An Expected Betrayal |TBATE

Chapter 23 - CAERA!!!

GREY

I manipulated the aether into the mindstone— which worked, just it was really slow. "Hey, Regis, do you think there is any way to make my aether any faster?" I asked, as I canceled aether entering the mindstone. "I don't know, why are you even asking me?" replied Regis as he flew around.

"What if I try to assimilate my body with aether to make it stronger? It might work like a beast will," I suggested. "And how would that work?" Regis asked in a condescending tone, like my idea would never work.

"Well, when you assimilate with a beast will you make your body stronger to the point you can handle it, what if aether is the same?" I pondered. "If that could work then why didn't the Dijnn do that?" Regis quipped.

I just looked at him and grinned. "Because they didn't have you." If Regis had eyebrows he would've raised one of them. "And what do you think I can do?"

"That's simple, you seem to draw aether to yourself, so it might be possible for you to guide the aether," I explained.

"Are you sure? We can try but it might be dangerous," said Regis.

"If I can get stronger, to protect my new friends and life, it is worth the risk," I pumped my fist.

Regis just deadpanned me. "You're a masochist aren't you." I just smiled at him.

Using Regis I slowly started to assimilate with the aether when I felt a warm sensation on my arm. I quickly opened my eyes and pulled up my sleeve to see that Sylvia's feather was missing. I was about to exclaim in astonishment when Regis interrupted. "You absorbed the feather while trying to assimilate. It also caused some changes."

"What kind of changes?" I asked, slightly afraid of the answer.

"Well for one, your ability to manipulate aether has increased, although only slightly. Your teeth are now much whiter and, well, your eyes are glowing," explained Regis as he flew around, looking for more changes.

"Wait, my eyes are glowing?" I asked, baffled and confused.

"Not by much, it's barely noticeable when the lights are on, but it does mean you'll have a hard time hiding from now one," said Regis, stating the obvious. I just sighed and continued with my assimilation.

VIRION ERALITH

I sighed. It's been 3 years since Arthur went missing. It's now confirmed that he's either dead or on the other continent. Our experts assume we only have 1 year before the war actually starts.

Tessia seems to be much better, her team has brought back some of her emotions. The Glayder children aren't faring any better though. Prince Curtis is depressed, it seems he's thrown himself into fighting to rid himself of the guilt and memories of that day. Princess Kathyln is the same but since her parents aren't allowing her to join the war she spends most of her time here in the castle training.

I don't know the fate of the girl known as Claire other than she seemed to have joined one of the dungeon clearer teams. The person I worry the most about is Eleanor Leywin. She's only 11 yet she's so mature, she's probably forced herself to become like so. I let the Leywin's stay in the castle since I hated myself for what I did to Arthur and keeping his family safe is my way of saying sorry.

Eleanor has cut all ties with her parents completely now. She used to talk to them a little but now she ignores them whenever they try and talk to her. Alice and Reynolds are heart broken, they can't handle the stress of the consequences of what they did to their children. When I see them Alice is now nothing but skin and bone, Reynolds is also considerably thinner.