Mutagen

Day 368 - 5:55 PM - Balong, Pucakwangi, Pati Regency, Central Java, Indonesia

"Get ready for battle!"

Mei shouted as everyone felt the impact of something crashing into the mountain not too far from their location.

It was the first time the Indonesian survivors heard Mei raise her voice. In fact, it was not that necessary for her to do so since the members of Evernight had already entered their combat stances the moment the sound of the impact entered their ears.

Mei was shouting because the Indonesian survivors needed to hear it, especially the non-combatants, who froze in confusion. The situation was so sudden and unexpected that their survival instincts could not keep up. She shouted to snap them out of their stupor and inform them a battle would be happening. It was also to tell them to immediately run to safety if they could not be of help at all.

As for the leaders of the Indonesian survivors and the soldiers, although a bit slower than the members of Evernight, they, too, had already picked up their weapons.

Nonetheless, no matter how ready everyone was to fight, none of them knew whether the only possible enemy before them was something they could fight at all.

Unfortunately, despite everything they had in hand...

"KRYAAAAAAAAAA!!!"

One cry put all of the Indonesian survivors into the depths of despair.

"W-what...."

Limabela, the one who saw the possible and worst future they had, trembled in dismay as all she could see right now was the soil beneath her.

It was not just Limabela. Almost all the people present were in the same state. They had lost all their strength within their bodies and fell to their knees and hands, prostrating involuntarily on the ground they stood before.

Confusion, fear, and despair. Such feelings enveloped the survivors as they tried to comprehend the situation. But for Limabela, her emotions swirled wilder than the others as she felt the same helplessness she had from her earlier prophetic visions.

"So... it's this feeling... Again..."

Limabela helplessly voiced out. It was the feeling of being unable to move at all in the face of the enemy while she lay dying behind Luna.

However, unlike in her visions, Limabela began to struggle. She began to fight back the helplessness and weakness her body fell into.

Limabela prepared for this day. There was no way she would repeat those visions in reality.

And unlike within her visions, where she either lay on the ground or sat unmoving while watching...

...Limabela finally managed to raise her head.

But Limabela's body trembled as the first thing she saw was the six-winged woman back in the underground cathedral. The so-called Night Goddess. With unsteady steps, she slowly shambled towards them with a maniacal smile. Despite the darkness of the surroundings, the Night Goddess was clear for them to see. She was above the darkness of the night, even if it consumed everything.

Limabela then realized the reason for these emotions and the helplessness they were feeling.

In the face of Sacred Beings, Deities, and Gods, mere mortals should prostrate in reverence and fear. This sentence was something Limabela knew as a Weeb but never really understood it. But now, she knew. These words were never meant to be a voluntary thing for mortals. The presence of these beings would make mortals do so.

But when Limabela was lost in thought, a near-white, rainbow-scaled wing blocked her view.

"Don't stare at her. You'll only lose your sanity even more."

With a struggling tone, Limabela heard Mei's voice.

It was only then that Limabela noticed. Aside from the Night Goddess, a few figures were still standing.

Limabela raised her head towards the owner of the wing that blocked her view.

It was Mei. She now sported a pair of these beautiful wings that shined even in the darkest night. Her hair also turned snow white, with red highlights here and there. Another thing noticeable was the pair of pearl-like horns growing out of her forehead as she glanced at Limabela and the others. In her hands was her sniper rifle, ready to fire her most powerful shots.

Nonetheless, although Mei could stand and move, she was not unaffected. Her shoulders could be seen trembling as she resisted the presence of the Goddess before them.

Flying beside Mei, it was the [Sylph], Amihan. To be able to fly freely despite the pressure that made everyone fall to the ground, she was clearly unaffected by it.

There were also the figures of two animals and a young maid. It was the three golems standing between the enemy and the daughters of Mark and Mei. They were not mortals. They were not even living creatures. It was not surprising they were unaffected.

