Chaos erupted among the streets and homes even after the dark skies dispersed. From one kingdom to the next, everyone could see the darkness that appear above the Witch's Forest while the cold winter winds worsen the situation and the whole place descends to madness. And from one of the secret bases on the dessert to the north where the real Yuwei rests, she saw the darkness engulf the skies. She smiled solemnly when using the encrypted communication device. Luckily, Ptelophy was there to see it beside her.
"It seems he has reached it. And better yet somehow control it. His mother's really done it, my daughter's research has come to fruit, he truly is no defect. To think it all lays down to his Father's ancestry of being descendants from patient zero. Haha...
Hahahaha! And it will all soon come down once again! This time, WE WILL survive the next [Filter]. Yes, maybe I should find more of his descendants!"
Ptelophy commented gleefully when Yuwei takes in a sip of her bitter tea replying:
"I see... Then it's time I bring him under our plans. Took him long enough, but we're finally here. Like we strategized, after we're done here and sent him to do his ritual and debut at the Theocracy, he will then return to the ruins of his home country and finish what he was born for... And definitely grant him his wish for reuniting his family though I wonder if that is still his goal?"
"Let's not forget, we shall help place him upon the throne at the Black Line... With that, our goal will be realized. The people spying under Taiga is about ready as well with their preparation. The Confederation will soon be ours with the Sage of Knowledge... already at our side."
*Bleep*
Another hologram appear of a man wearing the same robe as Ptelophy as he cover his face with a black mask as well. He raise his finger saying:
"Right, but let's call the special doctor station there now so she can attend him when it calms down. And shall we give him the medallion again?"
"Sure, let that Ana girl do it or I think she prefers, Abe? Since we're at it, get him his fixed armour. This time, more sturdier."
"Of course. That boy always find ways to destroy the armour somehow. It is great for the progression of it at least... And one more thing, what about the mission you sent him? Capturing the Geom princess?"
"Ah, let him take his time. I'm sure he'll have some fun stories to tell how he achieve it. Those 3 will never make out of this Peninsula as long as I have her with me..."
*************************************
Atop the Heavens where mayhem is erupting among Gods everyone of them shudder in silence as they stop to look below as their own skies gone dark.
"What in the name of... Is this part of your plan, Taiga- urgh!"
One of the Grandmaster and Previous Supreme King of the Dragon Sector, Han Jinlong. He who has been watching this sad pathetic excuse of squabble and a meeting going on chokes his own representative and lift him off the ground. Han, has gone absolutely livid as he smash the huge table with said person's body shouting:
"ENOUGH! So what if the sky gets swallowed!?"
"You can't breathe since there's no more air... Or get burn by the might of the sun without the ozone protecting us? Sorry, lose all our people while only the strong survive, isn't that what you always dream to hear? And I would really appreciate if you stop destroying any more of the properties we had to pay for. This is a civilized meeting after all."
One of the turtle representative, or the only representative present speaks up confidently to Han. A young adult Owlian with short black hair highlighted by dark blue who seems to enjoy the situation as he rest his arms on the large table and comfy chair. Han looks back at him with a deathly glare replying:
"Hoh? Nobody likes a smart one kid. What's your name?"
"Ah thanks for asking, since nobody seems to have the courtesy to greet themselves when that giant lady showed up. Let me start again, I am one of the Ambassadors from the Turtle Sector and host of today's gathering, Bryan Kartorega. By the spirit's guidance, pleased to meet you Venerated and Exalted Dragon Supreme, Han Jinlong."
He stands, clasping his hand and bow elegantly that Han clicks his tongue since he has nothing to comment about it replying:
"Tch! At least some of us here have the balls to stand up..."
His death glare soon turns to his own people as he lets go of the dying man and sit upon his body saying:
"You young lots have seen NOTHING of what we Supreme Grand Masters could do! Or what the 4 Deities are capable off! Is this really the generation in line to handle the mantle of the Confederation!? Is this how Gods act upon a snake challenging the Heavens? The Deities would weep seeing their effort to be you lot!"
Baonu Bohu, the Grand Father of the Tiger Family who just crashed in the corner watching his younger generations doing their jobs for once giggles. Topless like always, showing the countless scars on his body that expends with his bulging muscles. He rubs one of the oldest scars he had at his 10 pack abs and gaze at the darken skies saying:
"But seriously, youngsters this days. It seems they forgot only the owners of the land can quake the earth. Still, I wonder if they are the same person we talked about?"
