CHAPTER XXXVIII: Tricky
The lights in the arena suddenly turned off, making us unaware of the surroundings and what had happened while Asmodeus was manifesting his cursed realm. A machine-liked sound loudly resonated near us then the lights went back.
“And now, we are going to watch their fight through this virtual screen developed by King Lucreo,” the host told out of a sudden.
A big cinema-liked screen just appeared in front of us, showing what’s inside Asmodeus’ World of Eternal Desire. Only the wielder, Glade and Deborah were transported there since we are not allowed to get involved in their fight. Though, we were still allowed to watch their fight through this big screen even though they were on other dimension. I got to admit it. That’s a brilliant idea of Lucreo.
My thoughts came into halt when I saw Deborah on the screen, walking alone in a deserted world. Glade is not with her. She seemed wondering about the place.
CHAPTER XXXIX: A Formidable FoeWe congratulated Glade and Deborah when they got into viewing deck of the arena. We cheered for them. Suzaine helped them restore their strength through her Holy Fire Magic. Afterwards, the group went for a little chitchat.But, Deborah was spacing out. It seems that she’s thinking about something while looking at the ceiling of the arena. She beamed a smile as if she realizes something. I even caught her let out a deep breath. And peace suddenly flashed on her face right now.“Hey, little sis. You’re amazing back then. I’m proud of you,” I told her. She averted her gaze at me, smiling genuinely. It was very pure. Her smile is melting my heart.“You know what, I’ve learned something from that fight,” she stated that piqued my interest. I would love to listen about it.“What it is?” I asked her.“I learned to let go of Mom. I already accepted the
CHAPTER XL: SavageryMy heart is throbbing because of fear and anxiety. The second match is about to begin. Sweats are dropping from my forehead. I looked at others and I think they felt same.“Hello, ladies and gentlemen. Before the fight officially begins, let me introduce to you first our fighters.” The announcer started to speak. I gasped for an air. This is it. The animosity in the air started to form.The low-ranking demons keep on cheering Beelzebub even though he’s not yet on the arena. But, they fell into silence when the announcer held his mic again and started to speak.“From the side of our revered demon kings, we have our beloved Lord of the flies. He is one of the supreme rulers of Underworld; one of the powerful Archdemons to ever exist in face of Creation. The gods and goddesses refer to him as a dangerous existence which is his name only is enough to inflict fear among these gods. Actually, he hardly needs an intro
CHAPTER XLI: Mana PoolLotus blocked Beelzebub with a huge boulder of cosmic rock and he vanished immediately on the air, teleporting to Caya. They are talking to each other but we can’t hear them. What are they planning to do? I don’t know what to do on my seat. This fight gave me extreme cold sweats.Beelzebub, on the other hand, just easily obliterated the meteor rock Lotus has summoned just by using his fist. Then, he absorbed all the smithereens of rocks and dust particles scattered on the air.Meanwhile, Caya and Lotus flew in different directions. The woman persistently fires Beelzebub with light arrows using her celestial weapon even though Beelzebub’s body just absorbed them. The demon intently looked at Caya with a furious expression in his face. He is fuming mad right now. I gulped, trying to remove the lump blocking my throat. But Caya didn’t falter. Beelzebub rushed to her but she didn’t make a move to evade the demon.
CHAPTER XLII: Caya’s Duality“H-how did Caya do that? I didn't see her aiming her bow at King Beelzebub and yet she was able to separate King Beelzebub’s arm from his body using her arrow,” the announcer mentioned. The painted expression in his face is priceless. But he's right. I didn't also see Caya stretching the light string connecting to her bow but she was able to fire Beelzebub with her light arrow. How did she do that?With my gaping mouth, I returned my focus to the fight and looked at Caya. Red aura keeps on gushing out from her body. And she is furiously angry right now. This is my first time to see her that way. Who would not be angry if someone killed the person you love in front of you? I feel bad for Lotus. No one from us expected that to happen to him. Beelzebub just gave him an instant death.“I’ll kill you. I will send you to the abyss of hell and rot there forever,” Caya said in a very serious to
CHAPTER XLIII: Death and LoveWe were given a 15-minute break before the next match begins. So we took that opportunity to lament for Lotus' death. With Glade's magic, we scattered white lilac flowers on the air to guide Lotus' soul to heaven. The fragrant scent of them penetrated our nose. Some of us can’t help it but to cry. We were all disheartened by his lost.Lotus was a good and kind friend to all of us. He was silent and a keen observer most of the times but his words to us were genuine every time he spoke. He was perfect example of a man with virtue, too. I never forget how he put his trust on me and how he made me believe in myself, my own strength. He was really a one of a kind person.We sadly made a group hug and synchronously heaved a deep breath after we released each other from the hug.I diverted my gaze to sleeping Caya. She drained her mana just to defeat Beelzebub and avenge her one true love. Caya is deeply in love with Lotus. Ev
