Lackey's Seducing Survival Odyssey

Chapter 1367: Making Thalia Rowdy again: Part-1

Thalia Crimsonclaw’s POV

”Am I... truly the one you need?”

I blankly looked at him when he said those words.

What was he talking about? Did he doubt me, after everything?

Of course, he was the one. Did he not see it? Then why would I try to seduce him, risk so much, bare myself in ways I never had before?

Was he a fucking maggot, or just pretending not to understand?

It only infuriated me, knowing this bastard didn’t know what I needed.

My hands clenched around his collar, fingers digging into the fabric as if to anchor myself to reality. I muttered with a furious tone, every word edged with trembling,

”Truly the one I need? So all this time you thought I was just teasing you around? Huh? What about the kiss we shared, that fire, the things you made me feel? What about the other things you’ve done to me—do you forget so easily?” I was almost on the verge of shouting, breath shuddering as I tried to hold back.

How dare he question me!!

Aether smiled softly... I really hate his smiling expression. Why, of all moments, am I getting pissed off seeing it now? That gentle curve, so calm, almost taunting, as if he knew a secret I could never reach.

So annoying!

He said softly, ”Let me rephrase it correctly... Do you truly love me, not because your sister loves me, but because it’s your own heart? Is it really me you want, Thalia?”

I squinted my eyes, confused about what he was talking about.

Did he think my feelings were just an echo of hers, that I was some shallow reflection?

”Of course I do! Do you think I did it because of my sister? What makes you think that?!” I shouted.

How dare he question my love! The idea hurt more than I expected.

Yet,

He asked the question that I was unable to answer,

”Then tell me, why are you trying so hard to compete with others? Who are you, Thalia?

Why do you look.... lost, even when you’re right in front of me?”

”Huh?” My hands that had been gripping his collar suddenly loosened, the world tilting as his words dug into places I tried to bury.

”After saving Raven, you have changed so much. The woman I knew—she was wild, bold, always ready to fight, chasing thrills just for fun, fierce in loving her family.

Now... you seem like someone just trying her best, but not being who she truly is,” he said with a calm tone, as if peeling back my skin to see what hid underneath.

”I was very happy when you decided to learn to do things supporting your sister but... the reason you wanted to change was because you saw someone trying so hard to support me, so you wanted to do the same,” he said.

... Was he talking about the time when Selene came and taught the children?

”However, you didn’t finish what you started, did you?”

When he said that, I... I lowered my head.

”I... I... didn’t mean to...” I muttered, but was unable to finish it.

I knew why—I backed off, knowing it was more annoying and boring to keep trying, not like me at all.

Aether still had a calm expression, ”You’re trying to change for everyone. Someone like you... You’re searching for a shape to fit in, trying to define yourself, even though you already know who you are deep down.

Are you lost after Raven was saved? Did you not think about what comes after? My darling... Look at me.” He touched my trembling cheeks, his palm warm and steady.

”You seem so confused and lost... I just want the real Thalia, not a shadow of someone else’s hope.”

I looked at his eyes; he looked painful. My body trembled as he said, ”You just... flowing. Just... going with others with no definite future... don’t tell me, you never thought of living after saving Raven?” he muttered as he looked directly into my eyes.

My body shivered... as I gulped... Yeah, I never ever thought after that... It’s true!

It’s fucking true!

All my life was to save my big sister... that’s all!

And once she found her future... I... I am really happy with it. After that... I... I just went with everything, not sure what to do.

He... looked through me?

All this time I thought he didn’t see me... yet... yet...

”Oh dear,” he muttered, his voice softer than before, as he rubbed his finger on the corner of my eye where small tears had formed... as I muttered with a trembling tone,

”I... I lost... I truly lost... I don’t know what I want anymore... I don’t have a purpose anymore. I pushed myself because I found a reason for my sister... I had to do it! But now, seeing you, I felt...” I couldn’t finish the next words that stuck in my wet throat.

Aether hummed and smiled, ”So in the end, I became your wall, ah?”

”N-No, it’s not like... that,” I muttered, trying to say he was not, but... somewhere in the corner of my mind, I know, he was more than enough to protect my sister and my family.

As if... I had to leave everything to him! Even in this powerless situation, we depended on him as if I knew everything would be fine as long as Aether was there...

”You are the girl who wanted nothing but to get stronger to protect your family, yet now... You are the weakest of them all?” He muttered those words that sent a shiver down my spine.

Aether smiled as he slowly stood up, pushing me aside as he patted his clothes before saying,

”Even today, the reason you wanted to go out was not for you... But for me, right?”

I... I nodded my head. I wanted to say something, but... I... I didn’t know what to say, as if saying anything would only hurt him!

