A Few Seconds Later

  In the Central Underground City

  Still on Level 0 – The Heart of the Base

  Once Again at the Training Field

  Urius (23 years old) seemed to instinctively whisper the Count's name (40 years old), losing consciousness as she moved forward, collapsing toward the ground.

  Which was, for the most part, in ruins and cracked, following the end of the friendly duel between apprentice and master.

  [Echoing Deep & Resolute Breathing from the Count]

  Then came what could only be described as a subtle energetic pulse spreading in all directions, followed by a stronger breeze.

  And in less than a single full second, there he was—appearing as if out of nowhere, holding Miss Urius with such care in both his arms.

  Echoing within the Count's mind was a voice from the past, from 15 years ago. Luna's voice, when she was 23—just as the Count had been at that time.

  [Luna's Voice from the Past] ...Count, do you have a minute, real quick? [Deep Breath] –

  Only he could hear it—that memory, vivid as if alive, from a time when Luna was still living, before her passing—before her assassination, ten years ago.

  [The Count's Muffled Voice from the Past, Responding Attentively]

  Her death marked the beginning of the people's slow descent into hopelessness, as their beacon against the darkness—whom they followed for her purity in leading an entire nation—had been extinguished.

  And even with her youngest daughter, Lilian, ascending the throne alongside her two older sisters, Urius and Nox, the people were still left with more doubt and uncertainty than ever before.

  In the absence of a luminous guide to lead them into a future without pain or suffering for the generations to come, history began—bit by bit—to repeat itself.

  Violence and sorrow returned, finding their way once more into the heart of the capital, Oculi.

  Just five years after Luna's death, the capital would fall—to a queen of a people who sought vengeance against humanity for the death of their own queen.

  All of this seemed to flood back into the Count's mind at that exact moment, holding Miss Urius—the middle daughter of his dearest friend and former queen, Luna.

  [Luna's Voice from the Past] I know you're always so "serious" and also "a bit slow." [Lighthearted Breath] –

  Urius had been born with the same light of purity that her mother carried from birth as part of her essence—but even so, it didn't quite compare.

  The total purity had been perfectly inherited by her younger sister, Lilian—who, after five years, would ascend the throne, transformed by that same divine essence.

  [The Count's Muffled Voice from the Past, Responding with Confusion]

  She became the new pillar amidst the darkness for what was left of the people who once followed Queen Luna's ideals. Meanwhile, Urius also inherited a part of her mother's inner strength.

  But again, it couldn't quite compare to the sheer willpower that her older sister, Nox, had inherited perfectly—making her, alone, the true shadow of the queen.

  [Luna's Voice from the Past] And you take forever to notice the delicate and sensitive things happening around you. [Sweet, Deep Breath] –

  Thus forming the perfect balance within a fractured reality—an Oculi divided into two factions:

  One, the Reginae faction, which forgave humanity for its ignorance.

  And the other, led by the Begeneri twins, the Inanis faction, who could not forgive the humans—and who longed to return their pain as punishment to the entire human race and its future generations.

  [Luna's Voice from the Past] But I think you've already noticed that, because it's so obvious to everyone, my dear friend. [Deep & Nostalgic Breath] –

  Urius lay in the Count's arms, her expression betraying sheer exhaustion—clearly, she had reached her limit.

  This tale has been unlawfully lifted from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere.

  And at that same moment, it was evident the Count too was at his own limit, using what little strength remained just to step backward—

  To prevent Urius's delicate body, after reaching her peak exhaustion, from falling completely to the ground as she lost consciousness.

  [Luna's Voice from the Past] My dear Urius seems to enjoy being by your side so much, smiling in a way that is so beautiful and unique to my ever-watchful eyes. [A Gentle, Joyful Laugh] –

  Urius's essence had weakened greatly at that moment, one of the main reasons for her abrupt loss of consciousness at the end of the duel.

  [The Count's Muffled Voice from the Past, Responding with Great Confusion]

  Her Oculi abilities, once active, had been forcibly shut down by her own body—as an instinctive attempt to preserve her physical and mental integrity.

  For a few seconds, the Count's entire world seemed to slow down—when he realized, in that very moment, that Urius lay asleep in his arms, and her face revealed something...

