Chapter 280 Onslaught of Changes (1/2)
CHAPTER 280
ONSLAUGHT OF CHANGES
Hannah stood at the very edge of the precipice looming over the massive Sect's grounds down below. Distinct from the rest of the world by the numerous gardens acting like pavement roundabouts and fountains forming criss-crossing sections of streams all bubbling into the waterfalls filling the surrounding lakes, Eternal Paradise truly lived up to its name. She'd spent a considerable part of her childhood exploring every nook and cranny of the place, much to her parents' disapproval.
Gazing over the entire landscape, now, felt considerably different. She knew that all this beauty hid ruin, all the singing of the birds hid cries, all the beautiful streams hid rivers of blood, and all the bountiful treetops hid terror dwelling deep inside. And then there was the centerpiece, the massive, ebony tower with stacked balustrades walled off from the insides, jagged edges extending occasionally into finger-like protrusions grasping at the world around. It hardly looked like a Tower of Knowledge and more like a lair of a Devil.
She suddenly shook, turning around slowly and facing the precipice's entrance where figures, one by one, began walking out of the spacial distortion. Leading them was the Arch Patriarch of the Sect, Beholder of the Fallen and Allison's current Master. He always sported the kind face, yet, not today; it was exceptionally ugly, Hannah realized, with a dim trace of hurt and fury.
Just behind him were numerous Arch Elders, including Hannah's own childhood Master -- Immortal River -- a beautiful, yet currently frigid-looking, middle-aged woman with graying hair. Just behind them, Hannah spotted two faces that cracked her heart slightly -- her own mother and father, both seeming beyond confused and hurt.
The silence reigned between the two ends of the precipice, the occasional howl of the wind shuffling the dust. Hannah seemed terribly lonely, standing at the edge, like an abandoned pup looking at the backs of those who once stood by her side.
”Don't.” she mumbled softly, withdrawing the talisman Ella gave her and lifting it up gently. The Arch Patriarch's body shook as though he'd suddenly stopped a terribly quick movement as he focused onto the talisman, frowning.
”... where did you get that?” he asked coldly.
”I haven't come here to fight,” Hannah said, ignoring his question. ”But to talk.”
”We're well past the point of talking, Hannah.” her Master's voice was quite different than before, Hannah realized. It was coarse and deep, flooded with anger and fury. ”Do the right thing and you may still die with a little dignity. Don't let this charade continue any longer.”
”... I am who I am, Mas--ah, I suppose I've recanted the title of your Disciple,” she chuckled bitterly for a moment. ”Shame. Of all the people who tried to change me since I was aware of myself, I respected you the most still.”
”I don't want your respect. I want you to do the right thing here.”
”... I am.” Hannah smiled freely, glancing toward the Sect. ”Just not your right thing.”
”... you have family, friends, everyone you've ever cared for here,” the Arch Patriarch spoke out. ”Are you really willing to abandoned it all for an enticing adventure with the Empyrean?”
”... ah, I suppose that's the story the world will hear,” she said, meeting his eyes. ”That I'm just a love-struck, star-eyed girl who was charmed by the devilish Empyrean and simply couldn't help herself. It's as good a lie as any, I suppose.”
”If that's not the reason, then tell us what it is.” he persisted.
”There's no one reason, Arch Patriarch,” Hannah replied. ”Just stacks upon stacks of lies I've been fed, years upon years of attempts to control every single part of who I am, decades of deceit and willfully obscure narratives. I was never the Bearer, the Maiden, you wanted me to be. But, I still care for this place, deeply. Regardless of everything, it's still my home.”
”So do the right thing--”
”I am,” she interrupted him, looking up toward the sky. ”After today, I won't be coming back anymore. Not alive or dead. But... he will.” she lowered her gaze once more, squaring against all others. ”I won't stop him or plead him.”