Chapter 305: The Play VI

{I have a p-a-t-r-e-o-n with exclusive stories on it! I hope you guys will give it a chance. The link is /easyread. Remove the dashes. Webnovel censors the word.}

~~~(POV: Saliandra Orvello)~~~

~~~(Location: Watching the play in the Colosseum)~~~

~~~(Time: 7:12 PM)~~~

The slaughter that's happening before my eyes makes me want to turn away... Seeing so much blood and death isn't natural for me, not at this high of a level. "The battle of Nerval, City of Beauty... I heard that during its golden years, anyone who was born in the elven city was beyond beautiful..." Cera's knowledge about elven history is inspiring.

It makes me want to learn history, not necessarily elven history. I'm not considered to be an elf to the elven people. "I never realized how brutal a full-scale battle like this can be. The war... My people... Fought... I wonder if there were any winners in the end..." I can't find better words to describe them... Associating them with me doesn't feel right.

Sprawled out elf bodies and piled corpses of orcs, a once beautiful city devastated and reduced to houses with walls missing. Some, only having the foundations left. "You're not like them, Sally." My stomach sinks, and my heart feels heavy. "I know it's hard for you... But you're more than they'll ever be... They're not your people..." My breath falters, and I choke a little on air.

He's looking at me... His hand is resting in mine. The support he gives me, the understanding he has. He knows my heart. "Thanks... For getting it... It's hard... Not having a people of your own..." Cera takes his hand from mine and wraps his arm around my shoulder, and brings me closer. Hugging me from the side.

He plants a kiss on the side of my head and lays my head on his shoulder. "I'll always be here, and I'll never leave you. I'm your people now, Sally. Your mine, and I'm yours." A feeling of... Acceptance spreads through me. No matter how much I try to hold back, tears start welling up in the corners of my eyes... The burning hot tears fall down my cheeks.

The quivering of my chin and the crease of my eyebrows grow more prevalent the longer I fight it. "It's okay, Sally... Letting out the pain is something that I want you to do... Keeping it buried... It's like cancer..." I turn my body and move my head into his chest. My face is smothering his muscles. I let out muffled cries and whimpers into him.

Echoing through his chest and sending vibrations back to me. His hand rests on the back of my head, gently stroking my hair and calming me down. All the pain I've kept buried about my elven blood. It's coming to the surface and tearing a hole in me, but it's being healed as quickly as it's coming. Cera rests his chin on my head and wraps both arms around me.

Hugging me and making me feel safe and secure in his arms. Like nothing in the world can hurt me in this vulnerable moment. I don't know how I got so lucky... My life has completely changed, and it's so much better than I ever dreamed it could be. My tears have soaked through his garb, and snot is starting to come out of my nose.

I pull away and try to wipe it away, but Cera stops my hand from removing anything else. He places his hand under my chin and lifts my head, so our eyes meet. "Leave it. It's not going to hurt me." He slowly dries my tears and runs his thumb across my cheek. "Your eyes are so red and puffy now... Flushed cheeks to... I'm glad you let it out. You needed it..." I'd cry more if I weren't dried out.

He knows how to treat me... I don't know how to describe it... Like I'm so special and so important to him. That nothing he finds out about me will ever change his thoughts or feelings about me. "Let's go back to the inn and get you cleaned up. We don't need to finish the play." He gently lifts me in his arms, and he carries me out of the booth. Heading for the exit of the colosseum.

~~~(POV: Hailey Adamo)~~~

~~~(Location: Warm magical tent in a blizzard)~~~

~~~(Time: 7:39 PM)~~~

My feet unconsciously rub against one another, even though they're warm. A habit that I've had since I was a kid, something I do when I'm under a nice warm blanket. "Can I ask you a question?" A tired and relaxed voice pulls me from my memories as a kid. Jasmine has been silent for some time now, and I thought she was asleep.

