Chapter 78: Feeding The Serpent

The library was quiet again, the hum of activity distant and muted. Xyenn and Yuuna sat at the same table where they had opened the book on King Samuel. The air between them was heavy, neither willing to speak just yet. The faint glow of the floating orbs above cast their solemn expressions in soft light, but neither of them looked at one another. 

Yuuna crossed her arms tightly, her gaze fixed on the table. Her mind was racing, trying to piece together everything they had just seen. Across from her, Xyenn leaned forward, elbows on the table, his hands clasped together. His usual carefree demeanor was gone, replaced by a quiet weight that pressed down on his shoulders. 

The silence lingered, the tension as thick as the golden light that filled the room. 

Xyenn said, "Yuuna..I'm serious about what I—."

Yuuna ignored him, and said, "—My mother raised Samuel up, so he could cure me with the sword. She saw how much potential he had as a Jotyin, and once he was blessed with Lancelot's light, that's when the plan came into fruition. She knew he would be powerful..she did this all for me…"

'Yet..here I am…wanting to refuse everything she worked hard for..what the hell she had to go through.'

Xyenn kept his mouth shut, thinking, 'Earlier, I was gonna tell her I meant what I said about her needing freedom, but she cut me off in an instant. Man, I'm stupid. That was stupid of me. Out of everyone, she doesn't wanna hear that from me. She cried her eyes out at me, screamed at me because she loved me, and I'm bring it up again..Fuck..I should be sensitive to her feelings. I'm sorry.'

Xyenn said, "Yeah, that's what it looked like. She knew the Jotyin's like me and Haldrek and Samuel, and some others I don't know can do impossible shit. But I still think she's connected to the Prophets, or from where they're from."

"And I stand by what I said about the astral world. We need to get there."

"Yeah."

"And as for Sugred, after seeing what we saw in that book, talking him out of this is out the door. Being fully committed to the Holy Land and his childhood memories with King Samuel, he's bound to take this risk. Even if I tell him the risks of opening that dark place."

"He spent too much time with Samuel mapping out the Holy Land's world. Especially after Samuel was the in my one who showed any attention to him and became friends…"

"Mhm. And Xlemmeth…"

"The demon monarch.."

"He's very strong. Those years in Hell, my mom would rush out to take me back to my chamber, because she didn't want me seeing anything outside of it. But I would see Xlemmeth cultivating his dark magic, my father and him were close, closer than these Sirens are to Sugred. Based on what I saw, Xlemmeth is way stronger than before."

"You think he's the demon in the mask..?"

"…Yes. I think so. Every day I carried that piece of crap, I always felt a familiar aura. Tempted to destroy it and talk to it, but I didn't bring myself to do it because I figured it would be useful. But it made sense. Parcy was gonna open Hell, right? She wore the mask, and the mask told her what ritual to use to connect Hell to Kyrrin, And it would've caused—."

"Cataclysm. Destruction."

"Exactly. I can't believe I didn't try and piece it together before. Maybe I was scared that the mask would do something to me, or if my father was on the other end ready to use his power. The constant thoughts of becoming his Hell Maiden kept me on edge, I didn't wanna risk anything. Xlemmeth….wants to return. Cataclysm is what would come if Hell is opened."

Xyenn gasped slightly, clenching his fists. "It's like he wants his rematch with King Samuel…"

Yuuna stood and said, "Or to finish his job: to destroy the Ohnupilath tree, to cover it with darkness. And if that happens.."

"Then your father would become the new god of Kyrrin. He would be just like Gabriel."

"Yeah. We can't let that happen. We've wasted enough time—."

Suddenly, the faint pop of a book vanishing into thin air broke the silence. The sound reverberated through the library, loud enough to make nearby clerics turn their heads. Some of them paused mid-step, their glowing eyes narrowing as they focused on the table where Xyenn and Yuuna sat. 

Yuuna's head snapped up, her golden eyes wide as she realized everyone was staring at them. 

