30 Chapter 28

ARTHUR LEYWIN POV:

Appearing inside my suite, I staggered, unable to hold myself steady. My knees gave out as I buckled down to the floor, crumbling and hitting the hardwood.

I kissed Caera. 

My mind repeated these words like a holy chant, hitting and ringing against my skull like a giant gong.

What I have done?!

I couldn't breath.

Series of coughs escaped my open mouth, muffling the sounds of my sobs and wails. My fists struck at the hard floor, as I writhed in agony and frustration.

Guilt. Pain. Regret.

All these feelings burst inside me, gnawing and eating away at my very soul.

It was excruciating... it was unbearable.

I clutched at the pendant that was hanging around my neck—pulling it away, breaking it. As if this action would somehow erase my pain, my guilt.

"Will you stop freaking out everytime you kiss someone?" Suddenly a voice resounded inside my head.

I dragged my body to the side to see a figure float through the open window, descending in front of me.

It then transformed into a wolf.

Regis.

My companion walked closer, eyeing me with an unreadable face. I knew he must've picked up my surge of emotions after I had...kissed Caera.

"So...wanna talk about it?" Regis asked as he settled near the corner of my bed.

I ignored him.

Feelings of embarrassment took over my entire being. I wanted to stay away from everyone and everything. Close myself, focus on the task that I needed to do.

To save my continent.

"Why are you embarrassed?" Regis interrupted my train of thoughts. "Kissing someone like Lady Caera must've been a score in every man's book. But here you are acting as if—"

"Shut the hell up" His words triggered my already raging emotions. "I'm not in the mood to bicker with you, Regis. Go away!" I snapped.

"No. Talk to me". He retorted, moving closer to me.

I shook my head. "You don't understand". My fingers started to tremble. "Tessia. How will I even look her in the eyes?" My throat constricted making me heave for breaths.

"Yeah that's a tough one 'cause we don't know where that trouble maker is..." Regis said nonchalantly.

"That's not what—" I groaned with impatience before shooting a glare at the useless shadow wolf. "Never mind. Just leave me alone!"

"Okay, alright, fine. I'll try to be more serious with you now. I honestly think you should stop acting as if someone had taken away your virginity. It was just a kiss. As simple as that". Regis quipped.

"..." I shook my head dismissively as various thoughts sprung to life inside me, making my doubts and uncertainty rise up threateningly.

It wasn't as simple as just 'one kiss'. What I did was wrong, and I couldn't deny that.

I considered what my mother would think seeing me with someone from the enemy continent—the same continent that killed my father, her husband—in cold blood.

Will she understand if she knows what I had done? Won't she hate me for that, more than she already does?

What would Virion think? It was my fault that his only granddaughter, Tessia had been taken away. How will he react if he sees me with—

"Argh, stop! You're a mad man, Arthur. Now why in the hell do you care what everyone thinks about your love life?" Regis barked, cutting into my thoughts.

"..." My insides raged—but no words came as I gritted my teeth at Regis's words.

Seeing my silence, he continued. "Have you learnt nothing? For crying out loud, you considered your best friend's feelings in your past life, and let him have the girl you liked. How did it end?"

I snapped. "No it's not the same! That was my old life—"

"It's not the same. And it's not your fault. What I'm trying to say is...you cannot control the fate. Some things are uncontrollable and unpredictable, no matter how much you plan for it. Did you plan to kiss a twelve year old after coming to this world?" He shot back.

I lowered my head. "N-No..."

"Ofcourse not! Same way, you didn't plan to meet someone from an enemy continent and end up befriending her. You both spent time together, fighting together, grew closer in time. One thing led to another, and you ended up kissing her. See that was unpredictable. It was fated." He quipped.

"..." I stayed silent, letting him speak as his words carried some truth to it.

"Besides, why are you looking at things with pessimism? This women, that had chosen to help out a stranger—an enemy, a war general—in hopes of seeing him achieve his goals, to stand by his side, in return for nothing but a chance—a chance to be with him.

She might be a traitor to her own continent, but she chose to give her true allegiance to the one she love.

Would you have not done the same? The time you begged Agrona to let your family live in safety in turn for leaving the war, the continent behind? That was you!" He paused. His words struck my heart deeply. It was true that I did do such a thing. I chose love over duty.

