Lucifer: Godless Reawakening-Chapter 258: FML

William stood still as he was fitted with the tools and equipment required for the battlefield, even though he was not meant to directly engage in combat.

After fastening the steel vest around his torso, a thick padded coat was secured over it for added protection. Chain armor was wrapped around his lower body, followed by heavy fur trousers layered on top.

When asked about a weapon, he chose four small knives. Light, balanced, and easy to throw if the situation demanded.

Finally, a thick cap with elongated ear flaps was placed over his head, shielding him not only from the claws of monsters but also from the biting wind.

Captain Grovers personally assisted him throughout the process. Once everything was secured, the captain rested a firm hand on William’s shoulder.

"You’re doing something brave, son. No matter the outcome, you have my respect."

William offered a faint smile but said nothing.

After a brief pause, Grovers added, "I’ll wait outside."

He did not ask William to follow. He had already sensed someone waiting beyond the door.

William nodded in understanding.

As soon as Grovers stepped out, a familiar silver-haired woman entered.

"All prepared to leave?" she asked, arms crossed.

Truthfully, she had wanted to accompany him. But the transport could only carry one person to the guard post. After that, William would be traveling alone between stations, levitating on his own. Taking Emma with him would only increase the risk.

So she chose to remain at the base and monitor his reports from afar.

Each border guard post possessed a long distance communication artifact. Once William arrived at a station, they would immediately report back to headquarters. She would receive updates regularly.

But did that truly ease her concern?

"Stop looking at me like that, or I might never leave," William said as he wrapped his arms around her waist.

She gave a faint smile and lowered her gaze. "I can only pretend not to worry when my lover is about to stand at the center of chaos."

William sighed and said, "I promise I won’t engage in battle. Even if a powerful devil takes interest in me, I will prioritize escape."

He understood the difference between recklessness and responsibility. Though he enjoyed testing his limits and facing formidable opponents, this was not the time for pride or hesitation. The soldiers stationed beyond the cracks were already prepared to intercept whatever emerged. If he interfered unnecessarily, he would only complicate their efforts.

Leaning forward, he pressed a gentle kiss to the corner of her lips and whispered, "I’ll see you soon."

With that, he stepped past her.

Emma remained standing there for a few moments, steadying her heart before finally turning away.

....

For the first time since his arrival, William stepped outside the base.

The contrast between the warmth indoors and the brutal cold outside was overwhelming.

He instinctively pressed a hand over his ear, securing the cap more firmly.

The world beyond was painted in pristine white.

Towering mountains pierced the sky, stretching endlessly into the distance.

A thick sheet of ice covered the ground, separating his boots from the solid ground beneath. 𝓯𝓻𝓮𝙚𝙬𝓮𝙗𝒏𝙤𝒗𝙚𝙡.𝒄𝒐𝓶

A soldier emerged to escort him. "Come with me."

William gave a short nod and followed.

William struggled to keep a steady pace, but he managed to follow the soldier without being thrown off balance by the raging wind. His telekinetic arms remained wrapped tightly around his body, anchoring him against the force of the storm.

They reached the rear side of the bunker that served as headquarters.

Several wooden carts were stationed there.

Nearby, a group of wolves rested in the snow. Their heads were lowered, jaws touching the frozen ground, thick fur layered with frost. Yet the cold seemed to have no effect on them.

FHII

The soldier let out a sharp whistle.

Every wolf lifted its head at once. For a brief moment, their sharp eyes flicked toward William before returning to the soldier.

William grinned. "Damn... that’s quite the collection of pets."

The soldier called out, "Graco. Lana. Your turn."

Two wolves immediately rose to their feet and trotted forward with disciplined precision.

The soldier secured thick ropes and fastened them to the cart’s harness.

"Hop in."

William did not hesitate. He climbed into the cart, which had just enough space for one person, especially with all the heavy layers he was wearing.

The soldier took the other cart.

Moments later, they set off.

The wolves burst forward, sprinting across the snow without strain, hauling the carts uphill as if the terrain weighed nothing.

William only needed to grip the metal bars fixed on either side to keep himself steady.

