Chapter 59: Point Blank
Freya still sat perfectly still in the center of the chamber as she meditated. The crimson glow of Aether surrounded her. Her mind was focused, delving deep into the energies that flowed through her. But then, she felt something, a presence entered the chamber. Freya's eyes remained closed, she know that Nox had finally arrived. She could feel his aura as if his corrupt intentions oozing from every pore of his body.
But it wasn't Nox that caused her to stir.
Another presence brushed against her senses. It was the unmistakable energy of fellow Asgardians. Her eyes open slowly but not because of fear or concern for Nox, but in response to the unexpected allies who managed to get here. Who could it be?
Nox continued to stride confidently toward her without realizing anything, his grin wide under his mask.
"Waking up from meditation? It will be no use because even if you have enough Aether in your body, you can't defeat me," Nox said with arrogance and confidence tone.
But instead of seeing fear in her eyes, Freya smiled. A mysterious expression that left Nox suddenly worried. The sight of her smile sent a creeping sense crawling up his spine.
Something was wrong.
Nox's grin faltered. Then, suddenly, he heard the heavy sound of the door behind him slamming shut. Instinctively, Nox turned his head, and as he did his eyes widened in shock and horror.
Right in front of his face was a muzzle of a weapon that pointed directly at him. Nox barely had time to react before Erik's voice cut through the silence.
"We meet again, asshole."
And then, without hesitation, Erik pulled the trigger. The Boltr fired with a resounding BANG!
The powerful shot struck Nox square in the face and sending him flying backward and spinning in the air with brutal force. His body crashed into the rock wall, a cloud of dust and debris erupting around him as he hit the ground with a heavy thud.
Mia darted toward Freya. Her heart pounding with worry as she saw the goddess still seated in the center of the chamber. "Are you alright, uhm… Miss goddess?" Mia asked as she knelt beside her. Then she use her Boltr to shoot manacle on Freya's feet.
Freya looked up at Mia and immediately a warm smile spreading across her face. Her eyes sparkling with a mix of relief and happiness. She rose from her seated position and without warning she wrapped her arms around Mia. Mia stood there momentarily stunned and blinking a few times as the powerful goddess held her close.
"I'm so happy to see you again," Freya whispered, her voice soft and filled with gratitude. "Thank you for coming to save me, and I'm sorry I have to put you all through this."
"Uhm, yeah… We couldn't leave you here. Don't mention it," she replied.
Meanwhile, Erik had kept his focus on the fallen Nox.
"Liam, we need to finish him off. We can't risk letting him live," Erik said.
Liam nodded in agreement. Then together they raised their Boltrs and aimed at Nox, who was lying motionless on the ground. They pulled the triggers sending a volley of magical shells straight at him.
BANG!
BANG!
BANG!
But just as the shells were about to strike, barrier of red and black that look like swirling ink erupted around Nox's body. The shells collided with the barrier and dissipated into nothingness.
Erik and Liam's expression turn grim when they see that. And then Nox who had been lying just moments before began to stir.
"We need to get out of here!" Erik shouted to Mia and Freya. "Now!"
However, Freya shook her head. Her eyes burning with fury. "We can't leave, not while he's still alive."
Nox as he slowly began to rise, his body encased in the red and black barrier. The sight of him standing again only fueled her anger.
"We have to kill him," Freya continued.
As Freya's words hung in the air, Erik, Liam, and Mia felt a shiver run down their spines. The memory of their previous encounters with Nox when they are in the near brushes with death and the overwhelming power he had wielded against them flashed through their minds. They had faced him before, and even though they had grown stronger since then the fear that had gripped them in those moments still lingered in the depths of their hearts.
For a brief moment doubt flickered in their minds. Could they really take him down now? Nox had almost killed them before and his strength was undeniable.
But as they looked at the fallen Nox who now slowly rising to his feet, they knew Freya was right. This was their best chance to end him before he could regain his full power and pose an even greater threat in the future.
He was surrounded, caught off guard, and they were not the same as before. They had Freya by their side as well.
Erik clenched his fists, steeling himself. He glanced at Liam and Mia who both nodded in silent agreement. They couldn't allow Nox to escape, not after everything he had done.
Nox's body trembled with rage as he slowly rose to his feet. The damage inflicted by Erik's shot was so bad that his head nearly destroyed. But it was already beginning to regenerate.
His pale face reformed but his mask was gone, revealing his true face. A ghastly pale face with sharp, pointy ears and eyes that were entirely black. His lips curled into a snarl, and though his voice hadn't yet returned, the fury in his gaze was so clear.
He locked eyes with Erik, Liam, and Mia, growling in rage. These three mortal children had disrupted his plans once again, had dared to hurt him, and now stood defiantly before him.
"We can't leave either way before killing him."
The trio knew she was right.
Nox then reached for his weapon. The dark energy around him crackled as he unsheathed his black shortsword.
And with a guttural roar he charged at Erik.
---
Chapter 60: Realize
Nox charged at Erik with a speed fueled by rage. But Erik was ready for that.
