Morning came gently, sunlight seeping through the curtains as a warm glow filled the room. I stirred, my mind still hazy from sleep, until the steady rhythm of breathing near me made me freeze.
Nephis was still there.
Her silver hair was slightly tousled, her expression peaceful, and her arms had loosened from their embrace around me but still rested close. The memory of the night before came rushing back—my nightmare, my panic, and her holding me through it.
A deep heat spread across my face as I realized the position we were in. I carefully, slowly, moved away, trying not to wake her, but it was already too late.
Nephis stirred, her eyes fluttering open to meet mine. She blinked once, then again, before tilting her head slightly.
"You're blushing."
I cleared my throat, averting my gaze. "No, I'm not."
Her lips curled into the smallest hint of a smile. "You are."
I quickly stood up, stretching my arms in an exaggerated way to escape the situation. "We should get breakfast."
She sat up as well, watching me with a curious expression. "Are you going to pretend last night didn't happen?"
I hesitated for a moment, then shook my head. "No. I just... I'll talk about it when I'm ready."
She studied me for a moment before nodding. "Alright. Whenever that is."
A comfortable silence settled between us before something else crossed my mind. The memory of two years ago, when I asked her to heal me just a little... and the excruciating, indescribable pain that followed.
I looked at her, more serious now. "Neph... I need to tell you something. I don't know if you're aware, but your healing ability—it doesn't just affect the body. It affects the soul too."
She blinked, her expression unreadable. "How do you know?"
"Because I felt it," I said, my tone firm. "That time when I asked you to heal me a little... I felt like my entire being was burning, not just my body, but my soul itself. It was unbearable. You have to be extremely careful with it."
She was silent for a moment before nodding. "I'll be careful."
The following days passed in relative peace. I met with the people I had saved, exchanging stories and learning how some already preparing to challange the second nightmare. There was a strange feeling whenever i was close enough to them, something resonating. It was... nice, in a way. Seeing them alive, thriving, after everything that had happened.
But as always, peace never lasted long for me.
One evening, as I wandered through the city, enjoying the relative calm, I noticed something—or rather, someone—following me. A young boy, no older than ten, his expression neutral as he trailed behind me at a distance.
At first, I thought it was just a coincidence, but then I focused.
And something felt... off. His soul—his very presence—was out of place, like it didn't belong to the body it was in.
Then it clicked.
I stopped and said behind me. The boy halted as well, watching me with an impassive gaze.
"Is the boy still alive, Prince of Nothing?"
I could feel his expression remained neutral, but there was a brief tenseness in his body. "I don't understand what the mister is talking about."
I sighed, crossing my arms. "Drop the act. I can feel it. Your soul doesn't belong in that body."
A slow smirk crept onto his face. "Fascinating. You're even more interesting than I've heard."
"Glad to know I have a reputation," I replied dryly. "Are you interested in having a chat?"
Mordret tilted his head before nodding. "Why not?"
We found a small café nearby, and after ordering drinks, we sat down across from each other. Mordret regarded me with a relaxed demeanor, but I knew better than to trust that.
"So," I began, stirring my drink, "why did you try to kill my people?"
He let out a soft chuckle. "A misunderstanding. I thought they were sent after me. I apologize."
I narrowed my eyes. "Misunderstanding or not, let me make one thing clear. I don't care about your goals. But if my people get caught in your schemes—if they get hurt or die—I will act. And I won't be merciful."
Mordret tilted his head again, his smirk unwavering. "Duly noted."
I exhaled, leaning back. "You should feel it, too. But I'll say it anyway. I am your natural enemy."
For the first time, his expression shifted, curiosity flickering in his eyes. "Oh? And why is that?"
"Your tricks are meaningless against me. I can tell if you are nearby easily and your soul sea invade is also countered, even if you get inside my soul sea, I feel it, you can't win against me there." I said simply. "But as long as you keep clear of my people... I am not your enemy, as of things are going its possible we can cooperate in the future. Also, I'd appreciate it if you could limit how often you use regular people as vessels. I can feel it after all this time—those you occupy will never wake up again."
Mordret chuckled. "Compassionate, aren't you?"
"Call it what you want. Just keep that in mind."
For a moment, neither of us spoke. The atmosphere remained tense but not openly hostile.
Then, suddenly—
I felt it.
An unnatural energy burst not far from us, sending a ripple through the air that made my instincts scream.
Mordret must have sensed it too, because he turned his head slightly, his smirk fading.
I stood up immediately. "Looks like our conversation is getting cut short."
Mordret exhaled, almost sounding disappointed. "Pity. This was getting interesting."
Without another word, I turned and made my way toward the source of the disturbance. Whatever it was...
It wasn't going to be good.