3rd Pov
Endless darkness...that is all what the Author felt in a buried past...
The unwanted sensation of failure, to lose the sole passion you have and sinking into a pit of despair...
It all started a long time ago, the first memories of a child being born and growing up into an ordinary boy who held no dream whatsoever.
Someone like that was bound to have a bland life, not knowing what to do or what to study...walking down the path of life as the day passed while worrying about everything and nothing at the same time.
This cycle of boredom changed drastically in a cold day during a winter of highschool...where a certain world was presented to the boy...the story named « That Time I got reincarnated as a Slime » or shortly called « Tensura ».
Impressed, sublime and finally a first spark of passion surged through that dreamless boy...it all started with a simple anime with 24 episodes, a single season that shifted into manga reading then novel...
Successfully opening an endless realm of possibility within the countless stories in fiction...
And this simple interest became a sort of obsession, fascinated by the endless possibilities in fiction...a writer was born that day.
Born from a simple chapter based on the form of a fanfiction...it was a single move that revealed a fascination for this art.
At first 500 words on a blank page, compliments from newcomers, readers and fans...then it grew up further and further to the point of being called a community.
It was a slow but sure growth, an ignited passion that led the boy to finally awaken a dream...that of writing his own successful story one day.
Finally, after a few years of writing, gaining small experience and earning himself a name within the community he dedicated himself to.
He launched himself to a whole new world, neighboring his current one...it was the start of a fun journey or so he thought.
In reality, the world he set foot in was a minefield of competition...everyone wants to be successful but only a few really achieve greatness.
Most if not the majority are just falling into the abyss, unknown and their dream broken...
Author : It was a world full of color in the beginning, with boundless affinity and inspiration...
The first chapter came out, the second, the third...then it followed suit, people liked it but as the book extended further up.
More people picked the story and read it, their eyes trailing every point of the plots...criticism and insults flowed in waves at a certain point.
It was natural, after all the more people appearing...the more opinions arising, everyone can like or dislike a story, it's their right.
But some simply want to ruin you...and the general opinion can easily sway up individuals into following the crowding malice.
Author : Each passing day, I felt those cheerful colors fade into a blandness...
Standing in a field, the world couldn't be more uniform...nothing was like before, the passion he fueled himself with became poison.
Each comment removed a sparkle in his eyes, each mockery tore him apart until nothing was left...nothing but a blank page on top of a messy desk.
A man who has lost his passion automatically lose everything he has...the people, his surroundings, the fans and family that supported him, everything was just a stain of black and white in the eyes of an agonizing man.
Failing to physically publish a book several times, wasting years upon years trying to achieve a single dream...a goal that just deemed further away as time passed.
Author : Devouring yourself until nothing is left...
Dropping his head onto his keyboard, there was not even an ounce of passion left in his cold eyes...his body rigid, wanting everything to just end.
The room furnished with a few figurines and a simple bed and desk with the materials needed to write was silent...only the sound of a buzzing phone tickled the ears of our protagonist.
Even now, comments were filling his social media...people asking him to give up, that his work was trash...
Author : Why does that even matter now ?
How many days has it been now ? It was a sort of routine, everytime he closed his eyes he could feel dozens of fingers pointing at him from everywhere.
Noise filling his mind, all inspiration for writing vanishing like melting ice...food became tasteless, no...all of his senses turned out dull.
Author : If only all of this could just be a bad nightmare...
Closing his eyes lid, he drifted his mind into a nightmarish dream...being in reality or the realm of resting, there was nowhere safe anymore...
As his hand instinctively rested on a single book marked on his table...the book with which everything began.
For him the perfect story...one that inspired him and gave him a purpose...
A story that should never waver in the wrong direction...
Author : Right...Tensura is perfect as it is...
Maybe if he would have written his own story differently, his fate would be different...the story that a reader read is the finished product.
They don't see all the work behind, the scenario lost for the one chosen...the characters created but never used, the dialogue centered but deleted...
Author : In the end, I wasn't meant to write...only capable of reading the perfect story of another...
A perfect thing shouldn't change, or it will become flawed...
Finally shutting his consciousness, was it death or maybe a comatose state ? The Author didn't really know but he found himself admiring his sole source of hope in this bland world.
A story made by another author...someone who succeeded, the very thing he wanted to become but failed...
