Celestia
Chapter 06's

After walking for several hours, they finally arrived at a small village located on the edge of the forest. The village looks safe and peaceful, with small houses made of wood and clay. But there seems to be no sign of life in the village.

Eriase helps Skaayla sit under a tree near the village while looking for a source of water to drink. Moments later, Eriase returned with fresh water from a well near the village.

They inhaled the fresh water voraciously, feeling a fresh and cold sensation in their throats. After drinking, they feel fresher and more energetic.

Eriase decides to find a place to stay in the village, while Skaayla remains resting under a tree. After searching around, Eriase found a small, empty cottage suitable for them to live in.

They immediately moved to the cottage and prepared to rest and recuperate. Eriase helps Skaayla sleep comfortably on a wooden bed, while she herself sleeps on the floor.

That night they slept well, feeling the peace they longed for. They felt very grateful for their success coming out of the dungeon and enjoying their newfound freedom.

The next day, after having had enough rest, they left the village and continued on their way to a town.

However, their journey to the city was not safe. They meet a mysterious person in the middle of the forest, who calls himself a follower of the god of destruction.

Skaayla felt her breath panting as she looked at Orthell, the follower of the god of destruction, before her. Orthell's frightening face showed an unreadable expression, and his large body looked strong and muscular. Skaayla knew she would not be able to fight Orthell alone, but she could not let Eriase fight alone.

Eriase was ready to fight, even though she lost some of her strength. He transformed into a human form, but still maintained incredible speed and agility. He advanced with his glittering sword and was ready to fight against Orthell.

(Eriase. Sc : ArtStation, Mineo)

However, Orthell was too powerful for Eriase. Each Eriase attack was blocked easily by Orthell, and each Orthell attack was extremely powerful and devastating. Skaayla sees Eriase pressed and tries to help, but Orthell easily stops Skaayla's attack.

Eventually, Skaayla falls wounded and helpless, Eriase attempts to protect Skaayla. However, Orthell easily defeated Eriase by making a hole in her heart and pulling her heart out.

Back then, Skaayla knew she couldn't do much more. He could only stare at Eriase lying on the ground with worry and sadness.

Orthell looked at Skaayla and Eriase with a condescending look. "Very weak," he said in a stern voice. "I think goblins can beat you with their eyes closed." He laughed cynically. "I don't understand what you expect from me. But this is clearly in vain. You will never be able to defeat a monster stronger than me, let alone an actual god."

Orthell then looked at Skaayla with a sharp gaze and shattered the heart of Eriase he had taken "You, Skaayla, there is no point in you living. You're just wasting your breath. Don't expect you to defeat me or protect your friend who's about to die by my hand."

When Orthell destroyed Eriase's heart, the atmosphere there seemed to turn very stressful. Skaayla feels a burning rage inside her and she feels like her vampire instincts are over her. However, he still tried to control himself.

Suddenly, as Skaayla wanted to rampage further, time seemed to pause and she felt the presence of Orthell in front of her. Without giving Skaayla a chance to react, Orthell very quickly struck her with a punch so powerful that Skaayla was thrown deep into the air.

After Skaayla was thrown hard she was pulled back by Orthell, she fell to the ground very hard. His body was in pain after such a huge pressure. He tried to get up but felt very weak and helpless. Then, Skaayla felt a blurred vision and fading consciousness.

His body collapsed on the ground and Skaayla was unconscious. He completely lost control of his strength and emotions, too tired to continue the fight and too wounded to fight.

Orthell looked at the unconscious Skaayla and smiled cynically. He feels very happy to have played with two pets for him. He then left Skaayla lying on the ground and suddenly disappeared.

As Skaayla regains consciousness, she feels sad and angry that Eriase sacrificed herself to protect her. However, suddenly a mysterious voice that provoked him appeared in his head.

"You're too weak, Skaayla. You let Eriase sacrifice herself for you. But I can help you become stronger. Blood, Power, Glory. Make a contract with me and you will have greater strength in fighting" said the mysterious voice.

Skaayla felt attracted by the offer, especially since she wanted to take revenge on Orthell for Eriase's death. He considered the offer, even though he felt that something was not right with the voice.

"Power? Blood? Glory?" Skaayla repeated those words in her head.

"Yes, the power to strengthen you, Blood to satisfy your vampire instincts, and Glory to glorify yourself" replied the mysterious voice.

Skaayla nodded firmly. "Yes, I accepted this contract. I'll do whatever it takes to gain greater power."

The mysterious voice nodded in satisfaction. "Well, then our contract is bound. However, in order to do this contract, you must forget about your past. But, you won't be able to forget Eriase's death. Eriase's death will be a curse to you and you will continue to fight for the power to avenge Eriase."

Skaayla was silent for a moment, pondering the words of the mysterious voice. However, he could not help but speak. "But I can't forget the first person who found myself in the woods, my mother Lucy. Although I'm not his real son, he loves me sincerely."

The mysterious voice breathed. "Remember, Orthell said that his attack was only the first threat that would continue to terrorize you. That is, there will be more people who will ruin your life."

Skaayla felt scared, but she could not give up. "But-"

The mysterious voice cut through Skaayla's speech. "Alright, I'll restore your memory when you defeat Orthell."

As a first step of the contract, Skaayla must suck the blood of at least 1500 powerful beings, such as dragons and demons. Without hesitation, Skaayla began to search for these powerful creatures and suck their blood.