"..."
"A-Are you talking to me, Great Great Gruncle?"
"Oh, sorry not you, sweet bun. Taiga? Hey, you there?"
Sitting quietly upon her obsidian throne, Taiga in question merely stayed silent when one of her eyes turn green softly muttering:
"No... Sova... You can't... Not them..."
*************************************
Jordan who has left early watch above the clouds as he saw the pillar of light. With his unnatural eyes he saw the one he cared for turned to a monster by his ancestor's blood. Silently he watch as he see his hand holding a syringe full of purple liquid saying:
"One day, you will understand the extent of your parent's ambition. So till then, keep surviving, Sawyer. I will be there to watch you grow like always. And this time, it seems you won your second major battle, and won't be needing these..."
He removes the vial on the syringe and keep it in his coat. Seeing a small beast-kin silhouette approaching Sova, he decides to fly away.
*************************************
About the same time as the sky darkens and the pillar of light rises, Wang Xuyin sits at the balcony of a tower accompanied by a certain beautiful young lady filled with spirit and charm. Xuyin a bit too big for the furniture she rests tries to balance herself saying:
"To think somebody else could wield that power..."
(Great, another future calamity the known world has to worry. Why is it something always appear when I'm finally settled in? Can't I catch a break for once when I'm on the run? I mean sure, I know the ones chasing me is not THAT amazing and is actually pitiful to watch, but this is the one real break I ever had! Hopefully the wielder can be reason with and just talk it out since the way that sky goes, I think he or she can't control it that well yet).
The one to accompany him... Her, is another lady wielding a different charm to her. Her older looks, developed body, tall figure, and mature complexion attracts the eyes of many who sees. There Wang Xuyin remembers,
(It was always Moriz this and Moriz that. Moriz is definitely the source of the problem or is that he always bring problems. Like...
"Moriz your president is actually a secret revolutionary intent on destroying the Sector and school you've been building and living in the past year and is also in love with you. And because of that, you must be the one to talk some sense and stop her! She'll only listen to you... Plus you're the strongest kid in school."
Or that one time I accidentally fall off a random hole in the all girl's school and suddenly the previous female wing principal appear out of nowhere from the darkest corner and be like...
"Moriz, so you finally found our secret... That's right! Your ancestor or your great grandaunt is alive and she's kept under the deepest all-girl's school underground labyrinth!"
For... Some bullshit reason and I need to go back in time to steal her from her dad who is the almighty Sovereign of Life and Death himself at the peak of his power as he just crushed his opposition and conquered all the largest borders the Confederation ever had. Just to show her that she's loved and wanted. So being her descendant go, and also you're hated by all the girls and I need a reason for you to leave...
"Plus you're still the strongest. Show that she has a future."
And not counting the many more... The most recent was 8 months ago when we were about to do our Final Exams...
"Moriz! Your favourite homeroom teacher! She's been called by her country at the end of the war to clean up the remaining Nationals and Imperials left in the newly acquired Theocracy grounds. But we lost contact with her and her group! Rumours has it she found powerful foes and will be deem KIA in a few days."
And I ended up going to the old Aologi Empire with the student council members and Yuwei as my strategist, while also deciding to take remedial when it's over. And the only price to pay for saving them all is fighting two phenomenally powerful foes like a Paladin and a certain Hero in hiding...)
Xuyin holds between her large chest remembering,
(Fuuuh! Look at me whining like a bitch, but I guess that's fine. I suppose to rule over people you gotta get ruled too sometimes. No point crying over the past when it already happened. Especially when I profit from it. Maybe I should talk about this with someone, get myself a partner in crime... Kitten? Nah, he's too broken right now, especially after I destroyed his reputation and social life when I was still at the all girl's school. I'll let him has his fun here and let him live in peace. Luckily, he's building his reputation up again- Wait, hmm... Yes, he will do...
Wait, from what the birds told me, isn't he on his promotion quest today? So he's there huh? I don't know much about that boy but my guts can easily say, I'm sure he's alive. And welp, you know what, I solved all of my problems in the end, might as well do this one before I head home and get thrown in jail either way after I'm done preparing. That way I can actually relax... Compared to all I faced, I suppose that temporary reality swallowing darkness is looking pretty attractive).
