Chapter 37: The Awakening of the Cursed Girl

Sometimes, when darkness covers everything, it is not light that answers… but another darkness.
One not born of hatred, but of pain.
One that seeks not revenge, but protection.
A darkness that burns not to destroy, but to keep the world from breaking any further.

The echoes of a god’s sacrifice still lingered in the air.
The battlefield—silent witness to the fall of a giant and the rise of a legend—was beginning to empty.
But when the cries of victory fade, that’s when true monsters are born… and true miracles as well.

Because not all heroes are born in glory,
and not all curses exist to destroy.

In the depths of despair, when all seems lost, there are those who awaken not by choice…
but because the world can no longer bear its own weight without them.

And so, while some cling to the past, others are only just beginning to understand what they truly are.

A battle had ended.
But a new story—marked by pain, awakening, and an ancient fury—was only beginning.

——————————————————————————————————————————

The lifeless body of Thor stood upright upon the serpent’s corpse, his fist still raised, as if even in death he refused to fall. Around him, the wind whispered in silence—as though even the gods themselves had run out of words.

“Thank you, Thor…” murmured Slangemorder, his voice rough and broken. “I swear I’ll carry on your legacy.”

Little by little, the surviving soldiers began to withdraw—some slowly, others unable to look back.
The war had not stopped; it had merely changed its stage.

Slangemorder remained still, alone before the corpse of the god of thunder, feeling that if he left him there, something within him would shatter.
But then… the air grew heavy.
Very heavy.

A dark presence emerged from the mist and smoke of battle.
It was dense. Viscous.
As if fear itself had taken form.

“Well, well…” said a mocking voice with theatrical amusement. “Now that was a death worthy of a god… even for someone like you, Thor.”

Slangemorder barely turned his head.
Who is that…?
His body wouldn’t respond.
Why can’t I move…?

The stranger smiled, revealing sharp, slender fangs.
A black star pulsed on his chest, half-hidden beneath a cloak that seemed to slither like something alive.

“Tch,” he clicked his tongue. “So there’s still someone left. I thought everyone was gone… how troublesome. Guess I’ll have to get my hands dirty.”

He merely raised a finger, and an invisible wave wrapped around Slangemorder.

Am I… going to die?
Fear clouded his thoughts.
Even breathing hurts…

The stranger walked toward him, slow yet casually relaxed, like one savoring an already-won victory. But just as he raised his hand to strike—

Clang.

A staff struck his wrist.

“Eh? Seriously?” he muttered in annoyance, glaring at the newcomer. “What the hell is someone like you doing here?”

The silhouette before him was unmistakable—a simian figure clad in light armor, with a carefree expression that didn’t match the sharp focus in his eyes.

“That’s exactly what I was going to ask you,” replied Sun Wukong, spinning his staff between his fingers. “What’s one of the top members of Black Lights doing here, wandering around like it’s your backyard?”

“You know me?”

“I’m not dumb enough not to recognize a black star when I see one,” Wukong’s tone darkened. “Though honestly, I recognized you by your stench.”

The stranger’s grin widened.

“Seems you know more than we thought. How irritating…” his voice grew lower, more menacing. “That leaves me with only one choice…”

An explosion of dark aura burst around him, shaking the ground and scattering debris through the air.

“I’ll just have to kill you both.”

Slangemorder could barely breathe. The power emanating from that being—it wasn’t that of a mere enemy.
No. This was an abomination.

“Step back, human,” said Wukong without looking at him. “Leave this to me.”

His voice was calm, but every word carried the weight of a mountain.

“No wonder they’re so infamous,” Wukong thought as his own energy surged. “Their power… it’s on par with a god’s.”

Then, suddenly—

The sky split open.
A beam of divine light descended from the heavens.
And with it… trumpets. Many of them.

The stranger turned, visibly annoyed.
“Oh no… you’ve got to be kidding me…”

He licked his lips and took a step back.

“Sorry, Monkey King. I’d love to stay and play, but now’s really not a good time.”