Dawn Pov
This is the truth behind those memories implemented in me...that vision when i first awakened as Dawn Arceid, in this new life.
It was the final sight of Elite3532 before drifting into an endless dream...his original self can be said to be dead and alive at the same time.
This world is neither a dream or story, but also it is indeed a tale and book...his obsession for the perfectly colored Tensura had led him here.
Wandering and watching the story unfold over and over...his fear of Tensura turning bland as everything else awakened when he met Mirai...an entity that could change everything.
Author : So you uncovered the truth...but why would that matter ? Everything is as it should be, only this girl has to disappear.
Dawn :: Fate has always been cruel to anyone, that is why some people are just destined to break their own fate.
I smirked, looking down...my hand was still covering Mirai's eyes as she regained reason and tried to shake me off.
Mirai : Father ! Let me go !
Dawn : I'm sorry Mirai but you'll have to sleep for some time...
Mirai : Huh ?
It is logically impossible to put a spiritual being asleep or even knock them out...but I have my own to achieve it naturally.
Hugging her closely, I felt a surge of warmness escape my soul before sipping toward Mirai, the process as short and fast.
Mirai : T-this-you can't do t-tha...
Her pupils shaking, she started to wear out slowly before shutting her eyes close...it was instantaneous as a voice rang into my head.
Manas Fate : (The contract has been fulfilled...)
Dawn : (Yeah...thank you for helping me all those years...)
I smiled sadly, feeling the connection I had with fate decreasing...what I just did was giving back the borrowed power I had.
By returning the full authority to Mirai over fate and at the same time abandoning one of my hero eggs permanently to her.
I forcibly triggered an evolutionary sleep...now, Mirai is growing stronger to reach a new prime...and by the time she reawakens I would have dealt with everything here.
Manas Fate : (Yeah...I will be forever grateful as well.)
This won't be our last interaction, but one of the final ones...as I felt my power being drained, I didn't feel bad at all.
Knowing full well that the hero egg i have been fostering after getting it from Luna...this one in particular i gave to Mirai.
She will awaken as a double hero egg bearer and return with full authority over fate, then my rôle would have been accomplished.
Author : You...what have you done ?
Dawn : Nothing much, just contributing to my daughter's development.
With that being said, it's finally time for me to confront the entity that started this all and will end this all.
I carefully laid Mirai down before stepping up, leaving her behind for a short while.
Dawn : Life is truly full of surprise, right Elite...
Author : Don't call me that.
Dawn : Why not ? After all, it's this name that started it all...
Author : Shut up ! You don't know anything !
Dawn : No, you are completely wrong...because there is no one that could understand you more than me.
Because I have witnessed and lived as you for a major part of my life as Dawn Arceid, the illusion of being a reincarnated person...
I had seen it all, experienced it all indirectly...the pain and suffering of a shattered spirit.
Dawn : It's already checkmate...you can't defeat me.
Author : What ?
Dawn : Do you need me to draw it out for you ? Well that's fine as well.
I ignored his growing confusion and generated a sword made of ice, stone and iron.
The craftsmanship is naturally poor compared to a master at work but it should be enough for what I want to convey.
Dawn : Let's fight, I'll show you how weak you truly are.
I tossed the blade to his feet, the metal bouncing onto the solid ground leasing a loud thud that echoed faintly.
Author : A fight ? Do you think you can defeat me alone ?
Dawn : Of course.
I snickered in amusement at his frowning expression, as for his appearance...I couldn't call it healthy, his eyes displayed extreme tiredness and the term miserable would be perfect to describe him.
Still, he still had some spirit in him, albeit very weak...my provocation worked as he grabbed the sword I had furnished and started running at me.
Dawn : (As expected, his swordsmanship is weak...)
Jumping, he tried to assess a heavy vertical swing...but the movement behind was lacking, the basic and fundamentals of a swordsman were nonexistent.
Dawn : (Naturally, he might not be a swordsman but certain signs don't lie...)
He has zero experience as a fighter, he moves his body without any basis and knowledge of battling and dueling...
All this time, he has been a reader, an observer...he never tried and even as he fought us, he did it by manipulating existing characters to do his bidding.
His fighting prowess were never a threat, rather it was his skills...
Dawn : Is that all you got ?
I parried his sword smoothly, cutting the trajectory...I swung [Shin Exalia] to hit the side of his blade, adjusting my strength to not just break the sword.
