Chapter 20

1 year later

Tero Darion

"Did you hear about them?" I asked Kevin. "You mean the Denoir duo?" Kevin questioned. "Yeah them," I replied.

The Denoir Duo, that's what people have called the new young ascenders. Caera Denoir and Grey unnamed. They're supposedly really strong and no one can touch them since they're Denoir's. It's said they could increase the difficulty of a zone with just one of them there.

"Please, they're just children. I could take them on any day" spat Kevin. A slight reddish tint on his face that indicated he was drunk. He's really angry about it. Makes sense, it's assumed they have multiple emblems and tons of crests. They're pretty strong. Meanwhile he only has 1 emblem and a few crests.

Apparently they've brought back many riches, and some brave(drunken) people challenged them once. They ended up halfway in the ground.

Suddenly the door to the bar opened, and two figures made their way inside. "Well speak of the devils," said Kevin a bit too loudly. "You two brats aren't allowed in here, it's for the adults only."

"We're not here for a drink, just to meet someone so calm down," said the boy as he just walked past Kevin. "Hey! You should listen to your elders, kid," yelled Kevin.

"Elders? Sorry, I had mistaken you as a child considering only they have an excuse to act the way you do," said Grey. This infuriated Kevin. Now, Kevin was by now means weak, he was light yellow. It was almost necessary to have that core level to adventure into the relictombs. But the boy simply side stepped him and managed to throw him across the room without using any mana.

"Hahahaha! I see you're still the tough one brat," laughed an old man from the corner. I ran up to Kevin to make sure he was okay.

CAERA DENOIR

We made our way to Alaric to give him our spoils of our latest ascent. He somehow managed to wiggle his way into being our supporter. It was hard to sell anything without his help so we needed him. Although he would take a cut for his ever growing alcohol problems.

"So, how much do you think this'll go for,old bat?" asked Grey. "How, I don't know, 300 gold? Of course, you'll get 265 since I need my cut," replied Alaric as he called the bartender over. "Give me a nice one! I'm getting paid today!"

Grey and I just sighed. We left the drunken old man alone since we knew he would pay us eventually. If he didn't he wouldn't get any more money.

It's been a year since me and Grey have gone on ascents together. I just want to say this, it was pure bliss. No one to bother us and it meant I could get as close to him as I wanted. There were even a few times I had to sleep with him because of certain conditions. We were fully clothed and nothing happened so don't worry.

I tried to flirt with Grey but he never acknowledged it. Either that or he simply never realized. Grey said today is the day he'll start to train his magic. He trained nothing but his swordsmanship for the first year. He's gotten really good, to the level I'd even call it perfect. My own swordsmanship is at the level he was back when we first met.

I reached initial silver while Grey reached dark silver with cracks. The distance between us is growing but that doesn't mean I'll stop trying.

Also, in other news, Enola and Valen are engaged. We went to their engagement ceremony to congratulate them. Apparently it happened because both their bloods saw their relationship and decided to get them together, much to their annoyance. Apparently Valen had a huge plan for when he wanted to ask her to marry him but his parents ruined that.

Seth and Mayla have also gotten much closer, Seth no longer turns bright pink whenever Mayla gets close so that's one thing. I even saw them kiss although Seth tried his best to do it in private.

Seth and Valen tease him for not dating me, which I'm grateful for. I'm going to try and confess to Grey in this relictomb. I even bought a necklace. Seris is okay with it since she sees Grey as a suitable person for me.

"So, let's get going," I said as I pulled Grey along to our next ascent. I love this man and I hope he finally returns my feelings after so long of me waiting. I could probably convince Alaric to get me some good alcohol to celebrate, of course I would have to keep it a secret since we're too young. Actually on second thought, he'll never give me any alcohol, best just get a recommendation.

"Alright," chuckled Grey.

Suddenly I sensed someone running at us, I tried to stop them but I missed as they just jumped right over me. They then punched Grey in the face. "That's for not believing me about Vera!" shouted the boy who looked around our age. He looked familiar although I couldn't put my finger on it.

The boy then landed a deep punch in Grey's gut. "And that was for Cecilia!" he yelled.

"Nico?!" shouted Grey as he realized who it was. "Wait, Nico?" I asked. "The wheelchair guy?"

