Chapter 48: Chapter 48 - Chronicles of a spidery apocalypse part 6. The Final Battle.
Third-person POV.
Thanatos, Agatha, Evelina, and Spica hurried to the forest grove where Nemesis and Proserpina were fiercely battling.
Meanwhile, the battle between Proserpina and Nemesis became a dazzling display of technique and mastery of Stellar Cultivators.
If there was a live broadcast, other practicing cultivators would have watched in awe at this epic and colorful fight.
Nemesis delivered numerous swift blows, utilizing her skills. Her movements resembled a dance of grace and precision as she transitioned from one stance to another, leaving traces behind her. Proserpina struggled to keep up, parrying spear strikes and attempting to counterattack.
— This is impossible! You read every one of my moves, — Proserpina complained, not understanding how this seemingly weak blonde girl could overpower her through sheer power.
Proserpina unleashed a barrage of attacks, casting webs and dark projectiles, but Nemesis skillfully evaded and dodged them.
These ten thousand attempts had significantly improved Nemesis. She fortified her cultivation base of the Dwarf Galaxy, focusing on techniques and abilities she had previously overlooked.
The deep animosity and disgust Nemesis harbored towards Proserpina for killing their unborn child haunted the younger Pendragon girl.
During a thousand attempts of continuous improvement, Nemesis had mastered various classical and secret martial arts, delving into their complex forms and meanings. Her mastery became evident as she smoothly transitioned between breath control techniques, special defensive and offensive postures, and precise control of blood circulation during battle. These elements were essential for unlocking the power of almost any secret technique.
But Nemesis possessed an even more potent advantage - the command over the Singularity of the Soul.
— Eat shit, you vile spider! — Nemesis exclaimed, clenching her right fist and summoning a whirlwind of different energies.
Armed with a precious heart amulet, necessary for creating an artificial soul of an elemental, Nemesis used the Soul Singularity to summon Elemental Gases and Earth, surpassing her own expectations.
As the battle intensified, Proserpina called forth her most potent artifact - a cursed amulet capable of siphoning life force from enemies.
— What the hell? — This incredible feat astonished and terrified Proserpina. Even her most potent artifact, designed to kill Alcyone, her sister, proved useless against Nemesis, whose combination of skills and abilities provided formidable protection against the cursed magic.
Harnessing the power of Gas, Nemesis constructed a living golem from the resilient rocks of a dying star. Her blue eyes glowed alongside the amulet, compensating for her lack of knowledge in Golemy and Runemaking. The heart amulet formed formations and pentagrams beneath Nemesis and the golem, rapidly creating a truly formidable creature.
Burning gases interacted with oxygen, enveloping Nemesis in an invincible wall of fire.
Utilizing three kinds of energy, Proserpina attempted to break through the circular firewall, preventing Nemesis from completing her creation.
«I never expected Golems to possess a soul, but since I've unlocked a new ability, I'll use it to maximize my creation's potential» Nemesis contemplated, rising from her knees.
Nemesis gave life to the artificial soul using the Soul Singularity, endowing the golem with life.
— Gra-arx! — the elemental of gas and earth roared at Proserpina, who became covered in cold sweat.
Undoubtedly, this creation now stood at the rank of a Star Galaxy, terrifying the Queen of Spiders. Proserpina tried to summon her army for help but felt the flames of the souls on her weapons and realized her Spider-Weavers had been completely wiped out.
— oolish Spica, — Proserpina whispered, believing she had destroyed her army. She turned to her shadow, where her sister, Alcyone, hid, saying, — Alcyone, I need your help!
— Maybe you shouldn't hide behind your older sister's skirt and face death with dignity? — Nemesis asked in her bass voice, pointing the golem at its target.
It was a question of hypocrisy since there was nothing dignified about an inevitable death. Nemesis and Thanatos were breaking the established rules of the Universe.
Proserpine bared her teeth and lunged at her enemy with a swift jerk of her spider-like limbs. Her enchanted spear swirled in the air, aiming to pierce Nemesis' heart. But danger was not unfamiliar to Nemesis, and she gracefully dodged the attack, a faint smile playing on her lips.
