Aldric's Perspective:
Many like to believe we live in a fair world, where equality is woven into the fabric of fate. Some are fortunate—blessed with power, riches, and the ability to shape their own reality. Others, though, are cursed with misfortune, weakness, and the crushing despair that comes with losing those they hold dear.
I stood there in front of Xander, my expression a perfect mask of calm, though a smirk tugged at the corner of my lips. His eyes were wide open, yet the fool was still asleep, trapped in the illusion of void I'd cast around him.
A pity, really. He didn't even realize that he was in my world now, a world where I controlled everything. But even now, I was letting him go. After hearing his pathetic reasons for trying to hurt Celia, most would've put him down right there.
But I didn't want to. The old me? I would've done it without a second thought. But now? Now, I'm feeling merciful. Funny how things change.
I slapped Xander's cheek—not hard, just enough to stir him from his delusion and bring him back to the harsh truth of reality.
He groggily reached up, his hand brushing his neck, as if checking it was still there. His gaze flickered around, confusion clouding his features as he slowly emerged from the illusion I'd trapped him in.
What had he seen? I wondered briefly. I only showed him a glimpse, a taste of the whispers I hear, the unsettling presence that hounds me in the dark corners of my mind.
"What happened?" Xander's voice came out shaky, as if he'd just woken from a nightmare, the horror of the illusion still lingering in his chest.
I placed a hand on his shoulder, my smirk widening just a little. "It was a close fight, after all," I said, letting my words drip with sarcasm. "You probably overheated going all out."
Xander's hand trembled as it went to his forehead, his face contorted as if he was trying to process what had just happened, trying to make sense of the surreal experience he'd just lived through.
"Let's call this a draw," I continued, my voice smooth and cold. "Neither of us collapsed, and it's been clear from the start that it was going to be close."
I turned and started walking away from him, taking my time. Let him think on it. Let the silence stew between us.
Then, just as I was about to leave him behind, I heard his voice. "You could've killed me, couldn't you?" His breath was still ragged, the weight of our battle hanging on his words.
I stopped, letting the silence stretch on for a long moment. I could almost hear his heart beating faster, feel the uncertainty rolling off him.
I let the pause linger before answering, my voice cutting through the quiet like a knife. "Answer me, damn it," he pressed, his voice growing more frantic. "Why were you holding back, knowing I had intentions to kill you?"
The question hung in the air between us, his words trying to pry open the door to the thoughts I was carefully guarding. I could almost feel him searching, trying to understand what drove me, trying to find some rationale. But here's the thing: he would never get it. He couldn't.
I turned to face him again, my smirk still there, though there was something colder behind it. "You really want to know, Xander? Fine, I'll tell you."
I took a slow step forward, savoring the tension. "I held back because... you're just not worth it."
His expression faltered, surprise flashing across his face, like I'd just slapped him again, but with words this time.
"See," I said, pausing to let the silence stretch again, "I don't waste my time on people who are already dead inside. You've been playing this game, fighting to prove something you don't even understand, and in the end, that's all you are. A little boy, pretending to be a man."
I watched as the words hit him, felt the discomfort creeping into his bones. He opened his mouth to say something—probably something about honor or pride—but I didn't give him the chance.
"Don't get me wrong," I added, taking a casual step back. "You had potential once. But somewhere along the way, you lost your way. And now? Now, you're just a shadow of that. Not worth the effort, not worth the energy."
His face twisted with frustration, and I couldn't help but watch it all unfold with a touch of amusement. Poor Xander. He had no idea what hit him.
I tilted my head slowly, just enough to let Xander catch a glimpse of the side of my face. The momentary shift in posture was almost casual, but my voice, when it came, was anything but.
It was cold, calculated, the kind of tone you use when you're speaking to a pawn—because, let's face it, that's all he was.
"Every card, no matter the rank, has a role, Xander," I said, letting each word drag out with a hint of menace. "Fulfill that role, and maybe, just maybe, you'll live up to the mercy I've shown you today."
I didn't realize it at first, but my mask was slipping—again. My true blue eyes flared, and a dark aura burned beneath the surface, threatening to rise. I felt it, like a distant storm cloud, but I held it back.
Control. That's the game. Always control. But even I couldn't ignore how it made the air thick with tension.
Xander didn't say a word. He stood there, staring at me with that ridiculous look of confusion and disbelief. He couldn't understand it, could he? The game I was playing. Not yet, anyway.
I sighed, the weight of the moment pushing me to speak again, but this time, it was with a bored, lazy tone, as if I couldn't even be bothered to take him seriously.
"Oh hey now," I drawled, stretching the words like they were too much effort, "don't get too cocky over this draw."
I could practically hear him thinking it, could feel the gears turning behind those eyes of his. So, of course, he had to go and open his mouth.
"Say all you want, but I won't just be another card for your use, Aldric." His words were defiant, his gaze steady. But then, almost on a whim, he shrugged like it was the most casual thing in the world. "Plus, I'm too lazy to be of any use, so stop with the cool act."
And then, like he was some kind of oversized cat, he threw his hands behind his head, yawned, and made himself comfortable. As if this whole mess was some insignificant afterthought for him.
I didn't respond at first. I just stood there, watching him with an amused smirk pulling at my lips.
The arrogance was almost endearing in a way. He had no idea just how insignificant he was to the bigger picture. But that was fine. His role would come, whether he liked it or not.
Without another word, I turned, starting to walk away, letting the silence fall between us like a thick fog.
Good. Xander was too naive, too caught up in his own arrogance to see his place in this grand game. He'd fulfill his role in the end—he just didn't know it yet.
In the coming war with the grotesques, he'd play a part, no matter how much he resisted. After all, it was his fate now. And the deck was already stacked in my favor.
I thought about the others then. My cards on my hands.
The diamond—the Requiem, the roles of Sylvia and Alina. Those two had a debt to me. One I'd never let them forget, but one I'd never make public either. No, I'd keep that hidden in the shadows where it belonged.
The spade—Celestial Apex. Zain and Levi, the other wild cards. They'd be useful, in their own way. Their blood had a certain heat to it that I could manipulate.
The clubs—grotesques, with their twisted intelligence and their king, their leader. Dangerous, but predictable. And when the time came, I'd turn them against each other.
And then, there was the heart. The queen of it all.
Her.
I felt a sharp pang in my chest, a flicker of something I couldn't quite place. My mind snapped back to the present as I looked up.
There she was.
Celia.
Her face was twisted in concern, her brows furrowed as she looked at me like I was something… dangerous. Like she knew exactly what I was capable of, but was still worried for me.
