NOVEL NEXT Chapter 191: Shadow World
Right after getting back to their room, Xavier jumped on Aegon in excitement. His laughter filled the room as everyone else joined in a tight hug around Aegon.
That helped Aegon pull his mind away from everything, as he smiled and thought, 'I don't know if I won or not, but we definitely won the Supremacy Games.'
"This demands celebration!" Xavier shouted, shaking Aegon. "You're going to make it."
"Fuck off! I'm already exhausted from making that Rune Formation," Aegon kicked him away and turned toward Cali. "How are you, by the way?"
Cali pointed at her right hand and said, "I can't feel it at the moment. But didn't the game always heal us?"
"I'm guessing it used everything to repair the damage. Not to mention, you didn't really die, nor were you inside the healing area," Aegon replied thoughtfully. "Xav, can you check?"
Xavier nodded and went toward Cali before taking her right hand in his. Closing his eyes, he stayed still for a minute before sighing.
"It's more of a phantom pain, but her body still reacted to it," Xavier said, straightening up. "Nothing to worry about, though. Her body will adapt back slowly."
"Any treatment?" Elara asked, clearly concerned for her friend. "I'll ask Mom if we have anything to help."
"El, don't worry about her," Xavier waved his hand nonchalantly. "She's a tough nut to crack. Ain't dying anytime soon."
Cali smacked his head with her other hand and scoffed. "I can use both hands the same, Little Brother. Just tell the truth."
"I'm telling the truth," Xavier grumbled, rubbing his back. "Your soul remembers that pain, so it basically manifested. As far as I'm aware, it'll be back to normal in some time."
"We can ask Kai later," Aegon said, picking up the conversation. "If it's about souls, I haven't met anyone more knowledgeable than him. He can heal her faster."
"So it's not a problem," Rosa said, a toothy grin plastered on her face. "Can we have a celebration party then?"
"For sure, but there's probably an award ceremony or something, no?" Aegon asked, turning toward the screen. "I'll meet you guys there."
"Going somewhere?" Cali asked, clearly confused. "Where though?"
"Have something to do before enjoying our victory," Aegon smiled at them. "You can start without me. I'll join soon."
Although they were confused, they didn't ask further and simply waved before hugging each other once again, laughing loudly.
Aegon smiled at their reaction and left the room.
The passage connecting the many rooms was just like the rooms themselves, crimson with white patches, except it was narrow and long, just enough for two adults to walk side by side. Veins of the dead God pulsated in many parts as Aegon made his way forward.
His face lost its smile as he took measured steps. A quiet whisper left his mouth in the silent passage.
"Come."
All of a sudden, the crimson shade darkened as the dim light seemed to lose its illumination. In this darkness, a figure emerged from nowhere and swept past Aegon, merging with his shadow.
[Congratulations on your victory, Boss!]
"Thanks!" Aegon smiled faintly, keeping his steady pace. "And welcome back. I missed you."
Ever since his first birthday, he had slowly gotten used to having a heavy shadow as Red Veil always accompanied him. Even if they weren't there, Hecte never left his side.
But that changed during the Supremacy Games. She couldn't enter with him, so she reluctantly left his shadow and stayed in the passages to keep an eye on everything.
If there was any danger, she had probably already neutralized it.
So without anyone in his shadow, Aegon felt empty, as if someone had snatched a part of him away. Now that Hecte was back, he felt better. Warmth filled his being.
[You stole my thoughts.]
Aegon chuckled softly and asked, "Any problems?"
[Nothing for you to worry about.]
He nodded in response. If there was something small, Hecte and the others usually dealt with it themselves, as he didn't want to know everything.
[Why are you here, though?]
"Searching for a room," Aegon replied, glancing at different cave-like rooms. "Where's the Fifth Prince's room?"
[Let me take you there.]
As Aegon followed her guidance, he sensed her curiosity, so he said, "I have something to talk about. Probably just want some peace of mind."
[I see. Be careful, though. He's very cunning and dangerous.]
"That's why I called you," Aegon said, thinking about her words. 'What is he really?'
Soon, he arrived before an unevenly cut rock door. Two towering knights stood on either side, clad in golden armor from head to toe. Lances and shields in their hands, they exuded the terrifying pressure of Rank 7 Knights.
As soon as they noticed Aegon, they pointed their spears at him. The right guard spoke from behind his helmet. "State your intentions."
Aegon wasn't in the right mood because of all the overthinking, so he gave them a nasty look and said, "Get aside. I want to talk to Raphael."
"Speak His Highness's name with respect," the left knight said, increasing his pressure on Aegon.
"Deal with them," Aegon muttered, having had enough of their nonsense.
A blink. That was all the guards experienced before finding themselves standing in a pitch-dark space. Two crimson eyes opened before them, sending chills down their spines as their bodies trembled in fear.
Their lances dropped to the ground as both knights tried to back away but found themselves stuck in this strange place. They tried to scream but couldn't.
Belatedly, they realized they didn't even have physical forms anymore. The bodies they had relied on all their lives had vanished, leaving them in this horrifying state before an unknown being.
"Speak those words again."
The moment those words registered in their minds, both knights lost consciousness.
Aegon, who watched everything from an outside perspective, gained a new understanding of Hecte. Even now, he doubted she had used her full capabilities, yet she had defeated two Rank 7 Knights so easily.
'How scary.'
But it also made him feel safe, and curious about how Xiu had managed to tame someone like her.
'What a scary world.'