Partnership

(A/N Endure my inexperienced ass on these types of genres)

Jin-Woo POV

When we entered the portal I found myself in a forest a thick, and big forest at least it wasn't cold anymore I thought. It was dark and quiet. Too quiet, I turned around to look at our surroundings. Suddenly an arrow flew towards me, I deflected it but a few more shot towards me.

I managed to deflect some while Seris did the same. We managed to find the creatures and kill them while it was hard to detect them we finally managed to kill most of them. We kept our guard up until there were no more attacks.

"Keep low and try to walk behind bushes" I said to her

She nodded and we kept on moving through the forest or jungle we were in. We managed to find a cave to stay in before it got dark. I entered first to check and when it was good I called her to come in.

We were quiet, awkwardly quiet. I didn't knew why but she wouldn't make eye contact with me so I thought she was afraid of me? I pushed those thoughts away so I wouldn't get distracted and started to set up camp. We took a few glances out side the cave whenever we heard some rustling or any sort of sound coming from the outside.

We couldn't sleep as the constant sounds coming out of the cave and we weren't taking any chances of going out in the dark. We could use fire but I don't know much about this place and I don't want to use Antares too much it would arouse suspicious if I used him too much. I trust her but I can't trust her fully although we've been working together for years even I haven't told Arthur about my identity and I've only told Sylvia of what I was.

That night my mind was flooded with doubt and debate of my decisions. I felt the burden I was carrying on my shoulder as I needed someone to talk too but at the same time would they accept me? Would they see me as a monster or as a harbinger of chaos. I kept thinking of my old live as I thought of the possible live I could've had if I was able to protect them.

At times like this I needed to be calm but when I saw how Seris was behaving towards me after seeing Antares doubt clouded my mind as I thought of the bonds I've made in this world. Would they behave the same as Seris ? Or would they be worst ?

In the end none of us got any sleep and the sun was already rising again. While we were about to leave I sense danger and I quickly pulled Seris towards me and set up a barrier. Before she could say anything I covered her mouth with my hand then locked her in front of my body with my other arm and I looked outside. The ground shook as I heard the trees rustle louder and when I looked up was a giant behemoth its height rivaling Antares's dragon form walked past us.

I felt a very big amount of mana and aether emitting from it. It had four legs and it looked like those big herbivore dinosaurs but this one was clearly not herbivore as I saw it holding a corpse of some sort of creature on its mouth and its tail had multiple edges and spikes covering them. Seris kept on resisting as I waited for it to pass by, after a while it finally went away and I let her go.

She pushed herself away at me and turned to me giving me a glare her face bright red.

"We should continue with cautious we don't know how many of those are out there" I said

She nodded and went out first. I looked around us and sensed nothing so we proceeded to move carefully killing a few creatures on our way it was going well until a familiar shake on the ground got us both on guard. She looked at me and pointed on a tree branch. I shook my head knowing that it steps and tramples trees. I looked around to find another cave and pointed at it.

She nodded an we went into the cave. It was dark but we were alerted by a screech from inside the cave. We looked at the direction the screech came from and she took out some kind of light artifact and turned it on. It lit up the area pretty well considering its size, we looked at each other before the screech came again.

"Do you see any tunnels?" I asked

She shook her head and began searching. I kept close to the walls as I gave a few knocks to find any hollow walls. After a few minutes of searching we both found nothing but the screeches kept on coming from somewhere.

I searched and removed every rock I saw to find something or some kind of hidden entrance or button that would open something but after looking every where for nearly a whole day we found nothing. The rumbling outside can no longer be heard so we decided to leave because staying here would really be seeking trouble. We walked for a while until an arrow shot right in front of me. My face directly behind the arrow, I turned to where the arrow came from and used Ruler's authority. I was really impatient after the cave incident. We walked until we eventually found another cave.