It was time to talk to her. She was the true heart of this war. The one who could tip the scales and bring this side the victory it needed. And I had a feeling she'd be the key to the whole damn thing.
Celia approached me, her usual energy dialed down to something soft and concerned. She had her hands clasped in front of her chest, almost like she was holding her thoughts in, as if worried they'd spill out and betray her. Her eyes were wide with that familiar concern. I could see it in the way she looked at me—like I might just crumble under her gaze.
"Are you okay?" she asked, her voice laced with worry.
I raised an eyebrow, giving her my best nonchalant smirk. "Me? Fine, as always. Not a scratch on me, princess."
She narrowed her eyes at me, not buying it for a second. "Are you sure?" Her gaze flicked over my body like she was trying to assess every inch of me for injuries.
I shifted awkwardly, pretending to look too busy to care. "You know, just a little tired from all the fun we've been having. But, seriously, not a single bruise. I'm practically invincible."
Her eyes went to my shoulders, then my arms. "Not even here?" she asked, poking at my shoulder lightly with her finger.
I jerked away dramatically, holding my shoulder like it was about to fall off. "Oh, heavens, the agony!" I groaned, making sure to exaggerate the pain. "I'll survive, but barely. It's a miracle I can still move."
She rolled her eyes, clearly not falling for it. "Okay, then what about here?" She moved her hand down, pointing toward my ribs. "You're definitely hiding something here."
I gave her a deadpan look, dramatically sucking in my breath. "Ah, right there? Yep, the pain is so immense, I can't breathe anymore. I'm basically a goner."
She sighed, crossing her arms, clearly unimpressed with my attempts. "You're ridiculous."
I grinned, shrugging. "That's why you love me, right?"
Her cheeks flushed slightly, but she refused to admit it. "I don't know about that... You're annoying."
"Annoying, but charming." I waggled my eyebrows, and she instantly shifted uncomfortably, her cheeks getting pinker.
Then, just as I thought I was safe, she stopped and pointed at my cheek, her expression changing to a more serious one. "Wait a minute... What's this?"
I froze. Damn it. I hadn't noticed the cut from earlier when I'd been too focused on making sure Xander didn't try to turn this into a bigger mess than it needed to be.
She reached up, her fingers brushing over the small, minor cut on my cheek.
I immediately tensed. "What are you doing?" I asked, trying to back away, but she was already too close.
Her eyes softened as she focused on the cut, and without answering, she placed her finger gently on my lips, shushing me.
"Shush," she said, her voice suddenly quieter, more tender. Her eyes fluttered closed as a slight blush colored her cheeks. "Let me heal you."
I blinked, caught off guard by how... cute she looked when she was trying to help. "Celia, I don't need—"
"Shush," she repeated, her finger still on my lips as she whispered something under her breath. Her hands glowed softly as she muttered an incantation, the air around her tingling with the subtle hum of magic.
"Curavitum doloris."
Her eyes stayed closed as her magic worked, a gentle warmth spreading over my cheek. I watched as the cut slowly healed, leaving nothing but smooth skin where the wound had been. It was... oddly comforting.
When the warmth faded, Celia opened her eyes, her face redder than I'd ever seen it before. She jerked her hand away from my face like she'd just realized what she'd done.
I couldn't help it. I let out a quiet chuckle, watching her scramble to cover up the fact that she'd just healed me, her awkwardness painfully obvious.
"It's already too late, Celia," I teased, laughing at the way she fumbled. "You're caring about me. It's written all over your face."
Her expression turned defensive, and she crossed her arms, looking away. "I didn't care," she mumbled, clearly embarrassed. "I just didn't want you walking around looking like a mess, okay? It's not a big deal."
"Sure, sure." I smirked. "Not a big deal at all. Just a little miraculous healing magic, and a whole lot of red cheeks."
Her eyes flicked back to me, and she stuck her tongue out, clearly flustered. "Shut up, Aldric."
We started walking again, the tension in the air still palpable. But it was lighter now, easier, like the weight of the moment had lifted with the quiet teasing. I couldn't help but notice how cute she looked when she was all flustered. It was hard not to enjoy the little victories like that.
We continued down the path, the quiet rustling of the trees around us and the distant sound of the river growing louder as we got closer. Celia had her arms folded tightly, her head turned to the side, trying her best to ignore me. But I could tell she was still a little self-conscious.
"So," I started, breaking the silence, "you care, huh?"
She let out an exasperated sigh. "You're not going to let that go, are you?"
"Not a chance," I said with a grin. "It's adorable. Makes me think you're secretly my biggest fan even though we've met just a hour ago."
She huffed, clearly trying to maintain her composure, but I could see the corners of her lips twitching into a smile.
"You're so full of yourself," she muttered, but there was a hint of fondness in her voice that she tried to hide.
"Ah, come on. I'm not that full of myself," I said, walking alongside her. "Just... enough to know you're absolutely smitten with me."
She rolled her eyes but didn't deny it. "Whatever, Aldric. Keep dreaming."
We walked in comfortable silence for a while, until the river came into view. The sound of the flowing water was soothing, the sunlight shimmering off the surface. It was almost too perfect, the way the world seemed to slow down around us.
Celia stopped beside me, looking out at the river with a soft expression. "It's nice, isn't it?"
I nodded, leaning against a nearby tree. "Yeah, it's peaceful."
"Maybe I should come here more often," she said quietly, glancing at me. "It's... relaxing."
We stayed there for a while, watching the river flow by. I could get used to this—her being here, teasing and trying to deny everything while I just laughed at her expense. But deep down, I knew it was more than that.
It always had been.
I walked beside Celia, the river humming softly in the background. The sunlight cut through the treetops, casting a gentle glow over the water. It was quiet. Too quiet.
Which meant she was thinking about something. And knowing her, it was probably about me.
It didn't take long before she finally broke the silence.
"Why did you do it?" Her voice was softer than usual, but there was that underlying stubbornness in it. "Back there... why did you defend me?"
I raised an eyebrow, smirking as I turned to face her. "What, did you expect me to just stand by and let a little girl get hurt?"
Her eye twitched, and just like that, the warmth in the moment evaporated. "Little girl?!" She clenched her fists, glaring up at me. "I am not a little girl!"
"Right, right," I said, nodding. "You're a very short young lady, my mistake."
Celia inhaled sharply, probably debating whether to burn me alive on the spot. "You're impossible."
"And yet, here you are, walking beside me instead of throwing me into the river," I mused. "Admit it, you like my company."
"I tolerate it," she corrected, crossing her arms.
"Same thing," I said with a shrug. "But really, don't think too hard about it. I just did what anyone would do."
