Absolute Cheater

After a moment, Freya opened her eyes, gazing softly at Catherine. She wiped a tear from the corner of her eye, her gesture tender, though it caused Asher to roll his eyes at the perceived drama.

"I'm sorry you had to go through all of this," Freya said sincerely, her voice filled with empathy.

Catherine chuckled lightly, a sound both tired and resigned. "It's okay. After so many years spent in reflection, I've come to realize it wasn't my fault. The blame rests solely on the Crown Prince."

Asher nodded in agreement. "Exactly. There's no need to punish yourself for the sins of others."

He paused, his gaze shifting to Catherine, his tone sharpening. "However, you weren't completely blameless."

Catherine raised an eyebrow at the statement, her expression calm but curious. "Oh? And what, pray tell, was my sin?"

Asher's eyes narrowed, his words cutting like steel. "Your sin was that you were weak."

Freya stiffened at his bluntness, glancing nervously between them. "Asher—" she began, but he silenced her with a glance before continuing.

"And I don't intend to repeat that sin," he added coldly. "That's why I'm here—to train and evolve, to grow stronger."

Catherine studied him for a long moment, her expression unreadable. Then, slowly, she nodded, a small, wry smile curving her lips. "You're right."

Her voice softened, though the determination in her tone was unmistakable. "I've come to the same conclusion. If I had been stronger, none of this would have happened."

Asher's eyes flickered with approval at her response, a faint acknowledgment of her resolve. Freya, still uncomfortable with the exchange, said nothing, but a small spark of determination stirred in her own heart. Find adventures at empire

In that moment, an unspoken understanding passed between them. They each carried their own burdens, their own failures, and their own desires to rise above them. And while the past could not be undone, they knew the future could be shaped—if they were strong enough to seize it.

The silence that followed was thick with unspoken tension, but Catherine broke it with a low, thoughtful chuckle.

"Strength… it's such a simple word, isn't it?" she mused, leaning back against the worn throne she had claimed after so many years of isolation. "I once thought I knew what it meant. Power to protect, to rule, to inspire fear in enemies. But I've learned that strength isn't just about what you can do. It's about what you can endure—and still rise from."

Asher crossed his arms, his sharp eyes fixed on her. "And yet endurance without action is nothing but complacency."

Catherine nodded slowly, conceding his point. "True. But if you mistake recklessness for strength, you risk losing everything, as I did. That's why I'll never stop you from seeking strength, Asher. But be careful not to let it consume you."

"I don't plan to lose myself," he replied firmly. "And I won't repeat the mistakes of the past."

Freya, who had remained quiet, finally spoke, her voice soft but steady. "Strength isn't just about fighting battles. It's about having the wisdom to choose which battles are worth fighting. Both of you have seen what happens when power is used without balance."

Catherine tilted her head, intrigued by Freya's perspective. "You're wise for someone so young."

Freya offered a faint smile. "Watching the world fall apart teaches you a thing or two."

The three of them stood there in the crumbling hall of the Bloodcrown estate, surrounded by shadows of the past. Each carried their own scars, their own regrets, but also a flicker of hope that the future could be different.

"So," Catherine said, standing from the throne with an air of finality. "If we're to talk about strength, let's stop philosophizing and start acting. The Weaver's influence may be distant for now, but it will return. And when it does, we need to be ready."

Asher replied coldly " If he comes I will kill him in a way he won't even be abel to imagine"

Both Catherine and Freya, as well as the spirit of the Dark Existence Realm—manifested as a little girl—suddenly flinched at his cold words. They had heard Asher speak countless times, but this time his voice carried a bone-chilling coldness that made them shiver.

The icy tone forced them to look at him with unease, wondering if he was still the same Asher they knew or if something darker had begun to surface.

"Let's go and explore this realm," he said to Catherine, his expression unreadable.

Catherine hesitated for a moment before nodding, her gaze lingering on him. She wasn't sure if the shift in his demeanor was temporary or a sign of something far more ominous. Either way, she knew they had no choice but to press forward.

