Rimuru Pov
My eyes flung open, a hazy wave of sensation staggered my mind...assaulting me with drowsiness.
The surrounding didn't help either, a pitch of darkness or maybe whiteness ? I failed to put a proper description to the world I was now floating in.
Ciel : (Welcome back my beloved master.)
Ciel's voice broke the silence, finally I started regaining my senses, clutching my fingers in response.
Rimuru : (Ciel...where are we?)
Ciel : (Master is currently at the very edge of creation where all points in space and time meet.)
Rimuru : (The edge...)
Ciel : (Yes, it is also called the end of space and time.)
My thought process froze after fully registering her words. I was at the end of space and time ? Is this even a place to be at ?
How did I get here in the first place...oh right, I was hit by Feldway's spell, did he call it [Chronos Saltation] ? He took me by surprise, resulting in the current situation.
Rimuru : (How much time has passed ? I feel like I slept for a decade...)
Stretching my arm, I slowly caressed my forehead trying to get rid of this sleepiness.
As a slime, I shouldn't be able to feel such sensation unless intentional...yet at the moment, it felt just like how I woke up a monday morning when i was still Satoru Mikami.
Ciel : (Master has been in a state of hibernation for the past several eternity...)
Once again, I froze at her words...my eyes widening, I turned my head gazing at the sea of nothingness.
Rimuru : W-what do you mean ?
Ciel : (This place converges time itself, creation itself has come to an end...I had myself witnessed the birth and extinction of countless realms while waiting for you.)
The birth to the end of a world...the numbers reach up to the trillions of years and she spoke of it in plurial...
Rimuru : T-then what about everyone...Ivarage ? Chloe, Shuna and the others...
Ciel : (The Cardinal world isn't an exception, everyone there has been defeated by the world destroying dragon and its essence has reached its term.)
Rimuru : N-no...
Everyone...they were all massacred ? And I was nowhere to help...we lost ?
Ciel : (Master, please does not lose hope.)
Rimuru : I-is there anything else I could do now...
My body shook in frustration...
Ciel : (Yes, master can still earn back everything that was lost.)
Rimuru : R-really ?
She brought back hope, I waited for her next words with anticipation.
Ciel : (For the last few eternity, master's body has bathed in this void absorbing its essence and energy, countless evolution has shaped the master's current self.)
Rimuru : Did I evolve again ?
Ciel : (Affirmative, master has also accumulated enough Nihilitist energy to create the world as much as he wants.)
Recreate the world...this simple notion made me feel a complex myriad of contradicting emotions.
Rimuru : Is this your solution ?
Ciel : (Yes, master upon will can recreate the world and its people...I have successfully analyzed and stored the information necessary to redo everything.)
Rimuru : This way we could change the world and shape it correctly...but won't the people there just be fake ?
Ciel : (You are correct, they won't be the same people as you once knew but creations that possess their abilities, appearance and memories.)
My lips quivered, was this the sole solution ? Even so...I couldn't possibly accept, because it would be the same as living in a world of puppets.
Rimuru : Wait...what about Ivarage, where is that evil god now ?
Settling the solution given to the side for now, I asked about the world destroying dragon.
Rimuru : Is she gone as well ?
Ciel : (...master, may I take a physical form?)
Her request surprised me, she had never asked something like that before but I instantly knew what she intended to do.
Just like how Veldora materialized through a clone of mine, Ciel would use a body double to form her own physical form.
Rimuru : E-euh sure...
As soon as approval was given, I felt a part of myself being pulled out...a clone of mine sprouted from my body and soon enough, a gleaming crimson gaze illuminated its eyes.
Ciel stood before me, her appearance identical to my own yet I felt a distant feeling rise in my chest.
She wore a piece of clothing similar to my own, albeit hers was made of white fabric instead of dark.
Ciel : Master, you asked where is Ivarage now...
Rimuru : Yes ?
Ciel : That wicked being is neither gone or defeated, in fact for the past several eternity...Ivarage has been trying to get to master and devour him.
Rimuru : What ?
Ciel : In fact even now as we discuss, that evil dragon is trying to get to you.
I heard and reflected on her words, my eyes trailing around only to find nothing but us...
Rimuru : But where...
