Serpentine Apotheosis

I was a descendant of Echidna, while Jonathan was the Capital City's most faithful Crystal Emperor devotee. In my past life, I eloped for love. For love, I threw away my chance to awaken my bloodline, shed my scales, and ascend to godhood. But… On the day of our marriage, Jonathan cut out my heart. He said I was cursed, that I was in the way of his true love's salvation. He wanted to use my Blood of Essence to pave the way for his true love's return to life. In despair, I could only watch as he held the prayer beads in his hand. His words were calm and deadly cruel. "Sinead, you should feel blessed to become Anna's sacrifice." When I opened my eyes again, time had mysteriously wound back. I had returned to one week before my wedding. I prayed in the rundown temple, my hand over my aching heart. The booming voice of my deity suddenly filled my ears, answering my desperate plea. "Descendant of Echidna, will you shed your scales and return to an ordinary life? Or will you give up love and achieve apotheosis?" Chapter 1 I gazed solemnly at the dust-covered statue of the nameless deity in the temple. I had already made up my mind. "I will ascend." Golden light shone, but the statue remained unmoved. Suddenly, the deity within burst laughing. "Now that your divine power has awakened," declared a powerful, ethereal voice, "you will return with me to the Empyrean." I crossed my arms over my chest and closed my eyes in deep prayer. "I, Sinead Bell, your most faithful devotee, beg your permission to do one last thing before my return." - After leaving the temple, my phone rang. Jonathan's name popped up. "Honey, where are you?" His gentle tone made my heart ache. Truly, one's gentleness was the most lethal of weapons. For now, I had to wait until all my snake scales fell off. Only then would I gain the power to deal with him. Otherwise, he might just rip my heart out right then and there. At the moment, I had to act like nothing was wrong. "Did you forget? Tonight's our bachelor and bachelorette party! Huh? Why are you so quiet? Want me to come pick you up?" he said. "It's fine, I'm on my way now," I said, forcing myself to sound casual. "Oh, okay. See you soon." I hung up, caught a cab, and headed to the party venue. Pushing open the door into the private room, I saw Jonathan and his friend Sam Sunderland sitting in the middle. Sam was joking around, surrounded by gorgeous young women. When he saw me, he said, "Hey, the pretty one's finally here!" A new hostess in a spaghetti strap dress looked up. "Ahhh!" As soon as she saw me, she spun around and hid behind Sam, terrified. "Holy… What the hell is that?!" A descendant of Echidna, I was born with snake-like skin. As such, my face was covered with hard scales. Because of that, people's first reaction to me was always fear and disgust. No one dared get close, and they acted as if I would infect them with a skin disease. Jonathan was the only exception. I looked at him, who was playing with his prayer beads. His eyes were closed as he rested and meditated. The open cuffs of his white shirt emitted a faint sandalwood scent. Sam calmed the young woman down with a grin. "Don't be scared. Blame it on Jonathan's weird taste." When she saw everyone laughing, her voice went all soft again. "Come on, she looks terrifying. I'm really scared!" The busty young woman next to Sam chimed in, "How can you say that? Miss Sinead's face has more makeup than a wall! She's already trying so hard to cover up her face." Another young woman said, "Yeah, it's not her fault she's ugly. Still, coming out looking like this is just wrong…" Sam grinned. "She's definitely ugly enough to be a living legend! Honestly, if you give her a squeeze, it's not so bad. Jonathan, just don't turn the lights on tonight." I scoffed quietly in my mind. In my previous life, I was so ashamed of my face that whenever I got humiliated in public, all I felt was guilt for embarrassing Jonathan. Once, I even apologized to him with red-rimmed eyes. Chapter 2 Jonathan smiled gently at me. "It's okay. Even if you look like this, I'll always love you. I'm the only one who will never mind the way you look." Those were the very words that made me fall hopelessly in love with Jonathan in my previous life, when I was drowning in my self-loathing. I was trapped in his so-called love, unable to pull myself out. Thinking about it now, it was obvious that this was just emotional manipulation. How ridiculous! I didn't wait for Jonathan to repeat his old act. Instead, I turned around and went to the bathroom. Honestly, those ladies weren't wrong. The face I saw in the mirror really was hideous. Still, it was a mark