The fusion of power, energy, and spiritual practice had turned Nemesis into a formidable force to be reckoned with. Unable to accumulate energy in Vial of the Soul as it was only accessible to Thanatos and his control over Time energy, Nemesis compensated with relentless character cultivation and unwavering bravery.
Meanwhile, the golem circled behind Proserpine, ready to shoot a barrage of gas and minerals from a dying star. Proserpine shielded herself with a void barrier, but the creation's power was so overwhelming that the shield couldn't absorb all the damage.
*Screech*
— Faaaaaahhhh! — Queen-Arachna broke through hundreds of dead trees and punched a hole through the mountain from the force of her vile attack, creating a one-mile-wide crater.
— THIS IS REVENGE FOR MY DAUGHTER, YOU UNFINISHED BITCH! — Nemesis screamed, her accumulated rage and hatred unchecked. She vowed not to let Proserpine escape alive.
Nemesis ordered the elemental to capture Proserpine, while she turned around to see Thanatos, Spica, Agatha, and Evelina approaching.
— Sister, are you alright? — Thanatos asked impatiently, watching his sister emanating a menacing aura.
— We came to help you, — Spica added, surveying the scorched battlefield.
— I don't need help. Everything is under control, — Nemesis removed her hood and undressed in front of the girls and Thanatos, explaining, — I'll only be at peace when I destroy Proserpine with my relentless effort. Spica, if you interfere, her sister Alcyone will come out of hiding.
— But won't she want to save her sister? — Agatha asked, puzzled.
— No. I had a reliable source of information, — Nemesis recalled Femiarta's words, appearing before them fully naked.
— Why did you undress? Did you want to air out your pussy? Such a beautiful pussy needs a master to walk it, — Thanatos teased, pointing to himself and touching his older sister's body.
— I will wear a very symbolic armor designed for insane speed. It's like the spandex suit from the Flash series we watched one weekend, but this is real armor, — Nemesis explained, trying on the black-blue armor with white pauldrons.
After dressing up, Nemesis formed a column of burning gases around her, concentrating on her head and under her metallic boots.
She crouched into a low start position, feeling a playful mood, — You'll miss a bright spectacle if you don't catch up with me, ha-ha-ha-ha!
— Nemesis, wait, — Thanatos wanted to grab her cloak and join her, but he didn't make it.
*Bang*
Nemesis broke the sound barrier, literally disrupting the entire gas dynamics. Her running speed was accelerated to half the speed of light, but thanks to her perfect control, she didn't destroy several nearby states.
The air stream carried a trail of gas energy, burning a straight line from the ground up several kilometers in height. In a fraction of a millisecond, Nemesis reached the mountain, piercing through it, leaving a clear vertical line, and then she hit Proserpine with a kick to the head.
Proserpine didn't even have time to cry out before her flesh and torso exploded along with Vial of the Soul. The spider queen was incinerated, leaving only the upper part of her skeleton due to its incredible strength.
Nemesis performed an emergency braking using compressed air flows but was pushed by a thick shockwave that was slightly behind her. As a result, the white-haired girl reluctantly flew a few hundred miles, leaving behind a trail of terrible destruction.
— Darn, I think I flew past the center of some city… — Nemesis looked at the devastated city and guiltily whispered, — I'm sorry, people of Kansas City.
Nemesis extinguished her flaming hair and flew back to the scene of Proserpine's death.
Unbeknownst to her, Proserpine's death was not the climax of the Spidery Apocalypse.
...
POV Thanatos.
As soon as we reached the place where Nemesis confronted Proserpine and killed her, we encountered the Spider Queen, moving on spider-like limbs.
It was Alcyone - the Spider Queen.
— Farewell, little sister. Don't worry, I'll avenge your death, — Alcyone said coldly, stroking the skull of the slain Proserpine.
Her sister's skeleton reached out, as if pleading for help, but Alcyone seemed to bid farewell to her own blood forever.
Noticing us, the Spider Queen rose on four pairs of jointed legs and addressed me directly, — Your actions cost me the life of Proserpine, insignificant heretic. If I weren't loyal to Femiarta, I would have disobeyed her and destroyed all of you with a single wave of my staff!
I observed her spider abdomen with a dark human body, a crown with a gem above her violet eyes, a small staff, and immense size. Her body's radius was about 13 feet (4 meters), and her height reached 10 feet. Her limbs held the motionless skeleton of my younger sister, whom my older sister had destroyed.