"Uh, it's fine!" she said quickly, forcing a nervous laugh as she waved her hands in the air. "Totally fine! Just, uh, magic book stuff! Happens all the time, right?" 

The clerics exchanged confused glances but seemed to accept her explanation. Slowly, they returned to their books and activities, though a few of them cast lingering looks in their direction. 

Yuuna let out a quiet sigh of relief, "Close one." 

Xyenn didn't respond. He was still staring at the table where the book had been, his golden eye distant. 

Yuuna frowned, leaning forward slightly. "Xyenn?" 

He blinked and gave a small shake of his head, but his expression didn't lighten. "I'm fine," he muttered, though his tone said otherwise. 

Yuuna studied him for a moment, her frown deepening. She wanted to say something, to tease him like she usually did to shake him out of a funk, but the seriousness of the situation weighed too heavily on her. 

"We need to find Samuel's sealed body," she said quietly, her voice steady. "If we wait too long, the ritual could start, and then it's all over." 

Xyenn nodded slowly, his eyes still distant. "Yeah. But where do we even start looking?" 

Yuuna crossed her arms, leaning back in her chair as she thought. "We need a plan. Something that gets us close without blowing our cover." 

Xyenn glanced at her, his brow furrowing. "You've got something in mind, don't you?" 

Yuuna hesitated, then nodded. "The mask. I already told you it can control beasts. Sugred can see through the Serpent—I'm sure of it. The way he talked in the garden, it was obvious. If we use the mask, we might be able to disrupt his connection to it, even if it's only for a few minutes. That should give us enough of a window to find Samuel's body." 

Xyenn frowned. "That's a big 'if.' The Serpent's no ordinary beast—it's a divine protector. The literal guardian of the Ohnupilath Tree and this entire place. The mask might not be strong enough to control it completely." 

"It doesn't have to," Yuuna said firmly. "Even a small distraction would be enough to cripple Sugred's control for a moment. But first, we have to figure out where Samuel is." 

Xyenn's eyes narrowed in thought. "When we talked to Sugred in the throne room, he showed the clerics feeding the Serpent dead witches on that platform." 

Yuuna blinked, sitting up straighter. "The feeding platform…" 

Xyenn nodded. "If we can get there, we can plant the mask on the Serpent. But we can't just wander over there without a reason. We'll need someone to guide us." 

Yuuna's gaze darkened slightly as she thought. "…Siren Rye. She's been watching us since the beginning. If we can convince her to take us there, we'll have our way in." 

"You really think she'll just escort us over there?" Xyenn said, walking towards the exit with Yuuna.

Yuuna shrugged. "We'll play the part of eager clerics. She doesn't have to know the real plan." 

"Even if we get to the Serpent, Sugred's still a problem. He can teleport people just by looking at them—we saw it with the witch earlier. If he catches us messing with the Serpent, we're done." 

Yuuna nodded grimly. "I know. But I've been around for years. I've seen enough to understand most of the skills these vessels and dragon gods have. Back in Soulcaris, when we fought the Sun-Drake, remember how I knew his weakness? I know most of these deities and vessels' weaknesses and power, But I've never stuck around long enough to figure them all out." 

Xyenn frowned, his tone more thoughtful. "If Sugred's this powerful, why doesn't Lancelot just handle things himself? He's got to know we're not real clerics by now." 

Yuuna hesitated, her gaze distant. "Most dragon gods let their vessels handle things. That's what they're for—they're extensions of their will. But… maybe Lancelot doesn't know what's happening. Sugred could be blocking him out or withholding information." 

Xyenn raised an eyebrow. "You're sure about that?" 

Yuuna's gaze darkened. "Lancelot hated being around me years ago. He'd avoid me like I had a disease. I think he doesn't want to deal with me directly, so he entrusted Sugred to handle it. But Sugred has his own plans." 

Xyenn's brow furrowed. He wanted to reach out to Yuuna as her back was turned, but he stopped himself.

