749 Kro'Han Unsealed (2)
"What? Unsealed Kro'Han?" Ashton yelled in horror. As long as Kro'Han was sealed, they had an opportunity to contain him, but Astaroth had just freed the worst precursor in history! The slight possibility that Ashton had of winning the battle against Kro'Han was crushed into nothingness by Astaroth. Ashton, unable to contain his anger any longer, lunged towards the panel to try and stop Kro'Han from getting to Earth. But as he did, Astaroth grabbed Ashton by the shoulder and threw him backwards, placing himself between Ashton and the panel.
"What the hell are you doing!?" Ashton yelled again.
"Stopping you," Astaroth replied, turning his aura into a sword around his arms. nove(l)bi(n.)com
"You fucker! Have you gone insane!?" Ashton barked at Astaroth, who smiled bitterly.
Ashton didn't know why Astaroth had sided with Kro'Han, and Astaroth knew Ashton was too stubborn to hear anything he had to say. It wasn't like it would make any difference, either. Linea was Astaroth's responsibility, not Ashton's. Besides, Astaroth was dooming the entire universe for the sake of one person; how was anyone supposed to understand what he felt, knowing he would be the reason for the death of quadrillions of beings across the galaxy? In the end, Astaroth just shook his head and tried convincing himself that he was doing the right thing, even if it was the wrong way. Either way, when everything was finished, he would be dead. In Astaroth's opinion, it was better to face death alone with all the problems rather than trying to make others understand his inner struggles.
"Love can make you do weird things," Astaroth finally said. "You know it better than anyone else."
Astaroth understood what Ashton was about to do, and his expression changed. He tried freeing himself from Ashton's grasp, but the latter's hand was firmly pressed against his chest, refusing to budge. "Ashton, you have no idea what you're doing!" Astaroth tried reasoning with him once force didn't work, but Ashton was having none of it. "Guess what? I don't give a fuck anymore."
With that, Ashton threw Balmond towards the panel, hoping to destroy it before Kro'Han's arrival. Astaroth, refusing to accept defeat, summoned every ounce of strength in a final attempt to intervene. Just as Balmond neared the panel, Astaroth's hand desperately attempted to redirect the sword's trajectory.
However, Ashton stopped Astaroth from manipulating his aura. It was too late for Astaroth to do anything. Ashton's victory seemed inevitable.
Suddenly, a hand broke through the portal, grabbing the blade before it could hit the panel. Ashton's eyes widened in disbelief as the hand effortlessly crushed Balmond, the once-mighty sword now reduced to useless shards.
An ominous aura surrounded the chamber as Kro'Han walked out of the portal. As he breathed freedom, an evil grin found its place on Kro'Han's face.
"Finally... your curse has been undone, brother!" Kro'Han roared while Ashton's heart sank as he realised the direness of the situation. The apocalypse has arrived at Earth's doorstep.