The soft smile on the youth's face made him look softer, like a grass field covered in dew, kissed by the first touch of sunrise. Ordan took in this sight quietly as an outsider would, afraid of disrupting this ethereal world. Their eyes, like red garnet, lowered as he felt the sweat in his palms.
"Thank you..." Moulin's eyes curved as he spoke. The youth went to find the bracelet in his room, excitent bubbling inside him.
Obviously, Ordan had already recognized what the gem was for. Thus, Moulin made a quick escape lest Ordan begin reminding him of his mistake again. As he put on the bracelet, Moulin paused from admiring the simple jewelry. Hadrian possessed an unknown demonic curse which triggers when his emotions are stirred. Perhaps he could use the arcan relic to absorb the embedded malevolent energy. Perhaps it could break through the curse...
Moulin's heart pounded. 'I need to tell him.'
The youth could only request Ordan to send a letter quickly. The man stared at him for a few seconds, occasionally glancing at the port key bracelet around the youth's wrist. Relieved that Moulin didn't plan on leaving the realm, he accepted and left. Moulin then went to his lesson with Lady Calanthe, who looked at him in surprise when she listened. If anyone knew Lord Hercullio was corrupted, the council and the crown prince would use it against Helios. Moulin knew he could trust the sorceress.
"We have high hopes with the arcan relic. Its complete form must be finished before the arrival of the Chrysolite." Lady Calanthe spoke as she took off her hat and smashed the large boulder-size stone opal with her staff.
The ear-splitting snap startled Moulin, who was busy chiseling out the rune from the dark stone pedestal. His forehead was covered in sweat, and his hands were far from steady. Currently, the two of them were making the Arcan pedestal for the Chrysolite mother. Lady Calanthe used her connections to acquire a separate space, hidden from the knowledge of the council, to situate the core of the Arcan magic.
The Arcan core would be the central reservoir for the Arcan relics. With the proper materials and technology, it will draw in the Kron's energy, devour it, and forge it into pured mana. Moulin had already discussed it with Lady Calanthe, but they knew they wouldn't be able to hide it for long.
Moulin wipes his sweat with his sleeve while deciding his next task. He did most of the heavy work while Lady Calanthe went over the procedures and formations to spiritually strengthen the chambers for the daunting work it would soon do. Although Moulin knew little about setting up the chamber, the sorceress possessed much knowledge and experience to guide Moulin throughout the process.
"Is this alright?" Moulin assessed his own work, shaking the dust off his arms, and stood up.
Lady Calanthe approached, tilting her head at the vertical rune work on the body of the pedestal. "Passable. But it could use a little refining, dear. The lines are crooked."
"..."
I was talking about the formation behind the rune...
The two spent a few hours working on the Arcan chamber before Moulin had to leave for his session with the High priestess, Celeste. He was already an hour late and knew she was already beyond furious.
...
When night fell, Moulin tiredly dragged himself across the hallway while Snow caught up to him, trying to play with his ankles. The youth tilted his head side to side, stretching his neck, hoping to loosen his muscles. The session ended badly, with no progress at all. His connection with his deity was far from close. Thus, no matter how much he spent ti ditating and ntally exhausting himself, he could not get through.
With a sigh, Moulin pushed the door open and entered his room. He froze when a familiar presence struck his senses.
"It's late..." A deep voice pierced the youth's ears as a certain golden-eyed man leisurely rested his hip at the edge of the desk, gazing at the ss of parchnts on its wooden surface.
"You're here." A corner of the youth's lips turned up. Silver eyes shone with a hint of tenderness. "Does your Excellency understand why he is here?"
"I heard you need my help," Hadrian spoke, observing the young man approaching him. "I went here myself to save you the trouble of sneaking out under the noses of your guard and ntors."
Moulin snorted, tapping a finger under the man's chin. "Do I need to reward you?"
Hadrian only allowed Moulin to treat him as a pet. Golden irises glead under the lamplight. "I will be gladdened."
The young man chuckled, shaking his head for going along with the man's antics. He gestured for Hadrian to follow him to his study. There were many things to prepare. Moulin offered him a seat at the desk before he went away to fetch the tools.
The lord looked as handso as ever, garbed in fine clothes as he looked around Moulin's quaint yet comfortable setting. He glanced at the chairs and table and realized how small they were.
"Nothing is interesting to be staring about." Moulin ca back with an arm full of things. "And the furniture isn't small. You are just too big for them."
A corner of Hadrian's lips rose. He watched as Moulin took a familiar object from a black wooden case, dragged a chair, and sat before Hadrian. Silver eyes lifted to et his golden gaze. They were calm as a year's first snowfall.