The reins were in the soldier’s hands, though he merely guided the wolves rather than commanding them.

As the wolves continued their steady climb, William used the time to extend his senses outward.

A faint malice lingered in the air. It was subtle, but it was rising.

The temperature, too, was shifting. Instead of growing colder as they ascended, the air felt slightly warmer.

That was wrong.

’This shift in pattern... it began when Lamb took over my body. If anyone were to discover that...’

He did not dare complete the thought.

The same soldier who had placed a respectful hand on his shoulder would be the first to draw his blade without hesitation. And he would not be wrong to do so. In a way, William bore partial responsibility for the sudden surge in Death Sinks.

But he had no intention of revealing that truth.

After nearly an hour of climbing, the cart finally slowed to a halt.

They had reached another bunker, positioned close to the mountain’s peak.

As William stepped down from the cart, he noticed several soldiers watching him.

They were not layered in as much protection as he was, yet none of them appeared uncomfortable in the cold.

William walked toward them and offered a brief nod.

The soldier who had escorted him stepped forward. "Commander, this is William. And William, this is Commander Revii."

William nodded and shook hands with the grey-haired man.

"So you’re the last hope the General spoke of?" Revii asked.

William gave a wry smile but chose not to respond.

The commander continued, "I’ll assign a man to guide you to the battlefield. Once you arrive, I trust you’ve already been briefed on what you are to do and what you are not to do."

William nodded. "Yes, I have. But there’s no need to send anyone with me. I can sense the Death Sinks from here."

Revii hummed in mild surprise. "You can? Very well. I’ll leave you to it."

William added calmly, "Just ensure someone is ready to intercept any ranked devil. Otherwise, I’ll be forced to engage. Not because I’m eager to protect anyone, but because those creatures will target me the moment they crawl out."

Revii narrowed his eyes slightly at that statement. Still, he chose not to question what method William intended to use that would draw the attention of ranked devils, even with so many capable warriors stationed nearby.

Without further discussion, William prepared to depart.

As he turned slightly, he caught sight of a familiar figure levitating to his left.

It was a disturbing sight.

A bloodied man, body riddled with wounds, floating silently against a backdrop of endless white snow. The contrast made the image impossible to ignore.

William looked away and lifted off, flying toward the nearest disturbance.

Lamb drifted alongside him.

"I know what you’re about to say," William muttered.

"But I haven’t said anything."

William rolled his eyes. "You’re going to tell me not to draw the attention of the underworld dwellers by doing this. I already know."

It was strange. Despite the violent wind cutting through the air, their voices carried clearly between them. Then again, nothing about Lamb was normal.

After a brief silence, Lamb finally spoke. "Just remember, Death Sinks do not follow the rules humanity has documented. They evolve. They adapt. Especially now. Be ready for anything."

William did not respond.

He descended toward the mountain slope where he sensed it.

A massive crack split the surface and snow, pulsing with dark energy. Devils crawled out in waves.

Some stumbled onto the snow. Some rolled down the incline. Others sprinted directly toward the bunkers positioned across from them.

Archers stationed atop wooden towers fired relentlessly, cutting down the lesser creatures mid charge. Soldiers clashed with the larger ones on the ground, steel meeting claw and fang.

From the distance, William noticed another unit of soldiers advancing rapidly.

They had likely been summoned to handle whatever he was about to awaken.

William exhaled a sigh and levitated just above the Death Sink.

Closing his eyes, he focused.

Both Nyx and Aether channeled between his hands in the perfect sync.

His eyes remained closed as he lowered himself, growing closer to the Death Sink.

The blend of the two opposing energy was launched straight at the Death Sink without a moment of delay.

For a moment, nothing happened.

The devils stopped spewing out and the crack on the slope seemed to be resonating with an ancient energy.

William frowned, wondering if that worked.

Just then, a warning came from Lamb, "Watch out."

It was already too late as the Death Sink stretched like a maw and from the inside, a dragon charged straight at him.

’Fuck my life...’

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A/N:- Thanks for reading. If you have been reading the story so far, please let me know what you do not like about the story.

It will help me improve the story.