CHAPTER 149: ATHENA FLAMEHART AND SHIERA (1/3)

"I’m sorry... For all the things I said to you in the past. I didn’t know the truth. I judged you harshly. Hurt you with words I never took responsibility for."

She looked at him, lips trembling, trying not to cry.

"And yet... You were still there every time I was in danger. So... thank you."

Kael turned to her. His expression was gentle, a stark contrast to the demonic power that was coursing through him. "It’s alright," he said quietly. "I had complaints, but never disliked you for it, because I always knew that you were unhappy because you love your freedom, and your sisters. And I held you back. So I completely understand your predicament. Let bygones be bygones. However, there’s something I want you to promise me."

She blinked, nodding. "Anything."

"I need you to keep everything you saw today a secret. From everyone. Your sisters... my sister... and even your mother. No one else knows this side of me."

That hit her unexpectedly. Her heart skipped a beat, though she wasn’t sure why. "I see," she murmured. "Then... it will be our secret."

She gave him a small smile, one that wasn’t filled with arrogance or pride or teasing, but gratitude.

Kael hesitated, as if gauging how much he could say before speaking again.

"One more thing," he said I the end. "I used a lot of my demonic power in the fight. Too much, actually. I’m holding on now, but when I transform back, the aftereffects are going to hit me hard."

"How hard?" she asked, eyes narrowing in worry.

"Hard enough that I might not wake up for a while."

"What?"

Kael chuckled softly, then winced as if the motion already caused pain. "If your sisters or my sister finds out, they’ll panic. Especially Laura. So I need you to lie, convincingly."

Shiera frowned. "Lie how?"

"Anyone asks about my condition, tell them I overused my mental strength to control my monsters and fought Alice and Azazel at the same time. It’s believable enough. Just... make sure not to take me back to Everlight City. And don’t ask for any healing assistance."

Shiera looked away, conflicted, but eventually nodded. "Fine. I’ll tell my sisters that we’re going on a short Pegasus tour together... just the two of us."

Kael smiled again, relieved. "That would help. Thanks, Shiera."

"But..." Shiera watched him with concern. "Will you really be alright?"

Kael nodded. "Yeah. I’ve done it before. I’ll recover."

Then, without another word, he shut his eyes, and the demonic energy surrounding him began to dissipate. The horns receded. The wings folded into nothingness. The change was painful and raw, Kael’s entire body trembled, as if barely holding together.

"Argh!"

He dropped to one knee, screaming out as the backlash surged through his body. Every nerve seemed to burn. His skin steamed. His muscles spasmed.

"Kael!"

Shiera ran to him and wrapped her arms around him, holding him tightly as he convulsed. She didn’t know how to help. He was hurting, and all she could do was hold him.

"Don’t worry. Just look over my body and don’t take me anywhere." Kael managed to force out those words, and then with a loud gasp, he lost consciousness. She felt his body going limp in her arms.

Shiera slowly laid him down on the ground, brushing the sweat-matted hair away from his forehead. She looked around. The streets were still. The houses, silent. The people were still locked inside their homes, too afraid after what happened with the undead yesterday. That’s why, regardless of the commotion earlier, none came out.

"It’s better this way," she murmured.

She knelt beside him, wrapping his cloak tighter around his body as she stared at him. Her emotions looked quite conflicted. Her going through flux only made it deeper.

*

The next morning, a solitary figure walked down the cobbled road toward the town’s entrance. Her posture was upright, her armor pristine save for a few travel marks, and her crimson cloak billowed behind her with every graceful step. A large sword was strapped to her back, and her long silver hair waved in the gentle breeze.

Athena Flamehart, the second eldest of the Flamehart sisters and Commander of the Royal Guard, arrived at the town.

As soon as she entered, her sharp, golden eyes scanned the street.

"No guards. No patrols. Not even a damn watch post." Her voice was calm, but her brow twitched. "What happened here?"

As her eyes glowed, scanning the entire town, her frown deepened. "The air over there was heavy with residual magic and death. Hmm... there was a fight, indeed. Okay, let’s go and meet my dear sister."

Her boots echoed softly as she walked into an empty two-story residence near the town center, the one her sister’s location spell had led her to. As she pushed open the door, she barely had time to register the wooden beams and modest furniture before...

"Who’s there?!"

A sharp voice rang out, and in a flash, a blade was pointed toward her chest.

Athena didn’t move.

Shiera came around the corner like a bolt of lightning, her blade drawn, her body tense until her eyes recognized the intruder. "Second sister?"

She immediately sheathed the blade and let out a breath of relief. "You scared me."

Athena raised an eyebrow but smiled faintly. "You’ve grown up... both in age and in strength, I see."

Shiera smiled back, her earlier edge replaced by warm familiarity. "It’s been a while."

Athena stepped inside, her gaze subtly shifting to the rest of the room.

"So? You sent for Lady Searvale’s help, but by the time I’m here, the threat had already been handled. Did you break through at the last minute or something? You’re Tier-8, not Tier-9. So, what really happened?"

Shiera paused for a second. But just a second. She recalled Kael’s words and slipped into the story as though it were her own truth.

"Kael helped me. His monsters were incredibly effective against the undead... but the real burden was on his mind. He used a great amount of mental strength and pushed beyond his limits."

She gave a carefully measured sigh. "His body couldn’t take the strain after the battle, so... he went into a deep state of recovery sleep."

Athena narrowed her eyes slightly, not in suspicion, but in concern. "He used his contracted monsters to fight... alone?"

Shiera nodded. "Yes. And held his ground against Alice and even a resurrected Azazel."

Athena’s brows shot up. "Is it really the fallen angel?"

"Yes."

For a moment, silence.

Then Athena folded her arms. "I heard from Amanda that your husband managed to contract some powerful monsters during your journey, but I didn’t expect him to solve the situation on his own. It really looks like he is no longer the trash we all remember.

Shiera offered a tired smile. "He is never trash, sister. Just that he was unfortunate."

Athena studied her face for a moment. Then, a smile escaped her lips. "Looks like he has your acknowledgment, Shiera, contrary to what Amanda told me. So, where is he? Oh, there..."

"Wait, sis... he is asleep. Don’t..." Shiera tried to stop her, but Athena just waved her hand. "Relax, I won’t wake him up. I just never saw him. During your marriage, I was absent, you know."