Atticus [BL]

"Dammit! I'm absolutely certain that Atticus isn't just a normal person! He always gives me the chills!"

Elwin Granbestein, hurrying his way home, couldn't help but blurt out his frustrations. Atticus's cold stare sent a chill through him, so he quickly continued on his way after confirming that his friend Nolan was unavailable to talk.

Elwin also partook in the ritual from the other night and was a friend of Nolan. After reading the daily news and learning about the full authority given to the Sanction, he hurried to Nolan to discuss it.

Sanction, a group of people recruited by the church to assist them in seeking heretics. Until then, they were of little importance and did not possess absolute authority. People like Nolan and Elwin were complacent and did not take a serious approach to the Sanction before. However, now that the Emperor had passed a law, granting the Sanction absolute power and authority to seek and cast punishment to heretics without further instructions from the Deacons.

Elwin's apprehension was intensifying with every second as he walked his way back to his house. It was discussed in their secret gathering that members of Sanction were not disclosed in public, and they worked in secret, so it was impossible to pinpoint nor have an idea who they were.

He couldn't help being vigilant as he casually walked, trying his best not to look suspicious despite being nervous about getting ambushed.

"Dang it, I hope Nolan is thinking of ways how we can protect ourselves… I don't have any idea what to do, I only have myself," he muttered to himself in complete sadness.

Cerefna Village, despite its vast, green land, only had about a hundred or so residents. The houses were scattered, some more than a meter apart. Elwin's house stood alone, far from the rest of the village. As he walked, his eyes occasionally scanned his surroundings.

Upon arriving at his house, he immediately closed the door and sighed in relief. However, he noticed that his house's windows were closed. Fears quickly took hold of his heart.

He was certain that he left his house with its window wide open, especially in his kitchen!

He swallowed and carefully stepped towards his small kitchen. He steeled himself and didn't say anything, trying to act cool. As he arrived in his kitchen, he strode towards the window and was about to swing it open when suddenly, a cold hand from the shadows grabbed his hand and stopped him from opening the window.

"Don't."

Elwin screamed in horror as he yanked his hand back and stepped away, his back slamming into the wall.

"Who's there?! W-who are you?!"

He stared at the opposite corner of his kitchen and as his eyes adjusted to the dark, he saw a tall silhouette of a person with long hair.

"Who are you? What do you want?" he asked again, ready to dash off if the other showed any signs of attacking him.

"I'm sorry, I have not seen light before, so I'm a little scared."

A voice, so deep and manly, reverberated in the kitchen, making Elwin feel his heart throbbing at hearing it. He paused for a moment before he snapped back and examined the towering figure opposite him. His kitchen was small, and it would certainly be easy for the man to come at him and snap his neck if he wished to.

"Who are you? Why… Why are you in my house?"

The man didn't answer, instead, he walked toward his small table, "Light some candles, will you?"

Noticing his fears and hesitation, the silhouette sat on the empty chair, "I am not going to hurt you. I am friendly and incapable of doing something violent."

Without overthinking further, Elwin moved from his spot and walked towards the table. Even if he wished to cry for help, his house was far from the rest of the residences of their village. Besides, he would probably be dead if he tried to escape, and he had no chance to defend himself physically.

Upon lighting up a candle on the table, its weak light brightened up his dim kitchen and immediately revealed the man who was sitting on a chair.

A long white hair, forest-green eyes, and pointy ears immediately met Elwin's eyes. The man opposite the table was strikingly handsome and had a good built-in physique. He was wearing a light green tunic that seemed to be darkened with the color of mossy stone and damp earth. A delicate laurel wreath of obsidian-black leaves crowned his head.

Elwin blinked at the sight of the possible burglar in his house. It was the first time he had seen someone so handsome and beautiful at the same time.

"I apologize for the intrusion. I have no place to hide." said the man.

A nymph was the more accurate word to call him.

"W-what are you?" asked Elwin with pure curiosity.

The man smiled to see that his fear had gone and was replaced with innocent curiosity and awe.

"I am Nerys, a Chthons."

"A Chthons…?" Elwin repeated to himself, "But, Nerys, how did you end up at my house?"

Nerys rested his hands atop the table, ready to tell his story.

"I was summoned last night. However, I have no idea who, for I was immediately cast out before I could emerge in front of my summoner."

The man's voice was deep, as though it was not coming from him. His every word was like coming out of the earth and was everywhere.

Elwin pulled a chair and settled on it, but before he could pose another question, a knocking on the door alerted him.

"Elwin, are you in there? It's me, Leslie."

Elwin immediately stood up, a little relieved that it wasn't some random stranger.

"Stay here," he whispered to Nerys.

Upon opening the door, a woman with long wavy blonde hair and blue eyes greeted Elwin with a warm smile.

"Leslie, it's you."

"Good morning, Elwin. I thought you were still asleep. I'm sorry to disturb you, but I didn't see you for a couple of days. Are you alright?"

Elwin laughed awkwardly and scratched the back of his head, "I am…I just visited a relative in town. W-would you like to come in? My house is a little messy, though."

Leslie shook her head, "Oh, no. I'm actually here to give you these." She raised the basket that she was carrying, "Grandmother made pies and asked me to give you some."

She handed the basket to him, to which Elwin accepted and offered his thanks.

"Thank you so much! Tell granny I said hi,"

Leslie tucked her hair at the back of her ear and smiled at him, "I will. I should get going now."

Elwin quickly closed the door, sighing loudly.

"That human girl will die in a couple of days."

"F*ck—"

Elwin almost screamed in surprise to hear Nerys's voice behind him, "Does your kind like scaring people?"

"What is that on your hand? It smells very…enticing."