“You know,” Wukong replied with a sharp grin, “there’s someone who stands above even the gods…”

“A mere human.”

The stranger turned sharply toward the source of the light.
A figure was descending slowly from the sky, clad in white and golden armor.

Meanwhile, in another corner of the battlefield…

“Nai! Shu!” shouted Sara, running in desperation.

“Sara?” both of them said at once. “What are you doing here?”

“I should be asking you the same thing!” Sara snapped, crossing her arms. “What are you two doing here? And more importantly… what are you doing with a child in the middle of this hell?”

Shu didn’t answer immediately. He lowered his gaze to the little girl clinging tightly to his cloak.

“It’s a long story,” he finally said, still looking at her. “But we don’t have time to explain it now.”

“Where’s that stupid demon?” interrupted Nai, scanning the area with tension.

Sara’s eyes fell to the ground for a moment. Her voice grew heavier.

“About that…”

A thick silence followed. In just a few seconds, Sara explained everything she knew. Every word carried the weight of an unexpected betrayal.

“No way…” murmured Shu, disbelief in his eyes. “Isaac?”

“Well, well,” added Nai, ironically, “so the traitor was closer than we thought.”

“Shut up,” growled Shu. “That doesn’t make sense. There has to be a reason. He wouldn’t do this…”

“Maybe so,” Sara cut in, shrugging, “but I don’t know it. I only know what I heard.”

“Damn it, Isaac… why?”

Nai frowned, looking away. There was something else—something darker—looming nearby.

“I think we’ve got bigger problems right now.”

“Do you know where they took him?” Shu pressed, ignoring Nai’s warning.

“They didn’t say. Sorry.”

Shu clenched his fists, breathing deeply.

“I have to find them. Please, take care of the girl. I need to know what really happened.”

“Shu,” Nai called out, his tone lower this time.

“What?”

“Be careful, idiot.”

A faint smile appeared on Shu’s face.

“Thanks.”

And without another word, Shu vanished into the shadows of the ruined buildings, leaving behind a dense, uneasy silence.

“I didn’t expect that from you,” Sara remarked, glancing sideways at Nai.

“I just said what you were thinking.”

“Yeah, yeah…”

“Let’s move. The last thing I want is to run into one of those Jötuns we saw coming.”

The three began to move through the ruins of the city—silent, cautious—stepping over debris and corpses. The wind carried ash, turning the sky into a permanent gray.

“Any idea where the shelter is?” Nai asked.

“More or less… but at this pace, it’ll take a while.”

“I know. But we don’t have another choice.”

A dark premonition suddenly crept up Nai’s spine.

What is that presence…?

“Watch out!” he shouted, pushing Sara and the girl aside.

A metallic drill shot forward like a projectile, grazing the child’s face by mere millimeters. Though she escaped unharmed, Nai wasn’t as lucky—the projectile tore through his arm.

“Tch!” Nai stumbled back, gritting his teeth.

From a rooftop, a figure appeared with an arrogant grin.

“Well, well… I thought my first strike would take down all three of you,” said a Jötun, clad in gleaming metallic armor. His body reflected light like a soulless machine.

Nai glared at him, panting.
What the hell was that…? I barely managed to react. If I’d been a second slower…

Sara narrowed her eyes.
A metal technique? That was a huge mistake… to face Nai.

“Lightning!” Nai roared, extending his uninjured arm.

A massive bolt of lightning crashed down on the enemy. The ground shook violently, and a column of smoke rose into the air.

Sara exhaled.
That’s it. There’s no way he survived that.

But the voice returned—calm, mocking.

“Well, well… quite the power you’ve got. No wonder you’re the son of Thor.”

The figure emerged from the smoke—completely unscathed.

Nai took a step back.
“How…?”

“Surprised?” the Jötun smirked. “It’s true, a Jötun of metal should be weak against electricity… But my armor is coated in highly resistant ceramic. It doesn’t conduct electricity. So…”

In an instant, a metal rod shot out like a spear, piercing Nai straight through the abdomen.

“Gah…!” The boy coughed up blood, collapsing to his knees.

