It had been a few hours since Mane's decision to take the Wraith in. Within that time, Mane had successfully received her Spirit Mark, under Crystal's watchful gaze of course, and Hildegarde had returned. It was upon receiving her Spirit Mark that Mane learned of her name. She was called Pale Ghost by the people of her race. But Mane thought it unfair to call her so and renamed her. Now she was Aurora, having been given a new life – a second chance. As for Hildegarde, she caught up on what she missed upon her welcome. The little fairy's expression was comedic to look at, for when she learned of the recent developments – Crystal's true identity and Aurora's submission – she was just as surprised as she was when she witnessed Mane obliterate the several enemy Ascenders that had been sent to challenge him.
Speaking of the challengers, the Watchers had also been quiet for the past few hours. Their silence suggested that they were done with their trick and gimmicks. And that was why Mane dared to return to training once more. Although the battles were more than he bargained for, he had to admit that he profited a lot. Not only was the Edict that nourished and kept him whole bubbling and eagerly boiling over, Chaos was also eager to experience its greatest growth yet. However, Mane knew that order was vital. So he couldn't break through so many paths at once. He had to go one after the other. And he chose a unique way to do it.
Instead of giving priority to the most rampant or most impatient of the many paths he was walking upon, he chose to handle the calmest one first. Of all his strengths as a Tetra Wielder – as a Scholar, Spiritualist, and Energy and Body Wielding Wielder – his power as a Scholar was the most impatient for a boost. Since his discovery of the Watchers, and his understanding of the few secrets of Amalgamation, his Scholar energy had been eagerly pushing, hoping to break into the next stage. However, Mane kept the lid on its closed, preventing it from going any step further.
The other impatient force that cooed and cried, hoping to gain some attention was Chaos. The energy that had turned Mane into a Spiritualist had been gone for long, and upon its return it tried to assert the dominance it had before its disappearance. It pushed and pushed, hoping to break through the confines of the High Level and grant Mane the title of Spirit King. And just like with his Scholar Energy, Mane kept a tight leash on Chaos. He couldn't have it getting its way like a pampered little child. He needed to do things in the proper order.
Since Mane's Edict was now whole, meaning that both inner and outer energy were one, breaking through in his energy cap meant breaking into a Noble Energy Wielder and a Noble Body Wielder at the same time. And Mane had chosen to focus on this first. This was because, although he was at the peak of the Heavenly Realm for both, the urgency to breakthrough was not as great as the other two. And this meant that it was going to take a while for him to break through this stage. And that's why it was necessary to face this roadblock first.
When one became a Noble, the forces of the Universe – every law and every power – came together to witness this event. And so did the Universal Will. And they remained within the vicinity for a few minutes. So this meant that after those few minutes, all the forces promoting your breakthrough will dissipate, and that would be the end of it all. If there were other paths you walked on and you didn't break through those paths before the forces went away, you would never be able to improve on them – ever.
To successfully break through all the paths he had chosen, Mane had to make sure that each breakthrough was within less than a minute of the former. If the said period of time was exceeded and the universal forces dissipated, he wouldn't be able to advance in the other paths. Since his Scholar and Spiritualist levels were itching to grow, it wouldn't take a lot to break the barriers keeping them at the High Level. But his Heavenly Realm Level Energy wasn't as enthusiastic. And may cost him if he didn't deal with that one first. Because if he failed to make use of the supposed time limit, he would be stuck in the Heaven Realm forever, and may have to resort to seeking for other external means to correct this.
Mane's meditation had been going on for hours, and after several more hours, there were still no major changes. The elemental forces were calm, and Chaos was at peace. Mane was a user of many elements, his breakthrough was sure to attract the attention of all of them. And in this space that was a border between universes, there were sure to be many universe wills attending this grand event. The fact that nothing had happened yet was because he had still not gone over that extra layer.
Suddenly, the calm that had engulfed the place changed. The barrier that kept the platform segregated from the rest of the Dreamscape Universe began to shake. Its tremors shook the platform itself, and those who gazed upon the figure of the Supreme felt the immensity of the changes.
"It has begun," Crystal stated sternly, and Aurora who stood next to her nodded her head in agreement. Even the barrier of the platform that easily killed Ascenders, was no match for the forces of nature. The elements were ruthless in their assault, and they kept battering the barrier, causing its tremors to grow even more pronounced as they sort to see exactly what was happening. They would not be kept away from this event.
It wasn't only the space outside the barrier that was experiencing a period of turbulence. The area around Mane wasn't safe either. The elements within the barrier didn't want to be left out. They sought proximity with the budding Supreme, and their gentle caress produced devastating consequences. A powerful flame exploded all around Mane. It started as golden yellow, and then transitioned to crimson red, before finally morphing into the ocean blue flames Mane loved to don.
Next came the winds. A severe tempest overtook the platform, threatening to push all who were on it into the outside world. It merged with the flames and produced an even greater fire with such scorching heat that Crystal had to resort to creating a shield around both herself and Aurora. Yet just that one shield wasn't enough. And Crystal had to settle for conjuring 7 shields before the duo were finally safe from the whirlwind of fire.
Hildegarde came scrambling from within the whirlwind that threatened to engulf everything. She thought she could stay next to her friend, but it seemed she had underestimated the gravity of his breakthrough's effects. She rushed behind Crystal's shields unseen, whilst keeping her eyes glued to the changes Mane was undergoing.
