They had grown up together in their teenage, and she knew he was an orphan. She couldn't fathom who could be after him, and this revelation left her wondering and concerned.
However, she was also surprised when a girl's voice suddenly echoed in her mind. Yet, it was not something strange to her, as she had experienced something similar in the past, where someone had communicated with her telepathically.
Turning to Rio, she inquired about the elven girl, "Is she also one of your women?"
Seeing the girl narrowed her eyes at him, Rio could only respond with a bittersweet smile. "Eve hasn't received approval from Lia or you, but she has helped me tremendously in dangerous situations... It's like even if you and Lia don't give your approval, she will still remain by my side... We're inseparable, bound as partners because of some special circumstances."
Layla rolled her eyes, thinking how he had become a playboy with more than one woman in her absence.
"How many women do you have, exactly?" Crossing her arms, she asked.
"First, there's you, then Lia, followed by Nyla, who nearly died saving me. She begged Lia to let her become my wife, and Lia agreed. And finally, as you know, there's Eve, but we haven't made it official," Rio responded.
Layla placed her hands on her forehead, exasperated by his shameless declaration.
But the boy wasn't going to give her sweet lies just to make her happy for now. It was better for her to face the truth and accept him for who he is now, not for who he isn't.
He knew very well that Layla's love for him weighed more than even his parents, so he wasn't worried that she wouldn't agree. It would take time, but he believed she would eventually be his.
Eve's voice echoed once more in Layla's mind, "I know it's not common for you, having grown up on Earth, but where I come from, it's quite usual for a man to have more than one wife. Usually, those women live harmoniously, like sisters.
Nyla and Lia also live like good sisters, not fighting over Rio... I believe they will give you a priority, as they know your bond with him is special. Besides, in Rio's heart, no one can take your place, and it's undeniable that you love him more than anyone else..."
Despite hearing Eve's words, Layla chose not to respond, feeling bitter from all the revelations.
Seeing her saddened expression, Rio stood up and gently cradled her in a hug before carrying her to their bedroom.
Layla didn't resist, but she remained silent, giving him the cold shoulder. Rio understood that she needed time to process her emotions and come to terms with everything she had learned.
The boy also knew that Layla was going through an emotional turmoil; if he didn't allow her time to calm down, she might erupt like a volcano and break down. Though happy about their reunion, learning that her lover had more partners was a lot for her to take in.
As they lay in bed, wrapped in each other's arms, Rio gently ruffled her hair, offering comfort and affection while she worked through her feelings.
Layla's phone was ringing continuously but she had muted it already and put it on charge in the hall, she didn't want anyone to disturb her...
As Rio and Layla slept together in their old bedroom, Lia and Nyla had already communicated with him telepathically, aware that he had found Layla and would be staying on Earth.
Layla and Rio talked about various things, with Rio sharing his experiences so far. He recounted everything that had happened to him from beginning to end.
Although she was quiet at first, the girl later began lecturing him about his carelessness when he mentioned some dangerous encounters he had faced.
Rio was simply happy to hear her grumbling and showing her concern for him, just like in the old days. They barely slept that night, as they preferred to talk to each other rather than sleep.
The next morning, Rio was hesitant to go to the grand finale of the international tournament, wanting to spend time with Layla instead.
However, she convinced him of the importance of this fight for humanity and how he needed to be present and participate in this battle. In the end, he agreed, and Layla drove him to the stadium.
At the stadium, Rio used his Gift of Phantom to shape it into a mask and wore it. Even though his face had been revealed to the world, he still donned the mask.
The officials informed him that the match would be held at a different location, where audiences would not be allowed to attend.
Consequently, he was taken away from the stadium in a separate vehicle to the location where the grand finale was going to be held.
Rio was reluctant to leave Layla behind, but she reassured him that he knew where she was and that they wouldn't have to face the same issue again. They wouldn't be separated any longer.
Upon arriving at the site of the final battle, Rio discovered that it was located far away from the city, in a desolate area devoid of any population. He entered the empty stadium, where only a few people were seated in the VIP areas. Among them were four individuals â€" two humans and two human-like beings with silver horns.
However, as Rio stood in the audience section, the man in the black suit approached him once more and asked him to wait for a few more minutes. While waiting, Rio's thoughts couldn't help but drift back to the tender moments he had shared with Layla last night.
Soon, He heard the referee's voice echoing through the stadium, "Rio Havenglow and Torin Jex'mor, it's time for you both to enter the battle arena. The final match is about to begin."
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[SnowNote]
Those discussions about what happened in his life so far would've become repetitive, so I skipped over them briefly.
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I'll add the important character images on the:
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