A Promise In The Dark

Chapter 66 — A Promise in the Dark

Night settled over the forest.

The battle had left the area unusually quiet.

Inside the cave, the injured Origin Beast slept while Seris continued monitoring its condition.

Kael remained unconscious.

Aether sat near the entrance, looking over the forest.

He had barely rested since the fight.

A soft set of footsteps approached.

"You haven't slept."

Aether glanced sideways.

Aria sat beside him.

"Neither have you."

"I was waiting for you."

Aether raised an eyebrow.

"For me?"

Aria nodded.

"I wanted to talk."

Aether turned toward her.

"About what?"

Aria hesitated.

For years, she had imagined having this conversation.

But now that the moment had arrived, the words felt harder to say.

"You've changed."

Aether smiled faintly.

"Everyone keeps telling me that."

"I'm serious."

"So am I."

Aria looked toward the forest.

"When we were children, you always wanted to become stronger."

"I still do."

"You used to tell me that one day you'd leave this place and see the world."

Aether's expression softened.

"I remember."

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"You also promised something else."

Aether thought for a moment.

Then remembered.

"That I'd take you with me."

Aria smiled.

"You remembered."

"Of course."

A quiet moment passed.

Aria lowered her gaze.

"I was afraid you'd forget."

Aether looked at her.

"I don't forget people who matter to me."

Her cheeks became slightly warm.

She looked away quickly.

"Then don't forget me."

Aether's smile faded into something more sincere.

"I won't."

Aria nodded.

"That's enough."

She stood.

But before she could leave, Aether spoke.

"Aria."

She turned.

"You've been beside me for a long time."

"Yes."

"I don't want you staying beside me because of some promise we made when we were children."

Aria stared at him.

"Then why should I stay?"

Aether answered without hesitation.

"Because you want to."

Aria's eyes softened.

"I do."

She smiled.

"I always have."

Then she walked back inside.

Aether remained silent.

He didn't miss the meaning behind her words.

Not anymore.

The next morning, Aether gathered everyone.

Kael was still unconscious.

The injured beast was awake but weak.

Gorn stood nearby while Lyra, Aria, and Seris listened.

Aether placed the black fragment he had collected on a stone.

"We have a problem."

Lyra looked at it.

"The crystal?"

"Yes."

Aether activated the system.

[Foreign Origin Fragment detected.]

[Assimilation possible.]

[Estimated ability compatibility: High.]

Aether looked at everyone.

"Blackridge wants Kael because of this."

He pointed toward the fragment.

"And now we know these fragments can give abilities."

Lyra's eyes widened.

"You gained Shadow Step from one."

Aether nodded.

"Which means there may be more abilities."

Seris crossed her arms.

"And Blackridge probably knows that."

"Exactly."

Aether looked toward the western forest.

"They won't stop."

Gorn growled.

"Then we kill them."

Aether nodded.

"If they attack again."

Aria looked at him.

"And if they don't?"

Aether's eyes narrowed.

"Then we find out why they're collecting the fragments."

Lyra smiled.

"So we're hunting them?"

Aether shook his head.

"No."

He picked up the fragment.

"We're following their trail."

A few hours later, Aether stood at the edge of the territory.

The others were preparing supplies.

Lyra walked toward him.

"You're leaving again."

"Yes."

"Alone?"

Aether looked at her.

"I'll be back."

Lyra frowned.

"That's not what I asked."

Aether smiled.

"You're worried."

"Obviously."

She crossed her arms.

"You keep walking into dangerous places by yourself."

"I'm stronger than before."

"That doesn't mean you're invincible."

Aether paused.

Lyra's expression softened.

"I don't want to hear that you disappeared somewhere because you thought you could handle everything alone."

Aether looked into her eyes.

Then nodded.

"Fine."

"Fine?"

"I'll take someone with me next time."

Lyra smiled.

"Good."

She stepped closer.

"And don't forget what you promised."

Aether raised an eyebrow.

"What promise?"

"That you'd come back."

Aether looked at her for a moment.

Then smiled.

"I will."

Lyra turned away, hiding the slight redness on her face.

Aether watched her leave.

He had known Lyra only for a relatively short time.

Yet somehow—

her concern had begun to matter to him.

Different from Aria.

But no less real.

He looked toward the forest.

There were still too many unanswered questions.

Blackridge.

The fragments.

Kael.

The strange beast.

And the path ahead.

Aether tightened his grip on his weapon.

His journey wasn't simply about becoming stronger anymore.

It was becoming a journey with people he didn't want to lose.

And that made every step forward more meaningful.

[Origin Awakening — Stage 6]

[Origin Points: 60 / 650]

Aether glanced at the notification.

A faint smile appeared.

"Still a long way to go."

Then he stepped into the forest.