The Apogee of That Who Holds A Precarious Life

I opened my palms, dusts particles glowing in bright hues of gold began to spin around my figure. Distorted images everywhere mixed with the nether energy my bidy was exuding. Whirlwinds of energy appeared like tornadoes dancing through my palms, eventually growing bigger and bigger until I lifted them above. They became huge, spiralling almost out of control that blew the trees away, shook the earth, and created large craters on the ground.

I chuckled, catching blurred views of Dragonbornes either being caught up with the energy whirlpools or thrown away with their wings torn apart. I wrote a law formation on the air, the lines and patterns glowing in pale blue. It didn't take a second more for the formation to take place, forming a large magic circle that floated above the skies of Elydia. The magic circle then evaporated, becoming a transparent layer of glass that surrounded the entire country like a dome.

So much magical energy was let out despite how easy it took me to actually create it. My body may house an immense energy capacity, but because all of that energy is nether, it instead destroys my body from the inside whenever I use my spiritual energy. It's strange though. Even though I knew I shouldn't waste my life like this, that it's dangerous to use any more of my power, it's still addicting. Power always had drawn me in, perhaps because it reminded me how I was I was before all of this.

I stood up, holding my hand out for Erhiel to reach and despite my eyes close, I could sense her walking toward me to grab my hand. I let her lead the way, still sensing her energy movements that kept enemies away. Erhiel will remain powerful as long as I supply her my blood that contains massive enegy power. It's ironic though. She clings to power not knowing that power was the cause of this worldly chaos. She doesn't realize my true identity, and I can only wonder what would she do by then.

It was only several minutes that I felt her hand loosening grip around mine. Then I suddenly heard loud explosions around me, there were also gunshots and loud artilleries moving around that made the ground below slightly tremble. I couldn't hear her words, but I knew she murmuring something. Still, I refused to open my eyes. With so many images, I can already feel blurriness settling in along with that headache.

I sidestepped, sensing something heading my way. I didn't stop dodging, as though everything was going to hit if I won't move. It felt like I was dancing among the heavy gunfires and distant roars. Finally, there was silence. Hearing the silence prompted me to stop, and I did. I could hear Erhiel's heavy breathing in front of me, the scent of blood and the sound of something dripping.

Eyes were created to see. People would often stare at them rather than take in someone's face. Most would remember eyes more than anything else. There are wonders in this world that will bound themselves useless if people aren't capable of seeing them. Mine used to have such a pale shade of blue, as though looking at something so light and peaceful. I used to stare at them whenever I look at the mirror, it would always seem as though I'd drown in them--like I was seeing a part of my soul resurfacing.

But now, as I stare over my reflection, a puddle of clear, red blood beneath my feet, I could barely make out the dull paints of my eyes. They have always been pale, but they seemed to have grown even more paler and bland over the years--so much they would eventually lose their colours. I blinked, then again, and the last. No matter how much I do so, everything would still appear distorted. Images around me swirling like shattered fragments of glass, spinning over the motions of energy.

I forced myself to get used to the new way my eyes see the world, but I had eventually grown tired of having to witness shapes deforming and forming again and again like a window breaking into tiny pieces but would turn back to its previous state. Like watching the world be set in a perpetual motion, a cycle I feel like I wasn't a part of. That was why I began closing my eyes, shutting myself off the blurriness my sight would bring and headaches that my head would feel afterwards.

I haven't opened my eyes for such a long time that honestly, it feels strange whenever I do. As though I am being drawn all over again by the uniqueness of how snows would drop from the clear skies above, or how the trees would sway at every gust of passing wind, or the cold rushing river I kept hearing nearby. I also see people, although distorted may they appear, I could somehow make out their shapes and forms enough to conclude what they are.

Then I would have to close my eyes again, barely missing how this particular girl just easily plunged her opponent's weapon deep into his chest. Then I heard a grunt of pain, followed by silence. By the time I had my eyes opened, I could see her panting, wiping the blood off her face that never belonged from her. Red eyes glistening as she stared at her hands. She was feeling ecstatic, excited of what that newly-acquired powers would bring. Then she glanced back at me, beaming at the sight of my eyes watching her every move.

She likes it when I have my eyes open, especially when I'm watching. It makes her feel prouder and happy. I don't need any sensing ability to see the devotion and loyalty in her spinning, red orbs. She truly is one of a kind, the relic Ichor had blended in so well with her soul that she isn't having any trouble controling that immense power.

Still, I feel bad for the girl who I had to pressure with only two options; live and offer her life for me or die with her life ending just like that even though sje was given the option to live. In the end, she chose to give me her life. She chose life over death because she was coward, she still is. If it weren't for my ability armouring her resolve, she would have had trembled like a new-born fawn at her first kill.

She wasn't prepared for a life of thrill and danger like this, she would have ran and refused my orders if I hadn't amplified her wills. But I didn't make her feelings of weakness and insecurities disappear, somewhere deep inside--those negative feelings are still there. I just had to keep it hidden by boosting her sense of loyalty to me. That no matter what, she would choose me and nothing else matters.

It's necessary. Her life is mine, she would have died if it weren't for me. That's why don't feel guilty. In fact, I've stopped feeling so a long time ago. Closing my eyes and shutting myself from this world makes me feel free, makes me feel at peace at myself. It would sometimes feel as though something would whisper behind my back or do something without my knowing. It's scary, if I think about it--but I had to deal with it over the years that I just feel... strangely fine with my eyes not capable of seeing clearly now.

The unnecessary emotions, I've learned to ignore and refuse them that after everything that happened, they were buried so deep inside me I could barely even feel them in there. But I know they still exist, that one day I'll eake up realizing everything I've done and would suffer at own deeds. That's why I must die before that, because I don't have the courage to ever walk on a redemption path after the things I had to do to reach my goals. Thus, I do not fear creating sins and causing tragedy one after another for I know someone out there is bound to end this life, that I wouldn't have to live to suffer the consequences of my actions.

People will hate me. They will end me because of that hatred and the fact that there are many people out there is all I need. Because knowing someone out there is after my life makes me feel at ease, that I wouldn't have to worry about being miserable for as long as I live. Twisted it may sound, but wouldn't anyone feel the same if they were in my position? To continue doing something you know morally cruel because you wouldn't have to face the consequences in the end other than dying. Because after all, what's better than having death as the easy way out?

Ah, I wish I could have seen the look on those people's faces watching their lives end before them, the thrill of having to witness the end of someone else's. I envy them for dying just like that. It would always feel as though they were seeing death appearing right in front of them at the mere sight of me when I do have my eyes peeled open. It's a pity I couldn't bear to watch everything without blinking after every few seconds.

I finally let my eyes see, taking in so much information all at once before closing them again for passing moments then opening them once more. The snow-filled ground was now painted with so much red, as well as dying corpses of both Dragonbornes and soldiers laying around as I continued to lean behind this tree. The barrier above had been standing there for almost an hour now, still undamaged that prevented anyone from ever escaping the country.

I was aware of some soldiers who managed to escape before the barrier was set, but with the Dragonbornes who were escaping as well, surely they didn't pass a chance to slaughter those ships. Those, however, who were left inside was trapped under the danger of my precious human relic. Erhiel had always wanted to fight these people who had enslaved and killed the only family she had ever known, but she lacked the power and courage to do so. Now that I have given her both, killing them would prove no difficult with her enhanced senses, speed, and strength.

That was until that one particular woman, blue eyes, long black hair dwindling behind her back, and a katana in her right hand--suddenly appeared that managed to deal so much damage to my precious relic. The battle had been raging for a while now that I was seriously growing bored just standing here by the sidelines. Of course, with how things are going, I knew my human relic would lose. She wouldn't really stand a chance against a Cursed Blood even if she did try.

I blinked, catching a glimpse of how the familiar woman slashed her katana over Erhiel's open back. It made me sigh in disappointment. With them going at it for several moments now, one may think Erhiel could actually stand a fight against the Vanguard Captain, but my relic is mostly inexperienced in battle. Without the power of Ichor inside her, she would already have died.

