World's Last Hope-Chapter 45: Two Souls

"He will die," Olivia spoke coldly as she shifted her gaze to the gates of the cathedral.

This statement startled Aria for a moment, she quickly asked,

"What makes you think that?"

Olivia sighed as she spoke, "I know when my father was still alive, he was addicted to drinking. Of course, like many people, he tried to fight off his addiction... but in the end, he failed."

Her voice was heavy as she spoke, recalling the distant past.

"What Eric is showing right now are the same signs of a person who has been separated from their addiction for too long... it’s withdrawal symptoms. Considering how long he has held his sword, it could even kill him by causing him to go into shock."

Aria was about to speak, but Olivia interrupted her.

"That’s fine, we can just keep healing him. This is what you thought, right? Well... it’s true, but at the end of it all, I suspect Eric’s mental state will be beyond broken. No matter how resilient a person is... there are just some things you cannot win against."

"How long?" Aria spoke, looking at Olivia.

The reason was simple, few knew it, but Olivia possessed the ability to perceive the soul of every living being, and considering how strong the guard was, Olivia should be able to sense the current state of its soul even beyond the cathedral gates.

So, she was asking how long it would take for the guardian to die.

Olivia was silent for a moment, as if thinking how she should answer.

"It has been about a day since Eric scratched it, about a third of its soul is destroyed since then, so about two more days."

"Will Eric hold on for that long?"

Suddenly, a violent cry was heard from the other side of the door, where the pool and Eric were located.

Aria’s eyes narrowed. She had never heard him scream in pain, nor as much as this.

"I think this just answered your question," Olivia spoke as she didn’t shift her gaze from the cathedral gates.

"So... what can we do?" Aria asked, her voice worried.

"Nothing, I can’t think of anything..." Olivia admitted.

Aria gritted her teeth in frustration. "So we are powerless?"

"Actually, something comes to mind," Olivia spoke, her voice clearly tired, like she was about to drift into sleep.

"He was fine until the battle ended. Maybe if he focuses all his attention on something for a prolonged period of time, he won’t be forced to fight all his desires?"

"Something to focus on?" Aria asked, raising an eyebrow.

"Yes, like the fear of losing his life, though nothing comes to mind..." Olivia began to drift off as her eyes started to feel very heavy.

It wasn’t surprising. She hadn’t rested since the start of the battle, and then she had spent an entire day after that trying to keep Eric stable.

So Aria didn’t stop her and let her get some well-deserved rest.

Another scream was heard from across the door.

"Something to focus on..." Aria muttered under her breath as she clenched her fist.

She knew what she had to do... no, not what she had to do, but what she wanted to do.

She dismissed her armor, leaving herself completely naked, as she opened the doors to the pool.

There Eric was, sitting on the built-in seats from across the door.

He slowly raised his head as his gaze fell on Aria. It seemed his eyes widened in awe as he spoke, his voice weak and trembling,

"Aria... why are you naked?"

*****

The thousands of voices that told him to do unspeakable things instantly silenced as Eric gazed at Aria’s naked body.

From the first moment he had laid his eyes on her, he had instantly fallen for her, though this wasn’t something Eric wanted to admit.

But it was the truth—her golden hair, her mesmerizing blue eyes, her flawless skin, her alluring body—it was like he was looking at a divinity, and that was before when she was a master...

Now that she was a Grandmaster, she had somehow become even more beautiful.

And looking at her naked, thoughts of a different kind began to flood his mind.

Yet, he forced his eyes to shift their gaze.

Now he was looking to the side, trying not to focus on Aria’s breathtaking figure.

"...Why are you here?" he spoke, despite already knowing the answer.

He wasn’t happy with his thoughts, no, he was cursing inwardly.

’No! It wasn’t supposed to be like this! This wasn’t how it was supposed to happen!’

Aria didn’t say anything at first as she slowly began walking forward. Once she reached the pool, she entered it.

"Stop," Eric’s voice cut her off.

"I can’t control myself, so please don’t do this. You have no reason to be here."

"I have, though," she answered instantly. "I am here to help you."

Eric seemed taken aback by her words, as he took some time to respond.

"I... I will be fine on my own."

"Two days, can you last like this for two more days? That’s how long it would take for the guardian to die."

Eric’s eyes widened in horror. ’Two days? Not possible. My mind feels like it’s about to split apart any second now.’

Aria continued to walk forward as her alluring body made small waves across the water.

"Even so!" Eric’s voice stopped her again.

"This isn’t an issue you should concern yourself with! I will find a way to deal with the matter on my own."

Aria sighed as she continued forward, speaking her voice soft and gentle.

"Why do you refuse help? Is it that bad to accept that you can rely on someone?"

Aria had already closed half the distance of the pool.

"It’s not about that!" he shouted, frustrated. "It’s... just that I don’t think I deserve the help."

"Why?" This time, it was Aria’s turn to shout in frustration.

"You have saved our lives multiple times! Shouldn’t it be natural for you to accept our help as well?"

"It’s not about that," Eric muttered under his breath.

"Then what is it really about?" Aria spoke, returning to her gentle voice. She was now just a few meters from Eric, who was still looking to the side.

"It’s just... it wasn’t supposed to be like this," he spoke, his voice trembling.

"What do you mean?" Aria asked, raising an eyebrow.

"The first time I saw you... I fell for you. I know it’s pathetic to fall for someone at first glance, but I couldn’t help myself, okay?! It just happened..." His voice was a weird mixture of frustration and regret.

"I thought that maybe, we could get together in the future... but this... For you to distract me from the side effects of my sword out of pity?! Having my first time out of pity?! This is something that I can’t accept, no matter what!"

"Why do you think this is out of pity? Is it so hard to believe I might actually want this?" Aria’s question seemed to stun Eric for a moment, until he gritted his teeth in frustration.

"You’re lying... Even if you really liked me, it takes time to develop these feelings. Maybe after a few months, a year perhaps... but now? You are lying to me just so I don’t think you are doing this out of pity."

"Eric," Aria spoke as she slowly sat in his lap. He trembled at her gesture but didn’t move.

"I am a greedy woman, so I don’t like waiting. I don’t want this in a few months, nor after a year."

She placed her hands on his cheeks and moved his head so she could look him in the eyes.

"I want this here and now. This is just the perfect excuse for me to get it."

Eric’s eyes shifted as he met her gaze. He looked dazed and confused, no doubt his sword’s side effect having a strong negative impact on his mind.

Aria moved her face closer to his.

"I want this, Eric... I want you."

His eyes widened in shock, as if he realized that maybe there was a person who wanted him... for him, just him.

He couldn’t control himself anymore... no, he didn’t want to.

He moved his face closer, his lips softly brushing against hers before they kissed, gently, as he lifted her elegant body off his lap.

And then he entered her.