The Stonehearted Knight
Chapter 374: Under the Stars (1)

Chapter 374: Under the Stars (1)

Hex walked away from the hubbub. Even at night the crowd hadn’t thinned. On the contrary. More people seemed to be out and about during the night.

Seeing the several forces mix with each other and party all over the place, Hex couldn’t help but question whether a war that would sweep the world had truly started.

Forget the war. Even without the war he expected some tension to exist between groups. After all, foe and friend, all were mixed in the crowd.

But no, no fight broke out. No division between forces could be observed. It all looked like one giant party. It truly baffled him.

’I will ask Sterling,’ Hex decided. For now, he threw it to the back of his mind. Something far more urgent required his attention.

The cluster of branches and leaves were denser the closer one got to the trunk. Usually, it was hard to determine whether it was truly day or night in the outside world. Wrixia’s day and night depended on the position of the leaves.

But tonight it was easy to tell. The starry sky above was quite clearly visible from his position. Seeing the little dots of light twinkle through the narrow opening through the leaves felt quite magical.

The noise of the gathering had faded for some time now. It was serene.

Hex had not experienced such peace for a long time. He stood in the dark, letting his mind wander thoughtlessly. It didn’t mean that his mind went blank. No, his mind went all over the place, coming up with all kinds of unstructured visions and ideas.

"It is a nice feeling, isn’t it?" A soft, soothing voice sounded. It broke the silence of the surroundings. But he didn’t mind it. Not at all. In fact, his heart cheered at the sound of the pleasant voice.

"It is."

He didn’t show his joy of meeting her after all this time. Come to think of it, it hadn’t been so long after all. When they had split above the sky of Notresol, he really expected it to be years before he would see her again.

He turned to face her.

’She is even more beautiful now.’

That was genuinely the first thought that came up in his mind. Althea had always been the greatest beauty he had ever seen. But after regaining her memories, her beauty evolved beyond that of mortals.

Hex’s sharp senses didn’t miss the feeling of Fate threads inside her. Wait. Not inside her.

’She is made of those threads!’

The realization hit him. But it didn’t shock him. She was Fate herself after all.

"You have changed." She said before he could say anything. "I can sense several elements inside you. Or...you always had them and I am only discovering them now."

She mumbled, more to herself than to him. It wasn’t something she used to do in the past. The old Althea would seldom lose her composure or show her thoughts, no matter how confused she felt.

"You changed a lot too." Hex interrupted her musings. She met his gaze and for a brief moment silence returned to the night.

"I guess so," she said after some time. The serene silence turned to an awkward one.

"So?" Hex asked finally.

"So?" She returned the question. Her raised brow displayed her confusion.

"So, why did you wish to meet me? Why are you here? Why are we both...here...now...meeting in the middle of the night, away from everyone?" Hex stressed the question.

"Oh. That." She looked disappointed for a second. But then her demeanor changed. She stood straight, radiating her old confidence and pride.

"I requested the meeting for old time’s sake. And for the time to come." She spoke as she gazed deep into his eyes. It was pleasant and embarrassing at the same time. "Join me, Hex."

Her tone didn’t change but he detected a softness in her voice. He expected her request. He had prepared for it. But he hesitated.

Damn it. His heart, the so-called greatest treasure in existence, was of no help in front of her. Instead of helping him, it was beating so loud he couldn’t even hear his own thoughts.

His hesitation prompted Althea to continue.

"I remember your dream of becoming the baron. Don’t you wish to achieve that? Be with your people in Grindeston?"

The mention of his home brought up several memories. Some bad. Some good.

"Not only can you become the next baron but by standing at my side and defeating the forces of Evil, you will earn the respect and adoration you craved and indeed deserve."

Althea stepped closer to him as she spoke.

"Perhaps...there is a chance...for us...for us to spend more time then. To talk. To discuss our dreams."

She reminded Hex about the conversation he used to have with her after each spar. Where he described his dreams. And she hers.

Her dreams.

Hex’s eyes regained focus. He stared deep into hers. His gaze stopped her steps forward.

"What about your dream?" He asked. "You told me that you wished to be free to make your own choices. You didn’t like being Heaven’s Chosen. What happened to that? Or is this your choice?"

Hex noticed the hesitation in her step. The panic in her eyes. He sensed the Threads of Fate waver. All, for but a second. And then she seemed to have composed herself again.

But that one second was enough. Not only to know how she truly felt about all this. But also to realize how he felt. It was the same feeling he had always had.

"This isn’t about Good or Evil. For those are terms defined by others. This is about living your life to achieve your goals. Goals set by yourself. For yourself."

His words hung in the air for some time. They looked at each other. Their silence spoke volumes yet both feared to give it a voice.

"Is it really impossible?"

She sounded deflated. It was impossible for them to be allies. But sometimes the heart sought hope where there was none to be found.

"Perhaps...if you agree on one point." Hex said, ignoring his mind that cursed him for trying.

"What? I think...Ye– No, tell me first." Her shoulders that hung listlessly, straightened and her faded eyes gained a spark brighter than the stars above.

"Help me free the Baron."