Third Person's P. O. V:
"Who would use Aether on a weak human?" Doctor Osborne wondered aloud, finding the whole situation a puzzling and unusual act.
Casting the old man a disinterested stare, Kairos remained brooding by the wall, uncaring of Osborne's remarks that didn't help in solving the situation.
Noticing the peculiar expression of the young man from the corner of his eyes, Dr. Osborne quirked an eyebrow in amusement.
"Was it not the almighty Prince who didn't care if the lad died or not? So why the moody expression? Ya, don't be a hypocrite!"
Being chastised by Osborne put Kairos in a further irritated mood. The bloodlust he tried to suppress, slipped out bit by bit uncontrollably.
However, Osborne remained unfazed. Years of bloodshed and knowing the Prince had made him accustomed to bloodlust.
"Youths these days," Osborne shook his head in disappointment.
The Prince could be mentally disabled sometimes.
Kairos could not stop the words from flowing out as he tried to justify his feelings. Maybe seeing the girl deeply hurt made him feel a 'teensy' bit anxious and pissed.
"It's not about whether she's alive. But I do not want her dead till I wish so. And some little b*stard coming so boldly to kill someone in my hands- irritates me to no end."
"How's her condition?" Kairos asked after Osborne failed to respond to his words. The old man simply stared at the changing statistics displayed on the wall.
"Osborne-" The impatience in Kairos' tone was obvious, watching the old man suddenly hasten his actions with solemnity.
Typing something on the keyboard and frantically assembling a syringe, filling it with pale yellow liquid that was sealed with plastic.
"Get me Anetone and Zidroxoquil! Something's changing in her body-- I, I can't tell if it's good or not but it's definitely serious!"
Kairos found himself oddly panicked at the sight of the pale Rosanna, twitching slightly on the bed in an unconscious state.
"Where?!" Kairos yelled, wondering what the old man was spouting and where he could find the two drugs or liquid.
The alarms in the room went off instantaneously and Sierra's voice applied more mystery to the situation, distracting the two from changing Rosanna's condition.
"Warning! Warning!! Warning!!! Dangerous mana waves found! Requesting visitors of the room to make a quick exit. Space rift is building and Aether is unstable!"
Bright purple light engulfed Rosanna, Sierra's voice ringing continuously in the background.
Visible wisps of red and gold lingered in the air and a very tiny black dot appeared in the middle of the room.
A small surrounding of the black dot was distorted, looking like an illusion that was about to fade. An anomaly that proved the disturbance in space.
Without hesitation, Kairos' eyes glowed a brighter gold as he activated his talent; [Order]. Using a counterattack skill to revert the chaotic energy in the air to a more peaceful state, close to it's original dormancy.
Everything was deathly still and Sierra's voice came to a halt.
While Kairos could not wipe Aether or Space rifts out of existence, because Aether and Space rifts did not have a 'form', nor was it possible to destroy the very essence of existence.
So rather, Kairos reverted their previous dormant state, merely suppressing their violent change.
But it was almost impossible to control them- they weren't destructible and they were ever growing. Like excited cancerous cells feasting on its hosts.
At this rate, it would take a significant toll on Kairos' body to use Order in his first transformation.
Because his first transformation was bound by mortal restraints and using a talent of Origin grade required a higher level physique.
But no f*cking way was Kairos letting Rael out. Even if the latter had better strength as the second transformation.
The still silence broke in a blink of an eye.
"Are you using Order?!" Doctor Osborne screamed over the turbulent waves and high pitched statical sounds ringing in the room.
"Would you be alive if I didn't?!"
Kairos shouted back, veins bulging as he forcefully repressed a restless Rael and parted his attention to steadfastly stop the rapid expansion of chaotic Aether.
The space rift was as a result of an unstable Aether and if Kairos continued to let the black dot grow further, a portion of this area would disappear silently- never to be found.
And leaving in it's wake more chaotic Aether which will multiply and ravage the area in continuous succession.
The purple glow on Rosanna's body increased to a blinding light and so did the pressure Kairos felt resisting the dangerous Aether.
This situation was beyond his calculation. Such events were perilous and required early preparation. But having defensive measures in a low-grade room against unstable Aether was unrealistic.
Aether was rarely seen, most people knew nothing about it. Even Kairos knew little about it- barely able to recognize it due to Sierra's warning.
