Chapter Eight

My beta reader is out of commission so pardon the spelling and grammatical mistakes... OK?

~4,049 words

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A cacophony of sounds blasted in the wide-open backyard.

Sparks frizzante everywhere as metal clashed against metal in a rapid succession. Hundreds of strikes exchanged in the mere blink of an eye. The twinkling, flashing sparks combusted into a nexus of programmed explosions, making them look like fireworks. 

Grey's step faltered, his heel touching the stem of a plant.

"You better not break it", Seris' voice was muffled by the near instant dash, her sword of pure mana that came whistling down on Grey was blocked by his own sword.

A bead of sweat rolled down Grey's face, a palpable tension lingering in the air. His spine bent backward as Seris applied more force at their swords that clashed against each other, overpowering him with brute strength.

Grey bent even further, a splintering pain going through his spine. His facial features crunched up in annoyance.

"Come on now, Grey, use that technique of yours", Seris' voice was like a calm, tranquil breeze but it was enough to incite a thundering storm inside him.

A metallic taste filled his mouth followed by a slight tingle as he bit the inside of his lower lip.

Thoughts of inefficiency and lack of strength haunted his mind... corroding the hollow husk of a man he already was, even further.

Being weak is pathetic...

It was the only chant in his mind as more mana flowed from his core and into his limbs. His blade glowed in a shade of crimson before igniting his flames. The intensity of the flames increased- its colour changing in a rapid succession until it became a scorching blue colour.

With a flick, the flames leached on Seris' robe. It was a simple tactic. Tightening the grip over the hilt of her sword she slashed at him, but her sword stopped midway, a strong repulsive aura repelling her blade from landing.

Quick mana augmented steps brought her a few yards away from Grey.

A thick, dense cloud of dust rose up. The pile of rubble trembled, a lone rock sliding from the slope of the pile.

Seris' eyes remained fixed on him. Her heart was beating rapidly- clobbering at its ribcage as she continued to keep track of Grey's mana signature. Her obsidian eyes tracked every corner of the wide backyard.

It was calm...

Deathly calm...

Like she was in a morgue... death staring right at her.

A slight sheen of white started to spread from the place where Grey stood at its source, spreading, branching further. Thick flakes of ice started to fall- a visual drop in temperature. Seris extended her hand, letting a flake of snow land in the palm of her hand. She looked at it with a soft expression but crumpled it in her hand, looking up. 

In the corner of the yard, Cylrit stood in front of the navy haired girl, Caera Denoir, whose lips trembled subtly at the sudden drop of temperature. Her grip tightened over something in her lap. She brought it close to her chest, gently patting the space between its tiny stubs that protruded from the either side of her head.

Rubbing her eyes violently, Caera looked forward, mana augmenting her eyes so she can see the view of the cataclysmic duel between her mentor, Scythe Seris and the boy she had been recently acquainted with, Grey.

The rising began to clear, revealing a silhouette. Although his features were obscured by the opaque veil, it still couldn't hide the otherworldly presence. Golden runes shimmered to life under Grey's eyes, arms, feet and under his ribs. His eyes became visible as they glistened in a vibrant shade of Lavender.

He snapped his fingers.

The next moment Wind mana blew away the static mist. His slit-eyed gaze landed on Seris. She stood tall and confident, holding her ground. Obsidian gaze never left the sight of Grey as she continued to read every twitch in his muscles, trying to predict his movements and formulate a counterattack for it in advance.      

Seris' view became clear as she saw Grey. His face was impassive, evident frustration plastered over his face for being pushed this far. His white hair elevated subtly above, like fluttering under the influence of a brisk breeze.

Crackles of lightning resonated, sparks flaring to life around Grey's left hand while icy claws formed on his right. Thin white mist travelled over his sword turning it into a mystical ice sword.

