Aenethi woke up with the events that happened still vivid.
"Nexus.."
He clarified all the information he got about the 'world' . Aenethi soon realized the words that Nexus said.
'I can't open the function easily? Does it have something to do with trauma? No.. if it does, my world wouldn't be like that.'
He spent most of his time doing his usual, eating, taking a stroll, and playing. Everytime he would pause at what he's doing, he would think about the conscience in his mind.
The next few days, he got tired of thinking about it and wasn't able to come directly at his own world. He was bothered by calling his world in a not formal way so he decided to call it as "scape"
It means he sees an alternative world in another perspective inside his mind. He will use the term in meantime until he would confirm Nexus about that.
When he thinks about it, the sensational feeling of having someone observe you but are not able to directly intervene is a lot weirder.
Imagine that you are the frame of the theatre screen. You hold the choice to make the film fail, or you can just let it be and let the masses enjoy the movie.
You are able to watch the film, but when a disappointing scene comes on, you can just grumble and complain but are not able to redirect the scene to your liking.
Such is the jobs of the conscience, the film represents your choices. The grumble would be the factor that triggers the consequences, and the frame of the theatre screen would be that small spot where every work is done.
Aenethi walked out of his mansion to take his daily stroll. He observed the plants, people, and things. He was like that of a philosopher.
During his walk, he spotted a coneflower. Thanks to the recent mirage, the smile he gave was bitter. If Aenethi would describe it, the color lavender would be his comfort color.
However, the wry smile of his turned to stopping and double-checking when a figure across the streets was seen.
'Of all places of seeing you, why here? '
This was the primary feeling of Aenethi when he confirmed the profile.
It was Melia. Melia Guandor was the first purpose of Aenethi's life. He was being cared at, loved, and fed. This was more on the motherly side for some people but the close related individuals were sure that it is way different than a parental love.
Aenethi stood in place while Yathuar was chatting to the clerk at a nearby store. More like flirting with the lady at the store. Aenethi was hesitant to call out to Melia because of the remaining unsolved feelings left.
Of course, the romantic feelings were void but the awkwardness contrast to care was still there. After all, he cherished her while Melia was doing infidelity . He just couldn't accept the fact that he was replaced. Or rather, he was cheated.
Once was acceptable for the debt of taking care of him.
Twice was not tolerated. This was a rule he set for the people who have been and who will be close to him. Getting complacent under his wing cannot be condoned.
He made a decision to turn around. Who would call out to an ex-lover after doing him wrong? So, he started to walk away.
He was a prideful, and dignified person. However, he cannot battle the lingering feelings. Let's say, he can choose a rational decision but he will still be chained by the reigns of his feelings.
Yathuar noticed Aenethi walking away and followed. Even though he had been the longest with Aenethi, he still thinks of Aenethi that people can be disregarded. Since that was what Aenethi wanted to be seen.
Together, they were silently recognizing the surroundings. One were in deep thoughts, the other was keeping a close check on the perimeter. It was common to send assassins after Aenethi now that he was a lot more free and open.
' These days are peaceful. Maybe they were scared of my master now that he had appeared. Anyway, If I think about it, the crime rates have decreased.. pfuhufufu'
Unfortunately, Yathuar was betrayed by the peaceful thinking. Aenethi, whom he was guarding, suddenly stopped. Like he was seeings things normal people can't.
Aenethi was there but he wasn't was the impression he was giving.
He pulled out his weapon in case an attack occurred but Aenethi just stood still.
Consequently, he waited as per his master's orders.
******
" Kraaaa-
Kraaa-! "
The sight of crows and sudden darkness entered Aenethi's vision. He was just roaming earlier, but how did this happen?
The eerie precipice he was seeing don't fit the landscape because there were crows and butterflies with glitters every flutter of wings surrounding it.
[ Oh~? Another human? ] a voice emerged. This was a deep one and it contained wisdom like it had been digesting knowledge for millions of years.
