CHAPTER 897: STRANGE GIFTS

Hearing Caera’s request, Verona furrowed her brows.

She always knew that Caera wasn’t an average person.

Even if she wasn’t a ’Lord’ she held power far above what a Lord should be.

During her time on the surface, Caera never really offered to fight. She was a simple observer, watching the times change. No matter the calamity, no matter the situation, she rarely moved her finger.

Only recently when she met Alice did she start making an active effort.

But despite her actions, Verona still wasn’t sure about the source of Caera’s power.

And now...

In order for her to bring them to safety, she has to form a contract that allows her people to forget everything they see.

"It’s not impossible. But I can’t guarantee how well it’ll work since my missing parts of my soul." Verona sighed.

"Hmm, that’s indeed an issue." Caera furrowed her brows.

"Though... If you don’t mind a bit of collateral, I’ll be able to establish this contract for you." She smiled.

"Collateral? From me or from the people."

"A bit of both. You see, my powers aren’t exactly... Well. I suppose I can describe it as ’native’ to our realms. And when you see something you’re not supposed to, it’ll obviously take a toll on your mental.

"I simply dampen that effect by making you forget. But for something of this scale, I’ll require something bigger. When we do the ritual, I need everyone to have every sense covered. No sight, no hearing, no taste, nothing. This is the alternative to erasing memories." Caera explained.

Verona massaged her temples.

Erasing memories was easy enough with a contract but sealing all senses?

Even touch? That was going to be difficult.

"Difficult right? But not impossible. I think if we try something with Selen, we might be able to turn their perception elsewhere while I do the ritual. The choice is up to you."

Verona was silent. She’s not unfamiliar with hard choices.

In order to survive the famine that once ravaged the north, she’s made decisions that many would pray they never have to make.

Options they hope they would never have to think about.

"Have Selen block their perception. I’ll get Frida to turn down their sense of touch and Sigurd will make for a good display to distract them, making Selen’s job easier. As for everything else, we’ll cover it with a contract. Make sure as there are multiple fail safes in case someone was to see whatever you’re planning to do." Verona ordered as Caera nodded with a small smile.

"As you wish my queen."

###

"Hng!!! Ahh~ How long has it been since I gave my body a good stretch? Thanks Arys." Allura grinned as she took a deep breath.

Thanks to the conversion that Arys used, Allura was able to move without any hinderances.

She didn’t need to smoke the medicine nor did she need to fake her relaxation. For the first time in centuries, she was feeling rather liberated.

"Don’t push it. It’s only a placebo effect, your body is still a complete mess. The moment you start fighting, you’ll feel everything again." Karya sighed. Her face was looking a little pale from exhaustion and her mind was plagued by the fact that Allura now only had a year left.

After that year...

Not even the Abyss Lord of Life can save her.

"I know I know. It’s not like I plan to fight anyone any time soon. I’ve already hindered Tiamat with Oblivion so the unsealing of the Old Lords should’ve hit a wall. Though some of them are still around so the Abyss is a bit restless." Allura chuckled, tapping her heel against the ground.

"And when you say I can’t use any of my power, does that include just every day stuff as well?" She asked.

"Even your little trick of lighting up your finger for a cigarette exhausts your life force. Whatever energy you have in your body now is your timer. It won’t regenerate nor can you add to it. The conversion blocks it off in order to draw out as much life force as possible.

"Every day, a little bit will seep out until the year is up." Karya nodded her head.

"So an hourglass huh?" Allura smiled.

It was only fitting as someone who’s lived since the fall of Ayr to have her final moments dictated by such a concept. Time was now grains of sand falling through her fingertips.

"So much to do so little time."

"Don’t get too greedy. Just do what you must and do what you want with the extra time you have left." Karya smacked Allura on the arm.

"Oh? You tagging along? How rare."

"Just being responsible for my patient. You’re knocking on deaths door, not knowing when the reaper will turn the handle. As a doctor and the Abyss Lord of Life, it’s only right for me to observe your condition." Karya reached into her pocket and pulled out a cigarette.

"Want one?" She glanced over at Allura.

