Chapter 363: [You have received a gift.]

Words : 1914 Updated : Oct 13th, 2025

The soft sound of leaves rustling in the wind was the only noise breaking the silence of the forest. Strax remained there, standing, his thoughts wandering like the shadows in the trees around him. He felt the tranquility of the place, the cool air filling his lungs, but inside, he knew that everything was about to change. Something big was coming, something he couldn't control, and it made him feel an unease that wasn't easy to shake. Then, the familiar and comforting energy filled the space, making Strax sense Xenovia's presence before he even saw her. He didn't need to turn around to know she was there, but he did, with growing anticipation to see her. Xenovia appeared, her elegant figure emerging from the shadows of the trees. She wore a thin, transparent nightgown that fluttered slightly in the breeze, revealing just enough of her soft, golden skin, creating a mesmerizing contrast against the backdrop of the forest. The fabric clung to her body, outlining her curves delicately, and Strax couldn't help but notice the sensual glow she radiated. She walked towards him, her steps silent and soft, until she sat beside him, a gentle smile on her lips. Her blue eyes, intense and penetrating, were fixed on Strax, but there was a tenderness in them that only he could see. "I knew you were here," Xenovia said, her voice sweet but full of a complicity that only she and Strax shared. "I... wanted to thank you. For saving me." Strax felt the weight of her words, but also the sincerity in them. He didn't usually care about compliments, but with Xenovia, it was different. He didn't respond immediately, preferring to stay silent for a moment, absorbing her presence. She was so close now, and her energy seemed to fill the space between them. "You've saved me many times," Strax finally replied, his voice soft and filled with an unexpected tranquility. "But I couldn't let you..." He paused, feeling something deeper forming within him. "You mean too much to me, Xenovia." She smiled, that smile that made Strax feel as if time itself had stopped for a moment. "I know," she replied, leaning slightly toward him. "I care about you too, Strax." The silence hung between them, but it wasn't uncomfortable. On the contrary, it was the kind of silence filled with meaning, where each unspoken word seemed to say more than words could express. Xenovia looked up at the sky above them, watching the stars begin to shine as night fell, while Strax stayed by her side, feeling the warmth of her presence, something he never imagined he would need so much. "How are you?" she asked, turning back to him, her voice now softer and more concerned. "You've been quiet since we got back." Strax looked at her, his dragon eyes reflecting the soft light descending from the moon. "I'm fine, Xenovia," he said, but there was a seriousness in his voice that didn't go unnoticed by her. "But I know a lot of things are going to happen soon. Things we can't control. The future is coming, and... I don't know how to deal with it all." Xenovia lowered her head, her gaze gentle and understanding. She reached out her hand and touched his, her fingers soft yet firm, as if trying to transmit her strength to him. Strax looked at her hand on his, feeling a wave of warmth flood his body. "I'll be with you," she said, her voice calm. Strax looked at her, and for a moment, all the weight of the world seemed to vanish. The worry, the battles, everything that was coming seemed distant, as if it didn't matter at that moment. It was just her and him, in a space where nothing else mattered. "I need to get stronger. I don't want to lose anyone," he murmured, more to himself than to her. "You'll never lose me," she whispered. "Because I'm yours, Strax. And you're mine. Forever." Her words hit Strax with a force he couldn't explain. He closed his eyes for a moment, allowing himself to feel the truth in them, sensing the deep connection between them, something that went beyond reason, beyond what the eyes could see. Without a word, he pulled Xenovia closer, and their lips met in a soft but intense kiss. It was a kiss of promise, of comfort, and of a silent passion that had built up over time, even when words were unnecessary. When they pulled away, their faces were close, their eyes still closed, absorbing the moment. The sky above them was now completely covered with stars, and Strax knew that no matter what the future brought, he would always have Xenovia by his side. "I love you," he whispered, and this time, the words weren't just a simple declaration, but a truth that settled in his heart as something irrevocable, impossible to deny. "I love you too," she responded, with a smile so bright it seemed to dissipate the shadows around them, warming not just the air, but also Strax's soul. However, before they could lose themselves in the moment any further, a voice resonated in his mind, cold, distant, and at the same time, relentlessly clear. It was something new, something Strax had never experienced. He felt a chill run down his spine. [Loading...] The feminine voice seemed to come from a distant abyss, as if she were observing something Strax couldn't yet comprehend. It wasn't Xenovia's voice, nor anyone he knew. There was something different about it, and the premonition that he was about to be involved in something much