Nico just gave me the most deadpan stare I've ever seen, it made Grey's deadpan look full of emotion. "Is that seriously how you guys remember me?" he questioned. I chuckled sheepishly, "I mean, we had no other way to remember you."

"I guess that's just my own fault. Anyway, the name is Nico," he said while holding his hand out. I grabbed his hand and shook it. "Caera Denoir, nice to meet you," I said. He just nodded before whispering into my ear.

"He's a good guy, a muscle head, but a good guy. Treat him well, especially after what's happened to him," he said. I just nodded, happy to know at least he isn't an idiot. "Nico, what are you telling her?" Grey asked with an annoyed expression.

"I'm just trying to help you out my dearest friend," Nico replied. "Anyway, let's go somewhere private."

"Alright," said Grey. We made our way to a small hotel room that me and Grey use. Since we have money we can use it to buy a room on the second floor rather than the first floor. "Caera, could you leave us alone for a while?" Grey asked. As much as I didn't want to, I complied and left.

NICO SEVER

I sat on the bed opposite to Grey. He was looking really worried. I internally sighed. "I'm sorr-" started Grey.

"No, you're just going to embarrass yourself," I cut him off. "I forgive you."

Grey's eyes widened in surprise and disbelief. "W-Why?" stammered Grey. "Because after that talk, I stopped to think more about that day, and I realized something. It wasn't your fault, you could never touch her with the difference in power," I explained.

I saw tears form inside of Grey's eyes. Man, if only we could get his girlfriend in here but knowing Grey he probably hasn't told her and I don't want to ruin their relationship. "T-Thank you Nico," said Grey as the tears started to fall from his eyes.

"No problem," I said as I patted his shoulder. "I have a few questions though," Grey said as he calmed down. "You want to know how I'm, or rather, we are here?" I asked, already knowing the answer.

"Yeah, I had a feeling you knew much more than me and now you just confirmed it," said Grey as he looked me straight in the eyes.

Should I tell him? No, knowing Grey he'll overthink and it'll just cause him pain. I sighed. "I do know, yes. But I'm not going to tell you," I admitted. I can't lie to him, both because we used to be best friends and he can tell when I do lie. Even if I say I forgive him I still don't fully but that'll take time.

"Why not?" Grey asked, confused and annoyed.

"Because it's you. You overthinking masochist. Although, I do know we can bring Cecilia over to this world," I said.

Grey's eyes went wide. "H-How?"

I took a deep breath, this is probably the hardest thing I've ever had to do. If I word it incorrectly he might become aggressive. "You see, the two of us act as anchors. To bring Cecilia into this world we need to sacrifice someone," I explained. Grey kept his gaze on me, it didn't change upon realizing it would cost someone their life.

"To bring her over we need to kill Tessia Eralith."

Grey's eyes went wide, not in anger, but in surprise. "Why? I mean, I don't care about her anymore. But I want to know the specifics behind it."

"Honestly, I don't know myself. She's just needed," I replied. Had I not taken serious thought to his words 2 years ago I don't know if I could be in a room with him and not curse him out.

"I see, I don't really care. I've all but forgotten my life back in Dicathen. I would like to apologize to Cecilia. At least this way you guys will be able to get the life you deserve," Grey replied.

I smiled, not from the confirmation that he's okay with it, but from the fact he's having a much better life here in Alacrya. "Anyway, I've got to go now. Just so you know, you've got a good girlfriend," I said as I left.

"She's not my girlfriend!" Grey shouted back.

"Yet!" I replied.

CAERA DENOIR

I watched as Nico left. "Where is he going?" I asked Grey as I entered the room. I respected their wishes and didn't listen to their conversation. I had to check Grey's mental condition since the last time he talked to Nico he couldn't move. Once I got in I noticed Grey was the opposite then what I expected him to be.

He was completely relaxed. "He had to go, I don't know where but he had to go," Grey said. I swear that I could see a golden light covering him. "You ok?" I asked.

"Yes, I'm actually doing great," said Grey. "But now that we have nothing else to do, let's get going on our ascent," said Grey.

"Hold on, I want to know who he is," I said, stopping Grey in his tracks. "An old friend, I did something horrible to him and luckily he forgave me," Grey explained. I wanted to ask but I also didn't want to ruin Grey's mood.

