My Family in the Novel?

Chapter 261: Accepting the heart 3

Amidst the thunderous clash of titans in the darkness, two figures towered above the tumult, locked in a relentless battle that seemed to stretch on for eternity. Flesh tore, blood sprayed, and agonizing pain reverberated through the void, yet Adrian refused to yield.

Days blurred into one another, a relentless cycle of death and rebirth, each time Adrian falling only to rise once more, his resolve unbroken. The relentless onslaught continued unabated, a testament to his unwavering determination.

"As expected, you are nothing without me," the monstrous entity within Adrian sneered with contempt, hurling the mangled corpse of his host into the abyss below. "Weak and ignorant, devoid of both strength and knowledge."

As Adrian's lifeless form sank into the dark waters, a strange sensation washed over him, the wounds of battle miraculously healing before his eyes. With a violent cough, he gasped for breath, his vision swimming as he struggled to rise once more.

Through bleary eyes, Adrian beheld the grotesque visage of the monster within him, its twisted form wreathed in smoke and surrounded by a myriad of eyes that gleamed with malevolent intent. The sight filled him with a sense of frustration and despair, for he knew that as long as he couldn't beat it he would have to stay here for a time longer than what he wanted…

With a fierce determination, Adrian rose to his feet, his claws gleaming in the dim light of the abyss as he lunged once more at the mocking entity before him. Yet, despite his efforts, the monster effortlessly sidestepped his attack, a sinister grin twisting its form as it taunted him with disdain.

"You know that won't work," the monster jeered, its words a cruel reminder of Adrian's futile struggle against the darkness within. Before he could react, a whip-like tail snaked out, ensnaring him and hurtling him towards the distant pillars that loomed on the horizon. The air resounded with deafening sonic booms as Adrian collided with the ground below, carving out a massive crater upon impact.

As Adrian struggled to rise from the wreckage of his failed assault, the monster's mocking laughter echoed through the darkness, a chilling reminder of his own inadequacy. With each passing moment, the abyss seemed to pulsate with a malevolent energy, the dark roses in the sky unfurling their petals as if in anticipation of some impending doom.

For the monster within Adrian, this endless cycle of torment and despair was a source of perverse delight. With every ounce of suffering that his host endured, the darkness within him grew stronger, its tendrils creeping ever closer to consuming the entirety of their shared existence.

As the abyssal realm teetered on the brink of oblivion, the monster reveled in the chaos, eagerly awaiting the moment when Adrian would finally be consumed by his own inner darkness. For when that time came, it would be there to witness the birth of a new, even more monstrous incarnation, ready to wreak havoc upon the world.

'Mother… it won't be long before the hidden dreams starts to wake'

….

"Are we really going the right way, Aria?" The question hung in the air, laced with uncertainty and doubt.

Aria, with a resolute expression, offered a curt response. "Yes."

"But didn't we pass that same rock just a few hours ago?" Despite the insistence, Aria's patience wore thin, her frustration evident as she forged ahead without pause.

"Ah, wait, Aria...!" The plea fell on deaf ears as the trio continued their journey, oblivious to the growing unease behind them.

Watching from a vantage point above, a man with tousled black hair observed the scene with a mixture of contempt and calculation. "Are those really them, Captain?" his subordinate inquired, noting the discrepancy between the girls' appearance and the intelligence they had received.

"Yes," came the captain's solemn reply, his gaze fixed upon the trio below. Though they appeared weaker than anticipated, one figure stood out—the mage with striking blue hair, trailing behind the others.

"But, Captain," the subordinate pressed on, "they seem less formidable than what the reports suggested. Surely, capturing these girls doesn't warrant the deployment of our entire team."

With a red scarf adorning his neck, the captain remained silent, his thoughts shrouded in mystery as he contemplated their next move. Deep down, he knew that the mission parameters were clear: capture the two blonde girls safely, dispose of any others as necessary. It was a directive from the commissioner—one that brooked no room for deviation or hesitation.

The mission seemed straightforward enough, a simple request that the Red Scorpions—a clandestine guild operating in the outskirts and underground of the Lumeniuan Empire—could handle with ease. Yet, as Killian, the leader of the Red Scorpions, surveyed the scene before him, a gnawing sense of unease crept into his mind.

The two blonde girls, accompanied by a blue-haired mage, appeared inconsequential at first glance. To an ordinary observer, they might seem like easy targets, ripe for the taking. But there was something off, something that set alarm bells ringing in Killian's mind.

The gold promised for the completion of this mission would secure the Red Scorpions' financial stability for decades to come. Yet, the circumstances surrounding the request were too suspicious to ignore. Not only were they venturing into the treacherous, demonized lands of the north, but the presence of these seemingly random girls raised more questions than answers.

Why were they here? What purpose did they serve? And most importantly, who had tasked them with this mission?

As Killian weighed the risks and rewards, a sense of foreboding settled over him. It was clear that they needed to abandon this mission, and quickly.