I checked the inside and there were only a few weak creatures so I killed them and cleaned the place a little. Seris entered after me then we sat down awkwardly again both of us just staring at the fire. My mind still thinking about yesterday

"You've been spacing out lately" She said

"Ah oh sorry just have a lot in mind right now" I replied with a smile

"We should get some rest" I continued as I rested my body on the cave wall

Seris POV

Ever since we came to the second zone we were awkwardly quiet as I kept seeing Jin-Woo spacing out and deeply in thoughts. I was confused in what to do because I've never experienced this before. I was someone highly respected so people would appear at their best in front of me, while right now I'm with a man with higher rank than me and he seems to be down. I was confused at what to do because I only know so little about the man. I tried to pay no mind to it but my eyes kept unconsciously sneaking peaks at him.

I calmed myself and started to replenish my mana while doing so I was also keeping an eye on the outside but it seems that even in his state he was also on guard as we both looked at the entrance every time we heard rustlings or weird noises from outside the cave.

We eventually just stared at the floor and walls blankly until I saw the sun rise. I wanted to go out as quick as possible but suddenly Jin-Woo pulled me towards him, he was behind the entrance looking out. Before I was going to say something he covered my mouth and held my body with his other hand.

"This is harassment" I thought

But my thoughts were disturbed when I felt the ground shook as something was walking past us. My senses and instinct acted up wanting to get away but Jin-Woo still held me. His hand holding me on my stomach and his mouth still held my mouth. After a while the shakes stopped and he let go of me.

I pushed myself away from him and turned to him feeling annoyed and angry my face hot.

"What was that" I asked

He just shrugged and said

"We should move now and be careful we don't know how many of those are out there.

I nodded and went out first and I saw a foot print as big as a normal sized house. My eyes widened at the sight of that as I began to wonder what it was.

"There has never been any reports about this creatures on Ascent books" I thought

We walked around aimlessly and found that creature again I suggested to hide on a tree but Jin-Woo found a cave and suggested we go in there, when we got in there would be constant screeching noises and we couldn't find the source of the sound so we eventually moved to another cave that had a few monsters but we managed to clean it up and stay there.

Jin-Woo looked like he was thinking a lot similar to yesterday as he just stared blankly at the cave floor his face expressionless and his eyes empty. I don't know why but I wanted to know what was going on with him I was curious. He suggested for us to rest today as he leaned back to the cave walls. I got up after a few minutes and left the cave to get some fresh air but as I was spacing out I felt an attack coming towards me.

I deflected an arrow from my back and casted my barrier. My eyes and ears enhanced with mana as I scanned the area but there was no more attacks. I kept my guard up as I walked slowly towards the cave but something charged at me with a shield and knocked me off.

"Seris?" I heard Jin-Woo shouted

"I'm here" I said after a groan

My barrier was still up but that knock made me lose control of it and I landed on the ground barely able to coat myself in mana. Jin-Woo exited the cave and dealt with the ones in front of him while I got up but was soon charged again. I landed somewhere to get bashed by yet another shield. I landed a few feet from Jin-Woo as I couldn't think straight my head was a little dizzy after those charges.

I stood up and another charge came in which I managed to dodge and hit the attacker at his back as I turned back and dodge another bash. Jin-Woo was doing well seeing as he killed a few dozen of these but the only thing annoying was how spread off the creatures were as they've never attacked at a group which made us have to kill them individually. Dozen of them kept coming out from the bushes.

We fought them of for an hour me and Jin-Woo already collected a mountain of these creatures but there seems to be no end to this as they kept on coming towards us and charged us. I was slowly losing mana and stamina as the creatures kept coming individually at crazy speed. It blurted left and right to avoid my beams and when I was off guard another one bashed me knocking me.

Jin-Woo appeared beside me and carried me, I wrapped my hands around his neck as he sprinted somewhere random.

