Chapter 201 Unexpected Development
The sky crackled with otherworldly energy as the mighty Fenrir and the colossal Jormungand clashed in a cataclysmic battle. The land upon which they fought had been transformed into a desolate wasteland, resembling a scorched, smouldering volcano. The clash of their immense powers shook the very foundations of the human lands, leaving destruction in their wake.
None of the two knew the effect of their battle and what kind of a disaster it caused for the natives of this land, and they didn't even have the time to think about that, as the damage was too high for them. But in reality, the damage cannot be even compared to a natural disaster, as it exceed that level a long time ago.
On this fateful sixth day of their relentless duel, Fenrir, the wolf of the apocalypse, appeared to be on the brink of defeat. His massive form was hunched and bloodied, his once majestic fur matted and torn. Each breath he took was a laborious struggle as if the weight of the world bore down upon his weakened frame.
Jormungand, the colossal serpent dragon of universal law, coiled around the remnants of a shattered mountain, his massive scales gleaming in the hellish dark blue light. Despite the wounds inflicted upon him, he displayed a sinister confidence, a cruel smile etched upon his gargantuan face.
"You thought you could challenge me, Fourth?" Jormungand's voice rumbled, a chilling echo that reverberated through the air. "Your demise is near. Accept your defeat and forget about your sins, I will make everything right."
Fenrir's weary eyes burned with a flicker of defiance. "I may be battered, but I am far from defeated, Jormungand," he growled, his voice rasping with exertion. "The spirit of the wolf cannot be easily broken."
A gust of searing wind howled through the desolate landscape, carrying with it the stench of ash and despair. Fenrir summoned the last remnants of his waning strength, leaping forward with a burst of primal fury. His jaws opened wide, aiming to deliver a fatal bite upon Jormungand's colossal form.
Jormungand, however, was no easy foe to vanquish. He swiftly coiled his gargantuan body, evading Fenrir's assault with deceptive grace. With a powerful strike of his tail, Jormungand sent Fenrir crashing into a crumbling wall of rock, causing a tremor that shook the very foundations of the scarred land.
As Fenrir struggled to rise, his vision blurred and his thoughts faded. He could feel the ominous presence of death drawing near, threatening to claim him, but he knew it wasn't the death that threatened his life because the state called death is not something that can be achieved by them.
Jormungand chuckled darkly, his voice reverberating through the charred air. "How foolish, to resist the inevitable. Your defiance will be your downfall. I'm pained to do this, but your attitude is not suitable for a guardian, so forth, you will be sealed for eternity,"
He said and pointed his hand trying to touch him and finish his work, while Fenrir kept looking at him with a confused look.
"Damn it, Edona, what are you doing? What did you do with the vessel?"
His eyes scanned the sky waiting for the birth, searching desperately for any sign of Edona's and the kid's presence. She was his mate, chosen by the heavens to carry their child, the vessel that would house Fenrir's essence once he was sealed. But now, she was nowhere to be found, her absence leaving him feeling helpless and anxious.
"Am I going to get sealed like this?" Fenrir asked with a little sadness and made up his mind because he knew nothing else can save him now.
***
Meanwhile, in the heavens, there was a major clash going on between the Supreme Deity and Mother Superior, who was greatly weakened because of her pregnancy.
She still didn't know how he survived, Fenrir's attack but she knew things were not looking good for her, even though her children supported her in the battle.
The celestial realm quaked with the intensity of their clash as bolts of divine energy and celestial fire lit up the skies. The Supreme Deity, radiating an aura of unmatched power, confronted Mother Superior, her golden hair flowing around her like a fiery halo. Despite her weakened state, she stood tall, determination etched on her face.
Mother Superior gritted her teeth, her hands trembling slightly as she summoned her waning strength. "You... You should have stayed dead or given up this foolish work, Supreme Deity. Your time is over and because of you, we have to go through all of this,"
"Heaven is weeping because of your foolish work, you had done everything to hurt laws, you won't get away with it," Edona muttered.
The Supreme Deity sneered, his eyes blazing with arrogance. "Foolish woman! You were always too naive to understand the true nature of power. You and your children are nothing compared to me and I always hated, how you had the power to go beyond this heaven, but you didn't-"
With a burst of energy, Mother Superior launched herself at the Supreme Deity, her movements slower than usual, a clear sign of her physical limitations because of the extraordinary baby inside her, who kept absorbing her energy.
