Chapter 26: The Goddess Within
###Chapter 26: The Goddess Within
Winter raised her blade, the faint shimmer of frost trailing from its edge as she pointed it toward the transformed figure before her. Her voice was steady, calm, but carried a clear challenge.
"So, who are you?"
The woman turned her gaze toward Winter, her crimson eyes narrowing with an unsettling mix of disdain and amusement. Her lips curled into a faint smirk, and a surge of crimson energy began to swirl around her form, crackling like fire and lightning combined. The sheer force of her aura made the ground beneath them tremble slightly.
"Watch your mouth, insolent child," she said, her voice commanding and cold, with a venomous undertone that left no room for argument. The surge of energy around her intensified, forming into a pulsing crimson sphere before it faded away.
Winter's grip on her sword tightened, her instincts screaming at her to stay on guard, but she didn't make a move. The tension in the air grew suffocating until the ground beneath their feet shook violently, as if something immense and terrifying was approaching.
The woman smirked, unfazed by the tremors. With a graceful motion, she drew the Calamity Sword from her side, the massive blade humming with dark energy. She turned slightly, her voice carrying a chilling excitement.
"Well, well… a fight right after my summon. How lovely."
As she spoke, an army of Minotaurus emerged from the darkness, their enormous frames making the ground tremble with each step. These weren't ordinary Minotaurs—they were faster, stronger, and more intelligent, their glowing red eyes and colossal blades making their deadly intent clear.
Winter and Princess Lea prepared themselves for the onslaught, but before they could move, the transformed Arie surged forward, a crimson streak of energy tearing through the air.
What followed was a brutal display of precision and raw power.
With every swing of her blade, the air seemed to crack and bend, the Calamity Sword slicing through the Minotaurus like they were paper. Each movement was calculated, each attack deadly efficient. She danced between the hulking creatures, evading their massive swords by a hair's breadth, her blade finding its mark every time.
A Minotaurus swung its massive blade toward her, but she parried with ease, the clash of steel creating a shockwave that sent debris flying. Before the beast could recover, she twisted the blade and drove it upward, splitting the creature in half. Another charged her from behind, but without even turning, she extended her hand, sending a wave of crimson energy that obliterated it on the spot.
Winter and Lea could only watch in awe and horror as the battlefield became a graveyard of fallen monsters. The once unstoppable creatures were reduced to nothing more than lifeless husks, scattered across the blood-soaked ground.
As the last Minotaurus fell, the woman lowered her sword, a dark smirk playing on her lips. "Pathetic," she muttered, her tone dripping with disdain.
Before anyone could react, the ground shook again—this time, more violently than before. The tremors felt unnatural, like the dungeon itself was alive and trying to purge them.
A massive magic circle lit up beneath their feet, intricate symbols glowing with blinding light.
"What now?" Winter muttered, her eyes narrowing as the glow intensified.
In a flash, the group was transported to a massive, dimly lit chamber. As their vision adjusted, torches lining the walls flickered to life, casting an eerie glow across the room. At its center was a throne, upon which sat a skeletal figure draped in decayed robes.
But the true terror lay beside the throne.
Two knights, clad in ancient, rusted armor, stood guard. Their enormous swords rested on the ground, their very presence radiating menace. Slowly, their helmets tilted upward, and their hollow eyes began to glow with a bright yellow light.
Lea, snapping out of her shock, quickly scanned the room and spotted Agin and Liana crumpled in a corner. She rushed to their side, kneeling to check on them. Meanwhile, Winter stayed rooted in place, her calm facade masking her racing thoughts.
"A trap? No… it's like the dungeon itself is trying to eliminate us," she thought, her gaze shifting to the transformed Arie. Her expression darkened slightly. "I knew there was something different about him, but… not like this. I've never heard of someone transforming like that… into her."
The golden glow in the knights' eyes blazed like miniature suns, illuminating the chamber as they stepped forward. The ground trembled under their weight, each step a deliberate challenge. The Girl who had emerged from Arie tilted her head, her crimson aura flaring in response. Her expression held no fear—only a smirk of delight, as though she relished the confrontation.
"Finally," she said, her voice laced with amusement, "something worth my time."
The first knight roared and swung its massive sword with such force that the air screamed in protest. She dodged at the last moment, the blade narrowly missing her as it carved a deep trench into the stone floor.
"Impressive strength," she said, landing lightly on her feet.
"But strength alone is dull."
With a flick of her wrist, her Calamity Sword rose, its crimson energy pulsating with unrestrained power. She charged, her movements precise and fluid, closing the distance in an instant. Her first strike was aimed at the knight's knee, the blade cutting deep into its armor. Sparks flew as she pivoted and slashed upward, forcing the knight to stumble backward.
The second knight didn't wait. It raised its shield and lunged, its golden aura flaring to life as it attempted to crush her against the wall. She laughed, sidestepping with ease. The knight's shield smashed into the stone, cracking the wall.
"Too slow," she teased, spinning gracefully as she brought her sword down on the shield. The impact sent a shockwave rippling through the room, forcing even Winter and Lea to brace themselves.
