Chapter 552: The Price of Protection

"I find it surprising to hear this from you, truly. I don’t doubt your honesty; I just never expected you to actually worry about the people of the Blue Rose."

Aether tilted his head, not sure if he was really serious or just making fun of him; after all, in his mind, what he had said made no sense.

"It doesn’t matter where they are from; they are human, just like me, so what does it matter where they are from? And plus, this concerns the whole world; if your people are strong, they will help protect the others too."

Silas smiled, tapping his fingers against the table. "While true, I’m sure a lot of my people don’t see it that way; they don’t see you the same as them, just because you’re from the Withered. And you are aware of that; it’s hard not to when they directly say it to you. And yet, you seem not to care."

Aether leaned back in his seat, crossing his arms. "Whatever, does it matter? They disgust me, don’t get me wrong, but that doesn’t mean they have to die. Plus, I told you already, if they get strong and are prepared for it, they will also help other nations."

Silas nodded, surprised by his attitude... in his eyes, Aether seemed... slightly different from how he was days ago; it made him wonder what had happened. What made him act like this so suddenly? "Well, I will accept your warning and take it to heart; I appreciate it... Now speak up; I know you want to say something else. I can see it in your eyes. Desperation."

Aether frowned slightly, annoyed that he had seen right through him. He should really learn to hide his emotions and intentions; it would help him a lot. "In this war, I will serve under you, accept any mission and task, for the price that you protect the Withered as if it were just another Blue Rose. I want you to protect the whole of your Kingdom."

Silas’ eyes widened at his remark, an open grin appearing on his face, as his eyes narrowed slightly, turning his head to the side as he glanced at him with the corner of his eye. Trying to see if he was really telling the truth, or bluffing. "You would go as far as giving your own freedom away for this war, just to ensure their protection? You aren’t the same, not even close... makes me believe even more that you are telling the truth. You couldn’t have changed in just a few days."

Aether sighed. "It’s a sacrifice I need to make, plus, I already planned to participate in the war, serving under someone with a better understanding of leading, and with a lot of people and resources, it gives me more benefits than if I were to do it alone. In a war of this size, the world will need to unite."

...

"You remind me of someone," Silas said, leaning forward toward him. "And you making this decision makes me hope he will too." Aether tilted his head, confused about who he could be comparing him to; he didn’t think he knew someone who would make such a sacrifice for the Withered. "Who? I mean, I don’t expect you to be friends with a lot of Withered supporters."

Silas scoffed. "Of course I’m not, and he is not a friend. The Vessel of the Fallen, Chaos; he’s Witheredborn, and definitely has a deep love for it... and a hatred for the Blue Rose, but interestingly, not for the people, but for the nation itself. He’s an interesting case.

But we’re getting off track. Back to the deal. When you say you will serve under me, you mean to me just like any of my other soldiers, to command and manage on the battlefield."

"What else could I mean?" He commented, which made Silas roll his eyes.

"I’m just surprised. I would have expected you to lead under your father, I mean, in a war like this, if true, where we will be heavily preoccupied with surviving and fighting back, you will have no problem going back and serving under him, so why me? Is it just because of the Withered?"

Aether shook his head. "It doesn’t matter to me who I serve under; just because it’s my father doesn’t mean I will just choose him. I’m considering many other aspects, and a big benefit of joining Serathia’s army is the Withered’s protection, but also the people. I’ve spent years in the Withered, and a good amount of time here in the Blue Rose, plus my time in the Wonderland; even if others don’t remember the latter, I feel like I know the people fighting for Serathia more than I know those who do for Caelurea.

Plus, as I said, the world will most likely be united, all one army, so it really doesn’t matter."

Silas laughed, liking his response. "I see, then I don’t see a reason not to accept your deal. The Withered will be protected, just like the Blue Rose. I won’t make a distinction between the two, or draw a line, so you shouldn’t worry."

Aether sighed in relief. This was amazing news; after all, if he didn’t do this, the Withered would have been in immense trouble, since he was in no way strong enough to protect it from everything that was going to happen to the world, and there was no time; he couldn’t convince the people to get stronger and rise in the ranks, and also help them with it, before the war manifested. It was way too little time.

So in his eyes, this was the only way to keep them safe; even if it meant that in the war, his freedom was going to be limited, it mattered not, when it meant their safety.

"But I do have a question of my own," Silas said, catching Aether off guard, since he considered their talk over, but apparently, the King didn’t think so either.

Aether nodded, awaiting to hear what he had on his mind.

"What are you planning on doing now, after this? Since you know about this war, what are you going to do to prepare?"

Aether bit the inside of his lip; there was a lot on his mind when it came to his own future, to what he was going to have to do. He had to get Raven back; Voidpiercer was never going to be enough, and he was probably going to have Atlas make it for him, but beyond that, Winter was coming, meaning the people of the Academy would be entering stories. Before, he wasn’t able to participate, since he was part of the Expedition inside the Wonderland, but now, if Silas was going to take his advice, it wasn’t going to happen, giving him the time to enter some stories himself.

He planned on getting back his ability, or rather trying, since he had no idea if he was going to get it again; he hoped so, since, in his opinion, it was a must because of Gravewalker limitations. He also wanted to help Inky level up again, maybe even more, since he himself planned on rising in rank, or at least getting his shards up as much as possible, since he wasn’t sure if he could get it up a whole rank.

After all, something else was his priority, and for it, he needed to go as fast as possible.

Becoming a Bearer.

He didn’t think he would be able to do so much as a Seeker, at least not on the level of all the other Bearers and Harbingers, of course, we’re going to do.

Ascending in class would be the best decision he could make. And while he could just ask Silas here to help him with it... he didn’t think that was the best idea... he didn’t want to cheat it; he needed the experience.

"What am I planning to do? I’m planning to work my ass off; that’s what I’m planning to do... get as strong as possible as fast as I can before challenging my trial and ascending to Bearer. Just like all the other Vessels are probably going to do after they hear about the war. I’m not going to be the odd one out."

And he didn’t intend to waste a lot of time before he started; he was going to ask Atlas for his blade, and then see who he could get to challenge a story with him for the Winter, or at least until he reached Enlightenment, and well, he already had a person in mind, if she wasn’t busy, that is. Since he had already been inside a story with her once, and he thought they had made a good enough team.

’Seems I really can’t get out of Fate’s grasp.’

In the months that were to come, the first few, he wasn’t going to have to go as fast as possible; after all, he had no idea just how much his trial was going to take, and even more, whether he was going to have to challenge it alone or with someone.

He would have done it with Sena, but the girl was probably challenging it with Iris and Lilith.

...

But he wouldn’t mind being part of that team; it would certainly make things a lot easier.