Chapter 296 - Regardless of Who & What You Are

Everyone watched in horror as the Koutaishidenka fell on the ground. However, none were able to move as a threatening aura emanated from Gin, rendering them frozen where they were as the second-in-command yelled his order.

"NO ONE WILL GO WITHIN THE ORACLE'S BOUNDARY!"

Perun's purple seal was still bright on the ground. Anyone living that wandered within it would be struck by lightning bolts as long as it's activated.

"Damn it," Gin muttered under his breath as he wondered why Ara was still not deactivating the oracle.

He was about to scold her when he looked and saw her ashen face. Ara stood there, shocked as if she couldn't believe what she'd seen with her own eyes. She looked at Ryuu's unmoving body in horror, and Gin finally understood what happened.

Although Ara was indeed attacking her husband with her full strength, because she knew Ryuu was totally a lot stronger than she was, she was confident that regardless of what she did, he wouldn't get hurt.

But Ryuu took the hit squarely without even protecting himself. Even if the lightning was not strong enough to kill him, it was enough to knock him out a bit – but his niece didn't know that. She must be thinking that she had killed her husband.

Kazehaya Gin released the barrier but warned the others not to move before he did. He then started walking towards Ara who remained frozen in place.

"Young Master Gin, don't! It's dangerous!"

The servants were all scared that Gin would be attacked by the lightning as well and collapse like Ryuu did. However, he was not worried about getting hurt at all. Kresnik's a very powerful entity second only to Perun, the King of Heaven himself. He's technically stronger than Stribog, but the latter's ability gave him an advantage over the Flame Emperor. He's Perun's twin, and so, his seals couldn't really work a hundred percent on him as he could dismantle it.  For Perun to seal him, he had to use a specific one for Stribog to be really locked up or hurt.

Everyone watched in awe as Gin marched towards his niece, and as he did, he stepped on the seal. Normally, he would have been struck immediately, but to everyone's amazement, as soon as he stepped within its boundary, the purple seal changed in color as it warped and soon, it was gone.

Gin reached Ara without mishap. "Ara, snap out of it. He's not dead," he told her firmly as he shook her by the shoulder.

Usually, he should have gone to check up on Ryuu first as he needed care. But Gin had to snap Ara back to reality first as the possibility of her creating another seal in her state was high. If people went to the Koutaishidenka and she made another one, there would be more people who'd get hurt.

"Huh?"Ara looked at Gin as if she's still in a state of disbelief.

"Ryuu's not dead. But he needs care right now," Gin repeated slowly and firmly until there was recognition in Ara's eyes.

She then turned her attention back to Ryuu and ran towards him, her face crumpled with tears.

"My love!" She kneeled next to Ryuu as she rolled him on his back and then cradled his head on her lap. She cupped his face as she wept, her lips, continuing to call his name. "Kresnik…"

As if hearing her call out for him, Ryuu's lids fluttered as he slowly came to wakefulness.

"He's really still alive," she whispered in awe as she threw herself on him, her ear against his chest to check his heart that beat steadily there.

"I told you that he is," Gin said to her with a bit of a smile. This niece of his was really a handful.

"Ara, let's bring him back inside first," Gin told her gently this time, and she nodded and let them take Ryuu from her.

Gin was right that Ara thought she had killed her husband. Until a while ago she was trembling so hard in fear. At least now, she was sure that he's really unharmed and she had calmed down considerably.  

They had placed the Koutaishidenka in a room at the opposite wing of the private residential area as his room and the rooms next to his were all in shambles due to Ara's attacks.

"Aren't you coming in?" Gin asked as soon as Ryuu was settled in the room. Ara just looked on at the entrance but did not step in.

She shook her head. "I don't think I can… at least, for now," she confessed.

Gin studied her face for a while before speaking again. "Do you still hate us?"

His golden gaze remained studying his niece's visage for any telltale sign of her feelings. However, Ara woefully nodded her head after some time, indicating that she did still feel resentment, and Gin's heart sank.

If Ara continued to hate them, then solving the curse or not, they would still have lost the fight. Their goal was for Alencica to be together with Kresnik again, but it's a failure if they ended up separated, this time due to her decision.

"I do still feel a grudge deep within me. But…" her voice trailed off as she glanced at Ryuu who remained sleeping inside. "But I also can't bear it if something happened to him or to you and my father."

A gentle expression softened Gin's face as he stepped forward and gave her a pat. "What are you planning to do?"

Ara hesitated for a while before answering. "I want to have time for myself for now," she said honestly. "I need to know how exactly do I feel and what I want to do. I want to be able to have answers to these questions before I can face him."

Gin nodded in understanding. "Very well, take as much time as you want. I will take care of Kresnik," he promised, and Ara smiled amidst her tears before she turned and walked away.

Gin followed after her. He was not worried about Ryu, but he was worried about Ara who was obviously battling something within her. She walked towards the gazebo in the garden and he followed suit.

However, on their way, Aki and Chiaki were there. Both looked worried but hesitated and didn't come near as Ara looked at them in horror.

"Y-you…"

"Relax Ara," Gin spoke from behind her as he placed a hand on her shoulders and lightly pushed her towards them. "They know about you…"

As if it was the only thing she needed to hear, Ara ran towards them swiftly as if her feet had wings. She threw herself on her brother, and Aki received her with open arms that tightened on her in a hug right after.

"I'm so sorry," Ara cried as she sobbed against his chest.

"Why are you apologizing? It's not your fault," Aki assured her as he and Chiaki exchanged gentle glances and he continued to hold her in his arms. "And don't feel guilty for not telling us earlier. This thing… it's not something that anyone can easily confess to."

"But…" Ara tried to protest as she lifted her teary face to look at him, but Aki placed a finger on his lips to silence her.

"No buts," Aki told her firmly. "People who are not in your situation may think it's idiotic to keep secrets, but I assure you that anyone in your shoes would do the same. Some people can't even say they like or dislike something in order to please others. What more confessing about being not human?"

Gin grunted in approval. Aki was totally correct. Outsiders would feel impatient and upset the way things were hidden from them. But Aki was not an outsider – he's family, and family understood these things take time.

"Do you want to come home with us for now?" Aki asked, his visage, the face of the gentle brother.

"Are you sure?"Ara sounded so insecure, making Aki chuckle and poke her nose.

"Of course. Regardless of who and what you are, to me, you are and will always be my little sister, and you can always come home."