Chapter Twenty-Five: An Uneventful Chapter

(3rd Person Pov)

The orange orb glared down upon the thick cobblestone walls, leaving stark, vivid shadows contrasting with the blinding bright reflections from the morning sun. The spiked shadows of the portcullis loom like the twisted teeth of some fallen beast.

A man growled in the near distance---barking orders and the air suddenly acquired a musty, damp smell---the smell of sweat and grime and heat.

A grinding, gritty road annexed with a smooth marbled one as carriages continued to flow in from not all-over Central Dominion but also all over Alacrya. High bloods of the highest ranks with their potential Vritra-blooded foster children made their way to Taegrin Caelum---in hopes of catching the sight of the youngest scythe who slayed the mightiest scythe known to Alacrya---Scythe Cadell Vritra.

The gravelly road that joined with a smoother one once they entered the castle's premises ran straight ahead through a market into a towering stone-keep.

"Why do you think the 'Scythe Ordainment' ceremony is taking place inside the 'High Sovereign's' Castle?" Lenora Denoir asked her husband---Corbett Denoir as the carriage juddered marginally.

"It certainly is uncanny. Scythes were never crowned like this. But...", he paused and looked outside the window, "maybe it is because of the high sovereign seeing some promise in him." Corbett replied and rubbed his hands together, lost in his fantasy how this could benefit him.

Caera sat just beside Lenora, fidgeting with her fingers as her heart continued to belabour against its confines. It had been a long time since she had last seen Grey. And even after asking Seris again and again, she was always met with the answer of "He's working."

After the incident of Victaroid, she never heard anything from either Grey or Seris. The prospect of just seeing Grey after such a long time made her ecstatic. The thought of their reunion as she could embrace him again made a subtle blush appear on her pristine skin as she giggled to herself.

"Hmm?"

"Hmm?"

Lenora and Corbett looked towards Caera---a confused, questioning look on their face.

"Ehmmm... It's nothing. I just felt an itch in my throat." Caera replied awkwardly as both Lenora and Corbett looked at each other for a brief moment before disregarding it and forgetting it while getting lost in their own selfish fantasies.

Meanwhile inside the castle, tantalising smells wafted from the huge kitchens where multiple cooks preparing everything imaginable sat in a confused muddle. The noise of frantic and rushed yells from the head-cook came in a sea of sound, starting slowly and building up before crashing down. Enticing scents wafted, masking the unsavoury smell of sweat and spice.

Rising above the bustle below like four eagles rising on an updraft, four towers stand stark against the sunlit sky giving a sense of power and control. Two flags fly high, their crimson contrasting with the blue sky.

Through the heavy oak doors of the imposing keep there was a large chamber filled with rows of guards with Armour and colours so flamboyant they almost distracted attention from the piles upon piles of glittering, golden treasure clustered around.

The room smelled of gold, the hard odour plating anyone's tongue. The light from the teardrop shaped windows reflected off the treasure at all angles, filling the room with a warm, golden, glowing, glimmering light.

Coins fell in waterfalls of gold, frozen in the moment. Necklaces swirled through the piles like gold-plated snakes, gems like flowers add colour among golden heaps. Ceremonial swords and Armour poke out of the piles occasionally, protruding at odd angles.

Phoenix wings, dragons scales, titan limbs, pantheon eye hung from the walls like trophies.

Finally at the end of the hall, upon a squared, padded, high-backed throne, robes glistening, rings glittering, crown gleaming, there sat a figure---his face a living example of fulfilment and joy---the face of someone who had achieved everything.

His face rested in his palm, his glimmering scarlet eyes gleaming in the stygian throne room, "Legacy... you'll be mine."

(Nico Sever Pov)

The metallic grinding of the door unlocking reached my ears as I looked back. Grey entered the room, his facial features crunched into annoyance as he walked over to my bed and picked a black coloured coat and put it on.

"What's gotten into you now?"

"Nothing. Just don't talk right now and I'll be fine." Grey replied, his tone more grumpier than usual.