A look of satisfaction flashed over Seris, "That's better. Now show me all you've got", her voice toned down as a deafening explosion near her ear made her flinch. It took a few seconds for her to realise, but she caught up quickly. "You've unlocked sound, haven't you?" Her head tilted to the right, eyebrow raising in question.

"It's not perfect, but I guess it will work", Grey spoke for the first time. Syphoning mana from his core that shone in a vibrant shade of light yellow, he pressed the ground underneath his heel. Seris' senses heightened, her eyes and ears utterly focused on Grey.

Grey dashed towards Seris, leaving a trail of charred tiles behind...

But something felt off...

Just in the mere split of a second, Seris' hair stood on its edge as she swung her arm backward, blocking the downward curve from Grey's sword. The impact was heavy, making the bones in her arm rattle.

But the force of the blow wasn't what shocked her. It was the deathly calm of the surroundings that shocked her. The only sound was the cawing of ravens circling the perimeter of the old mansion. She heard nothing. Not the air whistling from the speed of attack, no sound of steps, no sound of spells buzzing. Just an eerie silence.

Her eyes looked in every direction. Searching, probing for any signs of him. But even with her being one of the best sensory mages she found it extremely hard to trace him with the basic five senses.

"What's the matter, Seris? Why don't you use your Regalia?" A voice spoke from her left. Desperation took over her, making her slash her left corner. Pure mana extended from her sword- physically manifesting and took the shape of a crescent as it went tumbling towards the wall, cleaving it into half. The walls shook violently under the pressure of one less support. "Come on... you're better than this..."

His voice ringed in her ears once again. It came from everywhere. Like thunder rumbling in her ears she couldn't discern his position. His steps were muffled and mana signature barely traceable. But the technique had its faults. He was using ambient mana to mask his mana usage. An equal input and output. But the low proficiency in the technique allowed a narrow window. A minor leak of mana.

It was subtle. However, for an experienced Scythe like Seris, it was enough.

Once again Grey's sword came down at her. Clad in scorching blue flames his sword came crashing down at blinding speeds. Her head tilted a little to the left, avoiding the attack. The sweltering heat made beads of sweat roll down her face and on to her pale, smooth neck. A slight burn mark appeared on her cheek by the second slash that came right after she evaded the first.

That was when she felt it. Grey's presence right by her right side. His agitated breath from the overly extended use of second phase and mana arts that requires extreme focus hit Seris. His breath was warm and tired. He was struggling. The veil that masked his mana signature was getting compromised with every passing second, letting minute traces of mana trickle out as Seris avoided his barrage of thundering sword strikes one after another.

Spinning on her heel she extended her hand backwards as it came in contact with something tangible although she could see nothing.

"Playtime's over, Grey" Pure mana condensed in a small area of her palm, compressing and morphing into a little bomb. Overloading the small area with a rapid input of pure mana, the enclosed space became vitiated- not being able to take more it exploded.

Once again, the yard was filled with a thick dust as it raised upward in a mushroom shape. The deafening explosion was vociferous. In the corner Caera's hands travelled up to her ears while the little creature buried its face inside her chest. Cyrit's features crunched, his left eye shutting tightly from the discomfort the ear-splitting explosion caused.

Seris took a step back, then another. Her body relaxed, her robe that fluttered vigorously, slowed down in tandem with the outflux of explosion that died out gradually. Her gaze remained fixed at the place where she exploded the pure mana at point blank,

"It was a good duel, Grey. You should be proud to push a scythe to this limit. But it'll still take some time to-"Her words stuck in her throat as she saw the dismantled- fragmented pieces of an earthen golem. The golem was blown to smithereens. The head of the golem laid in the corner; a smirk formed over the muddy features.

How? I sensed his mana signature. Is he able to duplicate it?

Her thought process was interrupted as a glacial cold blade pressed against her smooth, pristine skin-

"You underestimate me too much, Seris" Grey's voice ringed from behind, his breath subtly fraying her pearl hair from behind. He was out of breath, his clothes tattered- an evidence of successful strikes Seris landed on him. His one hand gripped the cold metal hilt of the sword while the other on the left side of his chest.

