Chapter One Hundred Fifty-Four:
Past…
"I'm engage." I suddenly announced to Maury as soon as I came back home, because he did not accompany me to go to the Manu Mansion where I discussed my future marriage to the woman chosen by the Elders themselves or better known in this New Era as the Leaders of the Manu Society. He had to do something for the company while I was busy with my meeting with the Leaders. The reason why he doesn't know what we tackle at the meeting.
"To whom?"
"To the Lady we both never expected that will be chosen to be my wife." I seriously answered as I look at him.
"What do you mean?"
"I'm arranged with Leader Clay's niece. Corvina Morana."
The shock on Maury's face was obvious when I said the name of the woman who had already arranged with me. Because the woman I mentioned was the woman he likes.
"I-I…" speechless and couldn't say word.
"I know that you--"
"No." he cuts me off before his face came back to normal. "Congratulation." He spoke. "You two will be a good match."
"If we like each other." I replied. "Because if I tell the truth, this arrange marriage was all just for a business. Feelings or emotions aren't important." I seriously stated.
Present…
"Cold." I answered even the truth. "But you still love her despite of her attitude."
Silence.
"My feelings aren't important right now, Sir Kanik." He replied.
"Okay!" I answered as I shrug off. "Anyway- ahhh!" all of a sudden, I felt a severe pain.
"Kanik!" Maury immediately went to my side. "What's happening?"
"I-I don't kn-know…" I said between by breath before the pain devours me that made me scream until I fainted.
…
Through the Darkness
Deafening silence, which was the first I heard that cause me to open my eyes and see nothing but pure darkness.
'Where am I?' I asked through my mind.
"You've been long gone, my dear God King."
"What are you talking about?! I am not a God not even a King!" I answered while trying to look around to see who was talking to me and I saw him standing at my back. "Wh-who are you?"
"Well, it's been one hundred and three years since we meet again, my dear… what shall I say. Brother?"
Brother? What was he talking about? "I don't have a brother." I answered.
"Oh, I forgot that you already forgot everything once 'The Curse One' died. And everyone else that knows about 'The Curse One' will also forget."
"What are you talking about?"
He looks at me seriously. "I'm a decoy. Your decoy," he answered. "I am Kieran Reinhardt, the older brother you created to hide the truth about you. The one you used to trick your sister, so that she won't ever going to find out the truth about you. Kanik Reinhardt or should I say, the reincarnation of Manu Ethereal the 'Destruction' of all!" what he said is like a thunder and lightning that came down on me and it strikes me so hard I couldn't stand what he just said.
…
Into Paradise
The intense pain I feel is like a bubble that has disappeared. Slowly, I open my eyes and see myself lying in a soft sofa. While in front of me was a clear sky as I could hear the gentle lapping of the water from the shore.
'Wh-where am I?' I silently asked myself while I look around and saw this woman standing at my right. "Who are you? And where am I?" I asked her.
"You're finally awake, yet, not that awake."
"What?"
She smiles at me. "You wouldn't understand even if I told you." She answered. "But anyway, you are in paradise."
I look around and she was right, this place is a paradise. "Am I dead?"
"Uhm, technically, you must be dead."
"Huh! What do you mean?!" I surprisingly asked her.
"Calm down, Shu Tokino. You aren't dead anyway."
"You! How did you know my name?! And who are you?!"
"I am you." She answered as she raised her hand for a hand shake. "My name is… Siara Meinir."
…
Through the Darkness
"No!" I answered in loud voice. "Who are you to lie to me like that?! You have no right to accuse me of any nonsense! And I don't have a sibling because I'm Reinhardt's only child! So, don't give me a damn answer! Who are you?!" I commanded him but then he just smiled. "What!" my eyes shrink in frustration after seeing what he reacted.
"Calm down, will you." He spoke. "I know it will happen or I'll say clearly that you know it will happen so you left something that will help you remember everything."
"What are you saying?"
"I am just a messenger and deliverer of the thing you will need, after that I will disappear forever and you will see the Void Brothers again." he said. "Now, I am serving you my final quest, Ozul."
All of a sudden, a black cloud formed around him and as he said he gradually disappeared until a small creature that looked like a shadow took its place.
…
Into Paradise
I don't know what my proper reaction would be when I heard the name she gave. But there was only one emotion that overcame me, jealousy because Siara was so beautiful and looked really kind far from me. She almost perfect, no wonder Haimon fell in love with her.
"Don't be jealous." Suddenly she said.
"Huh! What?"
"It was written all over your face." She replied that I blushed. "As you grow older, he quietly follows you. At first, he still sees me in you but as time goes on and he gets to know you better little by little he sees only you. Make me feel… jealous," she said as she blushed too.
I don't know but what she said made me feel better. "Thanks."
"Welcome. Now, let's get into our serious topic the reason why you're here."
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