"Looks like you've returned," Jin-Woo said
"And here I thought he forgot to return," Ash said
"Good to see you fine Arthur" Sylvia said but there was still a hint of sadness in her voice
"So this is what it feels to have three other voices huh Arthur," Regis said
"Who's that?" JIn-Woo asked
"My companion" I replied
"It seems like you'll have to share us about your adventures later," Sylvia said
"For now escort your girlfriend home because Seris kept asking me where she is," Jin-Woo said
"It seems like I'm not the only one sharing stories today you sure have a lot to tell Jin-Woo," I said
We went through the usual checks and questioning, when we finished I did as Jin-Woo asked as I escorted Caera back to her Castle? I thought when I saw it. Outside a familiar face waved at us Seris was waiting in front of the gate. We walked towards us as she kept looking at me and where my heart was.
"So she seems to feel the destruction mana," I thought
We were greeted by a maid that seemed close to Caera as she jumped and hugged her ignoring me and Seris.
"Lady Caera!" A woman with bright orange hair tied atop her head in a loose bun rushed through the line of soldiers in white, practically sliding to a halt before my companion. "Are you hurt? Distressed? In pain?" she rambled, her wide eyes scanning every inch of Caera's body.
Despite her weariness, Caera mustered a smile. "I'm fine, Nessa, really."
The orange-haired woman frowned as she slapped the Alacryan noble in the arm. "How could you sneak out on another ascent! And without your guardians! Do you know how much trouble I have been in with the Highlord and lady?
"Ah my apologies Scythe Seris and "
"Grey" Caera answered
"Come the Highlord and lady are waiting for you and please come to Scythe Seris and Grey," She said
We followed the maid as she led us through the confusing mansion as we took a lot of turns before arriving in front of a door with weird symbols. When we entered I saw a man sitting while a woman was next to him serving him a cup of wine.
"Please sit down Scythe Seris," He said as he stood up and gave a slight bow
Scythe Seris entered and sat on the couch while I stood on the side of the door.
"And who might you be?" The woman asked as she looked at me with curious eyes
"He's someone a friend of mine entrusted" Seris replied
"So he is the reason for Caera's actions?" The man asked
"In a way yes" Seris replied
The man just sighed as he looked up and down at me. But then he continued speaking to Scythe Seris as he seemed to choose his words carefully as he also took a few peeks at me. The conversation felt like forever but as soon as it seemed to end it somehow continued to another conversation. Me and Caera were beginning to get tired to as Caera also stood next to me just watching their conversation. But as I thought it was about to end Jin-Woo told me he was coming. So I opened my mouth
"Scythe Seris if you'll excuse me I'm here to inform you that HE wants to join in this conversation," I said
I saw her eyes widen as she looked towards the Denoirs and eventually all three of them nodded. I took a few steps forward so Jin-Woo had some space to appear. A few moments later his figure came out from my shadow, but he was wearing a different face.
"You're not one to ask ok," He said mentally
"My apologies for my sudden visit but I was a bit worried when Grey said he was invited by Highblood Denoir did he perhaps cause any trouble for you," He said
"Oh no he didn't we just call him to hear about his ascent with our daughter" He replied
"Where are my manners I'm Ash pleased to meet you Mr "
"Corbett and this is my wife Lenora" Corbett replied
"Nice to meet you both" Jin-Woo replied
Caera POV
As I watched my adoptive parents talk to my mentor ignoring me and Grey, grey suddenly stepped forward and said
"Scythe Seris if you'll excuse me I'm here to inform you that HE wants to join in this conversation," I said
I saw my mentor's eyes widen at the mention of him as I saw her turn towards my adoptive parents they gave a nod and soon all three of them nodded. Grey took a few steps forward for a moment nothing happened but his shadow moved and someone came out of his shadow as I saw a handsome young man with slick orange hair, having only a single strand poking out and black eyes (A/N: Woo Jinchul ). He came out and stood up
"My apologies for my sudden visit but I was a bit worried when Grey said he was invited by Highblood Denoir did he perhaps cause any trouble for you," He said
"Oh no he didn't we just call him to hear about his ascent with our daughter" He replied
"Where are my manners I'm Ash pleased to meet you Mr "
"Corbett and this is my wife Lenora" my adoptive father replied replied
"Nice to meet you both" Ash replied
I was confused because the last time I met Ash he was different or does he also has an artifact similar to mine.
