“So, do you admit defeat, Kala?”
“Never.”
“You are stubborn. How are you not out yet?”
“I won’t fall. I can’t.”
Flame built up, so he crushed my hand.
I screamed out in pain.
“You are tough. Given even another year, and you could possibly surpass me.”
“Heh, I’d be lucky if I lived another year.”
“You are correct. You have earned my respect… Heather.”
My eyes widened.
“So, I was correct. You do have a mole.”
“Quite smart. It’s a shame we couldn’t be allies. Oh well.”
He stomped on my head, causing it to crack.
“You are stubborn, even for a deity.”
“I consider it one of my strengths.”
“I wonder if you understand my skill. Is that why you continue to resist.”
He wasn’t entirely wrong. He had a unique skill, Slavery. When an opponent submits, he can take control of their minds in its entirety. It was high leveled too. He could likely control even me.
“Thought so. Well, I guess that you won’t be coming quietly.”
He grabbed me by the throat and tossed me over his shoulder.
“You can’t move can you.”
“I haven’t lost until I give up.”
“Well, I would kill you myself, but Gethel wants you alive for his own satisfaction on hurting you.”
“Heh, I’ll never give up.”
“Let’s see how long that resolve of yours lasts.”
He opened a gate, and I could only laugh in defiance as he dragged my unmoving body through it.”
_
Gethel POV
“So, this is Rose?”
“Yes, sir.”
“Marcus, what happened to your arm?”
“She was so spirited. I had to beat her until she literally couldn’t move.”
“She doesn’t have even a bit of presence.”
Unauthorized duplication: this narrative has been taken without consent. Report sightings.
“Left, sir. She doesn't have any presence left.”
“How hard was it?”
“I beat the crap outta him, and the moment I regenerate. You’ll be next.”
“She’s still awake?”
“Yes, that’s the problem. No matter what I did, she never passed out, or even submitted.”
“What of the world you caught her in?”
“About half of it is rubble.”
“How many dead?”
“300 of our own sir.”
“And civilians?”
“None…”
“What?”
“She went out of her way to protect the civilians.”
“Could she have won if she didn’t?”
“No, the power difference was still obvious, but I would definitely have a few more injuries.”
“Very well. Bring her to the dungeon, I want you to guard her.”
“Why?”
“So, the moment she submits you can control her.”
“Heh. Good luck trying to make me submit.”
“Here’s the thing, Heather. You are the only mind required to keep the body alive. The rest of your little shards are just extras.”
“What are you-“
“Soul Magic. Take the conscience of Rose Hood and the other Shards of Kala.”
10 minds flooded from her body into my hands.
“Will you submit.”
She was in shock, but she didn’t relent.
“Never.”
“Then say goodbye to your shards, and even your little friend, Rose.”
I clamped down my hand and the minds were crushed.
“What did you do?!”
“I killed them. Normally, they would go to whatever afterlife would accept their souls, but I doubt that a shard would even have an afterlife.”
I laughed at the pain in her expression, but she repeated.
“I don’t care what you do… I will never surrender to you.”
“Marcus, bring her to your slave room. Make her submit. No matter what.”
“Yes sir. You know, it’s almost a shame. I respected Rose’s resolve. Let’s see if yours is at the same level.”
He had an evil look as he carried the immobile deity.
I was conflicted. Damien noticed.
“Sir?”
“How did she remain bold after that?”
“Perhaps her will is simply that strong?”
“No human’s is. Even your will would be broken after something like that.”
“But she’s not a human?”
“Her soul is.”
“Understood.”
_
No…
All of us with the system froze, and Erica started scream crying. The words that none of us ever expected to see…
[The Team led by Rose Hood’s leader: Rose Hood has been killed. Authority of the group is given to the second in command Dallel.]
They had appeared on our retinas and Luma said it as well. We could all hear the tears in her voice as well.
“She’s gone. She’s actually gone…”
“Dallel?”
I fell to my knees.
“How did this happen?”
Mark was in as much shock as the rest of us. It seemed that he genuinely thought that they’d spare her out of respect.
[As the new in effect *sniff* leader, you have gained the skill, system advisor.]
“Luma, can you tell me who did it.”
[No, I can’t speak or hear in any of the capitals other than this one. All I know is how she died.]
“How… Luma, how was Rose, of all people, killed.”
[She and the other shards were ripped out of her body and their minds were crushed in front of Heather.]
“I see.”
“Are you talking to Luma?”
“Yes, and I can assure you all one thing.”
I let my bloodlust out full throttle causing everyone to shiver.
“I will kill Gethel and every single commander under him.”
“Is Heather also dead?”
“No, according to Luma, Rose was killed as a torture method for her.”
“We need to save her.”
“Then let’s execute the original plan.”
“What?”
“We take all of the small worlds, but instead of gradual, we have one chaperone with each group and crush all 9 remaining worlds at once.”
“I see.”
“The generals will not remain in the minor worlds. They’ll expect this to send us reeling. We cannot let it.”
They all saluted.
“Yes sir.”
“We will divide it due to current power. Mark, can you open 9 gates?”
“With enough time to let a small force in, why?”
“Because after we are done taking it, we will need you to reopen it.”
“How will I know it’s time?”
“Luma will notify you.”
“Got it.”
I sighed.
“I will say the same thing I did when I became a Kingsguard captain… I am not Rose, I never think I can live up to her, but I will try my best.”
Celios smiled sadly.
“That’s exactly what we need right now.”
_
I was in shock. The words that appeared in my eyes couldn’t be faked, but I still had trouble believing it.
[Your subordinate, Rose Hood was killed.]
And below that.
[The Team led by Rose Hood’s leader; Rose Hood has been killed. Authority of the group is given to the second in command Dallel.]
I really didn’t understand in the slightest… I was still alive.