Chapter 64: Chapter 58: Sacrifice
Bloodborne Unicorns were very rare and special Spirit Beasts. They had been hunted to almost extinction because of their horns. They were special for a number of reasons. First, they were extremely intelligent and were able to communicate with others regardless of species. Second, they mutated very easily. Especially if they were still in the womb.
So, pregnant mares would look for natural treasures in hopes that their progeny would be stronger than them. A special hormone that was only produced during their pregnancy made them extremely sensitive to natural treasures. But this was also their curse.
Their bloodline was too mutated. Because of this, young foals would often die. Third, and perhaps the most unique thing about them was their bloodline memories. Unlike other Spirit Beasts, they pass not only abilities and skills but also literal memories to their descendants.
Zeke looked at the beast in front of him and saw its belly. It was a pregnant mare. She must have been attracted by the scent of the Dragon Blood Grass. She looked at him threateningly but then saw the corpse of the Black Ice Python.
Her horn started glowing. She was about to attack him. Zeke instantly raised his hands and said, "Calm down. I’m not going to hurt you. I know you can understand me so let’s talk."
The mare grunted and her horn dimmed back to its original appearance. A female voice sounded in his head, "What do you want, human?"
Zeke also spoke in his mind, "Your child will not survive. Neither will you. I can see that it was a miracle that you were able to survive."
He also pointed at her different colored hooves, a clear symbol of bloodline conflict. She said, "No matter the result, I will at least try my best. Now, give me that Dragon Blood Grass and I’ll let you live."
Zeke replied, "First of all, I’m not scared of you. Especially when you’re in that state. Second, I have a way to save your child. There’s a chance that it might not work, but it has a much better chance than just leaving it up to fate. And I’ll even give the Dragon Blood Grass."
She said, "I don’t believe you. You humans are very cunning and greedy. Why would you help me so selflessly?"
Zeke said, "Who said that I’m doing this selflessly? I already know about your race’s Blood Bond. I’ll create one with your child."
She instantly refused and said, "Never. I will never let you do that to my child."
Zeke said, "The alternative is death. You will die. Nothing can change that. But if you agree, your child will have at least have a chance to survive and thrive."
She became silent. Even she knew that there was no way that her child was going to survive. But if the human in front of her was speaking the truth, then maybe...No. She couldn’t believe a human. She said, "Prove it. Prove that you can save my child."
Zeke smiled and said, "I won’t be the one saving your child. He will."
The manifestation of the Asuran Neo-Nephilim Primogenitor appeared behind him. She was shocked to see the manifestation and asked, "Who is he?"
Zeke gave her the same explanation that he had given to the trio. She said, "It can’t be true. And how would he even save my child?"
He said, "By purifying your bloodline. He purified the blood of ordinary animals into the bloodline of the Stag of Calamity, the Sky Tiger, and the Infernal Slumbering Bear. I’m sure you know who they are, given your bloodline memories. Their possessors are right here, on this mountain. So I’m sure that he can purify a Spirit Beast’s blood into a Divine Beast bloodline."
He showed her what had happened in the cave through manifestation. He said, "So, is that proof enough?"
She said, "Although I still can’t trust you, I have no other choice."
Zeke wasn’t lying when he said that he could save her child. The thing was, that even though the Totem had connected to the Aurevion Pantheon, the connection was still very weak. So it still wouldn’t be able to ’digest’ the Divine Beast blood inside her body.
Yes, he was planning on making her sacrifice herself.
It was cruel. It was very cruel. But, she was going to die even if he didn’t do anything. At least in this way, her sacrifice wouldn’t be in vain. Her child would survive and have the potential to evolve into a pure blooded Divine Beast.
And, it would strengthen the connection to the Aurevion Pantheon. So it was a win-win for both of them. He engraved a Totem on the ground and asked her to pray everyday sincerely.
And that’s what she did. Everyday, she would lie near the Totem, and pray. She prayed for the health of her child. Zeke had already fed her the Dragon Blood grass. Some time passed and the time of birth was nearing. Zeke explained what she had to do in detail. Some more time passed, and she could tell that she would soon give birth. It was finally time.
He sat in the center of the Totem, with the materialization covering him. She carefully put her head into the Totem and started neighing. Inside his mind, Zeke could understand what she was saying.
She said, "Oh One who exists outside of Heaven and Hell. Hunter of Demons and Angels. Creator and Destroyer of Myriad Races. Master of Rebirth. Reacher of Untold Planes. Seeker of Lost Knowledge. Beast of Battle. Dominator of Emotions. Ruler of the Celestial Sky. Oh Asuran Star of the Gemini Primogenitors, I call upon you today.
My Race has always been hunted for our gifts. But unbeknownst to our hunters, the gifts are a curse. It is due to those gifts that my unborn child hangs on the edge of death. I was hopeless. But then I found you.
You have given me hope. I know that I will die today. I want to sacrifice my body, soul, my everything to you. I will return to your benevolent arms. But please, save my child and watch over him."
As tears filled her eyes, she became silent, waiting for a response. Something came over Zeke once again and his eyes started glowing. Although it was faint, if one were to look carefully, they would see hints of purple and gold in his eyes.
He spoke in a deep commanding voice, "This seat has been moved by your resolve to protect your child. I will save your child. Do not worry for everything will be fine. Your child will live a long and healthy life. He will become worthy of your sacrifice."
Her eyes gently closed as she stopped breathing. She had stopped suppressing the bloodline conflict inside her body and it had killed her instantly. The Totem started glowing as every part of her body except her womb melted into the Totem.
A blood red Totem rose from the ground, phasing through Zeke and started floating above him. The Totem started spinning and shrinking. When it was about to disappear, a lifelike beast made from blood stepped out of it.
It looked very similar to the Bloodborne Unicorn but there were some changes. Its horn was sharper and it had a pair of feathered wings.
The blood beast galloped in the air and entered the womb that was left behind. The womb started burning in a blood red fire. When the fire disappeared, the womb had been replaced by a black egg. Zeke stood up, the manifestation disappearing behind him. He also had tears in his eyes. The egg reminded him of himself and Cass.
Their mother had also sacrificed her life to save them. He wiped the tears and thought, ’Your sacrifice will not be in vain.’
He walked to the egg and bit his finger. Then he drew tiny Totems on the egg until he had completely covered its surface. He wasn’t done yet. He drew multiple barrier and qi gathering formations around it. Finally, he channeled what little Faith that he could into the egg.
It was just a trickle. The only reason that he was able to do even that was because of her sacrifice. It had strengthened the connection enough that he was able to use a very meager amount of Faith.
The Totems on the egg started glowing before they sank into it.
He then activated the formations. They would provide it with protection and natural energy. He left the area and returned with a big stone. It was big enough enough that it reached his chest. He placed the stone where she had spent her last moments. He buried about a fourth of the stone into the ground. Then he used his Hell Qi to engrave something on the stone.
If someone were to see the stone, they would see the words, ’Here lies a brave and loving mother.’ engraved on the stone.
The engraving technique was exquisite. Below the words was an engraving of an adult Bloodborne Unicorn playing with her child.
Then he just sat there, lost in his thoughts.
