Chapter 21

No. NO.

It's not possible. How is he here? The reason I've suffered for all these years. The thing I've tried my best to push away, the thing I've run from all my new life.

King Grey.

Why is my past life here? I-It shouldn't be possible. I'm me, I'm here, in Alacrya!

But yet, here I am, back on earth, devoid of life with the only path leading to the castle. Now standing in front of the cruelest man in the world. Someone who destroyed an entire country for revenge. I'm facing myself.

My breath became ragged. My arms felt devoid of strength. My head was pounding. My legs felt trembled. My hands turned numb. My eyes sharpened. My chest compressed. My ears stopped hearing things. My mouth went dry. My heart pounded.

"**ey, w-**o i* **at?" asked Caera. I couldn't understand her. My senses wouldn't let me. My gaze was focused on myself. Nothing else registered in my mind. Not the portraits of former kings, not the pillars that kept the throne room up, not the throne that overlooked everything, not the red carpet that led to the source of my fear, only the man that looked down upon me.

"H-How," I barely managed to spurt out. King Grey just stared at me, his face remaining expressionless.

"How," I got out again, my dry mouth barely audible. Caera then stepped in front of me. She was protecting me. But it would be fruitless. No one can win against that man.

"How?" King Grey said, his voice devoid of any semblance of anything, emotion and humanity. "How?" he repeated. "Because you haven't let me leave."

No. That wasn't the answer! You're supposed to tell me you're here because of the relictombs! You were supposed to let me know you're here to help!

"G**y ****s h***eni**?" Caera asked but my body still wouldn't let me hear her cries. Was she hurt? Has she figured it out and now hates me? Has she decided to abandon me like everyone else did?

"You took Arthur away. You lied to everyone. You led on Tessia. You did all that for what? Your own enjoyment? " started King Grey as he stood up from his throne.

"You could not live with your own failure. Where did that bring you? Back to me."

"You're lying. I did not come back to you," I said, as I put all my strength into my legs. I needed to get out of here. I can't fight him and nor can Caera.

"You lie to yourself. You did not need to come here, the portal was back at the entrance. Yet, you came here, came here to me."

King Grey started walking down the corridor towards us. Every step he made only implemented more fear into me. He didn't even bother to use bloodlust. He drew his sword, letting it scrape across the floor, creating an ominous and disturbing sound.

At my silence he just continued talking. Caera had stopped talking and kept her position, but I could see her knees start to wobble.

"You don't deserve this second chance. Tessia, Alice, Eleanor, Reynolds, Angela, Jasmine, Virion, Sylvie, Durden, Adam, Helen, Cynthia, Curtis, Kathyln, Lilia, Vincent, Claire. Each of these people trusted you, some loved you. Yet, you betrayed them all.

I wonder. Caera, Seth, Valen, Enola, Mayla. What will happen when they find out? I'll tell you, the exact same thing. You know that, and that is why you have come back to me," King Grey said. With each name he grew closer.

"T***'s a lie. I *ay **t k**w **at is goin* on *ut I'll **ver aba**on Gr*y!" Caera's words grew more understandable.

"They said the same thing, did you know that?" King Grey said, his emotionless voice never faltering.

His attention turned to Caera. If he gets any closer then…

I gathered all my strength, all my will power. I ran at him. My senses still sharpened and body still stressed. I couldn't do it, I couldn't reach him. I felt my body fall as I tripped on nothing. I ended up at his feet.

I used Dawn's ballad to lift the top half of my body up as King Grey just watched me.

"Grey!" I heard Caera shout. Her voice was now crystal clear. I watched as she ran up to him, making sure to avoid me.

She brought her sword down in a diagonal path to try and stop King Grey. "Stop!" I shouted at Caera, but it was useless, King Grey easily blocked the attack and kicked her, sending Caera flying into a pillar.

I stood flabbergasted. I was never that strong. Was it the relictombs? It was only due to pure luck Caera enhanced herself so she didn't take much damage.

"You try to defend him? He's been lying to you for three years," said King Grey, a small amount of confusion radiating off of him.

"I

Don't

Care!" shouted Caera as she charged again only for King Grey to trip her. Caera's self enhancing worked to her disadvantage as she flew into the wall.

"Caera!" I yelled, feeling the silva returning to my mouth.

"You are such a kind girl. Willing to go far for this boy you barely know. He doesn't deserve someone as kind as you," said King Grey in a kind voice. Although it was fake, a front. "Which is why I have to kill you."

