Chapter 331: Ch 330: Fragile Soul

Seraphina’s mind was clear when she asked the corruption to rest with her. With this, both of them would stop being a nuisance to Kael, and he would be able to live a carefree life.

It was just a pity how long it had taken her to see the light.

"Tsk, do you think you would be able to contain me? I have more than one vessel at my disposal. If you want to self-destruct, then go ahead. Let’s see who is faster, me escaping or you destroying yourself."

Goddess Aria tried to escape, but the second she did, the locks around her started to rattle.

Someone was trying to break in from the other side, which startled her.

"What is—"

"Tsk, so you did not even notice? What? Did you think I would actually kill myself just because of you? I would rather see you be taken down and live with Kael. There would not be any sweeter revenge against you."

Seraphina muttered as she forced the chains to break.

At the same time, Iris and Lyra entered from the other side and used their powers to form a cage around her.

"Let me go—"

She struggled to get free, but it was of no use. Those binds were too strong.

Seraphina finally broke her binds, and her wrist bled as a result. It hurt a lot, but she was used to it. Her body was used to being broken and healing.

The only time in her life she had not been hurt was when she had been with Kael, but that was because he ended up taking the pain in her place, and she no longer wanted that.

"Tsk, you said you were going to die—"

"I was. If that was the only solution left to me, then I would have gladly sacrificed myself. But right now, we have another choice to make. And I have decided... that I want to live... with Kael..."

Seraphina’s determination made the landscape around her shine brightly. She could feel herself taking control away from the goddess, and it felt nice.

For the first time in her life, she felt like she could control something, and it felt exhilarating.

"You... are not going to be able to handle my power. Without me, you will—"

"We will cross that bridge when we come to it. For now, your presence is causing your power to collapse."

Seraphina snapped back, and Goddess Aria went quiet.

For the first time in her life, the Goddess felt actual fear of being killed off. It was something that filled her heart with terror.

And yet, she had a feeling she could gain a lot if she played this right.

After all, what did these kids, who had only lived a fraction of her life, know? She had to do what she could in order to save her beloved Kael.

"Right now, Kael’s soul—"

"No, we are no longer going to listen to you. You have caused enough damage. Now, it is time for you to quieten down."

Seraphina pointed out, and her power started to rise. She was covering the goddess and the surroundings with her power, making sure it covered everything.

Her power of light started to purify the location they were in, and she saw Goddess Aria panic.

"No, wait—! Don’t—"

Seraphina’s powers started to break the corrupted space down. Lyra and Iris helped her with their own powers.

"Don’t do it. Your power will only make this space more unstable. But it cannot be broken from inside—"

"I know. But I trust Kael. He will find us soon, and once he does, he will get us out. Because that is what he promised me."

Seraphina pointed out, and her trust in Kael shone in her eyes.

Goddess Aria opened her mouth to say something, but no voice came out. All that escaped her was a terrified yell.

"Don’t bring Kael here! His soul is fragile. He will—"

But it was too late. The space they were inside collapsed as a sword pierced through it from the outside.

Kael’s silhouette appeared on the other side, and he looked annoyed but relieved at the same time.

"Are you all alright?"

Kael asked as he opened the space a little more. But Goddess Aria finally broke the hold the others had on her, and she rushed toward Kael.

"You should not be here... Get out before it’s too late for you. Otherwise, you will—"

She tried to leave the space as well, but her soul was unstable. The world magic prepared by Kael had already drained her, and the only things sustaining her were the corruption and the presence of her soul fragments around her.

Without them, she was all but an empty shell. Her hand passed through Kael’s body, and she let out a bitter chuckle as she watched this.

"Tsk, in the end, it all comes to waste. All I wanted to do was help you a little bit..."

Goddess Aria sounded sad and broken. Her despair was clear for anyone to see, and her eyes were filled with anger.

However, even she did not know whom she should direct this anger toward.

Was it herself for failing to protect Kael the first time, this world for abandoning her, or even the gods who asked her to abandon it all?

Who was it that she could blame?

"I am sure it was hard all this time, Goddess Aria. But it’s fine now. You should go to sleep. I am sure the world would be a better place if you wake up to see it again."

Kael assured her, and the goddess let out a bitter chuckle.

"It feels wrong hearing this from you of all people. But you were always precious to me, so I will listen to you."

The goddess closed her eyes, and her body started to flicker in and out of focus.

Kael watched her with a detached look in his eyes. But just at the last second, the goddess opened her eyes and reached for his heart.