, backing away slowly from the men.

"Why? Do you wish to remain here?"

Biting his lips slightly, Judal's eyes scrutinized the surroundings, aiming to determine the safest route to round these creeps and get the hell out of here. His intention seemed to be clear as some of the men moved, blocking every possible escape paths. Judal could only curse under his breath, holding onto the child that had his eyes glued onto the men.

"Rukh," Aladdin whispered; eyes searching and tracing along the white creatures. "Rukhs don't lie, you lied."

For a few moments there, the men said nothing, merely stayed rooted to the ground as if taken aback. Then, the sudden pressure came and grew. Heavy and almost choking.

Time passed and Judal was almost convinced that they wouldn't do anything drastic when he was knocked from behind by an unknown force. He sank to the ground; his arms lost his grip on the blue haired child. The child's eyes were wide in fear as he tried to help Judal.

"Then you leave us no choice…" Judal managed to catch that and a dread feeling rose within him. Pushing himself up forcefully, he ignored the pain that embedded itself into his back with his concern solely focusing on Aladdin's wellbeing.

He could feel the tiny warmth beside him and he was grateful for the presence of the warmth. The younger's Rukh fluttered restless in sync of Aladdin's worries. Even when the pain became unbearable for his body, Judal merely closed his eyes as he took in deep breaths.

The red eyes snapped open immediately when he perceived the anxiety of the Rukh. The warmth beside him was snatched away abruptly and Judal's heart missed a beat when he heard the child's yelp of surprise.

"Let go!" Aladdin cried out, squirming and wriggling in attempt to free himself from the man's clutches. Judal panicked and pushed himself forward. The stabbing pain was there but he still continued forward. His attempt seemed to be futile when he was held down by several masked men that appeared out of nowhere.

Like an enraged beast, Judal screamed for release; his eyes wide and his limbs scratched against the skin of the offending appendages that grabbed him. His face was shoved roughly to the ground as the men struggled to hold him down.

Even when the stones dug into his skin, he growled at the sight of the younger being carried off. The child was screaming for him. His chest tightened involuntarily at his uselessness. His fingers curled tightly while his nails hurt his palms. With a strength that he didn't know he possessed, he let out a war cry, feeling the surge of power through him. Beside him, the Rukh flared and buzzed, happily lent him their powers.

Within seconds, the men were thrown off of Judal and the magi wasted no time to dash forward, towards the other.

Aladdin's small palm reached out for Judal and he retaliated more in the man's grip. With several kicks and punches, the man stumbled back a few steps until finally, the grip loosened enough for Aladdin to duck away, straight into Judal's arms.

Panting slightly, Judal embraced the child who had tears of fright streaming down his cheeks. He pressed the child against him, comforting him as best as he could whereas his eyes stayed cautiously at the men who had surrounded them.

"It's okay…It will be fine." Even though, he knew deep down that nothing would be fine. "Cause I'll protect you no matter what."

His words faded and his world turned into darkness as the blackness descended upon them.

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Judal woke up to find himself staring at the dusky sky. Half of the vast blue was now painted red by the leaving sun while the other half was a pleasant midnight blue. For the first time since many years ago, he felt genuinely calm.

"Welcome back."

The soft voice that guided Judal was calming and the elder realized that he had been grabbing onto the younger's arm throughout his sleep. Hesitantly, he let go and slowly sat himself up. His head was spinning and aching but none could compare to the joy and relief that was washing through him at the moment. Aladdin was there, safe with him.

"Does it still hurt? Your head, I mean. I have tried to lessen the pain." The child had spoken so calmly. His hands moved to touch Judal's forehead gently. Judal leaned in to the touch, feeling the numbing pain subsided.

"No, I'm all good," Judal mumbled. On his face was trace of confusion. "That is…"

Aladdin nodded, knowing what would be said.

"…something that happened a long time ago…right here," he completed, looking down at the scenery below. That made Judal curious. The elder peeked through the younger's shoulder and gasped.

They were…This place was… The familiar scent in the air was undeniable and the small hills and the stream were the proofs.

