Descending Into A Novel-Chapter 82:Rayleigh Von Mez (12)

Rayleigh returned to his tent, setting up countless amounts of privacy spells around him as he did so.

Normally, just a few spells would have sufficed. But with his father around, Rayleigh wasn’t planning on taking any risks.

He was currently only on his fourteenth circle, at his age. The chances that he would go on to become an individual equal to, if not superior to his father was high.

Yet right now, his father was still leagues above him. He couldn’t do anything, even with the system helping him out.

Checking through all his spells, he quietly casted another.

’Dimensional messaging.’

One of his own unique creations. Normal messaging spells required certain conditions to be met for instant communication. But his was special.

It could directly breach the dimensional wall, before re-entering at the location where he needed the message to be conveyed. Meaning, it could bypass nearly all forms of barriers and lockdown spells.

A purple rift opened in front of him, the insides emitting a black fog temporarily before slowly changing colours. Creating a projection of Sophia’s tent.

zzz...

Rayleigh could see Sophia sprawled out on a bed made of leaves, her mouth open slightly with trace amounts of drool coming out. Wearing a white tunic that showed her long slender legs. As well as her fair skin and supple body.

...he admired the sight for a few minutes first.

Once the image was fully etched into his memory, never to be forgotten. He called out to her.

"Sophia."

zzz...

"Sophia."

"mhmm...just a bit longer..."

"Sophia!"

This time she recognized his voice, her body shooting up in alarm instantly as she did so.

"Rayleigh?!"

He coughed lightly, covering his mouth as he attempted to hide the smile that was forming on his face.

"For how long were you watching me?!"

"...just a while."

Her face turned red. Looking down at her clothes, she proceeded to turn even redder. If she was red before, then she was like a tomato at this point. The amount of skin she was showing making her wish she could be buried in a hole.

A small leaf barrier appeared around her, covering her entire body from his view. Causing Rayleigh to let out another cough (and an internal sigh of disappointment).

"I’ve already memorized what you looked like so you don’t have to cover yourself up like that..." 𝒻𝘳𝘦𝘦𝘸ℯ𝒷𝘯𝘰𝑣ℯ𝑙.𝘤𝑜𝘮

"Rayleigh!!"

***

"I see...thank you for notifying me about this."

Once Sophia had sufficiently calmed down—and changed clothes. She nodded seriously as she listened to the news Rayleigh brought.

"I shall inform my superiors...whether or not the queen will appear to block him is unknown however."

Rayleigh pursed his lips, if the elven queen didn’t show up. The entire army stationed here was effectively dead, if not dead. Then as prisoners of war, and the Virex Empire did not treat other races kindly.

His father alone was enough to singlehandedly defeat the entire elven army, a feat that even Rayleigh would struggle with a little.

He watched quietly as she inscribed several letters onto a leaf, before folding it up and handing it to him.

He carefully analyzed the leaf with his senses, opening up a rift that lead to the elven camp and sending it there once he did so.

The two watched as the rift closed, leaving just the two of them.

Tonight was likely to be their last, and Rayleigh wanted to make it memorable. He hadn’t had much time to prepare but he had tried his best.

He travelled to some of the best restaurants in the Virex Empire, using magic to preserve it and bring it here. Setting up privacy wards so no one would disturb them and the final secret engravings he had set up.

Now, it was all paying off. The island, which Rayleigh had discovered. Was so far off it wasn’t even on most maps. With zero intelligent inhabitants, and zero dangerous wildlife. It made for the perfect getaway location.

The two of them quietly walked side-by-side. Their bare feet leaving prints in the sand, before being washed away by the waves.

They were dressed much more casually now, something wholly unfamiliar to Rayleigh. He was much more used to wearing tight fitting royal attire, or his comfortable robes. He’d even prefer to just be wearing a cloak and armour. Something he had often done while still in the palace.

But Sophia had insisted upon it, so he naturally followed.

