"It would have been great if you could give some insight on where we're headed," Brad said calmly before glancing back toward Aiden and Risa, "I'm curious but I also don't want to get into any more trouble than I already have." He added after looking at Aiden who still had a look of stone-cold indifference on his face."Where are we going, guys?" Brad asked while looking around at everyone in the crowd. "I just left one unknown, now I'm going to another?"The people around the car appeared to be in their twenties with all of them looking rather average in appearance: short-haired brunette, tall blond man, short-haired blonde woman, and even an older man with long hair which seemed to match that of his son's."We'll get you there, so come with us!" Risa snapped out impatiently while gesturing for Brad to walk over towards them—which he did while making sure that he stayed close enough so that Aiden could reach out and grab him if need be.As they walked past the group of people crowded
"This is going nowhere," Aiden muttered under his breath before looking up towards the ceiling and shaking his head while speaking with a sigh. "How did I end up like this? Why have I been forced to be in this position? Why have I had to take part in these games of the Shadow King? Why am I even in this world… in this dimension? And most importantly...""...most importantly?" Brad asked after hearing his voice trail off: his expression clearly showing that he was getting annoyed with his constant pauses for words."...why have I had to meet you?" Aiden finished with his face contorted into an expression of frustration and confusion: a look that made it obvious just how much it pained him to even have to answer such a simple question."That is a good question," Brad told him before pausing for a moment as he considered what he was about to say. "I can understand why you wouldn't want me to know any of this. It sounds like a lot of pain and suffering has gone into you getting to where y
Aiden stood in silence, watching Brad as he muttered to himself. He found himself wishing he knew what was going through Brad's mind, what Brad knew that he didn't. However, it was clear that Brad wasn't going to spill any more information.He paused, gauging the look on Brad's face. There was a certain weariness about him. For all their disagreements, they had fought together and stood side by side on countless occasions. "Brad," Aiden started, his voice unusually soft, "we don't have to be enemies. I know I'm not the Aiden you grew up with. I might never be him. But I can be someone who fights alongside you, someone you can trust."Brad didn’t respond, his gaze unfocused and lost in thought. After a while, he spoke up, "Trust," he echoed. "You want my trust, then prove it. Beat me in a duel, Aiden. Not with your fancy powers, but as a man. If you win, I'll take you to the Shadow King’s fortress. If you lose, you take me to Gregg, no arguments."The challenge hung in the air. Aiden c
Aiden’s head whipped towards Risa. His eyes widened as he saw her struggling, being yanked out of the window by Kranus who’d somehow managed to grab onto her before he fell. Adrenaline surged through him as he rushed towards her, diving forward just in time to catch her mid-air, moments before she would have crashed to the ground.The momentum sent them both rolling on the floor. Aiden managed to control their roll, shielding Risa’s body with his. The wind got knocked out of him as they finally came to a stop. For a moment, everything was quiet, save for their labored breathing and the pounding of his heart in his ears. Aiden’s grip around Risa tightened as he felt her tremble in his arms. She was pale, her eyes wide with fear. He could feel her heartbeat racing against his chest, her breaths coming out in shaky gasps. Instinctively, he brushed back her hair, whispering words of reassurance. “You’re okay, Risa,” he said, “You’re safe.”Slowly, she nodded, nestling into him, taking co
Liam hesitated, his gaze flickering between Aiden and the unconscious Kranus, but Aiden had no intention of waiting. He could still see Risa's pale face and felt her trembling form against his chest, and the memory fueled his resolve. Liam was just as responsible for this mess as Kranus. "Your move, Liam," Aiden repeated, this time with a biting edge in his voice that left no room for doubt. The challenge had been issued, the gauntlet thrown down. "You really think you can beat me?" Liam's voice echoed in the room, a sneer twisting his lips. "Only one way to find out," Aiden replied with a dangerous smile.The following moments were filled with tension, so palpable it seemed to hang in the air. Everyone’s eyes darted between Liam and Aiden, waiting for the first move. "Please don't do this," Brad coughed out, shaking his head, even though he despised Liam, there was no way he would wish for him to go through with a suicidal attempt as dueling with Aiden.Liam’s face was pale, his
"You should be thanking me for sparing your life, Brad," Aiden said, his voice icy, his eyes hard as he glared at Brad. His anger was a raging storm, threatening to consume everything in its path. "I could've easily handed you over to Draed, just like Liam."Brad's face paled at the mention of the dragon, a shiver of fear running down his spine. He was silent, unable to meet Aiden's gaze.He coughed, clutching his chest in pain. His pale face was a stark contrast to the crimson blood staining his shirt. "You… You think you're better than me, don't you?""And don't you dare try to defend yourself," Aiden continued, his voice low and dangerous. "You watched as Liam sent those monsters after Gregg, as they attacked and hurt him, Brad. You aided the Shadow King. What kind of a monster does that make you?"Aiden’s eyes were blazing now, his voice shaking with barely contained fury. The room fell silent, all eyes on him.Brad's expression faltered, his eyes brimming with guilt. He remembere
