NOVEL WEB Chapter 29: Cursed Revelation
Feeling herself slowly lose consciousness from the tight grip his left hand had on her neck. She moved her fingers slowly causing roots from the ground to pull on his arms.
The roots managed to pull him back successfully allowing her to take a step back, and create a massive green circular glyph wherein a horrific plant beast rose up from.
Its roots slapped away at Caladel while the other roots were trying to rip his limbs off.
"Any last words for Lord Aldir?"
When she spoke of his name again that caused the blue flames to erupt from his body burning the roots. He dropped to the ground with his left hand swirling with the blue flames while his right tightly gripped the broadsword which was encased in crystalline aura.
His eyes were blue just like the fire, and when he pointed the broadsword to the 5 meter plant monster. The flames themselves started to draped around his shoulders like a cloak giving Caladel a fiery divine look.
"I am the former 79th Prince of Kroma, the Last Volantrian, Demon Savior, and one of Relisquae's 6 Great Heroes!"
He proudly proclaimed which the flames responded to by creating horns of blue flames on his forehead as well as a flaming halo hovering the top of his head.
"What?"
She muttered underneath her breath. Just as he swung the broadsword down the flames rushed towards the plant beast devouring it before it could fight back.
Furthermore, the flames themselves wrapped around the plant almost if it was absorbing its mana. When the girl saw this, her stomach sank as she took a shallow breath; he suddenly closed the distance, his broadsword aimed towards her.
"Answer my question from before. Why do you work for Aldir?"
There was a sign of hesitation in the girl's eyes, but she knew all to well that if she does not speak she would die where she stood.
"I am hi-
Boom!
An explosion erupted behind her, followed by an ear-piercing shriek. Whoosh! Humanoid raven-like creatures soared toward the two, not with hunger, but with malice in their eyes.
"A planned attack?"
Muttered, Caladel who swung his right hand to the side, summoning a wave of azure flames that instantly reduced the humanoid raven-like creatures to ash.
However, despite the powerful attack, more humanoid raven-like creatures emerged from the sky. It was difficult to spot them, as a thick fog obscured their vision.
"Why.. Why?"
Her entire body trembled as her hands instinctively gripped his shoulders. The fear in her eyes was unmistakable, while a cold contempt flashed Caladel's gaze.
"Looks like he left you for dead."
He firmly nudged her from harm's way before striding confidently toward advancing horde his broadsword hovering ominously at his side.
As one of the humanoid, raven-like creatures lunged forward, another unhinged its beak, unleashing a searing sphere of molten lava.
However, with a sudden flick of Caladel's index finger, the broadsword obeyed, slashing the creature cleanly half. In a swift motion, he hurled one of its halves toward the incoming sphere of molten lava, intercepting it mid-air.
The remaining creatures unleashed a relentless storm of molten lava spheres, but with a precise motion of his index finger, Caladel commanded the broadsword to arc gracefully through the air, effortlessly slicing through each fiery projectile.
He raised his left hand, and azure flames surged up his arm, coiling into his palm before erupting outward. The fire took the form of a massive dragon's maw, which roared to life and consumed the creatures, reducing them all to ash.
The girl stood frozen in place, her wide eyes filled with a mix of awe and fear as she beheld the almost divine spectacle of Caladel. To her he was not the so-called Demon Savior he had been described as, but a fiery angel incarnate.
He slowly turned his gaze toward her, his fiery, blue-hued eyes amplifying the celestial image etched in her mind. The ethereal cloak of blue flames draped over his shoulders, only deepened her sense of unworthiness, making her feel small and insignificant in his commanding presence.
"My question was already answered earlier, so what are you going to do now. After all, those things were sent here by your own master, and the fact they were going to kill you with me; it means something."
He spoke, his voice resonating with unyielding authority, and his eyes those cruel cold eyes.
Clenching her teeth in frustration, she charged forward with all her strength, aiming a fierce punch at him. Yet, with effortless grace, he sidestepped her attack, dismissing her effort as though she were insignificant.