Celia's glare softened, and she glanced away, almost hesitant. "No. Not everyone would do that." Her voice dropped a little. "So why did you?"
I sighed, scratching the back of my head. "Look, Celia... I just couldn't let you die, alright?"
She blinked, her lips parting slightly in surprise. "Why...?"
Why? That was a good question. One I wasn't ready to answer. Not fully.
I shoved my hands into my pockets, glancing at the river. "Because I just couldn't," I muttered. "Simple as that."
Celia didn't press further. Instead, she let out a soft breath and turned her gaze to the river. For once, she let the silence settle between us without forcing it away with more questions.
The peaceful moment stretched on. The water shimmered under the moonlight, and the cool breeze carried the faint scent of the forest. It was... nice.
"You know," Celia said after a while, "I really like places like this. They feel safe."
"Yeah?" I tilted my head at her. "Because of the scenery or because I'm here?"
She scoffed. "Definitely not because of you."
"Harsh," I said, placing a hand over my chest in mock pain. "After all we've been through?"
She rolled her eyes, but there was a small smile there. "It's just nice. Being here... talking like this."
I glanced at her, watching the way her red eyes softened as they reflected the water.
"...Yeah," I admitted. "It is."
And then, without warning, I scooped up a handful of water and splashed it at her.
Celia let out a sharp yelp, jumping back as the cold water hit her. "Aldric!"
I grinned, laughing. "What? You were getting too sentimental. Thought you could use a refresh."
She narrowed her eyes. "Oh, you are so dead."
Before I could react, she scooped up water and flung it right at my face.
I stumbled back, spitting out river water. "Oh, that's how it's gonna be?"
"You started it," she shot back, grinning.
"Oh, well, in that case—" I reached down, gathering more water and hurling it at her.
Celia dodged, but not fast enough. The water drenched the side of her dress, making her shriek. "You—! You stupid, bandaged, unknown man! I swear, I will—!"
"Will what, little Celia?" I taunted, sending another splash her way.
She growled. "I am not little!"
"Then why does the water hit you like a tsunami?"
Her face burned red, and she immediately went on the attack, splashing me wildly. I dodged, laughing as she shouted every insult under the sun.
It was ridiculous. It was childish.
And it was the most fun I'd had in a long time.
But of course, I couldn't just let her win. As she readied another splash, I sent a particularly strong wave of water right at her face. She gasped, completely soaked.
"You—!" Her eyes blazed, but I knew what was coming.
So, naturally, I did what any smart man would do.
I ran.
"ALDRIC!" she screamed, immediately chasing after me.
I could hear her footsteps sloshing through the wet ground, her frustration practically radiating off her. I smirked, about to turn around and taunt her—
When suddenly, she lunged.
She tackled me with full force, and before I could react, we both went tumbling straight into the river.
The current yanked us forward instantly.
"Great job, Celia!" I gasped, trying to keep my head above water.
"You started it!" she coughed, flailing next to me.
The river twisted and turned, dragging us along. We tried to grab onto something—anything—but the current was too strong. We spun, tossed around like ragdolls, until finally—
THUD.
We hit the shore, sprawling onto the grass, gasping for breath.
For a long moment, neither of us spoke, just lying there, soaked and exhausted.
Then, Celia groaned. "I hate you."
I wheezed out a laugh. "Hate you more."
She rolled onto her side, glaring at me. "That's your fault."
"My fault?" I scoffed. "You're the one who jumped at mel!"
"I did not—!"
"Oh, you absolutely did," I grinned. "It was terrifying."
She groaned again, covering her face. "I swear, I don't know why I even bother."
"You love my company, that's why."
She peeked through her fingers, looking like she wanted to argue, but then... she just sighed. "You're so useless."
"And you're adorable," I teased.
She tensed slightly, but instead of snapping back, she just... looked at me.
Really looked at me.
Her red eyes held something different now. Something softer. Almost nostalgic.
I blinked. "...What?"
She hesitated, then, in a voice quieter than before, she said:
"You remind me of my heart."
I stared. "...Excuse me?"
Celia turned away slightly, but she didn't look embarrassed. Just thoughtful. "There's someone I hold to my heart. He is my everything... and the way you speak, act, and even the way you held me back there..." She trailed off, her eyes flickering to me again.
"You remind me of him."
The air between us shifted. My usual smirk faltered slightly, my teasing words caught in my throat.
"...Oh," I said.
Celia gave me a small smile. A real one. And for once, I didn't have a joke to follow up with.
I just watched her, as the river behind us continued to flow.
For a moment, we just stood there, gazing into each other's eyes with a small smile. Nothing else existed—just the quiet of the river, the distant rustling of leaves, and the warmth between us.
Unbeknownst to her, I had cast a subtle wind spell, letting the air gently dry our soaked clothes. A bit of fire magic, faint and controlled, warmed us from within. She hadn't noticed—not yet, anyway. And honestly, it didn't matter.
She blinked, her red eyes flickering with something unreadable. Then, after a beat, she tilted her head slightly.
"Hey… why are you looking at me like that?" she asked, her voice suddenly stuttering at the edges.
I smiled. "Your morning eyes… I could stare at them like watching the stars."
Her face went red. A deep, unmistakable blush bloomed across her cheeks as she took an awkward step back. "Wha—wh-what?!"
I took a slow step forward. "I could walk you by," I said, my voice carrying a teasing lilt, "and I'd tell you without regret."
Her fingers twitched, her breath catching. "T-Tell me what…?" she stammered.
"That I like you," I said smoothly. "That I wouldn't mind holding you in my arms tonight."
Celia completely froze. If her face had been blushing before, now it was practically glowing. Steam could've been rising off her head for all I knew.
"WH—WHA—YOU—WHAT—!" She flailed backward, her words tripping over themselves like a dying bird. "T-T-Tonight?! H-Holding?! I—W-We just—T-That's not—I don't—Y-You can't just—!!!"
I took another step forward. She took another step back.
Nature itself seemed to go silent. The river's soft current, the wind, even the distant chirping of birds—it was all drowned out by the moment. Just us.
Celia, now fully red, waved her hands wildly as she continued her nonsense. "B-B-But we just met! Y-You're bandaged! I-I don't even know what's under there! Wh-What if you have a weird face?! Or—or what if—! I—I didn't even—W-We were just fighting in the river! This is too fast! T-This is NOT how romance works! What kind of—?! I need a BREAK! HELP—!"
I smirked. "I'll imagine we fell in love."
"WH—WHAAAAAT?!" Her soul visibly left her body for a second. "WH—WHO—IMAGINE—NO—THAT—THERE'S NO IMAGINING—YOU—WE JUST—!"