The heavy weight of the words was palpable. Risa took a moment to let them sink in. Her mind spun, thoughts jumbled up in a mix of shock, fear, and disbelief. But there was no time for any of that now. She took a shaky breath and nodded at Aiden.“Alright, let’s do it,” she said, her voice steady despite the turmoil inside her.As Aiden and Risa moved swiftly through the deserted streets, the chilling sight of Brad's lifeless body still echoed in their minds. His fall was a painful reminder of their vulnerability, a symbol of the brutality of the world they inhabited. They carried their grief along with them, their faces set in grim determination. The duo reached the makeshift sanctuary they had prepared for Gregg, hidden away in an abandoned building, its once grand structure now a skeleton of its former glory. The interior was dimly lit, only the faint glow of a few candles lighting their path. Gregg lay in a corner, his body frail and lifeless as though the very essence of life ha
"Liam," he murmured, the name leaving a bitter taste in his mouth. "It has to be him."Risa nodded, "Yes, Liam. He was killed during the dragon attack. He was the one who cursed Gregg, but with Liam gone, devoured by Draed, the mark must have lost its power. It's... it's the only logical explanation."Aiden heaved a sigh of relief, "Then we have hope."Despite the good news, he knew that they still had a long journey ahead. Gregg might be recovering, but he was far from being fully healed. They had spent weeks in distress over Gregg's deteriorating health, and all along, the key to his recovery was right in front of them. "I... we need to help him through this," he muttered, already accessing his stats.–––––––––––[Name: Aiden Lancaster][Gender: Male][Age: 22][Level: 2][Height: 180cm][Inventory: 2][Spending Quota: $150000][Merit points: 29219][Ability: Enhancer, Tracker]–––––––––––“Risa, I need you to do something for me," Aiden asked.“What is it?” she asked, her eyes fill
Raymond didn't miss the nervous look in Aiden's eyes, and he gestured to the waitress, indicating for two more coffees. "Don't look so worried, Aiden," he began, leaning back in his chair. "I'm not here to stir up trouble, quite the opposite, in fact."Aiden gave a small laugh, rubbing the back of his neck. "You have a knack for popping up unexpectedly, Raymond," he said, meeting the older man's gaze. Raymond chuckled, a sound that reminded Aiden of crunching autumn leaves. "Guilty as charged," he admitted. "But it's the only way to catch you off guard, isn't it?"The two men shared a smile, the ice of formality finally beginning to thaw. When their coffees arrived, Aiden took a moment to appreciate the smell, the warmth of the cup soothing his nerves.Raymond's knowing smile widened as he caught sight of the green card. "I see you've been putting that to good use," he said, pouring a cup of coffee for Aiden. "Now tell me, how have you been?"Aiden hesitated for a moment, not sure wh
Four months had passed since their wedding, and it had been nothing short of bliss. Aiden recalled, a month after his marriage, he had the privilege of being the best man at Gregg's wedding to Zin. It was another day of joy and friendship, another day of unforgettable memories. As he watched his friend recite his vows, he couldn't help but feel a sense of profound happiness. It was as if life had come full circle, their shared dreams finally coming true.Now, Aiden found himself in the grandeur of his living room, the plush furnishings reflecting his luxurious lifestyle. His gaze lingered on a group photo from his own wedding that hung on the wall, the silver frame capturing the raw, unfiltered happiness of that day. James, the ever-loyal butler, had snapped the photo, capturing a moment of pure joy, their faces alive with laughter and love.A smile tugged at his lips as his eyes scanned the faces in the frame-his radiant wife, Risa, Gregg, Zin, and Mr. Smith. It was a precious mement
From the beautiful ceremony that echoed the purity of their love to the lively reception that followed, everything was truly enchanting. The laughter, the joy, the well-wishes, everything contributed to creating an ambiance of happiness and love.As the guests filled the beautifully decorated hall, the after-party began in earnest. The buffet tables were laden with an array of delicious food, while the bar was stocked with all sorts of drinks, catering to everyone's preference.Zin, in her elegant emerald green gown, was fluttering around Risa like a protective mother hen. She was diligently making sure that Risa was comfortable, frequently asking if she needed anything. Her worry was transparent, her gaze constantly darting to Risa's small belly. Risa, although touched by her friend's concern, found it amusing and gently assured her that she was fine.Amidst the laughter and conversations, Gregg detached himself from the crowd and moved towards Aiden, who was seated at a table with M
