Manipulation

Arching his lips in amusement, Aodh listened to the hysterical laughter of Kerr as he used the girl in front as a shield against the Greatsword of the Skeleton Knight. Acting as he had already foreseen this scenario, the young boy's hair and eyes suddenly shifted from a scarlet pigment into their original color of a captivating silver.

Gripping his sword, Zireael suddenly hurled his blade, similar to how one would a javelin towards the Greatsword. With silver light glimmering from it, the blade tore through the sound barrier arriving at the Skeletons Greatsword instantly. However, runes abruptly began to glow off the surface of his sword the moment it touched upon the Greatsword. Suddenly, Zireael's body that was a few meters away vanished in a silver mist as he materialized, holding the blade he threw, severing the Greatsword before it could meet its mark.

Silence quickly governed the battlefield as the young Lord stared with a chilling smile towards Aurelia shaking at the touch of death and betrayal.

"Now, that is quite the expression." Said Zireael with a sinister grin, "There is a reason Innis warned you not to trust anyone."

"Dumb-dumb," Aurelia weakly whispered, falling to her knees starstruck.

"It's Zireael, foolish girl." The Lord stated in disappointment, "I had thought you to have a brain, but it seems I was wrong. Any fool could have told you Kerr would have betrayed you."

"I..."

Not able to finish her words, she lowered her head in shame, tears beginning to stream from her eyes. Shaking his head, he turned towards the specter, bearing down at him with azure flames.

"We will meet once more. Until next time." Said the Lord pulling Aurelia to her feet.

"Wait, what of Clara!" Lief suddenly exclaimed in vengeful anguish. "What of my Wife!"

Waving his arms, Zireael did not even bother to reply as the echoes of the Spector bellowed, lifting its severed blade towards Kerr and Lief.

"No, Aurelia must..."

"Must what! Fight against what? You lost, now accept it. If those two do not flee, they are dead." Lord BLackwater stated, releasing the young girl's hands, "But be my guess, go back and join the hands that once tried to kill you. Clara is dead, and it's her own fault for lowering her guard. You owe her nothing, for she was not your friend but someone on a job. She cared for you due to the coin she would have received."

"Your wrong!" Shouted Aurelia sending a ruthless fist towards Zireael.

Catching her palm, he sneered, trusting her arm back at her, "Oh, then tell me why she would risk her life for a girl she just met? Your smart think of it."

Unable to say anything, Aurelia lowered her head, covering her face as she cried, "Aunty..."

Not speaking a word, Zireael shook his head, lifting her small body into his arms. "Foolish child," he whispered as her mournful cries echoed out for the friend she lost today.

Stroking her head, Aurelia cried herself into a deep sleep while Zireael carried her body out of the hallow marshes.

"This was not what I meant, Zireael." The ethereal voice of the Master spoke, "You're a bastard for what you just did."

"Come now, master; she had to learn some way or another," Zireael whispered, feeling the warmth emanating from the bun within his arms.

"Giving the Specter a body and a skeleton knight at that was too far." The Master uttered, "Why, even if they did hit it with their weapons, none of them are strong enough to break its skull. That battle was unwinnable."

"Quite right, but it will be a valuable lesson. Once she—"

"Zireael, it would seem I had placed too much trust into you. You, my boy, are a fool. There was no need for Clara to die; what you did was scar that girl's mind."

Chuckling, Zireael dismissively waved off his master trepidation, "She will be fine, that I am sure off. There was barely any love between Clara and her, but so what if she is scared? She will just have to push through and overcome it."

"And if she finds out?" The Master questioned bring a halt to the young boy's steps.

"None saw, not even the specter so unless you say something. Aurelia will never find out. So it comes down to you, Master."

Not hearing a reply Zireael continued his journey, gazing up at the night skies, "It has been a very long week, but it has been quite enjoyable."

Presing on without stop, Belmooth soon appeared high upon the land of Alos. With its rays piercing light, the eyes of Aurelia, the young girl slowly lifted her head towards the silver-headed boy carrying her upon his back.

"Your wake," He said, continuing on foot. "You hungry?"

Resting her head down upon his shoulder, she did a small nudge with her head against his neck. Shaking his head, the young Lord came to a stop. Feeling the icy winds upon his body, he made a small campfire before turning to Aurelia lifelessly, staring at the fire.

Pulling a plate filled with wyvern meat out of thin air, to Aurelia's surprise, he handed it to her. "Eat; we have a seven-day journey back to Yrinas or the Lake. I have yet to decide."

slowly nibbling upon the food Zireael gifted her, the young boy looked up at the large star slowly rising into the air, "You know Innas and Talia will die as well?"

Lifting her head towards the young Lord, Aurelia's mouth slowly opened, "will you—"

"No, it will not be by me. I have Ravens Glass, no it will be done by those stronger than her. Do you remember the knights that attacked our carriage when we left Valmor?" questioned Zireael, "Innis would have died that day if not for Cor. You have seen death, Aurelia, so you know how it feels. Tell me do you want them to die."

"Can you not protect them?" Aurelia suddenly questioned, "Are you not strong? Are you not the strongest?"

Hiding his expression within his hair, the young Lord shook his head, "Aurelia, I care not if they live or die. To me, their lives are only there to entertain me during my boredom. Nothing more, nothing less. But this is not about me, but rather you." He said with careless intent.

Unable to understand what she just heard, the wyvern meat within her hands fell upon the ground. As she remembered times she had within his manner. Arching his head, her gaze fell upon his lifeless eyes, reflecting only darkness and the chilling glint of death she had come to know.

Clenching his Jerkin, AUrelia teared up, "WHY, WHY!"

"Because I can," Whispered The Lord. "I can because I am strong, I can because I will it."

Unable to hold back, Aurelia suddenly began to cry, yet something strange suddenly happened that the young Lord could not comprehend. Wrapping her arms around him, Aurelia whimpered, "What happened to you?" she asked in tears crying within the Lord's chest.

Bewildered, Zireael pushed her away, rising up a little perplexed, gazing at the tears overflowing. He took off his jerkin, ready to clean it from the tears that had fallen upon it., "Finish your meal. We have a long day ahead." He coldly told, scrunching his brow.