Chapter 120: Light and Dark (Seventeen)
“Roooooar—”
The monster beneath me shook even more violently, its piercing cry nearly shattering my eardrums. My head throbbed with a “buzzbuzzbuzz” sound, and for a moment, everything went fuzzy, my vision a blurry mess.
Ugh, my head hurts!
Yet, despite this, I clung tightly to its tentacle, refusing to let go even for a second. My legs squeezed the ground harder, channeling the Frost Order with everything I had. The icy mist poured from me like an endless fountain, engulfing both me and the monster, transforming us into a massive chunk of ice soaring through the sky above the Royal City, weaving between houses and streets, flying past towering castle walls, heading for who-knows-where.
Stop…
Please, just stop!
I pressed on with the Frost Order, but soon fatigue began to creep in. My energy dwindled, and I started to gasp for air. Yet, at the same time, I could feel the monster’s speed slowing down significantly.
Give it one last push!
Whew—whoosh—
The cold wind wailed into my ears, rushing into my mouth through my lips, seeping into my clothes like an unwanted guest. My body felt as stiff as the nun’s outfit frozen over with ice, and I struggled to keep my eyes wide open, pouring out the frost mist while bracing myself for any possible counterattack from the monster.
But to my surprise, no counterattack came.
The monster’s wings were frozen stiff, and its flight became increasingly difficult. It dove rapidly with me still attached, gliding down to about three or four meters above ground, crashing into the roof of a shabby house. Debris whizzed past my head, and I quickly ducked low, almost pressing my entire upper body against the creature’s back, my mouth close to its head.
“Iliush… can you… hear me… talking…”
Every word was a struggle against the roaring wind and ice, as difficult as chewing nails.
“Stop… ugh…”
Suddenly, my body shot upwards rapidly, only to plummet a few seconds later, the wild oscillation almost tossing my already exhausted self off. But I noticed that the thick abyssal aura around the creature was fading, and the encircling dead smoke was thinning out.
We’re going to hit the ground…
Realizing this, I curled into a ball.
Whoosh—bang—!
A huge crash reverberated through the air, dirt and rubble exploding into the sky like confetti. The monster’s massive body smacked against the ground, its ice-crusted wings shattering, and its front limbs snapping off as the hard stone road cracked and splintered beneath the impact. As the shockwave hit, I managed to roll off its body, bouncing off the ground and tumbling who-knows-how-far until thud, my back slammed against a raised step.
…Ow…
Headache, backache, limbs aching, my mind was spinning. It felt like I couldn’t move for ages.
Where did I fall to…?
Gingerly lifting my head and opening my eyes, just as I began to assess my surroundings, I felt the only fabric on my body—the nun’s outfit, now as rigid as armor—suddenly start to… crack and slip off my shoulders.
…!!!
My eyes widened.
Oh my goodness!
I’ve never reacted so fast in my life!
Boom—
In an instant, a whirlwind of icy mist blasted out from me, like an avalanche rolling away, cloaking my small body. Everything turned white; I gritted my teeth against dizziness and nausea, feeling the cold sweep across my upper body, too scared to stand up. The chaotic power within me churned rapidly, and next, dark dead smoke burst through the mist, engulfing me.
Warmth coursed through me…
A strong sense of safety washed over my body and soul.
The dead smoke swirled over my skin, gradually solidifying into something as strong as steel, shredding the last remnants of my clothing into ashes that floated away.
Through the rolling clouds of smoke, I slowly rose to my feet, flexed my ankles, then looked down to see a dark battle armor had formed around me. I sighed in relief.
…Costume change complete.
The dead smoke and frost mist began to dissipate before me, and not far away, the creature covered in ice crystals was also rising, balancing on its remaining four limbs, ice shards clinking off it. Its enormous, bell-like compound eyes were staring right at me.
“‘Abyssal Language’… dost thou find thyself unable to hear the deity’s will, thus losing thy mind?”
The question, flat and emotionless, resonated from the monster. The voice sounded vaguely female but was also mixed with an odd metallic grind.
“‘Abyssal Language’ cease thine actions. As a fellow servant of the gods, I wish not to harm my kin.”
Ignoring its reprimand, I shouted without a second thought: “Iliush! If you hear me, respond! Please!”
Though anxious inside, I really had no clue what to do.
I should really loathe a creature crawling out from the Abyss… I swore I’d k*ll them all… wipe these monsters off the face of the earth. That thought has taken root in my heart, never wavered.
