Official Ascent

Caera POV

We continued on the next two zones until we reached the exit portal, We arrived, and as usual we are taken by kingdom officials to report. We refrained from mentioning Grey, and we went back to the Denoir estate. There my adoptive parents greeted me but I didn't feel anything what so ever. We had dinner, and I broke the news about sevren. The atmosphere became tense, as my father asked if I could get in touch with Grey to thank him for the confirmation.

I said maybe I could because of his connections with Scythe Seris which surprised my father, and mother. At the end the told me to grow close to him, and make connections with him. I sighed, and nodded I'll admit that I would do this without them telling me, but I still felt annoyed how they wanted to use me to further increase their family's influence. I excused myself, and returned to my room and took a shower. My maid Nessa who I've grown close to helped with with dressing me up, while I tried to activated the tracker I placed on Grey he was very far from me. I sighed and Nessa saw this.

"Are you thinking about HIM?" She asked in a teasing tone

I felt my face warm because of her words and quickly answered

"No, why would you think that" I said

"It's just that ever since you've returned you've spaced out a lot more, and sigh a lot more." She replied

"So how is he?" She asked

"He looks to be in his early 20s and his traces as sharp, while his skin is a cream-white tone with no scars and calluses at all and his hair is wheat-colored. His eyes are golden tinged with some blue, his body is toned, and he is a bit thin." I replied

"I didn't mean that kind of question and you know about it" She replied

I felt my face getting warmer, but I ignored Nessa and just told her to get out. Ever since my return I couldn't stop thinking about Grey as my hand unconsciously touched my lips as I remembered the sensation when our lips touch. His cold gaze that was filled with confidence no matter what he did, his fluent slashes that were efficient, and fast. His mana that was powerful. I kept thinking more and more about him as days has passed, and I didn't feel him getting any closer.

Until one day suddenly I felt him near me when I activated the medalion. I locked on his location, and sneaked out of my house with some supplies, and I used my relic to change my appearence to be a slim man with curly moss-green hair and deep-set brown eyes. I walked around, until I found him. He was with someone else so I followed him from behind. I saw them enter an alleyway, the man tried to attack Grey, and when I meant by TRY he got knocked out.

Grey reached for the stone blade that had manifested over the man's entire hand. Gripping the man's wrist with his left hand, Grey guided the blade safely past, stepped back with his left foot, and brought his right elbow up into the man's chin.

With the momentum of the man's own dash, He barely had to use any strength the man's head snapped back and he crumpled to the ground, his stone blade dissolving. The mugger hadn't died, and his body was sturdy enough that he regained consciousness within a few minutes, but it was enough time for Grey to use his own clothes to tie his hands and feet together. Grey then began to interrogate the man, until he got all he needed he left and I continued to follow.

"You can come out now," He said while walking surprising me

I hopped down from one of the lower buildings to his left.

"Why are you following me?" He asked, studying me.

"Peace," I said, as I raised his arms, showing him my empty palms.

"Assuming Quinten was telling the truth, you're not with him," He said. "A third party trying his luck?"

I shook my head. "I sensed mana usage, and in this part of the level that generally means a fight. I assumed someone was in trouble, so I checked it out."

"That doesn't answer my question," He responded calmly.

"Curiosity got the best of me," I admitted, rubbing the back of my neck. "I was impressed with the way you took that thug down and, honestly, surprised you let him off so easy. Despite what he told you, you'd have been in your rights to end his life."

"That's not how I do things," He said, not bothering to hide his distaste.

"That's why I'd like to be on your team when you go back into the Relictombs." I replied as I held my gaze confidently, but the fingers of my left hand were twiddling with nervously.

"Sorry to disappoint, friend, but I'm not going 'back' into the Relictombs. This is my preliminary ascent."

I nodded, "I heard. I can help with that, help you find a team that won't get you killed."

Silently agreeing, He decided to be blunt. "Why? What's in it for you? Give me an answer I can believe, and I'll think about joining you."

"I can't sense your mana. I couldn't even when you took out that mugger, which you managed with a single blow. You don't make sense. You're different. And in the Relictombs, different is good."

"That's it?" He asked skeptically.

"We all go in for the same reasons: get strong, get rich," I said, "But the Relictombs can't be charted or mapped. The only way to change where you go is to change who you travel with. Like I said, different is good."

"So you think the Relictombs is going to take you somewhere new if you go in with me?"

"That's the idea. New paths, new chances to win accolades—maybe even a relic."

