Chapter Text
Blade is hard to understand. From what Caelus has learned. The man is a complete mystery in regards to his emotions. When he first met him, the man had drawn a sword at him.
So, to say the least. They didn't meet on the best terms at all. None of the Astral Express crew did. However, Caelus was enthralled by him.
He wasn't sure why at all. Blade was their enemy, nobody would be enthralled or anything like that with their enemy.
And yet, Caelus is.
He was amazed by the Sterallon Hunter.
Blade isn't like the other people Caelus has met. For one, he wasn't trying to become their friend or anything like that. That part is quite obvious for many factors and reasons, possibly.
Two, because of that fact he isn't their friend. He has not tried to poison them or betray them, like with others.
Caelus is starting to take that advice Welt has been saying. "Start being skeptical of people" so he's a bit skeptical of Blade.
Still, he can't help but think about him. The man is…interesting. He knows Kafka, so that's a reason as well. How does Blade know her? Could he answer some of his questions that he has?
Caelus has many thoughts that he thinks about.
Still, there's one thought that Caelus cannot shake from his head no matter how hard he tries too.
Blade is hot. Caelus cannot get the thought out of his head. Blade is attractive.
He's taller than him. Caelus wants to estimate about a couple of inches more. The man has long hair that Caelus thinks about really frequently. He wants to touch it, run his fingers through, and maybe style it.
Blade is also really, really, really well built. Caelus can't prove it, but he knows he is. The way he easily handles his sword, and how his coat easily hugs his body.
Caelus just knows. He knows that the man is built beautifully. Everything about him just makes sense, at least to Caelus it does.
Appreciating someone's looks is normal. He's met his fair share of people that look attractive and such. Still, when he talked about them in front of others. Caelus didn't have a whole lot to stay in regards to what he likes about them.
He likes them, of course. Most of the people are his friends. He likes his friends.
They're nice, funny, and patient with him.
Of course he has those things to say about the people who choose to be by his side.
Blade though. Caelus had a lot to say.
"He's really cool, you know? The way he handles his sword. It's like this one RPG I've been playing. He also looks like the main character as well" Caelus was rambling to March. She looked slightly worried but mostly assumed.
Caelus has not talked this much about things or a person. For the couple of weeks she's known him, he's shown more expression when talking about Blade.
"He also has a really nice voice, it's not really rough or severely deep like I expected when I first met him. It's just right for the way he looks" Caelus was still going on about the man.
Blade, who had been so hell-bent on revenge against Dan Heng, well Dan Feng, Imbibitor Lunae. Had Caelus talking about him like a teen girl with so much admiration.
"He's also really pretty…well hot as well. Can someone be both pretty and hot?" Caelus questioned himself. Now, hold on.
"Wait, what?" March was puzzled. Pretty? Hot?
"Actually…Blade isn't pretty" March sighed at that. Still…Hot?
"Blade is really beautiful!" Caelus exclaimed. March blinked once, then twice.
Beautiful…? Hot…? Are they really talking about the same person?
Blade, who is their enemy. The man who stabbed Dan Heng. Who is on Kafka's side.
"Caelus…?" March called out. Caelus looked at her. He looked like he was a little out of it, daydreaming possibly.
"Do you like Blade?" March asked. Caelus perked up at that. "Well…yeah. He's cool, and is talented," He replied. March shook her head at that.
"No-I mean-...Caelus. Are you in love with him?" March asked him. Caelus froze for a second. Was he in love with Blade?
He likes Blade. There's not a doubt about that. He's really talented, his fighting style. He finds it fascinating.
He's also really skilled. His stances with the sword. Caelus would really like it if Kafka would allow him to watch Blade train one of these days.
Blade, who's hair he really wants to run his fingers through. Who's hair that Kafka says no one is allowed to touch. Caelus wonders if Blade would turn red from embarrassment.
Blade would definitely be cute with a flustered face.
Oh.
Oh.
"I am in love with him," Caelus spoke. March was staring at him intensely.
He's in love with someone who supposedly knows him in some regard, but he can't remember at all. It's pretty weird, he thinks.
Though, he remembers what Serval has said to him in regards to love.