'What am I doing? Again? This isn't the right time. But these feeling of uncertainty and feeling like a jerk is clawing at me.'

High above the golden streets, Siren Rye crouched low on a rooftop, her glowing white wings tucked tightly against her back. She scanned the streets below, her sharp eyes darting from one alley to the next. 

"Where are they?" she muttered to herself, her voice tense. 

She leapt silently to the next rooftop, her movements swift and precise. Her mind raced as she searched for Xyenn and Yuuna, her thoughts a chaotic storm. 

"They're rookies," she whispered, trying to convince herself. "Nothing to worry about. But those two are odd.."

'And Sugred just let them go? Am I being paranoid? He sees what others can't in people, maybe I'm getting carried away.'

But the unease in her chest wouldn't go away. 

"Then why do I feel like they're up to something?" she muttered, her wings twitching nervously. "They've been too quiet. Too calm. What were they doing in that library for so long?" 

She shook her head, trying to steady her thoughts.

As she landed on the next rooftop, a voice suddenly chimed in behind her. 

"Hey, Siren Rye!" 

Rye's entire body tensed, her wings flaring out in surprise as she spun around. 

Xyenn and Yuuna stood behind her, both wearing wide, fake smiles. 

"Trevor? Alice?" Rye stammered, her composure slipping for a moment. 

Yuuna grinned, tilting her head. "Wow, you're fast! Were you… watching us this whole time?" 

"No!" Rye snapped, quickly regaining her composure. "I was just… patrolling. Making sure everything's secure." 

Yuuna leaned closer, her grin widening. "Ohhh, so you were watching us!" 

"I wasn't!" Rye protested, her expression stern. 

Yuuna crossed her arms, smirking. "You totally were." 

"Wasn't!" 

"Were." 

"Wasn't!" 

Rye cleared her throat, straightening up. "What do you want?" 

Yuuna's expression shifted, her golden eyes gleaming. "Trevor and I were just talking, and we realized we haven't done enough to help. So we want to feed the Serpent. We've been in the library for awhile, reading up on Lancelot's legacy, Sugred's power, and Samuel's influence!"

Rye raised an eyebrow. "You want to what?" 

Xyenn nodded, his tone calm. "You know, contribute. Do our part for the Holy Branch. Can you take us there?" 

The golden light of the Land of Sovereignty dimmed slightly as Siren Rye folded her arms, her sharp gaze sweeping over Xyenn and Yuuna. Her expression was unreadable, her wings folded neatly against her back as she studied them. 

"Feeding the Serpent is a gruesome duty," Rye said finally, her voice calm but firm. "It devours the remnants of dark magic left in this land. Witches… they always have something cursed on them. Dark amulets, artifacts, enchanted blood—it doesn't matter. Anything consumed by the Serpent vanishes forever." 

Yuuna tilted her head curiously. "Forever?" 

Rye nodded. "Yes. Dark magic cannot survive in the Serpent's stomach. But…" she paused, her tone lowering slightly, "if the Serpent devours a god, it will die. Its body cannot process divine essence. The god will be reborn in the cycle of rebirth, as all gods are, but the Serpent will be gone." 

Xyenn and Yuuna exchanged a glance, their expressions serious as they absorbed this information. Rye's sharp eyes flicked between them, narrowing slightly. 

"I'll admit," Rye continued, taking a step closer, "I didn't expect newcomers to volunteer for something like this. It's not for the faint of heart. But I'll take you seriously, especially you." She gestured toward Xyenn with a slight nod. "Something about you, Trevor… you're strong. I can see it." 

Xyenn blinked, his posture stiffening as her words sank in. For a split second, his mind was a flurry of silent celebration. *She's taking me seriously! She thinks I'm strong!* His cheeks flushed faintly red, and he quickly turned his head to the side, pretending to inspect the horizon to hide his reaction. 

Yuuna, noticing the slight change, smirked faintly but said nothing. 