Instead, I annihilated his balance and footing...taking advantage of it, I quickly let go of my sword, throwing her upward.
Dawn : I won't even need a weapon for this level of strength.
Smirking, my eyes were clouded completely seeing the countless openings I could use...my wrist twisted, my leg moved.
And before I even knew, I had grabbed his shirt...blew his chin with my elbow and followed by swiping his legs with a horizontal kick.
His body flying midair, I ended this pathetic excuse of a fight by charging my forearm right into his neck...the ground approaching, I tackled down letting the world of fate shake upon collision.
Dawn : See that's all there is to you, a power barely stronger than a unique skill.
Author : Arg-ahh-
His choking voice and twisting expression, all were testament of his inferiority as a fighter and person.
Dawn : But defeating you in a fight is meaningless since I can't kill you.
To be exact, I can actually kill him...but his death would also mark the end of a story, this story...
After all, a story without its main character simply became chaotic...that aside, I'm still grateful for Elite3532 for creating this story.
Without a mark in everyone's mind, a reminder of your existence...then you simply don't exist.
The trials I went through, the pain of Mirai's journey...all these serve as proof that we indeed existed.
Dawn : I won...
Letting him go, I got up raising my arm at the same time...to catch [Shin Exalia] who had been tossed a moment ago.
My opponent was trembling weakly, his own hands reaching for his neck feeling the pain of the slam...
It took him a long moment before regaining his spirit, voiding eyes glared at me...his struggle as he got back on his two shaking feet.
A venomous voice full of hatred then rang through the space.
Author : I-if only i had a better weapon ! I would have won !
Dawn : That's just an excuse...but I guess it's fairly normal for you to react that way, after all you haven't changed at all.
Author : W-what ?
Dawn : Always searching up for excuses...well that isn't just you, humans are just naturally negative.
If only I had done things differently, if only I had confessed early, if only I had studied in the past...
Regrets are born from mistakes, but those same mistakes are just curtains of reassurance for the one thinking.
There is no guarantee that fixing those mistakes would make your future self better...this is also the principle of the butterfly effect.
Dawn : You can still hear their voice, right...the tone of disdain that looms all around you.
I was right judging by his startled reaction, one that soon shifted into a menacing glare.
Dawn : Right on spot, mmh...
My goal was to give all that are dear to me the future they deserve...I didn't discriminate between enemies and allies.
That includes you as well, Elite...i can't allow you to die but also I sympathize with you.
Dawn : That is why, I will hold out my hand to you in this dire moment...
Doing as I say, my hand stretched positively toward the enemy...a silence instilled between us, his glare against my stare.
I waited and waited, but in the end...I received a slap hitting my hand away.
Author : Don't bullshit me !
Dawn : I really wished to be the one helping you...but I guess it can't be helped.
I expected this...a part of me wanted the inverse but that is fine because it was merely a personal wish.
Author : You think you have won ? What a delusional and arrogant bastard you are !
Here comes the true threatening factor of this man, an ability I know quite well as I had used it for a long time as well.
Ultimate skill : Lord of Stories, Author...
Author : [Story's Domain] !
My eyes darkened slightly when the world around us distorted to welcome a complete other form...it was that of a large endless library.
The perfect form of [Story's Domain] that I couldn't achieve...this ability is the true main reason as to why Mirai was never capable of winning against Elite.
Author : Haha ! This realm is outside any boundaries known !
He is right, the influence of the Voice of the World is very deem here, it still exists but just very weakly...a skill that nullifies the other skill, just like Yuuki Kagurazaka's.
Author : Now raise !
At his command, being made of flesh manifested from the present book...those were characters from anime/manga and stories in general.
Even some of my friends were present, this was the true ability of the Lord of Stories, huh...
To generate characters known by Elite3532, he who had read several thousands of stories with all kinds of themes could just create any character and use them to fight.
Dawn : They are all mindless but their powers are real...
It's a pretty terrifying ability since there is no limit to this realm, he could even bring Veldanava in his prime...well, that only works in the boundaries of the [Story's Domain].
Dawn : Not like it goes beyond any of my expectations.
Author : What are we saying ? You lost ! You cannot defeat the strongest being in fiction !
Dawn : Sure i can't...but i don't need to defeat them, after all i got myself a pretty useful skill you see.
