Asher and Kafziel stood before the massive gates of the Hecate Kingdom. It was just the two of them, dressed in black robes and disguised as commoner children. Asher had altered his appearance, his hair now a mousy brown, his eyes a dull brown hue, freckles scattered across his face, and his clothes torn and tattered. Kafziel, too, changed his features, his hair now gray, and his eyes pitch black. Like Asher, he wore worn and filthy clothes.
"Is it necessary to change our appearance?" Kafziel asked.
Asher didn't respond. His eyes were fixed on the two guards standing in front of them.
"Abel said the Hecate Kingdom has no barriers," Asher finally said, ignoring the question.
"However, the palace itself is protected by the same barrier that shields the Western Dukedom." Kafziel sighed and shook his head.
"That means...the royalty of the Hecate Kingdom has fallen under the Western Dukedom?" Asher gave a small nod. The two of them stepped forward toward the gate, only to be blocked by the guards.
"State your name and your purpose," one of the guards demanded.
Both Asher and Kafziel turned to look at him blankly.
'This person is unconscious,' Kafziel said telepathically, his voice reaching Asher's mind.
Asher gave a silent nod in response.
'Both of them are. Definitely the work of those shit-heads...be cautious,' Asher gritted his teeth and snapped his fingers. The sound rang sharply, and a moment later, the guards collapsed to the ground.
Asher began walking, and Kafziel followed without hesitation.
"This place looks so gloomy," Kafziel murmured.
"The heavy atmosphere...it shows signs of dark magic," Asher replied. They looked around, taking in the struggling citizens and the weight of despair in the air.
"A slum area?" Kafziel asked.
"Let's go," was all Asher said as he continued forward. Kafziel nodded and followed the Astra.
"Tell me, Zavien. Since you're a demon who's traveled through timelines... is this event in your memories as well?" Asher asked.
Kafziel, walking a few paces behind, remained quiet.
Kafziel Laverde—a young master of Laverde County, only eleven years of age, with an older sister. That was the identity he wore now. A disguise created to protect the one he had sworn to guard.
His life as a demon had been nothing short of hell. Abused for his powerlessness, he was cast into the mortal realm, where humans viewed demons as enemies. Yet one person had accepted him. She believed in him. Trusted him. She was the sole reason his life became something he didn't wish to regret.
"Yes. But always... always, every time I go back in time, it ends the same way..." Kafziel finally spoke, his voice low, almost as if he were only speaking to himself.
Asher said nothing, waiting in silence for him to continue.
"Honestly, I nearly gave up... until the Princess introduced you to me that time," Kafziel murmured, lowering his head.
"I was confused at first. You were never there in any of the timelines I went back to. None of the Astras or the Selene had ever intervened. I didn't search for the Selene because I had no idea where she was sealed. So I looked for Abel. But the Magic Tower... it was empty. Ruined. The Crystal of Life that Aisha left behind was shattered into pieces. The Magic Tower had become nothing more than ancient ruins... there, I found a book..." Kafziel paused.
"A book about an era of old... time when the world was nearly destroyes..."
Asher clenched his fists, knowing exactly what Kafziel was talking about. He's unaware about the timelines where Kafziel traveled to. After all, he had no ability of going back in time, if he was blessed with that power, he could've saved his Gods, his friends, and his lover.
"I thought maybe I was simply too late. So when I went back again, I searched for Abel immediately. And I found him...or so I thought. He was nurturing the Crystal of Life... with a child inside it. A child who looked exactly like you. But guess what? That child... became the reason the world fell. But that child wasn't you. And the man I thought was Abel—wasn't Abel either. The ones overseeing Aisha's Tower were not the Astras, but demons. Virexon's subordinates. And that child... the one who looked just like you... was Virexon's vessel. And I fell into their trap."
Asher's heart pounded. He had no words. No explanation. He couldn't say anything to comfort him.
"I was sent back to the past again, and I tried to find out what happened to Abel, but I failed every time. Still, I kept trying to save her in the timeline where she returned to her real body. That was the only time I could travel back to. I was powerless...to go any further. Back to the time... before Virexon seized Alina's divine core."
Asher stopped walking. So did Kafziel.
"The curse... All of you were cursed, weren't you?" Kafziel asked.
"Yours was to die every time Alina died. And Alina's... was to never have a peaceful life, no matter which world she's reincarnated in. But that doesn't mean she died right away after being cursed, right?" Asher gritted his teeth and clenched his fists, his expression growing increasingly grim.
"After all, she died... at Virexon's hands."
Without warning, Asher turned around and grabbed Kafziel by the collar. His expression darkened as he stared down the demon before him.
"You just have to reply 'yes' or 'no.' I didn't need your life story," Asher said coldly. His voice was low and sharp, but it didn't affect Kafziel.