As the flames from the dying gases illuminated the vertical hole in the mountain cave, Alcyone pointed her magic staff at us and unleashed a surge of energy from her body.
Silent, Alcyone released a cultivator's aura, causing suffocation and headaches for Agatha and Evelina. The two girls screamed loudly and hid behind me.
Spica quickly warned us, — Be careful!
Spica attempted to take control of the situation using Nature energy. She summoned roots and thorns to entangle Alcyone's limbs and arms, but all the vegetation withered at her feet. Swiftly, Alcyone leaped over the entangling vines and landed close to us.
I covered my fists with Chaos energy and swung at the Spider Queen, but Alcyone struck me in the face and pushed me away from Evelina and Agatha. She pointed her staff at Spica's heart, and with a single touch, my cousin became a completely defenseless enemy.
— Don't even think about it! — I yelled, getting up from the ground. I rushed forward to protect Evelina and Agatha, whom Alcyone was reaching for.
— T-Tanatos! — Evelina screamed in panic and released acid, but it didn't harm Alcyone.
By the time I reached them, the spider queen had already touched their hearts with her staff, calming them completely.
All three girls offered no resistance, frozen in place.
I stood between my women and the Spider Queen, asking, — What have you done? What do you want from us? You attacked us, and as a result, your sister was killed. If you kill any of my little ones, it won't benefit you in any way!
— I know there's no benefit. If I can't kill any of the Pendragon family, it doesn't mean I can't kill two slaves who serve you, — Alcyone said with a pained grin.
At that moment, I was greatly frightened and created a protective dome of Chaos energy around us. Alcyone hid her staff and reached both hands towards Agatha and Evelina, gradually breaking through my shield.
While I struggled to maintain the shield, Nemesis flew by at supersonic speed and hit Alcyone's face. After the missed strike, the Spider Queen licked her busted lip and spat out blood, saying, — Striking from behind, just like you, Nemesis. You know you won't be able to resist me, even if Isida helps you.
— You're right, bitch. But that also means you won't escape the time loop, — Spica said, fully understanding the situation.
— T-Tanatos, I-I'm very scared, — Agatha trembled like a leaf, whispering. She and her younger sister pressed against my chest as I held the barrier and reassured them that everything would be alright.
Alcyone broke through my barrier and slapped me hard. Then she grabbed Evelina and Agatha by their throats, saying, — Hm-m, you won't fool me. If I don't kill Spica, Tanatos, or Nemesis, the time loop won't continue. So, two human females can be devoured alive by me.
— NO! NOOOO! — Ignoring the pain in my cheek, I started screaming and then turned sharply to Spica and Nemesis, — Do something!
— I'm sorry, little brother. But we're powerless against her, even if we fight her for eternity. This battle can't be won, — Nemesis said with a sad look.
Addressing the sky, I yelled, — Then let the whole family come!
— Damn it, Tanatos! I truly feel sorry... I warned you before, — Nemesis spread her arms in despair. As Alcyone held my girls by the throat with a sadistic grin, the elder sister said, — They don't care about Evelina or Agatha. Brother, believe me, the family never cared about me until they saw me gain new power.
The spider queen laughed at me, — Ha-ha-ha, what a pathetic creature you are! Why keep slaves you're going to lose anyway?
I saw quiet tears streaming down Agatha's and Evelina's faces. Alcyone wasn't going to kill them yet, but her words hurt me deeply. Driven by emotions, I shouted, — Why the hell does every fucking female point out how weak and worthless I am? You spider bitch, you've lived for millions of years, and I'm only seventeen! If I were just one-hundredth of your age, I'd crush you like the disgusting spider you are!
The Spider Queen began to slowly move away from us, saying, — Oops, that's the problem. You don't have that much time. The laws dictate that you can't outpace me; after all, I'll keep growing. Only Isida can do that, but besides saving your pathetic life, she can't offer you anything.
Her words made my heart, breathing, and mind freeze.
Firstly, Alcyone thinks in this temporal attempt that I don't have the power to control Time energy, and it's all because Aunt Isida is helping me. Secondly, I came to realize the inevitability of defeat. I can't overpower her, jump higher than my own head if I follow the flow of time like everyone else.
