chapter twenty-four;
the curse and the prophecy

—

THIRD PERSON'S POV

JUNO and Azazel were both caught off guard while staring at the two people in front of them, but when a massive explosion happened, they both flinched and nodded their heads in instinct. Those two in front of them didn't even waver like they expected what was currently happening.

"Then please, follow me," Eve told Juno carefully and softly. Juno gazed at her, and she was mesmerized by her beauty. She was always wary of people, especially Celestes because she experienced how different they were and the world they were living in from her—although she was also one, she still hadn't wrapped around her head with it.

However, she didn't even feel repulsive about Evienne. The silver-haired lady looked really fragile. But somehow, there was an air of power and tranquillity around her. So, Juno followed Eve, and they both went to the crowd.

May kasunod na naman na pagsabog ang nangyari at ilang malalakas na sigaw sa mga taong nasa lugar, pero kahit gano'n, kita mong hindi nagkakagulo ang lahat. The Shrine's people were doing their jobs effectively.

Nakapila nang maayos ang mga tao at pumapasok sa mga bahay o kung ano-ano pang building sa lugar. Pagkatapos mayroong magpoprotekta sa mga puno nang lugar. Isang mage at isang knight.

For something that happened in a surprise, the things were going smoothly and peacefully than one could imagine in this kind of situation.

There were already many knights in the field, and they seemed like they were already instructed as they knew what to do without confusion. All were moving like they were trained and prepared for it.

Azazel glanced at Kallisto who just finished talking to one knight that approached him. Kung titingnan ang mga uniporme ng mga knight na alam ang ginagawa nila, lahat 'yon kaparehas no'ng kinausap ni Kallisto.

Do'n napagtanto ni Azazel na ang mga knight ni Kallisto ang nagpapanatili ng kapayapaan sa nagkakagulong lugar. Pagkatapos idagdag mo pa ang mga mage na sinusunod ang isang tao.

An older lady was commanding the Shrine's mages and the casual mages that just attended the said event. They were the reason why although there were explosions from the sky and other parts of the port, no one was getting harmed. They were shielding the citizens and fighting those who were bringing havoc to the place.

"Y-You prepared all of these beforehand? How?" hindi mapigilang tanong ni Azazel kay Kallisto.

"As much as I wanted to take that credit, I didn't make this thing possible and was surprised as you are," kibit-balikat na sagot ni Kallisto rito, pero hindi maniwala si Azazel sa sinabi nito.

Sino ang maniniwala ro'n? Lahat ng tauhan niya ang nagpapanatili nang ayos sa mga nagaganap.

The Second Prince. A cursed Abyss. The weakest Abyss.

Those were the things that he knew about him. But... he was wrong. He was completely wrong about him. Because what he was seeing was the commander of the knights that were helping and defending Elysia.

"Are you just going to watch?" Kallisto quietly asked Azazel, who was dazed. He silently thought that he must have looked like Azazel from before. That was why his mischievous wife often called him Prince Watching.

Well, it looked like that title found a new owner; he smirked secretly.

Kallisto moved, and Azazel followed him. They used their Abyss, and, using it, they moved freely in the air.

Kallisto's violet abyss glowed mysteriously in the sky, while Azazel's red abyss burned gloriously.

Once in the sky, they could clearly see what was going on. A lot of people who were wearing cloaks were causing disarray. They were now using magics, weapons, and explosives to attack everyone. However, the mages and knights on Kallisto's side were prepared; but violent battles ensued in the different parts and streets of the city.

Padagdag lang nang padagdag ang mga kalaban at halos hindi sila nauubos. Samantalang natanaw ni Kallisto si Evienne na nakikipaglaban gamit ang celestia niya kasama ang babaeng kulay pula ang buhok.

They were both protecting the evacuating children. Willow and Yule, who were invisible, were fighting with the knights and Mildred.

The Saint, on the other hand, was using his gigantic shield so that the explosions that were falling from the sky wouldn't land on Elysia. He was being protected by stronger mages and other Shrine officials.

"Let's go," maikling sambit ni Kallisto kay Azazel at sinundan niya ito.

Lumipad sila nang mas mataas at do'n nakita ang ilang mga kalaban na lumilipad at nagbabagsak ng mga pampasabog. Kaagad sumugod si Azazel sa mga 'yon nang walang sabi-sabi.

