Chapter 122 - ONE STEP FORWARD, TWO STEP BACKWARDS

The owl hooted in the dark of night. The wind was calm and tranquil, bringing serenity to the heart.

Sina was sleeping under a comfy large comforter. Beside her was Sasha, still lying on the stretcher but her breathing has stabilized and is on the verge of sleeping.

They are now resting nearby a creek. A moderate sized tent is erected under a huge tree, with a fire pit outside the tent.

The fire is still burning. The chariot is already stored away in a mark on Sina hand. It was a peaceful night.

The wind of the Plains, like always, is soothing.

Sina sleep tight knowing that if anything dangerous happen Azief would handle it.

A Seed Forming High Realm with one seed is almost an invincible existence right now and that Seed Forming High Realm user is right now guarding the area, so Sina has nothing to fear.

But contrary to Sina expectation, Azief was not on the area. Instead he and Sofia is walking along the creek, enjoying each other company.

If Sina knows she might say Azief is slacking but even when he was walking along with Sofia, his divine sense is still active so Sina should have nothing to worry about

Azief was walking slowly with Sofia matching his steps.

Tonight is beautiful.

The moon shines brightly and the atmosphere was nice and as Azief look at Sofia he could not help but notice how stunning she is now.

With a bow sling behind her back she looks charismatic. Her face now is free of blemishes, flawless like a polished jade.

She is taller and her posture radiated power and charisma.

But what caught his attention were her eyes. They were like stars, shining bright. And then Azief heart beat and skips and jump.

He gulped as he looks at her lips. Was it because of the moon? Or was it because of the atmosphere?

The scenery?

The beautiful night?

He doesn't know but for some reason he could not hold back….knowing he will make himself vulnerable.

And he said as he stops suddenly. Sofia also stops walking

'You know. I never understand why people built statue for the dead.' Sofia was shock at this random thought but she still reacted

'Uh…ok?'

But Azief continues his words.

'It's like people have this weird notion that the dead would be flattered if the living construct a statue for them. Like somehow, if we create a statue for the dead, they are immortalized. But they are not.'

Azief wanted her to understand. He wanted to confess. But the words could not come out easily. What comes out is this nonsense spiel

Then even under his nervous feelings and the puzzlement of Sofia eyes he keeps talking.

'All we have is now. All we have is this moment. Right here, right now. And that is all that matters. And because I believe this I was fearless. Because I know every moment could be my last, I was not afraid. The moment I embrace the certainty of death, I was no longer afraid. It's ironic really.'

Sofia could tell Azief wanted to tell her something but she is not sure what he wanted to talk about.

So, like always, like she has always done for him, she listens

'You changed, don't you?' Azief nodded with a bitter smile. Was it a smile of regret or resignation? Sofia could only guess.

'You're right. I changed. I am not like that anymore.'

'What changed?'

Azief sigh and he looks at the sky. He looks at the twinkling stars that riddle the sky, look at the shining moon and feel the wind on his cheeks and he said

'I've seen a lot of things in my journey. Meet hundreds of people. I've seen countless events repeating itself. I saw countless of worlds and universes. The more I see, the more I want. I hunger for more. I thought to myself what if I could live forever? Eternally? And as I desire more for life, my fear for death returns.'

'Why?' Sofia asked. Both of them looked at each other in the eyes and both hearts beats, skips and jump.

Sofia blush. Azief gulped. There was a palpable tension between them. With their eyes, they say the things that they do not dare say directly.

I miss you.

I want you.

I desire you. All of this could be seen in their gaze. But Azief broke his gaze and he continue saying

'The more I knew, the more I desire, the more I hesitated. I deliberated. I delay. Why do you think that is Sofia? Because if you accept that there is moment and moments leading to your future, if you accept that you're here and now will always be there, that your moments will last, then you start to be cautious. Because if you accept all that then that means, your actions have consequences in the future.'

And Azief come closer to her. Sofia did not budge.

Almost like she wanted him to come to her. Her embarrassment faded replaced by a certain determination.

Azief look at her deeply and all he could think about is how stunning she looks under the moonlight.

