Completed. “Flowers grow back, even after they are stepped on, and so will I.” For over a millennium, Cillian had shouldered the role of a guardian, or as he would jest, a glorified gardener. In his recollection, he'd emerged in an endless expanse known as Blossom Central, his memory a mere fragment with only his name. He was bound to the Red Blossom system Bloom, where an annoying flying entity named Bliss, the personification of Bloom, materialized as his assistant. Cillian's duty centered on nurturing the Red Blossom trees and safeguarding the cherries from falling. Each Red Blossom tree represented a distinct world, relying on his care to prosper. One day, Bliss mustered the courage to disrupt Cillian's nap despite knowing it could be risky. But he had a compelling reason – numerous Red Blossom trees had lost their cherries, a situation that had never occurred before. The fallen cherries meant that the worlds connected to those trees were in danger of collapsing. It was all because a mortal's destiny had been altered. To prevent the impending calamity, they needed to restore that mortal's fate to its rightful course. --------------------------- Cillian, desperation etched across his face, pushed the man atop him, pleading, "Please, enough, I can't take it anymore." The man swiftly reclaimed his position, his lips trailing along Cillian's Adam's apple. He whispered sensually, "We're just getting started; I'm not finished playing with you." Internally, Cillian urgently reached out to Bliss: *Bliss, get your ass over here!* *Yes, Master?* *Who the hell is this man, and why does he persistently follow me from world to world?* Bliss responded with feigned innocence, *I truly have no idea, Master.* Cillian issued a dire threat, *Tell me what you're keeping from me.* Before Bliss could utter a word, the man's lips descended upon his own with a hunger. Their tongues intertwined, and he emphasized dominantly, "I've told you, darling, don't address me as anything other than Gege." Cillian was on the verge of tears. Stuck in Blossom Central, he'd always harbored disdain for his circumstances, but now he was relentlessly pursued by this shameless, tofu-eating stranger who insisted on being called Gege. Like a fool, he thought he would get to play with Alterers, but he's the one getting played with over and over again... Arc 01: Abo (17 Chapters)✔ Arc 02: Vampire (20 Chapters)✔ Arc 03: Celebrity (17 Chapters)✔ Arc 04: Mafia (21 Chapters)✔ Arc 05: Piano Virtuoso (18 Chapters)✔ Arc 06: Ancient Era (17 Chapters)✔ Arc 07: Future Era, Final Arc (39 Chapters)✔
"Cillian?"
"Cillian?"
"Cilli?"
Bliss floated backward when Cillian finally opened his eyes and looked at him threateningly.
"I'm sorry to bother you master but there is a problem."
Cillian asked the floating ball with a sarcastic smile:
"What did one of the red blossom trees grow another cherry?"
Cillian narrowed his eyes when Bliss's color turned a lighter white.
He stood up from the ground and looked around the space. At first, he couldn't see what was so different about Blossom Central. As usual, the infinite white space was filled with red blossom trees as far as the eyes could see. He frowned when he saw a cherry on the white floor. He walked to it his unblinking eyes never leaving it like he was scared it would disappear. When he reached the tree he bent down and picked it up. He looked at it with a cruel smile. Bliss unconsciously floated backward. Cillian caressed the trunk, he looked up at all the branches.
"Master there are at least a dozen trees who lost cherry flowers."
Cillian looked at Bliss.
"Why are you telling me?"
"Master you're the guardian of Blossom Central, your duty is to take care of the red blossom trees."
Cillian raised an eyebrow.
"I've done my job and I've been doing it for more than a millennia. I took care of the trees but the flowers still fell. What more can I do?"
Bliss floated closer to him.
"If cherries are falling it means that the world is going to collapse. A mortal's fate must've been altered. We need to change the trajectory again to save the world from annihilation."
Bliss started to move left and right nervously when Cillian just looked at him expressionlessly. Cillian smirked.
"1189 years ago I appeared here and was told that all I had to do is to care for the trees and I did so my job is done."
Bliss looked down thinking, his eyes lit up when he thought of something.
"Master, don't you want to see what it's like to live a normal life? Don't you want to get revenge on the one who altered the mortal's fate?"
When Cillian smiled maliciously Bliss added:
"You'll be able to do whatever you want to them as long as the mortals don't die and the Alterers pay."
Cillian looked at Bliss with narrowed eyes. He knows he's keeping something from him and is just trying to entice him. He's been suspicious of him and this whole thing since the day he appeared in Blossom Central. The only memory he had was that of his name. A Red Blossom System called Bloom was bound to him and Bliss the physical embodiment of it materialized. He never understood why he would have such a thorough system when all he had to do is take care of trees.
He is nothing more than a glorified gardener so why give him something so powerful?
"Why me?"
"You're the guardian Master it is your duty."
Cillian smiled. He touched the tree again and closed his eyes. When he opened them they flashed.
"What would the mission entail?"
Bliss started to move up and down in excitement as he explained:
"You'll take the mortal's place, the people around you won't know they'll think Cillian has always been there. You just need to make sure that he doesn't die and the ones who altered the trajectory of his fate don't succeed."
Cillian thought and after a few seconds let out nonchalantly.
"Pass."
Bliss couldn't understand what happened, why did Cilli suddenly change his mind?
"Master you said multiple times that you're not a guardian but a gardener don't you want to guard those worlds from impending doom?"
Cillian met his eyes.
"I do but you're not being honest and I know that as soon as I set foot in the first world they will be no going back."
Bliss floated back a little.
"What do you mean?"
Cillian grabbed him before he could fly away.
"What's the catch?"
Bliss trembled slightly and said:
"There's no catch master as soon as you finish the mission you'll be able to live as you wish. You'll even have the Red Blossom system Bloom at your disposal to live as opulently as you wish."
Cillian asked again threateningly:
"What's the catch?"
Seeing that Cilli wouldn't let go Bliss murmured:
"You have to follow the mortal's personality. You can't act like yourself and be snarky like usual."
Realizing the comment he made Bliss shrunk in fear to a ball the size of Cillian's hand but he still didn't let go.
"So what you mean is that I must act like any mortal's feeble's body I take over?"
Bliss nodded but he quickly added:
"The changes in your personality must be in line with the mortal, but I promise not all the mortals are weak."
Cillian let go of Bliss and walked with his hands behind his back. He wants to leave Blossom Central but he has a bad feeling. He wants to know who made him guardian and why? Why is he the only one who can stop those words from collapsing? Leaving might help him find the answers to those questions. The part he looks more forward to is to punish the Alterers.
His eyes flashed wickedly. He doesn't care much for the part where he has to stay in character but it might make the experience more fun. If the mortal he embodies is shy he'll be able to manipulate and play with all the people around him without their knowledge. Playing everyone like fools would certainly make this fun. He stopped in place and turned around.
He announced:
"I'll do it."
Bliss jumped up and down excitedly.
"You better listen to every one of my orders."
"Master I'm here to help you better..."
Cillian cut him.
"I don't need your help just follow my orders or I'm out."
After a few seconds, Bliss nodded. Cillian smiled sweetly and walked to the tree. He ordered:
"Retreat."
Bliss retreated. Cillian closed his eyes and took a breath, soon after he disappeared.