I crossed my arms, tapping my finger on my left arm in impatience. I wonder when this relic of mine would give up. She knew I was watching her that she kept standing up desoite the injuried on her body. If her opponent wasn't so forgiving, she would have already beheaded the younger girl. I did tell myself I would only show up if I feel like it, but I could sense her opponent growing irritated with impatience greater than mine.

"Come out, Ke'ala! I'm sick of your games." She called out, grabbing Erhiel's collar before kicking her right at the stomach that sent the girl over a tree. "Even going as far as sacrificing this innocent girl for your sake?! You never change, still the monster as people know you were."

She lifted her katana up, immediately stabbing Erhiel on her leg as she let out a painful scream. It made me sigh. Erhiel may have killed dozens of soldiers and Dragonbornes altogether, but she was still inexperienced. She doesn't know how to fight, she doesn't know how to defend herself properly. She was able to deal with the rest because they underestimated her, unlike her current opponent who doesn't see her as just any girl at all.

"Who knew you were Ke'ala's underling all along?" The woman hissed, crushing Erhiel's hand with her foot. "And to think I invited you in for some cookies and was genuinely worried about you. Do you even know what kind of woman you're following? She doesn't care about you!"

"I...I d-don't c-care--" Erhiel stopped herself eith a scream as her opponent kicked her right at the ribs.

"Huling pagkakataon mo na ito, Ke'ala." She lifted her weapon, the sharp edge of it almost touching Erhiel's neck. "Kung hindi ka pa lalabas, sisiguraduhin kong walaka ng makikitang buong katawan sa babaeng ito."

I laughed, finally walking out from the tree I was leaning on. My appearance alarmed her, but her glare still held that same determination and hatred she always had for me. I walked towards her, not minding how her katana was niw pointed at my direction. But that little warning didn't make me stop. I don't particularly care about her, but I do have an unpaid grudge I needed to collect from her even before then with what she did to my aide.

Probably even more alarmed, she jumped back that made me smile. I didn't even do anything and she was already that scared. I shook my head as I glance over Erhiel's weakening body. I saved her once and I will save her again. She can't die unless I tell her so, that was the condition I made clear just before I activated the relic Ichor inside her. I ignored the woman's suspecting look as I crouched in front of my relic.

"You cannot die without my permission, Erhiel." I reminded her. "Yet you almost broke that rule today."

Forcefully grabbing her other undamaged hand as I slid one of her sharo claws over my pale-skinned wrist. Blood then dripped from the small cut, her throat moving up and down as she once again savoured the taste of the overwhelming power behind my blood. She sighed in pleasure, energy repairing her damaged skin and broken bones almost as immediately. Physical wounds are easy to heal, but the problem is her exhausted mentality. If I let her fight like this, I'm going to bet she would eventually become tired.

"Since when have you become this compassionate, Ke'ala?"

"Always with the mocking, don't you, Angela?" I retorted back, my hand gently wiping the blood over my relic's face as she drifted back into unconsciousness before letting myself stand back up.

"You should have just stayed hidden and rot somewhere, then you wouldn't have to actually die." She summoned another weapon on her left, two glistening katanas being held on each of her grip.

"Why do you hate me so much, Angela? I've always wondered why. I didn't particularly do anything to you, did I?"

Her eyes widened in rage that before I even realized it, she was already right in front of me with her katana barely missing a quarter of my hair. I shifted my head to the side, not minding the intensity of her gaze as she moved her hand down in attempt to slash my bodh from the sude. But I simply held her wrist, blocking her from doing anything more. She jumped by turning around, trying to stab me from above this time.

I caught her blade in exchange, the energy wrapped around her weapons were so thick that it caused a deep cut through my left palm. She flinched as I stared right into her blue eyes, much more brighter than mine. There, I attempted to figure out the messed up emotions she was withholding, and it made me smirk but before I could figure out more, she leaped back.

"No. I don't feel deep hatred at all like you force yourself to have. You feel grief and abandonment, masking it all into hatred and direct it to me."

"Quit trying to figure people out."

"Oh? So it's true then." I shook my hand, the blood drying up. "Who is it, Angela? At whom do those emotions originally directed at?"

"None of your business!" She yelled.

She lounged herself at me as I moved away. But she eventually followed, her weapons spiralling almosy everywhere as though makong sure I wouldn't be able to dodge. Her attacks kept getting faster and faster until her eyes began to glow. Her blood must have been boiling, the feeling of power surging through her veins as she slashed through the air where I had been previously standing. The impact of the slash was so powerful that it cut several tree in half.

I used both of my arms to block her kick that made me slid back a little, only to be greeted by another incoming kick from the side. I ducked, my current long one-piece clothing certainly wasn't making movements any easier for me. Fighting vigorously like this wasn't my style. I usually just use my energy to overpower my enemies, but for the past years now, using my spiritual energy won't actually bring any benefits to my body that I mostly just dodge or block her attacks.

This doesn't mean I cannot take her down though, I'm more curious about what's making her emotions run out of control thta she have mo choice but to let it all out on me. Although being the receiving end of all her attacks don't make me feel any better, I also know this isn't the full power of the Vanguards Captain. Angela has the ability to stop one's energy, completely blocking their meridians at a single touch. But she obviously isn't thinking straight right now.

It isn't anger that was boosting her Cursed Blood, but that reminder of pain that she was forced to keep hidden and I wanted to know more that I didn't move from my position. Letting her katana make its way toward me, only to abruptly stoo before the pointed end of her blade could stab my face. Still, the power behind the swing was heavy that it created a large trails of small craters behind me.

"Feeling any better?" I asked, tilting my head to the side in a genuine question.

"Wha--what did you do to me?" Her words didn't contain venom this time, it actually felt normal.

She had always been provocative and responsible, this desperate. The intense emotions she was hiding suddenly all bursted open when she saw me, directing all those negative emotions at me because she had no way of letting them out. What I did was simple. I just had to regulate those intense emotions to a level that she can bear, not completely making them disappear just like how I altered my relic's emotions making her caoable of murder without feeling so much regret, guilt, and fear.

"I think you can figure that part out from here." I replied.

She let out an exasperated sigh, her weapons disappearing as she looked around. "Well, look at the mess you made."

"Can you stop blamimg me for everything?" I rolled my eyes, walking back to where Erhiel was lying unconsciously. I touched her face, it was cold. Well, considering she had been on this snow for a while now, the thick-looking overcoat of hers won't really keep her all that warm.

I heard Angela scoff, and I notice her crossing her arms. "If you were that worried, you should have jumped in earlier. But you being that concerned is new to me."

"Of course it's new to you. I don't know why you even hate me. You never truly paid attention to me even back at the island other than if it was about Ka'ela. You two were close, I even felt jealous once, when you had all my sister's attention."

"I could tell. I'm not like Alvar'ius who was too dense to notice the way you would glare at me, him thinking you had an upset stomach." She chuckled lightly, relieving the memory.

"I've always thought it was my fault things changed."

"Alvar'ius made it seem like everything's alright when he was trying his best to raise his two younger sisters. Pero sa una pa lang marami na ang mali, ikaw lang ang hindi nakakakita nito dahil masyado kang pinoprotektahan ng mga kapatid mo. Honestly, if it weren't for those two, you wouldn't have been able to live a life peacefully like that."

"What are you trying to tell me?"

"That you're horrible for repaying their kindness by altering their emotions. You have no idea what they appear when you're not around. They've stopped caring about other people, they only cared about you. To think you were the reason why that friendship I had with your sister broke apart and you wonder why I hate you."

"I was like what? Ten? Eleven? You wouldn't know the feeling of being neglected when you were revered by everyone else in that household, Angela. I had to do that because of fear."

Nagulat ako nang bigla niya na lamang hinablot ang collar ng suot kong damit at tinayo ako. Hindi ko na kailangan pa ng ability para malaman kung ano ang nararamdaman niya ngayon. Alam kong galit na galit siya. Siguro para sa kaniya ay para sa akin, ang ginawa ko ay tama lang. I knew it was wrong, but I was a child, a mere child who feared being abandoned again and what did I do? I altered their emotions kung saan ako lang ang mamahalin nila.