"We should be safe" He said as he offered me a healing vial

I took it and drank it "Thanks" I said

"We should've just run away if I knew they would kept on coming" He mumbled

"No its ok" I replied

"Lets move now" He said as he offered me his hand

I nodded and he helped me up

We wandered around the forest for a while until we found a small opened area. We set up a temporary camp there, Jin-Woo started to set up a camp fire in the middle while I replenished my mana and kept my guard up. I closed my eyes and focused my mind on mana but that was soon disturbed when I felt strong pressure of dreadful mana coming out of Jin-Woo

Jin-Woo POV

We managed to set up a temporary camp but I've realize that It was impossible to be safe in this forest with just two people so I called antares and my generals out. The first to appear was Antares, Bellion, Igris, Tusk, Jima, Iron, Tank, lastly Kaisel. They knelt in front of me I signaled them to look around and kill any monsters nearby, but as they were about to walk most of them exploded and returned to my shadow, leaving only Antares, Bellion, and Igris. I sighed and told them to guard the area for now.

Seris was behind me staring at them. I waved my hand and they all went and started to stand guard.

"Get some rest nothing will be able to touch us" I said to her

She didn't response as she kept staring at me with eyes filled with curiosity.

"Your not sleeping if I don't give an explanation aren't you?" I asked

She nodded and I sighed

"They're my summons they can be called anytime but something has been blocking me from calling most of them inside the Relictombs. I told her

She nodded and got her bedroll out to sleep. I stand guard next to the campfire as I kept on scanning the area. I sense some movements but most of them were dealt quickly by Bellion. We stayed the night there until the sun could be seen. The behemoth was not seen either so I guess it was a good sign.

We walked around finding clues to find the portal but no success so we kept on walking aimlessly marking all the places we've been. My soldiers were in a triangle formation a little far from us so I could detect enemies better.

As we have crossed and walked for hours, trees burnt and monster corpses towering it seemed as this forest had no end, so we kept on moving forward to find it, but as we were moving the ground shook again. I called Antares to stand by while Igris and Bellion would test it. The two charged and attack its body but the behemoth swung its tail knocking them back. I nodded and Antares walked forward

"We should leave" I said to Seris

She was just standing there staring at the behemoth her eyes darting up and down from the behemoth to Antares.

I called her again but still no response, I tapped her shoulder and she was finally out of her trance.

"Move back a bit things are going to get a little wild" I said

She nodded and followed me.

I gave Antares the signal and a familiar red dragon appeared in front of the behemoth. Antares roared at the behemoth and it roared back. The behemoth swung its tail towards Antares but it was stopped cold as I saw Antares charging his attack.

"Breath Of Destruction" I muttered

The shot hit the behemoth but it was still standing only burn marks could be seen. Antares clawed the behemoth causing it to bleed as Antares bit it. The behemoth pushed Antares back and managed to whip him with its tails. Antares stood up again roared as he charged another attack but the behemoth charged straight forward making Antares fired a one forth power breath and it didn't do much damage either.

I told Seris to stay out as I called Bellion and Igris to help Antares. I started to manifest my armor.

"Lets hope the room doesn't break" I thought as I was slowly covered in a clad of black-purple armor

The whole zone shook as my armor started to form the mana of death suffocating the area. I stared at the behemoth and got out the demon king's longsword and aimed for its neck. Soon all four of us had our focus on the behemoth, its skin thick and hard, its spikes sharp and teeth also sharp. The behemoth managed to bite Antares a few times but that didn't matter as Antares's scales stayed strong.

I stalled for Antares's Breath Of Destruction and I used Ruler's Authority to hold the behemoth down. My longsword on its neck barely making damage, I kept on slashing and stabbing. I infused more mana into my sword and finally managed to penetrate in. Antares had his attack ready so I teleported out of there. Antares fired it and hit the Behemoth point blank. Smoke covered it as it slowly fade, the behemoth's head already gone, reduced to ashes.

Antares returned to his normal state as Bellion and Igris kept on staying on guard. The body fell which caused the room to shake once again. I put away my armor and longsword then went to Seris.

"Let's hope that was the only one that existed" I said from behind her

She was startled as she took a stance after I said that.