' it's like father' she thought grimly as she remembered her father after he came back becoming stronger.

' He used to act like thai from time to time' she frowned but decided to observe him for some more time before taking any action.

Catherine gestured toward the massive door at the far end of the hall. "The Bloodcrown estate holds many secrets. If we're to prepare, we'll start here. There are weapons, artifacts, and knowledge hidden within these walls—remnants of our family's legacy. Together, we'll uncover them and decide how to wield them."

Then, with a small shrug, she added, "Or we can explore the outside first if you'd prefer. The realm is vast, and there's more to discover beyond these walls."

Freya hesitated, then raised a concern. "And what about the void? You sent this realm spiraling into it to escape the Weaver. Will it hold?"

Catherine glanced at Asher before replying, "Not anymore, at least not as it did before. Now that Asher has become its master, he's acting as the Realm Core. As long as he grows stronger, so will this realm. If his power continues to rise, it might one day reach the level of a World again."

Freya's eyes widened slightly at the revelation. "So, even if it drifts in the void for millions of years…"

"Nothing will happen to it," Catherine confirmed. "As long as Asher lives, this realm will remain intact, stable, and safe."

Suddenly, the little girl—the spirit of the Dark Existence Realm—looked up at Asher with wide, innocent eyes. "Big Brother will protect me, right?"

Asher glanced down at her and softened, patting her head with an unusual gentleness. "Yes, I will."

The girl smiled brightly and hugged him tightly. Though Catherine and Freya exchanged a glance, unsure of the shift in his demeanor, they said nothing.

For now, they had work to do. Whatever shadows loomed over Asher's heart, they would confront them when the time came.

"For now, they had work to do. Whatever shadows loomed over Asher's heart, they would confront them when the time came.

"Is there anything nearby where we can train or fight creatures?" Asher asked, his tone practical, his mind already focused on his next step.

Catherine nodded. "There's a place called the Dwell of the Damned."

"The Dwell of the Damned?" Freya repeated, her voice tinged with unease.

"It's filled with dark creatures," Catherine explained, her expression hardening. "The spawn of the Weaver. They are remnants of his corruption, the same entities that played a part in this world's destruction."

"Hmm." Asher frowned. "Why are they restricted to that place? If they're remnants of the Weaver, shouldn't they roam freely?"

"It's all because of Tence," Catherine said, her gaze shifting meaningfully.

"Tence?" Asher and Freya asked in unison, their confusion clear.

"She's…" Catherine paused and then pointed toward the little girl still clinging tightly to Asher. "…her."

Both Asher and Freya froze, glancing down at the small girl. The spirit of the Dark Existence Realm blinked innocently, her eyes wide with childlike purity.

"Me?" Tence tilted her head, her voice soft and confused.

"Yes, you," Catherine confirmed. "Even though you're the spirit of this realm, your presence exerts a force that binds the creatures of the Weaver. They can't spread or escape because of you. That's why the Dwell of the Damned exists as an isolated zone. Your influence keeps them locked there, unable to corrupt or destroy what remains of this realm."

Asher narrowed his eyes, his gaze flicking between Catherine and Tence. "So, she's more than just the spirit of this realm. She's its protector."

Catherine nodded. "Exactly. But her power is tied to the stability of this realm—and to you now, as its master. If either of you falters, the creatures of the Dwell will spill out and destroy everything."

Freya looked at Tence with newfound respect and concern. "And yet she's just a child."

"She may look like a child, but her essence is far more ancient than we can imagine," Catherine said softly. "Still, the Weaver's spawn are relentless. If we're going to train, the Dwell of the Damned is the perfect place to start. But be warned: those creatures are nothing like the battles you have faced before."

"Good," Asher said coldly, his expression hardening. "I don't need easy fights. If we're going to prepare, we'll start there."

Tence clung tighter to Asher, her small hands gripping his arm. "Big Brother will protect me, right?"

Asher looked down at her, his gaze softening briefly. He placed a reassuring hand on her head. "Yes, I will. Always."