Chapter 16: Beyond the Reasons

Inside the cave, L, Ash, Lin, and Valzenor were watching Y as he lay upon the shimmering magical waters, his body seemingly bathed in a light from another world.

Lin: I never thought someone would go this far just to win a battle…

L stepped closer to Ash and whispered:

L: You look sad.

Lin: Don’t worry, Y will live.

Ash: I know that… but my sorrow isn’t for him—it’s for my weakness.

Valzenor turned his glowing eyes toward her as she clenched her fists.

Ash: What use is my magic if I can’t fight by his side? What I hate the most… is that even if I tried, I wouldn’t change anything.

L: Ash…

Suddenly, a familiar voice echoed:

Y: Don’t say that… you’re the finest I’ve ever seen when it comes to controlling magic.

Everyone turned toward the sound to find Y slowly opening his eyes.

Lin: He woke up so soon!

Y tried to rise, but Lin quickly snapped:

Lin: Don’t move. Stay as you are.

Even so, he took unsteady steps toward Ash and L, smiling.

Y: Ash… each of us has our own strengths, our own way of growing.

I’ve seen how you’ve been training in secret, working on your weaknesses.

He sat before them, his confident smile unwavering.

Y: I’m a fighter without magic… you’re an incredible sorceress… and L bridges both magic and combat.

We complete one another. Thank you for being with me.

Ash and L smiled, sitting in front of him, bowing their heads slightly as they said in unison:

Ash & L: Thank you. Without you, we wouldn’t be here today.

Lin stepped closer, her palms glowing with a crimson aura as a blood-red circle spread around Y.

Lin: Don’t step outside this circle… it will heal your wounds.

Y: Thank you for the treatment.

Valzenor sat beside him, watching with quiet curiosity.

Valzenor: How did you manage it?

Y: That’s a long story…

Valzenor (with a faint smile): We have some time.

Y: Very well… I’ll start from the moment we arrived…

Lin stepped back and settled beside Ash and L, leaving Y and Valzenor alone at the center.

Just then, the voice of Rignaros, the Vampire King, resonated as he entered the cave with his commanding presence.

Rignaros: How are they?

Lin: Their lives are not in danger… but I didn’t expect Valzenor to be injured as well.

Rignaros: I still wonder… how did he unleash that last attack?

Ash (softly): It was because…

Flashback: Arrival at the Vampire Tribe

Y: We’ve arrived.

Ash: We need to find L.

Y: That won’t be difficult.

Ash: True… all we have to do is wait until midnight and head to the tower. She uses the same method as you.

Y: No… we’ll move a little before midnight.

Ash: Then I’ll draw their attention. But… what if Dracula moves?

Y: Don’t worry. He won’t act as long as you don’t cross the barrier. I’ll slip inside using my weapon.

Ash: But your weapon will destroy the barrier… won’t it?

Y: Yes… unless I let it absorb the barrier’s magic for only a few seconds.

Ash: Then you can enter without anyone noticing!

Y: Exactly. But Dracula will sense it… I must be ready.

It’s time to begin.

⸻

Back to the Present

Valzenor: I see… so that’s how you got inside. But what about your magic vanishing all of a sudden?

Y: Before the attack struck me, I placed a condition.

Valzenor: A condition?

Y: Yes. But first, I need to explain how my weapon works.

Its core ability is to absorb magic… any magic it consumes, I can wield.

Valzenor: Even fire magic?

Y: Yes. That was Ash’s magic. I let everyone believe it was mine.

As for the condition… it was to surrender all of my magic to the weapon.

Thanks to that, its power grew after the attack landed on me.

Then, I applied a dwarven technique to my weapon, allowing it to pierce your hide.

And because of its unique property, it gathered every ounce of damage my body had sustained and returned it as a single, devastating strike.

Valzenor: I understand… if it had been a normal attack, I would have blocked it with ease. But… I never imagined you’d turn my own technique against me like that.

Y: Now it’s your turn. What was that technique?

Valzenor: You mean… my Domain.

Y: Domain?

Valzenor: Simply put… it’s the manifestation of the user’s soul. Unlike other techniques, the Domain creates a space shaped perfectly for your abilities.

Mine transforms the area into an ocean of blood… which I can detonate at will.

Y: Then… do you think I can use a Domain without magic?

