NOVEL NEXT Chapter 1453: A Second Chance
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Dylan remained in silence, he didn't really know what to say at that point, Blake's words had come out of nowhere, and yet they struck deep in his heart, and his mind.
His past traumas, what he had to endure, the pain and sorrow, the resentment… the exhaustion.
What better would it do for him to do it all over again, and even worse, when everyone already knows who he was all this time?
But, at the same time, he was intrigued.
Would it be truly possible to go back? To somehow have a second chance?
Perhaps not as himself, but as someone else entirely? Or maybe, as something else entirely.
"I cannot simply bring you back to a human, my powers don't work that way… but I can do something similar to what I did to a friend of mine that died," Blake sighed. "I could not bear his lost, and brought him back, using all my power back then, power I've now regained."
And then, as Blake spoke, Dylan's eyes widened, in the palm of Blake's hands, there were two strange, glowing objects, a glowing golden and white crystal, and a black and red stone.
"These are the Fragments of Lucifer's Divinity and Demonic Authority, and also pieces of his Soul I tore apart from him through our battle… I can use their power to bring you back stronger than ever before."
"W-What?! But why would you go so far for me?!"
"I won't, I'm still keeping most of their power, but I can use them as catalyzers for your rebirth."
"…"
Dylan was silent.
Could he truly be brought back?
He had realized how much he missed his family, his mother and his father, his little siblings, his aunts… his grandfather.
All of those people he had not seen in years because of how much he was forced to work, to never stop fighting in this endless war.
He had done such foolish things, completely forgetting about what was most important to him, and the very reason why he was fighting and pushing himself so hard.
On his journey, he had lost himself, he had forgotten everything that mattered, and he regretted it, deep within him.
"Can I really go back? Won't everyone hate me?"
"Not necessarily. I can offer you two options."
Blake then moved his hands closer to the young-looking Dylan.
"The first option is to come back as how you were before, I will tell the population that you were brainwashed, or controlled, and that I have brought you back to your senses, even stronger than ever, you will swear to the people, by my side, to protect them and never let them down again."
"And the other is to assume you're dead, you will take upon a similar form, but your face will always be covered by a helmet, you will become my Spirit Familiar, and you will take upon a new identity."
"…"
Dylan was shocked, both options were amazing already, but the second one was indeed the most tempting, to leave everything behind and finally assume a new identity, to walk the path he always desired, it would bring him great joy to finally leave behind his persona as Dylan.
It was much better than apologizing to everyone, trying to make amends for the things he did while also trying to act like he was brainwashed, even though he was very sure he did it all willingly.
The first option was the glowing, bright Divinity of Lucifer, ad the second option was the Dark and Red Demonic Authority… it was quite clear that whichever option he choose, he would gain part of those powers.
His hand extended towards the second option, as Dylan felt tempted to finally redo everything from the start… and smiled.
His hands suddenly stopped, as he closed he looked at his side, his broken spirits were holding his arm, trying to stop him.
"Why? What are you doing?"
The spirits moved around, trying to make little sounds.
"But… if I go back to that life… I…!"
The spirits, even as shattered and weakened as they were, rushed to Dylan's side, one by one, they tried to hug him.
"…"
Dylan gritted his teeth, as tears fell from his eyes.
That's right.
Why didn't he think about them?
His companions, the friends he always had with him.
He was never alone… even though they couldn't talk, they were there for him.
And even then, they witnessed how he corrupted himself.
If anything, they were perhaps the true victims of everything that happened.
"So Dylan?" Blake asked. "What's your choice?"
Dylan's hand was about to reach the second option but stopped, and then he looked at the other.
In silence, without saying a word, he touched the bright crystal.
FLAAASH!
He felt the Divinity of an Archangel flow through him, it was only a fragment of it, and only part of such a fragment, and yet, its light embraced him with warmth.
"I think I've made up my mind… I cannot simply abandon the life I had before… my family and everyone else needs to learn the truth," Dylan said. "And above all… I could perhaps help you more this way."
"You're smart, indeed, you could help me by going back to the demonic cult and then letting me know about where they are and what they're planning to do," Blake nodded. "I've been thinking about finally wiping them all-out, which would also be something I wanted to do to avenge Erika."
"Erika? The pink-haired girl…" Dylan said. "Right, she's Cattalina's daughter…"
"Indeed," Blake nodded. "She was toyed by the demonic cult, and they manipulated her entire life and her family, they cursed her and made her die... her father used his powers and his puppet spirits to revive her as a puppet, and after years, once I met her, I helped her fully revive, as a new life, something similar to the Ancient Dryads."
"…Yes, I remember that." Dylan sighed, closing his eyes. "It's Lady Sathan's doing, she has ascended as the highest figure of authority in the Demonic Cult right now, residing in the Goldriver Kingdom's Capital. I can… I can help you find her."
Blake smiled, finally coming closer to his goals. "Good, thank you Dylan. Let's do this."
FLAAASH!
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