Seris scoffed, still standing straight. However, her muscles showed no movement- not a single twitch. She stood there for a brief moment. Taking in a deep breath she let out a slight laugh. Turning around she placed her hand over Grey's head and ruffled his hair, "Well that makes it 44 losses and 1 win." She said with a smug smile and ruffled his hair again, disheveling them such that his eyes were covered with it.

Grey brought his hands up trying to catch her hands to stop it, "Hey! Hey! Stop it!" Grey flailed his arms around like a baby while Seris just giggled at his antics.

"PAPA!!!" A voice ringed in Grey's head. Looking back, he saw a pitch-black creature, half his own size with two wings tucked at its back. It pounced at Grey and tackled him down to the ground, pinning him to the cold floor with its legs. Its mouth opened as a long tongue made its way to Grey's face, licking it vigorously. Soon his face was covered in its spit, as it affectionately licked the life out of Grey.

"Aghh- Sylv, Sylvie... stop... STOP!" Grey managed to say, slightly pushing the little dragon to the side. Sitting straight up his extended both of his palms and the dragon placed its face between his palms, and rubbed its cheeks with it,

"Papa... Are you okay?" She asked Grey via their mental connection. Grey gave her a sad smile as a warm feeling encompassed his chest. He felt so much...  Happiness, joy, excitement, pride, sadness, regret, gloom... all at the same time. However, he made sure not to let even a fraction of negative emotion trickle to his bond.

"I am fine, Sylv. Don't worry about me." He said, rubbing her chin as she wagged her tail scantly. Hurried but hushed steps made Grey's face turn to the right, as he saw his friend, Caera and Cylrit coming towards him. The handsome retainer's crimson eyes scrutinised him heavily, looking from up to down.

"Grey!" Caera almost yelled as she sat by him, placing her hand over his shoulder. Grey looked back, his golden-slit eyes meeting her ruby eyes. "Alive and victorious", Grey smirked. Letting out a strained breath, Caera took out a bottle of water from her dimensional ring and gave it to him. Grey took it and placed his hand over its cap as he uncapped it and started drinking it.

"Well today is your last day here, Grey. Tomorrow, you have to go for your first dive. You both can go on a date, so you don't miss each other too much. Besides, I need her to focus on her training. She has been slacking too much." Seris said with a coy smile, looking at Caera who was now looking downwards with a slight blush over her face.

"I'd prefer to rather go with you-"

"Ok... It's decided. Get dressed you two... and you, Grey. Get a bath. You reek... as always." Seris said, pinching her nose with two fingers and then looked at the dragon, "And give her a bath too." The colour from Sylvie's face drained as she took a step back. "Papa no", However her plea turned on deaf ears as Grey grabbed her by her tail and started dragging her,

"No way I am letting you roam around with that foul stench, Sylvie. Stop resisting", Grey said, pulling her. Mana augmented her claws, making scratched trails along the charred-frozen floor, making a tingling voice. "Using mana now, aren't we? You're going to regret it." Grey spoke with a smirk and pulled her away, augmenting his own limbs and dragged her away.

Once he was gone, Caera followed after him after giving Seris a swift bow. Seris saw Caera's form disappear behind the huge wooden door with intricate runes running in a nexus of complicated inscribings.

Once they both were gone, Seris let out an inaudible sigh, "It's been 7 years already, huh?" Seris asked no one, just reminiscing her time since Grey arrived. "They grow up fast".

"The girl, Caera... yeah, she grew up really fast. However,", Cylrit paused as he looked over to Seris. She looked up matching his gaze as he looked down, "They boy, Grey. He might've grown physically but he's the same." Cylrit completed his sentence and went silent, leaving his sentence incomplete- letting the silence speak for him.

