Chapter 31

══ ◈ ══

third person

SEBASTIAN carefully laid Arthemice’s unconscious body in a sheltered spot, ensuring she was safe from the chaos around them. His gaze shifted to the ongoing battle, watching as the others struggled against the monstrous creature. He let out a scoff, his lips curling slightly in disdain.

“They fight like ants,” he muttered under his breath, tightening his grip on his sword. Before moving, he glanced back at Arthemice, a faint smile touching his lips. “I’ll take care of this for you, my lady. Rest easy—you’ve done enough.”

With a soft click, he unsheathed his sword and stepped onto the battlefield.

The moment he advanced, a familiar figure caught his eye. His brow furrowed as he spotted Seraphim in the midst of the fray, her movements frantic yet powerful.

“What the hell did you do to my master?!” Seraphim shouted, her voice filled with fury as she unleashed a burst of energy at the creature. The monster shrieked in pain, its razor-sharp tendrils whipping violently through the air. One struck Seraphim, slashing across her leg and sending her tumbling to the ground with a gasp of pain.

‘What’s that kitten doing here?’ Sebastian thought, irritation flashing in his eyes. He dismissed the thought as quickly as it came, refocusing on the task at hand. Without hesitation, he charged at the beast.

“Kyle!” Zacharias’s voice rang out, drawing Sebastian’s attention. He turned to see the knight standing with his arm bloodied, clutching a wounded hand. Zacharias smirked faintly despite his injuries. ‘That bastard is always late,’ Zacharias thought with a chuckle.

“My apologies for the delay.” Sebastian’s tone was calm, yet there was an edge to it. “Now, Zacharias, rest and let me take it from here. I’ll finish this for you.” He gave Zacharias a firm pat on the shoulder before turning his sharp gaze back to the monster. “I’m going to crush every last piece of it.”

Zacharias’s eyes widened, taken aback by the cold determination in Sebastian’s expression. He knew the man was serious.

Just then, Darious stepped forward, wiping the sweat from his brow as his face twisted with frustration. “Where the hell have you been? You should’ve been protecting my sister. You’re a disgrace of a personal knight,” he snapped, his eyebrows furrowed in anger.

Sebastian didn’t respond right away, merely glancing at Darious with an unreadable expression. ‘You’re her brother. Protecting her is your responsibility, and you failed,’ he thought, though he kept his words to himself. Instead, he bowed slightly. “My apologies, my lord. It won’t happen again. Allow me to make amends by dealing with this monster.”

Darious narrowed his eyes but said nothing as Sebastian straightened and turned his attention to the battlefield.

“Your Highness,” Sebastian called out, his voice steady. Crown Prince Lumine turned his head, locking eyes with him. “Let’s take it down together.”

Lumine gave a firm nod, gripping his sword tightly. “Thank you for arriving just in time, Sir Kyle,” the prince said, lifting his blade as the monster’s next attack came barreling toward them.

The two warriors stood side by side, ready to face the beast. The battle was far from over, but with the two of them working together, there was a newfound surge of hope.

The battlefield crackled with tension as the monster towered above them, its grotesque body shifting and writhing like a mass of shadows and flesh. The ground shook with each of its steps, claws raking through the air, creating whirlwinds that tore through the surroundings.

Sebastian wiped the dark blood from his sword, his gaze fixed on the beast as it bellowed another unholy shriek. “We’re not getting anywhere,” he muttered under his breath, his eyes sharp with frustration. Every wound they inflicted seemed to close within moments, leaving no trace of damage.

Lumine stood beside him, his expression cold and focused. He hadn’t spoken much during the fight, but his calculating gaze betrayed the thoughts whirling behind his eyes. He, too, had noticed what Sebastian had: they weren’t just fighting the monster’s flesh—they were fighting something deeper within.

“The core,” Lumine said suddenly, his voice quiet but filled with certainty. “It’s moving inside the body.”

Sebastian’s eyes flicked toward the prince, then back to the monster, which was flailing its massive tendrils toward them. He parried one with a swift strike, the flesh parting only to seal itself back together a second later. “Moving?” he repeated, his brow furrowing.

Lumine nodded, his sword still poised in front of him, eyes narrowing as he studied the creature’s undulating mass. “It doesn’t stay in one place. That’s why it’s healing so fast. The core is shifting throughout its body, evading our strikes.”

