[37.6] Hazel's Truth

[Author's note: This chapter is from Hazel's POV]

I raised my head to see Astra sitting on the temple bench, kicking her feet in the air.

She stared back at me with eyes of loathing, "This human was taught to never show or feel any emotions. She was taught not to have any desires. She was taught to be Holy."

I stood up slowly and brushed my hands on my dress, "She was taught to be a weapon."

Astra tilted her head, "And what a weapon she was."

I crossed my arms, "So what do I owe this great pleasure?"

She pursed her lips, "Isn't it obvious? I'm saving all of you."

I raised an eyebrow, "You finally chose a side?"

"Sides, sides, sides. I'm tired of everyone talking about sides." She hopped off the table and walked to me, "I'm with Zephyr."

I rolled my eyes, "How am I not surprised?"

"Right now he's fighting my brother trying to protect all of you."

I gripped my arms but maintained a collected face, "How is he… Doing?"

She stared up at me, "Not good. He's bleeding a lot."

I bit down on my lip.

"You know… I don't like it when my family fights."

I let out a sigh and nodded, "Does anyone?"

She continued, "But what's confusing me is why you're here. Didn't you and my brother have some type of deal?"

I felt a rush of anger come over me, "We did! It's that bratty sister of yours who is interfering!"

Astra looked a bit surprised, "Rose did?"

I let out a chilling laugh, "Should I kill her this time? Don't I have a perfect excuse?!"

"STOP IT!"

I flinched from her scream and looked down at her without expression.

The overwhelming feeling I had before was slowly fading away.

"Think of Zephyr." Astra stared up at me, "Or do you not actually care about his feelings?"

I closed my eyes and took a deep breath, "Fine. I won't retaliate."

She scoffed, "How can I believe that? I seem to recall you also said you would never attack us."

I forced a smile, "You saw my desire, didn't you? It came from my heart."

Astra looked back at me unconvinced, "All it takes is for you to go psycho again."

I shook my head and spoke firmly, "That won't happen again."

She stared at me, "You don't own him."

I nodded, "I don't."

She watched me for a little longer before shaking her head, "I'll never believe you. People don't just change… Especially humans."

"Then why'd you save me?" My smile turned sinister, "Why wouldn't you take advantage of this opportunity to kill me?"

"I'm not going to hurt Zephyr." Astra turned and opened a temple door, revealing a bright light behind it. She turned back to face me, "I will leave it to you to do that… After all, I know you were just going along with all of this. You could stop it if you wanted to. I'm sure you purposefully got trapped here just to trick Zephyr into believing your pitiful story."

I shouted in frustration, "What will it take for you to believe me!?"

She gave me a cold look, "I will NEVER believe you and I will do anything to keep Zephyr safe."

I bit down on my lip.

I'm losing everything again.

It's escaping my grasp.

I took a deep breath and spoke in a calm voice, "I lost it, you know."

She paused, "...What?"

I looked her in the eyes, "I lost my immunity."

I watched as shock passed through her eyes, "W-What?!"

I smiled, "Do you really think I'd let her see my desire if I had a choice?"

Astra stared at me in disbelief, "There's no way! You're just going along with this because you don't want to reveal your true self!!"

I laughed in spite of myself, "I'm honored that you think of me as a mastermind, but demonic magic can affect me in this life. I made a deal with a higher power, and unfortunately, I had to give up my sight and my immunity to magic. Now I can hardly handle being around magic without getting sick."

"Why are you telling me this!?"

I reached out to pat her head, "I'm trying to build trust, my dear sister-in-law."

She shooed off my hand, "And what if I use your weakness to finally kill you once and for all!?"

I gave a carefree shrug, "Then I will have no choice but to reveal who I am and defend myself. I may not be immune anymore, but I'm not completely helpless."

Astra pinched her eyebrows together as she tried to make sense of the news.

I leaned close to her with a mad look in my eye, "Although, I wonder what Zephyr would do if he found out? Surely you realize I won't let him out of my grasp this time."

She leaned away from me, "You're crazy."

I let out a laugh as I strolled to the gateway back to reality, "Crazy in love~"

I stepped through the doorway and eventually woke up in a daze to the sound of fighting in front of me. Zephyr was desperately trying to protect the limp bodies behind him.

Cyrus was making a grimace while he was unconsciously laying on the ground.

He must be stuck in the illusionary realm too…

But why isn't he breaking the illusion?

Out of the corner of my eye, I noticed a strange smoke crawling around Reika. I easily recognized it as corruption as it was absorbed into the sealing stone that resurfaced on her forehead.

I let out a sigh as I watched Zephyr struggling to fend off the shadow men with only his claws.

He won't use his magic even now?

I thought a thousand or so years would give him ample time to figure out how to control his illusions…

Well, I guess it's a bit nostalgic to see him still fighting with his claws.

I stood up next to him and held up my fists. I gave him a smile, "Astra will wake up the two sleepy heads."

He clicked his tongue as his chest heaved from the exertion, "She's here?"

"Yeah and she's not very happy, either." I turned to the shadow men and felt my smile disappear, "We just have to hold them off until they wake up."