Ciel : Right there.
Stretching her arm leftward, her silky white hand gently caressed the air as if there was a solid surface.
Applying a bit of pressure and under her command, reality itself crackled before her touch.
The cracks slowly spreaded across the space before brutally falling into pieces...a whole new scenery hidden behind.
I flinched at the instantaneous display of violence that followed...Ivarage was there releasing a laser of destruction through her mouth.
Countless beast of destruction stronger than any demon lords were present...all of these collided on a barrier that surrounded me and Ciel.
Rimuru : W-what is this...
Ciel : This is the world beyond creation, the realm shared by all after the end of all...
All that was left was Ivarage and myself, I didn't know her intention and purpose but her presence here could only mean she is after me.
Ciel : Master hold the last piece to Ivarage's end goal, the ultimate authority of God's will, protecting you was imperative to even hope of winning.
Rimuru : God's will ? What are you saying...and what is this barrier ? I don't have a bility that could hold for so long against such an opponent...
Ciel looked over me with the tiniest smile, she tilted her head before shifting her gaze...a flash of guilt portrayed her senses.
Ciel : This barrier was present before master even first came to life as Rimuru Tempest, it has protected you and allowed master to cross worlds without consequences...
Rimuru : Cross world, you mean when I reincarnated ?
During my journey in the central world, I had learned a lot about existence itself...otherworlders aren't that uncommon.
But otherworlder through reincarnation are much rarer...in fact there are only fewer cases that even an ancient being like Veldora has never witnessed someone like me.
My soul was strong, pretty much everyone agreed on that point after knowing my circumstances...
Ciel : The reason why master's existence managed to uphold so many ultimate skills at once, why he could surpass all despite being born as the weakest race.
Rimuru : What are you trying to say...
Ciel : This barrier was forged outside the boundaries of time to protect you, to forge you...master, will you heed the full picture to this plan to defeat the most evil creature ?
The full picture...Ciel, ever since I woke up she has been showing a tense and passive side.
Nevertheless I nodded, the truth...I have no idea of what occurred during my slumber or before my arrival in this world.
But it seems everything will be uncovered right here and now.
Ciel : Very well.
Her crimson gaze piercing me, I felt a chill sparkling through my skin...the world around me melted to enter another sub-space.
A world devoid of color similar to the previous one, I peeked around finding absolutely nothing.
Ciel : This way, master.
Going off first, Ciel's light step resonated with this space...the ground rippled after her passage.
I took an instant to stare at her back before following, as she guided me through this realm of nothingness.
I couldn't put sense to this place, we were definitely walking but it didn't feel like it...the never changing scenery didn't help either.
Has an hour passed already ? Or maybe only a few seconds...time and space, my perception of those natural laws failed me there.
Ciel : Master, do you believe in fate ?
Rimuru : Fate ? I guess I do...
Ciel : I see, as expected of the master...
Now she was truly acting out of character, keeping my eyes on her back...I wondered if Ciel had become more emotive...
Only then a revelation struck me like thunder, she...Ciel had waited for me to wake up for countless years.
Here all alone with Ivarage trying to get to me...she has been protecting and waiting for my return.
Rimuru : Ciel...
I clenched my fist, what am I doing...I couldn't protect my people, not the entire world while being given so many advantages.
I was blessed with a wonderful partner that I let down...
Rimuru : (I'm so sorry, Ciel...)
Biting my lips, I froze my expression when she came to a halt...her back still facing me, she seemed to be contemplating something in deep thought.
Ultimately, she stepped to the side allowing me a clear view to our final destination.
Rimuru : Huh ?
A man was standing there, his figure shimmered lightly amidst this blend of void...I felt my soul reacting when his dark eyes fell on me.
He stood there alone. I definitely met this person before but I couldn't pinpoint when.
Rimuru : Who...is that ?
Ciel : Dawn Arceid...
Rimuru : What ?
I had to squint my eyes and give a thoughtful examination, it wasn't just his appearance that struck me.
But his condition, this person claimed to be my friend...he was nothing like Dawn, his power was almost non-existent.
His existence was purely human and the way his eyes gleamed without emotion...
Rimuru : Are you really...Dawn Arceid ?