He then said

'It's easy when you accept that every moment could be your last but when you know, you know, that you could have all the time you want, then you take each step with caution. You plan and plan, because every step have consequences. You hide your feelings because you fear how it will turns out. You don't say certain things because you fear something good might change. What if it doesn't work out? What if even if you put in the effort it won't work? What if, it all could fall apart? And that is what I'm afraid of. That something good could fall apart with one wrong word, with one wrong decision. And I don't want that to happen. Not to us. Because I swear I could see our future as clear as day. And it is good. What we have between us….is good. But…..' and he looks into her eyes and her heart and his heart skips a beat.

There was ferocity in his eyes, a hunger, a certain thirst and fiery passion.

'Stars' he said looking at her eyes and he leaned in and he kissed her. She accepts him, embracing him like the sun embraces the moon.

It was hard. It was long.

It was passionate.

It was warm.

And sweet. Both of them lost themselves in that kiss.

It was like something erupted inside both of them, like all the unsaid words, the untold yearning, the longing all was melded and released in that kiss.

A kiss that confirms their feelings.

It was the kind of kiss that couldn't be forgotten. A kind of kiss that changes life. A kind of kiss that breaks open the sky.

The kind of kiss that steals your breath away.

The kind of kiss that shows both of them that every other kiss they had in their life had been wrong.

Her arms come around his neck and he pulled her against him. She kissed him as fiercely as he kisses her.

Azief clung to her tightly, knotting his hands in her hair and slowly his hand slid down to her waist.

They both wanted this.

They both waited for this.

His hunger that could never be sated, his thirst that could never be quenched…..both of that is being satisfied

And suddenly Azief broke the kiss.

They both are flushed. But dumbfounded. And puzzled.

'Why…did you do that?' Sofia ask, her face is still flushed red

'I don't know.' Azief said hesitantly

'You don't know what to do or you don't know how you feel?' Sofia ask again, as she glares at Azief, confused on what to feel.

'Maybe both.' He answered

'So, what now?' Sofia ask, looking at him, hoping for a news start between them.

'I don't know. I seriously don't know. But I don't want to ruin this.' Sofia face fell. It's not the answer she expected or want.

'So....you don't know.' And Sofia pushes Azief body slowly and she said with her eyes slowly filling with tears

'Then, you shouldn't have done that.'

And she moves away from Azief but Azief could not just let her go like that. He grabbed her hand and pulls her back close.

'I know!' He said his tone slightly rose. He forcefully grab her towards him and hug her.

'Release me!'

Bad man!' Sofia shouted as she keep pounding her hand on Azief chest.

For a minute Sofia keep pounding at Azief chest with eyes full of tears before she finally calmed down. Then slowly he releases her.

Azief was taller than her so Sofia had to look up to see his face. There is a bit of distance between them now.

But their heart beats as fierce as before. Their eyes locked at each other, with as many unsaid words as before.

Azief uses his left hand to slowly caress Sofia cheeks stained by her tears. Her tears have already flowed down her eyes, overwhelmed by her own emotions and confusion.

He sighed.

'It seems I hurt you again. I keep hurting the people I love. But I just couldn't help myself.'

'Sina was right about you.' Sofia suddenly said

'What did she say?'

'You are a player' Sofia said as she glares at Azief, looking at him with an expression of hurt and dissatisfaction. Azief chuckles a bit.

'She said that?'

Sofia nodded. And Azief couldn't help but realize how cute she is. Her eyes are full of tears but her cheeks are red.

'I don't know what we are' Azief suddenly said.

'But what we have….it's good.'

Sofia didn't say anything but she manages to push away Azief again. And she walks away but this time Azief did not grab a hold of her again.

Azief sighed not knowing what to do. Sofia on the other hand is confused with Azief behavior.

Did he like her…..or not? Not knowing what to think and feel Sofia went to her tents and trying to get a wink of sleep.

But she knows she will not be able to sleep tonight.

Even as she lays down on her makeshift bed made of comforters, her heart keep beating furiously, her cheeks remains red and her thoughts is in a mess.

Her mind keeps replaying the kiss. She slowly touched her lips and smiles sheepishly before shaking her head.