"Now that I know he has no problem is there any need to hold him for too long," He said in a dangerous tone that sent shivers down my spine
"Oh no Mr. Ash we were simply talking to Scythe Seris for a moment but it seemed that time flew by rather quickly," My adoptive father said nervously
"Let's discuss this with a little dinner" My adoptive mother finally spoke
"Yes I'd love to invite all of you to speak of this in dinner since ascent stories are exciting to hear," My adoptive father said
Dinner was catastrophic, to say the least, we tried to let out jokes but in the end Grey and I just told them about our ascent minus our secrets and weird stuff that happened as we told them we stayed at a cave rather than the shadow claw's hut and we never mentioned my horns and artifact or Grey's powers. As we kept on I could see my parents sneaking peeks towards Ash as he only spoke a few times during dinner. We ended the dinner after me and Grey finished as I could see the sweet light of freedom near me. But it was stopped as I remembered I would be getting a scolding after this.
Grey, Ash, and Seris left, leaving me behind alone at the mercy of my adoptive parents. As I wanted to sneak away my adoptive mother caught me.
"Caera dear you have a lot of explaining to do," She said in a sweet but psychotic way
After getting scolded for around an hour or so I left the room and went towards my room, there Nessa was already waiting to help me with my bath and dress. As she was combing my hair.
"So did you find yourself a man?" She asked as my face heated up
"Ne - Nessa it's not like that," I said
She just hummed as she continued to comb my hair. She left afterward as I slumped on my bed my mind lingered on the thoughts of Grey and me in the Relictombs, after spending a week with him almost 24/7 it felt weird not having him and Regis around.
Arthur POV
We walked to Seris's house as a familiar old drunk caught my eyes.
"Alaric?" I screamed
"Ah my dear nephew," He said with a wide smile
"You never told me you had connections with a scythe" He continued
"What is he doing here?" I asked
"To help us" Jin-Woo replied
"With?" I asked
"Grey what do you say about teaching in the central academy," Jin-Woo said
Before I could burst out in anger
"I need you to steal an artifact from the academy that would be useful once you've used Aurora Requiem on it" He continued mentally
"How'd you know?" I replied
He just smiled which made me annoyed
"Visit the void later using your physical body" He just said
We talked for a while regarding how we would get me inside without arousing suspicion and doubts. We spent most of the time figuring out the construct of my backstory and fake background as we make my fake identity more real. It was finally late as Alaric left and the others went to their rooms. I went to the guest room to take a bath before going to the void.
"Can I come?" Regis asked
"Sure I guess" I replied as I put on my clothes
I sat down in a lotus position as I felt myself sinking and swallowed by my shadow. I opened my eyes back to see Jin-Woo, Ash, and Sylvia waiting for me as I stood up Regis leaped out of my stomach and landed in front of me. I went towards them and asked
"So what do you need me for?" I asked
"Could you possibly fix this with Aurora Requiem?" Jin-Woo said as he took out a large ornamental chalice with yellow trims, indigo-colored glass, and a light bluestem.
"What's that?" I asked as I felt signs of aether in there
"Its called the Cup of Reincarnation from my world. It would reverse time to when you wanted it" He replied
"If you can fix it it would be an invaluable asset for us to stop this war as we can keep on retrying until we get the best result" He continued
My eyes widened at the sight of the cup that could do something like that. Thoughts of having a better outcome flew in my mind as I prepared myself to try and fix it. Jin-Woo handed me the cup and I started to activate Aurora Requiem but nothing happened, disappointment flooded me as I shook my head at Jin-Woo he also had the same face of disappointment as he took back the cup and returned it to somewhere.
