Just as Emily’s mind was about to break, she flinched as Olivia was impaled by the tentacles resting inside of her body, coming out all at once. Merely a pierced, bloody corpse that fell to the ground had been left over.
This was followed by a painful scream from Ansia, whose body had risen up from the rubble and was now crumbling into dust, bit by bit.
The figure disappeared before anyone could have intervened and Emily experienced the second biggest shock she ever had to face. She sank down on her knees, ignoring the fight of Gieldan and Nihilare. The color vanished from her eyes. Her mind was broken, and she was about to lose consciousness.
“Dammit, why now of all times?!” Gieldan sprinted to her side in order to catch her but was struck down by Nihilare who was ready to deliver the finishing blow to Emily.
Just as the monster was about to strike, something smashed into the ground before them, erupting into an explosion of dust and debris.
“Huijui, what a wild ride,” a voice whistled through the smoke.
“Weren't you the one that said we didn't have time for this?” a second voice added with a bored tonality.
“Come on, that giant fattso is not going anywhere anytime soon.”
Two characters were coming out of the dust cloud that had engulfed Emily and Nihilare. The first one was a small woman in a rose-colored dress with quills, covering her face with the mask of a crescent moon. Next to her was a man in a purple coat, and a mask shaped like a sun.
Faintly, Gieldan recognized the two from earlier before he succumbed to his wounds and fainted.
“Looks like this one is out as well,” the man noticed Gieldan until something pulled at his robe. With her last remaining strength, Emily clawed her dirty, torn open fingernails into the ground before them.
“H-he-help u-us… p-pl-please,” she whimpered.
“Ha! Everyone who is not able to adapt in this world, thrusting themselves into such dire situations without thinking, deserves such a treatment,” the woman answered with her soft, yet harsh voice.
“Don't be so mean to her. It wasn't easy for us either when we were just starting out, my cute bunny,” the man jokingly followed up with.
The woman removed her masked and gave him the death stare. With that, she revealed her round, yet petite and beautiful face that was framed by brown hair with a bob cut.
“How many times have I told you to call me by my real name?” she said and started to puff up her cheeks. “We are here because of Gluttony, don't you dare forget that!”
“I know, I know, but just look at them,” the man observed the hunched over and beaten up Emily, that did her best to not close her eyes. “I cannot turn my back on something like this. What's wrong with helping other humans from time to time?”
“Aaaalright, whatever you say,” moaned the lady and walked towards Nihilare who used his chance to reattach his lost arm.
“I'll have to disappoint you, big guy,” she spoke to the demon. “This fight will not be as easy as the last one. Though, looking at your detached arm makes me think you aren't that tough to begin with.”
She was ready and went into position, whereas the man stood behind her, crossing his arms with confidence while watching the spectacle.
A rose-colored cloud appeared on the back of the woman and revealed a long, yet thin sword that was almost twice as long as she was.
At once Nihilare took the situation seriously and formed a black lance from the shadows between his claws.
“Lanca de Vacio,” he howled like a wolf with steam coming from his jaw.
“Way too little, way too late,” smirked the lady and called forth something on her own. “LOCUS SULOS!”
“Soon you will be safe,” the man covered with the face of the sun whispered towards Emily, comforting her.
This was the last sentence Emily could perceive before he eyes gave up, succumbing to the pain inside her heart and body. Not knowing what awaited her if she ever woke up.
Chapter 29 – From the Ashes
“Not too shabby for an old man,” laughed the slightly banged up Despair, who swung his weapon around wildly, wiping the blood from his mouth. His opponent did not answer him. The tremendous, explosion-like blows had begun to decrease. Despair's fingers were shaking a little, as he gripped his scythe that wrapped itself around his body thanks to its abnormal size.
Loud moaning and groaning was coming from him, not going unnoticed by Pride. Cautiously he tried to cover it up, holding back, but it was too late.
“Do you finally realize your own limitations? There is a reason why we exist since the beginning and why you pitiful aspects have to manipulate your hosts. Something that has reigned in this world from the very beginning will not fall by your hands!”
“Ho?” He rushed towards Pride and clashed onto the lance that the Lord had immediately called forth. “Just because this world started out so small, and you incidentally were the first to exist, doesn't mean that this is the way we should live forever,” Despair argued.
Unimpressed, Pride pushed Despair away, ready to conclude the affair.
“I know you don't think I'm worthy to see your perfect form, but after my generals have finished their tasks, they will show you why I'm the superior one,” Despair held his mechanical chin and began to laugh, thinking about how it escalated to such a level. “And I know a Lord of the unconsciousness doesn't get influenced by the reality of another, but how about your servants and citizens? Don't you know they feel the despair clenching their tiny hearts?”
“I suspect you're not very familiar with the wretched citizens of this glorious city.” Out of nowhere a croaking voice resounded behind the two opponents. A man, fully armored, paraded through the destroyed gate of the throne room. Instantaneously, a figure joined Despair’s side that seemed unlike any of the other soldiers he had sent in, covered by a thick cloud of smoke. It whispered something into his ear, leaving Despair with a distressed look on his face.
