I— I failed… once again. The man I loved, the man I longed for, the man that finally agreed to love me in spite of his stubbornness, was bleeding out on the ground. Blood was spreading across the ground as he struggled to reach for his hip pouch, which fell a few feet away from him. Oh goddess, why am I staring at such a scene again? What did I do in my previous life to deserve such a scene; not once but twice now? Yet I can't do anything for him as I'm being carried further and further away from him.
I hopelessly tried to free myself from the clutches of this asshole carrying me away; my strength leaving me as the effects of the adrenaline potion wore off. Oh Goddess Of Divinity, in all my life, I had never asked for your help, despite all the troubles that I faced. But please… PLEASE, let him live! This is all I asked of you!!
***
Five minutes earlier
"C'mon, let's go. Rose needs our help," he extended his arm and pulled me up.
"Just a minute, I need to make sure that Inu's body is kept somewhere—safe? Where did it go? I'm certain I left it there," I scratched my head. Did some beast eat his body? Last I checked, he had no pulse, so I'm fairly certain he's dead.
A nearby conversation snapped us to attention. Who is it? A stray beast that wandered too far? Despite my hearing being muffled by my ruptured eardrums, I can still pick up on what they were talking about.
"—ter, why— did you block that attack? I could have killed one of them," spoke the decapitated head. Oh gosh, that thingis still alive? I thought Zen made sure it was dead?!
"You were supposed to kill the boy. Yet despite ample opportunities, and me helping you, you… still—failed. I have no use for a failure like you," spat someone.
Who is he talking to? The voice sounded rough and deep yet commanding. I focused my eyes and did not like what I saw. How—is it possible? He had no pulse! Yet here he is talking to the head!
"Master—give me one more chance. P—please," begged the head.
"No—you deserved nothing but death," the head screamed in agony as it burst into flames.
Who is this Inu? Is this what Zen had predicted? His curse, despite making him extremely weird, sometimes gives him good intuition and intellect. Well, this is all according to Rose, as I had not interacted much with him for the past 15 years.
"Sigh, you had every opportunity to kill him, yet you couldn't even defeat the weakest champion. My disappointment is immeasurable; along with foiling all my plans because of your incompetence," spat Inu.
Weakest… champion? Who's he referring to? Zen, or me? I don't recall any of us being someone's champion. The hair at the back of my neck began to stand. I don't like this; we might have to fight Inu, in spite of our current conditions.
Inu's body started morphing. His bloodied fur cleaning itself as he grew larger. W— what is he? He looked like a crossbreed between a wolf and a human. Standing bipedal on two strong legs and having sharp claws instead of fingernails. "A Jinrou," uttered Zen as he realised I had no idea what I was looking at.
Jinrou? Were— wolf? This is a werewolf? It looked really gruesome despite having silky white furs.
"Have you heard about me, boy? You were wary of me from the very beginning," he asked Zen.
"I heard stories that Okuri-Inu were mischievous creatures. Turns out I was right after all," he grinned.
"I'm amazed you've even heard of me when I had killed every single being that I made contact with. There is only oneOkuri-Inu," he seemed impressed with Zen.
"Who are you? You must be a Vessel or Champion since you called me a "champion" earlier. I serve no one, aside from Rose, so you're deeply mistaken," asked Zen.
"Which is why I called you the weakest champion. You don't even know about the God that chose you. Although—allow me to return the favour for my subordinate. You don't need to know my name when you won't live long enough to remember it," he chuckled.
In less than a span of a second, the werewolf vanished from my vision in front of me. Where did he go? I turned my head to look at Zen, and the werewolf was in front of him, seemingly stabbing him with something as he lifted Zen, who began to cough blood from his mouth.
Inu retracted his arm, exposing Zen's stomach wound, which started spewing even more now. What did Inu do? Did he stab Zen with his claws? But claws don't inflict a huge circular wound, nor is it long enough to pierce through his stomach.
I could barely react at all as everything happened stupidly fast. I finally came to my senses when Inu stood in front of me, towering over me with his height.
"I have plans for you," he grinned and carried me under his arm like a sack of potatoes.
I tried to free myself from his clutches, but I was losing strength as the effects of the adrenaline potion wore off. Pain and concussion began to overwhelm my body once more as I slowly watched Zen getting smaller and smaller with each second. No… no—Zen! You can't die! You had just agreed to accept me!
I punched Inu as hard as I could, but it was in vain. My body had succumbed to fatigue and concussion that had accumulated thus far. But—all is not lost yet. While I don't have my strength with me, I still have my voice. I can still scream!
