Sacrifice
Perhaps it was because of the bizarreness of the recent events, Bobbi just accepted Crowleyâs regeneration with some elation. He managed to help the others upon his return, killing Night Devil and Sword Saint before moving to the final battleground.
It was there that he saw the elegant and imposing metal tower, with the needle-topped tubes surrounding it seemingly alive.
âCrowley! Hurry!â The large metal pipes moved once more, stopping Xavier outside the tree. There were numerous wounds on his body, but the youth continued to sprint forward as he headed for the tower with pearls.
âThe Tree of Life!â The treeâs huge roots had spread throughout the top of the tower, its huge branches covering the skies and making for a vantage point over the entire empire.
There was a crimson glow on the treeâs bark, forming a vague image of a face filled with madness.
âLing is so useless!â Rage appeared on the face once it saw and the rest come over. A powerful gust of energy shot forth as many of the roots of the branches of the Tree of Life shot forward to attack them. Many of the rebel troops were caught by these vines, their souls immediately extracted as corpses fell to the ground.
âAt such a time⦠Thereâs nothing to be afraid of even if I dieâ¦â Crowley pushed Bobbi away, revealing a black serpent imprint on his back.
âThe final seal⦠Unseal now!â
*Hiss!* A powerful surge of darkness spread out, and the chimeral serpent appeared once more. Only now, it looked even more illusory than before.
âI give you all my life force⦠Annihilate it!â Black blood oozed out of Crowleyâs pores, continuously entering the body of the giant serpent. It hissed as it received the nourishment, a powerful ball of energy converging in its mouth as it materialised again.
âIâll bury you!â Several hundred balls of energy converged, forming a terrifying black hole once more. The branches were destroyed in front of its might, saving many lives.
Facing this attack, even Aragon whoâd turned into the Tree of Life had to be cautious. The massive tree shrank down a little as powerful soul force formed a thick wall before the black hole.
*Boom!* An explosion rocked the place the moment the black hole came into contact, shattering the wall.
However, the Tree of Life still stood tall after the dust settled, and even worse there was no damage to it at all!
âIâve already become one with the Tree of Life. With the first stage of soul collection complete, nobody in the world can annihilate me anymoreâ¦â Aragon bellowed as his face appeared on the now-crimson tree.
âJust the soul energy of the empire could bring me to such a realm⦠I will plant firmly into the earth, becoming the core of the realm as I spread my roots throughout the world!â Aragonâs spirit projection seemed extremely zealous, his insanity overwhelming.
âAre you afraid now? Do you feel that fear? Run for your lives! If youâre lucky enough⦠you might be able to last through the end and watch the world perish with me⦠No, youâll watch the beginning of a new world!â Aragon issued his decree.
The Tree of Life immediately swelled as he spoke, terrifying roots piercing into the ground and covering the entire palace in an instant. The twelve pearls were operating at full force. A few of the girls were already unable to withstand the damage, blood spurting out of their orifices.
âJill! Jill!â Xavier roared in rage. There had never been a day when heâd felt as cowardly and helpless before.
*Kacha! Kacha!* Cracks appeared on the ground as the Tree of Lifeâs roots continuously expanded through the planet. Very soon it spanned the entire empire. The crown of pearls grew at the same time, expanding until it reached the skies to connect to the Shadow Weave. Even after that it continued to expand.
It wasnât just the cities, and it wasnât only humans. Anything in the Empire with the ability to think had its truesoul absorbed by the Weave.
âJavis told me the Tree of Life expands in three stages. The first time it will cover the entire region. The second time it will move to cover the entire planet. The third and final stage is when it will fuse with the world itself, becoming a god!â
Clive stepped forward, âIt will be impossible to defeat in its second and third stages of growth. We need to take this opportunity now to eliminate it!â
Bobbi nodded her head. âEven as it continues to expand itâs protecting those twelve pearls. They should be its core!â
âYoung people, the world needs you! The old will create an opportunity for the future!â Clive stood forward with other survivors.
