Chapter 56 - ★ 55 (TOUR TO THE UNDERWORLD V)

★55

ASTERI'S POV

I took a deep breath before proceeding.

"As I mentioned earlier, my plans all seem so flawless and unbelievable that it almost seems as though I have been using our ultimate Art to achieve the results I have desired. Am I correct, Lady Ramiris?"

I asked.

"Kind of. After building your palace, you said something about you could've created people to serve you but that'll be boring."

"Good. I've never used magic on individuals for my gain, like brainwashing them to serve me. I solely want you guys to follow me on your own accord. But,"

A blade materialised from the void, slicing clean through my left arm. Then came a dagger that plunge into his heart, drawing crimson on his robes. The Truth reacted, he lied.

The pain, raw and unfamiliar, shot through me as blood cascaded from the wound. My gaze lingered on the severed limb, crimson pooling beneath. Now that my Arts are sealed, my body is prone to death by these mortal wounds. The others tensed, their expressions darkening, but I merely exhaled. This had to be done.

"Asteri, please stop. I don't care what you've done. I believe you."

Hinata's eyes were wet with tears, but I didn't stop.

"I wasn't done talking yet. The Truth acted on its own."

I shook my head once, steadying myself.

"I've only used magic on you twice, Hinata. The first time was when we met. I checked whether you were telling the truth about Issei. I wasn't disturbed by what I saw, you were protecting him."

Her shoulders trembled, but she kept listening.

"The second time wasn't harmful. I infused a trace of my energy into you. Do you remember when our hands crossed, back when we were with the dragons?"

She nodded, tears slipping down her cheeks.

"Those are the only times I've ever used magic on you."

The Truth remained silent. No reaction. I was telling the truth.

"As for you, Towa… aside from the bracelet, I've never used magic on you myself. But I did have someone else do it."

I spoke again immediately, not giving the Truth room to judge half-words.

"The healing Shinn gave me?"

She asked.

"No. I asked Lady Elara to make you a Hybrid Star."

Shock spread through the room. Even Atlas and Elaine stiffened. Yet the Truth did nothing.

"I had my reasons, and I'll explain them. The feeling was instant, and I didn't want to lose you. The same applies to you, Hinata. I planned to do it myself, but the dragons chose you first."

Hinata's breath caught.

"The Balance Dragons are intermittent the pinnacle of the Dragon race in Kalidor. When a Dragon Deity approaches eternal slumber, a temporary successor is born. A Dragon, or a Balance Dragon, meant to keep the World in check."

I continued, my voice steady.

"When the Dragon God of Destruction awakened, the Void Dragons seized two realms almost instantly. With no Deity and no Balance Dragon to oppose them, Kalidor stood on the edge of collapse."

I met Hinata's eyes.

"This was the moment Yin and Yang had been waiting for. They chose you. Now that they have a master again, a new Great Dragon War is inevitable, between the Void Dragons and the Balance Dragon."

Silence followed. Heavy, absolute. The Truth did not move. Atlas and Elaine raised no objections.

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"You're still human for now, but once you awaken, you'll outlive me and surpass me. For reasons I don't fully understand, I'm grateful the dragons chose you. That way… we'll be together for much longer.

The same applies to you, Towa. Ela could have cured you, restored you to a human, but I told her otherwise. I can already see the changes within you, your control over your energy flow."

I rose from my seat and dropped to one knee.

"What I did was selfish. I know that. But it was the only way I could preserve my happiness. Still, I ask you, no, I beg you, to forgive me. If you wish to return to your normal lives, I will make it happen, no matter the cost.

However, I cannot remain like this. If you choose to leave, I will have to erase you from my memory to ensure I never exploit you for my own gain. So please… Hinamatsuri, Queen Towa, frgive me."

Silence fell over the hall. No one moved. No one spoke. Yet their minds were in turmoil, thoughts colliding and overflowing.

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Towa remained lost in contemplation, maintaining the silence.

Hinata was the one who finally broke it.

"Isn't that great? I'll get to be with you for a long time. That's what I've always wanted."

She smiled faintly.

"I had a selfish wish too. I wanted you to extend my lifespan, or anything at all. Just… do something that would let me stay with you longer. So really, the dragons did me a favour."

She had chosen an entirely different path, one I never anticipated.

"What about the.."

"I've agreed to fight for them."

"No."

I shook my head.

"I don't want that. It's too dangerous. The Void Dragons are..."

"Sorry,"

She interrupted calmly.

"but that's what I want. I'm glad the dragons chose me."

I couldn't respond. The words refused to come.

"And don't think about manipulating them or trying to change their minds."

She added, her tone gentle but firm.

"I wouldn't be happy if you did."

The smile she gave me made my heart falter. Then I froze.

