99 Someone From The Past



Ren Hilton's POV:

Is it done?

I pondered the question silently as the phoenix heart slipped from my grasp. In its absence, a surge of warmth emanated from within my chest, indicating the completion of the transformation. However, the true nature of this metamorphosis remained shrouded in mystery.

Had I received a transplant, or had I absorbed the essence of Ignisara's heart? The answers eluded me, confined within the hidden chamber that housed the Bloodwell. Cut off from external systems, I was unable to verify the details of my newfound bloodline.

Excitement and curiosity coursed through my veins, mingled with uncertainty. What form had my connection to the phoenix taken? Was I now half phoenix, or perhaps a third? Though uncertain, one thing was undeniable: the essence of the phoenix now intertwined with my own.

However, as I attempted to rise to the surface, a sudden resistance halted my progress. Glancing down, I discovered a strange red liquid coiling around my leg. Its touch felt distinct from the obsidian water, its grip refusing to release.

With a surge of mana, I attempted to break free, but a disconcerting weakness washed over me. My strength, once formidable, seemed diminished, replaced by an unfamiliar sensation. It felt as though everything within me—my mana, my fire—had been altered.

The red liquid continued its slow ascent, creeping from my leg to my thighs, inching its way towards my chest. It enveloped me completely, stifling any attempts to resist or escape. I found myself growing weaker by the moment, my energy drained and my body weighed down.

Powerless to even raise my voice, I was left suffocating, drained, and utterly exhausted. The once-familiar sense of strength had eluded me, replaced by a disheartening weakness that now held me captive.

And just like that, my consciousness drifted away once again. It seemed like I was losing control of my own mind more frequently these days.

....

"Huh?"When I opened my eyes, I found myself in a peculiar and unfamiliar realm. It appeared to be a rooftop, but something was off. It took me a moment to realize that it resembled the rooftop of my school building.

"!!?"My thoughts raced at a rapid pace, trying to make sense of why I was here. This place held few happy memories for me, as it was intertwined with a lot of unpleasant experiences. While I had been a diligent student, the school itself was not a cherished location in my mind.

The rooftop in this realm differs from the real one. It was smaller in size and featured a table with two chairs facing each other. A low-hanging lamp added an eerie atmosphere to the setting. Strangely, the table reminded me of an interrogation room in a police station, a place I had been taken to once before.

Confusion and apprehension washed over me as I tried to comprehend the significance of this peculiar setting. What awaited me here? And why was it designed to resemble a place of both academic learning and potential interrogation?

"Haa,"With a heavy sigh, I made my way towards one of the chairs and took a seat. The thoughts from my recent encounter with Ren swirled in my mind, adding to the already complex web of emotions I was grappling with. I decided to embrace this unexpected situation and see where it would lead me. After all, I had experienced my fair share of surprises in the past.

Time seemed to lose its meaning as I sat there, waiting. Minutes turned into hours, and I eventually lost track of how long I had been in this strange realm. I remained seated, my eyes scanning the rooftop and its surroundings. There was an eerie stillness in the air, as if time itself had frozen.

Restless, I walked around the rooftop, my steps echoing softly. As I approached the edge of the rooftop and peered into the abyss below, I was met with a disconcerting sight—a vast, pitch-black void. It seemed to stretch on indefinitely, devoid of any signs of life or existence.

I stiffly turned around and went back to the table and sat on the chair quietly, waiting for someone to appear.

...

*Tap*

Finally, after what felt like an eternity of waiting, I felt a gentle tap on my shoulder from behind. I tensed up instinctively, not particularly fond of being touched in such a manner when meeting someone for the first time. Irritation tinged my thoughts momentarily, but I quickly pushed it aside, reminding myself to stay calm and composed. Who could this be? Why did they have to initiate contact through a physical gesture?

Before I could turn around to face the person, my mind inexplicably conjured up a fleeting image, as if teasing me with a familiar face that I couldn't quite grasp. But that couldn't be right, could it? I shook off the thought, dismissing it as a figment of my imagination. There was no way...

