We Are Taking Down the Goddess

Scorn

The waters of the frozen fjord shone like an unrefined pristine jewel as if the watery surface emerged from both above and below. Just when the eyes would get used to the calm and tranquil bliss of pure divine, the area changed into a bloody scenery.

A massive glacier broke through the ice and flew towards the woman’s unguarded cheeks. Though Nora dodged the onslaught with ease, a transient, yet overwhelmingly powerful wave came forth, pushing her back once more. Mesmerized by the speed and power of the watery gaze, the assassin felt tension building up inside. 

And when the woman finally stood on solid ground to take a breath, mineral rocks lifted by the power of magical steam rose upward and flew towards her feet. The burning stones dug deep near the thousands of glaciers already covering the floor, quickly melting everything that stood nearby. If those rocks were to hit her, she would have immediately lost her ability to walk. The woman’s jaw clenched.

Crossing this perpetual cold would be a fatal endeavor. Even for someone as skilled as her. She needed something else. A different plan. Silence bathed the battlefield. The sorceress who stood on the other end of the fjord hovered on the protective waters that kept her swaddled in a magical embrace. Her sublime mana radiating an intense and unquenchable flame.

Then, Nora felt an odd unease. Her vision turned blurry. Her balance was wavering. Just when she thought she had dodged all those icicles and waves as hot as the boiling lava, Nora brushed her fingers against her nape. Blood lingered on the tip of the fingers.

-        “No…”

Suddenly, a foreboding feeling came over her. Normally, she would hang on longer than this. But, facing the sorceress locked her into a hellish demise, sooner than she expected. That’s when her arms gave up on her. Moving in ways she would never want them to. The tip of Nora’s blade drew closer to her larynx. She felt it slicing her skin.

-        “You are mine!” – Kana declared. “You know better than to leave your blood exposed to me.”

-        “Stop!!!”

Aiko screamed. The girl rushed to Nora’s aid, only to find herself getting blown away by a powerful mist. She was now right back where she started, her face flat on the dirt floor.

-        “Don’t.” – Kana ordered. Her eyes devoid of emotion.

-        “Let her go!!! Listen to me!! Stop this! She can help. She can help us.”

-        “Where is it?” – the sorceress immediately ignored her plea.

-        “You… think I would be in this situation if I had it?!” – Nora gasped for air, desperately trying to push away her own hand.

-        “I know, Kana! I know that Nora tried to kill us. But, please!! It is different now. Let me explain.”

-        “Where is it?”

-        “You know, it won’t hurt if you just tell her what she needs to know.” – Yakeru chuckled, without an actual intention to intervene.

-        “Aiko…what are you trying to do?” – Ren was dumbfounded. “You know she is our enemy.”

-        “No! It’s not like that. Just please stop. Don’t kill her!!!”

-        “Kid, I know you lost it in there. But, I had no idea you were this far gone.” – the young man took a comfortable seat on the ground, enjoying the deadly scene. He loved watching Kana fight. She just never ceased to amaze.

The young girl brushed her nose. A single drop of blood stuck to her worn sleeve. All of a sudden, her eyes shone bright yellow, her pupils merging with that divine light. That’s when the tattoos deeply embedded in her skin caught on fire and her voice turned deep.

Although Aiko couldn’t push herself off the ground as quickly as she needed to, she sunk her teeth in the ground and light cracked open the soil. It was the only thing she could think of that would get to Nora on time. The power traveled from beneath like a hungry snake on a hunt; until it tore the fjord open. Hoping to put a stop to the fight, the girl let out her power the only way she knew how. Through anger and desperate need.

Kana was fully aware that the girl would make such a futile attempt. The sorceress simply used her icy aura to seal the cracks again. But, this opening was more than enough for Nora to send a powerful shadow to her aid.

At first, Kana heard a vibrant sound, like a cluster of instruments playing out of tune. Then, the music turned into obnoxious screeching, sending powerful vibrations to every fiber of her being. That’s when the sorceress realized what happened. Nora used her shadowy technique to inhibit Kana’s ability to hear, allowing her to let her guard down, just for a little bit.

A sickle and chain formed out of dark fragments. When they merged, the blade birth a sharp edge, capable of cutting even the densest surface. In an attempt to close the distance between them, Nora hurled the weapon. Not letting a single second pass her by.