Moulin spoke hesitantly, "This is the Arcan relic I have just modified. In my letter, I expressed that I would do what it takes to remove the curse in your body. Although I am not that skilled, I have learned many things under Lady Calanthe, Lord Na'El, and Lady Celeste's guidance. I have a bit of faith in my talents, so... you need to trust on this..."
Moulin waited for Hadrian's answer. With tenderness in his golden eyes, the lord leaned forward and brushed his lips against Moulin. "I trust you always..."
Moulin smiles faintly before he holds the arcan relic in his left palm and presses it on the man's right wrist, trapping the object between his palm and Hadrian wrist. He feels Hadrian's heartbeat, vigorous and steady. The High Lord calmly takes Moulin's right hand and presses the youth's palm on his chest. Moulin felt the constant rise of Hadrian's chest. All his senses perceived the man's compelling presence.
"I'll start," Moulin whispered. Both their gazes never strayed from each other.
A strong aura spreads from the arcan artifact, drilling deep into their skin. It is powerful, pure, and dominating. Moulin spoke the enchantnt quickly. The language numbed his tongue and devoured his mana as he activated the formation. Suddenly, he felt Hadrian's muscles tighten.
Hadrian's brows were drawn together as he felt an intrusive force purging its way into his inner core. His mana retaliates with equal intensity, causing a bit of pain inside his body. But when it perceived a familiar, cool, and soothing energy, the golden mana hesitantly gave way as though helpless and pliant. The pain gradually subsided.
Hadrian realized that Moulin navigated the relic's magic with his own, avoiding any conflicts and surges. He stared deeply at his beloved, who closed his eyes in concentration. Moulin had been confined in the realm for several weeks, being taught and guided. The majority of that ti, Hadrian wasn't there to accompany him, failing to witness his achievents and failures. Although circumstances eluded them from spending ti together, Hadrian could not help but feel regret and bitterness.
Rising anger burned inside his chest, flaring unconsciously. When Hadrian realized it was the curse, it was too late. Silver eyes gradually opened.
Suddenly, sothing cool engulfed Hadrian's whole being. Startled, the man stopped. The miserable feeling climbing up his spine vanished, replaced by a cooling sensation that was too wonderful to miss. It was healing and bright. The High Lord, unblinkingly gazed at the veins on the arm Moulin held. They shone golden underneath his skin as though a heavenly miracle transford his blood into gold.
Crack!
A sharp sound snapped the atmosphere. In an instant, the formation shattered, and the air around them stilled. Moulin's eyes widened; confusion and surprise filled his expression. The youth removed his left palm from Hadrian's wrist and saw the shattered arcan relic.
"It couldn't handle the weight of the task..." Moulin's pupils trembled, and a sigh escaped his lips. "I had high hopes for this one, but it seems like it is still too weak..."
"However, it worked spendidly..." Hadrian voiced his thoughts. He twisted his wrist and assessed his own inner core. "Much better than Colahn's long examinations..."
Moulin chuckled, shaking his head. "If the patient is satisfied, then I will work my hardest."
Perhaps the formation was compromised during his modifications? But he and Lady Calanthe had assessed the relic multiple tis. Was it the reservoir material? A crease appeared between the youth's forehead. If it were, he would need more-
"Ah!"
Strong arms suddenly wrapped beneath his knees and curled around his waist. Moulin subconsciously held Hadrian's shoulders with wide eyes as he was hoisted in the air. 'What in the world...'
"Let us continue this tomorrow. You are too tired to think." Lord Hercullio's words penetrated deep into Moulin's heart, making the youth flush red. Amusent filled those golden eyes.
Sighing, Moulin loosened himself, letting his limbs sag. "Then tomorrow... you must co early..."
"...?" Hadrian glanced at him as he walked towards the bedroom. "And here I thought, I wouldn't be sleeping alone tonight..."
"..." Moulin blinked. He felt his heart skip a beat."Y-You're staying here?"
"Do you not want-"
Moulin slapped a hand on his gorgeous mouth. He had enough of this man's teasing and stalling. Despite his pounding heart, Moulin calmly narrowed his eyes at him. "Let's sleep together."
Moulin felt a smile form underneath his hand.
.....
As the land stretched far in the night, a few figures stared guardedly at the blurred moon, shrouded behind thick, somber clouds. There is danger in every sound heard. The woods lood over them, and an eerie feeling crept on their spines. However, they remained wary and ready to face whatever abomination that would dare attack them.
Sitting uncomfortably against the rocky wall, Ghana remained cautious as she signaled a pair of Scepter sentinels to check the rest of their slumbering comrades deep inside the cave.
She kept her attention to their surroundings before her gaze settled on her necklace's pendant, the arcan relic.
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