And this monster here? It’s just the first one I’ve encountered since leaving my little village.
But now, I was a bit lost.
I should eliminate it quickly, or it could end badly…
I knew that much.
But…
Iliush might still be alive. Her consciousness might not have vanished completely. After all, there’s me to draw from as an example—we should be different from the other Abyssal creatures, we are special… Perhaps I could bring her back, and then I wouldn’t feel so alone, wouldn’t have to bear this unspeakable weight by myself. I could share my experiences with someone who understands.
“Iliush, become yourself again! You can do it! I can do it too!”
Even though she’s younger than me…
But even if she’s like this now, she hasn’t killed any civilians, right? She’s become a monster, but she only attacked those soldiers that attacked the church.
Iliush understands.
She knows those soldiers are my enemies. She’s young, but she gets it. If she hadn’t attacked just now, it would have probably been my turn to face them… Iliush has judgment; she’s not reckless… and she hasn’t attacked me even though I’ve been chasing her and pouring out frost. Her wings are torn, but…
Maybe she’s still rational, maybe… she can still recognize me.
I admit I’m being selfish.
But if I don’t give it a shot, who knows the outcome…
“Iliush, please try! Relax… you can change back… wake up!”
The creature known as Iliush fell silent.
She showed no signs of wanting to attack; her insect-like face didn’t display any expressions for me to read. But strangely enough, it felt like I could sense something: she was contemplating.
And… questioning something.
It was as if we shared a deep connection. Beyond that, I could faintly feel her emotions. I don’t know how I figured that out, but I just knew.
Odd… When was the last time I felt something like this…
After a while, the monster spoke again.
“‘Abyssal Language’ we harbor suspicion. Thou seemest not genuine. Thy existence is challenging for us to comprehend… pray tell, canst thou hear the supreme will?”
What the heck…
Are you confused as to why I’m like this? Doubting my human thoughts? What supreme will… the voice Iliush mentioned inside her head?
I’ve never heard a thing…
I cleared my throat.
Regardless, right now, this monster’s consciousness clearly isn’t Iliush’s. Just shouting won’t help, better to try and communicate with the current consciousness, see if I can find a breakthrough.
My mind raced as I resolved to switch tactics: “‘Abyssal Language’ We, what are we?”
After a moment of thought, I added, “‘Abyssal Language’ what is the will of the gods? You called yourself Iliush… do you remember? Iliush, a human girl—that’s you.”
Upon hearing my question, the monster fell silent again.
I tensed, unable to stop my little fists from clenching, but at the same time, I felt excited about the potential answer.
Some questions had baffled me for ages, and since this Iliush-turned-monster showed no hostility towards me, perhaps I really should engage in a proper conversation… of course, the priority is to awaken Iliush’s human consciousness.
“‘Abyssal Language’ Why did we end up… like this? Who is harming us? Is the will you speak of, from… those people?”
I waited a moment.
The monster remained silent.
But the next moment, I sensed a powerful surge of emotion from her.
Clang— the creature’s limbs suddenly snapped into action, its sharp claws dragging across the hard surface, leaving deep grooves behind. She spread her damaged wings wide, her massive body started to move, and under my nervous gaze, she approached, stopping less than a meter away from me.
Her giant head leaned closer.
I swallowed reflexively.
Did I say the wrong thing…?
What does she want now… What do I do…?
“‘Abyssal Language’ you…”
I was about to try and say something when the monster finally spoke.
“‘Abyssal Language’ insignificant lowly creature, attempting to seize the great power… thy very existence is a sin; thou art not one of us, for now.”
What???
My heart dropped.
In the next moment, the dead smoke exploded before my eyes, the monster suddenly lifting its limbs, faint red light flashing in its enormous compound eyes.
Oh no…
Right before the light shone, I instinctively shut my eyes, crossing my arms defensively over my chest.
Boom—!
In an instant, a colossal force slammed into me, sending me flying through the air, flipping several times before crashing into a wall, smashing through into the back of a home. I collided with countless items, and only came to a stop after hitting another wall, falling to the ground.
The sound of debris falling echoed in my ears.
“…ha—cough cough…”
Even with the protection of the dark armor, the hit to my chest still knocked the wind out of me. It took me a while to catch my breath, my head spinning as I pushed off a chunk of shattered table that had fallen on me, struggling to stand up.
“Phew, phew! Phew…”
Spitting out the dust gathered in my mouth, I raised my head.