Then in a whisper she said

'He is certainly a player' she said as she couldn't help but keep smiling.

On the other hand Azief is still near the creek as he checks his status to calm his heart down.

Think of something else. He didn't want to think about the kiss. His cheeks were red as he thinks of how bold he was being towards Sina.

He shakes his head and then focus back on his status.

Many of his skills have been upgraded during his journey and all of his skill points have been used.

His Precision has turns to Expert Precision.

There is also Great Soul Perception, Pure Divine Sense, Grand Telekinesis, Expert Water Element Manipulation, and Large Grand Healing

He also possesses Wyrm Nerve after he eaten about ten Wyrm meats. And he also has the Clouds Dispersing Fist

But skill points are no longer present in Seed Forming. In Seed Forming there is another level of improvement.

In Seed Forming to level up a skill it no longer depends on the skill points since skill points will no longer be rewarded in Seed Forming but depends on two things.

The frequency of the skills used and the essence provided.

If you use the skill frequently then it will level up eventually.

That is how Azief was able to level up hid Divine Sense even after it was maxed out during his Energy Disperse Stage.

That is because when you stepped into Seed Forming there is a qualitative change in your body and the same could be said for the user aura and energy.

Seed Forming could break the limits of the Energy Disperses Stage limitations of power in leveling up the skills.

The other way to level up a skill in Seed Forming is to sacrifice essence to immediately increase skill ability.

Essence is longevity, energy, and aura.

Imagine essence is like water in a glass bottle.

Imagine the glass bottle is now full. When it is sacrificed it is like pouring the content of that glass bottle into a cup.

It needs to be replenished again but this time by external help hence the term sacrifice.

It is different when a user infused essence in his or her attack.

Because it is not sacrificed, it will be replenished automatically.

Azief Shadow Lord Items has also level up in his four years of adventures. But their status window are a little bit different than in the past

Azief checks his Lord Shadow items.

SHADOW LORD ITEMS

REAPER SWORD

 EMITS A BLACK AURA THAT COULD CONSUME LOWER LEVEL MONSTER.

 GIVE TRIPLE EXPERIENCE WHEN KILLING A MONSTER AND OTHER LIFE FORM.

 CAN INCREASE DAMAGE DURABILITY BY ABSORBING SOULS USING THE SWORD. CONTAINS THE ESSENCE OF DEATH

 HAVE ABILITY TO SELF TRANSFORM WHEN IT REACHED THE SOUL REQUIREMENT

SWORD ABILITY

:SOUL SNATCHING

:LOWER RESISTANCE TO ALL MENTAL ATTACK

:LOWER DEFENSE

:EMBEDDED WITH THE STRIKE IS THE ESSENCE OF DEATH

REAPER HOOD

 DECREASE THE CHANCE OF BEING DETECTED BY MONSTROUS BEAST AND MUTATED SAPIENS.

 INCREASES DARK ATTRIBUTES

 INCREASE THE PRESSURE OF LEVEL ON PEOPLE AND MONSTER WHO POSSESS LOWER STRENGTH THAN THE USER

 HAVE ABILITY TO SELF TRANSFORM WHEN IT REACHED THE SOUL REQUIREMENT

ABILITY

: ART OF INVISIBILITY

: INCREASE STEALTH

HIDDEN REAPER BLADE

 STORE AROUND THE WRIST AREA CONCEALED BY A HIDDEN COMPARTMENT UNDER THE CLOTHES.

 EMBEDDED WITH DEATH AURA

 HAVE ABILITY TO SELF TRANSFORM WHEN IT REACHED THE SOUL REQUIREMENT

ABILITY

: HIDDEN FROM LOWER LEVEL ENEMY SIGHT

: INCREASE DARK AURA AROUND THE USER PRESENCE

REAPER VAMBRACES

 INCREASE ENDURANCE.

 CAN REFLECT ENEMY ATTACKS IF IT HIT THE VAMBRACES.

