Lonely Void

Vrastos clenched his fists, remembering the first day he met Eureon in such a gruesome way. Athesia stared at his trembled hands before her gaze returned to his furious eyes.

“What troubles you, Vrastos?” she asked, already knowing the answer. Her lips thinned into a smile.

Vrastos glared at her before averting his eyes.

“Everything happened for a reason… if only you would stop forcing me to join the stupid fight with the Demon King…” he muttered.

“Oh… you’re still bitter about that—”

“Oh?! Is that all you have to say?!” Vrastos argued. He grabbed her neck. “Because of your stupid persuasion, he left behind the woman he loved, who was carrying his child! I stayed behind to protect them by his order!!!”

Athesia watched his frustration as he steadied himself. He released her neck and closed his eyes.

“Say… why do you think her father was still the happiest person in the world when he lost everything at a young age?” Athesia questioned him.

“Why do you care? He’s just another pawn for you in order to fight the Demon King,” he refused to answer. He spread his arms wide. “Look, where we are! You’re in my fucking world, and you think I’ll let you control this vessel? You’re crazy—”

“The seal is falling apart—”

“So fucking what?! Do you want the daughter to die in the hands of those crazy humans?!” he yelled, pointing to the ground. He realized he was losing control of himself, pulling his hair back. “You get out! Last time you came here, you persuaded him to go. You asked a man who has more than anything to lose… to go die for these stupid humans who didn’t deserve his kindness!”

“Yet you claimed he lost everything—”

“Because he did! He lost his home!” Vrastos said. His voice slowly slurred. “He lost his partner and daughter, who waited for him. I couldn’t keep her here because she would have died… I’m a fucking Void. Not a hero!”

He slammed his hand on his chest.

“But your vessel saved the world—”

“He didn’t save anyone! He didn’t need to save anyone! He needed to stay the fuck away from everyone!”

“Vrastos, why are you so angry over Eureon?” Athesia questioned.

Vrastos froze, his jaw tensing.

[FLASHBACK - Academy Years for Eureon]

“Kill them… they’re just crazy humans!” Vrastos claimed, while Eureon read. Eureon stood and walked away. Vrastos strolled around him as Eureon stepped into the hallway. “Come on, vessel! Aren’t you angry at the world for treating you this way?”

Eureon stopped and turned to Vrastos, eyes locking.

“Why should I be angry? I’m thankful that you saved me for my own good… I’m also thankful to my parents for seeing their desperation in solving the matter that I am a monster—”

“Come on! How are you such a little shat and let everyone walk over you? That Light Esper, whatever guy… he definitely doesn’t like you! Let’s kill him—”

“Vrastos, thank you for being a guardian all these years…” Eureon said warmly. He smiled. “It is lonely… being a Void, but that’s okay.”

Vrastos stared at Eureon, his eyes twitching. Eureon then continued walking in the hallway while Vrastos stood there.

[END OF FLASHBACK]

Vrastos remained silent as Athesia watched. She shrugged her shoulders before turning away.

“I get it… you were very fond of Eureon that you didn’t want to become a sacrifice…” she whispered. She sighed heavily as her chest tightened. “However, you must respect his choices, and you need to understand… that maybe he believed in your power more than you did.”

Then she walked away to the other side of the dimension. Vrastos bit his lower lip and frowned without a word back.

As night fell, Valencia slept in her bed while Kael stayed awake with Detri about planning their departure. She tossed her head side-to-side, her dream unsettling her.

“No…” she groaned. Without knowing, dark clouds quickly surrounded her, swallowing her in. “NO!”

Valencia opened her eyes and looked around. She floated in the air, panicking.

“Where am I?” she panted.

“Hello, son… where are your parents?” a priest asked.

Valencia darted her head and stared. A boy in ragged clothes pulled away as much as possible. He bit his lower lip. Grey eyes with purplish stars. Valencia choked on the word she wanted to say… Dad.

“Don’t touch me!” the boy screamed. Nine-year-old Eureon, who just survived his parents. The priest immediately grabbed his arm. “OW!”

“Come with me… Eureon…” the priest demanded.

Eureon froze, staring at the priest. The priest smirked and pulled him up—

“No!” Eureon shouted, pushing the priest before the void touched him. Eureon trembled at the sight that the void nearly pierced the priest. “No… I’m a monster…”

Eureon turned and ran away as fast as possible. The priest stood and angrily rubbed the dirt off his robe.

“That little shit! Once I find you again, I’ll make sure I extract as much blood from you… to get that power…” he grumbled. Then he looked toward Valencia, yet was unable to see her. “Go and fetch that boy now!”

Two other priests from behind Valencia stepped forward, nodding. They hurried to follow Eureon.

Valencia’s jaw tightened. No… Father! She ran through the streets, searching for Eureon. She wanted to find him before the priests. She searched through and through… only to hear a muffling cry beneath the bridge. She froze and turned. She peeked under the bridge.

Eureon sat there, crying. The void… Vrastos appeared before him.

“We should just kill them. Why won’t you kill them?!” Vrastos questioned.

Eureon glared at Vrastos, tears streaming. Eureon then shook his head firmly.

“We must not… they mean no harm.”

Vrastos sighed heavily.

“Vessel, you’re naive. An adult grabbing your hand this hard? He definitely meant harm!” Vrastos argued.

Eureon sniffled and stared at the ground. Valencia watched, her chest tightening. The two priests suddenly ran over the bridge, scurrying around.

“Where could this bastard be?!”

“Why does the Head Priest want this scary Void monster anyway?!” one said.

Eureon turned pale, his eyes widening.

“If the Royal Family catches him before us, the Head Priest will get upset!”

Vrastos raised his head to glance at the priests, then looked down at Eureon with his head high still.

“No harm, huh?” Vrastos questioned. “They would rather kill you to control you…”

Valencia bit her lower lip, glaring at Vrastos. That’s not what you should say to a child! She clenched her fists.

Eureon raised his gaze into the air where Valencia was, seeming like locking his eyes with her.

Once the priests were gone, Eureon climbed out of the bridge, crawling to the street. A shadow hovered over his tiny body. He gasped and looked up.

Valencia stood on the bridge and paused, her eyes widening. The… Royal family?!

“Hello… you must be Eureon. Your mother had sent me a word…” Leroy claimed.

Eureon flinched, trembling.

“My mother…?” he repeated. Then he sobbed. “She died!”

Leroy smiled, darkening. His eyes quickly turned hollow.

“Take him to the palace… where he shall be safe,” Leroy ordered.

The knights behind nodded.

“Yes, Your Majesty!” they obeyed, guiding Eureon to the carriage. He looked back like he was staring at Valencia before looking forward.

Just as the carriage left, the same priest from earlier stepped beside Leroy.

“Your Majesty!”

“Good job… now the boy will think I’m his savior,” Leroy smirked.

Valencia’s body tensed, her bloodshot eyes widening. This… son of a bitch? She stared at Leroy. He looked like Lucentis. Like Roman. But there was something wrong in him—something sharper, meaner, dangerous.

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