CHAPTER 252: ERAINLIA AGAIN!

"What are you saying?" Kael said.

The old man reached under the counter, pulling out a small, black box bound with silver threads.

He set it down carefully, his one good eye narrowing.

"This," he said, tapping the box with a finger, "is the second time I am giving away my fragments."

Kael frowned. "Second time?"

The old man smiled faintly. "Yes. The second."

"Then..." Kael hesitated, watching him closely. "Who was the first one?"

"The Demon Lord himself," the old man replied quietly.

Kael blinked, trying to process it.

"Wait... The Demon Lord? You mean"

"Yes," said the old man. "Long ago."

"But last time you said he couldn’t take it. What are you trying to say?"

The old man chuckled. "Ah, that’s what he thought. He believed he couldn’t take it. But in truth, no one ever leaves this place empty-handed. The question is not whether you can take it... but whether you can survive taking it."

Kael’s brows furrowed. "And why did he want it? Was it to unlock his power? Or—" he leaned forward slightly, lowering his voice, "—does it have something to do with the fragments?"

"I don’t know either," the old man said. "I only give. What happens after that... is no longer mine to know."

Kael’s gaze fell to the box.

When he reached out to take it, the old man’s voice stopped him again.

"Be careful with it," the man said. "Once you accept a fragment, you are bound to its will. And its will is older than you can imagine."

Kael nodded. "I’ll take the risk."

(you are bluffing too much)

He took the box with both hands.

As Kael turned to leave, (This isn’t part of the original story... what’s going on?)

Just as he stepped out, he froze.

"Cecelia?" he whispered.

She stood at the side of the shop standing, facing away.

Her clothes were slightly torn at the edges, as if she had been through something rough.

(What is she doing here?) Kael thought.

(Does the hero come here too?)

She didn’t seem to notice him.

Her eyes were blank.

Inside Cecelia’s Mind

Darkness surrounded her.

She didn’t remember walking into the city, nor why she had come.

Her mind was fogged — like being underwater, hearing faint echoes of voices far above.

"Welcome," said a voice — deep, old, and layered with countless tones.

"So, you have come... with failure."

Cecelia took a step back. "Who are you?"

The old man ignored her question, tilting his head.

"What do you have on offer?"

"On offer?" she repeated, confused.

"Yes," the voice hissed softly, multiplying around her as if a dozen versions of him were speaking.

"Did you come here empty-handed? Did you bring any ancient coins?"

"I..." Cecelia looked down at her hands and it was empty.

"I don’t have anything."

The old man’s expression changed.

The shadows darkened around his face. "Then get out."

Before she could even respond, the ground beneath her cracked.

A sudden force hit her chest like a storm. She screamed as she was flung backward — the world twisting, the city fading, and the sound of the man’s words echoing in her skull.

"Return when you carry something worth offering."

Then everything went black.

When she opened her eyes again, she was standing at the entrance of the city of Graylight.

The streets were gone. The fog had cleared. She was alone.

"What? How come I’m here?" she muttered.

"What even is an... ancient coin?"

Her hands trembled. The world around her felt distant — as if she had been expelled from something not meant for her.

Back in Graylight

Kael stood in the same spot where Cecelia had been moments before.

He looked around. "Cecelia?"

No answer.

He stepped forward carefully, reaching out his hand.

The moment his fingers brushed her shoulder, she shimmered like glass — her body was flickering and distorting and then, in an instant, she vanished.

Kael stood there silently, staring at the empty air.

"So," he murmured, "she was thrown away..."

For a brief moment, he exhaled slowly and turned away.

"Good thing," he said quietly, though his voice carried no real satisfaction.

Inside the Shop Again

"So, the fragments have been chosen again," he whispered. "One accepted... and one rejected."

He leaned back, closing his single eye. "The wheel turns once more."

(Heroes shouldn’t come here. And if they do... it will be my fault.) Kael thought.

He exhaled slowly and stepped out from the city of graylight.

The faint light of dusk filtered through the fog, casting everything in dull gray tones.

That’s when he saw her.

At the entrance of the city gate, lying motionless on the stone road — was Cecelia.

The faint glow of her mana was flickering weakly around her body.

"C–Cece?" Kael shouted.

He rushed forward, dropping to his knees beside her. "Cece! Can you hear me?"

