Killed Me? Now I Have Your Power Chapter 456: Shadow-less world

Chapter 456 – Shadow-less World

Kaden opened his eyes, only to find himself once again in that haunting realm of ashes, smoke, and dust.

He remained flat on his back, staring up at the crimson-stained heavens, which looked as though the sky itself were bleeding out. Upon seeing this, Kaden immediately realized that the nightmarish war would likely begin anew very soon.

He felt no luxury of time, knowing he needed to pull himself to his feet.

Yet, he felt a void in his body; his will remained, but the physical strength to stand had abandoned him. There was a profound, wearying exhaustion to watching one's loved ones undergo such drastic transformations, knowing full well that you were helpless to do anything but wait for things to turn out for the best.

Hope... humanity’s oldest habit. But was he not, at his core, merely a mortal?

Despite all his vast power and the rare gift of rewinding time, Kaden stood powerless to alter the dark destinies of Meris and Rea.

'A path of change... yes, it is necessary. I am aware of that. But at what, and how great, a cost?'

What if they evolved into figures so foreign he no longer recognized them?

Meris and Rea might believe they were the only ones grappling with the fear of loss. That was true, but Kaden was no different.

His heart ached for them, but in a strange, fractured way, he was just as deeply troubled by his own capacity to cope.

He had grown to love the essence of Meris and Rea. If they were to fundamentally change, would his love endure in the same way?

He longed to answer with firm, painful certainty, but he knew that would be a lie—much like the deceit he had fed to Rea.

'But what is done is truly done, isn't it?' He let out a joyless, hollow chuckle, straining his neck to catch sight of Rea’s unconscious form.

Looking at her, she appeared as nothing more than a girl of unique grace and beauty. It would be impossible for anyone to believe she was a girl plagued by a relentless goddess, presently engaged in a fierce internal struggle against her.

Kaden closed his eyes momentarily, as though the sight of her condition cut too deep, and recollected the sensation of Rea’s lips pressing against his.

He replayed the memory until his lips twitched, seemingly savoring the phantom touch of her tongue against his skin once more.

He clung to that sensation with intensity, much like a child clinging to a precious gift from their parents. It served as his anchor, and more crucially, the motivation he needed to force himself upward once more.

"The Dungeon of the Whispering Saintess," Kaden murmured softly. He pressed his palms against the stable, ash-covered ground and heaved himself upright.

His joints groaned and popped under the strain.

Once vertical, he walked toward the sprawled form of Rea in silence. Upon reaching her, he scooped her up into his arms, holding her with the steady care a man might show his wife.

Kaden nearly buckled.

He possessed strength enough to shatter a hill with his bare hands, yet in this moment, he felt he required aid just to lift her lithe frame.

It wasn't that she had become heavy—she was as light as a feather—but Kaden couldn't explain the feeling. He felt incredibly weak, watching her and realizing his limitations.

Clenching his teeth, he tried again until he succeeded, drenched in sweat. He gently shifted her onto his back.

Turning his focus, he looked toward the small house, where lights burned and smoke continued to billow from the chimney.

"If any chance of escape remains, it must be inside."

But what awaited him there? That was a mystery Kaden desperately wanted to solve. Yet, he understood now that wishes were merely tools used by the gods to fuel mortal hopes even as they shattered them.

With no other viable path, he walked toward the house.

'Always. Always. Always.'

Always, there was only a single option to pursue. Always. Always. Always.

'I despise this feeling.'

Kaden’s jaw tightened. Fearing he might cause Rea to slip, he used his head to knock three steady times on the door.

He waited, soon receiving his reply.

"Enter~!" A voice boomed from the interior—was it a woman's?—followed by the door creaking wide open.

Kaden’s crimson-lit eyes peered inside, only to see a figure—man or woman?—swaying their hips with an elegant, dandy gait, reminiscent of a chicken strutting toward its feed.

Melody drifted through the house as the strange entity danced, busily cooking and arranging a table.

Three chairs were set at the table, complete with steaming, fragrant plates of food.

The being turned to look at Kaden, its voice resembling a singing crow, "Right on time, my darling guests~!"

"Please, come in and enjoy a wonderful dinner~! Perhaps you are partial to the succulent meat of a duck?"

...Meanwhile, in the River Kingdom, nestled within the shadows of a filthy, deserted alley, Romia leaned her left shoulder against the grungy brickwork.

She seemed unbothered by the state of the wall, maintaining a smile so constant it appeared to hide a blade between her blindingly white teeth.

Her eyes were closed in serenity while her left fingers twisted one of her thick braids, playfully lamenting why men were so insistent on marrying her.

"Hmm, should I wear only one braid to keep the suitors away?" she droned, her voice dripping with amusement.

She turned her gaze to the right, acknowledging a dense patch of darkness.

"What is your opinion, Asael?" she asked before letting out a soft laugh. "Or do you prefer to be addressed by your new title? The—!"

"What is it you want?" Asael’s voice emerged, cold and omnipresent, as if the shadows themselves were speaking.

"Your affinity for the shadows is a true marvel, Asael. OmbreNuit must be quite fond of you. It is rather curious, you know? I’ve heard the goddess doesn't care much for men."

The shadows shivered, and Romia sensed a presence slowly retreating. Her lips curled.

"You’re so incredibly dull. Very well. I have a favor to request."

The shadows stopped moving. Romia felt a gaze pressing upon her from every direction, but she remained nonchalant.

"I’ve heard rumors. Whispers of a hidden chamber within the Royal House, where the most unique, powerful artifacts are kept," she said, twirling her braid. "I only require the location of that room."

She scanned her surroundings.

"You can manage that, can’t you? I’m just a lowly maid, but you are very close to the Prince. I hear he holds you in particularly high regard."

She shrugged. "Is that surprising? Your abilities are tied to the shadows. Which self-respecting royal doesn’t appreciate a little dark power? If I were you, I’d be careful, though. Don't catch the eye of the Princess; she quite enjoys—!"

"Cease your chatter," Asael growled, cutting her off. "I have no patience for games. Let's reach the point."

"How disappointing. I could have wasted your whole day—!"

"Why should I assist you?" Asael challenged.

Romiapaused, tilting her head before answering with an enigmatic smile. "Because I helped you take the initial step toward your objective, Asael. You wouldn't want to carry an unpaid debt against one of Threnovar's Assassins, would you?"

"Is that a threat?"

"Just a statement of fact," Romia replied loosely as she shrugged. "Return the favor. I aided you, now it is your turn to aid me."

"Was that your only motive?"

"Do you think I did it for your charming looks?" Romia giggled. "Well, perhaps a tiny bit. But I still have a job to complete, cutie."

Asael remained silent for a moment. "Fine," he finally replied, his voice icy. "I will return the favor, Romia. And afterwards, we would both benefit from never crossing paths again."

"You’re breaking my heart, Asael. Don't you hold any affection for me? I would gladly accept your marriage proposal, you know."

"I have no love for you."

"You could learn. What if I stalk you? I hear men enjoy the chase," Romia grinned. "I could certainly do that for—!"

"You mentioned that one wouldn't want an assassin of Threnovar at their back," Asael interrupted, the shadows swirling around them as if shaped by an unseen hand. "But I promise you, Romia, you would fear having me at yours."

In a single instant, every trace of shadow in the alley vanished, swallowed by some invisible abyss.

"Because you will learn to fear the darkness. Even your own."