After the talk with Vaela, Kaden had inquired about her odd blank eyes. They were beautiful on her stunning face, but still different from what he remembered.

At that time, Vaela had hesitated for a brief instant, wondering if it was a good idea to share with Kaden the cost of using her power.

But that concern was unneeded, for her power had evolved past that state. She would no longer lose her sight for using her power.

She would lose something else. Something heavier, in a sense. Something she would rather not burden her dear with.

So she had smiled, her beauty a blasphemy for this world, telling him about her eyesight being eaten away by her power of peering into the futures.

Kaden had been surprised at that time, but not for long. He had matured now. And with that came the understanding of one crucial aspect of life…or rather, of those who walk the path toward transcendence.

Nothing was free. And power even less.

He needed to experience cruel deaths to get stronger. He needed to gamble with his own self to use his own domain. And if he failed at that, he would sink deep into emptiness.

Into oblivion.

That was the cost. And it was one anyone wishing to go higher must be ready to bear, no matter the dreadful effects it came with.

Yet still, if there was a way to lower the cost, none would hesitate.

And Kaden certainly didn't.

At that time, in a flash of realization, Prometheus remembered one of the rewards he had obtained with Aurora sacrificing herself for him.

Eyes of Crimson Stars (Transferable)

He finally understood why it was transferable. It was never meant for him. He was only the entrusted hand to make the transfer possible.

These eyes were for Vaela.

So Kaden didn't hesitate to give them to her. He transferred the eyes to her, and now Vaela's eyes shone with the same glow as him.

Crimson starry eyes.

Two beings linked by fate. Two beings linked by destiny. Two beings linked by causality. Two beings linked by love. Two beings linked by respect.

Their bond was one none could ever grasp, for its roots went deeper than one could ever imagine.

They were eternal companions.

Oh… they truly were.

And at that time, their relationship was sealed once again.

Not by simple words, for words could be twisted.

But by something deeper than the Seen World.

Linked by their own Origins.

…

Time passed in a blur. One blink of an eye, and a day was spent, never to be lived again.

Kaden had passed those hours beside his brother, Dain, waiting for the snoring panda to wake up from his long slumber.

And even now, he was still there, sitting on a bloody chair, his back leaned comfortably against it, eyes closed peacefully, legs crossed, while images flashed inside his head like a movie.

Many things had happened, and Kaden needed to gain a proper grasp of his newfound powers.

There was his new Origin, his stats, and his numerous traits to study and inspect.

Not only that, his domain and the Seed of Prometheus needed peculiar attention. Both of them were special in their own wrenching way.

Prometheus had obtained many types of power, and that meant the need for time to properly master all of them.

Already, he could see from afar the strenuous hours of training waving at him.

He winced.

He shook his head next, dispelling his apprehension, and thought about his next step. After training, of course.

There was the Church of Sorrow, for the matter of Rea. The Witch, for the matter of the Death Aspect. And the Ocean of Blood he was curious about.

He was most tempted by The Witch, the name alone making his heart burn with curiosity. Yet at the same time, his heart was also burning with lethal danger.

'I am not ready,' he realized, clicking his tongue in slight irritation.

But that was not all. Kaden also felt a pull toward the Church. At first, he believed it was because he wanted to help Rea with something. But now, with his perception and strength far greater than before…

Kaden knew it was something else.

Something nasty. Something that smelled of gods.

Once again, he sighed. 'I should sleep, but I find myself unable to. Since when was even the last time I slept?'

Kaden seriously could no longer remember.

Exhaustion coated every fiber of his body, yet sleep seemed to elude him.

He cursed, exasperated, passing a hand over his face.

"Worried?"

A voice suddenly rang out. The voice was so strong and heavy that Kaden could feel it vibrating inside his bones.

He turned his head unhurriedly to the left and found Dain already awake. The man was sitting on the wooden bed, his back against the wall.

Dain was tall. Extremely tall, at least eight feet. His black hair was braided into thick locks tied together behind, making him look like some Viking from ancient times, with his heavy breathing swelling scared muscles of his frame.

His red eyes were intense, dancing with yellow fire.

Compared to a day before, the man looked nothing like the easygoing clown he made himself appear to be.

Kaden shrugged lightly at his question, "Worried? Not at all. I was just thinking."

"Something bothering you, youngest?" Dain craned his head, then grinned, "Just tell big brother! He will make all things meaningless! Hahahah!"

The walls of the room rattled at his laugh.

Kaden rolled his eyes with a smirk, "The big brother I needed to save?" he said, resting a hand on his chin, "Sounds very convincing."

Dain's lips twitched, "Is this what they say? Do one single mistake and everyone forgets all the other successes?"

"I never heard any of your successes, by the way." Kaden retorted with a teasing smile, "Care to entertain me?"

Dain immediately laughed, sitting up straight, eyes burning with eagerness to display his greatness to the youngest.

He needed to protect his reputation as the reliable big brother.

So, with chilling seriousness, he began to recount his stories. From his countless adventures, to his reckless duels, to the times he had brushed against death, and so on.

His words were accompanied by hands that couldn't stay still, and by his endless laughter that shook Kaden every time.

Kaden was genuinely surprised by his brother. But all of his stories confirmed one single thing about Dain…

He was nothing but a fool who would do whatever first crossed his mind. Even if that meant entering the capital of a powerful empire and provoking everyone into duels.

Even if that meant taking on alone the trials meant for the Sun of the Asterion bloodline and finishing them by killing every beast inside until none were left.

Dain was no human.

He was a beast wrapped in human flesh.