"Caera might be what you need to show Dicathians, that not all Alacryans are bad. She can be the example, that even people of power and authority need not choose war and hate, over love and peace.

She could be the reason to unite the two continents together.

As I'm not sure how you will face the asuras of Epheotus without their help...I may be a god weapon but I can only do much". He finished, shooting me a smug look.

I groaned impatiently. "Ugh fine! What do you think I should do? Take Caera with me when I go back?"

Regis wiggled his nonexistent eyebrows as a sly grin formed on his vulpine face. "Yes. And kiss her in front of your family and friends. That sure will show that Alacryans and Dicathians can fall in love with each other and live together in harmony—"

"W-WHAT!? REGIS! I swear—" I yelled, my face starting to warm up.

Regis rolled his eyes, unperturbed. "Jeez. I don't know why you're mad about that. Are you getting mad because you have to kiss Caera again? Or, is it because you think you will like the kiss, and want more in the future?"

He barked out a laugh.

"S-Shut up! And stop reading my thoughts!" I shot back, trying not to feel embarrassed at the words he had spoken. He wasn't wrong.

I kissed Caera. And I liked it. It was the truth.

But I shouldn't like it! I already have Tess. Or I had Tess?

No, I don't know anymore!

My train of thoughts, derailed, becoming senseless and chaotic as my mind entered a state of mess and panic.

I was overwhelmed. Spent.

Do I deserve this for the actions I had performed? For doing this to both Caera and Tessia?

Caera and Tessia... How can I even choose?

One had been my lifelong friend—my girlfriend—someone who showed me that even I am capable of being loved, and to love, unconditionally.

On the other side...I'd be lying if I said I didn't feel anything towards Caera. Despite, the cold personality that I held around me as Grey, she was able to get through it. Seemingly break my walls and make her way through.

She has been a companion I never knew I needed, yet, I couldn't imagine myself not being without her.

She had stuck with me through thick and thin. Without her, my stay in Alacrya wouldn't have been so simple. I couldn't possibly think about what I would have become? What I might have done?

Would I have become fully grey? Cold and calculative, destroying everything and everyone that stood in my path.

Would I even have any hope of returning back to being Arthur?

....

Rinia's voice echoed through my mind. Her words. '...you need to have an anchor...'

Caera had fit that role perfectly.

She had kept my sanity in check. Making sure I wouldn't do something regretful and inhumane, at times when I was at the verge of losing myself, be it to myself or to the destructive power I held.

I may not be a human anymore physically, but, with her by my side, I have never been more human in my life....my two lives.

Love and care, she had shown me both, unconditionally, when I was at my darkest time.

How would she react to Arthur? How will she treat me then?

Her promise. It came to my mind.

And then...my promise with tessia. The one that had been long gone and done. I didn't even know if tessia was truly alive. Truly her. What would become of her when and if I save her? I shook my head as I realised that I wasn't bothered about what she would think of me.

Rather, my mind went back to Caera again.

But, it's wrong! I couldn't possibly do this to Tessia. Our promise is not fulfilled—

"Kekekeke" Regis laughed out loud, earning another glare from me.

I growled. "What's funny Regis?" 

"It's funny that you keep going back to your promise with the elf princess. I understand that she was important to you. But have you not done everything you could for her, for your relationship? You have sacrificed yourself time and time again...by the end, getting not just yourself killed, but also your lifelong bond, your daughter—to sacrifice herself for your relationship.

I may not be a human nor experienced, but I sure know that this is not how a relationship would look like, or work.

It's a two-way street. It should be mutual. But here, it's only you doing everything, and the other person finds new ways to screw things up, only for you to save the day".  He said as a matter-of-fact. 

I winced, as his words hit me hard like a hammer. "B-But it's not right for me to leave her behind, just because she's not here right now and that there's another person that has come into my life".

Regis shook his head, before staring straight into my eyes. "Sometimes the right choice isn't always the best choice, Arthur.

If I'm being honest, the fact that you're here now, feeling something for Caera, means that your previous relationships have become null and void.

If you had still loved Tessia, you wouldn't be here agonising over your actions of kissing Caera. You would've chosen Tessia and ignored the kiss with Caera as if it had ever happened, or that it was simply a mistake. But here you are, finding a way to justify your actions". He paused, as I felt taken aback at his mature tone and words. It was unlike Regis to be this insightful and...helpful.

