Nox's POV
I've been sitting in the shadow barrier for what feels like hours, just listening to the sounds of battle around me. I can't see it, though, since I'm in literal darkness. Awesome.
"'Child,'" I hear that ethereal voice, and for some reason, I want to punch someone.
"What is it?" I grumbled.
In a tone as if speaking to an idiot, Veil says, "'You do know you can view whatever is happening outside the shadow barrier, right?'"
I froze, then narrowed my eyes. "Really? You don't tell me what I can do with your power, and now you want me to use it?"
Veil snorted. "'As a Vessel, you must experiment on your own!'". I wanted to say something, but I held back. It wasn't worth it to argue with Veil. I know he's ragebaiting me...
"'Aren't you going to take a look outside?'"
"No."
Veil fell silent, then asked, "'Why not? Are you stupid?'". I really want to bite someone.
"... There are state-of-the-art security cameras installed all around the estate. If I want the playback of the battle, I'll just take it from there."
"'Ooooh, the mortals of this world have such tools now? That's amazing!... Only that you'd be seeing the Dream Beast alone and not the two other entities. As far as One knows, no mortal without a special constitution or under specific conditions may see the creatures of the Spiritual Plane. Are you sure these so-called "cameras" can capture the Aeshma?'"
I froze. It made sense. "... Alright then, show me how to do it."
"'Will the shadow barrier to be your eyes. It's simple.'"
I want to hit someone right now. I just know I want to do it...
"'Hahahahaha! Don't you remember how you shaped the shadow spear? Or how you withdrew the Aura of the Divine? You did so through Will. Without Will, you can't use One's Divine Power. So to peer outside, you must do as you've been doing before: Will the shadows.'"
I was confused. Very confused. "... Are you telling me to will the shadows into fully functioning eyes?"
"'Precisely! It's easy, isn't it?'"
If I could, I would strangle Veil. I snorted and lifted my hand to touch the barrier. I felt it ripple. Then I tried to concentrate on looking outside, causing a few holes to slowly open. "I'm doing it!"
"'No, you're not! One didn't say create holes in the barrier! One said Will the shadows as an extension of your body such that all your normal functions like sight can be accomplished! It's simple!'"
I felt like hitting someone; I just didn't know who. "... I'll try that when I've eaten."
Veil started to protest, but honestly, I couldn't care less. I sat on the ground, fatigue washing over me as I finally caught my breath.
"'... Child, there's no sound outside. It seems your Familiar has dealt with the Aeshma.'"
I sighed in relief. That was the only good piece of news I'd heard since I woke up. With a flick of my wrist, the shadow barrier unraveled. My olfactory senses were instantly assaulted by a putrid, rotting stench. I gagged. Just then, I glanced at the remains of the hawk-like Aeshma.
Right where it had collapsed, its flesh was violently melting into a puddle of foul, bubbling goo. But before the meat dissolved completely, a raw, burning symbol flared on its liquefying skin. It was an ancient cross, strangled tightly by a serpent eating its own tail. The entire mark pulsed with a sickening, toxic-green light before the flesh finally turned to sludge and the symbol shattered into black ash.
'Veil, what was that?'. I thought, my chest tightening.
For once, Veil didn't mock me. His voice was dead serious. "'The Ouroboros Cross... A Pact Mark from the Princes. A mortal traded their eternity and transformed into the monsters you just fought, child. Their physical shells are gone, but their souls have already drifted back to their masters in the Spiritual Plane.'"
Meimei trotted over, shaking the residual slime off her paws and missing the fear in my eyes.
Master! I'm done!
I smiled wryly as I scratched her chin, trying to shake off the chill Veil's words gave me. The sun was slowly rising in the dark sky, and just when I thought I could go back to sleep, I heard a voice speak. It was one I was all too familiar with, even though it had been five years.
"Hmm, so you really are the Dream Beast..."
Immediately, my eyes locked onto a figure standing at the front of a group of bodyguards. Dressed in a white long-sleeved shirt with the sleeves rolled up, black trousers, and slippers, he still looked like a sharp blade. Silver hair, which wasn't slicked back for once, framed his face. Those silver eyes were piercing and looked even colder than before. Fine lines around his eyes were the only indication of age on a face that looked so much like mine. This man was the last person I wanted to see, though I knew I would eventually.
"... It's been a while, son. How have you been?"
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Third-Person POV
Nox stood ramrod straight, muscles tense and jaw locked, trying hard not to do anything rash. Silvanus watched him, indifferent to his inner struggles. Nero came to his side, standing at absolute attention—eyes forward and posture rigid—carrying a pack of cigars and a lighter. Silvanus took one, and Nero lit it for him. He took a long drag, then exhaled.
"Hooooo..."
All of this was done without breaking eye contact. Meimei's fur puffed up slightly, her eyes gleaming with a dangerous light. The tension was so thick you could cut it with a dull knife.
"... Silvanus, what are you doing? You're scaring the child!"
Rakï slung a hand over Silvanus' shoulder, taking the cigar away and stomping it out. Silvanus glanced at her, his expression slightly easing up. Nox also relaxed. He saw his aunt, and it was enough to calm him. Immediately, the tension evaporated.
"Don't smoke on an empty stomach; it's not good."
Silvanus hummed. Rakï turned to Nox with a gentle smile. "Calm down, Nox. I know you haven't eaten yet, right? Let's all have breakfast before anything else."
Nox stepped out from behind Meimei. Silvanus folded his arms and just let Rakï do what she wanted. Zayne stepped out from the bushes randomly and said, "What about waffles?". Everyone froze.
"... Yes, waffles! Waffles for everyone!" Rakï looked excited.
Zayne smiled, and then they all looked at Nox. Meimei nuzzled her big head against his shoulder. Nox looked at her, then nodded. "Waffles."
Rakï wore a cheshire cat's smile as she spoke to the bodyguards, "Go! Prepare the waffles!"
The bodyguards looked at each other, then at Nero and Nevia, and finally at Silvanus. Silvanus nodded. Nero shot Nevia a glance, and they all retreated. Rakï seized Silvanus' arm and pulled him back into the manor, while Zayne went to his young master.
"Young Master, let me show you to your new room."
Nox stared at Zayne, who just looked at him calmly. "... I want to eat in my room.". Zayne just smiled. "I'll try to make it happen.". Nox observed Zayne's expression, which didn't seem to hide anything, and exhaled.
"You're all annoying."
Zayne's smile widened. "We all love the Young Master.". Nox grimaced, and Meimei did too on the side. Zayne laughed. "Let's get going then!". Meimei licked Nox's cheek lightly, and he pushed her head away softly.
"Sure."