Wicked Reincarnation

Chapter 205: Regret

There was no other choice. Lia blindly trusted her instincts and jumped. The wind brushed against her back as she felt herself falling. She closed her eyes. Mabye jumping towards death like this wasn't too bad. Only bad thing was that she couldn't die so easily.

Lia ripped her eyes open only to stare into gentle ones. Strong arms embraced her and warmth seeped into her cold and fragile body.

"Yano" Lia's surprised whisper made him smile.

"It's ok, I'm here," Yano whispered back and only held her tighter as if she was a precious jade treasure that could break any second.

"I'm sorry, I'm late."

Lia couldn't say anything. There was no reason for Yano to apologise. He didn't promise her anything. Apart from the Mortal World, they had nothing to do with each other. None of this was his fault. Even though they had the same goals, they both took care of a different world. Yet Lia failed while Yano seemed to have been successful.

Nevertheless, tears welled up. This feeling, having someone close to her, couldn't mend the pain nor the scars left behind by the dead loved ones, but at least it helped soothe her raging feelings and calm her exploding mind. Lia looked at Yano's face. A sense of urgency. That was what she could feel from him.

Then Lia saw their surroundings. As Lia fell from the building, Yano jumped into the air and caught her. Now, from one roof to another they made their escape while the soldiers behind them relentlessly followed.

Even with Lia in his arms, Yano skillfully managed to evade any attacks with ease. Once again, Lia was reminded of how unfair it was that Yano was so blessed.

They already entered the second layer.

"Rest a bit. Trust me, you're safe with me," there was no teasing or amusement in his voice.

Yano right now was serious and he firmly held her, protecting her from any harm. Lia still didn't know why he did so much for her.

However, Lia trusted and believed Yano, even if she didn't want to admit, around him she felt incredibly secure as if nothing could harm her.

But she didn't close her eyes, instead, her fingers lightly pulled on Yano's shirt, "Did you see?"

Lia's voice had a hint of hesitation and fear. She didn't want Yano to have witnessed what she did and what has been done to her. Lia was still struggling to keep herself sane but Yano's presence helped a lot.

"See what?" Yano's tone was soft and tender.

It was unclear if he really didn't see or if he was pretending, to reassure her. Maybe he also already knew what she was hinting on.

"Nothing," Lia shook her head before slowly leaning against Yano's chest. The wind howling around them, the protective arms holding her and the rapid yet calming heartbeat of Yano. All this lulled her in and made her briefly forget about the pain in her heart.

They now reached the third layer. Yano was fast but Lia could still hear the shouts of the soldiers behind them, only two layers left before they could escape the capital. But then what?

Lia realised the problem and looked up at Yano. She wanted to say something but noticed the faint scars around his neck and some even on his handsome face.

At a closer look, Yano seemed exhausted. Lia bit her lip. Yano must've come from the Mortal World. The Mortal World's situation was also pretty bad. So why was he here?

Lia stretched out her arm and her fingers glided along the scars across Yano's neck. Upon the touch Yano flinched in surprise. His view shifted from the front to Lia.

He saw all the wounds and scars Lia had herself. Her puffy and red eyes. The dirt and blood on her body. Her face riddled with an expression that could break people's hearts, she tried so hard to hide.

Her fingertips tickled him and he held Lia even tighter. He didn't want to let her go anywhere. Just have her in his arms forever. She fit perfectly.

Yano watched the front again and made a sharp left turn. He sighed in annoyance, the soldiers managed to block him in the front. How? How could they be faster than him? No, if they had a communication device, the soldiers in the other layers could cut Yano off.

Yano didn't want to engage in a fight. He wanted to leave as quickly as possible. He saw Lia raising her arm, "No. Stop Lia. You've used too much lifeforce. Rest now. I'll take care of it."

"Didn't you say you didn't see?" hearing the wronged tone in her voice, Yano couldn't help but laugh lightly. She was really too adorable.

"See what? Still have no idea what you're talking about. But anyone can see just by looking at your face how exhausted you are."

