Chapter 1097: Is This Still A Win?

Chapter 1097: Is This Still A Win?

Pov Juliano:

I look around, the sky that was once half purple and half white because of our two Territories overlapping has now been swallowed up in purple with a red sun shining in the sky like an open wound.

All the parts representing Edward's light-filled Territory were consumed by black flames or buried in bones, nothing was left of his Territory, but those were secondary things, what I was really looking for I couldn't find, which only made an old wound open in my heart.

"So he really went that far..." (I)

"J, you know it's not your fault, that was his decision." (Lydia)

I turn to Lydia, that day I linked her Soul with mine due to a Curse gone wrong while Edward and I fought the monster she had become.

It took me years to realize her Soul sleeping inside my body, it was only when I managed to completely dominate my Aura that I felt her Soul inside my body.

At that time I had already fought Edward twice, the first time was right after he regained consciousness after Lydia's death, he tried to kill me for the first time.

The second fight was months later and I learned that he was going to enter the Church of Light, I wanted to talk to him about it, but he led me into a trap where I was mortally wounded and almost managed to kill me.

After that, I didn't see him for years, but I still heard about how he was becoming more and more known within the Church of Light.

When I was finally able to master my Aura and feel Lydia's Soul my first thought was to tell Edward, I had hope that things could go back to the way they were in those days with the 3 of us together, but not even me and not even Edward we were the same people as when we were younger.

I tried everything to awaken Lydia's Soul, but each thing seemed too risky, the bond between us was stronger than I thought, and that's when I found that bond connected our Souls, the Necromancer I trusted trying to find an answer betrayed me and almost takes our two Souls at that time.

It wasn't until decades later while I commanded an army to protect the Demons just before the smoking of the Black Kingdom that would one day become the Black Empire, it was only at this time when I acquired the power of Authority that I was able to awaken the Soul of Lydia.

"You regret?" (I)

"Of having killed the person I once promised to marry?" (Lydia)

"..." (I)

"No, he wasn't the man I fell in love with, he was just a shadow consumed by hatred and manipulated by the Church of Light." (Lydia)

He had Edward's necklace in his hands, she took off the pendant with the symbol of Baldr and used her Demonic power to expel the Holy Power from the golden chain, turning it back to its normal silver color.

"It makes me sad that he didn't forget me if he could have put those days behind him... he could have done so much... but in the end, it was one more life lost to my foolishness..." (Lydia)

"As you said yourself, it was his decision, don't blame yourself, the dead don't carry the guilt of the living and at that time you were dead." (I)

"Besides, Edward was already dead, even his Soul no longer existed." (I)

For Ikaro this war was completely meaningless, there was no reason for the Church of Light to attack, but there was also no denying the hatred of the Demons against them, he says he keeps himself out of the War, but his presence reveals that if we were being pressed he would intervene.

"Are you happy? Everyone from the Church of Light who came is dead." (Ikaro)

"I do not rejoice in the death of the enemy, especially in the death toll of my own people in a war that should never have happened." (I)

I look down with grief, bodies being carried incomplete, people crying over the deaths of their comrades in arms and friends, a wasteland as far as my eyes can see with blood in every direction.

If I close my eyes, it will be impossible not to hear the screams of rage, the cries of those who survived, and the cries of those who lost precious people.

That day may be remembered in glory for future generations, but for those of this generation, it will always be a day of pain.

"Does this still count as victory?" (I)

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Pov Zenos:

When I opened my eyes I was in a dark place feeling my whole body being touched by something, as my vision is not very affected by darkness I was able to see roots and vines everywhere tying me up.

But I didn't feel uncomfortable, in fact, I felt different types of energy interacting with my body.

One thing I noticed clearly was the state of my body, I was completely fine, my body was in great condition, my energy reserves were full, my Soul seemed to be undamaged from everything that happened today and my mind that was the only one something I couldn't get back just by meditating was light again.

"(Looks like you woke up.)" (Ury)

I didn't recognize the voice in my mind as I never talked to her, but in this situation, it wasn't hard to guess who is speaking and Silvia had already informed me about her name.

Before I could say anything I felt everything around my body loosening up until I was released from the wooden cocoon I was in.

When I opened it I got used to the light I was able to see Vanessa, Alice, and Silvia waiting for me, I looked down and saw the roots facing the ground.

"How do you feel, Father?" (Vanessa)

"Refreshed, how long have I been unconscious?" (I)

"Only a few hours, no need to worry." (Alice)

I look at the World Tree right behind me, it looks like it has treated my injuries, exhaustion, and tiredness.

"Now that you're awake, we have some things to tell you." (Alice)