I asked while taking a step forward, my hand stretched without any intention to reach the target.
Dawn : Am I ? I apologize but who might you be ?
I froze mid way, my pupils dilating as I stared at him...his words echoing in my mind like a chant under the holy wall of a divine church.
Rimuru : Y-you don't know me ?
Dawn : Sorry, my memories have been through countless reset...judging by your reaction, we might have been close in the distant past.
I opened my mouth, only for no words to come out...my throat was dry and I completely failed to properly process the new information.
Rimuru : You...
Sensing my nervousness, Ciel spoke, interrupting my unease.
Ciel : Allow me to explain.
Dawn : You are...the jewel of wisdom ?
Ciel : Indeed, I am the Manas : Ciel...and this is my master Rimuru Tempest.
Jewel of wisdom ? I have so many questions stacking up...and all I could do was wait for this explanation...
My fist could only tighten further in frustration.
Dawn : Ciel and Rimuru Tempest...I feel like I had once put both of your names above all, what was our relationship ?
Ciel : Friends...you were and still are our friend.
Dawn : Mmh, I see...friend, I'm sorry but I can't fully grasp the meaning of « friendship » anymore...
What did he mean by that ? Did he forget what friends are ? Again another question was added to this ever growing list.
Ciel : Master, you must be confused and you too Dawn.
I nodded while Dawn didn't appear much shaken, he simply stared off...his eyes waving in a hazy blur- Weird...
Ciel : But before that, I must explain what [God's Authority] is.
Rimuru : God's Authority ? That sounds like something really serious...
Ciel : It is, Dawn you are a hero who was given the right to use such authority...the absolute power to transcend your limitation as a mortal and bring forth power beyond causality and instilled logic.
Dawn : I see...
Again, he showed no reaction whatsoever...
Ciel : [God's Authority] is like a beast, one that you have to feed so it can obey and grant you its fang...you could also call this « sacrifice ».
As soon as she mentioned this last word, i connected the dots and my mood dropped pit down.
I had to cover my mouth feeling nauseous from what I just uncovered.
Ciel : Master, this barrier that has been protecting you...it was formed through countless sacrifices from you, Dawn.
3rd Pov
Starting with memories, then names, followed by his physical form to part of his soul and himself.
Ciel had witnessed the breakdown of a hero and couldn't help but feel guilty...it was her rôle to protect Rimuru from any harm.
Yet she was cursed with this knowledge and intelligence, realizing that with her power alone she couldn't stop Ivarage from getting to Rimuru.
She had to rely on Dawn who had played along the line of fate and reality...his actions affected the past and future, the present shaped through countless realities with their own will.
The end of space/time is a place that is neither bound by space or time but also any concept...Rimuru being transported there doesn't exactly mean he had outlived creation.
At the same time, in a place where time doesn't exist...he would have lived a second worth of eternity.
All the while being completely powerless against external threats...Rimuru couldn't die yet, he was a seed of hope that Veldanava had chosen and that Dawn had to protect.
It was their contract, Origin Averion shall get rid of the Author and Dawn Arceid will save the world as it's chosen hero.
He had taken the burden from his daughter, his action that caused a myriad of butterfly effects...all the accumulated karma surging to cause greater chaos.
He had to take responsibility for all these...
Ciel : Dawn had sacrificed his everything to [God's Authority] to retain this barrier...
Burning his memories and all the experiences he had stacked during his journey, he lost his identity...
The titles he had earned, the name he had forged robbed him of his power...
But maintaining such a barrier for so long...even all these given sacrifice weren't enough, Dawn had to give more and more.
His already fragmented soul was eaten leaving only a tiny piece for him to exist...he gave away his emotions, his perception of life and death, what mattered and not became blurry.
Finally, he gave away his physical form...leaving only a remnant of his existence remaining as a spiritual being that could only exist in the realm of consciousness.
Ciel : This was the price he took, master...
Rimuru : ...
Rimuru was speechless, it was a lot for him to digest...his mind overworked itself so he could compose himself.
Rimuru : D-did you know, Ciel ? All this time...
Ciel : I only knew half of the truth, as the wisdom king, Raphael...i was once the skill of Veldanava and Dawn Arceid, they have both expressed their plans but never explicitly brought it up.
