Apocalyse: Marked by Chaos
Chapter 132 - 131 Getting the Sword Back

Chapter 132: Chapter 131 Getting the Sword Back

They didn’t speak for a while.

The forest was quieter now. Only the sound of the soft rhythm of their steps pressing against the earth echoed through the air. Olivia felt the heat of Lucian’s hand wrapped around hers, but even that warmth couldn’t touch the cold sitting in her chest.

She had imagined Gauss’s death a hundred different ways. Screaming. Burning. Begging. And yes—this had been the most fitting end she could’ve hoped for.

So why did it feel like nothing?

Lucian stopped beside a huge tree, and Olivia stood beside him. His grey eyes stared at her—his gaze was tender.

"Say it," she said quietly.

His brow furrowed. "Say what?"

"You think there is something wrong with me right?"

"I don’t," he replied. "But I think you’re bleeding in a way that doesn’t leave a stain."

Her lips twitched. It wasn’t a smile, but it was more like she was forcing herself to. "That’s poetic for a guy who just fed a man to a monster."

He exhaled, half-amused, half-exhausted. "You needed justice, and closure." His hand gently caressed the back of her hand, as if to let her know he was there for her.

Olivia looked away. The trees blurred in her eyes. "I don’t think I believe in closure anymore," she muttered.

They moved, walking in silence again, this time slower, as though every step was heavier. Her mind wandered—back to Luke’s laugh, the way he carried his heavy sword over his shoulder. The way he had cared for her. How could she ever move on from this?

He was gone. And no amount of revenge would ever bring him back.

....

Back at the school gates

The torches along the academy walls were still burning. A handful of guards nodded at them though without questioning them.

As they crossed the courtyard, Olivia paused.

Lucian turned. "What is it?"

"I want to go alone from here," she said. She needed to be alone, so she can think things through.

Lucian’s expression tightened. "You don’t have to."

"I know." She met his gaze. "But I want to."

He didn’t argue. He just gave her a nod and released her hand. The absence of his touch made the night feel colder again.

She watched him leave, his shadow disappearing into the long hallway, and then turned in the opposite direction.

She turned around, walking straight toward her dorm, her eyes were blank, devoid of emotion... it was as if the fuel she had been using to move on was finished .

She entered her dorm. Her gaze sweeping over the sleeping figures of her roommates.

She dropped her coat on the chair and sat on the edge of the bed, staring at the floor. Her boots were still dirty with moist soil.

No matter how tightly she closed her eyes, the image returned. Gauss, his screams. His limbs being torn apart. Blood spraying the ground. His face twisted in fear, in pain, and in confusion. His cries echoing in the empty field. The gurgling in his throat as he begged.

Olivia covered her face with her hands and inhaled deeply.

She thought it would make her feel better. She thought revenge would fill the hole in her chest. But it didn’t. It just made her feel more empty.

She leaned back onto the bed, staring at the ceiling. Her heart still hadn’t settled. It kept beating fast then slow, like it couldn’t make up its mind.

Lucian’s face flashed in her mind. The way he had looked at her earlier. Calm, almost gentle.

He had been different lately. Too quiet or volatile. He was doing things she didn’t understand, holding back emotions she couldn’t read. Even tonight, when he brought her to see Gauss... he hadn’t flinched. He had almost strangled her to death.

What was he hiding? She turned her face to the side, frustrated.

They weren’t the same anymore. Not like before. And yet, he still held her hand like he meant it. She sighed and pressed her fingers to her temples. Her head ached.

Then a sudden thought jolted her upright. The sword Luke had gifted her. The one he had given her before everything went wrong. She hadn’t seen it since the day everything went wrong.

How could she forget?

It was the only thing he’d left her. Olivia sat up quickly, brushing her hair from her face.

She needed that sword. Not because it was useful. Not because it had power. But because it was his last gift. It was the last piece of Luke she had.

She glanced at the time. It was early, but not too early. The sun hadn’t risen yet, but she could see the faint light of dawn filtering through the curtains.

She slipped her boots back on, threw on her coat, and left the dorm quietly.

She didn’t bother with the front path. She took the side trail, passing through the trees, making her way toward the camp.

When she arrived, everything looked the same. The tents were still set up, though most were closed. The fires had burned out, leaving behind faint wisps of smoke. It was peaceful. Almost too peaceful.

She walked slowly through the camp, her eyes scanning the area, looking for the familiar tent and building.

It was still there. She stopped in front of it, her breath catching in her throat.

Olivia made her way into Luke’s room, she was surprised to find the door unlocked, light glowing dimly in the room.

Olivia stepped forward and gently push the door open. Inside, sitting cross-legged with his back straight and eyes swollen, was Tyler.

He was sharpening a short dagger, but when he looked up and saw her, he stopped.

He didn’t look surprised. "I figured you’d come," he said calmly.

She blinked. "You did?"

Tyler nodded and placed the dagger down on the mat beside him. He reached behind him and pulled out a long, wrapped object.

"You’re here for this," he said.

Olivia’s breath caught. She stepped forward slowly, her eyes locked on the cloth in his hands.