Chapter 28: "Idiot" Erebus

"How... how is this possible!?" For the first time, shock crossed Erebus's face.

In the thick black mist surrounding him, he caught a scent both familiar and disturbing. This darkness reeked of pure death, and even a single breath sent a chilling pulse through his soul.

How had he overlooked such a remarkable talent?

While his own dark faction only exhibited the usual tendencies toward evil, this girl—she 'was' evil itself, a creature crafted from pure shadow! While others had been corrupted, she had been born entirely blackened!

Unaware of the attention she was drawing, Vex stood in the center of the hall and prepared her next move.

The dark waves of energy coiled around her like a sentient shadow, a sinister grin manifesting on its surface. A cold, shadowy cloud swept over Vito, detonating the mark she had placed on him moments before. The force surged through him, and he choked on blood, his face twisted in horror as Vex loomed in his vision, a nightmarish demon.

His limbs seized, and his strength fractured into chaotic energy, throwing his body into turmoil. For Gnar and Poppy, that brief moment of helplessness was all they needed.

With brutal precision, Poppy's hammer crashed into Vito's chest, forcing him to cough up blood, his organs screaming in agony. Seizing the opportunity, Gnar, fully invigorated, hurled his treasured bone boomerang with both hands.

An immobilized target made the hit flawless; the boomerang struck Vito's chest, sending him flying. And with that, Erebus's last servant fell.

Yet Erebus barely glanced at the fallen Vito. His entire focus was on Vex. Despite her brief involvement, he was rooted, his whole body trembling in an almost ecstatic fascination.

If he had to describe it, it was as if he were seeing the enchanting allure Freya once saw in Bell. 

'Was this, perhaps, the treasure the world had finally granted to me!?'

Her eyes, her power, her very presence—everything about this girl embodied his vision of the perfect family member!

"What perfection! A true treasure to be cherished for generations!"

"Could you 'not' stare at me like that? It's disgusting," Vex replied, her voice laced with disdain as she gave Erebus a flat, unimpressed look. She usually didn't care for the stares of others, but his gaze was... disturbingly intense.

"Child, what's your name?" 

Erebus rose from his seat, approaching Vex step by step, his frenzied eyes locked onto her. 

Completely unguarded, Erebus seemed to see nothing else but Vez at that moment, ignoring Vito's defeat entirely. 

The admiration in his gaze was something Sol had never witnessed in all the years he had known him. 

'Has he lost his mind?'

Yet, Erebus's passion was like playing a harp for a cow—it was utterly wasted. 

Vex had no interest in engaging with him and didn't even bother to roll her eyes in response. 

"Hey, back off from my child," Sol interjected coldy.

The whole reason Sol had brought Vex before Erebus was to flaunt her. He knew exactly how alluring her power would be to the twisted god. But that didn't mean he'd let Erebus anywhere near his children.

As Erebus drew nearer, Sol delivered a swift kick to his chest, sending the god flying backward.

"Child, come to me! Join my Familia, and I'll give you 'everything'!" Erebus staggered up again, his resolve unshaken.

"No way... changing Familia is such a hassle," Vex mumbled lazily. Erebus's promises held no appeal for her. His suffocating enthusiasm would make her regret the decision daily if she ever joined him.

"Hah! As if you could ever steal her from me! Come back to the heavens and train for another century before you even try," Sol sneered.

"You fool! You don't even realize this child's potential; she's wasted in your hands!" Erebus shouted, undeterred.

"Oh, I'm perfectly happy here," Vex deadpanned, crushing his delusions with her blunt rejection. 

She was right—Erebus was, indeed, a troublesome god. And with his attention now on her, she felt a wave of bad luck hanging over her. Removing him from her life was the only way to get back to her quiet little room in peace.

"My children don't have time to wait. This has gone on long enough, Erebus. You've had your fun in Orario," Sol declared.

"Curse you, Sol! I won't yield so easily!"

"Sure, sure, give it your best shot~" Sol replied with exaggerated disinterest.

Without another word, Sol's hand closed around Erebus's neck, lifting him with ease. He didn't bother with further threats—his intent was clear. Erebus's divine power began to flow into him, transferring in shimmering tendrils.

Gods were not all equal, and Erebus belonged among the strongest. Knowing his power could help speed up the establishment of Valoran, Sol wasn't going to miss the chance to harvest it.

After all, Erebus would be returning to the heavens soon enough. Best to keep his divine essence for a little extra fun.

Sol's primary purpose here had always been to bring Erebus down. Saving Astraea was just a welcome side effect—a favor he was glad to earn.