But the shield held. The second knight countered with a backhand swing of its sword, forcing her to duck. She slid between its legs, slashing at its ankle as she passed. The knight roared in frustration but quickly recovered, turning to face her once more.
"You two are more entertaining than I expected," she said, twirling her sword. Her crimson aura flared brighter, licking at the edges of her armor like flames. "Let's see how long you can keep up."
The first knight, now recovered, unleashed a golden energy blast from its chest. She didn't block it this time. Instead, she leaped high into the air, the blast scorching the ground where she had stood. Twisting mid-air, she hurled a wave of crimson energy from her sword. It collided with the golden blast, the clash of energies shaking the entire chamber.
As the smoke cleared, the two knights charged her simultaneously. The first swung its sword in a wide arc while the second thrust its blade forward. She parried the thrust, deflecting it with her sword, then spun to avoid the other's attack. Her movements were elegant and deadly, a dance of war honed by countless battles.
She retaliated with a flurry of strikes, each one precise and devastating. Her sword carved into the first knight's shoulder, then swept down to slice its leg. The knight staggered, but its companion was relentless. The second knight swung its blade, forcing her to leap backward.
"Oh, you're persistent," she said, her smirk widening.
"Good. Let's make this interesting."
Her aura surged, a crimson wave exploding outward and forcing the knights to halt their advance. She held her sword high, and the energy gathered at its tip before erupting in a blinding arc. The blast struck the first knight, shattering its armor and sending it crashing to the ground.
But the second knight was faster than she anticipated. It lunged at her, its blade glowing with golden energy. She raised her sword just in time, the clash sending sparks flying. For a moment, they were locked in a test of strength.
"You're stronger than you look," she admitted, her grin never faltering. "But I'm stronger."
With a burst of energy, she pushed the knight back and followed up with a powerful slash. The strike tore through its shield, splitting it in two. She pressed her advantage, her movements a blur as she unleashed a relentless assault.
The knight fought back valiantly, its blade clashing with hers in a symphony of steel and sparks. But it was clear she was toying with it, her strikes growing more aggressive and precise with each passing moment.
As the second knight faltered, the first knight rose, its chest glowing once more. She turned to face it, raising her free hand. Crimson chains erupted from the ground, wrapping around the knight and holding it in place.
"Stay," she commanded, her voice dripping with authority.
The second knight took the opportunity to strike, but she was ready. She spun around, her sword cutting through the air with deadly precision. The blade sliced through the knight's arm, severing it at the shoulder. Golden energy spilled from the wound like liquid light, and the knight stumbled.
With one final swing, she drove her sword through the knight's core. The crimson energy surged, consuming the knight from within until it crumbled into nothingness.
She turned to the first knight, still bound by her chains.
"Your turn," she said, her grin widening.
The knight roared in defiance, breaking free of the chains with a burst of golden energy. It charged her, its sword glowing brighter than ever.
"Finally," she said, raising her blade. "A real challenge."
The two clashed in a final, explosive exchange, their energies colliding with such force that the entire chamber trembled. The ground cracked beneath them, and the walls groaned under the pressure.
Her crimson aura flickered, and she stumbled slightly, her vision blurring.
"So… it's time huh," she murmured, a faint smirk playing on her lips.
"Hmph. I've had my fun."
As the last remnants of the knight disintegrated into golden dust, the chamber fell silent, save for the faint crackling of dissipating energy. She stood amidst the destruction, her crimson aura flickering like a dying flame. Her hand trembled slightly as the air around her grew heavy, and the ground beneath her feet cracked under the sheer pressure of her power.
"Wait—what's happening?" Lea exclaimed, shielding her eyes from the blinding glow.
Winter instinctively raised her sword, her gaze narrowing.
"Get back!" she warned, her tone sharp. "Something's… off!"
A sudden, violent shockwave erupted from her body, sending debris flying across the chamber. The force knocked Winter and Lea off their feet, and the torches lining the walls flickered wildly as if struggling to stay lit. The crimson energy spiraled upward, twisting into the shape of a massive, ethereal vortex.
In the eye of the storm, her form began to waver. Her black hair, once flowing like midnight rivers, shortened and returned to Arie's familiar locks. Her armor cracked and faded, replaced by his simple, tattered clothes. The Calamity Sword disintegrated in her hand, its energy scattering into the air like embers.
The glow dimmed, the vortex dissipated, and Arie collapsed to his knees. For a moment, he remained there, unmoving, as the residual energy crackled around him. Then, his body gave out completely, falling forward.
"Arie!" Lea cried, rushing forward as the last of the crimson light faded. She caught him just before he hit the ground, cradling his unconscious body in her arms. Tears streamed down her cheeks as she hugged him tightly. "You're safe now… you're safe."
Winter approached cautiously, her sword still in hand. She glanced at Arie, her expression unreadable. "Hmmm... Could he be..." she muttered to herself. Her grip on the sword tightened. "No, it couldn't be, after all... It has only been 100 years"
The ground beneath them trembled faintly, the dungeon seeming to react to the overwhelming energy that had just been unleashed. But for now, the SHE was gone, leaving behind only Arie and the echoes of her devastating battle.