Chapter 137: Defying Destiny

Chapter 137: Defying Destiny

Melissa’s POV

"This is not going to be the end!" Fire grew in my chest as I stepped toward the evil god and screamed.

His blazing eyes mocked me as his murky robe danced around him. "You continue to hold onto hope. How cute.”

Kane took hold of my arm. "Don't, Melissa—he's too powerful!"

I withdrew. “I don’t care! I'm not going to give up!

I rushed toward the gloomy deity. Light, raw, wild power rushed through my veins, but as soon as I lifted my hand to strike, he lifted his finger.

The force surrounding me flicked out like smoke.

Gasping, I fell to the ground.

He was above me. "Are you still not understanding? I am the end.

I pushed myself up and growled, "Then I'll fight to the end."

I threw myself at him once more. Dark versus light. He hardly moved, though. Like water against stone, my blasts vanished as soon as they struck his shield.

He raised his hand, and darkness wrapped around me like chains. My entire body went cold. I was immobile. I was having trouble breathing.

He said, "You're wasting your time." "I own this world. I find your struggle amusing.

I pushed words out through the strain. "This isn't... finished."

He leaned in. "It's over already."

Kane's roar suddenly pierced the atmosphere. "Give her up!"

The bindings encircling me broke as Kane hurled a wave of fire into the evil deity. I fell to my knees, unable to breathe.

But before I could get up, Darius was before Kane, his eyes red and his blade drawn.

He smiled as he said, "Kane." "Are you still being the hero?"

Kane pulled out his blade. "Are you still doing evil?"

Steel on steel, fire against darkness, they clashed. Sparks were flying. The atmosphere shook.

I saw Kane fight with all of his might, every motion agonising and frantic. It was more than simply a fight.

It was intimate.

"You treated me like a brother!" Kane yelled as he and Darius locked blades.

Darius gave a chilly laugh. "You were also weak."

Once more, their swords danced. Kane slashed, rolled, and ducked. With the advantage of his black power, Darius countered with ease.

However, Kane refused to give up.

His arm was covered in blood. He began to breathe heavily. He fought, nevertheless.

I realised I needed to take action.

However, what?

I was too frail. My strength was insufficient.

I raised my look to the heavens. "There must be a method. Please, anybody.

Then there was light.

A gentle wind blew over the shattered field. Everything stopped—for a moment only.

Then I caught sight of them.

Warmth and strength emanated from two creatures composed entirely of light.

Lydia? I said.

She gave a soft smile. "You didn't think we were going to abandon you, did you?"

As usual, Zephyr stood next to her with his arms folded. "We promised to assist. Even if it resulted in death.

My eyes filled with tears. "—You're dead."

Lydia took a step forward. Yes, our bodies. However, our souls? Still bound to you.

"The portal wasn't the end," Zephyr continued. It was just the start.

A tiny glow started to appear behind them, a doorway-like swirl of light.

"The way back home," Lydia said. However, it won't remain open for long.

I looked at Kane, who was still struggling and still bleeding.

"I can't abandon him."

Lydia gave a nod. "He has to make a decision. However, you have to live. The secret to altering this future lies with you.

My forehead was touched by Zephyr. I experienced a surge of energy, comfortable, familiar. Once more, a stronger burst of power swept through me. Brighter.

He said, "Remember who you are." "And keep on fighting."

The portal expanded.

"Kane!" I yelled. "We must leave! Right now!

Kane kicked Darius back, panting. He looked at me, then at the portal.

Darius scoffed. “You think you can escape?”

Kane turned back to him. “I think we can fix this.”

He went to me, seizing my hand.

As the light behind me grew brighter, I said, "Let's go."

We walked toward the portal—

Then, however, everything froze.

A gloom fell over us.

I turned—too late.

The hand of the dark deity exploded through the atmosphere and encircled my wrist.

"No!" I let out a yell.

Kane attempted to draw me closer. “Melissa!”

The portal's light started to waver. Zephyr and Lydia said something, but their voices were getting weaker.

With his fingers tightening, the dark deity growled, "I won't let you leave."

My arm ached.

Kane exerted more force. "Give her up!"

But the evil deity held firm.

“I’m not done with her yet,” he said. “She belongs to me now.”

"No!" I yelled, giving it my all in one last outburst.

The gateway shook.

The earth trembled.

The light burst into flames.

Then—

Everything was engulfed in darkness.