Chapter 1242 Away From the World
The revelations Suyin brought weighed heavily on Arthur, casting a shadow over what should have been a celebratory day. As the implications of gods using humans as vessels loomed over them, Diana's calming presence was the only reprieve from the storm of anxiety brewing within Arthur. Sensing his growing unease, she placed a gentle hand on his shoulder, her voice a soothing balm. "Let's forget about this for today, Arthur. It's your birthday, after all. Just for today, let's put aside these burdens."
Suyin, overhearing this, straightened up with surprise. "It's your birthday, Arthur? I had no idea. Congratulations!" Her voice held genuine warmth, and despite the grave news she had delivered, her smile was a brief flicker of light in the dimness. Realizing the personal moment she had intruded upon, she quickly excused herself, "I'll leave you two to celebrate. We can address these issues later!"
Arthur and Diana couldn't help but smile at her flustered retreat. Once she had left, Arthur turned back to Diana, his tone playful despite the earlier tension. "So, do you have anything special planned for my birthday?"
Diana pinched his cheek lightly, a spark of mischief in her eyes. "My only plan for centuries was to see you and then likely die. But you've changed that narrative. Now, it's your world too, Arthur. You should be doing some of the planning."
Arthur laughed, the sound echoing warmly in the room.
Pulling her into his embrace, he fell back onto the bed, bringing her along. They lay there, his hands gently caressing her skin. "I just wish I could look into your eyes," he murmured, the golden scars on his eyes a reminder of the cost of their reunion.
Diana leaned over him, her fingers threading through his hair. "We will find a way, Arthur. We always do."
His face grew somber. "Even now, as I lie here with you, there are people out there fighting for their lives because of my decisions." The weight of his choices, the burden of his legacy, felt crushing.
Diana continued to soothe him, her touch gentle and reassuring. "But think of the strength you've given them. The Level Up Legacy has awakened those who had no power and strengthened those who already did.
You've changed the world, Arthur, not just through chaos but by giving people the means to protect themselves and others."
Pausing, she looked deeply into where his eyes would meet hers, if they could. "Be selfish just for today. Let the world manage itself. Spend your birthday with me, here, alone. No interruptions."
A smile slowly spread across Arthur's face, a light in the darkness of his vision. He nodded and rose from the bed, his runes flickering to life as he gestured, creating a portal. Diana's expression turned to one of confusion and curiosity.
"Where are we going?" she asked, her hand in his as he led her through the portal.
On the other side lay a secluded paradise, untouched by the chaos of the world-a valley surrounded by towering mountains and lush trees, dotted with vibrant flowers. Arthur walked with her up a hill, where he raised his hand, and a wooden cabin began to form from the ground up, crafted by his runes.
Diana watched in awe as the cabin took shape, its structure simple yet perfectly integrated into the surrounding nature. Inside, Arthur filled the space with cozy furnishings, each piece appearing with a thought, reflecting his desire to create a peaceful sanctuary just for them.
"This is our place, away from everything," Arthur said, his voice filled with a mix of love and determination. "Here, I'm not the man who changed the world or the blind hero of a city. I'm just Arthur, and you're just Diana, and that's all we need to be."
Diana stepped into the cabin, taking in the serene setting that Arthur had created. Her heart was full as she turned to him, her smile bright and genuine. "This is perfect, Arthur. Just us, no burdens, no expectations. Just a day to celebrate."
The dawn crept gently into the cabin, the soft light filtering through the windows, casting a warm glow over the cozy interior. Arthur and Diana lay intertwined on the couch, her head resting comfortably on his chest, his arms wrapped securely around her. The peaceful cadence of his breathing harmonized with the subtle stirrings of nature outside, creating a tranquil symphony that ushered them through the early hours.
As the first birds began their morning songs, Diana stirred, her eyes fluttering open to the sight of the sun climbing over the distant mountains. Careful not to disturb Arthur, who was still lost in slumber, she gently extricated herself from his embrace and stood, stretching lightly. A smile played on her lips as she watched him for a moment, his face relaxed in the serenity of deep sleep.
Motivated by a sudden desire to do something special for him, Diana slipped out of the cabin and walked down the hill to gather some ingredients from the lush vegetation around them. Inspired, she decided to surprise Arthur with breakfast, despite her somewhat rusty cooking skills. Back in the cabin, she busied herself in the kitchen, attempting to prepare a simple yet heartfelt meal.