As Xuyin holds near her heart remembering the scar Rucina left him after he stop playing around and whoop his ass literally. Miso looks at Xuyin shocked asking:
"Lord Wang Xuyin! D-Do you perhaps know what that is!?"
Wearing a casual sport wear as she arrived here after her idol training, she holds Xuyin with despair consuming her. Wang Xuyin who wears a over the top colorful dress relaxes and leans at the table saying:
"(It truly is a sight to wonder when the mask an idol wears falls off)."
Xuyin murmurs to herself as she sees the honesty.
"Miso Ssi, worry not. I may not peak at such insights but it won't do nothing unless you're in close proximity."
"Wait, what!? You do know it!?"
Wang Xuyin hold her hand and pull her back from the edge replying:
"Gaze upon me not the tragedy, Miso Ssi. Now, shall we continue having our conversation? Getting stress is not a healthy to your idol career."
Miso seems to regain her composure a bit as she softly replies,
"But... Will we be safe? Will our home be safe? How are you so calm!"
Xuyin gleefully smile maliciously replying:
"This is nothing compared to what I experienced."
(Especially when I had to face off against Rucina and hold him down for half an hour. I mean, comparing him to his marshals is like Heaven to the core of the planet and below hell. The history books drastically downplayed his strength probably to save his Supreme Marshals face since they lived longer and they need to calm the populace. Like it said he can cut tens of mountains in one swing but in reality he could cut thousands and turn the whole mountain range to a meadow in under a minute if you let him. The whole legend of him creating the Cursed Sura Lake to the Eclipse Empire might not be a legend at all).
Xuyin clench her hand and gesture her to sit down and continue saying:
"Plus, I still have responsibility as a fellow owner too."
(Even though this section is mostly not mine but I guess getting ownership in a crisis is fine too... I'll deal with it later and make the owners here owe me a bit as well. Cause if I'm going to rid this world of another future calamity, might as well make it enjoyable. And make sure to do it with style).
*************************************
Watching from a certain distance at a hidden treehouse, Colonel Song-Iseon and Ri-Mi watches the Trial Ground directly as he saw the Temple at the centre slowly crumbles at the edges.
"Colonel! I'm happy we returned to our old secret tree house when we're kids but... other than the small size, w-what should we do about that!?"
Ri-Mi who still somehow fits thanks to her small size sits down leaning at the window, pointing at the dark skies as she asks. The Colonel who is already bending his back and hugging his knees to watch from the small open space looks a bit irritated as he sigh before replying:
"We wait..."
"What!? Look at that place!"
"Like you said, look at that place. We'll probably die when we enter there. I haven't learn to control my [Origin] magic yet. So it'll be fruitless to enter there. Not even my master who is the strongest warrior here can do much."
"T-Then what do we do AFTER we wait?"
"Improvise, as of now, she is the one we need to make sure Silla doesn't go down the drain in history. Just like Geom, we will need the help of the Phoenix Sector."
"Colonel you don't mean..."
"No matter what it takes, even if it means culling down half of our hierarchy. So be it... Silla will survive..."
Iseon grasp his hand as if he grasp the crown and continue saying:
"Under my rule."
*************************************
In a war torn battlefield at the eastern peninsula of the bigger Northern Peninsula, bordering the newly conquered Geom kingdom's territory and the kingdom they're in war with, the kingdom of Ri. The half man half horse elite Guards of the Horse Sector, the 6 meter living tank/artillery unit, The Maelstrom Regalia's watch upon the darken skies beyond.
And as they open their visors to see if they're imagining things, they are none other than the elites of the elites from the Horse Sector, the Riders of Pandemonium. Their leader, a centaur 8 meter in height clad in scarlet gear that sticks out among the ruins of the no man's land where the wreckage of their foe's warmachine and corpses of millions of their foreign invaders lay dead at their gigantic hooves.
"So... Captain Tudou is that the actual threat we're suppose to face?"
One of the companions beside him who had to look up to talk comment as he search around for survivors and the one beside him who's wiping the stain on his crimson armour nods along saying:
"Yeah, we already slaughtered 3 million or more than half of these invaders. They pumped their self to be the big deal but we haven't suffered a single casualty let alone even any damage. Heck, I say our only let down is the dirt, guts, and blood they smeared over my armour. And my wife said she won't wash my armour for me after this battle cause her hand hurt for whatever reason. I guess magic cleaning it is then."
