Netori: Stealing The Hero's Party!

Chapter 968: URGENT TO THE LAIR! - Part 3

As the group breezed past the many storms of encroaching darkness, they noticed faces in the void that were being pushed back by Athenia’s light. It had claws, teeth, and even familiar faces peering at them from a world beyond their own; as if death itself was paying close attention to each and every move.

"Ignore them; they’re trapped between death and the state of unbeing. Twisted by Nerva’s powers to forever be locked in this state until the world of Atlaris ceases to exist." With a sweeping gaze, Athenia waved her hand, driving the lost further away from their group. "That is what Nerva wishes for the whole world. A world where everything is stuck in neither joy nor sorrow, just plain mind-numbing nothing."

"She paints a more tempting picture than what she’s actually trying to sell." Nerva’s attempt to sway Aradin in the slave market came back to Raven’s mind. Her promises were as sweet as honey, and for a spell, he felt Aradin’s resolve waver. Thankfully, for his own sake, he came back to his senses once her desperation became clear.

"Hard to tell what’s true and what’s not with gods. I think it’s safe to assume the worst at this point." Aradin’s haze buried deep into Athenia’s back, and the goddess was no stranger to it. She felt his sorrow, his resentment towards him, and thus she reminded...

"Your resentment of gods will fuel the demon lord, Aradin."

Being amongst the few who knew the truth behind the demon lord’s existence, he instantly drew those thoughts away even though his resentment threatened to linger. Forcing their minds ahead, the ground went down a steep decline that appeared to stretch forever. The far distance was dark and unruly, but as Athenia carried them forward with her light, they remained clad in the light of divinity.

"Now I gotta ask," glancing sideways, her long lashes glinting golden, she locked her eyes with Raven. "The fae mothers or the children, which ones are we saving first? The mothers we will need to take with us physically, but as long as I can touch the soul of the children, I can send the children back to those patient mothers’ bellies."

"I think they can wait a while; they’ve been waiting for centuries in their chains, haven’t they?" Mel answered before Raven could, making him raise an eyebrow at her before he realized something important.

’Natura and Umbra are both gonna be there, fuck...’ The animosity between the dark elves and the fair elves was no secret, and neither Aria nor Melicia were looking forward to meeting what could’ve been considered their godmothers. Liliyana was no less thrilled either; after all, it was Natura who brought Will-O about as her guardian while Athenia was creating her.

"If they’re mothers, I’m sure they’ll understand our urgency to free my baby girl first!" Picking up the pace, June moved beside Raven with her hand resting on his shoulder. "I wanna get her out before that monster twists her mind even more."

A nod from him was enough to ease the tension in her eyes, and thus, without any more questioning, their destination was set. The lair of the god witch, deep within the bowels of Atlaris itself.

A massive drop in the declining path was beyond them. No light could permeate through the darkness, and the dark string that had led them thus far had turned into a thick rope as wide as a whole person. Twisting and turning with tension, its many strands swayed left and right with the faintest sound of dripping water and groaning moans coming from the deepest pits of the fall.

"We must jump," turning around, Athenia glanced over everyone present. "I have no clue what’s down there except those children. If you find them, pray to me, and I will find you and the kids. Those who get lost, just follow the rope out of the pit. Moeria is keeping herself focused on it so that it doesn’t get blown away by my light like the rest of the darkness. She’ll lead you right back here. Once we’ve rescued them, June and Aradin will wait here with Aurora, and the rest will follow me to that witch’s spine."

With a determined nod, everyone prepared themselves for the horrors that may lurk within the hollow crevice of Nerva’s dead corpse. Looking down, however, they could smell something sweet and punchy–like fermented fruits used to make wine.

"No time like the present," closing her eyes, Athenia leapt into the void. It consumed her light nearly entirely as she descended, yet her voice echoed in her followers’ minds. "Follow me before you lose sight."

Without another thought, everyone else followed her example. Leaping into the dark and trying to stay close to the distant light that was her body. At times, it flickered like a candle in the wind, and at others it burned brighter and drove away the claws of darkness encroaching on her personal space.

"Damn it!" Feeling a presence getting close to him, Raven turned to look and saw a faint, large hook made of thin dark clouds. "Magna!"

Shooting it with a basic fireball, he watched it consume the element’s vigor before it stabbed his arm. Wincing at the hurt, he glanced up, trying to see how the others were faring. But to his surprise, a cloud of corruption had enveloped him entirely. Just as he had enclosed his angelic servants in corruption, his body was being walled in, and the others were possibly falling victim to the same as well.

Nerva’s nest was full of such horrors; they had no form nor a soul, just lifeless corruption as their own conscious being with no obvious way to defeat it. Alas, that’s what Raven thought for a flash, but his mind quickly reached another possible option that he had.

"GET THESE THINGS OFF OF ME!" And thus, the mantle of heroes let out more souls. Their voices sang in harmony, like angels trying to soothe a tortured soul. The magic in their voices was clear from the first verse, and that harmonious jingle gave up their class. "Bards, fantastic!"

Like a lantern in the dark, their voices drove away the darkness. Inspiring courage and offering their guidance. But the way to the lair was yet far, and while the others may receive the same help from them, how many more hurdles were left to pass?