Ginamit niya ang Abyss niyang naging dalawang espada na kulay pula. Inatake niya kaagad ang dalawang kalaban, pero kaagad silang dumipensa at nagsimula ring makipagpalitan ng atake kay Azazel.

Habang nakikipaglaban si Azazel may ilan pang sumugod sa kanya dahil nga alam nilang ang kulay pulang Abyss ang pinakamalakas at pinakadelikado sa lahat.

"Charge!" Samael yelled loudly and pointed towards Azazel, who was glowing with his Abyss.

Almost seven to ten enemies went to Azazel with their weapons and attacked him simultaneously and vigorously. However, all their attacks were blocked easily, and they kept being pushed away.

While that intense one-sided battle was happening in the air, Kallisto searched for a person.

He remembered how Evienne clearly described the head of this incident. A man wearing a black cloak, however, would have a badge that was coloured silver. And his hair would be coloured orange. With eyes that were as black as the night.

"He's hiding near the main mast of the Fifth Kingdom's ship." Kallisto received Dacher's message about the location of the man named Samael, so he didn't waste time and went there immediately.

Iniwan niya si Azazel sa ere kung saan patuloy pa rin 'tong nakikipaglaban. At pasikreto at mabilis na pumunta sa lugar na sinabi ni Dacher.

Halos isang ihip lang ng hangin ay nasa likod na siya ng lalaking hinahanap niya.

Samael, who was hiding at the top of the ship's mast, was thinking about when he would use the remaining two corrupted explosives. He didn't want to waste it, as the first one and the others that they placed on the port were already wasted.

He was seething in anger at what happened. They were cornered! He couldn't believe that his flawless plan was interrupted by an unknown force!

Inutusan niya lang lahat ng tauhan niya na sumugod na sa lugar at makipaglaban. Wala na siyang pakialam sa mga plano, gusto niyang siguraduhing magkakaro'n pa rin ng gulo at marami pa ring mamamatay sa labanang nagaganap.

Wala rin siyang pakialam kung maubos ang mga tauhan, basta ang mahalaga mapilayan ang Elysia. They needed to weaken the center of the Kingdoms. And they needed to create massive bloodshed that no Kingdoms could ignore.

At kahit mukha silang dehado sa labanan ngayon, alam ni Samael na magbabago ang ihip ng hangin kapag dumating na ang inaabangan niyang kakampi nila. Nagawa man nilang pigilan ang unang plano nila, hindi nila magagawang pigilan ang mga kasunod pa.

He grinned wickedly as he gazed upon the dark, steady, and deep ocean that looked menacingly.

He laughed inwardly to himself while thinking that parts of Elysia would indeed be submerged in water once this was over.

Tuwang-tuwa si Samael sa iniisip nang bigla na lang siyang manlamig no'ng sa isang iglap may maramdaman siyang katakot-takot na presensya sa likod niya. Hindi niya alam kung saan galing 'yon, at ni hindi man lang siya naalerto. Sa isang kisap-mata nakaramdam na lang siya ng isang patalim sa may gilid ng leeg niya.

"Move, and you'll fall in hell." The cold and deep voice echoed in Samael's ear. Goosebumps rose in his body as he gritted his teeth. He could feel his head heating up in rage.

'How dare! How dare he threaten someone as great as me?!' hindi makapaniwalang pag-iisip ni Samael.

Using his peripheral vision, Samael saw the glow of the violet aura that was formed like a knife. He smirked because he knew of that aura. Abyss. Now it made sense why he couldn't sense his presence.

He was an abyss. However, he was the weakest Abyss. The infamous violet-eyed curse.

Funny how the violet colour was often associated with the heavens, but he was the exemption. Because his violet colour was a reminder of him being weak and reviled.

Hindi kinabahan o natakot si Samael sa naging banta ni Kallisto, bagkus kaagad nitong hinawakan ang kutsilyo at inilayo 'yon sa kanya habang nakangisi. Blood slowly flowed out of Samael's palm, but he didn't seem to care. Instead, he even looked happy.

Kallisto was about to kill Samael because he just defied what he said, but Samael managed to counter his attack. Kaagad lumipad papalayo si Samael sa kanya matapos 'tong gumamit ng malakas na kapangyarihan at pwersa.

Nagkaro'n nang malakas na pagsabog sa pag-itan nilang dalawa. Kallisto managed to shield himself, and Samael contrived to get an opening through the smoke and flew fast towards Kallisto to pierce him.

However, Kallisto flew quickly to dodge it as he used his Abyss to counter all the slashes directed at him.