However, her enthusiasm outpaced her culinary expertise, and soon the smell of burning food filled the cabin. Panicking slightly, she frantically waved away the smoke, her cheeks flushed with embarrassment. As she was about to dispose of the charred remains, Arthur's voice stopped her.
"Let me try it," he said, his tone playful yet sincere. Despite having lost his sense of taste due to the mana of creation, he reached for the burnt dish, his fingers lightly brushing hers as he took the plate from her hands.
Diana watched anxiously as he took a bite. Arthur chewed thoughtfully, then, with a mischievous grin, proclaimed, "Delicious!"
She burst into laughter, playfully pinching his arm. "You're a terrible liar, Arthur Netherborne. But thank you for trying."
Shrugging, Arthur retrieved some prepared meals from his spatial space, and they sat down to a proper breakfast, filled with laughter and light-hearted teasing. Afterward, they decided to explore the paradise outside, taking a leisurely walk through the vibrant landscape that surrounded their secluded retreat.
As they walked, Diana opened up about the pain she endured after waking up with memories of an alternate timeline where they had lived together. She detailed her relentless quest to find the Isotox, and how Gala, the witch they both knew and missed, had aided her in stealing the artifact from Arthur's father, leading to his fierce retaliation against Runera.
Arthur listened intently, his hand squeezing hers in silent support. He then shared his own adventures, recounting how he had saved Ilios from a false emperor, allowing Ai, the Saint, to ascend the throne. He spoke of his journey to the Red Tower, a mysterious spatial dimension where he met the Scholar Guardian, Jizo, and mastered the powers of wrath.
Their conversation meandered as freely as the path they walked, bringing them eventually to a pristine lake, untouched by the chaos that had shaken the world.
Standing beneath a sprawling tree, they turned toward each other, their eyes locking in a moment of profound connection. Slowly, almost hesitantly, Arthur leaned in, and Diana met him halfway. Their lips touched, a gentle, exploratory contact that deepened into a passionate kiss, reaffirming their bond and sealing their reunion.
As they parted, breathless and smiling, Diana whispered, "I've waited so long for that."
Arthur, his face alight with happiness, responded, "It was worth every moment of waiting."
After a tranquil day surrounded by nature's serene beauty, Arthur and Diana returned to their secluded cabin, where the warmth of their reunion began to kindle into something more passionate. As they began to shed the barriers between them, the fabric of their clothes falling away, the sharp buzz of the runic communicator intruded upon the moment. Arthur's hand paused as he reached for his robes, extracting the small device.
Julia's voice, urgent yet apologetic, emanated from the communicator. "Arthur, where are you? There's a situation here that needs your immediate attention."
Half-dressed and turning towards where Diana stood, Arthur could sense, even without sight, her frustration at this disruption. Her sigh, though soft, carried a tinge of resignation as she spoke. "We should go check it out, together."
Arthur nodded, his movements reluctant but swift as he redressed. Together, they opened a portal back to the city of Runera, stepping through from their peaceful sanctuary to the familiar stone walls of their home.
They arrived to an unnerving quiet, the mansion seemingly devoid of its usual bustling activity. Puzzled, they followed the faint sounds echoing from the second layer of the fortress, where the goblins resided.
As they entered the goblin's domain, the scene transformed abruptly. The dimly lit corridors opened up to a large, torch-lit hall filled with cheering goblins and members of the guild Ascent. Banners hung from the walls, and in the center, a giant cake stood surrounded by smiling faces.
Julia, clad in a sleek black suit with her hair neatly combed back, stepped forward with a broad grin. "Happy Birthday, Arthur! Sorry for the deception, but we couldn't let your special day pass without a proper celebration."
Then, turning to Diana with a respectful nod, she extended her hand in greeting. "And you must be Diana. I'm Julia, Vice President of the guild Ascent, which Arthur founded. It's an honor to finally meet you."
The members of the guild, along with the goblins-who were unusually festive, their large forms a stark contrast to the jubilant expressions on their faces-gathered around. The goblins, in particular, regarded Arthur with a mix of reverence and joy, their loud cheers adding to the festive atmosphere.
Arthur, overwhelmed by the unexpected display of affection and camaraderie, managed a laugh, his earlier frustration dissolving into genuine delight. "Thank you, everyone. This... this means more than you know."
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