The moment Nox lunged forward Erik fired his Boltr again. The magical shells was moving too quickly for Nox to fully evade. It struck him square in the chest.
The impact was so powerful it sending Nox stumbling backward again. His armor dented and nearly shattered from the force but he didn't fall this time. His eyes blazed with more efury as he steadied himself.
In response, Nox raised his free hand. Dark and cold energy swirling around it as he created several ice spears. With a sharp gesture of his hand he hurled them at Erik and Liam.
But Freya was quicker. She raised her and and then a shimmering magical shield materialized in front of Erik and Liam, intercepting the ice spears before they could reach their targets. The spears shattered upon impact, fragments of ice scattering across the cave chamber floor. Nox turned his gaze toward Freya, his rage intensifying as he saw her calm expression.
"You shouldn't turn your eyes in a fight," Freya said, her voice laced with a quiet confidence. A smile tugged at her lips.
Realizing his mistake too late, Nox snapped his attention back to Erik and Liam, only to find them already closing the distance between them. They both charged at him with all their might.
Nox barely managed to raise his shortsword in time to block their combined assault.
CLANG!
The clash of metal against metal echoed through the chamber as Erik and Liam pressed their attack. Nox found himself on the defensive, struggling to parry their blows while still trying to regain his balance from the earlier hit.
The power behind Erik's sword and Liam's axes feels overwhelming now. Its different from how Nox remembered it, each strike sending shockwaves through his body.
However, he was also skilled. He managed to deflect their attacks. The dark energy surrounding his sword clashed violently with the power of Erik and Liam's weapons, creating sparks of energy that lit up the chamber.
Yet, despite his rage and confidence, Nox could feel himself being pushed back, their strength and coordination were strong.
"HAAAAARGH!"
Nox roared in frustration, his voice finally returning though strained. He then started to summon his dark magic again.
Freya glanced toward the chamber's entrance with face that have expression of concern. The echoes of battle and Nox's roars reverberated through the room and she fear that these sounds might alert others here. Her eyes darted to the door, anxiety tightening in her chest.
But Mia said, "You don't have to worry about that, Miss Freya," Mia said confidently. "I've already placed a Rune barrier around the chamber. No sound will escape from here."
Freya's eyes widened in surprise, and then relief washed over her. A warm smile broke through her earlier concern.
"Mia, you're a genius!" she said. She reached out and gently stroked Mia's hair in appreciation.
Mia blushed slightly at the praise, feeling a surge of pride in her heart.
Them Freya's gaze shifted back to Nox, her expression hardening into one of cold determination. The warm light in her eyes vanished now, replaced by a cruel glint.
"You did a really good job there," she said, her voice star to becom sharper. "Now we can focus on that bastard without any distractions."
She turned to Mia again, "Isn't this the right time to join the party?"
Mia nodded. "Absolutely," she replied while her fingers flexed around the hilt of her weapon.
Erik and Liam still locked in a fierce battle with Nox. Erik's eyes narrowed as he observed the black sword in Nox's hand. The way it radiated malevolent energy made his skin crawl.
"That black sword seems dangerous. Its not just sharp," Erik muttered between the slashes.
Liam nodded grimly. "Yeah, I can see that," he replied.
The two of them knew that a single hit from that blade could be bad. They had to be careful. One wrong move could mean the end.
Suddenly, Erik made an unexpected move. He deflected Nox's shortsword, knocking it off course. He knew that it can only last for a fraction of second like before. Then, in the same fluid motion Erik reached behind him, pulling his Boltr from his back.
BANG!
The shot rang out. The magical shell struck Nox, catching him off guard and sending him staggering backward after hitting his shoulder. For a moment Nox's body faltered, but the black and red inky substance that coursed through him quickly began to heal the damage of his shattered shoulder.
Liam saw his opening so he lunged forward and he brought his axes down with all his might. The blades connected with Nox's body, the force of the strike shattering his already damaged armor into fragments.
Nox snarled in pain and frustration, his body reeling from the combined assault. Desperate to regain control, he leaped backward, creating distance between himself and his attackers. The he raised his hand and unleashed a blast of icy mist from his hands.
Erik and Liam were caught in the blast, the freezing mist encasing their feet in ice. The sudden cold seared through their bodies, making their movements sluggish and painful as they struggled to stay upright.
"Whoa whoa! Shit!" Liam cursed as he fought to maintain their balance to not fall to the ground. Erik did the same,
Nox seeing their vulnerable state, so he sensed an opportunity. His lips curled into a cruel smile as he prepared to strike. But just as he was about to launch his attack a sudden chill ran down his spine.
In his anger and desperation, Nox had made a critical mistake—he had forgotten about Freya and Mia.
The realization hit him, his mind clearing just enough to recognize the danger. He had been so consumed by his rage and pain that he had neglected the two deadly forces bedide Erik and Liam. Now, as the chill of dread settled into his bones, Nox knew had fucked up.
"Tell me what you want to do to my family again?" Then he heard Freya's voice creeping from his back.
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Gifts
-- Gift
received Weekly Power Status
200+ Power
Ranking 
0 Power
stone 
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