Chapter 25

NICO SEVER POV:

"Is that all you've got? If then, I must say that I'm terribly disappointed at you, little brother". Melzri mocked, shaking her head comically.

"Stop talking while fighting!" I bellowed, letting the soulfire wrap my fists and moved. The black spikes making a series of footholds for me to jump on, as I shot through the sky aiming at where the grey-haired Scythe stood. "And, I'm not your little brother!" I snarled, releasing the tainted flames, aiming at her face.

Melzri looked at me indifferently, almost in boredom. The soulfire shot through the air at a devastating speed; it's size large enough to devour her swiftly. But she moved her hand, with a flick of her wrist, creating a blast of black wind, which simply extinguished the flame. "Tsk. Tsk. Tsk." She clicked her tongue, while shaking her head with a sly grin. The act only made me angry, as I shot multiple black spikes around the ground where she stood.

"So predictable". She furrowed her brows as her body soon surrounded in a black mist that slithered around her like a coiling snake—protecting her. It spread out towards the incoming black spikes, like a poisonous venom coming into contact with them, melting them away like hot knife through butter.

It didn't stop there...as the snake shot through the air, leaving its conjurer, now aiming at its prey.

Me.

I tried to jump back while conjuring up more black spikes to intercept the incoming poison mist. But, the snake opened its maw, its mouth covered in endless darkness much like my trainer's eyes, as it descended upon me.

"Do you give up, little brother? I don't want to believe that our lord, the High Sovereign, made a mistake in choosing you. I won't accept that you're a failed experiment, unlike your predecessor." Melzri spoke through the mist. Her voice coming from everywhere, yet nowhere.

Was I hearing her voice inside my head?! I freaked out.

"S-Stop this non-sense, Melzri. You know I don't like these sick games of yours." I yelled, my voice deep and hollow as it fizzled out just as the sound left my mouth.

The damn mist! I grunted inside my mind.

"You have been given a chance to redeem yourself. Yet here you are, failing yet again. With no improvement to show." Finally, I could see the Scythe's figure as she appeared amongst the swirling black mist. Her white skin a striking contrast to the power she wielded. "So weak! Yet, you keep playing with that little plaything of yours all day long. Skipping training sessions." She shook her head in disappointment, her onyx eyes narrowly fixed on my position.

"Shut the hell up!" I snapped. Moving my hand, soulfire bursted out, around my feet, pushing me back to safety—far and away from the poison mist. "Speak about her, and your tongue will be burned", I hissed, glaring at my trainer.

"Stop chattering". A soft, silvery voice rung next to my ear, cutting me off. It's grating quality made my teeth screech, and insides churn. I spun around, to see the woman, my other trainer, Scythe Viessa—standing at the entrance of the training room.

"Nico". Her deep set of black-on-black eyes fixed on mine, devoid of any emotions. "High Sovereign ordered you to go take care of the legacy. She is having one of her episodes again."

My previous anger, only raged out. "O-Ordered?" I growled, grinding my teeth as my jaws clenched. Releasing the spell I had casted, I moved away from the still lingering black mist, headed towards the training room entrance. "What did Agrona do to her now?!" I spat out in anger.

"If I were you, I'd watch that mouth of mine, little Nico. Even the walls of our lord's castle have ears of their own, you must know." Viessa spoke, her voice unusually calm, yet making my stomach flip.

Letting out a huff, I ignored her hollow gaze, and Melzri's maundering, as I made my way through the hallways of Agrona's Taegrin Caelum.

My mind went through the events of my past, just as they did a lot lately.

Ever since I came to this world, I had done nothing but train. Spending hours upon hours everyday, only to be experimented on and manipulated. What do I have to show for in return? My failures. And my inabilities. I can't even spend a damn day in peace with my fiancé—my love—Cecilia.

It's all because of that bastard!

GREY!

I have been given chances upon chances to enact my revenge—to do what was right. To kill the bastard who masqueraded as our friend. To finally right the wrong that been done upon me and my love.

It is only fair that you die at my hands, Grey! You traitorous son of a bitch.

I wanted nothing more than to crush that cockroach under my feet. Yet...the underlying fact that Agrona had denied me from accepting Grey's challenge at the Victoriad—and my consistent inability to get past the white stage—means I have lost my usefulness.

I have lost Agrona's trust.

This only meant one thing. That...I have to find another way—a way, to kill that bastard without the High Sovereign's permission.

