Limitless Summoner: Rise of the Soul God-Chapter 154: You shall answer for this

Just as suddenly as it had begun, the pain abruptly ceased, replaced by a sensation of weightlessness. Ethan's senses slowly returned, his vision blurred and ears ringing loudly. When his eyes finally focused, he realized he was floating, suspended inside a shimmering bubble of mana.

Confusion flooded his mind. He looked around frantically. Lia and Luna floated nearby in similar translucent spheres, unconscious but seemingly unharmed. Ethan's pulse quickened in panic, and he reached out toward them, but the mana barrier held him firmly in place.

Then, his eyes locked onto a figure hovering protectively in front of him—the old hag, Agnes. Her silvery robes were torn and scorched, her long gray hair flowing wildly in the chaotic currents of mana. Her breathing was labored, ragged, her shoulders rising and falling heavily.

"Miss Agnes!" Ethan called out desperately. He could not understand what was happening. His eyes darted from Agnes to the demonic figure standing in front of them. Pure power rippled out of her.

Ethan swallowed dryly, anxiety clawing at his chest. "Who is she? Why is she—"

"Not now," Agnes hissed through clenched teeth, her focus locked forward. "She's someone you're not ready for. If you want to live, you'll stay quiet and let me handle this."

Ethan peered beyond Agnes, his heart freezing in terror. The woman from before hovered effortlessly outside, silver hair cascading gracefully around her like molten moonlight. Her crimson eyes sparkled with amusement, a cruel smile lingering on her lips. She radiated overwhelming power, so intense Ethan could feel it pressing against him even through the mana bubble.

"Move. Hunchback of the fourth mountain. This doesn't concern you."

Agnes glared defiantly back, gathering what little strength remained in her battered body. "It is you who do not belong here, demoness. Leave now before things get out of hand."

The woman's laughter echoed coldly, ringing like delicate bells with an underlying note of menace. "Oh, I don't think so. I've waited far too long to find my little treasure." Her gaze shifted pointedly to the little girl. "Did you really think you could hide my own daughter from me?"

"She is yours?" Agnes was visibly shocked. "I did not know that she was yours."

"Hmph. Don't lie to me hunchback. If you did not know who she was then how come her power is tethered to your student. You will pay for this. You will all pay for this."

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Ethan's heart stopped, dread seizing him at those words. He stared at Luna, who floated motionlessly within her protective sphere, her eyes closed, her face calm and oblivious to the nightmare unfolding around them. This terrifying woman... Luna's mother? It was impossible. Yet, deep down, Ethan realized he'd always known Luna wasn't an ordinary child.

"I-I didn't know!" Ethan shouted desperately, his voice trembling. "She was lost. I just wanted to keep her safe!"

The silver-haired woman's blood-red eyes narrowed dangerously, fixing Ethan with a glare so intense it felt like physical pain. "Safe?" she spat mockingly. "You dare talk to me of safety, mortal? You, who have leashed and bound her essence to your pitiful soul? You wanted to tie your growth to my child? The insolence!"

She unleashed another attack, a blinding white light that Ethan could do nothing against. But somehow before the attack could reach him, the old hag once again managed to stop her.

"Demoness, listen to reason," Agnes said, voice strained yet firm. "This boy is innocent. He knows nothing of your kind. Whatever happened was an accident. He protected your daughter. Without him, she might already be dead. Know your truth before you wield your sword."

Selene's lips twisted into a cruel smile, her crimson eyes glittering with cold fury. "Accident or not, the damage is done. My daughter has been tainted by a mere human—her potential crippled by your foolish meddling. You shall answer for this."

Agnes clenched her fists, mana surging around her in a defiant storm. "You will not touch them. I'll die before I allow you to harm these children."

"Then die," The demoness hissed, raising her hand gracefully, raw power crackling between her slender fingers.

Ethan was shocked. His mind was frozen. He stared at Agnes unable to understand why she would go to such lengths to protect a nobody like him. All this time, he was…

"No!" He shouted, hammering against the mana bubble, helplessness choking him. Here he was, powerless once more. "Agnes, No!"

Agnes spared him a glance, eyes softening briefly. "Be quiet, brat. Remember what I told you. Survive. Grow strong." Her voice hardened again, filled with iron determination.

The next second a blinding glow enveloped Ethan and he couldn't see anything. He could, however, feel what was happening, and that filled him with dread. His vision blurred and his insides felt as if they were being twisted. This was the familiar feeling of teleportation.

Why was this happening? Where was she sending him?

Ethan struggled desperately against the confines of the mana bubble, panic surging through his veins. "Agnes! Stop! Don't do this! I can't leave you!"

He did not know what was the right thing to do here. From day one he cared only about his survival but now all of a sudden that did not seem to matter to him anymore. He did not want to live at the cost of her life. The demoness was angry with him and he was all she needed. Nobody else needed to die here. "Leave me. Take Lia and Luna and go." He shouted.

But his pleas were swallowed by the surging storm of mana, drowned beneath the overwhelming rush of power. Agnes's figure began to fade, her silhouette distorted by the intensity of the spell. Her voice echoed faintly, barely audible above the roar of the magic.

"Listen to me, Ethan. Grow stronger, strong enough to face what lies ahead. Survive. When we meet again, you better pay me back for all of this, you lazy brat."

"No! Agnes!" Ethan shouted, filled with grief and helpless fury as reality warped around him.

A final glimpse showed Agnes turning resolutely toward the demoness, unleashing all her remaining strength in a massive burst of energy.

The blinding explosion lit the sky with a brilliance like a star's death, and Ethan felt tears burn down his cheeks as the old woman's presence vanished completely from his senses.

Then, abruptly, the mana bubble ruptured, shattering as it completed its task. Ethan crashed onto cold, hard ground, gasping, disoriented. Pain radiated through his body. He did not care. He immediately looked around, searching for any signs of Lia or Luna or the old hag.

But there was no one.

A chilling silence enveloped him, pierced only by his ragged breathing and the distant rustling of leaves. He staggered upright, panic swelling inside him.

"Luna! Lia!" he called desperately, voice cracking with fear. His heart hammered violently as he spun around, scanning the unfamiliar surroundings.

The dense forest loomed menacingly, shadows deepening as the twilight faded into night. He was utterly alone.

***

End of volume 2~

Thank you all for reading through the second volume of this story! Your feedback, comments, and reviews are invaluable, and I look forward to hearing your thoughts on where things are going from here. Let me know what you loved, what you'd like to see more of, and any suggestions you have!