Keeping my smirk, everything was planned in advance...this as well, the very reason Luna- the reason she had to die.
Because after defeating her, I received her skill...one in particular that she awakened during that vert fight.
All that for this very moment...
Dawn : Activation, unique skill [Copyright].
Increasing it's proficiency with [God's Authority], this skill was the very counter to the Lord of Stories's true ability...
It sounds just as it is, Elite summons characters that don't belong to him...[Copyright] simply nullifies all that he could do.
Author : What ?
Colors being washed from his face, all the characters he had summoned were erased and returned to their books state as my ability shone brighter than ever.
Dawn : Terminal deus.
Cracking the domain, a crimson glow coated my pupils as I directed my gaze to the surrounding library.
A simple command was enough for the whole structure to crumble, allowing her to be in the world of Fate again.
Author : Impo-ssible...
Dawn : With this, your sole win condition has been neutralized.
With a decisive step, I walked up to him...
Dawn : Now shall I reiterate my offer ?
Offering a hand once again, I didn't expect him to accept it right away but his reaction came out impromptu.
Author : You really want me to live, huh ?
My whole body jolted hearing the unhealthy voice that rivalized with even Velzard's coldest spell.
My neck snapped toward him before freezing, so that's how you want to play it, huh...
Author : Then if I die, it would just mean your defeat as well.
Madness filled his eyes as he held the sword I had created with both hands, the sharpness of the blade right next to his face.
A clear threat of self harm...ready to slash down his own neck, it was an answer to the desperate situation he was in.
Unable to win against me in a fight and argument, he reverted to humanity most primals instinct...blackmail and self harm.
After all, the easiest way to inflict harm to someone who doesn't want you to die is your own flesh and blood.
Dawn : Do it if you can.
I didn't wield, his eyes betrayed his resolve...if taking one's own life was this easy, he would have done it a long time ago.
The human's body is weak and easy to harm but the mind is a barrier that is much harder to bypass.
Dawn : But before that, why not see your situation with another point of view ?
I couldn't wait for an answer, tapping my feet. I used [God's Authority] to create yet another dimension...one that didn't overpower the one we were standing in.
But rather overlapped it, this new world was based on my own memories...the memories given by Elite himself.
We were not standing in the middle of a room...a place that was both familiar and foreign to me but for Elite himself, it was the room he had lost it all in.
Author : T-this...
His hands shook, his whole body did, realizing where he was back to...symptoms of post trauma started fluctuating through him.
The blade he was holding fell flat on the ground as he took several steps back.
Dawn : Scary, right...to face your past, I too experienced that before.
Unfortunately, I couldn't recreate all the lifeforms in the world...without the power of fate, my capabilities are even more weakened.
Dawn : But that is why you have to face it, only then can you get up and meet a better fate.
Twisting my body toward the desk, my gaze fell on the closed computer...with a swift movement I opened it, lifting the upper screen and pushing down the turn on button.
Immediately, the screen lit up and a torrent of voices bursted out in high volume...
Dawn : This is really dreadful.
The nature of these voices were malicious, all of them were comments full of negativity...thousands upon thousands were thrown in constant flux and mixed.
The noise was even getting to me, but I could take it...however, the guy beside me was another story.
Elite sat on the ground shaking violently, his two hands held upon his ears trying to cover even the slightest sound.
But that was useless as no wall could protect you from this...
Author : S-stop this !!
Crawling into a ball, he was completely overwhelmed by the intensity set by malice...
Dawn : It's natural to react this way...
I coldly reached for the back of his shirt, pulling him up...at the same time, I crossed his arms locking them behind his back.
Now fully exposed to the noise, I forced him to face the computer...each voice was filled with words that materialized physically dispersing in the ambient air.
Dawn : Face it and be reborn stronger than ever.
Author : N-no...s-stop !
The malicious words flew around piercing him one by one...I witnessed them all, the abuse of the internet and negativity of human nature.
It was repulsive...perhaps in creation as a whole, humans are the most evil by nature.
Intelligence gives birth to greed and malice, they naturally rot away each individual's soul...
Dawn : Truly humans are the most complex but also the most flawed creation.
I must have dozed off as several more minutes passed...and we were still standing there, looking back at Elite, he was now motionless.
His body reacts every so often, but his eyes have finally lost it.
Dawn : It's horrible, right...
