20 Reed's Mission

"Do you intend for us to walk home?"

They stroll along the road. Emy wasn't too tired at the time because many people were walking, but Reed didn't enjoy being around humans.

"Why?" Emy asked. "Are you worn out?"

"It's not like that," Reed said.

It surprised Reed when Emy grabbed his hand and ran. He wasn't expecting it, so he just drifted off to watch what Emy did. They rushed to where several people had crashed with them earlier, and Reed halted. Instead, he drew Emy closer to him. She held on to his shoulder while one of Reed's hands rested on Emy's back. Reed raised his palm and placed it over Emy's eyes.

Emy's heartbeat raced. She did not know what Reed would do, as if it were a scene from the drama she was watching on her phone.

"What are you doing, and why are you covering my eyes?" Emy asked.

Reed carefully took his hand from her eyes. And what she saw surprised Emy. When a strong wind blew, she hugged herself.

"How..." Emy said as he looked at Reed.

"You don't seem tired despite a full day's work," Reed said. "I recently saw it in a brochure in your office."

Emy couldn't believe they were inside the Sky Ranch, a major tourist destination in Tagaytay. Because of the natural beauty of the place, her smile widened. It was her first time there. Reed was staring at her.

"I want to ride the Ferris wheel," Emy replied, pointing to the Ferris wheel. When she pulled back, she had Reed's hand and would move closer to the ticket desk.

"Where are you going? I thought you wanted to ride there." Reed asked, his gaze drawn to the Ferris wheel.

"I'll buy a ticket to ride the Ferris wheel," Emy said.

"Why? You don't need to buy anything. I can take you there." Reed said.

Emy bit her lower lip and looked at Reed. "Do you purposely seduce me in public? So I can claim you in front of them if I want." Reed said.

"Have you ever dated?" Emy asked.

"Yeah, don't you remember at the restaurant?" Reed asked.

Emy smirked. "Are you saying I'm the first woman you've dated?" she said. "You haven't even dated anyone like you?"

"We don't date," Reed said flatly. "We've had sex. The date is simply a waste of time. In the end, we will have sex."

Reed grabbed Emy's hand when she didn't talk, and she was astonished to see that they were already inside a cubicle on the Ferris wheel. They are at the highest altitude, and because it is night, only the lights from the Batangas area's street lights can be seen. Even the well-known volcano that just erupted is visible.

"Do you find it difficult to love?" Emy asked. Her voice sounded sour, and she wasn't looking at him.

"You can't see the wonderful view since it's late, so let's change," Reed said.

Emy looked at the volcano first and then at Reed when she spotted the light. Her awe was irreversible. They could see the beautiful landscapes because it was daylight. The ashes from the explosion had already filled the magnificent Taal Volcano, causing it to lose the green colors she had earlier liked in the book.

"How can you do anything like this?" Emy asked.

"I told you I'm no ordinary demon," Reed said.

Reed just gazed at Emy, who was smiling at the lovely view. Emy shifted her gaze to him, her smile gone. He was astonished.

"Why?" Reed asked.

"If you don't know how to love..." Emy said. "Can I just love you?"

Emy's words startled Reed. He couldn't figure out why Emy wanted to be loved. What makes love so unique?

Emy smiled slightly. "I don't want," Reed said emphatically.

Reed's words startled Emy. "You don't want me to love you?" She couldn't believe it. "You don't want me to love you? You don't even know how to love. Then what are we exactly?"

"You're my wife," Reed said.

Emy shook her head and took a deep breath. "I want to go home," Emy said.

Emy holds back her tears. She bowed and closed her eyes as though her heart was hammering.

Reed stood up. "You seem exhausted," he said. "You should get some rest."

Emy heard footsteps and the door closing behind her. She only raised her head and looked around then. She's already in her room. Emy lay down on the bed and put her hand over her face. She couldn't stop crying.

"Damn, why is this so unfair to me?" Emy said. "What is my sin, and am I bound to live this way?"

Reed breathed deeply as he stood near the window, staring at Emy. She can't see him, so he stands back and watches the woman cry.

'I don't understand her,' Reed thought.

-

Reed was sitting on the floor at a bookshop, reading a book. Reed scanned the book, looking for anything to help him fulfill Emy's wish. He'd been reading for a few hours, and his patience was thin.

"Are you giving up?"

He looked around. Reed stood up and waved his hand, and the books on the floor vanished instantly. An older man approached Reed.

"You simply need to complete one wish,"

Reed locked his gaze on the older man. He instantly remembered the light from earlier in the war.

Flashback...

Reed unexpectedly lost a battle owing to a lack of soldiers and good ethnography. Before the major, unexpected fight, the palace hosted a large feast. Nobody expected another country's army to storm their borders. Because it was unexpected, they were unprepared. He suspects a plot, but he has no proof.

A general from the enemy cut his wing, weakening his full power. And it stabbed him in the chest with its blade. He swung his sword at it, slitting its throat. It has splashed his eyes and cheeks with his enemy's blood. Reed heard his attacker collapse and found himself kneeling a few seconds later. To sustain his frail body, he buried his sword in the ground. He gulped, one knee on the ground, both hands tightly gripping the blade.

"I need to..." he said, gasping for air. "I need to return to the palace."

Reed struggled to rise, but his body couldn't handle it any longer, and he eventually collapsed on top of a corpse. He couldn't remember whether it was an enemy or a soldier. He took a glance around.

"I have to go back," Reed said. "No one else can seize the palace. It can't..."

He just caught a peek before he closed his eyes. Reed couldn't tell what that light was or where it came from because his enemy's blood and the wounds on his forehead and under his eye made it hard to see. He asked. His voice was raspy.

"If you're an opponent, kill me," Reed replied. "Since I would murder you if I had the opportunity. "

"I truly respect your bravery."

"I don't need a fan," Reed said. He had a distinct impression that he was about to die. A woman was speaking, which he had heard but couldn't see clearly.

"I'll give you another chance at life. But you must act and fulfill..."

Reed wanted to chuckle but couldn't. "Who are you to offer me such a chance?"

To Reed's amazement, his body lifted over the corpse. Some energy awakened him and made him stand in front of a woman.

She approached him and circled his back. He soon felt extreme back pain.

"Ahhhh!" The severe pain profoundly disturbed him.

The woman took off his last wing. Reed is expected to die shortly.

"I understand how precious your wing is to you. That gives you strength as a king. I'll take away all your powers except those that aren't vital," the woman said. "But don't worry, I'll return whatever I stole to you. You only have to do what I say."

Reed said nothing; instead, he examined the woman.

"You must grant one genuine human wish. And it will only count as a wish granted if you complete it. Mate with your chosen human and make her your queen," said the woman.

"How do I know if I succeeded?" Reed asked.

The woman gave a little smile. "Your wing will regenerate."

Reed would have said more when the whole environment changed. He was already standing alone in front of his palace, staring at the big gate.

"Remember, you only have three days to decide. You must go across the human world to discover your future queen and fulfill her desire if you complete your journey after the third day. You will perish alongside your entire empire. "

Reed lost consciousness and eventually fell to the ground before he could respond. A loud yell could be heard above the gate, which soon opened.

End of Flashback