Chapter 43: Ch 43: Course Of Destiny

BOOOOM! BOOM! BOOOOOM!

The collision between the two supreme existences shattered not only sound, but reality itself.

Space folded like fragile glass. The sky tore open in black scars as crimson flames and emerald life-force collided again and again.

Each impact sent shockwaves that rippled across the Eternal Sky Realm. These shockwaves were strong enough to uproot floating islands from their paths and toss them like debris.

Mountains cracked. Deserts split. Entire landmasses were pushed aside as if the world itself was desperately trying to flee.

Aquabyss Domain also trembled violently.

The remaining Tidal barriers screamed under the pressure. The domain was forced to drift farther and farther from the battlefield as the currents spiralled out of control.

The Phoenix Descendants spread their wings wide, trying to stabilize however they could.

The Dual-Headed Hydra roared, desperately holding itself deep within the sea.

Still, it was not enough.

They were ants beneath clashing gods.

Aegis stood at the forefront, blood trickling down from the corners of his eyes as he stared upward.

He did not blink.

High above, Hamuna’s colossal form clashed head-on with the Red Emperor. Roots thicker than continents wrapped around crimson scales, only to be torn apart by annihilating flames. Islands sized leaves burned to ashes, yet more bloomed instantly, fueled by her own existence.

The Red Emperor laughed: “HA HA HA… YOU’RE STILL WEAK.”

It was a sound so arrogant, so cruel, that it pierced deeper than any blade.

That laughter echoed endlessly in Aegis’ mind.

So did the memory of a golden figure charging forward to protect him without hesitation.

So did the image of Naida shielding him with her own fading essence.

So did the warmth of her last embrace, now forever gone.

His fists clenched until blood pricked from his palms.

No scream left his mouth. No tears fell now.

Only hatred.

Pure, Silent, and Absolute.

This day would forever be carved into his soul.

The day he understood how small he truly was.

The day he learned what real despair meant.

The day a Dragon emperor laughed while someone precious died.

Aegis’ eyes glowed faintly beneath the chaos. Not with fear, but with a promise.

A promise that one day—

No matter how long it took.

No matter how many worlds he had to conquer.

No matter how much of himself he had to sacrifice—

He would make the Red Emperor bleed.

And when that day came, there would be no laughter left in the sky.

—

At the same time, a similarly drifting floating island brushed past the Aquabyss Domain.

Woosh…

There was no collision.

No shockwave.

Not even turbulence.

Just a fleeting overlap of space, so brief it should not have mattered.

And yet, in that single instant, something impossible occurred.

Half an hour earlier:

On a land drowned in ice and snow, where frozen winds howled endlessly and the ground glittered like shattered crystal, a group moved forward cautiously.

Around them lay corpses of Drakes, as if struck by a plague.

At the center walked a snow-white young woman.

She was dressed in a gorgeous gown of white and gold, its fabric shimmering faintly like frozen moonlight under the pale sky. Her posture was upright, her steps were cool, but her expression betrayed her.

Worry clung to her face like frost that would not melt. Anxiety clouded her eyes. Beneath her calm exterior, desperation simmered quietly, threatening to spill over.

Her followers noticed the change.

The wind suddenly grew colder.

Her breathing became difficult.

Then—Her knees buckled.

“Thud!” She collapsed into the snow without warning.

“Lady Skadi!” Her followers rushed to help in alarm.

Carla tried to lift Bella, but her body felt unnaturally heavy, as if the ice itself had imbued into her.

“Bella, is it happening again?” Carla asked urgently.

Bella groaned, her teeth clenched. “Yes… that parasite. She’s pushing harder this time.”

“What do we do? Tell us!” Carla pleaded, looking genuinely panicked.

Bella didn’t answer.

Because her mind was already a battlefield.

< Hehehe… how touching. Running ants pretending they can help you. >

< Did you truly believe I chose you as my vessel by accident, little girl? >

It was a female’s voice, cold and ancient.

< In the Age of Gods, I was feared. I was worshipped. I was cursed. >

< I am Skadi, Ice Goddess of Absolute Dominion. And everything freezes beneath my will. >

Bella roared back inside her mind:

“Shut up, Witch! You stole everything from me! My love. My future. My happiness!”

Her eyes burned white.

“But you will not steal me. This body is mine. This will is mine.”

The goddess’ consciousness scoffed,

< Love? Happiness? >

< They are nothing but fragile illusions. Chains you humans cling to out of your weakness. >

< Emotionlessness is purity. Emotionlessness is ascension. That is the path to supremacy. >

Bella snarled,

“No. That’s the path of a coward who couldn’t bear loss.”

“You didn’t transcend pain. You ran from it,” she spat.

There was brief silence, then:

< Careful > the goddess’s consciousness thundered.

The temperature in Bella’s mind went downhill..

< Do not mistake defiance for wisdom. >

< You were seeking a soul treasure to seal me. You schemed. You rejected my generosity. >

< And yet… >

The goddess’s voice lowered, dangerous and intimating.

< I know every thought you hide. Every hope you bury >

< We could have ruled together. Perfect harmony. Perfect control >

< But you forced my hand, little girl. >

Bella’s breathing grew heavier. Her skull felt as though it was buried under a mountain.

But her voice became calm. Terryfying calm.

“I would rather die as myself than live forever as your shadow. For all your power, you’re afraid of one thing: You’re afraid I’ll win.”

< You will not learn like this. You need to be perished. >

The consciousness began to take over rapidly, and Bella seemed to be in a state of total collapse.

“Will I not see you again? Can I not ask your forgiveness?”

She screamed inwardly in great agony. She was not afraid of death; she was afraid of forever remaining a betrayer in someone’s heart.

However, for all her wishes and desires, against Skadi’s overwhelming consciousness, it was never enough.

She was like someone riding a broken boat in an endless sea, waiting for her demise.

But then—

WHOOM!

A quiet explosion of spiritual energy erupted within her soul from out of nowhere.

< No! This can’t be. How can your soul be so strong all of a sudden? This is impossible! >

The Ice Goddess’s tone changed, sounding desperate.

< Don’t kill me. We can rule together. I know secrets that no one knows. You can surpass them all. >

“Denied. I don’t want a parasite in my body. You’ll perish now!”

Bella’s reply was cold, without a shred of mercy. She didn’t know how she had suddenly received this power, but she wouldn’t waste this chance.

BUZZ!

“NOOOOOOOOOO—!”

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by NovelKeep