Kaden shook his head at him, "I have no words to describe you, brother."

Dain cackled, "Hahahah! Of course, youngest. But you, too, have grown." He said, looking into Kaden's eyes, his expression suddenly serious.

"Your eyes have changed, youngest." Dain remarked, his voice heavy, "Not the part where there are stars inside, but the depth of them. You have lived things, I see."

Kaden simply smiled, "As we all do."

Dain nodded, mirroring the smile, "Yes. We all live things. But what we learn from the things we live, that is what truly matters."

Kaden raised an eyebrow, "Now that was something I didn't expect from you, brother. Especially after your stories just now."

Dain barked a laugh, then raised his head toward the ceiling, staring at it blankly with his crimson eyes.

"We are what we choose to be, youngest." He said, "We are a clan of war. We are not scheming bastards. We are not philosophers, nor are we poets. Not because we cannot be, but because this path of blood and battle suits our bloodline better."

He looked back at Kaden, teeth bared in a wide grin, "But that doesn't mean we are idiots."

"Yet you let yourself be manipulated by the empress. Not only that, now you are stuck with a fairy who wants nothing but to kill you." Kaden countered, earning a wounded expression from Dain.

The man clutched his chest tightly, as if physically struck, then smiled wryly, "Not being idiots doesn't mean we are smart, does it? Especially me."

"You know yourself." Kaden said flatly, suppressing a laugh, "That's a good thing."

"I was just eager to give you something for your successful awakening." Dain said amid laughter, "And the blood stone was perfect for your blood affinity. So I jumped in without second thought."

He sighed, his voice suddenly subdued, "But instead, I caused you trouble, didn't I?"

Kaden was taken aback by the sudden shift, noticing a trace of embarrassment in Dain's tone.

He smiled, waving a hand dismissively, "It's fine. Really." He crossed his arms over his chest, "It wasn't much trouble. And I obtained the blood stone. So your gift was well received, brother."

"The only thing left is for us to go back to Darklore." Kaden continued, Dain nodded. "Father, mother, and sister will be very happy to see you after so many years."

"Sister?" Dain scoffed, "Are we talking about the same one, youngest? That girl wouldn't even bat an eye if I disappeared forever."

Kaden's lips twitched, "Don't say that. Daela is just shy. Don't mind her silent attitude."

"Nay, nay, nay," Dain shook his head vehemently, "I know my sister! I have been with her even when father and mother were not at home."

Dain's voice lowered, "I know she hates me."

"But why would she?" Kaden suppressed a laugh, "Did you do something?"

Dain fell silent, tilting his head in a contemplative manner, "I have done many things, youngest. You have to be more precise on this one."

Kaden's eyebrow twitched, "What did you do to sister?"

"Hm, only toward Daela?" Dain mused, then nodded, "Well, I forced her to play with me in a contest of strength when we were young. Of course, I was always the winner, so every time she lost, she had to do push-ups with me on her back."

Kaden's eyes widened, "You didn't dare…?"

Dain tilted his head with a beaming grin, seemingly delighted by the memory of the torment he inflicted on Daela, "It was a fair game, youngest."

"Fair game my bloody ass." Kaden scoffed, looking at his bulging frame and the lithe body of Daela.

He was truly shocked. But then…

"I wonder how you will fare with sister now," Kaden smirked sinisterly, "I doubt you can bully her anymore."

Dain grinned, his thick forearms riddled with scars crossing over his chest, "We will see. And no, youngest, it was not bullying. It was a fair game, okay? Fair game!"

They spoke again for a short while, laughter echoing faintly, before the voices gradually died down.

Neither of them spoke for a moment, before something strange flashed through Kaden's mind.

He smiled, slowly, sinisterly.

"Before we go back to Darklore," he said, "what about creating a shared memory between us?"

Dain's eyes lit up with sudden eagerness, "Of course, youngest. But what kind of memory? What will we do?"

Kaden slowly stood up from the chair, stretching his tense body.

"What else?" he answered, his form beginning to liquefy into blood.

"We do what we know best."

He turned his head, glancing at Dain over his left shoulder, "I hope you can still fight."

Dain grinned, yellow fire beginning to coil around his body like steam. Within his eyes, the silhouette of a colossal flaming two-handed battle axe flickered.

"The target?"

Kaden's body began to fade.

"Silver City."

He vanished.

Dain cackled, then exploded into a storm of fire. When the flames died down, he was gone as well.

…

High above the City of Silver, two beings suddenly appeared.

Lord Silver, inside his study, tensed, his gaze snapping upward. Sensing the overwhelming power rolling out from above, he cursed and stood abruptly.

"I have nothing left inside this empire. I shall complete the works of my ancestors!" he hissed, before disappearing behind layers of wards.

Meanwhile, high above, Kaden and Dain observed the ruined city calmly.

"Show me what you can do. Spare the innocent folk." Kaden said to Blanche, and she detonated outward.

Fire surged into the sky, then condensed into a massive crimson-gold phoenix.

Scalding wind slammed into the city below. Instantly, the people looked up in shock and terror.

The phoenix lifted her head, stretched her beak, and released a chilling screech. Then she flapped her blazing wings, flames pouring outward, and dove straight into the city.

Cries of horror erupted.

Dain watched with a grin, "Don't embarrass me, Griffin."

Griffin scoffed inside his mind, 'I am better than some goddamn chicken, bastard.'

Without waiting another word, Griffin burst free from Dain's body and spread his wings.

A second sun ignited in the sky.

And the world burned beneath the gaze of the Warborn brothers.

—End of chapter 360—

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