I regretted what I did, kahit ngayon ay hindi parin iyon nagbabago. Kaya tama lang na magalit silang lahat sa akin, tama lang na kamuhian nila ako. But I will not let them stop me until I serve my oen purpose, they can do whatever they want with my dead body afterwards for all I care. Pero wala akong sinabi kay Angela at inalis na lamang ang pagkahawak niya sa akin. I just calmed her down earlier, and now she's getting angry again.

"I didn't change your emotions, Angela. You can still kill me now if you so wish for it. Not that I'll let you."

She threw me a glare, before lookong above the barrier. "I'm calm. Now that I am, I do know Iyana's the one who got to deal with you. I'm not stepping in between your rivalry, however stupid may that be."

"Don't call it like that. The thought of those two able to defeat me pushes me to do cruel things. The fact they exist somewhere out there and willing to do me a favour of death is a reprieve I'm willing to risk for."

"Why are you opening up all of the sudden?"

"Because I feel bad for you."

"What?" She spatted, and despite the blurriness of her figure, I could make out hints of her eyebrows furrowing at me.

"Iyana wasn't the person you thought she was. Agony changes people one way or another. The first betrayal she ever did me was letting me almost die in the hands of someone other than her. We had a promise, an oath--and she chose to defy that because she thought she wasn't strong enough to defy Titania."

"And what does thay gotta do with me?"

I smirked, shaking my head. "I truly feel bad for you, Angela. You trust her, don't you? No, that's just not it. The way your emotions are screaming at the mention of her name...I can almost say you love her."

A fist connected itself at my face, making me stumble back down as I clutch the side of my face, feeling it swell. I did let my guard down, so I wasn't aware of how she was already clenching her fists beforehand. I sighed understandingly, staring right at her figure as she blocked the glowing barrier above. Despite the growing night outside, the dome that locked everything inside this country was too bright enough for me to see her trembling fists.

"Shut your mouth, Ke'ala. You have no place to say--"

"To say words you keep denying? Ah, considering Iyana's personality, she's the one denying your feelings. Truly a pity, my dear cousin."

"You're getting too egoistical for your own good."

"You don't know, do you?" I chuckled, lifting myself up to stare above. "To think Iyana has fallen in her own anger against Titania enough to not even bother the fact that you're here. You feel it, do not tell me you cannot."

The ground below began to tremble vigorously, the eart cracking as every single hair on my skin tingled at the sudden feel of a massive energy heading our way. Trees swayed dangerously around us, the wind building up in a single motion as they vibrated as though giving out a warning. With how immense that energy is, I doubt even my ancient barrier could withold it. To think that woman was able to create something so innovative like this, truly remarkable.

I crouched beside my human relic, lightly tapoing her cheek. Knowing she wouldn't be able to wake up, I sighed. I would have liked to see her reactions seeing the country she lived some of her life get destroyed in an instant. Unfortunately, Angela had beaten her up that despite her wounds already closing and bones inside mending, her mind was still pretty exhausted considering she wasn't fairly given any chance to get used to being this powerful.

"What is this?" Angela said, grabbing my shoulder which forcefully mad me face her as she looked down at me.

"My, you don't know?" I smiled provocatively. "It's one of ROLA's greatest technological masterpiece, the Energy Cluster. A huge projectile capable of annihilating an entire country in one hit, and that energy is nothing more than an accumulation of the purest filtered energy from millions of ROLA's soldiers. Amazing, don't you think?"

"What..." Her voice faltered. "Iyana told us it wasn't ready yet, that she doesn't plan on ever using it in risk it would recoil back that would destroy the launching site instead!"

"At bakit ako ang sinisigawan mo?" Natawa ako sa pinaghalong gulat at sakit niyang ekspresyon. Hindi niya siguro inaasahan na gagawin ito ni Iyana kahit na nandito siya. Hinarap ko siya ng maayos at pinatong ang isa kong kamay sa balikat niya.

"Paano mo alam ang mga bagay na ito?!"

"Like I said, dear cousin. Agony changes people in ways we can't even imagine. In this case, Iyana simply chose to sacrifice one of her most trusted accomplice. Wait," I frowned, seriously thinking it over. "Does that mean you aren't needed anymore? For her to discard her greatest Vanguard Captain like this, truly a pity."

"Shut up--"

"Calm cousin, calm. Let us not get violent now, shall we? After all," I snapped my fingers, the barrier above us disappearing in a few seconds. "We are going to die if we don't get out of here soon."

Fragments of that transparent glass was heard shattering from above, blending in with the pouring snow. Darkness began to engulf everything then, the moon rising over the corner as I felt the Energy Cluster neared its destination. Stars werr absent, covered by the building clouds as the coldness decreased more in temperature.

"You were looking people here from the start becsuse you knew this cluster will arrive." She took a step toward me, a huge scowl on her face as I blinked a few times in order to make out her expressions clearly. "Alam mo ang mga nangyayari."

"I, too, want the Dragonbornes out of this New World Order war, Angela. They will not stand a chance against the World's Organization. It was better option to eliminate other organizations early on rather than keep them thriving even until now. Fortunately, some people behind the scenes were helping me accomplish thay goal while all I had to do was plant my own pieces in places I can have both eyes and ears."

"You planted a spy in the army. Only highly-authorized people know the Energy Cluster. Is it one of the Generals? Who?!"

"It doesn't matter. The Energy Cluster is on its way now in a few minutes. I suggest you hurry up and carry my precious relic if you want me to save you."

"Why would you even want to help me survive? What are you after?"

"I can't just leave my dearest cousin behind to die after being betrayed by the woman she loves, can I?" I smirked, turning around to write some law formations on the air. "I still need to pay Iyana back for that little cowardice she showed at my supposed death. This will let her know she can't back out from that promise we did years ago."

Ancient barriers are different from normal ones. Unlike the normal barriers, ancient ones need to have runes or law formations created as a rule before they come into being. Earlier, I wrote the barrier in a way that would prevent any Dragonbornes from escaping. In this case, I made the barrier to be able to withstand massive explosion of energy. This should save us from the impact of the cluster and still be able to watch everything get destroyed without us being affected by it.

Ancient barriers need more energy than usual, and given mine is nether, I doubt the barrier would get shattered that easily. However, because I had to use my spiritual energy again, I braced myself as that excruciating headache began to set itself around my head. It was spreading, like something was being set aflame inside my mind.

Heavy distortion of images shifted faster, broken pieces dwindling in random spaces that made my eyesight grow worse. To think I would get to feel this worse when I merely just wrote law formations for the ancient barrier. But then again, I had been constantly using my energy since earlier. Despite the pain though, I stood still, letting the barrier wrap around us as Angela carrier Erhiel up in her arms.

I ignored the pain, smirking as a massive cylinder object was viewed across the horizom. Energy was beaming around the object, distorted formations of energy particles being blended through the air surrounding it and I was fairly certain everyone else can see given how huge the projectile is. I tapped my fingers, awaiting how it would literally explode the moment it touches the ground. Angela gulped beside me, the Energy Cluster now kilometres away from the country.

"It won't land." Angela muttered, making me look back at her. "It won't land." She repeated, staring right over the sky.

I blinked, following the direction of her gaze, then I blinked again--finally able to see a clearer image of a figure flying straight in front of the cluster. I don't know who it was, but stopping an entire cluster of purest of energy is suicide. Morever, Dragonbornes are already escaping out of the country. At this rate, the more that figure stalls this ckuster, the more my plan of eliminating the Dragonbornes will fail.

I lifted my hand, layers of magic circles appearing in an instant as I accumulated my nether energy. My left fingers tapped over the air in a fast speed while writing a spell, my right hand motioning the correct patterns of the circle as they spun around. This spell will push the cluster down from behind because currently, the massive projectile is being stopped midair.

Then my eyes widened, the Energy Cluster suddenly exploding even though it hasn't even touched the ground yet. My spell stopped, layers of black smoke surrounded the skies of Elydia, and it has even become even more dark now. I coughed as the smoke made its way through my lungs, my body too exhausted to keep the ancient barrier working. I closed my vision when I felt tears on the corners of my eyes due to the intensity of the heat enveloping us.

