886 Athena's Problems n/ô/vel/b//jn dot c//om
As Lenny stood defiant against Moranda's chaotic magic with a Blade against his throat, a different kind of turmoil unraveled far from their confrontation. Athena, in a flight borne of impulse and a deep-seated desire to distance herself from Lenny's burgeoning power, had absconded with the nether beast.
This creature, an anachronism from the darkest depths of the nether, bore a resemblance to prehistoric flying creatures, yet its desiccated hide whispered tales of realms beyond mortal ken. Athena's departure from Lenny and Minnie's side was not merely a physical distance; it was a severance from a future tethered to Lenny's ascending might, a future where her fate might be overshadowed by his dominion.
She really feared this. After all, she had seen Lenny grow to reach her level of strength and then surpass it. Such level of pressure was too much for her to handle. Besides, she had to search for her lover, Hector. Till this moment, she regreted what had transpired between them. She had been the reason for his father's death and she hated herself for it. But more so, she wanted to rectify things.
Luckily for her, she was not a normal person and in no time, she had tracked his scent, following it to the last place he had been. She was an excellent natural tracker and if she could find him, it would do her heart a lot of good. At this point, she noticed that the environment she had entered was vaguely strange. And the chaos magic in the air suddenly became thicker.
Abruptly, the creature beneath her convulsed, a shrill cry tearing from its throat as it plummeted towards the earth. Athena, thrown from the beast, tumbled across the rugged terrain. Yet, as a Half-born, resilience was woven into her very essence. Her sojourn in the nether realm had honed her strength and abilities, forging her into a warrior of formidable mettle. She rose, unyielded, to look at the beast that now regarded her with a lethal intent, its six eyes gleaming with a malevolent intelligence.
Athena quickly looked at its forehead, and then she noticed that the seal Minnie had crafted on the creature's head when she subjugated it in the Nether realm, a tether of control, was unraveling. Athena's heart sank as she considered the possibility of betrayal, the thought that Minnie might have undone her own spell intentionally made her frown. She was not aware that it was because Lenny had killed Minnie. automatically, any thing she had a contract to was free from its binds, and that included this creature.
However, With the seal's dissolution, the beast's allegiance was forfeit; it was a wild entity once more, its gaze fixed upon Athena with predatory anticipation.
She looked around. This was definitely going to be a terrible struggle. After all, this was a scene of desolation and danger, a testament to the trials faced by those who dare to defy their fates. "FUCK ME!!!" She cursed as she took a ready stance for a fight. After all, she was still a gladiator. And in this post apocalyptic world, it was fight every day, payment for having to literally breathe....
.......
Meanwhile, Lenny faced Moranda. The Devil that had now taken over hector's body faced Lenny with an incredible resolve and a blade in hand. "Let me guess, you too were advised by the Fates!" Lenny spoke up. Moranda nodded, "That is why I allowed my self be captured by the Asmodeus family hundreds of years ago. I willingly went through all their torture and insane experiments, allowing them boil my skin and tear my flesh just because of this moment.
My loyalty to the glory of the Morningstar is that unwavering. They sent signs, visions my way. And It has all led to this point. If you refuse to come rule Hell as the Beloved of the Morningstar and carry out revenge, then I'll advice you summon the hosts of hell that we may tag the eighth earth our domain. If you fail, I'll cut you down here and now." Lenny smirked, "really!? Those words of yours are very frightening." Even though Lenny said this, his face did not carry the expression of one who was afraid. in fact, he looked as if he was mocking the devil with his words. "Do you dare me?" Moranda pushed the sword forward. Lenny shook his head. "Actually, I don't. But you see, the fates led you this far which is good, but as the master's beloved as you have called me, don't you think my will is more inclined with that of the Master?" As Lenny said this, he had activated his influencer skill that allowed him influence the decision of those that he spoke to. All of a sudden increasing the convincing power that he had. "I have a better suggestion," lenny spoke, "I remain to be the lord of Hell, but your goal, the Morningstar's goal, my goal shall be beyond just taking the earth. You aid me get the fruit of the Codex and then..."
However, Moranda suddenly waved the sword to slice Lenny's neck, and then Lenny with incredible speed backed away. However, Moranda followed after him. Every wave of his sword literally split the ground in halves. Even the dread dark clouds above were not spared from the choatic dark maisma.
However, lenny gave his distance every time, not even engaging in a fight. Moranda proved to be more skilled and just as fast. "The fates also warned of your vile tongue. I shall sever it from your throat soon enough."
Moranda' s years imprisoned had affected his power greatly, and he had dropped in rank, but Lenny who was just at the rank of a great Demon was not one he considered to be of a threat. Aside the fact that Lenny always managed to dodge an attack just before it would hit regardless of the angle he attacked, there was nothing special that Lenny did. In fact, he was supposed to have killed Lenny in the first attack. But by a brush every time, lenny escaped. In anger, Moranda stopped and then his chest suddenly became bigger and opened up, revealing an inverted row of teeth that opened up to reveal an eye. the moment Lenny saw this, he did not hesitate as he smashed his own ears with his hands in a vigorous clap....