Xyenn took a slow breath, forcing himself to calm down. The unexpected praise had helped soothe the weight that had been pressing on him since their experience in the book. He straightened his posture, nodding slightly. "Thanks," he said simply, trying to keep his voice steady. 

Rye gave him a slight nod of approval before stepping back. "I'll guide you to the Feeding Area. Follow me." 

She extended her hand, summoning a glowing cloud of light beneath her feet. It formed into a sleek, shimmering platform, large enough to carry all three of them. Without hesitation, she stepped onto it, gesturing for Xyenn and Yuuna to join her. 

Yuuna climbed on first, her arms crossed as she balanced herself on the floating cloud. "Fancy fancy," she muttered. 

Xyenn followed, standing next to her, and the three of them ascended into the sky. The cloud glided smoothly over the golden streets, carrying them toward their destination. 

As they traveled, Yuuna glanced at Rye, her curiosity getting the better of her. "So, where are the other Sirens?" 

"They're with Sugred," Rye replied curtly, her gaze fixed ahead. "Preparing for the events that will bring about the Holy Land." 

Yuuna raised an eyebrow, her tone casual. "Sounds important. How close is it?" 

Rye hesitated, then shrugged nonchalantly. "Close. That's all you need to know." 

Yuuna and Xyenn exchanged a brief look, their expressions tightening slightly. They both knew what "close" truly meant—it was the ritual. 

Xyenn broke the silence, his tone intentionally light. "And what about you? What are you doing out here?" 

Rye's wings shifted slightly as she glanced over her shoulder at him. "I'm keeping an eye on things. That's all. I usually stay with Sugred, but with newcomers like you two, I have to be cautious." 

Yuuna smirked faintly, leaning back on the cloud. "Cautious, huh? Sounds like you don't trust us." 

Rye didn't reply, though her silence spoke volumes. She turned her attention back to the horizon as the Feeding Area came into view. 

The Feeding Area was a massive, open platform suspended high above the ground, surrounded by golden clouds that shimmered faintly in the light. The platform was made of polished white stone, engraved with intricate runes that pulsed faintly with light magic. At its center stood an enormous altar, where clerics worked tirelessly to prepare offerings for the Serpent. 

The Serpent itself was a monstrous, divine beast, its immense body coiled high above the clouds. Its scales shimmered with a metallic sheen, and its massive head loomed over the platform, its jaws wide as it devoured the remains of a captured witch. The grotesque crunching of its sharp teeth echoed through the air, sending a chill down Yuuna's spine. 

The clerics moved methodically, carrying cursed artifacts and remnants of dark magic to the altar. They chanted softly as they worked, their voices blending into a haunting hymn. Some carried the bodies of witches, bound and lifeless, their dark magic seeping into the air as they were thrown into the Serpent's gaping maw. 

Yuuna's gaze lingered on the scene, her expression unreadable. Xyenn, standing beside her, clenched his fists slightly, his discomfort hidden behind a stoic mask. 

The cloud of light descended onto the platform, and Rye stepped off first. "We're here," she said simply, gesturing for them to follow. 

As soon as they stepped off, Rye approached one of the clerics in charge of the Feeding Area. He was a tall, lean man dressed in elaborate robes of gold and white, the fabric shimmering with an otherworldly glow. His hair was long and silver, tied back into a sleek braid, and his face was adorned with faint runic tattoos that curved along his jawline. He wore a golden circlet on his forehead, and around his neck hung a chain with a brilliant, crystalline pendant at its center. His name was Eryndurn, and his presence exuded calm authority. 

Rye greeted him with a slight bow. "Eryndurn. These two are Trevor and Alice, newcomers who defeated me in combat in the Tunnel of Light." 

Eryndurn raised an eyebrow, his gaze shifting to Xyenn and Yuuna. He studied them for a moment, his expression unreadable, before nodding. "Impressive," he said, his voice smooth and measured. "If they're capable of that, then they're more than welcome here. Any and all are welcome to serve the Serpent." 