"What did you do?" Angela questioned accusingly, pushing me and because of my wobbly balance, I almost fell if it wasn't for some familiar hands supporting me from behind.

"Ke'ala." Erhiel called. "Anong nangyayari?"

"I do--" I coughed again, and this time it was blood caught by my palm. I sighed, shaking my hand to dry the sticky red liquid.

"Are you that horrible to even not bother if he was there?!" Angela snapped.

I closed my eyes for a few passing seconds, before opening them again. "Who?"

"Your brother!" She yelled.

My eyes grew wide for the second time, my chest feeling heavy for some reason. I shook my head, clenching my fist to ignore that numbing sensation on the back of my head. "It wasn't me. Someone must have had shot the cluter before I could even set my spell, making it explode."

"Kung hindi ikaw--"

Angela stopped herself when we felt a huge tremor on the ground, the sound of steels clashing echoing from a far distance. Before I could even react to these familiar presences, Angela already ran through the blinding smoke, disappearing from my already blurry sight. I stopped clinging to Erhiel, letting her lead the way instead as I scanned the surroundings, still blinking a lot of times to take in the information.

I swiped my hand over the air, using a little of my energy to blow the smoke away. Hints of pure energy were still pouring like particles, the entire surroundings being reduced to a pile or rubbles and dusts. The explosion may have happened kilometres above the country, but the impact was so big there was no doubt a huge fraction of Dragonbornes, soldiers, and innocent people have died inside. All because I was blocking their escape by that ancient barrier.

That wasn't what I wanted though. I wanted the Legion Army to annihilate the Dragonbornes, not let some suvrive. But it can't be helped. I'll deal with the consequences afterwards. I haven't only planted a spy inside the army, I also have my eyes and ears inside the World's Organization, the Black Clan, and the Dragonbornes.

I wanted to eliminate those flies beforehand to stop them from activating their own technology. The World's Organization must hsve already had theirs activated by now, the Legion Army too, and with those flies in the mix, this is going to be one hell of a war. Not to mention Black Clan has been a little subtle recently, they must be attacking Magnus right now.

"Alvar'ius!"

My head perked forward the moment I heard that voice. And there stood a blurry image of a woman with a long black hair tied behind her head, swaying along the strong gust of the cold breeze with her red cloak fluttering. Same blue eyes glowing among this dim darkness, except that anyone could see those small darker shade of blue on the middle. I may not be able to see her expressions, but I could feel that rage rising like a boiling hot water.

A rage so intense enough to summon her weapon, a haladie sword this time. It was a type of blade with double-edged daggers connected on both ends, the handle being on the middle. She summoned another, two haladie swords this time on each hand as ahse ran forward. It wasn't just any kind of anger, it was murderous, one that was full of hatred and despise.

I blinked again, catching a glimpse on the other side. It was my brother who got blown away from his apparent enemy's continuous attacks. He avoided her weapons using his own signature weapon, a chokutō. At first, for some it may look like a katana, but the blade has a straight edge unlike the latter with a curve one. It was a weapon he had always found best suitable for his fighting style. As proof of his experience, he easily dodged her incoming blades, sidestepping so fast to use the hilt of his chokutō to hit his opponent's side.

The attack was simple, but the energy boosting it was powerful enough to blow the other woman away. The braids on his long black hair began to untangle along with his eyes glowing in the darkest shade of blue I had ever seen. Spiritual energy was surrounding him possessively as he settled his weapon on his side, glaring at the woman now standing back up.

"Ka'ela." His voice was tuned with both annoyance and irritation, unlike the latter who onky has that rage, his was filled with fear and concern. "I told you never to interfere!" He yelled.

I finally let my eyes shut, the scenes were once more getting more and more distorted that I had to rest my vision again as I leaned over a pile of rubbles from a fallen building. Erhiel was only looking at me worriedly instead of being curious on the on-going battle in front. Even the snow around those two had evaporated back into liquid with how hot the energy swelling around them. Angela, however, remained standing nearby, as though thinking when to finally let her presence be known.

"We have important things to focus on, Erhiel. Let's get out of here." I was about to walk away when I felt a tight grip holding my arm. "What is it, Angela?"

"Saan ka sa tingin mo pupunta?" Pilit man niyang pakalmahin ang boses niya, alam ko paring galit ito. "Your siblings are fighting out there!"

"And what exactly do you expect me to do?" I still had my eyes shut, my face directed away from her. "Stop them? Oh please, that's their problem. They can fight however they want and I won't even bother them with it."

I already have memories from the future Caelesti, and I know how this battle will end. I don't have to watch the other get killed, not when I have more pressing things to deal with. They can go on kill one another for all I care. The fact that they're even fighting now tells me they only care about themselves, what's the point of me interrupting without any reason at all? Why? Because we're siblings? Because we're family?

Well, that little family we had was nothing more than a stupid lie I was forced to create for myself without thinking of the consequences, because of that damn fear. They hate me, they despise me, I doubt they would even waste a second trying to kill me once they saw my face.

The reason Alvar'ius didn't do anything like that the last time because he's stopping himself--and also because I altered their emotions. To love no one else but only me, how selfish can my past self get? I'm horrible. And who would want to have such a horrible person like myself to interrupt their business--

My eyes shot opened when I felt something flew across my face, leaving a burning sensation on my left cheek. Erhiel glared at the perpetrator for that action and was about to lounge herself when I raised my hand, stopping her. I sighed, my hand eventually making its way where that aching slap was originating before returning Angela's angry gaze.

"Now you listen here, you coward!" She suddenly grabbed me by the collar, pushing me against the huge boulder behind. It actually hurt, causing me to grimace. "It's either you walk away from here and regret it for the rest of your life or do something helpful about your family for once!"

"You don't know me, Angela. You just don't understand what I feel. You are in no position to demand me what I must do because you never were in that position to begin with." I retorted, slapping her hands off me when the look on her face made me stop. Now that her face was few inches closer, I could clearly see that solemn look she was holding, and it was far genuine than all the anger she was directing at me earlier.

"Arizole won't survive without either one of them."

"Aren't they fighting exactly because of that? For the seat of being the Lord of Arizole?" I scoffed. "They can fight for Father's throne all they want, why stop them?"

"Because that's exactly what Lord Zi'enval wants. He doesn't plan for either of them to take over Arizole. That was supposed to be yours until they decided to neglect you."

"Those supposed parents of mine neglected me for they knew my fate." I frowned, pieces of a puzzle suddenly sticking themselves together. "They didn't bother with a child who was going to take a huge role in this New World Order. They played with Ka'ela's desire for the seat by brainwashing her to kill either my brother or me and Alvar'ius didn't take over from the beginning because he has something planned out."

"You're wrong. Matagal nang gusto ni Alvar'ius makuha ang pagiging Lord mula sa ama mo, the only problem was that Lord Zi'enval always stalled the process by sending your brother here in the outside world to do missions one after another. That was until Alvar'ius came across the World's Organization." Angela explained.

"Father wanted Ka'ela for the throne, he disliked the way Alvar'ius always thought of peace unlike my sister who wasn't scared of risking everything to get what she wanted." I replied back. "Isn't that enough reason why Father always stalled Alvar'ius from stepping over?"

She shook her head, her eyes looking back at the two who were still under their own trance of battle, as though remembering something from faraway before speaking with her eyebrows meeting. "That was what your father told you, but the truth wasn't entirely that at all."

"Speak to the point, Angela."

"Shortly after you left, Alvar'ius was told to keep an eye on you. Your father didn't want you back in the island, he was rather relieve about it now that I remember. And that was what your brother did, he found you but didn't act on it. He proceeded then to become one of the World's Organization, the reason may have something to do with Arizole, but I'm not sure."

"Ka'ela, she looked for me as well, did she?"

"She escaped the island to find you, probably thinking no Main Sentinels were following her. She did find you, except that she had fallen deeply to rage and hatred from what you did. She always did hate you, you know? Your siblings knew what you did, but couldn't exactly show you their rage because the more you get near them, the more they become so protective and caring of you enough that they're already fragile relationship was torn apart even more."

