Cosmic Lord: The Error Awakens
Chapter 142: The Burden Shared

Chapter 142: The Burden Shared

A faint dawn light filtered through a sparse pine grove, its snow-laden branches casting long shadows across a narrow trail leading back to the western valley. Kael El crouched by a small fire, his team’s camp a cluster of bedrolls and packs, the southern ruin’s vault now a day’s march behind them. Stormforged Blade rested against a tree, shard-pommel humming faintly, like a song half-forgotten. EX: Dragonflame Reaver lay sheathed at his hip, Stormhide Armor dusted with frost, Lyra’s fierce spirit and Rhea’s gentle love steadying his heavy heart. His flirty smirk was absent, replaced by a troubled gaze, masking a gnawing dilemma—the First Code’s knowledge, etched in his mind, and the choice of how to share it with the valley. He brushed EX: Gold Dominion, golden veins threading weakly through the frozen ground, molten but faint, echoing the shard’s weary pulse.

Day 134, dawn. The trail stretches—my blood wavers. His dark eyes followed the fire’s embers, pride a fragile ember despite the triumph of the vault—hundreds lost, the valley close, its hearths calling. My empire’s hope—thousands strong, lands waiting—but choices test hope. The Nexus was gone, a ghost buried, but his blood murmured: Kael’s reign carries. He stirred the fire, the Code’s runes—life, growth, healing—burning in his memory. Carry? I choose.

Kael’s team—Lyra, Veyna, Vren, and the Kin scouts Lir, Teth, and Yna—gathered around the fire, their faces worn but resolute. The First Code’s "life" section, translated by Vren, promised richer fields, mended wounds, and stronger bodies, but its power came with a warning: the Error’s roots lay in choices like these, pride turning promise to ruin. No enemies pursued; the conflict was moral—share the Code fully, risking misuse, or guard it, risking distrust. Lyra’s silence, unusual and heavy, hinted at her own fears about the Code’s weight. Blood wavers. His blood stirred, heavy with a new truth: Devourer, you are the valley’s guide. The shard pulsed—vision: the valley, fields blooming, voices debating, a choice made: Devourer, your blood trusts us. His blood warmed, the camp steady—trusts? Lyra sat across the fire, violet spark dim, her usual grin gone, knees drawn up. "Lover, this Code’s big—too big. You tell the valley everything, they might... break, like Vren’s crew. What’s your call?" Her voice was low, eyes avoiding his—fear lingered.

Kael’s gaze softened, voice gentle. "Break? I’m the storm, Lyra—but I’m listening. What’s got you quiet?" But her fear unnerved him—Lyra, scared again? Veyna tended her wolves, Grim and Shade gnawing bones, her bow propped nearby. "Wolves smell worry—Lyra’s not wrong, Kael. The Code’s gold, but valleys crack under weight. Ask Yna—she’s steady." Her hunter’s edge was soft, eyes on Lyra—trust held.

Yna sat by the fire, sharpening her spear, her braids glinting in the dawn. "Lord, my kin trust you—Code’s hope, but hope’s heavy. Share it slow, with the strong—Kin, survivors, not all." Her voice was firm, eyes on Kael—hope glowed.

Vren knelt by his pack, the red shard tucked away, his voice low. "Slow’s wise—my crew shared too fast, lost themselves. Kael, you’re different—your blood binds. Start with Rhea, she’ll guide." His eyes were haunted but sure—trust burned.

Kael’s jaw tightened, shard humming—vision: the valley, keeps glowing, a council forming, Lyra’s spark fading. He stood, voice rough. "Slow? Maybe. Lyra, you’re not talking—spill it. This Code’s ours, not mine." His blood stirred, EX: Gold Dominion flaring—golden veins pulsed through the camp, warming the air, Lyra’s spark flickering brighter.

Lyra’s eyes flicked up, voice cracking. "Ours? Kael, I’m no leader—I fight, I tease, but this... it’s bigger than me. What if we give ’em this Code, and they turn it wrong? Like the Error? I don’t wanna lose you, or Rhea, or... us." Her hands clenched, spark dim—Lyra, breaking?

