Hunter of the Evernight
Chapter 545: Happy New Year

Chapter 545: Happy New Year

/65th Long Night/

Aiden stood on the roof of the Octagon, his gaze fixated in the direction of the Eastern Highlands.

The chilly winter winds billowed with a vengeance, seeking to devour him but he remained unperturbed, merely pushing aside a bit of hair that had made it over an eye.

Moments seemed to stretch on for eternity before a voice was heard.

"She would have wanted you to be happy."

Aiden let out a sigh as he turned to face Veronica who had joined him on the roof.

"You know, she has been there since I was born, serving me and catering to my needs."

"That is the fate of the Homunculi. To serve the Warrior Wheel till death."

"And she did her job splendidly. I wish only that she would have served for a bit longer."

"... I wish so as well."

Aiden shook his head. "What do you have for me?"

"Reports, both good and bad."

"I’m listening."

"The good news is that we are steadily recovering from the Bloody Banquet with the aid of Aragon, Lucia, and the Augustus family. Though we lost a good chunk of the imperial population, we should be able to recover within the next fifty years if we remain undisturbed."

Aiden chuckled. "I doubt we would have that long."

"The bad news is that our neighbors have begun to stir. Our spies in Kastarus speak of an army. Same with the ones in Selucia and Rosengarde. I fear it is as the Emetite promised."

"We expected it all. Kastarus, under the guidance of Angelica, has always wished to conquer Zion. Now that we are severely weakened, they wouldn’t miss out on such an opportunity."

"Does this mean we shall be supporting her efforts?"

Aiden chuckled. "I was rather amused when she approached us. I’d never thought a Devil Wheel Mystic would be so bold as to stand before us and demand our aid. To think that she was able to blackmail Robert and Charles to leave with her."

"Denizens of the Devil Wheel have always had a way with words," Veronica admitted.

"Regardless, it worked to our advantage. Now, we can only hope that her plan is successful; otherwise, we would have to consider shrinking our borders."

"It is a risky move."

"Nadia Khan is no fool, at least from what I can tell. If she decides on this path, then I am willing to believe that there is a chance of success."

"Zion is in for some dark days if this fails," Veronica muttered before asking, almost like she needed some form of assurance. "But we will come out stronger, right?"

Silence followed for quite some time before Aiden replied. "I hope so too."

***

"Hey Isabella,

"It’s been a while, hasn’t it?... I thought I’d be more consistent, but then... It’s been a bumpy ride so far. A lot has happened since the last entry, apart from the fact that I may or may not have misplaced that book.

"I’ve found myself mourning the people of this world, partaking in their joys and sorrows, experiencing wins and losses against entities you couldn’t even begin to imagine.

"And perhaps, it is because of these experiences that instead of happiness, I slowly find myself wallowing in depression. What if at the end of it all, I no longer wish to return home?... That thought has bothered me for a while, leaving me unable to sleep.

"But I guess worrying about the future is a fool’s task. All I can hope for is that at the end of it all, my longing for home would not have diminished.

"It’s amusing how it took me entering a new world to realize your importance to me. If I could turn back time, I have a feeling I still wouldn’t have been the best.

"You and MJ deserved so much better but I never considered that, focusing all my attention on being the best at what I do. I hope you can forgive me.

"In case I don’t make it back... I hope you take care of yourself and make sure to bring up MJ to be just like you. I love you, Isabella, I really do.

"And MJ, don’t worry, I didn’t forget about you. Daddy’s sorry for not being the best for you, for not being there when you needed me the most.

"But don’t worry, Daddy’s on a big adventure right now, okay?... And if I do return, I promise to tell you all about it.

"Take care of mummy and make sure to eat your vegetables. Daddy loves you."

A melancholic sigh escaped his lips as Alex put down the quill and picked up the notebook to blow on it.

Once it was dry enough, he closed the book and placed it on the table before glancing at the lit lantern before him.

As the last of the oil finished and the fire was extinguished, Alex remained seated, his gaze on the lightless lantern.

Moments passed in silence before a golden radiance appeared within the room, taking on the outline of a door before Elena stepped out of it after which it quickly dissipated, plunging the room back into darkness.

"You are here," Alex muttered softly without bothering to look back. "How is she?"

"She is fine... I think. She seemed lonely, though; perhaps you could visit her."

"That won’t be necessary. What about Arwen?"

"She’s been spending time in cemeteries lately. It’s worrying."

Letting out a sigh, Alex muttered. "I’d thought I’d be able to handle a team but it’s looking harder than I thought."

"Are you planning on disbanding Constellations?"

