Chapter 321: Ch 320: A Faded World

The mirage of the temple had completely broken, and Seraphina faded away from Kael’s eyes once she had finished telling him the important details.

He, who had been left behind, had to start walking through the dark corridors once more. But he could feel Goddess Aria’s presence growing stronger around him.

’Are you trying to find those traitors? Why?’

A soft voice asked Kael. It whispered directly into his soul, leaving him no way to block it out.

Kael knew that this was all a trick being played by Goddess Aria. She was trying to make him waste his time. But unfortunately, it was working against him.

He felt like he had to answer her when she asked this question, even if he did not want to.

"I am not trying to find traitors, but the kids who have lost their way. I feel like you are also someone who has lost her way. Want me to help find you as well?"

Kael offered, but it was not genuine. And the other side knew that as well because she simply scoffed.

’You are the one being led by the illusion of lies and fake promises. You see the world in a way you want to see it. All I am trying to do is show you that there is no salvation.’

"Do you think repeating the same words over and over again will make them come true? Have you ever stopped to consider that maybe you are the problem here?"

Kael was getting fed up as well. There was only so much therapy he could try before he had to shove a mixture of truth down Goddess Aria’s throat.

He could feel the corruption around him getting desperate at his words, and it tried to close him off from all sides.

’Are you saying this is all my fault? How could you... of all people... no, it’s not your fault. You are being led astray by this world and the gods in it. I won’t allow that.’

The voice whispered, and Kael immediately threw up his barrier as he navigated through the darkness.

He was trying his best to keep the voice focused on himself so that the other kids could go ahead and rescue Seraphina. He trusted them, so he was going to give them as much time as they needed.

...

"Seraphina, are you out there? If you are, then say something."

Seraphina opened her eyes at that familiar voice and tried to recall where she was and what she was doing.

But all she could recall was the fact that she had met Kael in her dream... before being dragged back to reality. And her reality was this corruption she was trapped inside.

She and the others had failed at bringing Kael back.

Once Kael had sacrificed himself, his presence had started to disappear from their world along with the corruption. And they were all starting to feel the effects.

Because it had been world magic that had been used, rather than any ordinary form of magic, it had quickly taken root in everyone’s minds and in the world itself without anyone realising it.

Even Seraphina had forgotten about Kael. All she could recall was the fact that she and the others had fought something huge that had threatened the world and had just won after a huge sacrifice.

And now, it was time to head back home.

But where was home? Where was she supposed to go from here? The temple? It did not feel safe...

So, with Leon? He was the only one who understood her and stood by her side. But when she tried to recall what had happened, somehow, the face that flashed behind her eyes was not that of Leon.

It was someone else, someone a little older, and just thinking about that made her heart skip a beat.

She wanted to find out who that person was and where he was. But every time she tried to recall anything, her mind ended up feeling blanker than before.

"It looks like we are done here for now. Should we head back now? Let’s head home now."

Leon sounded off when he said that. It was almost as if he was trying to suppress something. Seraphina had never seen him like this.

He almost choked on the word ’home’ before catching himself, and he was even trying his best not to look at anyone.

Was this truly the ’Leon’ she knew? Or had someone else changed forms into Leon to try and trick everyone?

She tried to use her magic to check, but Leon caught her. This was only possible if this truly was Leon and no one else.

"Seraphina, stop playing around. We need to head back home and start making preparations for those who died during this battle."

Leon warned her, and Seraphina nodded. Somehow, speaking was not an option for her at the moment since her throat would not work.

She and the others followed Leon back to a house that had once been beautiful but now looked like it was falling apart. She had to wonder what had happened here and if this was truly ’home.’

If so, then why did she not recall it? And why was it falling apart... no, rather, going out of existence as if it did not belong?

"God damn it! Can you at least leave this behind? You don’t have to take away everything—"

Leon rushed toward the house that was falling apart, and Seraphina followed behind him at a slower pace. She was not sure what she was expecting here, but having Leon throw his sword into the wall of the disappearing house was not it.

The second he did that, the house stopped. But it was already half-eroded, almost as if it were stuck in time.

But somehow, that did not make Seraphina feel better. If anything, she felt even more lost and confused. This house was likely important to her. But if so, then why could she not recall it?

Why was her mind drawing a blank?