Chapter 95: 61 – The Path Ahead, Part III

The last time Amara had seen Sophelia was right after she was beaten up by Alarice - an event that had left its scars.

The fact that Amara had been selected as champion against her will had always been a thorn in her mind. But she also knew that it hadn’t been personal, because in the grand scale of the war, her opinion and feelings simply didn’t matter. And over time, she had managed to partially accept the situation by spending time with Ezme - she was but another victim of the war. Something which she could become some day anyway, if the war was to reach Earth. In a way, she was given the opportunity to decide her own fate.

And if Amara was to place blame, then she would have to place it on both Ezme and Morpheus - the ones that had selected her and came up with the option of using a mortal. But after getting to know them, she knew that she couldn’t. 

As a result, Amara had turned her frustrations against the one behind it all. But with Ezme’s continued insistence on trying to paint God in a better light, she had doubted whether holding a grudge was the right thing to do. That although God and the majority of angels had distasteful personalities, they might be good people deep down.

But all that was changed by the actions of Alarice.

After the completely one-sided battle with Alarice, she finally realized how she was viewed by God and the angels. Knowing that she was utterly disposable, and could be killed off on a mere whim, had filled her with anger - and fear.

{“Sister Alarice wasn’t trying to kill you. If she did, you’d be dead.” (Ezme)}

...Was that supposed to make me feel better?

Even if Ezme insisted that Alarice wasn’t going to attack her again, it wouldn’t change the feeling Amara had in her gut. Even though Amara knew that the angels and God wouldn’t view her as someone deserving their respect, she had thought they would at least consider her an ally. But since Alarice had attacked her, for no other reason than to vent her anger, that last shred of trust disappeared. Now she knew that to survive, and not get trampled by Alarice or anyone else, she had to get stronger. 

For the following weeks, Amara had started fighting demons in a frenzy. Ezme had spent a lot of time with her as well. But despite their relationship becoming more intimate, a barrier had started forming between them.

Before long, Ezme started requesting more help from her with the reforms in her domain. At first Amara had argued that she needed to get stronger, as some of the requests seemed trivial even for her. 

However, the strain in their relationship eventually peaked.

{“Lately, you’ve been quiet. And sometimes...when you’re thinking, you have a scary expression.” (Ezme)}

Following the conversation they had, Amara understood that Ezme was worried about her. And she realized that she had started to let her thoughts and actions be clouded by her dark emotions. 

It had taken a while, but Amara eventually managed to partially let go of her anger. But she suspected that aside from Ezme and Morpheus, she could never trust the other angels enough to show them her back again. 

Even the trust in the calm angel that now sat in front of her, sipping on her tea, had been affected.

Amara glanced at Sophelia as she let the warmth from her cup pass into her hands. 

{“The champion is of more value to us intact.” (Sophelia)}

It could be that she said it simply to get Alarice off my back, but...I got the feeling that she believes what she said. 

Am I really just a tool to her?

“You seem to have a lot on your mind, champion.” Sophelia said gently as she placed her cup on the table, only for the tea pot to suddenly begin floating.

Amara smiled wryly as she watched the pot move and slowly tilt in the air when it began pouring new tea into Sophelia’s cup. “I don’t think that this is the first time you’re drinking tea.”

“It is not.” Sophelia replied with a serene smile as the pot finished refilling the cup and returned to the center of the table. “What made you assume such a thing, I wonder.” 

A sugar cube suddenly floated into the air from the bowl towards the fresh cup of tea. As the sugar sank into the tea, the small teaspoon next to the cup was the next item to move on its own, as it carefully was directed into the cup and started stirring silently.

...Show off.

Amara looked down at the cup in her hands, tapping it with a finger. Maybe I should just ask her? 

As she met Sophelia’s gentle gaze, she sighed and made up her mind. “Why are you helping me?”

“Come now, champion.” Sophelia’s lips rose in amusement as she picked up her cup. “You are well aware that I’m forbidden to provide you with any assistance.”

“You know what I mean.” Amara insisted. “At first I thought you did it just to because you’re nice.”

“And now?” Sophelia tilted her head curiously.

Amara looked down at the cup in her hands as she tried to put her feelings into words. “Because of what you said to Alarice last time, about me being more valuable intact...I think you might just think of me as a tool.” 

Sophelia replied with faint amusement “That would be because you are.”

As the words sank in, Amara stared down into her cup while clenching her jaw as her mood plummeted. ...So that’s how it is.

“And so am I.” Sophelia’s gentle tone added.

Amara raised her face to meet the angel’s warm gaze. “What?”

Sophelia tilted her head with a smile. “On the grand stage that is creation, we are but the actors following the script written by the gods.”

Well, I already knew that. But… Amara frowned in confusion. “Doesn’t it bother you to call yourself a tool?”

Sophelia let out a pleasant sigh as she averted her distant eyes and replied thoughtfully. “Perhaps once, as you are bothered now. But since I had the power to make a difference, remaining idle while witnessing the atrocities that were being committed in this war bothered me more.”

Sophelia returned her eyes to meet her gaze as she added. “You will likely be faced with a similar choice some day.”

Amara’s frown deepened as she averted her gaze. Really?

I can’t say I care all that much about the mortals. Sure, it’s tragic that there’s a war going on, but I’m not exactly willing to put my life on the line for them. 