of my bloodline. It was the source of my power. I gently touched the scales on my face and noticed something had changed. The bumps and ridges were now scabbing, separating from the healthy skin around them at a speed that my eyes could discern. If I could make it through these next few days… I would make every single one of them pay! I took a deep breath and got out of the washroom, ready to return to the private room and back to my seat. "Jonathan, you can't seriously like that ugly freak, can you?" When I heard that voice, I stopped. I remained standing outside the door and listened in. "Heh, don't make me sick. I'm only doing this for Anna," Jonathan spat. Sam grinned. "Yeah, yeah, sure. Everyone knows you crawled on your knees all the way from the foot of Crystal Temple to the main hall, just begging for her safety." Jonathan held his prayer beads tight with a serene look on his face. "If it weren't for that accident three years ago, when Anna…" Sam didn't finish, but his worried look said it all. "Ever since she died, you cared little about your family business. You just play devotee all day with those beads. When I heard you were getting married, I was actually happy for you, but who would've thought…" Sam suddenly changed his tone. "Who would've thought you were going to marry that thing? Just seeing her makes me want to throw up!" My fists clenched tightly. "I only married her to get the Blood of Essence from her heart. There's a forbidden sacred scripture that says the Blood of Essence from the heart of a descendant of Echidna can guide one's spirit back to the realm of the living and resurrect them," Jonathan said. "But her body is filled to the brim with Dark Energy. It needs to be balanced with Light Energy, or Anna won't be able to handle it. So, I married her just to…" Sam let out a snort. "Come on, Jonathan! You don't have to do it yourself. You could've just bought someone to do the job. She might look gross, but she has nice curves. Put a bag over her head and throw her under the bridge, and there'd be a line of old men waiting their turn." Sam's words seemed to spark something in Jonathan. He nodded. "You're right…" He didn't even finish, but I was already seething with rage. Furious, I burst into the room. The moment he saw me, Jonathan's face changed. "Honey, come sit." Instead of getting angry, I put on a bright smile. "What were you guys talking about?" "Nothing much. There's going to be a family dinner in a few nights. Why don't you invite your parents, and we'll discuss the wedding?" Jonathan said kindly. I smiled and agreed, but my heart was filled with hate. In my last life, I insisted on marrying Jonathan. However, the Perry household kicked my parents and me out like dogs. My family business wasn't as big as theirs, but we weren't poor either. When my parents objected, I threatened suicide. My mom eventually agreed, going so far as to offer our mining business as a wedding gift. My dad drank himself ill at the table just to please them. Jonathan's parents only agreed after a lot of reluctance. They looked down on us, sneering at the corners of their mouths. "Hmph! It's just as we expected. Birds of a feather do flock together. Their daughter is shameless enough to cling to our Jonathan and refuse to give up. Apparently, it runs in the family." As that thought crossed my mind, a dull pain spread in my chest. "I'll go home and let my parents know. I'm leaving," I said curtly. Jonathan hesitated. "What's… What's wrong with you today?" Chapter 3 I didn't look at him. I was afraid I would lose control and lash out right then and there. Swallowing my nausea, I softened my tone and said, "It's nothing. See you tomorrow. Bye, Jon." When I got home, the house was filled with the smell of a freshly cooked meal. "Dad, Mom, I'm back." The moment she heard me, my mom put down her work and came out to greet me. "Oh, Sinead, you're home? Hurry and wash your hands. Your dad made your favorite lobster, and he's been waiting for you to come home." There were fine lines at the corners of her eyes as she smiled. I could feel my nose stinging. From the kitchen, I heard my dad's warm, cheerful voice. "Sinead, come try my lobster! Tell me how it tastes." I walked into the kitchen. Dad was wearing an apron, his face full of gentle affection. In my memories, Dad had always been gentle and never raised his voice at anyone. Mom was a strong-willed woman who had never begged for anything. That was… Until that dinner at the Perry residence in my previous life. Mrs. Perry humiliated me in front of everyone. Dad was so furious that he clenched his teeth. And when Jonathan simply watched coldly, I lost all hope and