âThatâs rightâ¦âCrowley had stood up as well, even if he was close to collapsing. âEven with the bloodline phantom we wonât be able to escape the final purge of the Weave⦠We can only gamble on this once chance!â
âListen up, Xavier! Weâll concentrate our power to make a chance for you. Your mission is to charge in and destroy the twelve pearls. Remember, donât attack the tree. Thatâs on a completely different level from you!â Crowley looked at Xavier and smiled, âDonât you wish to save your sister? Then do it. Do it and, at the same time, save the world!â
âLetâs go!â Clive charged ahead, activating a platinum card against the numerous branches and pipes. âThe newest technology in the Empire, a Space Reversal Pulse. I hope itâll be of some use!â One last smile escaped Cliveâs face as his body turned to dust amidst a large explosion.
âWait for me, old man!â Another steel-faced soldier dashed forward, choosing to destroy himself without any hesitation. The sacrifice caused Xavier to clench his fists tightly.
*Rumble! Rumble! Rumble!* Explosions rang out one after the other, and a path was built upon human lives.
âThis is great⦠That soul fortress from before canât restore itself so easily after this much damage. We have a better chanceâ¦â Crowley pulled at Xavier, a hundred-headed giant snake charging into the vicinity of the metallic tower.
*Whoosh!* Numerous terrifying needles shot towards them like enraged beasts, the Tree of Life up above howling in anger.
On the other hand, the powerful bloodline carriers dashed out in silence, using their lives to open up the path to victory.
*Chi! Chi!* Great numbers of thin needles pricked into the hundred-headed beast, the terrifying incisions causing the huge beastâs torso to shrivel up. It soon turned into a bag of skin and bones, and Crowley seemed to have lost all blood in his face.
âNo! Why is this happening?â Hot tears blurred Xavierâs sight.
âKid, did you think weâre doing this for you? No, this is for the world!â The continuous sacrifices brought them ever closer to the platform. 20 metres⦠10 metres⦠5 metresâ¦
Aragon was infuriated by the time they reached the place, the terrifying soul attacks of those branches surging violently in their direction.
âIâll marry you, Crowleyâ¦â Bobbi stood up from the snake at this moment, her back turned to Crowley. She then jumped off the giant beast, a pair of dark green butterfly wings extending from her back in mid air. It looked dazzling and beautiful.
A dark green lustre appeared around the wings, and although it seemed weak it managed to withstand the onslaught of attacks.
The Tree of Lifeâs attack was like the palm of the devil king. However, a frail butterfly still managed to dance under the might of this devil, shining brilliantly with the last bit of life it had.
Bobbiâs sacrifice finally brought Xavier and Crowley to the twelve pearls. The former could see Jill within one of them, able to tell apart every pore on her body.
âXavier! You can only count on yourself in life. The Mistress is far too superior to us; hoping for her to pity us is only something the inferior trash doesâ¦â Crowley had his back to Xavier as he spoke quickly, âThis is my final realisation! Hence⦠The only ones able to save humankind are ourselves. Do it!
âAragorn! Die!â Crowleyâs body turned into a ray of light amidst his roars, merging into the hundred-headed beasts as he formed Xavierâs last line of defence.
âGuys⦠guysâ¦â Xavierâs tears flowed uncontrollably, but he did not hesitate further.
He knew full well that he could not give up this chance that everyone had fought about with their lives. Snakebite Fist leapt into action as the black datura flower bloomed on his back. All his other issues solved, he stood properly in front of Jill.
âStop!â Terrifying soul fluctuations reverberated from behind him, but Xavier did not turn back. Someone reliable was protecting him.
âThis bullshit empire!â Terrifying black energy appeared on Xavierâs hands.
âThis bullshit project!â A beam of light from the datura flower engulfed Xavierâs body, allowing his strength to reach its peak.
âYou bullshit Aragon! Die!â he bellowed, unleashing his strongest punch ever.