"What's your name?" He asked.

"Haedrig."

He held out his hand. I shook it

"Grey."

"You know, Grey," I said as we turned to walk together toward the clock tower, "you'll find fewer alley rats willing to try their luck with you if you properly displayed your runes. Generally, only those who lack confidence in their runes will cover them." I said curious about his runes

"Is that another reason why mages show off their runes?" He asked. "Sorry, I'm from the countryside, so to me, it just seems like they're showing off."

"It may seem arrogant, and there are plenty of ascenders out there who fit that description, but it does make life easier in general," I explained. "Not many people actually take the time to learn to read runes since, depending on the spell it provides, there can be a lot of variances in design. Ascenders, in general, aren't a studious group."

"Anyway, let's find us a team," I continued. "There are a few ways to go about it, but I'm assuming you want to take your prelim as soon as possible?"

"Yeah."

"Then the association building that thug directed you to wouldn't be a good idea," I said, taking the lead. "It's the safest way, but you have to fill out a pretty extensive request, and it'll take them a few days to find you a team willing to take you."

"What do you suggest then?"

I motioned toward the way. "Follow me."

Arthur POV

When I saw the slim man with curly moss-green hair and deep-set brown eyes. I knew who's mana it belonged to.

"Caera" I thought but I didn't blurt it out yet as she introduced herself as Haedrig meaning she was trying to hide her identity.

"Wait that's Caera?" Regis asked surprised

"For all I could tell is she has a relic" I replied

"Or she was a dude to begin with" Regis retorted feeling disapointed

I tried to not laugh or show any suspicious behavior as I asked her a few question, and as I expected she was persistent to follow me. Even to go as far as finding me a team. We found a team with Kalon of Blood Granbehl, Ada of Blood Granbehl, Ezra of Blood Granbehl, and I'm Riah of Blood Faline. When we entered the first zone we encountered difficulties, but that wasn't as bad as when we entered the mirror room. In a split second it all went wrong, Ada's body got possed, Riah got heavily wounded, and is now being treated by Ezra in a waterfall in the middle of the room, Haedrig, and Kalon were ok while I was trying to get us out of here.

I told them to break the mirrors containing our refletions, while I tapped into the keystone in a hidden area far away from the others while Regis guarded me.

I saw the future, not only that I saw a lot more than I saw Ellie still fighting, the asuras in battle, the world burning, But what was more scary was I saw Jin-Woo in a clad of black armor standing in mountains of corpse his face expressionless, his eyes were glowing purple he was gazing up to the sky, and that's when I saw creatures descending from a crack that was formed in the sky. the most distinguished one was a white knight with large white wings, glowing white eyes, and a distinct white crest. He also wore golden armor over an intricate white and blue robe, and wielded a large gray spear. Jin-Woo stood up as he stared at the being, but the vision stopped as I saw Jin-Woo looking at me I turned back to see no one else so it wasn't a coincidence I knew that He saw me.

I opened my eyes gasping for air sweat on my face. I turned around to see Regis sleeping while Haedrig was sitting next to me.

Caera POV

I walked around for a while looking left and right as I looked at the mirrors. Kalon was talking to the real Ada while the fake one was being tied up. Riah was getting better as Ezra treated her, I looked for Grey but found nothing, until I walked deeper inside the rooms I saw a black shadow wolf I was familiar with sitting down, and behind his Grey was there meditating his hand was holding something but I couldn't see what it was. I walked closer Regis stood up and stared at me.

"I'll just sit beside him" I said

The wolf didn't mind, and sat back but moments later he fell asleep. I came towards it poking it, and whispering it's name but it didn't budge so I returned to see what Grey was doing. I observed him from the top of his head. He was different than most people he is a mysterious figure, and someone who is strong. I looked at his face for a while until a thought came up

"He looks ..." realizing what I was thinking I pulled back, and I felt my face heat up.

I just stood there looking around until I saw him began to sweat. I was surprised but then his eyes shot open as I saw him gasped for air, the item he was holding gone.

He looked at me and turned to the sleeping Regis then looked back at me.

"So lady Caera what brings you here?" He asked

My eyes widened when he said that. "Umm Grey what are you talking about?" I asked pretending to be confused

"Oh nothing you're personality and how you talk just reminds me of a certain beautiful girl with red eyes and midnight blue, almost navy hair." He replied with a sweet tone

I tried to keep calm when he said that.

