Dylan ran through the corridors with Aiden following behind them. Seekers rushed about, either gathering in teams and planning or upgrading their equipment. One glance told Aiden what was happening: war.
Genevieve's office was only accessible through a portal that led to the Vice-Master's office, Erebus. In the chaos and confusion, Dylan used his badge to enter the office and to find Erebus standing while facing the door.
Aiden followed.
"I need to see her," Dylan told the Shadowkin. "Please make way."
"I cannot allow that," Erebus said as he turned toward them. Rays of unstable energy pulsed through his elusive form. "Our Aetherial guest is already here."
"He is… here?" Dylan staggered back.
Aiden could feel his back drenching in sweat. For natives of this world, their knowledge about the difference in power made them afraid of the higher ranks.
"We can still change her mind," Aiden said.
"Are you mad?" Dylan asked. "We would be obliterated by a single breath."
Aiden stared at the man's eyes and saw genuine fear in them, that seemed to overcome his obsession. In the end, he sighed and began walking toward the door.
Erebus turned toward him. The two faced against one another.
"Don't take another step forward, Aiden," Erebus said. "This is far bigger than you. Our plans have been canceled."
"Once I agree to something, you can't just cancel it," Aiden said with a grin as he walked forward. "If you want to stop me, then you will have to kill me."
Erebus was silent, and raised his hand. Tendrils of darkness whipped out, slashing the reception room apart. Aiden walked forward — unfazed. The whips destroyed everything around him but did not touch him.
Aiden stopped when he was shoulder to shoulder with the Shadowkin. Then, he patted his shoulder.
"I'll make sure she doesn't give up on her goal," Aiden said.
"You're not afraid of getting killed?" Erebus asked as he turned toward him, while the tendrils of darkness faded.
"I don't back down when facing disaster," Aiden said with a grin. "I walk straight into it."
Then, he walked toward the two doors and opened them. The last time he was here, Aiden met Genevieve for the first time. This time, he'll make sure that it's not the last. The giant room remained untouched.
Genevieve stood with her back facing the door. She was looking at a figure standing near the bookshelves, inspecting them thoroughly. As the door opened, she turned toward him — and her eyes widened.
"What are you—" she began to ask, and then stopped.
Aiden looked at the man standing near the bookshelves. He stood with a straight back, wearing a long leather coat of white and gold. His entire presence seemed to radiate light, almost intangible.
The man turned to face Aiden. His eyes were eerily golden, while his short-faded hair was blonde. His nose looked celestial, and his skin was unblemished.
"Damn, why is everyone so damn pretty?" Aiden blurted.
The man frowned.
His shift of mood was accompanied by roaring winds that stormed the office and rushed toward Aiden. They created a sensation of pressure on him as a strange energy washed over him.
Aiden realized it must be the man's aura.
"Who is this impudent man?" the man asked, his voice deep and growling. "How does he dare to interrupt our conversation?"
"Please forgive him, Your Highness," Genevieve said in a hurry. "He is a rash disciple of mine who doesn't know any manners."
"That's just hurtful," Aiden interjected, to which both Genevieve and the man glared at him. "My name is Aiden. How are you doing?"
"Miss Genevieve," the man said. "Please ask your servants to escort this man out — unless you want his blood staining your carpet. I refuse to have this disrespectful man in my presence."
"Ah, I get it now," he said, nodding sagely. "Daddy issues, right? Let me guess—your celestial parents were too busy 'maintaining cosmic balance' to give you a proper hug, so now you overcompensate by acting like the universe owes you worship. Classic."
The man's golden eyes flared, the air around him crackling with barely restrained power. Genevieve looked like she was considering throwing Aiden out the window herself.
"Or maybe," Aiden continued, undeterred, "you were just the kid who got told 'no' once and decided to spend eternity making sure no one ever dared again. Honestly, it's a little sad. Have you considered therapy? I hear even gods have unresolved trauma."
The pressure in the room intensified, the very air vibrating with fury. Genevieve pinched the bridge of her nose, muttering something under her breath that sounded suspiciously like, "I'm going to murder him myself."
But Aiden just grinned, stepping further into the room. "Either way, Your Highness, you might want to work on that temper. All that divine wrath can't be good for your complexion."
The man finally snapped, and a torrent of wild energy flared toward Aiden. It ripped through the office like it was paper, rushing toward him at a speed he couldn't even react to — until someone stood in front of him.
Genevieve threw herself in front of Aiden. She didn't use her own energy — because it would be futile. The attack stopped inches away from her and dissipated.
"You want to defend him?" the man asked. "What is he to you?"
"A very foolish disciple," she said. "Please give me a moment to teach him a lesson."
Genevieve turned around, her violet sword appearing in her hand. She struck at Aiden with the sheathed sword, seemingly ready to send him flying out of the room. However, she froze in place.
Aiden held out the Voidheart Sutra toward her.
"I don't want this," he said with a cold expression. "If I want handouts, it would be from someone I respect."
Genevieve looked at him like he was mad. Her sword disappeared as she stared at the technique that her master protected with her life.
"You don't know how valuable this is," she said.
"I do, but I still refuse to take it. If you want me to learn it, then you will have to teach me yourself."
"That's no longer possible," the man interrupted. "I have no idea who you are — but Genevieve Solmire and I are to be engaged soon. Nothing could stop this destiny."