Mane's awakening was a joyous thing for everyone. The ecstatic ancestors were the first to receive the news and had rushed to meet Mane – all, but Ancestor Spector who was buckled down with numerous tasks. Ancestor Ice and Ancestor Storm were especially happy to see Mane. Why wouldn't they be? For though Crystal did promise them that Mane's sleep was her doing an d that he would awaken soon, they couldn't shake off the fear that the boy would sleep forever. After all, he did face a god. Staying alive was a good result after fighting a person who was meant to be immortal. They needed Mane if they wanted to defeat Pazuzu. They needed the boy who killed a god. But all of them had to leave the place once the twins heard the news. For once the Lam and Lily found out that their best friend had awakened, they dropped everything and came to see him. Their status was very unordinary now – much more than it was in the fore. For now they were the ones charged with leading the reconstruction of the great city of Amalgamation. As the descendants of Ancestor Spector – the new Lord of Amalgamation – their titles as Prince and Princess of Elementals was no longer just a title; it was a responsibility. Yet no amount of responsibility could keep them away from their friend.
It had taken Mane several hours to disentangle himself from the web of love and joy that had threatened to swallow him whole. And it had taken a few more, to convince Sunflower to let him roam the city alone. And that achievement he had to credit to Rose. For if it wasn't for the oldest sister's intervention, Sunflower would have refused to leave Mane's side; much like a leech – a beautiful and lovely leech.
Once Mane was free, he escaped to the tallest tower in the city. Although the large structure was broken in some places, it still stood tall and to Mane that was enough. Besides, it wasn't like a fall from such a height was going to be fatal to him. Even if he decided to allow himself to fall without any protection, he would be fine. And that was because he had slept out the cool down period for recklessly using so many of his skills. And now, he was as fit as a fiddle!
"There is so much work to be done here," Mane murmured as he came to understand the gravity of his fight against Shiva. That battle between god and godling had become a debacle that had wrecked the entire world. Looking down above, watching the Elementals scrambling to salvage stone and precious minerals for the Earth Elementals to mold them into usable blocks brought guilt to Mane's heart. And he couldn't help but think of the state of the other cities. How battered must they be by now? And what of the towns and villages that had much less protection than the major cities. If Amalgamation – with its impressive Nature Barrier – could be wrecked so, then how were the minor cities and towns to contend with the chaos that he had wrought. And it wasn't like he could share the blame with another. The only other person who could share in Mane's guilt was dead. And guilt was the luxury of the living.
"That would teach you to hold back just a little bit next time you decide to kill a god; or maybe next time, go off world."
A small fairy was seated on Mane's shoulder with her lips curled up into a small pout. This fairy was Mane's personal guide and friend – Hildegarde.
The small fairy wasn't too happy about the events of the past half a month. Not only had her Tested left her behind, he had decided to fall into a deep slumber without her permission. She knew Mane could have resisted the Lease Crystal cast. After all, it was only an Elementary Level Lease. The fact that he allowed himself to sleep for so long was premeditated. And Hildegarde was not happy about that.
"I said I was sorry Hildy. What else would you have me do?" Mane smiled bitterly and said. Although he had been awake for less than a day, he had apologized more than he had breathed. Yet his fairy refused to let go of her anger. Mane didn't know what else he could do.
"You could run things by me next time," Hildegarde lightly knocked on Mane's head. The young Supreme sighed helplessly. There was no way he would always be able to tell Hildegarde what he was intending to do before doing it. Even he didn't know what he wanted to do at times. But that didn't mean that he couldn't try.
"I will do my best," Mane promised.
"Good," Hildegarde nodded her head satisfactorily. Then she patted Mane's shoulder and asked that he explain everything that happened to her. For she only knew how things had ended. The earlier parts of the story were largely incomplete. So Mane obliged, telling her everything she wanted to know. He told her about Ancestor Origin being the Origin King but not about Odin coming in to rescue him; he told her about Shiva but kept the information about the Void to himself.
"I can't believe that all that happened," Hildegarde was stunned by everything she heard. And that was even without the most scintillating information.
"How are you still alive?" Hildegarde wondered, whilst thinking about how lucky Mane must be to avoid death after going through all this.
"I got lucky I guess," Mane shrugged helplessly. Of course he knew how he survived. The combined efforts of both his ancestors – from his mother's side and from his father's side – kept him alive. Unfortunately, Hildegarde couldn't be told these things. She hadn't yet decided whether she would side with Mane in the end or not. Until she made that decision and agreed to be for him, there was no way Mane would tell her some things.
"You have gotten stronger," a cold voice forced itself into Mane's ears and interrupted his conversation with Hildegarde.
"I have," Mane responded. For there was only one person in his Soul Scape now. And that was Cronos.
"It seems the power of the Void was not completely dangerous," Cronos stated.
"I guess not," Mane replied as he allowed his power to course through his strong veins. The power of a 3rdStage Noble quickly flooded the place and drew the attention of all who were working down there. There was caution in everyone's eyes, especially due to the state Amalgamation was in. But once they saw who it was, their eyes lit up.
"I should go down there and help," Mane murmured. And then he leapt off the building.