Chapter 77. After War

**77. After War**

***Rafael's POV:***
Every second seemed like a year. I wanted the situation to conclude quickly and for us all to return safely to our loved ones who were waiting for us.
I couldn't see my mate battling everything besides Cindy. I only wish I could help her, but I was the one who caused all of the harm in the first place, which made me feel even more guilty.
Except for Astrid's family and Edward, whom I had ordered to leave, my army of demons had effectively wiped off everyone who had come with Vincent. I know why Astrid's family is treating her this way, so I'm going to let my little dove decide what she wants to do with those who have hurt her.
I'd want to give Edward the benefit of the doubt. What if he was also under the influence of Vincent? So I'm hoping this is all over soon so I can talk to Astrid about it and figure out what to do with him.
I attempted to retain a cool demeanor after watching a furious hellfire roar onto Astrid and Cindy's faces, because right now not only the vampires of my coven who stood in every high and low of my life are looking up at me, but so are other coven's vampires, shifters, witches, and demons. It will be disastrous if I break down or exhibit any signs of fear or defeat.
When Astrid took the lead and drained the life force out of Vincent before hurling him into the hellfire, I was proud. Soon after, Cindy and Astrid began performing spells, producing lightning in their palms and shooting it towards hellfire.
I was afraid at one point. Despite our distance from Cindy and Astrid, I could feel the heat emanating from the infernal fire. Because Astrid and Cindy were in the lead, I was afraid they would be the first victims of the hellfire if they didn't manage to put it out in time.
Bryan joined me in my concern for his mate. I mentally warned him not to cry out for them. We don't want to distract them by making things look bad for them.
Soon, the winds rustled about us, which I assumed was to put out the fire, but then a storm arrived, sending the trees flying like cotton balls into the tunnel of flames in front of us.
I initially assumed it was due to Astrid's abilities, but quickly recognized that it was neither Astrid nor Cindy's doing and that it may be happening on its own.
All of a sudden, I observed something extraordinary that none of us could fathom. In front of our eyes appeared a vast number of unfamiliar people whom we had never seen before.
Bryan and I exchanged looks, wondering who they were. When I focused on the other supernatural creature's comments, our doubts were quickly dispelled. Everyone became sad and began searching for their deceased loved ones. Some were for their mother, some for their siblings, and yet others for their friends. That's when I realized they're all deceased magical beings being pulled through the afterlife portal.
Their spirits and bodily forms were being drawn into the portal.
I had no idea what to do or what to expect next. Someone from those spirits suddenly drew my attention.
"Mom!" both Eva and I exclaimed. We can't go wrong with our mom. She, too, was being drawn deeper into the hellhole.
I think Astrid heard us and came to stop. I couldn't stop crying. After a century, I was finally seeing my mother. I want nothing more than to be near her and support her
Eva and I began sprinting towards our mother.
"Astrid, don't even think about it," Cindy said, and I quickly realized what they were talking about.
I thought that I was hallucinating at first, but watching Cindy weep confirmed my suspicions, which meant my mother was here and Astrid was planning to bring her back to life.
"Cindy, either you help me or I'm going to have to do this on my own," Astrid warned.
"Astrid, NO!" I cried, but she wasn't paying attention. As much as I want my mother to resurrect, I can't risk losing Astrid, our kid, and the lives of everyone around me.
Tattoos began to grow on her neck, and I guess Cindy was very emotional at the time. She wanted her best friend back with her. That's what I could conclude: when I hurried in Astrid's direction, an unseen wall kept me from approaching them.
"Cindy, you must stop her." I cried, but they were gone, casting spells to silence me. "You might endanger millions of lives."
Cindy wielded a magic that ensnared Mom in a fixed location, drawing others through the portal with her. Countless thoughts raced through my mind. What would people say about us now? We had endangered countless lives and failed to preserve their ancestors, all in a selfish bid to save only our mother. Despite my yearning to halt everything, I knew it was beyond my power. I longed for my mother's return, despite my attempts to deny it, but not at the expense of losing Astrid.
A bubble began to form around Astrid, and it quickly became trapped around my mother and all of our people who were dead, resurrecting them. I strained to reach Astrid, who screamed in agony, yet the barrier barred my advance
"Rafael, Eva!" Our mother's voice cut through the chaos, drawing our attention.
We yearned to rush to her side, but fear gripped me, fearing Astrid's efforts would be in vain.I stood immobilized, clueless on the next step, opting to wait. It dawned on me that Cindy had released Astrid's hand, holding sway over the hellfire
I'm not sure whether she was even conscious of what she was doing. From this viewpoint, all I could see was Astrid's hands spreading out and emitting energy, which caused hellfire to recede. She was also keeping Mom in place at the same time.
