CHAPTER 5.4: The Seventh Commander
"That may be true, but the King does have a soft spot for her. I'm sure the King will treat Andrea better and give her something more than you could ever give her. So Celeste Astnhrea, it would be better for you not to get in my way." As soon as she said that, I felt extreme energy coming off of her. It seems that what she showed earlier was not even the full force of her strength.
How powerful can she get? If she is this powerful, it's hard to imagine how powerful the other commanders are.
"She wasn't even serious when fighting me. This is dangerous." I heard my mother say that, and all the bad feelings I had earlier were coming true. How are we able to escape from this place without any further damage?
This isn't good.
"Andrea, this world has nothing to offer you if you keep siding with these people. You should just come and follow me, and your father will give you everything you wish for. He is the hope of every Deviants and even you." For some reason, I can sense that she is also1 warning me that if I don't follow her right now, my mother and Astrella will be in grave danger or worse, they will die, and there is nothing I can do to save them.
I want to save my mother from this impending danger, but I will not follow Acedia. Even if it is today or in the future, I will never follow her. It looks like I will have to find another alternative way to save the three of us from this crazy Deviant.
"Yes, this 'Father' of mine might give me whatever I want, but I know that there will be sacrifices in exchange for giving me whatever I want." Just the thought of many more deaths because of me is something I will never be forgiven of, and my death won't be able to erase that sin.
"Every wish comes with a prize, is that what you are saying? I mean, come on, Andrea! Everyone who has been through a lot knows nothing is free in this world! If you want something, you need to face the consequence." While she kept on rambling, I noticed many things about her. The attack that my mother made earlier made a significant impact on her. It seems like we do have a chance to be able to get from here.
After studying every area of magic this world has to offer, I learned that Deviants are weak against Light Magic. My mother uses Light Magic, but it seems insufficient to bring her down. I have no choice but to use that thing, even if it hurts and could possibly kill me. It is the only choice I have to make sure that my mother and Astrella get away from here.
Using my Teleportation magic, I teleported myself inside the cottage. There I felt that pain again from earlier. I stared at the sword, and I heard it telling me to touch it and, simultaneously, to stay away from it. Ignoring the voices in my head, I took the sword away from its place and teleported back to where I was before.
As soon as I arrived back to where I was before, I fell on my knee because this sword was draining my energy. This thing is rejecting me in every way possible. Too bad, I'm not going to let this thing go until I am done with this Deviant in front of me.
"For one second, you were gone, and then the next second, you're here with that thing!" Acedia is now on her guard. It seems that she is having a hard time believing that this sword is in my hand. She did not expect me to hold it.
I guess the last thing she expects from me is to wield an ancient artifact that the Goddess Aster once wielded.
"Andrea! Why are you holding that Holy Sword? That could kill you. What were you thinking?!" Astrella, who was in shock, surprised me. I initially thought she would get angry at me for taking this sword, but she is more furious for my sake. Is she that afraid that I will die and there will be no one else in the world who will be able to save her beloved Goddess? If I am destined to do all that, then I am not dying today. It's not the right time for me to say goodbye.
"Acedia, is that right? I must say, this thing is taking a toll on me, but no matter, I know I am strong enough to wield this and be able to take you down." I said as I stood up confidently. This thing might be draining my energy, but funny enough, I can still stand straight. Slowly but surely, I am getting used to this.
"Take me down? You sure say the funniest thing, my dear. Even if you take me down, the Deviant King won't let one death stop him from getting what he wants." I know that killing Acedia will not change anything. The Deviant King will still go after me. He will send more and more Deviants after me until I give in to him.
Too bad for him. I have no intention of giving up just like that. No matter what he does, I will not give in to the darkness. If what Astrella said is the truth, then I have a choice to follow the path of light instead of the path of darkness. If only I had one more option in this destiny of mine, I would instead choose not to be on either side—too much pressure and too much violence that I can never handle.
"I know that, but one less Commander for me to worry about, isn't that right?" With all my might, I manage to have enough strength to attack Acedia. Even in this situation, I can tell that I am fast enough to be at the same pace as her. As a matter of fact, as each second pass by, my movement increases.