Atticus’s Odyssey: Reincarnated Into A Playground -
Chapter 1402: Acceptance
For a moment, Atticus froze. He felt Logoth slip as he clenched his fists.
When she drew back, her smile turned soft, almost peaceful as her clone began to dissolve into the air. Particles of light drifted away like mist.
“Thank you for making these past few months thrilling, Atticus Ravenstein. It was a pleasure meeting you.”
As the last thread of her form vanished, Atticus lifted a trembling hand to his lips, still damp from the kiss.
“…Shit.”
He didn’t know when it happened, but he had already fallen out of Logoth, and the flood of emotions hit him all at once.
But of them all, one thing overwhelmed him, guilt.
Atticus didn’t care about the kiss, in fact, he didn’t even think about the implications. Rather, his eyes were fixed upon the portal, like he couldn’t believe the current situation.
He had already chosen to flee without any guilt, so what held his mind?
‘It’s her.’
Her actions now… though her world was on the brink of destruction and her death imminent, she still chose to save him.
This act made Atticus realize something.
‘Her heart is pure.’
And with this revelation came the memories of what she had done for him. Saved him from the sentinel back on the will-less world, helped him curb Solvath’s emotions and learn the path of Logoth.
She had risked herself to help him. Had he really been about to ignore all of that?
‘This is the first time someone has done something like this for me.’
His life had been protecting loved ones, getting stronger and killing.
When was the last time someone selflessly helped him without wanting anything in return? To Atticus, it was new, foreign. And he wasn’t truly sure how to react. However…
Atticus clenched his fists. She had risked herself for him, it didn’t sit well with him to simply abandon her.
‘Even if she isn’t a loved one,’ he took a step towards the portal, expression firm.
With a flick of his hand, he threw in the dazed Kancilot into it and turned upwards, towards the surface.
‘I’ll return the favour.’
His eyes flickered with a detached light.
…
“Choose wisely, Saint.”
Kaino had made the threats, and now it was time for Anorah to choose. Though she floated in the skies surrounded by One and the knights of light, Anorah had never felt more alone.
‘There’s no choice.’
The plot was airtight. The reason she wasn’t currently being attacked was due to the verge rules. Consent must be given before gods can fight. They couldn’t attack her, and the same was for Atticus, unless they each gave their consent.
But her people were different entirely and didn’t require such consent. Sending Atticus and his subordinate away could be done without notice, but anymore would alert them.
If she didn’t agree to their terms, all of her people would die. Her father’s legacy would fall.
‘I failed you, father…’
Anorah had never felt more of a failure than at this moment. And as the silence stretched, she nodded.
“Good! Good!” Kaino sounded excited. “Now bring the portal here, now!”
After a few moments, Kaino activated the portal just under the crystal tree.
“Give the invite!”
Anorah hesitated. But a glance around the world showed her that she had no choice.
“I invite you.”
The portal flared brighter, and figures began stepping out from it in a continuous stream.
Anorah watched with a darkened expression as ten turned to a hundred and then over a thousand.
‘They brought an army.’
Anorah swept her eyes around. An army of men and women clad in the golden ensemble of the will guard filled her vision.
Soon enough, her eyes settled on the group leading them. In particular, two figures.
‘The sentinels.’
Her eyes turned cold, and her killing intent flooded the space. It was at that moment that the sentinels turned towards her.
Though a mask covered their faces, Anorah didn’t miss the delight in their eyes.
“Welcome, welcome, friends.” Kaino’s smile was wide as he appeared beside them, but the Sentinels didn’t even glance his way.
“Tainted,” one of them said, voice filled with disgust.
“We have come to rid the world of your evil,” he continued. “These innocent people need not be involved. Surrender yourselves and issue the challenge, and they will be free.”
A hush fell. The second Sentinel stepped forward, scanning the area. “But first,” he said, “where is the second tainted?”
Anorah’s eyes sharpened, but her face gave nothing away. “He left already,” she said.
They did not like the answer. Though their faces were masked, the flash in their eyes was ice.
“Unfortunate,” the first Sentinel said. “If only we’d arrived earlier.” He turned his gaze to Kaino; who shrank under his stare and quickly bowed low.
He had seen what the will guard was capable of; they were not to be trifled with.
“I… apologize—”
The apology died on his lips. A heavy blow shattered across Kaino’s right cheek before he even registered it, sending him skidding away.
The second Sentinel dusted his palm as if he had touched filth.
“Failure is unacceptable. You will answer for that.” He turned towards Anorah,
“Issue the challenge, or your people die.”
He flicked his fingers and the air echoed a thousand piercing cries.
Anorah’s eyes darted around in panic.
The heads of her people had turned to the sky; hands clutched their temples as if invisible claws tore at their minds.
“Alright, alright!” she bellowed. “I challenge you to battle!”
“Hmm.” The first Sentinel nodded, “good.”
The cries stopped the next instant. Light flared between them, knitting into a small pool. From that light, a small furry creature materialized.
If Atticus had been here, he would recognize this creature at a glance.
The creature stared at Anorah then the Sentinels with an unreadable expression.
“The great verge in his boundless wisdom expressed great interest in this challenge and has sent me to preside over it,” the creature said, his large eyes settling on the Sentinels.
“Challenged. How would you like to proceed? To the Arena of gods? Or a chosen theme?”
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