Yano's laugh was pleasant but Lia turned her lips down. Even in this situation, Yano didn't fail to miss any opportunity to tease her. But he was right. She was exhausted but so was he. If she didn't help him, she might lose him too and she couldn't-

"It's fine. You should know I'm not weak."

It was always like this. Yano always seemed to be able to know what she was thinking. They reached the fourth layer now. Yano had to take a slight detour but managed to evade the soldiers.

"Where are we going? There's nowhere I can hide, I'm the most wanted person now," Lia bitterly told him the truth.

That was right. Even if Yano saved her now, it was inevitable for Min and his army to find her. There was no way Min would let her off. Lia had to be sacrificed for him in the abyss.

As well as be a sacrifice for the public. After all, her hands were stained with all the people she'd massacred. The public wanted to avenge their innocent peers. They wanted to see her blood spill, her guts torn out and her flesh grounded. Declaring herself as the Immortal King, inducing fear to everyone, Lia realised now what a monster she must be in everyone's eyes.

"Let me down," this was for the best.

She wouldn't involve Yano in the mess she's created. Yano and the others could still stop Min, but for that, they couldn't be associated with Lia, "You can't hide from them. You'll be implicated too. Min-"

"I really don't like it when you call him by his name," Yano interrupted Lia.

Another sharp turn. Lia held Yano tightly as she felt helpless in his arms. She was only a burden. She was-

"There's a place to hide. My place," Yano didn't say more as he jumped off the road and ran through the ground. They arrived in the fifth layer. They could see the bridge and so could the soldiers.

"Quick! Destroy the bridges!"

"Grenades! Has anyone bought any?"

"Heh, they're quick," Yano had a wry smile as an explosion sounded. The marbled stone bridge in front of them exploded yet Yano didn't slow down.

Lia wouldn't have either.

"Close your eyes and bury your face in my chest. Don't inhale," Yano quickly said as he walked into the smoke and the nasty and blinding smell of the smoke hit his face. Lia did as he said. The bridge fell apart but the broken parts still slowly flowed in the river.

Yano leapt from the ground and his feet lightly raced across the path formed by the ruins of the bridge, helping him get across the river. Once he arrived on the other side, Yano briefly looked back. The rubbles flowed away. The soldiers stood on the other side of the river.

Yano smirked before his figure with Lia disappeared in the smoke. However, the soldiers didn't give up. If they did it was the same as asking to lay their lives down in front of Min. Also, Lia has killed many close people of theirs.

Yano left the capital, heading towards the outskirts of the core of the Immortal World.

"Where's your place?" Lia wondered. Why was his place safe?

"Neverland."

"What?" Lia's eyes widened. Neverland... Wasn't that the part of the Immortal World that was not inhabitable?

"Don't worry, it'll be fine. I'll help you. There's a way."

"A way?"

"Yes, a way to stop the Ghost King. Right now, isn't the time. Recover and then let's wait for everything to die down. I'll help you. I promise. So for now," Yano caressed Lia's back, "Don't beat yourself down. Ok? Let's go to Neverland. You're safe with me."

Yano repeated these words. Lia wanted to believe him but it was still hard for her to imagine that Min wouldn't also look in Neverland. Min must be able to guess, she'd be there. Logically thinking, there'd be no other place. Maybe Mistand.

However, with Yano, Lia could counterattack and pay Min back for all the corpses he put on Lia's back. Every single one of them.

"Ok, we should go. To Neverland," suddenly all excitement left Lia and she finally could let herself feel tied. If Yano was here she didn't need to stay conscious anymore. But then-

Lia jolted up, "Zero!"

"What?" Yano was confused.

Zero wasn't in the academy. Maybe he managed to follow her instructions. No matter what Lia needed to make sure again. Zero had to be with her. There was no other way.

"We have to go somewhere else first."

"It's dangerous, Lia, we-"

"Please. It's important. I can't let anyone else die."

Yano heard her desperation and sighed, "Alright."