- The massacre continues, and almost everyone in the town has the same feeling, nostalgia. The battle reminds them of the day (Y/N) wiped out the Rakia knights that imprisoned them -
- None of the guards are even needed as blood-curdling screams are heard outside. Assisting her will only make them look like a liability, so they stay and protect the citizens -
"I can't bear to watch this." Vonika mumbled, seeing the cruel little girl rip the knights to shreds churns her stomach.
"The Entity's power is weakened. Its anger and hate back then dwarf what I'm seeing now." Baker commented, surprising Vonika.
"(Y/N) was bloodthirsty back then. He would repeatedly gut his opponents even after death." Baker relayed. His old eyes hurt from the horrors he saw (Y/N) do under the influence of the Entity.
"With how he acted, it really took me by surprise to hear Ares alive after his departure to end it all." He continued.
"Do you think the Entity had to do anything with it?" Vonika asked. So far, the one who controlled her didn't do any string-pulling.
"I think the Entity had all the things to do with it." Baker said, "The one controlling them is powerful... maybe it knew that if (Y/N) killed Ares at that age, he will survive." He continued.
"So it lessened its anger for (Y/N) to see mercy and spare Ares." Vonika finished. Baker merely nods.
- Both saw the little girl is done with her massacre and is covered in blood. Seeing this all-too-familiar scene, Baker knows what to do -
"Come here, (S/N). Let's clean you up!" He called. (S/N) nods and follows him inside the walls.
- The guards all walk out, seeing the pile of Knights dead. They all shake their heads and start clearing all of them out -
[With You]
- Sitting on that balcony is way more entertaining than trying to converse with Gods who simply didn't like you. As stated, the protection is already gone, and you have no reason to respect those who hate you -
"Looks like Bell doesn't also want to converse with these posh pricks." You said, seeing Bell on the opposite side of the balcony.
- You are about to walk closer, but you notice that person you almost killed on the bar is just below. It seems it also took Bell's attention. Both your eyes widen when a new face appears -
"This guy looks like trouble." You mumbled, holding the Nemesis pendant tighter in your hand.
- The man seems to feel Bell's stare. He turns around. Though thankfully, Bell stares away just in time. Hermes' arrival is on time too -
You turn around again but see the two conspirators already gone, "They're fast." You mumble. Things are already bad as it is, and unless it is an assassination on anyone inside your Familia or Ais, you won't bother to intervene.
- Speaking of Ais, your childhood friend stood there, alone. You take a brief glance at Bell and Hermes, you could faintly hear what they are talking about -
"Time for the big brother boost." You smiled, walking towards them. Bell sees you and moves to the side, "What Hermes is saying is that you're fucking blowing it!" You said, pushing pressure onto Bell.
- If that wasn't enough, Hermes stands up and asks Ais for a dance himself, but ultimately refuses her once she tries to accept -
"... And so, Bell, how about you dance with the Sword Princess for me?" Hermes shouted dramatically. You smile and shove Bell closer to the three.
- It works! After a while, Bell acquires the courage to ask her for a dance. It all went well, with the help of Takemikazuchi for the dance, and Asfi's addition to silencing Hestia and Loki before they could interfere -
"It's times like these I enjoy becoming a part of this Familia." You chuckled, continuously watching the happy moment... Until Apollo appeared
"Are you all enjoying the party?" He asked, standing on the red carpet with his two female children. One red hair and another dark blue.
- Apollo walks closer to Bell and Ais as the lights dim, and a spotlight shines on the couple. You growled. This is it -
"And It's times like these I don't enjoy being too nice." You said, walking closer.
- Apollo walks closer and gives Bell the creepiest smile, scaring him. Hestia went to the rescue, running in front of Bell. You, of course, run as well -
"Hello, Hestia." Apollo said, looking down on her, "I'm told my children had some trouble with your Familia the other day." He continued.
"O-Oh, sorry about that." Hestia apologized. You put your hand on her shoulder and stood in front of her.
