As Adrian walked through the halls of his personal manor, his mind was in disarray. He had truly believed he'd buried every feeling he once held for Eloise. So then—why did he smile when he heard she had come to visit?
'During the Noble Banquet, was I able to look past her because I was busy?' he wondered, the question echoing as he stepped into the lounge.
Eloise was already there, seated with quiet poise. Her presence filled the room like a forgotten melody.
"Is something the matter?" Eloise asked, noticing his confused expression.
Adrian studied her, then sank into the velvet sofa, resting his chin on his fist. His eyes met hers
"They've changed."
<>???<>
For once, Adrian couldn't gaze into Eloise's soul. He couldn't tell what she was. That sensation—of staring into a void wrapped in familiarity —had only occurred with Olga and Lue.
"It's nice knowing I am no longer an open book." Eloise smiled as she also took her seat.
"What is scarier ; something that exists beyond understanding or something that shouldn't exist at all… I am Eloise, and that is all you need to know."
Adrian frowned. The name slipped out before he could stop it.
"What is it, Loise?"
He didn't like the bitter taste of his own medicine; he had told Eloise this once.
Eloise paused at the name—Loise?—then smiled and said,
"I don't know where I fall."
"So you came here thinking I'd have the answer? Well, I don't know what you are." Adrian said, leaning back into the sofa.
"I came here hoping to change your mind," Eloise said, determination filling her eyes.
"But first, I want to know, what is your goal?"
"He" Adrian let out a short chuckle, pressing his fingers against his brow before meeting Eloise's eyes once more.
"Rian, do I look like I came here to joke?" Eloise said, a slight frown forming on her face.
" I'd have to know yours first then." Adrian replied acknowledging her seriousness.
"I will shape the world in my image." Eloise declared, then a short paused ensued.
The click of the clock, the chirping of birds in the distance, the gossip of servants in the manor.
Adrian held his chin with a thoughtful expression and then smiled "Our goals align a lot then." He said. Eloise had really surprised him. He wanted the world, and so did she.
"No, you'd burn everything and anything down a long as you achieve it." Eloise shook her head.
"This isn't a fable where evil wears a crown and good wears a halo. Lives will be taken, innocent ones." He said. "In the beginning, this was a game to me, I questioned myself; I couldn't escape what I am. I realized, that I really did care for certain people, like my family, my subordinates... you." He paused, "To make up for the lives I take, I will protect the ones I take under my helm with every fibre within me."
"I am happy you say that... but, you, care?" Eloise gave a skeptic smile.
"Well, at least, Maria cares about them, and I care about Maria."
Their conversation slowly shifted from one of their political goals and visions to one about themselves; Adrian would even flash genuine smiles from time to time.
"How's the little bird." He asked, but his eyes looked over Eloise's back, at her shadow, it twitched with an unnatural hum, the candle lights flickered.
Eloise paused "You mean, Leron?" She stared intently at Adrian. He chuckled slightly and smiled "I am genuinely curious about his whereabouts."
"That smile is beautiful," Eloise smiled, but then, she wandered down her memory lane, back two months ago. "Leron is alright."
Suddenly, the clouds turned dark, the winds became stale an choky, the ground rumbled slightly as though I giant had stepped foot on land. An ominous presence filled the atmosphere.
"Void."
"Anulian."
Both Eloise and Adrian stare at each other, surprised that the other knew of the Ant-creature.
Both Eloise and Adrian froze. That name should have been lost—Zethar had erased every trace. Yet here it was, alive on both their tongues.
"Sorry, but I can't ignore this." Eloise said, her eyes turning completely green, the Yggdrasil gem reappearing on her forehead.
"Then I shall go with you." Adrian rose to his feet. Shadows bled off his form as his attire shifted to ashen-grey, fabric dissolving into smoke and reforming like living armor. A white mask slid into place over his face, blank and unyielding, while dark fire ignited in the hollow sockets where eyes should have been. Above him, a halo burned into existence—neither light nor flame, but something between divinity and ruin.
Eloise hesitated for a breath, her gaze locked on Adrian's outstretched hand. The green glow of the Yggdrasil gem pulsed like a heartbeat, casting eerie shadows across the lounge. She reached out slowly, her fingers brushing his palm—then clasping it.
The moment their hands touched, the room warped, they now loomed in he air, above a plant like Anulian.
Eloise's aura burst forth, bending the air around her. Just as she prepared to strike, the wind split with a piercing whistle.
A shadow tore through the Anulian.
- First form: Dragon Essence-
Boom.
White flames ate the Anulian, until it burst into white light and rose into the heavens.
The figure however was long gone.
'Valhalla?' Adrian pondered, why did he save the county. He phased away with Eloise again.
Far off, from the Cathedral's heights, Seline had watched it all."An Anti-creature… The Light Corps must intervene."Her gaze lingered on the slums where the Anulian had fallen.'But who were those three…?'