Kael knelt beside her, hand on her shoulder, voice low. "Lose us? Lyra, you’re my fire—Code or not, you’re enough. Tell me—keep it secret, or share it?" His blood steadied, her spark flaring faintly—love held.

Lyra’s voice softened, eyes wet. "Share... but not all. Rhea, Mara, Tila—strong ones, like Yna said. I’m scared, Kael—scared I’ll mess this up, like I always do." Her spark steadied, hand gripping his—growth.

Veyna’s wolves stirred, her voice calm. "Mess up? Lyra, you’re gold—fear’s honest. Kael, she’s right—strong ones first, valley later. Wolves trust her." Her bow eased—trust glowed.

Kael’s heart clenched—vision: the valley, a small council, Lyra speaking, her spark bright. He nodded, voice firm. "Strong ones—Rhea, Mara, Tila, Koryn. We share life’s Code, not power. Lyra, you’re with me, no mess-ups. Vren, Yna—teach us the runes. Veyna, scout the trail. Lir, Teth, rest but watch." His blood roared, EX: Vitality Reaper flaring—energy flowed, the team’s doubt easing, Lyra’s grip tightening.

Lir spoke, voice quiet. "Lord, my family—they’ll heal with this. Share it right, we’re yours." Teth nodded, eyes bright—trust held.

Yna’s spear tapped the ground, voice steady. "Right? Kin know slow—my brother’d approve. Lead us, lord." Her hope burned—trust glowed.

Vren stood, voice low. "I’ll teach—runes are simple, life’s safe. My crew... they’d want this, Kael." His hands steadied—trust burned.

Lyra’s spark flared, a faint grin breaking. "Safe? Nothing’s safe with you, lover—but I’m in. Rhea’ll keep me straight." Her tease flickered—love held.

The camp stirred, the team packing, the fire low. Kael helped Lyra roll her bedroll, her spark warm, her silence lighter. Veyna’s wolves scouted ahead, her voice calling trail markers. Yna and Vren sat, sketching runes on a flat stone, their voices low but steady. Lir and Teth packed, their trust solid. Kael’s heart was heavy—the Code’s warning, the Error’s shadow—but Lyra’s fear heavier.

The trail stretched north, the valley two days away, the grove quiet but alive. Kael led, Lyra at his side, her spark dancing as she nudged him. "You’re stuck with me, lover—Code or no Code, I’m your mess." Her grin was real—growth held.

Veyna returned, wolves panting, voice calm. "Trail’s clear—valley’s close. Lyra’s spark’s back, Kael—good call." Her trust glowed—hope held.

Kael’s grin was faint, shard humming—vision: the valley, Rhea waiting, a council forming, Lyra’s voice strong. He faced the team, voice a rough drawl. "Valley’s home—Code’s ours, shared slow. Thoughts?"

Vren’s voice was steady. "Slow’s gold—runes’ll keep, valley’ll grow. I’m with you." His eyes cleared—trust held.

Yna’s voice was firm. "Lord, my kin wait—share it, we’re one. Lead on." Her spear tapped—trust glowed.

Lyra’s spark danced, voice warm. "One? We’re a mess, lover—but you’re the prize. Home’s waiting." Her tease burned—love held.

The dawn brightened, the team moving, the grove fading behind. Lyra walked close, her spark steady, humming a tune. Veyna’s wolves bounded, her hands marking trees. Yna and Vren trailed, runes in hand, their bond growing. Lir and Teth laughed, their steps light. Kael’s heart lifted—Vara’s loss, the Code’s weight—but Lyra’s growth heavier.

Kael gripped the shard, its song soft, pulse warm—whispering: Blood trusts... A memory stirred—Vara’s grin, fierce in the dark. He looked to Lyra, voice low. "Lyra, you’re more than fire—you’re the valley’s heart, with Rhea. This Code... we’ll share it right, together." His eyes softened—I’m enough with you.

Lyra’s spark flared, hand squeezing his. "Heart? Don’t get soft, lover—but together’s my style. Rhea’s waiting, let’s not screw this up." Her grin was fierce—trust burned.

The trail glowed, golden veins faint, the team steady—Kael’s empire close, its heart kindled by a shared burden.

Search the lightnovelworld.cc website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.