"ROSE!! WHERE THE FUCK ARE YOU??!! ZEN IS DYING AGAIN!! SAVE YOUR HUSBAND; YOU BLOODY CUNT!!" I shouted as hard as I could and suddenly felt myself falling face flat to the ground; followed by an explosion that made my ears ring again. This concussion is a nuisance!
"Geez, do you really have to curse me aloud like that? I was just done clearing the cave," sighed Rose as she approached closer. Her clothes were bloodied, but it was clear that it wasn't hers based on the direction of the splatters.
"Rose—Zen, save him. You can make it. Go!" I shouted to her.
"I can't. Not with this opponent in front of me," she remained focused on Inu.
"W—what do you mean? Is defeating Inu more important than saving Zen? Your beloved husband?" I questioned her.
"Lily—every inch of me is holding back from running to him. But I know full well the moment I turn my back, I'm a dead woman. Now take these and do whatever you need to stand up. I need help here," she tossed a couple of potions to me.
A drip of blood flowed from Rose's lips, which made me ashamed. What am I doing? Of course, Rose cares about him and wishes to save him. But what's the point if she ends up dead in the process? It was clear that Rose was holding herself back from saving Zen. But I was so distraught and only thought about him without considering the situation we're in. What a fool I am.
"Rose Starr—also known as White Angel; the strongest human of this generation. I was wondering where you were," grinned Inu.
"Heard of me? Wished you hadn't," she spat.
"Only an ignorant fool would not have heard of you. The God of Destruction will be delighted with your death. Such a pity; so renowned yet not a champion," he laughed.
"I don't need to be a "champion" to defeat you, Inu. Allow me to send you back to your maker," she readied her rapier, which was already coated with Fa Jin Zhòu.
"Ahh… perhaps I should announce my name after all. I hated when people called me that. Horrus— is my name; Vessel of the God Of Destruction. And I shall be your death reaper," he crouched low, ready to strike.
I need to help Rose. This Horrus is strong, like ridiculously strong, possibly even stronger than Peter himself. Rose will not stand a chance against him alone. The three of us will need to fight him together. Damn it, Zen— we need you. You can't leave me and Rose to fight against Horrus alone. Please— don't die.
***
*Rose's Perspective*
This—Horrus— is powerful. Immeasurable in terms of power. We were lucky Moi helped us with Baku, who was also a Vessel for an unknown God the last time. But Baku uses mind abilities over strength. This being in front of me is the definition of pure strength and power. Is he as strong as the Demon King? I certainly hope not; otherwise, we're screwed.
Sweats were forming on my forehead and began trickling down my face. I was breathing hard, even though we weren't fighting yet. He was adjusting himself and yawning casually, mocking me that he would win despite not taking things seriously.
I took a quick glance at Lily. She was checking the potions that I'd handed to her. Just drink it all already, Lily. I needyour help in this fight. Strength and Adrenaline potions will help you in getting back your strength.
"Rose, give me a couple of minutes," she whispered to me.
W— what?! I don't even know if I can survive a couple of minutes fighting alone against Horrus. Damn it, Lily. You really ask for the impossible sometimes. What are you even planning to do? A— are you for real? You're— meditating right now?!
"Tsk tsk tsk—pay attention, Miss Angel," warned Horrus.
I blocked his strange attack and countered him, but he dodged it easily, as though he was already bored with this fight.
"This is not what I'm looking for, Miss White Angel. Show me your full strength!" he roared.
I'm rather lucky that he's taking things easy now. But he's right. He can kill me easily right now as he is that strong. I need to use all the spells at my disposal should I wish to stand a chance against him.
I reached into my hip pouch and took out two potions. A spell intensity potion and Zen's most prized possession, the +10 all-stats potion, which is a ridiculously addictive beverage. Yes, I'm calling it beverage because it's that delicious to drink. Why's it that when the potion gives better effects, the taste ends up getting even more delicious?
I felt the potion's effects coursing through my body, empowering me even further. Damn it, that all-stats potion is literally the best drink I've ever had. I might end up drinking it even when I don't need it. Time to show Horrus what I'm really known for: my terrifying usage of forbidden spells.
Focused Blessing comes first, followed by Sacred Wings and Grand Blessings. Both Lily and Zen should be close enough to have received the buff effects from Grand Blessings too. Fa Jin Zhòu is still active, and I can dual-cast Accelerate with Light Blessings during combat; all is set. Time to kill this beast.
