Celestial Hybrid

Chapter 16

"Hello, infant," Altero sneered, his voice dripping with mockery and disdain. "Where's all that pride you were oozing just minutes ago?"

Though the crushing pressure around Lucia had lifted, her body still trembled as she fought to stand. Nearby, Remiel — now back in his normal form — observed the scene with a smirk of amusement.

There's always someone stronger, huh. He mused to himself, his thoughts tinged with both fascination and irony.

Seran and the others emerged from the building, rushing to Remiel's side. Seran quickly bowed before his father. "Greetings, Father," he said, his voice trembling slightly in Altero's imposing presence.

"I watched your battle with the other infant," Altero said, patting his son’s shoulder with a rare show of approval. "You did well today, Seran."

"Thank you, Father," Seran replied, rising to his feet with a proud smile.

Lucia — blood dripping from her chin — managed to stand despite the shattered remains of her armor, now left only in her ceremonial regalia. Her voice shook as she stammered, "W-what reason would an elder god have to d-descend?"

Altero’s gaze shifted to her, his tone calm yet cutting. "You blindly followed Althea's wish without bothering to learn the identities of those you were pursuing?" He mused, his words carrying a quiet menace. “If it weren't for her, your head would be rolling on the floor by now.”

"Go back to Aurora and reflect on your insignificant losses," Altero commanded, his voice cold and absolute.

A swirling red portal opened behind Lucia, its ominous glow casting shadows on her trembling figure. She hesitated, glancing back one last time at Scylla and David, her gaze filled with a mix of regret and fury, before stepping through the portal without another word.

Altero glanced at Remiel and the group, a smirk playing on his lips as he approached. The moment Cynthia, Rosa, and Danny took in his majestic form, they instinctively bowed, unable to resist the overwhelming aura of his presence.

"You may rise, mortals," Altero said calmly. "There's no need for such formalities."

"We’re only showing our gratitude for saving our village," Cynthia replied, her voice trembling with reverence.

"If it weren’t for you all, we would’ve lost everything today," Rosa added, her tone heavy with relief.

“Thank you so much, sir.” Danny spoke

Altero turned to Remiel, his smirk softening into something resembling pride. "Your strength and capabilities are impressive, Remiel," he said. "You’ve proven yourself worthy today."

Then, his gaze shifted to Cynthia, Rosa, and Danny. His tone grew more deliberate as he addressed Rosa and Danny specifically. "You, the human guardians of my daughter Scylla, and you, Cynthia, the human guardian of my son David — your loyalty has not gone unnoticed."

Pausing, he continued with a commanding presence. "I have decided to take them to my world, along with Remiel. There is much to be done, and their roles will be vital."

A green portal appeared behind Altero as he spoke, casting its glow across the group, the atmosphere grew heavy with emotion. Rosa and Danny stepped forward, their expressions a mix of pride and sorrow.

Rosa was the first to speak, her voice trembling. "Scylla... you’ve been like family to us. Protecting you has been our purpose, and though we won’t be by your side now, we’ll always carry those memories with us." She reached out, clasping Scylla’s hand tightly. "Stay strong, and never forget the people who love you."

Danny, usually stoic, softened as he looked at Scylla. "You don’t need us anymore — you’re stronger than we ever could’ve hoped for. But… we’ll miss you." His voice cracked slightly, and he quickly averted his gaze, unwilling to let his emotions show too much.

Cynthia, standing beside David and Remiel, wiped away tears that threatened to spill. "You two have always been my kids from the beginning. I don’t know how I’ll manage without you guys here, but… I know this is where you’re meant to be." She hugged them tightly, her tears falling freely now. "Promise me you won’t forget us."

"You all have done more than enough for us," Remiel said, his voice gentle. "This isn’t goodbye forever. You have my word."

Scylla stepped closer to their guardians, embracing them for one last time. "Thank you for everything," Scylla whispered, her voice barely audible. "You’ll always be in my heart."

As the group turned toward the portal, Altero’s voice pierced through the moment. "Time waits for no one. It’s time to leave."

Before departing, Altero raised his hand, a faint glow enveloping the village of Eralis. "The memories of the inhabitants here will be erased," he declared, his voice echoing with finality. "Only you three will remember what transpired today."

