ONLINE: Blades of Eternity

Chapter 198 A DATE?

The sunlight streamed into the living quarters of Vice Chancellor Reeves, casting a warm glow over the modest yet refined room. Kaelen sat on a cushioned chair, his gaze fixed on Reeves, who was seated in the center of the living room. Reeves' serene form radiated an aura of profound calm, his breathing perfectly in sync with the subtle hum of magic swirling around him.

Kaelen couldn't help but marvel at the scene. Is this what mastery looks like? he thought. The room seemed alive with Reeves' presence, as if every corner of it bowed in quiet reverence to his power.

But Kaelen's awe was cut short as a shadow shifted near the corner of the room. Before he could react, Ethan emerged from the darkness, his steps silent and his voice low.

"Kaelen," Ethan whispered, leaning close, "Lila wants to see you. She's waiting outside."

Kaelen blinked in surprise, his head snapping toward Ethan. "What? Outside? Why? And how did you even get in here?"

Ethan shrugged, a sly grin tugging at his lips. "Let's just say I have my ways. But that's not the point. She asked for you specifically. You should go."

Kaelen frowned, glancing nervously at Reeves, who remained motionless in meditation. "You do realize the Hollowed One is after me, right? You think I'm just going to stroll outside for a casual chat?"

Apparently, the attack Kaelen previously got from the Hollowed one in his room is now a common knowledge for both his friends and his comrades.

Ethan rolled his eyes. "It's broad daylight. What could possibly happen? Besides, Reeves is—"

"No," Kaelen cut him off firmly. "I'm not leaving. Not now. Not with everything that's happened."

Ethan crossed his arms, his expression exasperated. "Kaelen, come on. You can't just hide in here forever. Lila wouldn't call for you unless it was important."

The argument escalated, Kaelen steadfast in his refusal and Ethan relentless in his pestering. The air between them grew tense until, without warning, Reeves' voice cut through the room, quiet yet commanding.

"Kaelen," he said, his eyes still closed, his tone calm but resolute. "Go. Relax for a while. But be back before nightfall."

Kaelen froze, his mouth opening and closing as he tried to find the words to protest. "But—Vice Chancellor, the Hollowed One—"

Reeves finally opened one eye, a faint smile on his face. "You'll be fine. Trust me."

The weight of Reeves' assurance left Kaelen speechless. He looked between the meditating Reeves and the smirking Ethan, before finally letting out a defeated sigh.

"Fine," Kaelen muttered, standing up. "But if anything happens, it's on you, Ethan."

Ethan grinned, already turning toward the door. "You'll thank me later."

As Kaelen followed Ethan out, the warmth of the daylight hit him, a stark contrast to the quiet tension he'd left behind in Reeves' quarters. Yet, an unease lingered in the back of his mind.

'What could Lila possibly want now?'

Sofia, ever composed, gave a subtle nod. "Yes. We're joining you. It'll be... interesting," she said, her voice as calm and measured as always.

For a moment, Kaelen could only gape at them, his thoughts spiraling into chaos. Double date? Wait... does that mean Morris and Sofia are...? His eyes darted between the two, searching for some confirmation. Morris stood there with his trademark smirk, looking as if he was enjoying Kaelen's bewilderment far too much, while Sofia remained impassive, her serene demeanor betraying nothing.

"Since when did this become a thing?" Kaelen finally blurted out, gesturing wildly at Morris and Sofia.

Morris raised an eyebrow, his smirk widening. "Oh, you didn't know? Sofia and I—"

"—Are not officially a 'thing,'" Sofia interjected, cutting him off with a pointed look.

Kaelen rubbed his temples, feeling a headache coming on. "Great. Now I'm even more confused."

Lila clapped her hands together, her grin as bright as the sun. "Well, now that everything's settled, let's get going! This will be fun!"

Reluctantly, Kaelen followed as the group set off, his mind still racing. A double date. With Morris and Sofia. How did I get roped into this?

As they walked through the bustling streets of Valoria, Kaelen couldn't shake the feeling of being watched. He glanced over his shoulder but saw nothing unusual. Still, he knew better.

'Well, it seems like he isn't slacking off huh?'

From the shadows of a nearby alley, Ethan was perched like a silent sentinel, his sharp eyes following Morris with unwavering focus. 'Bodyguard duties never stop, even on a double date,' Ethan thought with a sigh, expertly keeping himself hidden despite the broad daylight.

"Here we are!"

After taking a small trip of idle chatter and thrill, the group finally arrived at a renowned restaurant in Valoria, its towering wooden gates adorned with carvings of mythical beasts. The scent of exotic spices and roasted meats wafted through the air, tantalizing their senses. This establishment, famed for its wild cuisines sourced from across the kingdom, had been a mutual choice for the "double date."

As they stepped inside, the lively chatter of patrons and the clinking of goblets filled the room. The interior was grand yet cozy, with walls lined with trophies of exotic creatures. The air buzzed with a sense of adventure, a perfect backdrop for their unusual outing.

"This place is... unique," Sofia remarked, her eyes scanning the array of mounted heads and intricate weaponry.

"Exotic food for exotic company," Morris quipped, earning an eye roll from Kaelen, who still looked like he was mentally reeling from the events leading up to this.

Ethan, hidden expertly in the shadows outside, observed their entry with a watchful eye. His focus was entirely on Morris, ensuring his young master's safety in this unfamiliar environment.

Unbeknownst to them all, deeper in the shadows of the restaurant's upper rafters, a far more sinister presence lingered. The Hollowed One stood cloaked in the darkness, his ghastly form flickering in and out of reality. His hollow, sunken eyes glinted with a predatory light as he watched the group below.

'So you have finally come out your concave kid,' he mused silently, his voice a grim whisper carried only by the void. His gaze locked on Kaelen, his aura undetectable yet cold enough to sap the warmth from the air.

"Foolish child," he murmured, his spectral hand clenching the darkness itself. "You enjoy the peace of the moment, unaware that the predator has already chosen its prey."