Author's Note: This will be the last chapter for today. This chapter will only have 2 changes in the points of view. The next chapter will be the continuation of what Luscia is doing. That chapter will be the start of the alternation between Alex's story and Luscia's story that will run parallel to each other. Enjoy!
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(Astaroth's point of view)
Something was happening right now.
I looked around and saw many people running away from something. I had no idea why they were so scared. I looked to my side and saw a small girl pulling the sleeve of her father, trying to convince him to run.
Meanwhile, the father was shouting at the area from which everyone else was running away from. I wasn't able to hear anything he was saying though as the sound of everyone evacuating drowned out any sound he was creating. Those two are definitely going to die here. Why isn't the girl just abandoning her stubborn father? He can shout all he wants, but nothing will change. What is keeping her from just leaving him for her own survival?
Love? Nonsense. A father doesn't automatically become an object of affection just by being the father. They are merely in the position of being someone the child is related to. And the will to survive must be much stronger for the girl than her love. She is young so, she shouldn't have been able to spend a lot of time with him so, why?
I spent so much time looking down and thinking about any possible reason as to why she wouldn't prioritize her own survival that I forgot my situation. When I finally looked at what they were running away from, I saw large energy disruptions. Wait, how are these people able to sense the energy disruptions? I thought I was the only one who was able to do that. The people all started to board some sort of spaceship.
I know what a spaceship is as I have visited many worlds that had much more advanced technology than the one I am currently on. But, I never saw this kind of spaceship before. Is this some sort of imaginary simulation my brain created out of curiosity? Did I really want to know how the people who suffered before feel?
But, before I knew it, the entire place became deserted as everyone boarded the ship. The ship took off and I was the only one left standing there. Come to think of it, no one was reacting to me at all. It was as if I wasn't actually there.
That was when the energy disruptions reached critical levels and destroyed everything around it. When the bright light was gone, the entire planet had already been reduced to space rocks. Well, that is what these people get for trying to harness the planet's energy when they clearly weren't cut out for it.
I then woke up from that weird scenario.
...
Odd.
I then put those events at the back of my mind as they aren't even worth analyzing. They were just something stupid my brain wanted to make to entertain itself. Are you happy now?
I then put my hand on the inactive Tekko and pour energy into him. When he finally turns back on, I send a signal to find anyone in this world with the largest soul. After a short time, the results show that the soul is currently in a forest not too far away from Quaran.
I could just end it all by going there, but I'll let events go the way they are going. It is already inevitable that I'll win, so I might as well make it as fun as possible. Besides, this soul could become an amazing opponent for me to play against once they mature and hone their powers.
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(Animus' point of view) (Animus was the one Astaroth wanted to assassinate a noble during the international meeting)
There was complete darkness in front of me.
I knew exactly what was happening, but I still felt like I had no idea how much danger I was in. Coming out of the darkness was the one who called me here, the Great Seer who called himself Astaroth.
I immediately knelt down at the sight of him. Why did he want to talk to me right now? I have already received the message from Genero and was just getting ready to leave for the Jekiro Continent when he called me over.
I doubt it is something to do with awarding me as I haven't done anything so far. I'm already getting old and I don't want to do anything that will kill anyone. The only reason I am still here is to protect myself and the world. I might sound like a hypocrite for wanting to save the world when the Great Seer said that killing is the only way but-
"But, what?"
Oh no!
The Great Seer must be able to read minds. I must apologize right now or I might be killed right on the spot.
"I am so sorry for my impertinence, Great Seer!"
"No, go on. Why did you want to try to save the world without death? I already explained very well why it is needed."
"Well, I just think that deaths shouldn't be pointless. I don't want to kill anyone either as... bad things happened in my past."
"So... selfishness and hesitation?"
"Um, no, Sir!"
...
I'm going to die right now...
"I see. It looks like emotions can get in the way of plans like this... Animus, let me tell you something."
"Yes?"
The Great Seer gets closer to my ear and whispers something.
"A man who is afraid of sacrificing something will never be able to change anything. To save your world, you must be ready to take on the responsibility of it by casting aside your own humanity."
Even if you say that...
"I see that I have not swayed you in the slightest. Very well then. Come with me."
I nod to the Great Seer and follow him. We walk for several minutes until we reach a large room. I don't remember this one when we made this cave system. He probably created it for his own personal use.
"Alright. Sit down on the floor and close your eyes. I don't know if this will be painful or not as I never felt that sensation before, but just deal with it."
Pain? Why will this be painful? I start shivering on the spot. Will this seriously injure me or something? I slowly sat down on a nearby chair and clenched my eyes shut so that I will be ready for any kind of pain. I was a soldier when I was younger after all so, I should be alright...
"Ready? Here we go."
I felt the hand of the Great Seer touch my chest and felt a pain like nothing ever before. This was even more painful than getting any body modifications.
In the end, I gained more abilities, but at what cost?