Letting him go, he dropped on the floor barely moving...I ignored his state and went on to shut the computer down.
My fist smashed it into pieces...with the noise fading, the effects were already encrypted into the one that suffered the most from it.
Dawn : It's such a twist, the more popular you get...the more praise you receive but also negativity arises.
Facing Elite again, he really wasn't in a good state...his hands circling around his neck as he threw up, strands of saliva splashed over the ground disgustingly.
His head weakly rose to glare at me with a mix of helplessness and hatred.
Author : W-why...
Dawn : ...is that all you have to say ? Get up already...
Humans are flawed but at the same time, they are made that way...with the incredible function of getting back on their feet and fighting again.
Failing was never a sin, existing was the greatest curse and gift for a human...true success can only come after losing several times and rising back over and over.
Dawn : Have you forgotten ? The reason you kept writing even under those waterfalls of critics ?
Author : What-
Dawn : Listen and wake up from this nightmare...
I gave him a smile full of sympathy, his confusion however didn't leave...but as he was about to snap again, a quiet whisper echoed through the space.
A whisper that multiplied by 2, then 4...more and more whispers filled the room just like how it did with the computer before.
Author : W-what is this ?
Dawn : Remember for what you were thriving by keeping this act for so long.
The whisper tickling our ears, I closed my eyes and just let the moment flow...these new noises weren't anything like the previous wave.
Instead of malice, it was the few buried positivity...if there is evil, then good also naturally exists.
Many people criticize you but also many follow you...waiting each week for new chapters, these people are the source of hope for an author.
They give you the energy to keep going...
« Can't wait for the next chap ! »
« It's awesome, keep going man. »
« When is the next part ? »
« The plot twist left me speechless ! »
« Nooo ! Why did she have to die ! »
Just like a beacon of light piercing a sun of darkness, the cold wall of the room slowly crumbled to enter a realm of brightness.
Even Elite who was still down there, he sat shocked as the positivity washed away his injuries and heart.
Dawn : The pressure got to your head and you started prioritizing those who criticize you over those who truly cared for you.
My voice softened as much as it could.
Dawn : Those people never stopped waiting for you, even now they are impatiently awaiting your return, so get up at least for them.
Author : H-how can this be...
Dawn : This is the world you have turned blind eyes and shook your back over.
Straightening my gaze, a storm of transparent screen appeared all over the place...litting up at the same time, my eyes trailed in an instant motion catching each and every content.
They displayed all the same things, they were readers who smiled...laughed and cried, they lived through a book...
Dawn : Don't you think all these people are worth getting up again ?
Shaking my head, I once again stretched my hand to him...the circling words stormed around like a gentle breeze.
Elite's eyes meeting with mine, a slight breach in time where everything around slowed down...it was the very peak of a story, the last blooming salvation that I have been waiting for.
The silence prolonged for a short while, ending with a reluctant nod...Elite finally grabbed my hand as I helped him up.
Elite3532 : But what's the point of this...i'm already far too gone...
Dawn : You're not wrong, even if you somehow manage to get back into your world...you might have lost several decades worth of vitality.
Naturally, I am not fully aware of which state he will be in once he gets back...most likely, it would either be death or comatose state.
Not like any of that matter since I have had the solution prepared for a long time.
Dawn : Instead, how about restarting everything ?
Elite3532 : Restart ?
Dawn : Yes, a new chance at succeeding...you won't be reborn as a child, only an opportunity to correct before things started going wrong.
Elite3532 : You mean...
I flashed a smirk while reaching a hand into my left pocket, it took me an instant to find the item i was looking for and shoved it out.
Firmly held in my palm was the device created by Shuu...the one that gives anyone holding the opportunity to use « Fate » for a single usage.
Naturally, you need basic and advanced insight into Fate before...the creation of that tool all resulted for this moment.
I cannot achieve this part without Fate and I was forced to give back that power because Mirai absolutely cannot see Elite3532's face...
Also [God's Authority] only grants me a few perks...I cannot turn back time at such a scale.
It was only possible through the combination of fate and authority.
Dawn : This is where we say goodbye...
Elite3532 : Dawn...
Dawn : Don't look at me with such eyes now, we were still enemies just a moment ago.
Activating the device, the wheel of fate shook...thread of silver rushed to grab the very reality we were in.
A single note resonated in my subconscious as my lips parted.
Dawn : [Fate Paradox].
