"So that is who you are," Mane looked upon the axe in his hands with a complicated expression. Although the axe was heavy, and weighed as much as an actual planet, Mane was able to hold on to it steadily. It felt like a part of him; like a piece of his soul that had been missing for so long. It was only when he held on to this axe did he suddenly understand why he had the sudden urge to experience the world of axes and hammers; why he wanted to learn axe arts and understand the laws of destructive fighting. It was all because of this weapon.
When it appeared, Mane felt its cries and summoned it down to him. And when he held on to it, visions of its birth filled Mane's eyes, and he understood everything. Now he knew of the man called Thor, and the sacrifice he had made; and he also knew of the one called Odin, who didn't hesitate to send down the Spirit of his own weapon as a gift to his great grandson. Mane saw it all through the young spirit of his axe – a weapon that was part of his soul. For it was his Chief Soul Weapon. And it was an artificially crafted Origin Divine Artefact!
The armor was a powerful divine artefact as well, and just like the axe, it was merged to his flesh and bones. So Mane could call upon it at any time. The daggers strapped to his legs were also Divine Artefacts. Although they weren't as powerful as the gigantic axe, they were much stronger than Night Mare or Night's Kiss.
"Asgard," Mane mumbled as he stroked his new axe.
He wouldn't forget the sacrifice his mother's family had made for his sake. And the ill feelings he had towards them for their inability to keep their family together was no more. For he had seen it all. From Devilstone which was impossible to find, to the Chaotic Flame which had long entered a deep slumber, to the scales of the World Snake, which was no serpent to fondly remember, to the few pieces of Uru left. Every simple component of this axe was a legendary artefact on its own. Yet they had been given up for just one axe. And the armor and daggers were made with materials that were almost at the same level.
"There's no point in thinking too much about this," Mane shook his head to push the thoughts that held no relevance now to the back of his mind. The axe in his hand glowed faintly as if agreeing with him. With nothing but a thought, the armor and daggers were withdrawn into his body, finding contentment by residing in his mindscape.
"I will see you later," Mane gently stroked the axe and said. It glowed faintly in response to his words before disappearing into his mindscape as well. The spirit of the axe was too young to speak any words now, for it knew little of the world and didn't understand the speech of men. But as long as it was nourished by Mane's spirit, it will learn. And soon it will be able to speak. Once it had been withdrawn, the clouded look in Mane's eyes disappeared, and he walked towards Crystal and Aurora.
"Congratulations, My Lord and Sky," Crystal dropped to the ground hastily. She was very excited. And one could tell by how much her body trembled as she spoke. And why wouldn't she be? As an Eternal her life was tethered to the Supreme's. He was her master and Lord, and as he got stronger, so did she.
"Congratulations Master Mane," Aurora hastily duplicated Crystal's mannerisms. On her face was an unnatural expression and a bit of fear.
"Do you fear me?" Mane could sense her fear like a strong breeze blowing across his cheek. If he couldn't, he would be an absolute disgrace since he was a Scholar King now.
"There is no need to. You are my subordinate now. I wouldn't do anything to hurt you. If I sought to destroy you, I wouldn't have given you a name" Mane spoke with a slight smile. His words did ease the anxiety in Aurora's heart. Although it hadn't completely receded, it was mostly caution now instead of fear.
"Prove your loyalty to me, and I would return your spirit mark to you," Mane added before focusing on Crystal. He didn't like to keep her spirit mark. It made him feel like a Slave Master. He would rather return it, than keep it. His words shook Aurora greatly, and just like Crystal, her body trembled.
"Yes, Master Mane," she replied with renewed enthusiasm. Mane nodded his head to show that he had heard her, before speaking to Crystal.
"You have changed," Mane stated as his eyes switched colors and True Eyes were activated. His breakthrough wasn't fully stabilized yet. But it had solidified his control over True Eyes. For the eyes which had been rebelling of late were docile now. So Mane didn't need to be wearing an eyepatch anymore. But he was going to, just to avoid suspicion.
With True Eyes, Mane could see that Crystal's Star Map had gotten much cleaner; it was much clearer now. The blocks and nicks that run through her Star Map were mostly healed, and her strength had increased by a large chunk.
