Heartbreak

Kain was already back home, laying on his quilt. He slid his visor on and tapped the lens to start it up. The incredible white light enveloped his eyes as he was whisked away, back to True Life.

'Welcome back, Player: Wraith'

Opening his eyes, he could see the moon shining high above him. He had spent three hours in his world, so nine had passed here. He wasn't surprised.

"Master? Welcome back."

He turned just in time for Luna to bump her head against him.

'Lv. 61 Spectral Wolf Queen, Luna'

"Umm... what happened while I was gone?"

Luna turned towards the water.

"I drank some water, then they attacked me. A lot of them. Beat them up. I got something."

'Received Unknown Dragon Scales x 3 from Luna'

"Luna, did you go to the bottom?"

She shook her massive head.

"Nymphs. A few came up that were pretty friendly. They gave me these so that I wouldn't start trouble, though the crabs were another story."

Wraith smiled at her. He rubbed her head and placed his face against her muzzle.

"You are the best, Luna. Thank you so much."

Stepping back, Wraith could see happiness glimmering in her eyes.

'She fulfilled one condition all alone. She's probably got some easy experience gaining passive.'

Wraith began to walk away from the water, Luna on his heels.

"Master, move!"

Luna darted around Wraith, knocking him back several steps.

KBOOM

In that instant, Luna was thrown back passed Wraith.

"Luna?!"

He couldn't move, as he didn't know who was attacking. He watched as the dust slowly cleared.

'Lv. ?? Lady Toria of Nender'

He breath caught as he watched his first love step out of the dust cloud.

"What are you doing here?"

Wraith couldn't help but wonder.

"Hmm? Oh, you. I know you were recently caught by bandits, but should you seek death so easily? That beast is dangerous. I've had reports of it causing trouble in this area, as well as attacking innocent nymphs living in this lake."

Wraith clenched his teeth as he turned around. Luna was slowly getting up, her body having difficulties.

"Don't worry Luna. You've just been stunned. Toria has always had crazy earth spells."

Luna stared into his eyes, small tears in hers.

"You're not hurt, Master?"

He shook his head as he patted her side.

"You made sure of that. I'm glad you protected me, but now I'll protect you."

Luna huffed out as she attempted to nuzzle Wraith. He leaned close and continued to pat her until another voice broke in.

"Hey, Lady Toria, who's the kid? And the dog? That the target?"

He couldn't believe his ears.

"So... you didn't listen to me."

Wraith turned around, his icy glare on the two people before him.

"I warned you, Toria. Don't trust that bastard."

'Lv. 12 Viscount'

"Bastard? I'm a well loved knight of Nender! And once I prove myself, I'll propose to the kingdoms most beautiful lady!"

Wraith could see the same piercing, soulless eyes. They seemed as if they could stare through eternity.

"Heh... so you want what is mine? You know, I'm actually quite greedy, but I keep that part of my personality under wraps. However, when what is mine is claimed by another..."

His face was in his hand. One eye was visible between his fingers as a massive wave of suppressing force was sent towards Viscount, blowing his brown hair backwards.

"You dare to claim me as yours?"

Toria was holding her blade, her fear apparent in her eyes.

"I more than dare. There will always be a part of me that yearns for you. But this... this pain."

He could feel the icy wisps of betrayal growing in his body, breaking his heart.

'You have undergone an extreme condition; Betrayal. Reward: Dark Magic.'

A slight glimmer of shadowy aura wrapped around Wraith. His looks seemed to spiral into madness as he stared down his past life's lover, as well as his true betrayer.

"Agh... Lady Toria, could you deal with him? This bastards using Dark Magic! His evil!"

Toria glared at Wraith, but she looked away to correct Viscount.

"No, that magic isn't inherently evil. It depends on the person, so magic varies by person not magic."

Wraith could feel the shadows envelope him.

'So that was the catalyst for Dark Magic? I never knew... Fire Magic was my primary before, but this? This is new.'

Wraith lowered his hand as he stepped closer.

"St-stay back! Toria do something!"

Toria stared at Viscount, concern in her eyes.

"I can't, if I attack an adventurer while they're not deemed evil, I shall be cast aside by my people!"

Viscount glared at her as he raised his hand.

"You bitch! I should have never tried to sleep with you. You're nothing but a weak bitch that doesn't even want to help her people!"

His hand flew at her.

KRICK

As soon as his hand swung, Wraith appeared before him. His shirt had vanished as a tattoo on his back and shoulders began to glow in the moonlight.

"No. Fuck off you welp."

In a single move, Wraith literally threw Viscount into the treeline. He could see the red particles that erupted from his body.

"What? Those markings..."

Wraith could feel her familiar touch on his skin. She could never resist her curiosity.

"Nightfall. It's a Sigil from a powerful friend that I impressed."

She attempted to remove her fingers, but continued to touch the markings.

"Your fingers are cold, Toria. I don't have Fire Magic, so I'm afraid I can only warm them this way."

Turning on his heel, Wraith knelt down and grabbed her hands. He brought them to his lips and smiled against them. This took Toria by surprise as her face flushed crimson.

"What are you doing? Do you even-"

"I know who you are, and what this means in Nender. Princess, would you be so kind as to allow me to swear an oath to you?"

Toria knelt down as Luna came closer. She laid beside the two as Wraith continued.

"Toria, I may be an unnamed hero in these strange times that have befallen your people. All these unknown adventurers of another world appearing and causing havoc and chaos to bloom. On my honor and my capacity to change these things, will you devote yourself to me as I devote myself to you?"

Toria tilted her head.

"You truly feel that way? For you to say something like that, you'd have to follow my kingdoms decrees on marriage..."

Her face was scarlet in the moonlight.

"Your people support polygamy, and as you are not the Crown Princess, you may marry who you wish, though you are not allowed to be their first."

Toria's eyes widened.

"H-how? Why do you know so much? Your people haven't even been here long enough to learn these things."

He leaned closer, his grey eyes gleaming in the light.

"I have learned many things that can help you and your people. Call me a saint or an oracle, but I am neither. I am a simple adventurer that wants what he wants, and shall take it as he chooses. That includes the beautiful flower before me. You are not the first, though I am not married as of now, I will marry her first. I will also gain the funds to build an empire. Thus empire shall be a force to be reckoned with. This world and mine shall no longer harm what I devote myself to, and that includes the both of you, as well as the women and people I cherish."

Luna placed her head in Wraith's lap as Toria leaned closer. Her forehead met Wraith's.

"You... I don't understand why you're doing this, nor why I wish to accept with all my heart. You're powerful, with incredible backing... You've shown me something I never expected to see, and it excited me. Who are you?"

"Wraith. The future emperor that will conquer everything that defies him."

"Tyrant..."

She was smiling. Toria smiled as she pressed her nose against Wraith's. His heart throbbed as he heard her word. It may seem horrid to call someone a tyrant, but it had been her pet name for him. It was endearing, though she meant it in both ways.

"Wraith... do you mean it? Fear binds my heart, though I can see in your eyes that you speak true."

He smiled as he pulled an orb from his inventory. It glowed a magnificent purple.

'Do you wish to assimilate with Enlightened Orb? Self assimilation, or assisted assimilation?'