Chapter 259 - 9.32: The Family I wanted (Urduk)
Erolith and Merrath teleported into a small lake in the middle of a lush jungle. The first thing they saw was a man who was sitting alone on the throne. His face was blank, but it was apparent that he had endured prolonged torture of loneliness.
"Let’s meet your dad, Merrath," Erolith held his son’s hand and walked on the lake towards the throne in the middle of the lake. "Urduk, it’s me," Erolith called. But there was no answer.
Erolith knew it would be like this since Urduk was stuck in this place for almost two centuries. He endured day and night alone in this lake. It was enough punishment for him.
Erolith caressed Urduk’s chin which has stubble on it. He raised Urduk’s chin, so their eyes could meet. "Urduk, I’ve returned."
Urduk was unresponsive for a while until his gaze started to focus, and he saw the one he loved so much finally reappeared in front of his eyes. Urduk hugged Erolith tightly out of reflex. "Erolith, don’t leave me!"
His eyes were full of fear, fear that someone would take Erolith away from him again. When he saw another beastman that had a similar face to him, he turned hostile immediately. "Stay away from my loved one!"
Erolith interrupted before Merrath got hurt. "Urduk, look at me," Urduk glanced at Erolith again. He was unsure if this was just a mirage or Erolith really returned to him. Erolith was old now, very old and wrinkly.
But for Urduk, the love in his heart still hadn’t dissipated even an ounce since Erolith left him. In fact, the feeling only got stronger overtime, and Erolith’s old appearance didn’t disgust him at all. "Is this not a dream? Erolith, is this really you?"
"Yes," Erolith smiled and kissed Urduk’s lips. "I’ve returned, Urduk."
Urduk gently touched Erolith’s cheek and eyes. It felt so real as if everything that he endured was just a hallucination. "My love, I’ve waited for so long. At last... at last, you’ve returned..." Urduk said with tears streaming down on his cheek.
"I have returned, but I cannot stay for so long, Urduk. I’m old now. I cannot live longer than this..." Erolith said. He pointed at Merrath. "I bring our son here."