 AS STRONG AS USER BODY MAKING IT IS BENEFICIAL IF THE USER HAS STRONG BODY

 HAVE ABILITY TO SELF TRANSFORM WHEN IT REACHED THE SOUL REQUIREMENT

ABILITY

: CAN SOMETIMES MOVE THE USER TO GUARD VITAL ORGANS IN TIMES OF CRISIS. HARD TO TRIGGER

REAPER ATTIRE

CONSIST OF REAPER ROBE.

CONSIST OF REAPER LEATHER PANTS.

CONSIST OF REAPER BOOTS.

CONSIST OF REAPER RUNIC SASH.

CONSIST OF REAPER RUNIC GLOVES

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 INCREASE VITALITY AND STRENGHT.

 INCREASE SUPPRESION TO THOSE WHO HAVE LITTLE RESISTANCE TO MENTAL ATTACK.

 STEALTH INCREASED.

 FEAR AURA ACQUIRED AS THE ROBE ABILITY.

 INCREASE PRESSURE ON A PERSON OF THE SAME LEVEL AND BELOW.

 COULD RESIST SOME WEAK MENTAL ATTACK.

 YOUR MOVEMENT WHEN HIDING WILL BE HARD TO BE DETECTED.

 WHEN YOU ARE ANGRY OR YOUR MOOD IN AN UNSTABLE EMOTIONAL LEVEL, THIS ROBE WILL EMIT A BLACK AURA SHROUDING YOU WHICH WILL GIVE A BOOST OF 15 PERCENT TO STRENGTH AND AGILITY.

 HAVE ABILITY TO SELF-TRANSFORM WHEN IT REACHED THE SOUL REQUIREMENT

 INCREASE AGILITY AND SPEED.

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 YOUR MOVEMENT WILL BE FASTER LIKE LIGHNING AND MOVES LIKE THE SHADOW.

 WHEN YOU ARE ANGRY OR YOUR MOOD IN AN UNSTABLE EMOTIONAL LEVEL, THIS PANT WILL EMIT A BLACK AURA SHROUDING YOU WHICH WILL GIVE A BOOST OF 25 PERCENT TO AGILITY.

 HAVE ABILITY TO SELF TRANSFORM WHEN IT REACHED THE SOUL REQUIREMENT

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 INCREASE AGILITY.

 GAIN THE ABILITY TO INFLICT TRIPLE DAMAGE WHEN USING IT TO KICK THE ENEMY IN VITAL PLACES.

 HAVE ABILITY TO SELF TRANSFORM WHEN IT REACHED THE SOUL REQUIREMENT

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 INCREASE VITALITY AND LIFEFORCE.

 HAVE ABILITY TO SELF TRANSFORM WHEN IT REACHED THE SOUL REQUIREMENT

 INCREASE STRENGTH.

 WEARING THE SAME PAIR WILL INCREASE STRENGTH.

 INCREASE GIPPING POWER AND LIFTING POWER.

 HAVE ABILITY TO SELF TRANSFORM WHEN IT REACHED THE SOUL REQUIREMENT

ABILITY

: GREAT IMMUNITY TO POISONS

: DECREASE PROBABILITY OF GETTING POISONED

Azief was still thinking of the kiss to be honest.

The taste of her lips on his mouth.

Her scent that keeps making he remembers. Her body on his. He shakes his head and then checks his status window.

NAME LORD SHADOW GENDER MALE

LEVEL 69 CLASS SHADOW DUKE

RACE NEO ETERNA FAME CONVERTED INTO EXP POINTS AUTOMATICALLY.

SEEDS

0

BODY REFINEMENT LEVEL

UNDYING BODY

ATTRIBUTES

[DEATH] [DARKNESS] [TIME] [VOID] [LIFE] [FEAR] [CHAOS] [WAR] [PESTILENCE]

[LIGHT] [DEVOUR] [FATE] [ORDER]

SKILL

EXPERT PRECISION

GREAT SOUL PERCEPTION

PURE DIVINE SENSE

DEMON BEAST EYE OF NIGHT

GRAND TELEKINESIS

EXPERT WATER ELEMENT MANIPULATION

LARGE GRAND HEALING

SLASHING WIND VORTEX

DEATH ENERGY FIST

AURANITE FLESH

WYRM NERVE

SKY SLASHING SLASH

CLOUDS DISPERSING FIST

EARTHQUAKE STOMP

CLASS SKILLS

SHADOW ETERNAL

ABILITIES

INTERGALACTIC FLIGHT

SABER GODLY EXPERT

HYPER STRENGTH

HYPER SPEED

EYES OF FIRE

PENETRATING VISION

MICROSCOPIC VISION

ICE BREATH

WIND BREATH

DEATH BREATH

RACE SKILLS

[LEVEL REPRESSION UNLOCKED]