“It seems like this farce has finally come to an end,” Pride let out a deep sigh as he dissolved his golden lance. “What has taken you so long? I thought we had an agreement, Greed?!”
Eventually, even Despair and his henchman recognized the mighty deadly sin that had just entered the room. With his iconic fighting armor that Greed wore in all of his battles, ever since he began to serve under Pride's orders. It was a mix of man and beast in silver plating, covering his broad upper body with the emblem of Pride embedded onto it.
His heavy shoulder plating was formed like the head of a wolf. His gloves were crafted with immense detail from the sharpest steal that was coating his beastlike claws. Everything except his red glowing eyes was obstructed by a helm with two grooved horns on top, bending towards his mouth like a bull. On his back, he wore a long fur coat, made out of black hair that almost touched the ground.
Greed bowed before he did another step and let his claw rest on his chest.
“Forgive me, Lord Pride, it wasn't as easy as planned to get rid of the vermin. I fear the other Lords have fled by now,” he spoke calmly and confidently through his plating.
“Sometimes I forget what you are even good for,” Pride added with a condescending tone as he comfortably sat down on the remaining half of his throne.
“Huh, so the watchdog was here after all. Do you not feel any shame for your disgraceful actions? Betraying your own people like that?” Despair began to laugh hysterically, hoping to provoke a reaction. But nothing happened.
Pride had already crossed his legs, resting his face on his fist, while Greed prepared for a fight.
“Lord Despair,” the figure in the cloud appealed to him. “You said this would be an easy victory, but we have clearly been betrayed. The rest of the generals have already made preparations to flee with the remaining forces.”
Obnoxious and superior sounding laughter resounded through the hall.
“You should listen to your subjects, or is that one of your 'mighty' generals?” Greed laughed.
“Is that the reason why you are reduced to this state?” he asked.
“Many apologies, my Lord. Greed was simply too strong for us. We have been obliterated, and I will take responsibility for it as soon as we're back at the castle.”
“You don't have to do that, Pherekan,” Despair compassionately replied and turned towards Greed standing behind them, followed by Pride sitting on top of his throne
“Maybe it was too early to force about a new world order. We will withdraw.”
“Yes, my Lord.”
“Not so fast! You haven't fulfilled your purpose yet,” Greed burst forth, and the earth below them began to tremble.
A giant monstrosity made its way to the surface as it broke through the floor, ready to devour everything in its path. By a hair's width, both remaining opponents dodged the unholy creature’s mouth. It had uncountable amounts of little legs, and his body was coated with white bones that were laying on top of its skin as if they were scales. At the jaw of the beast, dozens of turquoise colored eyes were staring at Despair, making it look like a gigantic worm deep from the depths of hell. Reaching the top of the dome easily, it joined Greed’s side.
“Tsk, I should've known that Greed would attack with all of his might to obliterate us. It really has become too dicey for us.” Despair’s eyes looked upon Pride one more time, who had leaned backward with his self-sufficient grin “One day I will kill you with the rest of the remaining sins. For a world that succumbs to despair to finally rest in peace.”
While Despair was preoccupied with his resentment, Greed had already jumped upon the back of the monstrosity and stormed towards him. Protecting himself with a giant wall of black flames, Despair managed to evade the attack. Paving the way for an escape of the wounded assailant, fleeing into the night sky that loomed over the brightly lit city in the world of the subconsciousness.
Not too far away from the ruined palace, Despair met up with the remaining generals.
Weakened and exhausted, he reached the rooftops and let Pherekan rest for a moment.
“Lord Despair, you are alright? I was so scared they would do something to you,” Peritus exclaimed as he came running overfilled with joy. Kneeling he begged for forgiveness of the failed coup. Despair did not speak at first, looking into the round, surveying their discontent.
“Do you have anything to say to me?” he spoke to them.
“Well, I finished my task,” it hissed from Cynisme.
“Nihilare, Peritus, Pherekan?!” the Lord continued, seemingly getting more upset by every moment where he didn't get an answer.
“Not one of them is still breathing,” Nihilare added disinterestedly as he looked down onto other parts of the city where the festivities were continuing, as if nothing ever happened.
“Lord Despair, I don't want to make it seem like I doubt your orders, but why was it so important to kill all those humans as well? I fought them and not one of them is even coming close to our strength,” Peritus asked, feeling confused about the whole affair. He had barely finished his sentence until he was met with Despair’s cold steel, as his scythe was suddenly directed at his throat.
“Humans do not have any place in this world, and you, as part of my loyal followers, should understand this ideology. Every last one of them is a potential threat that could meddle needlessly with the affairs of this world. It would be enough if just one of them brings forth an aspect that is not on our side,” Despair explained.
Peritus almost wanted to tell his Lord that none could ever match his strength but he cut himself off and nodded in silence. After further discussions, Despair seemed satisfied with the half-hearted answers he received and prepared his escape.
“We are withdrawing. We did what we could, and even though we didn't succeed it doesn't mean our mission has failed. There is only one last order concerning this operation – If anyone even so much as spots Envy, I want you to bring him to immediately, no matter what, UNDERSTOOD?!” In unison, the generals affirmed and escaped with their Lord under the screen of night.