I guess if I saw someone in front of me and I had the power to save someone, I would. But I don’t think I’d go that much further out of my way to help strangers...I suppose she’s saying that will change once I get more powerful. 

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If I were free, right now, with the powers I have...what would I do? Go back to Earth?

And say bye to Fluffles? Hell no. I’m not going back without Fluffles. 

And I suppose Ezme would still want me to help her with her domain...which I wouldn’t exactly be inclined to refuse helping her with. But that wouldn’t be because I’m helping them by my own initiative.

Amara shrugged as she glanced at the angel. “I wouldn’t know. I guess time will tell.”

Sophelia smiled faintly. “Indeed it will.”

Amara looked at Sophelia as she raised her question. “So why have you been helping me?”

Sophelia closed her eyes as the corners of her lips rose higher. “It would be because I wish for you to survive the day the armistice ends.”

Amara raised an eyebrow. “I can’t tell if you said that because you care about me, or because of some other reason.”

Sophelia opened her eyes and tilted her head. “Although any personal hopes and wishes must be ignored in the pursuit of final victory, they need not be mutually exclusive. ”

Amara frowned as she fell in thought. Duty first, huh.

But if she’s hoping for me to survive...then doesn’t what she said mean that she also needs me to survive? To obtain victory?

Is it so that they don’t lose my domain to the demons?

“...You need me?” Amara asked in confusion. “Most angels say that I’m here only for the armistice, and that I don’t need to survive. Wouldn’t you have chosen an angel as champion if my domain was that important?”

“Indeed..” Sophelia smiled kindly. “Your domain does not play a role in the pursuit of final victory. It is but another battlefield, a territory that can be sacrificed and regained at a later time. Even the souls in your domain are but a resource which can ultimately be obtained from elsewhere.”

Damn, that’s cold. Amara raised her eyebrow. ...This is because of the forbidden knowledge, then? Because I can use both mana and divine power?

After placing her cup on the table, Amara leaned back and crossed her arms as she looked at the angel across from her. “So you need me for after the armistice?”

“Indeed.” Sophelia’s smile was momentarily hidden as she raised her cup to her lips.

Amara twisted her lips. “What for? And why should I help?”

“You are aware of the event that resulted in the current strife that arose between mortals and angels.” Sophelia averted her gaze, letting out a soft sigh as her eyes grew distant. “But before that, mortals and angels relied on each other.”

Sophelia paused before she turned her eyes to meet Amara's gaze. “Many are not aware or have chosen to forget, but we were stronger when we fought side by side with mortals. To finally obtain victory, we must do so again.”

“You expect me to be able to change the angels’ view of mortals?” Amara snorted disdainfully. “I doubt that would be possible. Especially not when there are angels like Alarice.”

Sophelia blinked as her lips rose in amusement. “You don’t realize that you have already begun.”

Amara opened her mouth to retort before she furrowed her brow when she understood who she was referring to. “Ezme?”

“Indeed.” Sophelia tilted her head. “You have already built a deep bond of trust between yourselves, and you’re aiding her with governing her domain. Given time, other angels will begin to see the benefits of relying on mortals.”

Amara snorted. “I somehow doubt the angels would admit that they need the help of mortals.”

“It is true that angels are prideful.” Sophelia said thoughtfully as she looked into the distance. “However, we are driven by duty first and foremost. If the efforts of mortals rise to the point that our deteriorated relationship with them is the only thing holding us back from claiming victory, then our viewpoint will be forced to be amended.” 

Amara clenched her fists under her arms. “...Isn’t it unfair to treat all mortals the same because of what a few did in the past to begin with?”

“Perhaps it is. But the betrayal of those few mortals changed the course of the war - the end result being our fallen brethren. Given what they managed to accomplish, it is no surprise that those that remember will eye mortals with suspicion.” Sophelia smiled faintly as she met Amara’s gaze. “In your homeworld, do not the descendants need to adhere to certain punishments - treaties - because of the actions of their ancestors?”

...I suppose that’s true. Amara sighed and tilted her head before she realized something that was bothering her. None of this is related to forbidden knowledge.

“What else is it that you need me for?” Amara asked.

Sophelia tilted her head with a smile as she replied calmly. “To bring the war to an end.”

“That’s not very specific.” Amara snorted. “And you still haven’t said why I should help.”

Sophelia smiled and looked into the distance before she replied. “Like I said, I’m aware of your potential. With time, you will know it as well...but in short, I believe you could help tip the scales in our favour.” Sophelia blinked before meeting Amara’s suspicious gaze. “As for why you should, I believe you should consider what stance the angels will want to take if you don’t align with us.”

Amara’s mood plummeted by the implication and growled as she replied. “I thought the angels just wanted me to stay out of their sight.”

“For now, that is the case.” Sophelia gave her a sympathetic smile. “But that is because they assume you will fail. If we instead assume that you survive, then that means you have the power to defeat demon lords - and therefore, angels as well. Do you really believe the angels will leave you alone then?” 

Amara averted her eyes as her anger rose. Damn it.

“After all, I think that even if you align with us, you too can think of some angels that would rather see you eliminated.” (Sophelia)

DAMN IT!! 

Rising up as her anger boiled over, Amara’s body heated up when her divine power activated. 

[Ding!]