Abyssal Awakening

Listening to Egil's story, Selen was silent. She glanced down at the floor and contemplated in silence.

"Afterwards, my father left and it was just me and my mother. For a period, I was still harbouring a hatred but at one point, it was my ego that got in the way. I was still being rude to her despite knowing everything she did for me.

"Then the pandemic hit and she was left bedridden. I realised how foolish I've been this entire time." Egil sighed, finishing his drink.

Looking at the people walking around hand in hand with their parents, a small smile appeared on his face.

"When you ask me if I ever thought about the futility of my actions, I can only say yes. I question why I drank that vial of blood, why I wasn't nicer to my mother and why I couldn't be a better son for her until she was bedridden.

"And when you ask me how I deal with it? I think back to my mistakes and how I don't want to make it again. How I want to be a better son for my mother. When I think of these, I feel a fire in my chest, burning, urging me forward. To do my best without regret so I won't make the same mistake as I did with my mother.

"Once everything is over, I want to stand in front of her with a proud smile. Telling her that I've changed my ways and that she doesn't have to worry anymore." Egil smiled but tears welled up in his eyes.

"Ahaha… Sorry…" He apologised, wiping his tears away as Selen gave him a hug from the side.

"I'm meant to be the one comforting you yet you're helping me instead." He let out a small chuckle while Selen patted him on the back.

"It's fine. But I never knew you had that kind of childhood, must've been tough on you."

Nodding his head, Egil took a moment to calm his emotions before recovering a smile on his face.

"Enough about me, back to you. Are you… afraid of Alice's improvement?" Egil asked with a slight pause.

Without saying anything back, Selen nodded her head.

"I don't blame you for thinking that. I still remember what we saw in Kvia you know. That attack she launched made me realise how much of a monster she really is. All that while she's injured too. So just imagine what she'll be like at peak condition." Egil chuckled.

"But there's something else you need to think about before that. Should a frontline worry about how to heal? Should a damage dealer worry about how to keep the beast's focus on them? Should a healer worry about how to deal damage? Everyone has their roles in life. Focusing on yourself is far more important than looking around you.

"If you spend all the time looking at the people around you, you wouldn't even know when you step off the path you're meant to take. In my eyes, Alice is raw power while you focus on control. Of course, that's not to say you don't have power. But just like how Alice defaults to power, you default to control.

"How many people have you seen can manipulate the perception of enemies? How many have you seen that can slow down or speed up time? Believe me when I say both of you are menaces in your own right. I don't think you need to be jealous of Alice's growth when you also improve at a rapid rate." Egil reassured.

There was one more thing he wanted to say but hesitated.

It was the same thing that his mother did for him.

Even if it was a little embarrassing, he wanted to do it. To support her like his mother did for him.

At that moment, Egil hugged Selen and patted her head.

"Your efforts, I've seen it. I'm proud of you so don't worry about what other people think or say. I will always support you no matter what."

Selen's pupils trembled for a moment before a smile appeared on her face.

Such a simple answer but Selen didn't know why when Egil says it, she felt like she could do anything. The fire that burned in her chest, her desire to improve so live up to his support.

"You said that you cheated when you were younger right?" Selen asked as Egil nodded.

"You're not the only one. I'm also a bit of a cheater."

Grabbing his hand, she hesitated for a moment before allowing him to feel her back.

Her body trembled the moment his fingers traced her scars but she wanted to be truthful to him. He exposed his past, his weaknesses and his doubts just to comfort her.

She wanted to do the same for him. She wanted to believe that if its him, he'll accept her past for what it is.

"I'm also a cheater since my powers are a product of experimentation. None of it was earned by myself."

Once she started, Selen couldn't stop. She began to tell him about the experiments, the truth of the Zenias, the things she had to do. The experiences that she had to endure, the humiliation caused by Erick.

How he dirtied her body even more.

Even thinking about it made her feel sick.

But not once did Egil's hug falter. He continued to hold onto her, acting as a protective barrier.

Running out of words to say, Selen hugged Egil tightly. She feared his response, his rejection. But at the same time, he wanted to hear his words of comfort. His acceptance.

Her heart crashed against her chest as thoughts rushed through her mind. She waited and waited, patiently for his words.

But silence.

'Ah… He must be disgusted…' Selen thought to herself as sadness crept into her heart.

"Sorry, that was a lot wasn't it." Selen apologised as she tried to pull away from his hug but his arms didn't budge.

"I'm an awkward guy. I'm not good with my words. I… just didn't know how to say what I'm feeling. But… I'm sorry that you had to go through all of that. I'm sorry that I couldn't be there for you sooner. No matter what happens in your past, you're still Selen to me. If you need an extra pair of hands to help get your revenge, I'll be there. If you need someone to comfort you, I'll also be there. No matter what, I will keep supporting you as I have been."

Hearing this, Selen's pupils trembled as a smile appeared on her face.

Punching him lightly on the chest, she pressed her head against his body.

"You made me wait that long for this kind of response ahaha… What a jerk. It sounds like a confession you know?"

"That's because it is one." Egil scratched his cheek.

"!!!"

Sitting back, Selen widened her eyes as she glanced up at his face. Despite his tough appearance, she could see a blush on his face and an awkward smile.

Immediately, Selen could feel blood rushing towards her cheeks as well as she began to stumble over her words.

"Eh?! But?! Huh!? I-I mean... I told you about what I did in the past didn't I?" Selen held her arms as she could still remember the disgust she felt from Erick.

"You did. But that still doesn't change what I said. I will keep supporting you as I have been this entire time." Egil nodded.

"Idiot! Jerk! Stupid! You're supposed to care about these things though?!" Selen pouted, hitting him on the chest but couldn't hold back the blush on her face that extended to the tips of her ears.

"But I don't. Because it's you. I know what you're like on the inside, you're a wonderful woman through and through."

She couldn't believe he could say something like this without hesitation but it brought a warm feeling to her heart. It's like all of her doubts have been dispelled.

"If you're gonna confess, at least bring me some flowers next time dummy." Selen chuckled.

"Ah… So is that a no?" Egil sighed.

Glancing up in disbelief, Selen's smile twitched as she saw the sadness in his expression.

Rolling her eyes, she couldn't help laugh.

"That's- Forget it. Look over here stupid jerk."

"Hm?" Glancing towards Selen, Egil wondered what she was going to say when she leaned in and kissed him on the lips.

The kiss felt like it lasted an eternity before Selen pulled away, making Egil desire that warmth again.

"Is my response clear now?" Selen asked, licking her lips with a seductive gaze.

"Should I bring some flowers?"

"?!?!?!" Selen wanted to smack Egil on the head.

"I'm kidding. Even I know what you mean if you make it that clear." Egil laughed, pulling Selen in for another hug.

"Jerk." Selen smacked him with a pout but it was soon replaced by a happy smile. Sitting on his lap, she enjoyed Egil hugging her from behind.

They enjoyed each other's company as Egil rested his head on her shoulder.

"You really are cute." Egil couldn't help but mutter as Selen blushed in embarrassment.

"W-Where did that come from???" She replied, her voice a little higher than usual from the embarrassment.

"I just felt like saying it." Egil laughed. A joy like no other filled his heart. He was truly glad to have met Selen.

###

Standing on the mountain overlooking the capital, Elowen couldn't restrain the smile on her face. Everyone had gathered and all preparations were now done.

Activating her resonance, scales began to form on her body as transformed into her bestial form.

With a single flap of her wings, the Void began to tremble.

Tonight, the capital will become the new host of the disease.