She didn’t respond. Her eyes remained shut, and her hands were cold to the touch.

Panic rose in Kael’s chest. "Cecelia, wake up! It’s me... it’s Kael!"

Still no answer.

Kael gritted his teeth and quickly slipped his arms under her, lifting her carefully.

She was lighter than he expected, like she hadn’t eaten in days.

The chill of her skin seeped through his sleeves.

"Hang in there," he muttered. "I’ll get you somewhere safe."

He carried her through the streets, moving fast

Most of the townsfolk didn’t even look at him.

(What is she doing here? Why did she come?)

Finally, he reached at corner of the city — a small building with an iron sign that read "Medical and Apothecary." A faint lantern burned at the doorway.

Kael kicked the door open with his shoulder. "Help! Someone—please!"

Inside, a group of healers and attendants turned sharply at his voice.

Glass bottles clinked as they rushed forward.

"What happened?" one of the attendants asked quickly. "Who is she?"

"She just collapsed outside the gate," Kael said, laying Cecelia carefully on one of the beds.

"I don’t know what happened to her. Please—help her!"

Two of the healers immediately started examining Cecelia, checking her pulse and mana flow.

One of them glanced up sharply. "Who are you to her?"

Kael froze. His mind blanked. "I—I’m..." He hesitated, knowing the truth might complicate things. "...her brother."

The healer frowned. "Brother?"

"Y–Yes," Kael stammered, forcing a weak smile. "She’s... my sister."

The healer studied him for a moment longer, then shrugged. "Fine. Step aside."

Kael stepped back, watching anxiously as the staff worked. But whispers began to stir in the room.

One of the younger assistants leaned toward another and whispered, "Wait... isn’t that Cecelia?"

The other’s eyes widened. "You mean Cecelia from the Lia family?"

"Yes," the woman whispered urgently. "That’s her! Look at her mark — it’s the same pattern!"

Kael’s stomach sank. (Oh no...)

Within seconds, the small medical shop was buzzing with murmurs.

The name Lia carried one of the noble hero families.

If Cecelia’s family found out she was here, in Elaris city, there would be chaos.

One of the attendants slipped quietly into the back room and picked up a small signal.

"Erainlia... you need to come. It’s about Cecelia."

Kael noticed the movement. "What did you just do?" he asked.

The attendant flinched. "N–Nothing, sir. Just... reporting to her guardian."

"Guardian?" Kael repeated, his eyes darkening. "You called someone here?"

Before anyone could answer, a deep vibration shook the room.

BOOM!

The front door exploded inward, scattering splinters across the floor.

Bottles shattered. The lanterns flickered violently.

The healers screamed and ducked for cover.

Kael instinctively shielded Cecelia with his body as the dust cleared.

"Kael Ashford!" Erainlia shouted.

Kael’s heart skipped a beat. He slowly turned his head toward her. "...Erainlia."

"What are you doing here? And what have you done to Cecelia?"

Kael took a step back. "I didn’t do anything. I just found her unconscious at the gate."

"Do you expect me to believe that? You, of all people, inside the city? With her unconscious beside you?"

Kael clenched his fists. "I’m telling you the truth. She was already like this when I found her."

"Fuck" Erainlia hissed.

"Do you think I don’t know what this place is? You shouldn’t even be here. city is forbidden to heroes — and you know why."

Kael. "I’m not a hero."

"I said I didn’t do anything!" Kael shouted.

"Fine... let me give you a taste of death!" he shouted, drawing his sword in one swift motion.

Kael’s heart jumped. "Wait—Erainlia!" he shouted, raising his hands.

But he didn’t stop. With a burst of speed, he lunged forward, the floor beneath him cracking from the force.

The sword came down in a silver arc aimed straight at Kael’s chest.

Kael barely managed to react. "Then let’s take this outside!" he shouted back, bracing himself.

He met his charge halfway, shoving his shoulder forward.

Their powers clashed for a split second — light against shadow — and then CRASH!

The two of them burst through the wide window, glass shattering in every direction.

They landed on the cobblestone street outside, the cold wind sweeping through the open square.

People stopped in their tracks — merchants, travelers, and even guards — staring in shock as the Saint of the Lia Family and the mysterious young man faced each other, eyes burning with challenge.