Sanctum Aristeia
Seven Days after the Pact of Final Will
The sky above Aristeia, shrouded in darkness, no longer knows the dawn.
Black Sun hangs unchanged.
A vortex of dense black clouds thickens, forming a perfect circle like the eye of a vigilant will watching over them.
In the main courtyard, the Saints prepare.
Hundreds of remaining refugees and young soldiers stand together.
Their hands grip weapons, most of which are already obsolete, yet their hearts remain steadfast.
They are not just an army.
They are the last bastion of humanity, resolutely opposing the will of stagnation.
Sheena stands among the Saints, wearing a dark blue battle cloak.
Her belly feels heavy.
Not from weakness.
But because of the weight of the meaning she now carries.
"Today," Maria's voice echoes across the valley, "we do not fight for victory."
"We fight to defend the right to choose. To live. To create a future."
Everyone nods.
Including Sheena.
The air vibrates with the ticking of the cosmic clock.
Through the cracks in the air, the Chrono Legion emerges.
The time beings:
Severant of Threads,
Chrono Justiciar,
Now, looming larger than all else, something even more terrifying emerges:
Chrono Dominion looms larger than all else—a giant with a faceless visage and a body resembling a constantly rotating clock wheel. This entity exudes an aura of fear and dominance, each turn fracturing the air and disrupting the very fabric of time itself. Its temporal tentacles extend and dance at astonishing speeds, while light and darkness clash around it, creating a shimmering effect that makes every movement seem like a flashback filled with profound meaning.
Behind them, a black mist splits with a hissing sound that grips the atmosphere.
Chronos himself projects his will, his voice echoing through another dimension, merging with the heartbeat of Aristeia. "Your Pactum Kehendak is in vain," he declares, heightening the tension in the air.
"I have grasped the threads of time since the beginning." With every word, waves of energy shake the ground, thudding with an almost unbearable strength.
"Vel'thar Vitae In Tempore," Maria proclaimed, summoning the strength of her ancestors. The light emanating from her crystal staff pierced through the dark fog that sought to engulf her group.
"The Will of Life in Time." The radiant web of light she conjured expanded, enveloping Aristeia in a warm yet unwavering embrace as the battle commenced, infused with layers of spirit and intertwined determination. The sounds of clashing metal and impending threats filled the air as the Saints surged into the battlefield with fervor, determined to confront the encroaching darkness.
Cosmo stood tall before the Chrono Justiciar, his spear radiating a vibrating violet light, a weapon seemingly woven from the very threads of time itself. Each thrust of his spear unraveled the enemy's time illusions, creating ripples of energy that flowed through the air like whispers of fate. The sounds of clashing metal and piercing cries resonated as Erina summoned a swirling windstorm around Severant, the winds swirling up dust and debris, creating a protective barrier that efficiently deflected incoming attacks.
In this tense moment, Crystal erected a fortress of earth and fire, lifting fiery fragments of the ground into a sturdy wall that stood resolute against the onslaught of enemies. The mingled scents of hot aroma and smoke permeated the entire battlefield, enhancing the chilling atmosphere and vibrant aura of combat. She skillfully wove the threads of the warriors' will together, forging their spirits into an unbreakable force empowered by the magic of Chronos. Her movements were graceful and elegant, as if she were dancing amidst the chaos of war.
Amidst all this, Sheena, despite being pregnant, fought fiercely. Her magic—Unity Spiral and Dissonant Severance—formed a stunning protective shield; colorful flashes of energy flowed like a current, safeguarding those without magical abilities. The warriors who had been plunged into darkness began to sense a flicker of hope reigniting, giving them the strength to continue persevering.
Suddenly, an unceasing wave of enemies brought forth uncertainty, as the formidable Chrono Dominion stepped forward with resolute determination, shattering their lines of defense in a single, stinging strike. The heartbeat of time seemed to momentarily halt as the words, "This is no longer a battle," escaped from a parched throat. "This is a slaughter." The voice reverberated like a thunderous gong, awakening the fighting spirit of everyone around them. Just as hope began to wane, the sky unveiled a surprise; a ray of light pierced through the darkness like the last flicker of hope, shining brightly.
The sky shone.
Behind the Black Sun, flashes of white light flickered—this was no ordinary light; it was lightning. A sound that shook the entire valley was born from the heights, as if the sky was opening a path for an unexpected power. A grand call resonated amidst the chaos that tore through:
"I hear the call of humanity."
"I hear the vow of will that chooses freedom."
The lightning descended, splitting the vortex of the Black Sun.
A tall figure emerged above Aristeia.
