Absolute Cheater

Catherine glanced down at Tence and smiled faintly. "He is. Stronger than any of us imagined."

Tence nodded, her wide eyes staring into the depths of the well. Suddenly, the darkness shifted, pulling apart as if it were alive. A shimmering screen formed over the surface, revealing Asher's fight within the abyss.

Freya blinked in surprise, leaning closer to the strange screen. Catherine, however, simply looked at Tence with a knowing expression.

"She can't fully control her power yet," Catherine explained. "But when she decides something with all her heart, it usually happens."

Freya's eyes widened. "So, she willed herself to see Asher's fight?"

Catherine nodded. "Exactly. And now, thanks to her, we can all watch."

With a casual snap of her fingers, Catherine conjured several ornate chairs from the shadows. "Why don't you tell me more about yourself while we watch?" she suggested, taking a seat and gesturing for Freya to join her.

Freya hesitated but eventually sat down, he eyes flicking between the screen and Catherine. "You want to know about me?"

Catherine smiled, resting her chin on her hand. "Yes. We will be traveling together from now on, but I know little about who you are. Where you're from, your powers, your goals. Humor me."

Freya exhaled deeply, folding her hands in her lap. "There's not much to tell, honestly. I come from a small world that was destroyed long ago. My powers… they're connected to nature, growth, and life. But in the Void, those powers are limited. I'm here because I want to survive, and maybe…" She trailed off, her gaze softening as she glanced at the screen. "Maybe I want to help rebuild something. A place where life can thrive again."

" No wonder I felt you are different from Asher" Catherine said.

" I was adopted when I was little, apparently I was found inside a seed, inside a dying tree, the one who saved me gave me their surnames as my ability was some what similar to theirs"

" How so? " She asked.

" My real ability name is called Amber heart world Tree , aside from life it also have Flame of Life, like an Phoenix Flames which destroys as well as restores" She said.

" My goal is one day to rebuild the realm where I was found or maybe atleast find out what happened there" She said sighing.

Catherine tilted her head, her expression thoughtful. "That's a noble goal. I wouldn't have guessed you'd want something so… hopeful, considering where we are."

Freya smirked faintly. "Hope is all we have left, isn't it?"

Catherine chuckled. "Perhaps. But hope without strength is just a fleeting dream. And you're stronger than you think."

Freya looked at Catherine, startled by the sincerity in her voice. Before she could respond, the screen flared brightly, drawing their attention.

On the display, Asher was cutting through the abyssal creatures with ruthless efficiency. His movements were precise, his attacks devastating. The dark energy surrounding him pulsed with a life of its own, almost as if it were feeding on the destruction he wrought.

Freya shuddered. "It's hard to believe he's human."

Catherine leaned back in her chair, her gaze fixed on the screen displaying Asher's relentless assault. "He's more than human now. And that's exactly why we need to understand him—and ourselves. If we're going to survive, we'll need more than hope and power. We'll need each other."

Then, with a sly smile, Catherine added, "Isn't that why you're trying to be his woman?"

Freya jolted, her face flushing red. "W-what do you mean?" she stammered.

"Relax," Catherine said with a light chuckle. "I've seen the way you look at him. Like he's the only thing in this forsaken place you can rely on."

Freya's shoulders slumped, her expression turning bitter. "That blood connection… it goes both ways, doesn't it?"

"Yes," Catherine replied. "But you can't read him, can you? His power is ranked too far above yours."

Freya nodded, her voice tinged with frustration. "But not you," she muttered, looking at Catherine.

Catherine smiled faintly. "That's true. And to be honest, I didn't even mean to see your memories. It wasn't intentional. It just… happened."

Freya sighed, her tone softening. "I can't even stay mad at you. After seeing your life, maybe it's fair you saw mine."

Catherine leaned forward, her expression more serious now. "I have an idea. What if I made you a Bloodcrown?"

Freya blinked in surprise. "What?"
Your adventure continues at empire

"Your original abilities, combined with my clan's power, would make you a force to be reckoned with," Catherine explained. "You wouldn't have to rely on him anymore."

