Regressing Through the Apocalypse with the Third Male Lead-Chapter 52: Volume 2 -

The sun had set.

Everyone returned home, and the village grew quiet after the morning’s bustle. As darkness deepened, Freyah strolled along the walls, enjoying the cooler evening air, a stark contrast to the heat of the morning.

Freyah paused, standing by the wall and gazing at the area outside where the past battles had taken place. She traced the outline of a distant hill with her eyes, lost in thought as she remembered the events that had unfolded there.

The quiet of the evening seemed to amplify the echoes of the past.

’Everything seemed to be going smoothly...’

Freyah thought, but then the memories returned. She relieved the horrors of the past—the deaths of everyone she knew, leaving her as the sole survivor. But for what purpose? To simply survive? She didn’t know. And what was the reason for her journey back in time? Just to save everyone? The question hung heavy in the quiet night air, unanswered and unsettling.

"Lady Lima, is something bothering you?"

Florence’s voice startled Freyah; her senses, it seemed, had become so accustomed to his presence that she hadn’t even noticed him approaching.

Freyah turned to face him, The soft moonlight illuminated the prince’s angelic face. If Freyah were easily swayed, she would have fallen for him already; his perfect features were undeniably captivating. She even found herself wondering if she looked like a startled squid beside him, such was the contrast between their appearances. His beauty was striking, ethereal, and made her own features seem ordinary in comparison.

Clearing her throat, Freyah composed herself, pushing aside the lingering effects of her surprise. "Your highness," she asked, her voice regaining its usual composure, "How did you find me here?" The question was polite.

Florence chuckled, crossing his arms. "You’re really asking? Lady Lima, your parents sent me to escort you to dinner." He paused,

His gaze drifted to the spot where Freyah had been lost in thought a moment before. Then, looking back down at her, he added, "I didn’t mean to interrupt your moment Lady Lima, but we really should head back. Dinner awaits, and I believe your parents are growing rather anxious about your absence." A slight urgency laced his voice, as if the food would run away from them, This caused a soft laugh from Freyah. The amusement in her eyes was visible.

"Did someone ever starve you, your highness?" Freyah blurted out of amusement. Her laugh echoing to the cold air.

Florence, who seemed completely oblivious to her playful jab, frowned and casually said,

"No,"

His brow furrowing slightly. He crossed his arms, adding with a touch of bewildered frustration, "And what, precisely, is so amusing about that? Lady Lima, I confess I’m quite at a loss to understand your meaning" He sighed,

The sound expresses more than a little annoyance at his own cluelessness. The air between them shifted, the lighthearted banter replaced by a subtle tension as Florence waited for an explanation.

But,

Instead of answering, Freyah just laughed even more, "Let’s just eat your highness, That’s if there’s still food left for us" She grinned almost teasing.

Florence was taken aback, "what? No, they can’t just eat all the food! The crabs and shrimp too!" Florence jumped from the walls, tapping his feet as she waited for Freyah to follow who was still laughing.

"Alright alright," She chuckles,

’now he’s acting more like a spoiled prince..’

***

At the large, polished wooden table, Freyah’s family and friends, Monica and Gwenette were gathered, seated alongside the other elders, including Uncle Thomas and their other companions. The air was a mixture of excitement and bittersweet nostalgia, a fitting atmosphere for what would be their last dinner together in this place for some time. A bountiful feast had been prepared, a veritable mountain of food, reflecting the significance of the occasion. Tomorrow, they were all set to depart, embarking on a new Chapter, and this meal served as a final, shared celebration before their journey began.

Monica giggles as she leans to whisper something to Gwenette,

"Oooh where’s the bride and groom?"

She teased jokingly which made Gwenette burst out laughing but because everyone was chatting and having their own conversation with each other her laughing just mixed with the noise.

Gwenette burst into laughter, slapping her knee.

"Oh, stop it! If Freyah knew about this little plot you’re hatching, she’d definitely smack your ass! Ahahahaha!"