"I hope so too" She sighed

I inspected her to see no noticeable damage so we should be able to continue on. But when we were about to walk Seris fell to the ground, I caught her. Her breathing was ragged as her body was hot, very hot. I inspected again to see a black fire shaped rune in her shoulder.

"Is the rune on the shoulder yours?" I asked

"Huh? I don't have any runes on my shoulder" She managed to say before passing out

I imbued my mana into it but nothing happened, I took out my healing potions and fed it to her nothing. I poured it over the rune but nothing also happen. I checked her heart to find it still beating.

"Igris Bellion find a cave, Antares find any creature that has this mana or aether signature" I ordered them

I kept on trying on channeling pure mana on the rune, but still nothing happened, her face in pain and her body started to tremble.

After more than an hour Igris and Bellion found a cave where I placed her to rest.

"I think I found them" Antares said

"What did you find?" I asked

"A camp filled with those things you fought last night. They had those runes stamped on a certain part of their shields" Antares replied

"Igris Bellion guard her" I ordered and went to Antares

It was a simple camp with wooden walls and some guard towers. The bull-like creatures standing guard and doing their activities. I activated my cloak and went in

None of them spoke but they stared at each other and understood what they needed.

"Telepathy?" I thought

I kept on walking to their camp and found the shields that had the same rune as the one on Seris's shoulder. I didn't know why but I felt angry my anger boiling inside me. I nearly lost control over myself had Antares not warn me. I kept on looking around while suppressing my killing intent. I found their chief? general or commanders camp.

Inside they actually spoke in words. They pointed at a map and kept on moving through it.

"I'm sure those two are here" One of them spoke as they pointed on the map

"Good at least I can understand them" I thought

"The rune showed where they were last time but the location was where the forest guardian and a dragon fought" Another said

"Well the one with the rune won't last for long if the rune stays in her" Another man laughed

I clenched my fist anger boiled as I failed to suppress my bloodlust. Antares came out and held a few of them while I used Ruler's Authority to hold them down.

"Is there a cure" I asked in a cold voice

"Gu.." Before he could finish I chopped of his head

Antares snapped his finger and created a barrier around us

(A/N: same barrier as the 1 used to kill the chairman)

I killed the useless ones who could only let out petty threats and kept on asking the rest as their numbers thin down one of the remaining three finally said

"There is" One of them said

"Where?" I asked my voice grim and threatening

"In that box" He pointed

I took the box and gave it to him

"Open it" I said as Antares moved behind the creature his claws behind its neck

The bull-like man opened it slowly revealing two green vials I took one of the vials then I went outside I took one of the shields then retuned back to the camp and bashed one of them, the rune planted at its face

"Now show me how to apply it" I ordered

The one with the bottle rubbed the liquid inside the vials on the rune and the rune slowly disappeared. I left them alive for now just in case it didn't work and went back to the cave Seris was in. She was still lying on the bedroll her body trembling and shaking while her breathing was louder. I quickly applied the liquid, nothing happened at first but soon the rune slowly disappeared and her breath stabilized.

I knelt in front of her checking her breath. She was alive, I was kneeling in front of her looking at her body as it had gone through a battle. She was sweating and her face seemed tired. I placed my hands on her unconsciously and squeezed it, I stayed on my position for a while until I realize what I was doing. I let go of her hand gently and left the cave to stand guard.

"What was that feeling."

Seris POV

I was in pain when I was about to move, my body felt like it was burning from the inside, after that it was all blank, nothing, dark. I woke up to see a cave ceiling and when I got up it felt like I had no energy to do so. Someone grabbed me so I didn't fall, when I looked who it was I widened my eyes and nearly tried to go to a battle stance but it was not necessary as I've seen this entity before a large knight with a light purple glow, jet-black armor covering him from head to toe, a tattered black cape, and a long red hair-like ornament extending out of the back of his helmet. He guided me outside and I saw Jin-Woo sitting on a tree branch outside the cave.