He continued, uncaring to my shocked face. "But it's okay Arthur. Be selfish for once. You deserve it.

And, you better not make Caera cry again, or else I will have to burn your limbs off and keep you that way for a day or two without letting you heal".

Silence lingered in the room as Regis's words echoed inside my mind. But it didn't take me long to come up with what I wanted to say. "You may be right in that my relationship with Tessia might not hold true anymore. Maybe it was a mistake, or that, we had made such a decision too soon in life or rather out of impulse."—I paused, pondering over my next set of words. It was true that the promise I had made to her was right before the horde attack. I was scared that I might never see my childhood friend again. It's possible that I may have misinterpreted it as love. Well, atleast a different kind of love than what it actually was. Letting out a deep breath, my mind gained a sudden clarity as I continued speaking to Regis.—"But that doesn't change the fact that I can just leave Tessia like this. The reason she's going through all this—is because of me. It's my fault and I need to save her, as much as I do Dicathen".

Regis nodded wordlessly, accepting what I had just said. "Ofcourse. We will save Tessia in time. But first, deal with the matter at hand. Don't you have something to tell Caera? Do that first. Tell her everything that she deserves to know. And let her decide what she wants to do. You don't want to lose her due to your stupidity now, do you?"

"N-No..." I answered quickly—more to myself than Regis.

I don't want to lose Caera.

But was I ready to accept her and my feelings for her? No, I wasn't sure. I couldn't do such a thing before I settle things with Tessia.

"Great! Let's go see Caera now. I want to show her—something private. Damn, do I miss her or what! It's been a while. Hehe" Regis said with a diabolical laugh.

"Regis stop being weird". I grunted.

"What? Are you mad at me? Are you jealous 'cause I'm talking about your new girlfriend like that?" He retorted as he gave a smirk.

I kept my silence, thinking if I should make the shadow wolf stay in my room when I speak with Caera.

Listening to my thoughts, Regis cut in. "Oh stop being so jealous princess. You can be her mate. I'll just be her cuddle buddy. You know, in my puppy form". He laughed.

My brows twitched in annoyance. "Regis I swear! Stop talking shit like this. Don't you have a thing for Abby now?"

"Well I do. But it's you who wouldn't help me with that. If only you would, then I'll leave Caera alone". He replied, looking at me slyly.

I rolled my eyes. "Fine. I'll help. Now stop acting like a horny wolf".

He wordlessly smiled before jumping inside my sternum, as I activated God Step to meet Caera.

CAERA DENOIR POV:

My gut clenched and tears ran uncontrollably as my mind replayed the events that had happened today.

I shrank back into the Carriage seat, my hands pushing against my eye socket, wiping away the endless tears that drenched my face, dress and the whole Carriage.

Grey had kissed me. Or, I kissed him first. I couldn't understand, I didn't know.

But—we shared a kiss. Our first kiss. M-My first kiss. Hopefully his too.

It wasn't what I had expected to transpire after we both learned about my parents sudden proposal to Grey.

Neither did I expect what had happened after that...

The feeling of elation I felt when his lips touched mine, washed away, leaving me dry and hopeless when he suddenly broke our kiss.

Why?

Why did he kiss me?

And why did he break it?

Why did he choose to apologise?

What was that look he gave me—before vanishing from my sight?

Millions of questions flooded my mind, drowning me in pain and sorrow.

I felt alone, and desperate for answers. The answer I wasn't sure if the man I had fallen in love with, will give me.

Shaking my head in exasperation, I pushed myself back into the seat and tightly gripped at the armrest, much anxious for the Carriage to reach the academy.

I wanted to see him. And talk to him. Finally hear about his pas—

My thoughts came to a sudden halt when the Carriage stopped on its track. Confusion arose inside me as I called out to the driver in the front. "What's wrong? Why did you stop?"

"T-There's someone in front of the Carriage, my lady. He's blocking the way. I'll go chec—" The driver's nervous voice died down in the middle, leaving me with silence.

A light of hope lit inside me at his words. A figure, in front of my Carriage...

Could it be...Grey?

My heart thrummed, both in nervousness and excitement, as I flung the door open in haste. I scanned the surroundings before leaping off the Carriage.