[RACE SUPERIORITY UNLOCKED]

[PILLAR REPRESSION UNLOCKED]

[BLOCKING SENSES UNLOCKED]

[ELEMENT RESISTANCE UNLOCKED]

[SKILL FUSION UNLOCKED]

EQUIPPED ITEMS

BAG OF HOLDING

BAG OF LARGE HOLDING

ACCESSORIES

RING OF CREATION SONGS

RING OF FORBIDDEN WORDS

RING OF GREAT SUMMONING

RING OF ALL ELEMENTS

RING OF GRAND FORMATION

RING OF ULTIMATE SEALING

RING OF ETERNAL DARKNESS

RING OF PERFECT SYMBOLS

RING OF ANCIENTS

RING OF RUNIC CREATION

BRACELET OF PERFECT REFINEMENT

WEAPONS

HIDDEN REAPER BLADE

REAPER SWORD

SPEAR OF FIERY HELL

HALBERD OF SEVEN HELLS OF ICE

NINE HEAVEN LIGHTNING TRIBULATION BOW

Even though his Lord Shadow items is on a level of its own Azief knows that with his Six World Exterminating Sabers, there is not a lot of weapons that could contend with the Six Sabers.

'Damn!' He suddenly cursed.

It seems no matter how he tries to clear his mind he could not forget the kiss.

He kisses her because he could not help himself. He was curios. Confused and puzzled at his own attraction to Sofia.

He instinctively knew during that kiss.

It was not the first time he loved a woman before but it didn't feel like this. He has kissed before, but it didn't burn him alive.

Like a fire ignited inside him. Passion that burns dangerously.

And the fact that he could not feel time moves. Was it a minute, or was it an hour?

All he know is that kiss, and how soft her skin is when it brushes against his, and that even if he did not know it until now, he seems to have been waiting for this person forever

But he knew.

He knew he gave a part of his heart at that moment, knew he could sacrifice his life, if it's for her, knew that no matter how he tries to deny or find a rationale he fell in love with her.

And that scares him more than he could imagine.

He never felt more vulnerable, more powerless when faced with love. There is no measure of control.

And the fact he desires her that much, that he couldn't even help himself kissing her with all of his might scares him even more.

In all of his life, he always wished to feel an intense feeling of love.

It's true.

While Azief itself is not a romantic person, he always wished he could love a person so strong that he could gush with emotions.

Azief envy those people who love like there is no tomorrow. But that was because he never knew how that kind of love really felt.

He felt it with Na Eun. The moment he had to seal the path leading to Earth Two, he despaired.

He did not show it but one could only imagine the pain he felt.

And when he returned and saw Sofia feelings for him, the care she had for him, he shy away.

Because the pain that will follow such love will be heartbreaking.

And Azief knows it better.

Because he knew someone will get hurt at the end of this relationship. And that person isn't Sofia….but him.

The fact is...that no matter how Azief tries to get her of his mind, he could never do it. Since when he liked her?

How can he know the exact moment he questions himself in may occasion. He remembers all the moment he shared with her.

During high school.

The beach.

The stall near the school on a windy night.

The mall filled with stiffs.

The adventure at the river.

The forest where they fight the apes.

The battle with the Unique Class quest.

The battle at the temple.

He remembers all the moment he shared with her. He remembers all the things she did for him.

The way he cared for her.

The way she called his name.

The way she frowns when she is annoyed. The way she creased her eyebrows when she doesn't know what to do.

The way she smiles when she is happy.

Then he asks something to himself.

If somebody else did the same thing she did would he also like it?

And suddenly Azief scoffed as he realizes something.

'No.' And he smiles.

