DEMIGODS: The Rule Breakers

Chapter 44: Thy curse, thy blessing

The pang of terror creeps within Poseidon’s chest as the Alchemy Kingdom’s king vessel looks down on him while wearing a dreadful expression while wielding the flame that can annihilate not just Satan but also a wicked god like him.

Even with a daunting presence, Garet’s warmth and goodness envelop the continent as his miraculous light splintered across the horizon, eradicating the malignity of Poseidon’s wrath. As the cage of murky water that even Artemis couldn’t freeze vanishes into thin air, all of the beings present on the battlefield set their eyes to the king.

Poseidon clenches his fist and glares at the sky. “Zeus indirectly blessed you…”

Isang ngisi lamang ang binigay ni Garet sa kanya at walang pasabi itong sumugod sa gawi ni Poseidon. Nang lumapat ang paa ni Garet sa sikmura ni Poseidon ay mabilis itong tumalsik sa batuhan, ilang beses na kumayod sa kalupaan ang katawan nito dahil sa puwersa.

Nang muling sumugod si Garet kay Poseidon ay mabilis siyang umiwas, nag mistulamg tubig ito at hinayaan ang sarili na makipag-isa sa kapatagan dahilan upang igala ng mga rule-breakers ang kanilang paningin.

“Alyssa—”

“Hindi ko hahayaan na mabuhay ang kahit isa sa inyo, mga hangal!”

Napatigil silang dahil umuugong na sigaw ni Poseidon, ang bawat diin ng mga katagang iyon ay tila hinukay sa kadulo-dulohan ng karimlan na may dalawang magkaibang boses ang pilit na pinag-iisa.

Muli ang mga itim na tubig ay dahan-dahan na umaapaw sa biak ng kalupaan, pilit nilalamon ang kanilang mga paa’t minamantyahan ito.

“You never learn, Poseidon…” Garet mumbled.

He punches the ground, making his mighty flames seize the cracks. A loud, deafening screech rang into their ears when Poseidon’s body forcibly ascents above them while the flame of tranquility covers his body.

While watching the God of the Sea scream and squirm in pain, mischievous grins slowly curve upon the rule-breakers faces as the data of triumph registers within their mind.

“The Age of the Overruling Gods is about to end…” Garet declared. He looked at Alexis, gesturing for her to lead them with her own victory.

Wala sa sariling napangiti si Alexis at saka diretsong minata si Poseidon na dahan-dahan na gumiginhawa ang pakiramdam. At mula sa ilalim ng kanilang mga paahan, isang malaking mala-tsokolateng magic circle ang lumitaw kasabay nito ang pagkislap ng mga mata ni Alexis.

“This day will put the Rule-Breakers to an end, but before that could happen… all of us will make a history that even the gods wouldn’t be able to abolish!”

As Alexis’s declaration of her resolve roars, her magic suddenly envelopes the rule-breakers, slowly making them fall into a slumber as the loading screens begin to appear on the top of their heads.

“This is my most powerful Secret Art…” Alexis smiled, somberly looking at Poseidon.

At dahil tila nawalan ng wisyo si Garet katulad ng kanyang mga kasama, ang kanyang apoy na pumapalibot at nagkukulong kay Poseidon ay naglaho sa hangin kasabay nito ang pagkawala ni Poseidon ng isang mala-bagyong sigaw.

“Alexis!” Nang gagaliiting sigaw ni Poseidon kasabay nito ang pagbabalik ng kanyang trident sa dati nitong anyo. “You are the first who’ll perish!”

Batid ni Alexis na may binabalak itong hindi maganda kaya’t umalis siya sa kanyang puwesto palayo rito maging sa kanyang mga kasama.

“Alexis Lancaster…”

Alexis halts in her tracks. The soft yet cryptic voice suddenly whispers on her ears, making her steal a glimpse of her friends, especially to the man she loves the most because she knows that she’ll meet her demise before this battle can be over.

