Caera Denoir's POV:

I was greeted by an unfamiliar ceiling. A string of pain jolted my back as I tried to help myself up. The end of the cot felt too distant. I traced my fingers over my back nervously only to feel scars. Scars from a barbaric attack from a barrage of dark metal pierced my back after I helped that Elven girl into the teleportation portal a few days ago. My thoughts lingered on the incident that occurred a few days ago and was the reason for me being locked in this room.

I am still disputed over saving her. But a majority of me felt relieved for helping someone in need. I am sure he would've done the same thing if placed in my stead. For some reason, her face stuck in my mind. Her long grey hair braided together and blank yet beautiful blue eyes topped with her complexion which even put me on alert.

She was locked in a room almost all the time other than the times she was being experimented upon or when that creepy scythe pushed his one-sided talk onto her. She seemed emotionless and lifeless. My attempts at reaching her ended up nowhere. My heart ached when she faced me with her dejected look which was sadly becoming usual coming from her beautiful face.

Somehow she felt similar to me. Well, my brother and master Seris helped me and tried their best to let me live free. But before that, I wonder if I had the same look. I approached my master to know more about her.

I was shocked to find out about her. My current situation and my not-so-good-looking future seemed irrelevant in front of her. I felt guilty for thinking she was similar to me though she hailed from the other continent. I was glad to find that she was not like this before. My heart felt at ease now that I know she can smile and cry.

I tried to be around her more often, prying her and keeping that stupid scythe at bay. He fussed over it but I disregarded him and tried to be there for her even if it didn't mean much.

According to my master, the high-sovereign failed to resurrect a soul with Tessa's body acting as the vessel, which left her in a pseudo-state and left her soulless. She had to see her parents die, her people suffer and her loved ones disappear right into the thin air. Compared to me who would only seek fun and freedom by breaking the chains around me, Tessia seemed strong and brave.

Then the day came. Which was marked strongly in my heart. The high-sovereign declared the execution of Tessia. That Nico guy was against it. But was convinced into it later. The only word that fitted him is scum. No, maybe I might be downplaying the word. If so, then I had no worse word.

When I visited master Seris, she warned me not to interfere in those matters. Anger welled up inside me. I ended up raising my voice against her. Yet she forgave me. I know she couldn't disregard High-sovereign's words any further. She was already warned for not reporting my Vritra blood manifestation.

A part of me wanted to give up on her. She was an enemy from the other continent. She should have killed several of our people. Pity is not something for her. I will be deceiving my continent if I were to help her.

Yet my heart begged to differ. I wanted to give up on the enemy who couldn't even put up a face, who couldn't even decide to save herself or sacrifice herself, who couldn't even cry off her pent-up sorrow, who couldn't even smile, who couldn't even rely on her memories of past, who wouldn't even tie her hair properly without my help.

What better are we? We invaded their home and waged war just because they seemed to evolve rapidly. Our greedy and cowardly leaders, overconfident in this false power. What good are we? Who was at fault? Where did things diverge this way? Was there a chance for peace? I hated the Vritra, even more, when I saw them torturing people under the pretense of experimenting and for the sake of Humanity.

I despised myself for being a part of them. But I had a chance to become better than them. This is my ascension. A chance to spread the same Fun and Freedom which I yearned for, throughout the world. I have to save Tessia. I want to save her. Then let her experience the freedom which even she couldn't wish for. This is the first step towards my goal.

True, this is what he would have done. I wonder how grey is doing after we parted at the relic tombs. It has been several days since then. I hope he is doing well. My body trembled, reminiscing that incident which left grey scathed. If only he was here. We could have saved Tessia together.

No, I should not keep depending on him for everything. I doubt he would come. I pestered him enough during the ascents. This is not his goal. It is I who decided to go against Agrona. Even if I have to go against my master, I have to do this.

I broke Tessia out of her confinement and rushed her into the armory section. Scythe Seris spotted us. At first, I was afraid that I should have to fight her, but fortunately, she helped us. We decided to use the transportation portal to travel to Elenoir. I used my artifact on Tessia to disguise her as a fellow soldier.

