The End (1)

He often praised Oswald for his fearlessness, but in reality, Kevin was just as fearless. The God of Light, a symbol of hope and courage, was ironically afraid of life.

Since he was young and able to remember, fear was a concept that eluded him.

However, his Godhead of War, which he possessed since childhood, had not fully integrated with his main Godhead. This caused him to uncontrollably go on a rampage, resulting in a sudden emergence of a bloody and murderous aura when he least expected it.

This unpredictable element was not a desirable trait in a peaceful world. Kevin, even as a child, was aware of this. He struggled with this aspect of his nature, noticing that it often surfaced when he was extremely excited or angry.

To maintain control, he consciously repressed his emotions many times.

As time went on, these emotional fluctuations diminished.

It was rare for someone to associate the word "indifference" with an older child, especially when that child had a sweet and innocent face that could easily deceive people. In terms of appearance, he seemed more suited to being described as "shy" – a softer attribute.

However, in reality, Kevin was anything but soft. Besides being slightly reserved, he was not only resilient but also cold.

He simply concealed these qualities under a composed exterior.

Later in life, people would often comment on how a shy and reserved young girl grew up to become so assertive. Kevin would casually smile each time he heard this and continue with his battles.

In truth, he had not changed abruptly. With age and life experiences, the aspects of hope and courage amalgamated with the coldness and bloodshed.

These characteristics became an integral part of his personality.

He didn't perceive the conflict between his Godheads during childhood as a significant hurdle to overcome, but rather as a unique experience. In truth, most individuals go through such a phase in life.

During this period, happiness isn't as abundant, and smooth sailing takes effort. It requires suppressing emotions, desires, and pondering matters previously unconsidered.

This path is almost inevitable; it is simply a matter of whether one embarks on it early or late.

At times, Kevin reminisces about his past. He recalls being no taller than a longbow, serenely perched on a rock near the Parrot Waterfall, expressionlessly skinning a young devil tiger.

It was a time when extremes clashed, creating a captivating yet amusing spectacle.

However, such memories only entertain when reflected upon alone. In reality, they were mundane snippets, unsuitable for regular conversation.

But...

When a towering figure with intense, dog-like eyes relentlessly pursued you, seemingly eager to delve into your mind and expose your memories, enduring it became unbearable.

Kevin endured the emperor's scrutiny for a while, but eventually, he succumbed. In a single sentence, he summarized his tale.

Finally, unable to contain his frustration, he sneered, "This is the first time in my life that I share a story, and the audience fails to appreciate it. Instead, I am subjected to even more tiresome anecdotes. Are you daft?"

Oswald heard what he desired and ceased his contemplation. He listened to Kevin's rebuke, raising an eyebrow and calmly sipping his milk porridge.

It was the first time Oswald had heard Kevin speak about his childhood, and he wasn't sure if Kevin remembered too much or something else entirely.

He pondered over it day and night and dreamt about Kevin that night, reliving the scene in just a few words.

In his dream, he stood at the edge of a verdant mountain forest. A crystal-clear spring flowed down from the higher peaks, cascading down just a step away from him.

The sound of the rushing water unexpectedly filled his ears, and he realized the waterfall was right in front of him, hanging upside down.

"You're blocking the light," a flat and monotone child's voice came abruptly from behind him. It should have sounded colder, but the softness of the voice lacked momentum.

His heart skipped a beat as he turned his head away.

Beside the water, he saw a little boy perched on a large rock. His hair was as black as charred wood, his eyes resembled dew-covered berries in autumn - big, clear, and glistening. Yet, his skin stood out, unusually pale and flawless, giving him an air of docility and tranquility.

The young boy's stature was dwarfed in comparison to his surroundings, his legs dangling from the rock as he appeared slightly bored. Cradled in his hands was a creature similar to a kitten, with teeth much sharper than a cat's and eyes squeezed shut, as if allowing its fur to be plucked. Its long, slender tail gracefully curled over his knees.

Oswald stared at the little face for an extended moment, noticing a resemblance to Kevin in the unoccupied eyebrows.

"You're blocking the light," little boy repeated stubbornly, his gaze not faltering. He clearly desired the tall figure to be more aware and move out of the way.

Oswald couldn't help but find the miniature Kevin's persistence cute, laughing before playfully reaching out to pinch the child's cheek.

Finally, the typically soft and clingy little boy showed a hint of emotion. He glanced at Oswald's fingers that had freed his face, wrinkled his nose in slight reluctance, and then lowered his head, lost in thought.

From Oswald's perspective, all he could see was the top of the little boy's head, adorned with swirling locks of hair.

After a while, lost in contemplation, the child suddenly raised his head and looked at Oswald. With a tilt of his head, he said, "Can you turn around?"

Few adults could resist such a gentle voice, prompting Oswald to raise an eyebrow with a playful mindset. Obeying the request, he turned half a circle, his back now facing the child.

In the next second, Oswald felt a sudden impact on the back of his knees, causing him to falter. The stream that rushed down from the mountain played its part, becoming Oswald's accomplice.

As he stumbled, the sound of "splish-splash" filled the air, and the unfortunate emperor found himself falling off the cliff along with the waterfall.

Oswald: "..." This bastard doesn't stop even in my dreams!

In the midst of the night, Kevin fell into a daze and suddenly felt someone pressing heavily on him, causing his feet to jerk as if experiencing a cramp.

He opened his eyes halfway and glanced around, only to see Oswald still deeply asleep, showing no signs of waking. The earlier movement was likely just Oswald treading on empty stairs or something within his dream.

Despite his slumber, Oswald's hands continued to clutch Kevin's hand tightly, displaying his possessiveness even in sleep, almost blowing onlookers away.

Kevin glanced at Oswald's hands, offering a faint smile before surrendering to the embrace of sleep once more...