She unleashed a torrent of divine light, her attacks lacking their usual force. Her children fought alongside her with the other gods and goddesses, casting their own spells and summoning their powers, bolstering her dwindling strength.
The Supreme Deity effortlessly deflected Mother Superior's attacks, his laughter reverberating through the heavens. "Is this the best you can do? How pathetic! You should have never dared to challenge me. But I like this, my men had to go through those gruesome deaths, but their deaths weren't in vain. At least, I can kill you,"
Mother Superior's face flushed with frustration and exertion, her breathing laboured. She gasped for breath before mustering her words. "Even in this weakened state, I will not yield to you. My children and I stand for justice and compassion. I won't let you break the current state of our heaven,"
But she couldn't even finish her words as the Supreme Deity unleashed a devastating wave of energy, sending Mother Superior hurtling backwards. She crashed into a celestial pillar, clutching her belly protectively. The pain radiating through her body made her falter, her divine energy flickering weakly.
The Supreme Deity approached, a cruel smirk on his face. "Your pregnancy weakens you, Mother Superior. You are no match for me in this state. It is only a matter of time before your feeble defences crumble."
"I don't know how or why you decided to do something this vile like reproducing like a lower being, but I don't care because it allowed me to kill you,"
Mother Superior fought to catch her breath, her voice strained. "My unborn child is a symbol of hope... of a brighter future. It gives me strength... strength you can never comprehend."
With a determined resolve, Mother Superior summoned the last reserves of her power and tried to attack, but before that, she didn't forget to look at her other children, who supported her especially, Artemis whom she had gotten rather close to because of all the things that happened.
Artemis, fiercely engaged in combat with the Supreme Deity's henchman, caught sight of Mother Superior's gaze. Her heart skipped a beat, and a mixture of fear and determination surged through her veins. In that single glance, she recognized the immense weight of responsibility that had been placed upon her young shoulders.
As the Supreme Deity unleashed a devastating attack, aimed directly at Mother Superior, panic gripped Artemis. Time seemed to slow down as she broke free from her engagement and sprinted towards her beloved mentor. Mana surged through her, fueling every step as she fought against the overwhelming odds to reach Mother Superior's side.
At that moment, the battlefield faded away, and there was only Artemis and Mother Superior. Nothing else mattered as she leapt forward, pushing her body to its limits to shield Mother Superior from the impending doom.
As the deadly blow from the Supreme Deity was about to claim Mother Superior's life, a sudden turn of events unfolded. A piercing sensation cut through the air, accompanied by a sickening sound. With her eyes widened in astonishment, Artemis watched as the Supreme Deity staggered forward, a purple-hued nail protruding from its back.
"That nail! It looks like the one which Fenrir gave me,"
Artemis's gaze shifted, following the trajectory of the nail, only to find herself locking eyes with the betrayer himself—Apollo. Conflicting emotions swirled within her as she tried to make sense of this unexpected twist. Had he truly changed his allegiance? Was this a mere ruse to deceive them further? Questions whirled through her mind, threatening to cloud her judgment.
But as Artemis scrutinized Apollo's expression, she caught a glimpse of remorse flickering in his eyes. It was a momentary glimpse of the brother she once knew, the one who had fought alongside her and Mother Superior. A flicker of hope ignited within her heart.
Before she could fully comprehend his motives, however, a shockwave of pain coursed through her body. Her attention was abruptly drawn to the cruel reality before her—Apollo's nail had pierced through the Supreme Deity and as well as impaled Mother Superior's chest.
Time seemed to grind to a halt as Artemis's mind raced to process the devastating scene unfolding in front of her. Her breath caught in her throat, and an indescribable mix of rage and grief washed over her.
"Nooo! Noo! This can't be, Mother Superior!" Artemis cried out, her voice choked with anguish. She rushed forward, reaching out to support her beloved mentor, desperately trying to stem the flow of mana blood.
Mother Superior's face contorted in pain, but her eyes remained locked on Artemis, filled with profound love and a fading strength. With a trembling hand, she reached out and gently caressed Artemis's cheek.
"Artemis... my dear child," Mother Superior whispered, her voice weak but resolute. "Remember... our purpose... our cause... You are the hope... the light... our legacy... protect heaven... don't give up,"