Chapter 431 Dreams and visions
Chapter 431 Dreams and visions
Minutes turned to hours, hours into days, and then days into weeks _ Amy didn't even know how long she had been fighting against the horde of monsters which never seemed to end.
They were like unkillable immortals, on whom no matter what method she used, cutting, slashing, chopping, strangling, storing body parts in different spaces- all it took was just the shining light of the red rising sun, and then they were back again.
The only saving grace was that overall their strength and habits always remained the same.
She was covered in blood from head to toe, her armor hanging on her body just for the namesake. Even the crown of chaos, which was her strongest cheat, seemed to be suppressed by something. Probably Apate's magic. And she couldn't even sense it anymore.
She didn't know if it was a special gift from Apate, or there always was a different breed of undead in this dungeon _ a small creature who could use illusion magic when she was asleep.
So every time she slept a wink these days, she'd be thrusted into different dreams which challenged her sanity.
So she's trying hard to stay awake now. Cause her dreams are often disappointing and destructive.
Plus waking up with new injuries and an even worse mood and more tired mentality than before was no good sign.
It was the longest she had ever gone without sweets, without any food honestly. Her stomach growled in hunger, and then churned in disgust and protest at the idea which seemed to be blossoming in her mind lately.
She could never resort to that.
It was here in this creator's abandoned land of a failed creation, that she learned how much she relied on her cheats. How complacent she was for having a superior element she couldn't even control. How fake and fickle was her confidence in the strength and talent she always boasted about. And how one wave of someone's hand could wipe her out.
She was angry at Apate, but soon she started to feel more angry at herself. A voice which she never heard before, started asking if she even deserved to live.
She was weak. Naive. And useless. A selfish self righteous brat who only relied on others to survive. And wasn't even grateful for it. Much like a parasite.
She always judged others. Even though she never spoke or talked openly about it. She did it in her heart.
Her father, for mindlessly starting a war with evil's scion and warzy without thinking of consequences. Leading to the death of many innocents and bystanders. (Both cases of Rio's curse in childhood and then death in dungeon)
Her mother, for swarming into the academy and slaughtering innocent teachers and students. (Rio's death)
Ravens, who used every dirty trick in the book to raise their business and dealing with their competition (basically always lol)
And even her brother, for always playing mind games and plotting a rape scene just to scare others. (Angel persona & Kevin and Levi scene at party)
Hell, she even judged the gods on how selfish they were, and how mortal life didn't matter to them.
___ She always thought she was better than them. That if she was in their position she would never do that. That she'd be different.
But would she?
The experience in these past few weeks taught her just how cruel she can be. How ignorant her beliefs were.
She was like every poor person who thought if he was rich he'd make lives better for others living in poverty. Like every wanna be politician who played the card that if I was in power I would change everything for better - but just like them, she too was a hypocrite.
She didn't even realize it herself, and now she felt nauseating at her own past self. She even wondered if others ever saw her like she saw herself now?
Would they be disappointed? Disgusted? Enjoy more content from empire
She wanted to kill herself, end her life _ but a part of her even lacked the courage to face death.
She had a dream last night where she met Rio in this dungeon. But when monsters swarmed from everywhere she left him there and ran away herself. (Rio told her to run.)
When she felt guilty and wanted to come back, Rio's face morphed into a stranger and she happily watched him die.
Even though this dream of hers was different, a living lie constructed under the effects of a psychic monster's poison, but now when she was awake and thinking about it. Would the situation be any different if it wasn't a dream?
She recalled the scene of her childhood when they were coming back from the capital in disguise, and were attacked by some assassins, and how she just waited in the carriage while her brother fought alongside those guards to protect her.
The memories may be hazy under her thirst and hunger, but she was sure she didn't talk to her brother for a few days afterwards because she was angry at how he used the ignorant coach driver to block a sword.
She was a little innocent kid, first time seeing her idol big brother fighting and killing. Witnessing the theory of cruelty and death written in books and scrolls manifesting into reality.
Yet even then she judged him to be wrong cause he used an innocent man's life who didn't even know anything to save himself.