"You make it sound like you like her" I replied

"No I am grateful for her because on my previous ascent I was at death's door when she graciously mouth fed me a healing vial to save my life, and I never got to thank her for the help she gave me in the end" He replied with a smile

"a a a a a " I didn't know what to say back as I felt my face heat up by his words

"I already found out of who you were when I first saw you Caera" He said his head move forward until we were only separated by an inch.

His gaze locked onto mine waiting for an answer. I pulled back, and turned away.

"I was just simply curious about you, and want to learn more about you" I said as I try to calm myself my face was warm as I didn't want to see him

"You could've just use your real identity" He whispered in my ear I felt his breath on my neck

My heat was beating fast, as I felt my face getting hot. But I heard a rustle to see Grey stand up, and walk away.

"Come on I've already found away to get out of here" He said

Arthur POV

I channeled aether to my godrune as I touched the mirror of Ada but my aether wasn't enough so I had to borrow most of Regis's aether which made him turn into a pup, but he then jumped inside me saying he wants to regenerate the aether I cruely took from him. Motes of purple began spreading from my hand, swirling around like a miniature galaxy . Ada looked up, confusion and surprise overtaking her desolation for just a moment, and she began to fade away, turning to pinkish mist that flowed out of the mirror and back into her body .

A thick blackish-purple smoke was expelled from her pores and sucked back into the mirror . The phantom manifested back in its prison, a look of pure hatred on its twisted copy of Ada's face .

At my feet, Ada's body twitched and her eyes snapped open . She scuttled backwards, away from the mirror, her eyes wide with fear . Kalon leaned down and put his arms around her shoulders, causing her to scream .

The only regret I had was I didn't learn enough about the keystone but it had already disappeared. I sighed but at least I was able to sa.. A sudden realization struck me as my destruction mana took over my emotions.

These were Alacryans, the same people that had devastated Dicathen, who were responsible for the deaths of so many people that I knew and loved . I should be relishing in their misfortunes and misery . Why was I so desperate to help them

So why? Why did my chest feel like it was being wrung like a soaked towel?

I asked myself as I felt my vision slowly turning. I quickly took back control before I could go berserk.

"Thank you" Kalon said

"No problem, well except for the fact your brother kept on disturbing me which made this longer that it was supposed to" I replied as I turned towards Ezra

"I'm sorry" He said as he helped Riah stand

We should go now I said pointing at the portal.

"Agreed" Kalon replied

We all entered the portal, the four of them decided to exit while me and Caera decided to continue further. But before we parted

"What happened back there?" Kalon asked

"I don't know when I was asking the other trapped ascenders I asked if they knew what the room was but none of them knew anything." I replied

"Well good luck on your ascent Grey I do hope we can meet again to express my gratitude" He said as he patted my shoulder

The four of them entered the exit portal, then I turned towards Caera.

"Last chance you don't have to come with me if you don't want to your pretty beat up" I said

"No I'll come with you" She said walking closer, and grabbing my hand as she dragged me towards the portal to the next zone

"Just like Seris said Bold" I commented but she ignored me

When we came out I was surprised, and stopped. Caera turned back looking confused, then I pointed my finger to where her horns were at. Caera lifted one delicate hand to her face, feeling her cheek, then pulled a lock of her long hair out in front of her face so she could see it properly. She paled visibly as her hand reached up and touched one of the onyx horns that grew from the sides of her head.

Each horn had two separate points: the main horns swept forward and up, while the smaller fang-shaped pair jutted back behind, framing her head like a dark crown. Thin golden rings adorned each of the smaller spurs.

My hand shot out in a blur, gripping Caera by her thin neck and lifting her off the snowy ground. A small gasp escaped her lips as she tried to pry herself free, but my eyes were focused on those black horns.

She's a Vritra! I thought, as I felt destruction mana once again effecting my emotions as I remembered the retainers, and Scythes that massacred the people in Dicathen.

'I know you're shocked—so am I—but I don't think we'll get any answers from her if she's dead,' Regis chimed in, sobering me.

I loosened my grip, letting the Alacryan woman fall to the ground, where she coughed fitfully and rubbed her throat.

"Grey I know that you're confused but I don't mean any harm" She said while gasping for air

"Sorry it's just that I was surprised to see your" I said as I pointed at her horns

She just nodded, I took a few steps back.

The only Vritra blood I could trust right now was only Seris because Jin-Woo has been working together with her for years helping us minimalizing casualties from our side. Jin-Woo never mentioned anything about Caera being Vritra blooded, but he did mention she was Seris's deciple.

