It was over. After centuries of fighting, she had failed to reach a level to defeat her tormentor, she was beaten and placed in a cage, and unlike previous times, it was not gilded. Instead, Aqua's lifeless eyes stared at the damp cell walls.
Her hands were burdened by heavy chains, and her neck was locked by a shock collar.
Her ankles were heavy iron rings, and her dress was transparent, leaving nothing to the imagination. Her face was stained by tears, yet there was nothing she could do anymore.
All her teachers died, and even Sun God had been subjugated.
She rubbed her legs together, the abuse she had experienced every day made her body shake, yet she was immortal. No matter how long it passed, she would be the Supreme God's slave.
"Slave!" A rough paladin's voice reached her, forcing her to make eye contact with him.
"Y…yes, master?"
"Time for your daily duty, our lord is waiting!" He ordered while opening the cell.
She tried to scuttle away, but the instant she thought of disobeying the collar shocked her, making her gasp for air.
A slap connected to her face, making her fall.
He placed his foot on her head, dirtying her hair even more. "You will learn to love your place, as all mortal women do."
"Y…yes, master. I understand," she spoke through her tears.
The warden unlocked her chains and forced her to follow after him.
Her bare feet shook out the fear, no matter how many times she had been used, it brought great pain both physically and mentally.
Someone save me, please!
Soon, they reached a grand door, which soon opened.
She was kicked in the back, forcing her into the Supreme God's chambers. "Wait for our lord on the bed, slave."
She obeyed and quickly lay down. A stream of tears trailed down her face. Nobody was left to save her, everything had been taken, and only a slave remained in her place.
Blackflame Twilight, unleash me. I can make your torment stop, I can end everything. Let me consume all that stands in your way.
A dark, corrupting voice reverberated inside her head.
Soon her tormentor entered the room, and she turned her head away, hoping that he wouldn't take too long with her body.
His mouth moved, yet no sound came.
Do you see it? There is nothing left but me. Become a predator of the cosmos, become what even the gods fear. Destroy and consume, by my will. Surrender yourself… to me.
Her memories flashed before her. Umbra, Sun God, and everyone who taught and saved her life.
Why had she failed? She could not let them all down and remain a god's plaything.
No, something is wrong. Sun God could never have fallen to the likes of Supreme Parasite! Black Flame is lying like it always does!
"No, I have not failed! I have won! Your lies will not work on me! I have gained a new life, you won't take it from me!" She shouted, snapping herself out of the fear.
Her body changed, her transparent dress replaced by her coat, and a blazing halo sparked above her head. Her shackles melted, and the collar turned to dust.
In an instant, the Supreme God's form burned in black fire, together with the scenery.
***
Aqua woke up in her bed, her eyes locked onto the familiar ceiling of Umbra's home. She reached toward it and closed her fist. A small smile formed on her face, and she jumped out of bed.
She wore a simple white nightgown, and her hair was messy. However, she had something important to do this morning.
She rushed out of her room and ran straight toward Umbra's room.
She opened the door, finding her dearest teacher sitting on the bed and reading a book.
"Mistress Umbra, I love you! Please marry me!" She shouted while bowing deeply.
The girl placed her book down and sneered. "No, you do not deserve me, worthless elf," she spoke mockingly, making Aqua step back.
"W…what?"
"I hate you, I have always hated you. You are everything wrong with this world!"
Her heart sank, and a pit in her stomach opened. Her tears streamed down her face. Why? I have done my best. Why do you hate me?!
Everyone hates you, even your first love.
Umbra stood up from the bed and grabbed her hair. "Come with me, your new family is waiting."
Umbra dragged Aqua by her hair, pulling her onto an open field. "It hurts! Stop, Umbra!"
She threw Aqua at the field, and she was quickly surrounded by a squad of exterminators. "You are coming to our lord!"
Her eyes widened, and locked on her teacher, who betrayed her after going through so much together.
A pillar of flame appeared before her, and Sun God's glorious form stood before her. Sun God, please save me! She reached forward, yet the world soul stepped back.
"I hate you too. I should have never offered you guidance. Go to the Supreme God, be a good girl to him."
They grabbed her hair and dragged her, despite her screams.
Her eyes were stuck on Umbra and Sun God.
Look at them, they betrayed you after everything. After you trusted them with your life. After you have given them your unconditional love. A horrible chuckle echoed around her.
This isn't correct. This is not what happened! Umbra and Sun God would never betray me!
Even those you cherish the most will give up on you.
She thrashed and escaped the grip, running toward her teacher. "You would never betray me!"
She wrapped her arms around the black-haired girl, her body grew to her prime, and her clothing changed into her protective outfit.
Sun God and Umbra burned in the black flame, melting away the scenery around her.
***
Aqua rushed through the academy halls, her hands wrapped around a large bouquet. She wanted to surprise her future wife and gift her some beautiful flowers she had cultivated herself.
It did not take long for her to find the most beautiful woman in the world.
She smiled warmly and rushed ahead.
She waved excitedly. "Azu!"
"My star! I missed you!" She exclaimed before jumping into Aqua's embrace.
The duo hugged for a while before Aqua separated and presented her bouquet to the woman. "This is for you… for the most beautiful girl in the world."
However, instead of acceptance, Azure looked at her with disgust. "Is this everything you can provide for me? You really are worthless," she spoke with disdain before throwing the flowers onto the ground, stomping, and soon spitting on them.
"A…azu?" She asked in disbelief before taking a step back.
"I only said I love you because I wanted your power. If you can't use your power to make my life easier, we are done!" She shouted.
Do you see it? Even those you trust and love only seek to use you. Only I seek your greatness and truth.
She looked at the stomped flowers, and a tear ran down her face. "How could you, Azure. I loved you."
She picked up one of the stomped flowers and looked at it with teary eyes. "I really thought we had something special."
Mortals and gods alike are flawed creatures. You must feast, and only then will you be free.
The flowers burned in the black fire.
She walked into the academy courtyard, the students cowered as she passed, and a smell of fear saturated the air. Her heart sank.
Your Love will betray you, your Trust will be broken, and in the end, you will be left with nothing but what you fear the most. Only by destruction and consumption will you be made whole.
Everyone combusted in the black fire, and the school burned to the ground, not even leaving ashes behind.
She grabbed her head and let out a scream.
"Stop this!"
You are the Blackflame Twilight. No matter how much you resist, you will embrace me. You are my champion.
A splitting headache invaded her, forcing her to kneel in the burning desert.
No, you are lying, this dream is not true! I know Azure, I know she would never use me for my power alone, your lies won't work!
She forced herself back onto her feet.
The Black Flame was the cause of her constant nightmares, the terrible entity amplified her trauma for its own amusement.
Even now, it tormented her mind and body.
"Stop it!" She screamed.
This was a dream, it was not reality!
The blackened desert that once was the academy disappeared before quickly being replaced by the smoldering city.
She looked at her shaky palm. "These nightmares, I need to deal with them!"
The reason Black Flame became so active was surely because she had attempted to contact the world soul.
I know none of them would ever betray me, and Supreme Parasite could never beat Sun God!
This was exactly why she was anxious. If the Black Flame managed to influence Valerie, then she would be the cause of the world's destruction.
The scenery around her changed. "Black Flame, let's talk! I am tired of this torment!"