Sobrang bilis nang pangyayari sa labanan nila sa ere.

Kallisto took all the attacks that Samael was giving him head-on. It didn't directly hit Kallisto because he was dodging it faultlessly. He was waiting for timing and opening to counter the nonstop and quick attacks that Samael was giving, and when he finally got what he wanted, he smirked.

Kaagad siyang umikot sa ere paarko at kaagad nilagay ang pwersa ng abyss niya sa may paa. He expected Samael to catch his feet, and it went according to what he wanted.

"You fool! It's your end!" malakas na sigaw ni Samael sa kanya habang sobrang laki ng mala-demonyong ngiti sa labi pero umismik lang si Kallisto sa kanya.

"Well, it's your end," Kallisto murmured as he used his abyss for a powerful kick that he was planning the moment that Samael caught his foot.

Nanlaki ang mga mata ni Samael sa kakaibang pwersa na naramdaman niya at hindi man lang siya nakabwelo para pigilan ang atakeng 'yon.

"Fuck!" Samael cursed loudly as he felt a massive power pushing him down to the ocean. He couldn't stop his fall because of the enormous pressure, but he did manage to put his power on his back so he wouldn't submerge in the water.

"Tss." Napailing na lang si Kallisto nang makita ang pagbagsak ni Samael pero nagawa pa rin nitong mapigilan ang paglubog sa tubig. Nakalutang siya ngayon sa ibabaw ng tubig habang nakahiga.

He coughed blood and immediately spat it out as he wiped his lips.

Bumababa si Kallisto kung nasaan si Samael. The latter stood back upon his feet, and Kallisto landed on the ocean. They were both standing on it—they were both floating.

And Samael just smirked evilly and ran towards Kallisto with a huge smirk on his face while laughing maniacally. "No matter what you do! The victory would be ours!" he declared crazily.

While Kallisto only shook his head as he put his arm diagonally to stop Samael's attack.

Mabilis ang kasunod na nangyari. Suntok, tadyak, at mga pagsalag. Kallisto was on the defensive side while Samael was attacking restlessly. If one were to watch the fight, they wouldn't be able to follow their movements because it was fast and as strong as a gale.

Halos tunog ng alon, at pagtapak lamang sa tubig ang maririnig mo, pati na rin ang kalansing ng armas na gamit nila. Kallisto jumped to dodge an uppercut and managed to see an opening, so he went on the offensive.

He slightly jumped in the air and twisted his body a little, and then kicked Samael's face. However, the latter bent backwards to dodge, but using his hand, Kallisto moved swiftly to give straight.

Napaatras si Samael dahil sa pagtama ng suntok ni Kallisto sa mukha niya. "Fuck!" gigil na imik nito at saka mabilis na sumugod muli.

Kallisto leaped to dodge, then countered Samael's attacks. Walang tigil silang nagpalitan ng iba't ibang kumbinasyon ng suntok at sipa. Natataman nila ang isa't isa pero hindi 'yon sapat para mapatumba ang kahit sino.

Kallisto lunged in the air that seemed to create an arc shape, while Samael was just standing in the middle of it, looking up and watching Kallisto's move. When Kallisto landed on the ocean, Samael immediately lowered himself and extended his leg to trip Kallisto, but the latter evaded it easily by giving a kick towards his enemy.

Another exchange of blows happened between the two of them.

It was nonstop. Some punches and attacks landed on Kallisto's shoulders, arms, and chest; however, it wasn't solid. For him, it was just like a tap to remind him that he was really in a middle of a fight.

Alam ni Kallisto na hindi basta-basta kalaban si Samael, dahil kung ordinaryong kalaban lang 'to, kanina pa 'to tumba sa mga atakeng ibinibigay niya pero nagagawa nitong makipagsabayan sa kanya.

He was strong; he admitted that. However, he never really felt afraid nor terrified while fighting him. Unlike the chills that a certain someone could give him.

Inatake niya nang isang malakas na tadyak si Samael sa may bandang dibdib at tyan kaya tumalbog 'to papalayo sa kanya. Samael even rolled a little on the water because of the decisive blow.

Kallisto thought that Samael would again go and attack him carelessly like he had been doing earlier, but he didn't. Samael just stood up with his head hanging low as his sinister laugh echoed in the ocean.

Kallisto's forehead knotted as he glanced at the back—at the port. He could see that there were some fires and explosions. Looked like the battles in there were getting intense.