A week had passed since that day, the culmination of which was their big day, the day of their wedding. It was a day that echoed the magnificence of their love for one another. The wedding venue was the most eccentric hall in all of Collow. It was an architectural marvel, a symphony of nature and architecture that combined grandeur and simplicity in a harmonious blend. Tall, impressive stone columns held up the lofty, wooden ceiling, creating an ambiance of grandeur. The hall was filled with the beautiful scent of fresh pine, lavender, and honeysuckle, creating an earthy, calming aura that reflected their shared love for nature. The vast windows draped in flowing sheer curtains allowed the sunlight to filter in, casting a warm, ethereal glow over the space.The wedding was filled with countless guests, all eagerly awaiting the arrival of the bride. The air buzzed with anticipation as soft music filled the room. The melodious notes of the violin and piano created a magical, enchantin
The news of their forthcoming child was still fresh in their minds as they sat down to discuss their imminent wedding. The room was filled with a sense of exhilaration, excitement, and anticipation. The huge dining table was strewn with various wedding catalogs, color palettes, floral arrangements, and tentative guest lists. Risa, brimming with an ethereal glow from her pregnancy, was a picture of excited expectancy. Her green eyes sparkled with a mix of joy and anxiety, her fingers fluttering across the catalog pages as she attempted to decide on the most fitting color code for their nuptials."Aiden, what do you think of this one?" She pointed towards a palette that was an array of earthy colors, inspired by nature.Aiden leaned over to see what she was indicating, his gaze falling on the hues of deep forest green, soft brown, and a touch of gold. He studied it for a moment, his blue eyes reflecting the colors she chose."It's perfect, Risa. It truly reflects who we are, connected
[R-18]'When am I never ready?' Gregg replied in his thoughts, but instead of going along that line of thought, he gave her a tender smile as he brushed her hair away from her face and planted soft kisses on her cheeks and along her jawline."You're my dream girl." He whispered softly into her sensitive ears.Zin's breath caught in her throat as she looked at Gregg with a surprised smile. He had said that to her countless times before in different ways and situations, but it felt different coming from him now. He wasn't saying it because it was something he wanted her to do. It was simply how he saw her.With an easy grace, Zin disrobed, letting her clothes fall to the floor until she was wearing nothing but a sheer white slip of lingerie that accentuated her curves and accentuated her light pink nipples that were already hardening beneath the thin fabric. "Must have been the flour and grease on them," Zin teased with a playful smirk, stripping off the remaining clothing as quickly a
"Is everything alright, Risa?" she asked, her tone hinting at her worry. "You've never declined wine before. Is there a reason you're saying no tonight?"Risa glanced at Aiden, an unspoken question flickering in her gaze. Aiden gave her a reassuring smile, a silent signal for her to share their secret. "I'm not feeling unwell or anything," Risa began, her voice barely above a whisper. "It's just that...I... we... are expecting."The room fell silent, as if the words had sucked the air right out of it. Zin blinked, looking between Risa and Aiden, trying to comprehend the gravity of the news. Meanwhile, Gregg stared at Aiden, his eyes wide with shock."Expecting?" Zin repeated, her mind racing to decode Risa's words. But then it clicked, and she let out a startled gasp. "You mean...you're pregnant?"Risa nodded, a shy smile playing on her lips. "Three weeks along."Aiden reached for Risa's hand, giving it a reassuring squeeze. He looked at her with such warmth, his eyes sparkling with
The shadows began to stretch across the rooms of the quaint duplex that Zin and Gregg called home as the golden tendrils of the afternoon sun began to retreat for the day. In the heart of their dwelling, Zin's culinary skills were on full display in their small but well-equipped kitchen. The tantalizing aroma of a home-cooked meal filled the air, creating a warm and inviting atmosphere. In contrast, Gregg's domain was the dining area, where he was meticulously attending to every detail. He nervously adjusted the tablecloth, smoothed out non-existent creases, and repositioned the silverware for what felt like the hundredth time."Gregg," Zin's voice carried from the kitchen, filled with a lighthearted teasing note, "You're going to wear holes into the tablecloth if you continue fussing over it like that."A sheepish grin spread across Gregg's face at Zin's playful comment. "I just want to ensure everything is perfect, Zin," he replied, his voice shaky. "Aiden's accustomed to high-end,
A smile, brimming with mischief, gradually began to play across the features of Aiden. The playful glint in his eyes danced as he declared in a voice imbued with teasing suspense, "I'm not going to share that with you." Without any further ado, he reached into his pocket, pulled out a small box with intricate detailing, and handed it over to Gregg, who was visibly caught in the throes of anticipation.Gregg accepted the box with a sense of curiosity bordering on fascination. He gingerly opened the lid, and his pupils dilated in astonishment as they beheld the singular object nestled within the folds of velvet that lined the box. Inside lay a shimmering golden card that reflected the soft ambient light in a playful dance of colors, emphasizing the meticulous engraving of a stylized dragon that marked its surface. The card was encased in a pristine white border, upon which bold, black words stood out in striking contrast: 'What you seek is within.'Aiden, struggling to contain his amus