Lightning Is the Only Way

"So, what do you guys plan to do next?" Gravis asked Stella and Liam.

Stella went over to Gravis and leaned her head on his shoulder. Gravis smiled warmly at Stella and stroked her head.

"I will go wherever you go," she said peacefully. "You are my home, and I will follow you to the ends of the earth. No matter what you decide to do, I will forever be by your side."

Gravis' heart warmed as he heard her, and he kissed Stella lovingly. "I don't know what I have done to deserve someone as wonderful as you," he said.

Stella's eyes became blurry as she felt the deep love Gravis held for her. "That's what I'm asking myself every day," she said quietly.

"Urgh, get a room," Liam gagged from the side. "That's my sister. I really don't need to see that!"

Gravis chuckled and looked at Liam. "So, what's your plan?"

This question made Liam shut up as he took a deep breath.

Stella and Gravis both looked at him with concern. Judging by Liam's actions, he was probably making an important decision right now.

Some seconds later, Liam closed his eyes and released a deep breath.

Then, he opened his eyes and looked at Stella with conviction.

"I can't always lag behind you," Liam said.

"What do you mean?" Stella asked. She felt like Liam was about to say something that she wouldn't like.

"You both know the Law of Empathy, and Gravis knows far too many level four Laws," Liam said. "Just by being with Gravis, your Battle-Strength is destined to reach legendary powers. Fighting three levels above yourself will no longer be impossible."

"I'm far outclassed in that category," Liam said as he took another deep breath.

"As long as I remain with you, I will always lag behind. I'm bound to watch on as you reach impossible heights of power, leaving me behind."

Liam's eyes became compassionate as he looked at Stella. "Eventually, your power will grow so vast that you will leave me behind."

"Liam," Stella said with a worried voice as she went over to hug him. "You know exactly that I would never leave you behind. You and Gravis are the most important people in my life. I would never want to lose you."

Liam took another deep breath, but he didn't return Stella's embrace. Instead, his fists curled in frustration. "I know that," Liam said. "However, Gravis won't stop. If I don't become far more powerful, you would have to choose between us, and I will never want you to do that. Such a choice would be far too cruel!"

Liam gently pushed Stella away from him and looked into her eyes with conviction.

"Happiness is our main priority, but strength immediately comes after that," Liam said slowly. "I want to be part of your life, but I also want to become powerful."

"You have always been the Holy Maiden of the Nine Elements Sect, but what have I been? I didn't even manage to become a Holy Son Candidate. I was only a mere Core Disciple my entire life."

"The gulf between us is too large, and it will only grow wider with time if things remain as they are."

"I can't always chase after your footsteps. I don't have the talent to reach the heights of Battle-Strength that you will reach."

Stella's insides shook as she listened to Liam. She had expected that Liam was feeling like this, but she couldn't have been sure since Liam had never truly shared these feelings with her.

Was this truly how Liam felt?

Had he always felt inferior to her?

Had he always feared that Stella would leave him behind and that he wouldn't be able to keep up anymore?

you behind," Stella said with sad eyes. "You have been

a nod. "And that's why I can't stop you. I know that you love me, but exactly that is the reason why I can't put you before such a cruel

reach a level of Battle-Strength that allows me to jump two levels. Then, I only need to increase my Realm. As long as I don't try to push my Battle-Strength too much, my Realm can still keep

my longevity isn't lower than yours, we will still be in the same world. Life will continue as

For that, I need to

Nine Elements Sect, I was always afraid that something would happen to you. I was always scared that you would have died

because of my worry for you, while your Battle-Strength increased due to the mandatory tournaments. I had nearly

which is why I need to push

each

released a deep breath as he shot a complex glance at Gravis. "I was against your relationship with Gravis, but I can't deny that this relationship has come with more positive

not speaking to Gravis with

is not all the resources he has granted me, but the fact that I don't need to

biggest fan of Gravis, but I know that he truly loves you and that

Gravis can't stop someone from hurting you, I most certainly can't do any better.

closed his eyes and took a deep breath. "Because of that, I will leave you two and will join the

was incredibly difficult to have both of them at once. The only way one could have both was when both parties grew

her to accept. Liam and Stella had always been together ever since they

Stella had to sigh.

knew that Liam's power couldn't reach her own. Yet, Liam still felt like it was his duty to protect her. Stella couldn't imagine how frustrating it must have been

have been hard for

"I understand," Stella said.

Stella. "In order for us to stay together, I must leave you now. I don't know when I will

"I

sorry," Liam

Stella said. "I understand where

Liam and Stella were talking with each other,

want to intrude on their last

important to Stella, but he also knew that Liam was just as important

wouldn't interrupt them because of some idiotic feeling

their goodbyes, Gravis talked with Mortis. Gravis wanted

heads-up that he might be assaulted by

Mortis had no problems

the opposite

he believed that these feelings would only make him weaker. Mortis believed that he had to cut off all

assault of these loving

felt these feelings, he would try to dissociate

be able to fully control these feelings. Then, they would no

he should think about

mindset

he wouldn't need to feel guilty for feeling these feelings anymore. After all, Mortis

It doesn't matter if I think that his path is a dead-end or not. It's his path, his choice, and his

later, Liam left, and Stella returned to

her and stroked her

goodbye to the person that had been with her for her entire life, but she wasn't weak-willed. She

the Major Law of

asked such

entirely. I'm still missing a

smirked. "Then,

BOOOM!

along in his embrace as he shot towards the

face as she looked at the sky, which was