My world stopped. King Grey was moving towards Caera. She was still getting up from her impact. I was on my knees, Dawn's ballad still stuck in the ground. I couldn't get it out in time.

I watched as the world around me had its color reversed. Everything stopped in place except for me. I made my way to King Grey. My heart pumped blood faster than it ever had before. My legs filled with strength despite their wobbling.

I slowly shambled my way there, my pathetic attempt to save Caera turned to a run. I could try and kill him here. End the one who caused me my suffering.

Why am I this worried? Why do I care for Caera this much?

Ah, that's why. I love her. I truly love her. That's why it hurts so much.

I stepped in between King Grey and Caera, ready to take the hit and deliver the final blow. As I resumed time, waiting for my chance to kill him with my now ice encased fist, spikes covering it, King Grey suddenly pointed his blade a bit further down; right into my core.

I couldn't think. I didn't want to. I know what just happened but I didn't want to accept it. In a desperate attempt to fight back, I flung my hand into his chest, only to find it went through easily.

"W-Why?" I stuttered, I should not have been able to harm him. "Why? Because you've accepted your new self," King Grey said before everything faded to black.

CAERA DENOIR

I watched as Grey suddenly appeared in front of me and the other man's sword went right into Grey's abdomen. I shook, I went to push him out of the way since I saw an opening only for Grey to release one final attack before the man turned to dust.

Grey fell forwards, almost on top of his spiked glove had I not stopped him. I had to use my soulfire to get it off. Once I laid him on his back I checked him to see if he was okay. I sighed a breath of relief once I realized he was only unconscious.

I then lifted up his shirt to check his injuries, I dreaded what I saw, which was only enforced by my senses. The man's sword had gone deeper than I thought and… pierced his mana core. The wound itself wasn't harmful, it could be bandaged easily.

"If this place is a castle then it must have some sort of hospital," I thought as I picked Grey up and put him on my back. I tried my best to hold back tears. Being a mage was everything, to both me and him. If he couldn't be one then…then… how would we train together? How would we go on ascents together?

Soon I came across a room with a red cross, it looked like some sort of healing place so I went inside. I looked around and noticed I recognized nothing in here. Devices I've never seen before and medicine that had very ominous names. At least there were bandages, much higher quality though.

I quickly bandaged Grey's wound and put him down onto a bed. I watched him as he slept. His face was strangely calm for the situation. It was as if he confronted his past or something. That leads me to this question, how does Grey know that man? He called him King Grey, I'd say there was some sort of connection between them if not for the fact I was the one to suggest the name Grey.

I pulled up a chair and rested my head and arms on the bed next to Grey. I refused to go to sleep, I didn't want Grey to beat himself up. He would, even if he was the one who got hurt.

"Mmm, Caera?" Grey asked, still asleep. "Good morning Grey, did you have a nice nap?" I asked, fatigue clawing at my consciousness.

"Caera, are you okay? You have dark rings around your eyes," Grey asked, concerned. "Why are you worrying about me? You're the one who should be worried," I said, still really tired.

"Caera, have you slept at all while I was out?" Grey questioned as his eyes went soft with worry. "No, I couldn't let you be alone when you woke up," I admitted. Grey just sighed.

"So, I'm assuming you want to know everything?" asked Grey. I stiffened at his words. I took a deep breath before saying anything. "I'd be lying if I said I didn't, but you don't need to tell me," I said, using my arms to make sure I didn't fall over from exhaustion.

"No, you deserve to know, I'll start explaining. Caera, what I'm about to tell you is my secret, the one that caused me all my pain," Grey said as he sat up. Despite my tired state I couldn't help but feel excited, but also anxiety. It clawed at my chest, I've had three years to prepare myself for this but could I really take it?

I motioned him to start talking. "Caera, who I am now, isn't who I used to be. This is my second life, I'm a reincarnator. The man we just fought was a recreation of my past life," Grey explained. He turned away from me, making sure I couldn't see his face. His hands were clenched and trembling.

"Grey, I don't quite understand," I asked, just to confirm since it was rather unbelievable. "One day, I was sitting in bed when I suddenly felt sleepy. Next thing I knew I was here in this world, as Arthur Leywin. Then, I decided to tell my friends and family since I thought they would deserve to know. I think you already know how that turned out," Grey replied, his hands didn't stop shaking.

Ah, that's why you've been hurting so much. You've held such a big secret for so long. It's no wonder you hide yourself from others. I just got up and sat next to him and laid my head on his shoulder. "You know Grey, I don't know how I'm supposed to believe you and that man are the same person, you're both so different."

