"Icarius sent a letter?" Samael asked the butler, his brows raised.

"Yes, young master," the butler replied.

Taking the letter, the butler left to give Samael some space.

"My return will be a week or a month later. I have some business to handle. However, when I return, I shall inform you of the details of all this. If you're reading this, please burn this letter once you're done, and most importantly, be extra careful. With what you did back in the ball, there is no doubt the ministry will send someone after you. Be vigilant."

Samael's brows furrowed even deeper as he rose up.

Just what is happening? Samael thought as he threw the paper into the burning chimney. However, his attention was soon taken as he felt Ajax's presence outside the door.

"Did you also receive the letter?" Ajax asked.

"Yes, so you did too?" Samael asked in return.

Ajax gave Samael a nod.

"Do you have any clues about what's going on?" Samael asked.

"Probably something related to the assassins sent to kill Lilith," Ajax responded.

"I will be gone for a while; I have to handle some monster subjugation business, so you'll be alone. I'm pretty sure you're already aware of the dangers coming after you, so be sharp," Ajax said before leaving.

Samael sighed as he sat back down. Today was the day of the festival. He and Lilith were supposed to go out, but will he really enjoy this trip knowing something is out there?

***

"A kid? Are you serious?" Nova asked in disbelief.

"I am," Icarius confirmed.

"Maybe you are going senile," Nova whispered.

Mendez was currently in a laughing frenzy upon hearing Icarius's words.

Icarius proposed Samael and Ajax as the two members that would help them even in the fight. Now, half of the people there were starting to look at him like he's a madman.

"I would understand Ajax, for he is now a saint. His talent and potential are massive, but a kid?" Ishkar asked.

"Even he's making sense now," Mendez said before laughing uncontrollably again.

"Icarius is right," Aphemis chimed in, prompting the people in the room to fall silent as they stared at her with blatant confusion.

"Did I drink before going here?" Mendez whispered to himself as he smelled his breath.

"You've got to be kidding me," Nova said.

"Can you please elaborate?" Olaf asked.

"Samael... he is an unknown variable. He just popped out of nowhere and caused changes even the ministry did not expect," Aphemis said.

"So you're trusting a kid you don't know?" Nova asked.

"I trust actions and intents," Aphemis said.

"And his intent? Rage. Pure, unfiltered rage against those bastards," she said.

"This... Samael, how does he fight?" Ishkar asked.

"Wildly," Aphemis said.

"Almost like an animal," she resumed.

"But with the aura of a hunter," she pointed out.

"Oh?" Ishkar exclaimed as he leaned closer.

"Samael's potential is vast. Might I say, possibly higher than all of us here combined?" she said.

"How foolish," Olaf said.

"It is the truth," Icarius vouched.

"Samael has fought enemies two ranks higher than him. He's survived saint battles the likes we couldn't even fathom," Icarius said.

"Have you heard of the calamity saint Antrax? He was there, and he survived. They even fought a leviathan cub," Icarius narrated.

"That's fucking crazy," Mendez said. Dealing with the black market, he's seen his fair share of smuggled monsters, but what truly sent a shiver down his spine is the infamous leviathan cub. That grotesque abomination should stay where it belongs.

"Ever since he came to us, his growth has exploded rapidly. Even now, his strength is nearly that of a full-blown saint," Icarius said.

A case of content theft: this narrative is not rightfully on Amazon; if you spot it, report the violation.

"How are you sure he isn't some spy planted by the ministry?" Nova asked.

"It's because he isn't," Aphemis said.

"My granddaughter... She was saved by Samael when they were kids. He helped her get free of the slavers that took her captive and bought her home. But they were ambushed by the bastards of the ministry. When I got there, he was severely injured and dying. You don't do that to valued spies," she said.

"Plus that bloodlust," she mentioned.

Nova sighed as he sat back down. "Alright, let's say we'll use the two to even the fight. How? The kid's not even a saint, and the enemies are probably the same rank as us," he mentioned.

"That's where my plan comes in," Icarius said.

"Currently, they have a task at hand. Upon my return, I will put an official saint in Tera, and they will leave to complete their mission—to liberate and help the other sanctuaries deal with their beasts," Icarius said.

"I want you guys to mentor them in the ways of fighting," he said.

"Will there even be enough time?" Nova asked.

"It will have to," Icarius said.

With a defeated sigh, Nova responded. "Fine. You win. But! I'm not taking the burden of setting up shit. You'll do that for us."

"Who's we?" Mendez asked.

"I never agreed," Olaf added.

"If he wishes to fight, we fight," Ishkar said.

"Remember what I said earlier," Icarius said to Mendez, shutting the man down.

"I heard you're looking for a polysterine ore, Olaf," Aphemis mentioned, luring the grandmaster blacksmith's attention.

"...I understand," Olaf said.

"So that's settled then. Give me a list of what you guys will need. I'll get to it as fast as I can," Icarius said as he rose up.

"So what are you up to now?" Ishkar asked.

"It's time to prepare my army," Icarius said.

***

As nightfall dawned on Tera, Samael found himself right outside of Lilith's manor. He took a few deep breaths as he went in.