What if she was Agrona's spy assigned to watch over me. What if Agrona already knew about me being here after her ascent, about Seris, and got through Caera, maybe that's why she wanted to follow me so badly. I thought about every possibility about this scenario.

Regis let out a chortle. 'Why are you thinking so deeply about this? Maybe she just likes you.'

"What?" I blurted, startling Caera, who was still on her knees in the snow.

"Nothing," I said, clearing my throat and silently cursing my companion for his flippant attitude.

I could feel Regis roll his eyes. 'Kill her or not, it's up to you, but chop chop. I don't fancy finding out what happens to me if you freeze to death standing here.'

My face and hands felt stiff from the cold, but my asuran body made this deadly weather a nuisance at most. Caera, despite her obvious Vritra ancestry, didn't share my fortitude, and she had already started to shake.

Letting out a sigh, I reluctantly made up my mind. I withdrew the wool bedroll from my rune—yet another piece of equipment that an old drunk had thought to pack for me—and tossed it to her. "Wrap yourself up in this. We need to find shelter—then we'll talk."

She took the soft bedroll and draped it around herself like a blanket. "Thank you."

My eyes quickly scanned our surroundings. Like before, the portal we'd come through had vanished, leaving us stranded in a pure white expanse. An icy wind kicked up a lot of snow, making it difficult to see very far.

"Let's get moving," I replied curtly, turning away.

'I would've gone for the nice gentleman play, but aloof bad boy works too,' Regis teased.

Do you want me to cut you off from my aether?

'No, sir. Sorry, sir.'

Rolling my eyes, I continued walking, paying close attention to the soft crunch of Caera's footsteps just a few paces behind me.

"You're wary of me, yet you're exposing your back to me. Are you that confident?" Caera asked, her silvery voice cutting through the howling of the wind.

"You've seen how strong I am, and I know how careful you are you wouldn't do anything stupid if you were at a disadvantage." I simply replied

"But if you're so curious do you perhaps want to find out?" I asked, not bothering to look back.

"Perhaps next time," she said softly after a beat of silence.

'Ooh, so she wants there to be a next time,' Regis snickered.

I ignored my companion's comment but mentally gave him his second strike.

We kept walking looking for some kind of spot that could be used as a shelter.

'Maybe you guys will have to dig yourself a shelter and cuddle for—'

Strike three.

Coalescing aether around Regis's incorporeal form inside me, I directed it to the palm of my hand and pushed outward.

To my surprise, Regis's fiery cub form actually burst out of my hand, limbs flapping in surprise.

'Hey! What the—'

Caera gasped and burst into action. Flinging off the bedroll and drawing her thin, curved sword, she cut swiftly downwards, cleaving Regis in two.

I watched with a raised brow as Regis's bisected form faded away, dissolving into the windblown snow.

Caera's sharp eyes darted around the terrain, but when she didn't see any more threats, she smoothly stored the blade once again. Then she noticed the look on my face, and her own confident expression slipped away.

I pointed nonchalantly at the area where Regis had disappeared and said, "That thing is going to reform in a few seconds. As amusing as it was, please don't attack him again."

Her eyes went wide. "That was something you did?"

"That was my wolf, yes."

"Grey, I'm—"

She was cut off as a pocket of dark ash began to spin within the light snow, condensing down until it was a perfectly round ball, then bursting into flames. Finally, Regis's bright eyes popped open, and the dark shadow of his mouth twisted down into a comical frown.

The will-o-wisp floated down to the ground where it shifted again, bulging outward as it transformed back into the small, wolf-like puppy. "You know, I'm not sure I like either one of you very much right now."

Caera's brows furrowed in confusion as her gaze shifted from Regis to me and then back again.

I shrugged. "This is Regis. You two have met before in the last two zones."

Her eyes shone in realization, then she tilted her head. "But he was a little bigger then."

"Yeah, well you were a dude," Regis snapped angrily.

"You're right." Caera's lips quivered as if she were trying very hard not to smile. "I'm sorry, little friend."

"How did you become like this anyways?" She asked as she leaned down and scratched Regis behind one pointy little ear. His bright eyes glared at her, but he couldn't stop his shadowy tail from wagging in pleasure.

This time, I let out a chortle, causing my companion to stiffen.

Letting out a growl, Regis snapped at Caera's finger, startling her so that she jerked her hand away.

"You could thank my master for doing stupid experiments on himself" He replied

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