Astrid groaned one more time, and the unending tunnel grew further away from us, but we could still see it.
When I arrived at Astrid's side, I noticed tears flowing down her eyes.
"Cindy, why aren't you helping her?" I asked.
"Rafael, there's nothing I can do at this point," she said, shaking her head.
"But you were the one who told me you could manage it, so what happened now?" I asked.
Cindy simply shook her head. She seemed fatigued and tired. She collapsed to the ground unexpectedly, and Bryan rushed to her side. Only Astrid remains, and she is managing everything. Cindy's not at fault. She tried and almost succeeded, but she never got to the point where I was satisfied. Astrid screamed as she dropped to her knees, but she wouldn't let go of the force she was holding on to.
"Astrid!" I said, but Cindy signaled for me to come, stop, and let Astrid finish what she was doing.
With one vicious snarl, Astrid channeled all her energies with such power that creases formed on her face.
"Please, Cindy, do something," I implored.
She took a deep breath and struggled to her feet. She returned to Astrid's side, clutching her hands and chanting the spells.
The cold wind intensified, whisking away the portal to hell in a fleeting moment. Astrid, with one final flick, closed the portal while steadfastly supporting our mother. A collective sigh of relief echoed through us.
She smiled at me, and I understood her intention. I had to place my trust in her now, for she needed it desperately. Yet, a lingering hope flickered within me, asking if she had the strength to resurrect these dead people.
She shut her eyes. Those tattoos, which appear when her necromancer side takes control, have yet to vanish. That bubble got larger and larger, bringing all of our friends who had died back to life and reviving them.
I glanced towards my mother, whose foggy body was becoming more visible as fresh flesh began to cover her and each organ began to fill with vitality, infusing her with life.
She, too, was taken aback. As she began to take physical shape, she began to examine her hands and body.
I ran up to her and hugged her.
"Rafael!" she said, wrapping her arms around me. She looks just as she did a century ago. I could finally feel the warmth I had craved for so long.
"Mom, I can't tell you how much I've missed you. I never stopped thinking about you." I never imagined I'd see you again after that day," I sniffled. I had so much bottled up inside of me, but I couldn't find the words to express myself.
"I know. Leaving you and your sister was the most difficult thing for me, but I couldn't face treachery from my own mate. I wish I could have told you everything, but time was running out. I am very proud of you, my son," Mom sobbed. "I couldn't have done a better job raising you. Everything was visible to me. I'm delighted you found Astrid. She was well worth all of our efforts. "
"You know about her? I asked like a little baby.
"Yes, my boy," she said, "and I can't wait to meet her."
"Mom, I am sorry I couldn't keep up with your promise. I had no choice except to kill Elliot." I asked forgiveness.
"I know Rafael and have no regrets. Your father was due it. Though it took me a while to realize, I'm happy I was able to leave my blood." She nodded and brushed my tears away.
"Eva," she said, pulling away from me, and Eva rushed over to hug her.
She sobbed her heart out, telling her how much she missed her, and I could well understand her feelings; she had spent the least amount of time with our mother, and witnessing her come back to life could have been too much for her.
I should thank my little dove because I couldn't bring my mom back to life if she didn't exist. I began walking towards Astrid, who was still kneeling on the ground.
Shit! With the whole turmoil mess I was pulled into, I completely forgot how delicate my little dove was at the moment. I was so surprised to see my mom after so many years that I had forgotten about everything.
"Astrid!" I dashed over to her side.
Her eyes were tired, and she was exhausted too, with large dents on her skin like not sleeping in days.
"It's over, little dove; you did it; you were able to seal the portal to hell," I said as I grasped her hands in mine and forced her to stand.
"Are you happy, Rafael?" she inquired.
"I couldn't have asked for anything better," I said as tears streamed down my cheeks.
"Then nothing makes me happier than seeing you happy," Astrid said with a weary smile.
before I could say anything further She closed her eyes and was ready to collapse to the ground.
"Astrid!"I yelled and drew her into my arms, saying, "Charles, Cindy, come here right now!" I called out urgently, summoning someone to assist.
With haste, I teleported us inside Charles' hospital, my hands trembling as fear and worry gripped my heart. Charles swiftly began to examine her, his expression grave. "What happened to her?" I demanded, my voice fraught with anxiety.
Cindy and Charles exchanged looks.
"Would you just speak up?" I screamed.
"We warned you, Rafael, that bringing a long-dead person back to life may endanger Astrid's life.  The life power she had taken from our opponents was enough for her to bring others back to life, but as I had previously stated, bringing back someone who had been dead for millennia would have far-reaching consequences, and Astrid paid a high price this time." Cindy sniffled a tear.
I become numb at my pace.

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