Chapter 254: Hat of Separation

Almost everyone who knew of Mechiel's identity felt as if they were punched or kicked in the stomach.

Kyros felt his mind clear as he did and said something stupid.

"Why did you do that?!" Martha nearly cursed.

"Should we just kill her?" Scarlet asked.

SMACK!

Avary and Gregory smacked Scarlet on the head together.

Mechiel was confused.

"What's going on?" Mechiel asked.

"I guess the cat's out of the bag." Kyros sighed.

"That was some crazy fighting you did back there! The Temple looks like it's nearly drained, though." Aron arrived with the large head of the dragon. The Commander's body was still twitching as it was clinging to the last of its life."

"You gave Puff a huge chunk?" Kyros asked.

"Already did. He's eating it in that other realm.  Your grandfather is also in charge of defending against the attack. The old man is fighting crazily out there. The two Champions of yours are fighting with Grugnyr. And now, that old man is teaching them how to awaken Fate Challenger. But I was amazed! That Gojirrah got so strong! Being your Coven looks very tempting. Hey, are you alright? You still look like you're sick."

"Yeah... I'm physically ok. But we stumbled into a little bit of a problem."

"You call this a little problem? We've been hiding that fact from her! Are we going to kill her now as Scarlet suggested? Aron! Listen to what your nephew did."

"Shouldn't you call me hubby or something?" Aron asked.

"Oh... I um..."

"Oh, get a room, you two!" Kyros shouted.

"You! Quiet! Aro- I mean... Hubby... Oh...!" Martha blushed.

"I spilled the beans and revealed to Mechiel that she is the Blood Calamity." Kyros revealed as he was too annoyed at Martha's reactions.

"Oh! Nice. But why did Fate do that?" Aron asked.

"Fate didn't do that! Kyros- Wait... did Fate?" Martha felt it too.

"What the?" Hunter felt it.

"It's Fate's will?"

"Why do I feel like Fate... is having fun?" Scarlet frowned.

"Son of a Fallen... Fate did do that!" Kyros realized it.

"Erm... May I ask what's going on?"

"You have a demon in you," Scarlet explained.

"And not just any demon, a Succubus! A mighty, blood-thirsty, evil-"

"Let me handle it, Scarlet. Blood Calamity. Come out." Kyros ordered as he made a small cut on his finger and stuck it into Mechiel's mouth.

"How daring." Aron shook his head.

"You guys should get a room." Martha rolled her eyes.

Scarlet's eyes grew red in anger, jealousy, and desire.

Avary and Gregory quickly pulled her back.

"Drink." Kyros told Mechiel as he gave her a gentle smile.

Mechiel blushed and began to drink the blood.

"I wish to talk to the soul that's within you. She hid inside you sometime before you met my mother. Tell her, if she doesn't I will purge her soul out and eat it." Kyros smiled.

"You have quite a tasty blood." The tone and expression of Mechiel changed. Her face became very stunning. Every man around them suddenly felt the power of great seduction.

"Move. Don't get caught up in her power." Martha called to those nearby as she created dark magic that sealed around them.

Scarlet rushed back in. Martha allowed her to join them inside.

The four of them stood within the dark magic that covered them.

"What a powerful magic!" The Blood Calamity laughed as she looked around.

"You want it? I can give it to you if you join us." Kyros offered.

"Join you? As I thought, you can't kill me." The Blood Calamity sneered.

"I think I can, but I'd rather that your soul stays in her. There is something peculiar about Mechiel's Fate that demands herself to be stronger." Kyros explained.

"Fool. Have you gotten confident after winning a little skirmish with me? I am but the least of Destiny's servants. And even this army you face isn't even worth comparing to our true forces!"

"I can tell a lie when I hear it. You people of Destiny are weird. I already killed another, but you should be a different case. You don't know much about Fate and Destiny's clash, do you? If you did, you would know that Mechiel is the most dangerous person to link your soul to." Kyros chuckled.

"What do you mean?" Martha asked.

"Scarlet." Kyros called out.

"I'm not that thick, and I know what you have been... feeling towards me. But I'm sorry. I don't think I can reciprocate your feelings towards me." Kyros gave Scarlet an apologetic look.

Scarlet was stunned.

"You should have guessed by now that I am the one sealed in this Temple. I am the Nephilim. I won't hide this from you as it's better for me to lay it out now. I can't explain exactly how, but in a past life, this Mechiel and I are... Let's just say we are meant to be together." Kyros explained firmly.

Scarlet felt as if swords were stabbing through her heart.

"I'm sorry."

"I... understand, Lord Kyros." Scarlet did her best to stop her tears from falling.

"Scarlet. Please wait outside." Martha smiled.

Scarlet nodded and walked as she kept on trembling. Then, the dark walls of the barrier opened, and Scarlet rushed out.

"You were a little too harsh on her, Kyros. But, with your words, you should remember that while you may be some old god or whatever, Scarlet is but a little girl. And she found her dream in you."