Valzenor: I’ve never seen anyone attempt it… but with your weapon, I’m certain you’ll find a way.

Y (smiling): Then there’s a chance…

Valzenor: Tell me, have you heard of a dragon named Novarion?

Y: No… in fact, you’re the first dragon I’ve ever met.

Valzenor: Then you must have only recently arrived in this world. No matter. But I should warn you—

You resemble a human Novarion has been waiting for.

He is a black dragon, a mighty one who craves battle. If he sees you… he will attack without reason.

Y: Thank you for the warning.

Lyn (shocked): What? That’s madness!

Riganros: I’ve never seen anyone think this way before. But what’s even more astonishing… is how cleverly he weaves everything together.

Lyn: He needs to be more careful… luck won’t always be on his side.

L: He doesn’t rely on luck… he forges it with his own hands.

Ash: Don’t worry… he always finds a way to mend himself after every battle.

Lyn: That’s not what I mean… I’ll go check on them.

Riganros (smiling faintly): It seems you’ve won the wager, L.

But we must leave as well… the coming war still awaits our council.

⸻

The scene shifted to Valzenor and Y, speaking alone.

Valzenor: So… this is your plan?

Y: That’s right.

At that moment, Riganros entered with Lyn, L, and Ash.

Riganros: It seems you’re all still alive.

Lyn (sharply): Alive? They were at death’s door… especially Y!

Valzenor (with a faint smile): Perfect timing… we can discuss the plan here.

Riganros: That’s why we came. Your name is Y, isn’t it? What is your plan?

Y drew his weapon and raised it before them.

Y: This is my plan.

Riganros (astonished): A weapon?

Valzenor: Not just any weapon… but one that can absorb magic and sever it.

Riganros: I see… but the problem lies in the parasites. Their numbers are immense, and worse still—they multiply at terrifying speed. It takes only a single spark of magic absorbed… and suddenly there are thousands.

Valzenor: That’s why Y must master the Domain.

Ash: But a Domain requires magic…

Y: I’ll use it through my weapon. Isn’t that right?

Valzenor: Correct. A Domain isn’t something you learn… it’s something you awaken within.

(sighs) The strongest dragon in this world was born wielding his Domain from the very first moment.

Y: Then… we have a chance.

Valzenor: We’ll use this water. It is special—able to restore magic the moment you sit within it.

But Y raised his hand, cutting him off.

Y: Before that… I want a word with you, Riganros.

Valzenor: I’ll wait.

He stepped aside, leaving Y and Riganros facing one another.

Riganros: What is it you wish to say?

Y met his gaze directly.

Y: Your face is calm… but I see in you a deep, burning rage.

Riganros blinked, startled by the words, as Y continued:

Y: Until now, every vampire’s eyes I’ve seen have been filled with hatred.

But compared to them… yours carry a fury that could set the world ablaze.

Riganros lowered his head slightly, then spoke with a steady voice:

Riganros: You’re right… but I’m not angry with you. I am angry with myself.

He drew a long breath and went on:

Riganros: When I became king, I accepted my death… and walked toward it calmly, without seeking any other path.

Unlike L… who refused to surrender, and struggled to find another way.

Because of her… we now have a chance to end this curse.

Y (tense): A curse? But Valzenor told me all of this began because of a human.

Riganros: That’s true.

One day, a human sorcerer appeared… and crafted a butterfly out of magic.

From that moment… the calamity began.

⸻

The sorcerer lifted his hand, speaking with a twisted smile.

Sorcerer: Today… I’ll show you something extraordinary.

From his magic he wove a glowing butterfly, strange and dazzling, unlike anything we had seen before.

But what seemed beautiful for a fleeting moment quickly turned to horror.

The butterfly suddenly attacked, draining magic from all it touched, leaving its victims collapsed and hollow.

We tried everything to repel it… only to discover that every magical strike only made it stronger, birthing more and more of its kind.

They multiplied with grotesque speed, until they blotted out the sky.

Then, with chilling calm, the sorcerer declared:

Sorcerer: There is but one way to stop the butterflies… the sacrifice of five chosen ones, each bearing a different bloodline.

And with those words revealed, he vanished… leaving only catastrophe in his wake.

By the time Valzenor arrived… it was already too late.

Y (tense): The sorcerer… again!

