Bab 149: Amelia The GodChild (10)

Previously

"That was intense," Willow said, his voice shaking slightly.

Raegis nodded, feeling drained but also exhilarated. She had proven herself, not just to Willow, but to herself as well.

But as they returned to their camp, Raegis couldn't shake the feeling that they were being watched. She looked around the clearing, her senses on high alert.

And then she saw it - a figure lurking in the shadows, watching them with an intense gaze. It was humanoid, but its features were distorted and twisted, as if it wasn't fully human. Raegis drew her sword, her heart pounding in her chest. Willow did the same, empowering himself with chi at the ready.

Raegis drew her sword, her eyes scanning the dark forest for any other movement. "Who are you?" she demanded, her voice ringing out through the trees.

The hooded figure chuckled, their voice low and sinister. "Why, just a passerby," they said. "But it seems I've stumbled upon quite the commotion, haven't I?"

Raegis narrowed her eyes. "Did you send those creatures to attack us?" she asked, her grip tightening on her sword.

The figure tilted their head, their face still shrouded in shadow. "Oh, no, my dear," they said. "I'm not so petty as to send mere beasts to do my bidding. No, I have much grander plans in mind."

Raegis felt a shiver run down her spine at the figure's words. She didn't like the sound of that at all. "What do you want?" she asked, her voice steady despite her growing unease.

The figure chuckled again. "Just a warning, really," they said. "You should be careful, out here in the woods. There are many dangerous things lurking in the shadows."

Raegis tensed, her eyes darting around the forest once more. She had a feeling that the figure was talking about more than just the shadow creatures they had just fought. "What kind of things?" she asked, her voice low.

The figure shrugged. "Demons, for one," they said, and Raegis felt a chill run down her spine. "But there are other things out here as well. Things you wouldn't even be able to comprehend."

Raegis took a step forward, her sword raised. "Enough games," she said. "Reveal yourself, or face my blade."

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The figure chuckled once more, then lifted their hood, revealing their face. Raegis gasped in surprise, for the figure was not some random traveler, but a demon unlike any she had ever seen before.

Willow's eyes widened in terror at the sight of the demon, his mind racing as he struggled to remember what he knew about this creature. Finally, it came to him. This was the First Primal Sin, Pride. One of the seven demon lords who had almost destroyed the world centuries ago.

Pride seemed to sense Willow's recognition, for they turned their gaze towards him, their lips curling into a wicked smile. "Ah, it seems one of you knows who I am," they said. "How delightful."

Raegis could feel the fear building within her, but she refused to show it. "What do you want from us?" she asked, her voice steady.

Pride chuckled, their eyes flickering with amusement. "Oh, nothing much," they said. "Just thought I'd come and see for myself the ones who have been causing so much trouble for my kin. And perhaps offer a word of warning."

Raegis tensed, her grip on her sword tightening. "And what warning would that be?" she asked.

Pride's smile grew wider, their eyes glinting with malevolence. "Only that you should be careful," they said. "For there are many who would like to see you dead. And I would hate for such interesting prey to be taken from me so soon."

Willow felt his heart pounding in his chest, his mind racing as he struggled to come up with a plan. He knew that they couldn't take on a demon lord like Pride. But they couldn't just run away, either. They had to do something.

Suddenly, Raegis spoke up, her voice strong and unwavering. "We're not afraid of you," she said. "We'll face whatever you throw at us, and we'll come out victorious."

Willow looked at Raegis, surprised by her sudden boldness. He knew that Raegis was brave, but this was on another level. He could sense the determination in her voice, and it gave him strength.

Pride seemed amused by Raegis's bravado. "Very well," he said, his voice dripping with sarcasm. "I'll give you a warning. The shadows you encountered were my doing, but they were merely a distraction. My true purpose was to meet with you."

Willow felt a chill run down his spine at the mention of the shadows being a mere distraction. He wondered what Pride's true intentions were.

"You see," Pride continued, "I have a proposition for you. Something that will benefit both of us."

Willow tensed up, unsure of what Pride could possibly offer them. He couldn't trust the First Primal Sin, not after what he had done to the world.

Raegis, on the other hand, seemed unfazed. "We're not interested," she said, her voice firm.

Pride chuckled. "I see that you're not one to be easily swayed. But hear me out, my dear. I offer you power beyond your wildest dreams, the power to change the world."

Willow could sense the temptation in Raegis's eyes, but he knew that it was a trap. Pride was offering them power, but at what cost?