However, the more blood Skaayla was sucking, the more noticeable the change in her was. Her hair that was once white like light, now began to darken. Increasingly powerful strength and brutality, as well as the desire to achieve greater glory and power, made Skaayla lose her identity.

The once gentle and loving Skaayla has now turned into a cruel and arrogant figure. He doesn't care about anyone other than himself and the contract he's on. Every time he managed to defeat a stronger being, he felt more and more powerful and his desire to gain power grew even greater.

When Orthell finally reappears before him, Skaayla feels confident that she now has enough power to defeat him. However, what he did not know was that Orthell was not an easy enemy to deal with.

Their fight was fierce, but eventually Skaayla had to swallow a defeat because his strength was not enough to defeat Orthell. This defeat left Skaayla even worse and her desire to gain power grew even greater.

He continued to search for powerful creatures to suck his blood, even if it meant having to cross the line and start sacrificing humans. He no longer cared about anyone other than himself and the contract he was on.

After 7 years of terrorizing the world in fear. Skaayla and Orthell finally meet again, and they stare at each other intently. Skaayla feels her adrenaline is peaking, she is ready to take revenge for Eriase's death. Orthell, on the other hand, looked calm and ready to face whatever the vampire was about to do.

"Nobody can save you, Orthell. I will avenge Eriase!" skaayla exclaimed as she prepared herself to attack.

"Of course, Skaayla. I didn't expect you to just back off, "Orthell calmly replied.

Skaayla leapt towards Orthell and unleashed a swift counterattack. However, Orthell was able to dodge each of those attacks with astonishing speed. The fight continued with both sides attacking each other and defending fiercely. Skaayla continued to issue powerful counterattacks, but Orthell was able to dodge them easily.

"You're slow, Skaayla. You need more than that to defeat me" Orthell sneered.

Skaayla could not let Orthell's words underestimate her. He shouted and unleashed a wildly swift attack. However, Orthell was able to dodge it and counterattack at the same speed.

"You're too weak, Skaayla. You are not strong enough to defeat me" Orthell said with disdain.

Skaayla was angry and frustrated. He continued to unleash powerful counterattacks, but they were all in vain. Orthell is too fast and agile to reach.

Then he used the power flowing within him. He felt an extremely strong power and his vampire instincts grew stronger. It unleashed a faster and stronger counterattack, and Orthell was unable to dodge it.

"How did this happen? Your strength is increasing so quickly!" orthell shouted in surprise.

Skaayla just smiled and continued to issue a powerful counterattack. Finally, he managed to strike Orthell precisely, hitting him hard on the chest and making him flung backwards.

"Already, Orthell. You are weak and useless anymore" Skaayla said in a mocking tone.

Orthell tried to get up, but he was unable to. He felt his strength slowly fade away.

"You don't deserve to live in this world, Orthell. Your strength is not comparable to your previous insults" Skaayla said in a derogatory tone.

Orthell tried to speak, but he was too weak to speak. He could only stare at Skaayla with a weak look.

"You finally realize how weak you are. Late, Orthell. My strength is growing, and I will continue to destroy anyone who stands in my way" Skaayla said arrogantly.

Orthell tries to regain his strength, but he cannot. He was forced to surrender to Skaayla and suffered a humiliating defeat.

"Well Orthell, you didn't think I'd let you live like that, did you?" Skaayla said as she raised Orthell's hand and smiled.

"I wonder what your blood looks like, whether it's good or not." Skaayla took out her fangs, and sucked Orthell's blood.

Then Skaayla pulled Orthell's heart and smashed it right over his mouth so that the blood in his heart would fall into his mouth.

Before disappearing into the dust, Orthell tried to say something to Skaayla stammeringly.

"Ha ha, w-if you manage to kill me, it won't make his plan ruined. And also, my mission has succeeded. I have-"

Skaayla looked at Orthell with a cynical look, "What are you talking about, Orthell? Whatever engineering you make won't work against my powers."

Orthell tried to catch his breath, but his voice sounded increasingly weakened. "Don't.be too confident. Your powers.not everything."

Skaayla smiled arrogantly, "My strength far exceeds anything you can imagine."

Orthell tried to speak again, but his voice grew dim. "Remember.I have poisoned.i-i-i-"

His words were cut off and Orthell became dust. Skaayla felt confused by Orthell's last words, but she felt unconcerned. His strength grew and he felt more and more invincible.

But suddenly, a mysterious voice appeared and whispered into his ear, "Well as I promise, I will restore your memory."

Skaayla was shocked and confused. He did not know who was speaking, but he felt something strange.

"Who are you? Whatchu mean?" ask Skaayla

The mysterious voice laughed, "I am the contract you made seven years ago, Skaayla. Have you forgotten?"

Skaayla was surprised. He did make a contract seven years ago, but he forgot the details.

"Yes, I remember now. What am I supposed to do?" ask Skaayla.

The mysterious voice replied, "Nothing, now you're free. Don't you miss your family?."

Skaayla was surprised, "What do you mean by family? My family is just Eriase, the only one who saved my life."

The mysterious voice replied, "You'll find out later."

Suddenly, Skaayla felt a tremendous pain in her head. All of his past memories suddenly reappeared. He remembers how he used to have a family that loved him, but lost them in a tragic event. He remembered how he ended up inside the dungeon because someone had teleported away.

Then Skaayla went to her house with her flying magic. Wishing everything was fine after the arrival of the mysterious man in her house.