Welcome to the Innocent World - Chapter 74

Chapter 74: Shattered Memories & Returning

Starting half of this chapter will be in Luci’s Point of View.

The once-majestic company lay in ruins, debris scattered like forgotten dreams. Smoke and shadows blurred the edges of my vision, but through the haze, I saw him…

—Zero. His figure, shrouded in black, moved with an unrelenting purpose, each step carrying him further from me. The soft glow of light caught on Athlea’s hair as he held her in his arms, her body nestled against him like she had always belonged there.

My knees buckled as a cold, heavy weight crushed my chest. I collapsed to the ground, my trembling fingers clawing at the broken stone beneath me.

“Athlea… wait… for me…” My voice was barely a whisper, the words choked and raw, torn from a heart that was shattering with every passing second.

Memories came rushing in, unbidden and unrelenting.

I saw her smile, the way her laughter lit up a room and filled the hollow spaces in my soul. I remembered the day we first met—she had been so vibrant, so alive, a force of nature I couldn’t resist.

She had caught me off guard with her wit, her charm, and the way she made me feel like I was the only person in the world.

“Athlea,” I sobbed, my tears mingling with the dust on my face.

Our wedding day played out in my mind like a scene from a dream. She had walked down the aisle, radiant and breathtaking in her white gown, her eyes filled with love and hope.

How did it all go so wrong?

“I love you, Luci,” her voice echoed in my mind, so vivid that it felt as if she were standing beside me. My heart ached at the memory of her vows, the way she had poured her heart into every word.

Tears streamed down my face as I remembered our first date. We had gone to a small café by the lake, and I had spilled coffee on myself like a fool.

Athlea had laughed, teasing me mercilessly, but her eyes had sparkled with affection.

I gritted my teeth, the pain in my chest becoming unbearable. “Why… why did I let this happen?”

Another memory surfaced—our first trip together. We had gotten lost on a hiking trail, and instead of panicking, she had turned it into an adventure. We had laughed, shared stories, and made promises under the stars.

“I’ll always be with you, Luci,” she had whispered that night, her voice soft but unwavering.

The weight of those promises crushed me now.

“I promised you, Athlea… I promised I would never abandon you,” I choked out, my voice breaking under the strain of my grief. But I had abandoned her—not physically, but in every way that mattered. My obsession with power, my desire to reshape the world, had driven a wedge between us.

The vision of her face as she had looked at me earlier—betrayal, disgust, and heartbreak etched into her features—haunted me.

The world around me began to blur, the edges of my vision darkening. My body felt heavier, the strength ebbing from me with each passing moment.

As my life slipped away, my tears dried, and my voice faltered. With one final breath, I whispered,

“Athlea… I’m sorry… for everything…”

And then, the light faded.

Present: Austin’s Point of View

The shattered hall behind me was silent, its broken grandeur a stark contrast to the soft breathing of Athlea in my arms. She felt so light, so fragile, yet her presence carried an inexplicable weight.

I walked through the rubble, the echoes of distant cheers growing louder as I approached the heart of the battlefield.

Beta was the first to spot me, leaning casually against a fallen pillar. Her mischievous grin widened when she saw Athlea in my arms.

“Took your sweet time, boss,” she teased, twirling her dagger with a practiced ease.

“Had to tie up some loose ends,” I replied evenly, my tone betraying none of the chaos we had just endured.

Eta stood nearby, brushing dust off her cloak. Her expression remained stoic, but there was a glint of satisfaction in her eyes.

“The Alliance was pathetic,” she remarked. “They didn’t stand a chance against us.”

Delta and Zeta exchanged high-fives, their laughter ringing out despite the destruction around them. Epsilon, ever silent, simply nodded on acknowledgment, her sharp gaze surveying the area for any lingering threats.

“You all did well,” I said, my voice carrying the weight of authority. My Shadows straightened, their pride evident in their postures.

But our moment of victory was short-lived.

The distant sound of marching footsteps reached us, the rhythmic clanging of armor growing louder with each passing second.

“The knights of Latros,” Alpha muttered, her hand instinctively reaching for her blade.

Through the haze, we saw them—dozens of knights in gleaming silver armor, their weapons drawn and their eyes fixed on us.

“We’ve overstayed our welcome,” I said calmly. “Let’s leave, guys.”

Beta chuckled, slipping her dagger back into its sheath. “You got it, boss.”

In unison, we moved. The Shadows leaped into the air, their black robes billowing like wings. I followed, holding Athlea close to me. She stirred slightly, her face brushing against my chest, but her eyes remained closed.

The city stretched out below us, its lights twinkling like stars against the encroaching darkness. The moon hung high above, casting an ethereal glow over our figures as we soared through the sky.

From the streets below, the knights and bystanders stared in awe and fear.

“Who are they?” someone whispered.

“Ghosts… they’re like ghosts…”

“Did they destroy the Alliance?”

“They’re so…cool.”

One brave knight raised his voice, shouting, “Don’t let them escape! After them!”

But we were already gone, vanishing into the night like shadows melting into darkness.

The journey back to my apartment was silent, the weight of the day hanging over us like a shroud. The Shadows dispersed midway.

I entered my apartment, the familiar surroundings offering a strange sense of comfort after the chaos of the day.

Athlea stirred in my arms as I carried her to the bedroom. Her face, peaceful in sleep, betrayed none of the turmoil she had endured. I placed her gently on the bed, her body curling instinctively into the soft mattress.

Reaching for a blanket, I put it over her, tucking it in carefully.

For a moment, I stood by the bedside, my gaze lingering on her serene face. The rise and fall of her chest was a calming rhythm. I turned away, leaving her to rest.