Killed Me? Now I Have Your Power Chapter 454: A reason to like dancing

"Well, I will be damned." Kaden muttered in shock, struggling to accept that anything like this could actually occur. Yet the real puzzle lingered... what reason was there for it not to happen?

He had to concede that the kiss held something extraordinary. At minimum, that much rang true for him.

’Even so, if that kiss granted her some advantages, could it have done the same for me?’

Assuming it had, precisely what advantage had come his way?

"Why in Sorrow’s name do you appear so displeased by this?" Rea interrupted his musing, pulling his focus back to her. "You ought to be thrilled, Kaden."

"Thrilled about having my power taken?" He responded with a mocking grin. "Of course, you’re spot on. Shall I leap to my feet and burst into song?"

’Oh, I’m always the one snatching power from others, aren’t I? But that privilege belongs solely to me. No one else gets to take from me—unless I graciously permit it.’

"I only gained some passive abilities." Rea explained, rolling her eyes. "It’s not a big deal, Kaden. So lighten up; we just witnessed a goddess battling to dispel the shadows."

"A truly uncommon view, I’d say."

"Absolutely. And the backdrop couldn’t be better." She remarked, glancing at the gruesome carnage surrounding them. "Could we visit—!"

"No."

"I didn’t even—!"

"No point in completing that. I know exactly what you’re aiming for, and the answer is a firm no."

"Sorrow scorch me, why are you acting so brusque today? Has my neck scar made you stop loving me?" Her tone sharpened as she locked eyes with Kaden, gently tracing the stitching on her neck.

Each time her fingers grazed it, Kaden spotted a shiver running through her frame. In that moment, it hit him fully that Rea... had truly perished.

Her death came from shielding him. She fell while remaining true despite impossible challenges. She vanished because she refused to leave him, even when escape was possible.

Here she stood now, trapped in this dire condition, bearing a scar that would endure eternally—on her body, mind, and spirit.

The mark was indelible, a constant echo of her demise and her devotion.

Rea Thornspire had demonstrated her devotion in a manner beyond his wildest imaginings.

As those memories flooded back, and he grasped the sheer willpower Rea mustered to hold herself together right then, Kaden let out a breath and rose to his feet.

The God-Touched woman’s brow furrowed immediately, as she reached out to push him down gently with her palms.

"Sit down. What’s with standing now?"

Kaden dodged her grasp nimbly, then shifted his form so that Rea ended up seated before him, her back leaning against his torso.

A surprised squeak escaped her at the abrupt change.

"I’ve recovered sufficiently." Kaden murmured close to her ear. "Now it’s time for me to pamper you."

"I enjoy indulging you."

"And yourself?"

"Indulging you brings me the same joy. Sorrow claim my soul, don’t downplay how much satisfaction I get from seeing you at ease."

For a brief instant, Kaden’s lips pressed into a thin line, struck by the profound honesty woven into Rea’s every syllable.

Then a smile broke across his face as he tenderly took hold of Rea’s pale locks. "In that case, let me feel what you’ve felt. Joy stemming from your joy. Sounds rather profound."

"Will you—!"

"Do you enjoy music?" Kaden inquired suddenly.

"Huh? Not sure. I’ve never really considered it."

’I’ve certainly never had the chance to explore it.’ Rea thought to herself.

"But do you?" Rea pressed, her eyelids fluttering shut in calm, attuned to Woeful’s anguished groans as she knelt nearby and Kaden’s fingers stroking her hair.

"Me?" Kaden burst out. "Oh, I suppose I don’t mind it. But I’m not overly attached either. Still, there’s this person I know whose whole existence revolves around music. If only fate had granted her that freedom."

Rea stiffened. "She?" She rasped. "Her?" Her tone iced over. "Don’t say it’s yet another woman, Kaden. Sorrow incinerate me, I swear I’ll—!"

"She’s just a friend."

"You don’t require friends. Least of all females. And why do so many women flock to you, Kaden?"

