The Accidental Vampire

Chapter 223 223: The Choice

All the Progenitors that were awake by now felt the threat in the voice that was heard all over the world. Even though the voice only mentioned Castiel by name, they knew that they were on target as well. They had been awake the last time this happened as well.

At that time, they were able to delay things, but now they couldn't just ignore it again. They had to kill the enemies and solve this problem once and for all.

"This time, the outcome will be different." Lucius clenched his fist, staring in the distance. He firmly clenched the stake in his hand.

Both the Progenitors had decided to join the fight. There was only one Progenitor who was still missing at the moment.

****

The Global Declaration of War was heard by every single being in existence, but most of them didn't know who this Castiel even was. The people who existed the last time it happened were long dead by now. Only a few people knew the name of Castiel.

Hearing the declaration of War, the humans were scared as they didn't know what was coming. The threat talked about destruction of this world after all.

Unlike the humans, the Witches were less scared. The Witches didn't want to be threatened by anyone. In case someone wanted to destroy their world and them, they were going to fight.

Almost all the Witches were out in the open, grimly looking at the sky as they watched one ship or the other coming toward their area as all ships started spreading out.

The declaration of threat even reached inside the Severis Castle where Atlas and Lilith were still on the stairs.

Atlas heard Castiel's name being mentioned. It didn't take him much time before realising who this threat could be from.

"It's them," he declared.

Lilith also nodded. "Seems to be that way. They are already here... Much faster than expected..."

"This is definitely troublesome. I was hoping that they would come after my time was up. But..."

"But they just had to come now," Lilith completed Atlas' sentence. "I don't think we can do anything about their decision though. We can only influence our decisions."

"So what do you want?" Atlas asked. "Should we still go to the safe space in the village or something else?"

"I think we still need to go to the Safe Space. If Castiel wanted us to do that, then there must be a reason. Moreover, it's not like they can sense you. You can still spend your time in peace without worrying about others," Lilith said, although her tone was a bit down as she mentioned about Atlas' last few moments, as if she still found that hard to come to terms with after spending so much time with him.

Atlas reached the end of the stairs, ending up in the ball where a coffin was lying in the middle of the hall.

He walked to the coffin, still thinking about what Lilith said. "I have more than a week in this world if I'm not wrong. But is it really good to hide in that one week?"

He stopped before the coffin, gently caressing it.

"In the one week I am hiding safely, the enemies will be destroying this world to find us. Who knows, after one week there might be nothing left in this world... Nothing including the children I saved, or the people who could help Castiel in this war."

Even though he wanted to spend his time in peace as well, for some reason, he felt that it was a very selfish decision for him. He could hide and live in peace until it was time for his death, but what after that? While he would be enjoying his life, the World and the people who could support them in the war would be dying fighting the Empire.

"Just what kind of world will I be leaving for her and you all if everything is destroyed?" he asked. "The world will be too sad... And life would be a rare sight to see. I wanted Misella and you all to live the rest of your life happily in a world which I loved, but living would become a chore if there is no one else in this world, especially living for an eternity..."

"Will this one decision of mind create death and destruction everywhere?" he asked as he pushed the coffin open and gazed inside at his lifeless body lying inside.

It had been quite some time since he died but his body was still in a good condition, thanks to the properties of the Coffin of Castiel.

Lilith also stopped beside him, gazing inside the Coffin. "Why do you care about others' lives? In your situation, people would've cared about their own lives first. You should've been selfish. Ever since you came back to life, you've barely had a moment of peace, and now it's the last week of your life... Do you really want to sacrifice it for the same?"

"Sacrifice, huh," Atlas muttered. He didn't answer. Instead, he changed the topic. "Look for the key. I want to have a moment with myself."

No matter what his words showed, it was really a hard decision for himself as well. He didn't know if the Empire was strong enough to destroy all life in one week, but if that was possible, then taking one week off just for himself was very selfish. He wanted peace, but not at that cost.

Lilith stared at Atlas, wondering what he was thinking. After some time, she clenched her fist and started looking around, searching for the key.

She remembered that there was a secret compartment in the wall which Castiel had created. She also saw Castiel placing something in the Secret Compartment. When she asked him what he kept there, he didn't answer at that time.

Now that she believed there was a key here, she could only think of that compartment.

While Lilith went to look for that compartment, Atlas sat before the coffin on his knees, looking at what used to be his face.