In this cold wind, their souls met at a resounding collide. The sickle landed knee-deep, penetrating the outer layer of Kana’s soft skin. When the blade found its target, Nora immediately backed up to prepare herself for another attack. The cut was so deep, it would render any opponent immobile.

-        “No!!!!” – Aiko yelled again. This time her throat ran dry.

The weapon, however, remained in the open wound less than a second, before a burst of steam sent it flying, missing Nora’s vulnerable shoulder by an inch. Even the blood that dripped on the floor, quickly found its way back into Kana’s body. Her knee was as good as new.

-        “Oh, come on!” – Nora let out a grunt.

The assassin was fully aware of the adventurer's ability to self-heal. After all, she was one of them. But, their wounds would regenerate after they were out of harm's way, not in the heat of battle. Yet, Kana was different. Her magic gave her a massive advantage. Her Emerald rank made her even more terrifying. Nevertheless, these two had a way of triggering their most primitive parts to get the best of them. Stubborn and persistent, neither would let go. The only way to end it would be for one to cease to exist. At that moment, Aiko felt a force grabbing onto the back of her shirt, then she found herself flying right in the middle of the icy land. The woman tumbled to the ground before she finally regained her composure and stood tall. She turned to face Ren only to see his reassuring smile.

-        “Thank you.”

She smiled back. Then stretched her hands wide, letting out light to form a barrier. The barrier expanded far, creating a thick line right between the two women.

-        “Ugghh…” – Yakeru let out an annoyed grunt. “Want me to get rid of it?”

Kana didn’t say anything. She just slightly lifted her palm, her slender fingers moved like the wind, enough to give him some reassurance. The man just smiled and sat down again.

-        “Don’t bother.” – Nora declared. “I told you. It is impossible to deal with them.”

-        “Kana! You chose to protect me. Didn’t you? You said you will stay with me no matter what. Didn’t you?” – the girl stood there resolute. But, the sorceress was equally unwavering. “I know that I’m supposed to defeat all these chosen ones. These souls I have yet to meet. But, now I know a better path. I know what it is that I can offer!”

-        “And, what’s that?” – the sorceress finally answered with a deep tone.

-        “A completely different reality.”

-        “You can’t do that.”

-        “I can.”

-        “How?”

-        “Gaia’s guidance. She showed me. But to even be able to reach that step, we must let go of these grievances. We need each other. We need all the help we can get.”

-        “Don’t tell me you believe this nonsense?” – Yakeru barged in.

-        “Grievances? Nora has a formula that will destroy every adventurer on this planet. Including me. She made it. Even if she doesn’t have it, she can make it again. She must die. Now.”

-        “I do! I believe her!” – Ren declared.

-        “Well, yeah… Two stupid kids complement each other.”

-        “You are the one who is stupid! Always trying to fight, kill. Why don’t you ever see the light? Why don’t you appreciate life?! All life is sacred. We can’t just go and kill every enemy we see! If Aiko has a way of changing that, we are better off without the unnecessary bloodshed.” - the pup argued.

-        “Mercy will get you killed. This world is not as forgiving as you imagine it to be. But, given the fact that you’ve lived in a shack all this time, I guess everything is a new experience for you.” - Yakeru continued.

-        “Aiko.” – Kana’s voice emerged from the fjord, her magical waves slowly sending her feet on solid ground. “You don’t understand the gravity of the situation. You are too young. That’s normal. But, this has been going on long before you were born. Eons before I got summoned here. The cycle of the chosen ones is here for a reason. If any of the others ascend, the world will be sent into disarray. I don’t know what nonsense she used to convince you to turn against me. But, I need you alive. I want you to live. So, you will stay that way.”

-        “That’s not it!!! I’m not turning against you! I am here with you! You and Nora share the same ideas, but a different perspective. She too wants me to ascend. Please, you have to trust me.”

-        “Why?” – the sorceress turned her gaze towards the exhausted assassin.

-        “Well...I didn't always feel like that. But, the rest…they are not fit to rule the planet. Neither is she. Yet…she is my best bet.”

-        “The formula. Why do you need it?”

From afar, the two stared at each other’s fore-boding eyes. Temporarily switching their emotions off. This was it. That opportunity Aiko was waiting for. So that both will have the chance to talk things through. The best shot at peace. If Nora says the right thing, they will be able to reach a compromise. Anything that would keep them from trying to slash each other’s throats.

-        “To put down the likes of you.”

These cold and shallow words caught the young girl by surprise. Aiko immediately began to panic.