Squeezing my palms tight, I let out a shaky breath. Standing in front of Cecilia's room, I composed myself for what's to come. Just as I did that, the door swung open as a figure came out. Her turquoise eyes, which should've given me a sense of hope and peace, only stirred up the deep hatred I had for the other continent and it's lessers. "Hey Nico. Did Agrona send you to come check up on me?" Cecilia asked, looking at me with a smile.

My body instantly relaxed at her action, and my shoulders slumped. "I came here by myself. I heard you were having difficulties with your practice." I replied, moving past her to enter the room.

"Not exactly—" She replied and paused, while I turned around to face her again. "I wanted to try something else. To use the beast will inside this body. And I wa—"

"Wait, WHAT?! How many times have I told you not to do that?" I snapped, the mana around me resonated to the blazing fury that grew inside me, as they visibly vibrated and rippled away. Walking close to the girl I had fallen in love—a lifetime ago, I looked into her eyes. "I'm sorry, Cecil. I'm a bit agitated. But you still need to gain full control of your core, before touching that will". I spoke calmly.

Cecilia shook her head, walking past me as she sat at the edge of the bed. "Agrona checked my core again. He used his...ability, to show me how I can control my beast will. It's based on the memories of the previous owner of this body who had died—"

"That bastard!" I seethed in an uncontrollable rage at the thought of Agrona playing—manipulating—with Cecilia's memory again. The notion of trusting Agrona, falling for his sweet words...he wasn't so different from that traitorous bastard, I understood that. Both are cold and calculative who wouldn't think twice before killing me, or Cecilia. Though, the only comfort I had in was knowing the importance she held to him. However to be used as a tool—a weapon. "Did he erase, or alter any of your memories?" I asked, my voice cold and deep.

She blenched. "No...I-I don't know". She admitted. "But I can now fully control my mana channels and veins. It's like I am born for this. If I could control that angry will inside me..."—she paused, lowering her head—"...we could fight against our friend. I will be strong enough to kill him".

I grabbed her arm, which were more slender than the one's she had in our previous life, I remembered. "You're right. We will only be at peace when that bastard dies. Once and for all." My fingers ran past the series of rune markings on her skin, that glowed, looking livelier as I touched them. "What are you thinking, Nico?" Cecilia asked, intertwining her fingers with mine.

"Nothing particular". I lied, turning my eyes away. If anyone's going to kill Grey, it should be me. Not you. I thought in confidence. I'll do it to keep you safe.

"Okay. Let's fight him together. Yes?" Cecilia asked, breaking the short silence. I lifted my head to look at her, trying to keep my true intentions from seeping out. "Yes, we cer—"

My words stopped abruptly at the sound of knocks at the door. Pushing down the annoyance at the sudden interruption, I flounced to the door, pushing it open.

A familiar figure stood, bouncing on his legs—but he stopped and bowed down, when he noticed my deep scowl. "Draneev! What did I tell you about not disturbing me when I'm busy with my fiancé?"

"Please forgive me, my lord. Your servant has brought you an important news which you will surely like." He replied, lifting himself off, before handing over a piece of paper.

Opening it and reading through its contents—a sadistic grin appeared on my previously disgruntled face.

***

ARTHUR LEYWIN POV:

Bustling city street greeted us, as we leapt off the carriage. Supporting herself with my hand, Caera stood next to me. Our arms interlocked.

"I don't see any clothing store here." I said, looking left and right at the series of shops that lined the major thoroughfare on either sides.

Caera gave a smile, tugging at my arm. "I thought it would be good for us to walk a little, to the store."

I smiled back. "Sure. Why not?"

"Great!" She exclaimed, pulling me by the arm as we moved through the crowds, some of whom, noticed our presence—or rather Caera's—as they started to murmur amongst themselves.

Ignoring their not-so-subtle gazes, I walked in haste, letting Caera take me wherever she wanted us to go. "You seem awfully chirpy today" I commented, turning to look at her happy face.

She slowed down her footsteps, looking back at me. "Do I now? Well, I could say the same to you!" She replied, flashing me a teasing smile.

I let out a cough, before averting my gaze as I felt slightly embarrassed at her words.

Caera softly chuckled, tightening her hold around my arm. "It's nice to see you taking it easy—to see you enjoying, simply". She said sincerely.

I was taken aback by her words. "I-I do? I didn't realise..." I trailed off, when I slowly understood that—I was indeed, feeling better...better than I should be.

Why?

Caera had taken me shopping for new clothes before our visit to the Denoir's Estate. I had told her that it wasn't necessary—but, she insisted—or rather, forcefully dragged me...the act that reminded me of my mother  when she used to do the same.

Caera's voice snapped me back to reality.  "Yes, you do. Lately, for sure. But you know how hard I have to work—to crack that ice wall of yours? And to make you smile..."

