Chapter 57 With Every Aspect Of Your Being

Two cats perched on his shoulders, the figure browses through the selection of rings available at a jewelry store.

The jeweler behind the counter smiles widely, barely containing himself and wanting to scream at the top of his lungs in excitement.

Meow!

The cat on his left shoulder points at a ring.

The figure hums, raising an eyebrow, "Really? Alright,"

"Can I take a closer look at this one, please?" he asks.

"Yes, yes sir!" says the jeweler, rushing to get the ring he pointed towards.

He grabs the ring and hands it over with a bow, "Here, your honor,"

The jeweler feels a hand on his shoulder.

"You can stand straight," says the figure with a smile that shines with the warmth and comfort of the sun.

The jeweler calms down and feels a very powerful desire to stay in the presence of the figure standing before him.

"Yes!" he responds, snapping straight back up.

He clears his throat, "Ma ─ May I recommend a few designs I have on the other side? If you may,"

The jeweler now realizes deep down that he no longer cares about the sale. He merely desires to do everything he can to prolong the interaction he's having with the figure.

"Sure thing!"

. . .

Happy and satisfied with his purchase, the figure emerges from the shop. He walks to a normal public bench along with his cats and sits in silence.

It is a quiet time.

"Haco," he calls.

Meow!

Haco jumps off his left shoulder and lands on his lap.

The figure takes out a piece of cloth and ties it around Haco, the small box containing the ring hanging at the bottom of the tie.

"I'll tell you how to bring it to her in a bit, but first things first," he says, finishing up with the last touches of the tie.

Haco tilts her head, her attention on the figure.

"The person I intend on giving this ring to means a lot to me and given her past and reputation as the most infamous assassin, and the fact that she is now getting married to me, if it is ever found out to be the case by the wrong people, I worry that she will be in more danger than what she might be able to handle," he continues, finishing up the tie and checking if everything is good.

"It's not too tight, is it?"

Haco meows happily and grabs his hand, placing it on her head for him to pet.

The figure smiles, petting her head, "Knowing her, she might also get herself into dangerous situations. So, I have a new command for you, Haco. I want you to protect that person for me. From now on, you will be with her at all times,"

Haco's ears flatten as she meows quietly, seemingly saddened by the idea of leaving the figure.

"Don't worry, it's not like I'll disappear. You will still get to see me a lot, she will be my wife after all," he shrugs.

She purrs happily, looking into her master's eyes.

His words at that moment engrave into her memories for the rest of eternity.

"Listen to everything she says, and more importantly, protect her with every aspect of your being, Haco. You are my most precious gift to her,"

. . .

". . . Why?" asks Adora in a shaky voice as a third tear falls off her face.

His hand trembles as he grips his sword.

"Sorry . . . I want the wish . . . to get closer to obtaining everything . . . " murmurs Neo, his face full of sorrow, as if he hurt himself by doing this . . . a pain that he finds to be greater than just physical.

With every aspect of your being.

The words light up on Haco's unmoving body's head where the figure petted her.

. . .

Crackle!

Haco's body suddenly is suddenly ablaze, the flames burning brightly.

The three of them look at it in shock and silence.

Woosh!

The flames start moving towards them and Haco's body disappears.

All of them remain frozen in place.

Move!

Neo is launched far away as one of the tails pulls him back and he lets go of his sword, leaving it stuck through her heart.

Neo watches in horror as the flames hit and cover Adora completely.

"Adora! Charlotte?!" he shouts.

I have her here.

A second tail approaches Neo, revealing Charlotte's head. He grabs her and holds her close.

"What about Adora? I need to help her!"

The flames were targeting her . . . something is about to emerge from this. This is his doing, I can tell.

Soon after, the flurry of flames starts to fan out, showing what they are hiding slowly and surely.

. . .

I see . . . thank you, my beloved. She is indeed the most fascinating and precious gift of love you have given me.

Her fur and leather on top and her bones burnt to complete black from the flames beneath, all of it acting as layers of armor to protect Adora's frail body, it's considered impenetrable armor by many.

A system of vessels made out of flames courses through the open areas of the said armor. On her feet, Adora raises her hand and looks down at the armor covering it. The flaming vessels converge, connecting to the back of her head.

I can move again. No . . . I can control the armor. My body beneath is still dead, yet it's so responsive and flexible. It fits me so perfectly that I couldn't help but subconsciously confuse it as my own for a second.

Adora grabs the sword and pulls it out from behind, holding it in her hand. The armor and her natural immortality goes into effect, and the wound starts healing quickly.

This weapon must be dangerous . . . had it struck me, I think I might have had the same fate as them. I can tell, before the sword struck me, my body was self-injured by something, in a way that's exact to the damage the sword would have caused. So, the sword actually went through an already made perfect hole for its thrust.

She examines the sword.

. . . it's probably one of the two that Daki mentioned to me in his final message. And the other one is long ranged, probably a sniper that got Haco. It seems like it can penetrate all of Haco's defenses.

She shakes her head, looking down.

I should not have had her put all her focus on that strike . . . maybe she would have noticed it and dodged it . . . 

. . . I should make sure to not make the same mistake. I'll be on guard to dodge it if the armor senses. I don't know if the self-harm thing will activate with the bullet.

She looks at the sword again.

Even after he let go of it, I didn't feel its weight. Almost as if something else was carrying it, making sure no part of me comes into contact with it . . . this must be Daki's doing.

What other purchases did you force on me? Even in death and far away, you and my beloved still protect me.

She smiles wistfully.

. . . I am going to kill you for dying on me like that later.

. . .

"I truly wished it wasn't the case," she starts, the flames beginning to spark and flow out of her armor.

"But it seems that I can delay this no longer, and I cannot lie to myself anymore," she says, raising her head and looking at him.

"Neo,"

Neo gulps, his guard fully up and his two tails prepared.

"Let's have a conversation," says Adora with a smile.

The ring on her finger shines and a very faint light glows on her heart from the inside.

Yet, no one notices it, and the wound fully heals, closing up.