Apocalyse: Marked by Chaos
Chapter 131 - 130 Reckoning

Chapter 131: Chapter 130 Reckoning

Lucian didn’t answer her question immediately. He only gave a faint smile, one that didn’t reach his eyes, and guided her further along the narrow path. The night was quiet, save for the soft crunch of leaves under their boots and the whispering wind threading through the trees. Olivia noticed the air had gotten colder. Denser.

Something about this place felt hidden, and forgotten.

"I’m starting to think this surprise is a trap," she said quietly, half-joking, half-serious.

Lucian didn’t respond. His hand gave hers a gentle squeeze instead, as if to say—trust me.

They walked until the trees began to thin out, revealing an open field partially surrounded by jagged rocks. At the center of it, dim torchlight flickered.

Olivia slowed her pace. There, tied to a thick wooden post, was Gauss. Her breath caught in her throat. She felt bolts of anger rushing through her veins, her eyes turned red with fury.

His face was bloodied, hair matted with sweat and dirt. His hands were bound behind him, his clothes torn and barely clinging to his frame. He looked nothing like the confident man who once ruled the underground with arrogance. He was barely recognizable.

Dimitri stood off to the side, his silver blade drawn but resting against his shoulder. He turned when he saw them, giving Lucian a small nod before returning his focus to Gauss.

Olivia’s steps faltered, she stood froze, her heart pounding in her ears. All she could think about was how Luke died in her arms, how helpless she felt... and he was the source of everything.

"This surprise... I love it," she muttered with a devilish smirk, her hands burning with flames.

Lucian stopped beside her, his expression unreadable. "You wanted justice," he said. "This is where it starts." His cold eyes flickered to Gauss pitiful state.

Her eyes flicked to Gauss again. The man who ordered her death. Who manipulated events behind the scenes like a puppeteer pulling strings. Who dared to hurt the people she cared about. Who dared took the life of her best friend.

Even now, he looked up at them with a strange expression—half-amused, half-mocking.

"I see the little mouse brought her knight," Gauss rasped, blood trailing down from the corner of his mouth. "How touching."

Olivia’s fists clenched. Her jaw tightened, it was time to end him. She moved, taking a step forward.

But before she could walk further, Lucian held her back gently. "Wait," he murmured. Olivia burning gaze snapped towards him as if to warn him not to stop her. "There’s one more surprise." He quickly added.

From the shadows behind the rocks, something moved.

Olivia’s brows arched as she stared at the three headed hellbound, with eyes burning like a brimstone.

At the sight of it, she already got an inkling of what Lucian was thinking... this was so much better than her taking action.

The beast stepped into the light, its massive claws dragging against the dirt. Its growl rumbled through the air, saliva dripping from its heads.

"Bummy?" she whispered.

Lucian glanced briefly at her. "Yes, let the pet eats its master." A smirked formed on his lips. "This is the best revenge ever... but you can choose whatever you want, the choice is yours."

Gauss turned sharply at the name. His eyes widened for the first time—hope flashing through his expression.

"Bummy!" he choked out, a weak, shaky laugh escaping his lips. "You’re alive... you found me—good boy..."

The monstrous creature, twice its original size, stopped in front of him.

Its eyes glowed brighter. But there was no recognition in them. No affection. Just stillness.

Gauss’s smile began to falter. "Bummy? It’s me. I raised you..."

Dimitri leaned back against the rocks, watching silently in amusement.

Lucian’s voice was calm, almost too calm. "We let him live for one reason. To be devoured by the very thing he claimed to control."

Gauss shook his head. "No... no, he wouldn’t hurt me. He’s mine." He tried to escape, but there his legs failed him.

"Not anymore," Dimitri quietly replied. "You don’t get to play the victim, Gauss."

Bummy snarled, Its razor sharp teeth glinting in the dim torchlight. Then, the air shifted.

In the next second, he lunged towards him.

Gauss screamed broke through the silent night, as Bummy teeth pierced through his leg, ripping it off. The creature didn’t go for the kill... It was a slow death.

It bit into Gauss’s other leg, tearing through flesh like paper. Blood splattered against the wooden post, dripping into the dry soil.

Gauss cried out, the sound sharp and agonized. "Stop! Stop, please!" he begged, thrashing against his restraints. But no one moved.

Lucian stood still, his expression unreadable. Olivia didn’t flinch. She didn’t blink. She watched, ensuring to savor the feeling of revenge.

Bummy pulled back, chewing slowly. Then, with a low grunt, it turned back to its prey.

Gauss whimpered now. The arrogance was gone. Replaced by raw fear.

"Why..." he gasped, staring at Olivia. "Why are you letting this happen?"

"You fed on others," she replied. "Now it’s your turn."

His screams echoed again as Bummy tore into his thigh.

Dimitri finally spoke, his voice like gravel. "It’ll be slow. We trained him to take his time."

Olivia turned to him, surprised. "You trained it?"

He gave a small shrug. "I’m thorough."

The next bite silenced Gauss for a moment. He trembled, his body sagging against the restraints.

Lucian moved closer to Olivia, his hand brushing lightly against her back. "We can leave whenever you want," he said softly. "You don’t have to stay."

Olivia stared at the broken figure before her. The man who caused so much pain. Now reduced to nothing but sobs and blood.

She didn’t smile, and she didn’t feel any joy. But a part of her felt lighter. The weight on her chest... loosened a bit... but her heart was hollow.

"No," she said finally. "I want to see the end."

Bummy continued.

And the night swallowed the screams.

——

They left before sunrise. Bummy remained behind, now silent, curling around the post like a guard.

Dimitri gave them a nod of acknowledgment before disappearing into the shadows once more.

As Olivia and Lucian walked back toward the school, a strange calm settled between them.

"Do you feel better?" Lucian asked gently.

"No," she replied after a pause. "But I feel... satisfied."