The Seed of Hope

Chapter 60: Remnants of Rage

Kate wandered around town. There was no soul in sight, giving the island a creepy atmosphere. The eerie breeze whistled into her ear as she came across a massive hole in the middle of the street. Walking toward the edge, Kate knew that it led down to those stupid underground tunnels, not only by the aura but also by the strong sulfur smell. She noticed a shiny golden chain dangling from the edge. She picked it up and saw that it was Rai's necklace—the golden diamond with a Moth carving.
-"Shit."- she whispered as she jumped in without hesitating.

-"Is it just me, or is the storm getting more and more aggressive?"- Yenziel asked.

-"Without Elohim's power, everything must be going whack..."- Ariel said while attending to Ivee's burns. -"The best we can do is wait and see what happens, Yen. Ivee, your skin will still bear the scars from the burns but I will try my best to fade them."- Ariel's voice was gentle and calm.

-"It's okay, I've always wanted to get the side of my head shaved and get tattoos anyway."-
-"You're so positive."- Ariel smiled. -"It's a miracle that you are still alive."-

-"I just hope everyone is okay..."-

Yenziel eyed Ariel's now scarred face. -"Your eye...I'm sorry."-

Ariel didn't look up at him, -"You don't have to apologize. It wasn't you who robbed me of it.
Besides, I never thought that darkness was so comforting."-
Yenziel stepped back. -"That's not something you want to hear, especially coming from you."- He nervously giggled. Ariel faintly smiled. -"I know..."-

Yenziel sighed and rubbed his hands together. -"I'm going to fly around and see who or what needs me."-

Ariel was worried, though; something felt very off. Something was not right about this situation. She didn't know whether it was the lack of understanding of true freedom and liberation or whether her gut instinct was going haywire. As if they hadn't killed two of the main causes already. Elohim is dead, and Bassilisk is too..so why is there such a big feeling of impending doom?

-"Naoko still has the scar on her back from when you attacked her by accident. Will this leave the same marks?"- Ivee asked, trying to sit up. Ariel's throat closed up at the words that were spoken.
-"About that..."- Ariel sighed. -"I apologized to her..."-

Ivee chuckled. -"She can be stubborn, very aggressive, and straightforward but she's sweet. I bet she forgave you as soon as you apologized." -

Ariel blushed. -"She did it in her way..."-
-"Oh?"- Ivee gave Ariel a side eye that made her blush a deeper red. -"Stop it!! I've never felt this way before, so don't judge me!"-

-"Aha! A confession!"- Ivee suddenly shouted, making Ariel pull back her hands. -"You like her!!"--"Shh!!! Pipe down!!"-

-"You like her; you like her!"- Ivee sang in a mocking tune. -"Does she know!?"-

Ariel glanced to the side. Her cheek could still feel Naoko's warm touch. Her beautiful green eyes looked up at her with utmost appreciation when she saved her. They both understood once their eyes met. The New moon has graced their hearts with newfound feelings. -"... Yes."-
Ivee gasped loudly. -"That means it worked!! Finally!!"-

-"Stay still!! Or I will poke your burns!!"- Ariel shouted. -"Besides, it's no time for that. There's something wrong, and I know you feel it too. We still have to survive the aftermath..."-

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Kate landed firmly on her feet at the bottom of the opening. The familiar scent of the place made her stomach churn and her mouth water in a bad and sour way. The bugs and creatures that lingered around were now on the ground, dried up, and dead. The heat that suffocated the place was now lukewarm and gross in a way that made goosebumps rise. Kate licked her dry lips, tasting the sea salt on the surface. She felt nervous. Nothing else could hurt her or anyone for that matter, but all this time, ever since she began her mission, she has learned to expect the unexpected. Or maybe she developed PTSD or anxiety because of the entire ordeal, and now she can't fucking relax. She kept on walking down the dark tunnels, eventually coming to certain spots that triggered her memory. The chained door that locked Elyon in solitary confinement, the crack on the wall that was like a peephole to the throne room, the clearing where Empusa had her way with her. Kate shivered, and nausea took over. Her footsteps moved faster away from that dreadful place that she hoped to never see again. She kept on walking the endless walkways and tunnels, finally coming to a familiar crack in the wall. The hairs on the back of her neck rose as a feeling of déjà vu took over her exhausted body and mind. Something on the other side of the glowing crevice called to her like a bug to a light. Kate pressed against the wall, seeing if she could get through. Her eyes tried to peek in but were met with a blurry light source.

-I've seen this before...-

She looked back into the tunnels; she did need to rescue her friends. She could just come back to this place later.