SSS Void Ascension: I Devour All Elements

"I want to go back home. I am tired of fighting."

Killian's eyes remained on the ceiling. He thought back to his excitement at awakening an element.

While he didn't regret getting the Void Element as it had set him on a journey that would've been ordinary with the Fire Element, he couldn't deny that it was hectic to keep up with it.

Being a null was easier than hiding a forbidden element.

"I will buy a bus ticket," Quara assured, springing to action. "Have you told your Regional Leader about this? I heard Big Stepper will return tomorrow. Do you think you can return with him for safety?"

"Ah... I forgot to tell my Regional Leader about it." Killian pulled himself off the bed. "Do you think you could ask Big Stepper?"

"Sure thing. Rest easy. I'll make you sure you return home this week, okay?"

Killian silently nodded. His body felt warmer, knowing that there was someone in his life who understood his worry and agreed with his survival.

"Also, Kill. Do you think you can… talk… to the person who found out about… that?" Quara asked carefully, her tone hinting at something else.

Killian's breathing hitched, before he slowly exhaled. If his sister hinted at silencing the person, then that was one option he didn't even want to cross his mind.

'A Ruler's child. A Light user. It wouldn't be that easy.'

"Um, I don't think I want to even be around her. My body freezes up and it affects my overall confidence. Being away would be best."

"Oh," Quara paused, not expecting the honesty. "Well, I'll hurry and get you out of there as soon as possible."

"Thanks."

"Oh, and one last request. Look out for Keith a little, would you? He's a very dependent person so don't push him away too much, okay?"

Killian's forehead was already creased at the mention of his brother. He left his bed, reaching for the bottle of water on the table.

"Dependent person, huh?" He gulped down water, and wiped his lips. "I understand now. He's been annoyingly clingy."

Quara chuckled. "Just take care of yourself and keep an eye on him. You know, he had always been hopeless and self destructive like that. Bye for now."

"Hmm. Bye, Sis."

The call hung up. Killian dropped his hand beside him. "Self destructive. That tracks."

Killian's mind drifted to one reason he had never envied his brother for awakening the Lightning. It wasn't a suitable element for his reckless play.

His younger brother had always hurt himself while trying to prove to his parents that he could wield the Lightning Element easily since they were young.

Unlike the Fire Element that burned, the Lightning element burned, stung, blinded and could paralyze.

And whenever Keith ended up hurting himself, he would run crying to his older brother, showing his bruised hands and reporting his teachers to Killian.

That only lasted a month before their parents moved Killian's room to 'improve Keith's concentration'. Killian ran his hands through his hair, leaving his bed.

'He has always been this clingy.'

He grabbed his jacket, and left the room. "I should watch the match as promised. Hopefully he doesn't act too reckless." He calmly opened the door.

"Hey!"

The doorknob nearly snapped in half. Killian forced a breath, and gently let go of the doorknob he almost broke. "Don't startle me like that."

His eyes swept over Theodore in disdain. "And why are you here? I didn't say you should meet me."

"You said you wanted to rest for twenty minutes so I came after that time had passed." Theodore tilted his head. "You are still going to the match, right?"

"Yeah." Killian hung his jacket over his shoulders, while side-eyeing Theodore who watched his movements a little too attentively.

'This guy is another clingy person who I can't avoid.' He started moving and Theodore followed, matching his walking pace almost exactly.

'Did Mr. Ten ask him to monitor me?'

"Stop overthinking. He's just being friendly."

Killian scoffed, folding his arms. They walked through the hallways. "Will your younger brother be there?"

There was no reply for five seconds, so Killian didn't ask again. He glanced at Theodore, and the boy's face was straight. 'I should keep to myself then.'

"Did you watch his match?"

"Did he watch my match?" Killian asked back, since it was suddenly a big deal to watch a match.

His jaw hung loosely when Theodore nodded. "Oh. I didn't know." During his match, he never remembered seeing a familiar face when he badly needed one.

But he also didn't know that there were the higher seats in the arena hidden from the light until he watched Evelyn's match. They could've been there.

"Keith didn't watch his match because he was in the hospital." Theodore added. "I didn't watch his match because I was nearly killed by Outcasts."

Theodore stopped in his tracks. "I really forgot that."

Killian rolled his eyes and continued moving. "I heard he finished his match in one move. What move is that?"

"Creeping Ice. He learns from veteran Warden, Iclier." Theodore puffed his shoulders as he spoke. "Also, this match will be held in another arena since Ephraim's opponent is still stuck in glacier in the last one."

"That is cruel." Killian grimaced, remembering how cold the glacier in the training room was. "The opponent could get frostbites or worse."

"Right?" Theodore laughed loudly, earning a judgmental glare from Killian. "And he can't melt his ice yet. The guy is a Fire User so hopefully, he will survive."

Killian unconsciously stepped away from Theodore as the boy kept on laughing at someone's suffering.

'I see. Ephraim is as unhinged as his brothers. He just hides it better under that cold facade.'

They arrived at the training area. A chill ran down Killian's spine as he saw a figure on the ground, at the exact place the Crafter's body laid.

But on closer observation, he saw that it was just a wooden doll. He pinched himself and forced his hands into his pocket.

Looking for, he found a crowd standing at the entrance to the arena. He noticed Ephraim standing in front of the crowd.

"Isn't this the arena your brother used?" Killian looked backwards to be sure he hadn't crossed a portal to another one. "Why are they waiting—"

The next second, Killian saw Theodore hurrying to his brother, ignoring who he had walked with.

Reaching in front of the crowd, Theodore's shoulders visibly dropped. He lightly patted his brother's shoulders.

Killian just watched them, not understanding what was going on. He looked amongst the wardens and didn't find Reginald or Keith.

'Did the opponent die inside the glacier?'

The other Wardens whispered amongst themselves, before rushing into the arena when they got a signal from inside.

Killian waited till the Wardens were inside before he slowly walked towards the door. His legs stiffened when he made eye contact with her.

The Light User.

"So that is why."