Chapter 284. Engaged

Eastern Continent.

Riva Archipelago.

50th Island.

The twin moons cast their glow on all beneath.

The waves of the sea crushed on the shore.

A group of two were calmly seated at the beach.

The young lady, Desmonda, rested in Aiden’s arms without a care in the world. Her expression was warm and serene. She didn’t want the moment to pass.

Aiden’s eyes were full of warmth and care for her as he occasionally brushed his hand through her hair.

"Babe," Desmonda said.

"Hun," Aiden replied.

"I’ll miss you," Desmonda replied.

"I’ll miss you more, Des," Aiden replied warmly.

"By the time you get Endra registered into the wider Interstellar community and return, I will be a legendary rank 4 warrior," Desmonda said. "That way, when the universal cultivation method to advance above rank 4 is introduced to Endra, I can also grow stronger and travel the sea of stars too. I know becoming as strong as you may not be possible. And I don’t have a problem with that because you are a monster who cannot be viewed with common sense. But that doesn’t mean I should remain a weak link to you."

"I have no doubt about that, dear," Aiden said warmly and planted a kiss on her lips.

The two were lost in each other’s love for a few moments as the evening breeze brushed through their hair and clothes, causing them to flutter.

"Close your eyes," Aiden said.

Suddenly, Desmonda felt something was put on her hand.

"Is that what I think it is?" she thought.

"Open it." Aiden’s words interrupted her thoughts.

When she saw the ring on her finger, she couldn’t help but cover her mouth with her hand. A tear of joy fell from her eyes.

"I don’t know when we will be strong enough to a point where absolutely no power can decide our fate and that of our loved ones, Des. But one thing is certain. When we reach that realm of power, I am definitely settling down with you. And this ring is a reminder of that commitment. I don’t know if you should call it an engagement ring or a promise ring. But I just want you to know this is how much it means to me." Aiden brushed his hand through her hair.

"Both. Both. We are engaged!" Desmonda threw herself into Aiden’s arms, her head resting on his chest. He was much taller than her now, at 1.9 meters. "I will be looking forward to that future, Aiden. Let’s grow stronger to a point where there’s no higher realm of power to pursue, a realm where no one can even harbor the thought of trying to impose their ideals on us, and our fate will be completely in our hands, and let’s settle down, have kids we will give the freedom to pursue their own dreams, and of course, I will also become a professional novelist and gamer, hehe."

Aiden nodded warmly and planted a kiss on Desmonda’s forehead. "Mmmm."

A glint of determination flashed through his eyes.

The road ahead was indeed a long one. He was now an advanced rank 3 warrior. For them to be able to have this future, he needed to get his power to transcendent rank 9, the highest level of power in the universe.

He didn’t know how long it would take. But he would make sure it was possible.

He would do everything possible to ensure that that future was possible.

A future where he and Desmonda could live life on their own terms. A future where he was powerful enough to a point where no matter the threats lurking in the universe, he and his loved ones simply wouldn’t care because no threat would be a threat to them.

The Universe could continue to be dangerous for others. Brutal even. But when his power gets to level of a transcendent rank 9 warrior, every form of so-called threat, like pocket worlds, chaotic beasts, and powers that will oppose him along the way, will be completely irrelevant to him because they won’t be able to do anything to him and those he cares about.

Aiden did not have a grand goal of saving the universe. He just wanted to become so overwhelmingly powerful that no one would be able to control him, tell him and his loved ones how to live their lives, or control their fate.

"A life without the freedom to decide your own fate is another form of slavery," Aiden said.

He had been raised in a background where freedom to make his decisions was impossible. He knew firsthand how miserable that kind of life was.

"Spoken like a sage, my good man," Desmonda nodded and courtesied playfully.

"You..."

"Catch me if you can..."

"Oh, I will."

The couple ran across the beach, playing with each other.

In the distance, Seraphina, Candice, Asmodeus, and Luke had been approaching the duo. But they stopped on realising how intimate the two were being with each other. They just decided to let the couple enjoy themselves.

"How romantic of those two," Seraphina chuckled.

"Aiden really means business," Candice added. "He even gave Desmonda a ring."

Chills crawled up the spines of Asmodeus and Luke.

What was this ominous feeling they were experiencing?

Seraphina and Candice’s words were sweet, but why did they feel like bloodlust was behind the words?

Suddenly, glints of realisation flashed through their eyes.

"Ah... indeed. Sigh... it can’t be helped. I was intending to surprise you on your birthday, Seraphina."

"Me too, Candice. But I guess we will have to change plans, right? Luke?"

"Yeah."

The girls looked at Asmodeus and Luke.

"Awww. You know what, let it wait till my birthday."

"Me too. We are so sorry for thinking you guys are not intentional."

Seraphina hugged Asmodeus, and Candice hugged Luke.

Luke and Asmodeus heaved sighs of relief.

Women...

But on a serious note, they had to let Candice and Seraphina know that they were very serious about them. Even if the times did not favor settling down, they had to at least do something similar to what Aiden had just done with Desmonda, on their birthdays.