A Chemist's Interstellar Saga

Chapter 235: Scion Killed Himself
Chapter 235: Scion Killed Himself

”Scion!”

Arix burst into the room, still wrestling with how to stop Scion from becoming the Pontifex. But what she saw next made her blood run cold—Scion, poised to take his own life.

”No! Don’t do it!” Arix cried out, her voice shaking with fear.

Scion hesitated, just for a heartbeat. His once vacant eyes seemed to catch a flicker of something—maybe life, maybe regret. But even as he glanced at the girl sprinting toward him, his grip on the sword didn’t loosen.

His lips moved, forming words Arix couldn’t catch. Then, with a resigned sigh, he closed his eyes and let the blade slice through his throat.

For a brief moment, the world stood still. Every breath was held, eyes wide in horror as Scion moved to end it all.

Some tried to reach him, to stop him, but they were too late. All they could do was watch as his blood stained the sacred throne of the Pontifex, soaking Arix’s clothes in the process.

Arix felt her legs give out beneath her, collapsing to the floor in despair. Her once bright, starry eyes were now hollow as they stared at the tragic scene.

The Scion who had once been so proud, so pure, now lay crumpled and bloody, like a broken doll discarded by fate. The air around him seemed to hum with death and sorrow.

After what felt like an eternity, Arix raised her trembling hands. They were drenched in blood, the red so vivid it almost hurt to look at. She shuddered.

”Why...” she whispered, her voice barely more than a breath. ”Why wouldn’t you let me save you...?”

Her lips quivered as she kept muttering, lost in her own despair.

...

”Arix, Arix, wake up...”

”Did you have a nightmare? You were crying so hard you nearly passed out.”

A familiar voice echoed through her mind, but before she could piece it together, a sharp sting on her cheek jolted her awake.

”Ouch...” Arix winced, clutching her throbbing cheek.

Drexel, realizing she was finally awake, quickly hid his hand behind his back, looking a bit sheepish. ”Arix, what kind of nightmare was that? Your face is all puffy from crying.”

”Puffy from crying or from being slapped? You tell me,” Arix shot back, glaring at Drexel. But she was too drained to argue. The nightmare had sucked the life out of her.

Lately, every dream was about death—hers or someone she loved. If this kept up, she wasn’t sure she’d have any family left to dream about.

Arix rubbed her temples, a wave of frustration crashing over her.

”Sorry, don’t be mad,” Drexel mumbled. ”I called your name a bunch of times, but you were so lost in that nightmare, I couldn’t wake you. I got worried, so I...uh...gently slapped you a few times...”

”Yeah, real gentle,” Arix said, sarcasm dripping from her words. She was grateful he woke her, but her aching cheek made her want to strangle him just a little.

”Uh, anyway, Cassian’s waiting for you downstairs. You should go see him when you’re ready. I’ve gotta go,” Drexel added, practically bolting for the door before Arix could say anything else. He knew if their mother found out about the slap, he’d be in serious trouble.

Arix watched the door close with a thud, sighed, and then called Sylvana from her psychic realm.

”Arix, do you need my help?” Sylvana asked softly, concern etched in her eyes as she looked at her.

Arix nodded, then poured out her worries about the relentless nightmares.

”Sylvana, are these just dreams?” Arix’s voice trembled, fear creeping in.

Everything in those dreams felt too real, like she was actually living them.

Sylvana stayed silent for what felt like an eternity before finally letting out a soft sigh. ”Arix, this isn’t just a dream. It’s the future.”

”The future?” Arix felt a shiver run down her spine, her hands turning icy cold. Panic flared in her voice as she quickly asked, ”Does that mean my grandfather will die? And Scion too?”

Sylvana nodded, her expression heavy. She spoke gently but firmly, ”Arix, even though you don’t yet wield the full power of the real Sylvana, no ordinary nightmare could ever reach you. It’s impossible for you to have random dreams unless something significant in the future is about to affect you. That’s why you’re having these prophetic dreams.”

The memory of the blood and death in her dreams made Arix’s fists clench tight. In a strained voice, she asked, ”Can the future be changed?”

Sensing Arix’s desperation, Sylvana was quick to reassure her. ”Most people might be powerless to alter the future, but you’re different. As a sacred beast, you’re a favored child of the heavens. As long as it doesn’t upset the balance of the world, the almighty God usually turn a blind eye to what we do.”

Arix finally let out a long breath, a hint of a smile tugging at her lips. ”That’s good, that’s really good. Sylvana, do you have any idea when this dream will come true?”

Sylvana shook her head, her tone laced with regret. ”I’m sorry, Arix. I can’t say for sure, but it usually happens within a few days or, at most, a few months.”

”Okay, I understand. Sylvana, I’m fine now. You can rest,” Arix said, offering a grateful smile.

”Alright, call on me if you need anything,” Sylvana replied. Then she transformed into a stream of light, disappearing back into Arix’s forehead.

As soon as Sylvana was gone, Arix’s smile faded. A nagging feeling told her the events in her dream would unfold within days. Leaving her grandfather alone at the Moon Goddess Temple didn’t sit right with her. It seemed she would need to make a trip to the temple herself.

Once Arix had made up her mind, she wasn’t about to waste a second.

After a quick moment of thought, she decided to head to the palace with Cassian first, then make her way to the Moon Goddess Temple. But later a question came into her mind: once she got there, what could she possibly do to save her grandfather and Scion?

Her mind was so tangled with worries. Cassian immediately noticed her troubled expression the moment he saw her.

”Arix, is there something I can help with?” Cassian’s eyes, warm and tender, were filled with concern.

Arix, halfway through her breakfast, glanced up at him. Even though she felt a bit unsure, she finally asked, ”Cassian, I don’t want my grandfather or Scion to become the Pontifex. Is there a way?”

Cassian’s smile brightened even as his eyes darkened slightly at the mention of Scion’s name. ”Why would you even think about that? Being the Pontifex is an honor, a sacred duty.”

Meanwhile, Drexel, happily enjoying his breakfast beside Cassian, suddenly felt a chill run down his spine.

Looking up, he saw Cassian smiling, all sunshine and cheer. But something about that smile made Drexel uneasy, like a creeping sense of danger. For once, he decided it was best to stay quiet and focus on his breakfast.

Arix wasn’t surprised by Cassian’s response. Most people in the Empire saw the Pontifex role as a great honor, something only a fool would refuse. But Arix knew better. Anyone could take on the title—anyone except her grandfather and Scion.

Then, a thought struck her like a bolt of lightning—If anyone could become the Pontifex, why not her? If she stepped into the role, she could protect both her grandfather and Scion.

Cassian, who had been carefully watching her, noticed the sudden spark in her eyes. A wave of panic dumped him. ’Is she considering becoming the Pontifex herself? But if she does, we can never marry!’

His heart raced with fear. ”Arix, we’re about to get engaged soon. Do you have any preferences for the ceremony?” he asked gently, trying to steer her thoughts away from this dangerous idea.

He couldn’t let anything or anyone, especially not Scion, ruin their future.

The word ”engagement” brought Arix back to reality. If she became the Pontifex, she could never marry Cassian.