Freya hesitated, her eyes narrowing. "Why would that matter? What's wrong with relying on him?"

Catherine's gaze grew distant, her voice tinged with a rare vulnerability. "From what little I've observed, he's… broken. As long as you're dependent on him, you won't reach him. But if you become a Bloodcrown, you could gain the strength to stand beside him—and maybe even heal him."

Freya's lips parted in shock. For a moment, she was silent, then she asked hesitantly, "How much power are we talking about?"

Catherine's smile returned, this time with a hint of mischief. "Not quite his level, but I could grant you the legacy of our strongest ancestor: the Progenitor of the Bloodcrowns. I tried to claim it myself once, but I failed. Maybe you'll succeed where I didn't. And even if you don't, there are countless other legendary figures in our history whose legacies could be yours."

Freya looked down, her thoughts a whirlwind. "I don't want power for the sake of power," she said quietly. "But if it means standing beside him—and helping him—then I'll do it."

Catherine raised an eyebrow at the unexpected answer, leaning slightly forward. "Why does he matter so much to you?" she asked, her voice laced with curiosity.

Freya froze for a moment, opening her mouth as if to reply, but no words came out. She looked away, her expression troubled.

"You don't know?" Catherine pressed, her tone tinged with surprise.

Freya finally let out a small, nervous laugh, her cheeks flushing. "When I first met him, I didn't feel anything. He seemed… normal, just another person I have see. But slowly, without even realizing it, I started wanting to be near him. I wanted to be with him everywhere, all the time."

Her voice grew softer as she added, "I don't even know where this feeling came from. I tried to suppress it, but it only got stronger."

Then, with a face burning red, she hesitated before confessing, "Sometimes… sometimes I even dream of him. Of him embracing me, touching me, and… being one with him." She buried her face in her hands, her words trailing off as her embarrassment deepened.

Catherine tilted her head, her gaze shifting back to the screen where Asher was still fighting with effortless brutality. "It seems," she said thoughtfully, "you still have a lot to figure out."

Freya nodded silently, unsure of what more to say.

Catherine stood up and stretched. "Anyway, he'll take some time down there. Let's go back and work on making you a Bloodcrown. There's no point in sitting here and waiting when we can be preparing."

Freya took a deep breath, nodding as she followed Catherine. The two of them returned to the castle, their steps echoing in the grand halls.

Looking around the room, Catherine noticed something was off. "It seems Tence still wishes to watch Asher fight," she remarked with a faint smile, glancing toward the empty space where the little girl usually hovered.

Freya shrugged, her expression softening. "Let her. She adores him. And maybe she's learning something from watching him too."

Catherine chuckled softly. "Perhaps. Let's hope she's learning the right lessons."

Freya nodded as Catherine pointed ahead. "That place holds the legacies," she said, gesturing toward a massive door with a beautifully engraved scarlet crown on its front.

Freya nodded, following Catherine's gesture toward the massive door ahead. The intricate carving of a beautiful scarlet crown on its surface shimmered faintly in the dim light. The craftsmanship radiated an aura of ancient power, and Freya felt a slight chill run down her spine as she approached.

"This is where the legacies of the Bloodcrown are held," Catherine said, her voice calm but laced with reverence.

Freya stared at the door, mesmerized. "It's beautiful," she murmured, tracing her fingers along the glowing engraving.

Catherine stepped forward, placing her hand on the center of the scarlet crown. "This door recognizes only those of Bloodcrown lineage. And it doesn't just open; it evaluates your worth."

Freya glanced at Catherine nervously. "So, what happens if it decides I'm not worthy?"

Catherine smiled faintly. "It won't reject you. You will have my blood after I turn you into an Crown Vampire, and the door will sense that. But don't be mistaken—what lies beyond will test you. The legacies of the Bloodcrown are not freely given. You'll have to earn them."

With a deep breath, Catherine pressed her palm into the engraving. The scarlet crown glowed brighter, and the heavy door rumbled as it began to part. A low hum filled the air as the faint scent of iron wafted from within.