Riganros: You know him?

Y: In truth… that was the first time I ever spoke to him.

Riganros (narrowing his eyes): I see… so he still lives, and continues his vile acts.

I once believed his hatred was reserved for our clan alone… but it seems even humans have not been spared his malice.

Y: I want to find him… and put an end to it all. That man is a danger to everyone.

Riganros locked eyes with him.

Riganros: And do you have a way to track him down?

Y: No… but Dansleif does.

Riganros: That makes sense…

Y turned on his heel, voice firm.

Y: Excuse me… we must prepare.

He strode toward L and Ash, his words resolute:

Y: ………

L & Ash (in unison): Understood.

Valzenor stepped beside Riganros, and the vampire king muttered in a low voice:

Riganros: A human… able to perceive emotions. That is something rare, scarcely seen.

Valzenor: It seems humans are far more remarkable than we once thought.

Y approached with steady steps, gaze unwavering.

Y: I’m ready.

Valzenor: Then follow me… deeper into the cavern.

⸻

They descended further into the cave, until they reached a massive stone door, its surface etched with faded glyphs.

Valzenor lifted his hand, releasing a surge of magic. The glyphs stirred, glowing faintly before grinding open with an ancient rumble.

Valzenor: We’ve arrived.

What lay beyond was no mere cave. It was a threshold—between reality and something beyond.

Before them stretched a vast hollow, boundless and strange. Darkness draped the expanse, yet a mysterious light bled through its depths.

Above, a colossal rift yawned in the ceiling like a wound in the sky, through which a full moon hung eternal—motionless, immutable.

Its pale rays poured down in a perfect column, striking the very center of the cavern, where a pool of crystalline water glimmered.

But it did not reflect—it radiated. It was as though the moon itself had drowned within it, and on its surface shimmered a sky alien to this world.

Everything here was still… yet alive.

The silence was suffocating, so deep that one could hear breath, heartbeat… and something older, echoing from far beyond.

Valzenor: Let us begin.

Y: Very well.

Valzenor: Remember… I am no teacher. There is nothing I can instruct you about the Domain.

It is something you must discover on your own.

This place exists to aid you. All you need do is sit upon the water, and place your weapon within it.

This water teems with magic; you need not fear depletion.

Simply… focus inward.

(pauses, then adds)

As for me… I will carry out my part of the pact.

⸻

Outside the cave

Crowds of vampires gathered, their eyes burning with suspicion.

L stood firmly before them.

L: What do you want?

One of the men stepped forward, tears streaking his face, his voice breaking.

Vampire: Because of that sorcerer… my wife and daughter are dead. Do you think I’ll ever trust a human again? Stand aside. That human inside is wounded… and we will not hesitate to cut you down if you block our way.

L: I want to know… what do you intend to do?

A figure from the “Five Bloodlines” emerged, his voice cold as steel.

Man: We intend to use his blood… to end the curse.

The earth trembled violently as L’s aura erupted, flooding the ground like a volcano unleashed.

Her eyes burned crimson, her voice thundered.

L: I have made my choice… I will not allow anyone to lay a hand on Y!

In the blink of an eye… the world shifted.

The space around them transformed into a colossal palace suspended in the void.

The floor gleamed as if sculpted from living, congealed blood, glowing a dark, sinister crimson.

Towering pillars spiraled upward like frozen arteries, enclosing the chamber.

At the far end loomed a throne of blood-crystal, veined with pulsating magic.

L sat upon it, legs crossed, exuding sovereign command without lifting a finger.

Behind her, a colossal red moon filled the sky—starless, horizonless… like the unblinking eye of this Domain itself.

L: I don’t care who you are. Any hand that reaches for Y… is the hand of an enemy.

Riganros advanced slowly, awe flickering across his face.

Riganros: This… this is a Domain!

Then his voice rose, ringing across the chamber.

Riganros: Fall back, all of you! Placing our trust in Y is the wisest choice before us.

That is my decision… and Valzenor’s as well.

To oppose Y… is to oppose us both.

The crowd faltered, uncertainty flashing in their eyes. Slowly, one by one, they withdrew, retreating toward their settlement in silence.

Inside the cave

Valzenor: Lin, I’ll rely on you for his recovery.

Lin: It’s my duty.

Valzenor: Ash and I will head to Mond.