So going through the stress of fixing defensive measures against it in a small building was just too much.
"I'm leaving here! Your girlfriend is the cause- do your little sh!t, adios!"
Doctor Osborne wiped the sweat off his temple, dropped off the syringe in his hand and rushed to his drawer, ripping apart a talisman as he disappeared.
Osborne had sworn never to risk his lives for protagonist daredevils. He'd notice some people had insane amount of luck but the people surrounding them by association might just receive the karmic retribution.
And Kairos was one such person with insane luck and bad contribution to others.
'Sorry Rosanna, hopefully your boyfriend protects you. This old man has only one life to spare! My lovely granddaughter awaits me...'
Kairos cussed under his breath, falling to his knees under pressure just as Osborne left.
He was bearing the full brunt of Aether's harsh damage. If he left, this situation would surely escalate and cause unimaginable damage to countless people and the land itself.
But if he stayed, it's either he transforms or endure the pain till whenever Aether became docile.
'F*cking Rael' Kairos cursed in his mind. His other half was not making things any better but wrestling for his body and control- multiplying the amount of effort Kairos was placing on resisting. It was multitasking in a life or death situation.
Kairos' mind raced and painful seconds passed by while he leaned on the wall to evaluate the situation.
'It's worth a try...' Kairos reasoned, coming to a conclusion as he began wobbling on his feet and walking towards Rosanna.
He slowly got on her bed with trembling, hovering over the glowing female as he reached a silent affirmation.
The bright glow had reduced to a distinctive dim light, and Kairos saw faint hope.
There was a possible way that Kairos could stop this.
A wild conjecture emerged in his heart. But it was logical enough to be more than a conjecture.
Was Rosanna awakening? As a result of the increased exposure of Aether in the pod?
Aether exists in the air together with Mana and everyone has a slight immunity and compatibility with it.
But just like radiation, when the concentration grows higher- so did it's effects.
Kairos also awakened with the use of Aether. And his and Rosanna's symptoms were similar. Glowing light, space rifts and chaotic Aether.
If Rosanna was awakening a new talent... Then it would explain why the energies changed to such degrees.
Plus, Rosanna had to be going through a physical awakening. Although accidental, it must have been triggered by her exposure to Aether.
Because one cannot awaken a new talent after the spiritual awakening. Unless the physical awakening triggered another.
Two awakenings happening at the same time was more damaging than beneficial.
Kairos' idea should not be far off from the truth considering the situation.
Arriving at the edge of the bed, Kairos crawled on top with slight trembling.
Soon he was half leaning on Rosanna but careful not to let his weight press her. Kairos used his hand to prop himself partially on the bed.
One leg inserted in between Rosanna's parted legs and he used his other hand to grab a fistful of her hair, tilting her head up to his face.
It was undeniable the pleasure and satisfaction Kairos felt from their contact.
Leaning his head forward and trying to ignore the pressure from using [Order] and Rael's increased excitement, Kairos brushed his lips on Rosanna's jaw, giving light feathery kisses.
Somehow even when everything was dire, he wanted to savor this. He wanted to savor her. It was a deep connection the mate bond initiated.
But it wasn't one-way.
The mere feeling of Kairos's body brought an odd sense of calm to Rosanna in the midst of the chaotic dream state she was in.
Flaoting between consciousness and unconsciousness in a dark, turbulent space had left her feeling tired to her soul's depths.
Her thoughts were too scattered to think, being too tired to resist and everything felt like a mountain of pressure sat upon her existence.
Then suddenly, a warm light came into the dark space and peace began to reign in her mind
Rosanna felt her mind relax and she subconsciously wanted more of the relief Kairos's body gave.
Glowing gold eyes darkened with hidden desire when Kairos sensed the unconscious movement of the girl, pressing her chest up against his.
It was a split second and although Kairos had held her before, this dangerous and mysterious situation ignited a little sensual flame in his heart. Especially with her responsive act.
Kairos moved his lips to kiss the corner of her closed eye, feeling a rising urge to engrave his existence into her body-- like she was his and he was made for her.
And something told him he'd do that every soon. She'd have his marks boldly showcased everywhere.
A/N
The next chapter is supposed to be blissful but darn the reader's likes is the Author's pain.
But y'all most likely will crack your brain along with me. Hehe we in this together. ❤️