Kyle’s eyes flickered open, the shadows dissipating to reveal Elara’s cozy cottage. He sat up, his body feeling rejuvenated. Elara was nowhere to be seen, but a steaming cup of tea sat on a nearby table.
"Snow, what’s the situation?" Kyle whispered.
[Snow’s voice responded, "You’re clear, Kyle. Elara’s gone out, but she left a ssage. She’ll be back soon with more information about Yua.")
Kyle nodded, his eyes scanning the room. Lucias and Layla were still unconscious, but they seed to be healing.
As he waited, Kyle’s mind raced with questions. How was Yua doing all this while?Was she looking for him?
’What am I thinking, of course she would’ve been looking for ’ Kyle facepaldhis forehead.
It was a no brainer he would be the first person Yua searched for. Considering their now sowhat close relationship, with her being a permanent mber of his harem.
[Judging from my readings scanning elara’s nerves, she was telling the truth.] Snow spoke with a mused tone.
’Seriously? There isn’t a spell or blockage or sothing in play?’ He questioned, refraining to speaking with snow telepathically.
Unsure how strong Elara was, andd what was Elara’s true motive?
[I speak with a 100% clarity there was no skill, or casting of aind control spell was used. She was telling the truth.]
’Creak!’ Lost in his thoughts, the creaking sound from the door pulled his attention.
The door creaked open, and Elara stepped inside, her eyes sparkling with excitent.
"Ah, you’re awake." She said, approaching Kyle. "I see you’re feeling better."
Kyle’s eyes narrowed. "What do you want, Elara?" He plainly asked, getting down to business.
From the little description he’d gotten about this planet, it was worse than planet orobos. With a far more substantial amount of negative energy, which would greatly give him an edge, assuming his demon skills weren’t inactive.
But still, he could use his newfound shadow powers, costing demon energy not stated in the description of the skills.
Elara smiled, handing him a small, intricately carved box. "This is a gift from Yua. She told if by any chance you were to ever co here, I should give this to you."
Wary, he didn’t outright collect the black box. With an eye encompassed in a pyramid carved on top of the small box. Relying on his trusty system guide to scan the plain box, not giving any traces of energy.
[I couldn’t detect any energy or traps,it appears say.] Snow relayed the information generated to Kyle’s ear.
Taking a gamble he took the box, maintaining eye contact with the dazzling woman. Softly smiling to herself, finding Kyle’s cautious attitude amusing.
’Click!’
The soft clicking of the black box reached his ears, pulling the top back. Kyle’s eyes widened as he opened the box, revealing a small, glowing orb.
"What is this?" Kyle asked, his voice cautious.
Elara’s smile grew. "It’s a summoning orb. Yua’s waiting for you. Are you ready to et her?"
Kyle’s grip on the orb tightened. This was it. The mont of truth.
"Let’s do this," Kyle said, his eyes locked onto Elara’s.
Elara nodded, her hands weaving a complex pattern. The air around her seed to ripple, and a portal materialized.
"After you," Elara said, gesturing towards the portal.
Kyle took a deep breath, his shadows swirling around him. He stepped through the portal, Elara following close behind.
As they erged on the other side, Kyle’s eyes widened. He was in a dark, foreboding forest, the trees towering above him like sentinels.
Yua stepped out of the shadows, her eyes gleaming with excitent.
"Kyle." She whispered, her voice husky. "I’ve been waiting for you."
Staring at her, Kyle was lost for words, he opened his mouth to speak but nothing ca out.
’She’s changed~’ Kyle thought, his breathing had gotten slightly distorted. Staring a completely more matured Yua than the last ti he’d laid eyes on her.
She maintained her dark hair, reaching her waist length. Wearing a more sophisticated version, of the black dress she wore on earth. A black collar with so imprints of tiny white diamonds strapped to her neck.
"Co on, don’t be shy." Elara’s soft voice cut through the air, urging the duo to say sothing to each other.
"Y-you’ve changed." Kyle barely managed to speak, dumbfounded on what to say.
"You too~" Yua replied with a bright smile, gently tugging on her dress. Like an innocent little girl, blushing at her first crush.
"Please, co and seat." Kyle gestured to which Yua nodded, stepping through the door and taking a seat on one of the wooden chairs besides Kyle.
"What happened? How long have you been here? When did you discover you awakened an ability? Is there any other one here with you?" Kyle swiftly asked, barraging Yua with a couple of questions.
His voice laced with worry, anticipation, guilt and anger all at once. Taking a deep breath, the smile on her face didn’t waver.
