Chapter 20 : A human

Lucas felt a deep, primal sense of crisis.

His entire body screamed at him to run.

But the worst part?

He didn't even know why.

There was no immediate danger. No sudden attack. Thania wasn't moving toward him, wasn't radiating killing intent. And yet, something deep within him, something instinctual, was ringing like a warning bell.

A danger he couldn't see.

A predator he couldn't comprehend.

But Lucas was not the same person he used to be.

He had changed.

Running wasn't an option.

So instead, he looked directly into Thania's eerily composed face and met her unsettling smile head-on. His voice was steady, sharp, devoid of hesitation.

"Did I do something funny, or did you just remember a joke?"

A pause. Then he tilted his head, feigning curiosity.

"If it's the latter, do share. It's frustrating when only one person is smiling, don't you think?"

There was no childish innocence in his voice anymore. No attempt to act his age. His mother was gone. There was no one left who cared how a five-year-old should behave.

So he will act according to his mental age.

And Thania?

She just stood there. Watching.

Then, slowly, she adjusted her posture—subtle, deliberate, calculated. The eerie tension lingering in the air dispersed as if it had never existed. Her expression relaxed, her aura softened.

'Not yet…' she told herself. 'I have to hold back my feelings.'

If she pushed too hard now, he would retreat. He would grow distant. Worse—he might run. And that was unacceptable.

She needed him close.

So she exhaled quietly, slipping into normalcy. Trying to go back to her usual self.

Because Lucas was no ordinary existence.

And something like him? Had to be hers.

She simply needed to be patient. Step by step, she would guide him. Gain his trust. Open his heart.

And once she did—

He would never leave her side.

Her mind spun rapidly, calculating. What did he want the most?

Vengeance.

He wanted the destruction of the Sylvaris Empire. The empire that had burned his home, slaughtered his people, shattered his life.

Would he come to her if she simply gave it to him?

Would he accept her if she marched there herself, erased every noble, every soldier, and turned them into her undead after that give him the control over them ?

Would he look at her the way she wanted him to?

Would he—

Thania's thoughts ground to a halt as her gaze returned to Lucas.

She studied him, taking in the quiet storm behind his ashen eyes.

No.

She had her answer.

He wouldn't accept it.

His hatred burned too deeply.

He didn't just want revenge. He wanted to carve it with his own hands. To be the one to end them.

If she took that away from him, if she stripped him of his vengeance, he would resent her. Or maybe even be the next target of his hatred.

That was not an option.

Then I will be behind him, she decided. I will aid him. I will shield him if necessary.

But she would never take his revenge.

Instead, she would be his protector.

She would ensure that no one—no one—claimed him. Not even Death itself.

Her void-like eyes gleamed as the thought solidified.

Yes.

This was how she would have him.

This decision settled within her in mere seconds—a rapid-fire conclusion formed in the span of a heartbeat. The perception of a Saint-level being like her was far beyond mortal comprehension.

And then, her lips curled.

This time, it wasn't a haunting smirk, nor a calculating grin.

It was… soft.

A genuine smile.

If any undead had seen their queen at this moment, they would have been horrified.

Because they had never—never—seen her smile like this.

A sweet, almost innocent smile.

A smile that belonged to a young maiden.

"Nothing funny," she said lightly. "I just find it interesting how much you've changed since the last time I saw you."

Her void gaze flickered with amusement.

"And by last time… I mean a couple of hours ago."

Lucas frowned.

She wasn't wrong.

The change was drastic. Sudden. Unnatural, even.

He had gone from a boy barely surviving to something else entirely.

"…Some things happened,"he said shortly, offering nothing more.

A clear barrier.

He didn't want to talk about it.

And Thania?

She didn't push.

Not yet.

Instead, she continued smoothly, as if his answer was enough.

"You told me you wanted revenge." Her voice was calm, even. "I will help you."

Lucas' brows lifted slightly. "Why?"

His tone was laced with suspicion.

"Why would you do that? You have nothing to gain from this."

Thania chuckled, a low, melodic sound.

"Oh, but I do."

Her gaze glowed faintly in the dim light.

"I always want new undead. The Sylvaris Empire is perfect for that. They have strong warriors. Powerful mages. Some… nearly at my level."

Then, she smirked.

"Though, of course, they wouldn't be a match for me. My domain is not for the weak hearted"

That last part carried a subtle pride.

Lucas stared at her. Domain unh…

For some reason… he felt like she had changed since the last time they spoke.

Was it her voice? Her demeanor?

Something was different.

But he couldn't place it.

Still—

As long as she didn't do anything against him, and as long as she was willing to help…

Then it didn't matter.

After all, who wouldn't want the Queen of Death and Decay as an ally?

Even if he had only met her a few hours ago.

"Alright," he said. "How exactly do you plan to help me?"

Thania's eyes gleamed.

"I have someone to introduce you to."

Lucas narrowed his eyes slightly. "Someone?"

"Yes."

A slow pause. Then she asked:

"Do you use weapons?"

Lucas hesitated.

He never had. He never needed to.

But now?

Now, he would use anything that could make him stronger.

So he answered.

"I never did. But I want to learn."

Thania's lips curled.

"Perfect."

Her voice was filled with something pleased.

"Then he will be perfect for you."

Lucas' eyes sharpened. "Who is he? One of your undead?"

A heartbeat of silence.

Then—

"No."

She smiled.

"He's human. Just like you…"

End of Chapter 20.

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A/N :

Add it and support with power stones if you like it guys. Don't keep them, spend them…on my book of course.

Thank you for reading !!

;)