Greatest Legacy of the Magus Universe

The atmosphere inside the bustling Rabbit Hole was lively.

After a month-long journey, the survivors of the Blood Moon Secret Plane had finally arrived at the Free City of Davos. After settling their affairs, they gathered at the famous tavern to celebrate.

For tonight, they set everything else aside.

The survivors had all gone through the same nightmare. They had fought the vampires. They had watched their friends die. They had endured the terrifying meteor rain that had nearly wiped them all out.

And in the end, they had escaped the secret plane just moments before it collapsed completely.

They had survived. But survival had come at a price.

The survivors had lost someone. A friend, a companion, or a brother or sister-in-arms. Their absence could still be felt. Yet tonight, they chose not to dwell on it. Instead, they raised their glasses. They drank together. They laughed together.

Luca, Michael, Leah, Meji, and a few other survivors sat at a table, sharing drinks and stories. Genevieve was also present. On her lap, Valerian sat comfortably as he dove into the food placed before him.

”I can’t believe it! I truly can’t!” Michael slurred as he finished another mug of ale. ”We’re finally back home! Oh, I missed this!”

Luca sat beside Michael and silently drank. His cheeks were flushed red from the intoxication. It had been a while since he enjoyed this much.

”I always believed it!” Valerian loudly proclaimed, bits and pieces of food hanging from his whiskers. ”I never once doubted my brother! Myu! With him anything is possible!”

The people at the table burst into laughter. But none of them retorted to the little fellow’s words. For they knew that Adam and Luca had been instrumental in their survival.

Genevieve gently rested her chin on Valerian’s tiny head.

Although she had been unconscious for most of the time, she had heard from the others, especially Valerian, about how Adam had fought the Vampire King to save her.

The thought alone made her heart flutter. She had known Adam for some time now. She had traveled with him, fought alongside him, and slowly come to understand the man beneath his pride and carefree smiles.

But now, her feelings for him had begun to change. They had always been there, perhaps hidden somewhere deep within her heart. But after learning what he had done for her, those feelings seemed to bloom all at once.

Adam had risked his life for her. He had come for her when she had been trapped inside the castle of a monster. He had saved her.

But now, her feelings for him had begun to change. They had always been there, perhaps hidden somewhere deep within her heart. But after learning what he had done for her, those feelings seemed to bloom all at once.

Adam had risked his life for her. He had come for her when she had been trapped inside the castle of a monster. He had saved her.

Genevieve had read countless stories about knights in shining armor rescuing maidens from the castles of evil villains. Never had she imagined that one day, she would find herself in the place of one of those maidens. And that she would find her own knight in shining armor.

A warm smile appeared on her face. She turned toward the bar counter. There, she saw Adam animatedly talking to Hannibal. He appeared completely relaxed, laughing and drinking and gesturing as he spoke.

Every now and then, however, Adam’s gaze would drift toward her. And every time their eyes met, Genevieve would quickly look away, hiding the blush spreading across her cheeks.

She couldn’t help it. Her heart simply wouldn’t listen to her.

And in those little moments, when their eyes met only for an instant, Genevieve realized something. That Adam felt it too. That he cared for her. Perhaps not in exactly the same way yet, but enough for her to know that her feelings were not unrequited.

After some time, Adam returned to the table and began drinking heavily with Luca. They finished one bottle after another as the others cheered.

Genevieve watched him with amusement. She wanted to speak with Adam, but the drunken Luca wouldn’t let go of him, screaming for all to hear about how they were now brothers and that Adam saved his life in the spirit world.

Suddenly, Leah pulled Genevieve away from the table as a live band started playing music. The tavern erupted in cheers, and everyone began to sing and dance.

Luca, drunk out of his mind, rested his arm around Adam’s shoulders and spoke utter gibberish. Adam wasn’t even paying attention to him.

Adam’s eyes could not leave Genevieve.

He watched her sing and dance with the others. He watched as her auburn hair twirled through the air every time she moved. He noticed the gentle sway of her hips as she moved to the rhythm of the drums.

He could swear his heart had skipped a couple of beats.

And then, Adam noticed Genevieve watching him with a tender smile.

She did not look away.

Neither did he.

As she approached him, Adam suddenly forgot how to breathe.

She quietly came to a stop beside him, looking at him with an endearing smile. Luca had long since disappeared somewhere, leaving only Adam and Valerian at the table.

Then Genevieve gently took Adam’s hand and pulled him to his feet.

He did not resist. He could not resist. Not even for a moment.

Valerian cheered ecstatically. He would finally get to see the two of them dance. He was happy for his brother. Very, very happy.

”Stay right here!” Adam absentmindedly said to Valerian before he was pulled to the dance floor.

Adam and Genevieve were surrounded by so many people on the dance floor, yet all they saw was each other.

They held each other’s hands and refused to let go.

Adam’s heart thundered inside his chest. And so did Genevieve’s. He saw how her cheeks had taken on a shade of red. He noticed how embarrassed she was to look him directly in the eye. And he was sure he was blushing too.

Was this love? He didn’t know.

But he liked this feeling. He liked holding Genevieve’s hands. He liked being close to her.

Genevieve took a deep breath and gathered her courage to look Adam in the eye. She found that he was warmly staring back at her.

”Do you…” she began. ”Do you want to dance?”

Adam did not respond with words.

His hand gently settled over Genevieve’s waist, and he pulled her closer to him. She yelped softly but did not resist. Her left hand slipped around his neck, and her right hand clasped his calloused hand.

Adam was standing so close to Genevieve that he could see the faint freckles across the bridge of her nose and cheeks. She was so pretty.

In her eyes, he could see his own reflection. In her breath, he could hear his own heartbeat.

When Genevieve saw that look in Adam’s eyes, she confirmed that his feelings for her were more than just friendship. She smiled. It was a dazzling smile.

In that moment, they were beautiful.

Like two little birds realizing they might build a nest together, after all.

Adam’s gaze unconsciously settled on her lips. Genevieve noticed it and her breathing quickened. She had never done this before. She did not resist. Instead, she took a step closer to him.

Adam was nervous. He hesitated only briefly before lowering his head. He saw Genevieve close her eyes, so he quickly closed his as well.

But in the next moment, Adam frowned.

Something was wrong.

He turned his head sharply, looking toward Valerian.

His eyes widened in horror. Valerian was no longer there.

He sensed the familiar bond they shared and quickly turned around. He saw Leto Morgan in a frantic state, desperately grabbing onto Hannibal’s shoulders as the latter tried to head out of the tavern.

Adam turned back around and quickly said to Genevieve:

”I… I’m sorry! But I have to go!”

And then he was gone.