Chapter 55: A Godless World
Melissa’s POV
The emptiness felt frigid, its stifling force bearing down on me from every angle. I felt as though I were adrift in a sea of misery as the darkness engulfed me, unending and oppressive. I was no longer able to hear Kane’s speech or see the sanctuary. There was nothing but the throbbing echo of my heartbeat and quiet.
“Where am I?” Even though I knew no one could hear me, I whispered.
Abruptly, the shadows changed, and dim forms started to appear all around me. Their bodies flickered like candle flames in a storm, and they were not solid but rather shimmering spectres.
A rich, booming voice shouted out, “Melissa Cade.” It seemed absurdly old, but neither friendly nor aggressive.
I turned, gasping when I saw that I was surrounded by what could only be the ghosts of long-forgotten gods. Their eyes glowed with an unearthly light, and their translucent features were impassive as they loomed over me.
With a voice that echoed like thunder in the emptiness, one of them asked, “Why have you come here?”
I tried to speak steadily as I said, “I didn’t come here.” “I was trapped by Damon.”
Another spirit stated in a chilly, piercing voice, “You stand at a crossroads.” “Your decisions will decide how this planet turns out. Are you ready to take on this kind of burden?
I raised my chin and stated, “I have no other option.” “I must halt Damon. Everything will be destroyed if I don’t.
The air shook as the gods whispered to one another, their voices a low hum.
As it moved closer, the first spirit remarked, “Your resolve is admirable.” However, you fail to consider the repercussions of your acts. Do you know what it means to be in a position of heavenly power?
My heart thumping, I hesitated. “I’m carrying out my obligations. Isn’t that sufficient?
“No,” said the ghost. “You have upset the world’s equilibrium by embracing the goddess’ power. You can’t even begin to imagine the consequences of your meddling.
“What am I supposed to do then?” Frustration rising to the surface, I snapped. “Remain passive and allow Damon to ruin everything?”
The ghosts stopped talking and stared at me with bright eyes. At last, one of them said something.
“Madela Cade, you must make a smart decision. However, keep in mind that every decision has a cost.
Once more, a new presence appeared in the void, and the spirits vanished into the darkness. Damon moved forward, his ominous aura encircling him like a tempest. He grinned at me, his eyes shining with victory.
“I see you’re still holding onto your self-righteous beliefs,” he replied in a mocking tone.
I clenched my hands and looked at him. “Damon, what do you want? Have you not gone far enough?
He laughed, and the sound reverberated in the silence. “You still don’t understand? Melissa, this isn’t about destruction. It has to do with freedom.
“Liberty?” I said it again in a disbelieving tone. “How is that freedom when you’re destroying everything?”
His voice became more adamant as he declared, “I’m releasing the world from the gods.” “From their interference, their never-ending cycles of dominance and control.” They have been using our lives as pawns in their games for far too long. The time has come for humanity to take charge of its fate.
“By killing everybody?” I shot back, raising my voice. “How does that elevate you above the gods you despise?”
For a minute, I noticed something flicker in Damon’s eyes doubt, or perhaps regret and his sneer wavered.
With a softer tone, he declared, “They don’t deserve this world.” “Not after all that they have done.”
“What about those who truly deserve it?” I moved closer and asked. “The ones who, despite everything, have battled, suffered, and loved? Because of your hatred, are you truly going to end their lives?
Damon took a while to respond. He clenched his hands at his sides and looked away as though he was unable to look me in the eye.
“You’re not understanding,” he said.
“Then explain to me,” I muttered. “Remind me of the person you were before, the one who valued more than retribution.”
The emptiness became still for a moment, and I believed I may have made contact with him. The gloomy air surrounding Damon appeared to falter as his shoulders drooped.
“You believe I can simply stop?” With venom in his voice, he inquired. “There’s no turning back now that I’ve lost everything and done everything.”
“There’s always a way back,” I asserted firmly. However, it begins with a decision. Damon, you don’t have to let the dark define who you are. You are still capable of improving.
When we locked eyes, I could see the struggle going on inside of him. There was a sliver of light beneath the chaos and inability to control the storm, but it was like looking into a storm.
He started to say, “I…” but the emptiness shook violently before he could finish.
The oppressive power grew stronger as the energy around us increased. I sensed the Heart’s force threatening to destroy everything, its instability seeping into the emptiness.
With a frantic tone, I declared, “We’re out of time.” “Help me, Damon. We can stop this together.
He paused as the emptiness kept collapsing, his fists clenching and unclenching. At last, he gave a nod.
“All right,” he said softly. “But don’t make me feel bad about this.”
I extended my hand, using the goddess’s inner might. I directed the bright, pure light that sprang from my palms toward the boundaries of the emptiness. Damon contributed his energy, causing the light and darkness to blend in an odd yet pleasing dance.
The emptiness started to split, the cracks growing like webs. I prepared myself for the impact as the energy inside erupted fiercely.
The emptiness exploded with a thunderous roar, and we were flung back into the crumbling sanctuary. There was mayhem all around us, but I didn’t have time to consider it.
I spotted Damon crouching a few feet away, his face white but resolute, as I fought to stand.
Despite the confusion, I responded, “We’re not done yet,” in a firm voice.
“No,” he said, looking directly into my eyes. “We’re not.”
However, I couldn’t get rid of the notion that the worst was yet to come as the sanctuary shook and the Heart’s radiance became stronger.
The Heart throbbed ferociously, fissures spreading over its surface, its brilliance blinding. The air was charged with energy, and the ground trembled beneath us with frightful power.
“Elissa!” I turned to see Kane straining to get to me as his voice broke through the din.
The sanctuary was rocked by a tremendous explosion before I could move, and everything was swallowed by the Heart’s light.