"When you are fighting me, don't you dare take your eyes off me!" gigil na sigaw ni Samael kay Kallisto. Pero hindi man lang siya pinansin ng lalaking ang inaalala ngayon ay 'yong pasaway niyang asawa.

She would indeed fight in danger to insulate people. He knew she'd do that. That was why he was worried. Good thing, he already talked to Willow and Yule to protect her. So he made up his mind; he wanted to finish fighting Samael to help Evienne.

While thinking of it, Samael used his orange mana and gathered it to have a considerable amount that could blast Kallisto off.

The orange mana burned so brightly in the middle of the dark ocean, and Kallisto's eyes squinted because it was blinding.

"Die!" Samael laughed and screamed maniacally. His powers appeared to be out of control because of being gathered without proper technique—he just wanted to blast off whoever he was sending it to.

Kallisto covered his face using his arm because of the orange power that was blocking his sight. He stood as the water he was standing on was faltering. And tried to grasp what Samael was planning.

On the other hand, Samael felt victorious because even if Kallisto could dodge the attack, he was sure that power would directly hit the port. The power that he was going to use was really meant for Kallisto's downfall. However, it could also be used to destroy the port, so he didn't really care.

And when Samael couldn't control the power because of how strong it was, he just laughed victoriously while shouting, "It's your end! This is Elysia's end! You will all cower on our feet! We will destroy everything!"

Tuwang-tuwa si Samael no'ng pakawalan niya ang mana na inipon at saka itinira 'yon papunta sa kinatatayuan ni Kallisto. Kitang-kita niya na nakatayo lang ang lalaki at hindi gumagalaw dahil sa liwanag kaya mas lalo siyang natawa.

Idagdag mo pa na katatanggap niya lang ng balita mula sa kanang kamay niya na malapit na sila kasama ang ilan pang tauhan niya para palubugin ang Elysia.

Ramdam na ramdam na niya ang nalalapit na pagwawagi nila.

Samael raised both his hands in the air as he laughed more like he had really gone crazy. He was sure of their victory. No one would ever stop Avalon even if they tried because they were weak.

And weak were meant to cower in front of the strong.

Because that was the law of the world.

And no one could ever defy that law.

While he was celebrating in his mind, the hair on his nape suddenly stood up as he felt a heavy and cold pressure that suddenly appeared on his back.

"You told me, right? Never take your eyes off of your enemy..." A dark and deep voice whispered in his ear.

Natigilan si Samael sa narinig at gulong-gulo sa biglang nangyari. Hindi siya makapaniwala sa bilis na naganap.

Kallisto was now holding his neck!

His grip was loose earlier, but it was getting tighter, and Samael's face turned red as his veins popped out.

"H-How?" he said in shock and fear. He glanced ahead of them and saw that the power he had gathered was now... gone.

Gone.

Gone as if it was never there, to begin with.

Gone like it just vanished into thin smoke.

He couldn't believe his eyes.

He couldn't believe what the man who was holding him did.

He was sure that he amassed enough—no, even too much—power just to blast him off, and even if he did elude it, it would undoubtedly blast the port.

Pero hindi nangyari 'yon.

At hindi niya man lang alam kung paanong nagawang pigilan 'yon nang lalaking may hawak sa kanya.

Hirap na hirap siyang umimik pero inilipat lang siya ni Kallisto sa kabilang kamay kaya't magkaharap na sila ngayon habang nakalutang siya sa pagkakasakal sa kanya.

"You know what? My abyss is really gratified for the hearty meal."

Namutla si Samael no'ng marinig niya ang mababa at malagong na boses ni Kallisto. Idagdag mo pa na kitang-kita niya ang mukha nito ngayon.

Itim na itim ang mga buhok, ngunit ang mga mata ay tila umiilaw. Umiilaw sa kulay ng lila. Kulay ng nakatataas. Kulay ng misteryo. At kulay ng isang abyss, na tinatawag nilang sumpa.

Bullshit.

Curse?

This Abyss was cursed?

No way.

There was no way!

Because a cursed abyss could never be this strong!

Kallisto oversaw what Samael was planning thanks to the abyss that shielded his vision. And the abyss seemed to crave the power that Samael was huddling. It was the first time it felt like the abyss was saying something to him in the middle of the battle.

Usually, it would just obey whatever he wanted, and it might cause pain and other things, but it never conveyed such certain excitement.