"And what are you trying to imply by saying that?" Seris asked, playing with the flake of snow fumbly still in her hand, preserved with mana.

"The boy might be the reincarnate who failed to enter in its supposed vessel." Cylrit said, awkwardly as she dropped the flake to the ground.

"Maybe. But we can't be sure of it too much", Seris paused, thinking over her words, "but then again, his behaviour, the way he carries himself- everything makes me doubt it. But how did he end up here? If Sylvia gave him her will, why would she send him to Alacrya?" Seris said, making Cylrit go deep in thought. A frown formed over his face as he racked his brain over the possibilities of what might've happened.

"We can think of all that later. For now, let's just concentrate on sending him to the relictombs. After a year when he's 12, the first phase of war will be coming to an end. He has to gather enough wealth and merit to be of some importance. Enough that his words carry meaning and significance. Enough to make a change."  Seris said, looking down.

"With all due respect, Scythe Seris... but are you planning on alleviating his status by making him a..."

"A Highblood, yes. And the strongest one among all." Seris completed the sentence of Cylrit as she stood up and started walking away.

"But Scythe Seris, He's just one boy who isn't even 12. Nor does he have any family members. How can he become a Highblood all alone?" Cylrit asked, bewildered at the statement of Seris.

"He might be one... but that's enough to topple everyone in his way." She said with a thousand-yard stare. The memory of his harrowing- suffocating bloodlust flashed in her mind making a shiver running down her spine,

"Grey", she said in a silent whisper, "Just who are you?"

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Men shouting, some screaming, yelling, throwing profanities. A mixed stench of blood, sweat, grime. Clattering of swords from a group of people fighting over a robbery, some having a heated argument because of a potential fraud regarding the price and quality.

It was a peculiar sight for Grey and Caera as they both saw the first floor of the way that led to Relictomb zones. But no matter how much they seemed busy with their idle chatter and little squabbles, everyone started to abandon their work and whatever they indulge themselves in and lowered their heads, some taking knees and bowing.

The sight of Seris' horns and hair made everyone shrivel in fear and respect, who was followed by Cylrit, clad in a pitch-black armour. They arrived by the teleportation gate.

"The boy will go on his preliminary ascent", Seris spoke out loud, getting the attention of the attendant who checked the identity of everyone who entered the portal. 

"Who is i-. Ahh, Scythe S-Seris! Sure, that would be no problem", he peeked from the corner of her shoulder and looked at me, "But esteemed Scythe... will the boy go alone?" He asked, "won't it be har-"

His words stuck in his throat as he stood petrified, unable to even remove his eyes from Seris as I let the full weight of my killing intent fall on him. The colour from his face faded- becoming deathly pale. Seeing as this was enough, Grey retracted it. He heard multiple murmurs of people speaking and chattering about him, but He ignored it all.

"I think that will be enough proof that the boy can make it there on his own", Seris said in her usual apathetic voice she used in public- the cold monotone voice, masking her warm and loving personality perfectly under a veil of an emotionless scythe.

"Y-Yes, that would be enough." He said, reading the Ascender Card Grey gave to him. His eyes went wide as he saw the results. All of his abilities were graded the maximum that one could get. However, what he saw after that was what really shocked him, "Grey of blood... Unnamed?" Instead of speaking it out loud he asked himself. It was unusual for someone from blood unnamed to have a record-breaking score in the ascender exam.

"That would be me", Grey said, as he took a step forward. Turning on his heel he turned back. "Well, this is goodbye I guess... for now", Grey said with a genuine smile. A smile no one often saw but knew he was capable of.

"Good luck, boy" Cylrit spoke from behind as he walked closer to him and took out a sword. "This is one of the swords I was bestowed as a gift from the Scythe Seris when I became her retainer. I think you are more worthy of this sword as compared to me." Cylrit said and handed the sword to Grey. It was a slim sword- a bit long for Grey but in the coming year he would be able to use it. He was already as tall as Cylrit, just a bit above Seris.

