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Chapter 36 - Chapter 36 – Nulla: Life Median vs Hollow Vengeance

Chapter 36 – Nulla: Life Median vs Hollow Vengeance

Previously… in Chapter 35

Lumina allowed Ilior to enter her being. But before that could happen, there was a battle unknown to any world. A battle in a place even Hellseers would avoid gazing upon.

Yes—the name of that place was Nulla.

Lumina's body was suddenly lifted. Her light dimmed, then vanished—yet did not disappear entirely. She was pulled by Ilior into an empty realm, without color, without time, without breath, without blood. A silent abyss holding remnants of ancient souls and pacts forgotten by history. This place was called Nulla.

When she opened her eyes, there was no sky. Only shards of gray glimmer, suspended.

Before her, Ilior awaited. His form had changed: no longer a wild spirit, but an entity of pure hatred. His body was shrouded in black mist, and broken wings stretched from his back.

"At last, we meet face to face, Lumina. I've awaited this moment ever since I was imprisoned by your ancestors' curse."

Lumina said nothing. She took a breath, stepping upon the invisible floor. The Life Median within her began to respond.

Ilior struck first. His blast of energy made the space around them ripple. But Lumina stood unfazed. Both her hands formed the Median's symbol. Golden-green light emerged, spreading like tree roots in the air.

The first clash: the Life Median held against the fury of the Hollow Vengeance of the Ancient Spirit.

The second: Ilior's blood erupted in a cloud of darkness.

The third: Lumina vanished and reappeared behind him, pressing the Median's sigil against his back.

"You can't win, Ilior. I am not the Lumina you once knew. I've opened a door that should never have been opened."

Ilior howled—not from physical pain, but because the Life Median pierced directly into the core of his spirit.

"You think I wanted this? You think I chose this emptiness?"

Lumina hesitated, though the Median in her hands still glowed. She was ready to perform purificazione.

Before she could, Ilior stopped the time around them. Fragments of memory spilled from his body, drifting like shadows burning slowly.

Lumina saw—and fell silent.

A ritual.

A young boy stood within a magic circle.

Ancient elders surrounded him, holding hands, whispering oaths:

"For the strength of the family, for balance, for the survival of our magic. So that none may defeat us."

The boy screamed, unheard. He was made a vessel—once, then twice, then seven times. His body rotted, only to be forcibly restored. His original soul faded. All that remained was emptiness and the frayed threads of an identity.

Lumina lowered her gaze.

"You were made into fuel for their power."

Ilior gave a low, bitter laugh.

"A cattle to be milked for strength. That's me. But you know, Lumina—the worst part isn't that. The worst part is that it was done by those who called me their legacy."

The Median's light in Lumina's hands dimmed.

"I want to erase them all, just as you want to erase those who sealed you at birth."

Both fell silent.

The battle resumed, but its course had shifted. Lumina no longer sought to destroy Ilior—she wanted to test him. If he could endure, perhaps… there was something else to be done.

Ilior hurled his void at her. But the Median did not falter. Lumina fused with her power, becoming light and roots, voice and blood. Ilior tried to resist, but his body shattered into thousands of mist fragments.

Yet amidst his collapse, Ilior whispered one sentence:

"I don't want revenge. I just don't want to be forgotten."

When time flowed again, Lumina stood in the void. Before her, the remnants of Ilior began to gather—not as an enemy, but as something to be wielded. The Median in Lumina's hand responded. She opened herself and drew Ilior in—but with one condition:

"You will not move unless I allow it. You are mine now. And your vengeance… will walk my path."

Ilior did not answer. Yet he yielded—not from defeat, but because at last, someone saw him. Not just as a weapon, but as a soul shaped by wounds.

When Lumina stepped out of Nulla, her body radiated light. Not only did the Life Median shine, but there was an emptiness within her soul—vengeance not only Ilior's, but her own.

And for the first time, two forces that once rejected each other… lived within the same body.

She opened her eyes.

"I will make them all understand… who truly deserves purification."

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