AN: Sorry for late release, I'm busy in real life >.>

PR credits go to nf_zeta-san, Gate-san and ShadowOfHavoc-san!

Marc was leisurely sitting on his Red Throne, however this time he was a little different from usual. A razor sharp aura was swirling around him as he gently played with Kaya's hair. However the biggest difference was definitely the fierce expression that he had on his face.

There was only one price for hurting one of his links, and it was the final one. The last one they'd ever have to pay.

He carefully eyed those forty two flying M-Colloses, and carefully remembered their appearance and aura. His lips formed a lofty smile, they were nothing more than dead men from now on.

Kollos Alliance side morale was at its peak, but even so, their advance slowed down. It was normal, no matter how high their morale was they could not help but hesitate in front of the mighty formation of the (Double Layered Hex Blast). If they were to be hit by that thing they would definitely die, no matter what.

Another hundred M-Colloses rose to the sky creating a defensive formation around those forty two. The main difference between a Photon Cannon and a (Hex Blast) was that the latter needed six of its users’ photons to be fully compatible, which is exceedingly rare. The Double Layered one needs forty two of them... And it was a Circle Class Blast!

To create those forty two Crimson Empire definitely had their hands deep in human experimentation...

[: All units defensive stance!]

[: All units defensive stance!]

As one, all officers started relaying the orders, all of them were unnaturally calm, but it was all due to the massive formation of the black cubes floating above their heads. All of them knew that those M-Colloses will not target them.

Right when those forty two bots emerged Vorst requested both Nova and Mersa to fall back, just in case their enemies tried to direct the blast at them.

[: Will Vorst be alright?]

The Witch couldn't help but ask Mersa by private channel, the calm before storm was killing her. In front of her was the white sphere where the boy was located and behind it forty two M-Colloses that were about to unleash their combined power.

[: Yeah, just leave it to Vor-chan.]

[: Huh, Camellia-chan sure trusts her man.]

[ M-man. *blush* Vor-chan will not lose.]

A light from the blast once again blinded them temporarily...

There was no time left. Once those forty two bots rose in the sky they only had around a minute left. After asking Mersa and Nova to fall back it was his turn to act. Vorst released Celina and was just about to leave when he felt a small tug on his soldier uniform.

Suddenly without his arms around her Celina felt so lonely that she reacted almost unconsciously. Her hand swiftly moved towards him and grasped a little of the fabric.

[Celina: Ah. I'm sorry!]

Once she realized what she was doing she promptly removed her hand and lowered her head. She was too clingy, she definitely was... Vorst immediately understood her situation, and quickly reached out to her.

[Celina: I'm very sorry so please don't ha-...]

He quickly pulled her to him before she had a chance to finish her sentence. Her insecurity troubled him greatly. He never felt at ease when one of his links was scared of him.

[Vorst: I'll stay here as long as you want.]

The boy tried to appeal to her, his aura desperately changed to an ‘I'm-not-that-scary’ tone.

He could only curse at himself for being too forceful. Had he not been so domineering before maybe Celina right now would have a little more confidence... Oh, the regret!

[--Lily--: Too bad Lord Marcdrak was never good at planning his moves beforehand. Hehe, do you need a helping hand Marc? Your servant is always at of her Emperor's every beck and call.]

The demoness dropped down on one knee perfectly imitating the usual impeccable posture of the Black Angel.

[--Lily--: Just name your wish and your Lily will certainly obey.]

[--Marc--: ...]

Marc threw her a reproachful glare only to receive a smile that appeared on her bewitching lips. The solemn aura she was imitating completely vanished. This was not something a simple trickery could solve and she knew it - moreover he would never use that against his links.

Kaya who was being "punished" had a wide grin on her face, but she chose to stay silent since his hand was still unconsciously wandering through her hair. She did not want to risk being suddenly released from this "imprisonment".

Dutiful Calla on the other hand was focused on guarding Mersa and Nova.

[Vorst: If you wish for it, I'll stay here.]

He reasserted that again, his gaze right now was completely focused on the white haired girl next to him. If it was needed he would even postpone delivering punishment to those M-Colloses. What's more if Celina wanted to he would even be as magnanimous as to let them off the hook - he was just venting his anger after all, and Kaya did not hold a personal grudge against them... maybe just a little - for hurting Aegis.

After being suddenly surrounded by his gentle aura Celina calmed down. However she suddenly realized something... She stopped him from dealing with that incoming blast.

[Celina: Wha! What about tha-?!]

