Chapter 198 Plan Before Full Moon
"One hour remaining!" Fenrir exclaimed, his eyes gleaming with excitement as he surveyed the surroundings of the magnificent dome. His gaze shifted to Edona, who sat in the corner, her once radiant face now pale and devoid of its usual kindness. The air was tense, charged with emotions as he approached her cautiously.
"Fenrir," Edona\'s voice trembled with a mix of anger and sorrow. "How could you? After all, we\'ve been through, how could you go against my wishes? How could you do this to your own offspring?"
Fenrir\'s expression turned solemn as he knelt beside her, his eyes reflecting regret. It was conflicting emotion for him, as he had never experienced so many things in a small period of time, just like Edona and this new feeling didn\'t really feel pleasant to him.
"I know, Edona. But I had to make a choice. I couldn\'t stand idly and let myself get sealed, I told you countless times, I will take the sin, you just have to give birth in a few hours," Unlike normal human birth, Fenrir was able to influence the time of the embryo development with his purest form of mana, normally it would take at least a week, but because of how urgent this matter was, he decided to put extra mana and decrease the time.
Edona\'s eyes burned with an intense fury. "I won\'t ever forgive you," She said and removed the dome, and looked at the sky which had a shade of blue mixed into it.
Fenrir just ignored her and grabbed her by the neck and carried her back to the village, where gods and goddesses resided and decided to drop her there with Tasha, in case she need to escape in case something unexpected happen.
Fenrir\'s eyes glimmered with determination as he carried her swiftly towards the village. He ignored her pleas, his mind set on his dangerous mission. His voice was stern as he spoke, his words filled with resolve.
"I won\'t let Jormungand bring destruction upon this realm and punish me. I must face him alone. You\'ll be safer here with your children."
As they approached the village, the bustling sounds of divine beings reached their ears. The grand structures of the gods and goddesses loomed before them, a stark contrast to the peril that awaited them beyond its protective borders. Fenrir finally released his grip on Edona\'s neck and gently set her down, ensuring she stood firmly on her feet.
As Fenrir gently helped Edona regain her balance, a hushed murmur spread among the divine beings present near the walls watching Fenrir helping Edona. Artemis, the goddess who was the most notorious in the eyes of Edona, keenly observed the unfolding scene, her eyes narrowing with curiosity. Sensing something amiss, she gracefully made her way towards them, her ethereal presence commanding attention.
Edona staggered slightly, her hand instinctively rubbing her neck as she regained her composure. She looked up at Fenrir, her eyes filled with concern.
"When is he going to come?"
"In another hour or two, just stay here," He said and tried to leave but then he saw a familiar face far away from him. It was none other than the figure of Tasha, standing at the edge of the crowd. Her long, flowing hair shimmered under the streetlights, and her piercing blue eyes sparkled with a mix of surprise and delight as she locked gazes with him. Time seemed to stand still for a moment as memories of their shared adventures flooded his mind.
He took a deep breath, hoping that fate would once again bring them together when the time was right.
Reluctantly, he turned and walked away, his heart heavy with the thought of leaving Tasha behind. Yet, a glimmer of hope shone through the ache. He couldn\'t help but imagine a future where their paths would intersect once more, where they could pick up where they left off.
Artemis tried to talk with him before he leave, but he had nothing to talk with her instead he just said what she expected to hear.
"Protect Tasha and Edona, things will get tough and hear, take this," Fenrir gave one of his toenails to her, which she gracefully accepted.
"Make your arrowheads with this, it will be able to at least tickle my brother,"
Artemis furrowed her brow, her voice laced with a sense of urgency. "I will,"
The divine onlookers watched in awe and apprehension as Fenrir strode away from the village, his form disappearing into the distant horizon. The weight of the impending battle hung heavy in the air, uncertainty and hope to mingle together.
