Ashes Whisper

Chapter 81 : The Destruction of The World Tree

The clash dragged on, the Necro Sword guiding her through instinct. Before Aiden could unleash the fireball, Elara's she whispered an incantation, the air around her stirring wildly. One by one, wind forged swords appeared. 

She raised the Necro Sword high-

The conjured blades surged forward, raining down upon Aiden like a storm. Each strike pierced and shattered against his scaled skin. But Aiden his skin hardened, blackening until it gleamed like obsidian. The blade clashed against his armor.

And then-

Silence.

The last blade cracked against his chest and shattered into dust. Aiden smirked, his horns glowing again, preparing to counterattack - 

But his eyes widened.

Elara was already there.

She had used the storm of swords as cover, The Necro Sword in her hands now glowing "Goodbye, Aiden."

She charged, the ground splitting beneath her feet, and with a single, devastating strike, unleashed the Necro Sword's full power. The slash ripped through the obsidian scales and Aiden body shuddered. The fire in his horns extinguished, his wings dissolved into ash. Slowly, painfully, his monstrous form peeled away, leaving behind his human self - bloodied, weakened and trembling.

Aiden collapsed to his knees, his lips moved, barely a whisper "...Elara..."

And then his body, falling limply to the ground. "Now... kill mee..."

But Elara herself staggered forward, the Necro Sword still writhing around her arm. she dropped to her knees across from him, her chest heaving as exhaustion consumed her. The sword had drained too much of her life force. 

Elara replied "I won't Aiden... killing is not the answer. I never wanted your death. I only wanted to end this curse, and to make you see that there is still hope. Hope to break this endless cycle."

For the first time, Aiden said nothing. His chest fell heavily, his eyes searching hers, as though something buried deep inside him was stirring.

And then - 

A deafening rumble across Elysium, From afar a column of black light shot into the skies.

"It's begun..." Aiden rasped, a faint smile twisting his lips.

Elara eye's widened. "What do you mean Aiden?!"

Aiden laughter spilled out, his voice breaking into madness. "The destruction of the World Tree! it will bring doom upon us all! HAHAHAHA!"

Ludmilla, still clutching her wounds, staggered toward them. Her face paled at the sight of darkened sky. "The... The World Tree is destroyed?! No! Elara, we have to do something! We must go to the Sanctuary!"

But Aiden his laughter growing louder "It's already too late! My Lord Azathoth! Take my soul!, My body! - let me serve you for Eternity!" Suddenly Aiden flesh tore apart, scattering into chunks as his body erupted. 

At the Land of Eldar

The Land of Eldar trembled beneath the chaos as the World Tree split apart. Its divine roots bled light, pouring into the skies like torn veins. The sky shattered, from the void beyond the sky, massive, blood-soaked hands emerged like mountains dragging itself into the world. Each movement clawed at reality itself.

Terror seized the camp. Cries erupted, children screaming, warriors, knights gripping their weapons with trembling hands.

"Run! As far as you can!" Samael's voice roared, echoing through the camp, as he stood before them.

One of the men, his face pale but determined shouted back, "But.. Prince, what about you?!"

Samael turned, his expression fierce "Do not worry for me- I will hold the line, no matter the cost. All that matters now is that you live!"

He used the Tears of Hohes and a barrier of light appeared, wrapping around the camp like a sacred shield, resisting the corruption that seeped from the sky.

But then - a voice appeared from among the people. "No! We wont run away this time!"

Samael shocked and replied "What?! Have you lost your minds? There are women and children here! As men, it is our duty to protect them!"

But the people shouted back, one after another:

"No! we don't!"

"We are tired of running!"

"If we flee again, we'll lose everything!"

"We have no one else who can guide us... except you, Prince Samael!"

And then "You are not just our prince-you are our king now! If our king sacrifices for us, then we will sacrifice for him!"

Samael froze for a moment. His eyes swept across them - men and women, the wounded, the weary, all standing and He whispered in disbelief, "All of you..."

Suddenly a familiar voice broke through the chaos  "Just let them be, Samael."

Samael eyes widened as he turned toward the figure walking calmly "Ortwin... it's been so long.."

Samael continue as his voice trembled. "I am not fit to be a ruler. Even as a prince, my father cast me aside... I have nothing left to give..." 

Ortwin added "You are wrong. You were always fated, Samael. Look around you! Every race has gathered here - not just your people. The people of Thalasia, the elves of Elfhelm, the nobles of the Xu Yuan. Even Goddess Thalasia herself, the Elven Queen and Emperor Xu Yuan stand among them. Do you not see? They all chose to stand with you."

Ortwin continue as his hand pressed firmly on Samael shoulder "You are no longer just a discarded prince. You are the last hope of humanity - and perhaps the last hope for this entire world."

The people fell silent, watching, waiting for Samael answer. Zarek stepped forward "We are here too, Samael. Do you remember our journey? Every hardship, every night we thought we'd never see the dawn-and yet, we did. We overcame, together."

"Yeah.. he's right. We've come too far to break now. Don't you dare think you're alone in this." said Khai.

Then Mikaela "All we have to do is stay long enough... until my sisters arrive.. She will not abandon us. She will come, and when she does, this nightmare will end."

Samael heart fell heavy. He looked at each of them - his friends, his people, all the races united "Then we endure. We fight as one."