All eyes fell on them. Fell onto this sight that was like a miracle, a wonder. Something they thought would only happen in a dream or an illusion.
Lia. The Lia they knew laid crying in the strange guy's arms and had to be coaxed by him. He patted her hair and whispered soft and gentle words that neither Xavi nor Mika wanted to hear.
They just wanted to know who this strange man was capable of taming Lia and making her so vulnerable. Susa, on the other hand, was swooning but also felt jealous. She should be the one coaxing and reassuring Lia as she swore to do her utmost, pleaded her loyalty to Lia.
"C'mon now, are you a baby?'' finally, Noel was back to how he used to be and embarrassment crept into Lia's head, so she quickly pushed Noel away.
Wiping her tears, Lia lightly coughed and pretended nothing's happened but everyone already saw. However, the most perplexed one was the attendant. he was still on the floor and his eyes were wide seeing a sight he never would've expected from his young master.
The servant swallowed and stumbled, "Y-Young- Young Master! Heaven, I didn't see anything! Nothing entered my eyes! Don't worry young master I'll protect your chastity! Your father will never hear a word from me!"
Noel sighed and stared at his servant who was still mumbling nonsense before realising he was in the centre of spotlight. He wanted to scream but Lia held him back and with her usual coldness and mocking tone she told him, "Exactly. You absolutely saw nothing. Surely, this was all a dream you've imagined. Isn't that so, everyone?"
Smiling, still grabbing the servant by the collar, Lia turned to the others after emphasising 'everyone'. They instantly felt the chill and nodded.
"You can leave," Noel was the only one unfazed and freed the servant from this torture.
"I wanted to say you've changed but you're still the same, kinda," Noel smiled and all good feelings left Lia.
"Shut up," these words naturally escaped Lia's lips.
"What? Wanna have a go in my arms again? Come here!" Noel had a wonderful time teasing Lia and opened his arms while Lia scooted away from him.
This sight was really too strange for Xavi and Mika who were victims of Lia's teasing. Now the predator was actually preyed on by someone else. This was too…wonderful!
However, they could never say it after all they loved their lives too much.
"Wait, how do you know each other?" Susa's curiosity finally made everyone calm down.
"We've met and worked together before," it was a simple explanation and Lia didn't feel like giving them more context.
"More like, I've been put through life and death because of her," Noel smirked and Lia barked back, "Shut up. Why are you here?"
"Didn't you hear? Your hearing gone bad too? I'm the young master of this," Noel pointed to the mansion behind them.
"You?" Lia and Mika were surprised.
"What's the face for? I'm more surprised than you. What you guys want? My old man's not very welcoming."
"We've experienced," Mika turned a sour face, still believing that Oldie was Elder T, "Why are you with him?"
"We met him and he kindly helped us," Xavi said and eyed Lia.
"Kindly," Lia sneered.
This felt better. Having this kind of relationship with Noel was more natural than that intimate whatever just happened.
"Well," Noel put an arm around Lia, "I did say, we'd see each other again but didn't think it'd be this soon. You really missed me, admit it."
Xavi and Mika gasped seeing Noel had the audacity to poke Lia's cheek, "Surely, you were the one missing me, seeing how lonely you seemed to be."
"Me lonely? I had a blast!"
Xavi and Mika were finally sure that Noel was their role model. He was daring and knew how to tease Lia. They admired him and subconsciously got closer to him. Not to mention Noel was tall and good-looking. He was indeed perfect in their eyes.
"So, why you here?" Noel returned the topic to the beginning and Lia immediately became worried.
She grabbed Xavi and Susa, and examined them, "Nothing has happened to you?"
Xavi whose cheeks were being squeezed shook his head, "Nope, only… only.. Lia, it hurts! Only got lost in the mist and stuck with the ghosts."
"Ok good. The problem is that Nana and Lily have been captured! Have you met other people yet?" Lia needed to quickly brief them on the situation.
"What?" Xavi got anxious.
"The faction?" Noel interrupted.
"Ah yes, Noel! Please talk to your father to help us. He has been refusing us since the beginning. Even lending us the servant just now to show us the way would be enough," Lia tugged on Noel's clothes.
"Wait, calm. It's ok," Noel was perplexed seeing Lia care so much for others and wiped her tear away, "Explain everything first."