Looking at the aftermath of the attack the two sins were standing on opposite sites. Greed pat his gigantic worm in a loving fashion before ordering it to retreat into the ground ordered his gigantic worm to retreat into the ground, while Pride sat upon his throne, ready to proclaim his next order of business.
“How's the situation?” the Lord of Magnus asked.
“The fest is almost uninterrupted. According to my spies, there is no evidence of breach in the library, though the underground vaults have not been inspected yet since our level of entrance is apparently restricted.”, Greed reported.
Pride huffed at his little side jab and gestured him to continue his report. “Every single soldier from Despair that came our way has found his death. The losses, therefore, are mostly within the Magnagares and my own men.”
“Hmpf. Looks like their little maneuver has done more than I gave them credit for. I hope you understand that this is mostly your fault to begin with?”
“Yes, my Lord,” Greed bowed to him.
“Good. Then you know what to do. The vaults have utmost priority, which is why I will send a special unit of my own. We have to make sure the damage is minimized as soon as possible, and start the repairs. No word shall get outside that our city is faltering this easily. I will deal with the Magnagares and their incompetence myself.”
“As you wish, then I will ready my troops to march against Despairs stronghold.”
“Tsk,” Pride bit on his lower lip. “Don't think that I'm impressed by your ability to follow orders.”
“Not in the slightest, my Lord. I simply thought we shouldn't let this attack on your home slide,” Greed answered with a hint of confidence in his voice.
“Of course. Despair will pay for this embarrassment with his head. Leave now. I can no longer bear to look at your primitive snout.”
With another respectful bow, Greed was on his way, whistling through the hall to signal the enormous worm to follow him underground.
He graciously trotted to the destroyed gates of the throne room, as he could barely contain his excitement. He was glad that his helmet covered the sardonic smirk that he had put on for the entire conversation. Pride still had his eyes on his back as he walked away while he started to think to himself.
“I can't stand this brute. To presume that he could someday stand above me, how utterly ridiculous. An animal towering over a king, how nonsensical of a thought it is. Greed, if you dare to think a dagger at my throat will weaken me, then I will teach you better. I will show you the difference between a true king and a little dog that hopes to stand in the same light, dreaming of becoming the master himself…
Hm?!” Pride was disturbed by footsteps resounding in the distance, closing in on the throne room.
They got louder and louder, as even Pride became curious about what would come out of the dark corridors of the demolished palace. When even the ground began to move, his eyes were widening, ready to stand up once more. “What the … ?!”
A giant knight in a blood-soaked armor abruptly stopped before the entrance, running past Greed in the doorframe. On his shoulders rode a human who was dressed in blood soaked clothing that was almost falling apart. Someone that Pride had never seen before. The two characters didn't pay any attention to the great Lords, seemingly searching for something.
“GWNY?! ARE YOU HERE SOMEWHERE? GWYYYN?!” the human shouted from the giant’s shoulders, before the knight joined his efforts. Pride couldn't believe his eyes as he had to watch how the blood of Destare was spreading across the floor. He helped his partner to get down, and both of them were desperately lookin
g around, picking up overthrown tables, moving rocks out of the way – all while still screaming that particular name.
Pride cleared his throat as loud as he could on top of his throne, gaining the attention of Leandro and Destare. “How dare you,” he sniffed at them.
“Oh, shit. You're right. Apologies, Lord Pride,” said Leandro and hopped a few steps in front of his throne, bowing as quickly as he could. Destare shortly followed, leaving almost bigger holes in the ground as the craters that were created in the fight.
The aspect kneeled, but the Lord could only focus on the endless blood splatter that was scattered in the process.
“ENOUGH! What do you want, human?!” he spoke.
“Wow, would you look at that Destare? He instantaneously knew that we are humans,” Leandro was astonished.
“I think that is quite the obvious fact, considering I'm with you. Maybe we should calm down a little.”
“You're probably right,” the young man replied to his aspect.
For the first time since their arrival, they noticed how Pride was about to explode once more and promptly they, too, apologized for their disrespectful behavior. Pride sank down on his throne, seeming even more exhausted than after the fight with Despair. His fingers massaged over his forehead as he tried to exercise patience
“Answer my question,” he eventually said.
“Oh, right,” Leandro seemed a bit ashamed, noticing how energetic and overbearing he acted. He couldn't help himself but imitate Gwyn’s usual scratching of the back of his head. “I think that's the adrenaline rushing through my body. At least I hope. Anyway!” He took a deep breath. “We are searching for our friend, Gwyn, maybe you remember him. He was the idiot that tried to talk to you before everything was plunged into chaos,” his eyes were sparkling with innocence. “Have you seen him?!”
He, one of the seven sins, one of the strongest beings, awe-inspiring ruler, a symbol of status, still couldn't believe any of what was happening. This was the second human in a short amount of time, that dared to speak to him like he was some kind of friend. His right eye was twitching until they heard two voices rumbling about through the ruins, arguing with each other.
Death's Gambling Page 40