tried to end it all. My mom sobbed and screamed, begging me not to jump from the top of a building. As I ate the peeled lobster, my tears began to fall uncontrollably. Mom, Dad. I wouldn't let you down again. A few days later, in front of the Perry residence… I stepped out of the car in just a shirt and jeans. Mom was in her most expensive formal wear, having spent hours getting ready. The moment she saw me, she started fussing. "My dear Sinead! How can you wear something like this for such a formal occasion? And not even a touch of makeup! I told you to change, and you just won't listen." But last time, I wore a beautiful green dress and was still called an "ugly monster who tried to look pretty" right in front of my face anyway. I smiled and took Mom's arm. "Let's just go in." But the butler at the door stopped us, extending his hand. He wrinkled his nose in disgust. "We have a family party tonight. We don't welcome beggars." "You…" I stepped in front of my mom, ignoring the humiliation. "I'm Jonathan Perry's fiancée." The butler burst out laughing, as if he had just heard the world's funniest joke. "You? Hahaha…!" He laughed so hard he only stopped until tears were out. "Security, throw these freeloaders out! Don't forget this freak!" I frowned. "Didn't Jonathan tell you?" The butler glared at me, furious, "Do you think you can call Master Jonathan by his first name? And you call yourself his fiancée, at that? You should look in the mirror before making such boasts! How ridiculous!" I was already used to being called something like this since I had heard it my whole life, but my parents would never let anyone say a bad word about me. They were furious. Dad immediately slapped the butler across the face several times. "Stop! Sinead, what are you doing?" Jonathan walked over, with his mother Mrs. Perry right behind him. He helped the butler up, who was now sobbing and rubbing his red cheek. "Mr. Hayes is already an old man. How can you hit him? I used to think you were just ugly on the outside, but at least you have a kind heart. I didn't know you're this good at keeping up with an act!" Jonathan usually maintained his disguise well, but I had never seen him so furious and unreasonable. Mr. Hayes…Hayes? Annabelle's last name was Hayes. Upon hearing that, Dad threw the gift he had brought to the ground and let out a furious laugh. "Is this how you treat Sinead, Mr. Jonathan Perry?" Mrs. Perry sneered at me. "So, you're Sinead Bell?" She then let out a snort, scanning me up and down. "Is that all? And you think you can marry into my family?" Chapter 4 "Jon grew up overseas with the best education. He already started to take over the family business at sixteen. He's tall and handsome, and all the women chasing after him are either from privileged families or celebrities." Mrs. Perry glanced at the scabs forming on my face, unable to hold back her laughter. "Even if Miss Sinead offered herself for free, no man would want her." "That's enough!" yelled my mom suddenly, her voice sharp as she rushed to Mrs. Perry in an attempt to fight back. Unfortunately, this was the Perry family's turf. Jonathan immediately called in several bodyguards, who had us pinned to the ground in seconds. The rough floor scraped against my scales. "Let us go!" I struggled, then heard a loud slap. But it didn't land on my face—it landed on my mother's. "Jonathan Perry! How dare you!" I screamed with my entire being. The butler, Mr. Hayes, glanced at Jonathan and Mrs. Perry in a panic, but Jonathan acted like he didn't hear a thing. "Hmph! Who do they think they are, laying a hand on me like this?" Mrs. Perry tidied her messy hair before giving out her orders. "Continue! Hit them! Don't stop until they crawl out of the Perry estate!" Mr. Hayes gave a greasy little grin at hearing her command. He lifted my mother's chin, raised his hand, and slapped her hard again. "You animal! Come at me if you've got a problem with us!" my dad roared in anger, pinned by several bodyguards. Mr. Hayes shot him a look, then slowly stood up. "You? You want it too, huh?" He rolled up his sleeves and kicked my dad's waist again and again, right where his bandages were. "That'll teach you! Still want to play the hero? Do you think you're tough? I'll show you!" My dad's hands were pinned down tight. "Stop it! Please, stop!" I cried. Through the beating, my dad looked over at me and managed to squeeze out a smile. His lips moved as if to say, "I'm fine". I caught my breath. Mrs. Perry seemed to be bored by now; she yawned lazily and left. Mr. Hayes wiped the sweat from his forehead. As he watched her leave, his wrinkled face twisted into a nastier grin. He stood in