Kallisto was worried because his abyss might suddenly get out of control, and that was the last thing he wanted to happen. However, a confident voice echoed in his head like it was programmed to do it when he started doubting his ability and power.

"Don't be afraid of your abyss. It will always be with you and your will. Just trust it. Just like how I trust my Celestia..."

Then Kallisto smiled as he recalled his wife's voice, who said that in just a fleeting moment.

Whatever. If the abyss was excited, then he should let it be excited because there was really a thrilling feeling in the air right now. And he could feel a huge presence in the ocean and some scattered presence that was targeting the port.

So before those presences could arrive, he needed to deal with what was in front of him first.

So he did it.

He let the abyss flow like it was not his power but a free entity.

The abyss was formed like a hungry and gigantic fox.

Kallisto saw that Samael didn't notice his fox, so he just signalled it to go and take his meal.

And the fox followed him. It ran fast—so fast that normal eyes wouldn't be able to see it—even Dacher and Marlo, who were known for their exceptional eyes, would doubt their sight if what they saw was real or just their imagination.

Kallisto followed the fox, not losing to its speed, and when the violet fox devoured the vast power that was aiming at them, it growled in happiness because he took all of that in one bite!

The violet-eyed man couldn't help but cackle a little seeing how his abyss managed to stop the orange power—not just from harming him but also not enabling it to destroy the port.

When the power was gone, Kallisto reached out his hand to the laughing man in front of him and held his neck before telling him something really interesting.

It was what he preached to him, but he didn't even live with it. It was ridiculous, but satisfying. Because one way to piss off people was to get their lines and make it your own.

Kallisto pinned Samael's neck and body on the ocean. And he removed the power that was keeping Samael's head afloat as he tried to drown him in the freezing cold water. The orange-haired man gasped in horror seeing the menacing look on the violet eyes.

'No. No. No. This isn't happening. This man would pay for this humiliation!' Samael thought to himself.

But Kallisto just remained emotionless as he used his abyss to ensure that Samael wouldn't be able to escape him easily.

He could feel a lot of presence nearing, and he knew that he needed to deal with them, too.

Damn. One after another. Kallisto hissed in his mind.

He was about to drown and slash Samael's head when the water shook—no, it was the ocean.

His steady control of floating in the water suddenly wavered because of the massive and strong presence. He gritted his teeth and tried to finish Samael before things went awry; however, Samael managed to attack him.

His abyss protected him. However, Samael used his grip to be submerged in the water with him. Kallisto couldn't let go because Samael might escape and cut the abyss's tie to him.

They were now both in the ocean.

It was really dark. Nothing to see but just Samael's power and Kallisto's abyss that was glowing. He was trying so hard to escape as they further went deeper into the ocean.

Kallisto's abyss was gleaming radiantly in its magnificent colour as he tried to create chains and swords to kill Samael.

Nevertheless, there was a really, really, really rapid force that suddenly pushed Kallisto away from Samael.

Bubbles erupted from his mouth because of breathing in the water as he groaned because of the impact. He felt like his ribs nearly broke with that damned force! He couldn't believe how strong it was, and he was sure it wasn't Samael's power!

Samael laughed as he was separated again from Kallisto and used his power to try and swim upwards.

Kallisto also did the same, but he could feel a presence lurking towards him. And using the abyss, his violet eyes lit up to see what it was that was causing difficulties for him.

And he almost froze. Not for the freezing temperature of the ocean. But because of the creature looking at him, that was swimming around Samael—helping him.

It was a tiny water snake. However, its red eyes were so familiar.

'Willow,' he thought.

'Shit,' then cursed.

He swam upwards quickly and used his abyss to float again in the water.

And when he rose to the surface, a nightmare was in front of his face.

"Damn, things just really got real."

The silent dark night became eerie and deafening because of the brewing thunder.

When he said that there was a storm coming earlier, he didn't mean it as a literal storm, but it looked like the real and literal storm did come, uninvited.

There was a whirlpool starting in the ocean. It seemed small, but it was getting more prominent as time went by. Additionally, the sky was getting darker, and the clouds were accumulating in the atmosphere in the middle of that whirlpool.

A slight light shined upon the ocean, but instead of hope, it only symbolized dread.

Quiet lightning was slowly revealing itself.

And the thunders were creating disturbances for it to be known.

'How can I stop it?' Kallisto thought seriously. But he knew that he wouldn't be able to stop this weather. It might be helpful to stop the fire in the port and the city; however, if it became more than rain, it would surely destroy the pier.

