CHAPTER 97: HOME

The cosmos was so vast and unknown. Kael remembered how the many space agencies used to gather intel about the vast cosmos and how they were nothing but a speck of dust in it.

Before, Kael had assumed that perhaps he had transmigrated to a different planet, a different galaxy or something, but the fact that everything was so similar made him doubt his information.

Was the whole intel gathered by old scientists wrong? Or was the rest of the universe empty and they simply followed the logic of parallel worlds?

’Wait! I’m thinking too much again. This definitely involves Gods or something, so it’s better to drop the subject.’

Kael had the urge to explore it more, but the fear that it would alert any secret existence helped him resist it. He had encountered so many bizarre, life-threatening situations right after transmigration just because of his curiosity, and he didn’t want to end up in even more deadly situations.

Perhaps, he wouldn’t survive next time. Perhaps, Draven might have already exhausted all the energy through which he was affecting the outside world.

Then, he wouldn’t have anyone to save his ass.

Beside him, Kiona listened to their conversation intently and asked, "Master, is this Earth your home?"

Kael smiled wistfully and said, "Yes, it’s my home world, and I hope I can go back there someday. Of course, I won’t abandon anyone here, but I do want to see it one more time. To touch it. To feel it... and perhaps meet some people I left behind."

At the end of his words, his voice turned low and emotional. He had a lot of things in his new life here—everything he really wanted, including the chance to take revenge on the Apocalypse.

But even after all this, there was a part in his heart that was left empty... abandoned completely. He missed his home, his friends who had supported him at his lowest... his mother who fought the world for him and his brother.

And his brother...

Just thinking about him made his chest heavy. He wasn’t someone who could live in an apocalypse, so Kael had always protected him, just like he did with his mother.

But with him gone, Kael had no clue how they were living now. On one hand, he knew they were probably living peacefully because of his friends and also the government.

But it was the Apocalypse. How could he entrust their safety to someone else’s hands?

Unknowingly, a tear formed in the corner of his eyes and dripped down, falling on his home’s rooftop. He had been so busy since arriving in this world, and he had used that to mask and suppress his loneliness.

But now that he was relaxed, everything came flooding back in, reminding him of what he had left behind.

Kiona noticed his state and held his hand tightly, saying in a low voice, "You will be able to reach back to your home, Master. You have the power to do so. I have confidence in you."

Only then did Kael remember that Kiona wasn’t in any better situation. At least he had the chance and hope of returning home... but her home had already been destroyed.

She had nowhere to return to.

He missed home. She had none left to miss.

The world was really ironic.

Kael held her hand without saying anything, as they just felt some relief in each other’s warmth. At least they had each other.

"You can wander the world, but your heart always knows the way back home."

Rias stretched her hand towards the sky, as if trying to touch a star that was her home—but all she got in her hand was... emptiness.

She didn’t seem surprised and just lowered her hand with a strange emotion swirling in her eyes.

Kael gazed at her side profile, not knowing whether to consider her lucky or pitiful. Unlike Kael or Kiona, she probably didn’t even remember her home.

She didn’t even know where she belonged to. She was just a wandering figure with no shadows or connection. In a way, it was relieving, as it was the definition of freedom.

But was a freedom like that even worth it?

Kael wanted to avoid the topic, but ended up asking anyway, "Do you remember anything of your home?"

Rias stayed silent at his question, clutching her sheathed katana beside her. Then, she closed her eyes and spoke, "Whenever I try to remember my home, all I see is an endless river of blood. Nothing else."

Kael and Kiona turned silent, words choking in their throats.

’Perhaps, the Apocalypse had arrived there too,’ Kael wanted to say, but held back.

After a moment of silence, he chuckled to himself and said, "We really are a bunch of miserable wretches, aren’t we?"

"Count me out! I have a new home now," Kiona forced out a smile, but as she touched the material she was laying on, that smile turned genuine.

"Haha!" Kael just laughed it off.

Hearing them, a subtle smile formed on Rias’s lips as she said, "I have discovered something."

"Hmm? What is it?" Kael asked.

"I’m not forgetting my new life," Rias said, her voice cracking with emotions. "I don’t know how long my memories of a life usually last, but I have a feeling that this time it’s different, and it’s because of your help."

Kael was surprised, as this was the first time Rias was truly letting her emotions out. Usually, she would keep a calm look on her face, as if nothing could faze her.

But looking at her now, he felt her vulnerability. It was the first time he felt that this Demi-God also had a weakness.

He also took her hand in his and said, "This is just the start. I promise you that you will get all of your memories back and never go through this again."

"I’m not sure if I want all of those memories," Rias said with a soft chuckle.

She paused and then asked, "You said this is your new home, right?"

"Yes. And I will make it so beautiful and lively that everyone would want to make it their home," Kiona smiled, already dreaming about the future of their small town. "And then I will make sure it stays like that forever."

"Then... can I also make it my home?" Rias spoke after hesitating for a while.

This surprised both Kiona and Kael, making them speechless for a second.

But the more Kael thought about it, the more he felt that he understood her. Perhaps, all this time she wasn’t just searching for a way to get her memories—but to find a purpose for her meaningless life.

Without her memories, she became a clean slate every time... except that she didn’t lose all of her memories. The world still reminded her of her situation, as if it wanted her to suffer for eternity.

He shifted to look at her face properly and froze upon noticing the chilling look in her eyes. There was a silver blaze dancing in her beautiful, mesmerizing eyes that seemed to devour everything around it.

Just like a black hole.

Kael found himself drawn towards it as he stretched his hand, giving in to his desire of connecting with that blaze. But just in time, he stopped and looked away.

He still remembered Draven’s words.

Then, he shook his head and said, "You must be kidding, my lady. You are a Demi-God—who wouldn’t want you in their territory?"

"You," Rias answered flatly.

Kael was stumped for words hearing that and sighed, "It’s because of that exact reason. You are simply too powerful..."

"And you’re afraid of the version I’ll become after I regain my memories?" Rias completed his sentence for him.

Upon seeing him nodding his head, she sighed, "I can’t promise anything, as I can’t see the future. But I can tell you one thing. Since the moment I’ve arrived in this world, my katana has been more docile than ever and even seems to be excited whenever it’s around you."

Kael raised an eyebrow hearing that. He knew how special and powerful the katana was—otherwise, the old dragon wouldn’t have disturbed his slumber.

He also knew that there was some connection between them, but he was still surprised to hear her describe its desires. He couldn’t understand why this powerful Artefact, that could even make a Demi-God wary, was being subservient to him?

"Whatever the reason is, it seems to have the desire of following you more than me, so even if my future self turned against you, this little guy will make sure she doesn’t do anything against you."

She paused and then added,

"That’s all I can tell you to earn your trust."

"Does a Demi-God really need to earn someone’s trust?" Kael said with a fake laugh.

"Yes." Rias once again answered flatly.

Kael stared at her for a second and then said, "Then I’ll be honest with you. I would be happy to have you in my town, and that’s not just because of your powers. But I would still need some time to trust you."