Chapter 86: Courage

Sensing the shifting of weight on his hands and body, Ian turns his head slightly to peek for cues if Kyrie wants to go down. His ear lands on Kyrie's lips, surprising Kyrie in the middle of his act. 

"Ian…" Kyrie whispers. His heart jolts when his lips meet with Ian's ear.

Ian shudders at the whisper and whips his head to the other side. His blush travels to his neck. Looking at Ian's shy reaction, Kyrie's eyes glisten. He purses his lips together, trying to hold his overexcitement that could ruin the moment. 

Feeling playful, Kyrie hopes to have his mischief wanted by Ian, so he silently waits for Ian to feel the missing subsequent tease that Kyrie would always follow. And indeed, Ian slowly turns his head back towards Kyrie in confusion, already exposing himself unknowingly to Kyrie of his secret wish to be teased. 

[So… he d-does like it…]

Unable to contain his widening smile, Kyrie stretches his arms and leans his head on his right shoulder. He tries to suppress his messy feelings while staring at the light honey skin on Ian's neck. 

Drawing closer to the nape, he gently touches the skin with his lips, eyes closed. Kyrie stays in that position, holding Ian close to his chest. He feels like he is holding the world.

"Kyrie… Maya is here with us…" Ian murmurs under his shaky breath.

"If she is not here, then you are okay with this?"

"I…" Ian gets his own tongue caught. 

Kyrie lets his lips travel on Ian's skin, moving along the curve of his neck. His hand searches for Ian's collar, yanking it to uncover more grounds for his lips to travel.

The snapping sound of the collar pop one by one as Kyrie extends the collar further.

"Kyrie… Maya is here with us!!!" Ian whispers harder, and his body shakes from holding back his voice from pitching.

Kyrie looks up over Ian's shoulder and stares at Maya innocently walking in front to guide them. He lets out another smile - this time, one with wild intentions. He parts his lips away from Ian's skin and slowly opens his mouth. He sinks his teeth into Ian's skin. Ian's eyes shoot open, surprised. 

A muffled sound escapes from Ian's lips. He loses his hold on Kyrie, causing Kyrie to land on his bum. 

Kyrie's vision shifts before him, and his interior jolts up once he hits the ground. Finding it funny, Kyrie softly giggles on the ground and unhurriedly stands up when he sees Ian petrified in place.

Ian slowly turns around with the back of his hand on his lips, eyes blazing and sharp. His stare grips on Kyrie, and suddenly, their role switches. Kyrie senses Ian's stare pushing him down. His heart beats like a prey sensing danger. 

Ecstasy rushes in Kyrie's veins. He cannot control his lips from curving up and his being from shaking.

Kyrie backsteps, and his back hits the tunnel wall. Quickly looking over to search for Maya, he sees that she has gone so far that his eyes cannot catch her anymore. He gulps nervously while facing the man who has drawn so close to him that Kyrie can hear the heaviness of his breath.

The shadow from Ian casts onto him. Kyrie senses his body sliding down while leaning against the wall, but Ian catches him from his waist. Despite being a tease, Kyrie still does not have thick enough skin to stop his blush from painting his cheeks. He closes his eyes like he is getting ready.

Ian slowly draws in for a kiss - a gentle peck with trembling lips. Kyrie's eyes shot open, surprised, and he captures Ian's twinkling eyes. He can feel his heartbeat slamming on his chest and eardrums. Kyrie lets out a chuckle at Ian's innocence. He slowly closes his eyes while cupping Ian's cheek and leans in for another kiss - a deeper one.

---

Maya turns back and looks astonished at the empty tunnel. She turns her head side by side to look for Kyrie and Ian. She swears she still heard Ian's steps some time ago. Is she walking too fast?

She walks back to find Kyrie and Ian walking side by side. Ian is holding on to his right shoulder while Kyrie covering his mouth. Both are blushing and turn away from each other.

Maya tilts her head in confusion as she walks between them. Aren't they too quiet? Maya takes Kyrie's hand curiously.

Kyrie looks down at Maya.

"What is it, Maya?"

"Are you alright?" asks Maya. Her eyes land on Kyrie's bottom lip that is slightly bruised.

"Yeah…" Kyrie puts a hand on her head and shuffles her hair gently.

Maya's eyes travel back to Ian, who is looking at Kyrie entranced. His bottom lip is also slightly bruised. He is not aware of Maya even there.

Ian hesitantly searches for Kyrie's hand.

---

Kyrie walks in the tunnels as he reminisces his journey to the past. His uncertainty of how the future will proceed grips him with fear because he just only has one goal coming to this world- he is trying to save his favorite character from his tragic fate. 

After the journey to the past, he is sure that the novel is not completely reliable. There is more depth to Ian's tragedy and Imogen's loops, unexpectedly connected to the god realm. 

Questions remain circling in his mind.

[What happened to Phanes? Why did Erebus become a fallen god? Is the only reason why Vita is against Erebus because he is a fallen god? And… Why did Yue bring me here? Why me? Ian? Is her real reason, Ian?]

Despite the many difficulties that he feels will come in the future through the complicated entanglements of fate, he knows he is no longer helpless. He has broken through the binds of his comfort zone, despite disguising his fear and anxiety through blind bravery.

He has met the gods and gained power. He has fearlessly faced danger. 

Kyrie is drawing closer to his goal, and all through courage he thought he never possessed. 

Although saving Ian seems difficult, this is the one thing Kyrie would never be able to give up. His courage helps his feet walk step by step in a path that makes his soul tremble in terror. He is afraid of death, but nothing is more devastating than not saving Ian.

[Ian deserves happiness and the good of this world.]

Whether Ian remembers or not, whether Ian loves him or not, Kyrie will strive for his promise whatever the future holds.

[There is no return now. No return.]

Kyrie tightens his hold on Ian's hand. 

[No matter who is against us, I will not falter.]

He enters into a chamber with an enormous circle drawn on the floor. He lifts his arm to stop Maya from walking forward.

"Come out. I know you are there," says Kyrie. 

A man whose figure Kyrie is familiar with walks out with many other people with black hooded robes. There are not only humans but also shadowy figures that loom behind - evil spirits. 

[Sil.]