Walking closer, I held him by his arm and jerked it, directing his attention towards myself. His razor sharp lavender eyes fell on me. Like how a person withdraws his hand from a sharp knife, my whole being felt like jumping back as his eyes glowed for the mere fraction of a second before settling down.

"Sorry Nico... I am just..."

"Is it some woman?" I asked a random question, like shooting an arrow in the dark.

"Women actually and... wait, how do you know?" He asked, looking at me wide eyed and mouth agape.

"I can tell. Besides, I wasn't the one who died maidenless." I replied with a wry chuckle that soon died out due to Grey standing with a blank look on his face.

"Ehmm, anyways, who is it?"

Grey sighed and walked over to the mirror. Removing a strand of hair from his face he looked at himself, his gaze distant like he was thinking of something.

"It's not what you think, Nico. I am not interested in anyone. I just had some argument with a woman who was... a bit close to me."

I pinched my own forearm and then slapped my cheeks, not coming to terms with what Grey had just said. "You? Close to a woman?"

"Why is it so hard to believe?" Grey asked and threw a brush at me.

Moving my head to the right, I dodged it and looked back at him, "You just don't seem like someone who could get close to anyone. Especially women."

Grey brushed his fingers through his air and raised his nose up, "Let me tell you my friend, I am quite famous with women."

Grumbling, I looked away, "Fine fine. If this is how you're going to dodge the question, then be it. I won't ask."

Grey laughed and then looked down.

There it was again.

The facade that he maintained everytime and everywhere. A masquerade—fooling everyone. Behind that bright smile were hundreds of sorrows and regrets—some that even I couldn't know of. And he was dealing with all of it. Alone.

However, the seed of doubt in my mind ever since I came into this world and regained my memories started taking its roots once again. I had already forgiven Grey. I didn't want to doubt him. I knew that he wasn't capable of killing Cecelia.

Yet, in the farthest corner of my mind a certain thought kept whispering to me.

'He can't be fully trusted and... what happened before can happen again.'

(3rd Person Pov)

Crestfallen and dejected---a tactile veil of melancholy with hints of fear loomed over Seris' figure as she walked side by side with Cylrit, her gait straight and confident, veiling the overpowering consternation— a feeling of dejection and subtle despair bubbling at the pits of her very being.

"Scythe... we're here." Cylrit whispered, just enough to bring Seris out of her daydreaming. Seris looked up and saw Viesse looking at her, her sharp gaze turning soft as she spotted her.

"Why do you look so lost, Seris? Something... GOOD happened?" She cooed as she got near her. Placing a hand over her shoulder she stopped her and placed an inch between them.

"Always so reserved and serious. You're no fun." She said with a smile and her eyes shifted from Seris to Cylrit. Cylrit bowed modestly, lowering his head, "Greetings, Scythe Viesse. I hope for your well being."

Cylrit spoke as he held Viesse's outstretched hand and kissed it. Seris looked at it from the corner of her eyes, making Cylrit's hand tremble ever so slightly. Viesse took notice of this subtle tension and gave a coy smile before returning back to her retainer.

Armour clattered as a man adorned in a sparkling silver armour emerged from the spiralling stairs that led upstairs. His back bent as he gave a respectable bow to all the scythes and retainers in presence.

Melzri waved her hand and the man straightened his back. His eyes washed over the one of the most powerful individuals in Alacrya, their intangible aura of power and superiority extending over them making every breath shallow and strained.

Finally upon landing his gaze over where it was supposed to be, he took quick, frightened steps.

"Scythe Seris. The High Sovereign wants you to preside over the Ordainment Ceremony held for Scythe Grey and Scythe Nico." The man said and handed a scroll to her, wrapped in a golden encasing and jewels all over it.

Seris took it, a wave of paranoia washing over her as she pondered over why Agrona had asked her. The subtle frown gracing her forehead made the guard flinch as he gave a steep bow and departed leaving a lingering silence between all scythes and retainers.