He was guided by the staff towards a room downstairs, where a maid approached him. "Lady Lilith will be down soon."

Samael gave the woman a nod as he waited patiently. Soon, footsteps echoed through the walls of the manor as Lilith finally appeared.

She was wearing a casual white fit with a black belt highlighting her petite waist. It was almost similar to what women wore when horseback riding.

"Did you wait long?" Lilith asked, her ears waiting for Samael's words.

"No, just right on time. Shall we go?" he asked.

Lilith's ears drooped down. She prepared this fit with great care. She was lying if she said she didn't expect at least a single compliment.

"Yes," she said.

However, before Samael went ahead, he turned back as he fixed a strand of loose hair on Lilith's cheek.

"You look nice in that outfit," he said before taking the girl's hand and dragging her outside.

Lilith has never been more glad she was behind, as her face had become beet red in colour.

Upon arrival in the town, the festival was truly in the air.

Blaring lights lit the stone pathways along with the hundreds of colourful decorations hanging in the air.

Almost every corner of the town was riddled with all sorts of booths and stands, each containing their own games or delicacies.

Lilith's eyes sparkled at the sight of the festival. Even though she has been mingling with the people of Tera, she hasn't attended anything out of business.

Looking at certain stands, Samael dragged the girl towards them.

"Can we get two?" Samael asked.

"Coming right up!" The vendor said as he went to work.

"You didn't have to," Lilith said.

"What's the point of attending if I can't do something like this?" he said.

Lilith's cheeks flushed red as she averted her gaze to the side, prompting Samael to chuckle.

As their orders arrived, Lilith soon found her reluctance nowhere to be seen as she happily ate the food.

Little by little, she got more comfortable as they went stall after stall. They even played a variety of games, many of which they won due to their superhuman abilities.

As they walked side by side, they soon found a bench to sit on. It was a rather quiet spot, away from the crowds.

Putting aside the mountains of plushies and prizes they accumulated, Samael finally got the time he wished for.

Samael always wanted to be alone with Lilith. He wanted to talk and clarify many things. He knew, for a fact, that their stay would probably be limited. His time here was limited.

But how will he open the conversation?

"So... I heard there will be fireworks later," Samael said.

"Is that so? I can't wait to see it," Lilith said.

Then silence befell the two once more.

Samael felt defeated as he thought of ways to say what he wanted to say. But nothing. There was nothing.

Then again, he didn't have much time. When he left, many things changed. There was no assurance as to what else would happen.

Right now, he does not understand the emotions running through his heart. He could not label what it was or even truly define it. It's... just there.

Each day he spends with Lilith makes it howl even harder. Each time he goes close to her, he feels these emotions... that urge to have her for himself. But he fears what she will think. What she will say.

He fears that what comes next will end what they have now.

Gathering his resolve, Samael sighed as he spoke.

"Hey, can I ask you something?" he said, prompting Lilith to look at Samael straight in the eyes.

However, this time, she cannot pull her gaze away. It was as though she was being sucked behind his crimson pupils.

Slowly, she could feel her body heat up and her heartbeat thump wildly in her chest, along with that persistent feeling in her tummy.

She couldn't help but look forward to what he would say. The anticipation was killing her.

"I know that many things have changed since I went. I know... I know that your heart may have changed as well," Samael said, his gaze piercing the ground.

"I... It's nothing..." Samael brushed aside.

Lilith's heart ached upon hearing his words and the pain in them. Why would he say such a thing?

"What are you saying?" She asked, fear enveloping her heart. It felt as though Samael was moving so far away. So far, she can't reach him anymore.

Grasping his hand, Lilith asked again. "Tell me."

"I saw the proposal of those people to you, and I saw that you were going to accept it."

"No!" Lilith screamed.

Samael recoiled back.

"I would never! I never saw any of them as such! Never! I... I..." Feeling the emotions in her chest burst, she wanted to speak but was silenced by Samael's next words.

"I want you."

Lilith's ears felt deaf as she looked at Samael's loving gaze. What was this emotion? This... excitement and possessiveness?

"I don't understand. I don't know why, but I want you. I want you for myself. I wish to covert you. I... I don't know," Samael said as he stared into the distance.

Lilith's silence was what he feared. It was here now. It was over.

"Then take me," Lilith said, prompting Samael to jerk his head towards her, his eyes wide in surprise.

Grasping his cheeks, Lilith spoke.

"I am all yours."

Touching his forehead to hers, Samael spoke. "And I am yours."

Feeling the emotions overwhelm them, Samael softly kissed Lilith. The warmth of their lips interlocked as they felt an overwhelming desire for more.

Was he deserving of this much happiness?

As their lips separated, Lilith and Samael hungered for air as they intently looked at each other. They felt in fire even against the cold wind of the chilly night. They wanted more... but Samael held back.

As he did, a whistling sound thundered in the air as a plethora of bright, colourful lights streaked in the sky, followed by explosions that reflected in their pupils.

"Beautiful," Lilith said.

"Yes, yes, it is," Samael said, his gaze locked in her solely.