Ayyy. I'm still alive!
My semester break started and so I decided to write some chapters during this break before school starts to pile me up again. I have enough time to write chapters and make logos! <3

Thank you all for the good lucks and support! I sincerely appreciate it to the bottom of my heart! ♥️

Regarding the Suggest me a ship!
I picked the ships that will not break the plot and the future chapters of this story, because if I picked a ship that'll break the plot and the future chapters of this book, it will ultimately change the story's epic ending that I planned.

For the Aluby fans. Aluby might change as the story progresses, but I can assure you that Aluby will have a sweet ending In exchange of me changing it while I'm tailoring the story.

Hope you guys enjoy today's chapter!

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I was an abandoned child, an orphan that nobody know exists in this world. I play among the shadows and walk without a presence. Nobody would see me stealing a fruit or a money bag full of gold and silver coins. I was an infamous thief in the City of Ciana, the place where I was born. I was a clever thief that nobody will ever catch. Because to them, my real identity doesn't exist.

At a young age, Natalia mastered a special technique that only few beings in the world knows, to turn invisible. Even though she is talented and smart, she got abandoned by her parents when she was a baby.

Natalia lived in a small orphanage in her city. The orphanage in fact, wasn't pretty, it looked like a wreck.

The children there are desperate to get adopted while Natalia in particular is very different from the children her age. She Is matured and observant around her surroundings, like a hawk watching her preys scattering around. Fortunate for her, she got a letter from an unknown identity, a letter that would soon explain to her the technique of turning invisible. She doesn't know why she got that letter nor got abandoned by her family, or does she even have one in the first place? You wouldn't call someone a family that throws you out of their life, you would call them a monster or a demon.

Natalia didn't much care about the fact that she got abandoned, she can survive all by herself outstandingly well. The little girl that will soon become a great assassin knows that stealing from people is wrong, but it is for survival. She trust herself more than anyone else in the world, for she knows that people will often betray you behind your back or out of the blue.

Even in the future, Natalia will still have trust issues. But she will learn to trust other people if she could just open her heart to others that will be her allies.

Natalia has forgotten about her childhood years, it is unfortunate that she couldn't recall any of the events in her mind. Even the day that she first encountered a boy that is being trained by soldiers. The boy that will become an important person in her life.

Hidden among the dark parts of an alley way, Natalia curled herself into a ball, her body leaning against the cement walls of a tall, old building. It felt cold, a chilling feeling making her shiver. The rough and ragged clothes that Natalia wore didn't help her much, but at least she got something to wear even though her clothes couldn't fight off the frosty atmosphere of winter.

Luckily during the day time it isn't that cold compared to the night time. People would often get out of their house to buy supplies before they'll ran out, a perfect season for Natalia to steal countless items for her to be able to survive the harsh icy winter.

Winter is also a perfect time for family bonding, an activity that Natalia might never experience. She would only see how it is. Parents playing with their children, grandparents telling tales to their grandchildren, and having a wonderful feast with cousins, uncles, and aunts. Natalia would sometimes feel envious towards to the children who has a family to support them, she couldn't imagine herself living happily with her very own family.

Natalia listened to the sound of footsteps stomping on a path of snow, coming closer to her until it suddenly stopped. "Hey, why are you there lurking in the shadows?" A young boy asked Natalia who was sitting against the cold cement walls. Natalia lifted her head, her cold eyes looking at the face of the boy whom asked her. "You can...see me?" Natalia asked, ignoring the boy's question. This is the first time Natalia has encountered a person that can see her while she uses the invisibility technique. "If you answer my question first I'll answer yours! My name is Tigreal by the way, what's your name?" Tigreal introduced himself, trying to act and sound clever. He lifted his hand towards Natalia, a sign of a handshake. Natalia looked at Tigreal's lifting hand, harshly swapping it away without hesitation. "I don't give my name or answer questions to random people. It's a stupid thing to give your identity to a stranger." Natalia said bitterly, sounding too mature for her young age. "Why are you being mean? I thought doing a handshake with someone means a humble greeting. I'm sorry if I disturbed your silence, it's just that you look like a beggar in need for help. Come with me, I know a place that will give you clothes and foods!" Tigreal said, gently grabbing one of her hands. "I don't need anyone to help me. How can I trust you? You must be tricking me." Natalia asked, suspecting Tigreal to be a thief or a bait to lure her towards to a kidnapper or a someone that sadistically wants to sell her as a slave.

Tigreal let go of Natalia's hand, his eyes locking at her bright sapphire eyes. "Why would I trick you? Nobody will kidnap or trick a child like you," Tigreal said, kneeling down on one knee. His hand sliding inside one of his pants' pockets, pulling it out to reveal that he has grabbed a piece of bread. "Let me take you to the Church of Light, they will help you. Don't you ever wish for a family? After all, you are an orphan. If you don't want go to the Church of Light, I'll come to this spot everyday just to see you. I'll become your friend." Tigreal said, a bright and charming smile on his face.