('Sometimes, you don't even realize it's love until way later')
When did he fall in love with Blade?
He's trying to remember everything from back then to now. Their first meeting was interesting, most definitely. Him jumping down from the unknown and pointing his sword at him.
He was curious then, and still is. Of the man who Kafka supposedly trusted enough to give a nickname to him. "Bladie" Caelus could only laugh after hearing that.
Someone so intimidating and cool as Blade, having such a cute nickname. You'd never expect it.
And then, after arriving on the Xianzhou Loufu and helping out. Kafka had somehow reached out to him. He didn't know how or why, until she went into some details.
They were still on the Luofu. Kafka had explained to him that Blade was Mara-struck. She just needed some help in order to temporarily keep it under wraps. She would be using Spirit Whisper in order to temporarily seal it. She needs all her concentration on Blade, so she'll be vulnerable. So, she would need his help to protect herself while she suppressed Blade.
It wouldn't permanently go away, but it was better than nothing. Caelus was conflicted for a moment. He wanted to decline Kafka and this request.
But, he likes Kafka and he certainly likes Blade as well. In the end, he accepted the request. If he can help people, then there is no reason to deny requests.
Seeing Blade through the glass when he arrived, it was rather strange. He's gotten used to seeing a bit of smirk on the man's face. He's only seen him be in the position of defending, ready to attack someone.
Now, he's in a position where his eyes are closed and looks like he's meditating. Kafka is explaining to him what he needs to do.
Destroy all the nearby monsters, so she can help Blade. He agreed to do that. He still is thinking about why.
He didn't owe Kafka anything. He should hate her. He should hate them.
For some reason, he doesn't. It's strange. Not hating people who have caused a lot of pain for the people he cares a lot about. Why couldn't he hate them?
He doesn't think about it, after all he had monsters to beat. He returned to Kafka after beating some of the monsters on the left side.
He came back to her. They continued talking and then Kafka said that they should play a game. That piqued his interest. Caelus likes games after all.
She calls the game A truth and a lie. He asks about it. She explains about it. How it's a game she plays with Silver Wolf.
Where the user questions two questions, and the other answers them. One of the answers being a truth and other a lie. He sort of frowns at that. It's like a game of deception. Caelus does like those games, but he isn't the best at lying.
So, she says they can start the game after he defeats a few more of the monsters. Blade is top priority, after all. He does just that, defeating more monsters and coming back to Kafka. And their game begins, she says she'll give a demonstration.
She asks him, "What do you think about me?" Caelus thinks for a long moment. How should he answer this? Truthfully or Lie? If he says the truth, he'll have to lie next time. If he lies this time, he'll have to say the truth next time.
He decides to tell the truth for the first question. He likes her. He doesn't know why, but he just does..Even though the woman left him all alone.
Nobody should like the person that abandoned them.
It's quite an interesting game, to say the least. Kafka finds it assuming, but they have to put the game on hold for now. Cloud Knights have arrived and Kafka asks him if he could go get rid of them.
He asks her if she means to just defeat them, and she just agrees and tells him not to worry about it, she'll take care of any repercussions.
He goes to where the Cloud Knights are, and they ask him about Sterallon Hunters. He should turn them over, but he doesn't.
He decides to threaten them, probably one of the worst things that Caelus could do. However, it got the job done. He defeated the Cloud Knights and went right back to Kafka.
She says that she needs to use Spirit Whisper on Blade again, but in the meantime they can play another round. That if Caelus needs a bit of time to think of a question, she can wait.
Caelus already has a question for her though. He's been curious about himself for a long while. After all, when he came to on the space station he remembers seeing Kafka but after that, everything is a blur.
"Who am I?" He asks. He still won't know if what Kafka says is a truth or lie, so all he can do is merely guess.
She responds to him. "You are an artificial body created for the purpose of hosting a Stellaron. From the moment of your birth, it was your destiny to receive the Stellaron at Herta Space Station. Before that task was completed, I was responsible for protecting you, as well as teaching you general knowledge, common sense, and combat skills. The reason why you don’t remember is that I wiped your memory before the operation at Herta Space Station." Caelus is many things. He's strong and kind. If there's one thing he knows about Kafka is that she's great at adapting quickly.