Just as my feet touched the dirt road, I stopped—mouth agape, face darkening in terror at the sight that laid in front of me.

Scores of obsidian spikes, shot out from the ground spreading throughout the open field, all pointing upwards as if threatening to pierce through the heaven itself.

My eyes moved to the dark figure that seemed to float—fly—down from the distant mountains. It—or rather, he—approached me. His alabaster skin glistened against the setting sun that were reflected off the endless spikes.

"I hope I'm not late". He spoke as his voice reverberated throughout the open fields, before his dark eyes landed on me.

My body stiffened, as I felt a heavy blanket of carnal and unabated bloodlust fall over me. It was nothing like Grey's, not even close—but the pressure was strong enough to make any normal mage tremble and fall on their knees, curl up in fear.

I stood my ground, as my jaws tensed up at the pressure as I looked up at the man—no, boy—in confusion. He raised a brow, surprised that I was able to withstand his bloodlust. "Tch! Where the hell is that bastard?" He asked, his tone impatient as he looked around with annoyance.

"W-Who are you?" I asked, gritting my teeth as I felt my body take a step back instinctively in fear.

His dark eyebrows arched up in what I thought to be surprise. "You don't know who I am? Tch! How ignorant for a highblood! I'm the new Scythe of Central Dominion, Nico Vritra".

I shuddered as a sharp chill ran down my spine.

S-Scythe? Of Central Dominion...I had heard about a new Vritra blood—nurtured by the High Sovereign, Agrona himself, take up his position as Scythe Cadell Vritra's successor.

B-But why is he here? And why is he hostile?

Could it be—

I let out an audible gasp as puzzle pieces fell into place.

Grey's unusual challenge at the Victoriad. His insistence on participating in it no matter what. And then his words...

'I'm not fighting to win. I'm fighting to kill'.

Grey wants to fight against Scythe Nico! Why? How does he even know him?! What kind of history do they have—to make him go to this extent?

My mind hurled with countless thoughts as I tried to make head or tails of the situation. But...I knew one thing for sure.

Nico was here for Grey.

But he isn't leaving despite knowing that Grey is not here with me. That only means one thing...

I activated my ring before pulling my crimson sword out. My eyes became sharp and posture, defensive as I pointed my sword at the Scythe's face.

I knew what this action will mean to me—to my blood. But, it's Grey. I had promised him that I will do whatever I have to—to keep him safe. To be with him. To make him happy.

Even if I have to fight against a Scythe. High Sovereign, himself... I will.

Scythe Nico's eyebrows furrowed in a deep scowl, before he let out a maniacal laugh. With his face grinning like a madman, he spoke out. "Oh you want to fight against a scythe like me?"

I didn't answer him. Instead, I took my stance. I knew my attempt was futile, hopeless, but I didn't have any other choice now.

The Scythe waved his hand as the mana around me started to move. My senses screamed at me to step back, run away as a sharp black spike shot out from the ground where I was standing only a second ago.

"So it's you. That bastard has already found another one. Why am I not surprised? Even though he had been terrible with women, his looks and strength never failed to attract attention from women like you. The women he doesn't deserve!" Scythe Nico spat out in rage as another series of black spikes shot out randomly all around my direction.

I cut down a few, while using the conjured spikes as a foothold to gain some distance from the Scythe. His dark eyes sharpened in fury as he gnashed his teeth. "Quit hopping around like a helpless rabbit. You have nowhere to go and you know it! Just give up already!" He hissed, flicking his finger as the familiar black fire came into existence.

He shot out the black fire in my direction, aiming for the spikes that I was using as foothold—to halt my retrieval.

My nerves tingled as the same soulfire burned inside me, begging to be unleashed. It took all of my willpower to keep myself from using it. To keep my identity—my Vritra ancestry—safe.

The boy looked impatient as he started to float in the air. His hands stretched outward as he conjured up more and more black ball of flames aiming it straight at my direction.

Endless black spikes conjured out of the ground, shot up towards me, while countless black flames descended upon me. I spun around my heels, trying to evade the deadly spikes as I moved out and away from the crumbling ground that shot out the black spikes aiming at my organs.

I sent out a series of fire mana blast using my first emblem as they intercepted the incoming black flames.