A sense of dread suddenly crept all over her, did she just kill him? Once again she was stopped from finishing her sentence, this time by a sudden kiss.

[Celina: Wh-ha?!]

[Vorst: It's fine. Although it will be a little more difficult to deflect it from the inside...]

The main reason for that is because Marcdrak will have to activate a Dragon Skill, and with his current power the range of his (Draconic Scale Barrier) will not be able to extend far enough to encompass whole white sphere that they were in. It's not that he really cared about it but he knew that Celina really treasured it...

30s...

Every day she would perform a maintenance on it while humming happily... One must know that it was completely unnecessary. Hmm... How should he resolve this...

25s...

There was that method... But he really did not want to use that... Such headache...

Celina raised her head with her eyes wide open. He just contacted her via telepathy - if both parties could utilize that psychic ability the speed of their conversation was incomparable to normal speech. Whole ideas worth hundred of sentences could be conveyed in a heartbeat.

20s…

Then the psychic conversation came to an end...

Silence…

15s…

Nod.

She nodded.

The young man lowered his gaze to look at the small girl in his arms. (Runic Circulation) cannot be used infinitely. Vorst took most of the burden of the formation - the mental part was done by him, what's more he also personally oversaw the feeding process so Celina's Photon Core would never be overcharged. However no matter how small the burden was, it will build up in time, and soon she would reach her limit.

[--Vorst--: Za, I'm removing the (Transfer Array) and the (Telepathic Amplifier).]

[--Celina--: Alright.]

[--Vorst--: I... I'll need to use you.]

His voice in her mind was dyed with an apology, the White Tiger girl quickly shook her head and grasped his hand.

[--Celina--: It's fine, as long as its you anything is f-fine. *blush*]

She spoke up completely turning crimson. Vorst couldn't help but feel helpless.

[--Vorst--: Alright, I'll try to be as gentle as possible...]

[--Celina--: Umm... Y-yes. *blush*]

He hugged her... and entered her.

[--Vorst--: (Mind Overthrow)]

A telepathic power that was completely unheard of. That's because to take over someone's mind forcibly one's mental strength needs to be incredibly high.

A pain pierced through Celina's mind, it was as if someone took a needle and stabbed her forehead. However that lasted only for a second, after that a gentle feeling enveloped her whole self.

[--Marc--: I'm here, relax.]

The White Tiger girl took a deep breath when she heard that familiar voice and felt that familiar embrace. When she opened her eyes they were surrounded by a white light. There was nothing there besides the two of them...

[Time: Several seconds back in time...]

[--Vorst--: Celina Za.]

The familiar voice appeared inside Celina's head, she quickly raised her head. The owner of that voice stood right next to her. Correction, right now she was locked inside his embrace. She was confused, he was this close, but he used telepathy?

[--Vorst--: There is something about me that you need to know.]

His voice in her head also conveyed that he was quite hesitant, or more like he was trying to find the proper explanation. Then with a mental sigh images suddenly appeared in her mind.

...

..

.

Marcdrak Euharm Maxkael Adajax Emerald Vegyla.

Celina was utterly shocked.

An ancient being from another world.

Her head became a bit dizzy from receiving an unexpected information. It was so unbelievable and far-fetched that it perfectly fit his image and unnatural abilities...

[--Vorst--: There is one more thing I want you to know. You are my link, and I will continue to protect my links. No matter what. Forever. Until I die, for I am Vegyla, and only as Vegyla shall I die.]

With the word 'link' he also conveyed emotions that were identically similar to 'very important'. The word 'Vegyla' was colored in a vast amount of pride and determination. He was an alien, but did it really matter?

[--Vorst--: You don't need to be so fearful. You're mine, and you shall remain therefore I wish you to live freely. There is no need to mind me, speak your mind freely. If there is something you wish of me, I shall grant you that wish. Any wish... besides...]

His voice did not finish that sentence but the image of Mersa flashed through. Celina immediately understood. She felt at ease, because it was any wish besides him leaving Mersa. Right, even among humans she might not be able to find someone this caring... His sincere aura completely put her at ease. She was convinced that he was not lying, or more like, even if he was lying Celina would be willing to believe that lie.

If being fooled meant that she could be with him for a little, she was willing to accept it. Somewhere deep inside she even hoped for that to be a lie, because once he scars her she would be able to give up on him. That was her choice - to put her trust in him.

Once her resolve was set she calmed down considerably, she was a level headed girl to begin with. The weakness that haunted her for the past month was completely patched up.

Then panic came again.

