𝐀 𝐓𝐡𝐨𝐮𝐬𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐘𝐞𝐚𝐫𝐬 /// ᴋʜᴜɴ ᴇᴅᴜᴀɴ - Chapter 2: Chapter 2

"Reasons were unknown as to why Lilia Belle decided to accompany your parents when they decided to rebel against Jahad," Garam explained as Bam listened intently.
"What do you mean unknown? Could she have desired to keep climbing the tower like my parents?"
Garam sighed as she placed a hand on her chin. "To be honest with you, that is a possibility. But at the same time, it didn't really make sense. According to Arlene's diary, at that time she was lovers with one of the heads of the Ten Great Family."
"So you're saying it didn't make sense for the lovers to go against each other?" Bam's eyebrows furrowed as the seemingly intricate story gets even more complicated.
"There isn't much on her in the diary. While Arlene did speak fondly of her, they must have been close friends. There wasn't any context about whether Lilia was on bad terms with with her partner, but it could have just been none of her business. The most groundbreaking thing about her that stood out in the story was that she sacrificed herself to buy time for V and Arlene to escape. It's possible that she is aware of your mother's pregnancy and decided to put her life over herself."
The irregular looked down with a solemn expression. "...So Jahad killed her?"
"Well, there's no context about how exactly she died. But that's the most likely assumption. She was one of the warriors who didn't make an immortality contract with the administrator after all."
Garam watched as the boy's frame hunched forward, a glint of melancholy in his eyes. "What's wrong? It's interesting to see you get attached to someone completely unrelated to you... I mean even if she may be a friend of your parents, her existence doesn't really personally affect you like Jahad's would."
"Yeah... I know. It's just, I guess part of me felt sad for her. I know I don't have the right to have any say in something that probably doesn't even concern me, but like, a part of me felt like I can sympathize for her. Is it strange?"
Garam raised a brow in confusion. "That certainly is an intriguing aspect."
"Really?"
The blue haired princess sighed as she escorted Bam back to the entrance. "Well, now that everything's taken care of, it's time for you and your friends to continue on back onto the Hell Train."
"Yes. Thank you, Garam." Bam bowed in gratitude as she gave a dismissive wave.
"I just did what I believe I have to do. And don't worry about what happened. You follow your own path, Jue Viole Grace."
"Ugh... when's Bam coming back? We need to board the train already." Khun groaned as a he lifted his arms to stretch his back, subconsciously leaning his upper body towards the noirette standing next to him.
"We need to be more patient. Bam's talking with Garam, and this might be the only chance he gets. It's very unlikely that we'll be coming back here again anyway." The woman stated, her eyes never leaving the Great Family Leader that was present on the floor. The man was returning her favor as he too was staring down at her from his elevation.
Khun glanced towards his side to notice the female not even looking at him. His eyebrows furrowed as he followed her gaze towards the head of the Po Bidau family.
"Lilith?"
The said woman's violet jeweled eyes gaze into his cobalt ones, indicating that her attention is now his. Khun Aguero Agnes has always wondered about her eyes, for they are extremely unique. They aren't a distinct trait of any of the Ten Great Families or any well known tribes in the Tower. Lilith claimed that it was a very rare trait passed down in her family. Since she came from the slums of the Middle Tower, most of her family members that possess these eyes were either captured or killed.
"What's wrong? I know that you are probably tense because of the presence of a family leader, but I didn't think you would be that bothered by it." The blue haired boy's frown showed worry in his eyes, something one don't see every day, especially from someone like him. The young woman sighed as she rubbed the nape of her neck.
"... I guess I'm just a little paranoid. After what just happened, I feel like everything else is just going to get even more problematic."
"Is that so?" Khun crossed his arms, as he closed his eyes. "I thought it would be related to something that the family leader said to you after talking to Bam."
Lilith smiled as she gently nudged the male with her elbow. "You seem too always find a way to steer our recent conversations to that topic, don't you? Are you that curious?"
One of his eyebrows arched slightly portraying an 'obviously' expression. "Of course I am."
