The Center of Cosmos

CHAPTER FOUR

Upon hearing the lady’s word, he suddenly burst into laughter. It’s the first time a lady declared her hatred towards him.

His shoulders were going up and down as he laughs, while both hands were placed on his hips.

‘What a strange lady. Shouldn’t she ask first who I am?’ He thought.

“You’re quite interesting,” He grinned.

“And you’re not,” She answered shortly.

“Well, it seems so,” He replied and stops laughing.

The girl looked away and walk a few steps away from him.

“It seems that you have defeated Asmon.”

“Yes. And I want you to hand the weapon that Omega hid in this place,” He commanded.

The girl did not respond and did not even glance at him. The sting and pain he felt until now from his previous fight were getting on his nerves that he badly wanted to lay down on his bed and rest.

 He felt impatience.

“As you know, I am not a person full of patience,” He said as he draws his sword to its scabbard and pointed it at her.

“Where is it?” He asks her again.

 And again, the girl did not answer him.

“Don’t try me, my lady,” Mathew warned her coldly.

This time, the lady looked at him with a relaxed expression and touch the tip of his sword with her skinny little finger.

“Cant you tell?” She said as she met his gaze with valiant eyes.

She suddenly holds the blade of his sword with her bare hands which made it bleed.

Mathew remained composed.

“What do you mean?”

“The one you’re looking for is actually in front of you right now,” She replied.

 Mathew suddenly became speechless. He can’t find any words to say or what he will react.

The girl remained emotionless while lowering his sword with her bleeding hand. Seeing her hand-stained in red made Mathew took away his sword from her grip and returned it.

“I understand why your face looks like that. It must have been hard to believe right?” She said.

“It’s because you don’t look like it.”

“Omega,” she inserted ignoring what he said.

“He did everything he could to seal me in this boring place,” She continued.

“And?”

“And…That’s it,” she replied making him dumbfounded.

“How will I suppose to know that you’re not lying?”

“It’s up to you whether you believe me or not,” She answered as she shrugged her shoulder.

“Don’t toy me around,” He said irritated.

“Didn’t I tell you that I am the one you’re looking for?!”

Mathew looked at her with amusement in his eyes when she showed a face of irritation to him.

“Look, I am not happy at all making someone like you as my master. If there is someone who’s being unfortunate at this moment it’s me and not you so do not complain!”

He suddenly felt an urge to laugh but his stopping himself from doing it.

“However, I did not consider you as my master yet.”

“And what should I do?” He asks.

“It depends on how you’re going to persuade me,” She answered.

“Fine, where should I start the business talk?” Mathew replied

“From the beginning.”

He let out a heavy breath as he stared back at her.

“In three months the world will end and we need you to stop that.”

“So?” she asks with a tone of boredom.

“Pardon?” He asks in disbelief.

‘Did this lady just answered like that easily?’ His mind stated.

“I ask why I would do that.”

“Because you should?”

“The destruction of the world is not my concern so you shouldn’t say that ‘I should because it is not my obligation,” She simply said as if it’s too easy for her to let the world end.

‘This girl is getting in my nerves,’ His mind uttered.

“Listen, I do not have time for this. You're coming with me whether you like it or not,” He said irritated.

“I am not one of your underlings whom you can easily command and then throw away when you’re bored,” She boldly said.

“I did not injure and risk my life just to answer your useless questions. I came here because I needed to save the world.”

“Then save this world yourself—”

Her words were cut when he shortened the distance between them but she did not waver.

“I cannot save it if it’s only me that’s why I came here all the way taking all the injuries and bruises because I know you could. Do not be selfish,” He uttered while staring at her eyes.

“You do not understand, why would I save a world full of strangers? Why would I do that to someone I do not know my entire life?” She answered back.

“Just so you know, I am not a hero like you,” She continued.

“Then tell me what do you want?!”

“I don’t want anything and I don’t have any reason to help you.”

Mathew tried to be composed as he distances himself from her.