For all he knows, every story could be a work of fiction she comes up with on the spot. He shakes his head. He doesn't have time to dwell on deciding what is true or not.
Kafka starts talking once again, about the game. About how the rules of the game are just like reality, That we all think we have infinite possibilities but when you really analyze it you can count them on your fingers. Every question and answer is constrained by previous choices.
She continued on, but Caelus stopped paying attention after that slightly. Kafka is a mystery and her words make Caelus think about a lot of stuff. He supposes her last sentence holds some level of truth.
Because he works a little similarly. It's weird but Caelus guesses that's how he is.
But, he knows what she said. And asks a question. "Are you sure you don't follow the Aeon of Nihility?" He questions.
She laughs. "Do I sound that negative? No. We believe that existence has meaning, but that meaning is bestowed upon by ourselves, not by choices" She says.
Caelus isn't sure about her word choices, and chooses to continue getting rid of monsters after that. After all, the main focus is helping Blade out.
It doesn't take long. Caelus hoped it would. Kafka and this game, it was not anything Caelus thought it would be.
He goes right back to where they are after defeating more monsters. She tells him that he's doing a good job. She continues on, that the future is still clear-but the real test lies ahead.
She tells him about The Young Sword Master of the Cloud Knights. He will not be an easy foe. But, until then they should continue their game.
She asks her second question. "Do you want to see me again?" He's startled by this. What the hell kind of question is that? Will they even see each other again? She's the only one who knows the answer to that question.
But rather he wants to, the answer is obvious. He wants to see her again, but the rules of the game make him conflicted. He's already told the truth. Should he obey the rules of the game and lie? But…Kafka did say they neither one of them had ways of knowing if what the other one said was the truth or not.
What does anyone know? After all, Rules are made to be broken.
"I want to see you again, Kafka," He said. Her expression changes slightly but it seems like she's a bit surprised. Caelus wouldn't know though.
"Okay, I'm done asking." She states. Her smile grows a bit. "What a surprise, Caelus. I can't see through you" She remarks. Caelus doesn't know rather to take that as a compliment.
"Are you satisfied with my answers?" He asks.
"After all, how can I know which answer is which?" She says. Kafka really is a bundle of puzzles.
"You've become very impressive, Caelus…and unfamiliar" She responds with. Caelus wants to ask what she means by that but keeps his mouth shut.
"It's your turn to ask a question. Come see me, when you're ready" Kafka replies.
He immediately already has a question, something he's been eager to know.
"This is your last question. Surprise me" She says. Caelus is hesitant a little, Kafka wants him to surprise her. However, he's been holding in this question for a while because he first wanted to know about himself and such.
He decides to enlighten her though. He may want to know about Blade. But, that can come at a later time.
She wants him to surprise her. Should he dive into a new topic, then? He decides to.
She wants him to surprise her, so be it.
"One plus one equals two, right?" He asks her. Dumb it was.
"Wrong" She says. "Very clever, Caelus. But was it actually really worth scarfing a question to determine whether the last answer was true or false? Tough to say" She said.
It was worth it, to him at least.
Footsteps had caught their attention, but Caelus didn't immediately turn around.
It was quite obvious who it was.
"Sterallon Hunters..The general was merciful enough to let you live but you haven't shown even the slightest bit of gratitude" Yanqing said. Caelus finally turned around to look at the younger boy.
His eyes widened a bit. "Why are you here?" He questioned. It wasn't like Caelus could tell him the reason. What can he even say?
Kafka was the one who spoke up. "Because he was struck by my Spirit Whisper" She states. Caelus doesn't know why she's lying. After all, Caelus is here on his own free will.
"My powers of suggestion are capable of convincing people to accept my orders. All without a second thought" She states. Caelus didn't know that. Is that really true?
"Defeat this little boy and your missing is complete" Kafka says. Just like that?
Yanqing is angry though. "You witch!' He yells.
Caelus doesn't really have a choice now does he. He fights Yanqing, and wins of course.
Kafka uses her Spirit Whisper on Yanqing, and tells him to leave. After he left, Kafka let out a sigh of relief.
