The Genesis Of A Necromancer - Chapter 79
Chapter 79: Bloodshed
With Nephris leading the way, their steps echoed softly against the damp, jagged walls of the cave. The air grew cooler as they ventured deeper, carrying a faint metallic tang that hinted at something ancient and powerful lying within. Shadows danced across the walls, twisting and stretching in ways that made Jack’s skin crawl. Yet, he kept his composure, his sharp eyes darting between Nephris and Alisha, ever vigilant.
“It’s strange,” Alisha broke the silence, her tone thoughtful but tinged with skepticism. “To find a divine being like you hiding in a place like this. I thought the angels retreated after their failed assault on the planes. What exactly happened? How are you still here?”
Nephris fluttered ahead, her faintly glowing form a stark contrast to the oppressive darkness. “Explanations will come, but not from me,” she replied cryptically. Her voice carried a faint tremor, betraying her unease. “He will tell you everything.”
Jack raised an eyebrow but said nothing. His mind was a whirlwind of speculation. Whoever ‘he’ was, Jack doubted they were walking toward a simple answer.
The cave opened into a massive chamber, its ceiling lost in the gloom above. At the far end, leaning against the wall, was a figure that seemed to embody both majesty and ruin. As Jack’s gaze fell on him, the sheer weight of the presence before him was enough to make his breath hitch.
The being radiated an aura that made the air ripple faintly, a subtle reminder of the power contained within. His body was a blend of strength and grace, his defined muscles visible even through the intricate silver-plated armor that encased him. His six wings, magnificent and vast, fanned out behind him, their feathers dulled but still carrying an ethereal sheen. Long, silver hair spilled down his shoulders like liquid moonlight, framing a face that could have belonged to a statue of some long-forgotten god.
But it was his eyes that held Jack captive—eyes of pure, molten gold, brimming with something ancient and unfathomable. Wisdom? Power? Pain? Jack couldn’t decide. All he knew was that the being before him was unlike anything he had ever encountered.
‘This isn’t like Jamiel,’ Jack thought, his instincts screaming warnings. ‘No, this is something far beyond him. Even Alogra wouldn’t compare. This… this is perfection on the brink of destruction.’
Despite the immense power radiating from the figure, there was an undeniable frailty to him. His chest rose and fell in shallow breaths, and the golden blood seeping from a deep gash in his side painted a stark picture of his dire condition.
“Lord Gale,” Alisha whispered, her voice soft and reverent, breaking the heavy silence.
Jack’s attention snapped to her, surprised by the uncharacteristic tenderness in her tone. It was the voice of someone who cared—deeply. A voice Jack had never heard directed at him, nor had he ever expected to.
He scoffed internally. ‘Care? Love? Hmph, nonsense.’
Alisha moved closer, her every step deliberate, as if afraid her presence might disturb the fragile balance of the room. Lowering herself beside Gale, she gently placed a hand on his shoulder and bowed her head. “Lord Gale, I offer my deepest respect.”
The angel’s lips curled into a faint smile, and though his voice was barely above a whisper, it carried a warmth that seemed to fill the entire cavern. “May the light of Olion bless you, Alisha.”
As he spoke, a gentle glow enveloped her, cascading over her like a warm embrace before fading just as quickly. Alisha’s face lit up with gratitude.
“Thank you, Lord Gale,” she said, her voice brimming with emotion.
Jack watched the scene unfold with a mix of intrigue and cynicism. He noticed the subtle shift in Alisha’s posture, the way her fingers lingered on Gale’s shoulder as if drawing strength from his presence.
‘Even in his state, a single blessing restored her entirely,’ Jack thought, his sharp mind quickly calculating the implications. ‘An angel’s power truly is something else. But that wound… it’s bleeding gold? Back on Earth, people would have killed each other over this. Gold for blood—what a waste of resources.’
Suppressing a smirk, he added dryly, ‘If I needed gold here, I’d have already filled a few vials.’
“Lady Alisha,” Gale’s voice cut through Jack’s musings, calm and even. “I sense demons. Not one, but two. Why are they here?”
His golden gaze shifted to Jack and Gurat, the weight of his scrutiny palpable. Gurat froze, his wide eyes filled with sheer terror. He trembled violently before collapsing to the ground in a dead faint, overcome by the pressure.
Jack, however, met Gale’s stare head-on. A faint chill ran down his spine, but he refused to waver. ‘An angel staring into my soul. How quaint,’ he thought, a flicker of defiance glinting in his eyes.
“You are no ordinary demon,” Gale murmured, studying Jack with mild curiosity. “A half-demon, perhaps? That is… unusual.”
Alisha interjected before Jack could respond. “He is the incarnate of the Lord of the Dead,” she said, her tone steady but edged with caution. “The demons are after him, seeking to extract the soul of their master and bring him back to life.”
Gale nodded, his expression unchanging. “I see. Then it is fortunate you crossed paths with me.” He paused, his gaze softening. “Nephris has told me what transpired. I apologize for her actions. She mistook you for an enemy, and when she overheard your discussion of the crystal, she acted to protect me.”
Nephris fluttered closer, crossing her arms and pouting. “I was only doing my duty,” she muttered, shooting Jack an irritated glance.
Jack smirked. ‘Telepathic communication? Impressive. It figures an angel would have his own personal spy network.’
“Lord Gale, what happened?” Alisha pressed, her curiosity evident. “Why are you here? I thought the angels retreated.”
Gale’s face darkened, his voice laced with a grim resolve. “The war has begun.”
The words hung in the air like a death knell. Alisha gasped, her hands flying to her mouth. “War? Against whom?”
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“Haraus has declared total war on humanity,” Gale replied, his golden eyes flashing with a mixture of sorrow and anger. “I opposed him, but among the First Order, his strength is unmatched. When I rebelled, he cast me through the Abyssal Gates.”
Alisha’s face paled. “And the other angels? The Torian forces?”
“Exterminated,” Gale said flatly. “Haraus left none alive. He is consolidating his power, preparing for annihilation.”
Alisha sank to her knees, tears streaming down her cheeks. “Why?” she whispered. “Why would he do this?”
Gale closed his eyes, his voice heavy with regret. “I do not know. I suspect the truth lies within the Chapters of Time, but until they are found, his reasoning remains a mystery. One thing is certain: the Season of Hubris is coming, and with it, an era of bloodshed unlike any other.”
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