Chapitre 88: Victory and Defeat, Arkhan and Nuada (II)
At that moment, it was as if time and space had come to a standstill.
"HAAA—!!!"
With a fierce shout, the spears of light and dark were thrust fiercely, representing two completely different powers—life and death, creation and destruction.
Their powerful might cause the very fabric of space to tremble, while the black and white radiance almost obscured half of the sky!
Just as Nuada was about to fully unleash the power of his golden sword—Claiomh Solais, and his silver arm—Airgetlam, he suddenly saw the black dragon's silhouette gazing at him.
In those pitch-black dragon eyes, he witnessed a scene—countless dark-skinned giants rising from the depths of the sea, rushing towards the magnificent palace, engaging in a fierce battle with the guardian gods of their homeland.
Ruined walls, a sky filled with flames, shattered mountains, and collapsing ground—everywhere was filled with desolation reminiscent of doomsday.
Suddenly, a terrifying black pillar of light descended from the heavens, and all the gods touched by its radiance didn't even have time to scream as they were instantly reduced to ash.
This was the memory that Nuada had buried deep within his heart.
It was the day when the sea giants known as the 'Fomorian' attacked the Tuatha De Danann, and that black beam of light was none other than the leader of the Fomorian, Balor of the Evil Eye!
Nuada would never forget those horrifying eyes. Anyone caught in its gaze, even powerful gods, could not escape the fate of death.
A god of the Tuatha De Danann once presented him with a method to kill Balor, but at that time, Nuada had just reclaimed the leadership of the Tuatha De Danann from Bres's hands and was too headstrong to heed anyone's advice and chose to confront Balor head-on.
As expected, Nuada lost his Airgetlam and was utterly powerless against Balor's Mystic Eyes as he was pierced by the black beam of light that represented death.
After his death, Balor unleashed indiscriminate slaughter upon the Tuatha De Danann.
Later on, one of the gods of the Tuatha De Danann named 'Lugh' stepped forward. He used a sling-stone and launched a light projectile to pierce through Balor's Mystic Eyes, ultimately killing him.
This Lugh was the same god who had presented Nuada with a method to kill Balor earlier, and he executed his plan perfectly, saving the Tuatha De Danann from the crisis.
Afterward, Lugh was hailed as the new leader of the Tuatha De Danann.
Although the war against the Fomorian ended in victory for the Tuatha De Danann, they paid a heavy price, and their power was greatly diminished.
Later, Lugh's true identity was revealed, and the gods were astonished to discover that this new leader was actually Balor's grandson, the leader of the Fomorian, who was their nemesis.
Midir, the son of the Dagda, saw this as an opportunity and rallied nearly half of the gods from the Tuatha De Danann to challenge Lugh, forcing him to step down as the leader.
Lugh was not willing to yield easily, and the conflict between the two sides erupted into a civil war within the Tuatha De Danann, further weakening their strength.
In the end, the Melisians from the south became the final straw that broke the camel's back, and the Tuatha De Danann faded into the annals of history.
After learning of the events that had transpired, an indescribable regret gnawed at Nuada's heart day and night like a scavenging hawk.
If only he hadn't been so arrogant back then and had listened to Lugh's advice, the Tuatha De Danann wouldn't have suffered such heavy losses, and the following events wouldn't have unfolded.
If he were still alive, even if Lugh's true identity was revealed, he could have protected him.
If he were still alive, the conflict between Midir and Lugh wouldn't have escalated to such a severe extent.
If he were still alive, the Tuatha De Danann wouldn't have erupted into civil war, leading to their eventual demise.
Unfortunately, in this world, there was no 'If'.
—As long as I could have one more chance, I would definitely save the Tuatha De Danann.
That was the final wish of the long-deceased God King—Nuada, a thread that connected him to the last remnant of this world.
This thread was even more fragile than a petal. Perhaps one day, a gust of wind would blow, and it would disappear completely.
But then one day, a hand reached out and grasped that thread, pulling him back from the abyss.
"You are someone who has circled this earth for endless ages, this is your last chance. If you wish to fulfill your sorrowful wish, give it your all. Your kin awaits you in a new world."
Therefore, The King of the Tuatha De Danann—Nuada, returned from the abyss.
Even though he discovered that this world no longer belonged to the gods, he refused to give up because this was his last chance.
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*Drip... Drip...*
Golden blood oozed from the corner of Nuada's mouth, splashing onto the handle of the two spears, vivid and magnificent.
Nuada lowered his head slightly, gazing at the black and white spear that had pierced through his chest.
"Perhaps, this is my punishment..."
The King of the Tuatha De Danann—Nuada, known for his stoic and expressionless face, even managed to curve a hint of mockery on his face.
Because of the fiery wish to 'save the Tuatha De Danann', he had been granted a chance at resurrection. However, this overwhelming wish had caused a hairline fracture in his once pristine state of mind, allowing Arkhan to exploit it during that final, focused moment.
It was as if reality played a cruel joke, where the god who carried hope ultimately fell under the weight of his own aspirations.
"Rejoice, Human King, for you have achieved a splendid victory."
As his life ebbed away, death encroached, Nuada remained seemingly unfazed, his tone still as calm as ever.
"This era no longer belongs to the gods..." Nuada said with a slight shake of his head. "But it does not belong to you either."
Upon hearing this, Arkhan's face remained calm.
"The power of true ether is dissipating, the glorious age is drawing to a close, and those you shelter will ultimately be swept away by the tides of time."
A hint of pity showed in Nuada's pale golden eyes.
"At that time, will you, like me, become a ghost hovering over the earth, devoured by your own sorrows?"
"I've never been one to set my sights too far ahead because it would only tire my mind. With that kind of time, I'd rather remind the chefs not to leave any blood in the meat when they're grilling. I prefer my meat well done, you see..." Arkhan replied in a casual tone as he gazed at Nuada. "But if that day ever truly comes, I'll give it my all to turn the tide, and I'll have no regrets, even if it costs me my life."
Nuada was briefly taken aback by Arkhan's response, then burst into laughter.
"Hahaha, well said, though I have never regretted my choices as well!"
Without hesitation, Nuada threw his sword—Claiomh Solais, at Arkhan. He then twisted his right hand with his left and removed his silver arm—Airgetlam, before throwing it towards Arkhan as well.
"Let them bear witness to what the God King cannot do. Can the Human King achieve it?"
As Nuada spoke like that, Arkhan received Claiomh Solais and Airgetlam, gazing at them with an earnest expression.
"I will make you see that day."
"I hope to see it..." Nuada responded while gazing at the sky. A relaxed smile appeared on his face as his body began to disintegrate into particles of light. "Farewell, Human King Arkhan..."
Finally, the King of the Tuatha De Danann let out a soft sigh and sent one last prayer inside his heart to a distant presence.
'Great Goddess Danu, have you truly believed all along that I was fit to lead the gods...'
Nuada then closed his eyes, and his body disintegrated completely, vanishing from this world.
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