Lucifer: Godless Reawakening

Another student was taken away because the damage he incurred against the eel was quite severe. Even if Emma had healed him, he would not have been able to continue his journey forward, so he decided to retire—or more accurately, he was forced to by the council members.

Now, only five contestants were left, along with the subject they were escorting.

They crossed the bridge, thanks to Emma's barriers, and soon reached Island Beta, where the Haven awaited them once they stepped past the boundary.

Unlike the previous island, this one did not have houses or any sign of active inhabitance. There were a few structures scattered around, but they were far too large to be considered homes. As Domella mentioned earlier, this island was used solely for storage purposes.

The evening sun dipped lower and the air grew colder, brushing past them like a quiet warning.

They gathered around the designated camping site, marked by a white circle drawn cleanly into the surface. A simple boundary, but after everything they had faced today, even that small outline felt like a sanctuary.

Gloria exhaled a long sigh as she finally dropped her guard. She stepped inside the circle and let her tired body sink onto the stump placed around the campfire.

Warren flicked a small orb of flame toward the flickering fire pit. The orb burst softly and sent the flames roaring upward, startling Gloria. She glared at the brown-haired boy, but Warren ignored her completely, eyes fixed on the fire—yet his expression made it clear his mind was far away from anything burning in front of him.

William gently lowered the child onto another stump and then simply let himself drop to the ground beside her. His hands pressed into the soil, supporting him as he released a long breath, trying to gather the pieces of his thoughts.

Emma stepped toward him and asked, "Do you want some water?"

William opened his eyes slowly and found her holding a small fabric pouch. He took it from her, puzzled. "Where did you get this from?"

"There are several things inside the tent. Fresh water, food, sleeping bags, even medicines," Emma said.

Kevin flinched with visible alarm. "Wait… it could be poisoned." He raised a hand toward William as if the gesture alone could stop him.

Gloria nodded. "Right. It might not be lethal, but it could paralyze you."

Paranoia had become second nature to all of them. Being cautious was far better than being dead—at least in the metaphorical sense. They had been surrounded by danger all day, so it was only natural for even ordinary objects to terrify them now.

Emma, however, sighed. "I don't think they would push it this far. But to be safe, let me drink it." She took the pouch from William before he could react.

William's brows rose slightly, but the firm, knowing look in her eyes made him stay quiet.

Kevin, however, was far from calm. "No, Emma! Why—"

Too late. Emma did not hear him or simply chose not to. She drank a mouthful in one go.

She swallowed and stood still for a moment.

"See? Nothing happened." She handed the pouch back to William.

Kevin let out an exhausted sound and fell onto his backside, his sheathed sword dragging across the soil. The tension left him all at once.

Warren immediately rushed into the tent and came out with water and cookies, stuffing both into his hands. Shock sat heavy on his face, but the hunger to survive had not left him. He was still trembling from the realization that even Lextor had been taken down so easily. The thought that the eel could have ended his life if not for Kevin haunted him more than he would ever admit.

They were not holding back at all. Every danger they had encountered was real, brutal, and entirely lethal.

No wonder every academy demanded written consent from each student's guardian before bringing them here. Even if someone died inside this trial, no one would be able to question the Great Hall. It was a cruel but established rule.

Warren had to be cautious. Yes, he wanted to win. Yes, he wanted recognition. But none of it mattered more than staying alive. If he had to choose between that child and himself, there was no debate. His life came first.

Meanwhile, William was still drinking from the pouch while Emma went to check on Gloria.

As he took another gulp, he suddenly felt a quiet stare on him. He glanced to the side and found the little girl watching him. Her small lips were parted and her blue eyes were fixed on the pouch like she was trying her best not to openly beg.

He lowered the container. "Want some?"

She flinched slightly, but her thirst pushed her past her shyness.

She nodded twice, eagerly.

William handed her the pouch. It was almost too big for her tiny hands, and the fabric was thick, making it heavy. She tried to lift it just like William did, but the container slipped forward.

William caught it before it could spill over her entirely.

The little girl blinked. Her collar was soaked, and droplets clung to her face.

William sighed and used his sleeve to wipe her gently. "Tilt your head and don't breathe when you drink, okay?"

She closed her eyes and let him wipe her face. When he pulled his hand back, she tilted her head as instructed.

He poured slowly, watching the stream of water settle into her small mouth. When she finished, she suddenly held his hand before he could pull the pouch away.

He corked the pouch afterward, only to find her leaning closer, her face lifted toward him expectantly.

He understood. He couldn't stop the helpless smile that tugged at his lips.

"Really?" he said as he wiped her mouth again.

Emma watched the whole scene from the side, and she could not keep her smile hidden. It softened her heart to see that someone who had suffered so much could still be gentle—especially toward a child whose fate had been equally unkind.

Gloria, who was observing as well, murmured, "He is not like what I thought when I first saw him."

The first time she saw William was at the opening ceremony, where his aura resembled someone born in high society, someone who would look down on others he deemed beneath him. But she now realized how wrong she had been.

Emma placed a hand on Gloria's shoulder and whispered, "You can stop staring at him already."

Gloria stiffened and turned toward Emma. Her lips were curved, but there was no trace of a smile.

At all.

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A/N:- Thanks for reading.