Azar's Gift-Chapter 19: The Price of Chaos
The atmosphere was thick with tension, a dark energy swirling around the clearing like a living entity. Mina stood frozen in front of them, her body tense as the shadow manipulating her twisted her once vibrant spirit into something icy and merciless.
The smile on her face was a cruel mockery, a reflection of the ancient malevolence that had taken root within her. Black tendrils pulsed around her, the presence of the shadow suffocating and oppressive.
"You can't save her," the shadow hissed from within Mina, its voice deep and echoing like a haunting whisper. "She belongs to me now. And soon, so will all of you."
Jarec's heart raced, a sharp pain spreading through his chest. He couldn't fathom how it had come to this. Mina, so full of life, so determined and fierce, had been reduced to a mere pawn for this ancient darkness. His hands shook as he grappled with the weight of the decision hanging over him, an impossible choice he had never wanted to face.
"There must be another way," Jarec pleaded, his voice trembling with urgency. His gaze darted to Velaris, who hovered beside him, his golden eyes devoid of warmth or empathy.
Velaris' voice sliced through the tension like a sharp blade, devoid of mercy.
"There is no alternative. The shadow possesses her soul. If we delay, she will become its vessel."
"You understand what needs to be done, Jarec." Jarec recoiled at the words, his stomach in knots. "We can't just eliminate her!" His voice shook with a mix of sorrow and fury.
"She's not merely a pawn! She's... she's Mina." Velaris' golden eyes narrowed, his tone icy and unyielding.
"Mina is already lost to us. What stands before us now is a weapon of the shadow and if we hesitate, the village - perhaps the entire world - will be doomed." Before Jarec could reply, a thunderous roar echoed through the clearing.
"NO!"
Tharion, the formidable leader of Eldergrove and father to Mina, charged ahead, his face twisted in a mix of fury and anguish. Close behind him was Aureon, his massive Con, with stone fists clenched tightly, holding back his own anger.
"How dare you even suggest harming my daughter!" Tharion's voice echoed, filled with barely suppressed rage. His gaze was fixed on Velaris, burning with intense hatred. *"You heartless monster, I'll destroy you before I let you lay a finger on her!"*
Velaris remained calm, floating effortlessly as Tharion approached. "This isn't just a suggestion; it's the only solution. She's beyond saving, deep down you know it. Or would you prefer to watch the village succumb to darkness because you couldn't make the tough call?"
"Silence!" Tharion shouted, fists tight as he moved closer to Velaris. "You have no idea who my daughter is or the significance she holds for this village! I won't allow you to take her away!"
Jarec found himself caught in a whirlwind of emotions as he stepped between Tharion and Velaris. The cold logic of Velaris weighed heavily on him, but deep down, his heart rebelled against it. Tharion's fury echoed his own inner turmoil—how could he decide between saving everyone and risking an innocent life?
"Tharion, hold on!" Jarec implored, raising his hands in a gesture of peace. "There must be another solution. We can figure out a way to free her from the shadow. Please, just give me a little more time."
"Time?!" Tharion shot back, his voice laced with emotion. "We don't need time, Jarec—we need you to rescue her. You've saved this village before, you've saved us! You're nothing like that monster!" He gestured vehemently at Velaris. "You have a heart!"
Jarec felt Tharion's words hit him like a wave and guilt pierced through him like a sharp blade. He wasn't devoid of compassion—he didn't want to become like Velaris, cold and unfeeling, willing to make sacrifices for the sake of a greater purpose. But the shadow within Mina was gaining strength by the moment and if it continued to spread, the village would be doomed.
Velaris lingered beside him, unwavering. "Don't let your feelings cloud your judgment, Jarec. Emotions won't halt the darkness. If you don't take action, this whole village will be engulfed by shadows."
Jarec tightened his fists, torn between empathy and duty. He couldn't just end her life like this. Yet with each passing moment, the darkness seeped further into Mina, its dark tendrils winding through her form, tainting her essence. He sensed it—the point of no return was looming.
"Time is slipping away," Velaris spoke softly, his tone resolute. "You know what needs to be done."
Tharion let out a furious cry, charging at Velaris, but Aureon restrained him, the colossal golem shaking its head in silent understanding. Aureon's eyes, though filled with sorrow, reflected the same truth that Velaris had conveyed. The golem understood the weight of impossible choices—and it recognized that Mina was already beyond saving.
Tharion sank to his knees, his body trembling with anguish. *"She's... she's my daughter,"* he murmured, his voice fractured. *"I can't... I can't lose her this way."*
Jarec felt a tightening in his throat, tears welling up in his eyes. He gazed at Mina, her delicate figure still caught in a battle with the darkness. In a fleeting moment, her eyes flickered and he caught a glimpse of the true Mina, filled with fear and desperation.
*"Jarec..."* her voice was barely audible, a whisper that shattered what was left of his heart.
Velaris spoke again, his tone icy yet sincere. "Chaos requires sacrifice. You can't save everyone."
Jarec's knees weakened under the weight of those words. Velaris was right, even if it tore him apart to accept it. Mina was beyond saving now.
With shaking hands, Jarec summoned the chaotic energy, his vision blurred by tears. His heart protested against his next move, but his mind knew there was no other choice.
"Mina..."* he murmured, taking a step closer to her.
Tharion let out a choked sob, collapsing as Aureon held him, unable to bear the sight.
Velaris hovered nearby, his voice devoid of any emotion. "Finish it."
Jarec's hands radiated a wild energy as he shut his eyes, silently apologizing to the girl he couldn't rescue. In a single, swift act of mercy, the chaos surged through Mina's heart, breaking the shadow's grip.
Mina's body became motionless, collapsing to the ground, her lifeless form lying in the stillness that followed.
Tharion's heart wrenching cry echoed in the air, a father's sorrow shattering beyond repair. He rushed towards Mina, cradling her in his arms as tears streamed down his face.
Jarec fell to his knees, trembling all over. The village was safe, but the burden of loss was too heavy to bear.
Velaris hovered quietly beside him, his golden eyes inscrutable. *"This is the toll of chaos, Jarec. Not everyone can be saved."*
Yet, Jarec couldn't find the words to reply. All he felt was a profound emptiness, a void where his spirit once resided.
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