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WARNING!!! 🔞
⚠️⚠️THIS CHAPTER CONTAIN GRAPHIC CONTENTS AND MAY NOT BE SUITABLE FOR ALL READERS. READER'S DISCRETION IS ADVISED.
(You have been warned:)
THIRD POV
Somewhere within an unknown realm, Atlas unleashed his full power. Each blow he struck sent should've send thunderous reverberations through the confined space, but the prison didn't make any sound.
His fist collided with the colossal wall before him, a barrier of condensed, shimmering darkness. Yet it absorbed the impact without so much as a crack, swallowing the force as if it were nothing.
A calm, mocking voice echoed through the void.
"You're wasting your time, Atlas. This is an isolated prison."
Asteri's words carried certainty.
"But still something's not right."
Asteri murmured.
"Yeah, that prick was not a Star."
Atlas said.
"He must be working for one of them. We don't know who, though."
Asteri took his time to access the prison from within.
<
An impossible question, yet his philosophical mind sought answer.
< Before we were sealed, a crushing pressure forced our bodies together, then, from every direction, black walls emerged and enclosed us.
No matter how much I turn, there's nothing to see. I move, yet never cover any distance.
All that remains here... is myself and the two Stars. I recognise this sensation all too well. But then... why does a wall exist in a non-existent prison?>>
From the outside, it appeared to be a simple three-dimensional construct a black cube suspended in space.
Yet within it, the very idea of dimensions lost all meaning. Distance had no direction, depth had no measure, and even up and down felt like arbitrary concepts forced onto something that refused to obey them.
< Asteri fell silent mid-thought.
His gaze shifted to Atlas, who was relentlessly striking what should have been a wall. Each punch carried power capable of shattering structures, yet the prison responded with absolute indifference. There was no recoil, no distortion. No effect despite a clear cause.
It wasn't resisting them, it was ignoring them.
<>
He calmly reached up, plucked a strand of his own hair, and snapped it cleanly in two.
Then, without hesitation, he crushed a small button at his wrist and tore an inch of fabric from his cloak. There's a cause and an effects. Unlike the prison itself.
<>
Asteri's lips curved into a faint, knowing smile as the final piece fell into place.
"This is a void."
He said aloud, voice steady but sharp.
"The very source that counters our Mega Arts."
Atlas stiffened, eyes widening in disbelief.
"Unbelievable..."
Elaine shook her head slowly, her composure cracking for the first time.
"It can't be. Something like this shouldn't even be reproducible."
"But it is."
Asteri replied.
"And that alone tells us enough."
His gaze hardened.
"This confirms it. There is a Dark Star involved."
The air shifted.
A sudden flash, brief, sharp, and wrong, cut across Asteri's vision. An intrusive distortion that scraped against his awareness. His breath faltered for just a fraction of a second.
Atlas noticed immediately.
"Master??
"The clones... they've all disappeared."
"Impossible..."
"The Island!"
Atlas shouted as he punched the wall harder.
"Calm down. I believe Shinn raised the Time Barrier. They're all safe."
"Still, we need to get out!"
Atlas continued attacking the wall.
...
...
...
"With his current powers, he can't escape. You did well, Mimon."
The voice echoed from the cube itself, reverberating across its surface as though the void itself carried the words.
Mimon lowered his head slightly.
"All thanks to you. What should be done with the cube?"
"Throw it where you stand."
Without hesitation, Mimon obeyed.
The black cube left his hand and vanished into the space beneath him, swallowed whole. He lifted his gaze toward the sky, the weight of the moment settling in.
"The rest is up to you, Azel."
Back on Star Island.
Dozens of portals tore open across the sky and ground, warping the air as they stabilized. From them emerged dark elves, Demons, towering giants and a handful of humans whose eyes were devoid of will.
They spread out methodically, encircling the entire island with practiced precision. All of them were armed. All of them were ready.
"The objective is simple."
A voice announced from within one of the portals.