Zen— dear, please… don't die. I can't bear the thought of you leaving me so soon. That was not what the vision had showed me.
***
Oh, Frost Lightning Dragon, heed my call. I need your help; I literally need your help right now. Please, grant me more of your strength. C'mon, answer me already! I know you can hear me!
Sigh, I guess I shouldn't be wasting my time trying to communicate with the Celestial Beast in my gauntlets. I just don't get it, why can't I communicate with it? Does it not want to talk to me? Then why choose me as the wielder in the first place? Ugh, I'm so lost right now.
Maybe— maybe if I were to use Concentration while I meditate, will I be able to talk to it? Doesn't hurt to try, I guess. Here goes nothing.
"Gah! Finally, took your time figuring it out, didn't you?" spoke an enormous being directly in front of my face.
"AHHHHHHH!!!" I screamed and started running as far as I could. What the hell is that thing?!
"Hey, hey—that's rude. I am not that ugly for you to start screaming like that," he lifted me up to stop me from running with some frost lightning. I was dragged closer to him like how you would lift a kette by the neck.
I marvelled at him. This—is a dragon? He looked—weird. Completely different from the dragon in the real world. He had six legs and a rather metallic body instead of leathery hide. And he was chubby—as though he had never exercised in his entire life.
"Excuse me—you do realise that I can, like, read your mind? What a rude host that I have chosen," he pouted.
"Umm—Frost Lightning Dragon?" I smiled awkwardly.
"Primordial Frost Lightning Dragon. You can just call me Prifrolid, for short," he smiled.
"Excuse me— Mister Prifrolid, sir, you looked rather different than the dragons that I meet in the real world. And I wasn't expecting you to be so—cheery. Zen always said that his Celestial Beings were always being judgmental on him," I stuttered.
"That's because Celestial Beings are sombre beings. I, on the other hand, am a Cosmic Being. We are unique in our own ways," he chuckled.
"W—what? Are you saying that you're a—God? Are you fucking joking?" I asked with disbelief. I was certain my mouth was agape upon asking that question. My mind is blown away right now.
Prifrolid brought his face closer to mine and stared directly at me. Uh oh, did I make him mad?
"Did anyone tell you that you're noisy and talk too much?" he asked with a serious face.
"W—what? How rude! And you said that directly to my face!" I flustered.
"HAHAHA! Have a taste of your own medicine!" he started laughing and rolling around.
I took a deep breath and calmed myself. This being is a God?! But he's right, I was being rude to him earlier. I'm just having such a hard time processing everything that is being unravelled to me right now. I need to remember that Rose is fighting alone in the real world.
"I'm sorry, Prifrolid-sama, I apologise for my rude behaviour earlier," I bowed properly to him.
"Hm? What an instant change in behaviour. Very well, I'm sure you have questions about all this sudden development; state your mind," he sat on the ground.
"You said that you're a Cosmic Being, but why are you inside these gauntlets? Shouldn't you be living in the Ethereal? And is it because you're a Cosmic Being that I need to use Concentration to talk to you?" I asked politely.
"Hmm… I'm not used to seeing you being so polite. It makes you feel—disingenuous," he frowned.
"Can you answer my question? I don't have much time as I need to help Rose," I started to get annoyed with him.
"You mean that girl fighting outside? Nah, she'll be fine. We still have plenty of time to talk," he started whistling.
"If you're not going to answer, then I'll be on my way," I stood up and started walking away. This "God" is so annoying to talk to.
"And do what exactly? Your eardrums are ruptured, and you're still feeling the effects of a concussion. You barely have enough strength to even stand. What do you think you can even do by going out there?" he insinuated as he rolled around on the ground.
"You're right. I can barely stand. I will be a nuisance out there. But I still have to try. I'm not going to sit by and watch Rose die. I've already lost—Zen. I don't wish to see my sister die as well; not when I can do something about it!" I shouted.
"He's fine~ But I admire your determination. You sought me out for help after all. You thought that I would be kind enough to lend you a hand if you were to meet up with me. But sadly, you are mistaken," he said.
I stood there stumped. Are all Gods like this? Refusing to hear the pleas from anyone unless it favours them? Is the elven goddess like this too? Only willing to help when we have something to offer back?
"You didn't need to find me. I would have willingly lent you a hand when you called for me," he snapped his fingers.
Frozen lightning started engulfing me, lifting me up as though I was being worshipped. W— what's going on? What's happening to me?
"Make me proud out there, Lily Moonshine," he smiled at me as the world started to fade from my vision.