251 THE APPARITION OF HERA
[Before the invasion of the Rose Dungeon by the assassins]
"Unna, raise your palm to me," Dassa commanded, her voice calm but laced with authority.
Unna obeyed without hesitation, dropping to her knees and extending her hand, palm upward, in a gesture of complete submission.
Lady Dassa's fingers moved with precision, a dagger flashing as she made a small incision on her palm. Blood welled up, and with it, Dassa began to craft an intricate array of symbols and sigils.
The air around them hummed with energy as the blood-formed design glowed faintly, pulsing with a dark forbidden rhythm that seemed to echo the heartbeat of hell itself.
The magic coalesced, swirling and condensing until the apparition of a goddess materialized—Hera, the Mother of Union.
Her divine presence filled the room, radiating an aura of power and unity. The apparition shimmered briefly before merging into Unna's palm, leaving behind a faint, glowing mark.
"What is this, Godmother?" Unna asked, her voice tinged with awe as she examined the sigil now etched into her skin.
"This is the Temple of Hera's most potent magic," Dassa explained, her tone grave. "It will protect you, even in the direst of circumstances. Consider it a lifeline—one that may save you when all else fails."
Unna frowned slightly, her confidence unshaken. "With all due respect, Godmother, it's just the Rose Dungeon. Against our strongest assassins, nothing can go wrong."
Dassa's expression darkened, her eyes narrowing as she studied Unna. "Do not underestimate this mission. Lilleo Gullee's strength is still a mystery to me. The memories of my previous host believes he could see and control magic."
Unna's brow furrowed in confusion. "I thought we were dealing with your wayward Shadow minion. What does Lilleo Gullee have to do with this?"
Lady Dassa did not reply to her.
Unna nodded before adding, "I've heard stories about him too. Some say he slew the Demon God Bael in the ruins of Sodom. Do you believe such tales?"
Dassa sighed, her gaze distant. "Instinct tells me there's more to this story than we've been told. I cannot shake the feeling that we are walking into something far greater than a simple dungeon reclamation. Be cautious, Unna. Do not let your guard down."
As if in response to her words, a dark shadow emerged from Dassa's form, coalescing into the spectral figure of a demon. Its voice was low and resonant as it spoke.
"Godmother, let me accompany Unna. I will ensure there are no surprises."
More demonic entities materialized, their forms flickering like flames. "Let us go as well," they chimed in unison. "We wish to serve."
Lady Dassa chuckled, a sound both warm and dismissive. "My children, this is no grand battle. It is merely a small dungeon. I have already taken more precautions than necessary."
The first demon pressed, his voice insistent. "What about me, Godmother? Let me go with her."
Dassa considered for a moment but shook her head. "You will have another chance to serve me."
The demon bowed its head and pleaded, "Please milady. Please return the body of my incarnate to me?"
Dassa looked into the demon's inner soul before she replied.
"You shall have his body. I assure you", Dassa said.
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[Back to the Rose Dungeon]
"How did you conjure such a powerful apparition?" Lillsa demanded, her voice trembling with a mix of shock and horror.
Her crimson eyes widened as she stared at the towering figure of Hera, the Goddess of Union, her divine presence radiating an overwhelming aura.
Unna smirked, her confidence unshaken. "Have you never seen a Man-tier apparition before?"
But then her expression faltered. Something wasn't right.
"Wait… why are you surprised by Hera's apparition? You're the Godmother's shadow minion. You should remember this if you were her?" she questioned.
Lillsa's lips curled into a sly grin. "That's because I'm not your Godmother's doppel, you idiot."
Unna's eyes narrowed, her voice sharp. "That's not possible. If you are not the shadow… Then who are you? Where is the Godmother's shadow?"
Lillsa didn't bother answering her.
Instead, the thorns covering her body shot forward like writhing tentacles, aiming straight for Hera's apparition. But the thorns merely clung to the goddess's form, unable to pierce her divine essence.
With a flick of her wrist, Hera seized control of the thorns, her power surging through them like a tidal wave overflowing her with a counter strike. The force locked onto Lillsa's magical limbs.
"Argh!" Lillsa screamed as the thorns were violently ripped from her body.
"Hahaha…serves you right", Unna cried.
Lillsa collapsed to the ground, blood pooling around her as she writhed in pain. "This is not possible… how can your apparition have this strength?" she asked.
Unna stepped forward, her voice cold and menacing. "Tell me where the Godmother's shadow is, or I'll end you here and now."
Lillsa spat blood, her defiance unbroken. "Goodbye, idiot," she sneered before vanishing into the floor, leaving Unna staring at an empty space.
"Where did she go?" Unna muttered, her frustration mounting.
Lillsa was pulled from the battle by Yun-Yun to the space beneath the upper dungeon. Her injuries were too severe to continue fighting. She returned to the Jade Throne to heal.
But the battle for the dungeon wasn't done.
"Where did she go!!!" Unna screamed.
"Its time to end this", Yun-Yun said as she made mystical gestures with her hands, controlling the forces in the dungeon.
Suddenly, the storm roared to life, lightning crackling with renewed intensity. The previous storm wasn't the strongest manifestation of this power. There was a higher stage.
A single, concentrated bolt formed and shot down, striking Hera's apparition with devastating force.
But the apparition of Hera wasn't deterred.
"Is this all you've got?" Unna shouted, her voice echoing through the chamber as Hera absorbed the lightning's powerful energy, but the lightning was quickly dispersed away.
But then, thick, writhing tentacles erupted from the ground, wrapping around Hera's form.
Unna's eyes narrowed. "Tentacles again? Don't you have anything new?"
"Well, it's not from the same person," a voice called out.
"Who is it?" Unna screamed.