"Now I need you to tell me Jin-Woo," I said
"Tell you what?" He asked
"Everything from monarchs rulers you Ash and whatever you've kept from me," I said in a little angry tone
His eye widened at my answer
"How do you know of this?" He asked
"A fragment of Antares's soul told me before he inherited his powers to me" I replied
Once again his eyes widened as he called for Antares.
"Care to explain Antares?" He asked
"Long before I became your soldier I took a part of my soul if I needed a successor, and I also took out one of my hearts. The one I have now is the Heart Of Destruction, while the one the boy has is the Dragon Heart both hearts contains destruction unlike Ashborn who had only the black heart" He said
"So he's next in line to be the Monarch Of Destruction?" He asked
"Yes" Antares simply replied
"Then I guess its better for you to stay with him then," Jin-Woo said as he pointed to me
Antares nodded and entered my shadow
"So what else do you want to know?" He asked
"Are the rulers hostile towards you?" I asked
"No because I did a great deed they actually owed me" He said but he had a change of tone when he said great deed
"Ok that's all I need to know" I said as I saw the vision where the rulers came for Jin-Woo
Time passed differently in the void Jin-Woo left as Ash and Sylvia trained and Antares taught me more about the nature of my powers the more negative emotions I had for fuel the more powerful it would be and the harder it would be to control it. As Antares explained unlike me He embraced the feeling of destruction so it didn't feel like his power took control over him but it is his power, and he had full control over it.
Antares told me to at least meditated three times a day so I would get used to it, and when he sees me ready he'll give a new set of instructions to better my control over this power. As time passed it was already morning. Antares entered my shadow and I returned to the real world.
I woke up in the guest room my body was a little stiff but it was alright after a few stretches. I walked out to the living room to see quite the sight as I saw Seris on top of Jin-Woo embracing and kissing Jin-Woo.
"Don't you think it's too early for this?" I said announcing my presence
Seris jumped off Jin-Woo her face red as she coughed, while Jin-Woo had a slight blush glaring at me.
"What I was just saying is you could've done it in your room," I said
Which led to a punch from Jin-Woo and followed up by another from Seris.
"You two are stronger than me please refrain from using physical abuse on me," I said after getting up
We all had a little food and went parted ways. While me and Jin-Woo walked to meet up with Alaric.
"Am I getting a nephew or a niece?" I asked jabbing his ribs
"So who do you think fits you better? The elf princess or the Highblood?" He asked back
"Wait why bring Caera into this?" I asked
"You must be one hell of a brick huh Art" He replied mentally which made me confused
We continue to talk about random things about our journey in the relictombs and some of our lives before we came to this world. We finally arrived at Alaric's place where he had prepared all the required documents for me to enter the academy.
"Has Agrona found out about me yet?" I asked mentally
"From the reports, I got from my shadows no he hasn't which is good since I need you to get stronger" He replied
"But isn't it the same if we are still going to fight him at full strength against him?" I asked confused
Jin-Woo POV
"But isn't it the same if we are still going to fight him at full strength against him?" He asked confused
"Just playing it save" I lied as I already know his fate
"I see you want to gang on him for safety measures, so the fight won't drag on" He replied
"Yup" I simply replied
We took the documents and went to the academy with Alaric where he did most of the talking Grey was accepted and I was his assistant. We entered the academy with ease as we strolled around the academy for a while we finally settled in our dorms.
"So professor Grey ready for your first day?" I asked
"Could've we just you know steal it without going here?" He replied
"You'll find the Victoriad to your liking," I said
"Victoriad?" He asked
"You'll be able to challenge Retainers and Scythes to get their position" I replied
"No one recognizes you and you'll do fine even your voice isn't the same" I continued
"You want me to infiltrate them?" He asked
"If you could but your friends Nico and Cecilia would probably sniff you out or even Agrona himself would know," I said
"Don't worry we still have a few months to get you stronger" I continued
"Now go to your class I have to do other stuff," I said
"By other stuff, you don't mean getting lovey-dovey with a Scythe right?" He teased
"I have things to do in Dicathen" I simply said although I should probably visit Seris first I thought