---
Now things were different, the purple seal in Alex's eyes was glowing.
[UMBRAL AETHER UNLOCKED]
A new rush of energy filled Alex's body and mind. The blade vibrated with aether, and the Umbral aether made a physical manifestation on the blade.
"Gemi, what is this?!" Alex asked in fear as he started sweating, his throat going dry.
"I can't explain right now, just know you've connected with a force you cannot disconnect from."
The serpent was coming at full speed, and in the next moment, out of pure instinct, it recoiled and hissed, but still filled with rage, re-enacted its attack.
In a split second, when the serpent was about to hit him, he jumped into the air. He could fully feel the increase in power he now had.
Midair, he slowed himself down and came down onto the serpent's head, making a huge swing with the katana.
Brutally cutting the head in two and creating a big dent in the ground.
Then he landed on the ground. As he did, he let go of the katana and fell to the ground.
Ding
That was the last thing Alex heard before he passed out.
---
"Hhhkkhh—ghhhahhh… khhhuhhh…" A rasp tore from Alex's throat, half-gasp, half-groan, before breaking into a shuddering inhale. His chest heaved, dragging in air like a machine sputtering back to life.
"Gemi Where the hell am I?!" Alex screamed, then placed his hand on his head as he felt a sharp pain.
He looked around to survey the place: rocks, grass in a few places, a semi-circle exit.
"It feels like a cave… how did I end up here? The last thing I remember wa—"
"Ivy!" he screamed in his head. As she walked in hauling the haunch of some forest deer, he could tell it was fresh from the blood dripping off it.
"You're awake," Ivy said, quickly placing the meat on a stone-like table.
"Where are we, and why are we here?" Alex asked, trying to act confused.
'Does he really not remember a thing?' Ivy thought.
"You've been out for days, and I simply couldn't leave you almost dead on the path to the capital."
"The last thing I remember was your victory against the serpent," Alex said, holding his head to make sure she bought his lie.
"Alex," Ivy said as she walked up to him, pulling her silver hair into a bun. "You don't have to lie to me. And don't worry, I wouldn't lie to you." She placed her hands on the bandages around his ribs.
"What are you hiding? Don't worry, I'm not forcing you to tell me, but please, don't lie to me." Ivy then stood up and went back to what she was doing.
Silence grew for a while.
"Ivy, would you be honest with me?" Alex asked.
"It depends on the question," she replied.
"Who… Wh—" Alex hesitated, then sat up. "Who are you?" he finally asked.
Without turning her head, Ivy immediately replied, "Ivy Belladonna, member of the 5th Division of the Aether Commission."
'What is she doing? She actually told me?!'
"Why are you surprised? Because I actually told you?" Ivy asked.
"Not really, I'm just wondering what happened after I passed out. What happened?"
"Actually, it's a long story… one even I don't fully remember," Ivy said, putting the meat together and rubbing something that looked like mashed flowers on it.
"When I regained consciousness, the first thing I noticed was you on the ground with my katana in your hand. The bigger serpent was dead, the entire area in ruins. Something was strange though—I sensed Umbral aether from my katana. My katana is forged out of demon crystal, but it's not supposed to possess Umbral aether." She turned, lit a fire, and began smoking the meat.
"I was still very hurt, but I was alive. You, though—you looked better than me, but I couldn't sense an ounce of aether from you. All I could sense was that… coming from the katana."
Alex stood from the bed, his bare feet on the rocky ground, and walked to the entrance of the cave, inhaling deeply to feel fresh air in his lungs.
"And what did you do?" Alex asked.
"When I tried picking up the blade, it repelled me, almost damaging me." Ivy turned her head and looked at Alex, who just stared out into the open. "Then, after a while, the aether seemed to move back into your body. After that, I carried you here and healed you with the little resources I had on me. Surprisingly, you were already getting better before I even did all that." Ivy finished.
Alex turned to Ivy, but not to her particularly—his eyes went to the katana.
[INSPECT]
[Weapon Type: Black Beetle Katana]
[Tier: Elite]
[Condition: 57%]
'Wha—what happened to it?' The look on Alex's face darkened.
"Alex, what's wrong?" Ivy asked.
"It's nothing to worry about," Alex replied, starting to exit the cave.
"Alex, I know I owe you my thanks, but I too have questions of my own I'd like to ask," Ivy said.
"I understand. I'll tell you everything you want to know when I come back. You've at least been honest with me." Alex walked out without even waiting for a reply. "Also, Ivy, you owe me nothing."
Alex kept wondering until he reached a cliff. He could see the shining water flowing below and hear the sound of birds disturbing the trees, but something was missing.
"You've been silent since I woke up. Why?" Alex asked out loud.
'Sorry, but I don't remember you requesting my assistance' Gemi replied.
"What are you hiding from me? And I know you have access to this information, so don't even dare give me that crap."
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