18 - Making peace

Clearly that was an unsettling look in Eris’ eyes, and for whatever reasons best known to her, getting an answer from me was important.

But what can I say?

That I’m not originally from this world?

That I used to be an overworked 9-5er who mysteriously woke up and found myself sitting opposite her?

Oh! Better still, that I have this strange power that we call "system" in my world and that was how I could copy and upgrade her ability and turn it to mine.

Quite believable, isn’t it?

Tch! I scoffed at my thoughts.

While that was the truth, it was evident in this case that a lie was more going to be more believable than the actual truth

But then again, as I thought about it, with her blade still threatening to cut into my neck, I came to a conclusion.

...Eris didn’t need to know anything.

I wasn’t obligated to answer her question or clear the haze in her mind.

I pressed two fingers against her blade.

It stung from the nick I received but it was necessary that I kept my composure.

"I don’t seem to understand something right now," I said. "Are you trying to lay allegations on me?"

Eris was taken aback.

I noticed her pupils shrink in a tiny moment that was missable if one wasn’t paying attention.

"It, most certainly, looks to me like you are, Miss DeLorentis," I added. "If that is the case, I would humbly advise that you present me with facts and an overseer."

She faltered.

Of course, she would.

This Eris was a far cry from the adult version of her that had become a Greater Villainess and brought chaos upon her enemies and the world.

This version of her was immature and inexperienced when studied side by side with her future self.

"Do not bother me with speculations that are clearly birthed from your thoughts."

She faltered again.

I noticed it, smiling inwardly, knowing full well that I was gaining advantage in this discourse.

Her shoulders dropped slightly and her grip loosened a tad bit but just enough for me to effortlessly push the cold steel away from my neck.

I tilted my head to one side. "If there’s nothing else, I will be taking my leave."

Until now, I thought Eris had called me here to interrogate me but as I looked at her now, there was more.

The source of her distraught had gone beyond me copying and upgrading her ability.

****

~ (Eris’ POV) ~

Eris’ mind was currently not with her.

Withdrawing her blade after Link shoved it away, her hands slumped to her sides.

With Link standing before her and the way he acted, she couldn’t help but recall memories that she had chosen to forget.

This was exactly why Link intrigued and bothered her, depending on context.

She reminded him of who she used to be.

Eris didn’t like that. If anything, she wanted that version of herself buried and never discovered.

"You are weak," her mind suddenly remembered.

Images played uninterrupted in her head like a movie.

"You are pathetic. I can’t believe this is a child of the DeLorentis."

The scenes haunted her.

Eris fought back but there was only so much she could do.

Her mind was fragile... weak to the demeaning words that lashed against her will like a whip.

Link made her feel weak... incompetent.

He made her believe that she was still insufficient even when she stood among the top cadets of their class.

No. Being among them was not enough.

She needed to be on top of everyone.

But here he was...

The variable that she had not accounted for.

The one who casually swooped in and used an ability that clearly outclasses her by a mile even if they were of the same element.

Eris had a hunch, an inkling that Link had managed to steal her ability but at the same time, she didn’t feel any effect.

Her Essence had been untouched during the time she spent with Link in the carriage except when she needed to fight.

Absolute Zero was also above her pay grade.

There was no way Link would have copied her ability to this extent since she was yet to reach this level herself.

The more Eris tried to analyze it, the more she doubted herself.

It didn’t make sense.

A person who could copy and then amplify an ability several times over was unheard.

It was clear to her now that Link was different.

She might not have taken note of his existence until the incident between them but now she has.

****

Eris looked lost.

I was also not about to waste my time here with her.

I had falsely assumed that she had come to present a better topic for discussion so I could use that opportunity to make my request. Instead, she held a sword to my neck.

Shoving the thoughts to the back of my mind, I sighed.

’I will have to try approaching her again when the circumstances are better.’

That was my conclusion as I started walking towards and past her.

There was no point trying to get her to do anything for me now. We were not making any headway with the little that we’ve talked about.

"Wait, Remington."

I stopped where I stood, now a short distance behind her.

I half-turned my face, enough to catch a glimpse of her figure behind me.

"What is it this time?"

She said nothing, only approaching her until she was an arm’s length again.

I made a complete turn to face but instead of her face, something else made away with my focus.

My eyes stared downwards, noticing an outstretched hand.

It was Eris, asking for a handshake.

"Forgive my insolence, Remington. How about we make peace?"

My eyes stayed on the hand as she spoke and even after.

That moment, it felt as though heaven was smiling down at me.

Making peace with Eris means a step in the positive direction when it comes to our relationship.

Quite frankly, I also didn’t mind.

I nodded and extended my hand as well, shaking hers.

"Truce."

She chuckled and nodded as well.