She's looking at me for a response, and I nod my head lightly. "Do you think that what we'll end up doing with your brother will be worth it? You're really going out of your way to help him, and I admire that. But we'll end up making enemies that'll never forget us." Her concerns are more than valid. Taking on the elves isn't something she signed up for.

Whatever I answer won't change her coming along with me. I'm doing this cause Cera and Sally need me, and that's the only reason I need. "My brother needs my help, and he's always been there when I needed it. It's what family's for... Being there in our times of need and offering any help we can. I get your concerns. I have them too..." My thoughts about the dangers in this aren't hidden.

There are incredible risks coming along with this mission that Cera is setting out on, one that will not be as easily taken care of with a few slashes of his sword. "Don't worry, Jasmine... My brother is the strongest person I know. He's even stronger than me, and I think you'll like him when you meet him for the first time." I haven't told her that Cera is Slayer Zern.

It's going to be a nice surprise for her since she's a devoted follower of the gods of light and church. I'm excited to see her reaction. To her and many others, Cera is basically a god. Son of heavens mightiest angel, and the grandson of the Almighty Father. "That's a little hard to believe... You're so strong. Hard to imagine anyone out there stronger than you..." She flatters me with such words.

It's not that Cera will have an easy time beating me. I know that the power gap between us is close. My speed is just too much to handle, but he has so many things that I can't compete with defensively and offensively-wise. "Perhaps we'll spar to show you just how strong he really is... Is this the only thing you wanted to talk about?" I'm referring to her question about this being a good idea.

Her silence speaks volumes, there are definitely other things on her mind, and most of them are probably things she thinks I'll take offense to. "How strong is your family? Your so powerful, and so is your brother... Do you know anything about how strong your parents are?" I wasn't expecting that... I haven't thought about the others since I joined up with Jasmine again.

Mom and dad are probably doing fine, and Marcus is likely having a blast. Knowing Cera, he might've to them where to find powerful classes and other such things. Like he did for me. "I don't know much about the rest of my family... I haven't found them yet, and Cera is the only one I know is actually alright now..." I don't regret setting out on my own.

That doesn't mean I don't worry about my family, cause I do. After I left with Cera and then left him, I felt free for the first time in my life. That feeling hasn't changed. "I'm sorry I asked about a touchy subject..." She's quick to apologize, seeing the face I'm making. One likely covered in frowns and creases. It's not her fault. I know we'll all be together one day.

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A/N: Below this line, I'll be keeping Cera's player information. That way, I won't have to place it into the story above anymore. It takes about 180 words up.

[Slayer (Zern) Lvl.193]

[Exp: 3/100%]

historical

[Title: The Son of Arch-Angel Michael (Hidden)]

[Stats] [Strength - 7095][Endurance - 7045][Dexterity - 7215][Speed - 8240][Focus - 19,660]

[Mana aura control: 6/100%]

[Health: 76,560,000,000/76,560,000,000] [Mana: 216,600,000,000/216,600,000,000]

[Stat Points: 30] [Armor rating: 500]

[Inventory] [Dice of Wayland (Divine)] [Hardened Tree sap Armor (Very Rare)] [The Witness (Legendary Sword)] [Fenrir's Whistle (Divine)] [Sally's Dresses 5x] [Camping gear] [Food Rations 4x] [Dried meat 4x] [Fishing poles 2x] [Fish 8x]

[Passive Perks]

[Inheritor of the Sword] [Son of Heaven] [Slayer of Evil] [Holy Willow Trees Savior] [Finder of Legends] [The Divine who has Legend] [Destined for Greatness] [Dungeon Diver] [An Overachiever]

[Active Skills]

[Heavens light Lvl.59 325/5900] [Protected by Heaven Lvl.59 225/5900] [Slash Lvl.77 4600/130000] [Parry Lvl.53 80/5300] [Double Strike N/A] [Kingslayer N/A] [Raging Machine N/A] [Winged Glory] [Angelic Flight] [Divine Pressure Exertion] [Divinity Pulse] [Controled Fun]