"Aren’t you supposed to be a doctor? Why are you recommending cigarettes to your patient?" Allura chuckled but accepted.

"What difference does it make? You already have a terminal illness. What’s a little poison going to do that the super cancer in your body hasn’t done already?" Karya rolled her eyes.

"Fair point." Allura laughed.

Indeed, with the power of Famine rampaging in her body for several centuries, what’s a little poison to her systems?

Just as she was about to light it up with her finger, Karya shot her a glare and tossed over a lighter.

Smiling bitterly, Allura caught it and lit up her cigarette.

"Gin, can you get in touch with some of your old contacts? I think it’s time for us to look for Alice and Ria."

"About damn time. You’ve been doing nothing but dragging me to hell and back. If I don’t see my darling granddaughter I’m actually going to go insane." Gin scratched his hair but just as he was about to walk up, Karya shot him a glare, causing him to pause mid step.

"Since when did this old b*stard have a granddaughter? Hell when did he even have time to get a son or daughter???" Karya turned to Allura.

"Heh~ are you curious?" Allura grinned.

Karya pulled back in disgust before clicking her tongue.

"Just wondering how this prick who’s always working and never home even has time to plow someone and have a kid." Karya looked away and smoked her cigarette in annoyance.

"Wouldn’t you know." Gin massaged his neck.

Allura smiled.

Karya ran over and dropped kicked Gin on the shoulder.

"Alright alright, let’s stop that. Don’t worry Arys, Gin never found anyone else after you. He picked up Ria and adopted her."

"Who the hell is worried?! I’m just questioning how the f*ck he would’ve achieved such a feat when this dumbass made a stupid contract back then." Karya rolled her eyes, walking away while Gin coughed violently.

"Oh? Now that’s a first." Allura raised an eyebrow.

She knew the two were dating in the past but this contract, she never heard of it.

"This dumbass used a contract to prove he was dedicated to me in the past. He, in his infinite wisdom, decided to-"

"Come on Ary- Karya, let’s not bring up the past." Gin tried to stop her.

"No no, this is interesting, keep going Arys."

Karya smirked at Gin before turning to Allura.

"He used a contract saying that if he went for anyone else, he’ll lose his fertility. And the stupid idiot was so fast at making that contract I couldn’t even stop him." Karya ranted, recalling how reckless Gin was in the past.

Just thinking about it gave her a headache.

"Ouch..." Allura looked at Gin in pity.

No wonder he chose to become old without looking for anyone else.

Even if he looked for someone else...

"F*ck off. I’m not the only stupid one." Gin let out a sigh before glaring at the two of them.

If Karya was bringing up his contract then...

"I have a list of the weirdest birthday presents I received and the one she gave me tops that f*cking list."

Karya’s pupils constricted as she tried to get him to shut up but Gin dodged under her kick.

"It was the third gift she had given me."

Karya unfolded her wings as spectral light tried to bind Gin.

Flicking his finger, arcs of energy slashes at the bindings around him, dispelling them in the process.

"And in her ’romantic’ gesture, she decided to-"

"SHUT UP!" Karya shouted, flickering behind Gin in an attempt to kick him into the sky but he caught her kick.

While Gin was trying to tell Karya’s embarrassing secret and Karya trying to stop him, Allura was smoking her cigarette by the side enjoying the view.

"Grab the hair that would be lying around-"

"I said SHUT UP YOU OLD FART!" Karya was turning red. Sigils lit up across her body as light rays converged into several amplification circles around her.

Snapping her finger, a barrage of attacks rained down on Gin who dodged through everything.

"And make a doll using both of our hairs!" Gin finished as Karya pulled her jacket over her head while appearing behind Gin.

Hiding her expression, she kept trying to kick him while he dodged.

"That is simultaneously the cutest thing I’ve heard you do, yet also the most... strange." Allura forced a smile.

She couldn’t quite figure out what to make of that information.

A doll made from both their hair.

If it was her...

’Nope. I see why Gin said it was the weirdest gift.’ Allura shivered.

As much as she loved Kaden, having that kind of gift would most definitely raise a few questions.

Finishing her cigarette, Allura went to stop the two from blowing up Karya’s house.