We were just a few steps away from the portal. Immense pressure released from behind. Tessia's cover was blown. The soldiers surrounded us. All the scythes and their retainers made their way slowly towards us, almost mockingly along with Agrona. Scum Nico said that he will kill Tessia to get his revenge on Arthur. The lance Arthur, who Tessia loved and who was now dead. How low can that Scum get?

Master grabbed us both and rushed at the portal at a speed I couldn't even see. Although we were evading the attacks from both the soldiers and scythes, I sensed an attack directed at Tessia. Master won't be able to handle everything on her own, I had to nullify it. I sprang my body as if to guard Tessia by breaking from my master's grip. My back felt numb. I couldn't move forward. I fell to my knees, coughing blood. Dark metal spikes pierced me from the ground. Master hesitated to make a further move.

I started this. I have to see this through. At least let me help them reach the portal. I shouted my intent with firm determination as black flames aroused from my body. Power surged through me. I conjured an orb around me and burst it with the maximum power that I could gather, propelling master towards the portal.

The scythes were catching up. I created a wall of flames to delay them even for a second. My back ached terribly, a pool of blood spread around me. Breathing became a challenge. I was on the verge of collapse. Scythe Cadell nullified my flames while the others went past me to catch my allies. I was at my limit.

Cadell threatened master by grabbing me by my neck. Agrona ordered Cadell to stop. Shocked, I urged my master to leave. She crossed over the portal. Relief spread across me while I was dropped to the ground. At least I saved her. Agrona reached me and revealed his motives.

The windows rattled as the wind blew into the dark room. Sweat beads formed on my forehead as my breathing got heavy. While I had succeeded in saving Tessia, now I have to focus on getting out of here. It seems that my Vritra blood manifestation was special and highly compatible. Agrona planned to make me experiment specimen and wipe my memories to make me an obeying weapon.

Just the thought of it makes my spine shiver. I cannot imagine living like that, yet that was what happened to Tessia. I need to get out of here before sunrise. Or else Caera would cease to exist. After trying everything I could come up with, I had to face the sad reality that I could not escape. They must have put up a barrier to prevent me from escaping. I collapsed onto the bed. Tears leaking out of my eyes the more I tried to hold them. I couldn't sleep, but while thinking of the times during our ascents, I fell asleep at some point.

The next morning, I was standing in the hall. Almost all of the scythes along with their troops were absent. A Scythe, few other Vritras, and Highblood family heads were seated. I met my sight with a familiar face, Corbett Denoir, my foster father. He made a scornful face before he turned away. Massive pressure emanating from them, making my very existence feel like a big burden.

"step forward to the magic circle" a Vritra stated.

I did so and stood at the center of the magic circle which looked sinister. I stayed alert looking for chances or traces of a miracle that would help me out of this current situation. I was not naive to think that I can outclass everyone here and escape on my own. I prayed inside my heart. The magic circle glowed in reddish black.

"As I thought, your manifestation is rare. It would be worth experimenting and making you strong enough to serve the great Vritra." Agrona smiled in amusement.

My energy is being drained off at an alarming rate. My breathing became erratic. Numbness reached my mind. I could no longer feel the pain. It felt as if my senses are being drained out of me. Memories flowed inside my head in chaos. My childhood, the faint remains of my parents, my brother, all the ascents he took me on, my master Seris and Grey. In the end, I couldn't even sort out if I had feelings for him. So, this is what it feels like to get memoried wiped clean huh?

My eyes gradually contracted as if ejecting me out of this world. Just then a huge explosion rang throughout the Hall. Clouds of dust and debris covered the entire hall, but the magic circle blocked them from hitting me. A tremendous roar reverberated as the dust dispersed around a particular place.

"Agronaa.........." a familiar voice filled with rage and fury.

Three shadows formed tall, belonging to a Dragon, Wolf, and a Human between them. As the dust completely wore off, I caught sight of my hope and miracle.

"Grey" I blurted out under the effects of the Magic circle.

I felt grateful, yet regret succumbed over me. I can't let him risk his life for my sake.