Chapter 234: Magic / 6.21 : I meant every word
After speaking to Kian longer Eden left for Magellanic Clouds. He appeared in Cael office’s in front of the desk and he looked up. As soon as he looked into Eden’s eyes he stood up and hugged him.
He felt heartbroken when he felt his robes dampen. He held Eden tighter and caressed his head.
"You’re not the person who cursed them, Eden, you’re their savior."
He can tell that Eden feels responsible for all the other prisoners ending up in the same situation as him. He feels as though he did something that caused a chain of reaction.
"The only person who should feel guilty is Colton no one else."
Eden pulled back and looked at his Gege. Cael wiped his tears.
"Do you understand?"
Eden swallowed and murmured:
"I know that but seeing Kian, I realized that Colton became addicted to that feeling of control over people’s lives, so much so that he even enslaved random people. I can understand why he would choose most of the people he did, but Kian is different. There isn’t even an ounce of darkness in him. I couldn’t help but wonder what if it didn’t start with me. Would he still go through that cycle of pain like the others, or would he have stayed by his mother’s side?"
"Colton was always going to do what he did, you just happened to be the first person he enslaved."
Cael caressed his cheek.
"After freeing yourself you could’ve left and not worried about the other, but you chose to stay and be there for them and make sure they would all become free."
Eden’s eyes moistened and he said:
"I almost left him behind."
"All that matters right now is that you found him just like you found the others."
Eden nodded then looked down. He can’t help but feel guilty, he wouldn’t have taken it so badly if he was sure that the person wasn’t pure and peerless.
None of them indeed deserved Colton’s punishment but he wasn’t surprised when he saw the kind of people he punished. Even if Colton used the ridiculest reason to punish someone they still antagonized him in some way while he’s sure Kian didn’t.
That kid is painfully shy and sweet, he had trouble looking him in the eyes so, of course, he would never hurt someone. When he thinks of the way he looked at him when he thought he was the one who enslaved him he aches.
He’s never seen someone as frightened as him. He looked up when Cael said:
"How about we double-check to make sure we indeed found everyone?"
"You don’t mind?"
It took them a long time to find all the prisoners, it was tedious work but it had to be done while right now Cael doesn’t have to.
"I don’t, I can do anything as long as you’re by my side."
Eden wrapped his arms around his neck and kissed him tenderly. Cael circle his waist and kissed him back. Eden pulled back.
"I don’t know what I’d do without you."
Cael promised:
"You’ll never have to figure it out."
"I love you."
"I love you more baby."
When Eden smiled Cael felt better. Eden should never be sad, he’ll never allow it.
Caspian stood at the side looking at Atlas and Kian talking. He looked down thinking about Eden’s reaction. He can tell that he took this whole thing badly. It was surprising seeing everything Atlas has told him about him.
It was like Eden believed that he is the reason Colton went on his slaving spree. It’s ridiculous, he just had power for the first time and let it get to his head. He’s clearly a vindictive person.
Once he goes back to Magellanic Clouds he’ll change everything and make sure no one can make a unilateral decision again. At least seeing Eden he knows that he and Cael are handling things well.
Atlas only spoke positively of him but he was biased so he thought the best way to find out what kind of person he is was by meeting him himself. Atlas idolizes Eden but most of what he said indeed matches the person he met.
Atlas stood up and looked at Caspian.
"I’ll walk Kian out and I’ll be right back, don’t leave."
"I won’t."
Atlas smiled and walked out with Kian. Kian looked back at Caspian, when he met his eyes he immediately turned around. When he looks at Caspian he feels the same way he did when he was called to the principal’s office.
Atlas looked at Kian and asked as they walked in the tunnel:
"Who do you miss most besides your mother?"
Kian murmured:
"My best friend Leah."
Seeing the tenderness in his eyes Atlas asked:
"Does she know you love her?"
Kian bit his lip and then said:
"She doesn’t, I was on my way to confess to her when I was abducted."
Atlas frowned, he thought that Kian died and then became a slave to Versem, like he and Eden but he was abducted. He smiled.
"You’ll tell her how you feel once you go back."
Kian nodded, he looked at Atlas wanting to ask something but then looked away.
"I told you everything I could think of but if you have questions you can ask me."
"I just... The Whitlocks am I going to encounter them once I start?"
Atlas said:
"There are many of them, and millions of their soul-flakes are scattered in the multiverse, so the chances of meeting one are high. Once you go through it, it becomes easier to recognize them. They usually have the most power in every universe."
Kian bit his lip in worry. What if he has to deal with a Whitlock? They’re sure to win and he won’t gain the universe’s power. Atlas said:
"Eden told you he’ll help you every step of the way, just like he did me. Every time I called on him he answered."
Kian relaxed a little upon hearing that. He’s nervous, he has to defeat whoever’s after him in every universe or he won’t be able to become free. No one can do it for him.
"You’ll be alright I promise."
Kian nodded, Atlas opened the carriage door and he entered.
"Thank you."
Atlas smiled.
"I’ll see you tonight."
"Ok."
Atlas closed the door and went back to the secret chamber in a hurry. He hopes Caspian isn’t gone yet. When he arrived he saw that Yitian was still standing up with his eyes closed, and Caspian was sitting on the bed.
He smiled and jumped on him. Caspian caught him and kissed him passionately. For a long time, the two embraced. Atlas pulled back and looked into his eyes.
Caspian sat up with Atlas straddling him. Atlas caressed his cheek.
"I missed you so much. I was scared you might be gone by the time I came back."
"I missed you more beloved."
He finds it cute that Atlas ran to make sure he wouldn’t be gone by the time he is back. He has more than enough power to stay. Atlas asked:
"Have you been feeling yourself become stronger?"
"I have I’m able to channel the rest of my soul-flakes."
Atlas’ eyes lit up.
"Really?"
"Really. After this universe’s power, you should have enough power to be free."
Atlas said:
"I know I was just worried we might not be able to meet at Magellanic Clouds at the same time."
Caspian tilted his head.
"Does that mean you changed your mind and decided to live?"
Atlas looked at Caspian uncomfortably and swallowed.
How does he know he was planning on dying after he was free at first? He never told him because he didn’t want Caspian to dissuade him, but he already knew. Of course, he knew, he always knows everything.
The more Atlas thought about it the angrier he became until his eyes darkened.
"So you knew I planned on obliterating my soul after I was free, but you never cared to dissuade me?"
When Caspian looked at him amused he asked:
"Don’t you care if I live or die?"
Caspian chuckled at the petulant kid facing him. He leaned in to kiss him but Atlas pushed him away and looked at him angrily.
"Beloved there are choices you have to make yourself, no matter how painful it would’ve been for me."
Atlas crossed his arms and looked away. He knows he should be happy that Caspian would’ve respected his choice but it still hurts. He can’t live without this person but that’s not his case.
Atlas immediately looked at him when he said:
"I didn’t want you to keep living for me and resent me for eternity. If you would’ve decided to end things I would’ve made sure to leave GOT in capable hands and then followed you."
Atlas’ eyes moistened, and when a tear fell on his face Caspian wiped it.
"I meant every word that I ever said to you. I can’t see my life without you."
"I can’t see my life without you too Er-Ge."
Caspian smiled, he kissed him and Atlas held onto him tightly. After spending a little while longer with him Caspian retreaded and the twins came back.
Yitian who was standing at the side sat on the bed with Atlas and Yujin and asked:
"Is everything settled?"
"It is, Eden is gone and I talked to Kian. We’ll deal with Yan and his dark mage tonight."
Atlas checked Versem then said:
"Let’s go I have to show you something."
He held the twins’ hands and led them out.