Natalia's eyes slightly widened, surprised by Tigreal's sincere sounding words. She would feel quite guilty if she didn't come with him to this Church of Light, but her mind is telling her that she shouldn't trust a stranger's ridiculous words. Why would this little boy visit her everyday? It must be a joke, she has never seen anyone do that act.

After all, there are so many humans, but having humanity is crystal rare. People are now often cold towards each other's and act like enemies, thinking about themselves more than others. They don't even care if you get stabbed or shot, they'll run away because they value their life more than yours and others. This is Natalia's point of view towards human beings-her own kind. A nasty, cruel species that shouldn't exist. She seriously regrets being one.

Tigreal wanted to change how Natalia thinks about their kind. There are people there who still have humanity and want to spread it. He wants Natalia to have faith, even just a bit of faith towards humanity will do.

Without noticing that the grey, thick clouds blocked the sky, unraveling a snow storm. The temperature dropped, making Natalia instantly shiver because of the sudden coldness of the strange weather. She wrapped her arms around her body, hating the feeling that her body felt like being inside a large ice cube.

Tigreal quickly pulled off his thick jacket made out of fine materials, gradually wrapping it around Natalia's skinny and thin body. He didn't mind shivering as long as he helps this girl, even if his support is small.

"Thank you...? But now you're the one shivering. Why did you give your jacket to me?" Natalia asked, curiosity in her eyes. This young boy confuses her, slightly changing how she sees towards humanity. Maybe there are kind and pure hearted people like him.

If she leaves him will she meet a human like him again? Probably not. She wanted to trust him, she really do, but she is afraid to trust him, afraid to open her heart to a boy that she just met, but for some reason this naive looking boy opened his heart to her. Why did he? If he trust anyone he'll surely be backstabbed by them.

"Because I help the poor and needy, I want to show them that there is a light to everything." Tigreal simply answered Natalia's question, sitting down besides her then cuddled close to her small body. Natalia felt warmth at the same time discomfort and shock. She shifted away from him, turning her head to look away. "It's awkward to cuddle with a stranger." Natalia mumbled under the large jacket that she's wearing. "My friends told me that if we all cuddled together, we'll receive warmth for some reason. I don't know how to explain because it's kind of complicated for me." Tigreal said, standing up to his feet the brushed away the snow that covered him. "Want to go somewhere that's warm? Or would you like to get a frostbite instead?" Tigreal asked, hoping that she would follow him. He didn't want her to freeze to death or catch a cold.

Natalia slowly pulled herself up, turning her head to look at Tigreal. "I guess I don't have a choice. Lead the way then." Natalia said, clenching the jacket with her tiny hands. She hoped that she wouldn't get betrayed by him, she didn't want to hurt him after all.

"I'll lead the way once you tell me your name." Tigreal said, a jolly smile on his face. Natalia glanced at Tigreal before letting out a tired sigh, her hands unclenching the jacket. "It's Natalia. My name is nothing special." Natalia answered grumpily, impatiently wanting to go somewhere warm. "Nice to meet you Natalia, I hope we can be good friends." Tigreal said, quite happy that he got to know her name. He felt so proud in himself for helping a girl leaving in the streets. It is his first time helping somebody that needs help.

The two walked and walked on the street that is covered of thick snow, finally reaching an entrance of a Church. Its architecture no different than the rest of the Churches nearby the town. It looked holy and simple.

Tigreal quickly ran over to the grey metal gate. Grabbing the gate's bars then pushed it forward until it widened enough for them to slip through. "After you." Tigreal said to Natalia, still holding the cold bars of the gate.

Natalia thanked Tigreal before she pushed her body through the gate's opening, running towards to the opened door of the church.

Once she stepped inside, Natalia felt relieved to feel warmth to smoothen her almost frosted body. She then held the jacket tightly with both of her hands, closing her eyes as the warmth of the Church made her cozy.

The comfort that Natalia was currently having instantly disappeared after hearing an unexpected crash behind her. She turned herself around, her eyes widening after seeing that Tigreal has fainted into the snowy ground.

Without hesitation, Natalia dashed over to Tigreal. She grabbed both of his hands, instantly feeling the cold temperature of his body. "Hang on..." Natalia mumbled softly, pulling Tigreal up so that he can sit down on the snow. Natalia kneeled down, shifting closer in front of him and then turned around so that he'll be facing the back of her body.

Natalia let go of his hands to grab his arms, making it wrap around her shoulders. She then pulled him forward so that he'll lay against her back. She lifted one of her knees, trying her hardest to pull herself and Tigreal up. She instantly felt his weight pulling her down. He is heavier than her, and her thin body wasn't strong enough to carry him even for a short period of time. Natalia had to carry him quickly inside the church before she collapses.

Once she stood up to her feet, her legs trembled, but she pushed herself to her limit. Natalia took few steps towards to the Church, trying to walk fast but her weak body isn't able to do the task. She didn't give up hope, her determination managed to carry Tigreal inside the church before she could collapse.