Lia and Mika let them know of their current situation and their encounter with the prisoners and Oldie.
"You've really changed," was the only thing Noel said and a gentle smirk appeared. Lia pursed her lips and turned away from him.
"I'm happy to see you again."
"Shut up! And focus on the situation!" Lia was also happy to see him again. She had her assumption that Noel belonged to the hidden families, but she never guessed he would live in a place like Mistand, part of the T family.
What kind of life must he have lived? No wonder he became so… annoying. Yet Lia believed that with Noel everything would be alright. She placed that much trust in him.
"I'll talk to my old man, wait here, tho I doubt he's gonna do anything major," Noel left them outside and headed into the mansion.
Taking the opportunity of Noel's absence, Susa threw herself into Lia's arms and gave her a knowing smirk.
"What's that for?" Lia could already guess, "None of you should get any wrong ideas. He's a friend. A good friend," Lia added.
"Tell me! I want to know everything!" Susa's blond hair gently swayed in the wind and Lia sighed.
They had time to spare anyways while Noel was convincing his father so Lia told them everything, since her first encounter with Noel until they parted.
The three of them listened intently with Xavi and Mika giving each other constant glances. Lia was too vicious in the past. Even though they saw her kill, however, it was much milder compared to the past.
They were really glad to have met her now, much more tamer and kinder, at least they hoped. However, from what they heard Noel was pretty strong and they easily seized Lia's trust for Noel and felt a bit deflated as she unknowingly placed him higher.
After Lia finished, Noel came back with the cowering servant in tow.
"I can," he suddenly said and turned to Mika with streams of tears running down his face, "Even though I don't want to!"
Yano: Cough...Cough cough COUGH! What's this? Why does Noel feel more of a male lead than me? When will I finally appear?
What Yano sees:
Noel: Come here Lia. Lemme wipe your tears away.
Lia: Oh Noel, you're so strong and so kind. I love being in your arms.
Yano: This is unacceptable! Screw the plot! I'll break my way out of the confines of the Mortal World this stupid story put me in!
Reality:
Noel: What is he doing?
Lia: Who knows... I really hope he's not like this in real life. I mean he's the male lead and we're supposed to...
Noel: How about me then?
Lia: Shut up.
Meanwhile:
Attendant: *glares and sobs at Mika* I can I can I can, ok????
Mika: Good, didn't I tell you, it's all a matter of belief.
Attendant: What did I do to end up in a story like this? Just put me out of my misery!
Xavi: Wow, Noel is so tall, so strong and knows how to get back at Lia. Wow.
Susa: Seems like you might fall for Noel...
Xavi: *Sparkly eyes*
"My old man's really stubborn. I could only get him to show us."
"Thank you, " Lia smiled at the servant and he nodded.
"I don't want to go back though. These barbaric cannibals are too scary! Too scary for my heart!"
"And," the servant continued and pointed at Mika, "It doesn't matter if I believe or not! What does my believing bring you? Nothing!"
The servant was crying his heart out yet Noel seemed used to it as he dragged the servant along and said, "Let' go."
He held his hand out to Lia but Susa rushed towards Lia and grabbed both of her hands, "Master," she said and looked in disdain at Noel.
"Susa, he knows how to-"
"Then I will hold his hand and you hold mine. Xavi takes Lia's other hand."
"No, wait a second. Sorry Susa but-" Lia took Noel's hand and closed her eyes. A sharp pain spread in her torso and she fell to her knees.
"Lia!" Noel held her up as Xavi was the first to run to her.
"I told you not!" Xavi was angry when he realised what Lia was doing.
"But-"
"No buts, rest here for a bit."
It was a shame that Nana wasn't here to heal her.
Susa sat on the ground and Lia rested on her lap.
"What's wrong?" Noel was the only clueless one and the servant pinned himself to the wall.
"She gave you power but her soul can't take any more damage yet-" Mika glared at Noel who was still clueless.
"It's ok," Lia wanted to get up but Susa pushed her down, "It's not."
Noel was still perplexed and only after Xavi briefed him about Lia's power and the reason why they came here, did Noel let out a smile, knelt and patted Lia's head.
"I knew already you'd be the Immortal King but I'm surprised you gathered the hidden families. So, you're here to collect the final grand trophy, huh?"
Lia rolled her eyes and muttered, "Shut…up."
