Chapter 698 Soul Splitter (3)
Panic rippled through the ranks as they witnessed their ships being forcefully pulled back to Euphoria. Desperation set in, and numerous cult members rushed towards the escape pods as the dire situation escalated.
It soon became painfully clear that there were far fewer escape pods than there were people, and the grim reality of their predicament sank in.
The Cult was prominent for their stealth; as such, they rarely had the need to use escape pods. As such, the number of escape pods wasn't equal to the number of people on board the vessel.
Within moments, the scenario had transformed into an all-out battle for survival. Fearing the worst, individuals turned on each other in brutal skirmishes, each struggling to secure a coveted spot within an escape pod.
The violent clashes left a trail of spilt blood and chaos in their wake as the fight for a chance to escape Euphoria grew increasingly severe.
As the brutal brawls continued, the once-united cult members were now pitted against each other in a ruthless contest for their lives. It was a scene of chaos and desperation, with no room for mercy.
Amid the mayhem, the Pope stood in a sombre contemplation. He had always preached the message of unity amongst themselves and devotion to the Precursors. Still, he watched helplessly as his own people fought for survival at any cost.
Amid the brutality, one of the Archbishops, Elenora, a woman known for her calm demeanour, tried to mediate the situation.
"Stop this madness!" she cried out, her voice strained with desperation. "We are the faithful of the Precursors. We must stand together as one and remember our oath!"
However, her words fell on deaf ears, as the frenzy showed no signs of diminishing. Those who had once considered themselves brothers and sisters in devotion now saw only an opportunity to escape the planet's horrors.
However, Elenora didn't like being ignored. Even the Cardinals treated her respectfully, so who were these mongering fools to ignore her?
With a soft, enchanting hum, Elenora began chanting a spell. Her eyes began shining brightly as soon as she was finished, and with a wave of her hand, she began suffocating everyone around her.
Fighters indulged against one another moments ago were now on their knees, clasping their necks and chests as they struggled to breathe.
Elenora watched on, and her cheeks turned bright red as she enjoyed the sight before her. It wasn't until she noticed the Pope's presence behind her that she stopped.
She let go of everyone and bowed before the Pope, who was akin to god for her. The Pope, on the other hand, gently patted her head before addressing everyone else there.
"I am well aware that our circumstances have grown more challenging," he spoke with the calm serenity of a sage. "Yet, it is during these trying moments that the strength of our unity is truly tested.
One cannot help but wonder what the Precursors would say should they observe their devoted followers faltering over the slightest hardships."
Upon hearing the Pope's words, their cultists hung their heads with shame. Upon joining the Cult, they swore off their attachments to life. But when death came knocking on their doors, they gave up on everything in a lust for life.
However, not everyone wisened up by the Pope's words. Noticing that no one was in his way, a cultist broke into an escape pod and fired it up.
Everyone was shocked to see the man defy the Pope and rushed to stop him. But the Pope smiled and allowed the man to leave. However, as soon as the pod left the ship's safety, it exploded. Killing the man inside.
The instant the escape pod burst into flames, the cultists focused on the Pope. His outstretched hand had been the catalyst for the explosion, leaving no room for doubt.
Clearly, the Pope had intentionally caused the escape pod to detonate, conveying a stark message to the rest: anyone attempting to flee the spaceship would face dire consequences.
But then, as they dealt with that, the ship was pulled into the planet, and they stumbled upon a gruesome sight that sent shivers down their spines.
Around the planet's southern pole, a colossal statue looked over them. But it wasn't any ordinary statue but a horrifying representation of the Precursors.
The statue was constructed entirely from bones that belonged to the people who had once inhabited this planet. Blood continuously flowed through the gaps, making the statue look more menacing.
As their ship landed and the Cultists were forced out of the vessel, they noticed the skeletal remains of the platoon that had been annihilated were strewn nearby, their bones slowly being added to the grotesque statue before them.
It was a nightmarish scene, and even the most devoted cultists found it challenging to maintain their composure.
"Who is that...?" Elenora mumbled when she saw someone beneath the statue.
Just as their fear and revulsion peaked, their despair suddenly became unexpected. Sitting on a morbid throne of bones beneath the towering statue was a being that defied all logic—a Precursor in flesh and blood.
The cultists, their expressions shifting from terror to awe, fell to their knees in a collective act of worship. They began to sing fervent prayers in the long-forgotten language of the Precursors, their voices resonating through the desolation.
Kro'Han, who had been poised to eliminate the cultists, hesitated momentarily. He couldn't help but be surprised by the lower beings' ability to speak in his language. Intrigued, he let them be, opting to engage with the cultists' leader.
"Who are you?" Kro'Han inquired.
The Pope, who had been on the brink of despair moments ago, immediately perked up.
"We are the servants of the Precursors, known as the Cult of Chaos," The Pope replied reverently. "Our sole mission is to find and revive the Precursors... but we never thought there would be a day when we'll see someone as great as your Lordship!"
"Is that so?" he said as a sinister smile curled at the corners of his lips.
Kro'Han found the situation so amusing that a smile crept across his face. The curse that had bound him to the planet hindered his pursuit of the remaining fragments of immortality and his quest to track down Ashton.
But now, with the Cult's assistance, it appeared that the solution to his predicament had presented itself.
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