Seven months ago, Klea had been on the brink of finally meeting Emery at the wooden elves' planet. However, her hopes were cruelly dashed as she discovered that he had mysteriously disappeared, leaving his friends without any explanation.
Filled with determination, she embarked on days of relentless investigation, tirelessly following leads until she finally uncovered the truth: it was the Nephilim, specifically Jinkan, who had forcefully taken him away.
"Jinkan!! Where is he? Where is Emery?!" Klea's voice rang out with desperation and anger as she, along with Morgana, stormed into the Nephilim palace, demanding answers.
In response, the Nephilim princess reluctantly divulged part of the truth, revealing where Emery was and what he was engaged in. However, she conveniently omitted the part about him having no choice in the matter.
"I knew he would never willingly accept such a dangerous task! Bring him back!" Klea's voice quivered with anxiety and frustration.
Jinkan, leaning against her throne, regarded Klea with a mixture of pity and exasperation. "Do you truly understand him, Klea? He's not the same person he once was. He's changed you know…"
"Of course i am, We are his family!" Klea retorted firmly.
"Really? Did you know that he was offered the opportunity to inherit the wolf bloodline throne? To become the king of millions of his kind? And he refused it! If you truly knew him, can you explain why he would do that?"
Caught off guard and lacking a clear answer, Klea was left momentarily speechless. Jinkan continued, "And do you know that he's set to marry the Ouroboros princess?"
"Yes, I know all of this!" Klea exclaimed, her frustration mounting. "Jinkan, do not play games with my mind. Just tell me your plan to help him escape that place!"
A sardonic smile tugged at Jinkan's lips as she replied, "I do have a plan. I will do everything in my power to rescue him and my precious Eeshoo. Unfortunately, there's nothing much you can do to help him."
Jinkan's assured her that she had a well-thought-out plan in place and that she would exhaust every possible resource and effort to bring him back safely.
In the face of this monumental task, Jinkan recognized the need for preparation and strength. With the Ancient Celestial Ruins expedition looming on the horizon, she saw an opportunity to enhance her own abilities before embarking on the rescue mission. Her decision to lead the rescue team herself underscored her commitment to the cause.
"You are welcome to train with us if you want"
Klea was smart enough to recognize that the Nephilim offered her the best opportunity to rescue Emery. It took her weeks of tirelessly requesting multiple favors just to gain entry to the Vanyar planet. She understood that she had no means to approach the infamous prison, let alone a chance to effect his rescue.
Jinkan's successfully manipulated Klea to join the Nephilim faction, despite her initial reservations. She knew that this was her best chance to save Emery, and the relentless years of waiting had worn down her resistance. With her decision made, Klea threw herself into the rigorous training regimen, along with Chumo, the two of them determined to become stronger and more capable for the upcoming expedition.
As for Morgana, she had her own course of action. She chose to return to Earth, bearing the news of Emery's dire situation to his friends and family. She was determined to find her own way to contribute to his rescue.
After six months of grueling training, shocking news reached Klea. "Great news, both of our men have successfully escaped the prison, and they are heading back here as we speak."
It was undoubtedly excellent news that occupied her thoughts. She anxiously awaited the arrival of the ship, expecting Emery to return with Eeshoo. However, when the ship finally docked, Eeshoo disembarked with a mysterious dwarf, and there was no sign of Emery.
"He stayed behind to ensure my safety," Eeshoo explained, recounting the events that had unfolded in the Demon's Pit.
Once again, Klea's hope was crushed. She had endured too many disappointments, waiting for Emery for almost eight long years.
"I will join the effort to rescue him myself," Eeshoo promised. While his words appeared sincere, Klea had no intention of placing her trust in a man who had left her savior behind, regardless of his reasons.
With the return of the Nephilim genius, Klea realized that her chances of rescuing Emery had become even slimmer. Determined to do whatever it took, she pushed herself to the limits, entering a period of intensive training that spanned days. She was unwavering in her commitment, even pushing herself to break through into the half-moon realm. Every moment of her training was dedicated to preparing herself for the upcoming expedition, all in the hope of increasing her chances of rescuing Emery.
Just hours after emerging from her intense closed-door training, Klea heard a growing commotion among the participants on the training ground. Rumors began to circulate about a new magus who had arrived and was engaging in combat with multiple other magu simultaneously.
"I heard he's the one Jinkan has been looking for."
"Who is he?"
"A wolf half-blood, supposedly famous."
The news piqued Klea's curiosity, and she hastened her steps toward the arena. However, she kept her heart guarded, preparing herself for the possibility of yet another disappointment. As she finally arrived at the scene, her eyes widened in disbelief. The person she had been yearning to see the most, Emery, was right there.
"Is that really you?" Her heart trembled with emotion. Seeing him again after eight long years, safe and sound, magically dispelled the weight of her bottled-up anxieties.
"Klea!"
His eyes locked onto her, and Emery swiftly employed a special anti-magic spell to forcefully halt the ongoing fight, causing the other magus to back away. With a determined stride, he made his way toward her.
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