It was done...the light all around faded for the world to change, naturally the [Fate Paradox] used here was imperfect.
A imitation remain as such, the action set by Elite won't be erased...just his existence will vanish to meet the new fate i had prepared for him.
Dawn : Live without regret this time, don't lose yourself again...
Watching as his figure started dissipating, his eyes were wide open realizing what I just did.
Elite3532 : I...don't understand, why are you doing this for me ?
Dawn : There are multiple reasons, evil is as much necessary as good...that aside, I'm also feeling grateful to you.
Elite3532 : For what ?
Dawn : You'll understand in the future...well shortly, our story is much more complex than you'll think.
You don't know it yet but as I save you now, you'll also save Mirai and she saved me...it is a loop that can be reversed.
My very existence isn't a coincidence, as from the memories i had received...i unconsciously became the ideal main character Elite3532 wanted to create.
We were all indispensable...yet for Elite, the main character has always been Mirai, as for me it's him...and Mirai saw me as it.
Dawn : It was just an inevitable outcome.
Elite3532 : Why sound so vague now...
Looking down, there was clear regret in his gaze...did he feel like we finally started forming a bond ? Well that's not really it.
I'm merely repaying a debt, I never intended to be a friend or hero for him...our road is parting here and now.
Dawn : Good luck on this new beginning.
Elite3532 : Yeah...
Perhaps it's because he didn't know how to face me, he didn't have much words to say...still all until he completely left, I kept facing him.
His legs gone into particles, soon followed by his finger then arms, his abdomen then chest...finally reaching his neck.
The particles were bland but as they floated higher, they blasted into a golden shine...
Elite3532 : Thank you..
At the very last moment, he raised his head and gave me those words cladded in solitude...I was too startled to even answer as the final bit of his skin melted away.
Dawn : Heh...
I didn't imagine it, he wore a tiny smile while giving me his thanks...the particles flying above me were proof that it all ended.
Right now, i sent him back to before he tried to write his own novel...when he was still a fanfiction writer...when he truly had fun writing and exploring this world of infinite possibilities
Dawn : Ahhh, now I feel a bit empty...this solace sensation eating away my soul.
I succeeded, I won against destiny...Mirai is now free from her boundaries, it is my salvation...
Dawn : Truly, it's a weight down from my shoulder...
The reason why Elite actually saved Mirai, one of them is that Mirai was fated to her tragic fate...a density outside Manas : Fate's control.
Even if it wasn't Elite3532, it would be something or someone else...but that is only one of them, the fact that it was Elite in the end.
It allowed me to reach this point, to devise this plan...if it was something else, then perhaps I would have never managed to get this far...after all, not everyone would have given memories and such hints throughout the attempt.
Dawn : In the end, everything followed the seed I had planted...
Now, should I go back to her ? Mirai should reawaken soon...it's about time I conclude my own story as well.
As a warrior, a noble and a father...
3rd Pov
Back to the central world, in the middle of the world sealing prison...Amaranth Varja sat patiently, her face displaying a sense of boredom and evasiveness.
She yawned lazily before straightening her gaze, lifting her hand to support her chin... Amaranth Varja turned her attention toward the sole few who could communicate with her.
Amaranth Varja : It has been 5 days already...you guys are reaching your limit.
Her statement was pure cold truth...since Dawn had left, 5 whole days had passed in the central world.
Most of the humans had already collapsed in exhaustion and the majin, beastman, demon and others were nearing their limits.
Even the main source sponsoring the seal being those with greater Existence point/value...such as the true dragons and ancestral beings were starting to gain cold sweetness.
Ramiris : Even one more minute is good...after all, we were just told to gain as much time as possible.
The spirit queen was the first to answer, she who was the beginning of this seal...being the most knowledgeable of all Veldanava's subjects on the matter.
Her elemental wings spreaded proudly as she maintained the seal, using her own lifeforce when the others were flinching.
Amaranth Varja : Aren't you all too desperate ? The apex of this world crawling to just earn an instant more of living, utterly pathetic...a disgrace of God's authority.
Velgrynd : Bark all you want, personally even if I have to grovel on the ground...I have something I need to accomplish-
Velzard : Well said, sister...pride is only a concept you can uphold in front of another person, not a beast.
Amaranth Varja : Kuh, calling me a beast now...how amusing.