"Lies! Lord Aldir cares for me!"
She let out a piercing scream, tears welling up in her eyes as she collapsed to her knees, her fists pounding the ground in anguish.
"Although it means nothing to me. Why do you still continue to serve him, knowing full well he will cast you aside?"
When the question reached her ears, she rose to her feet, hastily wiping away the tears in her eyes before declaring her answer with unwavering pride.
"Because.. Because I am her daughter!"
Those words shattered Caladel's stoic demeanor, causing the flames around him to flicker erratically in his shock. His hands trembled as his eyes darted, searching desperately for any hint of deceit.
"Impossible..." Caladel muttered.
Upon realizing she was telling the truth, he took a deliberate step closer, prompting the girl to shut her eyes tightly, bracing herself for what might come next.
He lowered himself to her level, his intense gaze meeting hers, before gently resting a hand on her right shoulder.
"You're going to tell me everything, and after that you're going to work for me."
After listening to his proposition, she hesitated, taking a step back to think, before nodding in agreement knowing full well she had no choice.
Caladel let out a soft chuckle of relief before extending his hand to shake hers. As he straightened to his full height, the faint sound of hundreds of footsteps echoed from behind her.
When she turned toward the source of the sound, her eyes widened at the sight of hundreds of knights clad in dark, purplish armor. Among them, a few carried banners adorned with the emblem of a dark star, encircled by orbiting planets.
"The Order of Stars.." she muttered, her voice shaking as she stepped closer to Caladel.
"We need to move. Hold onto me." Caladel commanded. The girl quickly wrapped her arms around his neck as she climbed onto his back. Without hesitation, he moved at supersonic speed, moving so fast it seemed as though he could outrun even lightning itself, had it struck at the moment.
The knights didn't give chase; instead they summoned a mage clad in the same dark, purplish armor. Unlike the others, the mage wore a tattered hood in place of the dragon-shaped helmet.
With a low chant, the mage extended their hands, and crackling arcs of energy began to coalesce. Bolts of jagged, blue-white lightning materialized, spiraling behind them like a deadly storm, each one pulsing with raw, destructive power.
With a resonant command spoken in ancient Augustinian, the mage unleashed the bolts of lightning, sending them hurtling toward the fleeing pair in a blinding cascade of crackling energy.
Caladel, unfazed, summoned a torrent of azure flames that roared to life around him. With a single motion, he sent the flames surging forward in undulating waves, colliding with the lightning mid-air.
The impact created a dazzling explosion of light and energy, as the azure flames consumed the lightning, their ethereal glow overpowering the electric arcs and reducing them to harmless sparks.
With a single, piercing glare directed at the knights, they froze in place before collapsing simultaneously, as though crushed by an invisible force.
The azure flames surged with renewed intensity, coiling and twisting until they took the majestic form of a massive dragon. The fiery beast roared to life, its searing breath sweeping over the battlefield, reducing the knights and their banners to nothing more than ash scattered on the wind
"That was inc-" the girl began, but before she could finish, Caladel surged forward, moving at supersonic speed once more, leaving the forest behind in a blur.
And so began the twisted partnership between the daughter of the most malevolent being in Relisquae and the former closest ally of that very entity.
....
Awakening, Yuni found herself in a massive arena, the deafening cheers and jeers of both men and women reverberating around her.
At the announcer's podium stood the host, Lady Anastasia, her voice booming with pride.
"Welcome to Immortal Lust's arena!" she proclaimed. 'Today, my dear ladies and gentlemen, you shall witness the deepest desires of one extraordinary individual: the late, great, Lord Commander of Kroma, Yuni Crossbell!"
With a mix of pure annoyance and rage, Yuni shouted, "Now I remember you're my worthless sister. So why the hell am I here?!"
Anastasia responded with a cold, cruel smile before shouting, "To show these fine people exactly why you were never worthy of your nobility!"
Yuni swiftly cracked her knuckles, a furious grin spreading across her face as she retorted, "Alright then, bring out your best fighters, creatures, or whatever else you've got up your sleeve."