Hellbound Heart

Chapter 391  Light and Darkness - Part 9

In the heart of a desolate clearing, shrouded in ashen fog, a couple stood hand in hand. One with raven black hair and dark aura that seemed to absorb all lights and one with silver hair, shimmering like a lone starlight in the darkness.

They were gazing towards an imposing mass of shadows and jagged peaks that was dominating the horizon. It looked like a mountain of darkness with a summit lost in the oppressive blackness of the skies above.

Tendrils of dark fogs danced and writhed like living entities around them, never getting too close, as if hesitant to come between them.

"That's our destination," Zeke said as he pointed into the pitch darkness ahead of them.

"So, we're close," Alicia whispered. The news didn't excite her no matter how much she told herself to be glad they're finally reaching the place.

"Mn," Zeke confirmed with a nod.

Alicia felt her chest tighten slightly. The fact that their journey was nearing its end now appeared harder for her to take than she initially thought. She knew she should feel glad, even relieved. She was genuinely excited to see Ezekiel's mother. But it seemed she wasn't ready yet… she didn't want to reach the end, knowing that what awaited after this journey was an uncertain future she believed would be just another separation from her beloved.

She dreaded it but she knew she had to stay strong. She knew that the only thing they could do was move forward. They cannot stop… or go back…

Taking a deep breath, Alicia turned to Zeke and mustered a smile. Only to see him looking at her with eyes that were mirroring her emotions. She could just see it… feel it… He knew exactly what she was thinking and feeling in this very moment.

Zeke reached out and gently caressed her cheek with the back of his fingers. The gesture was tender. His touch was warm against her cool skin, comforting. Reassuring. It was as if he was silently telling her that everything would be alright, that no matter what happened next, they would find their way back to each other's arms. Always.

Alicia leaned into his touch, drawing strength from his silent vow.

"We're near, but we still have a couple more battles to deal with," Zeke said.

And just as Alicia nodded, Zeke pulled her into his embrace. His arms wrapping around her with swift precision.

Then a loud thud echoed through the desolate clearing.

Alicia looked bellow and her eyes widened at the sight of centipede-like monster. The creature's body was a grotesque amalgamation of chitin and sinew, its segmented form glistening with a malevolent sheen. And it was already dying, its long, sinuous body curling and twitching in its death throes.

When she spotted Zeke's blade protruding right between the monster's giant, multifaceted eyes, her lips parted in surprise and awe. When did he even…

That was really fast! She'd watched her husband fight countless times since their journey began but… it seemed he was not going to cease surprising her any time soon. She already knew he was truly powerful and she was supposed to be already accustomed to his prowess but she couldn't help being amazed every time.

She really marvel at his reactions, especially the way he remained unfazed by any surprise attack, and how he could kill a monster with a single, precise strike. It was as if he had memorized every fatal point of every creature they encountered. It was truly astounding, almost insane, that it made her wonder just how many monsters he had slain over the years to achieve this level of mastery and power.

Alicia couldn't help but look at him with pure awe. It was truly hard for her not to! "If you keep looking at me like that," Zeke tilted his head, biting back a smile. "I might actually decide to have you just sit like a princess while I kill all these monsters myself," he said, clearly delighted by her admiration. n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om

Alicia playfully narrowed her eyes. "Show off," she said with a teasing smirk.

Zeke chuckled, the sound rich and warm. "I didn't even do anything special."

Alicia lifted an eyebrow and reached up to pinch his cheek gently. "An absolute cheeky show off!" she declared, her tone mock-stern. "When did Ezekiel Reign even start to become this cheeky and show off?"

"Beats me..." Zeke shrugged. "You should ask yourself, Alicia. I'm only like this when I'm with you, so I don't know the answer."

"Oh, so it's my fault now, is it?"

"Absolutely. You always bring out something in me I didn't even know I was capable of showing," Zeke said, tapping his forehead gently against hers. "And what can I do when you're looking at me like I'm the most amazing and most powerful man in existence? I'd willingly go off and provoke and defeat all the most dangerous monsters just to see that look in your eyes, Alicia."

"Don't you dare do that, Ezekiel," she replied, her tone suddenly strict. "You're already the most amazing and unparalleled man to me, so don't you do anything dangerous just to impress me, you hear me?"

When he didn't respond and just gazed at her with those beautiful, intense eyes, Alicia continued, "Your answer?"

He reached out, caressed her hair, and whispered, "I heard you, my wife."

Alicia cleared her throat, trying not to actually blush. "Good."

Just as she said that, a monstrous shriek pierced the air. The ashen fogs around them seemed to ripple with the sound. More monsters were coming!

"Now here it is… this one's a little big. Shall I impress you more?" Zeke asked with a straight face though his eyes gleaming with a playful challenge.

"No. You've impressed me enough, you cheeky man," Alicia replied, her voice firm as she looked at Zeke. "Now I want you to be the one to take a rest this time. Sit here and watch me fight, Ezekiel." As she spoke, her entire body began to glow fiercely. Even her eyes glowed like moonlight, exuding her power and determination.