"You don't need to bow down to others anymore, Hestia." You whispered, turning around to glare at Apollo.
"My children were badly hurt by yours. I want sufficient compensation." He said, shrugging off the piercing glare you are giving him.
"What do you mean? Bell came home hurt, too! It wasn't just our fault!" Hestia argued.
"Can you say that after you see this?" He boisterously said, gesturing to the pallum that is being shined by the spotlight.
- His body is filled with bandages, along with a cast on his right foot and left arm. You can feel the fear he hides, being so close to you. But he still continued the act -
"It hurts! It hurts so much!" He shouted in fake agony. You smiled.
"Hey! What's this poor display! I remember putting in more wounds than bruises!" You laughed, garnering the attention of the crowd.
"What are you doing!" Hestia whispered, elbowing your side.
"You can hear it here, ladies and gentlemen! The Godkiller is a threat! Attacking our poor family out of the blue!" He announced.
"What is (Y/N) doing. He's making the situation worse." Takemikazuchi said.
"And I'll fucking do it again if you don't leave my family alone!" You growled, emitting thick black smoke.
- The children of the Gods move to protect them. They all have the front row seat. The Godkiller is trying to live up to his name -
"(Y/N) what are you doing?..." Hestia grew nervous. She looks around the room, seeing the children all scared for their Gods.
- Hestia having no more choice, turns you around and slaps you right in the cheek. It knocks you out of your unbridled rage and stuns you -
"This is ridiculous! I don't have time for this farce. Let's go, Bell, (Y/N)." Hestia said, trying to pull you up.
"So you refuse to admit your guilt, Hestia?" Apollo sneered, keeping his cocky smile throughout.
"Fine, then! The Apollo Familia challenges you to a War Game!" He declared. Cheers erupt from the crows as everyone close to Hestia stares in shock.
"Yes! A War Game!" One cheer.
"Apollo is brutal!" Another one complimented.
"I actually want to see this!" A woman shouts.
"If we win... I'm taking your children Bell Cranel and the prized Godkiller." He shouted, pointing to the both of you.
- You snap and pull out the collapsible Scythe hidden by the Wraith who has been with you all along. You shout and try to behead Apollo, only for Hestia to grab the handle -
[With Vonika]
"Alright, (S/N) is now cleaned up, and the... bodies have been buried... it's sad, seeing these knights lose their lives over Ares' orders." Vonika said, looking at the newly made graveyard.
"We have no choice. These knights are bound to Ares. I don't think they have much choice once their God orders them to die for his cause." Benedict commented, walking beside Vonika.
- Benedict, too, saw his fair share of knights willing to die for their Kingdom, and almost everyone he saw was fighting for the wrong cause. (S/N) walks closer to them, both changing their moods for the child -
"Now, let's study the Entity. I know this will hurt (S/N). But if we find how to separate it from you, we can help you and your brother." Vonika explains. The mere fact that this can help her brother. (S/N) is already willing.
"Just stand there, and we'll try this again." Vonika said, charging up the cross on her hand. Benedict stood there, sweating in worry.
- The light covers the cross, and she sends the projectile straight at (S/N). The little girl's eyes light up, and the similar thick smoke seeps out of her body -
- The thick smoke opens to show the Entity, but there is nothing there. Both Vonika and Benedict stare in worry -
"If it's not here, then..." Benedict said, his assumptions slowly inflicting fear in him.
"It's with (Y/N)!" Vonika continued, "I hope he can control it." She mumbled, seeing the thin line of smoke connecting brother and sister.
"This thing is really ramping up its effort. I haven't seen something this meticulous. Most only try to brute force their way." Benedict said. Whatever is controlling both (Y/N) and his sister is a tricky creature.
"What do you think it's doing, returning back to (Y/N)?" Vonika asked.
"We can only hope for the worst, so stop standing there and make sure it returns here." Benedict said.
- Vonika nods as she turns on Gluttony to give the full effect along with charging up the cross. While she is filling it with light, her hand containing the rune of Gluttony touches the light briefly -
"What's this?" She asked, seeing the light slowly turn a shade of orange.
