I Am The Game's Villain

Chapter 344  [Event] [Dolphian Kingdom Under Ruins] [30] Athena's Providence

Over a decade ago...

In the shadow of the Holy Tree of Eden, the moon cast its glow upon a solemn gathering.

"I...beg you...take him," a woman's voice trembled through the night.

Lydia Alea Olphean stood there, barely twenty, cradling a small, white-haired boy in her arms, tears streaming down her face.

"Alea..." Another woman, resembling Lydia save for her dark hair, gazed at her younger sister with sorrow.

Seeing her nephew, Amael, in such a state pained her deeply too.

"Oryanna...please..." Lydia implored once more.

Oryanna's face twisted in anguish, her eyes already weary from sleepless nights and now burdened further by grim news.

"I'm asking you too, Oryanna, and you as well, brother," a tall man approached Lydia, gently touching his son's face in her arms. He was Kleines Falkrona.

"...what's happened, Kleines?" Thomen, looking as worn and broken as Oryanna, asked his younger brother.

"It's complex, brother..." Kleines sighed, a bitter smile touching his lips as he stroked Amael's hair. "But...the Olphean Bloodline clashes with something else within him..."

"He's been suffering for days... I can't bear to see him in pain any longer... so we... we decided to seal it," Lydia explained, placing a coin pendant around Amael's neck.

"I see…" Oryanna replied, her uncertainty mirroring Thomen's.

It wasn't that they didn't want to take Amael with them. He was their nephew, and their love for him ran deep. But recent events had cast a heavy pall over their household.

Elona, their daughter, had been temporarily entrusted to Belle Falkrona so that Oryanna and Thomen could gather themselves.

"I know... this isn't the ideal time for you..." Lydia bit her lip. "...Edwin was like a son to me too..."

Oryanna's fists clenched, tears finally breaking free.

Edwin Falkrona, Oryanna and Thomen's eldest son and Elona's older brother, had passed away just days ago, a tragedy yet unknown to anyone outside the immediate family.

"Amael is in danger here..." Kleines remarked. "It can't be a coincidence. First Edwin, now Amael..."

Thomen gritted his teeth before sighing. "We'll do it."

"T-Thomen?" Oryanna looked at him, bewildered.

"No one outside the family knows about Edwin's death... and he hardly interacted with others due to his condition. We've kept to ourselves, stayed in our mansion to avoid threats, though it didn't save Edwin in the end. But Elona remains unaware. She's lost memories due to the trauma, and that's a blessing. We'll care for and raise Amael as our own, for Elona and for us. We need to pull ourselves together, Oryanna," Thomen explained.

Oryanna bowed her head for a moment, then turned to her younger sister, whose face was etched with sorrow. She was afraid of losing Amael, just as Oryanna feared for her own son.

Gazing at Amael, a tender smile graced Oryanna's lips as she caressed his face. "Okay, Alea."

Alea kissed Amael's forehead gently and passed him to Oryanna.

"You can visit whenever you like, or rather, you should. He's your son, after all," Thomen said.

"I will, but I'll have to assume your identity, sister. Amael shouldn't know his true identity and mustn't return to Sancta Vedelia, at least until he can defend himself," Lydia stated.

"I'll handle the nobles here. For those who knew Amael, we'll say he succumbed to illness. You should do the same in Celesta. No one knows about Edwin, correct?" Kleines asked.

"Yes... Edwin was raised by father, and just as we brought him to Celesta..." Thomen's fists clenched with emotion.

Kleines placed a comforting hand on Thomen's shoulder. "You have to stay strong, Thomen. For Elona."

Thomen managed a bitter smile. "Yes."

***

"Why am I seeing this?" I asked.

"I thought you would appreciate it, Alea's son," a woman's voice echoed behind me.

Turning, I beheld a stunning figure, her beauty transcendent. Her long, golden hair cascaded around her, and her bright green eyes shimmered.

"Athena, I presume?" Athena smiled. "Indeed."

"So, is this some sort of alternate dimension resulting from my awakening?" I asked.

"No," Athena shook her head. "Perhaps 'recording' would be a better term."

"Recording?" I furrowed my brow.

"Unfortunately, yes. I passed away years ago, but I took measures to prepare for your awakening, the last of my bloodline," Athena clarified.

"You died...?" I trailed off, surprised.

"There's no need for astonishment," Athena sighed, surveying the expansive white surroundings. "I lived my life on my own terms, knowing my end would come eventually. It just arrived sooner than expected."

"Well, I'm sorry to hear that," I mumbled, unsure of what else to say.

Athena chuckled softly, approaching me. "You resemble Connor more now."

"Connor... right, you knew him," I muttered.

Athena nodded. "Connor was destined for greatness. Incredibly gifted and wise. His only flaw, perhaps, was his excessive concern for others."

"I share that sentiment," I agreed.

Athena smiled sadly, gazing at me. "He missed you dearly, Amael. He was eagerly anticipating seeing you again."

"..."

"May I talk to you about a personal and much more serious matter now, Amael?" Athena's tone became serious.

I nodded at her.

…

…

After my conversation with Athena, a heavy silence settled in.

"It seems my time is finally coming to an end in every sense," Athena murmured, her form beginning to dissolve into particles.

"Thank you, for sharing that with me," I said genuinely. "It was something I needed to hear."

A gentle smile graced Athena's lips. "Please, take care of Alea and Christina. They are like daughters to me, just as you are like a son, even though I didn't get to see you grow up after you left Sancta Vedelia. Still take care of yourself as well."

