I created my own system

"I was dying a while ago and you decided to appear now?" He felt exasperated remember the pain he felt when his lungs began freezing, his vision dimming as frost crept into his every breath,those images haunted him still.

"I couldn't even breath" he added in his mind, he was both scared to die and hopeful to survive while he was mending the shelf.

For a moment his body unknowingly shivered as if responding to the memory. It seems the sensation will linger for a little while longer.

"Ah, right, I still ned to check where the emperor's investigation is going"

Apollo was about to get up when he suddenly felt someone pinning him down. It was a gentle force though a bit domineering to push him down. Soft, cold fingers pressed his shoulders. Apollo couldnt help but look up.

"Alicia?"

"Stay still, I want you to rest for a bit"

Her voice was cold as ever but Apollo could see, a subtle worry that etched on her face. In that moment the boy couldn't help but think that his actions might have hurt her.

"She might look nonchalant at times but I know she tends to worry about others"

As he continue to look at her, he couldn't but thought.

"I need to apologize"

'I reach out touching her hand as she put a pillow on her lap, where my head is currenly resting'

"I'm sorry, Alicia"

Hearing those sincere words a pair of ruby eyes landed on Apollo's golden irises. They locked gazes, none dare to speak, its as if they don't need to speak to know what the others is thinking.

An unexpected silence envelope them, the clock slowly ticks and each wave of it follows the rhythmic sound of heartbeat.

And then she drew closer

A cold mint scent came to Apollo making him feel calm, soothing his nerves, a mischievous smirk came to him. As he give extra attention on Alicia's face, they were both so close to each other, barely inches apart, though both of thier expression were different from one another.

One was calm and unbothered while the other is smiling as if eagerly waiting for something.

Apollo's attentive gaze made Alicia's cold expression to frown, that sight made the boy eager to study her expression.

"Hmmm.....for someone Apologizing you are quite cheeky"

Alicia lifted he hand and pitch his cheeks finding them troublesome.

"I almost done something I shouldnt do Apollo" she added and this time the boy could clearly see how her expression change into a more worried expression. This time she is more expressive on how she is showing emotions on her face.

"Are you hurt anywhere?" She ask her voice unexpectedly softer than before.

Apollo just shook his head, he even close his eyes as he tried to feel the warm hands that currently cradles his face.

"I will do as you said, I will stay here for today"

As Alicia quietly watched over him Lothar finally return.

"Status"

She inquire and her previous personality revere back to how cold she usually was.

"Nothing happens at the shelf, I also cheek the ice sheets and I am certain there is no hidden devices there like the ones Apollo caught"

She just nodded as she began stroking Apollo's head.

"Make sure to report to the current situation"

"Yes my lady I will"

Lothar then left and began preparing a meal for him and to his dear guest.

On the other had the forest of Afra is currently being lead by two fake Apollo and Alicia one that thier friends made by using Blair's blessings.

"How long should we keep this up?" McKenzie ask, fortunately thier shift endedn and the rotation made it possible to make excuses about why the two is missing. The most up-to-date version is on M(VLEMPY)R.

"What if someone asked what should we say?"

"Lets just told them they went on a date"

"Hey Braiden do you think someone will believe that?"

"Trust me Agnes they will"

"Really?"

Agnes was a bit confused while Matilda who was with her can't help but laugh.

"But hey, where are they right now?"

"Ah about that Samuel they are both with my father at the north"

Jillian just nodded but after a few moments she fell asleep, tired from the days were the hordes were still swarming endlessly.

"Well lets just see how things will unfold, if Apollo needed our help I am sure he would ask" Arabella muttered but then she realized that she is the only one that is awake, the rest was already sleeping. Seeing that she couldn't help but smile.

"Sleep well everyone"

The second day of Ianuarius ended just like that, some were able to have an adequate amount of rest from the precarious early days of Blood season. Though that didn't go the same with others, some people are running around, hiding, covering while others are hunting, trying to uncover things that some tried to bury.

Then there are some that are falling deeper into a trap they have no knowledge of.

"Father, let me in!"

Eros rush inside his father office, in his hand was the information his aid had provided him.

"Father is it true that the endless wave of magical beasts in our estate was arranged by someone?"

His voice was ragged his eyes were mix with rage and controlled desired to kill.

Helios quietly observed his son and know deeply why he is acting in that way. During the first few hours of the blood season the entire region under the duchy suffer so mush as the hordes were coming in huge numbers and waves. It break through the barriers and walls, destroying many towns and killing thousands of people. The forces of the east wasnt really weak however mysterious creatures with unexplained powers would run havoc killing even those in the ranks of demigod. With the tsunamin like destruction many territories were reduce to ruin. The houses were either torn or burn to ground. The bodies weren't propely recovered since most of them were either devour or cut to piece, some even reduce to a mere puddle of blood. Returning to thier families were imposible. Arms, legs and even heads were littering the once lively cities and towns. There are weapons broken and dyed with blood, there owners can be seen few centimeters away from them. This horror, this horrid scenery were seen by Eros.

With enemies surging endlessly and powerful magical beasts wanting to devour others, even the duke himself got involved. However the duke was only one, he can't split himself and protect the entire region. And that is why his son and heir volunteer to join. To protect the smaller towns that are located at the edge of the duchy.

He vowed to protect them

And he did

Though the cause was immense.

A sea of blood and flesh filled the are and even before the sun rises, Eros finds himself greaving at the dead soldiers who fought along side him.

They protected him

And he protected them

The people were save

However the brave soldiers and mage weren't spared

They weren't lucky.

And in the first dawn of the blood season, the young lion find himself roaring in grief as he held the people that sacrifice themselves.

How can it be called victory when the brave warriors with him either died of hurt?

He felt their compassion to protect

He admired their courage

He respected their death

And mourn it

Eros felt pain

He was hurt

He is enraged

In the second day he fought even harder, warm blood painting his golden armor but still even when his hands bleed, he didn't stop swinging his sword to protect.

The first day finally ended and the sunrise that light the tragedy of winter disappeared, as the day ends no deaths were reported.

Eros doesn't know if someone was helping them, but if there was he was thankful.

He was so glad that unknowingly, he burst to tears.

And now in the last day of blood season, he suddenly found out that those deaths were orchestra by someone.

Four broodmothers were found in their territory, and it was the culprits of the death and destruction they now have.

Eros was enrage he kept gripping his hands that it began to bleed.

"Father, please let me help"

A pair of furious golden eyes glared at Helios. The room was then covered by a pressure Eros unknowingly released, his emotion are mess up but his objective was clear.

He wanted revenge

He wanted blood for blood

He lion can't be satisfied unless it lead the hunt that will bite down the enemies.

.

.

"Young master!"

"Protect the city!"

"Dont let them reach the city!"

"Please help me!"

"Argghhhh!!!"

"Dear God, have you forsaken us?"

"Dont lose hope, keep pushing, the young master is here with us to fight!"

"Dont lose hope!"

"Keep fighting!"

.

.

.

"I...am...so sorry"

Inside the duke's office, those voices keep speaking, and each one of them brought a memory that made Eros burn with unparalleled desire to kill.

"Father" The younng duke spoke again, his golden eyes were flickering with light. He wanted his revenge, he wanted to pay back the people behind the massacre.

"I know you are enraged, but investigating is not something we do, let the archduke and the mages take care of it. They are very good at thier jobs after all"

"But father!"