Emery had experienced and saw first-hand how much humans hated the Fey. His family estate was completely burned to the ground and his father mercilessly killed, all because of loving a Fey, his mother.
Even so, he was reminded of a certain princess who, despite also harboring deep hatred toward the Fey, still accepted, lived with them, and in times brought peace between humans and the fey.
Although it couldn't be compared with what was happening in the Ouroboros, Emery still wanted to believe. He needed to believe a peaceful coexistence between the half-blood and humans was possible in the future.
During the hours he contemplated his decision, Emery kept coming back to put his home, Earth, above anything else. No matter how much he tried to look at it from another perspective, the support, the opportunity, he just could not shake the feeling that joining the Ouroboros would endanger his home, his friends and his responsibility to them.
He did need a faction indeed, but he needed one who could understand his people and can be accepted by them.
Thus, the reasons for his final decision.
"I'm sorry, Silva, but I can't accept the offer. At least not for now."
The white-haired girl hung her head low and let out a deep sigh. She had already somewhat predicted his answer when she heard about the incident at the prison. After all, she knew what Emery's main concerns really were. How the Ouroboros treated the humans they imprisoned was the last thing she wish him to see.
For Emery to experience such a thing at this crucial moment was like fate decided to take action and break them apart.
Still, even though she understood his reasons, it didn't mean Silva would be able to accept it. In fact, she found it really hard to accept. She had a myriad of words she wanted to say to him to make him reconsider his decision, but alas. If only she had more time.
However, right now she only wished to find a way for him to escape danger.
"Emery, please reconsider. If you choose this, they will really be forced to punish you."
Emery looked at her eyes. In contrast to the girl's somewhat unstable and tumultuous emotion, Emery's gaze and voice were filled with calmness and conviction.
"Silva, it was my mistake. I will accept the consequences."
Upon seeing his stubbornness and unwillingness to listen, Silva reflexively took a sharp breath and clenched her trembling fists. At that moment, the turbulent emotions she had been suppressing were about to explode. However, before she could say a word, a person next door beat her to it.
"I don't want to bother the quarrel between you two lovebirds, but I can't stand listening to that moron! Emery, I thought we agreed you would accept their offer!?" The voice angrily questioned.
The place was immediately filled with silence.
Hearing Annara's words, Silva's emotions slowly settled down. She took another deep breath, walked toward the next door, and accessed the symbol on the door.
Right after, no sound could be heard from the other side anymore. It was obvious she had just enhanced the seal, making Annara unable to join the conversation.
When Silva returned, she could not help but let out a sigh of relief. Inwardly, she couldn't help but be grateful, as the red-haired girl's unexpected intervention had managed to break the tension and now she had calmed down a little.
Hence, she once again tried to convince him, this time with more composure.
"Emery… if this is about that servant girl... I'm telling you, you don't have to feel sorry for her."
The mention of Gennette certainly piqued his interest, as Vizla or anyone else never cared to explain what happened.
"...What do you mean? Tell me."
"I have checked and found that the girl and her brother were part of the human resistance. These groups have been involved in several terror acts directed at the serpent clan… which is why they received their due punishment."
Emery fell silent. No matter how he thought about it, he could not picture Gennette as a rebel. Even so, he knew that Silva would not lie to him about such a matter.
Silva added, "The girl might not be directly involved, but the fact she was willing to go through accepting your request was enough to make her complicit with the human resistance."
Silva's voice shook as she continued.
"I hope this will shed some light that we are reasonable people. We have been in peace and war with humans enough times to know how to rule them, and that's through fear… Emery, I beg of you, please understand… we are not so different your world and I, we've just only experienced it longer than you have..."
Silva's words certainly managed to land deep in his mind, managing to make him reconsider his decision for a moment. Perhaps she was right, but at the end of the day, his decision was still firm, because he believed such a faction, one that was bound with their past, would not be what was best for his world.
Seeing the anxious girl in front of him, Emery knew he couldn't just give a no for an answer.
"Silva, tell me honestly, are you still sure both our worlds can still align? Other than me and a little group of my fey family, everyone in my world is human. These humans are my people, my friends. Do you think I should rule over them through fear?"
The girl seemed to be in a dilemma when she heard his words, unable to answer the question. Silva knew anything she said right now would only force her agenda on him. In the end, she had no actual knowledge about the world Emery was talking about.
As for Emery, he could not allow his planet to follow Ouroboros' way. He believed accepting the contract would do just that. He was afraid the Ouroboros would just become another Nephilim for his world. In fact, it could even be worse, as he could not do anything about it if he had signed the contract.
There was a few seconds of silence between them, as neither of them said a word.
Looking into Silva's eyes, Emery continued to speak his mind.
"Silva… I believe in a world where humans and half-bloods can live together hand-in-hand… This is what I want my world to become."
The girl was stunned. Her face was full of disbelief as her body began to tremble.
"There... there must be another way we can make this work… you... You could demand something inside the contract… just write something and I will... I will make sure…" The girl started to gasp and her eyes teary.
However, Emery just stood still, his expression clearly saying he had made a decision.
Anger and desperation filled her up, but she quickly crushed those feelings, crushing her pride to let out one more sentence.
"Emery… is there really nothing I can say or do that would change your mind? Is there really nothing at all?"
Emery's decision was final, the only thing left was his regret for hurting the girl.
"I'm sorry, Silva."
Hearing this, Silva wiped her tears and glared at him, and slowly whisper.
"Your ideals… will be the death of you."
A moment after, Silva seemed to suddenly find her strength back and the next thing she did surprised him.
The girl opened Emery's cell and without even talking to him, she quickly walked to the one next door and opened Annara's cell. She then stood in front of the two of them and said.
"You two should follow me now!, let's go!"
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