Chapter 248: Chapter 248: Shadeva & Ebony Chapter 248 – Shadeva & Ebony At the same time Noah was battling the youngest Original, Shadeva was standing face to face with her sister. Something that completely caught Ebony off guard, so much so that, for a moment, she genuinely doubted her own senses. For a moment... she actually questioned whether she, a Law Creator rank, was having a vision problem. That’s how shocked she was. Shadeva, however, didn’t say a word. She just sat there, composed, legs crossed elegantly atop a simple chair made of shadows all while gazing at Ebony with quiet intensity, waiting for her to come back to herself. And it didn’t take long. Ebony gathered her composure, though her voice trembled as she finally spoke. "B-Big sister?" she said. Just two words. But those two simple words nearly shattered Shadeva’s composure—nearly made her throw away her cold front, jump from her seat, and embrace her little sister. Because gods...she missed her. She wanted nothing more than to hug her tightly and tell her she loved her, that she had never stopped loving her. But she couldn’t. Because beneath the love, beneath the longing, there was pain. There was anger. There was bitter disappointment. She didn’t understand. Why? Why seal her? Why betray her like that? Shadeva had never once shown any sign of wanting to rule, of turning against them. Every shadow she’d gained had come from those she killed to protect them. She had fought for them. She had bled for them. So why? "...Why?" Shadeva finally asked, her voice steady on the surface but laced with the raw ache of betrayal underneath. Ebony heard it. Felt it. And it pierced her heart. But still— "It... it was necessary," Ebony said quietly, lowering herself onto a simple wooden chair across from Shadeva. Shadeva frowned. "Necessary for what?" But Ebony didn’t answer. Instead, she countered with a question of her own, one that weighed heavy on her tongue. "Who freed you?" she asked. "And... why are you helping strange beings destroy your own home?" Shadeva smiled...not out of joy, but because the irony was suffocating. "You really haven’t changed," she said softly. "You’re still that same woman who, whenever something irregular happens, drops every emotion, every feeling, and chases only the answer she wants to hear." She shook her head. "You say that like it’s a flaw," Ebony responded sharply. "But it’s not. Knowing what you’re dealing with, understanding the reason behind actions, that’s what makes survival possible. That’s what made me strong enough to be feared across the universe." There was pride in her tone. Cold, firm, unyielding pride. Shadeva tilted her head slightly. "And what if you’re faced with something you can’t understand?" "What if you stand before a being that can shatter every calculation you’ve made, every contingency you’ve prepared for, and render them meaningless?" she asked, leaning in. "Do you think you’ll win by being smart?" Ebony didn’t answer at first. Her silence was loud. But then, "I wouldn’t provoke such a being. I’m not stupid," she said flatly. Shadeva smiled coldly. "Then you’ve already failed." She stood up slowly, her voice now like frost in the air. "I don’t believe Mortis or Sylphira would’ve chosen to seal me on their own. You were the catalyst." "And I know you, Ebony. If you really did all this—then you had your reasons. Reasons you refuse to share." The air grew darker. The light dimmed. And Shadeva’s tone became absolute. "But you’ll tell me everything today. From the beginning to the end." Ebony met her gaze without flinching. "With your World Dominator strength?" she said, unimpressed. Shadeva didn’t reply with words. Instead, the space around them began to writhe as figures emerged from every shadow—beings of darkness in all forms and shapes. First thousands, then millions, then billions. A tide of shadows, endless and deep. But Shadeva wasn’t done. More figures appeared. The population of the City of Order. All of them, every single one, stood behind Shadeva like silent guardians. Even the Watchers of the Order... had fallen. Ebony’s eyes widened in disbelief. Her people. All of them. Since when? "...You’ve been here... in my domain since the beginning?" she whispered. Shadeva just smiled. "Go," she ordered. And immediately, "By your will, Mother of Shadows." "By your orders, Mother of Liberation." The response came like a war cry from the collective throat of an army. And then, The entire domain of Ebony was swallowed in darkness. A darkness so profound, so potent, it infected every fiber of the domain and transformed it. Everything became shadow. Buildings, streets, light, living beings—gone. All melted into black ichor that flowed like a river. And so, The battle between two sisters began. ... Meanwhile, Aerica stood in silence, staring at Eric with an expression twisted by conflict. She didn’t speak. She didn’t move. Her emotions warred inside her. Eric asked again, voice steady despite his injuries. "What’s your answer?" "Will you choose me or your loyalty to Mortis?" Aerica flinched. It wasn’t that she didn’t know what she wanted. She wanted Eric. She wanted to be with him. To feel that warmth again. To laugh beside him. To make him smile. To hold him and keep him. She... truly, verily, and completely wanted to choose him. To stay by his side. Forever, if needed. But... She couldn’t just abandon the loyalty she had forged over eons. She couldn’t betray the trust given to her especially not by someone who respected her, appreciated her, empowered her. The conflict tore her apart. Her heart and mind clashed, grinding against each other like tectonic plates—relentless and unyielding. Until she snapped. With eyes heavy with turmoil, she gently pulled Eric into her arms—his broken, injured body cradled against her chest. And then, in a soft yet obsessive voice that trembled with both love and madness— "If... if you keep going like this, my love..." she whispered, "I’ll just imprison you in my home. Forever." She clutched him tighter, so tight his bones creaked, threatening to snap. Her eyes welled with tears. Her lips curled into a manic, devoted smile. "Is that what you want?" she asked, her voice trembling between desperation and obsession. Eric, unable to move and feeling the crushing grip around his chest, cursed inwardly. ’Fuck. Did I go too far?’ —End of Chapter 248—