'But I can't abandon her…'
With the war, chaos was coming. There was no way he could protect a slumbering god while battling for his life. Especially with the uncertainty of rek's power. But even the logic of Logoth couldn't silence his heart. Atticus would always repay good with good, even if it bit him later.
'I have to find a way…'
As he carefully nded her will, he let his mind run, only to reach a single conclusion.
'A way to increase this power…'
The only thod he could think of was absorbing another fragnt.
'He could combine energies.'
His battle with Raziel was still fresh in his mind. Absorbing another fragnt would definitely increase his healing speed, but…
'How many? There's only Anorah…'
With his current speed, even Anorah helping might not change much. Plus, absorbing her fragnt was out of the question.
'Another way…'
A thought struck him, and Atticus narrowed his eyes.
'It could work. Let's try it.'
He took a deep breath and shut his eyes.
'Release.'
He felt his mind slip from Logoth. and Solvath's emotions roared through him. Atticus gritted his teeth, body tensing.
'Hold… hold.'
The control over his mind wavered, but Atticus forced himself to maintain it.
'Patterns… patterns… deep breaths. In… out.'
In the sea of emotions, he found a sliver of clarity. Without wasting ti, he focused everything.
His body erupted in a burst of blinding purple that flooded the room.
'Its power… it increased!'
He clenched his fist, and the purple force gathered around the princess, encasing her in a do.
"Princess!" Kiara scread as she burst into the room. She had been alerted by the sudden light. "Wait!"
Luckily, Magnus held her back. Regardless, Atticus barely noticed. He focused only on his breath.
'In… out…'
Solvath's emotions threatened to drown him, but he held on, watching as her will nded at incredible speed.
'It's… it's working.'
The days he'd calculated earlier had been reduced to seconds. However…
'I have to hold on…'
Every second felt like he was subrged in a pool of conflicting pain. Hope, hate, pain, anger, everything roared through him.
'Hold on…'
Atticus gritted his teeth so hard blood pooled in his mouth. With blurry eyes, he watched the final pieces nd.
'Done. Logoth!'
Logic snapped back. Emotions vanished. But Atticus still staggered backward, gasping. He clutched his chest hard.
'My heart… it's pounding… What about her?'
Taking deep breaths, he focused on the princess. Color had returned to her face, and her breathing was calm even without his will.
'It worked.' He smiled.
"Princess!"
Kiara rushed to her side, tears streaming as she examined her.
"It's okay," Atticus said. "She's fine now."
…
After many minutes, Atticus finally left the room to Kiara and Magnus.
When he told her the princess' will had fully nded, Kiara had dropped to her knees, thanking him repeatedly. Even when he asked her to stand, she refused, insisting on showing her gratitude.
'A loyal subordinate, huh.'
He couldn't help rembering his Ravenblade.
'Yotad.'
His death had been truly unexpected, but Atticus would never forget what he'd done.
'I'll bring him back.'
Yotad had long since been added to the list of those Atticus planned to resurrect.
'It's nightti, huh.'
With everything happening, he hadn't realized how late it was. The silver moon bathed the drifting city in ethereal light. Atticus observed the bustling city from a balcony.
So trained. Others drank and laughed in clusters. Atticus almost fell for their peace.
Almost.
'It'll all transformation soon.'
The Redflas would descend, bringing hell with them.
'Should I leave…'
He felt a hint of guilt. He would be the cause of the impending deaths. The Redflas were after him. It didn't feel right.
'But…'
The mory of Magnus taking his last stand flashed through his mind, and Atticus clenched his fist.
'I can't protect him without them.'
He couldn't allow such an incident to repeat itself. Nothing mattered more than family.
Atticus took a deep breath.
"Are you okay?"
'Of course.'
He didn't need to turn to know who it was.
"Do you have so fetish for sneaking up on people at night?" he said. "Or are you just naturally strange?"
"I'm naturally strange." Anorah's voice was soft. "But you knew what you were signing up for, didn't you?"
"I had absolutely no idea." Atticus shook his head without hesitation. "I thought I was getting so world ending beauty whose presence was as graceful as it was divine. But all I'm seeing is a—"
Atticus flinched as Anorah appeared right in front of him, staring straight into his eyes.
"A what?" Her voice felt like a threat.
Atticus coughed lightly.
"You're threatening ."
"Threat?"
Anorah's smile didn't reach her eyes. Atticus didn't miss the killing intent in the air.
"I'm doing no such thing."
'At least try to look like you an it!'
"…a better version of my expectations."
"Hm. I thought so." Anorah nodded approvingly.
As Atticus released a defeated sigh, she suddenly hugged him tightly.
"I've missed you."
He smiled and returned the hug.
" too."
Anorah stomped on his foot out of nowhere, sending a spike of pain up his leg.
"Ouch—"
"You should've invited again," she muttered softly against his chest.
Atticus, who had been about to pull away, paused. As Anorah held him tighter, he exhaled.
"I'm sorry…"
He had invited her to Eldoralth for a short ti together. Though he'd shown her around, he kept her presence a secret from everyone.
"Hm hm." Anorah shook her head gently. "I want a man who acts. Not just talks."
"…alright. Will you co over after this is over?"
"Say please."
Atticus frowned.
"Yo—"
Another sharp stomp to his leg.
"Say please."
"…please."
"Great!" Anorah pulled back, bouncing slightly with a bright smile.
"This ti, you're introducing to your family."
"…"
"What's wrong?" Anorah's brow furrowed. "Why that face?"
"I'm being bullied."
Anorah chuckled softly.
"Oh, my sweet man." She brushed his chest and leaned close to his ear. "No one will believe you."
She burst into laughter as she advanced back, letting out a relieved sigh. Atticus could only stare at her.
'Oh, what have I gotten myself into.'
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