He stepped forward, placing a hand on each of their shoulders in a gesture that felt simultaneously welcoming and heavy with expectation. 

"Let's get started," Eryndurn said, his tone firm but not unkind. 

Xyenn and Yuuna exchanged a brief glance before nodding, standing side by side as Eryndurn led them toward the altar. 

MThe Feeding Area was silent except for the subtle hum of light magic in the air and the grotesque crunches of the massive Serpent devouring its latest offering. The platform stretched wide, glowing faintly under the weight of divine energy, and the coiled body of the Serpent disappeared into the golden clouds above. Its size was incomprehensible, a living mountain of scales and muscle, its presence overwhelming. 

Eryndurn stood at the center of the platform like a beacon of authority, his shimmering robes catching the faint light. His braided silver hair flowed down his back, and the golden circlet on his forehead glinted as he turned to Xyenn and Yuuna, his expression calm but firm. 

"The Serpent," Eryndurn began, his voice low and resonant, "is not just a protector of this land. It is a symbol of Sovereignty itself. Created by King Samuel using a shard of the Sword of Sovereignty, the Serpent is bound to this land, its magic, and its purity. It devours the remnants of dark magic that would otherwise taint this holy place." 

Xyenn and Yuuna listened intently, their faces serious as Eryndurn continued. 

"Witches, when captured, often carry cursed objects or remnants of their own dark magic. Amulets, artifacts, blood rituals—they are vessels of corruption. The Serpent consumes these impurities, ensuring they vanish forever. No curse, no artifact, no shadow can survive in the Serpent's stomach. It is divine purification in its purest form." 

Eryndurn paused, his sharp gaze locking on them. "But understand this: the Serpent is sensitive to emotions. It can sense fear, hesitation, anger. If your heart is not truly aligned with Lancelot's light, the Serpent will know. And it will not tolerate betrayal." 

Yuuna crossed her arms, her expression unreadable. "So just… stay calm, and we'll be fine?" 

Eryndurn nodded solemnly. "If you are truly covered by Lancelot's light, yes. But beware. The Serpent is not merciful." He gestured toward the piles of offerings on the platform. "Approach carefully. Take anything from the pile and feed it to the Serpent. Prove yourselves." 

Xyenn and Yuuna followed his gesture. To their left was a pile of dark magic artifacts—broken amulets, cursed trinkets, and shattered remnants of enchanted weapons. The objects pulsed faintly with dark energy, their edges jagged and unnatural. 

To their right was the pile of bodies. 

The witches' corpses were twisted and grotesque, evidence of their violent ends. Some had scorch marks across their bodies, others bore deep gashes, their limbs bent at unnatural angles. Blood pooled beneath the pile, dark and viscous, and the air around it was thick with the stench of death and dark magic. 

Yuuna didn't flinch. She stepped forward with purpose, selecting one of the bodies from the pile—a lifeless witch with her mouth frozen in a scream. Her arms were still bound in glowing chains, and faint traces of black smoke seeped from her chest. 

Xyenn hesitated for a moment before following her lead. 

'I can't believe I'm doing this. Every second counts. Once shit hits..that's it. No going back.'

He grabbed another body, his grip tightening as the weight of it settled in his arms. This one was heavier, its robes torn and bloodied, and its chest emitted a faint, unnatural glow. Beneath its robes, hidden in the folds of its cloak, Xyenn had already concealed the mask. The dark magic seeping from the witch's body helped mask the presence of the artifact, making it indistinguishable from the rest of the offering. 

Eryndurn's voice rang out again as they stepped forward. "The Serpent's connection to King Samuel is absolute. It was born from him, a living extension of his light. The shard of the Sword of Sovereignty within it binds it to his will, even in his absence. Remember that as you approach—it is no mere beast." 

Xyenn winced, thinking, 'Tch. How many times is he gonna repeat it?'

