Chapter 124: Backstab the Golden Descendant
At the Citizen's Assembly, the people of Okhema gathered in the square.
Without Aglaea, the heavy burden of the Journey of Chasing the Flame fell upon your and Phainon's shoulders.
"Citizens," Phainon stood on the high platform, his voice firm, "We will continue the Journey of Chasing the Flame, bringing new life to Amphoreus."
You stood beside him, your expression sorrowful. "Although the Chrysos Heir Aglaea has departed, her will shall guide us forward."
The emotions of the people were ignited, and they expressed their support one after another.
For the final expedition, the Chrysos Heirs prepared themselves. Phainon privately sought out Cifera and entrusted her with the kephale's kindling for safekeeping. Hyacine, on the other hand, went to seek the blessing of the Ancestral Spirits.
Soon, everything was ready.
The Rainbow Bridge appeared under Hyacine's guidance, opening a path to the clouds. You, Phainon, Dan Heng, and Hyacine embarked on the journey to seize the kindling of the sky.
Aegler's true form was more difficult to deal with than imagined. During the fierce battle, the platform collapsed. At the critical moment, Aglaea's relic emitted a golden light, lifting you all up.
The kindling was finally obtained, but the Eye of Dusk and Dawn was already unstable. Aegler, eroded by the Black Tide, reappeared one last time and was finally defeated by your combined efforts.
The battle ended, and everyone breathed a sigh of relief.
Hyacine held the kindling, and suddenly her expression changed.
"Hyacine?" Dan Heng asked. "What's wrong?"
"The kindling is... is trembling," Hyacine's voice was uneasy. "It's warning me about something..."
She looked at Phainon. "Sir Phainon, the dawn machine is Aegler's creation, right?"
"Yes, but why suddenly..." Phainon's words trailed off.
Hyacine's face turned pale. "The kindling told me... the dawn machine has gone out."
"What?!" Phainon was shocked.
"Without the protection of dawn, Okhema will be swallowed by darkness..." Hyacine bit her lip. "I must take over the divine authority of the sky and do something for the people on the ground."
"Hyacine, are you sure you want to do this?" you spoke.
"Orion-kun, this is my choice." Hyacine turned to Dan Heng. "Dan Heng, use the spiritual water to open the path to the vortex's core for me..."
Dan Heng hesitated for a moment, then took out the spiritual water. "...I understand."
"Under its celebratory dance steps..."
Just as Dan Heng was chanting the spell—
Just then—
A black blade appeared silently.
Pfft!
The sound of a sharp blade piercing flesh echoed all around.
Dan Heng's voice stopped abruptly. He looked down in disbelief at the dark sword tip protruding from his chest.
Blood gushed out like a spring.
"You..."
He turned his head with difficulty, and when he clearly saw the person holding the sword, his pupils constricted.
It was you, Orion.
You stood behind him, a strange smile on your face.
"Orion-kun! What are you doing?!" Hyacine screamed and rushed over.
"Brother Orion?!" Phainon was equally shocked and tried to come over to stop you.
But the next second, several black shadows separated from you, restraining them. The Thief of Fire's doppelganger ability.
You slowly pulled out the pitch-black sword, leaving a shocking void in Dan Heng's chest. He fell weakly, his eyes still fixed on you, full of confusion and anger.
"Why..." Blood bubbles welled up from his mouth, his voice weak.
You didn't answer, turning instead to Hyacine, who was controlled by the doppelgangers.
"No... This isn't Orion-kun..." Hyacine trembled, tears streaming down her face. "Who exactly are you?"
"This sword, and this ability... Are you the Thief of Fire?!" Phainon struggled and roared. "For so many years, you've been lurking among us, disguised?!"
You chuckled. "Thief of Fire? No, I am Orion."
"From beginning to end, always."
"It's just that you were too naive, blinded by your own imagination... You never truly understood me."
You reached out and snatched the kindling from Hyacine's hand. She desperately tried to stop you but was powerless.
"Impossible... Orion-kun wouldn't..."
"Hyacine." You gently caressed her cheek, your eyes utterly insane. "Do you know? I never believed in any divine revelation from the start."
"The so-called Journey of Chasing the Flame is nothing but a trick to send the Chrysos Heirs to their deaths."
"Aglaea is dead, Trianne is dead, Anaxa is dead too..."
"Yet you are still foolishly believing."
"Orion!!"
Phainon finally broke free from the restraint of one doppelganger and charged with his sword drawn. "I misjudged you before!!"
In front of you, who possessed the power of the Thief of Fire, Phainon's attack seemed so ridiculous. Within 3 moves, Phainon was knocked to the ground by you. The doppelgangers once again pinned him down.
"Phainon, do you know?" You stepped on his chest. "That 'Savior' identity of yours, in my opinion, is utterly laughable."
"Even if you could truly recreate the world, why should only you be reborn in the new world, while others can only become sacrifices?"
You looked at Hyacine again. "This world is already bad enough, why should you fruitlessly die for a vague future?"
"Orion-kun... please, don't be like this..." Hyacine cried.
"Don't beg me."
The black sword pierced out again. Hyacine's body trembled, and golden blood stained her pink dress.
"Why..." her voice grew weaker and weaker.
"Because you all took the wrong path."
You pulled out the sword, and Hyacine softly fell down.
"Hyacine!" Phainon cried out heartbrokenly.
You looked at him indifferently. "Don't worry, you'll be joining her soon."
"Also... let me tell you a secret." You leaned down and whispered in his ear. "It was I who made Castorice and Stelle stay in the underworld forever. Aglaea... I also planned her death."
"Orion... No, you are no longer Orion," Phainon gritted his teeth. "You are a monster!"
"Monster?" You squatted down. "Perhaps."
"But at least I am not like you, blinded by false hope."
"You lunatic..."
The last sword strike fell. Phainon's eyes gradually lost focus.
The domain of the Sky Titan began to collapse. You held the kindling, looking at the three corpses.
You turned and walked away, the collapsing sky behind you.
[Successfully betrayed the Chrysos Heirs and the train crew, Villain Value +1000!]
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