"Welcome home…" Aladdin murmured, smiling tenderly down at the town, well, the remnants of a town.

Judal could only stare at the remains of the once busy town. The broken beams were the only things that indicated the fact that some time ago there stood a house there. He could vaguely spot the dried red hue, marking the horror that the town had passed through. Just like how time seemed to be frozen still, the town slept away without anyone to interrupt it.

Vines and trees alike grew abundantly, covered up the small town back to how it used to be. Whatever that had happened in the past was the past. Now, the town remained unmoved, without a single soul dwelling in it.

Judal's feet touched the ground of the cliff where he could get a bird eyes' view of the whole place. Light breeze, carrying the scent of the blooming flowers caressed his cheek and Judal took the chance to lavish the comforting fragrance of the flora.

"It's beautiful, isn't it?" Aladdin voiced up behind him.

Sharing a look at the place covered by the nature's ways, Judal gave a nod.

"However, there are still things and horrors that cannot be erased by its beauty," Aladdin stated calmly. His eyes glittered as the sky took on the glowing gold of the setting sun. His voice held a deep sadness. Judal knew.

No matter how many time passed, the truth would remain as the truth. What had this place gone through, they knew it better than anyone else. Despite that, they had to move on. Staying in the same place wouldn't help them get by life. The most important key was to accept and move on.

They spent the rest of the time simply watching the steady flow of the stream, the glittering of the first star and the gentle wind that had accompanied them many years ago. How nostalgic it was. Judal never thought of having the chance to be here again, even though the place was technically a ghost town now.

Their memories still lived in every corner of the town. The place they had been, the times they had spent and the dreams they had shared… they were all born here… at home.

But a huge wind came and torn apart of the very same home they desired, shattering the peace and harmony they enjoyed. Darkness greeted them like an old friend and they had been lied to and they had forgotten what was genuinely important.

Just like this was fine… Judal pondered. How hard was it to stay like this? The world, wars and everything in between could swirl past them for all he ever cared. He just wanted to stay like this with Aladdin. However, that wasn't allowed, not when the threat was still out there, spreading darkness and lies throughout the world.

Judal breathed out to calm himself, tugging Aladdin's braid. The child didn't protest immediately as if drunken in the nostalgic feel this place gave.

"When everything is over, let's go around the place…and see the world more…and then we will come here to rebuild the town into a place where we both can come back…where we can call home." The words left Judal so naturally. Now he thought of it, he was becoming too honest for his own good.

Aladdin flashed a small smile albeit a little sadness was mixed in it. Judal raised an eyebrow at that, wondering what could have been bothering the child but he never stayed too long thinking for the child gave a whisper of agreement. Judal was contented with that and he lied down on the field to stare at the night sky.

"But before that…" The elder began, pulling his palms up into the air. Staring at his open palm, he continued, "We will…"

And the palm was brought to a close as if grabbing onto something.

"Crush Al Sarmen."

Both magi vowed under the starry sky.

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Aladdin waited until Judal was fully asleep to sit up. He looked up into the sky in which the stars shone brilliantly but his heart was heavy with a bit longing and sadness.

Sparing another glance at the sleeping Judal, he smiled and gave him a light kiss on the forehead before returning to the arms of Morpheus.

"Even though I know what we shared now is going to be temporary, I still want to believe your promise and that this moment can last forever and ever…That's what I truly wish to believe…"

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THE END.

Thanks a bunch for reviewing, following and adding this story to your favourite list!

Your supports are greatly appreciated because you make my first story a success!

Actually, I'm planning for a sequel of this but as I said before, this year is going to be an extremely important year for me and if you think you can have your patience tested, then I MAY consider writing one. It's also understandable if you have had enough but you guys have always been great and have made a great difference in my life.

I'm sorry if I'm nagging now but I just want to tell you guys how much this has helped me both mentally and physically. It fuels me with the drive to go on in life.

Anyways, I might write another story for this fandom if I'm done planning the plot… (blah, blah, blah…)

So, finally sequel, anyone?

Signed,

ReneeNCC