She stumbled, her back nearly hitting a tree as she looked everywhere but at me. "Y-You're messing with me! Th-That's what this is! J-Just you—being—w-whatever it is you are! A-A big—flirty—uh—uh… BANDAGED—uh—uh… BANDAGED MENACE!"
Now that was a new title.
I stopped just inches away from her, watching as she practically vibrated with flustered panic. Her hands were curled up in nervous fists, her red eyes darting around wildly, but her body remained still—trapped.
The faint sunlight filtered through the trees, casting a golden glow over her. But none of that mattered. Not the dried clothes, not the warmth in the air.
This was the moment of truth.
How far would she let me go?
Her back pressed against the rough bark of the tree, her small frame trembling slightly. Her crimson eyes, wide and frantic, darted from side to side as if searching for an escape—but there was none.
I placed my hands on either side of her, trapping her. Not forcefully. Just enough. Enough to make her realize she could push me away, but she wouldn't.
I leaned in closer, my voice low, steady.
"I want you to be the beautiful sight I see when I sleep."
Celia's breath hitched. Her lips parted slightly, but no words came. Then—
"I—I—you—you what—?! W-Why—!? H-Huh?!" Her hands flailed for a second before weakly pressing against my chest. "N-No! Wait! T-That's not—I mean—you can't just say that!"
I chuckled, lowering my gaze slightly. "And yet, I did."
Her fingers twitched, her entire body frozen in place. Her knees looked weak, her chest rose and fell unevenly, and her ears were practically steaming from the sheer heat of her flustered state.
"I—!" She gulped. "Th-That—th-that's so—! W-Who even says stuff like that—?! D-Do you just go around making girls feel l-like this—?! I—I'm not—this isn't—!!"
I took one step closer.
"Hold my hand just once," I said softly, "and I'll never let you go."
Celia's mouth opened. Then closed. Then opened again. Then—
Her hands, shaking slightly, curled into fists against my chest. Her body refused to move, her feet barely pressing against the ground.
I smiled. "I'll take you through my dreams, which are just you."
She sucked in a sharp breath, her face burning. Her body leaned back slightly, as if trying to shrink into the tree behind her, but her eyes—her beautiful, red, glowing eyes—stared straight into mine.
Her lips trembled. "Y-Y-You dream about m-me?!" she blurted out, her voice high-pitched and completely nonsensical. "B-But—that's not—I—w-we—!"
I nodded slowly. "I dream of you almost every night," I murmured, watching her reaction carefully. "Hopefully, I won't wake up this time."
A full-body shudder ran through her.
Her fingers curled tighter into my shirt. Her lips parted, but no words came out—just shaky breaths and a trembling stare.
She was falling.
"Wherever you are," I continued, my voice steady, unwavering, "I'll never let go of you."
Celia's breath hitched again. Her body quivered as she tried—and failed—to find words. And then, in a small, weak voice, she asked:
"W-Why…?"
I smiled.
"Because you're the one I want."
Her entire body locked up. Her fingers clutched at my clothes, her legs shaking visibly now. Her throat bobbed as she swallowed thickly, her head lowering slightly, her red bangs falling over her eyes.
I leaned in just a little more, my voice softer now.
"Stay with me," I whispered. "For my life, I can promise you your smile. With all my days alive in this world."
Silence.
Celia's whole body was trembling now, her breath unsteady, her face—gods—her face.
Her lips parted slightly. "I—" She sucked in a breath. "W-Wait—wait—no—t-that's—!"
She shook her head rapidly, trying to regain her composure. "T-T-T-THAT—THAT IS NOT—YOU CAN'T JUST—!!!"
Her knees buckled slightly. "W-W-What do you even mean by—W-Wait, no! I-I mean, you c-can't just say stuff like that—n-no normal person just—! A-And I—!"
Her voice wavered, her eyes locking onto mine for a brief, fleeting second. And then.
Slowly.
Her lips closed, her hands shaking at her sides, her breath barely stable.
And in that moment—whether she realized it or not—her heart had already fallen halfway.
Celia was a trembling mess, her hands gripping the fabric of her own sleeves like they were the only thing keeping her standing. Her crimson eyes darted anywhere but at me—toward the trees, the river, the fading sunlight—anywhere except my face.
But that wouldn't do.
Gently, I lifted a hand and placed my fingers under her chin, tilting her face up. Her breath hitched as I guided her gaze back to mine. The moment her eyes locked onto me, her entire body tensed, her pupils shaking like she was trapped in some sort of spell.
"Do you think," I said softly, "you could love me?"
Her lips parted slightly, her face burning. "I—!"
Her voice failed.
I smiled, my thumb brushing lightly against her jaw. "Because if you do," I continued, "I'll show you what makes you lovely."
Her fingers twitched. Her whole body quivered. "Th-That's—!" she sputtered, her voice a complete disaster of stutters and incomprehensible sounds. "*T-T-That's n-not—y-you—Y-You can't just—!"
I leaned in ever so slightly, watching the way her breath hitched, the way her shoulders tensed.
"I'd love you to the stars and back," I murmured. "So, give me your heart…" I smiled. "And I'll give you mine."
Celia froze.
Her fingers trembled, gripping onto her sleeves like they were a lifeline. Her lips quivered as she opened her mouth, then closed it, then opened it again—and then—
"A-A-AH—?!?"
A sound left her throat, but I wasn't entirely sure if it was a word or just sheer panic.
"T-That's—T-T-That's n-not—!" She swallowed thickly. "A-Are you—y-you're s-s-saying t-that like i-it's s-s-some kind of—!"
"Don't you like when I'm around?" I asked, tilting my head slightly.
Celia squeaked. "*I—wha—I—I m-mean—th-that's not—!" She shook her head violently, her face an absolute catastrophe of red. "W-W-Why are you asking m-m-me that?! I-I d-don't—! Y-You—!"
I chuckled, my gaze still locked onto her trembling one. "Could you pretend you care?"
She gasped. "I—I—!" Her hands flailed slightly before grabbing onto the tree behind her as if she was about to collapse. "W-Wha—w-w-w-why w-w-would I—?! I-I d-don't—!"
I let my voice drop, my smile softening. "I belong with you, my love."
Her whole body stiffened.
Her fingers curled against the bark.
Her breathing grew shaky.
"I—!" She tried to speak but couldn't. "Y-Y-You—th-that—th-that's—!"
I exhaled slowly, my voice barely above a whisper now.
"Dreaming of you, anywhere," I murmured. "We could watch the sunset together… and you'd be there with me smiling."