The next few elements that made their appearances were more docile than their predecessors. Water descended as rain drops, bypassing the shields Crystal had made and soaking the bodies of both women. Although they had their energy cloaks around them and such a thing should be impossible, nothing that was happening now was common and could be measured by logic.
The earth beneath them shook greatly, and several cracks appeared upon the platform's surface. These cracks extended deep into the platform's core and unlike before, the platform was incapable of healing these damages. The earth elements had arrived.
*Crash*
It was at this juncture that the platform's barrier was finally broken, thanks to the efforts of the numerous bolts of lightning that struck it over and over again.
*Rumble*
*Rumble*
With the billowing welcome of thunder, several powerful bolts of lightning descended into the whirlwind of fire and easily penetrated what seemed like it couldn't be broken. However, the lightning bolts were not detrimental to the flames, nor did they halt the assistance of wind towards its fiery counterpart. For lightning birthed more fire and the bolts that remained danced in unison with the flames that shrouded the Supreme's figure.
Time followed suit, masking each element with its scent and making everything appear slower. The planets closest to the platform felt its sting the most, for Time cruelly robbed them of life, causing these planets to return to an age when there was nothing!
And then came darkness. The element which had aided the Supreme in killing so many with effortless ease was the last to make its appearance. And boy did it leave an impression.
"Is it getting dark?" Hildegarde was stunned by the influence of the darkness elements. For in this realm belonging to the Watchers, the light that had been since they arrived here and made it impossible to tell day from night for it always was, was quickly fading.
Soon a bleak darkness covered the entire platform, and only the whirlwind of fire and lightning could be seen. As the rain that ignored all barriers soaked their bodies, the three women kept their eyes on the whirlwind, wondering when it will all end. Suddenly, a thunderous voice shook the universe itself, as the name of the new Noble was born.
"SUPREME"
"SUPREME"
"SUPREME"
"SUPREME"
"SUPREME"
"SUPREME"
"SUPREME"
Seven times the voice proclaimed the title of the new noble, and each time the elements showed more power in response to his name.
"HE HAS AWAKENED!"
"ALL HAIL THE ONE PRE-DESTINED TO RULE IT ALL!"
"IS HE A BARON?"
"A VISCOUNT?"
"AN EARL?"
"A MARQUIS?"
"A DUKE?"
"A PRINCE?"
"IS HE A KING?"
"OR IS HE AN EMPEROR?"
"NAY! HE IS NONE OF THESE THINGS!"
"WHY YOU ASK? BECAUSE HE IS THE SUPREME!"
"AWAKEN YOU WHO HOLD THE WORLD AT YOUR FEET. AND LORDS OVER THE MULTIVERSE!"
The voice didn't belong to one person alone. These were several Universe Wills, belonging to several Universes, and they had come to pay their respects and announce the birth of a new king. As they spoke the elements receded slowly, yet the turbulence in the atmosphere was far from dissipating.
At this moment Mane felt his strength grow, and he truly stepped into the realm of Nobles. And once he did, he removed the restrictions he had placed on his Spirit and Scholarly Mind, and swiftly the forces of Edict and Chaos pushed his power to the peak.
*BOOM*
*BOOM*
It had come to be expected that thunder would follow his breakthroughs no matter where he was. And so it did. With great authority Mane finally reached the ranks of Scholar King and Spirit King, and his aura grew more turbulent.
"COME! HIS TRUSTY COMPANION. THAT WHICH WILL FOLLOW HIM IN HIS CONQUEST! COME NOW!"
*BOOM*
Several lightning bolts flooded the sky for a full minute in response to the words of the Universe Wills. Although the darkness was great, Hildegarde, Crystal and Aurora could still make out an object in the midst of the lightning.
"Is that an axe?" Aurora asked fearfully. The energy from that weapon was overwhelming, and she could feel a great threat to her soul even though it wasn't locked onto her. If she ever had any thoughts of betrayal, after all she had seen today, they were certainly out of her head now.
"It isn't the only thing present," Crystal's eyes were sharper, and they picked out several other lightning clad artefacts. There were two daggers, an arm shield, and a full armor set.
*BOOM*
With a resounding thunderclap the artefacts flew into the fire and merged with the figure within. The last to descend was the axe. And when it did, all the elements lost their voice. The fire disappeared in a hush, the wind was no more, and the darkness receded like a tide. The planets that were previously dead were now alive as Time reluctantly let go of its sting. And the figure who was previously hidden was now visible to all.
A handsome man stood at the centre of the platform. His eyes were a mix of several other colors, and they were filled with the wisdom of a ruler. His hair shook gently, carried by the receding wind. Filled with the fire of several suns, those golden locks stung the eyes of the three women who watched in awe. He was clad in a slender armor that seemed to possess no distinct color, with two exquisite daggers hanging the sides of his legs. One second the armor was blue, the other it was green, and in the next it was red. As the armor transitioned from red to brown and from brown to white, the eyes of the women were drawn to the weapon held in Mane's hand.
It was even more impressive up close than when it was shrouded in lightning and accompanied by thunder. It was a large axe, with a handle that was completely blue in color, just like Mane's eyes. The image of a snake appeared around the handle from time to time, threatening to swallow anything that was close by, and the axe head shimmered with bold traces of lightning bolts. Once everything was done, the voices billowed once more in perfect unity:
"ARISE, SUPREME ONE. ARISE SUPREME EMPEROR! ARISE SUPREME EMPEROR MANE HARBRINGER!"