I then took off my necklace, showing my horns. "Caera?" Grey asked, completely confused. "I think it's only fair for me to show myself to you since you're being so truthful," I said as I fought against my fatigue.

"C-Caera, how are you not afraid of me? I'm in my late forties."

I just sighed. How did I deal with him for all these years? "You really are hopeless aren't you, just always helping others. I suppose that's how I fell in love with you," I admitted.

"Well I help others to try and relieve some of my own guilt for what I did in the past… wait, what did you say?" Grey asked, flabbergasted. "I said I love you Grey, and nothing can change that, not even your past life," I answered, before planting a kiss on his cheek.

Grey then went into deep thought, but a smile soon came onto his face. "Caera, I love you too."

My heart leaped for joy, the man I've been chasing for so long just said those words to me! "What made you finally realize it?" I asked as I snuggled closer. "It was Grey, or King Grey, my past self," Grey answered.

I shot up. "Wait, your old name was Grey?"

"Yeah, you have no idea how shocked I was when you said my old name," Grey chuckled.

I then pulled out the necklace I bought for Grey. It was almost the exact same as mine except for the fact this one was a scarlet red. I then just realized they were the eye color of the other. "Here, I bought this to give you for when I confessed after this ascent, but I suppose I should give it to you now," I said as I put it around his neck.

"T-Thanks Caera, I don't know what to say, really, I don't," admitted Grey as he marveled the necklace. "Then don't say anything at all, I made it for you," I said.

"Caera, I'm still not convinced you're completely okay with this," Grey said, his tone serious.

I separated from him. "You're really good at reading other people's emotions aren't you," I sighed. "Years of being King does that to you," Grey admitted.

"To be truthful, yes, I'm disturbed. Knowing I've slept with you multiple times, even despite being fully clothed is… uncomfortable to say the least. I won't say I need time, but it does mean I won't cuddle you for a while," I admitted with a sheepish grin.

"But I will do this," I said as I pecked him on the lips.

"Caera, I hate to interrupt your moment, but you should probably get some sleep," Grey said as he held my shoulders and motioned to one of the other beds. I nodded and felt darkness envelope me.

***

I woke up to a strange ruffling. Then suddenly purple lighting started to flash from the middle of the room. "GREY, WHAT IS HAPPENING?!" I shouted over the noise it was creating.

"I DON'T KNOW, I THINK IT'S THE STONE IN MY HAND FROM LONG AGO," Grey shouted back, raising his arm to protect himself from the wind that was picking up.

We both kept walking forwards to try and see what was happening in the now mini storm cloud that started in the air. Soon they started to dissipate. What was revealed was rather… disappointing. It was a small little shadow wolf with purple flames.

"Greeting my pitiful master, my name is Regis, I have been created by the Dijnn to work as a perfect weapon for my bearer. I'm one of a kind!" exclaimed the little shadow wolf. I walked over to it and picked him up. "Awwwwww, You're so cute! How can you be a weapon?" I asked, completely ignoring Grey's – hopefully now my boyfriend – worried expression.

"I am not cute, I am majestic! Although, I guess I can forgive such a beautiful lady such as yourself," Regis said as he wiggled in my arms. I immediately dropped him, causing him to yelp in surprise. "Oh horned goddess, why do you drop me?" asked Regis with an overly sarcastic tone.

"I take back what I just said, he's just lewd," I said as I walked back to Grey. "Hey! I'm not as horny as he is! He jus-" before Regis could finish Grey went over and covered his lupine mouth.

"Hey Grey, what does horny mean?" I questioned, confused as I had never heard of that word before. "You don't need to know Caera, you really, really don't need to know," replied Grey with a small bit of red on his face before it turned to hatred as he looked at Regis.

Knock Knock Knock

Both me and Grey turned to the door of the room. An ominous feeling radiating from it. Me and Grey both drew our weapons and got into a battle stance, even despite not having a mana core anymore Grey can still be dangerous.

Knock Knock Knock

I looked at Grey and he looked at me. "Should we open it?" I asked hesitantly. "He's being so polite, I think it's only fair we answer," said Grey as he went over and opened the door. Once he did he let out a gasp.

"Grey! What's wrong?!" I exclaimed as I ran up. What I saw was a middle aged man, standing at 5"5' with purple skin and runes all over his body. "Greetings Grey Willbeck and Caera Denoir, I am what you would call an ancient mage."