She froze again.
Her breathing was erratic. Her eyes were frantic. Her lips quivered uncontrollably.
Then, in the smallest, weakest voice—
"W-W-Why d-does it s-s-sound like y-you're… r-really saying that…?"
I smiled.
"Because I am."
Her throat bobbed, her eyes growing impossibly wide.
She was falling.
She knew she was falling.
She couldn't stop it even if she wanted to.
And I knew it, too.
I placed my palm lightly against her cheek, feeling the heat of her flustered skin under my fingertips.
"And I'll pray for that day," I whispered, my voice steady, unwavering. "And hope it brings you right to me."
Celia shuddered.
Her hands twitched against the bark, her knees growing weaker. "W-W-Wha—" she gasped, "W-W-Why d-does i-it s-s-sound like y-you're—!"
I chuckled, watching her fall further and further into the trap.
"I'll watch you shining, my darling," I murmured, tracing a thumb lightly over her cheek.
She let out a noise—somewhere between a gasp, a whimper, and a complete breakdown of her composure.
Her lips shook. Her hands curled into fists. Her legs trembled.
And then—
I spoke.
"So…"
I leaned in closer, my breath warm against her flustered skin.
"Will you love me, Celia?"
For a moment—just one single moment—time stopped.
The river. The wind. The trees.
Everything vanished.
There was only her.
Her wide, crimson eyes staring into mine.
Her breath, shaking.
Her lips, slightly parted.
And then—
A single sound left her throat.
"A-A-A-AHHHHHH—?!?!?!?!"
Her knees gave out completely.
I took a few steps back, my smirk fading as Celia collapsed onto her knees, breathing heavily. Her hands clutched at her chest, her shoulders rising and falling with each shaky breath. Her crimson eyes were hidden beneath the shadow of her bangs, her entire body trembling from the weight of my words.
I had pushed her far—maybe further than I ever had with anyone else.
By now, any other woman would've been in my arms. They would've clung to me, begged me to take them, or even outright proposed marriage.
But Celia…
I looked down at her, watching her gasping for air, her fingers tightening against the fabric of her clothes.
It was already over. She had fallen. Her heart belonged to me.
Or so I thought.
Suddenly, the air around her shifted.
The shaking stopped.
The blush vanished.
And then—she lifted her head.
Her expression was unreadable, her eyes dark and devoid of any emotion. She stood up slowly, her movements eerily calm, controlled.
And in a voice that was pure ice, she spoke.
"No."
Her tone was empty, lifeless.
"I cannot love you."
Then she turned those murderous, blood-red eyes toward me.
"I will never love you."
I blinked.
What?
I was completely caught off guard. Just seconds ago, she was crumbling, melting beneath my words—so why was she suddenly like this?
I took a step forward, regaining my composure, and reached out, cupping her cheek in my palm.
"Don't lie." My voice was smooth, confident. "I know you want me—"
Before I could finish, Celia grabbed my wrist.
Her fingers tightened, and I felt a sharp pain pulse through my skin.
When I looked into her eyes, the warmth—the hesitation—was gone.
All that remained was something far more dangerous.
"Your touch means nothing."
Her grip was so strong, it almost felt unnatural.
"You cannot make me love you."
I tried to pull my hand back, but her grip was like iron.
"Nothing can take him away from me." Her voice was eerily calm, yet dripping with pure, obsessive devotion.
"He is mine. Not you. Not anyone."
My brows furrowed. "He?"
Then—
Celia tilted her head slightly and let out a laugh.
"Fufufu… Ahahahaha… AHAHAHAHAHAHA~"
My spine went rigid.
Her fingers finally released my wrist, and she looked into my eyes with a deranged smile.
Her blood-red irises glowed with an eerie light, her voice soft but deadly.
"Kaiser."
She spoke his name with such reverence, with such terrifying obsession, that it sent a shiver down my spine.
"He is the one for me. And I will never, ever settle for anyone else."
My lips parted slightly.
What the hell?
This wasn't just rejection—this was something far worse.
She had completely shut me out.
She had devoted herself to him so utterly that nothing—nothing—could make her waver.
I took another step forward, trying to regain control of the situation.
"Celia, don't lie to yourself. I know your heart already wants me. Don't deny it."
She stared at me blankly before slowly placing a hand over her chest.
Her next words were haunting.
"My heart may betray me."
Her voice was soft, almost gentle.
"It may falter, it may stray..."
Then, her fingers curled.
"But I will never let it hurt him."
What?
Suddenly—
A sharp, black chain shot from her hair, twisting unnaturally in the air. It gleamed under the darkening sky, a sinister, cursed energy radiating from it.
It snapped forward, piercing through her own chest where her heart was.
"Celia—what the hell are you doing?!"
Blood dripped onto the ground.
She gasped slightly, her lips parting at the pain—but her eyes remained locked onto mine.
And then—she smiled.
"If my heart ever dares to love you..."
The chain twisted deeper.
"I will kill that feeling myself."
I felt myself take another step back.
What the hell was this?
I couldn't take my eyes off her. Her breathing was shallow, and the chain dug deeper into her chest, blood staining the ground. But Celia... she wasn't flinching. She wasn't even crying.
Her eyes remained unwavering, and her lips twisted into something that could only be described as devotion. It was so intense, so... obsessive. She didn't seem to care about the pain.
"Kaiser is mine." Her voice was quiet, but it sent a chill down my spine.
I stepped back. She didn't look like the same blushing, stuttering girl anymore. Now, she was someone else entirely. Someone I... didn't recognize.
"My heart belongs to him. It always has." Her eyes narrowed, as if daring me to challenge her.
I opened my mouth, but no words came out. Her gaze never wavered from mine. I tried to speak, but she cut me off, her voice dripping with obsession.
"I don't care what happens to me. As long as he is by my side, nothing else matters." She pressed a hand over her chest, right where the chain was embedded, but she didn't wince.
Instead, she smiled—calmly—a smile that chilled me to the core.
I took another step back, but her eyes followed me. Her eyes never left mine.
"I love him. Only him. Everything I am, everything I will be, is because of him. He is my reason. He is my everything."
Her words hit me hard. What the hell is this? This wasn't just a girl in love. This was... something else. Something darker. Something twisted.
I opened my mouth again to say something, but she cut me off with that same, unwavering tone.
"You don't understand. No one does. He is my world. Without him, I am nothing. You think you can take me from him? You think I'll ever let anyone else close?" Her eyes glinted with a terrifying intensity.
I froze.
"No one can take him away from me. Not you. Not anyone." Her voice was low, icy, and filled with a possessiveness I couldn't even begin to fathom.
