Catgirls And Dungeons
Chapter 229: Eris’ resistance

Chapter 229: Eris’ resistance

She staggered back, eyes wide with horror, the afterimage of burning skies and dying screams seared into her mind.

That vision... it had been too vivid, so real that, for a terrifying moment, Ereskia was sure she had lived it.

Yes, she could still feel it, the heat of falling stars scorching the earth, the deafening roars of the heavens splitting open.

She had seen the gods descend with judgment colder than death, more absolute than fate.

And now... the weight of that truth hung heavy on her chest.

If that vision was true, if Aphaeleon truly existed, if they would one day descend upon Terra and Faunae the same way, then there would truly be no hope.

There was not a chance in hell either world could stand against them.

Not for a day, not even for an hour.

After all, those gods, those twelve divine beings were too vast, too terrifying, too powerful.

And now... she understood.

Why Lucian had fallen.

Why he clung to that madness and called it salvation.

Lucian stepped closer, slow and sure, his voice calm, almost reveren, his eyes gleamed with feverish conviction.

"You’re standing before a golden opportunity, Ereskia. Only the chosen, only those the gods deem worthy, are given this chance. You should feel honored."

Then, with the smooth confidence of someone who believed he had already won, he extended his hand.

"Take my hand," he said softly, coaxing. "We will move forward, together. And if you wish... perhaps we can even find your father. Perhaps we can save him too."

His smile widened.

There was no doubt in his eyes.

It seemed like he thought she was finished, that the vision had broken her, that he had crushed her spirit, backed her into a corner, left her with no escape.

No reason left to refuse.

But then—

Smack.

With a flick of her hand, Ereskia swatted his outstretched palm aside like it was filth, rejecting his offer.

"What?" Lucian froze, his eyes widened in disbelief.

"Why? I showed you everything, I gave you everything! Why the hell are you still resisting?! Are you stupid, Ereskia?!"

But Ereskia coughed, spat a thick glob of blood onto the stone floor, and grinned up at him through the pain.

"No," she rasped. "The stupid one is you, Lucian. Not me! Not my father!"

Her voice gained strength as fury surged through her veins.

"Can’t you see it? Those gods, those monsters, they crushed innocent lives beneath their feet like it meant nothing! They didn’t create, didn’t nurture, didn’t protect anything. All they brought was destruction. Endless, senseless slaughter for their own power, for their own pride! And you... you call that salvation?"

As she spoke, her eyes locked onto his, unwavering, sharp with defiance.

"Didn’t you once tell me that a true ruler uplifts others?" she said, voice trembling not from fear, but fury. "That real strength isn’t about domination, but protection? How can you betray your own words now, Lucian?!"

For a heartbeat, something flickered in his eyes, something uncertain.

But then, his expression contorted, a twisted blend of anger and denial.

"I was young, Ereskia!" he barked. "I was blind! I was naive! Back then, I believed in childish ideals! But I see clearly now. In this world, or any world, there is no right or wrong, no justice, only power!"

He stepped forward, voice rising, face flushed with rage.

"It’s painfully simple! The strong rule. The weak perish. That’s the law of existence! And you—" he jabbed a finger toward her, trembling with emotion "—you could have been strong. You still can. But you’re throwing it all away for what? For morals? For Pride?!"

Ereskia let out a low, bitter laugh, cold and cracked like winter ice.

"No," she said quietly. "You’re not enlightened, Lucian. You’re just rotten. Twisted by fear. Corrupted by ambition. You don’t serve the gods... you grovel at their feet...

...Like a dog."

Lucian froze.

The smile drained from his lips.

"...Tch."

And then, he moved.

Faster than she could brace, his hand lashed out and seized her by the throat.

Her breath caught in a sharp choke as he lifted her off the ground with terrifying ease.

"Lucian—!" she rasped, kicking, struggling. Her fingers clawed at his wrist, but his grip only tightened.

"You really are your father’s daughter," he growled, his voice low and venomous. "So full of stupid ideals, just like him."

Her vision swam. The edges of the world curled inward. Sound warped, muffled, distant.

And still... she glared at him.

Even as her feet kicked uselessly and her lungs begged for air, she refused to look away, refused to give him the satisfaction.

And then, that look, that fierce, unbroken look, burning with defiance, was the last thing Lucian saw in her eyes before he flung her.

BAM!

Her body crashed into the stone wall with a sickening crunch. The force knocked the air from her lungs.

She crumpled to the ground, coughing violently, blood flecking her lips.

But Lucian wasn’t finished.

Not yet.

His eyes gleamed with quiet malice as he raised a clenched fist. And the parasite answered.

"ARRRGGHHHHHH!! LUCIANNNN!!!" Ereskia’s scream tore from her throat as her body convulsed in agony.

The worm inside her stirred violently, ravenously. It latched onto her mana core, feasting, devouring, violating every fiber of her being.

Her vision swam. It felt like her soul was being torn apart, her magic wrung out like blood-soaked cloth under some divine crushing weight.

Lucian stepped closer, deliberate. His voice was eerily calm.

"Your sword," he said, extending his hand. "Give it to me... and I’ll make this painless."

Ereskia’s whole body trembled. Her limbs spasmed. Her muscles locked and unlocked without control. Still coughing, she spat blood onto the floor, but her fingers dug in, clawing at the ground.

And then, through cracked lips, she laughed.

A low, ragged, almost mocking laugh.

"Haha...I see..." she gasped between shallow breaths. "In the end... it’s just about the sword... isn’t it?"

Her eyes, bloodshot and glistening with pain, met his once more. Still defiant, still burning.

Lucian tilted his head, giving her a slow, almost pitying smile.

"Oh, you poor soul, you are correct," he said softly.

His fist tightened.

The parasite drilled deeper.

Ripping.

Tearing.

Feeding.

Ereskia screamed again, her voice hoarse and broken.

And then, Lucian knelt beside her.

"After all, what else," he whispered coldly, "did you think all of this was for?"