On the other hand, there were two things even more strange.

One was the maid that controlled the [Infected Giant Turtle], Aephelia. She was actually standing straight, with no strain visible on her face and body. Furthermore, five figures who looked similar to Amihan flew in front of her. However, they looked strange. Unlike Amihan, who was filled with life, the five [Sylphs] looked like stringed puppets.

And the other?

"Wh-what?"

The other strange one voiced out.

It was Elise, who looked really confused as to why almost everyone suddenly fell to the ground.

By the looks of it, even Mei, Amihan, and Aephelia were unsure why the little sister heavily attached to Mark was standing with them.

"H-hey! Are you two okay?"

Elise asked Spera and Emika, who were beside her, in a fluster.

"Y-You think we are?"

Spera struggled to reply, but she still quipped back.

On the other hand, Emika could not reply. Just like everyone else, she was unable to move her body. Nonetheless, she was able to reply with some movements of her eyes, unlike most of them, who could only stare blankly on the ground underneath them.

Furthermore, while the Indonesian survivors were all helpless in this situation, the members of the Evernight showed some struggle. It was most noticeable to the daughters of Mark and Mei, who were actually trying to stand up, although failing to do so.

However, the members of Evernight never stopped trying, even if their lips and teeth bled from trying.

***

On the other side, the Night Goddess tilted her head, confused as to why there were still insects standing in front of her.

Then she reaped the souls of the living creatures in that massive obstacle. Those creatures all fell fearful of her and did not show any pointless struggle. She managed to reap souls to try and make her incomplete self whole. However, the cursed beings she could not defeat caught up to her, and she had to flee once again.

She detected life somewhere and flew there while being chased. However, the Night Goddess found herself entangled in battle once again as the prey escaped.

But now, the cursed beings were entangled with something else. These souls should be free for her taking.

And yet, insects stood before her, not falling to her presence.

It was infuriating.

It was unacceptable.

"KRYAAAAAAAA!"

The Night Goddess roared in anger.

***

The roar of the Night Goddess made Mei and Elise tremble. On the other hand, Amihan and Aephelia braced themselves for the incoming attack.

SWISH!

All of a sudden, countless tentacles emerged from the surroundings. The darkness was the Night Goddess' territory. It was also her weapon. Where the darkness of the night loomed, these tentacles could emerge.

These tentacles will grab the prey and drag them into the depths of the darkness as she consumes their souls.

"Cut the tentacles!"

Mei shouted as she transformed her sniper rifle into a sword and ran around to cut the tentacles that were trying to capture everyone.

Amihan also began sending wind blades towards the closest tentacles. It was the same for the [Infected Sylphs] under Aephelia's control while she herself took out a pair of daggers and began slicing the tentacles.

On the other hand, the three golems also moved. Since it was a dangerous situation, their primary directives became prioritized. It was to protect the three girls, their masters. However, in the process of eliminating the danger, they also protected anyone close to the three. Unfortunately, with their primary directives activated, they would not accept any other order.

"Wha-!!!"

Elis saw the tentacles surrounding them and could not help but step backward. But as she saw Emika and Spera could not move, she began dragging the two closer to the center of everyone.

Seeing what Elise was doing, Mei spoke.

"Elise, can you gather everyone in one place?"

"I..."

Elise could not reply immediately.

"Ah..."

Mei sighed. She had forgotten due to the situation. While Elise was in a way better state than before, she was still afraid of people.

SLAP!

However, the sound of two slaps echoed. Elise, with her reddened cheeks, replied.

"I-I'll try!"

Now was not the time to be afraid. Unlike everyone present, Elise could move freely. She wanted to come with Mark on this adventure not only to spend time with him but also to be helpful and not become another baggage.

Looking around, Elise began to drag the people furthest from the center. Her priority was the people with the least protection.

With a bit of hesitation, Elise began to pull people one after another. Getting dragged on the ground by a petit girl might hurt, but it was way better than dying.

