[Nightmare]

Chapter 234 Riley's Vows

With a nervous gait, Riley approached Helix, still in disbelief that she was wearing such a gorgeous dress and standing before her crush. The introverted brunette had always struggled with social interactions, yet there she was, facing the person she cherished most on their wedding day, her heart brimming with emotions she couldn't express.

Helix smiled as she drew near, well aware of her thoughts. He was, after all, not just an observer but her partner.

The officiant exchanged a few words with them before prompting Helix to speak.

"Riley, I love you," Helix began, his gaze sweeping the room. "It might be hard to believe, but trust me, I can hardly believe it myself."

Surprise flashed in Riley's eyes, and a wave of laughter spread through the audience. She joined in with a giggle, charming the guests. They adored her shy, caring nature as long as it didn't involve her partner.

Helix gazed at her tenderly and continued. "Riley, you're the glue that holds us all together. Your compassion and willingness to compromise have made Marie, Charlotte, and I strive to improve as a group. It's because of you that we're so harmonious despite having… emotions and three-dimensional personalities."

Otakus, weebs, Charlotte, and Marie laughed heartily, leaving Riley and the rest of the audience astonished.

"I love that about you," Helix smiled. "I love your humility, your constant readiness to compromise, and the joy you take in waking up early to bake treats. I love you more than you could ever comprehend."

Tears welled up in Riley's eyes, and she clutched her chest, sobbing softly.

"Please know that we need you," Helix declared. "You're essential not only to my emotional well-being but to all of ours. You're indispensable, and we couldn't do it without you."

Riley glanced at Marie and Charlotte, worried they might resent sharing their special day with her. But seeing their supportive, loving gazes, she finally broke into tears.

"Riley," Helix said, holding out a ring. "please be my wife and stay with us forever."

Overwhelmed, Riley choked, laughed, and sobbed all at once. The ring on her finger, she cried, captivating the audience and her partners. It was a touching moment that moved everyone present.

When it was her turn to speak, Riley composed herself and began.

"I'm not good with words or people," she admitted. "If I were, I probably wouldn't be so confused right now."

The room filled with gentle laughter, lifting everyone's spirits.

"But," she continued. "I'll do whatever I can to make you happy. I know it's not something tangible, but… I seem to be doing something, so I'll just keep doing that… I guess."

Riley pressed on, feeling a mix of nervousness and fear, and her heart pounded.

"But I love you, Helix!" she exclaimed. "I'll always be there for you because my love for you grows so strong that it hurts when I see you risking your life. As long as you'll have me, I'll be here to protect and support you because that's what I want more than anything else in the world! I'm humbled, grateful, and overjoyed to be here!"

A surge of powerful emotions gripped the audience.

With tears in his eyes, Helix gently wiped away Riley's tears, kissed her softly, and was met with a deafening round of cheers.

Riley's heart soared as she gazed into Helix's pitch-black eyes, seeing a reflection of herself that was different from the one she used to see in the mirror. This reflection showed someone filled with happiness and contentment for the first time.

It felt like a fairy tale.

A true fairy tale.

Not the kind with a hero and a princess.

No, it was a story of a shy and awkward person finding a place where they truly belonged.

Helix kissed her again to thunderous applause, and she joined the others, who embraced her warmly, conveying their love and support. It was a poignant moment for everyone present.

***

During the reception, Tilo entertained the audience with stories from their past.

"So there I was, a grandmaster, on my first day, disoriented, and choosing between losing a fight to the weakest person in Myriad or negating a calamity spell," Tilo recounted. "And all I could think was… who the hell is this boy?"

The audience listened, enthralled, as Tilo shared one incredible story after another about the four of them. They didn't think anything could top the tale of the flower children destroying a mountain—but they were wrong.

"Thanks to his intelligence and my preparation, everyone in the city was safe – except King Helix and me," Tilo chuckled. "Tyrene nearly killed us both!"

Laughter swept through the capital as everyone delighted in a surprise cameo. Even Queen Liliana and Princess Eliza joined in the merriment.

"And what was King Helix's excuse?" Tilo inquired. "He wanted the power to protect his lovers."

A warm sentiment washed over the audience.

"And I told him, boy..," Tilo continued, serene and smiling. "You won't be able to protect anyone if you're dead, and I'm about five seconds away from ending your life!"

The irony shattered the brief respite, and a round of applause erupted.

"Did he listen?" Tilo mused. "Not a chance!"

Peals of laughter filled the room as he shared story after story of their training and Helix's exploits.

"Then I met the women he was determined to save," Tilo chuckled. "and I finally understood his obsession with strength..."

All eyes turned to the blushing women, who were met with warm smiles.

"They were gorgeous, had magnetic personalities..," his expression softened. "And charged into battle more recklessly than he did!" he exclaimed, pointing to Helix. "It takes incredible strength to protect such powerful and audacious women!"

He continued to regale them with stories of their shared battles, training, and memories, keeping the laughter flowing.

"Helix, Riley, Marie, Charlotte... working with you all has been a delight, a nightmare, and a humbling experience," Tilo declared with a cheeky grin. "I wish you the life you've trained tirelessly for every day."

A standing ovation greeted his words, and countless gazes fell upon Helix and the blushing women, who found themselves at the center of attention.

"Now that I've introduced our students," Tilo said, his voice wavering as he retrieved a circle of remembrance and placed it near the amplifier.

Shock registered on the faces of Helix, Marie, Charlotte, and Riley as their eyes widened.

However, their surprise paled compared to when Tilo activated the circle, and everyone in the audience gasped.

The circle radiated a brilliant white light.

White.

Circles of Remembrance glowed in a spectrum of colors, depending on the emotional intentions.

From white to black.

The realistic spectrum began with crystal blue and progressed to crimson red, symbolizing murderous hatred.

White.

The intention was so pure, it was unmistakable.

"Weddings are the worst... I can't start this message with a threat," Tyrene's deep, grumbling voice filled the Al