Omega Ascension System[BL]-Chapter 281: _The Burden Of Ruling

Lucian’s POV

*****

It all still felt surreal to him.

After Kyren brought them to the Dark Lands, it didn’t take long before an explosion rang through the desert. They’d rushed outside and all he could think of was keeping Elian close to himself.

His mind was still plagued by the thought of how Amara had transferred her injuries to Elian. On how Elian—a fragile, seemingly powerless Omega—was able to utilise Kyren’s magic like it was his nature.

He thought Kyren letting out the full might of his transcendent core on Arcadia was eye-opening enough. But Elian—

Whatever Amara did to him before they left, Lucian knew they hadn’t seen the last of it. Yet no one thought much about all of that. Not after his long-lost brother revealed himself like a prize from the gods.

"So... My brother is not only an Omega." Lucian gently grabbed the holographic tablet from Kyren, eyes skimming through the scan readings on it. "But he’s a hybrid? With a mana core?"

The Rogue king’s crimson eyes landed briefly on Sylas—who was still knocked out cold—before focusing on Lucian again.

"You see the readings, don’t you?" Kyren sighed. "His memories are the most vital to me. Whatever Amara and Garrick did to him completely altered them. Possibly erasing any ones I could’ve used to find useful clues."

Lucian’s jaw tightened. "Possibly?"

Kyren didn’t answer, instead turning to Elian. "If I were to forcefully pry into his mind and try digging in search of any erased memories... There’s no telling what could happen. Not to mention his unexplained link to the divine crystal."

At the mention of the divine crystal, Lucian’s eyes lit. "Yeah, speaking of which. What was up with you digging for it?"

Kyren arched a brow, slowly swerving his head back to him. The Alpha Prince shrank.

Gods, after seeing Kyren’s power display today he never wanted to be on his bad side.

"It’s buried in my territory, is it not?" Kyren finally shrugged. "If Arcadia and my mother desire it so much, I may as well... Collect it before they do."

"Even though we all saw the truth about it together?"

"Yes. From an information box left behind by my dear parents."

"One which you somehow swindled off my mother’s grasp!" Lucian didn’t know when his voice rose in a snarl.

The Rogue king snorted, amused. "Swindled? I—"

"And... I can’t do this anymore." Elian muttered suddenly, raising his hands in defeat.

Lucian and Kyren froze, both blinking at their mate as he continued.

"It’s been a long day. I’m drained, and honestly, I should be curled in a room somewhere bawling my eyes out from PTSD."

Elian was such an expert at masking his feelings behind sarcasm and sass. But Lucian saw through it.

He saw the unsteady movement of his violet eyes. The slight crack in his voice. His shaky fingers were grabbing the ruby necklace on his chest as if searching for any remnants of power. Of control.

Guilt hit the Alpha Prince as he moved. "Elian..." He grabbed his arm before he could walk away. "I’m... I’m sorry for my reaction. It’s unfair how I—"

"How WE." The Rogue king stepped forward, standing beside Lucian. "... How we never seem to give you a break through the chaos."

The struggle in Kyren’s words was real.

Softness has never been his strong suit—the whole continent knew that.

"It’s..." Elian seemed lost on how to react, looking between Lucian and Kyren. "... It’s fine. Really. Let’s just stop arguing and focus on..." He turned to Sylas, releasing a heavy breath. "Whatever this is."

Kyren made a light sound, almost like a grunt... But he said nothing.

"The only thing we can do now is wait for the lad to wake up." The Rogue king gestured. "Maybe then the chances of me accidentally frying his brain searching for clues would lessen."

Lucian swallowed, throat numb. "Maybe?"

Elian placed a hand on his chest, grounding him. "I know this must be tough. Seeing your brother—who you didn’t even know existed a week ago—just revealing himself in that way. Not knowing what’s next for him."

"He’ll be safe." Kyren’s tone was reassuring. "The doctors will be on the lookout in case he has any more reactions to the divine crystal." His gaze flicked to the two doctors standing close by.

They bowed in understanding, walking over to the other side of the bed, checking on the patient. Beeps echoed from the holographic screens around the bed.

Lucian felt like sitting beside him. But Elian was right. They needed a break.

"I’ve put a pause on the excavations and further war plans against Arcadia." Kyren cleared his throat when the silence stretched too long, turning toward the exit. "For now at least. Even the almighty High Matron would need time to recover from the damage left on her capital city."

Those crimson orbs settled on Lucian for a second. Understanding flashed through them. It was so fast that anyone else would’ve missed it. But the Alpha Prince did, lips curling in an understanding smile of his own.

"I’ll give you two space." Kyren nodded once, taking a step away from them.

Then—

"Who said we needed space away from each other?" Elian questioned, rubbing the back of his neck like someone in desperate need of a massage. "Come on, boys. Let’s not pretend... Things haven’t been the same since the new moon ball."

Images of the chaos and his father falling to his death after being cursed flashed through Lucian’s mind in waves.

Then Axel casually peeled off his mask and revealed he was his centuries-old, crazed half-uncle. The whole moon blessed shit with Elian—which he honestly still didn’t get.

"Yeah. Our lives have been... Pandemonium." Lucian brushed his hand through his hair. "But it’s the burden that comes with ruling, right?"

Elian gave him a look that made him question if he said something stupid.

"You’re not wrong." His mate finally mumbled. "But can’t we share some time? Together? Just a few moments away from the madness?"

"A vacation?"

"We don’t necessarily have to leave Kyren’s palace yet."

With that, they both turned to the Rogue king. Kyren’s lips twisted for a breath before he blurted:

"I know a place..."