“Nai!” screamed Sara.

“What a disappointment,” the Jötun continued with disdain, slowly descending from the rooftop. “You’re nothing like your father. If he were in this situation… he’d handle it with a smile.”

Nai couldn’t stand. His legs refused to move. Blood soaked through his clothes, and his vision began to blur.

Am I really… going to die like this? he thought weakly. I couldn’t do anything. I just… got in the way.

Beside him, the little girl trembled in silence.
And before them, the enemy advanced with slow, certain steps—like someone who already knew he had won.

“Child,” Sara said in a firm voice, not taking her eyes off the enemy. “You’d better step back.”

“Y-Yes,” the girl stammered, taking trembling steps backward.

Sara inhaled deeply. She closed her eyes for a moment, as if saying farewell to something inside herself.
I hate you… with all my heart, she thought, clenching her fists. But you’re still my brother. And even if you’re worthless… I won’t let anyone touch you.

She opened her eyes. They burned red.
“I’ll kill him.”

A burst of power erupted from her body, making the air around her tremble. Her aura shifted—dense, ancient, almost primal—as if something sleeping in her blood had awakened after centuries.

“No one…”

Her pupils slit like those of a predator, and her ears began to lengthen, sharpening into elven points from legend.

“Touches…”

Her hair whipped wildly, turning white as the moon.

“…my family.”

Nai stared at her with wide, unbelieving eyes.
That form… it can’t be…

Otun narrowed his eyes, assessing the change.
“A… dark elf. Interesting. This could be fun.”

“I’ll tear you apart,” Sara roared, launching herself at him without warning.

Her speed was utterly different now—a white blur fueled by rage and power. Each strike was ferocious, desperate, laden with the strength of an unspoken oath. The air whistled with every blow; though Otun managed to dodge, each evasive motion cost him more.

Damn it… Otun thought, retreating with a scowl. If this keeps up… she’ll land one on me. I have no choice.

He seized an opening, slipped to the flank, and drove his fist into Sara’s stomach. The impact lifted her off the ground. A direct kick sent her flying until she slammed into a wall.

The crack of bones echoed across the silent field.

“Sara!” Nai cried, helpless.

A metal rod impaled the girl’s arm, pinning her to the wall. Her scream was wrenching.

“I’ll admit it,” Otun said, approaching, “you surprised me at first… but neither of you is my match.”

He paused. A spark crackled on the ground beneath his feet.

“Huh?”

A monumental lightning strike hit him full on, enveloping him in a column of smoke and electricity.

Nai forced himself to lift his head slightly.
Who—who did that? Was it her?

Sara panted. Her body trembled, but determination still shone in her eyes. With a cry of pain she tore the rod from her arm, leaving a bleeding wound that seemed not to matter to her.

I don’t know exactly when… but… something awakened. I felt Thor’s power for an instant… she thought.

Nai watched her, half propped up, fear and admiration colliding in his chest.
I can’t stay here. I have to do something… anything.

But before he could act, Otun reappeared behind Sara and broke both her arms with a single strike.

“Gahhh!” Sara screamed, her body collapsing like a broken doll.

The Jötun didn’t stop. He kicked her violently and sent her flying through several walls, a lifeless projectile.

Nai crawled and screamed, “SARA!”

Otun walked calmly, his heavy steps echoing on the stone. He approached Nai and stopped right in front of him.

“I must admit I didn’t expect this from you. I’m surprised you’re still alive after that wound.”

He grabbed Nai by the neck and lifted him easily.

“But it’s pointless if you can’t do anything. You’re still worthless.”

Nai tried to free himself, but his hands could barely move.

“Bastard…”

Otun smiled maliciously.
“And this time… you won’t be able to heal.”

His arm began to transform. Metal lengthened and sharpened into a monstrous blade aimed straight at Nai’s chest.

“Goodbye.”

The blade descended with force.

And then—

A radiance flared up behind Otun.

Otun’s tone was no longer arrogant.
It sounded like a roar trying to hide fear.

