Falling into the Abyss

Chapter 17: Atonement: Red Earth (XV)

Ethan clung to the priests arm in a daze, struggling to return to reality from his dream. It could be called either a sweet dream or a nightmare, but the reality he returned to was definitely more terrifying than any nightmare. When his crazy thoughts finally settled down, he finally became aware of his present situation.

He was standing in a corridor with black spots on all of the surrounding walls, especially its corners. He was still being embraced by Tanisiels strong arms, who was patting on his back with a steady hand, as gentle as when his father had comforted him when he was frightened by horror stories and did not dare to sleep. Thinking of his father and mother, Ethan suddenly felt a bout of sourness burst in his heart. He forced himself to blink a few times before he could finally suppress his surging emotions.

Controlling ones emotions was the most important thing for a Beta. He had been taught how to do this since he was a child, but ever since he had arrived on this strange planet, it had become increasingly difficult for him to remain calm.

Was this also the influence of the so-called goddess of fertility?

He pushed against Tanisiels shoulder and broke free from the nostalgic and tender embrace, before pushing up his glasses awkwardly and asking, Why are you here? What about your quail egg?

Tanisiel did not correct the nickname that Ethan had casually given to the Eves sacred artifact, and even laughed, The launch is already in progress, but it will take some time for it to work. I sensed something going on outside, so I looked for you first.

What about the others? Do you know that Jeff ran away? Hes in this building now! Ethan suddenly remembered what had happened before he was influenced by Shub-Niggus power and looked around, urging, We have to find him quickly! Can you restart Gina with your quail egg? Gina would be able to find him, and maybe we could also fix the communication system and ask the mothership for help!

After listening to him list several issues in quickfire succession, Tanisiel still remained unbridled and calm as he replied, We cant do it now. We would have to wait until the launch has finished. Not to mention, I doubt that the Mothership can send us much help.

The second half of his sentence caused Ethans heart to freeze. What do you mean? Are you saying that the Mothership wouldnt even care about you?

Did you forget? After the developers collective disappearance, the initial search and rescue team also disappeared after arriving. Generally, a search and rescue team would park their spacecraft in low Earth Orbit, but both the people in the Mothership and the people on the ground had both gone missing.

But didnt the Magic Flute stop in high Earth Orbit? Given that distance, they shouldnt be affected at all, right? Even if there was an accident, they could still accelerate out of the Red Earths gravitational field in time.

This is all true in theory, but theory means nothing in front of the God of Disorder. They themselves are bodies of chaos, so there is no way to control or predict their actions. Tanisiel raised his head and looked at the darkening ceiling. In fact, I heard something just now. If the other Eves have not been infected, then they should also be able to hear a heavy and dull sound travelling from the sky. It seems that the mothership is firing its lasers at Shub-Niggu. If they are firing their weapons, then something must have happened.

As Roland had said, even if he returned, he would just be thrown back into the Forbidden City. His father had said that he would never admit to having a son like him, so he had no one waiting for him back on Earth. Why was he struggling to continue living?

It was better for him to accept it instead of being so afraid and tired.

The goddess of fertility seemed to have found a crack in his consciousness, and similar ideas once again flooded into his mind. Tanisiel saw that his green eyes were dilating and being filled with a layer of light gray mist, and he realized that they were caught up in a terrible predicament. In fact, the goddess of fertility was also constantly attempting to invade his mind. Although his mental strength was strong, he had felt that the consciousness invading him was gradually growing in strength. However, he had trained for many years, and by keeping his consciousness and mind strong and clear, he could barely deter it and maintain a sound mind.

Even so, he would still occasionally fall into a dark, frenzied state.

However, these Earthlings had never trained their mental strength. For example, the female Betas spirit had been crushed into powder by the goddess of fertilitys consciousness, and she was completely dominated by their power. Just moments ago, the God of Orders egg was detected, and the God of Disorders mental assault had suddenly increased exponentially. By the time Tanisiel had emerged from the central control room, he already heard the sounds of gunfire and screams coming from the direction of the hall.

Taking into account what Ethan had said about Jeffs body disappearinghe didnt know how many people had managed to survive.

And now, Ethan was clearly at his breaking point. His willpower had become weak, and cracks had appeared in his mental shield.

Tanisiel steeled his heart, and suddenly pressed Ethan against a wall that had not been eroded by too many black spots. He held Ethans cheek with one hand and forcefully lifted Ethans face with the other, kissing him fiercely.

Ethan was confused.

His azure green eyes opened slightly, and for a moment, he forgot how to breath.

What was going on? What was happening?

What was the priest doing?

His lips were plundered by his hot breath, and a tyrannical tongue pried his teeth open, invading his mouth and fooling around with his own clumsy tongue. He tried to struggle, but the priests hand held his cheek in a domineering manner, and his much taller body pressed down on him, so close that he could not move.

At last, Tanisiel let go of his lips, leaving a silver thread of saliva connecting both of their lips. The priests silver-gray eyes gave him a deep look, and his spirits gradually stabilized.