Lin extended her hands, weaving a healing circle around Y, scarlet light tracing a pattern around his body.

Lin: This way, you can focus entirely on mastering the Domain without your body being distracted by wounds. I’ll stay with you throughout the training.

Y sat upon the glowing surface of the water, resting his weapon in its depths, eyes closing as he sank into deep concentration.

⸻

Three days later – before the Dwarven Kingdom’s barrier

Three figures appeared before L: King, Licht, and Liz.

Riganros stepped forward, his presence regal and heavy.

Riganros: I thank you for coming to aid us in this war. I am Riganros… King of the Vampires.

L: And who is this girl?

Licht: Her name is Elizabeth… or Liz. Leona said she would be of use here.

Liz: My name is Elizabeth, but you may call me Liz.

L: A pleasure to meet you. I am L.

Licht: We’ve already heard the situation from Valzenor and Ash.

King: So, all we need to do is defeat the butterflies without using magic, correct?

L: Correct.

King: By the way… where is Y? I don’t sense any trace of his magic.

Liz turned toward the cave, her expression steady.

Liz: He’s in there.

L (surprised): How did you know?

Liz: My mother, Margaret, taught me how to sharpen my senses. I can feel many things others can’t.

L: I see… you’re like Y.

Liz (with a small smile): Only much weaker.

L: Even so, that’s impressive. Yes, Y is inside, training to awaken his Domain. That’s why we must keep the butterfly numbers down until he emerges.

Licht looked to Riganros.

Licht: I suggest gathering your people in one place. It will be far easier to protect them.

Riganros: We’ve considered it… but the only suitable place is… (he glanced toward the cave).

Licht: I see… so where Y is training.

King: That’s ideal. Putting him on the edge will push him harder. It’ll give him the chance to grow faster. Though honestly… I’m certain he’ll master it regardless.

Riganros: Inside or outside the cave, danger is everywhere. Very well, I’ll accept your plan.

Licht: Glad to hear it.

L: I’ll head inside.

⸻

Inside the cave

Lin sat silently, watching Y lost in focus, when a calm voice spoke at her side:

L: For the record… he’s my partner.

Lin jumped in surprise.

Lin: L! You startled me!

L laughed softly.

L: It’s rare to see you like that.

Lin (sighing): I’m surprised myself. I keep trying to analyze Y’s character, but I can’t reach any logical conclusion. After all that’s happened… why is he helping us? What is his goal? Too many questions… no answers.

L: You haven’t changed.

Lin: This is the first time I’ve ever seen someone sacrifice his own magic. There’s no logic to it.

L smiled faintly.

L: True… but everything he does is necessary. I heard that from his sister, Anna.

⸻

Flashback – in the Elven Forest

Anna: Y has been with many people before… but only a few ever truly benefited from him. What seems illogical to us… to him is simply fundamental.

L: No one benefited from him? What do you mean?

Anna: Let me explain. Take the last war against the demons, for example.

Y’s strategy, his way of thinking, even his discussions… he explained everyone’s roles clearly. But when it came to his own role, it always remained unknown. And yet, whatever that role was, he would insist on carrying it out.

In the past, this caused many problems—communication, misunderstanding, mismatched styles.

He expected everyone to know what they were doing, or at least keep up with him. But reality rarely matched his expectations.

The differences in thought and approach created friction.

He wanted cooperation… but no one truly understood him.

Some belittled him, but only a rare few recognized who he really was.

He wasn’t flawless—he made mistakes. But he always learned from them.

So he changed his style… from “team play” to “I’ll do what I think must be done on my own.”

Some saw this as selfish… or unfair.

I remember once asking him: Why do you do this?

And his answer was simple: Because no one understands me.

But here… in this world… he’s different.

All those flaws have faded.

He’s more experienced… and he seems happier.

That’s why I believe… this world is better for him.

L: To me, Y’s plans are perfect. Each one pushes us to grow, to sharpen our skills. And at the same time, he gives us space to make our own choices.

Not learning from him… is the true loss.

Anna: I couldn’t agree more.

⸻

Back to the present

Lin (astonished): I never imagined this… His experience is undeniable. But his reasons remain a mystery.

L looked at Y, still immersed in his training, and smiled softly.

L: For us… we don’t need reasons. That’s what trust truly means.