The X Guide-Chapter 76: Curse (4)

After a moment of silence, Khal spoke in a careful tone.

"You must be shaken. And clueless."

Ayen turned his gaze to Khal. "Yes."

Khal lifted his head and met Ayen’s gaze. Unlike the usual edge and gentle gaze, it was nowhere to be seen. It was replaced by a kind of sorrow that gripped Ayen’s heart.

This was also his first time seeing this side of Khal, so he almost averted his gaze. Ayen was not very adept with motions, and so he was having a hard time taking this all at once.

"I shouldn’t be the one saying this. But you need answers. At least, you deserve to know something after witnessing that..." Khal’s deliberate voice set the tone in the room. "It’s a curse."

He paused, and Khal took a deep breath, suppressing his emotions.

A curse? Ayen bit his lips and looked at Devion again. His heart tightened, as though someone were twisting it.

Curses were considered rare, but not unheard of. It was considered the most horrible thing a dungeon could inflict on someone. Unlike normal diseases or the mana toxins, curses had no cure.

"For what kind of curse? Let Devion tell you what it is."

This was the extent of what he was allowing himself to tell Ayen. Not only as a respect to Devion, but also to allow the two to get to know each other more.

Only by telling their own stories would it be more meaningful for their relationship. Just like how Ayen told his past by himself.

Ayen could understand that, and so he did not press Khal. It was not that he could listen with peace of mind to Khal either. Just hearing Devion was under a curse was enough for his emotions to spiral in ways he could not control.

"Also, it’s not your fault."

Khal’s words made Ayen turn to him, with obvious surprise written on his face.

"How do you..."

"I can see it in your eyes. You’re guilty." Khal sighed and shook his head. "It’s not your fault, don’t blame yourself."

Ayen’s lips quivered, and he lowered his gaze, looking at his hand. "But..."

"It’s my fault," Khal spoke, sighing to himself.

Ayen looked up once more and was greeted by Khal staring at Devion intently.

"I admit that I’m too protective of him. You experienced it too." Khal turned to Ayen, giving a small apologetic smile. "I get sensitive when he’s involved. And I’m so scared thinking that the curse might become intense, and so I never want him out of my sight."

Khal bit his lips and sighed; the corner of his eyes glistened. He then shut his eyes, hands palming his forehead.

"I’m sorry. I just..." Khal’s voice shook, and before he could continue, he was suddenly pulled into an embrace.

Khal’s eyes widened; the tears in the corner of his eyes fell to his cheeks.

"Ayen?" Khal looked up and saw Ayen’s face filled with the same sorrow. Again, another emotion showed in his face, but Khal was not happy in the slightest.

Ayen kneeled on the bed, embracing Khal. He did not know what had gotten to him; his body moved before his mind caught up with it. Perhaps, he did not want to see Khal being this way.

Even his ruthless side was better than seeing him cry.

"I get it," Ayen spoke, looking through Khal’s eyes. "I’m the same. I was so scared seeing Devion like that. And my feelings for him aren’t that deep, like yours. It’s okay to cry; just don’t blame yourself anymore."

Slowly, Ayen wiped the tear that trickled from Khal’s eyes.

"I’m sure. Devion isn’t blaming you."

Khal’s lips quivered, his expression twisted as if he still wanted to suppress his emotions. Yet, ultimately, he was defeated.

His arms then wrapped around Ayen as he buried his face in Ayen’s chest, sobbing silently.

This was the first time Khal had openly cried in front of someone. There were times he got frustrated and cried in the corner while watching Devion asleep after a terrible curse manifestation.

This had not happened in years, but there were some days when Khal could not fall asleep. He could only watch Devion sleep, afraid that once he fell asleep, Devion would disappear.

Just like... before.

Khal was devastated once; he did not want that to happen again.

As a result of these suppressed feelings, Khal had failed to notice when his protection was already too much. He had realized he never asked Devion again if... He genuinely wants to return to the forbidden zone.

Was he too selfish? Was he too controlling?

"I’m scared," Khal whispered, tightening his hold on Ayen as though he were the only one who could stabilize him. "I don’t want to lose him again."

Ayen stroked Khal’s back and his hair.

"You won’t." He had no clue what transpired between them before, but Ayen would be with them from now on. Although only a Guide, for now.

Khal fell silent for a few seconds. He took a deep breath and looked up. "So sure?" His voice sounded a little calmer now.

Ayen nodded without hesitation.

Khal stared at him.

"We’re so lucky."

"For?" Ayen asked.

"For being our Guide. I’m glad, it’s you." Khal’s tear-stricken eyes sparkled.

Khal was glad Ayen chose to enter that Dungeon gate. Ayen was not a storm prepared to test his loyalty. Khal looked at Devion, then shifted to Ayen, who was obviously surprised by what he said. 𝒇𝙧𝙚𝓮𝔀𝓮𝒃𝙣𝓸𝒗𝒆𝒍.𝙘𝒐𝒎

Khal’s apprehensions disappeared.

"Let’s sleep?" Khal asked, "With Devion."

Khal lay on Devion’s left side, while Ayen took the right side. Ayen lay on his back, looking at the ceiling. The bedroom was now dim, stimulating his desire to sleep.

Before he could fully fall asleep, he heard Khal’s voice again.

"Devion’s my ex-boyfriend."

Ayen’s eyes opened and looked to the side. Khal was lying on his side, facing Devion and, by extension, Ayen.

"Not just fuckbuddies?"

Khal chuckled. "Hearing you say it... It’s cute rather than crude."

Ayen gave him a look; Khal’s demeanor had actually calmed down. Perhaps the crying helped, but if Khal were to ask, he would definitely say it was because of Ayen.

"Yes. We dated for a year... then," Khal licked his lips and continued with a sigh. "Devion disappeared after breaking up with me."