Chapter 858 Solving The Standoff

Chapter 858 Solving The Standoff

Immediately, the abomination went quiet, and Astaroth felt his headache subside.

"Now what?" he asked, knowing the voice could hear him.

'Now, I'm quiet until you ask for me. If I deign respond. Good luck, me.'

Astaroth grunted, knowing he would hear the voice again before long, even if he didn't ask its opinion.

It had already talked inside his head more than once without being asked for anything. He was sure it would happen again.

He was also sure it wouldn't respond if he asked for help. So he couldn't care less.

For now, his priority was to get back out and find out what had happened. He could tell he'd been in here long enough, too long, even.

There was no telling what happened to the fruit or his allies after he passed out.

"I need to stop passing out every time..." he mumbled.

But was there anything he could do about it? He doubted that.

Focusing on his breathing, he reached a trance-like state and pulled himself back into the world.

His eyes fluttered open, and he saw the cavern's grey ceiling, which looked like a Swiss cheese wheel, with holes upon holes dotting the surface.

But at least he wasn't in a graveyard, which was a plus.

Sitting up, he looked around to find his allies around him.

Genie and White were in a corner, the former trembling like a scared child while the latter flanked her, nudging her gently.

Selena's mouth instantly shut, her face glowing with joy as she turned to look at the fruit that had been haunting her dreams for decades. She took a step forward, Leon still between her and it, and he smiled before moving aside.

Astaroth heard Shegror's tongue click in annoyance before she vanished from sight, returning inside him to rest.

'You'll get your turn. For now, endure and stop with the attitude. Remember, we have a transactional relationship. I have no reason to help you if you don't help me. And the Aether that channelled through me already paid you tenfold today. So pipe down,' he told her through their mental link.

There was no reply, and Astaroth knew she was ignoring him and pouting. But he didn't care.

Looking in the cave, he could see the disappointed look on Genie's and Morpheus's faces, but he could do nothing about it.

"I swear I'll find a way to help you get stronger, guys. But, for now, the fruit was promised, and nothing will make me a liar."

They understood the underlying warning, and Genie walked toward the cave exit. She wanted to escape the fruit and its attractive scent, but she also didn't want to watch as another being grew in power right before her eyes.

It was too big a disappointment for her to bear.

Astaroth looked at her, feeling her emotions through their connection, and he sent White after her.

'Make sure she doesn't sulk too much. I have ideas about her already, but I can't look into them now. Just let her know that her time will come.'

White nodded before heading out after Genie.

Astaroth knew he could calm her, so he focused on the others present in the alcove.

Morpheus wasn't even looking at the fruit, as if it wasn't bothering him that he didn't get it. But, deep down, Astaroth could feel the envy in his heart.

"Don't worry, M, I'll find you something even better. Maybe if we look hard enough, I can find a way to make you like Luna. Having a human body would give you much flexibility and better chances of getting stronger. Sound good?"

The enormous bat chirped, tilting his head slightly before sinking back into Astaroth.

Looking at Leon, Astaroth smiled.

"That leaves only you."