"Try it, if this Entity is as you say, reeks of Gluttony. Then this might call its attention." Benedict said, once again worrying about the effects it will yield.
- Vonika shouts and releases the light. A purple cross leaves the cross on her hand, and it hit (S/N). The girl is unharmed, thankfully. But her body started writhing in pain, and the Entity arrived -
"You're too late, girl! My plan has already begun!" The Entity laughed. It tries to go back inside the girl's body, but Vonika keeps it outside.
"What plan?!" She interrogated, only receiving a joyful laugh from the beast and an utterance...
"You'll see."
[With You]
- You stood there, Scythe dripping with blood. In front of you laid some guards from the Ganesha Familia, injured. You slip into a trance, looking around to see the terrified look of the people -
"Not again..." You mumbled. One of the Ganesha Familia members got close and struck you in the stomach with a maul.
- You double over and fall on the ground. The hit barely did any pain, but you feel so weak. Five more members follow and pin you to the floor -
"The menace has been dealt with. I hope we can still continue our party." Apollo said, sweat dripping down his forehead.
- He didn't expect the Godkiller to lash out and almost kill him. But it's a good plan as any. The Godkiller is now seen for what he is and will be imprisoned for his crimes -
"(Y/N)!" Hestia shouted. She runs towards you as the Ganesha guards lift you up to carry you to prison for interrogation.
- She gets close and tries to stare you in the eyes, only for her to fall down on what she saw -
- Your eyes hold grief, the sorrow she never witnessed in all her life both as a Goddess and a human. She could hear the millions of souls crying in pain and anguish in just a brief glance at your eyes -
"Not again..." You muttered once more before blacking out.
- Bell runs to his Goddess, their friends following them. Takemikazuchi, Mikoto, Miach, Naaza, Hermes, and Asfi. Ais also want to join in, worried for her childhood friend, but Loki pulls her away to brag her to the other Gods -
"H-His eyes! I-I need to help him!" Hestia said, standing up. Miach and Takemikazuchi stops her.
"We can't, Hestia. We saw how dangerous he was in that state. We can't let you go near him right now." Miach said. This was the first time he saw (Y/N) lash out, and it terrified him.
"Yes, Hestia. Why don't we let him cool off for a day, and we'll check up on him." Takemikazuchi continued.
- Bell stare at (Y/N) get dragged to the ground by the guards. He feels sad for him, having to endure whatever is controlling him -
'That kind of anger isn't something he can conjure himself.' Bell thought. The only times he sees him like this is when his family is threatened.
[With Vonika]
"This was all part of your plan, wasn't it?!" Vonika shouted in anger, "You forcefully cut off ties with (Y/N), so he would grow soft, and now that he is, you're playing with him again." Vonika said, tears now flowing down her face.
"What can I say? Anger and sorrow are the emotions that give me the most sustenance." The Entity laughed, further teasing Vonika.
"This little girl's big brother is grown up now. He's like me, a fully pledged Entity, so why not let him carry his own weight?" The Entity continued, explaining through fits of laughter.
"I dumped almost half of the souls weighing me down on him. If twenty-four wrathful souls aren't enough to bring him insane. I'm sure millions of sorrowful ones will." The Entity declared before going back inside the little girl's body.
"You don't get to leave that easily!" Vonika growled, charging up the cross once more.
"Stop it, Vonika! She's had enough!" Baker said, shaking Vonika. The girl stared at (Y/N)'s sister to see her tearful and on her knees, catching her breath.
"I-I'm sorry." She said, collapsing down on the ground also.
<Small Timeskip>
"I don't understand. (Y/N) is already past the age of control. Why is the Entity still bound to him." Baker said. Vonika and (S/N) slept on the bed beside him. The old man, flipping through the records of Retributions.
"This! Elena and Allen. Brother and sister. Both can summon grotesque undead creatures and infect." Benedict said, finding the right page.