I scratched my head, feeling embarrassed at how much she understood, and influenced my personality lately... It was an unexpected surprise—something that I haven't asked for. And something that I'm getting used to.

'What? No teasings? No inappropriate comments?' I asked my companion who has been keeping his silence ever since we left the academy.

'Erm...no, nothing to say to you.' Regis replied, even his mental voice carrying traces of foreign quality.

I scoffed. 'Don't tell me that you're mad at me for not letting you stay back!'

'What do you want me to say princess?' Regis snapped.

'Regis...you know as well as I do that you need to take it easy. You can't be spending 24/7 playing with that relic. It's not healthy. Remember what you said to me when I did the same with the creeper's stone? Know that I'm looking out for your best interest.'

Regis rolled his eyes, moving across the newly forged layer of my aether core. 'Ughh fine! Stop sweet talking to me. It—feels disgusting!' He jabbed, making me sigh.

Ignoring my companion and his spiteful words, I narrowly dodged a woman who was about to clash against me as she walked past through the crowd. I remembered, Caera telling me about Regis having his first transformation and how it had ended abruptly. Ever since that, my companion had been trying to gain full control over his relic, and transform back to his humanoid form.

He has been staying away from me—keeping to himself—focused solely on his training. And pushing himself above the limits, which surely have changed his attitude and personality to some extent.

It's as if...he's being his own person—more than he had ever been before.

"Grey, let's go to that store!" Caera's high pitched voice made me whip my head to the direction she was pointing at. "Alright, let's go". I replied, chuckling at her enthusiasm.

Her navy hair tousled against the wind, sweeping and brushing across my face spreading down her familiar scent through my nostrils.

It was calming, and comforting.

Sudden urges—something I have been feeling a lot, when I'm with Caera—threatened to rise up.

The memories of our time, training together came to my mind. Caera's body...pressing against mine; her lips, just a kissing distance away—wait, what?!

I shook my head to clear those...sudden, inappropriate memories, and the obscene thoughts that came tangled with it. I've already gotten past it! I assured myself, reliving again the moments when I had felt awkward, uncomfortable and vulnerable in Caera's presence.

But...during the school trip, I couldn't hold back at her words. They were genuine, with true intent. And then, her radiant smile, with those magical eyes...that made my knees go weak and feel powerless, despite the willpower I wielded for pushing those kinds of thoughts down the drain.

It didn't feel as bad as it sounds. I decided earnestly.

Then, I heard a sound of snorting inside my head—my mental link. Regis.

"How do I look?" Caera asked, finally bringing me back to the present. We were standing in front of a high end clothing store. But, Caera seems to have stopped us at the front, next to a small booth selling jewels and precious stones.

She was holding a necklace against her neck, I noticed.

Its metallic silver rope ran down intricately, intertwined into a slim chain that had an ethereal, glowing quality. But my eyes were drawn to its ends, where a heart-shaped pendant laid gently against her chest.

A brilliant sparkling stone adorned its centre, radiant ruby in colour.

It reminded me of her own eyes, as I looked up at them instinctively. The necklace seemed to accentuate her eyes, even more, bringing out their enchanting quality. 

"W-What is it? Does it not look good?" Caera asked hoarsely, her voice breaking me out of my trance as I looked into her eyes again. "You look beautiful", I said softly.

Her eyes shook, before widening into two red moons. I winced back, realising the meaning behind my words. "No—wait—I mean, the necklace...it's beautiful. It looks, good on you..." I corrected myself, though Caera's face remained unchanged as she turned away, blushing. "T-Thanks..."

My heart fluttered, as I peeled my gaze away from her attracting face.

Her actions, the surroundings, this familiar feeling that I just felt. And then that necklace...everything seemed to stir-up the memories that were buried deep down inside me, as they slowly crawled back up.

Dammit.

This feeling...I knew exactly what my mind was trying to do...trying to show me. I've been having these conflicting thoughts ever since we started training.

Ever since, I almost kissed Caera.

Is it even fair for me to do this? I questioned myself at the thought of comparing Caera, with—Tessia.

Two of the women who had managed to get past my shields and defences that I had built around me. But, it's not fair to compare! The mere thought of doing so, made my stomach churn and heart bleed.

"Grey, are you okay?" A voice asked, pulling me away from my troubling thoughts. I realised that I had halted my steps...and Caera was standing next to the door, looking back at me questioningly.

"Y-Yeah, it's—nothing. Let's go." I lied, averting my gaze as I felt conflicted looking at her, yet again.

