91 To Oblivion? (2/2)

The first wave of demons falls victim to my new adapted version of the soul shredder. Pretty stupid name. I will try to find a better one in the future.

But there is no second wave of monsters. Instead a person with a monocle steps into the room. He is wearing something like an exoskeleton and looks like a scholar from a university.

”So no defenders this time? How boring. At least they tried it the first time.” Then his eyes fall onto me and I wave at him. ”If it isn't the king!”

”If it isn't the mad scientist.” I answer Amaru while I take a look into the corridor behind him. It's filled to the brim with demons.

”You are quite brave to stay behind alone. What do you intend to do? Self destructing the ship? You think you can stop me after I took down the other fortress?” Amaru gives me a devilish smile.

”No. I don't think that I can stop you. Looks like you ate your subordinates and are using their power.” I can't think of any other reason for his strength.

”Then step aside and don't waste my time. I will eat your soul later.” Amaru starts to walk into my direction, but is stopped by a barrier.

”How cute. The others tried that too.” Amaru pokes my barrier with his fingers.

I frown at that comment. ”Others?”

”Nah. Just an old geezer and someone who looks similar to you. Their souls tasted very good!” The maniac licks over his lips.

I grab my staff tighter. ”I guess I will have to rip their souls out of your guts. My wife won't let me be otherwise.”

”Ahahahahaha!”

”You are funny. I guess we are done talking for now!” Amaru waves his hand at my barrier and shatters it like nothing.

I immediately invoke a fury of red energy bolts, but they just bounce off of Amaru. With a step he is before me and a strike wipes me off my feet.

While falling I grab his collar and try to connect to his soul. A wild fury of elemental power starts to dance between us while I try to rip the mana out of him. But instead it's my mana that's sucked away! It's like I am fighting multiple people at the same time in this duel of minds.

Before I lose my power completely, I try to kill us both by disconnecting my soul from my body and taking him with me. It's a dirty trick, but a kick sends me flying and I land at the console before the crystal core.

”Fuck!” I spew blood onto the floor. Something important broke. I can't feel my legs. How many people did that bastard eat?

”See? You aren't even worth the effort.” Amaru starts to walk into my direction again. But then the crystal core starts to pulsate and emits pure raw power and magic.

”Ahahahahaha...:”

This time it's my time to laugh which startles Amaru. ”What are you laughing for?”

”You are such a bad villain. You see? I rigged the crystal core for a direct energy conversion and you are inside a dampening field! Even if you start running now you won't get out of here in time. For you to come here personally! I couldn't have wished for more! I will not only blow all these worlds to quantum dust! I will get the head of the monster!”

Amaru's eyes go wide while he turns to run. ”I will rise again! You won't get my soul with a cheap trick like that!”

The demons follow their master in a vain attempt to escape what's coming. I don't even understand why he is trying to run. There is no way to run from this.

I pull myself into an upright position by grabbing the console. Haah. I can't feel my legs. I pull myself upwards and try to touch the crystal core, but my grip slips and I fall. Fuck! It's pulsating even faster now. Somehow I manage to touch the pulsating crystal core at the second try and open my mind to the raw power.

This searing light and raw power! I was foolish when I thought that I could control this. But I still try to connect to this immense pool of mana.

It's pressing down on my mind like a gigantic weight.

And then the pulsing stops and there is.... just....

WHITE!

…..

…

..

I am flowing. I can feel this power. A gigantic flash of energy wipes the fortress and the demon planets out of the multiverse. Somehow I am aware of it. I am this power. My body is gone and I exist as pure energy. My soul is riding this wave of destruction. It's life should be measured in milliseconds.

But to me it feels like an eternity. I can use this power. Within the boundaries of this eruption of mana, everything should be possible. As long as there is a guiding will!

I imagine a white plane. It's my soul space. Here I am god. Yes.

A white plane appears around me. Reassured I sit down and a chair pops into existence under me.

”Mwahahaha!”

I wave my hand and Nicosar and Arthur appear before me with dazed expressions.

”What? What happened?” -Nicosar

”Angrod? Did you save us?” -Arthur

I smile at them with a sad expression. ”Unfortunately not. We are dead and you were eaten by the agent of the Calamity. But I self destructed our remaining fortress and used the power to create this.” I wave my hand at the white plane around us.

”You could call it a pocket-universe. It's my very own river of souls.” I nod at that explanation. It's fitting somehow.

”Can you save the others too? And what about the demons?” -Arthur

I shrug my shoulders. ”That remains to be seen. But first we will have our fun with someone!”

After another wave of my hand Amaru appears in the air and lands flat on his belly. He immediately gets to his knees and looks upwards.

What he sees are three smiling faces with unimaginable expressions!

…..

….

…

..

.

I drift in a sea of darkness. Around me are the stars.

So it worked. Somehow I came back from oblivion. If there wasn't empty space around me I would laugh.

In my left I hold a marble with everyone I could save during that second of being almost all-mighty.  In my right I hold a marble with a very special soul. I will take my dear time with this one. That's for sure.

He already suffered for an eternity for his mistakes. But one eternity isn't enough in my opinion.

But I will have to get back to Celes... or is that actually a bad idea? I guess she will be happy to see me?

Hmmm! I stretch my mind to sense my surroundings. To my surprise I have no troubles with it. Did my abilities actually increase from this experience?

I guess I never handled such a huge amount of power before. Maybe I will try to train my abilities in the future again.

After concentrating on the fleet of ships, I see Celes crying in Ireth's arms and the kids are sitting with a crying Katrine depressed at a table. Better not to let her wait any longer.

I step on a pathway and appear right beside them. ”I am sorry sugar cat! I will never do it again, I promise!”

The room goes silent and Celes looks at me agape with bloodshot eyes.

*WHACK!*

She jumped up and gave me a sounding slap in the face.

”Hell! No you will never do that again! I will make sure of that! What are you hiding in your fists?” She jumps at me and claws the soul marble with our saved people out of my fingers.

”Those are Nicosar and Arthur.... and others.” I rub my cheek with tears in my eyes. The slap didn't hurt my body! But her whole reaction hurt my soul.

”And the other!?” Ireth gives me a piercing stare.

”The last Council member!” I snap back! I can't hide anything from mother!

”Mine!” Katrine snatches the soul marble out of my other hand from behind. ”Kukuku. I will take my time with you for hurting my husband.” She has a mad expression in her face.

NOOO! Thaat's miiineeee!