"I say all of this is bullshit. How did even Cadell lose to that kid? And now this overly exaggerated ceremony for him and another boy who's only plus point is that he's a reincarnate. Nothing else. He does nothing but tarnish the name of all scythes." Dragoth grumbled, his voice seething with anger as he spoke with clenched teeth. His retainer—Uto, snickered, earning a glare from all scythes in attendance.

"Your envy is all over the place, Dragoth. The HIgh Sovereign won't take light to your mindless blabber." Melzri spoke, her voice devoid of any emotion.

"Envy? Me? I am the Great Dragoth of Vecho.."

"Who always remained second because you could never surpass Cadell. Now that he was done in by a kid, the envy and disbelief is rotting your insides." Seris spoke suddenly as all eyes shifted to her.

A vein bulged at his temple as he walked closer to Seris. His muscles tightened as they grew in size, the already huge mass doubling in size. Cylrit remained static, his gaze distant as it remained focused on Uto.

"You think you have what it takes to talk like that and get away from me... huh? Seris?" Dragoth seethed with anger as he spoke, his breath reaching Seris' face.

"Do you want to try?" Seris answered back with a confident expression, no reflection of any feeling whatsoever on her face. A palpable tension lingered in the air as sheens of mana augmented both of them. The sheen started to expand as more and more mana was poured into it.

Seris didn't waver for a split second, holding on the cold battle of superiority. Dragoth's eyes widened as her manifestation of mana started to overpower his own before completely fading away.

"Now is not the time and place. Also, brandishing weapons and usage of offensive mana inside the High Sovereign's castle warrants a penalty of death," Seris paused as the corner of her lips curved into a smirk, "Which, I am sure, given your cowardice, you definitely don't want to happen." She said and looked in Dragoth's eyes.

"I am getting late."

Dragoth's size shrink as he gave way to Seris, "Until next time, Seris."

"I wish I could say the same." Seris replied before motioning for Cylrit to follow her.

Walking through an empty hallway with nothing but enormous, glazed windows letting a fraction of sunlight intrude and lit the hallway, Seris and Cylrit walked side by side.

"Hey, Cylrit..."

"Yes, Scythe Seris."

"Do you think he told him everything?"

"Ruling out the possibility would be foolish. However, I don't think it's him."

Seris quietened and then spoke, "I think Agrona is aware of the fact that a scythe is rogue. Or he has a slight notion of it in his mind. So he is using the grand stage as an excuse to sniff the person out."

"That can be the case." Cylrit replied, his tone awkward and shy as he kept his gaze low.

"Get your mind out of whatever indecorous thoughts you're having and focus on the task at hand."

"Y-Yes."

The doors leading to the balcony from where Seris was supposed to preside over the ceremony opened followed by a blinding light. The light receded and a silhouette appeared amidst the fading sunlight.

Her eyes narrowed as the figure turned back. A clear, raspy voice fell on her ears like a low grumble of thunder during the advent of a stormy night.

"You must be Scythe Seris. Nice to meet you," her eyes widened as he continued to speak, "My name is Grey. Grey Vritra."

Grey finished his introduction with a smile on his face and a glare in his eyes forcing Seris's agape mouth shut. Agrona appeared right beside him as he looked at Seris. The thin brows knitted in frustration but soon relaxed as his scarlet eyes washed over hundreds of people from renowned highbloods.

"Begin the ceremony." Agrona said and walked past the two before looking at Seris one last time. Soon his figure disappeared in the dark hallway followed by a flash of amethyst as Grey vanished from sight as well, leaving Seris behind with a confused mind and beating heart.

(A/n) Am I back? Idk myself. Let's see.

Idk if this story is a lost cause or no but after a lot of coercion, I MIGHT---keyword, might come back. I have a chapter in store but no promises for a regular update schedule. Also, point to drill into your skulls is that I am continuing just 1 fic. 1 fic at a time. That is all. And please----as much as I appreciate it, any questions about what happened in past, keep it to yourselves since I dont want to discuss, talk or even think about it. Thanks !