Lord Theodore's Favorite Ritual
Chapter 232: Running To Lydia.

Chapter 232: Running To Lydia.

Theodore.

Critic Arley, Critic-Ishire.

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Theodore’s heart raced as he neared the mansion, the dread he felt grew with every stride his horse took. Her father was always a formidable and powerful emeny in all their lifetimes. Why had he thought he was strong this time and could outsmart him?

Nature had to make him a witcher, giving him privileges and knowledge, Theodore felt betrayed yet again.

The once grand and serene estate now appeared as a scene of utter chaos. Flames flickered against the windows, and shouts of battle echoed through the air. He could see figures moving frantically inside, a mixture of his men and intruders.

He dismounted swiftly, his boots hitting the ground with a thud, and dashed towards the main entrance. The doors were ajar, hanging loosely on their hinges, as if violently forced open. Theodore’s pulse quickened with fear and anger. He pushed through the doors and into the foyer, the sight before him confirming his worst fears.

The sky has tured gloomy and darker, lost all its stars and light, threatening to roar and tear.

The grand hall was a scene of utter pandemonium. The new curtains Lydia got for the mansion were aflame, casting eerie shadows across the room. The furniture lay overturned, and the air was thick with the acrid smell of smoke and the sounds of fierce combat. His loyal guards were locked in battle with a swarm of witches and witchers, their faces grim with determination.

Theodore’s first thought was of Lydia, his heart pounding with anxiety. But he knew he couldn’t afford to rush to her side unarmed. Unnoticed, He made his way to the armory, his steps quick and sure despite the turmoil around him. He reached for his royal sword, the symbol of his heritage and the weapon that had seen him through countless battles. The sword was a masterpiece, its hilt inlaid with gold and adorned with a sapphire that gleamed even in the dim light. The blade itself was a work of art, forged from the finest steel, its edge honed to a deadly sharpness.

"Master, what can I do for you?" Shade’s voice resounded right next to him as the short man appears.

Theodore without glancing at him, gave his orders. "Watch and protect Lydia with all you have"

"But master, you need magical protection too, our opponent is Azul" he warned.

His yes narrowed a bit, "Azul," he had that name before, either from his mother or from Victore. He frowned, "Go to my wife," he said dismissively and the magical creature left.

With his sword in hand, Theodore felt a surge of resolve. He turned back towards the fray, his mind set on cutting through the enemies that had dared to invade his home. As he stepped back into the hall, he was immediately confronted by a group of five witches and witchers, their eyes glowing with malevolent glee.

He raised his sword, its blade catching the light of the flames around him. "You will not take my home," he growled, his voice a mixture of fury and somehow grieve.

The battle was fierce and chaotic.

And the rain began, thundering and windy, it fell feom the sky like it was wailing with the Theodor house.

Theodore’s sword flashed through the air, meeting the dark magic of his foes with a deadly precision. He moved with the grace and speed of a seasoned warrior, each swing of his blade striking true. Sparks flew as steel met magic, the clash of energies sending shockwaves through the hall.

One witch, with her eyes glowing a sickly green, hurled a bolt of energy towards him. Theodore dodged it, his sword slashing through the air to deflect another attack from a witcher who charged at him with a blade wreathed in flames. The two clashed fiercely, the witcher’s strength matched by Theodore’s skill and determination.

This ones weren’t only magic practitioners, they had witchers and witches too and that was troublesome.

Around him, his men fought valiantly, but the invaders were relentless. Curtains continued to burn, the flames spreading quickly and adding to the chaos. The roar of battle was punctuated by cries of pain and shouts of defiance.

Panic and confusion gnawed at Theodore’s heart. How had they managed to breach the mansion’s defenses so easily?

He dispatched another witch, her body crumpling to the ground as his blade found its mark. But there was no time to celebrate the small victory. Another witcher was upon him, their staff crackling with dark energy. Theodore parried the attack, his mind racing with thoughts of Lydia. He needed to get upstairs, to find her, but the relentless assault kept him rooted in place.

Amidst the chaos, he strained to see any sign of Azul, Lydia’s father, but the throng of enemies and the smoke obscured his view. His thoughts were a whirlwind of worry and rage, each swing of his sword a desperate attempt to clear a path to his beloved.