However, everything made sense now...Ciel was still the overlord of wisdom, the pinnacle of computational intelligence.
And at the end of her analysis, she had fully deduced the grand ambition of Veldanava and his plan set in motion.
Starting at the very beginning of creation...two beings being half of each other, Veldanava and Ivarage.
They were the fragment of the All in One god...the truest perfect being whose will shaped creation itself.
After forsaking his omniscience, Veldanava still had knowledge of the future...his idea of seeing life striving in the right direction pleased him.
Thus becoming his most idealist future...but that very future was threatened by his own counterpart.
So Veldanava had to presume function and prepare for the inevitable confrontation with Ivarage...and Rimuru's name always came up.
He was the chosen one that is the key to victory...but Ivarage isn't one bound by fate and time, she could break the line of density and shape the future to her will.
Appearing at the end of space and time wasn't difficult for Ivarage, she could harm Rimuru from any direction in the axis of time.
And once she awakened her true self, there was no guarantee for any safety...Veldanava had to protect Rimuru if he didn't want to step up himself.
His original plan was also turned into a rumble with the arrival of external affairs such as the Author and the absolute anomaly that is Mirai Averion.
That girl was another variable who could shake the world, but she couldn't be a key to defeat Ivarage because she is in the end human.
But she could take a role in this giant parade...but her existence was unstable and targeted endlessly, her father took on her burden.
Allowing Veldanava to witness a total change of perspective...he saw in Dawn what human's will is really capable of and agreed to support him.
Ciel : A mortal who had waited more than anyone, and gave his all for the sake of others.
At some point it wasn't just for Mirai but creation itself, a paradox where Veldanava used the Author's memories to shape the future.
Elite3532's fascination for Rimuru gave Dawn a reason to sacrifice his everything to protect him, Rimuru whose existence was guarded by Dawn's usage of [God's Authority] and Veldanava's ideal relying on Rimuru's victory.
This whole cycle has become a greater loop involving Rimuru, Ivarage and Veldanava...on the other side Dawn/Origin, Mirai and the Author.
All enterwinned chaotically to create the current result...
Dawn : I see...so that's what happened, it seems I was part of the good guys then.
Smiling to himself, he listened to Ciel's explanation with mild interest...honestly speaking, he didn't really care because that was all he was.
Joy, hatred, greed, even interest...all those emotions had long since been given to [God's Authority].
At this present moment, Dawn Arceid was like an empty shell...he was given a mission, that of guarding this place endlessly so he stuck on this principle.
He never tried to seek an explanation or reason, before and after being Dawn Arceid...
Rimuru : Good guys...you can't be serious, why would you ever agree to that...
Dawn : Agree ? It's more like I never thought of any other option...it is my fate I suppose.
Rimuru : Fate...
Rimuru repeated this word without disbelief, then he remembered Ciel's question before meeting Dawn here.
« Do you believe in fate ? »
She knew everything, perhaps even more that has yet to be disclosed...
Everything has been like a tapestry of lies and deceiving...Rimuru felt respulsated by all the sacrifice required just for him to live on.
Rimuru : So...what now ? What will happen to Dawn ?
Ciel : His existence has already been given to [God's Authority], as a mortal who dared step into the purest of the divine's territory, he will be erased as such.
Rimuru : This is...how could Veldanava use someone's very existence...wasn't he supposed to be a god ? Why don't he solve his own problem and not drag others in !
It was inevitable, Rimuru knew it but that didn't mean he could accept it.
Dawn : Are you angry for my sake ?
Rimuru : What ? You are damn right, I'm pissed off because you are my friend...
His hand shaking, his sudden outburst and Dawn couldn't offer any reassurance...he simply stared and nodded.
Dawn : It seems like I have fulfilled my duty...
Rimuru : No ! Your true duty is to live on ! Not to die in a place where you'll only bring sadness over your loved one !
Dawn : Sorry, I can't really understand...
Rimuru : Tsk-
This just added on Rimuru's frustration, it took him a while to calm down but when he did...he turned toward Ciel and with a resolute tone.
Rimuru : Ciel, what is the plan now ?