And while thinking of the maelstrom and the storm, another problem arose.

'Damn it.' Why was it that every time he wanted to solve one problem, another would pop out and extend the list of his distress?

It was enough worrying about the worrisome Evienne. Now, things were getting out of hand, and he hated it.

He clenched his teeth and fists as he glared at the cloaked people that had just arrived and were floating on the ocean.

Kita niya ang dami ng kalaban ngayon sa harapan niya. Nagkakagulo na sa port, kung makakalampas sila mas malaking problema—mas maraming panganib sa mga tao niya at sa asawa niya.

He looked up at the sky; he saw a red light that was still fighting the other forces arriving.

Darn. Hindi niya akalain na mukhang hindi rin makakatulong si Azazel sa kanya ngayon.

Well, shit, whatever.

Bumuwelo an lang siya kasama ang abyss na anyong fox pa rin. Sa ginawa ni Kallisto, kaagad sumugod ang mga kalaban niya sa kanya.

Gumawa rin siya ng espada gamit ang abyss niya. At kaagad na sumugod sa mga kalaban niyang nasa harap at 'yong ilang mga titira sa kanya mula sa likod ay kaagad hinarap at kinalaban ng abyss fox niya.

The adversaries jumped and tried to ambush Kallisto, but he was fast to counter each of them. Halos lumipad papalayo sa kanya ang mga natamaan ng espada niya. He targeted their chest, stomach, and other vital parts to make sure that they wouldn't recover easily, and some of them would surely be dead by the blade of the sword.

He was fast, accurate, and powerful. Lahat ng humarang sa kanya, tumalbog at hindi na nagawang sumugod pa ulit. Napakarami nila pero wala lang sa kanya 'yon dahil iisa lang ang target niya sa dami ng mga kalaban niya ngayon—si Samael.

He wanted his head.

And he knew that this man was the one behind the storm and that powerful water snake. That water snake might be tiny. However, he had a bad feeling about it. Like it wasn't really its final form because he kept remembering Willow.

Willow was just a tiny, harmless creature, but when it berserk, it managed to knock out Evienne, who was not as weak as he thought. And he didn't want another repeat of that incident.

He knew that Evienne would really go out here when she discovered about that water snake.

He stared at Samael with pure hatred. He wouldn't forgive him. He would not.

Mabilis tumakbo at sumugod si Kallisto sa maraming kalaban na humaharang sa kanya papunta kay Samael. And aside from those people who were charging and attacking him, he saw that Samael was using his mana again to attack Kallisto.

Kaagad ginamit ni Kallisto ang abyss na espada niya at itinapon 'yon nang buong pwersa sa mana na aatake sa kanya.

The abyss met with the power, and just like before, the abyss seemed to eat it. So, Kallisto smirked because Samael never learned his lesson.

Kaagad niya ring tinadyakan nang malakas at buong pwersa sa mga vital part ng mga kalaban na pilit siyang inaatake kahit wala sa kanila ang pansin niya.

He knocked all of them out of his way and caught up to his sword.

Kaagad niyang kinuha 'yon. He thrust the sword to the person before him after flying with the wind.

The tip of the sword was now on Samael's face.

Kallisto knew that he was about to pierce through his head.

However!

'Damn that snake!'

The snake opened its mouth wide and protected Samael from the tip of the abyss's sword. Kallisto thought that he'd be able to cut the water, but instead, it repelled him with a strong force.

Tumalbog sa ere si Kallisto at kung hindi dahil sa fox abyss na bilang tumalon para saluhin siya paniguradong sa port siya babagsak dahil sa tindi at lakas ng atakeng 'yon. Nagsimulang mamuo ang galit sa isip niya.

That water snake was strong. Way too strong than when Willow was berserk.

Damn, would they be able to fight that? It was so small, yet it was that strong. What if it suddenly became immense? That would really be a huge hit for them.

Kallisto slowly went down from the air and landed on the water.

The enemies charged at him again as the strike of the lightning and thunder roared in the sky and the vortex.

He fought them off as hard as he could, but he knew he was too late.

"You are too late, Abyss! Our win will start now!" malakas na sigaw ni Samael habang nakalutang sa ere na tila ba nasa gitna siya ng whirlpool at galit na langit.

"Yeah, it was too late..." mahinang bulong ni Kallisto dahil ramdam niya ang isang presensya na papalapit sa kaniya. And he knew that presence too well. Someone who was strong yet was solemn.