"So you're saying I made everything worse. Isn't that already given? It's me, after all." I rolled my eyes, hiding that apparent guilt probably showing on my face.

"A few months on the outside world, she became a member of Exodus after the organization found her roaming around. She didn't want to get near you because she probably knew all her rage would just vanish if she did, making everything back to what it was before and she was tired of it."

"Main Sentinels were following her--"

"I was one of the Sentinels that was following her given how I was already aware of the places being on constant missions. The Sentinel Captain reported directly to Lord Zi'enval, and by the time Ka'ela returned...she was exiled right in front of everybody else." She smiled bitterly. "She hates me too, thinking I betrayed her for titles, because I was loyal to the Lord more than that friendship we had."

"...why is Ka'ela so enraged with Alvar'ius then? I can't help but feel like there's something more to this than meets the eye."

"Ka'ela still wants to rule Arizole. Her intentions for our people are suspicious at most, and only Alvar'ius knows the reason why Ka'ela wants to rule so bad in the first place. Your father exiled her because she became an End, her reasons probably have something to do with that."

"Hmm, if you think about it, Father could have just killed her instead. Why exile?"

"Your father believed she has the potential to defeat Alvar'ius, the man said to have the most potential to be the most powerful Cursed Blood in Arizole after your father."

"In other words, he wants my brother and sister to both fight each other off. What reason does Alvar'ius have to join the World's Organization anyway..." I stopped myself, remembering the little glances my father gave the Headmistress, their little talks, and hints back when they were having that meeting along with other organizations.

"Alvar'ius wants to free Arizole, and that's why your father never wanted him to take over. That would make all these years' hiding of Cursed Blood people in vain. Ka'ela always told me once she wanted to rule because she had to correct a mistake, that was all she ever told me before our friendship broke apart after her exile."

"That's strange." I muttered, crossing my arms as I tapped my fingers--remembering random memories of the past. "Does father know of Alvar'ius being in the World's Organization?"

"Hindi ako sigurado. Hindi ko din alam kung bakit sumali si Alvar'ius sa organisasyon na iyon. Before I left Arizole myself after I declared my loyalty to Iyana, your father was already spreading the news of Alvar'ius being dead, Ka'ela in exile for committing something forbidden, and you as an unwanted Cursed Blood who never lived up as a Feyree. It seemed to me your father was just desperate to kill the three of you. Iniisip ko din kung sino niya ipapasa ang titulo niya kung ayaw niya kayong tatlo--"

"They conceived a child."

Napatingin sa akin si Angela bigla sa sinabi ko. I smiled a little, remembering that scene with my mother the last time I went back there. It was probably the last I'll also ever see that island in this lifetime, just a pity I wouldn't be able to see that little sibling of mine. But then again, it's better for the child not to know she ever had older siblings. The three of us wrre entangled in something so twisted, she doesn't have to be a part of this mess.

I watch as she sat on the couch, leaning her back over the soft foam behind. She poured herself a cup of coffee, caressing her womb that has grown big. I noticed it since earlier, but I never really got to ask.

"How long has it been?"

"Five months." She smiled, something she rarely does in front of me.

I knew then that unborn child was going to be loved, was going to be raised far more better than my parents ever did to us. That was roughly seven years ago though, so that child must have grown up by now. But it's still strange. Why is that man even that desperate to kick the three of us out? What is he planning? Although now that I think of it, whatever happens in Arizole, I don't really care to be honest. My final objective is to destroy the Grimoire, anything regardless of that purpose is not worthy of my time.

And yet why do I feel like something heavy is tugging at my chest? The more I watch them battle for life like that, the more I feel guilty, like it was all my fault everything came into this. But at the same time, I don't really want to interfere at all. A part of me is scared, like I would get drowned through their raging emotions and just let them kill me without even doing anything. The thing is that I can't die yet, and confronting them makes me forget that resolve. It is that certain kind of fear that lurks whenever I'm around them and I don't like it.

"Erhiel." I called when my senses suddenly got alarmed when I felt someone nearing my radius, a feeling of curiosity and precaution.

Erhiel immediately knew what I was referring to when she immediately caught an incoming weapon. It was a large greatsword, swinging around that was about to hit between me and Angela hadn't Erhiel jumped right before it. She deflected the sword back with her bare hand in hurry, her hand bleeding at the process as the greatsword stabbed itself deep into the ground on the side.

Angela and I both looked at the perpetrator, seeing one man with the same red cloak behind him and noticeable wavy jet-black hair fluttering with some strands of it touching the side of his cheek. I blinked, seeing him eye me cautiously, his eyebrows furrowing. He probably knew my real identity, but I don't know him at all. He proved that by lifting his hand, his large greatsword immediately flying back to his right grip as he pointed it at me.

"Caelesti of the Unknown." He called, as much as I found the name endearing, him saying that didn't sound like one at all. "You... you're alive--"

"I am, as you can clearly see. Can we just get over that fact already?" If this is how each and every person who apparently knew me, reacts, I rather just skip to the part where we have to fight than answer questions.

He seemed taken aback by what I said, preparing his stance. I blinked a lotnof times again to perfectly see his sword. The blade of his greatsword was wide enough to probably size up an average human's body width. It was also etched in a way that the edges were curved upward created for efficient stabbing and another zigzag sharp edge by the left side of the blade for literally hacking. The other edge on the opposite side of the blade was straight, the rising bright moonlight above glistening against it.

"My, what a scary-looking sword. Seems like you pay attention to details." I commented, aware of how immense the dark energy escaping from his blade.

Weapons are created from the energy inside our body. We can literally make weapons for how many or how detailed as we like as long as we have the energy to support it. Weapons are basically non-existent, it only becomes real when we put our energy and soul into making it. The reason why most use only their own signature weapon and refrain from using many like I do is because not every weapon out there is the right one for us.

In other words, our weapons are technically a part of our souls. Having many is like breaking one's own soul into several parts, putting a strain on the body and great reduction of spiritual energy. Weapons getting destroyed by an external force is going to have a painful on the soul, which is why most people don't risk using a lot.

There are people able to summon more than a few hundreds of daggers or bullets all at once, and those people have massive spiritual energy enough to not feel the drawbacks on their souls even when those weapons were destroyed for they can always create another batch. They've spent most of their lives summoning dozen by dozen that their energy reserves gradually increased.

In my case before, even if I knew I have a massive energy capacity, I can't quite do the same as them for my body wasn't even used to the possible strain it would put myself through--even now. I can write law formations and build magic circles in an instant without worrying if I would run out of energy, the problem is that the more I use my nether, the more it ends up destroying my body--eventually the soul if I keep exerting massive spiritual energy.

"This scary-looking sword is going to be the end of you." His voice was deep, more impactful and to show his determination, black marks began to crawl up from her his neck--going up to the other side of his face. The black tattoo-like mark then glowed into red, as though blood lining up beside the dark lines.

Angela stepped forward, summoning her dual katanas once more as she swirled them around each od her hands. "This End is mine to deal with, Ke'ala."

I smirked, raising both of my hands in surrender. "Of course, cousin. He's all yours."

"Ngayon pa lang ay babalaan na kita. You cannot possibly defeat the Fourth End of Exodus." He spoke with finalization, his fi gers tracing the curve edge of his greatsword as he bent his other knee, preparing his stance to move forward.

"Why are Exodus here in Elydia?"

"Not your business, is it?"

The man was already then above of Angela, raising his sword to smash it down using his weapon's huge weight. Angela immediately moved away, barely missing the large crater left on where she previously stood. Instead of chasing after her, the man however ran towards me with his weapon ready beside him. I didn't move, Erhiel springing right in front of me to block the sword once again with her hands. Despite how big the sword was, Erhiel's protective energy around her was enough to just let a cut through her palms as she pushed the man away.

Angela then moved to intercept him from behind, her katanas swinging around her as she attempted a hit on the man's back which he u fortunately blocked. Erhiel didn't wait for any orders, moving swiftly to cover the man's openings while Angela poured some barrage of slashes. They had trouble working together at first, but Erhiel soon matched the older woman's experienced pace with her own enhanced speee and strength, albeit clumsily.

