Manipulation

"Aldric, we need to talk."

The blind girl uttered in an assured tone. As if this conversation were ordained. 

Her robe did little to hide the subtle curves of her matured body. Pale but soft shoulders were exposed to the air as well as parts of her sternum. The sight would be enticing to any man that looked her way.

Summoning his silk robes to cover his torso, Aldric stepped aside to let her into his room. Closing it as she entered. 

Using her floating rapier to guide her to an adequate seat, she sat on the wooden chair beside his bed. Following her, he took a seat on his own bed. Leaving a sizeable gap between them. Enough to hold a conversation. 

In the silence before she spoke, Aldric was thinking about what she wanted to talk about exactly. Given the importance of tomorrow, he knew that it related to the final siege. While his rational brain could not think of a possible reason, his intuition spelt it out to him. Jogging certain memories regarding the original conclusion of the Forgotten Shore. 

"I'm sure you wondered why my gaze seems to linger around you more than necessary."

Cassie spoke.

Aldric thought in response to what she just said. 

'She's really laying it all out, huh?'

He responded, acting slow.

"Isn't it because of your aspect? You can see the attributes of other sleepers."

Cassie's lips formed into a hard line. 

"We both know there is more to it than that. Does the word [Destined] ring a bell?"

She responded in a calculative tone. 

It was weird to Aldric. Hearing something so personal come from the mouth of someone else. Any regular person would have no reason to know such a thing, but Cassie was different. 

Aldric did not want to entertain her move, so he kept quiet. 

Guessing his mood, she continued.

"You see, my visions are very vague; however, what they aren't is inaccurate. Before you had arrived in the outer settlement, I knew how the end of this story would play. A play that you were not a part of."

Aldric kept quiet. Allowing her to continue her monologue.

"You weren't meant to be there. On the expedition, in the cathedral, or even in the war. But you were. Did you not wonder why I welcomed you into the outer settlement so easily? At a time when Gunlaug sent spies by the dozen. It was that attribute."

Her uncovered eyes widened as she stared at him. 

"But you see, it is not all powerful."

Now that surprised Aldric. He wanted to see exactly how his attributes looked from the eyes of a seer.

"From when we met, I continued to have visions. The same visions, but ever so different. Ones that included you. All beginning to converge in a familiar scene. It seems that fate is not that easy to overcome."

Her behaviour was erratic. Constantly shifting where she was looking. It was as if he was not in the room as she explored her thoughts.

Her face screwed into a look of displeasure as she imagined something terrible. Looking straight at Aldric with a face pleading for help.

"All I came to ask of you is that for tomorrow, whichever way this ends. Protect Nephis and Sunny. It might be too late; however, I can't tell you anymore without affecting things, but please."

She stood up and gripped his shoulders from where he sat down. Invading his personal space.

"I might have ruined it already, but please help them!"

In Aldric's eyes, all he could see was a fragile girl. A girl who already overcame insurmountable odds to reach so far with such a debilitating flaw. 

He stayed quiet.

Aldric could feel primal emotions begin to form within him. Like any man, protecting such a vulnerable woman was not a wrong thing.

Any other person would agree to whatever she asked of them. Perhaps in an act of kindness. Or someone who was unable to refuse such a heartfelt request. Or even a manipulative person, wondering how they could benefit from having such a vulnerable girl ask something from them so earnestly. 

But Aldric was different. He was not controlled by kindness and integrity. He was not controlled by greed, hoping to gain favour from agreeing to this task. Or even desire having such a beautiful girl begging for his help.

His [Insight] did not alert him of anything, showing its weakness in determining non-direct dangers and manipulations made against him. 

So while any other person would crumble in front of such a request, his [Tranquil Core] helped him in removing any vested emotions in the subject. With cold rationality, his answer was clear. 

No.

Tomorrow would be a day of slaughter. Even if they won, no one knew exactly who would be left standing. Beside surviving tomorrow's battle, nothing else was on the majority of the sleepers minds. To attempt that battle while worrying about two perfectly capable people. Especially their leader, Nephis. It was frankly silly. 

As for Aldric, he had his own plans for how tomorrow would play out. 

His voice spoke into the silent room.

"I don't know what you are talking about. I really don't. If I see Nephis and Sunny needing help or in danger, I will not hesitate to help them."

Cassie's face did not seem pleased with the wording of his answer; however, in her eyes, this was the best that she could hope for without giving him more information. What if telling him resulted in both Nephis and Sunny dying? She had already made a mistake in detailing her prophecy to both of them the first time around. She often wondered if that was what caused it to cement in the annals of fate.

With a small nod of her head. The conversation was over. 

Giving her a reassuring hand on her shoulder, he escorted her to her room. Knowing how certain people may act seeing the highly respected 'Lady Cassie' in such a vulnerable manner.

Walking back from her room, Aldric couldn't help but chuckle. It was so easy to see past what she was attempting to do. This was not a webtoon based around young awakened coming into their maturity. Characters were not one-dimensional. 

From the clothing of choice, the prolonged eye contact, the physical touch, and vulnerability. Playing the damsel in distress. 

Aldric knew. 

This was most likely Cassie playing her final card. Knowing that she already chose Nephis over Sunny, this was her playing it safe. Giving up her responsibility in a way. Introducing a final variable to make sure things did not go out of hand. While she could have asked Effie or Kai, neither of them were in the same league as Nephis and Sunny. Caster was not a choice to even consider based on his allegiance. Where as Aldric was in the perfect position to do something. An attribute that acted against fate and the power to act. 

It made him wonder how much of their friendship over nearly a year led up to this request. 

"I understand your motivations, Cassie. But something like this won't stop me."

Going back to his room, he removed his robe and entered his cool bed. 

Inhale

Exhale

He fell asleep.

**********

The next morning was surprisingly calm. Everyone went about their morning. Most had breakfast one last time. Others did not have the appetite. After eating his breakfast, Nephis asked her group, including himself and Seishan, to follow her.

Entering into a small room deep within the castle, she spoke.

"It's time. Summon your memories."

All those that harboured the memories relating to the seven heroes summoned them. In a coalescence of light, a beam began to form between them as they got closer.

That was all that Aldric could see before the show finished. Sunny, Effie, Nephis, and Seishan had all received some kind of feedback as they were obviously staring in their runes. 

To confirm this, Nephis spoke.

"We're ready."

----------

A few hours later, a large procession of over 600 sleepers left the Bright Castle. Marching through the culled streets of the Dark City, the castle behind them collapsed in flames. The idea was not theirs but the residents of the castle. Aldric did not care either, but he helped them. He always had pyromaniacal tendencies when he was younger. It was fun to watch things burn.

It would be a long march, but they would make it. 

West.

To the Crimson Spire.

**********

Thank you for reading. 

We are in the final stretch. You guys ready for this?

Cassie tried it. Your boy was not falling for that. 

Haze_Plank: I get you to be honest. I've done that with fanfics that crossover a verse I haven't watched. Trust me though, Shadow Slave is peak.

That is all, till the next one.