"I know, Aunt. But I also know that love is harsh. It demands exclusivity. It demands determination. I cannot love Mechiel if I don't take a stand on my love for her. Loving someone doesn't always end with a happy ending for everyone. Those who are not loved will be hurt. But what can I do? I must stay true to my own heart. Besides, Scarlet is just attracted to me. She doesn't know what real love is." Kyros smiled. He turned back to Mechiel and remembered the love that Mechiel gave to him, even going as far as sacrificing the mysterious positions and power she had back then.

"Mechiel." Kyros turned back to Mechiel.

"I lost you once. I won't lose you again. Even if that Blood Calamity is in you, I will make sure that this time, we can be together." Kyros vowed.

Mechiel's expression turned back to the kind and simple girl. She blushed. But then her expression changed.

"Is it her that you want? Or me?" The Blood Calamity harnessed her power.

But immediately, Martha acted and did what Kyros told her through the [Dark Link] of the Coven.

The power of Separation appeared on Martha's hand, and she placed it over Kyros.

"Wha-what?! That's...!" Mechiel felt great fear as Martha revealed the true source of Darkness.

Kyros stood there, unaffected by the Blood Calamity's Charm.

"Useless." Kyros smiled as he reached out towards Martha's hand and harnessed the power of Separation. 

With Dark Artificer, Kyros bent the darkness and created a strange dark top hat and wore it on. His form also transformed as his Cloak of Darkness created a dark suit that matched perfectly with the hat.

"What an amazing artifact!" Martha was amazed at how the Cloak of Darkness reshaped itself to a stunning attire for Kyros.

Kyros stood like a young noble of Earls. Only High-born of such ranks were allowed to be this prestigious.

"Well, I am an Earl's son. We should start wearing clothes that match our rank." Kyros laughed.

"That... hat!"

"I know that my weakness is mind and soul attacks. This is the Hat of Separation. I don't have perfect control over the Separated Realm, but now that Aunt Martha ignited it, I can keep my Dark Core to power it up. And this Hat acts as separating power that can protect me from your charms." Kyros smiled.

The Blood Calamity's gaze turned cold as she realized she was helpless before Kyros.

"So, did you call me out to get more information? I won't say anything."

"Of course you won't. And whatever information you know is probably useless to me since I doubt you know much."

"How can you be so sure?" Martha asked Kyros.

"She merged her soul to Mechiel, who is someone like us."

"Someone like us?"

"Fate's Champions. Mechiel is one of Fate's Champions. Do you understand, Aunt Martha? This could be one of the reasons why Fate made me act the fool and spill the beans."

Mechiel's expression turned sour. The Blood Calamity felt fear. She did not know that Mechiel was Fate's Champion.

"Can't she just kill herself or something? I've always assumed that the soul in her is like half of her soul."

"It is. Right now, the Blood Calamity is too weak, and she can't even kill herself. She is able to take over Mechiel's body because of my blood. But without it, she can't even control Mechiel apart from influencing Mechiel's emotions. And we are at an advantage because we have a portion of the Blood Calamity's soul. This weakened soul is linked to the Blood Calamity. Whatever this soul will experience, the other will go through. And right now, she linked herself to Mechiel, who should have a bloodline that is far more shocking than we assume to be. Have not my family, including you, become involved with Ancient Gods? I'm sure, Mechiel has secrets that even she isn't aware of!"

"Wait. You mean to say... Fate led the Blood Calamity to Mechiel?"

"Yes. It's not Destiny working to send a spy. Destiny got dupped. Right now, we have an advantage. But, once Mechiel's true powers awaken, we might have control over the Blood Calamity!" Kyros revealed.

"So we keep her with us..."

"Yes. We make the real Mechiel grow. The Blood Calamity's true power is in her soul. With my help, we can make that soul stronger."

"Won't the Blood Calamity fall in love with you then? If Mechiel is destined to be yours, won't she fall for you, and won't that affect the Blood Calamity?"

"Yeah. That's part of the whole, get-the-Blood-Calamity-to-betray-Destiny plan."

"Toying with a succubus heart... What irony." Martha pondered.

"Alright. Now it's time to get the Blood Calamity's heart pounding." Kyros declared.

"What?"

"Calaminus, what was that position again?" Kyros asked mentally.

"Alright. Move closer to her with the force and approach that will force Mechiel to retreat and get her back against the dark wall." Calaminus instructed.

Kyros suddenly moved forward.

"Wha-What are you doing?" The Blood Calamity cried as Mechiel retreated and reached the end. Her back was against the wall.

Kyros leaned closer and slammed his two hands at the right and left side of Mechiel, trapping him.

[Charmed Fallen activated.]

"That's... Kabe-don! The classic shojo scene! How ruthless of Kyros to use that!" Martha was amazed.

"Ya-Yamete!" Calaminus mimicked the embarrassed cry of a trapped girl.

"Quiet! I need to concentrate! And look how you have corrupted Aunt Martha! That needs to stop!" Kyros cursed at Calaminus.

Mechiel's heart was racing. 

"Mechiel, I'm sorry if I look arrogant and daring, but I need you to fall in love with me. So please excuse my actions." Kyros apologized as he stared deep into Mechiel's eyes and leaned closer.

In a distant, far away land, beyond the Airom, the Blood Calamity's heart was racing too.

"What...? What's happening to my other soul?" She cursed.