Ciel : Master currently holds his own piece of [God's Authority], though different from the one Dawn uses...you could say Veldanava's soul is hidden deep inside master's.
Rimuru : Does that make me his reincarnation or something ?
Ciel : Negative, he is just taking refuge in...it is also one of the factors that forced Dawn to protect you.
The safest place in this whole ordeal, everything has truly been thoughtfully planned.
Rimuru : Is that what you meant by-
Ciel : Indeed, Veldanava is the reason a master can hold unlimited potential...
The Voice of the World's favoritism, his overly strong soul in reality bathed under the star king's blessing for countless ages.
Ciel : Master can turn everything upside down, rewrite history by returning back in time.
Rimuru : Returning back, is this even possible ?
Ciel : Affirmative, all the preparations are already done.
A splash of relief crossed Rimuru's face, going back meant he could change everything...save everyone.
Rimuru : Wait, then can't we save Dawn by going to a further past ?
Ciel : ...negative, individual : Arceid existence has already been greatly erased...
By this time, most people would have already forgotten all about him, some might be able to remember his name but that would only be a word set on a faceless body.
Rimuru : Is there really no way ? Please Ciel...
Ciel : I apologize, this is a matter that extends past our reach.
Rimuru : I see...
Dawn : No need of looking back, the fact that I am still here means that I accepted whatever fate awaited me.
Sensing their hesitation, Dawn stepped up with an immovable expression.
Dawn :If everything has truly been laid, then the path you should follow is clear.
He said addressing Ciel who was the most logical out of the two, hesitation would only extend the waiting to the inevitable.
Rimuru : You are...right, but what about you ? Will you stay here ?
Dawn : I am not sure myself, I can feel something resonate within me ever since you appeared before me...
Delving deeper, he could instinctively tell that Rimuru was the one he had been waiting for all this time.
In countless timeline and reality, this Rimuru is the only one of this branch that reached this stage...the end game where his power achieved godhood.
Rimuru : How much time do you have left ?
Dawn : I...do not know.
Rimuru : ...
Was it really hopeless ? Rimuru attained power like no other before, it was explicit that there isn't much he can't do now.
Recreating the world, destroying everything, rewriting the law and more...he had it all, yet the first thing he truly wanted couldn't be granted...like a curse.
Ciel : There might be a way...
Rimuru : Ciel ?
Ciel : If the master absorbs him, I will ensure to do my very best and find a solution.
Living emotion crawled in her voice, her usually cold and analytic eyes radiated determination.
It wasn't just a life at stake, Ciel was once his partner as Raphael...but more than that, she was reliving that scene where she failed her master against Velgrynd and Veldora.
Dawn is a friend and a benefactor, it boils Ciel's imaginary blood just imagining him disappear in such a way.
Rimuru : A-absorb him...what do you think ? I don't want to do something against your will.
Ultimately the choice laid in the one concerned, Dawn didn't answer...he just gave it a thought, his face remaining neutral.
Dawn : Do as you wish.
Despite the approval, a lingering sense of loss caught Rimuru...it was an empty answer, Dawn didn't expect anything to be success or failure.
This was the fatality of the price he paid all those years...a human that can't laugh, smile but remain as such just because he still lives.
Rimuru : (We can't let a hero like him wander off alone, and even if we cannot save you...I at least want you to receive the farewell you deserve.)
Stretching his arm, Rimuru looked over to Ciel who gave him a sleepish nod...his lips quivered as a swirl of dark purple escaped his palm.
Rimuru : [Azathoth] !
Without any resistance, the Void God : Azathoth spreaded across the mind realm eating away everything.
Swallowed carefully, it reached Dawn and the next instant his existence was aspired into the mind of the imagination.
Azathoth after finishing its task halted then returned to Rimuru like a good pet, the surge of power gained from eating a powerful individual took place.
Pulsating through the slime's body, Ciel had to return into Rimuru's soul as well and stabilize the evolution.
Rimuru : What's happening ?
Ciel : (Upon absorption, master has acquired the Heroic Will : Dawn Arceid...it is a skill that belongs in the same category as the Lord of Storm : Veldora.)
A proof that Dawn still lived, Azathoth didn't just serve as an imaginary space...an inventory but also as an erasure bin.