Kallisto was too late to prevent his wife, Evienne, from coming and running into danger.

"Kalli..." He heard her soft voice, and he used his peripheral vision and saw her standing tall beside him.

Yule and Willow were with her.

Yule immediately went to jump to Kallisto, and he caught him.

Juno and Azazel also landed, a small distance away from them. They were looking at the brewing eye of the storm.

"W-What the hell is this?" Azazel stammered as he felt the powerful aura from Samael.

"What's that?" Juno whispered to herself while looking at the small water snake that was curled around Samael. Its eyes were glistening in danger.

She instinctively knew that the snake needed to be stopped. But she couldn't move from where she was standing. The water waved vigorously, and they all almost fell on their knees because of the strong current.

The snake hissed one last time and suddenly jumped in the eye of the vortex.

"All be damned..." Kallisto heard Evienne murmur as she slowly backed away.

"Yule." The name she uttered was unexpected, but Willow and Yule expected it.

The ocean was alive as the waves and went to the whirlpool more. The people on the port could see the water level lowering, and they backed away as they could feel the prelude to disaster.

The ones inside the buildings and homes opened the windows to see what was happening, and they all knew the doom they were facing.

The Shrine's people toppled on their knees, trembling.

They could see the massive storm that was about to hit Elysia.

They prayed... prayed hopelessly.

They knew that they wouldn't survive with the storm and the tidal wave that was gradually brewing in the sea once it hit the city.

"T-The Saint! Take the Saint to the Shrine immediately!" malakas na sigaw ng Head Cardinal sa mga mage.

The Saint, who was speechless and awestruck in what was about to transpire, couldn't protest. He never wanted to run because he could help. He could use a weapon and borrow power from the higher beings, he needed to go back to the Shrine to save the city.

So, the Saint went to the portal to depart to the Shrine.

Everyone was crying and was panicking. Some were slowly accepting their deaths, but some were still hopeful.

"We'll be saved by Aunty Ariadne, right?" the little girl murmured while looking at the impending calamity.

"Yeah... let's trust Aunty Ariadne and the Golden Prince!" another small boy answered.

Adults could hear the children murmuring innocently, and they were heartbroken because they were not sure anymore if the Celestes and Abyss could save them.

"But please... bless us. The Blessed and Strong Abyss is out there. And the Strongest and Un-Prophesied Celeste is there..."

They hoped, and hoped, and hoped that they'd be saved by the people they were trusting.

The night fell darker and more sinister.

It was quiet.

But it was emotional.

And amid the city that was losing hope but hoping for the Blessed Abyss and the Strongest Celeste to defend them.

Two people who had always been in the dark... stood tall in front of the disaster.

Their hearts were steady despite the calamitous waves.

Their mind was sound despite the roaring thunders.

And their Abyss and Celestia ready despite the power and air that could blow them away.

"Die!!!"

As Samael yelled those words, Evienne ran.

She ran forward while smiling...

"No. You'll be the one to die," she answered with deep blue eyes glistening.

Then something was slowly coming out of the whirlpool's eye.

Regardless, Evienne didn't stop as she ran forward; her eyes were only staring at Samael, who was laughing like he was enjoying the fight she was putting up despite the inevitable end of dying.

Kallisto also ran forward, and Evienne smirked when she saw him beside her. "He was no Prince Watching anymore. He was indeed a Prince Charming right now," she thought with a smile.

Sabay silang tumakbo at tumalon.

Kallisto used his abyss's claw-hand shape to go to the other side of the growing snake water.

And Evienne used her Celestia that was wing-shaped on her back, to go to the other side of the gigantic water snake.

"Well, if you think you are scary, you're wrong. Aqua is far more terrifying when I saw her glowing turtle eyes," Evienne told the water snake mockingly.

The two—Kallisto and Evienne—got ready to aim for the water snake using their abyss and Celestia, and people who were watching gaped in awe.

People saw it.

The Saint saw it.

Everyone saw it.

In that silence.

In that darkness.

In that helplessness.

They saw... that in the middle of the ashen night and raging storm that seemed like a curse from the abode of gods...

There was hope.

And that hope was coming from the once cursed violet abyss that was shining like he was a divine blessing granted by heaven.

And ultimately, they saw that under the sky without the shine and glimpse of the moon... the once forgotten and dimmed prophecy finally revealed her moonlit glow.

—

ツ