HIGH SCHOOL DIARIES (A Tale Of Love And Deception )

Chapter 54 Wrath of the gods

     

Azriel's breath came in ragged gasps as he ran, his heart pounding in his chest. The weight of the Torch of Light in his arms seemed to grow heavier with every step. The sky behind him was ablaze with fury, the gods' wrath descending upon him in the form of a storm, dark clouds swirling with ominous energy. The sound of wings beating furiously against the wind filled the air as the gods’ emissaries—dragons, harpies, and other fearsome creatures—closed in on him.

Azriel knew that he had little time. The mortal world was just ahead, the boundary between the realms faintly visible as a shimmering veil. If he could just reach it, he might have a chance to save Elysian and escape the gods' vengeance.

But the gods were relentless. As Azriel descended the mountain, he felt the first wave of their power strike him. A bolt of lightning arced through the sky, striking the ground just inches from where he stood. The force of the impact sent him stumbling, but he kept his grip on the Torch, refusing to let go.

The air crackled with energy as more lightning bolts rained down around him, the gods’ anger manifesting in every strike. The ground trembled beneath his feet, threatening to give way and swallow him whole. But Azriel kept running, driven by the desperate need to reach Elysian.

As he neared the boundary, a dragon swooped down from the sky, its massive wings casting a shadow over him. The creature let out a deafening roar, its fiery breath scorching the earth as it closed in on Azriel. He could feel the heat of the flames on his back, but he didn’t stop. With a final burst of speed, he dove through the shimmering veil, crossing into the mortal world.

For a moment, everything went still. The world around him was quiet, the storm and the dragons left behind in Olympus. Azriel landed on the soft grass, the Torch still clutched tightly in his hands. He could feel its power pulsing through him, a warmth that seemed to fill every part of his being. But he knew he wasn’t safe yet.

The gods would not be stopped by a mere boundary. They would find a way to breach the mortal realm, and when they did, they would unleash their full fury on him. But for now, Azriel had a moment—a precious moment to save Elysian.

He scrambled to his feet and ran through the familiar forest, his path lit only by the glow of the Torch. The trees blurred past him as he raced towards the small cottage where Elysian lay. The sound of his own heartbeat thundered in his ears, and with every step, the urgency in his chest grew stronger.

Finally, he burst through the door of the cottage, breathless and wide-eyed. The sight of Elysian, pale and fragile, lying on the bed struck him like a blow to the heart. The boy’s breathing was shallow, his skin cold to the touch. Azriel’s hands trembled as he knelt beside him, the Torch glowing with an almost otherworldly light.

“Elysian,” Azriel whispered, his voice breaking. “I’m here. I’m going to save you.”

Elysian’s eyes fluttered open, his gaze unfocused as he looked up at Azriel. “Azriel…?” he murmured weakly, his voice barely audible.

“I’m here,” Azriel repeated, tears welling up in his eyes. “Just hold on a little longer.”

With a trembling hand, Azriel held the Torch of Light above Elysian, its glow intensifying as he called upon its power. He had never wielded magic of this magnitude before, and the force of it coursing through his veins was overwhelming. But he had to do this. He had to save Elysian.

As he focused on the Torch, he began to chant the incantation he had learned in Olympus, his voice steady despite the fear that gripped him. The light from the Torch began to envelop Elysian, wrapping around him like a protective cocoon. Azriel could feel the power of the Torch seeping into Elysian’s body, driving out the illness that had taken hold of him.