Aether hummed again, and before I knew it... he hugged me from behind and black particles swirled, surrounding us before teleporting outside of the barrier.

I was shocked and horrified, almost thought my body was going to explode, but then,

”Don’t worry, you’re still in the barrier,” he muttered, as he held a small crystal ’X’-shaped artefact in his hand.

I blinked as I looked around and noticed a small barrier around us.

I sighed, ”You almost gave me a heart attack,” I said with huge relief. He looked at me with an amused expression, ”So you do care for your life?”

My lips twitched, ”Of course I would, it’s just... I... I don’t know what to do with it.” I bared my feelings.

That’s the real me!

Powers? I don’t care anymore, as my family were in safe hands.

Ruling? It’s annoying to take care of the Empire.

Then what?

I... I really don’t know.

Aether nodded with a sly expression. I am not sure, but I didn’t like his fucking expression as he said, ”That’s why I brought you here...

There is a saying, life is boring until it smashes you like nothing!”

Who would say that? I wondere—

Grrrllll!

Just then, a growling sound echoed from the barren land. I flinched and turned back to see... from the cracked valley, a bull-like creature stepped out from the fissure.

My face turned pale.

The bull-like creature’s body shimmered and crackled with rainbow colours as its flesh split and reformed. Two enormous horns, curved into a strange, menacing shape, stood prominently on its head. Smaller horns, like thorns in a monstrous flower, jutted out from its body. Its eyes glowed with an unholy crimson, and around its thick neck was placed a shimmering... the Origin Crystal.

”MMMOOOOOO!”

The bull snorted when it saw me, as if I had trespassed in its territory! Hot fumes poured from its nostrils, swirling in the dry air.

”W-What the? Aethe—” As I turned to ask him... There was nobody behind me.

My face turned grim. Before I could move,

BOOM!!

The ground shook beneath my feet. A thunderous roar ripped the air apart as the bull charged—its hooves striking sparks, every step cracking the hardened earth like thunderclaps in rhythm. Dust exploded around me, and the light from its crystalline veins scattered into spectral rays.

I rolled sideways as the beast rammed through where I stood. A shockwave erupted from the impact, shattering stone and hurling sharp fragments like knives through the air. The creature roared, the sound so deep it rattled the marrow in my bones.

”FUCK!” I hissed, steadying myself. If it was just a bull, sure, I could handle it... right?

And since we were in the barrier, neither of us could use full power or even magic, right?

The beast lunged again. This time, I was ready.

I caught both horns with my bare hands, but it moved me like dirt!... My feet dragging furrows in the dirt. The force nearly dislocated my shoulders.

’Fuck!!!’ My teeth clenched as I tried to hold, my boots grinding deeper into the ground.

”Stop... damn it—!”

The bull’s power was overwhelming. Every muscle in its neck felt like steel. It pushed forward, forcing me to bend, inch by inch.

I tried to twist its neck, but the fucking thing didn’t even budge a bit!!

My knees trembled, my back curved, fingers slipping on the rough, burning horns. Its heat scorched my palms.

”ARRHHH!!!!”

I screamed furiously and twisted, trying to use my weight... but it threw me aside like nothing.

”Ouch!”

My body slammed against the ground, rolling hard. I coughed violently, pain shooting through every limb. Yet before I could even steady myself, the bull pawed the ground again... a low growl vibrated through its chest!

When the bull came again, I ducked low, sliding under its legs, desperate, clawing for any chance. I reached, fingers brushing the glowing crystal around its thick neck... but before I could pull, its hind leg kicked back.

CRACK!!

The blow smashed into my ribs, throwing me several meters across the field.

My already broken body felt even more shattered as I clutched my chest in pain and abdomen, ”It hurts... A-Aether,” I muttered, calling him, knowing he must be somewhere nearby, but the motherfucker didn’t even respond!

”Damn... it...” I gasped, pushing myself up again. Every bone screamed.

Blood dripped from my mouth. I was already pissed off at what happened today, and now... this?

This was fucking humiliating at this point!!

DON’T LOOK DOWN AT ME!!

The bull snorted once more, muscles coiling, ready to end it!!

’Flames... I still have that...’

I inhaled sharply and opened my mouth... a flicker of reddish yellow light burst out, a shimmering breath shot toward the monster that was raging at me...

But then the flames turned to smoke in the wind.

I froze in shock, my jaw snapping shut. Why did it disappear into smoke? How?

”What the fuck—!!!”

The smoke barely cleared when the bull emerged through it, charging full speed, unstoppable.

I saw the reflection of my own terrified eyes in its crimson glare—

”AETHER!!!” I screamed, desperate, knowing my beloved would save me... he definitely would save me... he was just teasing me, right?

It’s not like he was going to stand there and watch me die—

Chucck!