Their fingers intertwined, neither said anything for a while. The only noises being the white noise from the waves crashing onto the shore. The moon was full, eliminating any need for lighting.

"Sophia."

He opened one of his storage dimensions, pulling out a small wooden container and two spoons.

It had been a while since he had last enjoyed this certain sweet treat.

With the war, and his whole life in isolation in the tower. He hadn’t received the chance to go out often to eat it. Rayleigh as an Archmage was decent enough to cast the ice magic required to create it. Meaning he could technically just find anyone who knew a recipe and had the ingredients on hand.

The biggest reason however was that he simply didn’t wish to.

He had tried to, once. But seeing it brought back too many memories. Memories of William, mother. That was why he hadn’t visited William’s grave, or gone to look for his mother’s corpse.

He didn’t know whether he could handle it.

But he had brought it today, because it may have just been a simple dessert to some. But to Rayleigh, it was special.

It held his happy memories with William and his mother, it required magic to create—something that had altered his life permanently. Without magic, he might still have been the prince. Following in his father’s footsteps. Stuck forever under his shadow, unable to ever fight back against the injustice.

The simple condition was enough to remind Rayleigh of the main reason why he even learnt magic in the first place. The reason may have disappeared. But the effect still lingered in the form of Rayleigh.

He handed one of the spoons to her, slowly explaining its significance to him.

"To me, ice cream means a lot and...I want it to mean more. With you."

"Rayleigh..."

She accepted his offering, the two quietly enjoying it together after sitting down in the sand.

"Sophia. Do you...want to run away with me?"

"..."

"We can spend the rest of our lives here. No one will try and break us apart. We can get married here!"

"You know I can’t..."

He laughed dryly, it was an impossible hope anyways. Sophia was unlike him, she was loved by many. She had family, friends. She needed to protect them. Be there for them as they bled and fought.

"It was worth a try at least."

She looked conflicted, a fierce internal debate between her love for Rayleigh and her love for her people raging inside of her.

"You’ll die if you go tomorrow."

"I know."

"Please don’t go tomorrow."

"I cant."

When was the last time he had ever pleaded with someone like this? Despite his near perfect memory, he couldn’t even remember anymore.

She averted his gaze, looking away from him. An uncomfortable feeling in her chest.

He understood her reasoning. But it felt so damn hard to accept it. A lump stuck in his throat as he held his head low.

Off in the far distance, a small magical timer went off. Setting several firework spells Rayleigh had prepared earlier.

The bright sparkles and explosions, each a different colour. Melding beautifully together to create a tapestry of art that it seemed otherworldly.

He had even planned on bringing some sort of instrument, his mother had taught him the basics for many but he ultimately decided against it.

It all just felt so worthless now.

"Rayleigh..."

He didn’t resist, letting her pull him towards her. Only making eye contact again at the last possible second. Before he realized what was about to happen.

Rayleigh felt a warmth on his lips, brief—barely lasting more then a second. But it was enough to stun him.

Her eyes glimmered quietly, a faint blush arising on her face. The only signs of what had just now occurred between the two of them.

His mouth opened briefly in shock, only for her to put her finger on his lips. Blocking him from saying anything.

"I’m sorry...this is all I can do for you."

He could feel the tears streaming down his face. Hot rivers coming out as he silently cried.

"It’s all going to be okay."

"We both know it won’t be."

The two embraced each other, Rayleigh’s magical fireworks dissipating into nothingness. Leaving the two to be illuminated purely by the moon’s silver rays.

"Rayleigh...throughout my long life. I created a mental list of things I wanted to do...it started simple. Learn this magic, reach this level, and...

"Fall in love with someone."

She cupped his face, despite her almost certain death tomorrow. Rayleigh could see a brilliant smile on her face, as if everything was just perfectly normal.

"Because of you. I got to tick that off my list. I’m happy."

She carefully wiped a few tears away from his face. Letting his vision clear up slightly. Admiring her beauty one more time.

"Please don’t be sad. I’m happy I got to be with you for my last moments."

That was their last interaction together.