One of the soldiers who is galloping through the air to see from above leaps down saying:
"Oh! Oh! Did you guys remember the shock on their warlord face when his so called cursed blade of whatever can't piece my skin directly when I let him? Hahahaha! I should pass it down to my family!"
"True, I think the Grand Elder would love hearing that when we return. Still, seriously captain, what should we do? You've been awfully quiet."
The first companion to comment ask once more while the one that just landed look at the distance again saying:
"Judging by our distance we should arrive in a few days. It would totally beat the hot desserts lately. I heard it's snowing right now down there."
"Hoh! Neat! Should we capt? Maybe I could buy my lil grandkid some Christmas present? Our steppes never experience winter after all."
*Sigh*
Captain Tudou finally respond with a sigh, but it feels like a huge steam pillar exits the gaps of his visor and as he shakes his head, he opens his visor replying:
"No, once we crush the remaining half of the invading foreigners, Me and a few handful will stay and be ready if they have reinforcement. The rest will return back home to our steppes and let the Fish Sector's newest reinforcement deal with finishing the invader. The Kingdom of Geom still needs to do their thing here and invade or something. They're only stopping because we're here.
It's been a while since I see someone with that ability... The climax at the War of Guns before Glory I think is the last time I think? Or is it the Mark V Revolution? Or both?"
Captain Tudou returns his massive war bow to his magic storage and rub his chin as he's trying to remember.
"You really are old Captain. And I don't think changing the weather is that special. Most of us can do it if we tried. And I heard the Northern Peninsula had the Storm Queen of striding or something. I heard the populace here love her since she calls upon rainy days for crops."
"Look closely you horse skull. That's not changing the weather, it's swallowing reality itself. It has no matter of gravity nor space so it is trying its best to "exist" by making its own rules. In fact, the reason why we see it as black and white is simply because our eyes can't even tell what colour that is or that light cannot even exist in there so colour is non-existent."
"Magic sure is confusing, why can't they use Martial Arts where even Owlians can use?"
"Simply because "That" is more powerful than our logic bending qi or reality bending magic. That is [Origin], the magic those Libera freaks kept "Forbidden" even amongst their highest ranks but selected few. And last time one of the Cardinal was caught using it without permission, the Censors immediately "erase" him from existence. And this is coming from the folks who think time travelling is an okay free thing to do for the sake of preserving history."
"Oh... Well... When you say it like that, shouldn't we intervene?"
"Unless you have the blessing of an [Origin] or being the Deities themselves. You ain't getting close to that. And I'm getting too old to interfere with the newest events. If the Deities or those Theocracy Freaks are not interfering, then we shouldn't as well.
Let the younger kids deal with it, I'm sure the young Heroes of the Confederation will be happy to hear the news. Like that Moriz brat, he'll easily deal with that sort of problem."
The captain grips his bow that even the comrades around him could listen but one of them scoff saying:
"Ah! That kid! Even if you hate his guts, you can't deny you like him as a person can't you? You're more than happy if he ever propose to your youngest grandaughter?"
"Shut it, Wei, and back to the topic, we're already doing a favour by not retiring and help cleaning their mess. Haah, after this I'm gonna ask my great great great grandkid to help massage me. Heard he got some nice kicks, and this has been some nice warm up."
"Right... Then let's quickly cull those invaders then so the fish can swim more easily."
As the captain's comrades left, the captain looks up to the dampening blue sky. Picking up clues along the way of their defensive intervention, he realize this foreign invasion might be the work of someone higher up from the inside to agitate the Horse Sector who is the most neutral and uninvolved in the north to set up boundaries and stop the Geom kingdom who is expanding too much.
"Tch! Those Deities will pay. Let's see how they like it when their northern playground is united."
Clicking his tongue he drops the conspiracies away and follow his friends, this time not wanting to play the game that will cost the lives of many, he will soon pull his entire force back home im direct command of the Sec Lord to left the kingdom of Ri's fate to the hands of themselves and the fish sector.
Another Great Push will soon occur.