  [Luna's Voice from the Past] That's why she wanted, from such a young age, not to be like her dear mother and queen in essence... [Deep & Nostalgic Breath] –

  There was a beauty so unique in her eyes, combined with a tenderness that seemed to overflow in the presence of the Count—whether in his arms or in the space surrounding him.

  Urius was still wearing only her black "topper" above her waist, while below, she wore her dark combat trousers.

  She was barefoot, just like the Count at that moment, both standing above the training field. The Count himself was shirtless then.

  [Luna's Voice from the Past] Urius wanted to be like the one she most admired in silence, who had always been a "scatterbrain." You know... [Soft, Sweet & Affectionate Laughter]

  He too wore only his black trousers below the waist, gazing attentively at the few strands of Urius' long, blond hair that had slipped gently across her face. The way they fell was shaped by her breathing—her calm, steady breath revealing a deep sense of safety and comfort.

  A feeling the Count couldn't quite understand—why she displayed such trust in his arms—but subconsciously, he felt a faint tightening in his chest at that very moment.

  [Count's Muffled Voice from the Past, Responding with Awe]

  Time seemed to slow, and colors appeared more saturated, letting the gold of Urius' hair become as dominant as the black that ruled the rest of the setting.

  Even though the environment's natural colors were still present, there was a subtle golden overlay upon every surface, including their bodies—his and Urius'.

  [Luna's Voice from the Past] My dear Urius... You became such a beautiful and incredible woman in the future, alongside my daughters and our people. [Deep Breath]

  [The Louder Echo of the Count's Heartbeat in the Past]

  Unconsciously, he didn't even notice the same involuntary tightening in his heart echoing into the present as he looked at Urius' face in his arms.

  And as he looked, a smile began to take shape on his lips. It was, without a doubt, a simple and genuine smile.

  But within that simple smile, there was a happiness born of five years' worth of longing—years spent apart from Urius.

  [The Louder Echo of the Count's Heartbeat in the Present]

  And at the same time, unconsciously wishing to be by her side again—after the fall of the capital, Oculi, and his departure alongside Urius' sister, Nox, into the human reality to prevent Inanis from carrying out a mass genocide against much of humanity, mostly unaware of Queen Luna's death.

  [Luna's Voice from the Past] And I feel such a comforting sensation in my chest, knowing that an incredible man will be at the side of my dear Urius. [Sweet & Good-Humored Laughter]

  For a few seconds, the Count could see Urius return to being twelve years old—the very age at which she had achieved her greatest personal triumph, with his help.

  She still held the same tenderness and beauty of that age, now deepened, refined, and matured at twenty-three.

  [Luna's Voice from the Past] ...To assist her whenever needed along this journey she walks alone, because she's loved this man so beautifully since she was a little girl. [Proud & Deep Breath]

  Her features now more feminine, allowing the Count, for the first time—even if subtly—to see her as the older, physically mature woman she had become after five years without them seeing each other, separated by different realities.

  [Echo of the Count's Unsteady Heartbeat]

  And so, he saw that scene: himself standing in the middle of the training area, before the wreckage spread across the combat field, so vividly present.

  [Count – Whispering, Hesitant & Reflective] Luna, I... I still don't understand to this day what you meant by those "enigmatic" words. [Subtle Quiver in His Voice]

  Then the brightest lights from above, mounted on the ceiling over the training field, were suddenly turned off.

  Leaving only the gentler lights active in the surrounding area of the field—where the Count and Urius were in that exact moment.

  As he gradually stopped looking at Urius' face and shifted his gaze elsewhere, all the lights in the room were shut off for a few moments, plunging the place into darkness.

  [Count – Whispering, Driven & Confident] But... I promise you, from the bottom of my heart, I will stand by Urius' side and help her reach her greatest dream. [Deep, Attentive Breath]

  These words seemed to echo through the darkness of the chamber—until the system restarted, and the training field's lights came back on.

  Revealing the Count staring up at the ceiling, bathed in light from around him, while the lateral illumination of the room prevented his and Urius' shadows from being cast upon the ground.

  And yet, in those few seconds, he didn't realize that a faint, genuine smile had formed on Urius' lips—a smile of true gratitude and happiness, even if unconscious.

  She was still fully asleep, but her subconscious had heard those final words from the Count, deep within the darkness of her mind and the total silence of that space.

  Before the lights returned—and that smile slowly faded with her next breath, which now came more peacefully, more happily.