Chapter 128: Wanting

Chapter 128: Wanting

Vexs Essence bore down on Chance and Bella, pushing them both to the ground. Chance gritted his teeth, fighting just to stay standing. The pressure was immense, but with the full brunt of his own Essence pressing back against Vex, he was able to keep himself from falling face first onto the ground.

Hes doing this on purpose. He could definitely crush both of us if he wanted to.

Is something wrong? Vex asked, his smile expanding as he came to a stop before Bella. Her fingers dug through the dirt and she grit her teeth, her back trembling as she tried to force herself back to her feet and failed.

Every breath felt like it was a battle. Vex was crushing them without so much as lifting a finger. Chances Essence flooded out from his body, enveloping him and Bella in its warm glow. Vex didnt even give him a second glance.

To him, Chance was just the side-show. He was doing this because of Bella. The sick cultivator took pleasure in his apparent superiority the arrogant smirk on his face said everything. In his mind, this had never been a fight. Hed won before it had ever started.

I wish I could say its been fun, but youve been a complete waste of my time, Vex said, putting one of his boots on Bellas shoulder and slamming her to the ground. He flexed his right hand and a glistening black water swirled around his fingertips, forming into a blade.

Fury bubbled in Chances stomach. Fury at Vex and at the world of Centurion, for letting something like this happen. At the Shikari, for their complete and utter betrayal. At himself, for not being strong enough to do anything but watch as Vex raised the blade.The debut release of this chapter happened at Ñøv€l-B1n.

And, finally and to his shame Rilu. Yamish never would have helped, but Rilu had claimed to care about others. His claims were worthless. Vex was moments from Killing Bella, and hed known everything about the secret weapon that Rilu had given them.

Chance drew a shuddering breath, his lungs barely even able to draw air with his proximity to Vex. A vision of the golden being flickered through his mind.

Answers are found in peace, not anger.

Chance nearly laughed. Vex had paused the fall of his blade, savoring the defeated expressions on their faces. Peace didnt feel like it was going to solve anything. Theyd already lost.

But, if Im going to die, it damn well isnt going to be like this.

He released the anger. The fury and hatred melted away in the flow of his Essence, washed into a flowing ocean of peace. He could not control the world. The actions of others were beyond his grasp. No matter what anyone took from him, they could never take his beliefs and decisions. Chance was who he chose to be. Vex could kill them, but he couldnt change them.

The revelation didnt give Chance a burst of strength, nor did it reduce the crushing pressure threatening to turn him into paste. No magical force appeared to change the tide of the battle, and Chances Essence didnt erupt with renewed vigor.

Instead, he got a moment of clarity. A flicker of peace in a storm of emotion. And, with that moment, Chances eyes landed on the scroll that laid before Bella.

A gift that made no sense. One that had no conceivable way of defeating Vex, and yet one that Rilu had given them, nonetheless. A gift that Rilu had valued greatly. One that they valued as well. It had been their lifeline, the promise that there was a way to survive the day.

Chances eyes widened.

You can do nothing! Vex screamed. You are an impartial observer with no power!

No, Vex. I am an executor of the universes will, Rilu said, his voice deadly soft. And you have Karma with me.

Vex wasnt granted the grace of a response. A golden blade formed in the air behind him and carved down for his neck. Vex twisted to the side, screaming as the weapon carved a line across his back.

Water swirled and he sent a wave of blades crashing down on Rilu, but it was blown to the side by a rush of golden wind. Vex turned to flee again, but glowing gold bands wrapped around his arms and legs, yanking him back before he could run.

Vex desperately cut at the bands, but this time, they didnt break. His magic broke harmlessly against Rilus. With a defiant roar, Vex summoned a rain of jagged water directly above Chance and Bella.

It crashed down above them with enormous force only to be met by a wall of golden light. Loud clangs echoed through the field as Vexs magic harmlessly rang off Rilus shield.

I have been waiting for you to slip up for a long time, Vex. Rilus voice was dispassionate as he advanced toward the desperate Cultivator.

Youre nothing but a dog! Vex screamed. His Essence roared out of his body, roiling across the ground and ripping it to shreds. It didnt make it farther than five feet from his body before dozens of golden stars lit around him, blocking Vexs aura off and stopping its advance.

Bands of light shot out from the stars, winding around Vexs body and dragging his limbs taut. Vex was lifted into the air, bound so tightly that he wasnt even able to struggle. All he could do was stare hatefully. His Essence flickered and faded, unable to resist the overwhelming might pouring off Rilu.

You have been judged by the universe, Rilu proclaimed. A gold spear materialized in his hands. He thrust it forward, driving the weapons point straight into Vexs heart. Vexs eyes widened and he thrashed, blood splattering across the ground as Rilu ripped the spear free.

The bindings holding Vex vanished and he dropped to the ground, landing on all fours. Vex coughed, even more blood splattering from his lips as he tried to find the strength to push himself upright.

Ill

A band of light wound around Vexs mouth, stifling him. Rilu turned, holding the spear out. Chance and Bella stared. Vex had been invincible. An insurmountable force that had been plaguing Bella for her entire life.

Bella rose to her feet. Vexs eyes promised a thousand deaths within them, but Bella didnt even look at him. Her eyes were transfixed on the glowing weapon. She reached out and took it from Rilu, staring at the hilt mutely.

With a scream that carried years of torture and pain behind it, Bella plunged it into Vexs eye. A brilliant crash of light lit the clearing as the weapon bit home, punching out of the back of Vexs head.

The spear dissipated. Bella dropped to her knees, breathing heavily as the bindings holding Vex vanished. His body pitched forward, thumping against the ground before Bella as tears streamed down her face.

You have been found wanting, Rilu finished, clapping his hands together. Good riddance.