Chapter 1760 Succession [1]

Chapter 1760 Succession [1]

When the world faded into darkness, Melania thought she was dead.

The last thing she saw through the small space left in her vignetting vision was August's figure covered in light.

She wanted to smile and welcome him back, joking about something random as they confronted their enemies together. She wanted to have some sort of reaction to welcome him back from whatever realm he'd gone to.

Unfortunately, she could not.

After watching all of the rest of her friends fall one by one in her paralyzed state, Melania was sent into the blackness. Her consciousness was enveloped by the murky waters of the underworld as she unwillingly bathed in their current. If only a bit more time passed, she'd finally be able to let go of this life and pass over like everyone else.

In her mind, all possibilities of survival were gone now. Melania didn't want to give up hope. She wanted to grab onto every tiny rope she could find if it meant that she could live for even a few seconds longer.

However, the ropes in the sky above were all frayed. She grabbed and climbed, grabbed and climbed, but all she gained was an inconsequential amount of time. Looking back at it, there was never a reason to resist. She willingly threw herself into the jaws of death for August's sake. Since she was able to see him safely return to the world before she died, she should have just been content.

Most people in her situation would die before they saw if their sacrifice meant anything.

Still, Melania wanted to be selfish.

She wanted to be the person who saved him, but she also wanted to live and see what happened afterward.

Even as her soul disappeared into the embrace of samsara, she looked into the sky, hoping for a miracle.

And it arrived.

Somehow, her prayers had been answered.

The darkness above that could only be considered a sky because there was a sea below; in that place, a golden light shone. It formed a pair of wings like those of an angel surrounding a circular runic symbol that she'd never seen before.

As its light illuminated her soul, the pieces that were fading into a haze became corporeal again. The murky water that was up to her hips by now receded along with the blackness. Warmth filled Melania's soul, and subtly, she once again felt a connection to the physical plane.

Her body...

She didn't realize that her soul had been separated from it until she gained it back. The tactile feeling of her nerves firing signals in every direction, of her mana flowing through her veins, and of her heart beating powerfully was an unimaginably beautiful feeling to her.

As such, she easily popped the barrier and stepped into the water-logged cavern.

All around, the others were waking up too. Valerie was already standing. As was Juno. Those two never lost consciousness, so they saw what August was doing from the start. Of course, August assumed that they were focused on healing, but he was not correct.

The things he was planning to keep hidden from others had already been revealed, though the two who watched didn't plan to mention it.

Yuna had awoken. She checked the wound on her stomach in surprise and looked around to see everyone else.

Raul was the same. Whether it was by coincidence or design, all of them woke up and looked around to see the rest doing the same. And though August was not present, there was definitely a place for all of them to turn their attention.

Valerie's hands shook as she saw the face of the friend she thought she'd lost.

"Melania!" She yelled in shock and bewilderment.

Melania smiled. This time, she was able to hear her name being called.

"Yeah, I'm here."

She responded warmly. It was all she really got the chance to say. After all, in that same moment, Valerie charged in and hugged her with all her might.

It was a reunion both of them thought impossible, but one that was allowed to happen through a collection of miracles.

The two of them, no, everyone in this cavern had chosen to sacrifice themselves to help their friends. In the end, when thoughts of escaping left their minds, they did everything they could to kill as many enemies as possible before going down themselves so the rest didn't have to face as much.

In the moment of battle, all of them wondered if now was really the time to die. None of them held such thoughts, but as death filled their minds, they were forced to wonder if it was really worth it to do all of this for the sake of others.

However, all of them came to the same conclusion. Standing here now, none of them doubted themselves in the slightest.

Right, each and every one of them tried to sacrifice themselves for the rest. That meant that each and every one of these people was a cherished comrade and a trusted friend.

For the sake of the people who would do the same for them, why would they hesitate?

As everyone gathered and began conversing about random topics, glad to be alive, their last member also arrived.

It had been too long since they had last talked.

Wasn't it about time for August to reunite with his friends?