The man slid far from them after Angela used Erhiel's opening to kick him away. With a breathe, the man suddenly discarded his red cloak. Showing his black overcoat underneath, covering the white shirt from inside it. With another deep breath, he reverted his throbbing red cursed mark back to his neck, his ruby eyes now starting to get more apparent, his hair becoming unruly due to the constant movement.

The man smirked, lifting his huge sword up his shoulder, his eyes now glowing into vibrant red. The three had stopped attacking, as though waiting for one another to create the first move. Scanning the surroundings, his eyes then found mine before jumping right above me. I simply shifted my body a little to the left, my skin merely a few inches away from hitting his sword that was now on the ground beside me. He tumbled back with one hand, avoiding Erhiel's claws before standing up straight.

"The other is inexperienced, making her movements a bit reckless while the other is capable but holds back in thought the girl might get caught up." He said. "Letting these people fight me instead of you, you are gravely insulting me, Caelesti of the Unknown."

"Won't you be a gentleman and tell me your name?" I ignored his comment, asking that instead.

"Oh, how rude of me." He dropped his head into a playful bow with a grin. "I am Alaric, the Fourth End of Exodus--"

"I'll ask again." Angela interrupted promptly. "Why are Exodus here in Elydia?"

Alaric sighed, shaking his head as he glanced momentarily at the still on-going battle on the other side. "I was told to follow that woman after she just ran off while on our way to Magnus. She must have sensed a familiar presence. I have never seen her that angry before."

I blinked, Angela clenching her fists. "What are you going to do in Magnus?" My cousin questioned.

"I believe that isn't something you must know about."

"So it's starting." I said, letting him know there are things I'm already aware. "With how things are going, I'm guessing the World's Organization already had used the Grimoire. Don't you need to hurry up then? With the Ends incomplete, you wouldn't be able to serve your purpose."

Alaric frowned. "How do you know that?"

"I have my own informer." I answered, subtly referring to Celeztie and her group of friends informing me about every little things these past five years.

With Exodus out of the mix, obtaining the Grimoire for myself will be easier. But then again, according to Celeztie's last message, their purpose was to defeat Progenitors, for whatever reason I don't know. They were merely waiting for the perfect chance to attack, when the World's Organization is finally able to draw out those Progenitors.

I'm not sure why that organization is even that keen on summoning a Progenitor, but beings like them only appear when the Cycle itself they try to protect is being threatened and I don't know what kind of idiocy that organization would do enough for Progenitors to show up. However, once they're present, Exodus will go after them. It makes me wonder what the Organization wants from the Progenitors in the first place.

But their goal completely collides against Exodus' purpose, which means a battle is bound to happen between the two and it may as well be the last considering how many generations had their strife been going on now. But whatever the World's Organization may be brewing, I will be ready for it. There's no need for Progenitors to interfere this time for I will serve my purpose.

Then interfering would mean I've failed and I can't have that, not after everything I've risked and sacrificed 'till now. Perhaps it's my pride and ego settling themselves in, then there's also that overwhelming guilt--but it's fine, as long as I end my own purpose. Ending it means I'd finally be freed from the shackles that kept holding my desires back.

Alaric dealt another blow to Angela, which the older woman then used to her advantage by shifting her weight to his back, her katana slashing him from behind. It left a big line of deep cut across his back, his white shirt bleeding as he stumbled forward after Erhiel let out a kick from his rear view. The impact enough to send him through a pile of rubbles. They had been fighting for quite a while now, but compared to my supposed siblings' battle on the other side, theirs seem to be a child play.

"Was that all Ends got?" Angela scoffed. "Disappointing."

Alaric stood up, albeit a little unbalanced. "You definitely can use those katanas well. But an ability to completely block the generation of energy is hardly fair, is it? And that little twerp there, clumsy may her attacks be, is still plenty strong."

"Oh, so that's why that strange red mark on your neck stopped spreading." Erhiel commented. I blinked, seeing the obvious cuts and bruises on her once clear skin.

Alaric chuckled darkly, now taking off his black overcoat, the blood on his plain white shirt becoming even more evident. "I'm afraid it's time to for me to stop playing around now." He placed his greatsword to his side, as though building a momentum. "You may have temporarily stopped the energy flow in my body, but I bet you didn't expect my sword to have its own mana."

"A weapon with its own energy stacked inside?" Angela muttered, her voice almost rising in amazement.

Before he could do anything with his weapon, an ear-piercing shreak suddenly redounded throughout the entire place. My hands immediately clutching both of my ears im reflex in attempt to muffle the sound, barely noticing the others in the same state as they writhe in pain. But the attempt to cover my hearing was clearly a failure as I found myself on leaning over the broken-down well, the sound enhancing even more that it felt as though it could shatter the insides of my head.

It triggerer the slumbering headache, my head feeling like being cracked open as the shriek echoed down to the back of my mind. I blinked, then closed my eyes for good as a minute before opening them again, but my vision this time was too blurry to the point blinking won't help me see anything clearly ay all. I could only make out some shapes, blended colours, and figures--but I could no longer retain back my clear visions.

I grunted in pain, the shriek intensifying ten times more that I could hear nothing but that reverberating noise as though something bad was being awakened, and I can't help but feel that horrible sense of dread at the thought of it.

The corner of my eye caught fast movements, causing the air around them to break away, the tension rising every single time their blades clashed against one another. They were still fighting as though they never heard that loud shriek seemingly prying into the deepest of our soul, enough for those without spiritual energy reinforcing their body, to break their eardrums. But those two didn't care about what they were hearing at all, completely entranced by their battle.

I pulled my eyes away from them, the guilt eating up the better of my judgements. Hell, it was already taking a lot of me to stop myself from literally jumping into their battle to stop them. Even from back then until now, God knows how much I hated seeing them fight, whoever that God is.

Seeing them hate each other so much was the reason why I altered their emotions anyway, so they can only think about their love for me and not their dislike for each other. That doesn't justify what I did, but having that kind of ability, can anyone truly blame me for doing so? I wasn't even tempted. It just came so naturally to me that before I even realized it, I've already done the deed.

Thinking too much, I didn't even notice the shriek was already long gone, replaced by that strange static that kept buzzins around my ears. I could feel Angela and Erhiel, as well as that Exodus guy, saying something, but I doubt anyone of us could hear it really. Although the nether energy inside me automatically heals everything, it still takes time fixing this kind of deafness. That was when I looked up, seeing a massive figure hidden by the darkening clouds, over the horizon behind the full-blown of the rising moon.

I finally knew what was causing that sense of dread now, leaving their mouths all agape and eyes growing wide. It was so massive that seeing it floating above the country of Magnus a several kilometers away from this country. It was so humongous anyone from different part of nearby islands or countries would be able to see it.

The snow had suddenly stopped pouring, replaced by light droplets of water. Gray clouds built up, indicating an incoming downpour. Thunders brewd amonst those dark skies, the stars disappearing as the moon moved to hide behind the forming clouds.

Then everything around began lighting up, like a small flash of light in an abyssal blackness, for along that soft platter of rain on the heavily white snow piled onto the ground--were dwindling pink-coloured petals. They were swirling with the rain, moving along the current of the wind, and despite how strange this phenomena was--it was a wonderful sight, enough to get lost in such view for a few moments.

And perhaps it was my lack of clear vision or still-on-the-process-of-healing ears, but I didn't even notice a barrage of large needles raining down from above, even one by one piercing the slow-pouring droplets--Erhiel immediately pushing me to the side, underneath the cover of a barely intact building.

The large needles were as big as an actual average human height, the pointed head of it burrying themselves into the ground--resulting into a land of giant needle-spikes. Erhiel was beside me, her lips were constantly parting which meant she was saying something. But I couldn't hear her, nor was I in depth with lip reading but as I followed her finger pointing at a distance, I immediately knew what she was talking about.

