Lord of Mysteries 2: Circle of Inevitability

Chapter 151 - 151 Temptation

151 Temptation

Termiboros’ thunderous voice resonated in Lumian’s mind.

“Yes.”

A snort of laughter broke free from Lumian.

His words oozed sarcasm as he retorted, “So, Aurore and the entire village were snuffed out just so you could set foot on this soil?

“Why the hell should I help you shatter your shackles? If you morphed into an Angel with a boon, I could’ve swiped your abilities over and over with the ritual I just performed, under the watchful eyes of the mighty existence. Until, of course, I too bask in the angelic status of the Inevitability pathway. Then, I could breathe life back into Aurore and restore everyone to the pre-Cordu destruction era. How pathetic would you look then?

!!

“If you hold the right Beyonder characteristic, I can bide my time until I ascend as an Angel of the Hunter pathway, seizing power on par with your Inevitability skills. Once my army is vast enough, I’ll free you, crush you, subjugate you, and make you resurrect Aurore. Hell, I might be able to pull it off myself. I’ll subject you to an eternity of torment till the end of time.

“I never had the hots for the Inevitability pathway’s boon, but now that I know the ritual was meant for your descent, I’m salivating at the thought of siphoning off all your might and pride.”

The more Lumian rambled, the higher his adrenaline spiked. His Provoker potion seemed to digest a notch.

Termiboros’ voice was eerily steady, unfazed by Lumian’s rant.

“I’ve encountered my fair share of Beyonders in the cosmos, and I’ve seen legions of races graced by the Lord’s touch. Most of them can’t cross the threshold into divinity because that one extra step would obliterate their physical and mental existence.

“The quest for godhood is rife with peril. Are you so sure you can truly evolve into an Angel?

“You should be aware that we’re not talking about slim odds here. Saying it’s a one-in-a-million or one-in-ten-million chance doesn’t even begin to capture the enormous task of ascending to the Angel level.

“If you perish on the Beyonder path, Aurore Lee will follow suit. The seal binding you will naturally dissolve, freeing me from my predicament.”

Lumian threw his head back and laughed.

His laughter bounced off the quarry’s cavernous walls, heightening the eerie quiet and heaviness underground.

“So, why aren’t you sitting tight, waiting for me to kick the bucket?” Lumian picked up the carbide lamp and strode out of the quarry cave. A cryptic smile played on his lips. “I don’t give a damn what you’re plotting or what your endgame is. I couldn’t care less whether you’re a saint or a sinner. All I know is that Aurore and everyone in Cordu Village are dead because of you.”

He paused for a beat, his face contorted into a maniacal grin.

“Someone’s gotta pay the piper for this. Guillaume Bénet, you, and even your so-called lord!”

Termiboros fell silent. The booming voice that had filled Lumian’s mind, heart, bloodstream, bone marrow, and cavities disappeared entirely.

Phew… Lumian heaved a sigh, clutching the carbide lamp as he navigated the pitch-black underground.

Despite the conversation’s brevity, it had drained him.

In Lumian’s previous world-view, corruption was merely that—corruption. At its extreme, it was comparable to power granted by an evil god. The concept of an Angel being shackled within him was beyond his wildest dreams!

Amidst the wreckage of Cordu Village, atop the crimson-hued mountain, stood the body of a three-headed, six-armed behemoth—a vessel designed for an incoming Angel. It was a mystery how much it deviated from a bona fide Angel, but it already filled Lumian with a sense of invincibility.

Had he not remembered their vile deeds, he might have been swayed to give it a shot.

From where he stood, pledging allegiance to the Eternal Blazing Sun and the God of Steam and Machinery seemed no different than submitting to the hidden existence known as Inevitability. At worst, he’d lose himself.

Regaining his composure, Lumian’s senses suddenly tingled. He darted into a side alcove, using loose gravel to snuff out the carbide lamp.

Moments later, the hurried footfalls of three people echoed from the adjacent tunnel, soon swallowed by the inky darkness.

Underground Trier is a hive of activity too… Lumian bided his time for a couple of minutes before digging out the carbide lamp and rejoining the upward path.

The interruption allowed him to collect his thoughts and consider a conundrum.