Ixion, having escaped his body, floated around his own room and then through the door, trusting his assassin to do her job diligently.
After all, she was one of the three who knew his end goal. She'd never let him die on her watch.
Hell, even if Ixion's body died while in his soul form, who knew if he would actually die?
'People don't die when they are killed! That would be preposterous!'
Ixion snickered in his head as he passed through the door to his chambers and looked over at Sebastian, who was awkwardly shifting his weight from his left to right foot, with two guards on either side of him.
'Man… that looks like one boring ass job. Who would saddle such a noble young fellow with such a meticulous, dull task?!'
The ghost of Ixion laughed.
'I would, of course.'
Ixion continued floating along, increasing his speed to an inhuman pace.
His destination?
He hadn't a clue himself. Well, he knew the person he was floating towards and the general direction — North-northwest, toward the Chrys Commonwealth.
Having fought by Hope's side for years and constantly basking next to his arrogantly blazing soul, Ixion could find the man anywhere within his range, which he hadn't escaped by now.
Ixion's soul sped through the air and floated to a stop right behind the gallant knight who trudged along on a lonely path in the wilderness.
With a pitiful sneer, Ixion decided to catch up with Hope, see how he was doing.
Ixion guided his soul into Hope's body, nestling alongside Hope's brilliant spirit.
The moment he did, Hope froze.
Ixion lacked the ability to take over and control one as powerful as Hope, but he could talk into his mind.
'How are you—?'
Hope ground his teeth as he stood still and muttered:
"Get out."
'Aw, don't be so mean. I just wanted to ask how it's going. Speaking of that… Where are we? Have you already crossed the border?'
Hope picked his feet back up and resumed his solitary march.
"Get out, Ixion."
'Don't be so harsh to your friend! And remember, I'm a king. A king!'
"Spew your lies and half-truths in someone else's mind."
Ixion's soul rattled, interrupting Hope's soul's connection with his body and nearly making him trip over himself.
In a dramatized thought, Ixion joked:
'I have feelings too, you know!'
"So do the people you abandoned. Have you spared a single thought for their cries?"
Ixion's soul laughed gleefully.
'Well, of course I have! They won't shut up. I have been wondering, though… When should I shut them up by force? Any tips, general? You were mighty good at that.'
Hope sneered and began to draw his sword, which could cut through the very essence of life.
'Whoa, whoa! Put that thing away! What have I done to you!'
Hope turned the blade on himself.
'See you later, Hope!'
Ixion escaped just in time before Hope could strike his soul.
Hope stopped and calmly said:
"I'll revisit you too, one day."