"The Era of Luminal Genesis. That was when Virexon unleashed destruction on the world... after obtaining Alina's divine core. You died too, when she did. And Alina's curse—about living a hellish life with every reincarnation... you removed that page from the book you gave her, didn't you?" Asher's grip tightened. He clenched his other fist, holding back the storm inside him.
Kafziel didn't flinch. He just looked at him.
Asher took a deep breath and shoved him away.
"You rewrote parts of that book, didn't you? The truths about Zariah as well,"
Kafziel narrowed his eyes.
Asher didn't respond. He stood silent for a few moments, then finally spoke.
"This isn't the time for your bedtime story," he said flatly, turning his back as he resumed walking.
Kafziel watched him for a moment.
"Indeed," as he followed Asher silently.
***
Ehhh?!
Ehhhh?! There's nothing on the other pages?! Why? Does this mean I can't skip the pages at all? I have to read it all to find out about Dearil's name?! Ugh, just where is that dragon's name anyway?! And when the hell did Raini planted that freaking tree?! I thought he did that right after descending in this world?!
I'm so frustrated. But, I can't voice it out or scream because it's midnight right now!
I took a deep breath and shook my head. Nevermind. I should just continue reading.
I have already finished the chapter of when the incarnations have been cursed. And now I'm entering a new chapter.
[ After the Astras and the Selene were cursed, one of them was immediately banished from the world. Ashley was cast out of her home—despite Moira's protest and Raini's support, they remained powerless to intervene.
Abel, weakened by the loss of three of his divine layers, descended into a profound melancholia. He withdrew into a dimension of his own creation, the Sanctum of Lumiera. Meanwhile, Athalia—the sole bearer of the title Selene, and the incarnation of Azrael, now carries Azrael's Unyielding Flame within her body. Wracked by excruciating pain, she has confined herself to a dimension of her own making, hidden within Azrael's empire, the Lunaris Haven. ]
I can't help but feel heartbroken. I'm pretty sure the Primal Luminars were broken hearted as well, seeing the situation of the incarnations that they created. I'm sure Aisha and Azrael, felt guilty as well.
[ The Primal Luminars, once five in number, had diminished to three. The Astras had been reduced to two, and the Selene was nowhere to be found. In response, the Creator, Raini—descended once more into the land through an incarnation, bearing a radiant seed in his hand. He journeyed to the very heart of the world, and there, he planted the seed. ]
Finally! Just when I was looking for you, you arrived!
[ The tree grew within seven days, rising into a colossal form that no ordinary human could ever hope to climb. Its leaves shimmered with golden light, while its roots were etched with radiant, golden patterns. At its heart lay a divine core, intricately connected to both its roots and canopy. This core bore sacred crystals as the tree's fruit—and when these fruits fully matured, they would shatter into dust, dispersing holy blessings across the world. Raini named this divine creation the 'Essence Tree'. ]
Wow...those fruits shatters into dust and it gives holy blessings to the world? That's absolutely amazing. It's like its supporting the whole world, right? So, planting the Essence Tree was his way of continuing to nurture this world, huh? Raini, really is an amazing God. Maybe the God that cursed his creations was an enemy? Were they jealous of Raini's achievements? What a jerk!
[ To safeguard the Essence Tree, Raini once more brought forth a divine being—one formed from his very own elemental divinity. This radiant creature was entrusted with the sacred duty of guarding the Essence Tree. A luminous white dragon, brimming with the same divine essence as the Primal Luminars. Crafted with utmost care, he was bestowed a soul akin to that of a human, along with the power to polymorph into any form he desired. Raini granted him the freedom to live a normal life, so long as he never strayed from his sacred mission. And thus, Adriel came into existence. ]
Adriel...Adriel...
"So, that's his name..."
That is Dearil's real name. Adriel.
Wait a minute...
Dearil, Adriel...Dearil, Adriel...
I blinked a few times before turning to the side drawer. Opening the third cabinet, I found several types of pens and papers. I grabbed a pen and a sheet of paper, then began to write the two names.
Adriel and Dearil.
A in Adriel, there's one in deAril, too.
D, Dearil. R, deaRil. I, dearIl. E, dEaril. And lastly...L, deariL.
Isn't DEARIL just a scrabbled letters of ADRIEL!?
Are you serious? It was that easy to figure out and we missed it?! That's why my godmother said 'it's close to his name', because it really is this obvious! We just had to rearrange the letters and form a new name! Wow, is Virexon actually a genius or stupid?
Well, now I know his name. How would I be able to save him?
Maybe I should ask Lia tomorrow. As of now...I should go back to sleep.
