Mommy Villainess

"HOW PATHETIC," Kyro said while stepping on Winchell's back. "You tried to fight me with only half of your divine powers? Hah! You wouldn't be able to do so much as break my bone had you fought me in your beast form. So, what makes you think you could survive fighting me in your pathetic state?"     

He wasn't one to talk much, but it made him feel good after beating the Red Phoenix to a pulp.     

And he did it while he was in Aku Moonchester's body.     

It was easy because he knew how to destroy his fellow gods' Cores– which was the source of their divine power.     

Any god would have their Core in the same spot.     

"Your fake heart has always been your weakness, Winchell," Kyro continued. This time, he stepped on the back of the Red Phoenix' head. "I didn't expect it would break easily, though."     

Of course, it was only "easy" because he was the Moon God.     

Moreover, it was also made possible by the fact that he blessed Aku Moonchester's body to have the resilience needed to fight a god.     

"I have no use for a beast god's vessel, so I guess I have to say goodbye to you, Winchell."     

Beast Gods couldn't kill each other even if they tried.     

However, Kyro was the Moon God so that rule didn't apply to him.     

[I feel like I've only wasted my time here.]     

Kyro lazily raised his foot, ready to crush Winchell's skull with it.     

However, he was forced to stop moving when– all of a sudden– a pair of flaming red wings wrapped itself around his body.     

[Argh! These are Winchell's wings!]     

Much to Kyro's chagrin, he found himself getting lifted in the air– those damned wings still wrapped tightly around his body.     

"Winchell!"     

"Stop yelling my name, you lunatic god."     

Kyro looked down to glare at Winchell who slowly got up.     

Then the Red Phoenix looked up at him– his head and entire body bleeding. However, the fire in that bastard's eyes remained ablaze.     

[Those damned eyes remind me of my daughter-in-law's gaze.]     

And that was what he hated the most about the siblings.     

[How could they look at a major god so brazenly like that?]     

"I know I have no chance of winning against a major god like you," Winchell said, his face and tone both serious. The Red Phoenix had always been a cheeky brat, and it was rare for him to be this solemn. "However, I could at least force you out of Aku Moonchester's body."     

Ah, so that was his plan.     

Kyro laughed at the Red Phoenix's stupidity. "Go ahead and separate my soul from Aku Moonchester's body," he challenged the foolish Beast God. "Let's see what happens when a soul of a major god doesn't find a shell to use while he's in the human world."     

The answer was simple: Kyro would be forced to use his real body as a god.     

He would have to break the rule about gods being forbidden to descend in their real form, but perhaps it would be for the better?     

[Everything has been ruined already anyway.]     

"Fine, let's do this," Kyro said, his soul slowly detaching itself from Aku Moonchester's body. It was because of the heat of the Red Phoenix's flaming wings. If he didn't leave that shell now, it could burn his soul. Yes, only his soul. That was why Aku Moonchester's body remained unscathed. "Let's begin the second Holy War for real."     

"Do you think I'd be scared by that threat?" Winchell asked arrogantly. "Why would I be when my annoying yet lovely nephew is the God Slayer?"     

      

***     

<"ARE YOU really the Supreme's second son?">     

Julian, who found himself in the middle of an empty room, blinked while staring at the Holy Scepter.     

The talking Holy Scepter, to be precise.     

[Huh? What's happening now?]     

The last thing he remembered was getting burned to death by Serafina's flame. He might have passed out. But why did he suddenly find himself in a dream?     

A dream?     

[What if this wasn't a dream, though?]     

"Oh," Julian, who was already a jaded adult inside, said indifferently. "Did I die again?"     

<"You're still alive, you foolish child," the Holy Scepter scolded him. "But if they successfully extract me from your heart, you might really die.">     

"Ah, that's okay," he said, shrugging. "As long as they could use to fix the problem with the Abyss, then I can say that my death will be worth it. All I want is to be useful to my family, so that's enough for me to rest in peace."     

<"…">     

"Why are you looking at me like that?" he asked nervously. "I mean, you neither have a face nor a pair of eyes. But I can tell that you're looking at me in a very judgmental way."     

<"Don't you think your family would be sad if you died?">     

"Oh, no," he said while shaking his head. "Of course, I know that they would be sad about my death. It's because they are good people."     

<"It's because they are good people and not because they are your family?">     

He flinched, but he could only offer a smile in response.     

<"As expected, despite the assurance that your family has given you, you still think that you're not a real member of your family.">     

"It's not like that. I know that they love me," Julian denied firmly. "I just thought that if there was someone who had to die between me and Winter, then it has to be me. After all, Winter is the more important child. He's the one destined to kill Aku Moonchester. Moreover, he's the God Slayer."     

  <"Do you know why they can't extract me from your heart?">     

"Is… is it my fault?"     

<"Yes, it is because you're clinging to me with all your strength. You thought it was okay for you to sacrifice yourself for your family. But deep inside, you're afraid. You're afraid that once the Holy Scepter is finally extracted from you, then you'd no longer be useful to your family.">     

Julian laughed nervously. "That's not true…"     

<"If I'm wrong, then lift me– once you succeed, I'll be separated from you.">     

"I can do that then," he said confidently, then he stood up and held the Holy Scepter by its rod. "I will…"     

He froze.     

For some reason, his body suddenly froze.     

And, before he knew it, tears were already rolling down his cheeks.     

"Why?" Julian asked, and that was when he noticed that his hands were shaking. "Why am I crying?"     

<"Foolish child, let me give you a final gift.">     

And that was when the wall in front of him suddenly changed into what seemed like a gigantic screen…     

… that showed the faces of his family.     

His mother was holding Winter in her arms, and the two were riding on the beast form of his father.     

[Huh? Why is Father in his Black Serpent form?]     

<"What did you say?!">     

It was his mother's angry voice that echoed in the room, and it looked like his mother was talking to someone he couldn't see.     

<"What do you mean Julian is dead?!">     

Julian's eyes widened in shock. "I thought I'm not yet dead, though?"     

***     

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