Chapter 225: Where Her Heart Finds Rest

Ever since that meteor had fallen, shadows had splashed across the open ground like black waves.

Forests, rocky terrain, and oceans were all swallowed by miasma.

Everything seemed to have been dyed black.

But to Gabriella, this place was still full of vitality.

Humans and every other race would never set foot in this barren wilderness.

At the very least, she had brought more life here.

This was not evil.

This time, just like always, Gabriella headed toward the depths of the canyon known as the “Bottom of the Abyss,” searching for the girl in her memories.

But this time was different.

Gabriella withdrew her wings and stood atop a raised black rock.

The rock curved into the shape of a crescent moon, like a solidified ocean wave forever frozen at its most turbulent and magnificent moment when darkness descended upon this sea.

Several black tentacles drilled out from underground and pried open the stone walls.

It was as if nine dangerous creatures were using sharp mouthparts to display terrifying power, grinding patches of rock into powder.

But soon, the figure of a girl emerged from those pitch-black tentacles.

Her crimson-purple and golden hair intertwined like brilliant flames burning in the darkness, or like a gorgeous flower blooming among layers of overlapping black petals.

A joyful smile spread across the girl’s face.

There was still some time before the sun would set.

Those cross-shaped star eyes were filled with anticipation, like a longing little girl, yet also like a doting mother.

“Gabriella, you’re here.”

“Isabella~”

Gabriella leapt down and landed beneath the cliff, walking forward.

Isabella gently patted her head in a doting manner.

The nine pitch-black tentacles seemed to have turned into fluffy little cat paws, lightly “kneading” against Gabriella’s body.

It was somewhat like a fierce beast licking the prey that had willingly offered itself to its mouth.

“You’re much earlier than before. Two years ago, you were always two hours late.”

“Coming a little earlier makes the time we spend together feel longer… Besides, we didn’t see each other a few months ago.”

Gabriella’s face flushed red.

The girl before her made her feel at ease.

“What is it that fascinates you so much?” she asked half-jokingly.

She already knew the answer… Gabriella stammered.

“How cute.”

Isabella let out a soft laugh.

She placed her hand on Gabriella’s smooth cheek.

The latter actively nuzzled forward, as if she already saw her as her master.

“At this rate, it looks like I’m the scoundrel who kidnapped you.”

“You’re not…”

“Really~”

As she spoke, the tentacles formed from shadow rapidly swallowed the two of them.

Although Isabella said that, she was still very willing to bring Gabriella to her hiding place.

It was a hidden core area concealed at the Bottom of the Abyss, where they could “continue their fate” once more.

As their bodies slowly moved through the shadows, the undercurrents within the tentacles surged.

Those wriggling sounds reached her ears, and Gabriella felt very comfortable.

The core area at the Bottom of the Abyss was merely a small space constructed from shadow tentacles and stone.

There was nothing here.

Stepping on the shadows felt as comfortable as stepping on a soft cushion.

She even wanted to take off her shoes and sleep soundly here.

Countless layers of shadow and rock separated this place from the outside world.

This was an even more hidden location than when the two of them had first met.

Gabriella knelt on the ground.

Black tentacles climbed up her legs, staining black patterns onto her skirt.

But they soon left under Isabella’s control and wandered across her clothes.

“Did something bad happen again this time?”

The two of them were like a pair of close girlfriends.

Isabella knelt beside her and supported her shoulders.

“No. This time, I just… simply wanted to find you earlier.”

“Has the matter of the human resistance ended?”

“Mm. Pretty much.”

“You lost your companions again, didn’t you? You had this same expression last time too.”

Gabriella nodded.

In the completely pitch-black environment, Isabella’s beautiful eyes became even more striking.

“They were sent to the restoration pods and will never wake up again. The Heavenly Oracle Envoys are nothing more than utilitarian combat machines.”

At this point, Isabella did not answer.

It was as if the only thing she wanted to do was open Gabriella’s “box of words,” while she herself would only be responsible for listening.

Gabriella’s voice began to tremble.

“What should I do, Isabella? Creis said that if I don’t do this, even more people will die.”

“Do you believe her?”

“I hate her.”

“Mm.”

Isabella placed her hand on Gabriella’s burning back.

The white dress, that protective layer used to defend against magic, was as fragile as an eggshell membrane in front of Isabella.

Accompanied by the flickering of black flames, the protective layer on Gabriella’s body burned away completely.

Gabriella quickly stopped trembling.

“The Heavenly Oracle Envoys will eventually die, Isabella. Don’t hold a grudge against them. But is that really for their own good? They’re all pitiful. They’re all innocent…”

“Mm. I’ll listen to whatever Gabriella says.”

“Thank you.”

Gabriella let out a breath as if a heavy weight had been lifted from her shoulders.

Right now, she looked much calmer.

It was as if all the words she had been holding in her heart for so long had finally been released in one go, like a flood breaking through a dam.

After a long while, Isabella sat in front of her, cross-legged.

Strictly speaking, Isabella wasn’t wearing anything in the traditional sense.

The dress on her body was merely an appearance formed from shadow.

Gabriella was pulled into her embrace.

Neither of them spoke.

They simply felt each other’s body heat and the sound of their burning heartbeats, playing out a beautiful symphony.

Normally, they would hold each other like this until the day was almost over.

But this time, Gabriella still had more to say.

“Isabella, let’s join forces.”

“Join forces?”

“You said it would take a long time for your power to recover, right? Actually, I’m about the same as you. I’m also a god… It’s just that my power hasn’t fully matured yet.”

“Mm, I know. You’re different from the Heavenly Oracle Envoys. As long as you can [devour] my body and claim my power as your own, wouldn’t you be able to restore your authority while also obtaining my strength?”

“Mm…” Isabella gave a noncommittal response.

“That way, we would have the power to change everything. That way, no one would have to get hurt. As long as we’re stronger than Creis, we’ll have more choices.”

Gabriella said nothing more.

She didn’t really want to repeat Creis’s words exactly as they were.

It felt like a curse, a kind of resentment that would be deeply branded into the body.

But more than that, Gabriella simply wanted to convince herself.

Because soon, the Heavenly Oracle Envoys would launch their final offensive against humanity.

They would completely strangle Lartomia and make humanity lose any possibility of resistance.

“Allow me to refuse,” Isabella answered.