Much to everyone's surprise, Amaranth Varja didn't feel offended at the occasional insult thrown toward her person.
She just sat there, laughing off what would have previously raised her mood to hell mode.
Veldora : She is kind of scary...
Elmesia : Fuu, how are you holding in, mother ?
Sylvia : Ahh, my dear daughter...your hero friend is really exploiting this old body of mine...
Elmesia : That sounds horribly wrong...
Sylvia : I know.
Smirking, the elven race is among the naturally strongest races...they outclass any majin, only behind a few like the divine races.
Elmesia and Sylvia are however outcast, being that they outshine literally their very kind...Sylvia being the ancestor of the elf, a divine ancestor they call.
And Elmesia being only second to her...the two of them managed to match the pace set by the supreme true dragon up until now.
Sylvia : (Mmh, still this is strange...I feel like I forgot something important...)
A missing piece, many have experienced that sensation...when you suddenly feel the lack of something, when you leave a room but suddenly halt.
Tripping your pocket, knowing that you forgot something but couldn't remember what.
Sylvia : (Meh, I guess it's just my old age catching up...after this, I should get a check up really...)
Elmesia : Ugh...why are you making that nonchalant face now...
Sylvia : Tehe~
An irking mark appearing over the daughter's forehead, Elmesia sighed, deciding to return her attention to the matter at hand.
Luminous : You are as cheeky as I remember, Sylvia.
Sylvia : Awww, and you changed a lot...by the way what's up with that sword ? I haven't seen it since this creator of ours died.
Luminous : A small gift from a friend, nothing you have to worry about.
Sylvia : It's still a genesis graded weapon, I'm almost jealous...can I have it ?
Luminous : You'll get more chances at finding your dead husband.
Her comment genuinely hurted Sylvia who hid it well through her childish external persona...she didn't resent Luminous thought.
It is merely a pay back for her teasing, after all.
Diablo : Kufufu, it seems the moral of everyone is still at bay.
Carrera : I still find this boring...can't we just fight that thing instead ?
Testarossa : You can go in by yourself then, I don't intend to die before seeing Lord Rimuru again.
Ultima : Yeah ! Nuclear schoolgirl can't read the situation.
Carrera : You-
Testarossa : Both of you...just stay quiet...
The most chaotic duo were still in high spirits enough to start a fight any time...luckily, Diablo and Tetsarossa are more cold minded and kept them in check.
Their antics were also a source of entertainment for those struggling with the seal...everyone was basically immobilized for days, any form of time passing activity was welcomed.
Amaranth Varja : Is that also a natural instinct to joke around when your precious world is at stake ?
Velzard : Not really, in any case you seem more and more curious, world destroying dragon.
Amaranth Varja : Curious, huh...well I guess that would be the right term, I'm curious at how long you weaklings are going to play this boring game of waiting.
Ramiris : You say that but you are completely shut down-
Amaranth Varja : Shut down you say ? Interesting, I guess I overestimated you spirit queen's foresight ability...
Ramiris : What ?
A wicked smile growing onto the destroyer's face, Amaranth Varja slowly got up, raising all the attention and vigilance to her.
Amaranth Varja : It has been exactly 5 days 7 hours and 21 minutes since i got trapped...
The tension shifts into a deafening tone at each of her passing words.
Amaranth Varja : And it has been over 13 hours and 53 minutes since I could break off the seal.
Synchronizing her words with a swing of her hand, her aura spreaded across the seal...the wall shook violently before shattering like glass.
This action was too sudden as no one was prepared for the incoming shockwave, the wind rapidly tangling into a thick storm.
Amaranth Varja in an instant cleared the way, sending the major party of those present flying.
Amaranth Varja : Hahaha ! I was just waiting out of curiosity as you deduced !
It was totally out of character for her to remain silent for hours, furthermore when she was tricked and humiliated before.
But Amaranth Varja isn't mindless anymore, she developed a sense of greed and waited.
Amaranth Varja : Ahh, I just wanted to rip that damn hero apart...
One thing that she fully gasped during her light stay in this seal is that everyone present was too weak.
Even the true dragon couldn't handle a full minute against her, if they were to fight then the display that happened within the fake world Dawn had created would just be reproduced.
Amaranth Varja : (I guess that's what they call a change of heart.)
She won't be satisfied with just destroying everything, she wanted to learn everything she could before that.
