Aries screamed and screamed even when her throat was on the brink of bleeding. Her skin was burning, making her want to throw herself on the ground to soothe the pain. But even when she wanted to do something to ease the pain, she couldn't move an inch. Hence, all she could do was scream.
Her spine was straight, head cocked back whilst standing on her toes. She could feel this strange force pulling her off the ground. Her eyes and behind her irises shone a blinding light. Around her body were a mix of silver and black shrouds.
It was painful.
Aries went through different types of pain in the past — she went through a thousand levels of torture. But this was different. She could feel her flesh ripped and her head felt like it was being split in half. Her eyes felt hot until a drop of blood rolled down the side of her cheek.
"Ahhh!!!" Aries curled her toes, almost digging them into the marble floor.
Make it stop, was what she wanted to say. However, she knew no one was coming. Despite the pain that was dominating her from inside and out, she managed to keep a little self-awareness. Aries only had herself right now.
The only person who could stop this scorching heat under her skin was her. Deep in her heart, she had an idea of what to do.
'There…' her brain whispered. 'Go beyond that light.'
That light.
That light that was shining dimly within her. All Aries had to do was embrace it and her gut feeling told her the pain would disappear. Focusing on her inner body, Aries subconsciously searched where that light was. It was easy to find, as her internals looked more like an erupting volcano.
'I need to embrace the light… the light…' Her desperation grew stronger and stronger, not knowing the light that was attached to her soul was glowing brightly through her body.
Giselle watched the light come from Aries's stomach, traveling to the latter's chest. She barely blinked, waiting for Aries to take the light and embrace it. Once Aries embraced that light, Giselle was certain the will of the first king would be passed to Aries.
This ceremony never failed, as everyone who went through it changed, carrying the mission the royal family should carry. The only time it failed was when it was Maximus IV's time. But at that time, Maximus rigged the ceremony. Therefore, he didn't become a proper ruler of the mainland.
Giselle clasped her hand tightly, holding her breath, focusing her attention on the queen. She didn't care anything about the battles surrounding them, prioritizing the completion of the ceremony.
"Come… embrace the light…" she chanted under her breath, spreading her arms ever so slowly. "Blessing of the first king… guide your successor and lead her to greatness…"
The light in Aries's chest slowly turned dim as she came closer to accepting the only way out of this. Her body, mind, and soul were telling her to embrace the light. But her heart told her otherwise.
'You will regret it,' was what her gut feeling was telling her. 'Once you embrace that light, nothing good will come after. All your plans will go down the drain. Remember his words, Aries! Remember!'
'Light.' She whispered inwardly, ignoring her gut feeling. 'Embrace the light and get the blessing of the first anointed guardian.'
"Dani!!!" Dexter's shouts echoed over the piercing sounds of metals clashing. "Hang in there — ugh!!!"
Dexter was forced to clench his teeth as a foot landed on his abdomen, sending him flying until he crashed into the wall. The person who had attacked him didn't waste time, showering him with punches and kicks until he created a hold behind Dexter.
"I said out of my way!!!" This time, Conan yelled, blocking London's sword. He then slid his blades, creating sparks against the blade, only to launch an elbow attack against London's jaw. "Damn it!"
Conan huffed, almost catching up to his breathing. He turned his head in Aries's direction, catching the light spreading across her chest.
"Lady Aries!" he shouted, jumping in Aries's direction. However, just as he leaped, a hand grabbed his ankle to sabotage his balance.
Conan lost his momentum, rolling on the ground until he was on his knees. His teeth were clenched tightly, only for his eyes to dilate upon sensing danger behind him. Without checking, Conan rolled to the side to dodge the attack.
"Hah." London's usually neat hair was now in a mess. The side of his lips was bleeding, holding his sword with his eyes on the crack where his blades plunged into. He took another deep breath, pulling his sword from the ground, and then shifting his attention to where Conan rolled.
"You…" Conan's voice shook in anger. "You already know you don't stand a chance. Yet, you standing in my way."
"Against royalty, I am but a mere challenger." London gulped to soothe his drying throat. Unlike Conan, London was already beaten. "However, if stalling time is the only thing I can do, then I'd stall as much as time I can."
Conan's eyes burned furiously, picking up his sword beside him. If he wanted to, he could end London in a few minutes. However, Conan was in a rush. He attempted to rescue Aries throughout his duel against London, but just like right now, London would immediately stop him.
Meanwhile, Fabian wasn't in a rush, unlike Conan and Dexter. He was rather relaxed, not being too aggressive while exchanging blows against Miguel Rothschild.
"What a surprise. I thought you'd be the first to rush to her, but you're rather… relaxed," Miguel pointed out after creating distance from Fabian.
"You said you will not kill her. I believed you."
"Hah." Miguel let out a short and dry laugh.
"Moreover, you were simply stalling time." Fabian smiled, arching his brows as he glanced around. "Why should I be in a rush if your goal and mine are the same?"
Deep lines appeared between Miguel upon hearing Fabian's remarks.
"My beloved soulmate asked me a request just not long ago," continued Fabian, standing in a relaxed stance. He slowly turned his head, eyes landing on Aries. "Her exact words were, stall me some time. Thus, I am here to do just that."
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