Indigo, Red, Gray and Blue -2

At this point, the house's very foundation started to crumble, as if angered spirits within the walls were tearing it apart from the inside.

The walls buckled and fractured, roof tiles clattered to the ground, and the once-cohesive structure was now doomed to collapse.

Turning away from the grotesque corpse and human remains surrounding him, the Apostle's attention was snagged by a fallen picture frame near the crumbling wall.

Lifting it up, he gazed at the picture— a photo of a family in a green meadow beneath a clear blue sky.

Beside them, a basket brimming with food and drinks rested, while a joyful dog pranced around, barking happily. It was a moment of pure joy and harmony.

The mother smiled warmly at the camera, her love for the children evident in her eyes.

"How absurd," The Apostle mused as he scrutinized the image.

The mother held a filled wine glass in one hand, while the other supported her toddler daughter, who was wearing a pink dress and a matching bow.

The older sisters struck cheerful poses for the camera, but the toddler appeared somewhat distracted. Her curious gaze fixed on the teenage boy standing apart, arms crossed and a sullen expression on his face. Clad in a black hoodie and dull blue jeans, he stood in stark contrast to the vibrant colors of the others. Unlike the family's common brunette and blue-eyed features, he had red hair and eyes. Moreover, he seemed to resent being there, as if it wasn't where he belonged.

As the Apostle examined the picture, he felt a sudden disturbance in the air, as if an invisible meteor suddenly landed behind him.

"Cross, is that you?" He spoke without looking back.

A young man stepped forward, horror-stricken as his eyes swept across the gory nightmare smeared all over the living room. Shorter and slimmer than the Apostle with a cross tattooed on his forehead, he wore cross earrings as if emphasizing his name.

He was dressed in a white garment like the Apostle. However, his attire featured a blue solar cross on the chest, differing from the Indigo on the Apostle's sleeves.

Cross held a distinctive weapon in his arms, encased in a white sheath. At first glance, it resembled a sizable sword, yet its cross guard and edges were sleek and flat, mimicking the appearance of a Celtic Cross.

"Yes... sir," He said.

"I see..." The Apostle of Indigo replied, still holding onto the picture. "Are all preparations ready?"

"Yes, sir... I've sent word to every transit hub and stationed personnel at every border to ensure our target has no chance of slipping away."

"And what about the last insect?" The Apostle of Indigo inquired.

"Sorry?" Cross lifted a brow, confused.

"The monkey's other accomplice. Don't play dumb with me" He turned his head slightly, giving Cross a cold glare.

"Oh... I've taken care of her... too" Cross said, lowering his voice.

"Good" The Apostle of Indigo said, letting go of the picture frame. It shattered on the floor, making a loud noise.

Cross couldn't tear his gaze away from the helpless child tightly held in his partner's grip. She seemed to be out cold, but her faint breaths hinted that she was alive.

"Sir Abbadon, that child... She looks hurt. Could you hand her over to me?" Cross asked, concern clearly etched on his face.

"Oh? This thing?" Apostle Abbadon lifted Jelly to his face, mocking her. She had fallen silent after he beheaded her older sister earlier on.

"It's tainted with insect blood, not worthy of your concern" Abbadon remarked dismissively in that contemptuous tone that never failed to irritate Cross.

"Sir, I understand the situation with her parent but she's a mere toddler who hasn't done anything wrong..."

"You're too naive, Cross" Abbadon interjected curtly, punctuating the statement with a suspenseful pause. "The son must bear the punishment for the sins of the father, the same way the father reaps the fruits of the son's labor"

"My father's sin was being born of lowly status. If he were alive today, he'd be enjoying a life of luxury because of my achievements. Yet, no matter what I accomplish, I can never cleanse the disgusting commoner's blood running through my veins. It's a burden I must carry until the day I die" The Apostle of Indigo explained, nonchalantly shrugging his shoulders.

"..." Cross remained silent, yet his eyes vividly conveyed sheer disdain. He seemed as if he would gladly skewer Abbadon into a thousand pieces if presented with an opportunity. A weighty silence hung in the air, only to be shattered by Abbadon moments later.

"But if you insist..." he said, sporting a wicked smirk.

"Here." With a malicious grin, he flung the unconscious Jelly away like she was nothing more than a worthless bag of garbage.

The toddler sailed through the air, but Cross was prepared. Swiftly, he drew his handle halfway out of its sheath. A burst of radiant white light emanated from the weapon, as if it were awakening from a deep slumber.

He understood his primary objective was saving the child. But even so, he clenched his teeth, glaring at Abbadon. He needed to restrain himself. At least for now.

[Prana Control: Muted Gray]

Cross activated his ability. His handle emitted a surge of chakra that enveloped the entire building, establishing a sphere of frozen time. Within the sphere, nothing could move or escape, except for Cross and his handle.

"Huff... hufff... huff." The newly appointed Apostle of Blue gasped heavily, burdened by the strain of his ability.

Jelly hung suspended in the air, utterly still and silent. Debris that had rained down remained frozen, defying gravity. The wall clock, once counting the seconds of their lives, now halted with its hands fixed at 11:26. Yet, despite all this—

"Your ability is impressive, as always, Cross..." Abbadon remained unaffected. His Gavel rendered his existence too powerful and intricate for Cross to restrain.

"But you know, you'll need much more than this to keep up with us Gavel users. So you better work hard and quit worrying about useless things," Abbadon said, stomping on the coil of intestine in his path provocatively.

"Pteew, I've got insect blood all over my boots..." He spat as he walked away, leaving Cross to grapple with the aftermath of the tragedy he callously orchestrated.

Cross watched him depart, jaw tightened in determination and abhorrence. He vowed to himself that one day, he would bring Abbadon down.

For all the pain and suffering Abbadon had caused, someone had to avenge the innocent lives he toyed with. And Cross swore he would be that person; otherwise, he wouldn't be worthy of his position as an executioner.

***