Just as we were about to scrape the bottom, we activated our wings, instantly breaking the fall. And upon feeling our feet land against the ground, our wings furled back into our bodies. They made a creaking leathery sound which was a bit disgusting, but we didn't mind as we were completely used to things like that.
Hades and I had different ideas as I began to walk down the hallway whilst he somehow phased through the impenetrable wall. So, I quickly followed him through and found myself in yet another hallway, quickly attempting to catch up to my son, who began to run faster and faster.
It was one wall at first, then two, then three, then four, five, six, seven, eight, nine, ten, eleven, twelve, thirteen, fourteen, fifteen, sixteen... and then finally, seventeen, where a gaping hole almost welcomed us with glistening rocks inside.
"How did you find these shortcuts?" I asked Hades, and for the first time since coming down here, he finally responded.
"I did. With the power you granted me, I was able to produce change, but it seems I just didn't try hard enough."
As soon as he entered the cavern, the many lizards protecting the portal appeared out of nowhere. Their bloodlust was extremely powerful and felt like a hot iron rod was being run against my skin. And that was just standing outside of the portal chamber. I could imagine what my son was going through as he looked blankly up at the glimmering lizards.
The crystals lining their hard outer exterior were impressive in size and even more impressive in defense. My son was barely able to land a scratch on one as he charged up a fist infused with the power of death. But, he was calculative and safe, immediately seeing the best route possible to the portal he wanted to enter- no, destined to enter.
Although he had heart and determination, it wasn't enough to make up for the gaping distance in numbers, strength, defense, and speed. He was outclassed in pretty much every way possible, but I still tried to believe in him. No matter how many times he was flung around, he stood back up and set his eyes on the target once again. He was determined to get to that portal no matter what, even if he had to sacrifice an arm, a leg, and maybe even part of his torso. He was determined.
Yet, seeing him get steamrolled by these monsters was a painful sight to watch, especially since it was my own son. I loved him with all my heart, and right in front of me, he was getting beat down to the point where his left arm was hanging limply by his side. Clearly, it had broken, but he had shut off all emotions at this point. I doubt he was even feeling pain.
BAM BAM BAM BAM BAM BAM BAM BAM BAM BAM BAM BAM BAM BAM BAM BAM BAM
Suddnely, the monsters in the room all connected their attacks, causing Hades to be flung around like a ragdoll. Tumbling and spilling blood from his mouth even before he had a chance to breathe. At this point, he was either going to die from asphyxiation from breathing in his own blood or die from internal bleeding due to how much he was getting beat around.
Eventually, he was let go from the flurry of attacks, his bones shattered and his mind unconscious. He just about managed to wake up before his mind slipped too far away from him, only to realize it was too late for him in general. All of the lizards had come together and were all sending their last kick, punch, slam, or throw into my son... and this was where I immediately cut everything off and stepped in.
BOOOOOM
Blowing up the few who were just barely touching my son, I slipped inside and stood in front of him, my eyes glaring around the room at the frozen lizards. They were even bigger up close and felt even more deadly just standing in front of them. But as I released my own bloodlust and aura, they all visibly backed up a few inches.
"M-Mom... d-don't-"
"Shut the fuck up, son. You're going to die, and I won't allow that, understand?" I looked down at Hades. His state was near death, as I could already hear his lungs gurgling with blood. In fact, just stuttering those few words nearly broke the rest of the bones in his face and skull. His state was that bad.
He whimpered ever so lightly as I applied a golden flame on him, allowing him to heal back to full health and feel even better than before. But I didn't allow him to stand up as the lizards were already closing back in, adapting to my aura and bloodlust almost instantly. Now, they were nothing more than a humid gust of wind brushing past them.
[Monster Influence] [Tiara of the Monster Princess]
The lizards all backed away upon seeing the small crown of horns appear on my head. On top of that, the influence I used forced them back so far that they all scampered into the shadows of the bulging and piercing crystals surrounding all around me.
"Thank you," a voice just barely grazed me. And as I turned around to see my son, smiling with glee, I noticed his foot already slipping through the portal. He had thanked me and left, leaving me behind to start sniffling.
Wiping back the mucus spilling from my nose was more challenging than I thought. I was trying to maintain my composure, but I just couldn't help it. Tears gently fell down my face as I walked out of the cavern, hearing the gurgling of the portal behind me slowly stop. It was satisfied with my son for which it had just consumed, teleporting him elsewhere.
"Huh? Arpious? Why are you here?"
