Chapter 542
CHAPTER 542
GOODBYE
Ella reeled backward from the shock, her entire body caving in underneath the overwhelming stream of chaos; one by one, she felt her bones snap, her muscles tear, her organs completely shatter within her . Without even being able to put up her defenses, she was once again blown backward at speeds that she couldn’t even reconcile . Unlike the lotus’ explosion, she didn’t leave the domain but rather bounced off its edge like a balloon, spat about like a broken ragdoll .
The lotus’ explosion gave birth to a burning storm of razor-sharp winds that trounced everything they touched, carrying her about against her will . Left and right, up and down, she had quickly lost the sense of direction, forced to close her eyes, at rcy of the violent winds . She survived on the edge, her energy barely enough to sustain the core of her being from being ripped apart like a sheet of paper .
She had no clue how much ti passed, but eventually, she managed to finally open her eyes . She was on the floor, her body spasming involuntarily, blood streaming out of her, forming a massive pool beneath her lithe figure . Her armor was completely wrecked, the halo behind her shattered, her swords nowhere to be found .
Her head was plastered against the chilling, phantom floor, her eyelashes fluttering with base defiance . She couldn’t move; rather, she could barely breathe . Even if left alone, she knew that her days as the Agent were over . Her Soul had cracked, wisps of who she was slowly streaming out like smoke . There was no way for her to make the heads and tails of what had just transpired; one mont, she was brandishing her swords and preparing for an elongated fight, and the next she was on the floor, dying .
The distant sound of footsteps jostled her as she gazed slightly to the side . It was just in ti to witness the topless figure walking up toward her two brothers who were, much like her, sprawled on the floor . She wanted to scream, to warn them, to rush over and protect them, but she couldn’t even move .
**
Lino steeled his steps and walked toward the two lying n casually . Though his entire body was aching as though there were consistent explosions rampaging through his soul, he endured forcibly, never letting it show on his face .
Approaching the two n, he crouched down, eting their trembling eyes . Both were still alive, though wouldn’t be for long . Reaching out, he grabbed the one he assud was in charge and pulled him up, feeding him a faint trace of energy, just enough for him to speak without drowning in his own blood .
There wasn’t a trace of majesty that he exuded upon arrival, not a trace of holiness that he had wrapped himself in . It was a wretched appearance, a man trembling, dyed in stains of blood, snot spilling out of his nose, eyes weeping .
"... was it worth it?" Lino asked faintly as the man t his gaze, his irises jostling about .
"... y-you... won today... but... don’t rejoice..." the man stuttered through his crackling teeth .
"... rejoice?" Lino’s voice turned grim, his grip tightening . "You’re a cruel fucking bastard, you know that? You fuckers could have left her behind, and stord yourselves . What Creator? He’s a fucking psychopath playing around with hearts like they’re musical instrunts . Sending a mother after her own child... pitting them together... tsk, your hogwash of philosophy sickens . Vain, insipid, insidious, two-faced cunts like you and your daddy disgust . Today I won? Only shit-eating scum like you would consider this a victory . "
"... you... don’t have to kill her," Limrur smirked faintly . "Oh, the big-hearted one . "
"..." Lino grinned, suddenly shoving a sword straight through the man’s heart, surprising him, leaning in and whispering directly into his ear . "Fret not, little cocksucker . One day, I’ll send your daddy right back to you, then you can continue sapping that fucker’s dick for however long you may desire . "
Lino threw the man’s body aside and walked toward the other; Cadel was currently shaking, inside and out, having witnessed his Brother’s cruel demise . He wanted to jolt to his feet and commit to vengeance, but his body wouldn’t listen . Even his mind was reeling in fear more so than anger . Before he could even process everything, his eyes caught a glimpse of the shimring blade as it sliced through his neck, separating his head from his body . He lived on, for a few seconds longer, the world around him rolling and tumbling, before the last of life faded from his eyes .