'I liked her from the start. From the start' he repeated, Azief only weakness it seems is his fear towards other people feelings for him.

Because he was not used to it.

Because he is afraid of how that person feeling will change him and how his feeling could control him.

He looked at the direction of Sofia tent and sigh.

Then he smiles in that mysterious way and he couldn't help but laugh.

'You move one step closer, I move two steps backward, you'll take three steps closer. It seems I could never escape.'

With a smile, he returned to his tent and waited for tomorrow.

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The next morning the ride the chariot and fly to the sky again.

'It's not far now' Azief said to Sina. Sasha seems to have recuperated and can be seen to be conscious again.

But she is still weak and requires Sina care

Sina sometimes look at Sasha and take care of her while she also has the time to look at Azief and Sina and how awkward they were at each other in the morning.

It was awkward more than the usual awkwardness.

When she ask Sofia , Sofia would only grunt noncommittally. When he asked Azief, Azief would just pretend he couldn't hear it.

Something happen Sina thought as she nodded alone in understanding and a smile form on her face.

'Hmm…this is weird' she said.

Azief sometimes would look back and look at Sofia but if Sofia seems to look at him, he would look back to the front.

'No matter how I think about this, something happen last night' Sina said as she come closer to Sofia.

'What happened, Soph?'

'I already told you, it's nothing'

'Doesn't seem nothing to me' Sina said as she look at both Azief and Sofia.

'Ask him, why ask me?' Sofia said as she looks at other direction, clearly intending to cut the conversation short.

Sina moved to the front closer to Azief.

'Azief, what happened last night?'

'What did she say?' And Azief gestured with his chin towards Sofia.

'Soph said nothing.'

'Is that so?' Azief said with a hint of dissatisfaction. Then lokking at Sofia with a sour face, Azief also feel his mood fell and he reply

'She's right. Nothing happened.'

'No. no' Sina eagerly shakes her head,

'Something definitely happen last night. Come on guys. Don't keep secret from me.' She was about to pester Azief again when suddenly Azief, Sina and Sofia sees something unbelievable.

Well, first came the sound. And then came the shocking scenery in front of them

Azief was the first to notice as he approaches the Central Plains. When he approached the Central Plains, he could sense a killing intent so potent, so deadly it fills the entirety of the Central Plain eastern region.

Sofia and Sina did not sense the terrifying killing intent but they did see the white dragon. Seven white dragon crisscrossing in the clear blue sky.

The white clouds changed colors looking a bit purple as the seven dragon seems to be roaring in anger.

'What the hell is that!' said Sina as she takes a few step backwards in shock.

Sofia was also alarmed. Azief on the other hand realizes something is wrong the first moment he saw the seven dragons.

That's the direction of our village Azief suddenly said and alarm rang inside Sofia and Sina mind.

'Is it….the Seven Fairy?'

Then suddenly a warning notification appears in front of Azief

WARNING!

REPELLING INVASION QUEST

Repel the invaders attack and bring peace back to your village.

As The Village Head Of Eden This Warning Is Given To Lord Shadow. Your Village Is Under Attack Now.

Quickly Defend The Village Before It Falls To The Invaders.

Lord Shadow Has Triggered The Repelling Invasion Quest

REWARD EXP Gain Will Be Tripled For A Month

Open New Construction Options

Increase Fertility Of Soil By 50 %

FAILURE CONDITION The Village Head Surrender

All Of The Residents Of The Village Either Surrender, Captured Or Killed

BE WARNED.

IF YOU FAIL THIS QUEST, YOUR EXP GAIN WILL BE REDUCED BY 70% FOR A MONTH AND THERE WILL BE AN UNUSUAL STATUS THAT WILL BE INFLICTED ON YOU

Azief immediately realized. And suddenly the chariot flew even faster as Azief injected his energy inside the control orb of the chariot.

Azief what happen Sofia asked as he realizes Azief manners seems to be rushed. Azief did not turn back but he replied with grim voice.

'The Seven Fairy has begun attacking. They have come.' Then Azief handed the reins of the chariot to Sofia and Sofia nodded.

Then Azief fly to the clouds, as he splits the clouds with his speed intent on reaching Eden as fast possible.

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