Chapter 257: Plans and Actions

In the outer plain of pure darkness, a woman sat upon her throne fashioned from bones, her gaze fixed upon the screen before her.

Despite the vastness of her existence and the eons she had witnessed, she found herself succumbing to the monotony of boredom.

"Boring," she muttered, her voice tinged with frustration as she observed the uneventful scenes unfolding in the mortal realm.

For weeks, she had been monitoring the world through the eyes of her chosen saintess, Isabella, hoping to find some semblance of amusement.

Yet, each passing moment only deepened her dissatisfaction.

Time held little meaning for her, its passage imperceptible against the backdrop of eternity.

But in these recent weeks, even the smallest increments felt like an eternity of tedium. Isabella's actions, though dutiful and necessary for their grand scheme, failed to captivate her attention.

Isabella's role as a healer and supporter within the party did little to satisfy the woman's craving for excitement and adventure.

What she desired was action, intrigue, the thrill of the unknown.

She longed to witness the exploits of her chosen champion, to revel in the chaos and unpredictability of mortal affairs.

If Isabella wasn't allowed to go at the front, she would've liked it more is she saw her beloved baby instead.

With a sigh, the woman leaned back upon her throne, her patience wearing thin. Despite her immense power and influence, even she was not immune to the relentless pull of boredom.

In the endless expanse of her domain, the woman grew increasingly restless. Even the members of the party Isabella was currently assigned to failed to ignite any spark of interest within her.

Temptations to possess Isabella and inject some excitement into the proceedings flitted through her mind, but she quickly dismissed them.

Such actions would only disrupt the delicate balance they sought to maintain with the goddess.

Days passed in agonizing monotony until finally, a ripple of activity stirred across the mortal realm.

Though the context behind that ripple wasn't something she expected.

.....

Taking slow, deliberate breaths, I focused my thoughts on the location of the demon princess.

Despite my burning desire to immediately rescue Elena, I knew I needed to approach the situation with caution.

My emotions were running high, and I needed to quell the raging anger within me before I could act.

With each step towards the demon princess's location, I reminded myself of the importance of maintaining a clear head.

It was imperative that I address the damage inflicted upon my soul and seek guidance from Mother.

Together, we could devise a plan to navigate this unexpected turn of events.

As I contemplated the presence of angels among our enemies, I couldn't help but feel a sense of unease.

Their unexpected appearance added a layer of complexity to an already precarious situation.

However, I found solace in the knowledge that their influence seemed to be limited by their possession of the dark elves. This presented an opportunity for us to level the playing field, albeit temporarily.

Checking the connection between my soul and Elena's, I breathed a sigh of relief upon confirming her continued existence.

Yet, concern gnawed at me as I pondered the unknown horrors she might be enduring. Negative thoughts threatened to overwhelm me, and I could feel the darkness within me stirring in response.

"Ian, Aria and the others are heading into the distraction you requested"

"Thank you..."

"You don't have to worry about Louise and Aria being taken away, Fenrir is there watching them from a distance"

Acknowledging my sister's update, I felt a weight lift off my shoulders knowing that Louise and Aria were under Fenrir's watchful eye. With that concern alleviated, I could focus entirely on the task at hand.

It was evident that our adversaries had a larger plan in motion, using Elena as leverage to manipulate me. This realization only fueled my determination to outmaneuver them.

Despite my disdain for the goddess, I couldn't deny her strategic prowess. Holding Elena hostage restricted my ability to take decisive action, and they were undoubtedly capitalizing on that fact.

As I pondered the gravity of the situation, I couldn't help but inquire about Aunt's progress in locating Elena.

Now wasn't the time nor place for that right now.

"Elaniel... take me to the castle"

"B-But..."

"Now"

Slightly disappointed, she lowered her head as her excitement faded.

With a sigh, she grabbed hold of my hand before red lightning covered our bodies, and we soared through the sky.

This... this was too fast.

'Since when did she learn a skill like this?'

I couldn't help but wonder as we sped towards our destination.

....

In an empty church, nestled within the hush of reverence, a solitary figure knelt before the grand altar.

Sunlight streamed through stained glass, painting the scene with kaleidoscopic hues, as if the divine itself sought entry into this sacred space.

The man's silhouette was softened by the ethereal glow, his features illuminated with a celestial radiance.

With wings as pure as driven snow and a halo of shimmering gold crowning his head, he seemed more angelic than mortal, a being transcendent in his presence.

Yet, despite his unearthly aura, he bowed humbly, his whispered entreaties weaving through the silence.

"Oh great mother of life... Please hear my prayer and take us back into our kind grace," his voice, a solemn plea, reverberated within the empty expanse of the church.

Minutes passed, marked only by the whisper of his words and the gentle caress of sunlight upon his pale countenance.

Finally, he lifted his gaze, eyes alight with faith, and made the sign of the holy church of light, a gesture of reverence to the divine.

As he stepped out into the world beyond the church's walls, a young woman, her presence as ethereal as his own, intercepted his path. Her features mirrored his pallor, her eyes keen with curiosity.

"Done praying?"

"Yes,"

"Hmm..."

"What?" he prompted, sensing the weight of her unspoken thoughts.

"Nothing, it's just... I find it strange how you still put your faith in her after all this time,"

"My faith and loyalty are unwavering,"

"Is that truly all?" she pressed, her curiosity unabated.

Choosing not to engage further, he moved ahead, the woman trailing behind him"I wonder what will happen from now on?"

The woman's voice, tinged with boredom, cut through the silence like a jagged edge.

She cast a disinterested glance over the desolation surrounding them, her gaze sweeping across the landscape littered with tattered remnants of what once were homes.

There was a sense of disdain in her scoff, a silent commentary on the destructive capabilities of humanity.

"We'll see," came the man's reply, his tone measured, betraying none of the turmoil brewing beneath the surface.

"Eh, I thought someone who can see the future already knows what's coming?"

The woman's query held a hint of incredulity, as if she couldn't fathom how someone with such a gift could remain uncertain.

"The future is more unstable than you think," he countered, his words weighed down by the burden of knowledge.

In the recesses of his mind, the man could only recall the countless iterations of destruction he had witnessed, each one a fragment of a potential future shattered by the capricious whims of fate.

His gift, a curse as much as a blessing, granted him glimpses of what could be, yet left him powerless to alter the course of destiny.