On the far-off corner of the area, I could somehow pinpoint Angela deflecting the needles with her katanas as she hid behind another ruined building. Behind her was a fast blurred figure of a man, a big sword in hand. I felt huge energy being released from the sword, pointing it directly on Angela's open back. I blinked hard, trying to regain back my clearer vision and albeit still a little distorted, I noticed his sword splitting in half.

The other half of the sword turned into a short thin blade, directing it forward to the direction of my two siblings fighting while avoiding or deflecting the large needles still coming from the sky. They were so busy dealing with each other enough to forget minding their surroundings, the area around them had already turned into a huge crater as though a massive meteorite just fell on that particular area.

My senses then got alarmed when Alaric was preparing to throw the split bladee as he ran towards Angela in attempt to stab her in the back of what remained the sword. At some kind of coincidence, perhaps it was Erhiel sensing my distress that with her superior speed--the girl leaped out to the open to attack Alaric onto the other side of the building. It was just then Angela had enough time to turn around, the sword finally hitting her flesh on the side of her stomach.

Erhiel arrived before the sword could have gotten even deeper, slashing her long claws at the End's face. Alaric screamed, backing away as he clutched his face with both hands, dropping his sword at the process, not before letting go of the lance though. And it was then I felt my body move, my desires getting the better of my judgement--my visions suddenly focusing at one point while reflexively dodging the large raining needles.

It was as though my body was going slower, as though I was seeing myself in another point of view. Like how my hand reached for the blade and had almost reached it if my body hasn't turned this weak, if my legs could still keep up, and if my hand was long enough--I could have at least touched it just to change its direction. But the blade went forward to where it was meant to go, not minding all my notions of it stopping. My heart then skipped a beat, then another--as I watch the blurred sight of a blade pierced through the chest of one figure ahead.

There was that estranged high-pitched scream cutting right through the entire tension, it was so loud that I was able to hear it. The pain behind that scream was enough to set all those responsibilities and duties behind as I let my emotions dictate my actions. Before I even caught up to reality, I was already pushing the other figure down to keep her off from the nonstop rain of needles, halting her agonizing scream.

Holding her shoulder, my eyes began darting back and forth between the man panting heavily on my right and the woman spilling blood from the cut on her arm on my left--my nether energy generating enough power to create a dome of gray-coloured energy.

But the formation of the barrier wasn't fast enough, letting one large needle past thriugh before the barrier activated. And there was my silent scream, the pain distending from my right ankle as I bit my lower lip enough to draw blood. I didn't need to turn my head around to know my foot had been stabbed by one of those large needles.

The sudden built of nether energy took too much of me, my visions blurring once more. Still, I gripped the injured man tightly, using most of my endurance into filtering that nether energy back into pure, sending it over his life force.

My eyelids was getting heavier and heavier as more massive needled poured from the sky, mixing along with the raining water. It would feel as though my barrier would shatter, my body too weak to handle the strain. The reason why I even let Erhiel fight since earlier was mainly because I couldn't handle using more of my already damaging nether energy.

But here I am anyway, mostly sacrificing my damned life over people who could literally stab me to death right now. Although I wonder why haven't they done so already. Was ir because killing me now would result to them getting hit by the multiplying needles with no time to dodge or block at all? Or were their reasons have something to do with the way their eyes were staring right at me?

They were saying something. I knew they were saying something, but I couldn't hear those soft whisperers. I continued to shield them from the barraging attacks, my knees getting hurt from the rought texture of the subtle soil below. I closed my eyes, as though it would ignore their gazes. They must have been saying curses of how they hate my existence, of how they loathe me for making them feel this war towards me. Hell, they can't even truly feel 'hatred' against me.

It felt stupid, really, how I've been hesitating throughout all that time earlier when I could have stopped their battle before they were gravely hurt like this. I've been so composed most of my life that I refuse to have my emotions get the better of my judgements. But here I am anyway again, momentarily forgetting those damn responsibilities. Progenitors can't blame me, can they? I'm still--no matter what others say--a human who's capable of feeling emotions like this, that no matter how much myself appear like, I still love these people.

Right. Love. How wonderful yet bashfully exhausting to be able to finally admit to myself that. I've always knew, but had never truly said it to myself out loud for I had built a habit of expecting or fearing the worst. But what was it that scared me most in the first place? The fear of having that love reciprocated in a way I made them feel? Because I merely altered their emotions? But even then, I no longer have to deny that lie to myself.

I once said I fear changes for I have now way of knowing what would happen next. The memories I inherited from the real Caelesti of the future were the only things that kept me going that led me to this. I used those memories to my advantage. But now I ruined all that, those memories are nothing but archive relics of someone that isn't me--all because from the start, I was already changing the future.

And I only realized all these facts the moment I thought these siblings of mine would die. They can despise all they want, and the sad truth is that I will always end up saving them even at cost of my own life--even exchanging those responsibilities just to ensure their survival. A part of me kept saying this isn't logical, that I will regret this at some point in the future. But for now, I don't really care.

I opened my eyes as muffled sound registered through my hearing. I could finally hear the sound of their panting breaths, the sound of the gentle rain, and even the sound of my own heartbeat slowing. The needles have stopped coming now, it was only then I began to lessen the strain on my physical body, the barrier shattering around us, the fragments falling in transparent pieces.

I let out a sigh of relief, noticing the injuries and critical wounds on their bodies have been regulated by my own energy filtering itself to accommodate their needs; one a pure and the other is dark. Alvar'ius laid there, staring above as the slowly shattering barrier enlightened his face despite the growing night outside the barrier.

He held no particular emotion other than regret and sorrow. Tears flowed down from his blue eyes, being one with the dropping rain that teaced every single outline of his face. His white robe was tainted with so much red it was hard to discern if they were all his blood or not. The scent of the pink petals lingered on the air, pleasant and calming, however ironic may that sound comapred to what was happening.

"I... failed a lot as a b-brother." He voiced out, even though he spoke so softly. I gulped, slowly pulling out the blade from his chest as he flinched.

I smiled weakly, taking the single petal on the middle of his forehead, eventually caressing the side of his face. "We all did. We all failed each other, Brother. But you'll be fine."

Ka'ela sat beside me, her gaze avoiding my own as she placed an arm above the knee. Somehow, it broke my heart seeing her feel so desperate to not look at me. I sat up, chuckling bitterly to myself. I took her hand, grasping it tightly, as though begging her to look straight at me.

"I was selfish. It was horrible and twisted. I don't even deserve to be here talking with you despite what I did." I began, my breath becoming rather shallow now as I felt my body acting up from the drawbacks of having to use so much spiritual energy.

"But I don't want to regret it even though there hasn't been a single day I haven't. I wanted to be loved, and I don't want you stop doing so the moment I did something wrong. Most of all, I didn't want to see you two throw each other such angry and hateful gazes...but I just made things worse for you two, didn't I?" I continued, sighing at myself as I looked down.

"I still want to hate you and you crying makes it hard for me." Ka'ela whispered, lifting my chin up as she wiped the dripping tears away.

"Ke'ala's ability to manipulate emotions do not last forever, Ka'ela." Alvar'ius said, smiling gently. "That is what I was trying to tell you all this time, but you refuse to listen to me."

"But that's what I'm feeling! Even right now I..." My sister clenched her fists, glaring away. "I couldn't hate her. Kahit anong gawin niya na dapat kamuhian ko, hindi ko magawa dahil sa ginawa niya sa akin! Sa atin! I can't even love somebody else."

"Because you simply can't." My brother replied. "You've been too used at not being able to care for anyone else that by the time you went here in the outside world, you were overwhelmed. That overwhelming sensation made you thought all that love you have for her is supposed to be hatred."

"...are you sure you aren't the one with that kind of ability?" Ka'ela smiled bitterly, finally facing me with a solemn look on her face. "It was just so easy to actually think I hate you, Ke'ala. This...this darkness inside me, this Cursed Mark is being amplified even more by my Cursed Blood that I--" she suddenly grabbed me forward, her hand lightly wrapping around my neck as tears streamed down her face. "Th-that I feel this desire to strangle you to death despite the realization I would regret it afterwards."

I held her wrists that was holding my neck, the rain pouring heavily now that blurred my vision even more. "You do know I wouldn't exactly hate you even if you did, don't you?" I whispered.

