Alpha Instinct-Chapter 88: "Shattered Serenity"

Silverin, driven by righteous fury and desperation, clenched her fist tightly until blood dripped between her fingers. Raising her bloodied hand towards the sky, she cried out:

"Goddess of Light, who judges the wicked and protects the innocent! Accept this offering, this sacrifice! May the strength of my life be turned into judgment! May your wrath fall upon this profane creature! Let the flames of your justice burn it!"

The remaining gargoyle let out a piercing shriek, writhing in pain. A dark and putrid aura, visible even through the dust, emanated from its body. Silverin’s curse had taken effect. But at a terrible cost.

Offering blood to enhance sacred abilities was a sacrilege, an act strictly forbidden by the Church of Light.

The gargoyle’s shriek, amplified by the cave’s acoustics, woke Mikaela. She stood up, disoriented, her head throbbing.

"Ugh..." she groaned, bringing her hand to her temple. "What happened...?"

Then, her eyes focused on Silverin, and the scene of the blood offering struck her like a lightning bolt. "No!" she shouted, horrified, but it was already too late.

"What have you done, Silverin…?" Mikaela thought, immense sorrow filling her heart. "You threw away half your life…" she whispered, her voice choked with sadness.

Still dazed and trying to process the situation, Mikaela struggled to focus on the battle. It was then that Evelyn’s voice reached her, urgent:

"Give me a boost, Mikaela! Up high!" Evelyn was running towards her, the dust cloud, now less dense, allowing her outlines to be seen. "Kaleb, prepare an attack!"

Kaleb, who until then had remained huddled in a corner of the cave, pulled himself together, grabbed his staff, and began to concentrate mana, a reddish glow pulsing at the tip of the object.

Evelyn reached Mikaela, who, without hesitation, interlaced her hands and boosted her upwards in a powerful jump.

Evelyn performed a mid-air somersault, using the momentum to gain height and a panoramic view of the battlefield. Discover hidden tales at novelbuddy

From above, she could see the cave more clearly. The residual heat from Kaleb’s magic, Curtains of Fire, still lingered on the ceiling, creating a ghostly reddish glow.

Below, the gargoyle, writhing in pain and fury due to Silverin’s curse, blindly attacked the air, its movements erratic and uncontrolled.

Evelyn activated Subterfuge Level 3. Her black kamui, the physical manifestation of her power, enveloped her like a shroud, transforming her into an imposing and shadowy figure. Wings of dark energy opened on her back, allowing her to float in the air.

"Kaleb! Focus on me! Don’t lose sight of me!" She shouted, her voice echoing through the cave.

Then, Evelyn plunged towards the gargoyle, like an eagle attacking its prey. A dagger in each hand, she prepared for the blow.

Near hitting the enraged monster, Evelyn vanished into thin air, frustrating the gargoyle’s attack, which had been aimed at her.

Evelyn reappeared instantly on the creature’s back, delivering a precise and brutal thrusting attack. The daggers, enveloped in the smoking energy of Subterfuge, exploded on the gargoyle’s knees, destroying the joints and making it fall to the ground.

"Kaleb! Now!" Shouted Evelyn.

Kaleb, who had been concentrating his magic, twirled his staff in a swift and complex movement, like a juggler in an arcane ritual. Then, with a shout, he slammed the staff on the ground.

"Hellchain!"

Chains of fire erupted from the ground, embracing the gargoyle forcefully, restricting its movements.

The chains tightened more and more, the intense heat burning the creature’s rocky skin. Sinister cracks, followed by the gargoyle’s roars of pain, echoed through the cave.

Then, with a final explosion, the gargoyle was torn to pieces.

Silence, heavy and oppressive, finally settled in the cave, broken only by Silverin’s sobs, which gradually diminished, transforming into trembling sighs.

Mikaela ran to Silverin, gently pulling her away from Ragnar’s remains. Embracing her tightly, she activated Immaculatus, seeking, with her purification magic, to alleviate not only the physical pain but also the deep pain of her friend’s soul.

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Evelyn, concerned, ran to Leonard. "Are you okay?" She asked, examining him.

"Yes," Leonard replied, grimacing. "I just need a regeneration potion to close this hole in my leg."

Evelyn shook her head. "It won’t work. The wound is cauterized. Regeneration potions don’t work on burns like that; they prevent regeneration." She thought for a moment. "Maybe Mikaela can help."

Carefully, Evelyn helped Leonard to his feet, supporting him as he limped towards Mikaela and Silverin.

Meanwhile, Xavier, who remained fallen, injured, but alive, was supported by Kaleb. "Hang in there, brother!" Kaleb said, with forced camaraderie, as if they were old battle companions.

He poured the contents of a regeneration potion over Xavier’s wounds.

Xavier let out a short laugh, but soon contained himself, groaning in pain. "Don’t... make me... laugh..." He asked, between his teeth. "Damn..."

Kaleb, realizing the urgency of the situation, shouted, "Mikaela! Quick! We need your miracles here!"

Mikaela, hesitant, released Silverin and approached. Quickly, she used her healing ability on Xavier. The deep wounds on his chest began to close slowly, the flesh regenerating under the soft glow of magic.

Soon after, Leonard arrived, supported by Evelyn, limping visibly, his arm resting on her neck.

Mikaela finished healing Xavier in a few minutes. Then, she turned her attention to Leonard. The wound on his leg was impressive: a gaping, clean, but deep hole, with the flesh around it blackened by cauterization.

Although less lethal than Xavier’s injuries, Leonard’s wound was much more complex to heal. Mikaela needed to use all her concentration and skill, recreating tissues with the sanctified magic of her ELEV, a slow and exhausting process.

Finally, after long minutes, the wound closed, leaving only a pale scar. Exhausted, Mikaela stepped back, taking a deep breath, her hands trembling.

Together, the group approached Silverin, who remained motionless in the same spot, her head bowed. Mikaela knelt again beside her friend and gently lifted her face.

What they saw shocked everyone. Silverin’s face, previously serene and gentle, was changing.

The beautiful, delicate, and simple girl, with green eyes and blonde hair, had paid her price.

She transformed.