*************************************
Neighbouring to both Silla and The Witch's Forest, a certain train runs through its course unhindered when they saw the black sky. Despite its length to fit thousands, it only has 5 passengers. Sitting at the driver's car are two people, Fei and her partner in crime. Fei who's now wearing her old thief's uniform that looks like a futuristic Aologi Special Ops armour with mix of a thief's wear, with dark cloaks and all. She steers to a path hidden from the map, she looks up at the pillar of light among the coming snowstorm that appears soon after saying:
"Sova... I hope you're okay."
"Sheesh, you really do like that guy huh? First time seeing you so love struck. Back when you're shorter, have no figure and well still cute. I like that colorful eyes of yours that seems to want to rip my tits off."
A girl older than her by a few years comments as she sits across the room, overlooking the map rails and comms as she prepares her special gadgets and widget for her next operation. Fei leers back without turning her head answers back saying:
"Why I prefer when I still found you with a crest slave coming from the Western Fringes near the Forbidden West. And for the record, you have no tits."
"Then give me some of yours, you cow!"
Wearing the same uniform as Fei but with a giant plating over her flat chest, she look at the chaotic phenomenon outside saying:
"Well, either way, it's rare for you to call us again. Thought you want to stop after that big heist. It seems you really do like us~"
"Shut it, Yerkatya. You said you want a huge heist and I'm giving you one."
Using her long bright blue hair with red stripes, Yerkatya the second in command of Fei's thief's group hides her face mockingly say:
"Oh? And you'll give us all the treasure we find along the way while you keep that boy to yourself? I suppose you are at that age."
Yerkatya spins her chair around only to appear leaning at the fence of the driver's control table, bending herself forward and looking up at Fei fron her chin saying:
"Our sweet little princess wants a cute boy toy~ is she gonna pop her cherry with him? Aaah~ Yes~ deeper~! hahahaha- Wagh!"
*Splat*
Fei ignores her taunts and just sped up the train causing Yerkatya to fall over the floor face first.
"Don't worry, Sova. I'll take you away from my Sis' grasp. Then we can live somewhere more safe... Together, away from all this mess."
*************************************
"Are you seeing this, Rana? And all of this is caused by him?"
Saya who's been shadowing Sova since Abe's visit to him is now watching him through another direct way. Following his trails through the vents and a certain guardian's back door, Saya has manage to sneak in herself as she saw what transpired inside. Barely out of the radius as the sky finally cleared, she slowly approach the knocked out boy who caused all of this. With his right arm almost detach but a tiny meat holding it together while his torso is cut open with his insides spilling out from his already deformed, rearranged grotesque body.
What's even more appalling is how it is now wriggling and its inside are still beating as it is slowly calling back its parts scattered around and healing itself by absorbing the tree and roots nutrients beneath him by fusing together with it. His face most of all has lost all resemblance of his new or old look as it lack skin, hair, or even facial features and is nothing but multiple eyes and what seems to be a... Mouth? If you can call it that. The only thing left to distinct him from Sova is the black headband he wears all the time and pieces of blonde hair mix with its flesh.
"Keep watching him and don't make contact, it seems many people are dipping their bets and pulling the strings for him. Even the spirit church highest order is putting him on the Throne List.
So, just watch from the shadows like usual. Don't wanna attract those titans. And as for him, from La's report he'll definitely heal himself or... You can help speed up the process by providing him with some energy...
J-Just give him the bone I sent you and whatever you have. He's your "Sibling" no? Won't you care for him?"
Saya who's now wearing the spirit church's ceremony garb of a secret order and their best equipment listen to all this while watching the thing wriggle around sighs her irritation away and nod saying:
"Will co, but say that one more time and I'll give you a whooping, even if you're the party leader!"
From her storage space she pulled out the items she took back when they travelled through the Jaguar Territory. The pocket dimension scroll. Pinching the tip of the scroll, the scroll seems to shake as she then slowly pulls something of an essence. Slowly she retracts her hand further until said essence condensed to a marble while the scroll lost its colour. Bringing it close to its mouth, she then brings out another bone piece that definitely belongs to a human. Using that she force him to swallow it all as she push it all down saying:
"This thing has the life force of an entire large forest ecosystem and the bone of someone Rana knows or something. Enjoy it. And... Please take better care of yourself. Or better yet, stay away from trouble, especially that Moriz guy, he manage to found me when you're waiting at that room..."
