It Begins

Arc 2: Light Shines through DarknessThe night had fallen after the wedding. Monsters appeared nearby, forcing Kael to leave to protect the people. Valencia stood by the balcony, watching from afar.

The mansion was still, as everyone hid, hoping the terror would end soon.

“What are you thinking about?” Vrastos suddenly appeared and asked.

Valencia frowned, seeing the dark clouds from afar.

“How did my father seal the Demon King?” Valencia asked.

Vrastos chuckled, leaning on the balcony rails.

“I’m not sure… he told me that he developed a new power with mines,” he explained. Then he sighed heavily. “Why?”

Valencia turned to him, her eyes hollow.

“Do I have the power to control it?” she wondered.

Vrastos’s brow creased. He looked at her.

“You?”

“Yes… his child.”

“I’m not sure… but if you do, your instability could weaken it,” Vrastos stated.

“My… instability?” she repeated. “Aren’t I instabled right now?”

“No… you’re calm…” he chimed. “But… you are also weak.”

Valencia frowned, pouting.

“You’re still claiming that I’m weak?”

“Oh… it’s not a claim… it’s a fact—”

“Well, excuse me, cosmic being… at least, I was able to break out of your void—”

“That was my mistake in letting you,” he argued, pointing at her. She glared at him. “You were just lucky that the Supreme Mother of all kept bothering me!”

She groaned, rolling her eyes.

“Whatever… just teach me how to control it.”

“Why should I?” Vrastos wondered, averting his gaze.

“You’ve been stealing the Light Esper’s aura for a while now… why?” she questioned.

One brow raised as he turned to look at her.

“Why? You asked me why when I already explained—”

“You can leave… even without it,” she stated. He froze. “You don’t need the Light Esper’s aura for anything… other than something that you’re hiding from me.”

“What could I be hiding from you, little vessel?” he raised his chin and looked down at her.

She stepped forward and stared at him.

“You need light for your dark world. For my father, my mother was his light. Roman was also a kind of light that kept him enduring everything in life…” Valencia deduced. Vrastos gulped, his body tensed. “What could you possibly need from a Light’s aura?”

Vrastos grinned and lowered his head.

“My, my… look how much you’ve grown. You’re right,” he stated. Then he leaned closer to her face. “Nothing is more valuable… than how the Light can heal.”

Valencia’s eyes slowly widened after the whisper. Her jaw tightened. His Light that heals? Are you stealing his power?

“No… little one, I’m not stealing it. I’m just taking the overwhelming aura that your pretty boy couldn’t handle.”

“But won’t he die if you take too much? Won’t I die?” she questioned.

Vrastos giggled and walked away, opening his portal.

“What do you mean? I wouldn’t do anything to hurt my vessel,” he claimed.

She clenched her fists and stomped toward him.

“But… why—?”

“Just tell her already, Vrastos,” Athesia demanded. She pushed him back forward as his portal faded.

“Hey, why did you come out?!” Vrastos snapped.

Athesia crossed her arms and sighed. Her gaze moved to Valencia.

“He’s trying to merge the Light’s power of healing with his void—”

“I never said you can reveal my plan!” he shouted. He flicked his fingers, opening another portal. “Now get the hell out of here!”

Athesia glanced at him and smiled before snickering.

“My, my… Vrastos, you can’t just admit that you’re trying to teach this to your little child—”

“She’s not my child! Now leave!” he demanded. He grabbed her shoulder and pushed her in. He looked at Valencia, flushing. “Bye!”

Once the portal disappeared, Valencia paused.

“He… was trying to learn, so he could teach me?” she gasped. “He’s really going to teach me?”

As time passed, Valencia rested for the night. Kael returned home, his hands and cloak soaking the floor with the monsters’ blood. He groaned as he entered.