Becoming a Monster

Chapter 319: Chapter 319: Bridge Created from Sacrifices

”You two,” Her voice reached out, startling the couple who could not take their eyes off Noah fighting in the distance. Even when bathed by the angels’ aura, their eyes were still filled with a terrified panic that was different from the others.

Many eyes were drawn curiously to the two. looks of disdain and reproach were directed towards them, the parents that were able to give birth to not only a monster, but a confirmed devil.

Noah’s parents frighteningly looked towards the angel, the source of the voice that had spoken to them, not realizing that her voice was only able to reach them at this time.

”I know what you have done, you bear many sins, but giving death to a devil seed is not a sin that you should have to carry.”

The angel’s voice, though soft, was heavy with judgement that was disguised as grace.

”You saw the evil taking root in your own flesh and blood and chose righteousness. But the world condemned you for it. But I do not condemn you. You did what was necessary. And now...”

She extended her hand, a gesture so inviting it almost looked maternal. And when she spoke again, everyone was able to hear her.

”I am offering you two the chance to redeem the world of what once came from you. To give you the chance to rectify your sin, and clear your past so your virtues can be reborn in the eyes of our savior. Through you, the corruption that defied the heavens can be subdued. Are you willing?”

Noah’s mother trembled, eyes watering from a burden she felt that was being released from her heavy heart. His father didn’t move at first. His fist remained clench, knuckles turning white as if his body were at war with itself. The shame he bore when the others found out his son had murdered Vincent’s child only furthered his wrath.

He hated Noah, more than when he was under their roof. He despised him even more after being made into such a pathetic state after begging for forgiveness when it should be Noah who should be asking for theirs.

When he looked over and saw his wife stepping forward, her hand outstretched, he firmly made his decision. He made sure to step in front of her as he spoke for the two of them. Not because he was acting as her protector, but because he wanted the angel to see his worth, his resolve, as greater than hers.

”We’ll do it! If this is what it takes to erase what we brought into this world...we are willing to fulfill our duties.”

He didn’t even glance at his wife as he said it. In his mind, it had to be him the angel looked at, him she remembered. If both of them were going to acquire the power that could allow them to rise to Noah’s strength, he at least wanted to curry favor in hopes that he was favored in the selection when that power was distributed.

At that moment, the angel smiled inwardly. Not with joy, but of success.

She glanced around her, to people like Vincent. Then she glanced to the top of the stair to see a small group of individuals who were looking down at her, who weren’t willing to give their souls for her lord.

One of those individuals was Regina, and the few that still followed by her side. The expression on Regina’s face was almost the same as Vincent’s. She could tell that the angel was lying. But unlike Vincent, she was certain beyond a doubt that the angel was lying.

It wasn’t that her intuition was better than his, but because she had a unique skill all this time. A skill that she hadn’t indulged to anyone but Pam who shared all her burdens. It was why she was able to survive all this time. A skill that went unnoticed, a skill that was always in action. It was both useful and useless at the same time.

A skill that allows her to sense the intentions of sentient creatures. It was because of this reason she could pinpoint who she could manipulate based on her attraction. And it was also the reason why back then she never stood up for Neal when he had finally made Noah snap. She could sense that at the moment Noah had every intention to kill anyone who dared to support Neal.

And now that skill has proven its worth yet again. Where others heard a plea to save mankind, she sensed the condescension the angel held towards them. At the moment she had already made up her mind to distrust anything that she said.

Pam looked at her. ”You’re not going to stay quiet, are you.”

”And why not?” Regina answered, her eyes no longer looking at the blind humans who were throwing away their lives, but towards Noah. Hatred and deep fear reflected in her gaze.

”I’m choosing what will help me survive. That angel clearly needs the others to take care of Noah. Why would I stop her?” Her gaze turned unfocused, no longer was she entertaining the conversation. Instead, she was muttering to herself, a mantra. ”Just die, die, die...” She repeated as she stared daggers into Noah’s nightmarish form.

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On the other hand, the angel didn’t mind the unwilling participants anymore, her time was running low. Golden light fell over the couple, isolating them in divine radiance that became a beacon for the others who were already bathing in holy light. The angel’s wings flared even more, casting long shadows across the room. What she was about to do was something that all messengers, who were not known as God’s soldiers could do, summon an envoy to carry out his judgment.

”You two who have been chosen shall serve as vessels,” she declared. ”Through you, the stain that defies the divine shall be cleansed.

The moment she uttered the word ’vessel’, the euphoric eagerness in Noah’s parents’ eyes warped to sheer panic and an even deeper regret. Their mouths snapped open to voice their dissatisfaction, to denounce the pledge they had so foolishly given. But that moment had passed. Sound didn’t escape their gapped mouths, nor did sound enter their ears.

Their feet lifted from the ground as if snatched by invisible chains, and their bodies hung in the air like offerings before an altar.

Their eyes, once filled with tears of release, now bulged with horror. Their arms flailed for only a moment before falling limp, yet their hearts still beat, their minds still screamed.

Initially, the others who did not choose to be vessels were afraid, yet they were also relieved. Relieved that it wasn’t them who was chosen. Not one person who spoke up about Noah’s parents’ behavior, or the fact that the angel didn’t disclose the fact that what they were choosing was essentially forfeiting their life for what the angel viewed as redemption.

However, that initial relief was short-lived. Because the moment the couple was uplifted into the air, the true ritual had begun. To become vessels, the angel still needed the energy to call forth her envoy, but in this case, she stretched the limits, attempting to bring forth an additional one, but at the cost of a weaker summoning.

The room began to tremble, gasping completely filled the room as one by one. Each individual that was glowing, released a beam of the energy enveloping them that traveled to the suspended couple.

At first there was just surprise, but as time drew on, and the light that bridged them to the parents continued, they sensed their bodies growing weaker. Not in a way that made them feel tired or drained, but in a way that was wrong. Something fundamental was being pulled from them.

And then they realized that they too were unable to move.

Cries echoed much louder than even when compared to Noah’s powerful attacks. Profanities and curses were directed towards the angel.

The angel made no effort to console them, or to denounce their blasphemy. It was her father who would judge them, she was merely doing her duty. Screams were the price of salvation. Fear was the natural reaction of those still tainted by sin.

Her expression remained detached. Almost pitying.

But as the divine light intensified. She felt a danger that surpassed the danger she felt from Noah. It wasn’t panic she felt, but true fear. The divinity within her was reacting powerfully to the danger.

Her ”face” snapped toward the source, drawn by an instinct she couldn’t rationalize, only to lock eyes with something she shouldn’t have overlooked. An undead.

Ava’s eyes were fervent. It wasn’t filled with greed, but an undiluted hatred that was even greater than Noah’s. But it was unclear what was the cause, and why that rage only surfaced at the moment of the ritual.

The angel didn’t have the answer to Ava’s identity, she couldn’t answer why a lowly undead could trigger such a reaction from her.

With the new threat, and the approaching envoys. The angel clasped her hands together as she looked up above her, looking past the ceiling, past the sky, hoping her faith would be noticed.

”Father, see me. Hear me. Let your hand descend. Show me the path through the trials I have wrought. In your flame, I burn. In your light, I rise.”