Chapter 777: Just let him come back!
James wanted to argue, to refute the old man floating before him by saying no: Kyle didn't need to save this universe. He didn't need to endure suffering simply because they wanted him to be their hope.
It wasn't his duty. And who were they to dictate the purpose of his strength? Kyle had already saved so many by sacrificing himself-he had given everything, and now they couldn't even save him in return?
How tragic it was. The injustice stung, and James wanted to express that true power should be about choice, not obligation.
But he couldn't find the words. After all, he knew that if the universe were to collapse, they too would vanish alongside it, as they couldn't leave and go to another place. The realization hit him like a cold wave, and his muscles tensed as he stared at the Will of the Universe, who scoffed at his silence, aware of the weight his words carried.
Odiak was the one who broke the tension by suddenly interrupting the two. He looked at the old man and mentally told Elizabeth to take James away to calm him down.
"I believe we have more pressing matters to discuss. What did you mean when you said that we only have two decades to save this universe, and who made sacrifices?"
His words made all the elders stop whatever they were doing and listen, but what they uncovered only made their hearts race with dread. The universe they inhabited was teetering on the edge of collapse! The guardians of the Realm of the Dead had sacrificed themselves, along with countless innocent souls, to prevent the aura of that realm from consuming everything.
The balance of life and death was lost! Now, no one in the universe would be able to find peace after death; the souls of the departed would be forever lost!
To make matters even worse, the thin shield the guardians created could only last for about two decades! After that, it would collapse, and the lethal aura trapped inside would spread everywhere, consuming the universe and reducing it to nothingness!
Every supreme rank that had been attempting to destroy the flickering shield under James and the elders pulled away, their faces etched with horror.
What were they doing? Were they truly trying to destroy the shield that had been forged through countless sacrifices and had granted the universe precious time?
It was true that Kyle had the potential to reach the Celestial rank, but would his so-called potential save them? No!
The moment the shield broke, the aura inside would annihilate them all! And who knew if Kyle's soul still existed? Everything inside the shield had turned to nothingness, so how could only his soul have survived? His soul must have vanished too!
The powerful figures before the shield turned to side with the Will of the Universe, no longer willing to save the person who had just moments ago saved thousands-perhaps even tens of millions.
Their expressions were somber as they glared at James and the elders, filled with anger and frustration. How could the ones, who had been battling the dark side all this time to safeguard the universe, put them in a situation that would lead to their own end, all for the sake of one single individual?
James and the elders felt a sense of disbelief and pain deeper than anything they had ever experienced at the sight. They couldn't help but want to laugh at the sheer irony of it all. Yet, they were no different. After learning what the Will of the Universe had revealed, they made no additional attempts to save Kyle's soul.
Odiak wore an aloof expression as he straightened his clothes and regarded the people around him with an indifferent gaze before turning to give one final glance at the Will of the Universe.
"We know now. We know... But what about Azazeal? Is he... not affected by the aura of the Realm of the Dead?"
"Not even a little? He's in there too."
Everyone held their breath, but their hopes were dashed when the old man clenched his fists and shook his head.
"Huh, he is completely fine. So much so that he even tried to destroy everything."
Odiak rubbed his temples, his aged voice weary and slightly hoarse.
"If that's all, you can go."
The Will of Universe narrowed his eyes at him for a moment before disappearing.
Elizabeth stepped forward and, in a commanding voice, asked everyone around her to join the
battle unfolding around them and to end the people of the dark side.
No one hesitated and quickly scattered, leaving the elders alone.
James shut his eyes for a moment before taking a long, deep breath. He glanced at the shield and whispered softly.
"I guess I can only say sorry for being so weak and truly... thank you."
The elders understood he was referring to Kyle, so they silently watched his back.
At that instant, Bia, who had been listening to their conversation from a considerable distance, let out a snort.
A brilliant crimson light flashed around her imposing form as the phoenix transformed into a beautiful lady with golden hair, clad in a feathery golden and crimson dress. She reached James in no time.
-"No need! If Kyle were here, he wouldn't accept this fickle apology either. Also, he didn't make the crack to save you all. I know he didn't. He wanted to save me and those he cared about. Everyone else was just lucky to be saved in the process!"
James blinked at the gaze fixed on him. He sensed that the lady was Bia, but it felt as if he were looking at a different person.
Her eyes had blue slits in the center, encircled by shades of gold and crimson, and at that moment, they appeared cold and utterly indifferent.
-"We won't help the elders anymore. I believe what we have done is enough!"
With that, Bia turned to leave. She knew that if the supreme ranks couldn't break the shield, how could she do it alone?
As for Kyle, that bastard, even she had no idea what happened to him. His presence had completely vanished. The bond they shared had also disappeared.
But this wasn't the first time. It wasn't. So, unlike before, this time she wouldn't lose her calm. She would wait for him to return.
-"I'm going to pull out all his hairs... just let him come back!"