"Perks of being handsome, probably. Look at me—I’m impressively good-looking."

"Sorrow’s whisper, a guy who knows he’s attractive is revolting."

"Then you’d have adored Sirius Asterion."

"Who—!"

"Now, let’s get you into something enjoyable." Kaden cut her off as he stood up. Rea spun toward him, watching his right hand extend in a welcoming pose.

"I rarely like much, Kaden. Aside from wealth and causing pain to others." She said softly, hesitantly clasping his hand before rising to face him.

"Perhaps it’s time you discovered something more... ordinary to appreciate?" He suggested, seizing both her hands. "Recall how we reunited after all those years?"

Recognition sparked in Rea’s gaze. "In that filthy wolf-infested tavern?" She laughed lightly. "During a dance?"

"Exactly. Our paths crossed again on the dance floor." He beamed. "Why not turn it into a cherished memory? Dancing, that is. Neither of us favors it much. But we could grow to enjoy it together."

"So romantic of you."

"Heaven help a betrothed man trying his hardest."

Rea let out a sharp laugh, then bridged the gap between them, molding her form to his. Forehead met forehead, nose touched nose, lips grazed lips in a feather-light tease.

"I’m all for the idea." She breathed, her smile broad. "What kind of dance?"

"I haven’t a clue." Kaden replied, delivering a light tap before beginning to sway, with Rea mirroring his motions. "We’ll simply dance."

"Without pause." Rea added on impulse.

Kaden inclined his head.

"Without pause. Endlessly, without mercy."

Their gazes intertwined. They glided over the bloody expanse—splashes of red erupting, scarlet mists coiling about them—their steps crafting a pattern fit for a fallen deity of demise.

The pair moved in uncanny harmony, their footfalls tracing an arcane design upon the sanguine waves.

The scene captivated completely, and the heavens started to glow as though saluting this ceremonial waltz.

In this way, Rea and Kaden danced once more, chuckling while a goddess writhed in agony at their side.

Thus, a duo who had no fondness for dancing discovered a motive to embrace it, all thanks to one another.

...

"Argh!"

Kaden and Rea halted their dance at last, their heads whipping toward Woeful, who had roused herself.

Sweat slicked her features, mingled with a weariness that permeated her core.

She raised her gaze to them, her expression twisting in fury and torment upon seeing the pair clasped hand in hand with affection.

"I understand now." Kaden murmured, cocking his head at the goddess.

"Understand what, Prometheus?" She snarled, rising cautiously, her thoughts yearning for oblivion. She hadn’t anticipated this mortal’s Darkness to manifest so fiercely.

’By the heavens, how did he possess a fragment of Thirty-Three’s Darkness? And not just that—the Slave’s too? How is this possible? Is that the source of his peculiar Will?’

Far too many enigmas lurked within Kaden’s psyche, ones she suspected even he didn’t fully comprehend. It was only after enduring the Darkness of the Dead that Woeful finally comprehended...

...they had gravely misjudged Prometheus.

This youth demanded either total subjugation or immediate elimination. Nothing else would suffice—no middle ground—and seeking alternatives would spell grave peril.

’Having him beside her complicates seizing Pandora. Heavens, I despise him.’

Strangely, though, Woeful sought a different path. She rejected killing him or breaking him.

Her desire was for him to embrace her freely, choosing her as the superior embodiment of Rea.

And that longing sealed her fate.

"You’re diminished compared to your true form because you inhabit a mortal vessel." Kaden stated with a grin.

He glanced at Rea next. "Looks like she valued you enough to restrain her full might."

Rea frowned deeply. "Am I supposed to thank her?"

"You could give it a shot."

"Sorrow seize you, Kaden."

"Appreciate the well-wish." Kaden laughed, then pivoted back to Woeful, his grin broadening.

"Are you set, Rea?"

"Set for what?" Woeful interjected, her eyes narrowing.

Kaden answered regardless.

"For a delectable display of Blasphemy."

—End of Chapter 454—