I tried to step back again, but my feet felt frozen.
She took a slow, deep breath, the chain in her chest shifting again. Blood seeped from the wound, but instead of pain, she seemed calm.
"I will never, ever, love anyone else. Only Kaiser."
I blinked, my mind racing. Was she really willing to destroy herself for this?
"I'll rip my heart out if I have to. If it beats for anyone but him, I will make sure it stops."
The chain seemed to writhe, and her breath caught in her throat. She barely reacted to the agony she must've been in.
"Do you see? I don't need to want anyone else. I just need him. Only him."
I stuttered. "C-Celia, y-you... You can't be serious. You're hurting yourself!"
"I don't care. Nothing matters except him. Nothing else matters." Her smile widened, and it wasn't soft. It was... dangerous.
She was gone.
Her entire being was consumed by him.
I opened my mouth to say something—anything—but my words caught in my throat. I had never seen anyone like this before. She wasn't just in love. She was obsessed.
And then the air shifted.
The dark clouds above swirled, blotting out the sun, and I looked up. The world felt… wrong. Celia's body was still healing. Slowly, the wound in her chest sealed, her cursed magic working to restore her.
She stood still, her eyes staring up at the darkened sky that was about to rain. And then, her voice, soft and trembling, came through again.
"I'm sorry." She said it like it was her last breath.
"I'm sorry, Kaiser. I didn't mean for this. I didn't mean to feel anything for anyone else. I didn't mean to."
Her hands shook at her sides, but she clenched them into fists.
"I'm sorry I ever let myself think about someone else. It's you. It's only ever been you."
She closed her eyes, her voice breaking.
"I'm sorry. I'm sorry. I'm so, so sorry."
I could hear the pain in her words. She wasn't apologizing to me—no, she was apologizing to me— I mean her Kaiser.
"Please forgive me… please understand. I can never love anyone but you."
I stared at her, a chill running down my spine.
She wasn't just obsessed. She was terrified of betraying him.
No.
She was willing to destroy herself for him.
And there was no turning back. I was staring at a broken, twisted version of devotion.
Yep.
She was a complete yandere for me—Kaiser.
There were no doubts left.
I could feel it.
This was it—just like I had planned. Everything had led to this moment. I couldn't help the grin that spread across my face, a wide, almost wicked grin.
This was far easier than I thought it would be. The pieces had all fallen into place, just like a perfectly shuffled deck of cards. Celia the hearts had already dug herself deep into that pit of obsession and pain.
All I had to do was push her deeper into it, just a little more.
I knew she would do anything for Kaiser. She was already broken in that sense.
The game had already been set into motion, and it was time to see it through. The stakes had never been higher, and this time, there was no way out.
I spoke casually, my voice smooth, just the right amount of coldness.
"Hey, Celia," I said, my tone mocking yet enticing.
Her eyes flickered, filled with confusion for a moment before they hardened again. She muttered, barely audible through her clenched teeth.
"I'm sorry, Kaiser..."
I let that trail off, the sound of her apology hanging in the air like a whisper of death. She wasn't focused on me. She was consumed by that obsession, that twisted love she had for him.
Perfect.
"Tell me, Celia," I said, taking a step closer. My voice was sharper now, more direct. "If you really love him, where is he now?"
For a split second, she went still, her face clouded in confusion and doubt, the flicker of insecurity showing beneath the surface.
I could feel her grip on her emotions slipping, and I pressed further.
"Tell me, where is this love of yours?" I repeated, my voice cold.
Her gaze faltered, and I saw it—fear. The very thing she had been hiding from all this time. She clenched her fists tightly, her nails digging into her palms. She was struggling to control herself.
Her words finally came, barely more than a whisper. "He... is captured by grotesques. But I'll... I'll..."
I didn't let her finish.
"Do what, Celia? Speak to me while he is suffering?" I said, watching her eyes widen as her frustration and helplessness bubbled to the surface.
Rain began to pour, and her emotions were a whirlwind of pain and rage, manifesting in violent waves of energy.
"SHUT UP!" she screamed.
The sky seemed to answer her, lightning striking down around us, as if the world itself responded to her fury. The rain began to pour harder, soaking us both, but she barely noticed.
Her face twisted with a mixture of obsession, fear, and confusion.
I stood there, unaffected by the storm. I didn't flinch.
Her body shook with the weight of it. Her voice grew softer, quieter now, as if her obsession was breaking under the pressure of the storm.
"Stop it..." She whispered, her hands trembling.
"I will get him back..." she muttered, her eyes distant, lost in the chaos within her.
"He is mine... only mine..."
But I wasn't done yet. I could see it—the crack in her resolve. The way her obsession was starting to waver, replaced with something much darker, much more dangerous.
Regret. Guilt. It was only a matter of time before it consumed her entirely.
I saw her shaking, standing there, her chest rising and falling with the storm that raged inside her. It was a beautiful thing to witness, really. How someone could go from so desperately lost to an obsession that burned hotter than any fire.
She was mine. Or at least, that's what I intended.
"You're wrong," I said, leaning in slightly, my voice smooth as I locked eyes with her.
"While you're here making these pathetic confessions, your Kaiser is dying, Celia. Dying. Right now, as we speak."
I watched her flinch. The words hit like I expected, a sharp sting.
Good. She was starting to feel it.
"Your little confessions won't change a damn thing if you don't act," I continued, my tone cold, detached, like I was simply stating a fact. "He's out there, alone, suffering. And here you are, wasting time with me."
I let that sink in, watching her eyes flicker with doubt. I could see it—the crack.
"Tell me something, Celia," I said, stepping just a little closer. "What exactly are you going to do now? You know, with him out there, slowly slipping away? Are you going to just stand there and keep making promises to yourself, or will you finally do something about it?"
Her lips parted, a faint gasp escaping as she struggled for the right words. But I wasn't giving her a chance to breathe.
"What are you really going to do, Celia?" I taunted, dragging out the words, leaning in even closer. "Because as far as I can tell, you've done nothing but stand still, waiting for a miracle."
I saw the flash of anger in her eyes, but it wasn't the type of anger I wanted. No, it was just a flare. The real emotion I was digging for was buried deeper. So I dug, twisting the knife, as I always do.
"You think he's still waiting for you?" I whispered, my voice like venom, slow and heavy.
"He's out there. Alone. And you're here... stuck. Just like the rest of us. Just like everyone who's ever been abandoned. The only difference is, you're choosing to stay broken. You're choosing to fail him."
Her fists shook at her sides. Her breath quickened. I could practically see her heart splintering, the cracks running deeper with every word.
