bookpower Chapter 29 – Surrounded
Chapter 29 – Surrounded
Van sat in Magus's grave, his back against the goddess statue. Curled into a ball, he clutched his hair tightly. Memories surged: times with Magus in both worlds, Amoria's confession of love for Magus, joyful moments in the demon realm shattered by seeing Alicia with another, countless deaths and tortures by the royal knights, lonely nights, and the haunting descriptions of his passives, Dark Soul and Untrusted.
He remembered the two faces that had shown him affection, revealed as manipulations by Salem Dyke. His body shivered, tightening as he recalled Magus's plea for visits, a chance for friendship lost to his insecurities.
Van pressed his head harder, muscles tensed, trying to shield himself from the painful memories. Despair overwhelmed him, shaking violently, blind to the world, destined to remain in perpetual shadow.
"Van...?" A soft voice pierced the gloom.
Van slowly raised his head, surrounded by an oppressive darkness.
"...Van...? I'm here..." The voice echoed once more. He scanned his surroundings, but no one appeared in his shadowy realm.
"Van... Please raise your head and look at me..." The voice continued, its plea soft and resonant amidst the silence.
Gradually, Van stood up.
His expression was blank and weary as he
[Van!?] Arlyn's voice shifted, startled by the sudden shift in his demeanor.
'Wanna know something crazy?' Van's thoughts probed, locking onto the dragon's gaze. 'Your master—she was involved with Magus romantically. Hell, her and everyone else.'
[I... I know about that... You know I know that! I... I always thought it was strange, but as long as Master was happy, I—]
'She was brainwashed,' Van cut in, sneering. 'Magus had her under his spell.'
[W-what...?] Arlyn's mental voice wavered, the magic between them faltering.
"Something's wrong!!!" Lalyn's sudden outburst echoed, catching Amoria and the priest off guard.
"What's happening?!" Amoria demanded, alarmed.
Lalyn's face contorted with worry. "It's Arlyn—her focus is slipping!" she shouted, panic creeping into her voice.
'Magus had passive skills from our so-called Goddess. Skills that made every woman adore him... And I knew it all along,' Van continued, his mind sharp and relentless.
The dragon's expression twisted into fury, her teeth bared within the storm as she glared at him, the intensity between them mounting.
[...]
'Well, Arlyn?' Van thought, his resigned smile unwavering as he locked eyes with the raging dragon. 'How's that "light in my heart" looking to you now?'