Rimuru lightly tapped his chest, it was warm...the source of an awakened hero with pure heart.
Rimuru : It seems like even if he is not truly himself, he still is a great true hero.
A man can lie but his nature, a soul cannot deceive others...with the surrounding realm melting, Rimuru found himself back in front of Ivarage.
The beast however didn't seem to be conscious, unlike the absolute monster he faced with his other allies.
Rimuru : Ciel, what are my chances against her now ?
Ciel : (51% of victory, Master has fully integrated [God's Authority] during his slumber...representing the nihilist part of creation, you became the third will of God albeit an artificial one.)
Rimuru : Will of god...
Veldanava and Ivarage were half of each, meaning 50 % of the All in One...but that only happened after Ivarage awakened.
After assimilating Veldanava's power through Nihilist energy...Rimuru became the 51 %, the invariable form.
Ciel : (Master's capabilities aren't bound by the world anymore, the skills you possess are merely skill in name but as in reality, they are past that level.)
This is why even as the Voice of the World is gone, Rimuru could still use his power to an even greater state.
Rimuru : Then what are we waiting for ? Let's test it out !
Ciel : (As you wish.)
His hand now ponting Ivarage, Rimuru entered a state of trance feeling his whole existence being reshaped.
A crescent halo circled the back of his head, his long hair glowed into a deeper shade of blue...golden stars seemed to inhabit his pelt.
His pupils slitted draconically, the golden shined like two precious jewels while a crimson iris sprouted to reap those who dared look into him.
This was Rimuru's Will of God's form...
Rimuru : Devour it all, [Azathoth].
Littering the void with a greater void, Rimuru's skill manifested like a hungry beast...in an instant, the offensive of Ivarage and her army were gone.
Scattered into the [Imaginary Space] then dissolved, as for the world destroying dragon herself...she seemed to have woken up, her eyes snapping open.
Amaranth Varja : Rimuru Tempest...RIMURU TEMPEST !
Roaring with all the hatred of the world, she has been waiting for this moment...her claw lacerated with destruction.
She clashed with Azathoth's swirl, completely overpowering it...tearing the fabric of the void god.
Rimuru : She is still monstrous...
Ciel : (Analysis done, incorporating Nihilist nature into Ultimate skill : Void God, Azathoth.)
Accompanying her announcement, [Azathoth]'s glow became corrupted...thread of tentacle started rising faster than they were destroyed.
Grabbing the world destroying dragon by the arms and legs, her dragon form was soon swarmed by the thread of void.
Amaranth Varja : You think a mere trick like that will work ?!
Battling with all her might, she at first swayed away the devouring void...but as more struggle went on, Amaranth Varja realized that her power was being erased.
Not devoured or taken, simply erased...this was the corrosie destructive nature of nihilist energy.
Amaranth Varja : (W-wait, the future and past...nothing, all is turning bleak?)
The distant vision of a white fox flashed before her eyes, as more and more of [Azathoth] spreaded across her physical body.
Amaranth Varja : You damn wrench !!
Her hating voice echoed through the realm, her eyes glaring at Rimuru until she was completely overwhelmed and swallowed.
Ciel : (Absorption complete, individual : Amaranth Varja has been turned into power...no resistance has been detected.)
Rimuru : Huh ? Wasn't that a bit too easy ?
This left even Rimuru dumbfounded, he was ready for a much grander confrontation...even more when there is nothing left to protect.
Ciel : (Report : Ivarage's authority wasn't present...the world destroying dragon master just absorbed was weakened to the extreme, around a 1 % of what master fought before sumbering.)
Rimuru : Weaker ? How is that possible ?
Ciel : (Ivarage's power spiked down at the very last instant, most likely a force from the past constrained her.)
Before being taken away, Amaranth Varja had shouted an insult toward someone...if linked with Ciel's words.
Then that « wrench » just saved Rimuru a big trouble.
Ciel : (Master, the essence of destruction acquired from Ivarage is reacting to the Heroic Will.)
Rimuru : And what do that do ?
Ciel : (Ivarage and Dawn Arceid's nature are fundamentally related, much similar to a blessing.)
Rimuru : That sounds shady...well, it's not like I can doubt Dawn now.
