113(1) – Zenyo! (IX)

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PART 1 – Zenyo!

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Verna left the top of the tower, descending to the underground, where the room related to curses was located.

But even before reaching it, Verna heard a powerful, familiar laugh. Soon she saw a beautiful and lovely figure, but quite different from what she was used to.

Zenyo was short in stature, and that hadn't changed, but he had long hair that he couldn't shorten much because of the curse; it would always make it grow. His breasts were fuller, like a girl's, his limbs short, thin, and fragile, unable to show or develop any visible musculature.

Zenyo had a fuller waist, giving way to plump hips and a pert bottom that attracted many glances.

But now, what was before her eyes was a Half-Elf 1.55 meters tall, about 10cm taller than before.

His eyes had gained a more yellowish glow, unlike the dark pupils, and a light brown. His features have changed; many feminine and delicate traits remain, but it's possible to perceive something masculine about him, like the Adam's apple on his neck, which was previously absent.

Before he looked like a little girl, but now he's sexier, curiously still leaning towards something feminine, but he's lost his large breasts or his usually pert bottom, as if he always wanted to attract attention.

A thin waist, flat torso, longer limbs with muscles tensing when he moves, not just delicate skin, forced that way by a curse. Then we have his wide hips, thick and slender thighs.

[Image] →

Before, one could say that Zenyo was a forced femboy. A body almost impossible for a man to have, with a tiny penis, almost impossible to see.

But now he actually looks like a person; the curse left inescapable scars that will be inherited by his descendants.

Verna was surprised, realizing that she now felt an attraction to Zenyo. Before, she felt a certain repulsion; she likes Zenyo, he's a good friend, but she was never able to see him as anything more.

When she sucked his dick? Just a game of manipulation and a small lapse in judgment.

But now, Zenyo is actually attractive, no longer having a forced presence.

“Skarla!” – Zenyo shouted happily. – “Look how handsome and masculine I am!” – Zenyo laughs as he spins with his arms open, wearing only underwear that hides his chubby bulge, which was previously nonexistent.

But when Zenyo shouts her name, Skarla slaps her forehead. “Skarla?” – Ariel’s voice sounded from behind, not that she was actually there, but that she had eyes and ears everywhere. – “That Skarla? You’re that Skarla?!” – She raised her voice, her hostility growing.

Skarla glanced at Ariel, and with a manifestation of her will, a sonic boom sounded, and Ariel found herself facing overwhelming and suffocating pressure, losing control over her mana or spells, an instinctive fear rising, followed by terror.

Ariel had heard stories, many stories about Skarla and how terrifying she is; even 10 demigods might not be a match for her. They say that even as a demigoddess, she has the power to rival Full Deities and emerge victorious.

The one who shook Heaven and the Demon Realm, the one whom Gods and Devils fear, whom even death avoids crossing her path.

(Author: I noticed that, given the description of Zenyo's curse, many might wonder about a possible script error, since the curse forbids him from making bodily modifications. Changing his skin or disguising himself would fall under this category. But yes and no. The curse establishes rules relevant to appearance, but not to skin color itself. So Zenyo's disguise is literally a change of color, but without being a permanent alteration. Therefore, it did not conflict with the curse.)

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PART 2 – The Skarla!

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“So you’re Skarla.” – Before Ariel stood a huge woman, almost 3 meters tall, with dark skin, large, maternal breasts, impeccable musculature, and long dark hair.

Beautiful, Ariel had heard stories about how monstrous Skarla was, but before her stood a stunning beauty who could easily steal hearts. And being a Black woman, it was obvious that the stories about her in this particular world were the worst possible.

“You’re Skarla… why go through all this trouble? You could have threatened me or any other demigod, and they would have quickly introduced me to you.” – Ariel said calmly, full of doubt.

“I could destroy this world.” – Skarla said calmly. – “But not the end. Why do you think I haven’t done it?” – She asked.

Ariel blinked, unsure of the answer.