Returning as the All in One is still her final goal, but emotion itself became a constraint Amaranth Varja was victim of.
Amaranth Varja : (And the only one who can teach me these isn't here, those boring bugs aren't worth my time...)
Her aura spreading to destroy everyone present, it was barely stopped by the powerhouse as they did their best to avoid any more casualties.
Amaranth Varja : Come back soon, Dawn Arceid...because if you don't, there won't be anyone left~
Her wicked smile growing deeper into madness, she stretched her arm boldly readying another attack.
Velzard : No you won't !
The frost dragon forcefully breaking through the swirling current, Velzard lunged her leg forward.
The air being kicked out of the way, she landed a direct hit on Amaranth Varja's raising arms...but despite the heavy impact, it barely made the world destroying dragon budge.
Amaranth Varja : Fuu, it's always you...the first victim~
Velzard was always on the frontline when confronting Amaranth Varja, and she most of the attempt fell first in battle.
This time either, it won't be any different as no one was present to support her...
Amaranth Varja : I'll dig another hole in that lizard body of yours.
Velzard : (Her hand...it's aimed at my core ! I can't evade it?!)
Or so she thought...when Amaranth Varja's finger brushed over Velzard's skin, a horizontal curtain of light spawned from nowhere.
The veil's identity was a sharp swing of a sword, beautiful and harmonious yet filled with killing intent.
The slash went on cutting Amaranth Varja's forearm while slicing a large rift into the land...a earthquake strong enough to start wave of extreme magnitude in the ocean all around the worlds.
The mountains left on its path were split, space itself was bent leaving the ambient air vacant, almost as if it was aspiring into a breach in space/time.
The swing continued for miles and miles, it also completely shut off the storm Amaranth Varja had created leaving a silent battlefield where not even wind dared make a noise.
Amaranth Varja : Oh ? Why are you here ?
Her hand regenerating instantly after she gave it a thought, Amaranth Varja glared toward the empty space where the sword swing started.
Her eyes gleamed dangerously, not because of the power excluded by that sword swing but rather because it was the one she was seeking for.
Velzard : (This power...this sword art-)
Getting away, Velzard landed on the ground several feet away where her allies joined up with her.
All of them followed Amaranth Varja's lead, all gaze fell on the empty space where a chilling aura could be felt.
A short time passed before finally a portal appeared breaking the ambient space to welcome the one being that chaotic sword slash.
Stepping out, as if all sense of courtesy has left the world...a cold gaze filled to the brim with the purest form of killing intent.
Amaranth Varja : You are...Mirai Averion ?
Revealing herself, she stood still as the portal behind her closed...her appearance was rather strange, the battle clothes that had seen the horror of this war were gone.
Instead, she wore a clean uniform adorned with a noble accent, embroidery stitched on the white silk, an ideally matching cape gently set above her shoulder...this was more of a ceremonial clothing rather than battling.
But among all the details that held Mirai's current appearance, one particular factor was tickling everyone's curiosity and pondering.
Velzard : M-Mirai...w-why do you have that sword ?
And the one to initiate contact was Velzard, she took a shaking step forward with a stuttering tone.
Because the sword in Mirai's hand, albeit shealted was easily recognizable by all that had seen it once...
She held [Shin Exalia] in hand, a weapon that didn't belong to her.
Mirai : I came here to end things for real...
Ignoring the question thrown at her, she pulled [Shin Exalia] out of her scabbard while activating her skill.
A completely new world was presented to her, her white hair seemed to have grown slightly longer with shades of silver shimmering around the tips.
The silver runic markings were also more potent across her skin, a halo of pure light floating above her head with a eatheric formation extending from her back.
Mirai : Just to be clear, Dawn Arceid is still alive...
Before stepping into the fight, she let her words be carried by the wind...a bunch of reassuring words.
She didn't lie but her voice was cold, almost dead...something did happen right before she arrived, something that grew her into this state.
Mirai : Fate is really a cruel concept...
Amaranth Varja : Stop flattering your bullshit and tell me where that hero went, I can still feel his pulsating presence.
Mirai : Dawn has better things to do than wasting time on someone like you.
Amaranth Varja : Ah ? You are really infuriating despite being his daughter...
An angered world destroying dragon and a noble lady who has returned at her most powerful peak.
Another fight whose scale far exceeded what the cardinal world could uphold was about to begin.