CLEAVER OF SIN Chapter 10: A gift

Moments later, Asher stepped out of the bathroom, with a towel wrapped loosely around his waist.

"You can enter now, Lyra," he called out, unwrapping the towel while standing in front of the mirror, dressed solely in his undergarments, silently appreciating his build.

Although he never followed a strict workout routine, he had adapted to this form, adding in basic workouts like a few push-ups, squats, and simple bodyweight exercises. His body didn't really need it, yet he decided to keep a bit of order with these easy routines.

Lyra came in with serene poise, the door shutting gently after her. She walked up to Asher and passed him the clothes picked out for the occasion.

As it was his awakening day, his last chance at it, he needed to look perfect, with no room for error. Taking the clothes, Asher slipped them on smoothly: fitted black pants, a gray shirt with delicate embroidery in soft colors, and shiny black shoes to finish the look.

Asher told Lyra he didn't want to seem flashy, but even in these simple clothes, he exuded a natural elegance. ’Just the looks and body of a natural heartthrob,’ he thought, a faint smile playing on his lips.

"Happy seventeenth birthday, Young Master," Lyra whispered gently, a slight smile gracing her mouth. Then she raised her hand, summoning a little square box that appeared out of nowhere. Softly, she gave it to Asher.

’A space ring,’ Asher pondered, his gaze quickly shifting to the ring on Lyra’s index finger. "Hoo... You’ve never given me a gift before, Lyra. What makes this birthday any different from the previous sixteen?" he queried while taking the small box and opening it cautiously. A wristwatch rested inside.

Coming from a world full of advanced tech, Asher had seen clocks in all sorts of styles and qualities. While the timepieces here couldn't match those wonders, this one had its own special appeal.

"Thank you, Lyra. I truly appreciate this," he replied with a sincere grin, securing the watch on his wrist right away.

Lyra watched quietly as Asher attached the wristwatch with quick dexterity. "I’m glad it pleases you, Young Master," she murmured softly.

Asher gave a nod, a mischievous smile pulling at his mouth. "You know, with our impending banishment, it’s best to save every penny we can."

Lyra didn't laugh, her tone firm and unwavering. "I’m certain this time you will awaken, and prove everyone wrong."

Asher shook his head firmly yet calmly. "I have nothing to prove to anyone, Lyra." Saying that, he moved to the chair where he ate breakfast every morning.

"Breakfast will be served shortly, Young Master," Lyra stated evenly before leaving the room.

’Four days of boredom. No phones, no games, no internet. What do people my age do for amusement? Touch grass, perhaps?’ Asher pondered quietly while consuming the food Lyra had delivered just earlier.

In mere minutes, he finished eating. Standing up, Asher went to the door but stopped right in front of it. He took a deep breath and let it out steadily. Today marked his first real encounter with the world outside. After a short pause of inner strength, he turned the handle and crossed the doorway.

Lyra stood waiting right outside, watching him come out. "Shall we proceed, Lyra?" Asher asked, already heading to the room for the Awakening. In the Wargrave family, all the preparations for the awakening were set up carefully the day before.

Noticing a servant on the path, Asher signaled her to tidy his quarters, seeing the dishes still there. Following a brief stroll, he reached a huge black entrance.

Two sentries flanked it steadfastly, their arms hanging loosely by their sides. When they spotted Asher, they bent low together and said, "Good morning, Tenth Sun."

Asher halted for a second, acknowledging their bow with a tilt of his head. "We wish the Tenth Sun success," they chanted in harmony as the door slid apart smoothly, beckoning him in with a gentle shift. Asher entered promptly, with Lyra trailing right after.

His steps were steady and unhurried, his pulse keeping a even, tranquil beat as he went into the vast space. The room sprawled out hugely, centered by a pedestal rising a meter high, topped by a floating white orb like crystal, hovering just inches above it.

Asher scanned the entire area, taking in the scene. Seats rose in layers around the room like an arena, and among them sat people with varied hair and eye shades, but all radiated a clear sense of threat. Their builds and outfits clearly screamed of lethality.

They were the observers for Asher’s last awakening. The Wargrave clan didn't share one look in hair or eyes; only their awakenings made them stand out, each becoming exceptionally powerful in their way.

’Two Great Elders, three Elders, three Suns, one Moon,’ Asher tallied in his mind as he stopped walking. ’It seems the Primarch and his wife aren't here,’ he wondered curiously to himself.

Lyra had moved back to a far spot, standing watch without a word. This was Asher’s time, to be seen from the edges. The outcome for their futures hung on what happened right here, right now.

A dense quiet filled the space, heavy and undisturbed. Nobody uttered a sound; every gaze locked on Asher, as though pushing him wordlessly to start. In the crowd, Thalric lounged with a mocking smirk on his face.

He showed up sure that Asher would fail again, leading to exile. Indeed, with two past failures, what reason was there for the third to succeed?

Suddenly, the quiet shattered. The entrance behind Asher burst open, showing a figure in a spotless butler's suit, with flawless white gloves. He towered at six feet two, boasting sharp black hair and intense black gaze.

Zarek: the Primarch’s personal butler and trusted right-hand man.