"How did you know?"
Mika was curious to see that Noel wasn't surprised at all.
"I already witnessed her power and knew back then who she might become."
Lia swatted Noel's hand away, "No wonder you never questioned my power."
"Although being carried by a corpse wasn't exactly…my proudest moment."
Lia laughed. Her carefree laughter filled the gloomy and dark air and brightened everything a bit. This was the first time anyone has heard her laugh. And it was something they wanted her to do more often, constantly.
Lia noticed everyone's stares and mumbled, "If you've seen the sight, then you'd also laugh."
"Well, I'm glad I'm comedic relief but," Noel turned serious, "Don't overuse your power, should wait until you're strong. And my old man might know a way."
"Really?" Susa lit up, "If only I could see or touch Elder T."
Noel threw her a weird glance.
"My ability's clairvoyance. I can determine info by touching or simply seeing the target or object," Susa justified herself.
"Hmm my power…" Noel opened his palm as if power would instantly appear.
"It's the strongest," Susa suddenly said and her eyes turned glassy.
"He can buff zombies," Xavi continued, "It's perfectly complementary to Lia's power."
Noel gave Lia a smirk but then Susa slapped her hand on Noel's face,
"And he can copy other's abilities by taking their lifeforce," Susa's hand fell limp on the ground and she shook her head, waking up from the trance.
"Wow, I'm strong. What do you say, Lia?" Noel grinned and he was even happier knowing Lia's real name.
"Hmpf," was the only thing Lia said but she was glad Noel had such strong powers.
"But there should be restrictions," Mika raised his eyebrow.
"Yes, definitely," Noel agreed but then said, "Hey, Lia, you don't even know if I'm gonna join you and you give me this present."
Lia looked Noel straight in the eyes and said, "Because I believe in you."
"Oh," Noel had no idea how to answer what. The atmosphere turned awkward, the servant coughed and made everyone aware he was still there.
"Young Master, please let us go now. I want the hell trip to be over as quickly as possible. Don't drag it out, it's only making it worse!"
Noel could train his power later.
"Lia, are you ok?" Xavi watched her worried.
"I'm fine," Lia nodded and got up. The pain was getting better and easier to manage.
With the servant in the lead and Susa between Noel and Lia, they disappeared into the mist. However, the servant walked through it avoiding all the ghosts in such a confident way that Lia couldn't help but ask, "How do you navigate through the mist?"
This was a question everyone had and curiously looked at the servant, "You get used to it," was the only thing he said.
The servant looked back and said to everyone with blank faces, "Did I say something wrong, Young Master?"
Noel shook his head, "Once you're long enough in Mistand, you'll notice that the mist looks different in different passages. Just like streets, it has different ways."
Yet still, no one understood except for Xavi who said, "I see. Makes sense."
After a while, the servant spoke up, "We're soon there. Soon there at the hellhole. Oh goodness, don't want to see them, you ought to see them! Are they even people? Are they?"
The servant started mumbling to himself while the mist cleared up and in the far, a dark spot was revealed. However, a few metres away the servant stopped and motioned everyone to hide a bit further in the mist.
Then he put his finger over his mouth, signalling they shouldn't make a noise. He whispered something to Noel and Noel nodded. The servant then gleefully ran away until he disappeared.
Lia knew that the servant must've asked if Noel remembered the way and could find back himself. Once Noel answered positively, the servant was released from his position as a guide and left. There was no need for him to be here anymore.
Cautiously, the five of them walked forwards until they were at the opening and saw a small village not any different from the previous ones.
However, here the village was surrounded by torches of flames that danced wildly in the wind and in the middle of the village was a large campfire with many prisoners surrounding it.
The houses were modified and looked sturdy, not broken or rundown, and there were quite a lot of them than Lia has anticipated.
While many prisoners enjoyed themselves around the campfire, there was no sign of Lily nor Nana. The only reasonable conclusion was that they were in one of the houses.
But each house was heavily guarded by man-made fences that made it hard to sneak into it.
Suddenly, Susa whispered, "It's that house, third of left."
Everyone nodded in acknowledgement. Yet they didn't have a plan on how to tackle this rescue mission. Lia was about to say something when Noel held her back and took a step forward.
He whispered, "My father should've taken care of this long ago. It's my family's fault. I'll distract them and you get the other two out."
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