"Caelus, if it weren't for you, that kid would've had me and Blade in the Shackling Prison in no time" She said. Caelus turns around and gives her a look.
"Of course, Sam and Silver Wolf would've broken us out, but Bladie would've been gravely injured and our relationship with the Xianzhou would've been beyond repair" She says.
"If possible, I'd like to avoid that kind of future at all costs" She states.
The sound of a slight jingle catches his attention and Blade is now outside.
Caelus wants to speak but seems like Blade already has things to say.
"...Can I leave now?" Blade asks. After everything, he wants to leave?
"Yes, the mara in you is temporarily suppressed so long as you avoid overstimulation and familiar faces you shouldn't have a problem" Kafka stated. So it could be a long while before he even sees them again.
"..Wait, you're not leaving?" Kafka questions. Blade is facing her.
"I am sorry, Kafka. There is a person…a person whom I am greatly indebted to. I must see them," He said. Talking like Caelus isn't even here.
"Then it's in your hands. Elio didn't say anything about what happens next" Kafka says. She turns to Caelus.
"Thank you for coming to my aid Caelus-I appreciate it. Our paths will cross again" She says. She leaves after that, leaving Caelus and Blade alone together.
Blade glances over at Caelus. He hums to himself before speaking. "I remember you" Caelus is confused. Blade remembers him?
"You once followed Kafka, didn't you? There was a time when she was on a mission-you were next to her. I remember" He states.
Blade sort of knows who he is. It's interesting. Knowing just a little something about himself.
"I've yet to see anyone follow her for as long as you did…and live to tell the tale" Blade comments. Caelus is curious, but it seems more and more like a mystery.
"What exactly are you getting at?" Caelus asked. There has to be a point to why Blade is telling him this.
Blade hums once again. "Every Sterallon Hunter has a deal with Elio. I do not know the nature of those deals, but I do know that Kafka and I agreed to take orders from Elio. She must have sought something extraordinary. Everything she does comes at a great cost," He explained. Blade turned around and spoke his final sentence to him for the time.
"She will have done many things to keep you alive until now, young one" He said and walked away from Caelus.
What the hell did Blade mean by any of this?
It was a weird encounter. Though, Caelus didn't fall for him at this point. It probably helped him understand what made him find Blade so appealing though.
He tries to remember and then it clicks.
That day, when he randomly found Blade. Somehow, it was pure coincidence that he found him. He was still in Xianzhou, surprisingly.
Caelus decided to approach him.
Blade looked at him. "It's you," He said.
"Hello, Bladie," Caelus replied.
"Call me that again, and I'll be answering with my sword" Blade stated. Caelus nervously laughed at that. Blade sure was a scary guy.
That's when he noticed. Blade looked away from him, his lips were in a straight line but his cheeks were slightly puffed out. Almost like he was pouting.
But, he knew Blade wasn't the type to do that. But, still…Blade like this, it was cute.
Blade must have noticed him staring. "What are you looking at?" He questioned. Caelus waved his hands in front of him. "Nothing, nothing" He responded.
Though, with every person he's met who's been standoffish and reserved, they always eventually open up a tiny bit and become friends with Caelus.
Not Blade though. Blade isn't his friend, it's a funny thought. Making such expressions at someone who's your enemy.
Caelus wants Blade to be more expressive. Blade is cute when showing emotions.
"Shit…I am in love with him" Caelus repeated. How did it take him this long to realize something like this?
Feelings for Blade of all people?
"Congrats, you're in love with someone!" March exclaimed. Though, it being Blade of all people is a bit shocking.
"What do I do now?" Caelus asks. He's in love with Blade, what is he supposed to do about that?
"Confess your feelings, duh!" March says. He blinks once, then twice. Confess?
"Confess my feelings?" Caelus questioned. How is he supposed to do that?
"Well…I wouldn't know too much. Himeko might have an idea, though!" She replies. "Thank you, March" He bows and walks away from her. Himeko did say they could talk to her about anything.
___________
"I'm in love with Blade" He states to Himeko and Welt
"Oh! Well that's a surprise" Himeko says.
Caelus lets out a breath. "I want to confess to him," He replies. They're staring at him.
He looks at them, side to side. "Um..Guys?" He says.