Behind her, a faint silhouette emerged, the looming form of a dragon, its eyes glimmering with ancient, knowing light.

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Antares stammered.

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Entares cursed.

"I don't have much to say either."

Towa spoke at last.

"I'll simply amend my promise. Whatever path you choose, I'll follow you to its end."

I felt both relief and unease.

"You're all unbelievably stubborn. You're risking your very existence for someone you met barely a year ago."

I murmured.

"And you tried to risk your supreme status over a mere skill."

Hinata countered without hesitation.

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"I'm not following you just because you saved me."

Towa began softly.

"That's part of it, but I..."

"Apologies, Queen Towa."

Hinata cut in smoothly, as if she had seen it coming.

"That line is mine."

"…Is that so?"

She inquired.

"How about we refrain from saying those words aloud?"

Hinata suggested.

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"So,"

A soft, teasing voice chimed in, cutting through the tension.

"are you really going to marry them?"

It was Ramiris. The moment her words landed, the accused stiffened. then flushed, faces burning red beneath her stubborn, mischievous gaze

"Not that again..."

"Not what? It's the truth, maybe you can't see it but they do.."

I was still on my knees, lost in thought, as Ramiris' teasing echoed in the hall. Then, a gentle hand lifted my chin. Before I could even process it, warmth pressed against my lips. Hinata, my first kiss.

As our mouths met, my thoughts unravelled. My mind short-circuited, the world around me dissolving into nothing but the soft, lingering pressure of her lips.

Atlas shut his eyes tightly, vanishing from the hall in an instant, with Elaine following a beat later. Ramiris froze, stunned, but even she wasn't as shocked as Towa.

"Allow me to be with you for a while, Ati chan."

She leaned close, whispering into my ear despite her blush. Her words slithered through me, sending an icy thrill down my spine.

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Entares wasn't shocked, he had been waiting for this. With a sudden grin, he leapt from his throne as he pointed straight at me no, as if announcing it to an unseen audience within my Mind.

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My fellow Stars left me when I needed them the most.

"Hey!. That's not fair!"

Towa's face flushed crimson as she shouted, her voice sharp and panicked, betraying just how mortified she was by the scene unfolding before her.

"What are you talking about?"

"You said we should restrain ourselves, what's this?!"

"Restrict the 'words' not the 'moves'."

The queen's eyes blazed with a mix of fury and envy.

"I need one too!"

She declared, her face flaming red. In a swift motion, she rushed forward, wiping my lips with the edge of her dress before pulling me into a sudden, forceful kiss.

Her arms locked around me, pressing me close, and in that instant, a surge of unfamiliar emotion coursed through me. Vulnerability, raw and unfiltered, washed over me as the world narrowed down to her embrace.

When she finally released me, it felt like being yanked back into reality, leaving my heart pounding and my thoughts scattered.

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"I got the first kiss."

Hinata said, settling back into her seat with a small, triumphant smile.

"I'll beat you next time."

Towa shot back, folding her arms in mock challenge.

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A tinkling laugh cut through the hall. Ramiris, amused, let the sound ripple like sunlight across water, and for a heartbeat, the tension broke into warmth and teasing camaraderie.

"I knew it, you love them and so do they."

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"How does it feel, Asta kun? Your first kiss or should I say kisses?"

"I don't know what to say at this point..."

"Just take your time and relax. Is that all Asta kun? If yes I'll be going. I was busy when Atlas arrived."

"Thank you Lady Ramiris, for sparing your time."

"No problem. See y'all. You guys should go easy on him ok?"

Their faces flushed crimson.

Ramiris, anticipating this, chuckled and shook her head before flying off. The hall fell silent, leaving just the trio behind. Towa returned to her seat, and I rose to my feet as well.

We were pushed back into silence and I decided to end this, noticing my pale skin.

"Atlas, Elaine. Come lift the Truth. I don't want to bleed to death."

Through my robes, it absorbed them, it was wet. The two released it without appearing in the hall. My hand regenerated quickly, my heart was patched whole, the blood dried, and my attire returned to its initial grace.

"Well get going. Feel free to visit me anytime my Diva."

"The portal."

"I added something, using the bracelet you can teleport to the first floor. I'll always be there."

She nodded.

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This was no longer a passive unfolding of fate, but a deliberate progression, layers to be conquered and wills to be tested. With that single revelation, a new objective took shape, clear and inevitable.

I felt it then, the faint stir of anticipation. A slow smile formed on my lips. The board had shifted. The pieces were moving. And this time, I would simply watch and see which of them would rise high enough to stand before me.

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Asteri thought, watching from the surface while remaining detached.

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Entares had stood beside Antares since day zero. He had witnessed every fracture, every ascent. And yet this thing, untouched by him, had awakened on its own and begun pulling at every thread.

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