"You're not going to save him if you're this weak," I said, pushing her further.
"You want to save him? Then stop being so damn useless. Every second you waste... is another moment he's dying."
I let those words hang in the air like the heaviest weight she could ever carry. It was beautiful. Watching her fight it, trying to hold on to that foolish hope, that self-delusion.
I could see the shift happening.
"I will get him back..." she whispered, almost to herself.
I stepped even closer, my words sharp as a knife.
"Will you, though? Will you, Celia?"
"You're not even strong enough to face your own weakness, let alone save him. But if you really love him—if you really want to save him—you'll have to dig deeper than you ever have before."
She stared at me, breathing hard, her chest rising and falling with the intensity of her emotions. It was almost beautiful, seeing the rawness of her struggle in this storm, the conflict in her gaze.
"I-I will get stronger," she whispered, barely audible, but I could hear it. The resolve, the fire igniting inside her. She was starting to believe it.
I stepped closer, closing the distance between us. My voice, low and dripping with venomous sweetness, slid into her mind like a poison.
"Will you? Because that's the first step, Celia. To admit that you're weak. That's the truth, isn't it? You're weak right now. You're nothing more than a shadow of the person who could save him. And that's why he's still out there, suffering."
"I'm not weak," she said through gritted teeth, her voice shaky but firm. "I'll prove that I'm not. I will get stronger."
A smile tugged at the corner of my lips.
"Good," I said, my tone almost congratulatory. "But it's not just about being stronger, Celia. You need to take care of yourself first. You can't keep relying on others, and you can't keep pretending that you're fine when you're not. You need to be the one who stands on her own."
Her eyes widened a little, her face still tense. "I… I don't need anyone," she muttered, her voice shaking but more certain now. "I'll do it myself. I'll be strong."
"Of course you will," I said, my voice soft, coaxing. "But if you keep holding on to your weaknesses, those little cracks will destroy you. Do you think you can save Kaiser if you're constantly falling apart inside? Do you think he will be saved by a broken person?"
She shook her head, more to herself than to me. "I won't break... Not again."
"Exactly," I said, my voice laced with approval. "You're not going to let anything hold you back anymore. No one is going to stop you. Not your fears, not your doubts. Only you have the power to push through this. But first, you need to fix yourself. You need to make yourself unstoppable."
She was breathing heavily now, her hands balled into fists at her sides, and I could see the storm swirling in her chest.
She wasn't just angry anymore; she was becoming something more. Something dangerous exactly according to my plan.
"I'll get stronger, Aldric," she said, her voice firmer, each word like a declaration. "I'll be what I need to be. For him. For Kaiser. I won't let anything stand in my way. Not my past, not my mistakes. Nothing. I'll do whatever it takes."
"Good girl," I murmured, leaning in just slightly, letting the praise land heavy on her ears.
"Because that's exactly what you need to be. You need to drown in your resolve. Embrace the pain, Celia. Let it fuel you. Let it tear apart anything that's not useful. If you really love him, you won't stop until you're strong enough to break the world for him."
Her eyes flashed with a renewed determination, and she nodded. "I'll do it. I'll get stronger. For him. I'll never stop until I bring him back."
That's it. The final card was in place.
I smiled to myself, hiding the satisfaction I felt. This wasn't about love anymore. No, this was about obsession. And obsession? Obsession would make her do anything.
"You will," I said, voice dripping with approval. "But remember, Celia... the moment you start to fall, the moment you think you're not strong enough, that's when you need to dig deeper. Because if you fail now, you won't just lose him. You'll lose everything."
She nodded again, more firmly this time, as though each word I said was pushing her to a place she couldn't go back from.
"I'll be strong. I'll be what he needs," she said, almost to herself, like a mantra.
I knew this was only the beginning. She would become stronger, not just for him, but because now, she had nothing left but her obsession.
And that, that was all I needed.
"Good," I whispered. "Now go. Show the world who you really are."
She turned away, her body already moving in the direction of her goal. But deep down, I knew that the Celia who walked away from me was no longer the same person who'd arrived.
As the rain poured down, I couldn't help but admire how obedient she was. Even though, deep down, even in this body, I could feel my heart paining from distance in this body.
Just the thought of manipulating her, pushing her to this point, was enough to stir something within me.
But the truth was, my best option had always been rejection. And from that rejection, I would build. I would take it, shape it into something far more useful than simply breaking her.
That wasn't my goal here, not with her. Unlike my other victims, I wasn't going to crush her spirit. No, I would make her want it, make her need it. This—this was how I would win without destroying the person I cared for.
She kept walking, leaving the storm behind her as the rain poured harder. I looked up, feeling the cold water sting my face, soaking through the bandages once again.
She must have figured it out by now—I wasn't Kaiser. The real Kaiser couldn't use magic, and I had been using it for some time. I didn't care that she hadn't questioned it.
She accepted what I was, a hollow, bandaged shell of him.
The storm roared above us, the thunder cracking through the air, and yet I only felt satisfaction. The joy of holding every card in my hands. Every single one.
Slowly, I let the bandages around my face slip away, no longer needing to hide my satisfaction under the veil of this storm. Even in the chaos of the night, the truth was clear—I had everyone right where I wanted them.
I could see it all. The pathetic fools, each one a piece in this game I now control.
Levi, Zain, Xander—my diamonds, each one a valuable tool. The Celestial Apex, the crown of this deck, waiting to be played.
Then there were the others—Sylvia, Alina, Requiem—normal spades, useful for control and manipulation.
The Grotesques, their king—clubs, rulers in name only, their strength faltering in the face of my plan.
And finally, Celia. The whole deck of hearts, the queen who would change the course of fate itself. My trump card.
And if my calculations were correct, if the strategy I had carefully laid out unfolded as planned, soon the Ace of Spades would be in my hands as well. Soon, the heavenly sorcerer, the final piece, would join the board.
And as the joker in this deck, I alone am the game changer.
I clenched my fists, feeling the weight of total domination. The game was nearly won.
But then, I knew the truth of it all—the sad ending.
After all of this, after everything I'd orchestrated, I would be gone. No longer in this world, just like him.
Just like Kaiser. A necessary sacrifice, my fate sealed in the grand scheme of things.
The Guide of Humanity, lost in time, a shadow to the world that would no longer remember me.
With each step I took through the pouring rain, the weight of that realization settled in my chest. This would be the end of me.
Goodbye, Aldric.
The Truth:
Meanwhile, Levi and Alina remained unconscious from their battle, their bodies still recovering from the toll of their fight. In her guild, Sylvia sat at her desk, quietly working, her mind sharp and focused on the tasks at hand. She hadn't noticed the looming storm that seemed to settle over the others, like a heavy cloud hanging just out of reach.
