Rosie's Games

Chapter 387: Unwavering Smile

Lucas leaned against the walls of the cave, his gaze fixated on Rosalind as she slept peacefully.

Rosalind, with her grayish hair cascading around her serene face, seemed to blend harmoniously with the natural elements of the cave. The soft light from the pearls above them gently caressed her features, highlighting her beauty in a subdued glow. In this rugged setting, her presence brought a touch of elegance and tranquility.

As he watched her chest rise and fall with each gentle breath, a surge of tenderness welled up within Lucas. The lines on his face softened. He liked her like this.

As tranquility enveloped the cave, Lucas's senses suddenly prickled with a subtle disturbance. A ripple of energy stirred on his left, disrupting the serene atmosphere around them.

His eyes narrowed, sharpening his focus as he instinctively shifted into a state of heightened alertness.

Leaving Rosalind's side, Lucas trod cautiously. Following the trail of rippling energy, Lucas moved forward, navigating the uneven terrain with practiced ease.

The ripple grew stronger, its resonance pulsating through the very fabric of the cave.

As Lucas stood before the source of the ripple, his eyes locked onto its enigmatic presence. The gravity of the moment weighed heavily upon him, his expression serious and contemplative. Without hesitation, he took a decisive step forward, willingly surrendering himself to the beckoning call of the mysterious force that had enveloped the cave.

The energy surged around him, engulfing his very being until he completely vanished leaving Rosalind alone... in the cave.

...

"Really?" Belisarius arched an eyebrow as he laid eyes on Lucas, a flicker of surprise crossing his face. Lucas appeared almost intangible, his form blending with the ethereal presence of the surrounding barrier. "So, you've been concealing yourself here as the barrier weakens?" Belisarius's gaze swept over the subtle ripples and vibrations that resonated in the atmosphere. Until this moment, he had doubted Lucas's ability to create such a distinct space.

Lucas nonchalantly shrugged in response. "Hiding is a subjective term," he remarked, his tone casual.

"Let's not pretend, we do not know your intentions," Belisarius retorted.

A frown creased Lucas's forehead. "Only cowards resort to hiding, Belisarius," he countered. "State your purpose. I have no time for idle conversation."

Belisarius sighed, frustration tinging his voice. "It took me hours to find my way into this... space." This place was hidden between the barrier located in Howling Mountains and the continent itself. He never expected Lucas to find a way to get into this place without completely shattering the barrier that had been protecting the continent from the demons.

Lucas's actions did not even cause a ripple in the barrier. To get to this place, Lucas must have placed himself in danger of... unveiling his true self.

The risk that came along with this trip was simply too much to bear.

He stared at Lucas's nonchalant expression.

"The barrier is about to collapse, Lucas," Belisarius warned. His usually calm self was no longer there.

Lucas tilted his head, a sly smile playing on his lips. "And why exactly is that my concern?"

"Once it collapses, humanity is doomed!" Belisarius retorted, his tone accusing.

Lucas chuckled softly. "Oh, you should know better than anyone that I have no intention of saving them."

"Return," Belisarius urged, his voice tinged with urgency.

"Pardon?" Lucas raised an eyebrow, feigning ignorance.

"Someone has unleashed monstrous beings upon humanity. The casualties are mounting. If you don't intervene, the barrier will weaken even further."

"Belisarius..." Lucas trailed off, his smile widening. "If you think I would return just to play the savior of humans, you're either lost in a dream or hopelessly deluded. Either way, it's of no concern to me. If you came here just to deliver that message, then you can leave now."

"Benjamen!" Belisarius blurted out desperately, his voice laced with a mixture of anguish and pleading.

Seeing Lucas's calm demeanor, Belisarius frowned. "You always hated it when I call you that name," he said, realization dawned on him. Almost immediately, Belisarius's demeanor changed.

"Perhaps, I no longer hate the name."

"You were well aware of the perils that awaited near the Howling Mountains, yet you ventured here regardless! The darkness within this place is slowly seeping into your being, revealing your true nature. I implore you to return to Wugari with me and lend your assistance to the others."

Again, Lucas just smiled at him as if he did not even hear a word that he spoke.

"You assured me, you promised, that this place would not corrupt you. You claimed your purpose was solely to train her. Yet, you..."

However, Lucas remained undeterred, his smile unyielding. "She had been having dreams, Belisarius..." Lucas's voice resonated inside the space.

"You-"

Lucas maintained an unwavering smile, his gaze fixed on Belisarius. "Soon, she will know what happened in the past," he continued, his voice tinged with a blend of anticipation and somber reflection. "The humans she once held dear, the ones she loved most... they betrayed her."

"And she will know," Lucas beamed. "She will see..."

"What are you intending to do?" Belisarius frowned. When he told him that he only came here to train Rosalind, he believed him. Now, it seems that the man's scheme was deeper than that.

This space... this place held secrets that only she and Lucas knew. Belisarius was certain that Lucas was attempting to exploit the intricacies of the past, seeking advantage in the enigmatic web of time and memory. Either way, he did not like where this was going.

Deep within his heart, Belisarius held a conviction that Lucas's true purpose in this space was not to awaken the dormant remnants of the Goddess residing within Rosalind. Awakening it would have meant death to Lucas.

Did he come here simply because he wanted her to remember?

What was he intending to do?

With a dismissive wave of his hand, Lucas spoke with an air of detachment, his voice laced with a hint of annoyance. "Go forth," he commanded, his tone conveying a desire to be freed from the burdens of mundane concerns. "Do not bother me with such trivial matters."