Rosie's Games

502  Why?

For what felt like an eternity, Rosalind carried the weight of the world on her shoulders. The burden in her chest felt like an impossibly heavy load. However, she remained resolute. There was no way she would give up now.

She bit her lower lip as she contemplated her determination.

"Why?" a voice suddenly echoed in her mind.

"Huh?"

"Why are you doing what you are doing?" the voice inquired.

For the first time since earlier, Rosalind began to doubt herself. And just like that, the blessing fluctuated, leaving a taste of iron on her lips before she spat out blood.

Almost immediately, Lucas appeared beside her.

"You can stop now," he said. The fluctuations soon vanished, but so did her blessing.

"We are leaving," Lucas uttered. In the blink of an eye, the world around them shifted and blurred as Lucas employed his teleportation abilities to transport them back to Wugari. Rosalind, disoriented by the sudden change, clutched her head and closed her eyes, trying to regain her bearings.

Without saying another word, Lucas materialized next to her and offered a glass of water. She accepted it gratefully and drank it down in one go. Just now, she realized how dry her throat was. "Thank you," she managed to whisper.

"Hmm," Lucas acknowledged, scanning their surroundings. He promptly produced another glass of water, which she accepted without saying another word. The tension in the air was unmistakable.

Soon enough, Belisarius materialized not too far from them, his appearance unscathed, much like Lucas. "I should have known that this had something to do with the Thun Family," he lamented, casting aside Lucas's earlier declaration.

Rosalind clenched her teeth as she worked to piece together the puzzle. "The Thun Family?"

Belisarius nodded solemnly, his expression heavy with knowledge and concern. "For years, they delved into experiments, seeking to enhance their strength. They relentlessly pursued ways to bestow blessings upon individuals, regardless of their bloodlines."

Rosalind's thoughts immediately turned to the monstrous humans they had encountered in the past. The realization sent shivers down her spine.

"There's a possibility that the object you are looking for is in the North," she said.

"In the North?" Belisarius echoed, his brows furrowing in contemplation.

She nodded pensively, contemplating the challenges posed by the harsh winters and the dangerous human monsters inhabiting the region. It was the perfect hiding place for the elusive object.

Her thoughts then drifted to Elias and Valentin, whom she had dispatched to investigate the origins of the monstrous humans. Thanks to the magical bracelet she had provided them, she sensed that they were still alive and well. However, the lack of communication made her worry. She could not help but wonder if they had made any discoveries.

"What happened to Edepes?" she inquired, shifting her attention to the demons they had faced earlier.

"The dark matter has receded, but... the demons have proven more resilient than expected," Belisarius replied.

"We were already aware of this before the fight," Lucas chided, his displeasure evident as he glared at Belisarius. However, the latter chose to ignore him.

"You should find Elias and Valentin," Rosalind urged, her voice laden with urgency. "They are currently exploring the North, searching for the root cause of those humans turning into monsters."

Belisarius appeared surprised by her decision. "You are not coming?"

This time, Rosalind pursed her lips, her gaze distant as she contemplated her choice. "No," she finally replied.

"May I know why?" Belisarius inquired, clearly puzzled by her unexpected reluctance.

Rosalind merely blinked, unable to provide a straightforward answer, even to herself. Yes, she, too, wondered why she was making this choice, what was she trying to do? Why was she entangled in this web of mysteries, secrets, and dangers? Why was she risking everything to help the humans?

"I needed rest," Rosalind uttered. This was her second chance at life. This was a precious gift she had fought for and now held in her grasp. She was determined to protect it at all costs and refuse to squander the opportunity fate had granted her.

She bravely met Belisarius's gaze. When she woke up that day, she vowed to live a better life. She- Somehow, she was able to change her fate but for some reason, she was still not allowed to live a good life.

A part of her thought this was a little unfair, however, she soon realized that she did not want to risk her second chance at life, not for anything.

Belisarius nodded in understanding. Especially for someone like Rosalind, whose body had been inhabited by another soul, rest was essential.

He then turned his inquisitive gaze to Lucas. "How about you?" he asked, curiosity evident in his words. Lucas had been very different from the Lucas in the past.

Was this the power of... love?

Lucas did not hesitate for a moment. "I will rest with her," he declared without batting an eyelid.

Belisarius looked utterly flabbergasted as he chose to ignore Lucas's declaration and instead focused his attention squarely on Rosalind. He had been taken aback by her display of power earlier, the first time he had witnessed her effortless use of her blessings.

It was clear to him that Rosalind had been grappling with the weight of her abilities and the relentless memories that haunted her. He had never expected her to master the use of both the light and dark blessings simultaneously.

It was a remarkable feat, a testament to her growing control and understanding of her unique gifts. And she is only going to become stronger and stronger.

"The demon saw you," Belisarius uttered. "Though I am almost certain they only saw a large orb of light hovering in the air, it's still wise for you to take care of yourself."

Rosalind responded with a contemplative "Hmmm..." Her mind was already racing, assessing the situation and formulating a plan.

"Then I will take care of the object," Belisarius declared, his gaze lingering on Rosalind's body as if trying to peer into her very being. Without further ado, he vanished.

 Nôv(el)B\\jnn