"I have, My Lord and Sky. Your breakthrough was my breakthrough as well. Please feel free to see for yourself." Crystal was still excited from her breakthrough. Although hers wasn't as flashy as Mane's, her benefits were enormous.
"Alright," Mane didn't decline, and he proceeded to use Spirit Scan.
"Spirit Scan: Show me the truths amongst the untruths"
NAME: Crystal
AGE: 2,500,000 (Untruth); She had been since the time of the First Supreme (True)
HEALTH POINTS: *8,000,000/8,000,000
RACE: Human (Untruth); Eternal (Truth)
BLOODLINE: Eternal Soul Emperor
BLOODLINE RANK: Level 15
LEVEL: Ascension (Level 92.00)
POWER LEVEL: *900,350,000,000
WIELDER TYPE: Spiritualist and Energy Wielder
SPECIALTY: Wit; Agility; Power
GLOWS: Basic Elements Omni-control; Regeneration; Healing
BREATH: Summoning
"Impressive," Mane couldn't help but say. Not only had her health improved by a whole lot, her power had grown massively as well. However, that wasn't all she had gained. Her Ascension Level had decreased, proving that her foundation was slowly stabilizing. Soon her power will return to what it was, and she will be a True Ascender again.
"It is thanks to you, My Lord and Sky," Crystal as Mane had come to learn about her, didn't dare to receive his compliments and reflected it to him. But there was something else that bothered Mane and he felt he had to address.
"You should call me Mane. That title is exhausting. This is an order." The last sentence Mane added because he felt that she was about to protest, and he was having none of that.
"The same goes for you as well," Mane turned to face Aurora and said.
"Yes…Mane" both replied in unison.
"I have a question for you though," Mane told Crystal. There was something else that he needed an answer to.
"What is it, Mane?"
"Has it ever been this way with the others? Were their breakthroughs this turbulent?" Mane wondered. His question had Aurora looking at Crystal with confusion. She understood from their few prior conversations that Crystal was related to Mane somehow, although she didn't know how. And from Mane's words it seemed that this woman had served under multiple Supremes!
"I witnessed the growth of the 2nd up to the 5th. And I can say without doubt that their breakthroughs were monumental." Crystal started.
"But neither one of them, experienced something like this!" she finished.
Mane's breakthrough was highly unique even for a Supreme. The others had only the True Universe's Universe Will proclaiming their new rank, but Mane had several coming in to congratulate him. The others did have elements seeking to be included in their special day, but not at quite the same scale as Mane's. It confirmed that the prophecies told of her Lord were true. He wasn't meant to be Lord over just one universe, but many more!
"I see," Mane sighed with a bitter smile stretching his not-so-thin lips. Sure he wanted to grow stronger. But he believed that great strength was given to those who needed it. If he was becoming this powerful, he could only wonder what it was he was being prepared to face. But it was useless to think about such things now. Right now, they needed to leave this place.
"The barrier is gone, so we don't have to worry about how we would get out," Mane stated before walking away. He knew where he came from, and was intending to go back through that route. The platform was a large one, and since none of them was in a hurry, it was going to take some time before they reached its end.
Initially, Mane worried about how they would get away after this. But his breakthrough had solved the problem of the barrier. And for some reason, the Watchers had been quiet ever since the disappearance of the many Universe Wills. It almost seemed as though they were being cautious.
"What are you doing Hilde?" Mane frowned as his voice sought out the hesitating Hildegarde. Since his breakthrough she had been hesitant in coming close to him, treating him like some kind of minefield.
"Don't tell me you of all people fear me now?" Mane frowned and asked her once again through Lock-On. His words seemed to have wiped away her hesitation because her reply was stubborn.
"You wish," Hildegarde snorted before flying onto his shoulder and settling nicely there. She couldn't believe that for a second there she was worried about what Mane would be like now. His breakthrough created an air of invincibility and distance around him. And she feared his breakthrough may have birthed arrogance, or inflated the pride that was already there. But it seemed she was wrong. The feeling she got was nothing more than his true power. Since he had just broken through, it was hard to keep it under wraps.
"What was that axe?" Hildegarde immediately started asking questions when she got comfortable. Mane smiled slightly. He didn't hesitate to give her a reply.
"My Chief Soul Weapon. Its name is Harbinger of Chaos. Harch for short. And I might say that it suits me quite well."