The twins exchanged knowing glances as they watched Anna's reaction to the duel.
"Impressed, Anna?" Irina teased her.
"How can I not be? I know Vulcan and Flintmace were holding back, but still going against two S-grade beings is no joke," Anna nodded, her eyes reflecting how proud she was of Ashton. "He's incredible."
Verina chuckled softly. "He's been training relentlessly, so it's a given that he's performing so well."
As the crowd's cheers continued to echo, Anna couldn't wait to embrace Ashton and congratulate him on his remarkable achievement. Besides, it had been over a month since they had seen each other face-to-face, and her Succubi urges were just about to get out of her control.
"Come on, let's wait for him around the exit," Verina suggested, and the girls immediately headed to greet Ashton.
Soon, Anna and the twins made their way to the arena's exit. They could see Ashton approaching, his crimson eyes filled with warmth and love as he spotted Anna among the spectators.
As they finally met, Anna threw her arms around him in a passionate embrace, their lips meeting in a fervent kiss. The world around them seemed to fade away as they held each other, lost in love and desire.
Ashton pulled back slightly, his voice filled with affection. "Alright, alright, I've missed you too."
"Of course you did. We are connected, remember?" Anna's eyes sparkled with adoration as she gazed into his crimson orbs. "Joke's apart, you were incredible out there."
"I had to put on a show for my favourite audience." Ashton grinned, his fingers gently caressing her cheek. "Excluding you two, of course."
"Tsk, I never expected a guy to treat us right after seeing us naked, but this is too much!" Irina blabbered, only to realise no one was pleased with her poor attempt at comedy.
"Leave it to Irina to turn a romantic moment into an awkward one," Verina shook her head before forcefully dragging her sister away. "You two enjoy yourselves. I'll make sure she doesn't disturb y'all."
As they left, the couple was left staring at each other as if they had met after a lifetime.
"Did you hear everyone going berserk?" Anna laughed softly, trying to change the topic.
"Nah, my eyes were busy looking at you," Ashton mumbled, realising how cringe he sounded for a moment.
[L rizz, my man. L rizz.]
'You're the last person who should be talking about rizz,' Ashton mentally rolled his eyes. 'Can't you make yourself scarce like the twins did?'
[Fine, listening to your cringe would've killed me either way.]
As Astaroth's presence faded away, Ashton's mind wandered over to the Conundrum and the medallion. He remembered he hadn't told Anna anything about it either.
However, Ashton didn't need to say anything as Anna sensed something was on his mind and looked at him curiously. "Is there something on your mind?"
Ashton took a deep breath, his crimson eyes filled with determination. "Anna, I had an encounter with the Conundrum, and you wouldn't believe what happened!"
Ashton then told her everything about the Conundrum and how they discovered the Whisperer's medallion. Anna was interested in knowing how Ashton found someone like Madame Seraphina, to which Ashton replied that he didn't.
He explained to her that Seraphina had come looking for him, saying how his father had helped her once, and she wanted to return the favour by helping him and how she disappeared after assisting them.
Anna was a bit taken aback by the tale, but she was even more surprised when Ashton told her he was planning to visit Euphoria despite their history.
"I know it's important, but Ashton, it's not safe for us to return to Planet Euphoria after what happened in the past," Anna's expression shifted to one of concern. "Are you sure it's a good idea?"
"I understand the risks, but we can't let go of the only lead we have," Ashton nodded solemnly. "We'll take precautions, and I promise nothing wrong will happen.
He continued, "Besides, Vulcan and Flintmace would be with me there. Not to mention, I would have the equivalent strength of an S-grade being, too!"
Anna's gaze softened, her trust in Ashton unwavering. "I may be sceptical, but I trust you, Ashton."
"What about Vimur and Laihud? I thought they were coming with you?" Ashton inquired as he suddenly remembered their presence was crucial for his evolution.
"They should be arriving tomorrow," Anna replied.
"Good," Ashton replied with a nod. "I hope they accept my proposal, or else I would have no choice but to include weaklings into our werewolf family."
***
In the heart of a desolate and ancient chamber, hidden deep within a forgotten realm, a lone figure stood surrounded by relics of a bygone era. The room, bathed in an eerie light, was filled with mystery and timelessness.
The figure was a Precursor, an enigmatic being with knowledge that spanned aeons. His eyes were like orbs of ethereal wisdom, scanned the chamber's dimly lit corners, searching for something long sought after.
So much so that he staged a prison break just to get his hands on the item left by his brother. The treasure of the Precursors.
Among the artefacts and alien technology that filled the chamber, the Precursor's gaze fell upon a peculiar object—a shimmering crystal, radiant with an inner light that defied explanation. It seemed to pulse with ancient energy as if it held the secrets of the cosmos.
With deliberate care, the Precursor reached out, his hand hovering over the crystal's surface. As his fingers made contact, a surge of knowledge and memories flooded his consciousness.
Visions of a distant past, a once-thriving civilisation, flashed before his eyes and how they were wiped out...
"I knew I would find you," the Precursor whispered, his voice echoing through the chamber. "It has been so long, but I have waited patiently."
The crystal seemed to respond to his presence, emitting a soft, melodious hum. The visions continued to unravel, revealing the history of the Precursors and their connection to the cosmos.
"And now," the Precursor murmured, his eyes locked on the crystal, "I shall wait for him—the son of Jo'Han, my brother.
The Precursor continued as he sat on the throne that once belonged to his brother, "He carries the legacy of our people, and he will come seeking answers... If not, I will force him to look for me before taking everything away from him."
As the chamber's enigmatic aura enveloped him, the Precursor knew that the mysteries of the past were on the verge of being unveiled.
The crystal held the key to a destiny that spanned galaxies, and he would patiently await the arrival of the one who would unlock its secrets—Ashton, the son of Jo'Han and the bearer of their shared legacy.