[ Reconstruction in Progress ]
Aelion had just come back to life, like the first time he had died. His body had reconstituted itself in the hall, with Seraphina and UGAEL waiting for his resurrection, as if he had just fallen asleep. He got up in a panic, trying to understand what had happened.
Seraphina really killed me? I didn't even see it happen
" What's wrong with you?! Did you just kill me? " he shouted at her.
Seraphina didn't look him in the eyes, ashamed of her action. She avoided his gaze and turned her head to the side.
" I told you that from now on, you had to work on the skills you acquired today, didn't I? You shouldn't have been distracted, and this is proof! " Seraphina retorted.
" What the fuck?! Can you stop changing the subject— " Before he could continue, the vampire quickly turned to face him.
Her lips approached Aelion's ear as she leaned against his neck, whispering tender words that sent chills down his spine.
" Didn't I warn you not to look at her? Or touch her? You better be very careful how you behave around her when I'm with you… I have everything you need, and you've enjoyed it well, so I don't see why you're already interested in a porcelain doll. And if, by chance—I say by chance—you faint..."
Seraphina didn't need to finish her sentence for him to understand what it meant: a veiled threat delivered in a sweet tone, just like earlier.
Aelion chuckled heavily, frozen in place, watching UGAEL get dressed in front of him, not understanding what was happening. Seraphina kissed his cheek and then returned to her place beside him.
This woman is crazy
Unfortunately, there was nothing he could do. Seraphina was far too strong for him; the only one who could balance the forces was the automaton, who didn't seem particularly attached or aware of the situation.
" UGAEL, never do that in front of him again, whether it's accidental or on his request! "
" I am sorry, Mistress Seraphina, but I only take orders from Master Aelion."
He took a deep breath to calm himself. During this time, Seraphina didn't take her eyes off him, even going so far as to order him to do something he didn't understand. Even when Aelion continued to ask her what, she didn't answer, only nodding in the direction of UGAEL.
" Order her not to do what she did by undressing, even if you request it."
It wasn't as if he had planned to do that or anticipated UGAEL acting that way. Learning that she had this function was itself a shock for him. What kind of twisted mind would want to sleep with an automaton? He might be wrong about the creator's intentions, but his question was valid.
To avoid any problems and calm the rising obsession and madness in Seraphina's eyes, he did as she asked. Satisfied, she walked toward the kitchen, casting a final glance at the two.
" Be very careful with your actions, Aelion. I may have said I didn't want to see anything suspicious in front of me, but don't use that to act behind my back unless you're curious about the limits of your immortality. "
Tchi
Aelion swore internally, frustrated. He had guessed that Seraphina was jealous, but he hadn't taken it seriously, nor had he anticipated the kind of relationship they would have. With this side she showed him, he knew he needed to think carefully. However, he also felt it was too fast and that he had to consider her feelings, since he still had Lydia in mind, even if he knew he had to move on—he hadn't expected it to happen so abruptly.
" Is she sure she doesn't have some kind of split personality or something? Her behavior earlier is really different from our first meeting… " he said into the void before UGAEL responded.
" Master Aelion, I suggest you take her words seriously. After analyzing her words and behavior, she could really put her threats into action, " the automaton said unnecessarily.
Aelion sighed. He already knew that; the least he could do was comply with her to avoid triggering a new level of jealousy.
" I know, I know… couldn't you have protected me earlier? "
" Of course I could have. Knowing that you are immortal in the domain of Ira, and the nature of your relationship with Mistress Seraphina, I deemed it best not to intervene. "
" What kind of relationship do you think she and I have? " asked the young man, intrigued by UGAEL's response, who still seemed expressionless.
" Aren't you together? Isn't that why she knows about your immortality? I deduced that it was a game between you to kill each other. If not, then I will henceforth consider her an enemy. " Her soft robotic tone immediately shifted to a high-pitched and threatening voice.
" Forget it, I'll tell you if I need help. For now, I'm tired, " he said, patting UGAEL's head.
He went upstairs, but before going to bed, Aelion decided to visit the goddess's sanctuary. Before, when he couldn't feel mana, the place seemed dark and frightening. That hadn't really changed; it was just that the abundance of mana in the area now made it automatically comforting.
The manor of Ira was also well-stocked with mana. Seraphina herself seemed surprised that he wasn't a mage, considering the amount of mana she felt upon arrival. This had prompted her to ask him the reasons immediately after leaving the training room, which he himself did not know.
He had only told her that his power concerned only his influence within the manor and its management rights. Sometimes he felt he was too honest and should have hidden certain information, but the damage was already done.
Moreover, Twin Destiny, the legendary two-handed sword he had abandoned, obsessed him. Not just because of its power, but apart from UGAEL, if he managed to obtain it, it would be another asset to defend himself against future threats.
For now, Seraphina Duskbane was the only one to arrive, but others were on their way, and nothing guaranteed they would be like her—or worse. Bluffing had to be combined with at least some capability in his arsenal.
In front of the statue, Aelion knelt, trying to pray and call upon the goddess as best he could. However, he received no response.
He tried again once more, then, giving up, headed to his room to rest.
Aelion jumped onto the bed, enthusiastic, and fell asleep effortlessly. For the first time since his arrival, he had a dream. The dream was not linear or smooth like the films he was used to watching on Earth. Moreover, he didn't seem to be the main character, just a spectator of a terrible battle shaking the land around him.
Before him rose a man wielding a giant glowing sword, a halo behind him. His piercing blue eyes burned with determination against the monsters he faced: a dragon. A wild roar signaled the start of the battle. The young brown-haired man floating in the air closed the distance like a lightning bolt.
The monstrous creature opened its jaws, projecting concentrated waves of flames toward its assailant, who was initially overwhelmed. But inside, he took no damage. With a simple horizontal strike, he cut through the dragon's breath, which stopped, projecting a luminous slash.
The attack hit the target, though only shallowly. This action enraged the dragon, which no longer attacked from a distance; it charged directly at the blond man, who immediately created several barriers to protect himself. The clash between the two opposing forces was strong enough to uproot the surrounding trees.
On the arid, desolate lands of this melancholic world beneath a red sky, the same blond man dragged himself along, this time injured and suffering. His body was no longer as pristine as at the beginning. With him, a shadow in the same position followed.
The two were enemies, determined to end the battle once and for all. The protruding horns emerging from the shadow generated lightning; the sky, as if obeying the will of the mysterious being, changed appearance: black clouds and the roar of thunderous lightning unleashed. The lightning itself struck the ground, defining the battlefield.
Even as an experienced fighter, Aelion knew that the two beings present were preparing their ultimate attacks. The last one standing would win this fight. Suddenly, a hysterical scream echoed across the sky. A giant flying being soared through the clouds, preparing its descent.
The blond man smiled, stood tall with his sword. A pure, blinding light emanated from him, and soon constellations formed behind him.
He was confident that he would be the last one standing.