『Status』
[Name: Treyni]
[Race: Creator of Mother Nature]
[Status: Servant]
[Level: 114/280]
[HP: 1000/1000 MP: 1000/1000 SP: 1000/1000]
[Strength: 100]
[Defense: 100]
[Magic: 1000]
[Speed: 100]
[Luck: 1]
[Charisma: 800]
[Skills: [Jungle Magic] [Ancient Forest Magic] [Mother Nature's Kindness] [Solar Beam] [Domain of Mother Nature] [Plant Manipulation] [Plant Growth] [Summon: Elite Dryad] [Summon: Elite Trent] [Summon: Hydra Chomper] [Forbidden Magic: Chloris] [Body Enhancement] [Fire Control] [Wind Magic] [Intense Focus] [Flying Sense] [Grand Telekinesis] [Grand Telepathy] [Enhanced Regeneration] [Enhanced Senses] [Grand Acoustic Hearing] [Grand Telescopic Sight] [Sound Distinguisher] [Greater Body Enhancement] [Fire Control] [Wind Control] [Concentration] [Immovable Body Enhancement] [Berserk] [Shield Slam] [Earth Magic] [Enhanced Senses] [Enhanced Guardian Regeneration] [Earth Wall] [Earth Barrier]
[Mastered Weapons: [Plants]
[Titles: [Mother Nature] [Queen of the Dryads] [Creator of Nature] [Servant]
...
『Status』
[Name: Homura]
[Race: 6 Tailed Wisp Fox]
[Status: Servant]
[Level: 26/100]
[HP: 600/600 MP: 800/800 SP: 250/250]
[Strength: 120 (+25)]
[Defense: 120]
[Magic: 300 (+25)]
[Speed: 120 (+25)]
[Luck: 1]
[Charisma: 50]
[Skills: [Spectral Wisp Magic] [Greater Body Enhancement] [Feral Claws] [Fire Immunity] [Concentration] [Enhanced Feral Regeneration] [Enhanced Feral Senses] [Summon: Fire Ghost] [Summon: 1 Tailed Wisp Fox] [Body Enhancement] [Wind Magic] [Grand Thread Manipulation] [Concentration] [Extreme Thread Creation] [Thread Extended Senses] [Thread Enhanced Regeneration] [Puppeteer Strings] [Puppet Manipulation] [Puppet Enhancement] [Body Enhancement] [Wind Magic] [Concentration] [Grand Fire Magic] [Blacksmiths Strengthen Arms] [Metal Muscle Enhancement] [Enhanced Senses] [Enhanced Regeneration] [Art of Blacksmithing: 3] [Metal Manipulation] [Blacksmithing Hammer Slam] [Body Enhancement] [Wind Magic] [Grand Earth Magic] [Boost] [Summon: Golem] [Grand Crystal Manipulation] [Inspect] [Summon: Crystal Giant] [Summon: Crystal Golem] [Crystal Muscle Enhancement] [Enhanced Senses] [Enhanced Regeneration]
[Equipment: [Blue Ring of Twilight]
[Body Modification: [Ring of Wisps: 3]
[Titles: [Servant] [Chiefs Daughter] [Catastrophic Level Monster (2618 / 20000)] [Empress]
...
『Status』
[Name: Kumo]
[Race: Sealing Empress of the Moon]
[Status: Happy]
[Level: 210/250]
[HP: 1500/1500 MP: 3000/3000 SP: 1500/1500]
[Strength: 400(+25)]
[Defense: 400]
[Magic: 900(+25)]
[Speed: 400(+25)]
[Luck: 1]
[Charisma: 500]
[Skills: [Acid Secretion] [Shadow Magic] [Slash] [Poison Immunity] [Grand Moonlight Magic] [Grand Thread Manipulation] [Enhanced Arachne Regeneration] [Enhanced Arachne Senses] [Spider Leg Spikes] [Forbidden Magic: Gleipnir] [Chain Creation] [Chain Manipulation] [Moon Resonation] [Domain of the Night] [Grand Moon Barrier] [Grand Sun Barrier] [Invisible Barrier Creation] [Throne World of Cages]
[Equipment: [Purple Ring of Twilight]
[Body Modification: [Moon Tattoo]
[Titles: [Servant] [Revenger] [Catastrophic Level Monster (1393 / 20000)] [Empress]
...
For some reason, three of my wives stood at the entrance to the cavern, leaving me to display this pitiful state of mine. I looked weak. Weaker than ever, and for Treyni and Homura, who I hadn't seen in such a long time, this wasn't a good first impression.
"H-Honey, what's wrong?" Homura immediately hugged me, avoiding the crown of horns on top of my head. Treyni also came and wrapped her arms around me, all while Kumo stared at the portal back in the cavern.
"He finally left, didn't he? Leaving his god damn responsibilities behind? FUCK! NOW WHAT AM I SUPPOSED TO DO!? THIS FUCKING PLANE WILL GO TO SHIT! ABSOLUTE SHIT! FUCK!" Kumo cursed out my son, but upon seeing my glare meet her eyes, she quickly shut up right after clicking her tongue one last time. n-/o(-v-/E()L))b.)1./n