Sebastian gritted his teeth. This wasn’t just a mindless beast—they were up against something far more cunning. "So we need to find it before it relocates again. Easier said than done."

The creature roared again, its body surging forward in a torrent of flesh and tendrils. Sebastian dodged to the side, narrowly avoiding a massive appendage that crashed into the ground where he stood. Lumine countered with a precise slash, but the creature’s form reabsorbed the damage in seconds.

“We don’t have time to play defense,” Lumine growled. “If we don’t find the core soon, it’ll wear us down.”

Sebastian’s mind raced. They needed a strategy, something to corner the core—force it into a place where they could land a decisive blow. His sharp eyes followed the monster’s movements, and then he saw it—just for a fleeting second—a flicker of bright, pulsating light beneath the creature’s flesh, sliding across its lower torso before disappearing again.

“There!” Sebastian shouted, pointing with his sword. “It’s in its torso—for now.”

Lumine didn’t hesitate. He dashed forward, his movements sharp and precise as he aimed for the area Sebastian had indicated. But as soon as his blade made contact, the core vanished again, slipping away like a ghost through the creature’s writhing mass.

“It’s shifting too fast,” Sebastian muttered, eyes narrowing. “We need to slow it down somehow.”

Lumine’s eyes flickered with thought before locking back onto the monster. “We cut off its mobility. Make it focus on regeneration elsewhere, force the core to stay in one place.”

Sebastian’s lips curved into a faint smirk. “Now you’re speaking my language.”

With a nod, they moved as one. Lumine rushed forward, drawing the monster’s attention as he slashed at its limbs, severing tendrils with swift, powerful strikes. Sebastian darted in from the side, targeting the creature’s underbelly where the flesh was thinner, striking deep with each swing of his blade.

The beast shrieked, thrashing wildly as its flesh began to reform, but it was slower this time—sluggish. The rapid regeneration that had been its greatest advantage was faltering, its energy spread too thin across its vast body. It was working.

“Now,” Lumine commanded, his voice low but filled with authority. His eyes glowed with fierce determination as he raised his sword. “Get ready.”

Sebastian nodded, watching closely as the beast's movements became more erratic. And then, there it was again—a pulse, faint but visible, moving through the creature’s shoulder this time. The core was desperate, shifting to stay hidden, but it was running out of places to go.

“It’s in the shoulder!” Sebastian called out, rushing toward the creature’s upper body. His blade slashed down with precision, cutting through the thick flesh. He felt resistance—the core was close.

Lumine was already on the move, his sword flashing through the air as he delivered a powerful strike directly to the creature’s shoulder. The flesh parted under his blade, revealing the core—an orb of pulsating, otherworldly energy—nestled deep within.

But before they could strike, the core began to shift again, sliding away toward the monster’s back. The beast howled, thrashing violently as it tried to defend itself, sending massive tendrils whipping toward them.

Sebastian’s jaw clenched. “It’s slipping away!”

Lumine’s eyes narrowed in determination. “Not this time.”

With a swift, fluid motion, Lumine unleashed a powerful blast of energy from his sword, cutting through the beast’s flesh and pinning it down long enough for the core to be exposed once more. Sebastian saw his chance.

Without hesitation, he leaped into the air, his sword gleaming as he brought it down in a deadly arc. His blade struck true, piercing through the core just as it tried to shift again.

The creature let out a final, deafening roar as its body convulsed violently. The core shattered under Sebastian’s strike, releasing a torrent of dark, pulsating energy that surged through the battlefield. The creature’s flesh began to dissolve, its tendrils disintegrating into ash as the core’s destruction spread throughout its form.

Lumine sheathed his sword with a calm, practiced motion, watching as the monster collapsed into nothingness. Sebastian stood beside him, his breathing steady despite the intense battle they had just fought.

For a moment, the two stood in silence, surveying the remnants of the otherworldly beast. Then, Sebastian let out a low chuckle, though his eyes remained sharp.

“Not bad,” he said, glancing at Lumine. “For a monster with no bones.”

Lumine merely nodded, his expression cool and composed. “It was more troublesome than expected. But we got it.”

══ ◈ ══

arthemice

I squinted as a blinding light pierced through my closed eyelids, making me flinch.

╔═════════ ◈ ═════════╗

The reward of audience with the god is now activated!

╚═════════ ◈ ═════════╝

The system’s holograph hovered before me, catching me off guard as I opened my eyes.

“Welcome to heaven, Faerie,” a voice chimed, smooth yet chilling.

