332 LIFE AFTER DEATH

Raigon glanced to the windows as he pondered. At this time, sun beams should be cascading its light through the Castle. But instead, he couldn't even see its brightness from outside.

"Are we truly in the mercy of God?" 

He can't help but blurt out as he sees its floor bathed in blood of both his men and his enemies.

"We're still alive. It must have been the reason." Zoe gave him an awkward smile, perhaps as their situation is an uncomfortable place to smile.

He used to believe in that. But with his attempt to save Terra and his family failing every time, doubt started to take root in his heart.

However, he still believed that he shouldn't wallow in his hesitations. He kissed Zoe goodbye so he could run off to get the crown.

But as he did so, the cries coming from the wolves' victims changed. He darted his eyes at where it's coming from. And to his horror, the wolves were now preying on the royal guards.

"Go now! Quickly!" Zoe blurted out as she pushed him away after cupping her mouth in horror. 

This is the least from what Raigon was expecting. He thought the reason why the wolves were tearing down Bo Zhiang's team was because they wanted to hurt them. But the Hous and the guards were not doing anything at that moment. 

"No, I am not leaving you! Come with me!" 

Raigon anxiously pulled Zoe with him in his quest to go to the location of the crown.

Lessening the burden that he was feeling, Zoe ran along with him until they reached the room. He wouldn't dare to leave Zoe there alone. 

"Here it is." 

Raigon blurted out as he lifted the crown from the arc where it is kept and went back to the throne room with Zoe since Azra will be going there too.

The time for their hoped salvation was nearer than they expected as Azra was already there and waiting for them.

"Let's put them all together." 

Zoe said as she removed her necklace and placed it on top of the crown while Azra inserted the key on the center hole.

"Stop attacking the humans." Raigon commanded the wolves.

Then the three of them quickly glanced over to the wolves to see if it has an effect on them. 

To their joy, the savage animals suddenly calmed down, turned their backs and took off. 

"It worked." Azra heaved out a sigh of relief.

Zoe must have been overjoyed as she put her arms around him and embraced him tightly. 

His lips curved up in response as he kissed her forehead, feeling glad that Zoe was there at that time. "Your idea saved us."

"I believe it is God's intervention for us." Zoe smiled back at him.

"Indeed." Raigon drew in a deep breath as he decided to believe that God's hand was upon Terra.

The three of them went outside the Castle to look for the others and make sure that everything is alright. 

And as they did so, they saw the royal family and the others coming out from the other side of the Castle. 

"We saw the wolves coming out. Is it finally over?" Princess Taia's eyes brighten in hope as they walk forward.

Raigon couldn't help but look up as he felt gratified seeing the Wang household and some members of the Hou Clan that were alive and safe after the greatest catastrophe Terra has faced.

And as he did so, he noticed that the clouds still looked ominous with its dark hue and thick density. At this time and season in Terra, the sun must be at its brightest already.

"The Tree…" Lord Hou blurted out as he also noticed the gloomy atmosphere that was hovering over them. 

"Let's go to the Garden of Egdelwon." King Artair responded to Lord Hou, making Raigon's eyebrows furrow in response.

King Artair must have noticed his hesitations so he added. "Everyone already knows about it. Perhaps the unity of the Three clans could save it just as it is written in the book."

Everyone agreed and decided to visit the Tree. To their shock, the Tree was already dry from its trunk to its roots.

Previously, they would hear a musical hymn emanating from within it. But now, they couldn't even hear a single bird chirping in that garden. 

'Is it dead? Is Terra dead too?' Raigon couldn't help but conclude.

He knew since he was a child that Terra existed because of the Tree. It is the sole reason why Terra is flourishing in spite of its independence from other countries.

Zoe's knees fell down as she cupped her tear-stricken face. "I'm sorry, I'm too late to save you. Please forgive me." 

Raigon's eyes welled up too as he gazed at the dead Tree, feeling sympathetic towards the lifegiver of Terra for centuries. 

To his amazement, he saw one of its branches start to shoot leaves again. He glanced back at Zoe who was still crying at the Tree's unfortunate state.

'Is it somehow connected?' He wondered as he knelt down, closed his eyes and prayed with all of his heart. 

"God, forgive me for my doubts and unbelief. And forgive our people for allowing greed and envy to destroy us."

Then he opened his eyes and stared at the Tree. One of its branches shoots leaves as well.

His eyes widened as he gave an instruction to everyone. 

"The Tree seemed to revive with genuine penitence. Everyone, kneel down and sincerely repent of all our sins. Perhaps they are enough to wash away all the iniquities that clung to Terra."

Everyone followed after him including Duke Andras and Lord Vigo. And like he said, the Tree slowly started to come back to life. 

They all watched in astonishment as the Tree returned to its full bloom once again. The branches started to sway side by side in the rhythm of the music that is innate within it.

"Look! There's a rainbow!" Princess Taia uttered in excitement as her finger pointed to the sky.

As they directed their eyes towards where she was pointing at, they saw a beautiful rainbow painted on a clear and blue sky.

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Repentance is both our path to forgiveness and the response that blooms from it.