NOVEL NEXT Chapter 44: Blue Rose
Nyxander stood atop the hill, his form brimming with anticipation as the tension in the air thickened. Casting a side glance at Vacuros, his lips curled into a determined smirk. "It's now or never," he declared, leaping from the hilltop. Mid-air, his gigantic body began to shrink, condensing into the frame of an average 15-year-old human boy. As he landed, he released a surge of energy, a deliberate beacon for Vacuros to follow. Without hesitation, he dashed toward the direction where his spatial awareness had detected the moving presence.
Vacuros, ever the loyal guardian, followed with a thunderous leap, each step landing like a hammer blow, tearing chunks of earth from the ground and sending dense clouds of soil into the air.
Nearly three kilometers away, a rectangular dark vehicle glided silently over the desert terrain, its long skis allowing it to levitate a foot above the earth. Inside, a group of nine sat on opposing bench seats. To the right, four young men rested with quiet vigilance, and to the left, three more males and a striking young woman with long, glossy blue hair and shimmering blue eyes sat.
Her gaze, cold yet commanding, was directed forward, her demeanor exuding a poised authority. Her 3D- cup teardrop-shaped curves added to her captivating presence, but her composure remained unshaken, her body language that of a leader prepared for action.
As the vehicle hummed through the barren land, a sound began to break the silence, distant at first but growing louder and heavier with every moment. The rhythmic pounding grew oppressive, the vibrations sending ripples of unease through the passengers. The tension became palpable as panic etched itself onto their faces.
The young woman stood, her cold gaze softening slightly as she commanded, "Stop the Aether Glide." Her voice was calm but carried the authority of someone unaccustomed to disobedience.
The vehicle came to a halt. She turned to her subordinates, now standing, their expressions a mix of fear and resolve. "Stay back. I will signal if I require backup." Her words were measured, her gaze steady as she made her way to the vehicle's door.
"Be careful, young miss," one of the boys ventured cautiously. She responded with a small, almost imperceptible nod before stepping out. The door slid shut behind her, sealing the others inside.
Her movements were calculated as she maneuvered between large rocks, her lithe figure moving like a shadow across the barren landscape. The sound grew clearer, more distinct, with each step she took. Finally, she saw him, Nyxander, a boyish figure two inches taller than herself, barreling toward her, his movements kicking up a massive screen of dust.
Behind him, a titanic figure loomed, its sheer size visible even through the haze. Nyxander locked eyes with her for a brief second before unleashing a powerful surge of energy, signaling Vacuros.
Without hesitation, Vacuros brought his massive fist crashing into the ground. The earth seemed to recoil in response, splitting as a massive shockwave rippled outward, accompanied by a gust of wind so fierce it flipped Nyxander high into the air.
The young woman froze momentarily, her instincts delayed by the unexpected force of the event. Nyxander, spinning like a shuriken, hurtled toward her, the momentum of his body uncontrollable. They collided, tumbling to the ground in a flurry of dust and limbs until they finally came to a stop.
The young woman found herself lying on her back, the coarse soil beneath her pressing into her form. Nyxander, sprawled atop her, had his face buried firmly between her chest. Her soft curves cradled his head like a pair of supple hills, his weight pressing into her.
Realizing where he had landed, Nyxander instinctively reached out to steady himself, his hands brushing against the softness of her curves. Without thought, his fingers gave a light squeeze.
"If you're done exploring, perhaps you could stand up now?" Her voice was cold, but a faint edge of embarrassment betrayed her composure.
Nyxander sprang back as if struck, his face flushing red. "Kuff, kuff," he coughed awkwardly, covering his mouth with his hand. "I'm… I'm sorry about that."
The young woman sat up, brushing dust from her clothes. Nyxander froze as he caught sight of her face, his blush deepening. Her beauty seemed otherworldly, and for a brief moment, he was completely lost in her gaze.
Their eyes met, and her stoic expression faltered, a faint blush creeping across her cheeks as well. Embarrassed, she quickly averted her gaze, breaking the momentary spell.
