Game of Divines (GoD)

Chapter VI: Fallen Walls, Rising Spirit

"Listen up, you pathetic teachers and students of this school! I am the Thaddaeus God candidate! I have taken control of this institution! Everything I have touched and stepped on here has been rigged with explosives! If you don't want to join the ranks of the dead, stay inside your classrooms! All of you are now my hostages!"

His voice resonated ominously through the school's loudspeakers, echoing in the halls and ensuring that every single person within earshot felt the weight of his menacing declaration.

Cain and I moved stealthily down the dimly lit hallway, our hearts pounding in synchrony with our footsteps. The only source of light came from the sun's rays filtering through the grimy windows, casting eerie shadows that danced across the walls.

As we navigated the corridor, I suddenly felt something cold and wet beneath my shoes. My heart raced as I looked down, dread coiling in my stomach. Blood. The floor was slick with it, a horrific testament to the chaos that had unfolded moments before.

My eyes widened in horror as a ghastly sight confronted us:

"Aaaaaaaah! Damn it!"

I screamed involuntarily, the sound echoing in the oppressive silence.

Scattered throughout the hallway were dismembered bodies of students, their lifeless forms twisted and torn. The crimson liquid pooled around them, creating a chilling scene that threatened to pull me into despair.

Cain quickly clamped a hand over my mouth, urgency in his eyes.

"King Judah! Calm down!"

Panic surged within me as I gradually sank to my knees, struggling to draw in a breath. I was overwhelmed, my mind racing with disbelief at the atrocity before me.

Why... why did this have to happen to me?! I felt like I was being crushed under the weight of despair, every breath becoming a struggle.

"You'll be okay, King Judah," Cain murmured, his voice steady but laced with concern. "We need to keep moving."

No... I can't handle this anymore!

Without warning, the floor beneath me began to darken ominously, like ink spreading through water.

"What is happening?!"

My heart raced as I saw King Judas appear in my mind, a dark figure surrounded by swirling shadows.

"Prepare for a heart transplant," he commanded, his voice echoing in my thoughts, sending chills down my spine.

I didn't know if this was connected to my current state or why I possessed this disturbing dark power that felt like it was seeping from my very soul.

I noticed the darkness around me growing, tendrils of shadow creeping closer. Panic flooded my senses; I could not control the intense power thrumming in my veins.

Suddenly, a searing pain pierced my abdomen, shocking me back to reality. I turned to Cain, bewildered; he had struck me to bring me back to my senses. Thankfully, it was just a sharp jab to wake me up.

"I'm sorry I had to do that. I hope you can forgive me. Are you calming down?" His expression was a mixture of concern and urgency, and I could see the determination in his eyes.

"Y-yes," I gasped, my voice barely above a whisper.

Gradually, the suffocating darkness receded, dissipating like a fog and retreating back to my hands.

"We need to find a place to hide," Cain urged, his voice steady as he scanned the area.

"The other students and teachers who couldn't find cover are trapped in the other building. It's like they've been imprisoned there," he explained, urgency etched across his features.

"What are we going to do to find out where the bombs are?" I asked, desperation rising within me.

"It's too dangerous for me to use my powers to locate the bombs. If I tap into that energy, it could trigger them," Cain warned, a serious expression crossing his face.

"If that's the only way, then do it! We can't just wait here and do nothing!" I insisted, a surge of determination igniting within me.

Without hesitation, Cain slammed his fist into the floor. The concrete cracked under his strength, creating spiderweb-like fractures that spread out from the point of impact.

"King Judah!" He leaped toward me, his eyes fierce with resolve.

As he jumped, a deafening explosion rocked the building, sending debris flying from a nearby classroom, flames licking at the walls.

"See? I told you it was dangerous!" He grabbed my arm and pulled me down the staircase just as more debris rained down around us.

I barely had time to react as another explosion erupted nearby, the force of it staggering me. The chaos was overwhelming, and Cain's steady presence was my only anchor.

"Are you okay?" he shouted, glancing at me with worry.

"I'm fine!" I shouted back, though the uncertainty gnawed at my insides.

I hadn't realized that a bomb had detonated behind me until it was too late. The explosion hurled me forward, the force throwing me against the wall, pain radiating through my body.

"King Judah! Are you alright?!" Cain's voice was laced with panic as he rushed to my side.

I struggled to rise, my body heavy and unresponsive.

"If only you knew how to harness King Judas' power, we might have already defeated him," he said, frustration lacing his words, but his eyes held a flicker of hope.

His words hit me like a slap to the face. I fell silent, realization dawning on me. I had allowed myself to become utterly helpless. Why was I relying on others to save me? Shouldn't I be the one fighting back, being the King I was meant to be?

Before I could dwell on my thoughts, Cain shielded me as another explosion rocked the area, the sound deafening and disorienting.

"Even if you're weak, I will carry you. You are the god candidate of the Judas district. All I ask is that one day you become as powerful as King Judas so that you can protect me, your disciples... and the entire Judas district," he declared, his voice unwavering despite the chaos.

Tears began to stream down my face, my heart heavy with shame.

"Cain, I don't have the ability to lead as a god. I don't have the strength to fight alongside you all. I'm going to die, just like my best friend Jehoram."

"You won't die, King Judah. You will survive. You can use me to ensure that happens," he insisted, the conviction in his voice igniting a spark of hope in my chest.

"But—"

"No more buts. It's not too late; we can still defeat Thaddaeus. Let's go down." I reached for Cain's hand, feeling a flicker of strength within me.

He was right... It wasn't too late. Together, we could overcome this nightmare. Slowly, we began to make our way down the building, carefully navigating through the chaos around us.

But just as we reached the landing, a sudden explosion erupted beneath our feet, the blast wave separating us and sending me spiraling into darkness.