MTLNOVEL Chapter 254: I... Don't Remember...
Cassius briefly glanced at the adorably watchful Yimin sticking to him like glue. An affectionate expression nearly formed, but when he saw the distant palace of ice a few thousand miles away, his expression cooled. Even if the threat was not an apparently dangerous one, it always paid off to be cautious.
Momentarily turning his head back, Cassius said, "Shrink."
Raijin—who was presently the size of a medium-sized country—rapidly began to shrink. In an instant, he became the size of a common garden snake, to which he then flew toward Cassius and perched himself atop his right shoulder. He was a black, shadowy, lightning-adorned dragon of terrifying might, but right now, he appeared to be no more than a cute, big-eyed pet.
Yimin suddenly perked her ears up, sensing the presence of a competitor. A competitor far more threatening than the Wolf Deity.
'Yimin is Master's #1, bestest Dragon! Not you!' she thought, her eyes dangerously narrowing. 'Arghh—!! If not for you being useful to the Master and more powerful than Yimin, then Yimin would devour you right here and now!'
Raijin—hearing a nearby hiss—turned his large, watery eyes in Yimin's direction. He blinked in confusion, wondering why the dragonoid lady was so hostile.
Yimin mistook his confusion for smugness and considered this a declaration of war!
'Master shall be Yimin's in the end!! Yimin will be the winner!!'
As a very odd rivalry formed between two varying members of the dragon species, Cassius's fast, wraith-like feet just now landed him in front of the ice palace. The palace itself was extremely large and intricately decorated, possessing a level of craftsmanship that went above and beyond anything seen back on Earth. Leading up to the palace was a long series of steps, numbering in the hundreds.
Cassius evanescently ascended the steps, appearing like an elegant immortal. Once making it to the topmost step, he was welcomed with the sight of two very large light blue doors. Standing directly in front of those doors was an old man garbed in flowy, icy blue robes. He had a long white beard and even longer white hair, both of which added to the wizened way he carried himself.
"It seems the time has finally arrived," the old man said, stroking his long beard. "He did say you'd come around this time, but I thought it'd be another year. Time is running short…"
Cassius walked up to this man and stopped, confused. "What are you talking about?" he asked. "And how do you know who I am? And who is this 'he' you keep referring to?"
"You don't know yet?" the old man asked, stroking his beard a little bit faster. "This is interesting… But if he hadn't told you yet, then… I see…"
"???"
"Could you elaborate?" asked Cassius.
The old man nodded. "I can indeed," he said. "But you must come in. I've been preparing for this day for a long time. A very…long time."
The old man turned around, dramatically blowing his robes behind him. He brisked through the large icy blue doors, disappearing into the darkness of the palace's interior.
Cassius followed right behind, taking with him Yimin, Raijin, Lilith, and Mora. Yet, when he walked into the darkness as well, he was almost immediately welcomed with the sight of something that wasn't previously visible. Inside the palace were two sets of long stairs, and off to the side of the left staircase were several brown leather couches, as well as a few small tables. Furthermore, there was a bright, crackling fireplace placed to the back of the quaint living room of sorts. Oddly enough, the whole place had a log cabin out-in-the-woods sort of feel to it.
However, erected directly behind the recliner where the old man was now seated was a massive shining crystal. The crystal also had a sharp reflection to it, with similar such reflections showing on every side of its multi-sided and multi-layered surface. The thing was obviously of magical origins.
"Come, sit," said the old man. "We have much to discuss."
Cassius hesitated only briefly before succumbing to his own curiosity. He approached the couch nearest to the old man, letting the fierce yet also curious Yimin sit beside him. Raijin was still atop his shoulder, whereas Lilith and Mora were lightly humming on his back and hip-side.
"Well, let's begin," the old man said. "Ask your first question. I'll answer anything to the best of my abilities."
Cassius blinked, then slowly mouthed, "Your name. What is it?"
The old man showed a surprised expression. But he quickly realized something, urging a small smile to form. "You already know my name, do you not? Why else would you be here?" he asked, playing along.
"I know you're the Ice Sovereign, yes," Cassius said. "But who…really are you? What is your name? That is the question I ask of you." Read latest chapters at My Virtual Library Empire
The Ice Sovereign's smile solidified as he let out a hoarse laugh.
After calming himself, "You truly are so much like him," he said. "Even the way you conduct yourself is so eerily similar to him. But yes, kid, my identity is more than it appears. Yet, at the same time, it's exactly how it appears."
Before Cassius could question his words, the Ice Sovereign spoke up first. "Tell me, youngin, who is your father?"
"My father…?" Although puzzled, Cassius still replied, "My father is Adam Steele. Why?"
Ignoring his question, the Ice Sovereign prompted another question. "Where does your father work? How old is he? Do you know who his parents are?"
"Of course I…" he paused.
Why couldn't he…?
Why couldn't he recall his father's profession? Why was he unable to answer something as simple as his age? Did he never have grandparents??
"Why…" Cassius muttered, clutching his head in pain. "Why can't I remember…? I'm sure I know the answers, but…"
Yimin's expression morphed in concern. She hugged onto her Master, worry crawling up her features. She then turned her aggressive gaze toward the calmly sitting old man. "What have you done to Yimin's Master!?" she growled, baring her fangs and claws in his direction. "Stop whatever you're doing at once!"