CHAPTER 267: Hunter, I Am Sorry

As they got closer to Atria Kingdom, they were once again met with a group of demonic beasts.

"They really are getting stronger," Nixon commented.

As compared to the beginning, the demonic beasts are now keeping up with their fighting.

Even though they themselves has become stronger, it is quite obvious that their opponents would do so as well.

"Black Tortoise, complete union, Perfect," Nixon called out.

As they got stronger, their capability to maintain Perfect was longer.

Though it wasn't unlimited but it was far longer than the first times.

The others did the same.

On the other hand, Saphira looked up to Hunter.

The moment the demonic beasts appear, he pulled her into his embrace and fought with one hand, while keeping her close to him.

If one were to compare, when Elizabeth was by his side, needing his protection, he didn't feel any urge to keep her as close as he was doing towards Saphira right now.

He only knew he wanted to protect her and not allow her to die just like what had happened with Elise.

But now that it was Saphira who needed the protection, he couldn't just let her stay behind him, he needed to ensure that she was with him no matter what.

"I can hide," Saphira spoke.

She didn't want to be a burden right now.

"It is fine, it is better this way as we don't know just how they will attack," he replied decisively.

"Qirin, complete union, Perfect."

The moment he said this, his already golden glint in his brown hair and eyes became even more pronounced.

Just like the rest, his abilities became stronger.

His control over magma was much more than when he didn't have this.

The earth beneath them moved as he pleased.

The way he jumped was even higher as if the gravity was nothing at all.

Saphira watched him closely together with the rest and she could see that when they did this complete union, the demonic beasts were nothing but ants to them.

But even with the lost memories, she could feel that their energy was draining faster than before they did this.

She frowned as she felt discomfort in her heart.

The battle soon ended and the escorts looked at them with more reverence.

It was really an eye opener to see the way they battle.

After they have cleaned up, the escorts went ahead and started asking them questions in order to help them improve.

They had been in awe when they asked Saphira but because they have ulterior motive, they didn't pay too much attention. But hearing the same words again from her companions, they knew Saphira had been genuine towards them from the get go.

Even though they wronged her from the beginning, she still treated them genuinely when they came to ask for pointers.

With this understanding, they were even more ashamed for what they made her feel on that night.

As they move forward, they met other groups of demonic beasts and Saphira was left in Hunter's protection, while Elizabeth and her maids would go and hide.

The more they battle, the more discomfort Saphira feels making her silent more nad more.

On the seventh night, with the understanding that they will arrive at Atria Kingdom the next day, Saphira went on her own towards a meadow near them.

The wild flowers were blooming beautifully as the moon shines down on them, giving them a luminance that will make one be mesmerized towards them.

Saphira looked up into the moon, on this particular night, the moon was actually a full one.

'Time's up.'

She heard within her and somehow the melancholic look on her face was replaced with a bit of shock before she frowned.

But she remained standing, looking up at the sky.

"Saphira!!"

She turned and saw Hunter rushing towards her, his face was filled with worry.

He knew Saphira wouldn't put herself in danger even if she had decided to remove her memories.

They knew she would come back and that there is just something she wanted to do before then, the reason why she has no memories now.

But even with that, the memory of her bloodied back was still haunting him.

It was a nightmare he couldn't let go and the fear in him grew the more days that passed that her memories did not return.

She is currently in a vulnerable state and he wouldn't wish to see her covered in blood because of it.

That is why even though he knew she wouldn't allow herself to die, the worry remained and when he couldn't see her, a panic would even come.

Saphira slowly turned her eyes on him and she couldn't help but sigh.

'I have reduced him into such a state because of my selfishness,' she uttered inside.

She was now speaking with Lily and Vermilion Bird.

'After all, you broke down and without explanation, you lost your memories. Anyone would end up like that if it were their beloved who ended up like you,' Lily replied.

But she frowned and wondered how she can speak of such words as if she knew the feeling very well.

Vermilion Bird glanced at her but he didn't comment as well.

"You didn't tell anyone you are coming here," Hunter instantly said the moment he approached her.

"I'm sorry," she replied with a sad smile.

He shook his head, "It is fine but my mind is really not in a good state, I can't help but to worry."

His admittance made Saphira smile sadder.

"Hunter, I'm sorry."

"No, serioously it is fine, this is close by and you didn't do anything-"

Before he could finish, all his focus were on her pair of ruby eyes.

"You..."

Saphira smiled and made the first move to reach out.

She wrapped her arms around his shoulder and hugged him tightly.

"I had broken down back then but I can calm down the next day, I knew that for sure. I wasn't blaming anyone and I may have been hurt by you but that didn't mean I would be angry."

Hunter was too stunned that he couldn't react and he could only listen to her.