" Are you a conscience too?" There can be no other way of identifying this type of work. What else could there be than this?
[ You have a bit of knowledge. Perhaps you also awakened yours?]
" Who's your owner? "
[ I will take that as a yes.] Aenethi looked dumbfoundedly at nothing by the answer of the voice. One obvious thing was that, non-Awakeners cannot see or feel the intangible being. Otherwise, it is.
" What are you doing here?" Instead of letting the unknown being get under his nerves, he asked another question.
[ Ah yes. My purpose of existing.]
' Maybe he misunderstood my question? ' Nevertheless, he still remained quiet.
[ I am a conscience wandering in this spot for some time now and I'm waiting for my owner.]
Aenethi looked at Yathuar but it was like the time stopped. He was taking the hilt of his sword at a vortex when the time suddenly stopped.
No. It wasn't stopping but it was slowed down. Slow enough to be perceived as pause or stop. 'What? I thought it was a real time occurrence?' Aenethi looked around to gather more information.
"Some time? Since when have you been here?"
The voice was about to exhale for the question but then, he heard the voice that was all too familiar.
" A..ye?" There is only one person who would call him that.
His mind halted. The function setting of his mind ceased and denied to work properly.
' How did she...? Is she the owner..? No. But when did..'
He turned around and he was greeted by a hair that was now shorter than it was before.
Her plump rosy lips still glowed and the cheeks were still flushed red as if she were indeed a blooming flower. Now, she seemed a lot ladylike rather than last time.
"Aenethi! " she dropped her basket full of fruits and plants then ran towards Aenethi. She hugged him tightly that her two orbs touched his chest.
Instead of feeling sentimental, he pushed her off in a cold voice. " Melia." he greeted. He faced so many temptations that he had grown accustomed to it.
" Yes! My Yeye~!" she tried to approach him once again but he evaded. There's no reason for him to being playful with her.
" Yours? Please stop with this nonsense!" he tried to activate his energy but he forgot that he was in another being's scape.
"You can't, Yeye. This isn't your domain now~ " a sardonic laugh came out of her mouth. Melia pulled her arms behind her. Her two bubbly orbs stood out and smiled. The smile that Aenethi once considered to be warm, now was nauseating.
Her eyes was expressionless and depreciative.
Aenethi gritted his teeth. He was trapped. Wasn't he supposed to be the strongest individual? Why was he here? He would be able to break free if he should've poured more effort.
[ My lady, my owner has come back.] Aenethi jolted at the words. ' Huh? You can detach a conscience? I didn't know this.. ' He thought the owner was nearby.
' I see.. by asserting the natural energy of this world into your mind you can operate it freely, huh? So that was the reason why Melia was doing that..'
What Aenethi saw earlier was Melia picking up fruits that was neither eaten nor rotting by the roadside. It was that moment when the world's natural energy will be infused with the object. The same will happen with plants that are freshly picked from the soil.
With his realization, he needed to learn more about the ability. But the fact that he can't escape now was still a priority.
"Oh my, my fiancé is here~" she covered her mouth as she chuckled then a belittling expression was found in her face.
"My, I was right to have left you. I was sure I'd sooner die if I remained by your side." Melia undoes her position and painstakingly rested her cheeks on her hands.
" Look at you now. Still playing that tyrant thing? Feeling like you're so strong when you're not. This is a vast world, you know! " She spread her arms wide before laughing like those of a witch.
Aenethi silently took out a dagger, "If I had known, I wouldn't have confided." he muttered. All his expectations was shattered when her real character was shown.
He was about to throw the dagger, when coincidentally a shadow appeared quite a few distance behind Melia. She looked at the presence and stopped the ridicule towards Aenethi.
Melia wiped her tears of joy and waited for the shadow to come by her side. Aenethi, who was staring narrow at the silhouette, was appalled. The scape let Aenethi's senses know that he was the owner.
Melia wrapped her arms around the figure's and finally said, "If you were a lot stronger back then, I wouldn't have left you for him.. "