Time froze for a few moments.
There was no wind, no audible breathing. Only a heavy, dense silence that pressed against the chests of everyone present.
Ursa was the first to feel it.
Her animal instinct roared violently inside her, screaming that what stood before her was not normal, that it was not safe. Every fiber of her body warned her of danger, of a real threat.
But her pride… her damn pride, forced her to stand her ground.
She lifted her chin and faced "Morgan".
-o… o hey, who the hell do you think you are?
( Said Ursa, stuttering, though she tried to hide it )
"Morgan" did not respond.
He remained still, in absolute silence, staring at the exact spot where Kalista had slammed into the ground, as if the rest of the world had ceased to exist.
-amazing… this power, this kind of power… I have never seen anything like it before.
( Thought Zarathoz, with a dangerous mix of excitement and nervousness )
-m… Morgan? Is that really Morgan?
( Asked Luzbel, her voice heavy with concern )
-what's happening to Morgan?
( Asked Galahad, visibly frightened )
-I don't know… but that drastic change in personality… something happened.
( Murmured Satana, trying to process the situation )
-hey, I'm talking to you. I'm asking you who you think you are.
( Insisted Ursa, now clearly irritated )
Ursa took a step forward, her posture turning more aggressive. She tried to intimidate him.
But then it happened.
"Morgan" snapped his head around and locked his gaze onto her.
Ursa froze in place.
A chill ran down her spine.
"Morgan's" mask opened once more with an unsettling sound, and his voice emerged… cold, low, threatening.
-now that I remember… you said I would beg for luck, didn't you?
( Said "Morgan", slowly stepping closer )
With each step, the air itself trembled.
-tell me… do you still think I need luck?
( Continued "Morgan", forming a dangerous smile )
-a… stay away from me. I don't allow you to come any closer.
( Said Ursa, fear seeping into her voice )
-come on, come on… there's nothing to be afraid of. After all, I'm the one who would need luck to face someone like you, isn't that right?
( Said Morgan, in a clearly mocking tone )
-I told you not to come any closer!
( Ursa screamed, exploding with fury )
Morgan raised a hand, just a slight gesture, ready to touch her.
But he stopped.
From the ground, black sand with white glimmers emerged, wrapping around Ursa's feet and anchoring her in place.
"Morgan" blinked.
And in an instant, the danger multiplied.
Two swords appeared, pressing against his neck. Two twin blades.
At each side, two identical horned figures held them firmly.
Behind him, he felt the cold edge pressed against his back.
A ghostly knight clad in rusted armor held an equally corroded scythe, its blade digging into him.
All three spoke at the same time.
-stop.
( They shouted as a warning )
-what's wrong, Ursa? Did the new kid scare you?
( Said a woman with completely dark skin, white markings contrasting against her black hair )
Ursa shook her clothes irritably and glared at the woman with contempt.
-I didn't ask for your damn help, Helios.
( Spat Ursa, her pride wounded )
-wow… and that's how you say thank you? Well, I couldn't expect anything less from a stinking beast.
( Helios replied mockingly )
-son of a bitch, did you come all the way here just to make fun of me?
( Ursa shouted furiously )
-no, of course not. We just saw that you were having… a few problems, and we decided to help.
( Said Helios, flashing a crooked smile )
-what is going on, Miss Ursa?
( Asked the rusted knight seriously )
-why all this commotion?
( Said the twins at the same time )
At that moment, a round of applause broke the tension.
Everyone turned their heads.
Zarathoz.
With a confident smile, she drew everyone's attention before Ursa could say a single word.
-I would be more than happy to explain what's going on here.
( Said Zarathoz, with calculated calm )
But something else happened.
Someone stepped behind Zarathoz… without anyone noticing. Not even her.
A dangerous, intriguing voice whispered near her ear.
-oh, really? Because I would love to hear that explanation, Miss Zarathoz.
Zarathoz stiffened.
She sighed, slowly turned around, and upon seeing who stood behind her, forced a smile.
-yes, of course… your majesty.
Princess Amon watched her with sharp eyes through her helmet.
Silence fell once more.
End of the chapter.
Next chapter: in the eyes of the world part 2.