The Princess And The Lord

It's been a few days since Cavio played hide and seek with the giant Byroft think it's only been a few days Cavio feels like he's been doing this for weeks maybe because he only has a maximum of two hours to rest or sleep luckily Byroft is a glutton so it has to take a meal once a while in order to satisfy his cravings which gave Cavio some time to take a breathe, but after several days it inevitably took a toll on his body.

Thankfully they were far enough away from his village so Cavio could unleash his powers freely without fear of the impact they would have on his surroundings.

while he was resting Byroft was violently slaughtering monsters here and there for his meal, it seemed after failing to find humans for food the monster had no choice but go back to his original main menu which are monsters perhaps that's why Byroft got more aggressive by days moreover the only humans he could prey continued toying him so how could the Byroft not infuriated.

Cavio saw that Byroft was almost done with his meal. Cavio didn't make the monster too comfortable, he summoned his God's sword, then went through a heavy blow to the monster's back as expected, he was intercepted by one of byroft's long arms, but cavio didn't flinch, he made a move nimbly between the minister's arms then managed to cut off the monster's finger causing it to roar then stamp its foot on the ground as tree roots burst from the realm attacking Cavio.

Cavio swung his sword swiftly slicing through a tree root that rose up from the ground trying to catch it, undeterred, Cavio summoned another God's sword which appeared as a greatsword that easily cut through several thick roots like a hot knife through butter which infuriated Byroft even more. Hence the fierce battle continued without a single of them wanting to back off.

The impact of their fight as expected shook the ground like a heavy earthquake that could be felt miles away not long after a gust of winds come then knocked down every rock and tree around them without fail even the other monster was forced to run for cover out of their fierce battle.

Cavio knew this going to happen therefore he took Byroft far-faraway from his village to save his people and most of all his family, But still, his heart actually felt unwilling to leave Arthea and Demian because there was still so much he wanted to see, he hoped to see Arthea find someone and have children. He also wanted to see Demian grow up, but unfortunately, for that to happen, something had to be sacrificed if so he had no objection if it has to be him.

Byroft let out a deafening long shriek. Cavio then pierces his sword into the ground instantly a glowing giant shield covered with a rune appears and blocked Byroft's roar, however, Cavio forgot his rear defense was open, at that moment Byroft silently uses a tree root to sneak behind the unwary Cavio.

Cavio realized too late as the tree root had stabbed him but fortunately, he was swift enough to shift at the dire moment so that the tree root only penetrated his shoulder instead of his chest, but even so, he was still seriously injured even though it was not life-threatening but it still obstruct his movements.

Cavio opened his palm and a god sword in the shape of a claymore sword appeared in his hand then he quickly cut the root of the tree from his shoulder but then he fell on one knee with blood gushing from his shoulder, Byroft took this opportunity to throw his giant fist at Cavio.

Cavio could feel a strong cold wind coming towards him but when Cavio prepare to stop Byroft attack, out of nowhere a tree root suddenly emerged from the ground then slid from his feet to his waist then bind him so tightly that his bones felt crushed plus the pain in his shoulder Cavio winced as he holds the sudden excruciating pain yet at the same time he knew it was too late to dodge Byroft attack, maybe this is the end for him.

Suddenly a shadow appeared to withstand Byroft's ferocious blow as a result of which the shadow was thrown to the ground.

Cavio didn't know what was happening but what he knew was this was his chance, he shouted while releasing his power and a purple light appeared and destroyed all the roots that entwined him then cavio raised his hand summoning three God's swords at once then combined the three powerful swords into a giant sword then with all his might he threw the sword at Byroft.

Byroft, who didn't expect Cavio's attack, didn't have time to dodge, as a result, Byroft's body was split vertically then the giant body that was split earlier fell in the opposite direction with a loud and heavy sound.

Cavio was stunned for a moment as he couldn't believe he was still alive, though he was covered in wounds some were pretty bad but at least he was still moving and breathing.

Cavio can't believe how he got so lucky... but is he? Cavio frowned as he recalled the shadowy figure blocking Byroft's punch, it couldn't be a coincidence.

Cavio searched where the shadowy figure had fallen but what he found was hundreds of times more shocking than when he saw Byroft.

"What..in the name of God this is?" Cavio stared at the figure on the ground in utter horror.

On the ground lay a man whose body had been torn apart by Byroft's powerful blow but what makes Cavio bewildered was that man's face was so similar to his down to the last detail, every scar, every mole was in exactly the same place even twins couldn't be this similar as if he was is a copy of himself, but how is that possible?

"Cavi!" a familiar voice called out then jumped up to hug him "You're still alive, thank goodness I wasn't too late!"

"Thea?" Cavio hugged his sister in bewilderment, how could she be here then Cavio turn his gaze to the strange figure that was so similar to him lying on the ground, and immediately he realized what had happened.

"Thea, did you do this? this man...?" Cavio didn't want to believe Arthea would sacrifice another human for himself.

Arthea immediately shook her head "He's not human!" she immediately explained "He is some kind of doll made by using my blood to replace you, I have predicted your death Cavi, at first I want to be the one who replace you  but I found another way so both of us could live so Demian doesn't have to be alone and then...."

"Thea, stop!" Cavio grasp Arthea by the shoulder "I don't understand, what...how?" he stared at Arthea incredulously.

Under Cavio's gaze all of a sudden she become nervous, arthea started to worry about how cavio would react, "I... I met someone, he taught me about this..."

"Someone? Who is he, and how did he know about this? Thea, explained it to me!" Cavio was stricken with anxiety as he glanced at the dead man who looked like him on the ground covered in blood, could this be his fate? it's not that he didn't feel happy or grateful to be alive but this...there's something sinister about all of this but what scared him the most was that Arthea was involved with this.

"Thea, what you have done... this... this is against nature, this is against god's will!" Cavio's frowning with worry.

On the other hand, Arthea got irritated, she had tried so hard to save Cavio but why didn't she appreciate it "why are you scolding me, I did this all for you!" her temper flared as she pushes cavio hands away from her.

"I don't mean Thea, I really thank you for everything you've done for me, but..." Cavio brushed his hair with his fingers then he looked away, for a moment he become quiet "There must be consequences to all of this, and you should know better than anybody"

To be honest, Arthea understood this, deep down. She was also worried, but she was too stubborn to admit it or show it in front of Cavio.

"Whatever happens, I'll bear it, you don't need to worry" she brushed it off like it was nothing.

"How could I'm not worried, you are my sister!" Cavio shrieked in frustration.

Arthea was shocked, she didn't expect Cavio to be this angry alas, she didn't mean to make him feel like this, soon after tears welled up in her purple eyes "What..what else can I do? I remember, and without you… I can do anything, I'm not as strong as you!" Arthea burst into tears.

Cavio instantly softened, it had been a long time since he saw Arthea cry like this, he should have known how scared she must be for thinking he would die if he was in her position he would be desperate too. Cavio sighed then hugged his sister "Sorry…I didn't mean to scold you" Cavio patted her back gently while whispering softly "I'm just afraid for you Thea…you are my sister, it's my duty to protect you"

Cavio's gentle voice instantly makes her feel better besides his worry is understandable, Arthea then raised her arms then hugs Cavio back "I know… I want to protect you too"

"Okay - okay, don't cry...." Cavio stroked his sister's head like he used to do when she was a child at the same time feeling helpless and guilty over his incompetence.