Slowly, a figure emerged through the mist of battle.
His armor gleamed with a celestial blend of pure gold and radiant white—
as if the sun itself had taken human form.

“Me?” he replied with a crooked smile. “Who knows… some call me the pink-haired idiot, others call me the strongest being in the world… and a few simply call me the pinnacle of all races.”

He stepped forward, a gleam in his eyes that could freeze the soul.
“But you… you can call me your executioner.”

Nai, his vision blurred, recognized him instantly.
“That’s…”

Shun winked at him with infuriating calm.
“And I’ll even give you some free advice: you shouldn’t hurt the young. They’re the future.”

Behind him, Sara held the little girl close, while Nai could barely keep his eyes open.
But none of them were within Otun’s reach anymore.

“What…?” Otun looked at his hand. Nai was gone.
“Damn it—when did he—?”

The answer came as a whisper by his ear.
“Too slow…”

Boom.
Shun’s strike sent him crashing to his knees instantly.
Otun spat blood, trembling.
Who the hell is this guy?

Shun stepped back, scanning the three with a sharp glance.
Two critically wounded. The girl’s malnourished… They won’t last long. I have to finish this fast.

“Watch out!” Sara yelled.

Otun sprang up and hurled his blade toward Shun’s head.
“Die!”

But Shun, without even turning fully, kicked upward—his heel striking Otun’s chin and sending him flying several meters until he smashed against a distant wall.

“Don’t ever try to attack me from behind again,” murmured Shun.

Otun collapsed, gasping, his body trembling.

“Are you all right?” Shun asked without looking back.

“More or less… but we’ve got a friend in danger,” Sara said weakly.

“Don’t worry. Someone’s already taking care of that,” Shun replied.

In the distance, a dark figure clad in black armor and wielding a massive sword was watching.

I need to end this now, thought Shun. For their sake.

“You’d better hide,” he ordered.

“Y-Yes…” the three nodded and hurried to take cover.

Otun, panting, began to stand again.
“Bastard… who do you think you are, turning your back on me?”

Shun didn’t even glance at him.
“Shut up. You’re too weak to speak to me.”

“What did you just say?! I’ll show you my true power!”

A surge of energy rippled through the air.
Otun roared, releasing a colossal force. His body began to warp, expand, mutate—
turning into a grotesque monstrosity of steel and rage.

“This is my true power! Feel honored—you’re one of the few who’ll ever see it!”

Shun looked at him, emotionless.
“That’s it?”

“What? You dare mock me?!”

“I was hoping to find someone strong,” Shun sighed. “Looks like I came to the wrong place.”

Otun screamed in fury.
“I’ll kill you!”

Shun exhaled softly.
I didn’t want to use even ten percent on someone like you… but if I don’t, one of them might die.

He rose into the air.

Otun staggered back, confused.
“What the hell…?”

From above, trumpets resounded.
A sacred light began to surround Shun’s body, as if the heavens themselves acknowledged him.

“Consider yourself privileged,” he said calmly. “You’ll be the first to witness ten percent of my power.”

Otun swallowed hard.
Ten percent? That amount of power… it’s not normal. This isn’t human… this isn’t possible.

Shun drew his blade of light, glowing with the brilliance of a thousand suns.

“Rest in peace.”

A column of light descended from the heavens—pure, immense—
and struck Otun like divine judgment.

“I’m not even… worthy to look upon his face…” Otun thought as the light consumed him.

The impact was cataclysmic.
Nearby mountains cracked. Buildings were obliterated. The very world trembled.

From afar, Sun Wukong, Slangemorder, Loki, and Odin watched in silence.

“This can’t be real…” whispered Odin.

The silence that followed the blast was otherworldly.

Shun descended slowly, sheathing his sword with elegance.
How boring… another enemy defeated without any effort.

Sara stared at him, trembling.
What was that…? That power… that man… not even Grandpa could compare. What is this being…?

Shun turned to the three.
“Shall we go? I still have a few things to take care of.”

“Y-Yes,” Sara replied.

And with a flash of white and gold, Shun teleported away with Nai, Sara, and the little girl.