Bella's eyes narrowed. The chill around her intensified.
"Fiancée?" she repeated coldly. "That title was something decided by those old fools of the old world, not by me. Don't use it so casually."
The surrounding boys and girls exchanged awkward glances.
The temperature around Bella dropped another degree and frost beginning to creep across the area beneath her feet.
Sylus laughed softly,
"Come on, Bella. Why are you so distant? We're already promised to each other. Whether you like it or not, it won't change."
Bella took a step back, and replied in a flat tone,
"We're in a new world. I will make it change."
Sylus's smile stiffened for a moment. His eyes squinted with displeasure before returning to their charming curve.
"You've grown stronger, Bella. But don't forget, I'm not the same as before either. I was worried you might fall behind… looks like I was wrong."
One of the girls nearby tried to ease the tension through a forced a laugh.
"Haha, you two are still the same. Bella was always this cold, even back in school."
Bella didn't respond to that.
She looked at Sylus' sly face, and spoke coldly,
"Listen carefully. I didn't survive all this just to become someone's ornament. I have my own path now."
Hearing this, Sylus didn't get angry. With that same sly fox face, he stepped closer again
"And what if our paths are meant to merge? Two Skylords, ruling together. Doesn't that sound perfect Bella?"
The air between them froze all of sudden.
Crack.
Around Sylus's feet, a thin layer of ice formed suddenly. The frost crawled up to his boots before stopping just below his knees.
"Take one more step, and I'll freeze more than just your boots."
Bella's voice was now terrifyingly calm.
For the first time, Sylus stopped smiling.
The group fell silent, feeling the invisible pressure bearing down on them.
Somewhere deep inside, Sylus also realized that the girl before him was no longer the one he could casually control.
And Bella, standing amidst the frost, had already decided one thing:
No one would dictate her future anymore.
Time passed. The darkness of night descended upon the Tree of Life like a blanket.
Fireflies and other insects spread across every leaves, creating a mesmerizing sight.
Adventurers and Skylords both paused to appreciate the moment. After a hard day, they appreciated this peace very much.
Not all were so fortunate, though.
Here and there, muffled sobs echoed softly. Some people stared at the sky with hollow eyes, clutching memories that would never answer back. Their loved ones had fallen today, and their bodies already claimed by this foreign real.. No graves. No farewells.
Only questions.
Why were they sent here?
What did this world want from them?
Was survival the goal, or suffering?
No one had answers.
At the edge of the gathering, partially hidden by shadows and roots thicker than towers, Aegis sat all alone.
His power had soared after consuming dozens of elemental fruits.
[ Skylord Name: Aegis ]
[ Rank: Steward - (6) ]
[ Island: Aquabyss Domain (SSS+) ]
[ Talents: Sea God's Physique (Divine) ]
[ Skills: Water Manipulation Ultimate (E), Hydro-genesis (D) ]
[ Wealth: 25,900 BC (Bronze Coins) ]
[ Followers: 21 ]
He studied the status screen calmly.
Only three stages remained before Baron Rank.
On paper, he was still a Steward. But he knew the truth. His Ultimate skills had pushed his combat power into Baron territory.
He was confident against most newly advanced Barons, would not lose.
His divine energy also felt abundant after consuming those elemental fruits. So much so, he believed he could fight for 30 minutes without worrying about energy depletion, unless he used his skills to do something very energy-draining.
"Why are you alone, your grace?"
The sudden breaking through his calm was none other than [DesertFox].
He approached Aegis with cautious steps.
Aegis glanced at him briefly before replying,
"I prefer to stay alone. I dont think you need not worry about me."
"I understand, Your Grace. "Today… wasn't easy for anyone."
He scratched the back of his head awkwardly, then gave a small, respectful bow.
DesertFox, understanding Aegis' personality, didn't intruded on his Personal space. He sat at a very considerable distance.
He glanced toward the distant groups of Skylords and adventurers on the Tree of Life, where soft lights flickered and hushed voices echoed through the night.
He sighed and added,
"A lot of people are shaken. Some lost comrades. Some lost their confidence. They're holding it together because they have to. But fear is spreading."
His words and gaze were filled with sincerity rather than flattery.
"Aegis, they look to you more than you realize. Even those who don't follow you directly. Seeing you stand your ground earlier, seeing that power.... it gave them something to believe in."
"What is your name? Why have come here?" Aegis asked.
[DesertFox] hesitated for a brief moment before replying,
"I'm known as [DesertFox], and my real name is Felix Maxwell. I didn't come to disturb your peace. I just wanted to ask if there's anything you need. Maybe an order, a decision, or even just someone to listen."
Aegis looked at Felix, then at the groups of people sitting together, sharing their joys and sorrows.
"I don't need anyone. I am alone enough," he said quietly.
Felix was stunned. He had never seen a person so adamant about staying alone. He couldn't understand how such a powerful man had such deep-seated rejection toward others.
He was about to speak, but at that moment, a terrifying scream echoed from above.
"Ahhhh!"
It was not an ordinary scream. It was the brutal cry of someone meeting the final moment of their life.
Aegis and Felix immediately went on alert.
They rose from their seats, watching the direction from which the scream had come.
Finding no suitable viewing position, Aegis used water propulsion to leap upward.
Felix followed, climbing through the tree bark using his sharp claws and excellent flexibility.
Upon reaching the spot, they noticed something utterly horrifying.
"Is it a vampire?"