The Cycle of Fate

Chapter 131: Breaking Point

It didn't take long for Lumière, Franka, and Anthony to approach the "Shadow Tree," now well within the range of Suzanne's powers.

Lumière had exhausted his occult smelling salts and was engulfed in crimson flames. His skin had gone numb, but his flesh continued to ache from the burning. Franka, light on her feet, kept shifting her position, occasionally sniffing a small metal vial in her hand and sneezing. Anthony, on the other hand, was using his "Psychiatrist" abilities to calm his emotions and desires.

Suzanne, who was now partially fused with the tree's ethereal canopy and only four or five meters above the ground, hummed softly as her gaze locked onto Franka, who was wearing a light-colored blouse and riding breeches.

Suddenly, Franka was overwhelmed by an intense fear. It didn't come from external sources, nor was it unnaturally amplified. It stemmed from her understanding of the current situation and her desire to survive.

Suzanne Mathis, fused with the monstrous tree, could not be treated merely as a Sequence 5. She was closer to a weakened Sequence 4, albeit without the complete form of a mythical creature!

Franka believed that even combined, she, Lumière, and Anthony would be swiftly dealt with by such a being.

Her survival instincts flared. *I need to save myself before I save anyone else!*

Despite her continuous sneezing, Franka stopped in her tracks, unable to suppress her overwhelming desire to escape. Her face showed signs of struggle—she wanted to flee but felt she shouldn't abandon her teammates.

Suzanne's emerald eyes then shifted to Anthony Reed.

The information dealer, who had been keeping his emotions and desires in check, suddenly shivered. A familiar fear welled up from within.

A "Spectator" with severe psychological flaws was always easy to handle...

Anthony was fully aware of his situation, but he was powerless to resist. He sighed helplessly. When his "calm" ability failed, he cowered in a nearby corner, covering his head, completely consumed by fear.

Suzanne had efficiently neutralized Lumière's two companions, rendering them incapable of assisting any further in the short term.

She then turned her gaze toward Lumière, who was now less than ten meters away from the "Shadow Tree."

As a malevolent spirit, she had her own obsessions. She still wanted to capture this sacrificial offering.

Though this ritual had already caused quite a stir, and several Saints and even Angels were on their way to stop it, success seemed unlikely. However, the "Shadow Tree" could not be destroyed, nor would it suffer much damage. Unless the "Eternal Sun" or the "God of Steam and Machinery" were willing to sacrifice the millions living in Trier and expose even deeper problems beneath the city, this attempt might fail, but there would always be another.

As long as the sacrificial offering, which perfectly sealed an Angel, remained in her control, another opportunity would come soon enough!

Thus, despite everything, Suzanne still aimed to capture Lumière alive.

In an instant, Lumière's pace slowed. His mind was flooded with similar thoughts: I can't die, I can't die. If I die, Aurore will never have a chance to be resurrected...I must survive to uncover the truth behind the Cordu disaster, to understand why Aurore believed in destiny...

These people mean nothing to me. If they die, they die. How many people die in the world every day? Can I save them all?

Lumière's steps grew slower, and his expression twisted in pain.