Chapter 134: Fireflies

Imogen and Kyrie share a moment of silence, staring at each other to see what clue their eyes can pick up. 

"How do you know it would interest me?" Kyrie frowns.

"Because you have chosen to be a paladin, the most logical assumption is that you did not know."

"Oh? Then I would like to hear it," Kyrie's palms are starting to sweat, and his heart is beating up to his throat. He tries not to hang his emotions on his face.

"You seem to have always disliked me for some reason. Since you know some things about the previous loops, you must hate me for killing Ian. Isn't it right?"

Imogen confirms her question with Kyrie's silence. Kyrie knows that Imogen kills Ian at the end of the novel, but the reason has never been specified. 

"The reason I kill him every loop is because Ian cannot remain on my side," Imogen's voice deepens.

Kyrie frowns, with his head flinching slightly back in confusion.

"Ian cannot side with the god realm. When the time comes, if we fail to stop Erebus, he must die before losing his body and mind. That was his request, and I complied because having him as an enemy is the last thing I need."

Kyrie looks back toward Ian, conversing with his parents. His expression starts to change from the shock.

"He has always gone against fate. His curse and origins dictated his fate from birth, but he decided to go against them. There are times I still question why he is doing what he is doing."

"Does the curse have anything to do with the gods?"

"Perhaps, or perhaps not. As long as it does not affect me, I wouldn't mind anything, but I have seen it first hand." An image of a woman flashes in her mind, "It is rather different this round. It is like fate has been rewiring, and maybe the ending is different for all of us. Even I cannot tell what will happen from now on, so Ian telling you about this might just cause you to stress for nothing."

"Why are you telling me all these now and not earlier?" Kyrie becomes wary of Imogen's intentions.

"Because your only motivation to do what you do is Ian. If you can change Ian's fate, then you can change Laurel's fate."

"So those are your intentions… Why are you so sure that I can change anyone's fate, Imogen?"

"Because you are useful and because you have changed fate. If not, I would have killed you since you have been messing with my plans. And if you turn out to be useless, I would not hesitate either."

Kyrie lazily extends his back to ease the tension and nods casually like he has surrendered to those facts, making Imogen question the reason why Kyrie is not reacting badly. She has seen him react violently when Ian has been accused of committing sacrilege. So, why. Why is Kyrie so calm right now?

"No wonder you have remained so quiet for all this time, Imogen. It's so uncharacteristic of you to stay put. You have so many things to do, and seeing you stay at the Rowan mansion so peacefully rings so many warning bells."

Imogen chuckles, "What are you going to do then?"

"Let Ian decide for himself. Plus, worrying about a potential future is just a waste of time."

Kyrie shrugs showing that he could not change such facts. He has really fallen victim to Yue's schemes. Now that he thinks back, Yue is not as stupid as she seems to be. She has purposely brought him here for her own purposes. Although that gluttony and quirkiness of hers still seem real. A lie is not perfect without some truths. 

As to the reason why she brought him specifically, it is still a mystery. He is just an orphan who started his career after graduating back on Earth. 

"Imogen. I don't care how you view me. We are useful to each other, so we should work together. Even if you don't see me as a friend, I do. But seeing how I have to force you to tell me things makes our friendship rather… unpleasant."

"A friend? Then, I will leave Laurel to you."

Kyrie lifts an eyebrow, "Wait… Why me? Why am I babysitting now?"

"She decided that. Plus, you are the one who gave her that inspirational talk of how everyone has a role in life," Imogen breathes in between her teeth, "So cheesy… Cockroach… While living with you, I notice that all you can think about is Ian. Is Ian your only purpose in life?"

"I don't want to hear that from you, crazy bitch! Isn't that the same for you with Laurel?"

"You wanna die, cockroach?" Imogen draws her sword.

Kyrie nervously steps away, trying to maintain a distance.

"Is that how you live as a saintess? Strong bullying the weak! Do your title justice!"

"Weak? You must be joking..." 

Imogen starts to chase after Kyrie, but Laurel intersects in between. Kyrie lets out a smug, making Imogen's veins pop out of her temples. He throws her a dimensional pouch before going back to Ian. 

Imogen catches it with one hand, "So thoughtful…" She lets out a smile before putting it in her pocket.

That night, the king has ordered all residents of that city to remain inside their house, prohibiting them from coming out no matter what. Despite that, the residents open their windows and doors to look at the giant gate. The gate looks heavenly since it shines off a white glow, so pure that it looks like the night cannot hold a candle to subdue the light. Once all the white sand flows through the lower bulb, the doors open, causing a loud thunder-like roar. Golden particles flow out into the air above the city, and the hourglass turns bottoms up, signifying another hour until the gates close. 

At a rapid speed, two figures followed by a crowd jump through the resident houses' ceilings and then rush into the gate. Besides the two figures that swiftly enter the gate, the rest turns into flames when they land just one step inside. They all burned into vapor, leaving nothing that could slightly indicate the flames that consumed them alive. The barrier looks like the surface of a clear lake rippling on the entrance. Everyone outside swallows their fear into their bellies. The gate looks so beautiful and majestic, but lives seem like just moths caught on fire.

"So this is what you said about being eligible to enter," Laurel murmurs while she walks beside Kyrie. 

"Well… Stronger people could last a few minutes more inside," Kyrie responds.

Standing on the rooftop, Kyrie watches Cynthia and Sil's figure disappear into the gate. Aside from Kyrie, Ian, Imogen, and Laurel, everyone else remains on the streets some distance away from the gate. Ian holds onto Kyrie's hand as they jump through the buildings to reach the colossal doors. They remain silent because neither wants to say the words goodbye. 

All four of them arrive at the building that is nearest to the gate. Laurel starts to sob even though she has already made her decision to stay with Kyrie. She wants to become strong and reliable. At least, when all four of them meet again, she could hold her ground against the enemies. Imogen pulls Laurel into her arms, and on Laurel's ear, she hums a melody. 

When they part from each other's arms, Laurel looks at Imogen curiously.

"H-how…" Imogen leans in for a kiss to stop Laurel from finishing her question.

"This is a parting gift," Imogen puts her hand on Laurel's head, "So sing it for me when I return."

Imogen first jumps into the gate without letting Laurel bid her farewell. 

Laurel lets out shallow breaths that she feels are getting stuffed inside her chest, "How… how do you know this song?"

Ian and Kyrie part their lips, and their hands loosen up. He turns around, getting ready to jump into the gate.

"Ian…"

Ian stops and slowly turns back to Kyrie. Under the night autumn breeze, Kyrie's silver hair lightly flutters in the air. There are so many words that Kyrie could say at this moment. His nerves are tightening his vocal cords, and although he parts his lips and wants to voice them out, nothing comes out but a shaky breath.

"I will be back home soon so that you don't need to go watch fireflies alone."

Ian walks up to Kyrie and holds him tightly. The winds are rising, so while passing by, Kyrie can hear their whistle on his ears.

"No taking backs," Kyrie murmurs.

"Hm. No taking backs."

After Ian enters and disappears into the gate, Kyrie senses Ian's warmth on his body slowly being taken away by the wind. He watches silently on the rooftop of the building until the gates close.

Once they close, Kyrie turns around to see that Federline and Laurel are waiting behind him. 

"Headmaster, what's our next move?" 

*** End of volume 1 ***