Moulin flinched.
His eyes snapped open in the darkness. Naked and wrapped in a familiar embrace under the blankets, his heartbeat quickened suddenly. A serene silence filled the bedroom with the moonlight beaming through the paned windows serving as the only light source. Moulin blinked, trying to shake off his drowsiness before he turned around, facing the handso lord slumbering beside him.
Disheveled golden hair made him look less intimidating and more youthful. His long lashes twitched slightly while he frowned as though he were trapped in a dream. The youth's ears reddened, recalling their passionate night. The fire seed to burst from his cheeks when he rembered how Hadrian lecherously grabbed both his legs, anchoring Moulin's ankles on his shoulders before hastily thrusting into the fiery seam between his legs.
Sweat dripped from his forehead as Hadrian huffed, gazing into Moulin's eyes with dark determination and a devilish smile on his face. Moulin shut his eyes tight, pursing his lips as he rose from the bed, the sheets falling around the smooth skin of his waist.
He abruptly paused.
A faded ringing flashed through his ears. The sa one that awoke him. Familiar energy burst in his chest, erratic and hasty.
A call. Moulin frowned, finally recognizing the abnormality.
"Where are you going?"
A deep voice, laced with drowsiness, spoke, startling Moulin, who already sat at the edge of the bed. The youth turned to look at the robust man lying on his side, the moonlight revealing his firm muscles. Clearing his dry throat, Moulin answered. "Morhas. It seems like he's trying to call for ..."
Hadrian's brows were drawn together as he gave Moulin a deep look. "Then I'll co with you."
The youth didn't really have the energy to refuse Hadrian. Recalling the lord's persistence last night, he shuddered.
The two rose from the bed and dressed in simple clothing. Ignoring the aches on his waist, Moulin frowned, shooting an accusing glance at the golden-eyed man. Damned man. He really didn't hold back. Hadrian only smiled as he circled an arm around his lover's slender waist, seizing the chance to rub his fingers soothingly on Moulin's flesh over his clothes.
In the blink of an eye, they arrived within the Arcan chamber. Familiar energy pulsed around them, growing more excited at the arrival of the two n.
'Welco...'
Moulin inwardly sighed as he and Hadrian approached the Arcan Pedestal. The Mother Crystal glowed, deforming rapidly as they neared.
"I was having a good rest," Moulin muttered with a disappointed stare.
'I see. Understandable, knowing how late you slept.'
Moulin's face reddened. Coughing twice, he glanced at Hadrian's refreshed countenance before sighing in resignation. "What did you call for?"
All of a sudden, the light within the chamber dimd, creating a sowhat cozy ambiance. The Mother Crystal spoke, 'They have realized your intent and my absence.'
Silver eyes narrowed coldly. 'They' could only an the demonic armies.
'They have severed every connection I could control within the island. However... I caught one crucial piece of information.'
"What is it did you find?" Hadrian spoke.
'They have witnessed the power of Moulin's creations. It has successfully ensued chaos within their ranks. However... their rage shall shall be directed to more seiges and invasions against your kind.'
A deep foreboding settled in Moulin's chest.
'Their cruel nature is a common thing, but their minds are sharpened by their devotion and fanaticism. It wouldn't be long for them to use your creations against you, my friend.'
"I understand their persistence quite well..." The fury in Moulin's eyes simred.
'As they already have taken a portion of your spirit. They shall have so use for it soon. You must remain cautious.'
Moulin's brows furrowed. With Hadrian by his side, seriously listening to every word, he knew that his security would be tighter in the following days. His plans to visit the mage wing instantly disintegrated.
Moulin and Morhas exchanged a few more words. Their conversation smoothly shifted from one topic to another. Each was able to respond imdiately as though they already knew what the other was thinking.
'Fortunately, our enemies would not try to directly besiege your stronghold at any day.'
"Why is that?" If they are so desperate, shouldn't they try to find our location as soon as possible?
'They fear a certain man may recognize his value and unleash his ancestors' legacy, threatening their plans.'
Legacy?
Moulin's eyes widened. It wasn't the first ti he had heard of it. However, there was only one man that ca to his mind. And he was standing beside him, wearing an impassive expression, gazing solemnly at the pedestal.
