Chapter 27: Pass

Julius rubbed his cheek, standing up slowly. His eyes were locked on the group, vision scanning over each one individually.

While Nana and Kairas passed initially, and Aqua was left to struggle in her own world, Takabi was the only one to use force to break out. The method had been taxing on him. Julius could tell from his heavy breathing and the sweat from his forehead, but here he stood, with a fire burning in his violet eyes that told all he was ready to brawl.

The boy was a different breed all on his own. Even his twin seemed to be at his limit, and was choosing to recover before standing back up.

Kairas' wounds healed as he got to his feet, but his mana had not recovered, not fully. He looked at Jewel, turning all attention to her and approaching her, kneeling down once he got close and taking her hand.

"You okay," He asked in a soothing tone. She nodded at his words.

Takabi smiled faintly, before looking back at Julius. Nana got to her feet, brushing dirt from her clothes.

When She noticed her change of appearance, she raised an eyebrow. She was dressed for a wedding. A short violet dress that hugged her body a bit too tightly. Her hair was in a messy ponytail. She brushed her face, then her stomach, blinking at the red liquid that graced her fingers. Smelling it, it reeked of blood's scent.

"Someone…" She began, "Wanna tell me exactly what happened?"

Julius' shoulders rose and fell in a strained chuckle. "Oh, it was glorious. I mentioned to Jewel how no one passes these tests before a certain time period. You broke that, by miles. Rather violently too, I might add." His gaze scanned her expression. Unchanged, full of curiosity. "I truly… Didn't think it was possible to resolve your heart to someone so strongly like that. The blood you shed in jealousy and rage was astonishing."

Nana opened her mouth, a feeling of intense guilt running through her belly. She placed a hand on her stomach, as if she hazily remembered the details of her world. "What… Do you mean?"

"You killed. Not just the bride," He said, pointing at Takabi. "But him too. Him, and all the people that celebrated their union."

Nana's eyes went wide. She looked at Takabi, as if she was hoping he'd say something.

Nothing came from him. Instead, he kept himself in front of her, arm out at his side to keep Nana from attacking Julius.

"What's amazing is the darkness that consumed you. It was so full of hate and denial. That will truly was marvelous. For you, I allow passage."

Next, he looked at Kairas, though the boy paid no attention to him.

"Kairas, the mama's boy." His head perked up. Slowly, he faced Julius, clearly unhappy at how he had been addressed. "Revenge fuels you. Without that factor, you feel lost. Heart as cold as ice, down to the core. So much that the image of your own mother, and the one who holds your heart, can't stop you on the path you've chosen."

For a moment, his eyes snapped to Jewel and back.

"I spoke the truth earlier. I truly intended to take Jewel as my queen, now even more so. I've never had a woman so strong willed to save her comrades." He chuckled, getting to his feet. "Clearly, she gave me a lot of trouble despite the factors that helped her. The battle was one of pure joy for me." He looked up at the clear sky, then down and around at the melted snow. "So much, I may have gotten carried away."

"You talk a lot," Takabi said. "Are we allowed up the mountain or not?"

He took a long pause. His eyes looked over them again.

Their faces were full of determination, full of exhaustion but not defeat.

"Honestly, against my better judgement, I've taken a liking to you all." He stood straight, closing his eyes and lowering his head. "May our Lord be with you on your travels."

Aqua stood up finally, her face dazed and red. She looked as if she just came to her senses, confused about the situation. "Huh? What's going on?"

"Nothing," Nana began. She touched the girl's shoulders. "We were just leaving." The Angel led Aqua back towards the cave. Kairas picked up Jewel on his back, following after the two.

Takabi was the only one that remained, as he had a question brewing in his mind. "Do you know Syrreth?"

Julius rose his head. "The White Dragon Princess? Yes, I do."

"I heard she had come for the same reason we did. She was looking for an antidote to the Scale Curse. If this is the only place that has that, then she came up this way." He looked around. "I broke your dimension, and she's not here."

"Aye," He confirmed. Julius relaxed himself, his tone gruff and throat dry. "She is just along the way. I've no knowledge as to why she has not returned after all this time however."

Takabi sucked in a lungful of air. He was concerned more than he had been before. He turned, looking upwards after everyone else, before picking up his feet and starting after them. Once they entered the cave, crystals on the ceiling lit up in a white color, stretching far ahead. They exchanged glances, before moving ahead, entrance to the cave shutting tightly behind them.

Julius exhaled, rubbing his chin. "My. They improve every year."

Pain ripped through his chest. Looking down, his eyes went wide at the metal that poke through. Red, stained with his blood, and the magic essence of its wielder. He had no clue who it was, mind hazy as lightning surged through him, ripping at his thoughts with pain and numbness. His vision gave way to darkness, before he fell face first into the soil. A pair of footprints moved past him, drowned out by the incoming storm clouds.