CHAPTER XLIV: Waves of EmotionsLeviathan countered Suzaine and Almirah’s spell just by using his tentacles. He even didn't move on his location. He just contently blocking and slashing our comrades’ attacks. His physical prowess and magic power are off the charts, too. Well, I got to admit this but the demon kings are worthy opponents. We should not underestimate them.“Magnificent! King Leviathan just easily obliterated his opponents’ attack without a sweat,” the announcer commented out of amazement.“Don’t be too cocky. We’re not finished yet,” Suzaine firmly stated, catching up her breath because of exhaustion. She and Almirah were attacking Leviathan for almost ten minutes now and yet they can’t even leave a scratch on the demon’s body.She raised her head and stood up properly. She drew on the air and big blue magic circle just materialized before our eyes. “Ta
CHAPTER XLV: Almirah’s CurseAlmirah raised her two hands. Her celestial weapon, Aquaria, just materialized on the air, floating in between her palms. It was glowing; surrounded with blue lights. Droplets of water rose on the air. They gathered together on her body. The others went on her head, forming a sparkling diamond crown. Her dress suddenly changed into a swim wear. Blue scales started to cover her arms and body. And her legs transformed into a mermaid's tail. I knew it. She just fused herself with her celestial spirit. It’s called Zodiac Union.We can clearly saw her transformation because she is floating on the surface of the water. We gasped in awe and bewilderment. She is amazing. And cool.“She’s gorgeous,” Nicanor whispered but I clearly heard it. His mouth is wide opened, showing amazement on Almirah’s transformation. I smell something fishy. I want to ask him but now is not the time for that. I just
CHAPTER XLVI: The Holy SunThe blood tornado Almirah had created quickly engulfed Leviathan, but, the demon king didn’t do anything to evade the spell. He just let it eat him whole. As time passed by, the tornado became tighter and tighter, binding Leviathan.Almirah closed her fist and the raging red whirlwind turned into a cocoon made of viscous blood. However, the demon king inside it didn’t falter nor move to find a way on how to release himself inside that binding spell.“You’re finished now,” Almirah uttered with a firm tone on her voice, then she laughed like a crazy woman. Wait, she really has fangs now. So I am not imagining things earlier. Anyway, that didn’t matter anymore. She is still the Almirah we know.She put her hands together in front of her and a droplet of glowing blood fell onto the surface of the lake. The moment it became one with the lake of blood, it created a series of shockwaves.&ldqu
CHAPTER LXIX: Shadow of an Uncertain FutureI was about to rush inside the labyrinth but I came into halt when a loud rumbling sound engulfed the whole academy. My eyes widened as my mouth automatically went agape when a red light glistened from the center of the labyrinth and a fissure on the ground quickly ran through the academy, dividing it into two. The small division of the academy is falling down and there are still people there, pleading for help. Screams of horror started to ring on my ears.I caught Shone and Hannah barely hanging on the cliff on the bigger division of the academy. Then, Reel and Akiza came to help them. D*mn! I don’t know who to rescue first. Just hang on there, Black Thunders. I’ll just save these mages on that falling part of the academy. I told to myself and was about to fly towards those mages begging for help but I was taken aback when Ophra spoke behind me.“Go, save your team members, Cerina. Let m
CHAPTER LXVIII PART II: The Grand Festival Fight“OKAY, let’s begin the introduction of the teams with the Golden Arrows, headed by Lotus and Vela. Let’s give them a round of applause,” Archmaster Leonard started. The Dome Magia was suddenly filled with shouts from the crowd. Lotus, Vela and their team members went on the stage.“Next, may we have the team led by Nicanor and Almirah, the Red Scorpions. Let’s give them a clap that stings our ears,” Archmaster introduced. The two captains of the said team waved their hands before their team stepped on to the stage.“Okay, let’s move forward to the third team. Let’s welcome the team created by Niklais and Suzaine, the squad of White Doves.” The crowd clapped for them big time and most men shouted Suzaine’s name. She’s been gaining popularity from the boys in the academy for a month now. Yeah, we noticed it every time we have a hang
CHAPTER LXVIII PART I: The Grand Festival Fight“WELCOME, students and mages of Caelum Academy. Today marks the beginning of Grand Festival here in our school. It’s been tough times for everyone since we left our families, friends and loved ones in our world that invaded by demons, Celestia, that we almost forgot to enjoy for a while. Thus, we are launching this festival in our academy for everyone to have fun and ease our worries for the meantime. We will also conduct activities and the first one will begin later, after lunch at the newly constructed Labyrinth of Phantasm. So stay tuned and return here later at Dome Magia for the announcement of the first activity,” Archmaster Leonard announced, declaring the start of Caelum’s Grand Festival.All the audience cheered and shouted out of joy and excitement. It is evident on their faces that they are looking forward to the said activities. After a few minutes, the people in the Dome Magia were slo