I interlocked my arms with his, "Come on, I have something for you once we're done this ascent," I admitted.

"What is it," Grey asked, playing along.

"It's a surprise," I said, knowing I'll be confessing to him.

We soon reached the ascension portal.and entered. I was in my ascent clothes and Grey was in his black suit Valen got him. As we went through I saw a sight unlike any I have ever seen before.

Buildings that seemed to reach the sky. They had an insane amount of windows and the streets made the ones in the Central domain seem primitive. There were strange vehicles on said roads. All of them looked alien to me. The normal purple sky you'd see in the relictombs was blue, just like outside. There were shops lining the roads. There wasn't a person in sight. Suddenly I realized where we were. "Grey! We're in one of the lost cities that belonged to the ancient mages!" I shouted, pumped full of excitement.

Grey was shaking in excitement, his face showed an expression of pure fear but it's probably from finding such a place. "Cool right? Come on, let's go over to that shop!" I said, pulling Grey towards one of the shops.

We entered and I saw heaven. Rows upon rows of what looked to be candy. Tubs of ice cream in flavors I've never even thought possible. It's a candy store. "Hey Grey, since the ancient mages are long extinct, does that mean we're free to take whatever?" I asked obsimisticly.

Grey was still shaking. He then walked over to a row and picked up one of the pieces of candy. He then mumbled something. "Grey?" I asked. He turned to me, his face pale. "Are you okay?" I questioned.

"Y-Yeah, just overwhelmed," Grey admitted. "But yeah, I suppose you can take whatever," he said. "Just let me pick first since knowing you, you'll take everything."

I chuckled and after Grey picked everything he wanted–which wasn't much for some reason– I stored everything I could within my ring. Which was a lot because I brought multiple rings because you never know how much you need. Once I was done there were only a few bars of something coated in an unknown material.

I was struggling to open them when Grey came over and opened it without effort. "How did you do that?" I questioned, eyeing him suspiciously. Grey then took his own and opened it before taking a bite. Once he did, pure joy was shown on his face. But also… sadness?

Grey has been acting weirdly ever since we arrived. I decided not to question him so I took a bite of the strange brown candy I have never seen before. It was heavenly. I melted in my mouth, a sweet gooey flavor that tasted of sugar. It was ecstasy. I should probably ration these.

"Careful, these will probably give you a cavity if you eat too many," Grey teased. I pouted my checks, "And how do you know that mister master swordsman," I teased. "I just do."

Once we left the store we kept walking. Grey led the way claiming we shouldn't split up; which I was perfectly fine with. What was weird though is that Grey seemed to know this place like the back of his hand. "Grey, are you actually an ancient mage?" I asked, scared as to what he would do.

Grey almost choked on his water. "No! I'm nothing like that! How did you even come up with that idea?" he asked. "Well, this is a city belonging to the ancient mages. You also seem to know the things here and even the layout. It would only make you're an ancient mage," I reasoned.

"Yeah, I'm not," he replied. "Let's head over that way," Grey said as he pointed to what looked to be a castle. It was really fancy. The probability of a relic being in there was monstrous. "How much you wanna bet there's something in there that will be really hard to defeat," I said.

"More than I have. Let's go," said Grey. His whole body was trembling. It was strange for Grey to be afraid of something but judging by the technologie here it makes sense. We might have to fight a giant mech or something of the sort.

It was when we entered I felt the true essence of this place. It was cold and dark, the absence of people only helped solidify that point. I saw paintings upon paintings lined the walls. They were people dressed in fancy outfits. Each one looked strong. But none of them stuck out more than the one at the end of the hall. He was a tall man, blond hair that was cut short. His gaze was cold and unforgiving. Even though it was a painting I could feel his cold stare pricing my soul.

"Hey, Caera! Come over here," Grey said, ignoring the paintings, almost as if he's seen them before. I went over to Grey to see huge double doors. "Come on, let go," said Grey as he put his hands on the doors and opened them. On the other side was a throne room. It was really fancy. What looked like relics–from screens to strange devices– were all over the place and even in the walls.

What shook me the most was the person sitting on the throne. It was the man I saw in the painting. "Welcome, Arthur Leywin," said the figure.

Grey was starting to hyperventilate. He looked up at the man with terror in his eyes, his voice was shakey. "King Grey."