The deafening silence of the end returning, Rimuru listened to Ciel's voice...she listed a few more points while tracking down the timeline they were going back to.
Using the Heroic Will, Ciel found a resonance between this will and a person from the desired past...precisely Mirai.
Ciel : (Enabling space/time transcendance, location locked...will you proceed Yes or No?)
Rimuru : Yeah, let's go.
A decay of aspiring particles turned on Rimuru, his vision shifting through the world as time was reversed.
He broke through the barrier of the void and returned into the boundaries of time and space.
His new appearance gleaming amidst the stars, the cosmos reforming as a universe...the fallen worlds reverting back to their former glory.
Rimuru's eyes glowing in hurry, flaring across dimensions and worlds.
Dawn Pov
A long dream, that was all my existence is about...I was the product born from countless individuals's greed and plan.
Veldanava who needed a shield for the future, Origin Averion who needed a spear for his daughter...even the Author who saw in me with his perfect vision of a main character.
I was all that others wanted me to be but never did I once truly become myself...in the end, the true me became the reflection of what others saw me as.
I am Dawn Arceid, and as of now...i took a seat before the causality of all creation, beyond the limit of time and space.
Dawn : How long do I have to wait ? I wonder...will I even remember the point where I started upon reaching the end ?
I looked up, the mindscape I was currently in is the seal where all began and will terminate.
Converging all of myself into [God's Authority], a seal formed beyond the laws imprinting creation...the target is Rimuru Tempest, a barrier that will protect him until he is ready.
He might die at the hands of Ivarage countless times in the other timelines, some timelines where Feldway missed his [Chronos Saltation].
Other where Rimuru had to fight Ivarage one on one, some realities Ivarage arrived early and brought her army of destruction to salvage the world.
All kinds of scenarios passed by in which Rimuru's existence was at stake...I protected his soul and nature in each of them until the right timeline occurred.
One where he will be transported at the end of space/time and eventually meet me there...
Dawn : I will be waiting...
A second passed and I could already feel the burn of my memories...cherished people and priceless time passed with friends ignited.
Another second rolled by, and another memory was forgotten forever...I sat there longing for the conclusion.
Scribing a book overtime, I had realized that I was too short on sacrifice...so I needed to make new memories to give away.
The solution I ended up with is this book...I will write down stories of my own memories and once those will be gone, I shall reread those segments.
Replacing a gone souvenir by a replica of it...i continued this cycle, my existence torn apart...I started forgetting who I was and what i am.
Holding my goal in mind, I no longer found myself sitting but rather standing...eyes cladded in a blur of haziness.
Dawn : What am I doing here...i-i forgot ?
Rolling my eyes, some lingering recollection invaded me from time to time...I was all alone, solitude can be a fate crueler than death.
Has it been 2 centuries now ? Or maybe more...I can't really know, does time even pass here ?
Dawn : Right...I'm Dawn Arceid, a hero from the central world.
My willpower remained intact, did doubt ever begin to linger into my thought process ? No, not even once had I tried to get out of here.
Only then had I realized that my emotion got in the way of my mission...I decided to give away what made me human.
The feeling of greed...losing the need to go back to my friend's embrace...
The notion of despair and patience, without them I would be no different from a machine but that is fine...I alone have to carry this burden.
I had long since reached my limit but kept going...waited for another minute that extended into an hour.
And finally, when all I had was nothing but a piece of fragment of my soul...I felt a pair of red eyes shining through this endless pit.
Dawn : Jewel of Wisdom...
Collapsing, I didn't dare leave my eyes off of those crimson pupils...I forgot who they belonged to but I certainly know them.
Did I smile at that moment ? No, I couldn't anymore...did I even want to smile ? Maybe or not ? I'm confused...right, I need to get rid of this confusion as well.
Dawn : How much longer...
Closing my eyes, all seemed so blurry and incoherent...there was nothing to see, yet my eyes still worked.
I should get rid of my sight as well...or should i ? What did I give away myself for anyway ? I forgot how my own power worked...
Dawn : Maybe I should rest a little bit...
Rest, even this word seemed foreign and inadequate for me...my eyes shut down quietly, as more and more time passed by.
Later on, a small connection breached through the mindscape...I stood there as I always had, but for the first time in a long while, someone else was present.