Caera grabbed my arm just as I reached her. Inserting hers inside me, she locked us together. "Are you—thinking about your past?" She asked in a soft murmur.

I flinched. Unable to comprehend how she had figured that detail out.

"Don't look at me like that." She spoke, grabbing back my full attention. "I've been with you long enough to know when you zone out—it's usually the times you think about your oh-so-mysterious past." She added, looking closely at my constricted face.

Her words made me cough uncomfortably. Not because of any insecurity, but due to my conflicting emotions. "Am I that easy to read?" I asked back, pushing down the emotions from showing it on my face.

She gripped my hand tighter in response. Her voice still soft as a petal. "Mhmm. Though, like I said, I had to work pretty hard to study you and figure you out."

Her answer wasn't too surprising anymore. "So what have you studied so far?" I asked in curiosity.

She shook her head with a bitter smile. "I'm still in the process of deciphering your past. When I'm done, I'll let you know."

I nodded my head, unable to reply to those words. My past...if you knew, how would you react to that? I wondered.

Entering the store, a woman greeted us with a bow. "Welcome Sir and Madame. Who are we shopping for today?" The salesclerk flashed her practiced smile.

"This one here". Caera tugged at my arms. "He's meeting my parents tomorrow, so we're here to find him something nicer to wear".

The salesclerk's dark eyes started to shine, oddly. "Oh ofcourse!" She exclaimed, clapping her hands together. "Let me help you find your boyfriend something fitting for the occasion".

I froze at her words. My heart fluttered sending goosebumps across my skin. "T-Thanks". I heard Caera respond coyly, making me whip my head at her direction.

Looking at my stare she shrugged her shoulders. "Don't look at me like that. She misunderstood..."

"And you didn't correct her" I added in a firm tone. Caera gave a knowing smile that masked the red tint on her cheeks. "and you didn't either..."

Feigning a cough, I averted my gaze in embarrassment. Caera chuckled, patting my back as if to console me. "Stop sulking and go try on the dresses." Shaking my head in dismissal, I looked at the salesclerk who was walking back with different sets of cloth in her hand.

"All of these must be of perfect fit. Please try them on." The salesclerk handed me a pair of dresses. Thanking her, I went to try them on.

This went on for several more times, as I tried an uncountable number of dresses on. Everytime I wore a dress, Caera sent me back to try a new one on, saying that I can choose something better.

"What do you think?" I asked her, after coming out of the trial room for a millionth time.

Caera's eyes stared fixedly at my face, then to my dress. Without answering, she walked close to me, stopping right in front—barely a feet away.

Her hands rose up to adjust my shirt collar, the action which made me hold my breath inconspicuously. Her ruby eyes looked deeply into mine, her lips starting to quirk up.

"You look perfect." She said smoothly.

Her words sent a jolt of electricity down my body, making me shudder. "A-Am I?" I asked back, reflexively. My voice at the verge of breaking down.

She held her gaze, her smile widening. "You are to me".

My heart fluttered, and my face heated up like a candle set on flames.

Caera then lowered her hand from my shirt collar—bringing it down. She placed her palm over my shirt—my chest. I prayed: that she wouldn't notice how fast my heart was beating right now.

Her cheeks were slightly red, I noticed. She was looking at me with a gaze that—no friend would give to another. It reflected her true intentions, which I wasn't sure if I was ready to know and accept.

My eyes fixed back at hers...seemingly starting to get lost inside those endless, red pits. As I was falling and losing myself, it triggered my deep desires, the ones I had kept locked, setting them free and afloat... It wanted me to do what I had failed to do before. To finish the task. To finally kiss her—

I bit back those thoughts, which I had deemed to be conflicting, as I sent it tumbling back down again.

Caera then adjusted my overcoat and flashed her signature smile—so radiant and welcoming—the smile that always seemed to blast up a mix of emotions all throughout my body. 

It was beautiful and refreshing.

Then, a thought came to mind...

Will you give me this same smile if you knew about my real identity?... If you knew about my past life? Will you still think...I'm perfect?

I thought hopelessly.

Then all of a sudden, I noticed Caera move. She leaned in, dipping her face close—next—to mine, as our cheeks brushed against each other. Panic arose in me as my face started to pull away, but stopped—when I heard her voice next to my ears. "I may not known about your past. Yet, it doesn't truly matter to me who you were before. Because to me now, you're perfect. And nothing will ever change that". She whispered, then I felt something soft hit my cheek.

My eyes stared widely at Caera's smiling face, as she pulled back. Realisation dawned upon me making my face blush, probably matching the colour of the lips that just touched.

Caera just kissed me, I realised.