"No, but I realize that I had the wrong mindset. I thought it best to bring in those with potential forgetting that potential needs time to grow. If you all stay with me, it’s assured we’ll face worse things in the coming future."

"How can you be so sure?"

"To know more about an item to better replicate it, one must run tests on it, figuring out how strong it is and what it is capable of. I am being tested; Elena and the Will of the World are the ones testing me. I can’t let you all face these tests without some measure of strength."

"So what now?"

"Once I am done with my Trial, I will be leaving. I want you to watch over everyone while I’m away."

Elena stared in disbelief. "What?... Why me?"

"Because you are the most detached. The one most unaffected by the happenings lately. This also means you are the most stable, and that stability is what the others need. Master yourself while taking care of them. Can you do that?"

"I don’t know."

Alex glanced at her before calmly remarking. "If it ever gets too hard, you can always back away."

"You know I can’t do that."

"Then I hope you take good care of them."

"Am I not like the youngest though?"

Alex chuckled softly. "If we are talking about age, you are the oldest, save for Ana."

Elena pouted her lips at his response but said nothing, taking the time to study Alex’s demeanor briefly before remarking.

"You don’t have to blame yourself for what happened. I’m also at fault."

"Don’t worry, I’m not blaming myself. Also, take this." As he spoke, Alex took out a piece of paper and handed it to Elena.

"What’s this?" Elena struggled to read what was on it due to the lack of light within the room.

"Potential ways in which you could utilize your power of Dimensionality. I look forward to seeing what you can do with it."

***

Unbelievable.

Humphrey remarked as he stood a few meters away from Ulysses, watching as the young man regrew his right arm after having it torn off by the Chimera.

"When I said we should train him while learning more about his Power, I didn’t think we’d have to rip off his arm," Alex remarked as he stepped out to watch the spectacle.

Ulysses grimaced as he remarked. "It’s fine... I think. I also want to know to what extent my Power goes."

From what I can see, it is not only novel but limitless as well. You were right, Alex, this young man is a veritable error like you and Miss Nadia.

"What is his Domain?"

I would like to call it Organics as it gives him significant Power over all organic life forms, a capability that is far from what the 43 Mystical Domains can offer.

"You sound like a scholar." Alex pointed out in faint amusement.

Humphrey chuckled awkwardly.

When you have little to do, you would have to pick up hobbies to pass the time.

"It’s fine; I have no problems with that," Alex remarked before shifting his attention to Ulysses, who had completed healing his arm.

"Is this as a result of his Power?" Alex inquired out of curiosity.

Ulysses shook his head. "No, I think it’s my constitution."

"So you are saying you can heal from any kind of injury?"

"I’m not sure," Ulysses replied with a hint of uncertainty.

Your remarkable healing factor is a result of being corrupted by the Lord of Flesh and Blood. If not for the divinity residing in you that keeps killing your cells, I dare say you’d be a mountain of flesh already.

"So the divinity kills you while the corruption keeps you alive."

"I guess."

"Any idea where the divinity came from?"

"It’s most likely the remnants of my family’s ancestral deity. He died in the incident that killed my father."

His divinity must have sought refuge in your body.

"I see."

All things considered, I dare say his immortality is a touch above what Vampirism has to offer.

"Can it be shared?"

Ulysses pondered for a moment before nodding. "Not at the same rate or the same way, but if I feed my flesh to someone who’s been injured, they should be able to recover."

"I doubt anyone would want to eat your flesh. We’ll put that off for now." Alex remarked with a bit of discomfort before inquiring. "So any Abilities yet?"

"With Mister Humphrey’s help, I am on the cusp of a breakthrough."

"Move quickly; Astra is ending soon, which means we should be leaving in two to three weeks. You have that long to figure out your Abilities, understand?"

"Alright." Ulysses nodded.

"Now then, if you’ll excuse me..." Alex trailed off as a melodious sound wafted through the air.

It thrilled the pneuma, causing Alex to inadvertently pause, the same with Ulysses and Humphrey.

"This is..." Alex trailed off as Humphrey intoned.

Astra has ended. The Lightbringer is about to reveal itself once again.

Once those words were said, a sharp gong echoed from above, like a heavenly alarm, informing the world of what was to come as the Nighteye finally completed its month-long vigil over Eventide, plunging the world into temporary darkness.

Following that, the gates of the Lightbringer were opened causing golden light to spill forth, bathing the world in a beautiful glow.

Against the tyrannical chill of winter that Astra brought, the warmth the golden rays carried was a welcome relief.

Alex took in a deep breath, allowing the light to wash over him for a moment before he muttered in a relaxed tone. "Happy New Year."