“It’s time, huh?” Alexis thought. “Do I have time to regret everything? I wanted to stay… I badly want—to stay with them, to stay with him, to stay with my son.”

Her warm precious tears slowly left her eyes as the pang and heaviness within her heart suffocated her. Yet, she realizes why she stole this fate from the others, for they are the reason she was able to dream, the reason she wanted to live. And with that, Alexis mightily looks at her opponent along with her lifetime resolve.

“Secret Art: Memoriae Aeternae!”

The enormous magic circle shine, enveloping and projecting the stars beneath their feet. And with Alexis’s eyes glistening, the casted loading screens began to reach the end, and at the same time, Poseidon hurls his trident like a mad hatter towards Alexis, targeting her heart to pierce.

“I am the Spirit of Delphi, the embodiment of the oracle and the prophecies. And from this day, Alexis Lancaster shall take my place as the divine retribution bestowed by Zeus, the God of Sky.”

Nang hihinang napaluhod si Alexis sa batuhan habang ang mga luha ay patuloy na pumapatak sa gilid ng kanyang mga mata, hindi n’ya batid paparating na atake ni Poseidon mula sa kanya.

At sa pagpatak ng huling sandali, sabay-sabay na minulat ng mga rule-breakers ang kanilang mga mata na may kakaibang mahikang dumadaloy sa kanilang mga sistema, na ang kanilang mga utak ay tila sasabog na dahil sa kakaibang impormasyong nakarehistro ngayon dito.

“Alexis!”

Alexis smiled as her eyes finally gave in. For she, Alexis Lancaster, Daughter of Athena, did not just sacrifice herself for the rule-breakers, but also offered them her last greatest gift, her own meaning of triumph.

“Secret Art: Holy Aegis of Vinea!”

Alexis Lancaster, the demigod who created the Secret Art.

In just a glimpse, Emerald suddenly arrives in front of Alexis along with a large, thick wall of vines protecting them from the enemy’s vision and attack. The Rule-Breakers left Alexis to Emerald’s protection as they charges towards Poseidon.

“Alexis… why did you—” All of a sudden, Emerald stops from speaking. She looks at Alexis, who’s starting to fade from her eyes.

“Anong nangyayari? Is this because of the spell you granted us? Alexis naman!”

“No… this is not related to that, Emerald.”

“Then, what is happening to you? Tell me! I’m your best friend, right?!”

Naiiyak na umiling si Alexis habang ang mga luha ay patuloy na tumutulo sa kanyang pisnge. At habang tumatagal ang kanyang katawan ay unti-unting naglalaho dahilan upang maging si Emerald ay matangis nang wala sa oras.

Dahan-dahan itong yumuko sa harap ni Alexis at pilit inaabot ang kaibigan ngunit ang kanilang mga kamay ay lumagpas lamang sa isa’t-isa. Ilang ulit iyong sinubukan ni Emerald bagamat walang pagbabagong nangyari.

“I’m sorry…” Alexis mumbled. “I’m sorry, Emerald… hindi ko p’wedeng sabihin sa’yo.”

“Al—”

Time seems to stop for the both of them as the glistening trident suddenly pierce through Emerald’s body. She slowly looks back, glancing at the humongous hole from the wall. As blood gradually stream from her mouth, she looks at Alexis again, asking for help.

But Alexis knew that Emerald is beyond saving. The pang and pain collided more inside of Alexis, the screeching horror of her twisted emotions began to kill her little by little, and when Emerald’s body finally surrenders, it passes through Alexis while the trident suddenly pulls out from Emerald’s body by force.

“Emerald, please wake up! Please!” Alexis screamed.

And with Alexis’s last straw of tears cascade from her face, her body eventually faded as Emerald finally rested without any of their friends’ knowledge.

“Thy blessing is thy curse; thou curse will be a blessing. Alexis Lancaster… you are now banished from this world.”

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