Natalia slowly made herself fall to her knees, carefully placing Tigreal on the marbled floors. Her body felt so sore and cold after carrying him, but she felt so relieved and glad that she was able to take him inside all on her own.

She laid down besides Tigreal, hearing a sound of a door opening. Natalia didn't turn around to look who it is, she was too exhausted and didn't want to move at the moment. Before she could even realize it, she fell into the realm of dreams.

The birds chirped and the sun raised itself. The darkness of the night fading away. The sunlight passed through the window's translucent glass, awakening Natalia. She let out a soft groan, sitting up and then stretching her arms. She opened her eyes, turning her head to look at the boy who was sleeping besides her.

Tigreal looked quite adorable in his sleep. He had his thumb on his lips as if he was suckling on it like a little baby. Natalia found it quite funny, not noticing that she has been smiling the whole time while watching him sleep for a few minutes, noticing that Tigreal has a long scar on his left arm, it looked new. Natalia must not have realized it because of the blurriness of the storm yesterday.

She got out of bed, walking over to a chest of drawers that is made out of white colored wood. She opened drawers after drawers to search for a bandage and something to purify the scar that Tigreal has. Natalia didn't find any bandage, instead she found a cloth that is suitable to be a bandage, but no luck in finding something to cleanse the scar.

Natalia pulled the cloth out of the drawer and then pushed the drawer back to close it. She looked around the room, her gaze falling upon a small bottle of water that is standing on a table. Natalia ran over to the bottle to grab it, then walked over to Tigreal. She opened the bottle's cap and then slowly splashed the water onto Tigreal's scar.

Tigreal let out a groan, the pain making him wake up. He opened his eyes to see Natalia using her teeth to rip a cloth to make it smaller. Then wrapped the cloth around his left arm where his scar is located. "I'm sorry that I disturbed your slumber, but I noticed that you have a scar. I didn't want it to get infected so I tried to cleanse and cover it." Natalia said, her voice rather soft and smoothening. Tigreal formed a smile, sitting up and then wrapped his arms around Natalia to hug her. "Thank you, but you didn't have to do that." Tigreal said, a bit embarrassed. He was supposed to help Natalia, but instead she got helped by her.

"No, I thank you. I'm glad to encounter someone kind such as you." Natalia replied, returning the hug and the smile. She felt like she found a true friend that will stay by her side and help her, but she still couldn't open her heart to him.

Back to the present. Years after they first encountered each other. Just before the Tournament set in Erudition starts. Tigreal jumped down to the large hole that is one of the portals of the Abyss. No fear, not a single thought about getting killed. He showed no sign of being afraid or running away. He slashed any monsters getting in his path towards to the castle of the Queen of Doom. He illuminated the darkness just like the light. Once he took a step to the territory of the Queen of Doom's castle, its strong force field tried to stop him from entering. But Tigreal did not allow it to for his anger, his ire was immense.

He is honestly foolish to go alone, but he wants to save Natalia at all cost, even if it cost him his own life. It is a heroic and rather cliche act. But to Tigreal, Natalia is everything.

His steps were chilling cold as he walked inside the Castle all the way towards to the throne room. He pulled out his large sword or of its iron case. He kicked the large doors of the throne room once he got close, a shadowy figure of two people standing before his sudden presence. "What a surprise! But I didn't get shocked. I was expecting you to come really early and you did. You do love that woman, don't you?" Vexana who sat on her icy throne said with a grin on her ghoulish face. "Where's Natalia?" Tigreal asked, he was dead serious and did not want to joke at all. Vexana let out a crackling laugh, standing up to her feet. "How bold. I've been dying to get a tank lately and what better tank than you, Tigreal. You are powerful, you've served my kingdom before and you did a wonderful job in protecting my once fellow subjects. How about we make a deal?" Vexana's grin turned into a sinister smile.

Tigreal didn't like where Vexana is going with this, he already knows what the deal is even without Vexana telling him. She wants him to become her ally in exchange for Natalia's freedom. He'll have to serve her again, but this time he'll have to side with the darkness. It is a dangerous act, he'll have to betray the God of Light. He'll be punishment for the betrayal, but he didn't see any choice left. "I wouldn't want to have a deal with her, If I were you." Moskov-the man standing besides Vexana suddenly spoke. He looked dangerous, but his bored face didn't make him look like a murderous man. "I do not have a choice. Even if I tried to free Natalia. She'll still have a curse. Am I not correct?" Tigreal said, placing his sword back to its case.

"Why yes! I wouldn't want an ally to betray me so I put a curse on them just in case they foolishly back stab me. But it is Alice who mostly put the curse on them, she has this wicked mind full of spells that will make your skin crawl. So here's the deal, it's plain simple," Vexana said, her body slithering like a venomous snake as she walked closer to Tigreal. "Work for me and after Natalia's current mission is done. I'll set her off free and break her curse." Vexana said, not hoping too much that Tigreal will say yes to her. But does he really have a choice? It sounded like a very bad deal.

But nevertheless, Tigreal accepted the evil woman's deal.