"Annihilate everyone and retrieve the final pieces."
From that same portal, Azel flew out, ascending into the air. He hovered above the island, arms folded behind his back, calmly observing as his forces surged forward and seized control sector by sector.
Below him, the island's defenders, those few still capable of resisting, fought desperately. They coordinated and resisted with everything they had, but the difference in numbers and preparation was overwhelming. The Stars and the clones, the main power house of the Island were gone.
Every clash ended the same way retreat or silence.
"Lord Azel."
Pel reported, appearing at his side. His voice was flat, obedient.
"Most survivors are gathered behind a barrier."
Below them, several majins unleashed spell after spell at the translucent dome protecting the one-fifth of the Island. Fire, lightning, other elemental type magic, none of it even rippled the surface.
"Omoro. Break the barrier, will ya?"
Azel commanded calmly.
The leader of the clown giants stepped forward, gathering his kin. With a synchronized roar, they charged and struck the barrier in unison.
The moment they made contact, waves spread instantly from the point of impact. Their movements slowed, then stopped entirely. One by one, the giants froze in place, expressions locked in mid-rage. None of the others dared attempt it again.
< Azel narrowed his eyes.
Without another word, he turned and flew away, leaving his army to maintain their siege as the frozen giants stood as a silent warning beneath the barrier.
Elfaria, Sasha, Mikasa, and the others were gathered within the small section of the island shielded by the barrier. The air inside was tense, thick with the distant sounds of battle and the dull thrum of the defensive field holding back annihilation.
Sasha scanned the crowd, her brow furrowing.
"Where's Annie and Hina?"
The absence struck her as wrong, too wrong to ignore.
Outside the barrier, Hinamatsuri moved like a shadow.
Ellie hadn't returned with the children. That alone set off every warning in her mind. She searched the ruined streets and broken pathways silently, keeping low, resisting the urge to call out. One shout would be enough to draw attention, and death.
Then she saw them. Up ahead, dark elves were rounding up children, binding their hands with restraints. Issei was among them, struggling, his fear barely contained. Ellie was there too, shielding the younger ones as best she could.
Hinamatsuri's breath caught. She took a step forward.... A hand seized her wrist from behind.
"Wait. Don't move recklessly."
It was Annie. Her voice was calm yet but sharp with urgency.
Before Hinamatsuri could react, Annie stepped past her and raised both arms. Her mana flared, not explosively, but with terrifying precision. Dozens of condensed magic bullets formed in the air, streaking forward.
They struck and the victims fell almost simultaneously, bodies dropping before they could even register the attack.
"Now."
Annie said.
They moved instantly.
Hinamatsuri rushed to Issei, cutting the restraints, pulling him close as Ellie and Annie freed the others. The children were herded back, shaken but alive.
Annie didn't pause. Her eyes were already locked on the palace in the distance.
With the children secured, the group advanced, moving toward the palace, unaware that something far worse than an invasion was now in motion.
As they rounded a corner, they stopped dead in their tracks. A man stood there, calm and unmoving, his back turned to them. He wore a tattered brown coat, and a red clown mask glinted faintly. It was Azel.
"Release the barrier. We'll take what we need and go."
He said calmly.
"No. We'll protect this place in his majesty's absence."
Annie barely finished speaking before Azel appeared before her in a blur. His hand lashed out, one brutal backhand, and her small frame crashed hard against the wall.
"You kids should run. Now!"
Hinamatsuri said sharply, eyes locked on Azel.
"No, Mama, what about you?"
"Ellie, take the kids and run. Orders no complaints."
Knowing she'll waste the precious time Hinamatsuri was offering, Ellie didn't hesitate to take all the kids by force and take them away.
For some reason, Azel didn't interfere as he watched them leave from the corner of his eye.
"There's no escape. Everyone here will die if you don't cooperate."
"We won't cooperate. And you'll be the first."
Annie lunged forward, dagger in hand, aiming straight for Azel's chest.