“Because I don’t cause such destruction without reason.” – Skarla said.

“Reason? The love of my life is in a deplorable state because of you!” – Ariel roared. – “Infinite worlds have been affected, an incalculable number of people have fallen victim to your actions! What justification is there for this?!” – Ariel shuddered.

Skarla sighed slowly and replied. – “I would destroy the entire universe if it were putting my children at risk. Paradise… I gave them several opportunities, but the arrogant and overbearing gods ignored them and tried to force me into something they shouldn't. This was the cost of messing with my family.”

“Regardless of how many have to pay?” – Ariel clenched her fists.

Skarla looked her in the eyes. – “I don't care. My children are what matters most to me; I would destroy entire worlds to save and protect them. Hate me all you want, but you are not a mother and you don't have the power to do so.”

The issue isn't about being a mother or “protecting,” the issue is the fact that Skarla has the “power” to uphold her mentality and ideals. Any parent who loves their children more than themselves, who would willingly sacrifice themselves for their safety, would do the same with such power and potential dangers to their children.

“There’s a saying,” Skarla says calmly. “A villain would sacrifice the world for the person they love. A hero sacrifices what they love to save the world.”

“So you know you’re the villain?” A vein throbbed in Ariel’s jaw.

“It’s not a matter of hero or villain in this universe we live in? That crap doesn’t matter! Good or evil?” Skarla says mockingly. “Those so-called Gods of Light, the pinnacle of goodness and justice…” She began to laugh at those words. – “A bunch of excessively arrogant and proud beings, lying on their pedestals, enjoying luxurious lives, more sinful than demons, and they are still applauded, even doing what many would find questionable, but because they are them, it's something good and just, even if a certain God of Light takes small children, far from the age of marriage or having children, abusing them and practically subjecting them to all kinds of torture…”

Skarla's gaze landed on the Ferlins. – “And this species is an obvious demonstration. I saw what that monster did to the children he took from various worlds, how he prevented their bodies from growing or developing, permanently forcing them into that appearance, being a sick and pedophilic being.”

“Now look at these people, pure and fragile, incapable of understanding evil, forgiving everything with immense purity. They are a perfect species for a damned pedophile; he created them personally and only begot female versions, for he himself was a man…” – Skarla growls.

“And he wanted your daughter?” – Ariel asks.

“Yes. He wanted my newborn daughter, a unique hybrid between a Human and a High-Elf, a birth that should have been impossible, but still happened, resulting in a perfect child.” – Saying this, Skarla showed a picture of Zindraliel, which Ariel observed; truly beautiful.

“When she was born, she already appeared to be around 6 years old, but she was still a newborn, and he wanted her. I threatened him and all the Gods of Light, warning them what would happen if they didn't stop him. They didn't listen to me, and so Paradise was invaded.” – Skarla smiles coldly.

“But understand, Ariel, I don’t care about your opinion, nor do I want your forgiveness. Because if I were remorseful for what I did, considering how many people I affected, it would mean I would consider handing my daughter over to such a monster to avoid such sacrifices.”

“My children come first above everything and everyone.”

Ariel remained silent upon hearing this. – “And know that I am treating Erza, not because I feel guilty… perhaps I feel a little, but I am treating her because I owe her a favor because of Zenyo’s situation.”

She nodded upon hearing this. Ariel imagined what Skarla would be like, how she would confront her for everything she had done, she not being the only one; the number of individuals who hated her was enormous, but to the same extent that they hated her, they feared her.

Ariel expected a monster who, for selfish reasons or personal gain, had brought entire worlds to the brink of extinction, or left them unprotected against infernal hordes or undead.

She imagined someone cold and heartless. But what she found was a mother who would destroy everything to protect her children, regardless of how many she trampled on.

Ariel imagined what it would be like to destroy Skarla and make her pay for hurting Erza. But she wondered what she would do if she had Skarla's power and were led to such a situation, with gods wanting to take her beloved. Would she have such courage?