-        “What are you saying? Whatever that is, you don’t need it! When we work…”

-        “I see.” – Kana's eyes started taking in more mana.

-        “No. Kana. Wait! I’m sure she didn’t mean it. Listen, we can work things out. It doesn’t have to come to this!”

Then, out of nowhere, Ren crouched down. He tilted his head, closed his eyes in the most instinctive gesture, and started sniffing. From the curl of his orange coat, it was obvious that he caught the scent of something. Something suspicious. Kana noticed the beast burying his head in the ground. His claws dragging across the dirt road.

-        “What is it?”

-        “Blood…” – Ren mumbled.

-        “Whose?”

-        “I…I’m not sure. But, it is far away. All I know is that someone is hurt. Very hurt. I smell something burning, even further. A village? Or a town maybe? Corpses. Lined. Death…so much death.”

-        “What?! That gives us an even better reason to stop fighting. Please, Kana! Let’s focus on things that actually matter.” - Aiko continued.

-        “Fine.”

All that powerful essence lingering from the sorceress’s body disappeared in thin air and the icy fjord with it. Aiko let out a sigh, before rushing to Nora’s aid. Luckily, the assassin wasn’t gravely injured. Just out of breath.

-        “Thank you!” – Aiko smiled. “Don’t worry, Nora won’t do anything stupid.”

-        “Don’t let this get to your head, kid.” – Yakeru stood up and started walking up south, exactly where the scent came from. He just smiled and kept moving. “She makes one wrong move and is as good as dead. Simple and effective.”

Not long after, Ren followed the scent until he finally reached the ruins. There was nothing left, except for the smell of death. Then, his breathing quickened, someone bleeding was right nearby. Everywhere it walked, it left a blood trail behind, accompanied by a couple of fallen black feathers. Obviously plucked out of massive, lustrous wings. Kana quickened her pace.

There it was, a wounded harpy. Barely alive and lounging on a nearby pillar. Aiko immediately ran towards him. The only thing she could think of was to use her power to heal. The moment she touched his rough human-like skin, an odd bright light appeared. The harpy was mortified.

-        “A chosen one?! What are you doing?”

The girl looked into his eyes. That light. It made her feel warm inside.

-        “You are like me?”

-        “Get away from me!!!!”

In an attempt to free himself from her grasp, the harpy pushed Aiko’s hand away, forcing the light to dim. But, the girl didn’t budge. She touched his skin once more and the light continued to shine brighter. This time patching his wounds up.

-        “Why are you helping me?! What do you want from me?!

-        “Nothing.”

-        “What is your problem? You are not supposed to help me! You know what I am. You are supposed to kill me. One must fulfill the prophecy. One must ascend the throne!”

-        “I don’t care about the stupid prophecy! I don’t want to hurt you!”

The harpy stared in disbelief. He never expected to hear such honest words from a mere human. It somehow made him feel at peace.

-        “Then, which one are you?”

-        “I’m Aiko. Gaia’s chosen one. Tell me, why do you want it? Why do you need the throne?”

-        “To protect my kin, of course. That’s all I ever wanted!”

-        “Then, let me help you! Let me save them!”

-        “No!!! Outsider! Stay away!!!”

The harpy finally got back his senses and pushed the girl away. This time, her healing light completely evaporated, leaving plenty of his open wounds ripe for infection. In a fit of panic, the creature tried to lift himself off the floor, but his damaged wings couldn’t handle the weight. Instead, he crashed down once more. The impact knocked an earring from his claws. The crooked single piece of jewelry toppled on the ground. Aiko took a good look at it. From the vivid colors and bright red embroidery, it obviously belonged to a female. The desperation in his face only served as a solid proof.

-        “What’s your name?” – Aiko continued.

-        “Zephyrus” – the harpy sighed.

-        “Tell me, Zephyrus. How can I gain your trust? How can I show you that I really just want to help?”

After a moment of silence, he finally answered.

-        “Save her. Save Podarge. They took her. They took my love. If only I didn’t go to that trial, they would all be safe. But, I went there to train for better powers. I left it after sensing her cries. It almost killed me because I didn’t go through with it. But, it was all for nothing! When I got here, it was already too late. Please! Return her to me. I can’t do it alone!”

Aiko turned to face Kana, Yakeru, Ren, and Nora. After a reassuring nod from all of them, she uttered a quick answer.

-        “You have my word, Zephyrus. We will help you.”

[ Volume 1 - End ]