"When you disappeared, myself and the others were captured. Along with the demon woman by Lucifer, and taken to hell as slaves. We were separated, tornted and defiled in hideous ways-" She paused, the creepy smile never leaving her face.
"Which led to our awakening of abilities, after forcefully fed a portion of the demon King’s blood. Transforming us to sothing above human, possibly demon or more."
Listening to her, Kyle couldn’t help but pick up so weird traits from yua. ’Sothing’s wrong.’
[Yeah.] Snow added, suspecting the sa thing. [Her storyline and responses seems prompted and not real.]
Silently nodding, he could feel it. The change in Yua’s attitude as she calmly spoke, with upmost serenity and harmony.
Like soone who’d not been ntally broken and tornted in hell, but soone rather full of life. Contradicting her goth personality, as the rude rich girl he bumped into back on earth.
"If you wanted to play gas, you could’ve just ca out straight. I don’t like people ssing with my nerves about my won." Kyle boldly stated, a vein bulging at the side of his head.
"I must comnd your perceptive skills, not many have been able to see through my mirage." Elara comnted, waving her hand the imposter Yua disappeared.
Materializing into dark fog, seeping back into the black orb in the black box.
"I apologize if I struck a cord, I didn’t an to get on your nerves. The truth is I wanted to test your reaction to see how close your relationship is with Yua. And I must say, it’s really closer than I pictured." A light giggle escaped her mouth.
[She has qualities of a tsundere master, would you consider adding her to your harem?] Snow abruptly asked with a mischivious tone, like the consciousness in his mind. Judging him about his past.
"Tsk. His could you think about that in this situation!?" Kyle whispered in a low tone, clicking his tongue at his trouble maker of a system guide.
[We both know the thought crossed your mind.] She scoffed, with a light pout.
’Yeah, only when you brought it up.’ Kyle retorded.
[As long as there’s a hole, there’s a goal. Irrespective of the circumstances of eting, opportunities cos but once student. Grab it while you can.] Snow wisely dropped so wise words on him, like an ancient teacher.
One who’d beco one with nature and life itself.
’Who are you?’ Kyle held the urge not to laugh, ignoring his system guide.
...
The air in the room was damp, not condensed with a choking perspective. But thick, filled with a jasmine fragrance emitting from burning wood incense. Placed in round clay pot, at the entrance of the cottage.
"It cleanses impurities and soothes the soul." Elara answered the thought in his mind, catching the side of his eyes tracing the scent.
Kyle leaned back in his chair, his eyes fixed on Elara. "So, how long have you known Yua?" he asked, his voice casual.
Elara smiled, taking a sip of her tea. "I’ve known Yua for a few years now. We...t through mutual acquaintances, let’s say. She’s a talented dark summoner, even back then."
Kyle’s eyes narrowed. "And what’s her story? Why is she so interested in ?" He asked with a nonchalant attitude, sparking interest in Elara’s eye.
She eaned forward, her eyes sparkling with intrigue. "Yua’s got a complicated past, Kyle. She’s been searching for sothing...or soone. And she believes you’re the key to unlocking it."
Kyle’s grip on his cup tightened. "What does she want from ?"
Elara’s smile was enigmatic. "That’s for Yua to tell you, Kyle. But I can say this: she’s changed since you last saw her. She’s beco...more powerful. And more determined."
Kyle’s mind was racing. What could Yua possibly want from him?
"What about this planet?" Kyle asked, changing the subject. "What is this place?"
Elara leaned back in her chair, a faraway look in her eyes. "This is Kraken, Kyle. A world of dark magic and ancient powers. It’s a place where the strong rule, and the weak are consud."
Kyle’s eyes widened. "And where do you fit into all this?"
Elara’s smile was small. "I’m just a humble witch, Kyle. Trying to survive in a world that’s not always kind."
Kyle’s eyes narrowed, sensing there was more to Elara’s story. But he decided to let it go...for now.
As they talked, Lucias and Layla began to stir, their eyes flickering open.
"Welco back," Elara said, smiling. "I hope you’re feeling better."
Lucias groaned, rubbing his head. "What happened?"
Kyle filled them in, his eyes fixed on Elara. "We’re on Kraken, with a witch who’s been helping us. And it seems soone close from my past looking for ."
Layla’s eyes widened. "Soone close? Like a relative or sothing?"
Kyle nodded, his expression serious. "Sothing like that. Elara here knows her."
Lucias and Layla exchanged a look, their faces etched with concern.
As they discussed their next move, Kyle couldn’t shake the feeling that he was walking into sothing much bigger than himself.
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