[Book 2] Gate Guardian - Song of the Frozen Soul

PHASE 7 - GODDESS AND USELESS

PHASE 7 - GODDESS AND USELESS

Heushac, Emily, and Eliseo.

They are the friends I lost during the last battle against the Corrupted Frozen Soul and the Fake Outsider. That day was the day I lost the most, including Tiara. There is no way I can ever forget those judging faces in front of me.

“It’s been a long time, Ric.” Heushac smiled. “I never thought we’ll see each other again under this circumstance.

“Ric-Ric, you’re still as handsome as ever,” Eliseo said with a lustful smirk. “I’m so glad that I was able to see that beautiful face again.”

“Master Alaric, I’m glad that I am meeting you again.” Emily held her chest with a painful grin. “But I’m sorry, I won’t be of use for you this time.”

These three talk like they really mean it. It’s a painful reunion for us all to meet in the underworld prison.

“Heushac, Eliseo, Emily…” I muttered as my feet forced me to draw near my deceased friends.

“Don’t be fooled, Alaric.” Erylle blocked my path with her arm. “They are not your friends. They are just shadows that are a perfect copy of your comrades. They might have the same appearance and memories, but they are just defense systems that are coded in this Underworld Prison.”

“Yeah, that’s right.” The Heushac-look-alike tilted his head upwards as if his neck was about to break. He gave me a creepy smile that can be seen only in horror movies. “We are the embodiment of the sins of your dead friends.”

“We may not be the real thing, but we got all the darkest emotions hiding from their hearts.” The evil Eliseo held his hips as he licked her lips.

“We are only here for one thing...” Emily walked forward and revealed her Wolverine-like claws from her fists. "...To prevent you from escaping with that runt!”

“Runt?” I tilted my head in confusion. Then my eyes gazed at the blonde loli standing beside me. Jeanne only turned away, avoiding my stare.

“Let’s be civil here, okay?” Erylle tried to reason out. “Jeanne is still alive, so she is not supposed to be locked up here. The Underworld Prison only keeps dead Cursed Guardians, right?”

“You are right,” Eliseo answered. “But such a thing is an order from Hades. Jeannette Amiella Fontaine von Noctis must stay here… forever!!!”

Suddenly, Evil Heushac unsheathed the buster sword from his back and charged forward, aiming for me. Evil Emily also assaulted with her claws and drilled tail ready to slice and pierce us in half.

I can predict their movements with my <Presage>, but there is no way I can block two attacks from different sides! It’s a well-planned pincer attack!

“<Goddess Core: Artemis Ascension>!!!” The blonde Outsider shouted.

In an instant, silver particles coated her skin. When those dust of light dispersed, Erylle gained the power of divinity much greater than of her <Demigoddess Mode>.

Her suit became a long white dress with gold linings on its tips. Her blonde hair turned to sparkling silver in an instant. Her eyes also gained the brilliance of the moon. There is this platinum moonlight ring that spawned from her back. She materialized a crescent-shaped longbow on her right hand. Erylle’s beauty overflows as she converted herself into the Greek Goddess of Hunting.

In the nick of time, Erylle/Artemis spread out her hand forward, and everything became black and white. Time stopped for a moment. This is the same <Timelock> ability that the Fake Outsider used.