"Heh" The current Amy couldn't help but sneer as she remembered she even complained to her father during their bedtime story session. Saying her brother was no hero but a villain.
But the truth is, what right did she had? She was there hiding in secret when it was happening? But when it was all over, she came out to throw blame.
She always thought Rio was the big brother, that he was older and that's why he could do what he does. But was he?
Her brother hated working hard, he was a proper lazy slug, who could stay in bed for days, if someone just gave him food to eat. Yet he trained and tried the hardest every day to get stronger _ but all in all, all she saw were his shortcomings.
The shade of love covering her always protected her from the burning flames, and all she did was blame the 'tree' for blocking the light.
.
.
In a locked room of academy halls, after the events of the freshers party.
"Did you do it?"
"Do what?"
"Then you knew about it?"
"Again. What?"
"Don't joke with me, brother. About that incident at the party. You begged me not to leave, saying there was something important. Something entertaining… A drama to watch." Amy spoke in his tone, and then seriously added, "Is this what you were talking about? Cause this _ this was in no way entertaining, brother."
"Ohh that." Rio said, as in just now realizing what she was talking about. "I didn't do it."
"Then why.."
"I just had a guess." Rio said, interrupting her.
Amy breathed out in relief after hearing his answer. But later couldn't help but question him again. "Why didn't you tell anyone? Why didn't you stop it?"
"Cause they're not our people. And why should I?" Rio replied.
"Cause she was innocent. Have you seen her? She's in shock, brother. Scared. She was trembling in my arms when I brought her out." Amy said, remembering the terrified face of Levi. "Who did this? You must know who was behind it, right? Tell me, I'll bring that bastard to justice. Fucking monster." She asked in anger. "Was it Leon? Or that Kevin?"
"..."
"It must be Kevin. I can feel it."
Seeing his sister just fuming in anger, and righteousness, Rio just sighed in his heart. As for how she ignored Leon who was caught red handed and with Levi's confession too, he ignored it as the unreasonable plot or protagonist effect. (Fucking fate)
"How dare he lay his hands on her. That too in the academy at such an event. Isn't he afraid? Damn these sects and their useless disciples. Those idiots would accept just about anyone to compete with guilds. Characterless bastards."
Rio just watched from the side, staring at his sister venting while walking left and right. While contemplating if he was too hasty to let her be a part of any rape event.
(I should've listened to the system and kept her out of it. Men really do desensitize these things.) He thought seeing her angry expressions.
"I'm going to tell father to teach them a lesson. And mom too, I'll tell her to stop doing any business with such people." Amy was going on and on, when she noticed him silent and carefree, and couldn't help but feel angry again. "Brother, do you even care? Does it even matter to you?" She asked, remembering he knew about it, but didn't act to stop it.
"They're all our enemies, Ames. Maybe not now but soon enough will be. So don't worry about it." Rio replied, coming out of his thoughts. "And besides, I can guarantee that after a few days no one would even care about this event. They'd just forget it, and move on."
"Move on? Do you think it's that easy?"
(It is. Since Leon's involved.) {Rio's thought)
"And what's that about them being our enemies? You always find people whom we've never even met and then use this excuse after being a dick." Amy said and sighed. "I miss my angel brother. The one who's a savior, a hero, not this…"
"Villain." Rio finished her words after seeing her stopping mid sentence.
She was afraid their argument would turn into something like 2 years ago, so she stopped, but Rio still finished her quote.
Amy sighed and turned around to leave. She needed to calm her mind. Maybe brother was right and she was just too angry. Or maybe she was still feeling guilty about last time and wanted to give him a free pass. So she just left without saying anything.
…
..
"Arghhhhh" Amy suddenly woke up from her sleep, only to see a flying insect with a pointy needle hovering above her forehead. "Not again." Amy cursed as she chopped the creature in two and disappeared from her place in a portal, just in time to avoid another monster's attack.
Just how long does Apate wants her to suffer? Just how many more visions and waves can she go through, before she finally snaps?