by J. J. Pavlov
At the same time, Aurelia directs her weapon at him like a conductor's rod. The battle against the gods has started so unceremoniously.
But suddenly, our surroundings warp in a vortex and snap back a split second later to reveal a vast open prairie. Vanadia's Will gouges a huge crater out of the ground, leaving behind only desert-like dust in its wake. Aurelia turns her head in surprise, looking around at the unfamiliar scenery.
"Do not test a reaper." Mithra's muffled voice comes from above, and I look up sluggishly to see him floating in the air in his dark blue robes and bandages. He has exchanged his usual gnarled staff for what appears to be a giant key made from tentacles. "Even if your body may seem indestructible, your soul is not."
A part of me wonders why he wasn't there when my mother was fighting alone in the Forerunners Chamber, and why he didn't teleport her out of harm's way just as he did with us now.
Then again, what even is the point of thinking about alternative scenarios now?
"Who are you?" Aurelia can hold herself back from attacking him with Vanadia's Will and asks in an impatient tone. She's well aware that we have been transported somewhere else, so learning about the person so obviously responsible for it is the best course of action.
"Your Highness... no, Your Majesty." Ignoring the Golden Queen, he addresses me in his usual neutral tone. He has changed the title by which he refers to me, which only drives home the truth I've been trying to avert my eyes from. "A message from your mother."
I look up in surprise. Does that mean he teleported her away, and the body that crumbled was a fake? Did they plan this to make the false gods think that she's dead so that she can act behind the scenes?
"She says that she loves you. And that this was the only way." Even though the delivery lacks any and all emotions, I understand the real implications of those words. "In time, you will learn the reason for all this."
With these words, Mithra swings his staff across the vast expanse of land before me, as if showing me a great view. But my mind is unable to comprehend the beauty as it still wrestles with the message.
"You are in a land the false gods have no influence in." The court magician explains while turning his head back to me. "Grow. So that you may seek revenge for the death of your mother."
The truth I didn't want to confront was so lightly put into words, and my thoughts spiral into a single point. My mother is really dead.
That's when the dam of my emotions breaks, and tears begin to roll down my face uncontrollably.
Mama...
Afterword
Here we are.
It's the halfway point of the journey of Chaos.
And what a journey it was - and will be from here. Those who read the web version on RoyalRoad will see the most significant differences here. It was the most controversial part of the series, but I hope I did it better in the book.
This is the longest volume to date, but as if inversely proportional to the book's length, I don't feel that there is much for me to say about it. The ending is definitely something you will need time to process, so I'll leave you with it.
Whisper, responsible for the previous three covers, has been unavailable for a while now. I don't want to take up space by elaborating here, but those following my social media know the details. It's unfortunate that the series couldn't have a uniform cover style throughout, but I only hope everything is well with him.
This cover was drawn by Kimoshi, also known as deru06. If you check out his art, make sure to do so when nobody else is in the room - you know what I mean. Thank you for making the release of this volume possible!
As always, a big Thank You to all the Patrons who stayed despite the long periods without updates. If not for your support, my will to write would easily hit rock bottom whenever I stop to think what I'm even doing this for. Well, aside from wanting to tell a story, that is.
Here are the heroes who made this dream come true:
C.S Sturmer, Daniel Dhamarian
Adam Shanks, blizgerg, chris, help64, Ilsig, Kara Song,
Nanu Nankoo, Roseline Bloom
Aaron DuBose, Aeryn Sun, Amber Powley, Blu Worth,
Brian Hulcher, Christopher Henry, cosmo hollen, CybranWeeb, diesonduty214, HauBassTec, Healerbob, Ichigough, James Daciuk, Jamie Barraclough, keven zukunft, littlekerr, MastaDoom, Minna_Wilcke, Passel, Ryno, Flowers, Seijax, Skyggesverd,
Steffan Paul Nilsson, TheeM, Yannick Lange, taichi1082
^ban^, Aryn, Cel Halcyon, Dante Perez, DeathIsABishi, Demian Buckle, Elizabeth Cowan, Felipe monell, Frank Messina, Jan Henning , runs, Jeremy Hughes, Keno, Liaira, Lordmod, Mathias, Nyx Wylder, Orakuru, Pltergeist, Rafa P, SealShadow, Standing, Zach Shumar, Zyke Kyzari
Alberto Montalvo, ashadun, Brandon chatman, Brandon Wilson, Brian Adams, Cameron Badman, CoolToaster, Cryostorm, Deathbricks, DJay, Glader, Jamie wood, Jan Teriete, John Mantell, Joshua Russell, Kaede Kagami, kire, Kuroko, Lord Lucifer,
Lyndon Crockard, Malte Lemke, Mark, MonitorMan, nekohentai, Nilo, Programan, Raistlin, Ravensleeper, Rincewind, SiyZin, Vantimiglia
This list is incomplete; you can help by expanding it.
Last but not least, a dedication to all the readers that have been with me from the beginning of the web novel, as well as those that joined this journey starting with the books. Please continue to support the Chaos!
Expect two more volumes this year! And this time, I'll make it happen!
February 2020
J.J. Pavlov (Meakashi)
Links and References
ebook ISBNs:
Demon Princess Magical Chaos Vol 1 - The Tentacle Awakens
978-3-9819877-0-6
Demon Princess Magical Chaos Vol 2 - Academy Days
978-3-9819877-2-0
Demon Princess Magical Chaos Vol 3 - Starchild Crusaders
978-3-9819877-4-4
Paperback ISBNs:
Demon Princess Magical Chaos Vol 1 - The Tentacle Awakens
978-3-9819877-1-3
Demon Princess Magical Chaos Vol 2 - Academy Days
978-3-9819877-3-7
Demon Princess Magical Chaos Vol 3 - Starchild Crusaders
978-3-9819877-5-1
Web novel:
https://www.royalroad.com/fiction/10381
Patreon:
https://www.patreon.com/meakashi