Celestial Bloodline Chapter 949: Make me stronger II

The ominous shadows that Cassian overlooked were amassing high over his motionless frame, merging into a keen-edged weapon set to rip his essence to pieces. Azazeal's gaze stayed remote and frigid. He had already burned through the final traces of his patience during the prior instance when he allowed Kyle and his allies to escape with their lives—and such leniency would not recur. He had declared no further opportunities. Compassion ended once his elevation concluded.

And that vow lingered fresh in his thoughts.

Requesting Cassian to harvest the spirits of his nearest companions and surrender them amounted to a fleeting impulse. In truth, Azazeal recognized the unyielding nature of those near Kyle—unlike his own devoid existence without purpose. They preferred death over forsaking their cherished bonds.

Thus, he held zero anticipation that Cassian would yield to his command.

Yet on this occasion, his judgment erred. Prior to the shadowy edge descending, Cassian addressed him. The steady tone in his words rang with an empty resonance—the sort born from sacrificing all to attain an ambition.

"I will do it... I will do it."

"I will, I will bring you what you want."

"So, please... help me."

Azazeal halted briefly, then released a deep, icy laugh. The dark edge dispersed as he peered into Cassian’s eyes.

"Ah, you’ve just made things a little more interesting. You are... different—I can tell. You’re not ordinary, are you? So weak, yet your future is strangely unpredictable. Very well. Since it will be priceless to see Kyle’s face when he finds out about this, I’ll give you what you want. Serve me faithfully."

"My first Celestial Shadow General."

Without so much as lifting a finger, Azazeal watched the surrounding gloom rush ahead, infiltrating Cassian’s form and encasing his spirit. Yet that proved insufficient.

Merely dominating him failed to quench Azazeal's desire—he aimed to obliterate Cassian’s awareness completely, reshaping him into a marionette akin to Valance and the remaining Rulers.

After all, he loathed uncertainties. What if Cassian reconsidered down the line, with Kyle aiding him to defy his control?

Such a risk was unacceptable.

All must remain under his dominion.

Nothing could spiral beyond his command.

Not until he eradicated every being and entity.

In contrast to the Rulers, who succumbed helplessly to the gloom devouring their thoughts, various markings ignited across Cassian’s brow, guarding his psyche.

These matched the safeguard inscriptions Kyle had forged for the group upon entering the vault where Azazeal unearthed the Crimson Crown, tailored to shield against the gloom's corrupting influence. And right then, they shielded Cassian once more.

Azazeal observed the luminous markings on Cassian’s brow and burst into a booming laugh.

How entertaining.

He ceased his efforts.

Indeed, he had already bound Cassian’s spirit in servitude. Devouring his awareness served merely as extra caution—but forcing it appeared likely to trigger the markings, expelling his spirit and mind.

"Well, well... he’s really infuriating. And by the looks of it, he has reached a level in array mastery that no one else has."

He murmured thoughtfully before pivoting to depart.

"I have given you power. Do as I asked earlier, and I’ll grant you even more."

Like Azazeal, Cassian also spotted the radiant markings piercing the obscurity.

Evidently, he perceived distinctly how the markings defended his awareness.

A known voice resounded in his ears while he blankly fixed on Azazeal’s silhouette, which swiftly faded into the horizon.

’Dare to move again, and I swear I will break all your bones without hesitation!’

’Bind him to you and keep an eye on him!’

’That was the last time.’

’I helped you.’

Cassian chuckled, then dissolved into sobs.

Kyle had uttered every one of those phrases.

He had even vowed no further aid, yet repeatedly, support arrived from him.

Even as Cassian abandoned them all for strength, Kyle persisted in safeguarding him.

But at present... salvation eluded him.

Not even from Kyle, that compassionate soul.

In the end, he could only murmur.

"I am sorry... I am sorry... for being impatient. For being greedy. I am sorry."

His wounds mended at a pace plain to behold. Fresh tissue sprouted over fractured bones, weaving back as the gloom surging within him throbbed. The lingering golden clock emblem amid his collarbones quivered, resisting the mightier obscurity that had morphed him into a Dark Celestial, prior to dissolving into oblivion and merging with the elements.

Cassian rose to his feet once his form restored. The damage to his spirit continued mending, delivering sharp stings each time Azazeal's infused gloom brushed against it. His physique shattered its ceilings, surging straight to the edge of the 7th stage of the Celestial rank. For an extended period, he gazed vacantly at the shadowed heavens. Still, he sensed only deeper fracture within.

"Is this how you feel, Azazeal?"

"So painful."

"But I really don’t pity you. Because if I pitied you, then who would pity me."

He rose, a torrent of ancient recollections surging through his thoughts like illusions.

He recalled the initial day he grasped energy manipulation. The instance he conquered his debut technique. The revelation of a fundamental law. The discovery of the Celestial rank's presence. The choice to forsake all in its chase. The triumph of entry into the Celestial domain.

The encounter with Nathaniel.

The sting of betrayal.

All endured, akin to raw wounds, despite his vast progress.

Cassian summoned the essence of every natural law he commanded to probe his vicinity.

This timeless domain lacked inherent energy, yet he required it no longer. The gloom Azazeal unleashed throughout during his rise spread like an endless sea, ceaselessly restoring his vigor.

At last, his stare turned remote, mirroring his arrival into the Celestial domain anew with singular intent—vengeance—prior to crossing paths with Kyle and Ares.

"Strange... I can’t locate them anywhere. Where could they have teleported to?"

He cleared the crimson streaks from his visage and dissolved into the horizon, whispering.

"You can blame me. I promise that once I am done, I will pay for betraying you all—with my own life. I will, really, I promise."