In the end, it's not just about power, but also the courage and determination to go so far knowing the consequences. Was the price of protecting what you love worth it?

Looking into Skarla's resolute eyes, she understands that it was all worthwhile for her. Then, looking at herself, she thought of Erza, of the day they met and the path she had walked to get here.

So, if she had such power, able to harm countless worlds to save those she loves…

“And with everything you've done, don't your children hate you? Do they know what you sacrificed to keep them safe?” – Ariel asked the crucial question.

“Yes, everyone knows… except for my wives who agree or disagree with my actions, my children accept it. Even if they criticize me or even fear me, they know that I will protect each of them to the best of my ability and that I am probably the one who loves them most in this whole world… we have our problems, many of my children have different ideals, but they don't hate or despise me for what I did, in fact, they don't even know how to act or react.” – Skarla replies.

“As for Zindraliel… she simply accepted it and cried when she learned the truth, that so many suffered… for what she believes is her fault. It was years of trying to convince her otherwise; she's not to blame for being born and for others manipulating her to attract the attention of that thing. Today, my little daughter, with her kind and pure heart, takes care of people, trying to compensate for something that isn't her fault.” – The pain is obvious in Skarla's tone.

Her daughter is paying for the sins she committed. Skarla hates this, but doesn't know how to resolve it and can only support Zindraliel's decision.

“If it were Erza in her daughter's place and I had her power… I wouldn't have the courage to do this to protect her. Not because I'm incapable of sacrifice, I think I would do it without thinking. I would only fear that Erza would hate me, because she would never accept so much suffering for her to live.”

Skarla nodded and sighed. – “Love is often not just about doing and expecting rewards, it’s about being there for whatever is needed, it’s about changing and adapting… if she’s the most important person in your life, you love her more than yourself, then saving her at such a cost would never be the wrong decision. The fact that she might hate you afterwards and probably never want to see you again for the rest of your life… if it were any of my children or wives, I would gladly accept it.”

A slight smile appears on Skarla’s face. – “I don’t do the things I do expecting recognition or rewards. I hide secrets that could hurt my family, even if they hate me for it, I do it without hesitation. I’ve destroyed countless lives to keep my family afloat, they know and contemplate it, they may hate and despise me, it may cause future problems that will get out of my control, but these are decisions I made and I will accept them with pride, because I know I protected them in the best way I could.”

Skarla never expected to be rewarded for her actions. She's doing what she must to protect what's most important to her.

Her past life? She only wanted to destroy for the sake of destroying, but in this one, she's willing to destroy in order to protect.

Skarla will never be a heroine or a saint; call her a villain, she'll gladly accept it.

Love is a complicated thing.

…

Skarla, Zenyo, and Lina left the tower. Ariel didn't want them there anymore, which is understandable. But she has ways of communicating with Skarla.

“Sorry…” – Zenyo blushes with embarrassment; he let it slip and ruined everything.

Skarla just sighs without looking at him. It's obvious that Ariel will inform others about her being here, sooner or later…

The problem is that she actually planned to get involved in politics, supporting the Thorn Family, using them as a stepping stone for her expansion throughout this world.

Resources, information, and people. There are many precious things here, and Skarla longed to possess them. To take her children to explore and benefit from them. Murim has resources that are increasing, but unfortunately, there aren't enough resources for all her children to become demigods in the near future.

Unfortunately, Zenyo thwarted her plans. If she tries to support the Thorn Family, when they discover she is Skarla, the demigods of this world will stop and harm them, possibly even plotting ways to kill her.

Now with her identity exposed, Skarla will have to abandon these plans.

“Let's just go.” – Skarla says, extending a palm and a rift appearing. The trio enters and is teleported far away. She will need time to stabilize her power and perform another teleport.

It turns out they ended up on the other side of the continent, and being a supercontinent, it's obvious that Skarla doesn't have enough to teleport that far.

Now the return journey begins!