Are you not afraid of me?

Eldrida, Mage Tower

The morning sunlight streamed through the large windows, illuminating the stone corridor of the Mage Tower. The servants went back and forth in the corridors, busy with their own tasks. Several students in brown or black robes chatted while walkingwalking and carrying thick books.

A student wearing a brown robe walked in a rush down the hall towards the office of Severus, the highest leader of the elders in the Mage Tower.

Arriving at the large wooden door of the office, he took a deep breath, trying to calm his slightly ragged breathing. Then he knocked on the door.

Knock. Knock.

"Come in," an authoritative man's voice called from inside the room.

The student entered with a slight bow. "Good morning, Chief Severus," he greeted politely.

"Yes, Evan. What do you need?" asked Severus, who was reading a paper at his desk. His shoulder-length white hair was neatly combed to the back of his head, and his white robes shone softly under the sunlight coming in from the window behind him.

Evan closed the door, then stepped forward to Severus' desk.

"Chief, we have discovered the whereabouts of The Light and The Darkness," he said, chosing his words carefully.

Severus lowered the paper he was reading and looked at Evan.

"Are you sure?" he asked sharply.

"I am certain. One of our men undercover in the rebel group told us. A young woman fitting Lady Camelia's description was with them yesterday. And a young man with extraordinary strength was also with Lady Camelia," Evan explained.

Severus digested Evan's explanation. His gray eyes studied Evan, assuring himself whether this statement could be trusted or not.

Finally, he put down the paper and sat up straight.

"What do you mean by yesterday?" he asked Evan.

"Umm… like this, Chief. Our spies only found out a few days ago that the woman was Lady Camelia. So now, Lady Camelia and the man named Atherion have left for Nefaria," explained Evan while fidgeting his fingers.

"You mean they were in Eldrida all this time?" Severus exclaimed.

"Y-yes that's right," Evan started to stammer, seeing Severus' reaction.

"Send some Mages over there. No, wait. I will lead this mission. We have to get The Light and The Darkness whatever happens," he ordered vehemently. His dream of world domination would soon come true. He aimed to subdue the world under the Mage Tower of Eldrida.

***

Kingdom of Calonia, Duke Valois Estate

The news that the mages of the Mage Tower had discovered the whereabouts of the daughter of Duke Valois, who was also The Light and the news that she was with The Darkness itself, spread everywhere.

Duke Valois, upon hearing the news, pounded his desk and shouted for the knights from Calonia to move to pick up his daughter.

"Fast! Prepare the knights, we will go to the border between Eldrida and Nefaria!" he roared.

"Call Captain Rafael!" he shouted again.

The servants and knights were busy making preparations to pick up the Duke's beloved daughter.

Duke Valois threw himself into his luxurious and soft work chair, his hands clenched into fists on the table.

'Finally I found you, Camelia. Wait, dad will come to save you...' 

***

Near the border between Eldrida and Nefaria

Atherion was silent, not answering Camelia's question. His jaw hardened, and his body tensed.

Because she was sitting in front of Atherion, Camelia felt the change in him, and started to get scared.

"I-if you don't want to answer, that's fine..." Camelia said weakly.

"No." Suddenly Atherion said.

"W-what?" Camelia asked, looking back at Atherion's face. His expression was as indifferent as ever.

"I'm not angry," said Atherion again.

Camelia smiled, and Atherion glanced at her face.

"I'm glad you're not mad at me," Camelia said with a happy laugh as she faced forward again.

Atherion was silent.

Suddenly he asked, "Aren't you afraid of me?"

Camelia was silent for a moment, then answered carefully. "To be honest, from the first time I met you, I was afraid of you. And in this world, there are so many strange things that I don't understand."

Atherion's heart seemed to stop beating. 'She really is afraid of me…'

Then Camelia turned her head again facing him, and said with a smile, "No matter what happens, you are still good to me. So I can't be afraid of you all the time."

Atherion stared into Camelia's eyes, trying to understand her words.

Camelia looked forward again, chattering, "I believe there is a reason why you are like that. But I also believe you are a good person."

Suddenly, Camelia choked. She felt Atherion's face and breath on her shoulder and neck, and his strong arms hugged her from behind.

"A-Atherion…" Camelia's face turned red.

"Shh… Don't move…." Atherion whispered hoarsely.

Camelia was silent, then she hugged Atherion's arms.

They remained in that position as Storm stepped forward towards the rock cliff that marked the border.

***

Nefaria Kingdom, Throne Room

Nefari laughed when she heard the news that The Light and The Darkness were heading to her country.

"That son of a b*tch will finally give himself up to be my slave," she said between laughs.

She then sat in her chair smiling, imagining what she would do to the two of them, especially to his dream guy, no, dream monster, Atherion.

Sarkan, who was standing next to her, had a sullen face. 

Nefari laughed again. "Why are you pouting?" she asked Sarkan.

Saran remained silent and continued to look sullen.

"You're jealous of that guy?" asked Nefari with amusement.

"No, I wouldn't dare, My Queen," replied Sarkan, still with a sullen face.

"Hahahahaha. Show me your face," Nefari ordered Sarkan, pointing her index finger at Sarkan.

Sarkan leaned his face towards Nefari, and suddenly Nefari grabbed his chin, pulled his face closer, and kissed Sarkan on the lips.

The knights in black and all the servants in the room averted their faces.

Nefari broke the kiss, then said to Sarkan. "Before we welcome our important guests, I want to eat first. You will be the dessert." Her lips smiled seductively.

Sarkan smirked, then said to the servants in the throne room, "Prepare ten healthy human slaves in the Queen's room. The Queen needs nutritious food to last longer."