Atticus's Odyssey: Reincarnated Into A Playground

Chapter 1400  Choice

But just as she was about to fire, a calm, mocking voice echoed across the world.

"I wouldn't do that if I were you, Saint."

Anorah's eyes narrowed. The voice was familiar, achingly so.

'Kaino.'

"Desperation fits you perfectly," the voice, Kaino's, laughed. "What do you think of my little gift? Do you like it?"

Anorah gave no reply. Instead, her senses swept across the world, searching.

Kaino and the other High Synod had entered Asterra earlier for the celebrations. If he was speaking, then he was here. On her world.

'I can't find him.'

No matter how far she cast her will, he was nowhere to be found. But there was one place her perception could not touch.

Her gaze locked on the pillar.

'He's in there.'

Kaino's laughter rang out again. "Let me guess, you tried searching for me? You useless cunt!

Even with your wretched father's technique, you never saw this coming! I've told the council for decades how useless you were. This incident only proves it! So…" his tone sharpened, delighted, "…what do you all think? She's a fool, isn't she?"

For a moment, there was silence. Then another voice echoed.

"…Kaino."

Anorah's eyes widened. It was another familiar voice. Another Synod member!

"Ohh, I love that look! You always pretend nothing escapes you, that you see all. But tell me, how do you feel now? Your entire council has betrayed you! Hahaha!"

His laughter continued to ring out.

Anorah's mind, however, had entered another frenzy. She had thought Kaino was the lone traitor. But the absence of the High Synod during this chaos… had it been all of them, waiting for this moment?

'No… not the whole time.'

Logoth locked her emotions away. She recalled speaking with Mathias only this morning and there was no sign of treachery. That could only mean one thing.

This coup had been conceived while she was distracted by the traitors.

It was a frightening thought. It would mean that all of it had been planned since the outset.

The timing was perfect. Her pursuit of one plot had been the smokescreen for another, greater betrayal.

Her fists tightened.

'I was outplayed.'

"Your silence is music to my ears," Kaino sounded bliss, like he was living some great fantasy.

"I'll feel so much joy when I see you grovel at my feet."

Suddenly, Anorah's glow exploded. Her aura flooded the skies with crushing pressure as the beam in her hand swelled to monstrous size.

She spoke with the passionate composed of a machine.

"You are traitors to the Resistance. To our just cause. The only thing that awaits you now is death. And I will make sure it is the most painful each of you has ever felt."

She was about to release the beam when Kaino uttered again:

"I told you, that's a bad idea. Do you even know what this is?"

The pillar shuddered violently, then collapsed with a sound like the world's end. Its fragments rose, fusing, crystallizing into a tree.

It was a tree of pure golden light, titanic in size, its roots stretching across the lands, and its crown scraping the firmament. It blazed like a newborn sun, reshaping the horizon.

Kaino's voice came once more.

"Ahhh, beautiful, isn't it? When they told me what it was, I couldn't believe it myself. Well, don't let me spoil the surprise. Why don't you take a look around you… and see for yourself?"

Anorah moved before Kaino finished and what she saw ripped the last of her composure away. Without realizing, she felt Logoth slip; and the raw tide of feeling crashed into her.

'What is… this…'

All across Asterra, people that were once asleep were on their feet. Villages, cities, people, every soul stood motionless, eyes glassy, gazing into nothing.

Even One and the other Knights of Light were not spared.

A single probe of her will was enough to confirm the truth.

'Their wills are being held.'

The thing Kaino called a tree had unleashed a wave that reached for them as if it were a maw. It attacked, not flesh or blood, but will itself.

One hard strike and those being held would pop, their wills shattered. Without will there was nothing left; they would die.

Anorah's gaze sliced the horizon. The wave of the golden tree had already spread across the globe.

There was no hiding; no corner of Asterra escaped its reach. To think there was such an impossible weapon in existence, such a frightening thing!

The beam in her palm collapsed into nothing. She let her hand fall; her face was stone. The situation could not be any grimmer.

Kaino's laughter echoed through the world. "Oh, how lovely! How I wish this never ends!"

"Kaino!" one of the High Synod barked. "Enough theatrics, end this madness now!"

"Silence! I lead the Resistance now. I am the brightest light. You will not speak unless I will it!"

He huffed. "Listen well, you cunt, because I will not repeat myself. We hold the people of Asterra hostage, your people. Agree to the following terms, or they die.

In a few seconds I will activate the portal. You will invite those waiting at the other end to step through and you will fight them on their terms. You will sanction this new order. Or watch every one of your people die."

The tension at that moment was at its peak. And Anorah, despite the situation, let out a deep breath. Only one thought dominated her mind.

'I should have listened to his advice.'

…

Deep within the sanctum of light, in an underground cavern, Atticus had already risen to his feet, eyes cold.

'What's this…' his thoughts ran, 'it feels like back then…'

He suddenly recalled a particular ex ally. Lucas. Back then, due to a single wish, he had achieved the impossible. The same thing was repeating itself.

And right now, Atticus found himself at a loss.

'I'm hesitating.'

Go to the surface and fight, or escape and go back to his world.

What would he choose?

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