"She has awaken Master" It said

Jin-Woo turned towards me and smiled. My heart skipped a beat seeing his smile, He went down and walked towards us.

"Thank you Igris" He said

The knight gave a small bow

"How are you holding up?" He asked me

"I'm fine" I said but the timing couldn't be worst as my empty stomach growled

"Phfft" Jin-Woo covered his mouth and tried to not laugh

I felt my face heat up because of this as I was about to say something

"Alright lets get in and get you fed up" He said my face still hot

We entered the cave and Jin-Woo started to make some food. Few minutes later I already had enough strength to walk, and after that I smelled some meat being cooked as I walked towards the source of the smell.

"Be patient" He said

"I k.." My stomach growled again

I could see him trying so hard not to laugh as his whole body tremble and once again I felt my face heat up.

"You should sit down for now" He said

I nodded and went to a boulder to sit. A few minutes after he came bringing the food on his plate and gave me my share. I managed to hold my drool that was desperately trying to escape my mouth and began to eat it. It was good.

"I'm glad you like it seeing how fierce you chewing it" He said with a smile

I've been too hungry to think about eating slowly and when he mentioned that I started to eat slowly again embarrassed at my actions. After eating I felt good, I began to gather mana.

Jin-Woo took the plates and threw them somewhere outside. And he left the cave, I was worried but after seeing his last battle maybe being worried for him was stupid I sighed laughing at myself of being worried for someone as strong as him.

Moments later He returned with some more wood and he added them to the fire to keep it on. He turned towards me inspecting me then looked outside.

"You should rest I know your still tired" He said

I nodded and got ready to rest but before I could close my eyes his hand was on top of my forehead, and his other checked on my right shoulder

"It seems like your temperature's back to normal and the rune is fully gone" He said and left

My heart was beating crazy as I felt my face heat up. His soft touch on my forehead melted me. His warm touch gave me the feeling of care, realizing these frequent thoughts I've had about him.

Is This L...?

(A/N I'm too afraid to continue at this point)

We've known each other for years and he's helped me and I've helped him this is just a partnership. Nothing less nothing more I tried to keep convincing myself, but I couldn't as I kept remembering his touch, his scent, his embrace, his face, HIM. Mixed emotions brewed inside me as I was confused of what I was truly feeling. Was it really that? In the end I couldn't get any sleep.

These streams of thoughts that prevented me from thinking only grew stronger as I kept thinking about him. I've had these feelings after I cured Cynthia but I didn't knew what it was. My mind kept thinking over about how I acted in front of him, usually I'd be a cold and strict person whenever I went everywhere, but when I'm around me I get these childish thoughts, and kept on doing dumb mistakes.

I admit I was different around him but was it truly because of respect the only reason I managed to conclude years ago. Or was I fooling myself all this time?

Jin-Woo POV

After checking on her condition I left to get some fresh air confused of my actions towards her, why did I want to touch her so bad.

(A/N Send help I'm dying by my own cringe lines Jin-Woo going to be OOC btw prob just around his friends)

Her white soft skin I thought as I remembered how it felt in my hand. It was like hovering my hand above a campfire Warmth, I felt Warmth. Her constant behavior around me that I found amusing. Her smile seemed to shine bright in this abyss of mine.

(A/N I might take a break(Doing the other FF) for mental health cause writing this is draining it too much of my mental)

Her thin frame that seemed so fragile that made me urge to protect, her pained expression that tortured me. Was this truly the same feeling I felt long ago? Was this truly love? I stood still gazing at the fake night sky. My mind kept lingering about her after the rune I can't stop thinking about her when she nearly died, I felt dread something that I've grown used to after the second death of my family and friends.

I laughed at myself for being this pathetic. A being that is considered as a God of Death having trouble thinking about love. This was my second time feeling this ever since my first try. If what I truly felt was love then what would I do I asked myself as I pictured my family and friends dead corpses frozen in front of me while I was helpless only being able to watch.

(A/N Alright that should do I simply can't continue so yeah see you next chap)