Chapter 88 - Circle of Geniuses - V
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Time seemed to slow to a crawl. The black spear, wreathed in repulsive, corrupt energy, sliced through the air toward Athena at a speed that defied comprehension.
My senses were at their limit, my energy at its peak, yet even then, I knew I didn't have time to physically intercept the spear. I shouted for Athena, but she was completely focused on her duel with Vex, and the spear was too fast to evade without intervention.
Two options presented themselves to me, each carrying catastrophic consequences:
Let the spear hit Athena: If I did nothing, Athena would die. The death of a human blessed by a deity at an event like this would trigger an unprecedented political crisis. Humans might blame demons, dwarves, or even elves, depending on who was responsible for the spear. The already-tense relations between races could escalate into open war. Beyond that, I knew Athena was a key piece in the world's balance of power, not to mention that strange connection I felt with her. Her death wouldn't just be a personal tragedy, but a global disaster.
Reveal my third affinity: I could use my spatial affinity, an ability I had kept hidden until now. However, that would mean revealing to the world that I possessed three affinities, something never before seen in Atlas' history. My already precarious situation would become infinitely more complicated. The implications would be enormous: I'd instantly become a target for every faction in the world, from ambitious humans to suspicious demons. My life would never be the same.
'Screw it, I'm already neck-deep in shit anyway!'
I didn't hesitate for long. I knew that, no matter the consequences, I could never let Athena die. Why? Hell if I knew.
For once, my selfishness was suppressed, and with a determined glare, I moved.
Lightning enveloped my body as I shot toward the arena at blinding speed. From my fingertip, an unusual energy began to flow, distorting the air around me. In front of Athena, a spatial rift tore open, a portal that seemed to rend the very fabric of reality.
The black spear, mere millimeters from piercing Athena's skull, her eyes widening as she finally noticed the danger, was swallowed by the rift. It vanished, only to reappear from another portal behind her, missing its target entirely.