“I’m ready to do anything in exchange for your help.”

“Anything?”

“Yes, anything.”

“Then, can you give me a good reason why I need to save this world?” The girl said as she looked at him waiting for his response.

‘What reason could I give? How could I make this girl save this world made by the gods who imprisoned her?’ his mind shouted in defeat.

“You can’t?” The girl asks.

“Why don’t you search it for yourself?” He suggested.

“What?”

“I think it is more convincing if you figured it out yourself right? I am sure you can convince your own?”

The girl did not respond instead she just stares at him with an unreadable expression.

“Don’t you want to see the world with your own two eyes?” He convinced.

Her eyes glimmered which made him feel somehow relieved.

“Then I guess I need to see the world you wanted to protect the most,” she uttered calmly.

“However, the world is big don’t you want someone to be with you while finding it?” He said as he smiled.

“Do not smile like that, it makes me not want to trust you,” she replied.

“If that will make you uncomfortable then I won’t. Will you come with me then?”

The girl smirk in defeat as she looked at him.

“I guess so.”

“Then, were settled. May I know your name?” Mathew questioned.

“I don’t have any,” she answered without looking at him.

He was surprised when he heard her answer.

“Then can I name you?” He asks.

“You can after I made you my master. Kindly turn around,” the girl requested.

Without further questions, he turned around. But then he felt a sudden pain on the left side of his neck as he felt her teeth dug on his skin.

The lady is biting him.

‘Why is she biting me now?’ He asks himself in frustration.

As her teeth sink deeper on his skin he groaned in pain.

Suddenly there was red ink imprinted along with his tattoos, they form into red dots and bloom into red anemones.

It was amusing to watch.

The pain vanishes as he faced the girl again with a confused look as he touches the part where she bites him but was surprised when the girl kneeled in front of him.

“I shall fulfill everything you have asked, whether it’s to kill or to save. Whether it’s to attack or to defend. It all depends on you. I shall follow you even to the end of this world and shall protect you above my life for I am your shield and sword. My life is in your hands master,” she declared.

“I shall name you Celine, for you are the moon that gives light to the world’s darkest time,” He said.

“Then if that is what my master wants, I shall accept,” she replied.

“Stand up Celine,” He commanded.

Celine stood up and looked at him.

“Are you some kind of vampire?”

“No.”

“Then what are you?” He asks.

“I am a sorcerer,” she answered shortly.

“Aren’t you cold?”

“I am, but I am fine.”

“When we go out of this place there were men outside aren’t you afraid that they might see you naked?”

“Then am I allowed to blind them, master?” she suggested as she smirks.

“Of course, you can’t,” He replied

“Are you not embarrassed at me as well?” He continued.

He was not building any misunderstanding between them but because his upper garments were burned he cannot give her any spare clothes to cover her naked body.

And for sure, if they exited this place like this. Him, having no clothes on his upper body with a bite mark on his neck and her being naked would make others misunderstand the situation.

Above all, he is a man.

‘Did the gods forgot to give her clothes to wear?’ He asks himself.

“No, should I?” she said in a dull tone.

“Cover your body, that’s an order,” He replied and turned his back on her.

“My magic is not for making clothes master,” she answered.

“You are stubborn.”

He did not see her reaction because he did not glance back at her.

“Fine, but always stay behind my back,” He continued.

“Yes master,” He heard her said softly.

‘With that small body, I am sure my back is enough to block the view,’ his mind stated.

“Master wait,” she called.

He stops walking but never glances back, he felt her soft hand on his back, and suddenly, the bruises and injuries he gained in his fight disappeared.

“As I have said earlier, I shall value you above my life. But the bite mark was not healed because that is originally from me, however, do not fret master for that mark will heal in three days,” He heard her say as she withdraws her hand from touching his back.

“Thank you,” He whispered enough for her to hear but she did not respond anymore.

They have to walk back through the places where Mathew has been until they reach the door where he entered.

“Stay behind me,” He reminded her.

“Yes, master.”