"Allen was saved by the Gods as their champion, while his sister fell into the hands of the enemy." Benedict read.
"Even though he moved past his age of control, his link to his sister gave the one possessing them access to his soul." He continued, slowly getting worried from the text.
"Allen went crazy one night and lashed out, giving the Gods no choice but to send Adonis and Arya to dispose of him." He continued, his heart beating faster than ever.
"Isn't there a text for a cure or at least to hinder the Entity from moving around?" Benedict mumbled, going through the pages of Retributions that were sisters or brothers.
"Six, Mono. Twins." "Died during the war." "Grew together."
"Terra, Mina." "Terra was terminated following her insane outburst." "Mina was rescued and became Set's Champion." "Grew separated."
"Alice, Fran. Twins." "Murdered each other upon meeting." "Fran was unstable when they met." "Grew separated."
"Frisk, Chara, Kris. Triplets." "Chara went insane. Terminated. Frisk committed suicide. Kris went insane. Terminated." "Grew separated."
- Benedict closes the book, his breathing heavy. All these cases were gruesome, and he couldn't handle seeing the two either kill each other or (Y/N) being terminated for that matter -
Though he did see a piece of crucial information, "Those who became unstable grew up away from each other. Maybe if they meet before the effects, both will help each other overcome it." Benedict theorized, standing up.
- He quickly hides the book and wakes Vonika up. The girl slowly sat up, rubbing her eyes. She catches a glimpse of how nervous and panicked Baker is, and adrenaline kicks in -
"W-What's this?" She asked, seeing Baker fill up a rucksack of Valis and some of his clothes.
"I read the records. I'll explain on the way. Just know that (Y/N) is in danger if he doesn't meet with (S/N) soon." Baker said. Vonika nods and wakes up (S/N).
"Do me a favor, (S/N). Wake up both Warren and Valerie. We're going to go meet your brother." She said. (S/N) was quick on her feet, high-pitched joyful squeals filling the halls as she ran to the guest rooms.
- After a couple of seconds, both persons ran inside the room as excited as the little girl. Baker gives a knowing nod to Vonika before leaving the room, taking (S/N) with him -
"This is not a field trip, you two. (Y/N) is in danger if we don't let the siblings reconnect, pack your stuff and let's go." She ordered, carrying a rucksack of her own filled with clothes the village seamstress made her.
- Warren and Valerie know this isn't something to take so casually. So they quickly leave for their houses and pack whatever they will need for the journey -
<Small Timeskip>
- The carriage had just left the town. Everyone is tense, waiting to hear Benedict's explanation on why (Y/N) is in danger. But of course, they need (S/N) to sleep first. She doesn't need to hear this -
- Thankfully, the child who was woken up abruptly is still tired and soon went to sleep, laying on the cart while her head rests on Vonika's lap -
"I did a little research in the Records of Retributions, and every single Retribution that grew up away from each other became unstable, most likely the eldest." Baker said, pulling out the book he hid in his bag.
"This method wasn't documented because the cases in which siblings were both influenced are rare." He continued, flipping through the book to give the others a brief glance per page.
"But there was one case, twins grew up together, not one of them had shown violent tendencies or psychopathic outbursts." He explained, passing the book to Vonika, who read the page with Valerie.
"They grew up on the enemy camp without altercations but were killed in the ensuing war." He said, "Though I'm still a bit unsure, this was only one case. I-I really don't know if this method will help (Y/N)." He continued, his voice faltering.
"I'm sure it will, Benedict. And If it doesn't, I can always trap the Entity in (S/N)." Vonika said, trying to comfort the old man whose breathing had become quick but heavy.
"You can't, Vonika. Making (S/N) go through all that might only spell doom for the both of them." Benedict said, staring down in grief for the following words he would spout.
"If we can't do anything... I'll leave it to you to try and take down (Y/N)."
▲▼▲▼▲
Welp. This is Chapter 49. Bye!
Yo. This book is still alive, right? Right?