Chapter 444: The Death of Ajak
Every eye turned to Ajak. Ajak was the Eternals' leader, and also their sage.
She wasn't much of a fighter herself. Her role among the Eternals was healer.
Ajak's gaze slowly swept over every Eternal present. Her eyes held an indescribable gravity and resolve.
After a moment of silence, she spoke slowly, her voice steady and strong. "In seven days, our Celestial will wake from its slumber."
The words plunged the room into total silence. The Celestials were supreme beings, their eternal faith and protectors.
But Ajak's next words were like a boulder dropped into a calm lake, sending out ripple after ripple.
"Our Celestial could have chosen not to tell us the truth and simply awakened. But this time, they chose to tell us."
There was a barely perceptible sorrow in Ajak's voice. "That's because, not long ago, members of the Celestials suffered an unprecedented slaughter in some unknown corner of the cosmos."
Every Eternal in the room was stunned. Their supreme creators could be killed?
It overturned everything they knew.
Ikaris couldn't stand it. He shot to his feet, his voice shaking. "That's impossible! The Celestials are invincible. How could anyone kill them?"
Ajak looked at the agitated Ikaris, a complicated emotion flickering in her eyes.
She took a deep breath and continued. "It's true, Ikaris. That's why the Celestial asked us to protect it until the moment the Emergence is complete, so that the Godslayer can't slaughter them again."
"That's why they chose to tell us the truth." There was a note of finality in Ajak's voice. "This is our responsibility and our mission as Eternals."
Sersi's face filled with confusion and unease.
She looked at Ajak and asked in a trembling voice, "So we really are going to help the Celestial complete the Emergence and destroy this Earth? How... how can that be?" Ajak's words had made Sersi think Ajak supported the Emergence too.
Ajak smiled at Sersi, a smile both resigned and tender. She didn't answer directly. Instead she spoke quietly. "Do you know, I've lived here for thousands of years and watched how special this planet is.
"Its mountains and rivers, all the living things on it, its people and their stories. All of it makes this planet uniquely beautiful.
"Every life, every story, is so wonderful, so worth cherishing."
"The Celestial will remake the whole Earth after it awakens. But will that Earth still be the Earth we love now?
"The memories we treasure, all the joys and sorrows we've lived through, will vanish along with the old Earth.
"Earth shouldn't be sacrificed for nothing. We should do everything in our power to stop the Celestial's awakening." Ajak's words were full of deep love for this land and an unwillingness to let it go.
"That's why I had Gilgamesh represent the Eternals in the Illuminati," Ajak went on. "I hoped the Illuminati's power would help us find a way to stop the Celestial's awakening and protect this planet and its people. At the same time, we Eternals have to find our own way to stop it. That's why I've called you all here."
But the instant Ajak finished, Ikaris slammed his hand on the table, his face full of anger and disbelief. "Ajak! Are you going to betray Arishem? Are you going to betray the Celestials?"
His words were full of accusation.
Then beams of laser light suddenly blasted from Ikaris's eyes, straight at Ajak.
The sudden attack caught everyone off guard.
But Makkari, the speedster, reacted instantly. She flashed past like lightning, scooping Ajak up at a speed almost beyond human perception, and with a deft turn dodged the deadly beam.
The laser exploded behind them, leaving a scorched black mark and an acrid burning smell in the air.
Only then did Sersi, Thena and the other Eternals snap out of their shock.
They quickly drew their weapons, guns, blades and energy beams all aimed at Ikaris, their faces full of disbelief and blazing fury.
"Ikaris! Have you lost your mind? You'd turn on your own people, the ones you've fought beside, for the sake of those distant Celestials?" Sersi's voice shook with anger.
But Ikaris didn't flinch. Behind him, Sprite and Kingo, the heart of the Eternals, stood firmly at his side, lending him silent support and strength.
"Sprite, do you really think we should complete the Celestials' so-called mission? These innocent beings have a right to live too!"
Thena tried to persuade Sprite, but got only a cold reply.
"The Celestials' will is above everything. The beings here are nothing but insects. What do their lives and deaths matter to us?" Sprite's words were as cold and heartless as ice, her eyes full of blind worship for the Celestials.
Kingo looked like he couldn't care less. He shrugged and said flatly, "I don't care one way or the other about Celestials. But I'm not joining your plan to stop the Celestial."
The scene was deadlocked. The air was thick with the smell of gunpowder, as if a fierce battle could break out at any moment.
Just then, Ajak stepped forward and shouted with all her strength, "Stop! We can't keep going like this!" Her voice was weak, but full of unshakable resolve.
Then she turned a gentle, apologetic gaze on Ikaris. "Ikaris, the misunderstanding between us runs too deep. I think we should find somewhere quiet and talk, just the two of us."
With that, she turned and walked outside.
But she didn't notice the venom and resentment in Ikaris's eyes behind her, as if he wanted to devour her whole.
The other Eternals split into two factions: one opposed to the Celestials, the other backing Ikaris, Sprite and the rest.
The room grew stifling, as if an invisible boulder were pressing down on everyone, making it hard to breathe.
Sersi watched it all bitterly, full of helplessness and disappointment.
She had once believed the Eternals were united, never to be shaken by anything from outside. But everything now cut her to the heart.
And so everyone waited for Ajak and Ikaris to return.
But minute after minute went by, two hours passed, and neither of them appeared.
The Eternals inside began to sense something was wrong. Their hearts filled with unease and worry.
Then Makkari couldn't sit still any longer.
She got up quickly and ran outside to see what was going on.
In less than five minutes, she ran back, her face heavy, carrying Ajak's body in her arms.
"How could this happen..."
"What on earth happened?"
And in the chaos, none of them noticed that Sprite and Kingo had already left.
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