*************************************
When the whole commotion dies down, the Guardians scatter to calm the people down and help with the destruction that happens, while they themselves gather to discuss what actually happened and ended with one conclusion.
Both the Wanderer Sova Anmao and Guardian Salvi Yinlang are to be called in court.
The meeting was disbanded and a trial was adjured for the cause of this mess. With both defendant not being able to be here, someone else instead stand to support and stand for this certain someone.
Entering the stand to report the situation, Han-Woo the northern Adventurer Guild Master starts by speaking:
"Greetings residence of the Witch's Forest. My name is Han-Woo and I am here to defend Sova Anmao and bluntly put, push the responsibility to someone else. Let me begin..."
As he explains his reasoning and proof of innocence, from all the video that's not broken showing what seems to be Guardian Salvi not only stealing the secret artifact, but killed a participant and almost killing another one along with how Sova's the victim with the bounty on his head and how he can't do it being an Owlian and all. And the extra affects of the Artifacts Guardian Salvi steals and his motive for stealing which is why he hid his power in the first place, plus the testimonies of the Hunters and Adventurers that survived the trial grounds for alibi. And many more...
The late night meeting soon turn to day as Han-Woo then proclaims:
"And since he left his broken magic artifacts near the almost dead Adventurer, Sova Anmao. It's safe to assume he defected and ran away realizing what he has done from the proof oh his trails through the secret entrance. And until he or someone else involve is found to testify Sova's guilt and Salvi's reasoning for wanting to hurt him, Sova is innocent as he is mistaken for someone or something else and wrongly hurt in an already unfair match and trial. I rest my case."
The whole affair was quickly silence with his influence along with other silent supporters. The bounty on Sova's head is lifted as well as most of those that place those bounty in the first place mysteriously disappear or "replaced". And the comatose master who Salvi cherish seems to reach her limits as her body gave up and passed away. Many secretly doubt her death and knew she must have known something yet knowing who they're facing, let it all slide since it's much more trouble than it's worth.
Sova Anmao is left alone for now...
And a Mighty Conflict will soon erupt at the lower half of the Northern Peninsula.
*************************************
[Extra]
*Cleave* *Cleave* *SEVER*
" "WOOOOOHHHH!!!" "
An earthshaking roar erupted across the large stadium with only a single man left standing among the countless corpses scattered around the huge oval ring. He wears minimal amount of armour protecting his shoulder, heart, and knees and but a helmet to hide his face with short pants to cover his lower body. Covered in unbelievable amount of scars, yet none of them seem fatal except for one long downward strike coming from his left stomach. With a loud ring, a voice soon speaks out shouting:
"There we have it folks! The winner of the year long Libera's Tournament is none other than the new Undefeated Champion, the man even the Paladins fear, the almighty Floreo!"
With that signal, the champion raise both his trojan war shield and a magic rod and spear hybrid as the crowds clamour with feverish excitement. When the cage opens its door inside the building, the champion leaves the stage while the crowd cheers on.
"Did you see that!?", "They didn't stand a chance!", "Nobody could stand up to the new champion!", "To think that shorty had that much power. The way he played with the participants today.", "I'm still surprised none of the Classis Custos haven't try to recruit him.", "Woooh! Gooo! Yeah!", "Look at his body! He may be short but he could crunch diamonds with those abs!", "Never mind that, woman! Those challenger didn't even leave scratch on him but his shield! Ever since he got here he never visited the medical ward!"
Leaving the crowd behind the champion enters his private quarters and put his weapons in display. He rests upon a small luxurious abode with king-sized bed and succulent food prepared over his lengthy table. And a separate room for his bodily needs.
*Cling*
The sound of spoon place upon the table echo loudly over the small quiet room. Looking at the source, there is a lady in her early twenties, wearing a set of unique clothes of Libera's theme with black and white with the Theocracy compass at the centre, but this time rather than a robe, she wears a one piece short dress with long sleeves over her black short top and cape with long collars, her leggings to cover her legs, and gloves to cover her whole body except her face. Simply put, everyone living in the Theocracy could tell if not from her blank Libera's light or her unique clothing that if turn to silhouette still looks like her wearing the usual clergy robe, she's definitely one of the Censors.
"Why that was quick, I haven't even finished my broth yet, so get back out there!"
