Aetheric Chronicles: Reborn As An Extra

Chapter 116: The Second Event: The Dream Stalker's Invasion [2]

Adrian then looked at Aria, wondering whether she would believe his lie. But she showed no reaction, looking at him blankly.

'What? Did I say something wrong?' Adrian muttered inwardly.

"Ok, I can keep it for a while." After a moment, Aria nodded.

Adrian took a deep breath, feeling a mixture of relief and apprehension. He handed the silver egg to Aria carefully, ensuring it was secure in her hands. "Please be careful with it. It's very important."

Aria's gaze softened slightly as she accepted the egg. "I understand. Don't worry, I'll keep it safe."

"Oh, thank you." Adrian nodded. "I will take my leave then."

"Hmm. Good night." Aria replied, her tone neutral but polite.

"Good night to you as well."

With a final nod, Adrian turned and left Aria's room, closing the door quietly behind him. The corridor was still and silent, the dim light casting long shadows on the walls. He felt a strange sense of unease as he made his way back to his own room, the weight of the night's events pressing heavily on his mind.

He slowly walked and lay down on his bed. Closing his eyes and emptying his mind, he allowed his consciousness to drift, knowing he needed to be ready for whatever the night would bring.

The potion he had taken earlier provided a sense of calm, but there was still a lingering tension in his muscles. He focused on steadying his breath, letting the rhythm soothe him as he gradually slipped into a light slumber.

Just then, a black ethereal presence landed on Adrian's head, slipping effortlessly into his mind. The darkness enveloped him, pulling him into a deep, vivid dream.

_______ __ ___

"Good night to you as well."

Aria watched as Adrian left her room, closing the door. She walked behind his steps and locked the room.

As she turned around, a blissful smile appeared on her face.

"Cute..." She muttered, remembering Adrian's earlier reactions and actions. She knew he was lying, but his clumsy attempt at deception had amused her. Aria held the silver egg carefully, examining it with curiosity.

"He really thinks I wouldn't notice," she said softly to herself, her smile widening. "But it's fine. I'll get to keep his little one for now."

She placed the egg on her bed and lay down beside it. She then hugged it feeling its warmth.

'Did he hug it like this? Does that mean I hugged him indirectly?' She mused, her imagination running wild.

She shook her head, trying to clear her mind. "Right, should I do that as well? If I'm not mistaken, he always lets his aether be eaten by the little one."

Petting the egg, she slowly started infusing her aether into it. The egg was silent for a moment as if it couldn't recognize this new source of food, but suddenly, it started to devour her aether crazily.

"Haha, slow down little one, there are enough for you to be full." Aria giggled cutely. "Didn't your daddy feed you enough?"

"..."

"Wait..."

"Did I call him Daddy?" Realizing what she said, her face turned crimson. She hid her face in her pillow, feeling a mix of embarrassment and amusement. "What am I thinking?" she muttered to herself, her cheeks burning.

After a few moments, she lifted her head and looked at the egg, her expression softening. "Then did I become your Mommy?"

"Hehe, it doesn't feel bad..." Aria muttered again, hugging the egg more gently and carefully.

"But... Why do I feel like your dad was hiding something... I hope he won't do something dangerous again. If so, I would have to save him again..."

"Let's me check a bit then... Only a bit..."

______ __ _

.....

"Hmm? Did I fell asleep?"

Adrian found himself standing in his old room as a child. The familiar surroundings brought a rush of nostalgia, the small and cozy room, different toys, and colored books scattered on the floor. The air was filled with a warmth he hadn't felt in years.

"Adrian, come here, darling!" A voice called from the other room.

"M-Mother?" His eyes widened in disbelief. "B-But..."

His parents were supposed to be dead. But his eyes gradually turned into happiness forgetting a few things. "R-right, they are still alive..."

Heart pounding, he quickly got out of his room and dashed outside. There, in the soft glow of the morning sun, he saw his parents standing side by side, smiling and waving at him. His mother, with her gentle eyes and warm smile, and his father, with his strong, reassuring presence. Beside them, his little sister Aurelia was calling him over, her voice full of excitement.

"Big Bwother! Come here, hurry!" Aurelia's voice was clear and cheerful.

"Mother... Father... Sis..." Tears welled up in his eyes as he ran toward them, his heart aching with a desperate longing.

He ran fast.

He ran long.

He ran without stopping.

But no matter how fast he ran, they remained just out of reach.

He frowned, pushing himself harder, but the distance between them never closed.

"Mom! Dad! Aurelia!" he shouted, his voice echoing in the empty space.

Whoosh-!

The scene suddenly shifted.

'Huh?' Adrian now stood in a darkened room, looking down at two lifeless bodies. His parents lay before him, their eyes closed in eternal sleep, their faces peaceful yet haunting. His hands were covered in blood, trembling as he stared at them in horror. Beside him, Aurelia, slightly older, was crying, hugging their bodies and calling out, "Mom! Dad!"

"No... No, this can't be happening," Adrian whispered, his voice breaking.

Whoosh-!

The scene changed again. Adrian found himself standing before his grown-up sister, Aurelia, who now looked at him with hatred and disappointment etched into her features. Her eyes, once full of love and admiration, were now cold and accusing.

"Aurelia, please, let me explain" he tried to say, but no words came out. His mouth moved, but no sound emerged, as if his voice had been stolen from him.

Aurelia's expression hardened. "How could you, brot-no, you aren't my brother...?" Her voice echoed in his mind, though her lips didn't move. "How could you say that? How could you do that?"

"..."

____ __ _

(A/N: How have the chapters been lately? Is their quality and grammar good?

Are the romance and battle scenes written well?

Comment if you have any opinions, I'm doing my best, and I'm still trying to improve.)