The murmurs rose again in the coliseum—dense, venomous, heavy with disbelief.
No one could comprehend what "Morgan" had asked for as a reward.
-What did he just say?
-Is he serious?
-Is he insane?
-Maybe the fight scrambled his brain.
-What a stupid wish…
The voices blended together, overlapping, warping into laughter and contempt.
Meanwhile, Morgan remained silent, standing upright by sheer will alone, his gaze fixed on the king. He said nothing. He asked for nothing more.
He waited.
But what came was not an answer… but laughter.
First brief.
Then louder.
Then scandalous.
-hahahaha… no, I never imagined anyone would ask me for something like that… hahahaha… my stomach.
( Said Cain, clutching his abdomen as he laughed uncontrollably )
-Did you hear that, Amon? His wish is for me to give him a human… HAHAHAHAHA!
( Said the king, turning to look at Amon )
-Yes, hahaha… how amusing.
( Amon replied, with cold sarcasm )
-Do you… do you find it funny?
( Said "Morgan," swaying, fighting not to lose consciousness )
-Of course I do. I offered you what anyone else would long for. I offered you what many would have to work years to obtain. I offered you what others would kill to acquire… And yet you asked me for something as simple as the life of a human. That… is unexpected. And very, very funny. HAHAHAHAHA.
( Said Cain, trying to catch his breath )
-So… will you do it… or not?
Morgan's body gave in.
He collapsed unconscious just as he finished the sentence.
Zarathoz reacted instantly, catching him before he hit the ground and holding him in his arms.
-Oops… looks like someone's a little tired.
( Cain commented playfully, watching as "Morgan" faded )
-Your Majesty, if you'll excuse me. He needs to rest.
( Said Zarathoz kindly, though with clear urgency )
-Wait, wait… why the rush? We still have to give him what he asked for, don't we?
( Cain replied with an animated smile )
-You, young human… could you come here, please?
( Said the king, fixing his gaze on Zarathoz )
From the tunnel emerged Galahad.
She walked slowly, trembling, under the weight of hundreds of gazes judging her, insulting her, despising her.
She did not raise her head.
She pressed her hands to her chest and kept walking.
Cain extended his arm to receive her. When she stood before him, he spoke:
-If I'm not mistaken… you are Aioria's doll, aren't you?
( Said the king with unsettling calm )
Galahad did not answer. Fear had stolen her voice. She only trembled.
-Damn trash! His Majesty is speaking to you and you dare not answer!
( Amon shouted furiously )
Amon gripped her sword.
By pure reflex, Galahad closed her eyes and shielded herself with her hands.
But then—
Cain raised his hand.
-Stop.
-But, Your Majesty, that trash dared to ignore your question.
( Said Amon, indignant )
-Yes, yes, I understand… duty and all that. But listen, my child. I just promised this young man that I would give him whatever he desired… and he asked for this human. How do you think I would look if I allowed you to harm her?
( Said Cain, gentle… but firm )
Amon hesitated.
-I would look like a liar. Like a king who does not keep his word. Do you want everyone to see me that way, my child?
( Cain added with false compassion )
-No! Of course not, Your Majesty. Forgive my ineptitude.
( Said Amon, kneeling )
-Come now, come now… you don't need to do that, Amon, haha.
( Cain replied, uncomfortable )
-Very well… let us return to our main matter. I know you belong to Aioria. But a promise is a promise. And if this is what the victor's heart desires… Who am I to deny it?
The king stopped abruptly.
-I, from this moment onward, grant the right of ownership of the human named—
He hesitated.
-Ah… what is your name?
( He asked awkwardly, looking at Galahad )
Galahad gathered the little courage she had left.
-Ga… Ga… Galahad.
( She replied, stuttering )
-Uhum… very well. As I said, from this moment and forever, I grant the rights of ownership of the human called Galahad to—
He paused again.
-What is his name?
( Cain whispered to Zarathoz )
-Morgan. His name is Morgan.
( Zarathoz replied seriously )
-Yes… to Morgan.
( Said the king awkwardly )
As he finished speaking, a chain of light emerged from Galahad's chest.
It was transparent, intangible… endless.
It stretched toward some point beyond the stadium.
Then it shattered.
Galahad staggered, dizzy.
Immediately, a new chain began to form.
It slowly emerged from her chest… until it coiled around the unconscious hand of Morgan.
The burning was unbearable.
But she endured it.
-Good. It is done.
( Said the king, satisfied )
-Now that it's over… may I take him, Your Majesty?
( Zarathoz asked coldly )
Cain remained silent for a few seconds. Then he smiled.
-Yes. You may take him.
Zarathoz bowed, spread his wings violently, and a gust of wind shook the coliseum.
He rose into the sky with Morgan in his arms.
From above, he looked one last time at the king…
who waved goodbye cheerfully.
-Wow… he really is in a hurry.
( Cain commented, astonished )
Galahad bowed and returned to the tunnel, where Satana was waiting with a wide smile.
Luzbel, relieved, stood up from her seat and left the balcony with a faint smile.
-Well, father… I suppose we should be leaving too. But before that… I have a matter to settle.
Amon turned her head violently toward the balcony.
Ursa felt the gaze, even without seeing it.
Absolute terror ran through her body.
-No… it can't be… Did I lose? Did I… lose?
( Ursa wondered, broken )
-Don't be so hard on her, will you?
( Cain said, trying to calm her )
-Well… and what shall we do with her?
( He asked, observing Kalista's unconscious body )
-Do not worry, Your Majesty. We will take care of it.
An elegant, respectful voice replied.
Cain turned his face… and smiled.
-Ohhh… what a surprise. It's been a long time since I last saw you… young Doran.
End of chapter.
Next chapter: dependency.