This ti, Moulin felt Morhas's attention shift towards the expressionless lord beside him.
'For centuries, the demonic descendants have feared the golden blood. However, they have never given up searching to corrupt it. Young man, it seems they have succeeded.'
Hadrian's face hardened. His eyes are colder now. "I haven't succumbed to it's influence."
'If you fail to reconcile with your legacy, you will soon face destruction.'
The words rang in Moulin's ears. Dread sank in his gut as he tried to keep himself composed. "Then... is there a way to awaken it?"
"You want to welco it?" Hadrian turned to Moulin.
Moulin t his stern gaze with as much passion. "If it ant to save you, then yes. Over and over, I have failed to remove the malevolence. You should have noticed it as well. How it grows persistently from you like a damn leech."
His anger was so sudden it surprised Hadrian.
'There... is no effective way for one to embrace their own legacy. It depends on their will and determination. Manic, it may seem, but it only expresses how uncontrollable one has left it over the years. Perhaps it is ti to release those chains and abandon suppression.'
Hadrian's expression remained the sa. However, Moulin could vividly feel the raging turmoil within the man.
'Know that your hesitance will endanger one most precious to you, Golden Lord.'
...
When they left the chamber, Moulin remained conflicted as Hadrian stayed silent. Hadrian's long-term suppression of his mana surges has been going well. He exiled his own destructive energy into the depths of his inner soul, risking the sensitivity of his emotional state. Coupled with the corruption's influence, it would be harder for him to suppress himself over anything stimulating.
"Are you reluctant?..." Moulin finally voiced out as he sat on the bed. The sunrise bead through the translucent curtains, illuminating the room in a golden hue.
"..." Hadrian lowered his gaze while he closed the door. He turned around to face the beautiful young man sitting anxiously on the bed.
"Would you hate if I was?"
Moulin stiffened briefly before shaking his head. "Of course not."
Hadrian showed minor physical fatigue despite the mont was not one of relief. The sunlit room transford his skin into heavenly colors, though his eyes remained preoccupied.
"I..." The words left his mouth with deliberate care, as if he needed ti to judge their taste before their release. "I've always felt sothing hidden. Sothing immorial existing beyond my comprehension. My childhood dreams were strange visions, now vague but quite morable for a child's."
Moulin stared at him calmly. "And you never told ?"
"re childhood troubles. Many thought I was cursed. But my father told I was blessed... that was before his descent to the sa madness." Hadrian spoke to Moulin using a gentle voice that seed to offer admission. "Throughout my life I tried to dismiss the feeling because I believed disregarding it would lead to its disappearance. But I realized I as only comforting myself. Suppressing it allowed to think clearly and build a life. How do you think I fared through the years you were gone?"
Moulin gripped the sheets strongly with his hands. His voice cracked, "And now?"
There was a long silence.
Hadrian went to the edge of the bed before he settled down next to Moulin with their legs touching. His words left him breathless because he now doubts whether the man would accept the following words.
"I believe I wouldn't be the sa man if I let it in. "
Different. The man beside him, powerful and mighty in the eyes of the people, looked at Moulin with unusual uncertainty. As his words ended, apprehension filled the youth's eyes. He couldn't help but stare in disbelief. "You think I would leave if you changed? That I would abandon you?"
"No," Hadrian replied while his golden eyes deepened. "... I think I might."
Moulin reacted more strongly to this statent than he had predicted. His eyes widened as he remained silent with parted lips. At that mont Hadrian extended his hand toward Moulin before he abruptly held back, withdrawing his hand.
The atmosphere suddenly changed. A chill ran up Moulin's spine.
Suddenly, the wistful emotion in those golden pupils vanished. The Golden Lord stood up from his seat and walked towards the door. An oppressive aura surrounded his whole being. "Don't worry, I won't do anything that would risk your safety. As your God had said, I will face my own destruction. But that would undoubtedly sadden you, won't it?"
Moulin furrowed his brows. Before he could speak, Hadrian revealed a slight smile. "Nevertheless, I will do what I can to be useful to you, beloved."
The door clicked shut as he left.
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