"Hmm..." Lilith hummed as she placed a finger on her chin. Khun tapped his foot impatiently as the female purposely dragged out her hum, knowing it will certainly displease him. After about a minute, her smile morphed into a teasing smirk. "But I still won't tell you~"
"Hey--" Khun was about utter on another rant about why she shouldn't tease him, but was disrupted by the black haired girl pointing out their approaching companion. "Bam!"
The male turned towards where the girl was pointing to find the said boy walking towards them with Hockney.
"Bam! Have you finished talking?" Khun asked as he made his way away from the girl who took that chance to maneuver her way next to Endorsi.
"So what were you two talking--"
"Well, shall we get going now?" Urek's booming voice cut off Endorsi's question as all eyes fell on him. "I'll send you guys of-- quickly, babies." Electricity emitted from the tip of his index finger as an enormous amount of shinsu surrounded the group. A sudden force sent them all flying towards the exit of the Floor of Death as everyone gave the crimson structures a final glance, different thoughts flooding their heads regarding the recent event that occured.
Lilith's jeweled eyes gave the area a quick scan before noticing Po Bidau Gustang returning the stolen souls. The conversation they had not long ago began replaying in her mind.
"Lilia Belle, I had not expect to see you here." Gustang spoke as he looked down at the regular who was now away from the earshot of her companions. The young woman stood her ground as her confident posture never faltered in front of the ranker. Her jeweled eyes narrowing at the man, making it clear that she did not wish to speak with him.
"In fact, I never expected to see you again at all."
Heaving a heavy sigh, Lilith crossed her arm under chest as she turned her body slightly away from him. Her expression filled with discerning irritation, something the family leader was awfully familiar with as a nostalgic image flashed in his mind.
"What is it that you need, Gustang? I know you didn't call me here to simply catch up."
"As straightforward as always, Lilia. You see, I was simply caught off guard after noticing you among those regulars. At first I thought you were just a look alike, but your posture and mannerism tell me otherwise."
"As observant as always I see."
"Tell me, Lilia. Why are you here? You aren't suppose even be alive."
The woman smirked as she rested her cheek on the palm of her hand. "God said to me that I can redeem myself by accompanying the one in the prophecy who will rid this tower of the chaos my companions and I left behind. And as you can see, I agreed."
"I've always thought you never believed in God."
"I've always thought that too. But now look at how the table has turned."
The man's posture remained unchanged as he narrowed his calculative eyes. "Your shinsu aura is so much weaker compared to back then. It was so intimidating and powerful... but now it's no better than any of those bugs."
"Well, I may be in the same body and mind, but I'm no longer an irregular. It would only make sense for my abilities to be significantly weakened, or it would ruin the balance of the tower." Lilith's expression grew dark. "And you know how much the Tower insists on maintaining balance."
"And you decided to assist the one who will ruin it."
Lilia only smiled in response.
"You may have came back under a different name, giving off a weaker presence, and harboring a different position than before. But that man will recognize you nevertheless. Your physical appearance didn't change one bit. After all, that man is still as shallow as can be."
"Certainly I am aware of that. But I'm sorry to break it to you that I am not going to actively seek them out. I'm not ignorant to the rumors surrounding the Ten Great Families. And the ones about the Khun family are surely..." The female placed a finger on her red lips, giving Gustang a mocking glance. "...crude."
"I see. What can I say? People do change."
"And it's not like he's going to remember me anyways if the rumors were true."
Gustang sighed. "You've always had a bad habit of underestimating your worth to others around you. Don't you?"
Lilith 'hmphed' as she glared at the male floating in midair, dismissing his previous comment. "Are you going to tell the others?"
"... As of now, I see no benefit in doing so."
"All the better for me I suppose." Lilith turned around as began to make her way back to her companions. "Oh, and by the way." She paused in her steps. "It's Lilith, Lilith Nevaeh. I'd prefer you to refer me by my given name. After all, just like you said, Lilia Belle is suppose to be dead."