His body was muscular yet elegant, resembling a statue carved from the finest marble, embodying both strength and grace. The white and blue cloak billowed behind him like a flag in the midst of the storm, signaling his majestic presence. In his right hand, primordial lightning surged forth, channeling the unimaginable power of nature itself. His blue eyes radiated a brilliance that was neither purely magic nor will, but the undeniable truth of the universe—unconstrained by the bounds of time. In an instant, the atmosphere around him vibrated with intensity, creating ripples that shook the ground beneath every living creature.
"I am ZEUS." His voice thundered, echoing through the valley like the roar of thunder. "The son of the forsaken will and the nemesis of Chronos' dominion." He stood tall, challenging the threatening entity, with a stance that exhibited dominance. Every gesture of his hand signaled the power of a god, shaking reality and casting aside the weak. "Today, I stand with humanity." As he spoke, the wind swirled with an electric force enveloping his figure, as if the universe were responding to his call.
Chrono Dominion swung his hand, resembling the wheel of time, towards Zeus. With a grand and swirling motion, time seemed to slow as the attack launched. Boom! The shockwave of time shattered the air, creating a thunderous impact that shook everything around. However, before the force could reach Zeus, his lightning struck first, speeding through like a sharp arrow piercing the darkness. "LIGHTNING OF WILL!" The blinding white lightning surged unexpectedly, piercing through Dominion's body, overcoming all barriers and shattering the silence.
"But you are not alone anymore."
With newfound strength from the Pactum of Will now empowered by Zeus, the Saints retaliated with blazing spirit. Cosmo, with graceful movements, hurled his spear, now glowing with a vibrating lightning aura, striking the ground with a resounding boom that shook the surroundings. Erina, with extraordinary courage, summoned a roaring storm, mimicking the echoes of the sky, as lightning danced from her fingers, forming a rainbow of destructive light. Crystal raised her hand, calling forth molten magma from the earth's core, which erupted with tremendous force, creating a sea of lava that burned everything in its path.
Sofia, wise and calm, guided the threads of time with gentle gestures, her every movement painting lines of eternity in the air, ensuring their forces remained unbroken despite the raging currents of battle. The wind whispered, lifting dust and soil particles, creating an unparalleled atmosphere as the Chrono Legion began to fracture, splitting with soft whispers imbued with the aura of fate. The second Dominion fell, its pillars trembling and collapsing, leaving a gaping darkness amid the ruins.
Even the rifts in time opened by Chronos, once shimmering with mystery, now began to close with a deep, serious growl. Chronos himself did not fully emerge, but his shadow loomed menacingly from the darkness, radiating an air of uncertainty. He retreated, stepping back cautiously, though not without the smoldering threat gleaming in his eyes:
"Time always returns."
"You win today. But time is a circle."
"And a circle cannot be broken forever."
As the battle ended, amidst the silent storm, Maria stood beside Zeus, gazing at the horizon that blossomed with an aura of hope.
"This is just the beginning," Maria said, her voice firm and full of conviction. Zeus nodded, his graceful posture hinting at unwavering power. "I cannot always intervene," he explained, with deep determination. "Because choices must be held by humanity, becoming an irreplaceable force."
"But I will leave behind a Pactum that will endure until your children come of age."
In her hand, light formed a shimmering triangular crystal with a small circle in the center, radiating beams of light, creating an illusion of eternity within simple elegance.
Chrono Sigil of Resistance.
"One day, future generations will discover it. They will know that free will has been preserved here, in the Sanctum Aristeia, as a timeless symbol of hope."
Zeus looked at Sheena one last time, his gaze filled with depth and resolve, as if weighing every moment they had shared. In an instant, he raised his hand, and divine light enveloped his body, creating a majestic and fearsome aura. He stood tall, the full force of the deity vibrating around him, with debris from the battlefield swirling in a protective dance, shielding them from unseen threats.
"And you... the mother of humanity's future," he proclaimed, his gaze heavy with significance.
With a gentle movement, Sheena lifted her face, absorbing the depth of Zeus's words. The sky above them trembled as dark clouds began to gather, creating a dramatic atmosphere as an unexpected power awakened. She felt every cosmic force vibrating within her soul, and light filled the sky, shining in a spotlight waiting to obliterate the threatening darkness.
"A fate unwritten by Chronos."
In these crucial moments, as the final assault was about to be unleashed, every second felt like an eternity stretched thin. Zeus, embodying the resilience of a god, stepped forward and, with an elegant gesture, channeled an abundant surge of energy, creating a powerful wave that surged in all directions. The environment around him lay in ruins, the ground quaking beneath his feet as if responding to the call of primal strength, while the light shone brighter, merging with the destiny being inscribed within the universe.