The decision to commission the full might of the guild for such a seemingly simple task baffled Killian. Why deploy seventeen highly trained assassins for just three targets? The answer eluded him, shrouded in mystery and uncertainty. Yet, with the contract signed, there was no turning back. Their mission must be carried out, regardless of the enigmatic circumstances surrounding it.

As Killian surveyed the assembled assassins behind him, a sense of duty and determination settled within him. Their allegiance lay not only with the guild but with their deity as well, and failure was not an option.

In a low, commanding voice, Killian issued his orders to the gathered assassins. "Two in the front, four at the back, and the rest will flank from either side. You are free to employ whatever means necessary, but remember: the two blondes are to be captured unscathed and unharmed. They must be kept alive and in good condition."

With a nod of understanding, the assassins dispersed into the shadows, their movements swift and silent as they prepared to execute their mission with ruthless efficiency. Though the reasons behind their assignment remained shrouded in uncertainty, one thing was clear: they would not falter in their duty, no matter the cost. For the honor of the guild and the will of their god, they would see this mission through to its conclusion.

….

As the group continued along the seemingly endless path, frustration and uncertainty gnawed at their resolve. Aria's confidence wavered as doubts crept into her mind, echoed by Louise's hesitant admission.

"Aria, I think we're lost," Louise confessed, her voice tinged with unease.

"I-I can see that, but this is definitely the direction the map says! Look!" Aria insisted, thrusting the map towards Louise in a desperate attempt to reaffirm their course. Yet, despite their efforts to follow the map's guidance, they remained ensnared in a labyrinthine maze, their progress stymied at every turn.

"Maybe we should turn back for now?" Louise suggested, her voice tinged with anxiety. "I'm sure that rock from before was a sign."

"We don't even know if we'll find our way back there," Aria countered, her frustration mounting with each passing moment. "And besides, it's clear that we're likely ensnared in an illusion spell. Have your spirits revealed anything to you yet, Louise?"

Louise shook her head in dismay. "No, Celine says she's just as lost as we are."

A heavy sigh escaped Aria's lips as she turned to Bella, their resident future archmage, hoping for some insight that might guide them through this ordeal.

"Bella, do you sense anything abnormal in this place?" Aria inquired, her voice tinged with a hint of desperation. She knew that if anyone could unravel the mysteries of their predicament, it would be Bella.

But Bella's response dashed their hopes, her words ringing hollow in the oppressive silence that surrounded them.

"No... there's nothing wrong with this place," Bella replied, her tone betraying no hint of concern.

Aria's heart sank at the confirmation of Bella's assessment. If even Bella couldn't detect anything amiss, then their situation was far more dire than they had feared.

"Stop…."

As Bella's warning pierced the tense silence, the group halted in their tracks, their senses on high alert. Aria and Louise turned to Bella, their expressions a mix of concern and confusion, as they awaited an explanation for her sudden unease.

"What's wrong, Bella?"

"Did something happen?" Louise added, her eyes scanning their surroundings for any signs of danger.

Bella's response was grave, her demeanor serious as she cast a protective barrier around them. With a somber expression, she revealed the unsettling truth.

"We're being followed," Bella declared, her words sending a shiver down their spines.

"IS it demons?"

"No… Assassins they are nearby"

The possibility of encountering demons in this treacherous landscape loomed large in their minds, but Bella's revelation took them by surprise.

Instantly, Aria gripped her staff tightly, prepared to unleash her magical prowess at a moment's notice, while Louise readied herself to summon her spirits to their aid.

"Assassins?"

Aria repeated, disbelief coloring her voice.

The notion of assassins lurking in this frozen wilderness seemed inconceivable, yet Bella's certainty left no room for doubt.

As Bella materialized her staff, her usual sleepy demeanor replaced by an unwavering determination, the gravity of the situation began to sink in.

The mana disruption she had sensed moments ago confirmed their suspicions—danger lurked nearby, and they needed to be prepared for the inevitable confrontation.

Though still reeling from the unexpected turn of events, Aria and Louise understood that they had no choice but to steel themselves for the impending clash.

…

Outside the protective barrier, beyond the veil of illusion that shielded the girls from the harsh realities of the world, a scene of terror unfolded. A man, his body battered and broken, crawled desperately across the unforgiving earth, his eyes filled with tears of anguish and fear.

The once vibrant red scarf adorning his neck now served as a grim reminder of his own mortality, stained with his blood and the horrors he had witnessed. With each labored breath, he fought against the pain that threatened to consume him, driven by the primal instinct to survive.

But his efforts were in vain, for behind him lurked a creature of unimaginable terror—a monstrous wolf, its eyes gleaming with malevolent intent as it loomed over him with predatory glee. With a smirk that mirrored human malice, the creature reveled in the man's suffering, relishing the taste of fear that permeated the air.

"Stay away, you fucking monster!" the man screamed, his voice raw with terror as he pleaded for mercy that would never come.

As the creature's jaws parted, a guttural cry echoed through the enclosed forest, a haunting lament that spoke of untold suffering and despair. In that moment, the man knew that his fate was sealed, his screams lost amidst the howling winds as the monstrous wolf descended upon him with merciless savagery.