Chapter 22

  The Last Sacrifice

  Part Two

  “How can an angel of your stature leave, without perishing the planet which still holds the smell of the sinners?” Yajvan said. “Doesn’t it lessen the dignity of angels?”

  Trishark’s eyes glowed with genuine excitement. “Yes, Master.”

  “You have my blessing.”

  Trishark’s halo glowed once more; extracting all the white or golden particles from her skin and wings. They grew darker in response. The colour of her pupils transformed into a deep crimson red. Shimmering golden tears fell down her cheeks. Her smile was the only thing that didn’t change.

  “I. Trishark. With the authority granted to me by my master,” Several dozen angels exited the heavaths and rushed towards Trishark. “Shall bestow blessings upon the land that serve as the origin of all vices in the cosmos.”

  A powerful pressure enveloped Manya. It emitted the same energy as the previous divine punishment.

  “Manya, move,” Yajvan said.

  Manya smiled. “And let the opportunity to die being the greatest go to waste? However long I lived, it was enough.” She spread her arms, embracing her impending demise. “Is it me or the air just before your death feels the best?” With the increase in surrounding pressure, she closed her eyes. “At least it won’t be painful.” I am finally coming to meet you, Krishna. Don’t scold me for being a coward. I just can’t handle any more pain.

  She sensed a scorching substance brushing past her.

  “Manya?” Atharv said.

  “Mamu?” She burst open her eyes; searching for the doors to the home of real divinity, where there would be actual angels not artificially generated. But all she could see was a blinding white light.

  A shadow appeared—looming just above her. Over time, it took on the appearance of a man. Her eyes focused on its outline.

  “But why are you wearing a turban? Are they mandatory in heaven?”

  ‘Vision adjusted,’ a female voice announced.

  Her eyes expanded. A platform above had blocked the divine punishment.

  So, your voice is nothing but a mere hallucination.

  “I said I want to die!” She yelled at Yajvan and charged towards the energy beam above. “And I am going to achieve it today! Nobody can stop me.”

  “Manya?” Atharv’s voice again reached her. The voice was real, not a result of her exhaustion.

  “Mamu, where are you? I thought you. Just tell me, where are you?”

  She heard a laughter and saw Yajvan clutching his stomach. “Twice!”

  The tale has been taken without authorization; if you see it on Amazon, report the incident.

  “…”

  He flew towards her and positioned himself under the ideal lighting, highlighting his features. Coughed to clear his throat and moved a few inches nearer to her. “Manya?” he said in Atharv’s voice.

  In less than a second, she fired gunshots at him, but they transformed into a shimmering glitter-like substance just inches before touching him.

  “Don’t take away the choice of death from me.”

  “After what you have gone through to achieve your goal. You want death?”

  “Goal? You had the power to save them, but you…”

  “And you just have to trust me, but you…”

  Trishark kept attacking the ocean with her divine punishments.

  Manya moved closer. “This was your motive, wasn’t it? Blaming it on Krishna and karma. I know I have little proof, but I am sure that you planned most of the things which I experienced. Why? Just so you could create a popular figure?”

  Yajvan shot a stern gaze. “Was it me who forced you to enter this world? Or become a ranker? You could have told the officials after the first mission. That you don’t want to become a ranker.”

  “You… You saw the opportunity to turn me into an object of fame.”

  “And you turned out to be the best. I have been lucky, haven’t I?”

  “Please, just leave me alone!”

  He shook his head. “That’ll ruin the fun. Ok, let’s keep it simple, no hidden agendas or scenarios. Defeat the last batch of them and I’ll give you a reward befitting the task.”

  “Let me die in peace. Please.”

  Yajvan grinned. “You’ll like the reward.”

  A display appeared in between them. She snatched it. “Mamu!” Atharv remained just as she had left him in the car, and so did the car. Sleeping. Most of his wounds were healed. No worry on his face. Her same old mamu from Earth.

  Yajvan removed the display.

  “… I also need something else,” Manya said.

  “What else?”

  “Trishul.”

  He gave the widest smile in the history of their moments. “I can make the exception for it, once. But on my terms.” He moved closer. “It won’t do much in your case, but. You can only use it once,” he forced her to shut up. “As a result, for denying my command,” He transformed the platform into a leaned extra comfortable chair. “You have 10 minutes.”

  “Hmm.” With a swift movement, she caught a black trident a few inches away from her head. Before she could understand the situation, it disappeared. Another one brushed past her. If not for quick reflex, it would have pierced her arm.

  “Trishark,” Yajvan said. “Are you having trouble against a mere mortal?”

  “Forgive me Master,” Trishark said.

  “Don’t become an excuse for a weakness for those who admire you.”

  “I won’t betray the faith you have bestowed upon me.”

  The trident’s power and speed increased exponentially. Making it impossible for Manya to dodge without a painful scratch. She gave a stern look to Yajvan.

  “Can’t show your half-hearted approach to my people, can I?” Yajvan said.

  “How are you, her master?” Manya said.

  “By altering my soul energy. Now don’t interrupt the fight.”

  Among the array of skills presented before her, a new skill appeared. It wouldn’t require any power. She was fighting for her life, and all he could do was liven his event.

  As she dodged her opponent’s attacks, Manya descended towards the ocean, feeling the powerful rush of the wind against her face. With all her might, Manya exerted herself to change the direction. “Now!”

  A colossal whale breached the water’s surface, its massive body soaring through the air, aimed at Trishark. But she dodged it.

  Whale’s effort wasn’t all in vain as the whale caught a portion of Trishark’s black wing. Before she could settle, another whale’s tail slammed into her.

  Aiming at Trishark, Manya pulled the trigger. The force was so strong that it made a hole in Trishark’s chest, caused her to submerge into the ocean.

  Manya let out a sigh of relief, but the sound of Yajvan choking on his drink interrupted her relief. A grin of victory crept her face.

  “4 minutes left,” Yajvan said.

  Confused, a pressure emitted from the ocean. Anger coursed through her veins like a raging river. Without wasting another second, Manya commanded a whale to trample Trishark.

  The whale’s powerful hit sent Trishark flying into Manya’s grasp. “This is for Ira.” As she crushed Trishark’s neck, it transformed into particles, leaving the head of Trishark floating just inches above her lifeless body, wearing an eerie smile.

  “Scared of Dark, human?” Darkness emanated from Trishark’s halo.

  Manya flew to the floor of the ocean faster than the darkness. She called upon every elemental calamity she knew of, as well as those within her reach, one by one.

  Stormy clouds covered the entire sky with thunder strongest among all she has ever seen, waterspouts, few but at their best. Wind, fast enough to blow away a small MNC building. There were more options to choose from, but she ended it with an ice shower. Darkness indeed trapped her, but she cracked it seconds later. And Trishark was back to being full-body.

  “2 minutes,” Yajvan said.