Realizing the awkwardness, Nyxander scrambled to regain his composure. "The giant… it's coming!" he shouted, gesturing behind him.
But before he could finish, the young woman rose gracefully to her feet, sidestepping his attempt to pull her into action.
Nyxander turned, only to pause mid-stride. "Oh… it stopped," he muttered, his tone caught somewhere between relief and lingering embarrassment.
Nyxander rose to his feet, his gaze lingering on the young lady before him. Her beauty was almost ethereal, a glow that seemed to stir in him something long buried. It was as if the embers of his once-forgotten playboy tendencies were rekindled, a habit that had lain dormant since the bitter betrayal of his first love in a past life. Smoothing his movements, he laid his left hand behind his back, his right extending towards her, inclining his head in a slight bow to greet her with charming elegance.
"My name is Zion Ronan," he began in melodious and romantic tones. He forgot his identity for a moment, lost in the theatrics of that moment. "May I know the name of the beauty before whom I wish to carry through the journey of love?" His words are a poetic melody, both polite and earnest, with a purpose-to disarm.
The young woman's icy demeanor wavered; her composed exterior showed no emotion, but a storm raged inside. Her heart shook, and an unfamiliar warmth crept through her. She was unaccustomed to such forthrightness-where she came from, women without proper titles were oft treated as little more than property. Yet here stood Nyxander, addressing her as though she were some goddess deserving of reverence.
Before she could answer, a flicker of light drew her gaze. A blue virtual panel materialized in front of her, and its ethereal glow cut through her rising emotions as if it were a razor-sharp blade. Her gaze was stuck on the text, and in that instant, all vulnerability was gone, replaced by focusing eyes.
[Name: Lumina - Vassal of Goddess of Water]
[Race: Celestial Race - Immortal]
[Age: 20 years]
[Stage: Ascendant Realm]
Celestial Core: Immortal Core (40/70) ↓30]
[Bloodline: Ice flame:Descendant of Glaciella (Ice false goddess)]
[Weapon: Divine bow (one of the seven heavenly key]
[Skill: Celestial Ice-Flame Archery (Arrow of Frostfire)]
[Techniques: Frost Bind Arrow /Frost Bite Arrow]
Nyxander's gaze intensified as in his eyes flickered a faint thread, purple-crystal-like illuminating the small panel floating in front of her. In but an instant he stretched his hand through the coruscating display, his fingers touching the tenuous light as though feeling for a texture.
This was quite an unexpected action that sent Lumina into a daze; her ice-blue eyes widened in wonder. "Wait, can you see this?" she asked, tone mixed with both skepticism and curiosity as she motioned toward the virtual interface.
"You mean the blue panel in front of you?" Nyxander said, taking a step closer, his tone casual yet interested. He cocked his head, and his gaze began to scan the display with unrestrained curiosity. "Lumina must be your name," he stated aloud, the corners of his lips curling into a teasing smile. His eyes landed on another line of text, and he pointed at it with exaggerated enthusiasm. "Oh, oh. Glaciella, that must be my future mother-in-law, right?"
His words merely seemed to hang in the air, a spark on kindling, as Lumina's face blushed brilliant red. It was all too much: his proximity, casual audacity, and finally the lilt of teasing within the comment. She sounded breathless because her poise abandoned her; then her gaze gave way, and instinctively her face turned to hide her reaction.
Nyxander noticed her sudden discomfort, and his curiosity deepened. "Are you alright?" he asked as his voice gentled, his hand brushing her forehead in a touch that was equal parts true concern and charming mischief.
Lumina cleared her throat sharply, her voice cutting through the moment like ice cracking underfoot. "I'm fine," she managed, hastily switching off the virtual panel as though its existence had become a vulnerability. Turning her back to him, she took a steadying breath and started walking toward the direction she had come from.
"It would seem you have nowhere to go," she said over her shoulder, her voice once more even and composed. "Why don't you join us back at our place?"
Nyxander's face brightened into a roguish grin, his poise never ruffled. "All right, Blue Rose," he said suavely, the nickname tripping off his tongue like a term of affection. He fell into step behind her, still smiling as he followed her lead.