"Hehe, don't be so stiff now. You'll make me feel bad," a melodic, feminine voice sounded from behind. The voice struck a chord within me, triggering a mix of emotions and memories that I struggled to untangle. It was her voice, or at least, it resembled hers... But that couldn't be possible, could it?

As I processed the voice, a pair of hands gently squeezed my shoulders, followed by a small but heartfelt embrace from behind. Strands of soft hair cascaded over my face, momentarily obscuring my vision. Surprisingly, I found solace in her touch. It wasn't something I despised; on the contrary, it brought a strange sense of comfort.

"You have no idea how much I've missed you," she whispered, her words carrying both vulnerability and longing. Her grip tightened ever so slightly, as if seeking solace in the embrace, her face nestled against the nape of my neck.

Yes, it was her. It wasn't a figment of my imagination. The realization hit me like a wave crashing onto the shore. My voice caught in my throat as I attempted to speak, but the words failed to escape. I managed to gather my thoughts, mustering the strength to form a coherent question.

"Jas... is that... you?" I stammered, my words barely audible before her response interrupted me.

"Yeah, it's me," she replied, her voice a tender melody that reverberated in my ear. It was confirmation enough, even before I turned around to face her.

Reluctantly, she released her hold on me, and I slowly turned around, my eyes meeting the gaze of a breathtakingly beautiful girl.

As I turned to face her, I was captivated by her appearance. Her long, flowing chestnut hair cascaded down her back, gleaming in the faint light. Her striking blue eyes, though slightly watery from tears, held a depth that seemed to reflect her emotions. Thick, dark lashes framed her eyes, enhancing their allure, while her well-defined eyebrows added a touch of sophistication to her expressive gaze.

Her symmetrical features showcased her natural beauty, and a radiant smile graced her lips, revealing a glimpse of warmth and vulnerability. Her slender yet curvaceous figure hinted at a graceful presence, drawing attention to her elegant posture.

In that moment, I couldn't help but be mesmerized by her timeless allure, feeling a mixture of surprise, confusion, and a longing I couldn't quite explain.

"Hoho, can't take your eyes away from me, huh?" Jasmine's voice was filled with amusement as she walked towards the seat beside mine and gracefully took her place.

But I couldn't allow her to sit calmly. In a flash, I bolted out of my seat and...

"!?" Without a second thought, I enveloped her in a tight embrace, holding her close to my racing heart. Words failed me in that moment. My emotions surged uncontrollably, threatening to consume me entirely. It felt as though my very existence hung in the balance.

She reciprocated the embrace, her arms encircling me, and she whispered those three words that resonated deep within my soul: "I love you."

Tears welled up in my eyes, a torrent of emotions bursting forth. I desperately tried to suppress them, unwilling to reveal my vulnerability. I couldn't bear the thought of appearing weak in front of her... But the floodgates had been opened, and there was no stopping the cascade of tears.

"You've worked so hard... You can let go now. It's okay to cry. No one here will judge you," she whispered, her voice soothing and understanding.

Her gentle pat on the back of my head offered a sense of solace, as if granting permission to release the pent-up emotions. And so, I allowed myself to surrender to the overwhelming tide of feelings, tears streaming down my cheeks unabated. In that moment, I felt a sense of release and relief, knowing that I could be vulnerable in her presence without judgment or scorn.

"ahhhhh!" I sobbed uncontrollably, unable to contain the flood of emotions any longer. I had resolved not to reveal this vulnerable side to her, but I had failed miserably.

"It's always been like this," I thought to myself. Every time I found myself in a difficult situation, she was there to lend a helping hand. The only time she couldn't reach me was when I chose to run away from the group. That decision became a turning point in my life, and everything that transpired between us from that moment onwards...

"I... love you too," I managed to utter through my tears. Happiness, relief, and excitement surged through me all at once.

Jasmine gently withdrew her hands from my back and took a step back, creating some distance between us. With a serene expression, she spoke, "We have a lot to talk about. Why don't you take a seat over there? It seems like a lot has happened, and you... you haven't changed a bit." She gestured towards the vacant chair, and as if on autopilot, I obediently sat down, my heart still racing with a mix of emotions.

But Her expression was dark and I didn't notice immediately.

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