Omega Ascension System[BL]-Chapter 272: _Game Of Cat And Mouse

Lucian’s POV

*****

"Argh—fuck, I feel like I’ve been torn apart and... And put back together again."

"E–Elian... go without me. I’ll only hold you—"

"Gods, Lucian. Please, let me focus!" Elian grunted, hands placed over Lucian’s chest.

They were both on the rooftop of a floating crystal tower, a good distance away from the High Matron’s obsidian tower. Or whoever that bitch was.

She’s a fraud. He’s always known something was off about Arcadia’s leadership since the Dark Hand attacks started.

"Moon blessed..."

Remembering the High Matron calling Elian that made Lucian frown. She said it with such conviction. Such certainty—

Which meant it was most likely true.

Elian has been the "moon blessed" Aurora saw in her vision all this while. The result of the Ascension protocol experiments. But HOW?

The sky burned red, magic and ozone thick in the air. Kyren battled the capital city’s forces toward the north, the shockwaves so powerful that they reached the pair miles away.

"What are you..." Lucian swallowed hard, biting his bottom lip through the pain.

He was lying on the ground due to the injuries inflicted on him by the High Matron. His arms were splayed in abnormal angles beside him. Shoulder blades popped out like wings wanted to grow out.

Even his internal organs felt as though they were being jumbled together.

As for Elian—somehow his mate had teleported them out of the Obsidian tower. How? Lucian suspected the ruby necklace around his neck, still glowing with a slowly dying light.

Somehow Elian could use Kyren’s magic now. His fingers glowed with the familiar crimson light Kyren was popular for, inches above his chest.

"I’m stabilising your vitals," Elian explained calmly. "And if you’re wondering how I can use magic—it’s because of this..." He touched the necklace briefly with his right hand. "... I think it’s some seal. It’s hard to explain more than that..."

Lucian didn’t know whether to laugh or cry.

He’d given Elian a heart jewel as a betrothal gift. Something that’ll hold a piece of himself Elian could always hold close.

And as always, Kyren did infinitely better, gifting him something that literally saved their lives seconds ago. While looking pretty around Elian’s neck as well.

"I... I feel so useless..." He rasped, closing his eyes.

"Don’t start, Lucian," Elian mumbled but the Alpha Prince shook his head.

"Let’s be real. The High Matron trashed me around and could’ve gotten away with you if it weren’t for... Whatever that necklace is..." Lucian grunted, trying hard to ignore the obvious jealousy burning in his chest.

"You’re a mid-level Alpha while she’s at least a transcendent cored witch." Elian didn’t take his eyes off the spells he was casting. "The only way you would’ve stood a chance is if you were a Celestial Alpha. Like—"

"My father?" Lucian completed with a knowing smile that didn’t extend to his eyes. "My... My point exactly..."

Elian paused his spell casting for a second, eyes softening. He and Lucian stared at each other. While the world literally burned around them...

To Lucian, it was poetic and terrifying at the same time.

The thought was unnerving: If something happened right now, if they got caught in the crossfire of the battle happening so far away, he wouldn’t be able to protect him. His mate. His "future Luna king".

"I’m sure there’s something..." Elian cleared his throat, gaze landing on Lucian’s chest and the runes he was weaving on it. "... Something that can make you more powerful when you become Alpha King. There’s really no need to fret about any of that right now."

Something that could make him level up.

Actually—

Before Lucian could let his mind wander, a sharp heat—like his insides were melting—hit his chest in a wave. It then spread through his entire body, seeping into his bones, his muscles... Everything.

"Mother of Solara!" He twitched, gnashing his teeth hard.

But Elian didn’t stop, pushing his spells even more.

Within seconds, the heat dissipated. The sound of Lucian’s dislocated bones snapping back into place echoed around them. His wolf howled with renewed strength.

When Lucian could finally move his fingers, he couldn’t help but gasp. "This... How—"

"I’m not really skilled at healing magic." Elian slowly withdrew his hands, a proud grin lighting up his face. "Kyren would’ve probably been able to stitch you up in a few seconds or snap his fingers. For me—well, I needed more effort."

The Alpha Prince finally got back control of his body. His breathing stabilised. Alpha aura flared as strong as ever.

"The High Matron’s magic locked your Alpha aura and destabilised your natural healing process." Elian grabbed Lucian’s right hand. "All I did was... Give those two a push so they can heal you naturally."

In conclusion: his mate was a freaking magical genius!

Which led to one burning question—

"Why and how was Kyren able to teach you magic?" Lucian asked, helping himself to his feet.