Upon hearing her response, Mathew opened the door and saw everyone.

“Your Majesty!” Allen said in relief.

“Please turn your back,” he commanded.

The three men were confused but when they saw the bare shoulder of the lady they began to turn their backs.

“Casis, let me borrowed this I will just give you a new one,” Mathew uttered as he took Casis’ cape.

“Suit yourself, your majesty.”

Mathew then handed the cape to her.

“Cover your body with this,” he whispered at her however she did not respond and just did what he wanted her to do.

“You can face here now,” he said to them.

“Your majesty, you have tattoos?” Nathan asks in surprise.

“Yes, I just received it a while ago.”

“Who is this beautiful lady beside you, your majesty,” Casis questioned.

“She is Celine, the one we're looking for.”

The three men were shocked by his announcement.

“I am,” Celine seconded and stared at them who were dumfounded in front of her.

“Oh, then it’s good news!” Allen smiled.

“Do you wished to return to the ship now, master?” she asks.

“Yes.”

“Then may I ask if how many are you here?” she questioned as she landed her gaze on the three men who were still in a state of surprise and disbelief.

Casis cleared his throat.

“We have fifty knights with us, young lady.”

“Then, brace yourself,” she said and lifted her right hand that still bleeding.

“What are you going to do?” Mathew asks.

“We are going to fly!”

Suddenly all of them floated in the air, the cold wind from the starry night sky greeted them. Aside from being amused because they were flying, they were much amazed because the lady can produce magic within her.

In a minute they have landed safely on the ship.

“Your Majesty?!” Lucas uttered in surprise upon seeing them flying a while ago.

“Lucas, this is Celine,” Mathew said.

Lucas glance at the lady who was also staring at him.

Despite having a puzzled mind, he bowed his head in greetings.

“I am Lucas Mcrovier, it’s a pleasure to meet you, my lady.”

“It’s a pleasure to meet you as well, I am Celine, the reason for your journey.”

Lucas was bewildered when he heard her.

‘So she was the weapon?’ Lucas thought.

Mathew remembered the bears he met in the forest and was about to open up regarding them but there was a sudden light coming from the island followed by an earthquake.

All of them fell on the floor however Celine was able to hold Mathew and use her magic so that they won’t fall from the shaking.

The light became brighter that made them close their eyes. After a few minutes, the light faded followed by the earthquake.

Mathew automatically opened his eyes and look at the island. It’s like a thunderbolt hit him hard after what he saw.

The people from the ship were wrapped with silence, no one could utter any words or could ask if they were seeing something real.

“What just happened?” Mathew asks in surprise.

He can’t understand why his eyes automatically landed on Celine.

She was unfazed with the happenings at all.

“Did you know that this would happen?” He asks her but she did not respond instead she kept on looking at the shocking view.

“Answer!” He yelled.

The lady looked at him with steady eyes but a sharp and metallic blade was suddenly pointed at her.

“Nathan!” Casis scold the provoked man.

“I am the ruler of Leberion, and Leberion is like a piece of me! How dare you! Explain everything in this instance. Why did the island disappear?!!” Nathan asks almost shouting in anger.

“Nathan! Please calm down!” Allen intervene.

“Put down your spear,” Casis said forcing his voice to be calm as much as possible.

“No! Not until she explained this mess!”

“Celine, explain to us now,” Mathew coldly said at her and step away from her hold.

“Are you part of this mess?” Mathew continued to ask with a composed expression as he glances at Nathan.

“Nathan, lower your weapon. Let her explain her side before we give our judgment,” He said.

Nathan heard the emperor’s command, lowered his weapon with a heavy heart.

“The island was originally erased the moment the star landed there,” She explained without any worries reflected in her face.

“The moment you came here everything you touch and meet is just an illusion,” she continued.

“Then what happened to them?” Nathan asks with a shocked expression.

“It seems like you did not understand me well. Fine, I will say it in simple words. What happened to them you ask? They were all gone. They have all been dead,” She said without remorse.