Chapter 226: The Way Forward (2/2)

Before the two could answer, Gravis continued. ”I have not indulged in something like this, so I have no idea how I will act in such a situation. Yes, one quick flick won't damage my will, but as soon as I do it once, the threshold of acceptance gets lowered. One time could create a second time, and a second time could easily create a third time. Indulging in my current situation could be a slippery slope.”

Gravis sighed again. ”Maybe I am too careful about this, but I don't want to risk losing the focus on my goal. Yes, I am attracted to you, but my goal is more important to me.” Gravis slightly nodded his head in apology. ”I hope you understand.”

The two twins looked at each other.

Whoosh!

A robe appeared around Lena. Yet, instead of answering, they still looked at each other unsurely. Gravis watched them in silence, not sure why they were looking at each other like that. There probably was something that he didn't know about.

”Were we wrong?” Lena asked Lory.

Lory was also unsure and looked at the ground. ”I don't know.”

After a while, Lory turned to Gravis. ”Gravis, I have a question,” she said, sounding normal again. There was no more huskiness, playfulness, or frustration in her voice anymore.

Gravis nodded. ”Ask,” he said.

”Why are you so hellbent on achieving your goal, even if it means giving up happiness?” she asked.

Gravis looked at her. ”Because I know that if I become complacent in my current situation, I might be happy, but I will have regrets. I want to achieve true freedom, and I can't do that without sufficient power. If I find a lover or even create a family, I would be happy, but in the back of my mind, I would regret giving up on my goal. As soon as I stop on my path forward, I run the risk of falling behind. One of my brothers fell victim to this.”

Lory and Lena looked at each other again, and both sighed. ”Is that the reason why it is so difficult for us to progress? Are we too preoccupied with momentary happiness?” Lory asked Lena.

Gravis lifted an eyebrow. ”Why? You are both still young and are even a stage higher than me.”

Lena sighed. ”Yes, we are still kind of young, but we have actually reached the Seed Stage over seven years ago, and we didn't make much progress in that time. We always remained stuck in that realm. We know that it's because of our Will-Auras.”

Gravis lifted an eyebrow in confusion. ”So? Just go temper your will,” he said.

Lory and Lena groaned in frustration. ”We know that!” Lory said, slight anger in her voice. ”We always plan on tempering our wills, but every time we plan on leaving for a fight, we kind of don't go through with it. We have lots of time, so why do it right now? Tomorrow is another day.” Lory looked at the sky. ”That's how it's been for seven years.”

Gravis now also sighed. This was precisely the situation that he wanted to avoid. If he procrastinated once, he would run the danger of procrastinating again. As soon as he did it once, the second time would become even easier.

Though one shouldn't forget that both twins had a Will-Aura. Their wills were incredibly powerful, but it was still difficult to jump into a situation that had a real possibility of death. As Gravis looked at them, he got the thought that they were probably not afraid of dying but afraid of the other person dying.

Maybe it was their desire to protect each other, which made it hard for them to seek danger. Gravis couldn't imagine how close their bond was. The only sibling he ever got to know was Orpheus, and they hadn't grown up together. Losing someone that always stayed at one's side was a harrowing thought.

”Gravis, I'm sorry, but could you leave us?” asked Lory carefully. ”Lena and I need to talk. I'm sorry for bringing you into this situation.”

Gravis nodded solemnly. ”No problem. Take care,” he said and then left for the campsite.

Lena and Lory looked at each other with uncertainty and a little bit of guilt. They stayed silent for a while.

”What have we been doing for the last seven years?” Lena asked Lory.

Lory was unsure and looked at the ground.

They had a lot to talk and think about.