He tilted slightly, dodging with ease, but it was a feint. A bright flash followed as a magic bullet erupted from her palm, slamming into his face and shattering the red clown mask.
His head jerked back violently, enough that his neck should have broken on the spot. Yet he recovered instantly, straightening as though nothing had happened.
"Are you that desperate, Ann?"
Azel's voice dripped with malice, each syllable sharp and deliberate. The mask had fallen away, revealing a face twisted with cruel amusement.
His grin stretched wide, teeth glinting, and his eyes glimmered with a dangerous, calculating light, mocking every ounce of effort Annie had just exerted.
Annie froze, eyes wide the moment she saw who he truly was.
"How? Wh.."
Her words were cut short as a spear tore through her from behind. The impact lifted her clean off the ground, her body jerking as the blade burst out from her stomach.
The attacker didn't hesitate, he raised her higher, then drove her down hard, slamming her into the ground to wrench his spear free.
The sound of metal tearing loose was sickening, followed by the dull thud of her body hitting the earth.
"You foolish clown. If she dies, how can we retrieve the final pieces?"
Azel cursed, his voice sharp with irritation rather than concern.
Zel didn't respond. Without a single word, he pushed off the ground and leapt forward, already moving on to the next target, as if what had just happened was meaningless.
Azel clicked his tongue picking up Annie's dagger. He turned toward her slowly, the blade glinting in his hand as he approached, his intent unmistakable.
"Release the barrier, Ann."
He ordered coldly, his gaze fixed downward, towering over her trembling form.
"Brother... why..."
Annie's voice cracked, disbelief and pain lacing every syllable.
Azel sneered, grinding his heel into the hole left by Zel's spear as if to savor the moment.
"For fun."
He said, a cruel smirk twisting his face..
"How did you escape that day? I was 100% sure we had everyone cornered."
He added.
"Do..don't tell..."
"H.. how could you? You betrayed your family for some.."
Using his black rod, he thrust it with brutal precision into Annie's back.
The angle and force were exact, enough to strike a vital organ. Blood gushed freely, staining the ground beneath her as she gasped in pain, struggling to remain conscious.
He stepped back, straightening, his posture calm yet menacing. The gleam in his eyes told a clear truth: this attack was only the beginning. He wasn't finished, and his intent to escalate was unmistakable.
"Well, how about..."
He vanished, and with a similar back slap, Hinamatsuri, who was nothing but a fragile human who couldn't use magic, came in contact with the wall at high speed. Her body hit the ground hard, bones rattling from the impact.
"This?"
He lifted her by her hair, her legs dangling in the air. Using his free hand, a black rod appeared from his palm, and without hesitation, he drove it into her right shoulder, pinning her to the wall.
She shrieked. She wasn't accustomed to this type of pain. Heck, this is something everyone will share the same pain if they were in her shoes. With shaky hands, she struggles to pull out the rod but to no avail. She was extremely weak.
"No matter what... don't say anything...Annie."
She whispered hoarsely, blood trickling from her lips. Despite her state, she chose to protect the fake truth at least to buy time until Ati chan returns.
"Don't worry.."
Azel said, smiling cruelly.
"...you'll soon meet him."
He broke another rod with casual cruelty, and he drove it to her left shoulder. Her cry thick with agony rose in pitch.
"Hi... Hinamatsuri?"
Annie choked out, horrified.
Unable to talk due to overwhelming pain, she simply shook her head as if saying, 'Don't speak. Don't give in.'
"You know..."
Azel muttered as a rod slid through her right elbow,
"...she'll die..."
Then her left,
"...either form the pain..."
Her right waist,
"...loss of blood..
Now her left,
"..or the deadly poison from the rods now circulating her veins."
Two more rods went into her thighs, and her body jerked, then fell still.
She had reached the limits and couldn't make any sound, but she was undoubtedly alive. Her breath is shallow and fading.
(Half alive)
"So, what do you say, little sister Ann?"