Artemis, her voice steady yet filled with concern, broke the silence that had settled upon them. "Prepare yourselves, fellow gods and goddesses. The hour of reckoning approaches. We must stand united and protect our realms while Fenrir confronts the enemy that is about to destroy our realm. Rally your strength, for the fate of our existence lies in the balance."
The gods and goddesses, spurred by Artemis\'s words, exchanged determined glances. They understood the magnitude of the task before them and the responsibility that lay upon their divine shoulders. With a collective nod, they dispersed, each seeking their own preparations for the imminent battle.
But Edona wasn\'t as she kept looking at the distant horizon until Artemis\'s hand landed on her shoulder shaking her off the depressing thoughts.
Edona turned her head slowly, her eyes meeting those of the young goddess. But instead of warmth and understanding, what Artemis saw was an icy glare, filled with unspoken pain.
Artemis hesitated what she wanted to say, instead, she decided to ask forgiveness with her voice trembling slightly as she spoke, "Mother... I... I didn\'t mean for any of this to happen. Please, listen to me."
Edona\'s silence spoke volumes, her disappointment too great to be contained within mere words. She averted her gaze, her eyes now fixated on the ground beneath her feet. It was a gesture of disregard, a deliberate act to show her daughter that forgiveness was not easily given.
"Mother, I understand that you\'re hurt," Artemis pleaded, her voice quivering with an undercurrent of tears. "But I never wanted things to turn out this way. I never wanted to betray you."
Edona\'s silence persisted, the weight of her disappointment heavy in the air. She remained unyielding, refusing to acknowledge the pain etched across Artemis\' face. The betrayal had cut deep, severing the trust between them.
"I won\'t forgive Apollo and you," Edona finally spoke, her voice cold and resolute. "The pain they caused, the trust they shattered... It\'s irreparable. And you, Artemis, you were complicit in their deceit. How can I forgive that?"
As the words hung in the air, tears welled up in Artemis\' eyes, her anguish flowing freely down her cheeks. The bond between a mother and daughter, once unbreakable, now stood fractured, threatening to crumble away completely. The weight of her actions had finally caught up with her, the consequences becoming painfully clear.
Edona\'s heart ached at the sight of her daughter\'s tears, but her disappointment and sense of betrayal held firm. The road to forgiveness seemed distant and uncertain if it existed at all. For now, the chasm between them grew wider, the wounds too fresh to be healed.
In that somber moment, Artemis realized the magnitude of her actions. The realization filled her with regret and remorse, as the bond with her mother slipped further away. She wept, her tears mingling with the sorrow that enveloped them both, knowing that repairing their shattered relationship would be a long and arduous journey.
"I\'m not the almighty Mother Superior anymore, he changed me completely within this few days. Me, who used to give unconditional love to my children can\'t do that anymore, and now I feel these emotions pleasant and unpleasant at the same time,"
Artemis kept listening until Tasha kept running in her direction in a panic.
"He is awake! My Goddess, he is awake," She shouted, and Artemis quickly understood what she was talking about.
Artemis and Edona exchanged surprised glances, momentarily diverting their attention from their strained conversation. Hope flickered within Artemis\' eyes, while Edona\'s expression remained guarded.
"Artemis," Edona spoke softly, her voice laced with caution, "if what you say is true, then I will have my chance to question Apollo myself. I will seek the truth from his own lips."
Artemis nodded, a glimmer of relief mingling with uncertainty. The prospect of her mother confronting Apollo held both promise and trepidation. They understood that this pivotal moment could determine the course of their shattered relationship.
Tasha, still catching her breath, urged them forward. "Come quickly! Apollo awaits your presence. Let the truth be revealed that my goddess is not guilty,"
With a shared sense of apprehension and anticipation, mother and daughter walked side by side, their steps echoing through the hallowed grounds. Their bond, though fractured, still lingered in the depths of their hearts, awaiting the chance to be rekindled or forever lost in the wake of Apollo\'s revelations.