Chapter 251: As You Wish

It has been six months, nearly seven, since ICE last controlled Ned's body. She only did it to save Ned from the thugs that tried to apprehend him back at O'rriadt. It was also the time where ICE first appeared in Ned's head.

Normally, controlling Ned's body would lead him to use 100% of his body without delay. Especially if the Predictive Combat Emulator was activated. With ICE in control, Ned's mistakes during combat were reduced to 0%. Unless someone was stronger than him and was able to predict Ned's movements.

But Ned didn't assume that even without his command, ICE would control him. This wasn't supposed to happen, or was it? Maybe, perhaps, after Ned successfully activated the Becoming Legend protocol, she evolved as well. But, perhaps, she's doing it following the code embedded in her, to protect Ned, to ensure his survival.

Ned knew the consequences.

By giving Katolin his blood, he was also passing him his memory. Every detail of his life, everything that Ned remembered, perhaps, even the things that he wasn't aware of. All these, he knew when he gave Gazul his blood. The Evolved Goblin-orc that was at the peak of becoming a Lord grade beast.

But Gazul that time was filled with hatred, and that hatred drove him to insanity, and tried to kill Ned after his newly found strength.

If only Kamma and Calahir, and the planet called Earth wasn't part of his memories. Ned had long forgotten everything about the Empire and his past.

But Ned cherished the memories. Memories of him being shown what was life aside from killing. The freedom he once had.

But these memories were about to be shared with Katolin. Was Ned ready for this? How sure was he that Katolin wouldn't betray him and convince everyone that Ned wasn't from Earflgard? That Ned was an alien. That Ned… was tainted with Rassus's dark energy. Was he ready for all these?

Act now, and think about the consequences later. This wasn't Ned at all, but it must be done. He wanted to save her.

[I need to protect you, Ned.]

ICE pleaded, if ICE could use magic, she must be conjuring spells that bound Ned by now. But no, she was doing what she was supposed to do. To protect Ned.

[All these are for nought if people find out about you. Please, calm down, Ned.]

"S-still… I-I must… T-try to save her..."

[Imagine what people would do if they find out you can use mana to the purest.]

Ned's hands were trembling of both force and anger. His eyes looking at the dying Katolin, while his wits were focused on his body.

"I-I," he said. Veins popping on his forehead. Sweat ran down his cheeks. And white teeth exposed with his gritting. "N-need to… "

[Is she worth it?]

[Is she worth your life?]

[Ned. She. Does. Not. Deserves. Your. Life.]

ICE's voice wasn't compelling this time. If Ned was angered. ICE was furious. So much that Ned had to use Overclock.

His body steamed. His skin reddened. Yet, he was cemented on his spot like a statue.

With Ned's low energy, Overclock was called off, and Ned lost both the strength and prowess to continue. But his will didn't waver. His hands trembled.

For a quick moment, Ned's hand moved even just for a millimeter.

"S-she may not deserve my life."

Ned gritted his teeth as he speaks. His breathing was heavy, his chest was puffing.

"B-but she deserves her life… "

[I will not let your memory be shared, Ned.]

"A-and I'm the only one."

Ned felt his muscles were being torn apart. Every part of his body trembled, every tendon wear being ripped.

"C-can save her, now."

L-listen, Ned thought. I-I will end her if she betrays me. I-I don't want it. B-but I'll do what is necessary.

Ned's mind focused on ICE in silence. He was determined, even if ICE wasn't, he must do what must be done.

"L-let me, save her."

[Ned. Let her be.]

"T-this is Kamma's wish, ICE." Ned tried to calm himself and thought of Kamma's words before Pontus crystallized her:

"G-go out there."

"E-explore."

"Make friends."

"A-and have a good adventure. And have a good life."

"ICE, listen. L-let me save her."

Ned said those words, this time, with tears forming a bead at the tip of his eyes.

[As you wish, Ned.]

Ned's muscles slowly relaxed. ICE did it to stop him from accidentally pushing his hand with the blade deeper into his palm.

Slowly, the tip of the Butterfly touched Ned's palm. Then it bore on his hand. Blood, crimson-red, pure, and engineered surge from his palm. But the pain wasn't enough for him to stop.

The broken Butterfly shone brightly for a quick moment then dimmed back to faint light.

Ned's blood dripped to Katolin's hand, then chest, then neck, eventually to her mouth.

"Drink," Ned said with a smile. "Drink Katolin, drink. You will be fine."

Ned's eyes were brimming with excitement and happiness. But he knew, he wasn't sure if his blood would help her recover.

But he must try everything he had.

Ned's blood dripped with a splat-splat sound. Slowly, Ned reached for Katolin's mouth, closer. His blood flowed into her mouth.

After she attempted to take her life, finally, her head jerked, her eyes opened with her yellow and slanted pupil transformed much closer to human's eyes. The thorns under her cheeks wiggled and disintegrated. Her exoskeleton cracked, her body was looking that of a dried land devoid of any water. Then, her exoskeleton crawled and dissolved like a dark slime enveloping her body. This slimy liquid coiled around her body except for her head.

Ned gave him the last drop of his blood. His skin turned pale, his lips cracked, and he heard a rang of a high-pitched sound. The sound was like his heart went flatline.

But he smiled.

Dark rings formed under his eyes.

But he smiled.

Ned threw himself to the ground, letting go of the Butterfly in the process. His body couldn't move.

But he smiled.

His mind was spinning, his vision was getting dark.

But he smiled.

Ned heard a voice coming from his left then his vision went dark.

Black.

But he smiled.