Saintess? Not Anymore! I'd Rather be a Destroyer-Chapter 343 - 280: Sanctuary

"Seems like a Gemaris Gate, a skill that can transport someone across dimensions, worlds, or even universes, is better than mine," Eva muttered, eyes narrowing at the screen before her. A golden ’X’ hovered over a dull gray dot, pulsing faintly.

With a quick swipe of her fingers, she zoomed in, layers of galaxies and stars peeling back until the screen displayed countless universes. The golden mark drifted dangerously close to one of them, its glow now brighter, the gray dot lingering nearby.

"So that’s where they’re keeping my clock," Eva whispered, lips curling into a grim smile. But her gaze shifted, and reality hit her like a slap. "But first... I need to break these damn seals."

She took in her surroundings, the barren land stretching endlessly around her. Cracked earth crunched beneath her boots, the ground devoid of life. Overhead, three suns hovered weakly, their dim light barely cutting through the dusty sky.

Then it hit her.

"Oh, fuck!" she hissed, slapping her forehead. "I forgot to ask the system about transportation. Seriously?! Did he forget I can’t fully fly yet?"

She groaned, cursing herself under her breath in a string of languages. Finally, with a deep sigh, her shoulders sagged. There was no point in stressing over it now.

Kicking at the dirt, she wandered aimlessly for a moment, fingers raking through her hair in frustration. Then, with a flick of her wrist, golden light surged from her hand, swirling and solidifying into the form of a small stone house. She stepped inside, the coolness of the walls a stark contrast to the dry heat outside.

Collapsing into the center of the room, she let her body glow faintly, sending out pulses of energy, scanning for any signs of life. She had to be ready—for anything. Her mind drifted, to the two siblings.

’Please let them be okay.’ she thought as she closed her eyes.

---

"She’s gone, huh?" Aurianna murmured, her voice barely above a whisper as she sprawled across her bed, staring at the ceiling of her dimly lit room.

[ Yes, Aurianna. ] The system’s voice echoed softly in her mind, neutral but somehow comforting.

Aurianna exhaled slowly, a slight smile tugging at the corners of her lips. "I just hope she’ll be fine," she whispered, pushing herself off the bed. The cool floor met her bare feet as she padded toward the window. Pulling back the curtain, she gazed out at the two moons hanging high in the sky.

A soft chuckle escaped her lips. "And I believe... it’s time now."

She turned, heading toward the drawer by her bedside. Her fingers brushed over the polished wood before pulling it open.

"Time for what?" Hadina asked curiously. She was perched on the couch across the room. Beside her, Zagan lounged lazily, though his eyes flickered with interest.

"To invite Boara and all of Vatium’s people here. Just before I leave, I want everyone gathered," Aurianna declared with a wide grin, stepping out of her closet. She wore a flowing black robe adorned with white crosses, and she looked very excited.

"Finally, I can start the plan I’ve waited years to put in motion." She clenched her fists, the grin stretching wider, almost unnervingly so. "Paige, I want to watch your entire legacy crumble into dust."

A sharp, almost manic laugh erupted from her. "Chi, chi, chi, chi, chi..lallalalalalalala!"

The laughter echoed off the walls, filling the room. Then, as suddenly as it began, she stopped, inhaling deeply. Her grin softened into something almost cheerful.

"Now, let’s get the others to start the preparations!" she chirped.

________

"Master is coming," Boara announced, her voice calm and steady as she gazed down from her perch atop a jagged building in the underground sanctuary. The flickering lamp cast shadows across her dragon like features.

"Aurianna?" Ostusi’s voice echoed from, his tone laced with both curiosity and a hint of unease.

"Yes, who else would I mean?" Boara replied. "Gather everyone immediately. Those are her instructions."

"For what exactly?" Ostusi pressed, his brow furrowing.

"To our new church," Boara answered, her voice dripping with joy as she glanced around the crumbling stone walls. "Finally, we won’t have to live in this rundown hole anymore."

Ostusi nodded slowly but couldn’t hide the flicker of doubt in his eyes. "Alright, I’ll inform Master Vatium and the others. We’ll gather everyone." He offered a respectful bow before hesitating. "But... these past few months, where exactly did Aurianna disappear to?"

Boara’s lips curled slightly. "She was managing our new church. That’s the information I got from Avriel." 𝒇𝒓𝒆𝒆𝙬𝒆𝒃𝓷𝒐𝓿𝙚𝙡.𝒄𝓸𝒎

’The primordial human Aurianna spoke of,’ Ostusi mused.

"And... the place Aurianna’s planning for us," Ostusi added cautiously, "will there be enough space for everyone?"

Boara’s smile widened, her sharp teeth being revealed "Yes. There will be more than enough. Just get everyone ready."

_______

A few hours later, the underground sanctuary swelled with life. Over a million people had gathered at a certain area. This former place that was once a simple refuge had now grown into something more akin to a small kingdom.

All sorts of people filled the space: men, women, and children of every race and different backgrounds. But one thing bound them all together was that every last one of them had been a slave from the continent of Graias or were refugees of war.

And due to the announcement made earlier they had all gathered and had gotten their belongings ready as well.

---

Suddenly the whole place was quiet, as the sucker wobbled its way to the podium where all the leaders were gathered. They were all waiting, breath held tight, for the arrival of her, the Aurianna they constantly kept on hearing about. A few knee her and a few didn’t as well.

A teleportation gate suddenly snapped open with a sharp crackle. Out of the shimmering void stepped Aurianna, her face covered with a white cross and her long crystal like hair floated a bit. Behind her, Jade, Hadina, Jugi, and Avriel followed, their expressions unreadable, also stepped out following beside her.

"Big brother Vatium! Big brother Zelnu! How are you?!" Aurianna’s voice rang out, bright and cheerful. Her grin stretched wide, eyes unreadable, but there was something off. The cheer in her tone didn’t quite reach the deadness look in her face they managed to see when the wind blew her face cover.