Chapter 633 The Dust of Lost Passions?
The wounded nether beast began its descent, spiraling uncontrollably towards the ground below. Athena, at that moment, had a sudden realization of the impending danger. Her eyes widened in terror as she navigated the struggling creature through the ominous formations of nether dust below.
The grotesque shapes of deformed faces and scenes of shattered dreams became more vivid as they descended further. Twisted expressions and eerie scenes emerged from the dust gathering, each a manifestation of unfulfilled aspirations and forsaken hopes. The air was thick with the oppressive weight of dreams never realized, hanging like a haunting mist over the Nether.
They were unfortunately falling into the Dust of lost Passions. The same place Athena had earlier on told Lenny to avoid at all cost.
Athena's fear was palpable as she fought to maintain control, her knuckles white as she clutched the reins of the wounded nether beast. The realization that they were hurtling into the heart of the Dust of Lost Passions struck her like a physical blow. Her breaths quickened, and beads of sweat formed on her forehead, mirroring the anxiety that enveloped her.
Lenny, observing Athena's reaction and comprehending the gravity of the situation, furrowed his brow. The descent into the gathering dust held a different kind of peril—a threat to their very essence. The air was charged with an otherworldly intensity as they plunged into the swirling abyss, and the uncertainty of what awaited them in the heart of the Nether's lost passions cast a foreboding shadow over their desperate journey.
At this moment, Athena remembered Minnie's words; "Falling into the dust of lost passions will see that you become one with them!"
As they fell, Lenny decided not to hold back any more. With a wave of hands, he conjured white flames that suddenly surrounded him and Athena.
This was Lenny's power at the rank of a Great Demon. His flames were brighter, stronger and far more expansive. Lenny had used his power in time, encompassing them.
However, he started to feel as if something was wrong. The dust of lost passions like termites to wood was eating against his power. He could actively feel as it eroded his power.
But that was not all, outside the flames that had formed around them, images started to appear. Many of these images were familiar. Some of his mother and brother back in his former world. The vivid images unfolded like a tapestry, capturing snippets of Lenny's former existence.
It showed images of them living in peace and celebrating together. Then the images changed again and it was of Lenny's brother coming home after graduation, an event that once more made the family joyous.
The scene changed once more and it was of Lenny bringing his lover, Catherine, home. An event that made his mother weep tears of joy. As the scenes changed again and again, Lenny could not help but stare at them with a mix of emotions.
The emotions welled up within Lenny as he involuntarily watched these fragments of his past. The juxtaposition of the warmth from these memories against the cold reality of the Nether created a disorienting blend of nostalgia and despair.
It was a collision of worlds, a clash between the cherished moments of his human life and the unyielding, relentless onslaught of an existence he now lived.
"Don't look at them!" Athena warned, "Its a lie! Its all a lie! The dust of passions is showing you your hearts desire. But its all a lie."
Even though she said this, she too saw differently.
Athena saw a life with her lover, Hector. She saw herself cuddling on his chest on a chair with a big house behind them. The scene changed for her once more and the next thing she saw was Hector placing his head against her swollen belly, trying to listen to the kick of the baby within.
As the scenes played out before her eyes,?Athena could not help but subconciously want to reach out her hand and become a part of that dream.
She knew that the dust of lost passions was only showing her what she wanted to see, but she was a person that had stayed in the Nether for a very long time, experiencing her own share of a very terrible life.
There was nothing that she wanted more at this moment than to be a part of these scenes. Yes, she wanted to join them.
Once more, the scene changed and two children about the ages of six ran around her and Hector with wooden swords, playing around and laughing together.
Subconsciously, she stretched her hand towards the images. As she did, tears gently fell from her eyes.
Athena did not think herself to be too much of a difficult person. All she wanted like most gladiators, was to live a simple life free from worries of having to fight for her survival.
After growing up in the hellish conditions of the Arena, this simple life was worth far more than the treasures of the entire world to her.
And now, it was before her eyes. And all she had to do, was stretch a bit for it and she would reach it. Just a bit, and she could be a part of it. Even though it was a lie, even though it was nothing but a dream.
A part of her, yarning for the treasure of simplicity would rather drown in this dream than face reality.
However, just when it seemed as if she was going to charge through the protective flames to reach the other side, a loud scream was heard behind her.
"This is so disappointing! How the FUCK is this my dream? Dust of passions—MY ASS!"
*BOOM!*
Lenny let out his magic in all directions, exploding the dust of passions away from him.
As he did this, Agents of the Nether that had been given the instruction to search the place for them sensed the disturbance and immediately, they headed for their direction.
This 𝓬ontent is taken from fre𝒆webnove(l).𝐜𝐨𝗺