Startled, I quickly sat up, my gaze darting around. Everything was white—no objects, no landmarks, no people. Just endless, empty whiteness. A frown creased my forehead as I tried to make sense of my surroundings.

Heaven? My mind raced as the realization struck me. My eyes widened in shock.

“I’m… dead?” I whispered, my voice trembling slightly. The words barely left my lips when a soft laugh echoed through the space. I whipped my head toward the sound, my pulse quickening.

A figure stepped forward from the void, her presence almost ghostly. Her long, wavy black hair swayed lightly, a striking contrast to her unnaturally pale white eyelashes and brows. She was dressed in an immaculate, shimmering white outfit, her ginger-colored eyes gleaming with an unsettling light as she fixed her gaze on me.

Wait… I knew that face.

“Arthemice?” I breathed, barely believing what I was seeing. The familiar face before me twisted into a mischievous smile, her laughter resonating once more.

“Yes, Faerie,” she replied, her voice smooth, almost taunting. She leaned forward, her face inches from mine, her eyes locking onto mine with an intensity that sent a shiver down my spine. “You called me?”

I recoiled slightly but kept my composure. The room was cold, but the air around her seemed to sizzle with something more dangerous.

She straightened, circling me with a calculating gaze. “You’ve done well down there, haven’t you?”

Her words rang in my ears, but I couldn't shake the feeling that something was deeply wrong. My eyes flicked to her hair again—black. Why was it black? Arthemice had silver hair. What was this place? Was I really dead?

I pushed the questions down, focusing on what mattered. “Am I dead?” I asked, my voice firm as I met her gaze head-on, refusing to look away.

Her smile faded, replaced by a cold, emotionless stare. “You’re already dead.” She stood tall, folding her hands behind her back. I followed her lead and stood as well, trying to match her energy, though unease gnawed at me.

“I’m alive,” I argued, my voice steadier than I felt. “I occupied your body.”

A smirk tugged at her lips. “Because I let you.”

I blinked. What?

Arthemice stepped closer, her presence unnerving. “The game you played…” she began, her voice soft, but laced with an unsettling truth, “is not just a game. It’s the game I created.” Her hand reached out, brushing a strand of my hair. Her touch was ice-cold, sending chills down my spine.

“You’re like me, Faerie,” she whispered, her ginger eyes darkening. “A woman who was broken, mistreated—a wife who did nothing but cry.” Her voice grew darker, more bitter. “And me? I was a wasted child who showed the world nothing but my worst sides.” Her tone shifted, becoming more dangerous. “I didn’t do anything wrong. I showed them the future, warned them of what was coming. And yet, what did they do? They betrayed me. Played me like a fool. They killed me.”

Her words hung in the air like a thick fog, suffocating. I stared at her, my pulse quickening. Was this truly Arthemice? Her presence felt warped, twisted. Something in her was… off.

She stepped back, her face twisting into something far more terrifying as she continued. “You want to live, don’t you?” Her voice dripped with venom. “Then help me. Take revenge for me. Make those who wronged me suffer. Let them die for what they did!”

Her voice was shrill, almost manic, as she spat the words, her once calm demeanor unraveling before my eyes. Her ginger eyes burned with a fury that was almost inhuman, her features contorted with rage.

I instinctively stepped back, confusion swirling in my mind. This wasn’t the encounter I was expecting. The system had said I’d meet a god, but this… this was the real Arthemice, twisted and demanding.

I narrowed my eyes, the weight of her request sinking in. Revenge? For her?

A bitter laugh escaped me. I looked her dead in the eyes, my voice a low growl. “Revenge?” I scoffed. “I couldn’t even seek revenge in my own life. And you expect me to do it for you?” I slapped her hand away from me, my voice rising. “I’ve survived every hardship in that damn game, and you have the audacity to ask for my help?” My words were sharp, fueled by anger and exhaustion.

Her gaze remained fixed on me, unblinking, her silence more unsettling than anything she had said.

“What do I gain from this?” I snapped, my voice shaking slightly. “Do I get my old life back? Can I go back and kill Kyro for making my life miserable after our wedding?” I spat the words, the pain of my past bubbling up uncontrollably.

Arthemice’s eyes darkened further, her lips curling into a sinister smile. For a moment, the white void around us felt even more suffocating, the air heavy with tension. The real Arthemice stood before me, not as a mere memory, but as something darker, more vengeful.

