Rustle– Rustle—
"I think this is a safe enough spot. Let's hide here for now." Regis said as he sat on the ground filled with dry leaves.
Dahlia silently followed after and sat beside him as she breathed heavily.
She had a worried expression on her face, evidently still thinking about Aunt Amabel.
Regis noticed this and thought of a way to change the topic.
"Hey, do you think tha—"
Ba-dump! Ba-dump!!
It was at that moment that a familiar sensation washed over Regis.
'It can't be…'
It was the same ominous premonition again.
"What are you going to say, Regis?"
However, Dahlia's voice cut off the thoughts that were about to run rampant in his mind.
Regis looked her in the eyes and smiled, "I think it would be better if you take the Aura Primer now."
He then caressed her head and continued, "I know that you were still supposed to take it later, but I don't think we have enough time."
Dahlia's trust in Regis could only be described as immeasurable.
Thus, she nodded her head and took out a small vial that was tied to her necklace.
"You do your thing while I keep watch, okay?"
"Mhm."
Although he said that, Regis was almost sure that there were indeed people chasing them.
'I don't want her to be scared…'
Regis bit his lip, almost making it bleed.
Unaware of what was Regis thinking, Dahlia sat crossed legged and took deep breaths to calm herself down.
'Just like what Aunt Amabel told me…'
In the few days that they were living at Aunt Amabel's house, she had always briefed Dahlia on what to do when awakening.
Thus, she followed the instructions that were ingrained in her head.
After a few minutes of rhythmic breathing, Dahlia calmly removed the cap on the small vial.
'For Regis… and for Aunt Amabel…'
She thought as she drank the Aura Primer in a single go.
Thump!!! Thump!!! Thump!!!
Thunderous heartbeats echoed around the area around Regis and Dahlia.
'What's this feeling…?'
Dahlia thought as she could feel the burst of energy that continuously spread in her body with every beat of her heart.
'I hope I can awaken a gift…'
Dahlia's eyes sparkled at the thought.
Regis saw her expression and subconsciously smiled.
Although everything in their surroundings was in chaos right now, Regis felt at peace in this moment.
However, what shocked him was what followed after.
White sparkles covered Dahlia's whole body.
'A gift…!! She's awakened a gift!!!'
Regis thought as he saw the beautiful phenomenon.
Aunt Amabel had also briefed the two of them about the different tiers of gifts that they might be able to awaken upon the baptism of energy.
From highest to lowest, gifts are categorized according to the following:
Diamond
Platinum
Gold
Silver
Bronze
The color of the phenomena that was manifested by the individual's body upon awakening corresponds to the different tiers of gifts.
If the phenomena was in Bronze color, then that meant that the individual awakened a Bronze-grade Gift.
The same goes for the other gifts.
As for the white sparkles that were manifested by Dahlia…
'Diamond-grade Gift…!'
Regis thought in shock.
The color of Silver phenomena was closer to the color of gray, Platinum was way brighter than silver and more shiny.
Only the Diamond phenomena manifests as white sparkles.
At this moment, Dahlia was in a daze– something that Regis didn't find strange.
Aunt Amabel had told them that once an individual awakened a gift, the gift's name would appear in their minds like a memory that they already had since birth.
More information about the gift would also appear in their minds in the same way.
However, depending on the type of gift, said information could only provide them with rudimentary understanding about the gift.
They would still need to explore the gift more in order to gain more understanding about its ability.
At this moment, Regis's heart was filled with happiness and pride.
'I'm glad… that at least, she'll be able to make it out alive…'
He thought as the danger he was feeling became more and more prominent as time went by.
Regis observed Dahlia and kept himself alert for any disturbance in the surroundings.
After a while, Dahlia snapped out of her dazed state.
"Regis!" She excitedly called out with a soft voice.
Regis smiled and hugged her tightly.
"I'm very happy for you!"
After their hug, Dahlia could sense that there was something strange about Regis.
"Is there something wrong?" She asked.
Regis shook his head with tears threatening to fall from his eyes.
"You need to run."
Dahlia's face froze.
"N-No. What do you mean? We can run togethe–"
Regis suddenly closed in and kissed her forehead.
Dahlia became silent.
She could sense them.
Although she had only awakened, her senses had become heightened by the aura that was coursing through her body.
It was enough for her to tell what was causing Regis such distress.
They both knew that if the demonic humans that were pursuing them were like the ones Aunt Amabel fought, they would be done for.
"Then I'll be the one to stall for time. After all, I have aura now." Dahlia said with tears in her eyes.
Regis smirked, "Well, as an aura user, you have a bright future ahead of you. So you should be the one to escape. You can also take revenge for me in the future as someone with a Diamond-grade Gift, right?'
"You…"
Dahlia bit her lips as tears silently fell to her cheeks.
"I'm too exhausted now. So even if I run, they'll catch me in no time."
"It's better for you to be the one to run since you're currently filled with energy from the primer."
"Also, I don't really see any futu–"
"Stop."
Regis's persuasions were cut off by Dahlia's trembling voice.
"You planned all this, didn't you?"
"You made me take the primer so I could be filled with energy to run, right?"
"Why can't I just die here with you?"
Dahlia sniffled as she forced words to come out her throat.
Regis smiled as tears also fell from his eyes.
"Take revenger for m—"
"Stop!"
Dahlia subconsciously shouted.
"Why do you speak as if you're going to die?"
Her words lit up something in Regis's heart.
'I'm going to die… Me..?'
All his life, all he did was look for ways to survive and… survive.
At an early age, without any parental guidance and protection, he lived his life in the slums.
Nevertheless, not once did he ever wallow in self pity.
He didn't blame the world for what life it has given to him.
He only looked for ways to survive.
Survive. Survive. And… Survive again.
That was what he did all his life.
And that was what he will continue on doing.
"You're right…"
Regis said with a smile.
"Huh?"
Taken aback by the sudden change in Regis's mood, Dahlia was confused.
"I promise you that I won't die… In exchange, look for me in the future."
"W-What are you talking about?"
"The words that the demonic human said earlier. They're looking for soldiers… if I remember correctly…"
'I get it now… Although this may only delay my death, the important thing is to not die now.'
Dahlia's voice trembled, "B-But—"
Rustle– Rustle–
Both of their expressions froze as they heard a strange sound.
"Run. Now." Regis said as he looked Dahlia in the eye.
Dahlia looked at Regis's face, deeply imprinting it in her mind.
"Y-You… better not d-die…"
Staring at Dahlia, Regis smiled gently and responded, "See you later."
Tears threatened to fall from Dahlia's eyes again, but she stopped them.
She wiped her eyes with her arms and said,
"See you later."
Dahlia then ran.
She ran without looking back.
She ran as she bit her lips until it bled.
Nevertheless, she didn't cry.
'I'll go back. I'll rescue you. I promise…'
Were the thoughts that repeatedly rang in her mind as she ran.
Regis and Dahlia had known each other for the majority of their lives.
They had been together through thick and thin, even as their life in the slums became unbearable.
However, no matter how unbearable life became, they found solace in each other's presence.
And now…
For the first time in their lives, they were separated.