Sitting with her legs up and crossed at the long table, she lift her bowl displeased upon him and is about to throw when the champion open his helmet to reveal a boy who just became an adult at the age of 15. Having freckles on his face, short curly orange hair with a few red lines that puffs out when he opens his helmet, he kneels down and look up at the lady resting in his room with his round blue eyes contrasting with his hair. As he clasp his hand as if he's praying, he gives the impression of a small animal despite his muscular body.
"But, master, there is no one else to fight. The last challengers remaining are those below my class. They would rather kill themselves than step in the ring against me."
The lady lowers her bowl replying:
"Well, then you shouldn't have killed those fighters everytime then! You fool! Haah..."
"But-"
"And just because they're too weak and you're given the choice to kill don't mean you should've do it! You should've learn how to hold back, like against that boyfriend of yours!"
Hearing that the boy's blushes redder than Olanum as he tries to hide his face quickly replying:
"H-He's not my boyfriend okay! W-Well, not yet until I can convince him to at least change his view- Uuuuh! Why do you have to bring him up?"
The boy suddenly reminded of his precious childhood friend saddens to know his time of meeting with him is still a long way to go. That's when his master leans forward, her long shining blonde hair that covers half her face sways when she takes out a black card saying:
"Cause it seems we got ourselves some grave news from where that boyfriend of yours lived."
"What!? Did something happened to Sova!? Did something happened to the Phoenix Sector!?"
"Phoenix Sector? Oh, you mean a part of the Rucina City? Nah! No, no, no. I heard it's actually revolutionizing without any Xeno influence so it is good. What I mean is the region neighboring close to that city of his."
"O-Oh! That's good to hear. Sheesh don't scare me. Well, if that's all then let me rest."
As if he lost interest about the subject and is about to lay down, his master holds him in place saying:
"W-Where are you going!?"
"If it's not about where he lives, or what my parents are up to, I don't have an iota of interest about it."
"Heh, fine. I'm just trying to say this..."
*Plop*
She throws her card at the table and accidentally landed inside one of the soup dishes. Luckily with her long blonde hair she was able to hide her nerve popping anger with how she is cursed to have unlucky throws. And she just continues on summoning the projection of what transpired at a certain forest from that soup. Seeing the darkness as if it's swallowing the skies and ripping the fabric of reality itself, a pillar of light shows up shooting at the centre of that darkness trying to disperse it.
Yet the champion seems to just walk away to his bed and lay down when her master's grabs a bowl and lifts it up asking:
"Shouldn't you ask like, "Oh my gosh~ What is that!? Will it hurt my precious boyfriend!?", Shouldn't you!?"
His master speaks in an irritated and mocking manner when the champion simply brush her off by rubbing his face on the pillow to shake his head replying:
"I have no worries when the Deities home is close by. Besides, it's not like you'll allow me to leave the Theocracy yet."
Hearing him, she lowers her bowl with a smile and leans back replying:
"I suppose you're right. Power comes at a precious price after all. But have no fear. I have good feeling that trouble will come "our" way and of course you'll be the one to deal with it!"
"So much for being a Censor when you leave your Acolyte to do all your bidding."
"Well, you should be grateful that a pretty girl like me saw potential for a Censor within you and took you in under her wing."
"Right... More like you saw me pummel my fellow Pilgrims, Templars, and notice how I'm still hiding my strength, decided to test me yourself and whoop my bums. But if you have a good feeling then the one who cause that will definitely come."
"Worry not, you have the [Origin] of Fire as well with you. Unlike the pathetic display of [Origin] of fire there, yours are one that's earned, not given. Approved by the biggest schlong hat wearer in the world, the P.O.P.E, Pope herself."
The lady gives a huge thumbs up and the boy looks back at her saying:
"I thought that title goes to the Urgat of Sarana with their huge monument of a hat. Last time I met the Pope, she still just wears that veil of hers."
"I know what I'm saying, Nicole! My boy! You just haven't seen her hat collection yet!"
"Right..."
"Hmm? What's clouding your mind, boy? Other than that boyfriend of yours."
Nicole plunges his face deep to the pillow to scream but nothing comes out before he pull himself back up replying:
"For the next mission, where do I go next? Hopefully it is somewhere with no followers of our dogma? I mean why do Censors even exist? It defies the very ideology and goal this Theocracy do, I disliked being feared and hated everywhere I go, especially by my own family."