The (Double Layered Hex Blast) was aimed at them and they were leisurely chatting about relationships! That felt so unreal. Well, this kind of relationship was also unreal... Everything was unreal...

[--Celina--: Vorst, what about 'that'.]

[--Vorst--: Hmm... I have a method to deal with it but with time on hand it won't be able to save our Circulation Sphere.]

The White Tiger girl's face was suddenly painted with horror...

[--Celina--: R-really? ... Really?]

It was a first thing they made together. And here she also just got her first kiss. And... Here... She declared to be his...

[--Vorst--: ... There is also... that.]

After he saw Celina make that face he just couldn't help it and let it out involuntarily in unconscious attempt to comfort her.

[--Celina--: That? What's 'that'? Vorst, please... Please...]

[--Vorst--: A technique that I’d prefer not to use.]

His voice was saturated with reluctance.

[--Celina--: Ah... Umm.. *Sad face*]

[--Vorst--: ...]

[--Celina--: ... *Sad face*]

[--Vorst--: ...]

[--Calla--: This is where m'lord loses.]

[--Lily--: Inevitable.]

[--Calla--: *Nods* No one can best m'lord in a match of strength, however...]

Silence... and that silence conveyed more than any words could convey.

[--Marc--: ...]

[--Kaya--: Hehe~]

Kaya only chuckled a little, she was still being punished after all.

[--Vorst--: That method...]

His actual strength was insufficient, he was only 7th HST after all. However it would be a completely different thing if he had an access to 6th LCT. Full access. The current (Telepathic Link) that was between them was not enough, it gave him control over her bots, but he did not have any power over her Photon Core.

He hesitantly told her about (Mind Overthrow). A Mind Psychic power capable of usurping control from another person, it will lock someone else’s mind, and take over their body...

In normal cases it would also require an enormous amount of power to suppress the victim, but that's only if the victim was actively opposing the control...

Nod.

She nodded.

[--Celina--: It's fine.]

[--Vorst--: ... Are you sure?]

[--Celina--: Yes. It's because I trust you. It's because the Vorst I know will not harm me.]

She smiled sweetly.

[--Vorst--: ... Sigh...]

...

..

.

10s...

Celina/Marc opened her eyes...

[--Celina--: Whoa..]

Even though her mind was "locked" she still was linked to her senses and thus could "see" what Marc was doing. An golden aura continuously poured out of her and (Runic Circulation) rotation speed increased even further.

[--Marc--: These are Runes.]

From Celina's point of view out of nowhere thousands of violet symbols appeared all around her, and that now was combined with several golden strands that were released from her own body. Everything was so magical...

It was magic indeed...

5s...

Suddenly BAM!

The blast was fired off few seconds before the approximate timer countdown.

The speed of the black cubes around the white Circulation Sphere suddenly increased by at least tenfold, and as if to answer that the shot from the Double Layered Hex Blast was hurried, The laser beam became just a little bit more scattered but it did not lose any of its power.

All of the black boxes immediately responded to the imminent threat. As one they all made a 180 degree turn, their edges suddenly turned to a bright golden color, and rushed forward to meet the beam.

A white light crashed with them... and vanished.

An uncharacteristic fierce smile appeared on Celina's face. It worked perfectly. A newly formed (Reverse Transfer Array) took the power from outside and with numerous (Store) runes Marc fully absorbed the enemy attack. Now there was no need for (Runic Circulation) anymore.

The black boxes reformed into circular shape once again. A spark of energy suddenly rushed out from one box, but it was once again absorbed by another. (Store) runes also had a time limit, once that was up they had to release the power within, in most cases in quite a dangerous form.

Crack... Crack. Crack. Crack.

Numerous lightning surges started appearing within the black encirclement. At first randomly, but then as if following a certain will they started moving in one direction. After few seconds all of them formed an uniform river of golden energy. After a few more it was as if the river came to life and formed a rough shape of a Golden Serpent.

[--Marc--: My turn.]

A predatory smile appeared on his face. Although right now Vorst did not have the most friendliest appearance Celina just couldn't find it in herself to dislike this kind of Vorst. Maybe it was because of his aura - although he was emitting a very fierce one, whenever a random strand touched her it magically turned into an exceedingly gentle gale...

[--Marc--: Little one, roar for me.]

He gave the command to his Golden Serpent, and as he willed the “little one” opened its enormous jaws...

ROOOOOOOOOOOAAAAAAAAAAAAAR!

A soul shattering cry reverberated through the battlefield.

AN: Lol sorry for those innuendos, but I just couldn't help myself xD haha