She couldn’t contain her laughter echoing through the room, Tears welled up in the corners of her eyes as she gasped for breath between peals of laughter, her shoulders shaking with unrestrained amusement.

The two continued their teasing banter about Freyah and Florence’s budding relationship, their laughter of amusement mixing to the noise of others’ conversation.

Suddenly, however, a shiver ran down their spines, a prickling sensation that made the hair on the back of their necks stand on end. Behind them, stood Freyah.

A slow smile spread across her face, her eyes twinkling with mischief.

"It seems I’ve missed something rather amusing. Do enlighten me, my dear friends. What is it that has you two in such fits of laughter?"

Freyah put her hands on their shoulder and her smile widened, her eagerness to hear it was visible in her tone.

Monica and Gwenette immediately laughed it off, nervously.

"huh? Eh...hahaha!"

"We’re just talking about...erm..."

"Yes! Yes! Do you remember back in highschool!!"

The two try to think of anything.

Freyah smiles and gently has a squeeze on both their shoulders, "Yes? What about back in high school?"

"When Gwenette sings for us!" Monica exclaimed. Freyah wasn’t buying their excuse, but played along.

"Oh, that one? Yes, that’s really funny! I remember," she said, her tone slightly sarcastic.

She did, however, remember how hilarious it had been when Gwenette was forced to sing for them in front of the class. Back then, Gwenette had acted like a total rock star.

Freyah made soft laughter and sat down beside them Monica, Monica and Gwenette knew that she’s just clearly playing along with their excuses but relieved that she didn’t hear about anything.

Meanwhile, Florence, who had entered before Freyah, was already happily devouring the seafood on his plate, oblivious to everything else. He sat beside Uncle Thomas, who was chatting with the elders.

Amused, Freyah chuckled, shaking her head. Then, she joined in, picking up her utensils and savoring this moment with everyone.

***

Unknown place and time.

From a high tower, a rising loud, jumbled mumbling blended into a chilling drone of numerous personnel. At the tower’s heart, a vast, pulsating mass of dark smoke, like a monstrous, writhing cocoon, pulsed with unseen, malevolent energies. The air itself was thick and suffocating, heavy with the oppressive weight of an evil power. A palpable aura of dread, a tangible darkness, chilled the very stones beneath foot. Their ritual was to create a spell of immense, terrifying power.

A circle of cloaked figures surrounded a central figure: a strikingly beautiful woman. Her skin, fair and white, was stark against the encroaching shadows; her face, veiled in white silk, was almost ghostly as the powerful, evil energy began to consume her. Her arms rose to meet it, a silent acceptance as she spoke words lost to the suffocating darkness, a dark incantation to unleash unimaginable horrors.

The said woman fell unconscious as the dark energy collided with her after her body absorbed it. One of the cloaked people approached the lady with caution and then wrapped her with a white silk.

"We should proceed..." The man whispered and the other cloaked people nodded. The man then went back to his position, circling the unconscious lady now covered with white silk blanket.

And they all dropped to their knees, hands clasped together while their heads bowed and everyone started whispering like prayers—The woman’s unconscious body started to glow and flew midair while everyone continued to whisper, creating another spell but this time was more intense than the last one.

***

The dinner had come to an end after saying their prayers everyone went to their rooms.

Freyah’s Father and Mother talked to her and she spent time with her siblings. She’s happy that she was able to save them this time, Happy that they’re alive despite the current chaos.

Her father and mother gave her advice like normal parents would but their expression was proud and they trusted their daughter to come back safely.

After her last bonding with them, She returns to her own room for a much needed rest for tomorrow’s journey.

Without even turning the lights, Freyah closed the door of her room as she walked towards the window, admiring the view and the refreshing cold air. She missed this, it’s too peaceful and she knows this feeling.

Soon, something big is going to happen.

Taking deep breaths, Freyah climbed the bed, and she sat leaning against the cardboard. Now that everything changes from the past, There is no telling what’s coming but Freyah is already prepared to face it.

"I just have to face it..." She murmurs to herself with unclear emotion.

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