My footsteps came to an halt when I noticed that the Scythe had vanished from his position, his attack had stopped. I bobbed my head up when I felt a strong mana fluctuation as I narrowly avoided the fist coated with black soulfire that had come straight to my head.

Nico—jumped in front of me, his face red in rage. His hands moved in an upward swipe as pillars of black spikes shot all around me like a prison cage. I slashed my sword at the spike, trying to cut down the bars to free myself from the Scythe's hold.

"Are you stupid? You think you can break down all the spikes that I can create with just a mere thought? I can do this all day, while let's see how long you can swing that useless sword around." He let out a laugh, yet his eyes remained deceitful and filled with rage.

I kept cutting down the black spikes as they kept springing up just as the previous one went down.

"Tch! You're as cocky as that bastard! I hate that son of bitch. And now I hate you too. I can't wait to kill you in front of his eyes. Make him suffer the pain just as he made me to!" The Scythe snarled as he moved. Taking a step forward, he conjured up flames over the spikes that had surrounded me.

I was now inside the burning black cage, unable to escape.

My sword hit the flaming spikes, but unlike before, it didn't do much as the spikes held strong against my attack.

Panic rose inside me as I tried to neutralise the black fires with my own. But decay magic ate away my fire mana like a hungry predator devouring a helpless prey.

My face darkened in terror and heart thumped loudly. I told myself that this isn't the end, and that Nico will keep me alive, atleast till Grey comes.

I clutched the pendant around my neck, the one that Grey had given me. My emotions overwhelmed me as I tried to pour out everything I had into my pendant. Sadness, Confusion, Fear....Hope. Hope, that he will hear my call... that he will come save me.

But... I was met with an eerie silence. Everything I had sent through the pendant—through our link—died down, vanished away as if it had never been sent.

My heart dropped, but I held out my hope, hope that he will somehow come save me at the right time.

He always does.

A sharp laugh made me snap my head to the front.

Stopping right in front of me, Nico took a circular shaped artifact plated with white runes and golden chains. I knew what it was.

Mana suppression tool.

But, it looked different from the ones I have seen the officials use. Nico noticed my darkening face as his grin widened. "I guess you know what this thing is." He said as he conjured a couple of black spikes in front and back of me, diagonally—pinning me in place.

I lost my ability to move. Burning black fire only a few inches away from my skin, ready to eat me alive at any time. While a black spike stopped right below my throat as it vibrated, scratching and piercing at my skin, making me bleed.

Nico stretched his hands out as he placed the artifact on my sternum and chained my limbs.

I felt my mana leave my body, detaching itself from my runes. I felt powerless as much as hopeless.

Nico continued, after making sure that the artifact has been activated. "Don't even try to escape as this is no normal artifact. It is made by the High Sovereign himself, strong enough to restrain even the Sovereigns. I brought it for Grey, to make sure that cockroach wouldn't break out of this one. But to his luck, he isn't here. Tch."

My jaws clenched as I glared at the boy standing in front of me. "You really are a feisty one, aren't you? No wonder that bastard keeps you with him" The black haired Scythe laughed.

He moved closer and with a flick of his wrist, he extinguished the black fire as if it had never been lit, while the cage of black spikes—crumbled into black dust—leaving me open to the Scythe. "Not gonna lie, you're as hot as one could be. Should I have chosen you instead of that elf bitch? I could've given my fiancé a look she deserves". Nico said, grabbing my chin with his ugly hands as he licked his lips.

"What do you want? Why are you doing this to me?" I cringed, trying my best to keep my voice from cracking.

The Scythe's eyes glinted as an evil grin appeared on his crazy face. "I only want Grey to suffer. If torturing and killing you will do that, then I will do it". He stated matter-of-factly.

My heart started beating rapidly as my breathing became shallow. "W-Wait! I'll come with you. D-Don't kill me yet. Grey is not here". I pleaded, hoping to gain more time.

Nico's grin became wider as he peered at me madly. I knew whatever he was planning wouldn't end well for Grey, or me.

Grey...I don't know what's going on here. But I hope you will come for me. Please. Or else—my thoughts came crashing down, when I felt a sharp pain in my upper body.

My eyes lowered in horror to see a lonely black spike, painted in red—my blood—jutting out of my chest.

"Gah!" A pained cry escaped my throat, as I heard Nico's cackling before my vision went dark...

"Good night. Sleep well. Kekeke."