The Dark Pact Chapter 2

Azure looked troubled at his demand.

River sobbed, "Caelum, why did you lie to me and say Master was gravely injured so I'd rush over here? If not for you, Master wouldn't be in this difficult position!"

Azure looked at me with disbelief. "It was you? You tricked River into coming here? You hate him so much you'd send him to his death?"

Even though they had hurt me a thousand times before, hearing their baseless accusations still chilled my heart.

"We've been fighting this war for three days and three nights! We barely had time to save ourselves, let alone trick him into coming here!"

My explanation met Azure's eyes, and I could see she didn't believe me.

I lowered my head with a bitter smile. "Forget it. Why would you ever believe me?"

Ignis snorted coldly, looking at Noctis. "Everyone knows you brothers are experts at putting on an act. Noctis, were you involved in this? If you dare harm River, I'll divorce you!"

"As you wish," Noctis replied coldly, making Ignis uncomfortable.

"You..."

Before she could finish, the demon general interrupted. "I want that dragon now! Or else..."

River's face was pale as a ghost. "Mas... Master..."

At his weak cry, Azure instantly appeared by my side, tearing open my robes. "Bear with it. He's the only child my best friend left behind. I can't watch him die. Besides, this is your fault to begin with."

Without waiting for my reply, she plunged the knife in.

"Azure! Are you crazy?! He's your husband!" Noctis roared, struggling against his bonds. "Stop! Stop it!"

But nothing could stop her.

I trembled with pain, gritting my teeth as I asked her, "Is it really because of your friendship with his mother, or is it something else?"

Azure wouldn't meet my eyes, only quickening her movements.

The demon general watched with gleeful delight. "I heard Noctis has a Vitality Orb within him that can greatly increase one's cultivation. Fire Goddess..."

Before Ignis could speak, Noctis immediately said, "I'll give it to you! I'll give you anything! Just make Azure stop!"

"That won't do. You celestials always say everyone has their own fate. Today is his."

Ignis stood before Noctis and, without hesitation, began to extract his Vitality Orb. "I didn't like what you said earlier. Consider this a lesson."

Moments later, the general had what he wanted, laughing maniacally. "You five are truly fascinating. I've never seen anything like it. If you had to choose who lives and who dies?"

Everyone's face darkened at his words.

The elder couldn't stay silent any longer. "You absolutely cannot! If the Chaos Twins die, chaos will begin! Think of the Six Realms!"

We were born from the Sacred Tree of Mount Feng, the Twins of Chaos. Together, we could wipe out all life in the Six Realms and return everything to primordial chaos. But the realms also depended on the Sacred Tree; without it, all life would suffocate. That was why they feared us, yet couldn't live without us.

As Azure wavered, I looked at the demon general and rasped, "They've already made their choice. Can't you see?"

"Even if you asked them a thousand times, the result would be the same."

"Didn't your Demon Empress and Beast Queen want us brothers as their consorts? We'll go with you."

Noctis echoed me, "Yes, we are willing."

Azure panicked. "Caelum, how can you be so base? Willing to be a consort to vile creatures!"

"Are you both insane?!"

Their feigned concern didn't last long, cut short by River's sobbing.

"Master... Mistress Ignis... it's my fault for getting caught, making it impossible for you to escape. Let me bear the consequences."

He made a show of trying to kill himself.