The icy cave was silent. Only the faint rustle of the frosted wind outside could be heard. Neither Sora nor Kaden talked, each busy with their own thoughts.

Kaden's mind was running in dizzying circles as he tried to piece things together. He knew that only in the full moon phase could they progress in this trial, but there were other questions that also had to be addressed.

How long do these phases last?

That was important if he wanted to plan anything in order to succeed in this trial and obtain the rewards… which — he desperately hoped — would be a high-rank evolution stone.

That was why he was daring enough to enter the property of the Asterion.

Besides this question, there was something else: was it possible for a non-Asterion to succeed in this trial?

Would he need the blood of an Asterion to claim the final prize or anything of that regard?

That was a valid question Kaden asked himself. After all, if it wasn't possible, then he would have no choice but to rely on this fiery princess.

And that's why Kaden couldn't afford her to die.

What would happen if an Asterion died in this trial?

Whatever it was, he didn't want to find out.

He already carried too much weight on his shoulders.

He sighed ruefully, raised his palm, and passed it down his face in an exasperated manner.

He knew nothing of this dungeon, and the only one able to help him gain more information was a problematic one, unable to discern the time to act tough and prideful from the time you just shut your mouth and do what you're told to survive.

But what did he expect?

She was the princess of the Celestial Empire for goodness's sake. They were known to do whatever they wanted as long as they believed they had the right to do so.

And let me tell you, as the inheritors of the celestial bodies… there were few things — if not nothing — they believed they didn't have the right to do.

And by looking at Sora, Kaden could guess that she was raised in that manner. He was sure this woman had been given whatever she wanted without much issue. A princess who didn't face much hardship in her life.

And this caused her to think that she could get out of any situation just because… she was an Asterion.

At these thoughts, Kaden couldn't suppress his snicker, making Sora snap her head toward him.

She was about to say something, something clearly not pleasant judging by her eyes, but she stopped as she remembered the words of Rome.

She was an Asterion. She shouldn't bother herself with the likes of this Warborn barbarian.

Feeling happy that she ignored this man she still didn't know the name of — and didn't want to — Sora focused on herself.

It was like they had made a tacit understanding to not do anything during this full moon phase and just… try to recover, gather themselves, and prepare for the next two half-moon phases.

And so, Sora had the time to think about… her song.

She was tempted to ask — or rather order — Kaden for help. In fact, that was the reason she had even come to him, but now she felt reluctant to do so.

Still, it had been a long time since she had sung or even hummed a tune. And that was gnawing at her. She was feeling uncomfortable in her body, the itch to just close her eyes and sing her favorite song passed through her mind, overwhelming her emotions, but she held it in.

Not wanting to give Kaden any reason to mock her.

So she stayed silent, while her finger moved rhythmically at her side, looking like she was singing in her mind.

Kaden noticed and stayed silent.

Instead he took out some health potions and mana potions to restore his physical condition, then closed his eyes, resting his head on the wall.

His breathing became stable, almost… rhythmic, strangely in sync with Sora's finger movement.

The tense silence around them lessened as they sat.

Time passed in that way, no one spoke to the other and both kept to themselves. Their eyes closed, their breathing in sync, but soon all of that ended…

The full moon above shifted into a half moon with a murky shadowy light glowing on the left side.

They snapped their eyes open as thick darkness started to expand around them, the ground shifted and became whirling shadows.

They stood up, movement slow but fast at the same time.

Sora's eyes were burning with newfound energy, looking around her, ready to explode everything in a fury of flame.

While Kaden watched around him with a quiet expression, he took a step and immediately went out of the cave, not willing to destroy their only resting place.

Sora followed, understanding his reasons.

Outside, the same sight as before occurred — darkness that hindered their perception and twisting shadows beneath them.

Kaden and Sora stood side by side, watching as the beasts started to emerge.

"You must be aware by now, golden voice. The most efficient way to solve this is to cooperate." He said, his eyes scanning the darkness.

Sora didn't respond immediately, her mind and her heart going through a bloodied battle.

She knew this Warborn's spawn was right, but still… she… she couldn't.

She didn't need him, she could protect herself and thrive without his support.

She… she was an Asterion.

Seeing her face, Kaden knew she wouldn't accept.

He sighed tiredly, missing Asael again.

He didn't repeat himself as he took his stance, ready.

But while they expected the same wolves to appear like last time… this time, wraiths appeared with their ghostly figures, their appearance grotesque.

They didn't have fixed shapes, their bodies shifting from mist to beastly limbs or humanoid ones.

But they had no eyes nor nose. Only mouths. Their mouths were unnaturally wide, crescent-shaped upward, filled with jagged teeth.

Their surroundings filled with a cold sensation like the cold iron grip of death.

Kaden and Sora frowned immediately, a tremor spreading through their very souls.

They expected wolves but instead got damn ghosts.

But Kaden didn't care much, his flame could burn mana and lifespan even if his opponent didn't have blood inside them.

But…

"Can you kill them?" He asked Sora, who was shaking in anger.

This dungeon kept showing her how inadequate she was in this foreign domain. This trial would have been a piece of cake for her brother.

Not only was he the moon inheritor but also a peak Master-ranked being.

He would have succeeded in this trial in one go. His talent was monstrous, as expected from an Asterion.

But her…

Sora bit her lip in frustration.

She was just an Intermediate, her fire didn't yet have the power to burn intangible things.

Meaning… she was useless in this fight.

"I-I cannot kill them." She stuttered.

She had been acting high and mighty only to be in this situation where she was a burden.

She expected Kaden to mock her or look at her with disdain, but he didn't do any of that.

He simply nodded — as if expecting it — his expression quiet as he looked at the approaching wraiths and responded,

"You cannot kill, but you can stall for time, or obstruct their attack until I kill them."

Sora's fists were clenched tight, unhappy about all of this, but she didn't say anything this time.

She prepared herself to do just as Kaden had told, her heart beating with indignation.

Then Kaden's voice echoed once again, a note of challenge hidden inside it,

"Besides, aren't you an Asterion like you always say…?"

He chuckled softly.

"…show me what 'Asterion' can do in a hostile environment."

Just then, the wraiths attacked with a harrowing soul scream that made the two of them stagger, their minds feeling like some vicious beast had taken their skulls and crushed them between gigantic palms.

Reditha flashed, black flame flickering on her blade, then Kaden attacked.

A crimson-black arc erupted from Reditha and crashed instantly into the wraiths. A shriek of pain and surprise erupted from their mouths like banshees, causing Kaden to wince in irritation at the sound.

Behind him, Sora's fists were covered in blistering fire, her mind echoing Kaden's words again and again.

'…what Asterion can do, huh…'

Her eyes hardened, she shifted her feet, her hands raised in a boxing stance, then…

She struck.

—End of chapter 212—

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