“Our worlds are intertwined, Faerie,” Arthemice said, her voice smooth but laced with an unsettling certainty. “You think the world you’re in now is an illusion, something that fades with waking. But it’s not. It’s as real as the life you left behind—just out of reach, like a reflection in shattered glass.” She stepped closer, her ginger eyes gleaming with an eerie light. “We exist on different planes, dimensions running side by side, each with its own flow of time and fate. What happens in one affects the other, like ripples crossing an invisible barrier.” Her words hung in the air, as if they carried a weight too heavy to fully grasp.

“I foresaw all of this,” Arthemice continued, her voice now laced with a quiet, unsettling pride. “I knew your soul would eventually find its way into my body—fate weaved our paths together long before you realized it. Every soul is bound to the cycle of reincarnation, Faerie. It’s the unbreakable law of existence, repeating endlessly, no matter the world or dimension.” Her smile widened, as if relishing the inevitability of it all. “You were always meant to be here, wearing my face, living my life. And now, we’re bound by something far greater than fate.”

Her words hung in the air, and I struggled to fully comprehend what she was saying. Parallel worlds? Reincarnated souls? It felt surreal, yet the intensity in her gaze left little room for doubt.

Arthemice’s voice softened. “I worked tirelessly to become a goddess, and now I am here to offer you the life you’ve always desired.”

Before I could respond, a radiant light began to shimmer around us, showering us in a soft glow. My breath caught in my throat as images started to form in the air—a vision of a burning world, the air thick with heat and ash. My eyes widened as the scene shifted, and I saw him.

Kyro.

His once-proud figure was now engulfed in flames, writhing in agony, his face contorted in a grotesque mask of pain. The fire danced around him, relentless, as if hell itself had opened its jaws to devour him whole.

Arthemice chuckled, her voice dripping with satisfaction as she watched the scene unfold. “Do you think I would ask for your help in seeking revenge without offering you something in return?” She waved her hand, and the vision sharpened, the flames flickering ominously. “I’ve already punished that bastard for his sins. His soul now suffers in the very depths of hell. And there,” she gestured to the inferno, “he will remain, trapped in eternal torment.”

“That’s… Kyro?” I asked, still absorbing the sight before me.

Arthemice nodded, her gaze cold and unforgiving. “Yes, that is him.”

My lips twitched, fighting to suppress a laugh. My heart raced, not with fear, but with a twisted sense of satisfaction. I couldn’t help it—I felt no sympathy for him. That bastard had it coming.

Arthemice turned back to me, her expression serious once more. “Now, Faerie, will you give me your hand? Will you help me bring justice to the life I lost?”

I stared at her, her words ringing in my ears. This was no simple request. “You’re a goddess,” I said, narrowing my eyes. “Why would you need a powerless soul like mine to carry out your revenge? You could do it yourself.”

Her lips curved into a sad smile. “I can’t.” She stepped closer, her presence towering over me. “That’s why I’m here to guide you.” Her voice softened, almost pleading. “Time is running out, Faerie. You need to act quickly.”

My mind raced as she spoke, struggling to process it all.

“I need you to read that book,” Arthemice said urgently, her eyes searching mine for understanding. “The book I left for you, with the note. Everything you need to know is there.” Her gaze flickered with desperation. “I know your mind is in chaos right now, but you have no life left in your own world, Faerie. You’re dead. The only life you have now is the one I’ve given you. My life.”

As her words sank in, I glanced down and saw our reflections beneath us, rippling as if we were standing on the surface of water. It was strange.

“Faerie,” she said softly, her voice breaking the silence. “My life is yours now. But before you claim it completely, please… don’t give up on the struggles I endured. Give me the justice I never had.”

Her eyes shimmered with a desperate plea, and for the first time, I saw something raw and vulnerable beneath her goddess-like exterior. Her pride, her vengeance—it all stemmed from a deep well of pain.

I opened my mouth to speak, but no words came out. I was frozen, caught between disbelief and something far more profound. This wasn’t just about revenge; this was about righting the wrongs done to her. The desperation in her eyes was unmistakable.

“My time is up now,” she said quietly, stepping back as the light around us grew brighter, enveloping her. “I trust you, Faerie.”

Before I could utter a response, she leaned in and gently kissed my forehead. The moment her lips touched my skin, a powerful surge of light erupted around us, blinding and overwhelming. I felt a force pulling me, dragging me back into the world I thought I had left behind.

fin.