[Third person's pov]
Void gate. That was the name of the portal Lindschel used to travel to this universe.
Portals usually need a medium, no matter how abysmally small it is. For traveling between planets, it was fine as long as there is a gate on the entry point and the endpoint.
This is because the mana gets transferred from one gate to another, making it so that the medium for travel is being created whilst traveling between those gates.
However, the void between the universes barely even has atoms in it. In fact, the quantity of mana and atoms in the void between universes would be so little that you might as well think that there are none.
Depending on the location of your world between the reality range, a radar-like map of realities, and everything in between, your world's reality may even have different molecular properties.
On the other hand, the void gate uses an invisible, unperceivable medium: Aether, the origin of Mana.
As aether naturally belongs to the celestial reality, to make use of this omnipresent yet unperceivable thing, one needs to travel between the small crevices of dimensions, sandwiched by the material and celestial realities.
Lindschel traveled to this other universe using this method in order to meet a fellow guardian apostle of another faction.
Although she could have just opened a regular portal since she knew where she was going, opening a void gate would cause the attention of other beings who are sensitive to reality and the universe to be directed at her.
This is why she assumed that someone would be waiting for her when she arrives. Although Lindschel felt disappointed that she wasn't welcomed, she also interpreted it as that Zenox just didn't care for her at all. This is why she didn't pursue this matter and instead went ahead with her usual way.
As both of them had previously just finished ending the living sun, Zenox opened a portal that connected to one of his worlds and both traveled in order to discuss the matters at hand.
Currently, both of them are sitting on both sides of a small tea table atop a humongous white tower. Of course, this tower is a mere structure and cannot compare to the tower of Dorr Valia.
To finish Lindschel's business as soon as possible, Zenox decided to hear her out first.
"Why have you come here?"
"Can't I see a brethren once in a while?"
"I have no time for your jokes. Speak."
Against Zenox's serious expression, Lindschel remained playful, turning her attention to the city just below the tower they are on top of. Then, Lindschel began to open her lips.
"What a nice city you have built here. Did that person order you to do this? Kufuhaha! That's so ironic!" LIndschel wasn't able to hold her laughter as her expression turned maniacal.
Suddenly, Zenox released his aura. The aura of which any being who knows of fear would undoubtedly submit to. Not only was the pressure insane, but as if the walls and floor of the tower can also feel fear, they trembled as they began to crack.
However, Lindschel was unfazed as she kept her smile on her face. Of course, this is because she knows that Zenox, even if he is the third of the strongest among the fourth generations of %#$@, is spent from his earlier battle.
That didn't mean that Zenox is weak. In fact, the rankings between the fourth generation of %#$@ are merely determined by their existential value. In layman's terms, the overall value of their existence as a whole. Of course, just because you have a higher existential value doesn't mean that you have the energy proportionate to that.
It could be said that everyone with high existential energy will have a high existential value, but not the other way around. The rankings for the fourth generation of %#$@ don't even take into account the existential energy which is the power of output one can release.
However, Unlike Lindschel that carries the theosophical abstract of truth, Zenox carries the theosophical abstract of armament-- or so how many thought of it as.
In actuality, Zenox's theosophical abstract was renamed as such in order to not put him in a feared light. Of course, the same could be said for the holder of the theosophical abstract of serenity who was also renamed in order to maintain the balance of influence between the people.
If Zenox and Lindschel were to fight, it would be a battle of experience against a battle of attrition respectively.
As much as Lindschel cannot directly interfere with the causality of the world, that did not stop her from fighting someone of equal rank to her. She only needed to create a pseudo-dimension of her own where she can fight Zenox.
However, it wasn't for a fight that she came here for.
"My, my. Don't be like that Zenox! Wait no, maybe I'll call you Godlight like everyone here does instead, hihihi." Lindschel stood up and turned around then peered her eyes at the beautiful city below. No, it wasn't just a city. The only way to describe it was a united empire that isn't only limited to this one planet.
"Well, I'm not here for a fight. Zenox, are you still searching for that person?" Lindschel's voice took on a serious tone as he said Zenox's name.
Zenox remained serious, but he let his aura calm down before responding, "What about it?"
Of course, the person Zenox is looking for is the person who assigned him. The %#$@ of the third generation, along with Purity; the one who holds the theosophical abstract of fate.
For Zenox, it was his one and only goal. This is because the guardians assigned to purity and fate are all dedicated to the ones who assigned them, considering them as if their masters.
The reasoning is simply because the fourth generation of %#$@ is born from the third generation of %#$@. Not in a conventional way, of course.
(a/n: "%#$@" is only meant to hide something)
"Don't be stiff, Zenox. It's just that I heard an interesting story from Kazschel. You remember him right? You know, that small guy who has bags under his eyes? The aloof guy?"
"Knowledge, yes. What about him?"
Lindschel's uncaring attitude irritated Zenox. But he decided to hear her so that they could finally get this over with. Other than the reason that Zenox hated Lindschel's personality, he also wanted to rest and continue the search for his progenitor theosophical abstract.
He's currently pretending that he is unscathed from his fight against the living sun. But in reality, he spent most of his existential energy on activating his ability and he can't recover as fast as Lindschel or Kazschel.
The reason for this is simple. Those under purity will have their existential value increased in exchange for having restrictions in influencing events. On the other hand, those under fate still have the ability their freedom to do as they please, but do not have the strength of existence as those under purity.
