Happy holidays to everyone. I didn't want to post this chapter, as chapter 9 is just too long but I am going on a trip for Christmas and New years I figured I wouldn't want to leave without anything. Here it is. Please rate and review if you like the story so far.

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Chapter 9

As Chris and Cecilia headed down the stairs, Cecilia — who was leading the way — would stop every now and then to inspect the light stones illuminating their narrow passage.

“…noson,” she murmured.

“What keeps it lit?” asked Chris as he stopped and placed a hand on the wall. Anyone with experience with gem magic would know that a continuous supply of mana is needed for it to keep working, but those setbacks doesn’t seem to apply to the light stones in front of him.

Cecilia pointed her index finger on the wall, directing his gaze towards the ancient runes. “These runes act like a large torrent that saps the mana in the air itself. And if you look closely, these written verses on the stones are related to the ones inscribed on the walls, creating a bond.”

Chris didn’t fully understand, but he got the gist of it. “So you’re saying these walls itself are one gigantic magic formation?”

“Yes.” Cecilia nodded. “Remember when I said that you cannot use your diviner around the walls of Valstrath? These runes are sealing it off.”

Chris agreed inwardly. “Like a ward to fend off evil.”

“Yes. For the denizens of the dark, the divine apostles are their mortal enemy. You are not welcome here.”

“Really? Your ancestors have done a great job then…” His words earned him an angry glare, but he brushed it off by raising his hands in mock defeat. “Smile more and frown less. It doesn’t do justice to your pretty face.”

“Point taken, ‘Mr. Christopher’.” She emphasized the words with bitter hate.

Chris looked at the runes again, frowning as he inspected the wall. “But how could it stayed active? Surely some would’ve faded over the passage of time?”

“Again, you have point. But compare it closely. The blood ink varies in this particular verse. As if someone…”

“Just recently patched it?” he finished.

“Yes, so we might not be alone here.”

“Should we try destroying the connection?”

Cecilia released a sigh. “For now I wouldn’t dare. Disrupting this circle of magic could sink this island, or more.”

“Seriously?!” Chris definitely didn’t want this island to be his tomb he immediately removed his hand from the wall.

“Idiot,” she said, invoking a suppressed giggle before descending down the stone steps.

Because of that, Chris felt like it was the perfect time to ask.

“Cecilia…” His voice ended up trailing midway, too embarrassed to finish.

She stopped. “What?”

Gathering his courage, he asked, “Have I done something to you that warranted this much hate? If so, I—”

But she cut him off. “You and your brothers murdered my kin like chattel and you ask me why I hate you? Oh, the irony is not lost in me!” She turned to Chris, her crimson pupils flaring with disgust. “What difference are the Exquisitors now from the Brandyms back in the old age? You cannot deny that the Celestians are ruling with steel!” She snapped. “And scarce believe the only reason we’re alive is to be their scapegoat. What a joke!”

Not uttering a reply his hands balled into fists, as every insult she just hurled were the truth. However, similar to a coin, every evil he committed contained another side. He did it because it was necessary, or at least he believed so.

“Something holding your tongue, my lord?” Cecilia mockingly continued in his prolonged silence. “Then answer me this: What use is a knight if you would cut your own? NONE! You are nothing but an assassin! Rogues that kill for a living! Breathing the same air as you makes me sick.”

“I am sorry,” was all he could muster.

“Save your breath, for your words are wind. And no amount of howling will liberate you from my hatred.”

“I understand.” Chris closed his eyes and accepted them all. There was no point in reasoning with her state of mind. Her hatred was deep rooted in the depths of her heart. “Hate me all you want. I would even gladly offer my life, but all I’m asking is for a little more time. Until then I want you, if possible, to set this anger aside.”

“You do not need to ask me; for I am not as heartless as you. To get out of this labyrinth I am willing to cooperate, but that is all. Do not EVEN think for a second that we’re acquaintances. Got that?” Cecilia heeled the other way and continued downstairs.

Chris opened his mouth to ask another question, but held it back. One of the phases of demon awakening is acquiring knowledge from the past. Lilia was the same. The only difference was that after her mind flooded with wisdom of old, she turned insane. Unable to differentiate friend from foe.

‘Could it be?’ He didn’t want to believe it nor did he want the past to repeat itself.

It was still too early to judge, but now he would act before all is too late.