***
"Alina..." I opened my eyes when I heard a soft voice calling my name. A very familiar voice I haven't heard in a while. The same place where I was sent last time. This place is probably an underground prison, solely made for Adriel.
"Dea—no..." I paused. Can I actually say his real name now? Will I be able to release him once I do?
"Adri—"
"Don't say my real name." I covered my mouth when he stopped me from saying it. I wonder why? Won't he finally be released from Virexon's grasp once I call his name?
"If you say it, it might alert the Demon King." What? Why?
"Just saying my name isn't enough..." he added. I'm glad he can speak properly now. I wonder how he really is?
"Can you... come closer...? I just want to see your face..." I took one step, but was a bit hesitant. After all, I still can't trust him. He's still under Virexon's watch.
"I understand that you're fazed. You don't have to if you're scared..." he said. His voice is deep, yet it still sounds so gentle.
"For you to finally figure out my name... Did you read the Book of the Era of Luminal Genesis?" He even knew about that. Well, of course he does. After all, what's written in that book is about them. The creation of Raini.
"Yes... I did. I also found out about the curses of the five incarnations," I replied. I took a deep breath as I started walking towards the huge cage in front of me.
"I'd like to thank you for trusting me. For searching out my name... and for deciding to release me from the Demon King's hands." We haven't done anything yet, but he's already thanking me.
I continued walking toward the huge cage. And it really feels so far.
"Don't thank us yet. We still haven't done anything for you..." I said. But I heard him chuckle. He can do that now—does that mean he's feeling better?
"Knowing my real name is the first step... I'm sure you'll be able to save me. And once you do... I will give you myself." Huh? Give himself to me? Like how? Will he be my pet or what?
"...for eternity..." For eternity!? You don't plan to be my husband, do you?! I don't want a dragon for a husband! Unless you're gorgeous, hehe ~
When I stopped in front of the huge cage, the darkness enveloped the place. However, it slowly faded as light began to appear.
And that's when I finally saw the dragon that had been asking me for help. A huge dragon with white scales. He had many scars, and fresh wounds. The floor of the cage was covered in dried blood, and his white scales were stained with a red hue. His pure white scales... turned in that.
Just... what did Virexon do to this divine being?
He was lying on the ground, his head resting on his wounded and scarred front legs. His eyes were closed, and he looked so peaceful. There were chains on his legs, two for each wing, three across his body, one on his neck, and one even over his mouth.
He looks... really miserable.
I gritted my teeth as I looked at his injured body. I refused to look away. I want to etch this into my memory and tell Lia about this—that Adriel, once their family, had become like this.
He opened his eyes and looked at me without moving his head.
Look at those beautiful golden eyes. Their hue is even more intense than those of Odilia's.
Finally, he moved his head. He raised it, then lowered it slightly—like a bow.
"I apologize. I couldn't greet you properly," he said. I shook my head and waved my hands at him.
"It's absolutely fine. In your condition, you shouldn't move unnecessarily..." I replied. I walked closer to the cage and realized I could actually fit inside.
"Wait, what are you doing?" he asked after seeing me lean to the side and slip through the cage bars.
I walked toward him, and he kept telling me not to get close because it might affect me. But I ignored his warnings and continued walking. He even tried to stand up to move away from me as I approached, but he failed miserably.
When I got close, I reached out my hand.
"No. Alina, you shouldn't lay your hand on me. You might cough blood again—"
I placed my hand on his massive arm and looked up at him, smiling.
"I will definitely save you from this place," I said.
He stared at me, and I did the same. The cage fell silent as we looked into each other's eyes.
But the silence was broken...
*Cough cough*
I held my chest as I felt a strange pain rush through my heart.
"Alina..." Adriel mumbled.
"I will... I will save you," I gave him one last smile. He looked at me, and I could see the worry in his eyes. But his expression slowly softened—he smiled.
"I look forward to it... Your Highness."
"Your Highness!" I opened my eyes as I sprang up from the bed. I held my chest and squeeze it tightly when I felt a strange pain within.
*Cough cough*
*Cough*
I saw my pure white nightgown covered with blood, my throat hurts from coughing too hard, and I can also feel a hot liquid tracing down my nose.
"Ali!? Are you alright?!" Brother Dae...
Everyone's here. They all look so worried about me. Lia, the one who woke me up placed her hand on my forehead, and all of a sudden I can see a golden glow. She started healing me.
But I am fine.
I smiled.
"I'm fine brother. This is nothing..." Brother Dae creased his forehead as he held my hand and caress my back.
This is nothing compared to Adriel's condition right now. He could speak properly to me now without struggling, but those injuries... he still had fresh wounds as well.
This. My family and the incarnations needs to know about this.
Adriel, we will surely save you. We will give you your divinity back.
I swear.
***