The glow faded, and with it, the weight of the day seemed to vanish from the minds of the villagers, leaving them unaware of the battle that had raged within their midst.

Myther Xeratheon

In the heart of a grand castle, surrounded by lush trees, vibrant flowers, and fountains painted in hues of blue, a green portal shimmered into existence. From its swirling depths, five figures emerged, their arrival commanding the attention of all present.

The maids, dressed in flowing golden robes, immediately dropped to their knees, their heads bowed low in reverence. Not a single word escaped their lips, their silence a testament to their awe and respect for the figure leading the group.

Altero strode forward with regal confidence, his presence radiating authority. Behind him followed Seran and the trio, their eyes scanning the breathtaking beauty of the palace grounds. The air was thick with a sense of grandeur, yet none dared to disturb the solemnity of the moment.

Without sparing the maids a glance, Altero continued walking, his voice calm but firm as he addressed the group. "Welcome to my domain. The genesis of your awakening.”

Remiel and the others gasped in awe as they took in the beauty of the castle’s interior design. Seran watched them with a proud smirk on his face.

“Seran, show them around while I go call Zoran," Altero ordered, his tone firm and commanding. "And when you're done, bring them to the throne room," he added before turning and walking away with purpose.

"Okay, Father," Seran replied, bowing slightly before facing the trio. "Let's get going," he said, motioning toward a grand hallway. Without hesitation, he began moving in the direction, the others trailing closely behind, their eyes taking in the splendor of the castle.

~~~~~~

Altero sat on his large purple throne, the room lit by the warm glow of golden chandeliers. The throne room was vast, with black marble pillars reaching high and a polished floor that gleamed like glass. Behind him, a giant stained-glass window displayed images of cosmic balance and chaos.

As he rested his chin on his hand, a low hum filled the air. Before Altero, three rifts began to form, each distinct in color and energy.

The first rift, a fiery red, pulsed with raw, chaotic energy, crackling like a storm as it tore open. From it stepped a tall figure clad in a crimson robe, his eyes glowing with an intensity that mirrored the rift itself. "Altero," the figure said, his voice sharp and commanding.

Altero straightened in his throne, his piercing gaze settling on the figure before him. "It’s been awhile Zoran," he said, his voice steady and authoritative. "We have much to discuss."

~~~~~~

Seran had finished showing them around, their footsteps light as they made their way down the grand hallway. The sound of their laughter echoed off the high ceilings, filling the space with a fleeting sense of ease.

As they neared the towering doors of the throne room, the atmosphere changed, growing tense and oppressive. The moment they stepped inside, the air seemed to thicken with authority, pressing down on them. Without hesitation, Scylla and David dropped to their knees, their earlier laughter fading into silence.

Remiel, however, wavered, struggling to stay on his feet under the weight of the presence before them. His orange-gold eyes burned with a defiant glow. s**t! Must I face this every time?! he thought, gritting his teeth as his bones ached under the crushing weight.

"Let them go!" he demanded, forcing his own aura to rise and clash against the overwhelming pressure. Remiel, you can't win this! What are you doing?! Emriel's voice echoed in his mind.

The room seemed to tremble as the two forces collided, the intensity building for a moment that felt like an eternity. But despite his resilience, his strength faltered, and he finally dropped to his knees.

The suffocating weight lifted abruptly. A deep, commanding voice echoed through the room. "So, this is the one I'll be taking under my wing, huh?" Zoran’s towering figure stepped forward, his presence as heavy as his voice, his eyes fixed on Remiel. “I like him.”

“Must you guys place mountains on our heads every f*****g time?!" David snapped, stepping forward to face Zoran. His blue eyes crackled with lightning, glowing fiercely as his anger surged. "It's getting really annoying."

"You should at least ask for people's consent before shoving their faces into the ground," Scylla interjected sharply, her voice laced with fury. Flames flickered in her eyes, matching the heat of her tone as she stood beside David, unyielding.

Zoran's expression shifted, a hint of surprise flickering across his face. He regarded David and Scylla with a newfound interest, his voice taking on a slightly intrigued tone.

"Ah, the spark within you both burns brighter than I anticipated," he said, his eyes gleaming with a knowing light. "

"I guess what they needed was a little push," Altero remarked, suddenly standing beside his elder brother. None — except Zoran — had noticed him leave his throne.

