Celica and the Deliverance ran through the tunnels that ran underneath the Rigelian empire. They were nearing an area that was home to a large fire pit of sorts.
They had stopped to take a quick break when they all heard it. Footsteps. They were faint at first just a small click clack against the tiles in the tunnels, but they were coming nearer and nearer. Celica armed herself with her army following suit. They braced themselvea for a fight when they saw the figure come nearer.
She had short orange hair, and she wors a long black dress. She did not wear the mask that the other faithful had adorned, no. Instead all could see her lifeless eyes that looked glassy and cold. One foot in front of the other the figure walked, coming closer and closer to where the Deliverance stood. She stopped, just mere feet out of Celica's range.
"Hello, children of Zofia." Her emotionless voice said to the Deliverance. "We have been excpecting you."
Celica brandished her sword. "What do you want?" She asked gruffly.
"Follow me." The figure walked away, leading the Deliverance down the dimly lit hallway.
Celica glanced at the prople behind her, awaiting her commands. "Let's go."
Celica and crew followed the with down the winding paths, and into a large room where Celica could see the bones of a dragon through the cell bars. The dragon had two large horns protruding from it's skull. There was also a sword, impaled in the bones.
Celica rushed forward, aching to see if what she thought was true. She gripped the bars as her eyes widened in astonished horror. It was Mother Mila.
"No... It can't be..." Mae cried in despair from her place behind Celica.
'So this is why the fields have gone barren...' Celica thought grimly as Mae and Genny broke into tears.
"Ah, I see that you have finally arrived. We have been waiting for you."
Celica's head shot up to look at the man who had spoken. He appeared to be in his mid sixties, with dying purple toned skin and a manic grin adorning his face. He wore crimson red robes that displayed his status amongst the faithful. He was accompanied by a pink haired woman in a revealing outfit- even for the faithful.
"I missed you when you passed by my mountain," The woman spoke. "but I do recognize one of you, Tatiana, the wannabe saint."
Tatiana's eyes widened. "Nuibaba! Celica, she was the one who captured me, and she used me against my precious Zeke!"
"Ah, yes, you are just as ear grating as I had remembered you to be. Pitiful."
"Now, now, Nuibaba," Duma began. "Let's not antagonize the pitiful saint. We have more important things to do. Speaking of which, Alm, come out here."
As an immediate response to Duma's calling, the green- haired prince stepped out of the shadows. He moved like a possessed man with no ambition in his life. He moved to stand next to the orange- haired witch that led them to the room. Duma moved over to him to pet his head.
"See, Anthiese, this is what a true servant to Duma looks like. Completely obedient and loyal." Duma turned to once again face Celica.
"It..." Celica thought back to the boy that she had fought so passionately at Zofia castle. Thia could not be the same person that she had fought just a few weeks earlier... Could he? "It is awful. How could you do that to anybody?!" Celica shouted, now enraged.
Jedah chuckled. "This will be you, should you join us. You could be great you know. You and Alm, alongside Duma, ruling all of Valentia, and soon, the entire world."
Celica glared at the man as her friends stood up for her. "Celica would never do that! She isn't like you or your corrupted god!" Tobin yelled as Gray agreed with him.
"Yeah, she doesn't want to rule the world, so you and you god can leave her alone!" Faye shouted.
"Celica has a pure heart. She is a good person. Unlike you." Lukas said calmly. The rest of the Deliverance also readily agreed with them.
Jedah glared at them all. "Foolish children!" He shouted. "You do not understand the opportunity that you are giving up!"
Celica found her voice as she shouted at Jedah. "What opportunity?!" She screamed. "The opportunity to become a monster like you?" She paused for a moment, catching her breath before continuing. "We will win, and if you want me, you are going to have to take me by force!"
Nuibaba narrowed her eyes before leading Alm and the orange- haired witch away. Jedah followed them shortly after, but not before saying his parting words.
"We will defeat you, Anthiese, and you will live to regret not accepting our generous offer when all of your friends are dead and rotting in the ground!" Her disappeared in a flourish, leaving the Deliverance to proceed through he tunnels, closer to the corrupted god that they had to destroy.
"Well," Saber began. "Let's get going. That god isn't going to destroy itself."
"Y- yeah!" Genny stuttered. "We can do this!"
Therefore, the Deliverance proceeded to their final destination.
{Linebreak}
"Augh!" Berkut cried out as more Risen attacked them. "Rinea, behind you!"
Rinea spun on her heel, and she attacked the eyeball that had duplicated behind her. Luthier attacked the other two that were there. All of the people that had sided with Alm were being cornered in the tunnels beneath Rigel. They had been transported there after Duma had corrupted Alm.
"Quick!" Zeke shouted, rushing forward. "There is an opening, let's go!"
They all surged through the opening and through the double doors that led them to a different room.
AN
I don't really have anything to say, so I hope that you enjoyed this chapter and I hope that you have a lovely day.