"Don't worry. You can rest assured," I reassured her.

As Athena faded away completely, she left me with her parting words.

"Take care of Cleenah for me."

"I will," I nodded.

She didn't need to request that because I will do it anyway.

***

-RUUUUUUMBLE!!!

I blinked, finding myself back in the sealed room with the Horn beside me.

Lomar observed me with extreme caution.

Glancing down at my hands, I noticed they were emitting an amberish glow. My hair had transformed to pure white, and my once-black irises now gleamed with amber hues. A radiant amber aura enveloped my entire being, while an emblem manifested on my left hand, pulsating with intense energy. Different from the emblem on Christina's or mom's hand.

____

[Edward Amael Falkrona/ Idea Olphean] [17]

[8th Ascension]

[Amael Idea Olphean Synchronization: 72% ]

[Nyrel Loyster Synchronization: 38%]

[Charm: 77]

[Vysindra's Oath~8th Ring~]

[Spirit Lord~6th Anima's Core~] [Needle of Fate~3rd Needle~]

[Athena's Providence] [???]

____

"Hell yes…!" I exclaimed, clenching my fists as I felt the surge of mana coursing through me.

The ground trembled violently, but I swiftly brought my mana under control, halting the upheaval in an instant.

My mastery over mana had grown exponentially, and my senses sharpened immensely since awakening. However, the euphoria wouldn't last long before my body weakened, adjusting to my newfound power, akin to Alicia's experience.

I needed to act fast.

-BAM!

I instinctively dodged, narrowly avoiding a strike that could have cost me my head. Though the shockwave threatened to rupture my eardrums, the War Aura shielded me from harm.

Lomar emitted a fierce shriek as he materialized before me in an instant.

I prepared to evade, but remembering Celeste behind me, I sidestepped and delivered a swift knee strike.

-BAM!

Lomar's body bent unnaturally as he was sent hurtling at incredible speed, crashing into the wall.

Launching myself forward, I found myself already face-to-face with a bewildered Lomar.

Pivoting on my heel, I delivered a powerful kick to his stomach.

-BOOM!

The entire wall crumbled under the force of the impact as Lomar spat out a mouthful of blood.

Moving swiftly, I grabbed one of his tails, tightening my grip before wrenching it away with force.

I smirked triumphantly, discarding Lomar's tail like trash. "I feel completely reborn, Lomar. Hm?"

-BAM!

Lomar's fists struck my face, sending me sliding back several meters. Wiping my lips, I saw the blood staining my skin. He was still a Commander of Behemoth, after all. I shouldn't underestimate him.

"As the first witness and opponent of my awakened form, allow me to show you the vast difference between us, little Hybrid," I declared arrogantly, positioning my left hand above my right.

The emblem on my left hand pulsed even more intensely as an amber vertical line materialized between my palms, gradually taking shape.

-RUMBLE!

The ground beneath my hands split apart under the sheer pressure, and both floor and ceiling were pierced by the amber aura.

After a few more moments, I clenched my fists.

-BOOM!

A shockwave rippled outwards, and something materialized between my hands.

"Athena's Providence. Divine Sword, Perseus." n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om

An ethereal amber longsword materialized, adorned with unique patterns and a white hilt. The blade was long and slightly curved at the tip.

Seeing Lomar take a step back, I smiled sadistically. "Don't be scared already, Lomar."

-BAM!

As I swung Perseus through the air, an amber shockwave formed, creating a wave-blade that cleaved through everything in its path. Though Lomar narrowly dodged, the wall behind him was sliced clean through like butter.

Pointing Perseus at Lomar, I grinned. "You'd best prepare yourself instead of just admiring my new form, though I must admit, it does look rather intimidating."

Perseus glowed brightly, its blade shimmering until, with a thunderous sound, several wave-blades shot forth.

-BOOOOOOM!

Each wave cut through everything in its path—the walls, the ground, the ceiling, and even the area where the Horn was glowing.

"AURGHH!" Lomar groaned as one of the blades sliced a sizable chunk from his leg.

"Don't look away, Commander of Behemoth," I advised kindly as more waves surged towards him.

Lomar attempted to move, but his left leg remained immobile. When he glanced down, his eyes widened in shock.

His leg—or rather, the wound inflicted upon it—glowed with an amber hue.

"Oh, I almost forgot to mention," I swirled Perseus in my hand and traced the blade with my index finger. "Perseus's blade once severed Medusa's head and was bathed in her blood. Setting aside the gruesome details, anything touched by Perseus's blade becomes 'cursed.' Quite useful, wouldn't you agree?"

-BOOOM!

Unable to evade the remaining blades, Lomar was hurled against the wall once more. This time, the wound in his stomach began to petrify, taking on an amber hue.

Lomar's form slowly began to fade as he reverted to his normal state, having sustained significant damage.

"Y-YOU!!!!"

I scratched my ear, finding the commotion irritating.

Snapping my fingers, Perseus vanished, leaving Lomar puzzled.

"Don't get too happy," I widened my smirk, extending my hands as though grasping a bow.

-RUUUUUUMBLE!

"Athena's Providence. Come forth, Khryselakatos."

-BOOOOM!

Horror contorted Lomar's expression as he beheld the magnificent shimmering bow in my grasp.

"We're only just beginning, so..." I pulled the string taut, conjuring a stunning amber arrow between my fingers. "Don't make it too easy."