Chapter 61: The Deal

**The Demon’s Love**

*Chapter 61: The Deal *

Amari’s

Two days later. Due to the knights injuries and wounds, we took a break to make sure that everyone is well before attacking again. Upon knowing that my body was possessed by Darkness itself, I was concerned about myself as Yula. I used to have that body but because of grievances, Darkness took it as its own and utilized it as its body.

I am clueless to the next stage. Where should I even begin and how exactly am I going to kill Darkness, more so defeat him in this crisis? I am aware it’s pointless getting all worked up but I couldn’t restrain my mind drifting here and there.

Especially because I was most affected of Zaren’s words to me. In fact, I hate myself, too. I hate that I have become selfish after regaining Amari’s body as my own. Guilty as I am, there was no way I’d stop when I’ve came this far. I had a prospect that if I knew where my body was, everything would be better.

However, I didn’t know that I was actually neglecting my duties as Zaren’s wife at the expense of his love for me. I clenched my hands, closing my eyes and turned around. I saw Rymond who walked to my side and questioned me.

“What had happened between you two?”

I lowered my gaze to the ground, picking stones and throwing it to the fallen branch perfectly. “… It was my fault, I was guilty.”

“Darkness’s body… was yours.”

“I am aware, that was why I got out of its claws”, I turned to him and seriously asked, “was the reason you couldn’t transfer my body in this world was because Darkness had already dominated my body?”

Rymond’s eyes fluctuated, “Partly. In the process of transferring someone’s body, there is also criteria to which someone must meet before being transferred to another world. One needs to be alive and well. In addition is the tribute or the price you’ll give in exchange of your relocation.”

“And?”

He opened his hand, gesturing, “Zaren was in a better condition back then, so he was the first to be transferred successfully which took a long time since he doesn’t have mana and doesn’t practice it. Due to insufficient time and your grievances which has turned evil all of a sudden, I couldn’t exact the ritual needed.”

I frowned, “W-what do you mean evil? I have become an evil woman back then?”

“Yes, Arvhin had died and there was nothing I could do to revive him since someone’s soul is needed to do so. I couldn’t afford killing someone for the same reason and it’d be defying God’s laws hence I was left with you – for you to be successfully assigned to another dimension. After seeing your child die, you have gathered your mana yet since you don’t cultivate, it was far enough. As a result, you have accidentally called Dark Magic.”

I gaped, covering my mouth. “You mean to say, I was the one who woke up the sleeping Dark Magic?”

“Not precisely, but you called for it. I have attempted regaining your senses but the barrier you put up was strong that I couldn’t break it since I have used so much just handing over Zaren to this world. Simply put… you made a deal with Darkness.”

No way, impossible. It couldn’t be. How could I possibly make a deal with the Darkness when I never met it before. I don’t have any memories with anything involving that Darkness. What… is the deal I made with it? Why couldn’t I remember anything about it? W-why… did I make that deal?

I shook my head in disbelief, looking around in frantic and panic. I’ve disappointed Zaren… again.

“… I called for it due to desperation, was it?” The sentence I asked was something I imprisoned in my mind all along listening to him.

Rymond simply nodded his head, “Yes. And the only way for us to win is to kill it.”

I scoffed, “Kill my own body… which has now in someone else’s hand?”

“Yes. Kill it. Its weakness could be one of the weakness while you were handling that body of yours. Honestly, I don’t know what kind of tactic we should do to defeat it since half of my powers were gone.”

“… Your powers. Did you lose it because you were also desperate with my circumstance?”

He had a sad smirk, “I was more scared of the pact we made and my impending doom. Despite not having finished the pact between us, I don’t know what impact it would give me. Thus… I saved you mainly for my benefit.”

It was natural. I asked for Darkness’s help, I made a deal with it at the expense of my own body. Rymond lost half of his power, Zaren lost his memories while Arvhin died. And I… was the root of them. I must kill Darkness once and for all.

I gulped my saliva, looking at Rymond with determination.

“I get it now. I’ll try talking with… Zaren.”

He smiled, “Yes, smooth thing between you two. I feel like I’ve been walking on eggshells ever since.”

“As am I…”

Nothing fears me but after my death – what would become of Zaren? Will he despise me with everything he has or will he yearn for me? Unsure of his reaction, I am at a loss of what to do. Other than talk things out with him, and explain everything that I know, he might not trust me again. He may even turn his back from me and won’t look at me.

However, I must make things better this time. I must, whatever it costs!

“Rymond told me you called for me. What is the matter?”

Zaren, wearing his armor, didn’t bother looking at me while taking off his gloves. He was training with his armors, and it must had been difficult for him. I didn’t want to say anything as of the moment, I only want to embrace him and feel his warmth. I looked at his serious expression and I sighed.

I spread my arms, enveloping him inside it with a closed of eyes. I missed him so much.

“… Sorry, I was just scared. Not because of you but because of me”, I looked up to him, then loosened my grasp on him. His anger must have been not dissipating yet. I continued, “I was afraid that I’d die and leave you sorrowful again.”

“Again?” His cold voice reached my ears and I flinched.

“… Yes, again. Darkness is terrifyingly strong, and it almost caused us deaths while we were fighting. Darkness has my previous body thus I feared for my life this time around.”

He shook his head, “Yes, I know about that Darkness. Anyhow, what I want to know is your motive for hugging me? This is… considered assault, right?”

I gasped, “Assault, my foot! I just hugged you, w-why are you saying it like.. I forced you or anything?” I lowered my gaze.

“Technically, you didn’t ask for my consent.”

I blinked. “B-but we’re married…”

“You won’t distance yourself from me now?”

He approached me with a tilt of his head.

“Mhm, I found out after talking with Rymond that without you guys, and along the knights, it is completely not in my reach to kill him.”

He held my hand with a gentle smile then planted a kiss on it, “Thankfully. Then, would you hug me since you owe me one that day?”

I grinned at him, readily embracing him tightly as I missed him. “Gladly, don’t tell me to let go else I’ll be mad.”

He giggled, “Hmm, I don’t so. I’ve missed you, too.”

I flushed. I thought hearing his sweet words was just nothing but after our argument, I not only missed him but his sweet words that constantly put me at ease. It wasn’t cringe, it was just his way of showing his affection for me. I love him so much, really.

I grinned at him, “Thank you, Zaren. I will listen to you, trust you, lean on you, and rely on you. You gave me time to fully grasp what you want me to comprehend.”

He looked down on me, caressing my cheek. “Now that you mentioned it, I told you a lie.”

I lifted my brow, “A lie?”

He smirked, “Yes, since I wouldn’t be able to let go of you even if you beg and cry in front of me.” he teased, which I scrunched my nose.

I tiptoed, kissing him on his lips – taking the initiative to surprise him. My gift was a little bit surprising that he didn’t waste anymore time and held my waist, kissing me deeply.

I panted, smiling at him. “I truly missed you.”

“So do I.”