You Ethan had been rendered speechless. He didnt understand what had just happened, and was unsure of whether he should be angry, or feel some other emotion. Honestly, his mind was blank.

Tanisiel looked at him intently, his soft blond hair resting upon his eyebrows, and spoke affectionately, Dont give up so soon! I dont want you to become like Jeff! I dont care about other people, but I dont want you to turn into something like that!

However, Ethan didnt quite understand why the priest felt compelled to save him. From the beginning, Tanisiel had only paid attention to Samuel, right? Why did he do this all of a sudden? Why? Im just a boring Beta that doesnt have any particular use. I have that password, but it wont work once the communication system is restored.

Tanisiel scrunched his brows together, teeming with anger. Ethan had never seen Tanisiel look so dangerous, both of his eyes burning with rage as he spit out, Do you think that us Eve priests are such cold and callous creatures? Cant I simply hope that someone will have a good life?! If you want me to tell you that I saved you because I think youre special, then stop daydreaming. Dont even think about it, because you, me, none of us are anything special. However, not being special is not a reason to give up, right? At least, I didnt think that you were such a coward!

He sounded like he was extremely disappointed with Ethan. After listening to him, Ethan felt guilty and ashamed for being weak and giving up so easily. He did not know if it was the God of Disorder influencing him, but he felt that he was a despicable man.

However, the priest before him, who was as gorgeous and beautiful as the sun, had lifted him out of his despair. The sensation of the fierce kiss still lingered in his lips, and he suddenly did not want to disappoint Tanisiel.

With his consciousness stabilizing, the thing that had invaded and raved inside his mind also disappeared, and even the humming in his ears that he had gradually become used to also became much weaker. Ethan took a deep breath and said softly, We have to find Samuel and the rest. Its not safe here since the God of Disorder has begun to barge in. We may have to give up the base

Hearing what he said, Tanisiels stern expression finally eased up. He picked up the flashlight that Ethan had thrown onto the ground and thrust it back into the other partys hand, allowing Ethan to recognize the corridor they were currently in. It was three corridors away from the medical lounge, but Ethan couldnt figure out where he and Samuel had been separated.

Ethan walked in front with the flashlight, with Tanisiel following him. Soon, something appeared in the corridor.

It was a man, who had been shot in his abdomen. Other than him, four other people were also bleeding on the ground. If you looked carefully, you would be able to recognize him as the old man in his seventies.

Ethan had helped him write the letter he wanted to send to his daughter. He stopped in front of the old mans body, squatting down and searching through the old mans embrace for a moment before he found the letter and stuffed it in his bosom. Tanisiel watched him do it all without commenting.

They met two more bodies further along the corridor, but they had yet to die. One of them had bugs sprouting out of his face, with the human-faced bugs curling up and waving around in the air. This person seemed to have lost consciousness. The other person was tearing off his clothes, crying out in horror as he scratched at his stomach. He was clearly an Alpha, but his stomach was swollen like a seven month pregnant Omega. Numerous irregular looking bumps had appeared all over his body. His hands and face were also densely covered in bumps.

The infection had begun to spread.

Seeing Ethan, the Alpha who was constantly scratching at his stomach reached out to grab him, but Ethan dodged.

Help me! Help me! In my stomachtheres something under my skin!!! It hurts! Its so painful! The mans face was twisted and deformed, and for a moment it looked astonishingly similar to the strange bug. The folds of his skin had stacked and twisted together in a painful shape. Under the dim illumination of the flashlight, he appeared like a vengeful ghost. Ethan didnt dare to look at him any longer, and did not reply to him. He could only walk away.

As they moved forward, they saw more bodies. Some people had lost all of their hair, and their clothes had begun to dissolve, their bodies morphing into a bug-like shape as their bodies were corroded like melted wax.

The most horrifying sight was in the hall, where numerous people had been shot and killed. A shivering Beta hiding behind a sofa told them that a wounded soldier had suddenly began to twitch, and a lot of bumps began to grow on his skin. Cavin and several other nonhumans had said that he was inflicted with the virus and wanted to throw him out, but an Earthling soldier had impulsively shot and killed an Alpha leader. As a result, the fearless nonhumans rushed forth to fight with the soldiers, and the two sides became embroiled in a messy brawl. Many were killed, and then everyone ran away.

The worst situation had happened. Ethan continued to ask, What about Samuel? And wheres the chief security officer?

I dont know where they went. I saw a hairy black bug crawling on the wall over there. It was very large, the size of a man. The chief security officer fired several shots at it, but he could not kill it. Afterwards, the chief security officer and Samuel fought against it. After a while, they disappeared. Remembering the bug, the nonhuman began to shake uncontrollably and pointed in the direction of the huge door that led to the exit, adding, They seem to have retreated in that direction.

Tanisiel whispered beside Ethan, Were they forced to leave the base?

kat: just in case it wasnt clear before, the goddess of fertility, Shub-Niggurath, is the God of Disorder