"Won't you be giving me something, Scythe Shortie?" Grey said with a smirk and the attendant's consciousness faded in and out... his soul almost leaving his body.

Seris' emotionless facade faltered for a moment as she smiled, "Become a named blood first. I will think of bestowing you a gift then." She said and gave him a slight pat on his shoulder.

Next up was Caera who stood slightly hunched, an embarrassed expression over her face, the blush travelling from one ear to another. Seeing her sullen expression Grey decided to alleviate her mood, "What? Missing me already?" He joked and Caera's blush grew even further,

"Absolutely not. I... I will be stronger than you the next time we meet." Caera said, enthusiasm burning like a flaming tornado in her ruby eyes. Grey chuckled, "That I am not sure of. Although you can try." Grey teased, earning a small punch from Caera on his shoulder. They both laughed but soon Caera stopped, her head drooping down as she bit her lip.

"I'll miss you", she said, a choked sob escaping her. Grey looked at her with a sad look, "I know", Grey paused letting her emotions get through him, as he gave her some hope that he understood her emotions and goodwill. After a brief pause, he spoke again, "I'll visit you in your academy if I have some free time", he said, patting her head, ruffling the smooth stream of navy-blue hair.

"You will?" Her mood visibly brightened up as she wiped the tears from her eyes with the sleeve of her shirt.

"I will definitely try... but no promises", Grey answered honestly. It was true. He had a huge mission of raising his status- that could be done only with merit and finding something useful for the Vritra in relictombs. Along with advancing his core to the stage beyond white so he could hear the voice of the only one he could remember from the time before he came to Alacrya. He was currently at high silver. Visible cracks ran along the core with a shimmering white light permeating from it.

"But you have to try your best, ok?" Caera ordered, her eyes still red and her voice coming out as nothing but a desperate whisper.

"Haha, I will... I will", Grey said, once again in a sombre tone as he ruffled her hair, "I will go now", he said to everyone in general and stepped towards the portal.

Looking over his shoulder he saw the trio standing there, each one with their own unique smile. Cylrit with a smirk, Seris with a proud and melancholic and Caera with a smile that was both sad and determined. A plethora of emotions washed over his chest as he looked at the only family he had these past 7 years and the only ones in his memories that he still had who genuinely cared about his well being. His heart fluttered as he saw their faces.

A part of him wanted it too...

To never leave the sight of them...

However, he was doing all this to do just that. Become strong enough so he could keep the selfless associates close to himself... always and forever, no matter what impediments and trammels fate threw at him. He wanted to be there for them... just like how they have always been there in his sleepless and nightmarish nights and troubled days filled with his traumatic past.

With the single thought of preserving the smile of this family and finding his old, biological family- whom he had no memory of, he stepped inside the portal. The portal swayed for a moment- the particles that formed it fraying.

The space in front of him bent and twisted. A wave of nausea overcame him as he put a hand over his mouth. His tunnelled vision with nothing but dark with a white entrance enlarged as he came more and more close to it. Soon he was on the other side as he found himself, throwing up on all four.

Grumbling, Grey stood up, "Damn these teleportation gates. Always makes me sick." He cursed under his breath, muttering to himself. With all of his nausea gone away he took a deep breath.

A warm, rancid breath touched his face as his nose crunched up at the foul stench. A huge shadow loomed over him. He looked up as a scowl formed on his face.

"Ahh fuck-"   

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(A/n Pretty big chapter I must admit. Well, that was it. I know I said I have a schedule but the temptation of pressing the orange button is too much. My self-control is fading away. Also, I am a bit pissed rn so maybe reading y'all comments might alleviate this extremely foul mood of mine.

Also, I might be saying this again and again- but anyways, I have a COTE x TBATE fic too. Give it a read if you want to.

Anyways I hope y'all enjoy this chapter. And I'm out. Good night fucking night owls :)

SAYONARA