The weight of his words settled over them as they walked toward the Serpent. The platform was eerily quiet now, all activity halted as the other clerics stopped to watch. Even Rye, who had been leaning casually against the side of the altar, straightened in surprise. 

The Serpent's massive head turned toward them, its glowing eyes locking onto them with an intensity that made the air feel heavier. Its gaze pierced through them, ancient and unyielding. 

Yuuna moved with confidence, her steps steady as she approached the Serpent. Xyenn followed behind her, his jaw clenched tightly, his body tense. 

The Serpent's head lowered slowly, its massive form casting a shadow over the platform. As it descended, steam puffed from its open nostrils, the heat of its breath washing over them in waves. The ground beneath them seemed to tremble slightly with every exhale. 

Xyenn gritted his teeth, forcing himself to keep moving. His mind raced as he felt the weight of the Serpent's gaze on him. 'Don't show fear. Just keep moving.'

Yuuna reached the Serpent first. She raised the lifeless body in her hands and held it out. The Serpent moved with terrifying speed, its head snapping forward and snatching the body from her grip in an instant. The sound of its jaws crushing the bones was deafening, and the speed of its movements made the clerics around them flinch. 

Yuuna stepped back and turned to Xyenn, her expression calm but alert. "Your turn." 

Xyenn nodded, stepping forward. The witch's body in his arms felt heavier now, the hidden mask pressing against his chest. 

The Serpent's head swayed from side to side, its glowing eyes narrowing as it studied him. Its massive form loomed over him, its presence suffocating. 

Xyenn's mind began to spiral. 'If I do this… if this mask works… what happens next? The Serpent's outburst could destroy everything. There are kids here. Innocent kids. What if they die because of me?'

His grip on the body tightened. 'I didn't think about this before. Why didn't I think about this before? What if I'm the reason everything falls apart? What if—'

He shook his head, trying to dispel the thoughts. 'No time for this. Focus. The mission comes first.'

But the weight of his doubts pressed harder. 'If the chaos spreads too fast, the clerics won't have time to get the kids to safety. What kind of person am I if I let that happen?'

His jaw clenched as he forced his thoughts into submission. 'Stop wasting time. You don't have a choice. This is it. Everything that happened with Yuuna..it's starting to make me lose focus.'

He took a deep breath, steeling himself. 'I'm sorry. In advance… I'm sorry. Even if this needs to be done, Sugred must be stopped. This whole fucking thing…needs to end.'

With a final push, Xyenn stepped forward and threw the witch's body toward the Serpent. 

The Serpent's jaws snapped shut around the body, the sound echoing across the platform. But as the creature swallowed, Xyenn darted forward, his movements a blur as he closed the distance between himself and the Serpent's head. 

He reached out, the mask hidden in his grip, ready to plant it on the Serpent. 

But before he could make contact, the Serpent's glowing eyes flared with an intense, blinding light. 

A deafening bang erupted, and Xyenn felt a sharp, overwhelming force hit him. Blood shot from his ears, His vision went white for a second, and his body weightless as he was thrown backward. 

When his vision cleared, he realized too late where he was. 

Inside the Serpent's mouth. 

The creature's jaws closed around him, and with a powerful beat, the Serpent soared upward into the sky, its body tearing through the clouds. 

The platform below erupted into chaos. Clerics screamed, some shielding themselves as the Serpent's massive tail swung wildly, smashing into the edges of the structure and sending chunks of stone plummeting to the ground below. The destruction was brutal and immediate, the force of the Serpent's movements shaking the entire area. 

Yuuna's scream pierced through the chaos. "Xyenn!!!" 

She surged forward, her fists clenched, but the Serpent was already rising higher, its immense form disappearing into the sky. 

The ground beneath them trembled as the Serpent's tail lashed out again, carving massive gouges into the platform. Clerics scrambled to avoid the destruction, their cries of panic filling the air. 

…

Somewhere, Sugred was grinning, saying, "Seems the mind is the greatest enemy…or it's greatest pleasure.."