"Hoho! Boy, when did you get so inquisitive? Leave those to those secret police. And for one, I'm not going to argue and tell you what freedom is but just keep your eyes and ears peeled, I'll tell you later what you need to do. For now, keep on fighting here for now."
"Haaah..."
Sinking his head deeper again into his pillow and hug his custom pillow he knitted himself, he wonders,
(Sova, if only I can see you again... I feel like the more time I spend away from you, you keep finding yourself befriending girls and make more competitors for me... Sigh, I miss you... ZZZzzz)
*************************************
*Extra 2*
With only the sound of air conditioner winds blowing in and a paper thin veil of light to break the darkness, a certain lady looks at the device and moves around her office chair. Spinning like a child would when no one's watching when she extend her arms to grab hold a dusty old tome that seems out of place among the clean, slick cover books at the shelves.
"Haha!"
She laughs a bit before placing it down upon her long metal desk filled with towers of papers, folders, and books along with turned off monitors hanging above. The tome soon shines bright and shake revealing a huge grin upon the lady's face.
"My, I'm pretty sure I set up everything it needs to stop even Destiny, fate, regressors and even timeline travelers from making his tale move again, did he or she somehow awaken to [Origin]?"
The lady opens the near end of the tome where she sees a new name and picture inscribe within,
"Sova Anmao? That's his new name? So either he is somehow born as one or is it that he has all his traits? It may be the latter since there are multiple pages already... And for a boy he sure look very cute, then again all babies are suppose to be cute for their respective races..."
The lady flips through pages as to skim the contents before she stops at the latest picture and what's written at it.
"Okay, that change is definitely intentional by that Vessel. But as a human male being able to just establish close relation to so many females without any suspicion is already quite a bloody feat nowadays. And I suppose, another thing is..."
She then rips the tome at the page with his picture and pin it at a huge empty whiteboard at the wall.
"He sure has many interesting figures helping him out, and one of them is heading my way... What should I call these influencers?"
She spins around her chair again saying:
"Someone or some group is definitely influencing and giving them ideas to awaken his powers, made evident by the major bosses he has faced so far and especially that ring..."
The lady holds her left hand, small and thin, her fingers slowly approach her ring finger. With a thin gleam, the ring she wears is the same ring Sova brought in that pawn shop. As she removes it, the part where the ring lie leaves behind a white mark that shows how long she has worn it. And beneath the ring is the same symbol as the one Sova wears.
"I always wondered where your wedding ring have disappeared, my beloved... Though you are not him anymore."
She wears it back and continues to flip the pages back and forth to reread and review the contents once more.
"Acquiring a Vessel, and then getting the ring so his mortal body could resist [Origin]. What's next? Make him learn of the next [Filter]?
I gotta give those influencers credit though on making him the descendant of patient zero, even I have a hard time with that. Maybe I'm just paranoid and this is all just a coincidence after all, even I couldn't stop something like that even with the forces of nature on my side... But "NOBODY", not even that Hero of Freedom's... What is his name again? Damn, he really is an enigma.
Well, his companions who is the oldest being now shouldn't know about that symbol either. Did somebody use some alien magic and stumble upon my memories? That's a bit unlikely since I'm on an Owlian body ever since then when I was still unaware. Or did someone grown some taste similar to him? Fuuuh, too much factor to consider...
Anyways, poor baby boy, forced to fight foes he don't even feel connected while his own simple dreams and objectives are undermine by the oncoming circumstances and someone elses ambitions."
She flips to another page near the time Sova lost his ability to cultivate.
"Hmm... Even without this sudden interjection it seems he is already destined for the road to become a ruler. Anyways..."
She grabs a remote at the corner of her chair and turns all the monitors as it lightens up the whole room.
"Aaah! My eyeeees! Ah! I really need to adjust that auto brightness. Or do I just need to brighten my room?"
She starts swiping at the long panel on her table, seeing words and logos appear, she starts typing certain words.
"And the perfect place to start is none other than his parents who showed him that symbol in the first place. I gotta thank the Emperor for making a mass surveillance nation and given me the only privilege. Then again, he is only paying the price of my knowledge. Still..."
Staring at the torn book of knowledge after wiping her eyes, she smiles even more widely asking:
"I wonder how will he fare in this world?"