The battle waged on, Theodore’s strength and resolve unwavering. He fought with the ferocity of a man defending not just his home, but his very soul. The sounds of wailing and roaring filled the air, a haunting backdrop to the clash of steel and the hiss of magic.

Np, Lydia

He couldn’t afford to falter. Not now. Not while Lydia’s safety hung in the balance. With a final, powerful strike, he felled another witcher, his chest heaving with exertion. The fight was far from over, but Theodore knew he had to keep going. He had to find Lydia and end this nightmare.

With determination burning in his heart, he pressed on, his sword cutting through the darkness as he fought his way towards the stairs, towards Lydia, and towards the hope of saving his home and his love.

He has to change he would Azul today or kill himself first.

Meanwhile,

Azul was still here spouting what Lydia considered hulabaloo. "I am your father and you are coming with me" he declared and the rain fell harder, in agreement or in protest, the maids wondered.

"This boy has not my blessing, you deserve better, you are my daughter!" her fathers defense made Lydia scoff. "Where have you been?" she threw at him and he sucked in a breath.

"Where were you when I was humiliated for being different?" she was getting emotional now and she hated it.

She nodded when he remained silent, so she fired on, "Where were you when I was sent off to the supposed monsters lair?" he resisted the urge to run his hand through his hair as she blinked.

"I waited, and you wanted to come even if late, I was going to forgive you, I wanted to hear your part, I wanted you to convince me, and when you never did, I hoped that maybe you bever knew about me but I was wrong, you left me" her words cut him sharp, so he glanced at a window, the rain rushing downwards.

"I am here now, come with me, I would protect you"

Dorothy suddenly fell down by Lydia’s side, her lungs hurted by the smoke, Red ran to her, circling her with persistent meows. He growled attempting to transform but he fell short, and that made him even furious while the remaining to maids stood firm, still shielding their lady, still had all but evaded their eyes even as morning drew close.

Grace who was a witch and hiding under the curtains upstairs watched this and her eyes widened. She felt immense sadness for this house, and so she decided to help, channeling energy, her eyes caught the white cats approval before she shot it towards Dorothy. Helena finally came out, she caught Grace’s wrist and the witch zapped off, it was as if a light switch was turned off from her body and she was suddenly unconcious, Ebony trailed behind Helena as they walked further towards Lydia and the maids..

"I only want Theodore, leave us alone" Lydia begged her father.

He took in a deep breath, he wasn’t a violent man to his females and Lydia was frustrating him, "Child, you know nothing" but he caught a movement and

"Who is that?" he asked but only rain and silence ensued.

"Come out" Azul bellowed, the order ground breaking.

It was Helena and she refused to listen, "Get out of my head" she said though gritted teeth.

"Come here!" he barked and the compulsion finally worked.

And then slowly, unwillingly but unstoppable, she moved from behind the wall and into view.

Azuls heart started to thunder, "Who are you?" he growled.

"She said you would come" Helena responded ominously, her eyes distant.

Azul frowned, keeping his gaze locked on the new girl, "How are you able to evade my questions?"

Helena ignored him and took Lydia’s slightly trembling hands, "I am here now sister" she whispered to her, while Lydia nodded after she gulped.

"Sam kept my child from me?" Azul said suddenly dropping the atmosphere lower than it was before somehow.

Helena heaved. "Take your name away from your evil mouth" She screamed pushing Azul back inches than he thought any witch possible, his eyes widen slightly before he blinked.

His face suddenly bloomed into a proud smile as he watched the two ladies. "My word, I have two powerful women" they cringed at that affirmation. He was a maniac they thought with a shudder.

He stretched his arms. "Come with Father" his invite.

"I promise to take care of you both" he added, taking their reluctance for consideration.

"We are fine!" Helena shrieked, shattering the serenity, the weapons all the witches held, became unbearable to hold so they all abruptly let it go with soft wails and shock filled eyes.

Azul appeared unfazed as he continued, "This men do not know an inch of what you both are capable of achieving, they are toxic"

"What do you want?" Lydia whispered, she had always wanted a father figure, she just doesn’t understamd why the two men she could love would have to hate each other to death instead.

"My daughters" he declared and she knew why, because Theodore wanted her too and she wanted her husband.