Mei and Aephelia also began gathering everyone they could while chipping away the numbers of the tentacles. On the other hand, Amihan and the [Infected Sylphs] concentrated on repelling the tentacles.

***

On the other side, the Night Goddess watched the struggle of the three females and five bugs as they fought the tentacles and protected the other insects.

The Night Goddess felt a different emotion for the first time. It was different from fear or anger. It was making her heart beat faster in a different way.

Unknowingly, the Night Goddess smiled. A genuine smile.

The Night Goddess was exhilarated. It was the first time she had insects stand up to her presence. It was the first time she saw them struggle.

As such, she was excited to see how long these bugs could prolong their futile resistance.

"GRRRRR!"

The Night Goddess let out a growl as more tentacles emerged from the darkness.

...From the soil around them.

...From the trees surrounding them.

...Even from the shadows beneath their feet.

...[Tentacles of Darkness] emerged.

***

"WHA!"

Elise stumbled and fell to her butt, letting go of a soldier he was trying to drag away. On her right leg, a tentacle began to slither from underneath her feet.

"AH! KNIFE! KNIFE!"

Elise struggled as she tried to take out a knife Mark gave her for self-defense in panic. She then stabbed the tentacle, turning it to dust. She then saw the soldier she was dragging getting covered in tentacles. She immediately began slashing them away and hurriedly dragged him towards the others.

However, the soldier was too heavy for her to drag quickly. And as Elise looked around, the other people she had yet to pull away were becoming covered with tentacles.

It was the worst for the Indonesian survivors. They could not move. They could not even scream their fear. The only thing they could do was feel the tentacles as these things began to constrict their bodies.

Soon, the tentacles covered their bodies and blocked their eyes.

Everything went dark.

There was only darkness.

It was time to give up.

There was no way they would win against a god.

"Why?! Why?!!!"

Elise's voice echoed. She stopped dragging the immobilized survivors away and concentrated on slashing the tentacles away from the survivors using her knife.

The [Sylphs] were already occupied. Mei and Aephelia were also struggling. There was no one around to help Elise.

"Why won't you all stand up?! I can't drag you all alone!"

Elise yelled with tears in the corner of her eyes. She was given a task. However, it was not something she could even finish.

As such, just like in the past, she could only cry. At that time, she was alone. She could only cry. She could not stand up for herself at all. There was no one to support her at all.

However, these people... They were together. They had allies with them. They had friends and family who cared for them.

Yet...

"Why are all of you giving up?!!! Don't give up!"

Elise yelled. Her voice echoed wildly.

"STAND UP!!!"

Elise... Commanded...

All of a sudden, a strong burst of energy spread into the surroundings.

At the center of it all was Elise.

With a golden glow covering her body and eyes with a colorful gleam, Elise stood up and commanded.

"STAND UP!"

A surge of emotions enveloped everyone. The fear, helplessness, and despair all vanished, replaced by courage, motivation, and hope.

If a 2d flower was present in this situation, he would say...

"You are filled with determination."

With Elise's command, the survivors stood up, one after another. The freed ones began helping the others out from the tentacles. Unfortunately, the tentacles were not something normal weapons could destroy at all.

However, the weapons Mark gave the leaders of the Moon Chasers could, and they also began the rescue.

At the sight of it all, the Night Goddess was infuriated.

***

A shack some distance away, tentacles surrounded it violently. However, none of these tentacles could enter the shack at all.

Inside the shack, Melfiss sat beside a bed. She looked at the tentacles outside the door and turned to the person lying on the bed.

"Just like Gods and Deities, [Miracles] do exist. They will struggle and fight. However, even [Miracles] have limits. They will not last too long."

"So..." Melfiss caressed Luna's purple hair. "How long will you keep dreaming? You should wake up before you lose everything... Do you want to repeat the past? You should wake up. You, who is my creator's fragment."

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