front of my mom, lifted his shirt, and started to unzip his pants. "You… What are you doing?!" Mom's head was pressed down under his shoe, and she was unable to see what he was doing. "Jonathan Perry! If you don't let us go now, I'll end my life right here! You can forget about reviving your precious Annabelle!" I snarled. Jonathan, dressed in white and almost out the door, suddenly stopped. He turned slowly, his eyes dark and the emotions inside unknowable. "You… You know?" I sneered, "Yes. If you let my family go, I'll do everything you want. You won't have to lift a finger. I'll give you what you want myself." He held the prayer beads in his hand before finally saying, "Fine. Mr. Hayes, let them go. Sinead stays." Mr. Hayes spat on the ground with a disappointed look and quickly zipped his pants up. He ordered the guards to release my parents. "Sinead, what are you talking about? What are you going to give him?" My mom held my hand tightly, her voice full of fear. I looked at her messy hair, her swollen face, and tears on the verge of falling. Her favorite outfit was now covered in footprints and dust. My dad came over with a face full of worry, holding his waist. "It's okay, Mom, Dad. You go to the hospital first," I said to them. Chapter 5 I took a deep breath, but I couldn't suppress the anger raging inside me. "I'll handle the rest myself," I whispered. I touched the patch of snake scales that was about to peel off my face and looked up at the dark clouds gathering in the sky. I could feel a surge of power bubbling in my blood, as if it were about to explode. "Don't worry," I said. "I promise you that I'll come home for dinner tomorrow." After repeated assurances, my parents finally got in their car despite their worry. Just then, rain began to fall. Jonathan stood at the doorway, his voice cold. "What, do you need time to get ready? Or are you backing out? Or do you want to see your parents get humiliated again?" My rain-soaked hair stuck to my cheeks. Jonathan couldn't see the changes on my face, but I could feel them. My scales were peeling away. "There's no need for that. You want my heart, right? I'll give it to you now." But are you brave enough to take it? Jonathan frowned, like he was feeling the weight of the storm overhead. As if trying to shake off his unease, he called for the bodyguards. They tied my hands behind my back with a thick rope, like I was some common criminal, and dragged me to the basement. The basement was paved with metal. The fluorescent lights were as bright as those in an operating room. The bodyguards threw me onto a cold iron bed. "Bring him in." Jonathan's icy voice echoed in the room. Soon, Mr. Hayes brought in a filthy old beggar. "Master Jonathan, I found him under a bridge." A few days ago, at the party, Jonathan remembered what Sam told him. He wouldn't have to dirty himself by sleeping with me for the ritual if he simply used someone else. A man's Light Energy could neutralize the Dark Energy in the Blood of Essence from my heart, increasing the chance of reviving Annabelle. That way, he could keep himself pure for his Anna. The beggar's stench filled the room, and there was a hint of disgust in Jonathan's eyes. "Alright. I'll leave it to you all. Remember, I want her whole heart cut out." With that, he turned and left the basement. As soon as he was gone, the beggar pounced on me like a wolf. The smell coming off him nearly made me vomit. His hot, sticky saliva landed on my neck. I was struggling with nausea when a sharp pain stabbed my chest. My blood surged like crashing waves of a stormy sea. I broke out in a cold sweat; the power inside me was about to rip me apart! The leer on Mr. Hayes's face showed no shame. "Not bad, huh? Getting touched like that… Hmph! You ruined my fun earlier. Since your mother didn't finish the job, you can do it for her!" He rushed to pull down his pants, not noticing how the ropes on my hands were pulled tighter and tighter. "Tsk, tsk! Those are some nice curves. Too bad your face is so ugly." He reached out to tear at my clothes, but caught a glimpse of my face as if something unbelievable was happening to it. Suddenly, a bolt of lightning split the sky. Thunder boomed far above. I clenched my teeth, but couldn't help crying out. "Ahhh!" They froze immediately, like they had seen a ghost, and scrambled away from me. They were trembling as they pointed at me. "You, you…" The ropes snapped, and the scales on my face completely fell away. I floated in the air, legs crossed, like a deity reborn from the ashes. When I opened my eyes again, I met their terrified stares. I let out a soft laugh. "Who gave you the nerve to look me in the eye?"