Chapter 1071 A Sad Picture

The moon was full outside the serene lakes of Azkahar, where a group of people appeared. Large figures with muscles lining their visible arms and legs, and they made no attempt to hide their ident.i.ty. The reason was very clear, embodied in a slender and elegant woman standing among the group.

Her graceful figure made the men unable to keep their eyes to themselves, despite knowing the painful punishments that would land on them if she got too annoyed. Although her curves were covered by either silver armor or silk, they were still a sight to behold.

"A dungeon has appeared here," said the woman in a monotonous tone devoid of life as her azure eyes stared at the waters. "As I have suspected, this tower has violated the contract. It has sheltered a fugitive."

"A fugitive, my G.o.ddess?" muttered Freud, the Chief of the Huntsmen Clan, while bowing his head. His mask was gone now because he dared not hide his face in her presence. "May I ask if he is different than the lightning user?"

"The two are destined to meet, so we have been looking for them both," said Artemis without any expression as she raised her palm to the sky. A bow began materializing over it, hovering like a celestial artifact. It was made of gold and silver with gems embedded into its body. "We must break through the tower"s laws to enter this dungeon."

As she announced her actions, Artemis pulled on her bowstring. It glistened with a strange sheen that made the group almost lose their minds. Their G.o.ddess has once said that happened because the only string capable of withstanding her power was the hair of a G.o.d, but she refused to tell them its name.

The bowstring released an otherworldly cry as it opened a rift in s.p.a.ce. The hunters knew better than listening, so they let the rift appear in their heads as well. Thus, they closed their eyes as they watched their G.o.ddess mutter strange words that served to create the arrow.

Weaved from the Huntress G.o.ddess itself, the ethereal arrows radiated a crushing presence. As her azure eyes narrowed on their target, Artemis released her arrow. A shockwave sent the group flying, but none of them could complain about it.

Boom!

Whoosh!

Splash!

In sequence, the arrow created a sonic boom as it traveled faster than sound. Then, it whistled through the air before diving into the waters, creating an underwater tunnel that made the lake rise.

The group could see the end of the tunnel heading toward a fissure underwater before the arrow slammed into an invisible wall. Their world shook as the tower sent warnings of an anomaly, not knowing it was the G.o.ddess herself who had caused this.

[An anomaly has appeared!]

[An anomaly has appeared!]

Artemis raised her hand as she released her spiritual energy. As the energy of a G.o.d appeared before them, all hunters fell to the ground, breathless and suffocating. Then, she waved her hand to push all notifications aside, dismissing the tower"s cries for help.

A strange scene appeared underwater as the group could see a scenery within the fissure that Artemis had struck. Water seemed to flow from the broken barrier as Artemis smirked at the scene, the first expression she gave in a while.

"As I have suspected, Azkahar has hidden itself for thousands of years in this place. The only question is why did the immortal sage allow him to hide in his tower? Is he going against the celestials as well?"

Although Freud could hear her questions, he did not dare answer them. A person who could speak about the tower"s master so casually was not someone he could treat as an equal. Thus, he decided to forfeit speaking until she commanded him to talk.

As the crack started growing bigger underwater, the tunnel started growing smaller because of the overflowing water. However, as the group awaited the instructions of their G.o.ddess, a rumbling echoed across the sky.

The underwater barrier exploded with blue lights as it shattered entirely, making the water level rise. A giant blue creature leapt from the water toward the sky, making the crowd"s hearts tremble. As it soared toward the heavens, the creature let out an otherworldly cry that seemed to summon every droplet of water in the second floor.

"You have appeared, Artemis," said a distant voice, forcing the group to open their eyes and witness the majestic figure of a blue dragon. Its entire body was made of water, and its wise eyes stared at them like ants. "I have never thought that… we would meet so soon."

"You foolishly revealed your presence, Azkahar," said Artemis as she stared at the dragon with surprising hatred. "I told you before that if I do find you, I will kill you and erase your existence from this world. A G.o.d…"

"Always fulfill their promises," continued Azkahar with a smile as he nodded. "I know how this fight will end, Artemis. Those who are desperate to live forget their purpose. I am different."

"...you already met him," said Artemis as her expression crumbled. "You hid yourself from existence for thousands of years just to meet him? Is this how much you hate us?"

"Hatred is also a bond, something I don"t share with you," said the blue dragon as he stared down at the G.o.ddess, his form changing into that of a human. As water floated around him, Azkahar imparted them with the last of his wisdom. "I hid myself in order to push the wheel forward. It might be a small step in his journey, but it"s everything I have existed for."

"The universe would collapse because of your actions!" shouted Artemis with visible rage as her aura exploded, overbearing the heavens and the earth. However, Azkahar smiled like an overjoyed child. "Is this what you have reduced yourself to be? Nothing but an anarchist after serving as the archivist for all creation?"

"It is precisely because I have witnessed your selfishness that I decided to wait for him, the man who will bring Devaheim to its knees. And as the last parting gift from me to you, I will make sure… that everyone knows this."

Artemis frowned as she heard his words and her bow aimed at the old man, who spread his arms. Every molecule of water in the universe seemed to answer his calls as the Huntress pulled on her bowstring, creating an ethereal arrow to shoot him down.

"My name is Azkahar the Wise, Master of Archives, and the man who plotted against the G.o.ds," said the blue dragon as his voice transmitted through every particle of water in the universe. And wherever there was water, there was life. "I hereby announce that he shall be born, the man that will end all suffering."

Artemis finished creating her arrow and unleashed it with a mighty radiance. The lethal weapon cut through the air faster than anything could move as it aimed for the blue dragon, soon striking his heart. Azkahar staggered backward, but his mouth did not stop moving.

"As my final words, I state that I have no regrets in dedicating my life to serve the one true Demon King, who will liberate us all from the unjust G.o.ds! Those who are suffering should survive and seek him out. He will walk this universe unhindered, slaying every selfish G.o.d that has ruined this world!"

Artemis let out a shout as she soared through the air herself while shooting three more arrows. As they were about to tear through their target, Azkahar turned his body into its draconic form. The arrows sank into the water as they failed to harm him.

"Have you lost your mind, Azkahar?" asked Artemis as she soared near the moon, almost becoming one with it. She looked down at the blue dragon whose eyes were filled with defiance. "You have just unleashed chaos and madness throughout the universe!"

"I did no such thing, old friend," said the blue dragon as his weary eyes gazed at the moon. "I have simply given them hope. This is what you fear the most, is it not?"

"Billions of souls will die," said Artemis with disdain. "You claim to work for them while you push them toward certain death. Whoever defies Devaheim will lose their life, never to be reborn!"

"That is their fate, regardless of how much time it takes," said Azkahar as he stared at the G.o.ddess while water formed deadly weapons around him. "I have already told him of the secrets that G.o.ds cannot bear to be revealed. Be careful, old friend, for he will seek you out one day as well!"

"...is this the last of your words?" asked Artemis as she pulled on her bowstring, creating thousands of arrows to fill the night"s sky. "Your curiosity ends here, Azkahar. As I said the last time we met, that d.a.m.n curiosity killed you!"

"Do not be saddened, old friend, for death is far more merciful than helplessness," said Azkahar as his countless water spears shot toward the moon. At the same time, Artemis released her bowstring. "In my final moments, I shall use this body as a shield until our Demon King is born!"

The thousands of arrows rained down on the blue dragon, painting a very sad picture of his death. Despite the difference in their strength, the blue dragon managed to last for countless days in his fight against the Huntress. And with that, Azkahar lost his life in exchange for a chance to overthrow the G.o.ds.