"And that's why I can't bring myself to do it." She finally let go, lettung her head fall over my shoulder. "The entire time I was fighting Alvar'ius, it wasn't me. It was that same darkness who spawned herself out when I felt Alvar'ius' familiar energy. She manifested inside me through anger and hatred that when I saw him, I just lost it."

I heard her sigh, continuing her passages. "But when I watch that blade stab through Alvar like that...I realized I really don't want to see him die at all. It was so painful, knowing I was part of the reason why he was dying that I just snapped with that scream, triggering the Cursed Mark to recede back inside. Even now it begs to be let out, telling me that I should just kill you both and I-I feel so distraught Ke'ala."

"Do not interfere with the World's Organization, Ka'ela." Alvar spoke. "Do not interfere with the Progenitors."

"I don't want to kill those damn Progenitors or whatever the bastards those people are! But I can't get this overwhelming need to kill them, off from me. Like I would die if I won't do what my Cursed Mark says, and it's fighting over me for control. I wanted to rule Arizole, I wanted to correct Father's mistakes, I wanted the Cursed Bloods to have freedom, not just being locked up inside that island!" Ke'ala shouted, pouring her emotions out.

"But Alvar'ius was getting in my way, trying so hard to keep me away from the throne. I joined Exodus because they promised me power, not being controlled by power like this!" She ended, panting.

"I didn't mean it like that. I didn't want to burden you with being the Lord. That position was meant only for those meant to be. I couldn't get you involved with what's going on in Arizole, Ka'ela. There's a reason I joined the World's Organization, and all I can tell you is that...Arizole is not what it seems. It's more complicated compared to this New World Order war."

"I just want the best for our people, Brother. I thought you wanted the same, but I kept seeing it in your eyes back in Arizole. You never wanted the position you were meant to have. So I took it upon myself to own the title, I worked so hard proving myself to Father that I could be his successor instead." Ka'ela pulled her head up from my shoulder, looking at him.

"I wanted him to be proud enough to break the tradition of the eldest as the successor. But he never did look at me that way. We were mere tools for him to use, then I was exiled. But I still wanted his position anyway, and I didn't care what I had to do to have it that before I knew it, I had already fallen this low." She scoffed, shaking her head in disappointment and frustration.

"I've stopped caring about anyone else because I didn't want to be held back. But my walls crumbled in an instant seeing you two. I know I still have a long way, but I truly am sorry. I'm sorry for not being able to protect the only family I have left. I'm sorry you two had to go to miseries without me there. I'm sorry I couldn't do anything when you probably needed somebody. I am sorry that even now, I can't help you with anything."

"Brother..." Ka'ela trailed off.

"Please stop fighting battles you don't have to." Alvar'ius continued. "Run away. Away from this war, away from anyone else. I will fight your battles instead. From now on, rely on me for everything. You two don't have to suffer, so heed my plead and just run away."

"I can't abandon everything." Ka'ela replied, staring at the throbbing Cursed Mark on the top of her right hand. "I can't run away. All Ends have to follow the Leader, even against our wills. I told you, I am under the control of this power that even if I want to, I can't do anything against it."

I clenched my fist, steeling myself. "Then it'll be fine once I destroy Exodus, right?" Both suddenly looked at me as I stood up and despite my legs feeling weak, I still carried on.

"Ke'ala. You're not...fine at all, are you?" Ka'ela questioned, finally letting her concern show.

I smiled, lifting both of my hands as though inspecting them. "I plan to destroy the Grimoire anyway, destroying Exodus along the way won't be a trouble."

"What--" before Ka'ela could say something, I touched her head, sending another wave of filtered dark energy to suit her body.

The pleasant sensation triggered the exhaustion of her body that she fell back down, unconscious. I didn't need to do the same to Alvar, knowing he was already on the line between consciousness and unconsciousness that he eventually closed his eyes. They were both tired. Their battle must have lasted an hour and they were doing it endlessly too.

I can still do this. My body may be weak, but my energy is still pretty much powerful. Before getting caught up with ny thoughts however, there was that loud reverberating scream. Compared to earlier, this one was bearable. I didn't expect the World's Organization to summon an Endseeker. I have people spying inside, I knew they have the relics but to think they summoned an Endseeker in exchange...just how desperate are they?

They used the relics of Pyramid and Hernal's Box. Pyramid capable of opening up a dimension where they pushed Daeva the last time the Endseeker appeared. Then used the Hernal's Box to summon it once more with the spells stored inside that particular relic. Doing the summoning certainly must have destroyed the relics, but they were still successful at it. It's fine though, the towers I had the orcs made will be activated by the Key my Guardian has.

I already sent Laire a few days ago at Romaine Kingdom where the Grimhouse Sect is. Being a part of ny consciousness, she knows what I'm planning that's why I trust her. The apprentices I scattered around in different organizations know what to do, they will not question my orders knowing what I did to the previous Masters.

Once my plan begins, it will follow a series of effects and movements like a domino that should go according to my own advantage. All of my pieces are already in their rightful places, they only await for my signal now--

My thoughts were interrupted by the sight of soldiers marching towards our direction. I sae a familiar woman leading an army. Short golden brown hair falling just above her shoudlers. Military aircrafts ranged the sky with the emblem of Legion Army in them, armaments being loaded up in preparation. The blurry image of the woman stopped, her gaze shifting to Angela on the corner, clutching the side of her stomach from the stab wound she suffered earlier before darting to the man lying below me, the small puddle of his blood evident.

"Alvar'ius?" If I could see clearly, I could have seen the horror that struck the expression on her face by how shaky her voice was. She clenched her fists, her emotions rising up in obvious rage as she looked down, strands of her hair covering her face. "Ke'ala..." She had said my name with contempt in it, massive energy coiling around her that made the soldiers following from behind step a meters back.

On the other side, I saw dozens of red ships on both sea and air, the flag of Exodus fluttering against the wind. Dozens of red-cloaked figures descended from the sky and mounting from the ships, and despite how many their numbers are--I caught the side of a certain figure running towards another man lying on the ground. She clutched the bloodied sight of the man, reddish black hair waving through the direction of the breeze. She was calling his name, saying something that I couldn't hear until her eyes landed on Ka'ela's unconscious figure on the ground.

"KE'ALA!" She screamed, there was that rage too, occupying over the rest of the swirling emotions within her.

"Hello to you too, dearest friends." I greeted.

I smiled bitterly, knowing the battle that was going to happen is inevitable. I walked towards the middle, feeling their intense gazes burning through me. There was no point in explanation here. They won't listen. Andrea's Cursed Mark was already spreading over the half side of her body, her eyes glowing in darkness as she stood, walking towards me. Then there was Iyana, her eyes glowing in bright gold in opposition to the former woman. The pure energy wrapping around was too forceful enough to leave the trails of her footsteps in cracks.

"Come and claim the oath you made." I declared, my arms flung forward as I called them over.

I finally let my nether energy out, the air distorting as I felt most of people's fear seeing the grey energy dwindle. The moment the nether energy was unsealed, my visions finally blanked out, my sight consumed by a monotonous colours. Black and white blended in, my world suddenly turning monochromatic. My hands were trembling a little from the drawbacks but still, I withheld my stance.

The sound of thunders crackled amongst the skies as though trying to prevent the silence from forming. However, they remained standing on their grounds, awaiting further for something to break the trance. I parted my lips then, and I knew it would just do the deed.

"Kill me."

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AN: I'm frustrated at myself too. The past weeks without an update almost literally killed me in disappointment all directed at myself. Like I mentioned before, I value quality than speed, but I tend to set rising levels of expectations for myself that sometimes everything I write isn't enough.

I kept deleting and rewriting for scenes I have no idea how to write but here I am anyway updating. I hope people would be patient with me. Magnus is going to end soon, and I at least want this story to end in a way readers wouldn't get bored of.

In exchange, this is now basically the longest chapter I have ever made, coming close to 15k. It might seem short, but I did pour my energy into making this, I hope you enjoy it.

Happy reading!

PS: I will try my best updating next Sunday, thank you for your support and patience.