Time... is my main enemy. Fortunately, I found a way to defeat it.
While I was lost in deep thought, Alcyone snorted and released Evelina, throwing her towards me.
I swiftly caught her in my arms, while the spider queen held Agatha by the scruff and said, — Alright, I like your mental agility. I'll give you a chance by returning one slave and providing protection from the Limbo residents' attacks. I'll come back exactly one Earth year from now with your living slave. I'll only use the power of the First Star Galaxy, and in return, you'll give up the Pendragon family's assistance, including Aunt Isida. If you defeat me, the woman will live. If you lose, then it confirms what's already evident – you are a nobody and a heretic, therefore unworthy of causing our Lady and Goddess to suffer because of your existence! My sisters and I will devour you without the Pendragons' approval.
Nemesis's blue eyes widened when she realized Alcyone's plan. She wanted to dissuade me immediately, — Little brother, you don't need to agree...
— I AGREE! — I said, extending my hand to the Spider Queen, warning in advance, — But no violence against Agatha, or you won't find a black hole big enough for you and your Goddess to hide in!
We sealed our agreement with a handshake, while Spica and Nemesis protested simultaneously, — No, brother!
Evelina watched what was happening with teary eyes. She was completely emotionally broken.
Spica pushed me away from the spider queen and scolded, — What have you done, you stupid idiot! By agreeing, you deprived us of the chance to intervene! This is an unbreakable agreement! If any of us interferes, you'll die before the battle is over!
In this moment of despair, Evelina looked at her older sister, understanding that she had simply been lucky not to be in Agatha's place.
I shook my head and gently grabbed Spica and Nemesis's hands, firmly replying, — This is my choice, dear sisters. If I abandon Agatha, how can you count on me? What kind of man will I be and what kind of person will I become?
— Hey, do you know about Spica? — Nemesis suddenly realized. She knew there was no time to discuss family matters, so she frowned and slapped my shoulder, — You'd better get stronger soon; otherwise, you'll die. You only have a year, and that's too little... very little.
— True. It took me several millennia to reach this rank, — Spica shrugged, calming down.
Alcyone lifted Agatha in her arms, tauntingly saying, — Say goodbye to her, as your next meeting will be your last in this life, weakling.
I approached Agatha and tried to touch her, but Alcyone slapped my hand away. Irritated, I said to her, — Don't let yourself be insulted. I'll save you in one year. Dear Agatha, behave properly, and your rescue will go smoothly, okay?
— I-I... am I really needed by you? — Agatha whispered, not believing my words.
I forced a smile and sincerely replied, — It's a shame you don't believe me, but I don't blame you for it. You're confused, just like the rest of us.
— That's it, we're done, — Alcyone interrupted our farewell and took out a device for instant teleportation.
— Ah, sister, take care! — Evelina shouted at the last moment, and then Alcyone and Agatha vanished.
For about a minute, silence enveloped our group inside the mountain cave. Flickering gases illuminated our faces, and the only sounds were the falling rocks crashing onto the solid ground.
— Fuck... What an amazing family I have! Support oozes from every pore, — I sarcastically muttered, kneeling down. I grabbed my head and sighed wearily, not knowing what to do next.
Nemesis patted my head, saying, — It just so happens that we don't have the best relationship with them. Great power and noble lineage come with not only tremendous advantages but also formidable enemies.
Being agitated, I brushed Nemesis's hand away and complained, — But Isida could have warned everyone, bypassing the illusion overlay artifact, and together we could have defeated Alcyone.
Looking at Evelina crying, Nemesis retorted, — Yes, Tanatos. She could have called all the Pendragons. So, ask your aunt why she didn't involve the other family members.
I snorted, whispering back, — Her answer is obvious to me, but obvious is rarely correct. She'll say the same old thing: I need to go through pain, become stronger. And Agatha and Evelina have no connection to us, so they don't care about the fate of Earth girls. The responsibility lies entirely on my shoulders...
— But if you manage to win, you'll save Agatha and prove to Femiarta that your life has meaning, — Spica tried to cheer me up.
Getting up from my knees, I took Evelina's frightened hand and said, — Enough talk. Lead us to your laboratory, Nemesis. I need to rest; I'm damn tired...
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