bigger made his heart race. [You have received a gift.] [Supreme version being installed...] What did that mean? Strax jolted, but before he could process it, the voice continued, an unsettling calm permeating its words. [Time remaining for completion: 12h. 24m. 13s.] Strax's mind was bubbling with questions, but the voice persisted, like a constant presence around him, invisible and insidious. [You have received a message.] The words appeared in his mind as if written in fiery letters, marked with the urgency of something imminent. Strax felt a mix of confusion and apprehension. He was no longer in control of his own mind. The information was direct, but it carried an unbearable weight. [Message from "H": Welcome back. If you've received this message, it means you finally understand what truly matters. From this moment, the Final version I've designed will help you prevent the end of the world. See you soon. Strax.] A chill ran down his spine. What did this mean? Who was "H"? He had never heard that name, and what did preventing the end of the world entail? Strax looked around, trying to find any clues in the physical environment, but everything seemed unchanged. Xenovia, who was beside him, didn't seem to notice the turmoil in his mind. She was still smiling at him, the trust she had in what they shared still present. But Strax knew something had changed, that the world around him was no longer the same, that reality was being distorted in a way he couldn't yet comprehend. He forced his voice to come out, trying to hide the confusion he was feeling. "Xenovia..." he began, but the words came out faltering, as if he couldn't explain what was happening. She looked at him, her deep blue eyes now filled with curiosity. "What's happened, Strax? You seem... different." "I... don't know," he answered sincerely, trying to keep calm. "Something... is happening. Something big." He didn't know how to put into words what he was feeling, but he knew he couldn't ignore what he'd just heard. Xenovia, sensing the tension in his voice, moved closer, concern beginning to appear in her eyes. "What do you mean? Is everything okay?" He wanted to say that everything was fine, that he was in control, but he couldn't. The message, the words from "H," all of it was challenging his understanding of reality. "In twelve hours..." he finally said, the gravity of his words reflecting the weight of everything that was about to unfold. "Something big is going to happen..." [Elsewhere.] The room was cold, shrouded in dense shadows that seemed to move as the flickering light illuminated them. The air was thick with palpable tension, as if something imminent was about to occur. In the center of the room, a black throne, worn by time, was occupied by a shadowy figure. Their body was covered in armor that seemed to have been forged in the depths of some place beyond understanding, each crack and mark on the surface revealing traces of countless battles fought over the centuries. A woman with dark golden hair, gently waving, approached, her eyes fixed on the throne and the figure sitting upon it. The weak light reflected on the tips of her hair, creating an ethereal aura around her face. Her expression was serious, but not without a hint of doubt. "Are sacrifices like this really necessary?" She asked, her voice soft yet firm, cutting through the silence that hung in the room. She looked at the armor, observing every detail of the dark piece that seemed to carry a history of pain and destruction. The figure on the throne, with their head slightly tilted, seemed to consider her words before responding. Their eyes, hidden in the shadows, glowed with a cold, relentless intensity. "Do you want the world to end?" They replied directly, their voice deep and heavy, as if the weight of their years and decisions was reflected in their words. The tone was calculated, emotionless, but full of meaning. She shook her head, her eyes expressing a mixture of understanding and frustration. "No, but there were other chances," she said, with a sigh that seemed to carry the pain of a difficult choice. She looked at the remnants of the armor, the traces of an era that seemed to have been completely destroyed. "There were other ways to avoid this." He observed her in silence for a long moment, his hands resting on the arms of the throne. The weight of his gaze seemed to penetrate her soul, forcing her to confront her own doubts. "I went to the sisters of fate..." he began, his voice lower now, almost a whisper. "Believe me, there was never another chance." The words echoed in the room, and for a moment, time seemed to freeze. The woman remained quiet, absorbing the gravity of his response. She knew what he meant. The sisters of fate were not to be deceived. Their judgments were final, and their visions of the future could not be altered. When they spoke, there was no room for doubt. She closed her eyes, sighing again, but this time without the previous frustration. She knew she was dealing with something much bigger than her limited understanding could reach. Deep down, she knew that what was being done was not just necessary, but inevitable. "So, we are doomed, aren't we?" She asked, more to herself than to him, but he heard and responded with a tone of resignation. "We're not doomed. But we have no choice but to follow this path."

Chapter 363: [You have received a gift.]

Comments (0)