Elian stood as well, clutching the ruby necklace like a lifeline. The omega’s cheeks reddened. "He gave me some lessons back in the Dark Lands."

"Without you having a mana core?"

"You ask a lot of questions for someone who just knocked on death’s door." Elian finally rolled his eyes. The little squeak in his voice told Lucian he was hiding something.

But then again... Has the boy ever NOT hidden something?

"Well, thank you, Elian." Lucian gave a wry smile, grabbing his right wrist. He blinked a few times at the heart jewel.

Even now it pulsed with a soft purple glow. In perfect sync with the Alpha Prince’s heartbeat, which was erratic after his near-death experience.

"You don’t have to thank me for anything." Elian looked away with an awkward expression. "Maybe Kyren though. Who’s currently occupied." He gestured at the Rogue king in the distance.

Kyren’s spells were devastating, making him go toe to toe with the Arcadian Councillors and their military forces. He also spotted Garrick levitating away from the epicentre of the battle—hiding like the coward he was.

"I’ll ’thank’ Kyren by putting a hole through his father’s skull for him." Lucian cracked his knuckles, jaw set. "How do we get to that part of the city?"

They both stared at the ensuing battle.

Sky crafts surrounded Kyren—who had no problem annihilating them as they came, leaving unscathed from a joint runic spell by the councillors.

"I have a feeling Kyren doesn’t want us heading anywhere near him," Elian whispered, turning his head to Lucian. "His power has broken beyond the former limits he placed on it. We’d only be a burden."

Lucian’s fists clenched slightly when Elian touched the ruby necklace. AGAIN.

Goddess, why was he so jealous about that damn necklace? Also "burden"? Him? A burden?

"I can feel the necklace’s previous burst of mana in me wearing off..." Elian let out a heavy breath. "We’re running out of time. And the High Matron—"

Lucian’s heart stuttered.

Only a missed beat. Then another, making his breath hitch.

The heart jewel around Elian’s wrist reacted to the sudden change in his heartbeat, pulsing slower as well.

A cold chill ran down Lucian’s spine.

"E–Elian..." He grabbed his arm before the name could come out completely, standing in front of him. "Something’s wrong..."

And then, like a nightmare, red smoke appeared in front of them.

When the red smoke cleared, a figure materialised in its place. Donned in a familiar hooded black cloak, blood red eyes glowing underneath.

"It’s... It’s her..." Elian gulped. "The High Matron. Kyren’s—"

He didn’t finish the sentence, a muffled scream leaving his mouth. He stumbled, forcing a confused Lucian to hold him close.

"Elian?" Lucian’s pulse spiked, fingers tightening around his mate’s body. "What’s... What’s happening—"

"So," the High Matron started. "My son’s seal breaking gave the Omega enough magic to escape briefly AND heal one naive little Alpha Prince?"

Lucian’s fangs threatened to emerge as he glared at the cloaked woman. She looked like a completely different person compared to the woman in white robes and holy lights from a few minutes ago.

But he had no doubt.

THAT was the same freaking High Matron of Arcadia.

"Color me impressed." She went on, fingers coiling with crimson light. "But my son’s little tricks won’t stop me from getting what belongs to me."

Elian’s breathing steadied gradually under Lucian’s hold. Despite how hard he clutched the Alpha Prince—he still stared at the witch like he was willing to burn the world before giving up.

’The obsidian tower...’ Elian’s voice suddenly slipped into Lucian’s headspace, making him flinch. ’Don’t panic. It’s me. What I was trying to say is the Obsidian tower is releasing some... Some kind of barrier. It’s restricting teleportation out of the city.’

Lucian didn’t tear his gaze away from the High Matron for a second. ’Then what’s happening to you right now? Is she—’

’I don’t know what she’s doing.’ Colour left Elian’s face. ’But we can’t give up. I still have a little more magic from Kyren’s necklace.’

"My previous offer still stands, Alpha Prince." The High Matron clasped her palms together. "Give me the moon blessed. Go back to Lunaria and I—"

"Fuck all the way off!" Elian sneered, necklace igniting with a crimson light.

His shout created a crescent-shaped shockwave of crimson light, hurtling toward the High Matron like a storm. In the same second, a crimson light covered Elian and Lucian.

They reappeared on top of another crystal tower, a few hundred meters away from the previous one. The shockwave Elian left behind hit the High Matron. Or, at least the spot she’d been at.

She disappeared, making Lucian’s senses go on high alert.

"It’s a game of cat and mouse." Elian got his footing back, snapping his neck. "Come on!"

Grabbing Lucian, he teleported them again, narrowly avoiding a red lightning bolt from the clouds.