After finishing the meet with Bali, Varian wanted to sneak into the Infini City and reveal he was still alive to his close people.

But after he found out about Narcis' death and the strict lockdown, he decided against it.

Even if he could sneak past the barriers, once he was out of the ghost ship, any high awakener could detect him easily.

Besides, level 8 or level 9 technocrats were likely deployed monitoring the situation.

That only made things worse.

So, Varian simply went back to Earth.

He resisted the urge to send the message {I am alive} like last time.

With the power of Sovereign Kreo and Sovereign Julius, the comms of his friends might be monitored.

No. He was pretty sure they were monitored.

Anyways, Sarah would return to the Academy along with Evander. He could talk to them then.

Then, he could sneak into Sarah's home. Only she and Anna lived there...and Varian also considered it his second home.

But meeting Evander was too risky.

There were several guards in his residence and Varian didn't trust them one bit. There was a high probability that at least one of them was a spy.

He knew clearly why the Sovereigns decided to end him off. They were scared of his talent. They must have already known his rapid progress.

Most likely, the Xanders. After all, they knew him from Sia a year ago. Perhaps they recorded his info and only recently found it.

'They know my awakening time is at least 2 months and at most 1 year. I knew my high profile would cause them to investigate me...but Xanders having my past information because of Sia, it slipped my mind.'

Now, if they knew he was alive, it'd endanger the safety of Sarah, Kyle and Maya.

"This sucks." He sighed as he reached Earth and sneaked into a mid dungeon.

Without wasting time, he entered a remote region in the Core area and picked a few level 6s Armored Lions to fight.

As his sword danced and slayed the low level 6 beasts, his mind was consumed by thoughts.

"Sarah, I didn't see you after she talked with her father. Did you get shed your fears? Will you finally accept that it's not your fault?"

Varian muttered as he jumped into the air and covered a spear with lightning. Like the god of thunder, he threw the bolt with his enormous physical strength.

Boom!

Boom!

The spear broke the sonic limit and pierced through the eye of the massive beast, ending its life.

Varian's mind wasn't on the battle though.

He just wanted to vent the uncomfortable feeing in his heart. It was growing with his every moment, with every second.

"Roar!" The air shook as the Armored Lions' roar reverberated, and Varian roared back.

"Argh! Dammit!" The space around the Armored Beasts distorted and the next moment, Varian appeared in front of them and punched them to pieces.

"They must be worried. Master would be fine. Richard…he was acting a bit strange, but he'll also be fine. But Sarah…argh, fucking dammit!"

Boom!

Boom!

Sarah would be sad. Varian remembered how she cried after seeing he was alive.

Varian didn't understand why she was crying back then, but now he could tell.

If he suddenly woke up to the news that Sarah died…he'd be devastated. Varian tried to think what he'd do if it really happens, but his mind went blank all the time.

A world without Sarah would be empty.

Who would talk to him? Who would smile at his jokes even if they weren't funny? Who would drag him to lunch if he tried to skip?

Who would say "I'll beat you..." but worry if he gets injured?

Whenever he was down, who would ask him 'Why are you sad?'

Who would share his joy with him?

In a world without Sarah...a part of him would be lost forever.

If Sarah was feeling the same way...

"Argh! Xanders! Kreo!" Varian kicked the ground and jumped a few miles into the air. His figure disappeared mid-way and he appeared in front of a massive spider.

It was a mid level 6, but Varian wasn't in the mood to care.

"Come!" He raised his fist and punched down.

"Screech!" The spider made a shrill noise and pierced at him with one of its legs.

Boom!

Varian was blown away the moment their attacks connected, a huge hole was formed in his palm, and blood gushed out like there was no tomorrow.

But he didn't care.

Zap!

Ka!

Covering himself in lightning, and space armor, Varian dashed forward.

He needed to vent or he might really go crazy.

Sarah, are you feeling the same?

*** *** ***

Two days have passed since Varian's "death".

Sarah didn't remember much.

After waking up, she went to her father and stared at him. Perhaps it was out of hope? Or perhaps out of sheer desperation.

He only said. "I'm sorry…"

Sarah understood. He knew the culprit but couldn't deal with them.

Sarah didn't demand him for answer nor did she yell at him in frustration. She simply thanked him and went back to her room.

If her father, a peak level 9 couldn't deal with the opponent, then it must only be a Sovereign.

And she was a dual awakener—destined to never be a Sovereign.

She should just give up and wait for someone to avenge Varian…right?

"No!" Sarah clenched her fists and her body started shaking.

Her heart was aching and tears threatened to break out at any moment.

Even if she closed her eyes, all she saw was him. It was as if he was a part of her. And she...a part of him.

Sarah touched her heart and closed her eyes.

She remembered asking Philia

'How is love different from camaraderie? You fight together, you trust one another and you can die for each other.'

She didn't know then…but the intense heartache told her that she now knew what love was. She understood it. No. She felt it.

She didn't know when it started. Perhaps when he saved her in the dungeon despite all his injuries. He had every excuse in the world not to risk his life, but he did

Perhaps what she felt then was mostly guilt and was driven by it to avenge him.

But as she spent more time with him, at some point, something happened.

She started to love spending time with him. She laughed at his little jokes...even though they were bad sometimes.

She wanted to see him every day. She wanted to see him happy. She wanted him to be safe.

"I-If I can see him just o-once more…I am willing to sacrifice anything else." Sarah looked up at the sky and said in a low voice.

Her eyes were puffed up and her body was trembling, but the determination in her voice was beyond doubt.

If gods really exist, please grant me this wish.

Please let him be alive…I can die instead of him.

Varian…why did you leave me alone?

I am in pain…I can't stop the sadness... Please…just once, let me hold you.

Drip!

Drip!

"Waah! P-Please…p.lease.." Sarah covered her face and wailed. "I-It's all my fault…If I didn't…give u..t-that information.."

Minutes turned into hours and when she had no more tears to shed, Sarah blankly reached her home in the academy.

She didn't speak a word, nor did she cry again.

But she didn't respond to any words nor express anything.

Her face was emotionless and her eyes were lifeless.

Her heart died with him.

**** ***

I'm sorry about the release schedule. I was going through some issues. I'll fix the chapter release timing back to an hour or two after reset.. (From the next chaps.)

If you find any errors ( broken links, non-standard content, etc.. ), Please let us know < report chapter > so we can fix it as soon as possible.