Seran observed quietly from the sidelines, unwilling to interrupt. Their powers are starting to awaken. He mused, a faint smile tugging at his lips as he watched the scene unfold.

"What the hell are you two talking about?" Remiel demanded, his voice sharp as he rose to his feet. "Take me under whose wings?!"

“"He'll be your new mentor from now on." Altero's voice was calm but firm as he gestured toward Zoran, his expression giving no room for argument.

"I don't like him," Remiel said bluntly, his orange-gold eyes narrowing as he crossed his arms. "And by the way..." He glanced between Altero and Zoran, his frustration bleeding into his tone. "I already have Emriel and Remael with me. Why do I need a mentor?"

Zoran raised an eyebrow, unbothered by the remark. "Like it or not, boy, you're far from ready. Those two can only take you so far." His voice carried a weight that made the room feel smaller. "If you think you don’t need me, then prove it."

Without hesitation, Remiel vanished from his spot and reappeared behind Zoran, his fist driving toward his side with unrelenting force. But before it could land, Zoran’s arm moved like a blur — a single backhanded strike sent Remiel crashing through the wall, leaving cracks spidering across the stone as his body hit the ground, bruised and battered.

Scylla and David gasped, their eyes wide with disbelief. Just a single punch almost killed him?! Scylla thought, her mind racing as she stared at the crumbled wall where Remiel had landed.

But before either could say a word, Remiel pushed himself to his feet, his movements slow but deliberate. He stretched his body, rolling his shoulders as if testing his limits. The bruises and wounds that had marred his skin were gone, his body now completely healed, as though the damage had never happened. REMIEL! Stop this at once! Remael raged in his head.

"Is that all you've got?" Remiel said, his voice steady, a hint of defiance flickering in his glowing orange-gold eyes.

“Such regenerative speed?" Zoran's voice came from directly behind him, calm yet laced with intrigue. The suddenness of it made Remiel's heart jolt, his body instinctively tensing.

Before he could even turn to face him, a sharp impact sent him hurtling upward, slamming into the ceiling with enough force to c***k the stone. His vision blurred as a figure flickered before his eyes — a shadow too fast to follow.

Then, without warning, a crushing force struck from above, driving him down like a meteor. The ground cracked beneath him as he hit, the air knocked from his lungs in an instant.

Zoran stood over Remiel's unconscious form, his imposing figure casting a shadow across the fractured ground. "Hmmm, I knocked him out cold," he muttered, tilting his head slightly as if assessing his handiwork. "Did I go too far?" he asked, though the rhetorical tone in his voice made it clear he wasn’t looking for answers.

The damages made by their earlier scuffle repaired itself as Scylla and David exchanged uneasy glances, their hands twitching at their sides. They hesitated, unsure whether stepping forward would help or only draw Zoran's attention to themselves.

“You win, Zoran," Altero declared, his tone calm but final. "He's all yours."

Zoran smirked faintly, satisfied with the outcome. "I'll be on my way now," he said, his voice low and resolute. Without hesitation, he hoisted Remiel's limp body over his shoulder as though it weighed nothing.

In the blink of an eye, Zoran vanished, his presence erased so completely that even the lingering pressure in the room dissipated. Scylla and David stood frozen, the silence that followed heavy with unanswered questions and unease.

"You're leaving too, Scylla," Altero said, his sharp gaze locking onto her. His tone left no room for argument. "Your mistress is waiting for you."

Scylla opened her mouth to protest, but before she could utter a word, Altero snapped his fingers. In an instant, her form shimmered and vanished from the throne room, leaving David standing alone in stunned silence.

~~~~~~

Scylla blinked as the world around her shifted, her breath catching in her chest. She now stood in a massive throne room, but this one was unlike any she'd seen before. The walls were lined with racks of weapons — dual blades, scythes, longswords, and countless other armaments, some so strange and intricate they seemed almost alive.

The air was heavy with an aura of power, each weapon radiating a faint hum, as if whispering secrets only they knew. At the far end of the room stood a grand throne, sparkling with red lightning.

A figure sat on the throne, her legs crossed casually, yet her presence filled the room with undeniable authority. Her fiery eyes locked onto Scylla, studying her with a gaze so sharp it made Scylla’s skin prickle.

"Hello, girl," the figure said, her voice cutting through the silence like a blade. "You're the one I've been waiting for."