Taking a deep breath, Lino first glanced up toward the nothingness before turning around and walking toward Ella . She was still lying limply, seemingly doing everything in her power to get up on her feet and run at him like a crazed beast . The look in her eyes cracked his heart; he felt it being whipped and lashed by scorching chains, each one leaving a permanent mark that wouldn’t heal until the day he died .
His steps slowed down sowhat the closer he got, seemingly unwilling . Of course, he was unwilling, he cursed inwardly . Wouldn’t he be no better than the rest if he was willing? No, he already wasn’t better than them . That man was right – he didn’t have to kill her . He had won . He could send her back, or he could lock her up in a dungeon . There were many ways he could handle her without dissevering her lifeline . Yet, a part of him, the one he trusted the most, knew she had to die . It would be the last step, the last threshold his feet would scramble over .
Crouching next to her, he brought her into his arms and held her, sitting on his knees . She looked at him coldly and vehently, but he didn’t care, channeling so energy and repairing her body enough so she wasn’t in pain . Those blue eyes spat venom at him, her trembling lips bleeding, teeth sinking into her gums .
His arms felt heavy, nearly as much as his heart . Tears quickly ford on the corners of his eyes . Six decades was hardly enough to prepare him for sothing like this . No, six or six hundred, or even six thousand wouldn’t have made any difference . His hands trembled as he pulled one out, caressing her forehead gently, pulling her hair back .
"... without you," he mumbled, lowering his head . "I would have died in that small village . You’ve been my sword and shield all my life, the light which doused in a cool and safe shade . I knew that, no matter what I did, or what happened to , I would always have a ho to return to . A place where I would be welcod with open arms . To , that safety net was what allowed to always push forward . To never give up . To keep climbing the walls others deed unclimbable . Whenever I’d slow down, your voice would beco the wind pushing onward . You were the first one to teach what love was, what warmth of the mother’s embrace felt like, what unconditional acceptance ant to the heart . "
"..."
"You’ve made into the man I am today," Lino’s voice began cracking slightly, coarse and deep, filtered in the echo of his age . "For however tall my tower beca, you were the steady, unflinching foundation beneath it . The immovable hand upholding my house of cards . " He placed his finger on her forehead gently as his body began to tremble . "Deep down, beneath the layers of what they had done to you, I know you love . And I know you will forgive . And I know you’ll ask to take care of that egg-head and that bookworm . And I know you’ll bless my journey, and wish the best of luck for all the eons to co . And I know you’ll watch over from wherever you may go . And you should know I’ll always stay true to my heart, the sa heart that you inspired in . And that I’ll always fight for what I believe in, and protect those I love . And that I’ll take care of both of them, and give them lives unblemished by even an iota of pain and discomfort . And, one day, long, long, long into the distant future, I’ll go over to that psychopath, and I’ll shave off the tendrils he’s bound the cosmos in . Anyone with a heart dark enough to pit two who love each other doesn’t deserve to live, let alone be titled a Creator . "
"..."
"Hate or love ," he added, pressing ever-so-tightly against her forehead . "My heart goes by the words of the woman who raised , upheld , protected and embraced when the whole world shunned , not the carcass filled with hate they’ve turned you into . My mom... was a resplendent star, the most beaming sun beneath which nobody felt alone . Her heart bound the world," he added with a chuckle, looking up into nothing . "And unbound the countless chains . I’ll always love you . Rest now . Goodbye..." a trickle of energy seeped through the tip of his fingers as Ella’s eyes widened for a mont .
It was painless, she realized as she began drifting through the mories that had grown hazy . Peaceful . Releasing . The chains of oath broke, one by one, and the deep-seated whispers in her soul vanished . Just before the last of life left through her cold, shivering lips, she curled their edges into the faintest of smiles . It was invisible to anyone but her fading soul, forever to remain hidden from the world .
Lino felt her draw her last breath in his arms, her eyes closing . His entire body was trembling, inside out, tears streaming against his will . He gnashed his teeth together and closed them, shaking like a pup in the rain as he brought her into her chest, holding her tightly . It was too early for the last goodbye, he realized . Far too early .
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