In Celestial Apex, Zain and Xander were discussing Aldric's demands, the tension palpable between them. Zain was speaking, explaining Aldric's orders to remove guards and defenses, but without revealing his true identity, just as Aldric had intended.
"Remove them quietly," Zain said, his voice low. "Without anyone knowing it was us. No more guarding or defenses around Levinton. No name, no trace."
Xander listened in silence, the weight of the situation pressing down on him. The strategy was clear, the cards were moving, and there was no turning back now.
Meanwhile, Celia's determination had never been stronger. Her resolve to save Kaiser, despite everything, burned brighter with every step she took forward. The emotional chaos that had plagued her before now fueled her every action, turning her grief and desperation into raw purpose.
Aldric, however, walked a different path—one leading him toward his inevitable demise. The Guide of Humanity, his final role, was one of sacrifice. The storm raged on as he continued toward his fate, feeling the burden of the future weighing heavily on him. His own end was a certainty, but it was a price he was willing to pay for the greater good—saving Celestine from the grotesques.
Each path was interconnected, winding together like threads in a web, yet one would be left behind, alone in the end.
Elsewhere, deep beneath the earth, in a dark and guarded underground lair, the grotesques resided in their most secretive layer. It was a nest of horrors, twisted by their inhumane practices. The grotesques were far from ordinary. Their bodies were distorted, a grotesque blend of humanoid and otherworldly features—twisted limbs, broken faces, and jagged bone protrusions. Their eyes gleamed unnaturally in the dim light, glowing with an eerie, predatory fire.
And there, chained and bloodied, was Kaiser. His once sharp blue eyes were now dull with exhaustion, his body battered and broken. His black hair hung matted against his bloodied face, his left arm severed, and one of his eyes cruelly gouged out. His tortured form was a testament to the grotesques' merciless nature.
The king of the grotesques stepped forward, his arm extending like a twisted claw to grip Kaiser's neck. His voice was a deep, suffocating growl.
"Are you telling the truth?" the grotesque king demanded, his tone deadly serious.
Kaiser coughed violently, blood spilling from his lips as he struggled to form words. "Yes... you can't attack Levinton... They've placed a trap... and removed their guards to let you all fall for it." His voice trembled, barely audible.
The grotesque king snarled, his grip tightening on Kaiser's neck. "Nonsense. None of the others we kidnapped from Levinton said anything like this."
He slammed Kaiser's head hard into the cold stone wall, causing blood to splatter across the surface. Kaiser gritted his teeth, barely holding onto consciousness, his body already at its breaking point. His arm, still bleeding from the earlier injury, hung uselessly by his side. His body was covered in countless cuts, and his face, once filled with resolve, was now pale with pain and starvation. It was clear he hadn't eaten in days, his strength almost depleted entirely.
The grotesque king continued his brutal assault, slamming Kaiser's head into the stone repeatedly, uncaring for the toll it took on the boy. His face remained emotionless, indifferent to the suffering before him.
Then, just as the grotesque king prepared to deliver another blow, one of the grotesques entered the chamber, its voice sharp and urgent.
"They've noticed Levinton's guards and guild members have stopped patrolling," it said, its voice trembling with concern. "There's a disturbance. Something's wrong."
The grotesque king paused, his dark eyes narrowing.
Kaiser's bloodied form remained silent, his pain growing with each passing moment, but in his mind, there was still one goal that kept him alive—survive long enough for Celia to come for him.
Who knew... It was the end for him.
The grotesque king, his expression twisted with contempt, stared down at Kaiser. His voice was cold and dark as he spoke. "Seems like this human was speaking the truth."
Kaiser, barely clinging to life, coughed violently, blood staining his lips. His body trembled, his chest rising and falling in labored breaths. His voice was weak, but firm. "I told you... Levinton can't be attacked anymore... You all will be trapped and killed like insects."
The grotesque king's patience was wearing thin. Without warning, he slammed Kaiser's head against the cold stone floor, the sound echoing in the chamber. He dragged Kaiser up by his neck, forcing him to look into his eyes with a menacing glare.
"Then where should we actually harvest humans?" the grotesque king asked, his voice dripping with malice.
Kaiser, struggling against the grip tightening around his throat, managed to croak out his answer through gritted teeth. "Rinascita..." he said, his voice barely above a whisper. "It's in the middle of all the guild-based towns... the most population... and the least guards... No guild is present there."
Blood continued to pour from his mouth, his body weakening with each passing second. His vision blurred, but his resolve remained.
The grotesque king's grip tightened further, choking Kaiser to the point where he could hardly breathe. Desperation clawed at Kaiser's mind, but he summoned the strength to lift his arm and try to stop the king. However, with a swift motion, the king sliced off Kaiser's remaining arm. Kaiser screamed in agony, his blood spilling onto the stone floor as his body trembled uncontrollably.
The grotesque king's cold voice followed. "Good work, pawn. You've been used completely now."
He turned to the grotesques standing by, their grotesque forms lurking in the shadows. "We won't be harvesting in Levinton anymore. Our next target is Rinascita."
Without another word, the grotesques flew off to announce the new target to the others. The king turned his attention back to Kaiser, his hand wrapping around Kaiser's throat once again. He lifted him off the ground, preparing to end it all.
As Kaiser felt the last of his life slipping away, something in his eyes changed. There was no fear, no begging for mercy.
His tone was cold, distant. "Good work, my clubs," he said, his voice steady, though barely a whisper. "Extinction awaits you."
The grotesque king, enraged and with a final, violent motion, squeezed Kaiser's throat until it cracked. The sickening sound of bone snapping echoed through the chamber. With a swift motion, the king drew a blade across Kaiser's neck, severing his head from his body.
Kaiser's body fell limply to the ground, lifeless. The grotesque king stood over him, the air thick with a menacing aura.
Kaiser was gone now, his sacrifice made, his role in the game concluded.
The king turned his gaze toward the darkness beyond the torture cell. Kaiser, the last pawn in the grotesques' cruel game, was forever lost.
And now, the grotesque army turned their focus to Rinascita.
The world, now on the brink of destruction, would either be conquered by the grotesques or wiped out entirely. This was the inevitable end, the fate they had all been building toward, and no one could pretend it wasn't coming.
But then, a new presence stirred. The storm, the chaos, the inevitable destruction—there was still one hope. One last chance.
It was time for the hero to step in.
The world needed a savior.
And now, it was his turn.
The Heavenly Sorcerer.
Lucas.