Chapter 257 - 252 — Dream

The night turned out to be every bit as long as he’d expected. Despite his determined stance, he somehow ended up lying on the bed. His strategy had been simple: say no, ignore her, and wait until she eventually got tired and gave up. Unfortunately, his entire strategy had hinged on one fatal assumption.

That Lumi could get tired.

He learned the hard way that his petite companion, in fact, did not.

After three straight hours of relentless pestering, Zephyrion finally gave in and lay down on the bed. Even then, his stubborn determination to maintain his deep scowl remained.

It lasted exactly one second.

The moment his body sank into the bed, he felt as though every ounce of fatigue was being gently drawn out of him. Beneath the overwhelming softness, his scowl slowly melted away, replaced by the beginnings of a smile.

Then he looked up.

Lumi was staring at him with the smug satisfaction of someone who knew she’d won.

The smile disappeared instantly. He cleared his throat and deliberately turned to face the other way. A moment of silence passed before he quietly muttered,

"It’s... not bad."

The branch began trembling the next moment, and Zephyrion realized Lumi was probably bouncing up and down behind him.

Not long after, everything went still. Lumi walked to the edge of the branch and sat down. The light slowly faded from her eyes, replaced by a chilling coldness as she swept her surroundings with fierce vigilance.

Zephyrion gave her a sidelong glance, and for some reason, he suddenly felt... bad. Then he spoke words even he hadn’t expected to leave his mouth.

"You can sleep here too."

Lumi blinked at him. Then her eyes slowly widened as she realized what he meant. She immediately started to stand, only to pause halfway. She remained half-risen for a moment before sighing and shaking her head, signing that she had to protect him.

"I don’t need protecting. Even asleep, I’m still alert. Come over here. I won’t ask again. If you refuse..." He paused, giving her a flat look. "...I’ll just assume you’re refusing to sleep beside me in the fortress too."

Lumi’s eyes flew open in alarm. She sprang to her feet at once, shaking her head so furiously it was almost comical.

"Your choice."

Her expression immediately grew troubled, as though she had just been presented with two equally impossible choices. She looked utterly pitiful, her face scrunched up as though she were on the verge of tears.

Zephyrion found himself unable to look away.

Eventually, Lumi made her choice.

She trudged over with dejected steps, her shoulders slightly slumped, clearly saddened that she wouldn’t be able to protect him. Then she climbed onto the bed and curled up so close that he could feel the warmth radiating from her body.

Almost instantly, every trace of sadness disappeared from her face, replaced by a bright, satisfied smile. It wasn’t long before she dozed off, her soft breaths gently filling the quiet night.

’This... doesn’t seem bad.’

Zephyrion looked at Lumi.

Her lips were full and delicately pink, their faces so close he could feel her gentle breaths brushing against his skin. She looked so peaceful, so innocent, so beautiful, like a bundle of chrysanthemums blooming in spring.

But unlike flowers, her scent, the scent of fresh morning peaches, was intoxicating.

’...What are you doing?’

Zephyrion caught himself before his thoughts could wander any further and quickly looked away.

Think happy thoughts. Better thoughts. Not this. Never this.

Eventually, he calmed his mind and simply lay there, losing himself in the comfort of the moment.

For the first time in a very long time, Zephyrion felt at peace.

’Maybe it’s not such a bad idea.’

His eyelids gradually grew heavier.

’I can’t relax for just a second...’

Then darkness claimed him.

...

For what felt like an inexplicable amount of time, all Zephyrion saw was darkness.

Though he loved the silence, the endless expanse of nothingness, of void and null, not so much.

This actually wasn’t unusual. His overactive mind made it impossible for him to dream. He always became aware the moment a dream began, seizing complete control of it. It had become so predictable over the years that he’d rather not dream at all.

This darkness was usually his refuge, and it was a testament to the peace he currently felt.

Zephyrion emptied his mind, trying to lose himself in that peace, but soon, the distant echo of a voice pulled at his attention.

He frowned, straining to listen, yet all he could make out were faint, indistinct sounds.

Gradually, however, the voice grew louder and louder until he could finally make out who it belonged to.

His eyes widened.

’Mom?’

He shot to his feet, listening more intently.

"Z-Zephyrion...!"

"Mom!"

Zephyrion immediately searched his own mind, making absolutely certain this wasn’t a dream. He glanced around the endless darkness, but there was nothing.

Not even a silhouette.

If it wasn’t a dream... then what was it?

"Ze-Zephyrion... wa... p..."

"Mom. Show yourself! What are you trying to say?"

"W...e... u..."

Zephyrion narrowed his eyes and fell silent. Clearly, a message was trying to reach him, yet he couldn’t make sense of a single word. Worse still, the voice had stopped growing clearer, as though it had already reached its limit.

’Wait...’

A thoughtful look crossed his face.

’It started when I let go... so maybe it’ll get clearer if I do it again.’

He put the theory to the test immediately, closing his eyes. Then he let go of everything, sinking into a true state of peace.

For a brief moment, there was only silence.

Then a voice loud enough to rupture eardrums exploded in his ears.

"WAKE UP!"

Zephyrion’s eyes snapped open. The darkness receded, giving way to silver moonlight as reality rushed back into focus.

The forest was silent. Leaves swayed gently overhead, while the moon bathed everything in an almost enchanting glow. Everything was exactly as it had been before he fell asleep. Well... everything except the gleaming blade hurtling straight toward his eyes.

And behind that blade was none other than Vaelor, his eyes burning with murderous intent.