CHAPTER LXVII: Confessions and Heartbreak“LET’S call it a day, Black Thunders. Tomorrow again,” I signaled, dismissing the members of our team in their training. They all let out a deep breath while catching up their breath. They are really exhausted. Some laid down on the bed of grasses. This is what we felt, Chosen Twelve, during our training with Archmaster Leonard. We were all worked up that day, pulling blocks of iron that weighed hundred tons. But as time passed by, we were all used to it.“Are we becoming hard on you, guys?” I asked them. They all managed to stand up properly and answered, “No, Captain Cerina!” in unison. I slowly smiled at them.“Okay, then. Rest for a while and let’s go home to our base,” I told them and they all nodded at me. They all sat down on the grass and some are massaging the muscles on their arms and legs.“You’ll be stronger too. Just keep it up,&r
CHAPTER LXVI: The Origin of Celestial ZodiacsLOTUS knocked on the wooden door of Archmaster’s office as we arrived there. Just before he could knock three times, a voice from the inside urged us to come in. He opened the door and we followed him as he stepped his foot inside the office. Archmaster greeted us and we did the same thing to him.A woman is complacently sitting on the coach as she’s holding the cup of her tea. She is wearing now a uniform like what we, students, here in the academy used to wear.“Archmaster, who is she? And where is the chosen user of Ophiuchus?” Lotus directly asked Archmaster without running in the circles. I was about to answer his question that the one he was looking for is right in front of him but Ophra suddenly spoke and she replied to Lotus.“Right here, dear. I know you all come here to see me and to ask for Archmaster Leonard an explanation about the existence of the thirteenth celestia
CHAPTER LXV: Ultimate HealerI summoned my celestial weapon and turned it into a katana. This is my favorite form of my Feather of Metamorphosis. I made it super light and easy to manage. It’s blade is sharp enough to cut hard irons and even spells with physical manifestations. I looked at her after completely summoning my weapon. The casual smile on her face did not fade away. I wonder what’s her magic and how strong she is.I coated my katana with my divine magic and a glowing golden aura covered it. I tightened my grip on my weapon and prepared myself to unleash an attack. “Divine Magic: Sacred Slash.” I swung my katana on the air and threw several golden blades at her. I caught a curve forming on her lips and the next thing happened startled me. I felt a great pressure from above pressing me down to the ground. I can’t help it but my knees started to quiver. I fell down on my knees and unintentionally let go of my katana.I stru
CHAPTER LXIV: The Thirteenth“RAID, do you know her?” I asked him with crease in my forehead. He became stiff for a while and seemed like he was hesitating to answer my question.“Oh, sorry, I forgot to introduce myself. I am Ophra, the chosen user of the thirteenth grace of celestial zodiacs, Ophiuchus. And one of the new captains of Black Thunders. Nice to meet you. Anyway, I’ve met Raid earlier and she helped me in carrying my things to Archmaster’s office,” the woman introduced herself and she was the one who answered my question.My mouth went agape for a moment. Raid has also the same reaction as me: confused and bewildered. Thirteenth celestial zodiac? Ophiuchus?“What do you mean? How come that there was a thirteenth grace when in fact Goddess Lumia only created twelve and she bestowed upon us?” I interrogated her out of confusion. She smirked at me, then, she lifted her hand and pointed her fi
CHAPTER LXIII: Love QuarrelONE month had passed already. All the damages in Caelum Academy brought about by the last battle were fixed already. We also fortified the barrier protecting the academy by the grace of our zodiacs.Three weeks ago, we held a meeting in the presence of Archmaster Leonard and Archmistress Demia and we already planned things. Three months from now, we are going to launch a surprise attack to the demons in Celestia. Vela had predictions about the future. She saw in her vision that those demons are already preparing, strengthening their armies and legions, and planning to attack us four months from now on. That alarmed us and decided to make the first move against them. Though, we need to be very cautious in carrying out our plan because it’s too risky, especially for those mages who volunteered to join us in this surprise attack and put their life in line.Furthermore, we, the Chosen Twelve, were divided
CHAPTER LXII: New Dawn“I JUST want my sister back, my confidant, my only best friend. But why? Why are all stopping me? And why no matter how much I try to change the past; no matter how I struggled… why I can’t change it?” Vela muttered in a low voice, crying while she was bowing her head to the ground.“Because no one can change the things that really meant to happen. Just accept it, Vela. Stop living on the past already. Focus on your life and the things you have today. Your sister is alive… alive in your heart. She is with the wind, the rain and all the elements of nature. You’re just too busy harboring that anger within you, that lust for revenge to notice that she’s still with you,” I replied to her. I caught how she was taken aback by my words as her head long stood and stared at me for a while.“Vixen’s physical body was the only aspect of her that had gone, but her spirit and memories