Dawn : Who might you be ?
A familiar crimson gaze befallen me, I think I was once subject to this same gaze but it seems like I had already forsaken those memories.
Ciel : Dawn Arceid, huh...it seem like our debt toward you-
Dawn : Are you...Ciel ?
I racked my brain, recognizing her only after my eyes fully grasped her appearance...a flower of silver that shone under the moonlight.
Ruby-like eyes that could bring forth the depth of one's soul...the name Ciel naturally left my mouth like a sweet candy.
Ciel : Yes i am...
Dawn : Ciel...i see, then that must mean Rimuru finally arrived at the end.
Ciel : Master is currently in a state of slumber, he is under no imminent threat thanks to you.
Ciel looked at me with pity ? Mmh, she must have realized what I had forgotten...
Ciel : Was this really your choice ?
Dawn : My choice ?
Ciel : You are slowly being erased, at the end of this path...no one but those connected to God and it's Will will remember you.
Dawn : That does sound really bad.
Ciel : There is no going back, your soul has already been devoured leaving only enough for you to exist.
Is it already too late ? If I suddenly said that I wanted to live...will that change anything ? I don't know, I have no answer neither did I need one.
Dawn : Who are you again ?
Ciel : Huh ?
A spasm suddenly took me over, I was just talking to someone but all the content just vanished...did I lose control over what I wanted to give away ?
Was I even talking to someone ? Who is that silver blue haired girl ?
Ciel : My name is Ciel...and who are you ?
Dawn : Dawn...I think ? Or am I ?
Ciel : Yes you are...
Her question became an affirmation, her eyes betrayed absolute confidence...she knew more about myself than I did.
My heart feels heavy. Did I wait long enough already ?
Ciel : Let's have a conversation.
Dawn : Yes sure...
I let myself be carried by her voice, honestly not sure about anything...
Ciel : The name Ciel was given to me by my master and partner, Rimuru Tempest...
Dawn : I see, he must be a good person...
Ciel : He is also your friend.
Dawn : A friend, huh...was he ?
Ciel : He is the king of a nation and you are a noble from an allied force.
Dawn : We were really close...
Our talk continued in this direction, she was helping me in a way...those pieces of information felt fresh and new with a hint of familiarity.
They helped me refuel my mind to give away...
Ciel : What's your name ?
Dawn : I...forgot ?
Ciel : I see...
I looked down, but found a hand covering my field of vision...this lady had offered a hand, her expression was complex.
Ciel : Dawn, that your name...let's create many more memories from now on.
Dawn : Dawn...that's my name, yeah- I remember...
More memories, I couldn't see myself but from Ciel's somber expression...I failed to count how many times she repeated our introduction.
The cycle simply continued, i wasn't exactly alone but never our complicity never lasted long...from being friend, to acquaintance then stranger...
At the end of this loop, Ciel looked at me with quivering lips...she looked over the empty feeling a foreign presence awakening.
Ciel : Master is waking up.
Dawn : Master ?
Ciel : Yes, his name is Rimuru Tempest...he is your friend and my partner.
Dawn : I see, so are you leaving now ?
Ciel : Yes but not for long...however, you will have already forgotten all about this by then.
Dawn : I see...
The moment she leaves, another eternity worth of wait will fill this space...time didn't matter, but my perception was already broken.
Ciel : Don't worry, this time you really won't wait long.
I kept my gaze low, still feeling a pair of arms enlacing me from the front.
Ciel deposed her head on my chest, her ears fixing my heart through the piece of fabric...her hands gently joined on my back.
Ciel : You fulfilled your duty, leave the rest to us.
I didn't return the gesture, my heart remained steady and cold...and I wish I could even regret having abandoned everything.
I think smiling should have been appropriate for this situation...
Ciel : As a friend, a comrade and hero...you deserve more than anyone to see the world beyond the war.
Her body fading in particles, I remained standing still feeling a bitter taste filling my mouth.
Waiting, huh...why did I wait again ? Why am I feeling bitter ? Who was here just now...I just forgot ?
Dawn : Ah- I remember two crimson jewels that reeked of wisdom...
I just have to wait a bit more...yeah a bit more...