"Power comes with a price," Willow said, his voice cold. "What do you want in return?"

Pride smiled, his eyes gleaming with a dangerous light. "I want nothing from you, dear boy. All I ask is that you join me in my quest. With the Maiden's potential and the fledgeling of a Steel, along with my guidance, I can turn the upcoming war heavily into my favour."

Willow's heart stopped. He couldn't believe his ears. Had he really manipulated the events this much to the point where the Millenium War was already about to begin? It was still a decade too early for people to even think about starting the Millenium War.

"So, what do you say, my dearests?" Pride snapped his finger, manifesting a paper contract and a quill, both dyed in his sinful color of pride. "What do you say?"

Willow wanted to think things through, but unfortunately for him, Raegis was first to speak.

"Never!" Raegis or something that sounded like Raegis yelled out, as a flash of light began to emit from her aura, nearly blinding everything in sight.

"KEEEEEEK!" Pride's iconic screech was heard to Willow, as he covered his eyes, wondering what on earth was going on.

"You're still too early to be thinking of indoctrinating me, Primal!" Raegis's god-like voice sounded out like thunder.

Willow wondered where he had heard that voice before, but for now, he empowered himself with chi to prevent the overwhelming pressure emitting from whoever was controlling Raegis's body from crushing him to death. Even then, he still felt like he was being crushed by a mountain, by several mountains in fact, and if it wasn't for using his [Purify] and [Heal] skill in tandem, he would have died already.

Or, maybe he wouldn't have, since the [Dress Of Heaven] didn't activate to protect him, maybe the pressure was simply to incapicitate him, and not kill him.

"Fall Back, Demon!"Raegis's god-like voice boomed out again, and seven lightning struck down on Pride's form.

"KREEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEK!"

"In the name of Steel, You Will Fall Back!" The final lightning struck down, shining with incandescent pure silver light onto Pride before he could even try to conjure up any of his defenses.

The lightning dissipated, and where Pride once stood was now an empty space. Raegis let out a sigh of relief, the pressure on Willow lifting as she regained control of her body.

"Are you okay?" Willow asked, his voice filled with concern.

"I'm fine," Raegis replied, giving Willow a reassuring smile. "That wasn't me, it was something else controlling me. But I'm back now, and I won't let anything like that happen again."

Willow nodded, his heart still racing from the encounter with Pride. He couldn't believe how close they had come to being manipulated by one of the Primal Sins.

"I'm glad you're okay," he said, a hint of fear still present in his voice. "I'm really glad."

"But what about Pride? Do you think he's gone for good?" Raegis asked.

Willow shook his head. "No, he's a Primal Sin. He'll come back eventually, but we'll be ready for him next time. And we won't let him manipulate us into doing his bidding."

Raegis nodded, her eyes resolute. "I'll protect you."

Willow smiled, feeling grateful for having such a strong and loyal friend. "Together, we can face anything. And I have faith that we'll come out on top."

Raegis nodded again. Willow looked at where Pride had just been, and how Raegis or whoever had possessed Raegis had absolutely decimated Pride. And, here he thought that he considered himself strong enough to at least stand on equal footing with his opponents.

Willow shook his head. That wasn't important right now. "Let's go back. We've finished our quest, perhaps a little too well." He shook the bag of slime cores in his pouch. "We should be able to get a few weeks of well rest with the money we'll get from this quest."

"Imm." Raegis pointed her chin at Amelia's unconsious figure. "What about her?"

"Well," Willow thought. "I'm certain she'll be coming with us from now on, but I suppose we should get her registered at the guild, as our party member. With her talent in magic, I think Illya would be really supportive of her."

"For now," Willow took one last look at the area Raegis had just decimated Pride back to the nether realms. "Please, let's just go back."

They turned to leave the clearing, their steps light and quick. As they made their way back to the town while Raegis carried Amelia on her back - which Willow really had to force her to - Willow couldn't help but feel a sense of apprehension. The Primal Sins were not to be taken lightly, and he knew that they would face many more challenges in the future.

But for now, he was content to bask in the warmth of Raegis's company, and the knowledge that they had each other's backs.

As they reached the outskirts of the forest , Willow glanced up at the sky. The stars were shining brightly, casting a gentle glow over the world below. He took a deep breath, feeling the cool night air fill his lungs.

It was a new day, full of possibilities and challenges. But he was ready to face whatever lay ahead, with Raegis by his side.

Together, they would change their destiny and shape the future of their world.