He asked, breaking a rod into four, all of which hovered, waiting for his command.
"I..w...j...."
Annie stammered, unable to form words. The fear and horror were too much. She is in a difficult situation because she lacked an answer, but Hinamatsuri devised a way to buy time, even if it would cost her her life.
Annie knows that if Hinamatsuri dies, she will be haunted by the guilt.
As her body quivered and strained against the cruel restraints, four black rods sank mercilessly into her palms and feet, pinning her in place with agonizing precision.
Blood seeped from every wound, splattering the walls around her, her head hanging low. Annie could only watch helplessly, her eyes brimming with tears as she whispered through ragged breaths,
"I... I'm... I'm sorry."
Azel's movements were deliberate, exuding a calm cruelty. With measured precision, he took Annie's dagger, tracing two cold, intersecting arcs across Hinamatsuri's stomach before driving the blade where they crossed. Blood gushed freely, painting the floor crimson.
By any ordinary measure, she should have been beyond saving, yet Azel, ever calculating, knew better.
He withdrew his dagger, eyes cold and unyielding, aware that her fate was not yet sealed.
"One last time, Annie. Release the barrier."
Annie was undoubtedly in agony, her body screaming with every breath she forced herself to take. Yet even that pain paled in comparison to Hinamatsuri's.
Hinamatsuri was living through hell itself, pain without reprieve, fear without escape. Every second stretched endlessly, her senses drowned in suffering so absolute that thought itself became unbearable. There was no strength left to resist, but there hope to cling to.
All she could do was pray, not for rescue or a miracle, but for death to come quickly and end it all. She has faith in Ati chan. He'll come, maybe not now, but he'll definitely come home...
"I'm sorry... I'm... I'm sorry, Hinamatsuri. L..Lord Shinn... was the one...who raised the barrier.... he suddenly disappeared while casting it."
"Wrong answer."
Azel stated as he slowly plunged his dagger into Hinamatsuri's heart. She gasped as it went deep.
Unsatisfied, he twisted both daggers slowly and savagely. The rods ignited, fire burned, and slowly consuming her from the inside. With this, Azel stepped back, watching his work. He confirmed she's dead, however...
"F... forg.. ive... me, Ati chan. I've... broken my promise."
Even in those final moments, Hinamatsuri spoke her final words, tears streaming down her cheeks. Her head sagged and... she died.
Silence reigned, only the sound of her blood dripping into the red pool beneath her.
"I'm surprised she had little voice left in her."
Azel scoffed.
"Time for plan b. Emotional Clowns, exterminate the Island."
< He commanded and slowly left the scene, leaving his little sister to her fate.
Annie has bled too much to the point that her skin started to show the effects. She sobs gently as her friend, Asteri's lover, died in front of her.
...
...
...
From an unknown distance, Asteri's heart skipped a single beat, sending a shockwave through his senses.
His vision blurred, colors and shapes twisting unnaturally as fragments of horrific imagery, bloodied forms and shattered limbs, flooded his mind. The star chose the right moment to share it's vision.
His body swayed slightly, unsteady, as if the very air around him had thickened.
Atlas and Elaine immediately noticed the shift, their expressions tightening with alarm. Asteri's usual composure was gone; the drunken haze in his eyes, the erratic flicker of his focus, caught them completely off guard.
Even the slightest motion from him seemed unpredictable, a dangerous volatility that hadn't been there before.
"Young Master... what's wrong?"
"Are you okay?"
But he didn't respond. No words could form, no sound reached him. Sight, hearing, even perception itself had vanished, only an oppressive, endless darkness remained.
"Why...why am...I... I'm... dizzy?"
He muttered, his voice trembling, weak and almost foreign to his own ears. His golden pupil flickered erratically, turning dark for a split second, and his eyelids fell shut.
In the very instant, his aura, raw chaotic void erupted outward, spilling over with an overwhelming force that distorted the darkness around them.
.
.
.
To be continued...