In no way is Zenox weak. It's just that his ability's effects scale with the opponent's existential value and that the living sun he fought was an unknown existence that also had the ability to destroy galaxies if he so pleases. It was something stronger than a traversal rank as how the world where White is, Lhordenheim, currently in ranks it as. However, it still could not compare to a true %#$@.
But Zenox didn't end the living sun there because of that reasoning. To Zenox, that being was someone who needed to be taken care of because it was his "role" to do so. The role of his theosophical abstract.
"Well, anyways. I heard he sensed some demons entering the vicinity of our altar. Not only that, those demons even stole an artifact from Sariniella! I mean, from one of her churches but, you know what I mean right?"
"Just. Get. To. The. Point."
"Geez, you're no fun. Just listen to my story first before you speak okay?" Lindschel's words made Zenox's brows furrow, but he decided to just stay silent and let this annoying person continue.
"So, this and that happened, then some demons turned to shit incarnates because this demon betrayed his comrades but soon disappeared using the same artifact. You know, usual assholes. Well, I guess that guy even meddled with his existence, so he's probably a monster by now."
"Anyways, Kazschel was chasing this demon who surprisingly recognized his progenitor theosophical abstract. Of course, the boy didn't pursue her further when she escaped. I thought it was because he was too lazy, but it seems he felt an existential value that could rival us, apostles, to where this demon girl teleported to."
"W-wait? Are you saying he's back?" Zenox's expression turned to surprise as he stood up from his seat and interrupted Lindschel for confirmation, but Lindschel wasn't the type to just allow that.
"Shush! I haven't finished! Anyways, after that Kazschel decided to just laze around again, However! Just a few days later, Galaxia awakened. We know if it's because of Sariniella's artifact of whatnot, but don't you think fate has something to do with it?"
Zenox was stunned. Not only did an existential value similar to them, the guardian apostles, was found, but the awakening of a dragon who was one of the first existence in the world where Dorr Valia was at made him unable to think of the guardian apostle of fate.
He also didn't doubt Lindschel's words. It wasn't that he trusted her, in fact, Lindschel was the type of person who would use the truth to indirectly cause lies. However, it is part of her "role" to always stay with the truth, no matter its consequence.
"So? Are you just here to inform me of that?" As much as he deemed this information to be the truth, the troublesome girl in front of him is the mischievous truth he still remembers. Not only that, but Lindschel was from the other faction which is under purity.
It isn't even an overstatement to say that fate and purity are just like black and white. Both will never come to an understanding. But of course, the residents of Lhordenheim don't know of that.
"Not necessarily. You see, since I can't really take action against those noisy dogs, I would like to ask someone to... You know?" Lindschel smiled innocently as she pressed both of her index fingers against each other.
Zenox finally understood what she wants. She was referring to the chaos that might have transpired because of Galaxia's awakening and that she wants Zenox to 'shut them up.' And by them, she means the primordial dragon of that world and its kin.
Zenox thought of why him, but soon remembered the reasoning as to why. Both Lindschel and Kazschel are not allowed to drastically influence events if said events don't include things regarding their fellow gods. Even if Kazchel is neutral at heart, he's still a lazy bum who goes melancholic if forced to work.
Sariniella. the holder of the theosophical abstract of life, is also head over heels for the guardian apostle of purity, so she can't be ordered by anyone other than that person. There is also the guardian apostle of serenity who seems to be missing. Of course, everyone from White's world, Lhordenheim, still thinks that all of them are simply inside the pseudo-reality that is Dorr Valia.
In short, he's the most suitable candidate for Lindschel's request. Zenox thought about it quietly and ultimately decided on what he wanted to do.
"Fine. I'll go back there for now and see if that's really fate. I'll do your request so you can't say that I owe you one." Zenox serious atmosphere calmed down as he said so.
Hearing his response, Lindschel took a sip of her untouched tea and smiled like a sweet and innocent maiden. "Perfect then! I'll go ahead first, so be sure to come by when you recover."
"Oh also, since you've been away for a really long time, I'll tell you this. Seven years ago a hero died and used his life force to bend reality. Of course, we can rewrite it if necessary, but purity decided not to do so. So expect to be weakened when you enter Lhorrenheim's atmosphere, okay? Oh, and by the way..."
She was spitting out information as if she was chatting at a tea party which made Zenox feel light-headed even if that was impossible for him. However, when Lindschel's voice trailed off, he returned his gaze to her.
Lindschel then smiled wickedly before opening her mouth. "I know that you know this, but you know what happens if you use your full power and "accidentally" destroy Lhordenheim, right?"
Saying so, Lindschel turned her face away and disappeared instantly as if she was never there. Although it looked as if she teleported instantly, she momentarily fused a gate to her existence and used herself as the traveling medium.
In a way, you could say it's a fusion of instant teleportation and a portal with all of both's properties.
Zenox silently remained in the ruined room of his tower and contemplated. It does not matter how or when, but he knows that he should always follow after fate, the progenitor of his theosophical abstract. No matter the cost.
As is his role.
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Author's note: I didn't expect this book to be this long so I'm cutting it into two parts. They'll still be in the same book but I'll be having an indefinite break before continuing this definitely not-so-real story TvT. Alright, so here's to the end of Book Two: Part 1! (っ＾▿＾)۶🍸🌟🍺٩(˘◡˘ )