The Devil's Cursed Witch

The next day, elders from all the clans began visiting Morpheus. Elder Halifax, whom everyone trusted, examined Morpheus's body. Understanding the gravity of the situation, they gathered at the Divine Eagle Clan to discuss their next steps. Agraleus, the most anxious among them, was willing to take any measure to restore Morpheus to his former state.

They all decided to hold a council meeting with the King the following day.

Ember arrived at the healing chambers with Erlos this time, as Draven was occupied with kingdom matters and Evanthe had gone to attend to other concerns. As usual, Ember was guided towards the healing chamber where Cornelia and her apprentices were tending to Morpheus.

Everyone greeted her with polite bows before leaving, leaving Cornelia and Ember alone.

"Did he wake up?" Ember asked.

"He did, but not as he should have," Cornelia replied. "Perhaps your presence and talking to him might have a positive effect."

Ember nodded and sat at the edge of the bed. She remembered how he had reacted the previous day when she spoke to him.

She gently caressed his hand. "Morph," Ember called softly, "can you hear me? I know you can. I want you to wake up and come back to me. I want you to talk to me, tease me like before, take me to fly with you. Morph, I miss being with you.

Can you wake up and talk to me?"

Cornelia turned to leave, but then Aureus entered the chamber to visit his uncle, following Evanthe's instructions to channel his divine energy into Morpheus. He watched Ember by Morpheus's side.

The two greeted each other and then heard Ember's voice again, "Morph...you listened to me..." Her voice was emotional yet cheerful.

Cornelia and Aureus turned to look at them. They watched as Morpheus slowly opened his eyes and looked at Ember.

"Morph, you are awake?" Ember asked, a smile painting her lips, her eyes moist.

Morpheus looked at her for a long time, not reacting at all.

"Uncle," Aureus said, approaching the bed along with Cornelia, who had a smile on her lips. 'I knew only Ember could bring him back.'

Morpheus' gaze moved to the other two in the room. Cornelia sent a message to Evanthe. This time, Morpheus was awake, not in pain, but normally.

Morpheus' gaze moved back to Ember, seemingly lost in the situation he was in.

"It's not a dream, Commander," Cornelia explained, understanding his lost state, "You are truly saved and Ember's hellfire has protected your core and protected your soul from being destroyed. It's her who had protected you."

"It's not a dream, Morph," Ember gripped his hand, "You are truly back, back to me."

No one could comprehend what was in his mind. After a few moments of silently staring at her, Morpheus pulled his hand back from her hold, turned his face away, and closed his eyes once more.

Ember looked at her empty hands, surprised by Morpheus' indifference to her. She could feel it clearly.

"Morph, what happened?" Ember asked, her voice trembling. "I am sorry, I know I hurt you. My hellfire hurt you, but it was not intentional. If you are upset, I will make up for it. I will do anything you want. As long as you are back..."

"Leave me alone," Morpheus' weak voice reached everyone.

"Morph, do you not recognise me?" Ember gaze worry filled.

"Leave," Morpheus repeated. "I do not want to see you or anyone."

Ember was once more shocked but hurt this time. Was he really angry with her for what had happened to him?

Tears welled up in her eyes. She had been waiting for him to wake up, and she didn't expect this reaction from him the moment her wish was fulfilled.

"Ember, you should leave for now," Cornelia spoke gently.

Ember stood up and wiped her tears, making her way out of the room.

Aureus was surprised by his uncle's reaction to Ember. Seeing her as the first person when he woke up, shouldn't he be happy? She was the woman he loved.

When Ember stepped out, Erlos was startled to see tears in her eyes.

"Ember, what happened?" Erlos asked, worried. "Has his situation worsened?"

"He is awake, finally."

"These don't look like happy tears to me."

"He doesn't want to see me. He seems to be angry with me."

"What? How dare he…"

"It's not his fault. I hurt him with my hellfire when he was trying to stop me. He even died for me."

"He is awake now. Let's head back."

"No, I want to stay here. I want to be sure he is alright."

Evanthe and Sierra arrived just then, aware that how Morpheus reacted after waking up. Once Aureus had finished channeling his powers, Morpheus felt much better. He could sit up in bed, though his body still remained weak.

Seeing Evanthe, Morpheus was surprised.

"Finally awake, eagle? Your expressions tell me that your brain is working fine," Evanthe remarked, her tone mocking. "I thought you would end up sucking all of my divine power cultivation before you'd be satisfiedly awake."

To her jibe, Morpheus weakly replied, "Finally, you have returned?"

"It's you who brought me back here from my peaceful life."

"You shouldn't have returned, at least not for me," he retorted.

"Saving you was the priority."

"That priority was a mistake," he replied coldly, his voice tinged with bitterness.

"You hurt the one who truly saved you, and now you want to hurt the one who nourished your soul."

"I didn't ask to be saved," he countered, "And I don't want to see her."

"She is outside. She won't leave."

"You have to make her leave," his voice was weak but cold and determined. "In fact, I am the one who should leave." Morpheus tried to step out of the bed, his steps weak, and he was about to fall when Aureus helped him. "Uncle, be careful."

"I am alright." A pair of his blue-gray wings appeared at his back. He tried to open them, but they moved just a little and then disappeared again. He tried again with the same result, leaving him frustrated.

"Do not try it. You cannot use your powers yet. You are as good as a human for now," Evanthe warned. "You better rest here and recuperate if you want to be able to fly again."

"If you could not heal me entirely, what was the point in bringing me back? To leave me crippled?" he frowned, and Aureus helped him sit back on the bed.

"You all can leave," Morpheus declared.

"I know what's going on in your mind, Morpheus. I know you better than anyone. You can save this act of yours for others," Evanthe frowned.

"If you understand me so well, then you should have let me die," he growled weakly.

"Go back to the one who saved your core and ask her to kill you again. Only she can do it by remove the protection of hellfire, " Evanthe spat out. "As you want me to leave, I am leaving because I have no more energy left to spend on you at this moment."

Aureus didn't know what to do and followed his uncle's wish. "I will be back again," and left.

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