TFSAWE - Chapter 270: Light and Love

A colossal explosion of power ensued.

The body of the ancient god crumbled. The golden radiance that enshrouded the world shattered into fragments, vanishing into the ground like drifting sand before it could even touch the earth.

Latvan descended alongside the colossal head of the vanishing beast, crashing to the ground. Although he had utilized the strength of his vigor to shield his body before impact, the shock was not entirely eradicated. However, the physical pain was of no consequence now. His immediate concern was to assess Aslan's condition. Yet, no matter how hard he looked, he could not harbor even the slightest hope that he would find Aslan alive.

The loathsome monster was a repulsive sight. Nonetheless, the flesh it had exhibited towards him within the stronghold had always been sincere—an authentic monster that had held Lina as its possession.

There was no reason for Latvan to harbor any favor towards Aslan. Nevertheless, at this moment, Latvan wished for Aslan to remain alive.

"Not over yet."

Latvan swiftly turned his gaze at the sound of Aslan's voice. There, the severed core of the god wriggled about. It once again dyed the surroundings in the same hue as itself.

"Bring me closer."

"Why?"

“So long as that's the case, I'll be okay. So, I'll have to find a way to stop being God."

Reluctantly, Latvan hesitated for a moment before pulling Aslan's melting body closer to the core of the divine nucleus.

As soon as Aslan's body was placed near the heart of the essence, the ancient deity sensed his magical power and swiftly extended its form. In an instant, Aslan's body was enveloped in a golden hue. By his side, Latvan unsheathed his sword and gathered his strength. In case anything went wrong, he would have to strike without hesitation.

"Aslan! Latvan!"

At that moment, a voice called out to them from afar.

I rushed toward Latvan and Aslan as if possessed by madness.

No, can I even call that Aslan? It seemed as if most of his body had disappeared, leaving behind only his partially melted head. However, when I shouted, I saw Aslan's pupils flicker. Undoubtedly, he could hear my voice.

"Do not approach!"

As I drew near, Latvan stood in my way.

"Step aside! Aslan! Aslan!"

I tried to push Latvan aside, but he firmly held me, refusing to budge. I resented Latvan and yelled at him with a voice full of blame.

"Why did you take Aslan to that thing? Aslan!"

As I attempted to unleash my power towards him, I became disheartened, realizing that my abilities would be of no help to him. Powers couldn't heal someone with magical essence. Even creating a barrier would be useless.

"It's what he wanted."

"What are you saying?"

"He said he must make it so that it is no longer a god!"

As Latvan spoke, a dazzling light burst forth from behind us. I covered my face with my arms and looked at the spot where Aslan had been. The golden light covered the ground, but it wasn't pure gold anymore. It had taken on a reddish hue. The light spread rapidly and engulfed me.

"Lady Lina!"

Latvan urgently tried to strike down the light that ascended from my held hand, but I raised my hand to stop him.

This light wasn't trying to kill me.

"Aslan?"

The sensation felt as if a gentle stroke caressed my arm, a familiar touch that resonated deeply within me. As I mumbled to myself, a gathering radiance materialized before me, slowly taking on a familiar form.

"Aslan."

In no time, Aslan stood before me. However, his appearance was translucent, as if to remind me that he was not truly real.

"How..how is this possible?"

"Divine intervention, my friend. The shattered nucleus compelled me to consume you with a powerful force in order to mend my incompleteness."

Though Aslan spoke nonchalantly, I was left dumbfounded by the meaning of his words.

"Why...why would that be?"

"He is a deity, one that cannot be killed. If left as he is, he will undoubtedly regain his strength and attempt to kill you. In order to prevent that, the only solution I could conceive was to remove his godhood."

Aslan lowered his gaze, seemingly intrigued by his form composed of light, and continued to speak.

"Now, I will remain by your side, bound to this entity. Whenever it tries to take your life, I will be there to stop it."

I was rendered speechless. No matter how powerful I may be, I am but a human. Even if I were to possess Evelina's body, I would still be a fleeting existence, destined to live for a few more decades at most. Aslan, on the other hand, relinquished his own existence for that moment, despite the fact that he would live on indefinitely.

As Aslan's figure began to fade, it became clear that he was preparing to slumber alongside the divine.

"Thus, go and see what you desire, travel wherever you wish. Never forget that I am watching over every step you take."

"Aslan..."

My vision blurred as tears welled up. Aslan, despite being a mere apparition, smirked at my tearful state and bowed his head. His lips, undoubtedly a mere illusion, swallowed my tears.

"Do not wear such a face, as you are not dying. You are now a demigod, and on rare occasions, when the power in this continent becomes unsettled and unstable, it will be possible for me to manifest myself. ."

Before Aslan finished speaking, I responded.

"I will go and find you."

Thanks to the knowledge bestowed upon me by Evelina's memories, I knew what he meant by manifestation. Places where miracles could occur in this continent—locations where the weakening of the power maintaining this world would result in intermingling with other realms. And in such places, beings with tremendous power could break free from the laws of this world and reveal their true forms.

I now understood that those places were the only ones where I could see Aslan.

"I will come to find you. So please..."

As I spoke, Aslan smiled.

"I will be waiting, my friend."

And that was the last of it.

Aslan vanished without a final farewell. The ancient god's radiant light, tinged with crimson, slowly seeped beneath the ground, concealing his traces.

In the aftermath, as if nothing had ever happened amidst the ruins, the clear sky bathed the land in sunlight.