"How do you suppose to go about that?" Welt asks. Caelus laughs, he doesn't have a clue.
"I-um-I.. don't have a clue" Caelus confesses. He's only been alive for a short while, he doesn't know anything about love other than the books March and Dan Heng let him borrow.
Himeko thinks for a moment. "How about you give him gifts?" She suggests. Caelus tilted his head at her.
"Gifts?" He ponders. "It's quite the common thing, people tend to give others gifts to let them know they're interested in them" Himeko states. Caelus lets the idea sink in.
Gifts? It's not a bad idea. "Yeah, Thank you, Himeko!" He says and walks away from them. He has a few things he needs to do.
After he's out of sight. Welt and Himeko are left alone together, once again.
"Did you really give him advice on the same thing you did to Kafka?" Welt asks. She continues to sip her coffee.
"I have no clue what you are talking about, Welt" She replied back. Welt only shakes his head.
Caelus walked and thought a lot. Giving gifts to Blade is a good thing, but there's two major problems.
The first one being he has no idea how to give the gifts to Blade, and the second he doesn't know anything about Blade, what does he like?
Is Blade the type to like practical gifts or sentimental ones?
Perhaps both. It's a matter of what Caelus should start with. Dumpster diving seems to have been worth it.
The tiny red jewel appears in his mind. That's it…! He heads back in the direction of his room. He finally had gotten his own quarters after rooming with Dan Heng for so long.
He goes inside of his room and rummages around. He knows he put it in here somewhere.
"Where did I..? Ah Hah! Found it!" He picks it up. He picks it up, it glimmers. Caelus had found this a while. He was a little sad though. How could anyone throw away something so pretty?
Now, it's just a matter of giving this to Blade.
He knows just who to text.
[Caelus]: Kafka…
[Kafka]: Oh? What do I know the pleasant surprise, Caelus
[Caelus]: I have a request.
[Kafka]: Oh? What is it?
[Caelus]: I need to meet with Blade. It's really urgent
[Kafka]: Hmm…I'll see what I can do
[Caelus]: Tell him to meet me at Central Star Skiff Haven. I'll be there in 30 minutes
[Kafka]: Okay.
Caelus knows there's the possibility that Blade wouldn't show up at all. But, Caelus was all about having a little hope.
After all, if he says it's urgent then maybe Blade will most definitely show up.
Caelus isn't a craftsman but he thinks red looks good on Blade. The jewel will definitely look beautiful on Blade.
He heads off to the Xianzhou Loufu, after fifteen minutes. He can at least gather up some of his nerves maybe.
He goes to the Central StarStiff Haven. It's been twenty minutes now. He sits down and slightly fiddles with the jewel. So much for hoping to calm his nerves.
His nerves are everywhere. He supposes most people would be if they were also in his situation. Ten more minutes passed by, thirty minutes now.
He continued to mess with the jewel, until a voice spoke up.
"Caelus" He looked up and Blade was here. His nerves slightly lessened at the sight of the man.
"Blade," He said. He stood up from his sitting position. He walked towards him. He clenched the jewel tightly.
"What do you need? Kafka says it was urgent' Blade asks. Caelus only smiles at him.
"Yeah, um…Can you hold your hand out?" Caelus asks. Blade looks at him suspiciously. But, reluctantly held his hand out. Caelus places the jewel on it.
"What is this?" Blade questions. "A gift!" Caelus exclaims.
"Gift?" Blade looks at him curious. "Well, you did sort of help me kind of. I wanted to repay you" Caelus said. Not necessarily a lie, but not the full truth.
Blade is silent for a few seconds. "Pretty…" He comments.
Like you. Caelus thought.
"Sorry for lying about the urgency of this. That's all!" Caelus laughed.
"Yes, of course. Next time, make sure it is really urgent" Blades tates. "Of course," Caelus said.
"Thank you for the gift…" Blade says. Caelus stares at him. Is that slight redness he sees on Blade's face?
Seriously…Blade is really beautiful.
"No problem…" He smiles. Blade turns away from him and walks away.
Caelus only waved. Before stopping.
Oh…He didn't even get to tell Blade about the reason for the gift.
Next time for sure he will!