The vast green plains were very serene to look at. The pace at which we walked made it comfortable to see the vastness of this new civilization. One that bloomed without my interference, without my guidance, without my hands.
'It is… rather boring.'
Civilization has obviously not progressed enough, or are they simply just not pushing their limits now that I'm buried in history?
'Well… this will be the first thing I'll probably fix after I'm done reconquering the Celestial Dark Palace.'
It's a high likelihood. Once the situation at the Celestial Dark Palace is done, the World will know of the might of Absolute Death once more. The shadow that looms at the end, the 'thing' they pray to never come across in their lifetime.
I looked everywhere, feasting my eyes on the new World I'm in and further realizing something I've forgotten. This isn't a game anymore, and this isn't Earth also. This is my World, if my guess is correct. My World in the future, one that has none of my influence.
'Hmm… very different from how I had imagined it to look like.'
If I hadn't skipped to this era, I would've developed this World to match some of those technological marvels, one that has both Magic and Technology. To travel the stars, to expand beyond just Realities stacked upon each other. The horizon is only limited by one's ambition.
'Well, can't do anything other than wait for future me to complete what I'm thinking.'
I stroll casually with the other two walking in the distance. Sherby seems to be saying something, and while I could eavesdrop on their conversation I decide against it. Privacy is very important, especially since we're going to stay with each other for some time to come.
'And besides, they shouldn't be able to see through my disguise.'
Covering one's own Soul with another is practically hard to do, like trying to use a sheet that's obviously too small to cover a car. It needs to be delicate, and precise as not to rip the sheet in the process.
'If they figure out… then I guess a Boss battle this early isn't strange.'
Though it would result in a massive fuss, as long as I don't let outsiders see my face then all is fine. I can start over again, it doesn't need to be them.
Anyway, Sherby said the place we want to go to is also the place she frequents from time to time. Something about fighting an old man or something.
Hours were spent with the situation being the same. We set up camp, as twilight drew near. Sherby and Albern were inseparable for the entire trip. They continued their talk for the entire trip from her house to now.
'What are they talking about…? Now I'm curious.'
It's the evening hours. The sun is about to set in the distant horizon, and a somber air settles in. I decided to just let it be after a short deliberation, and watch the sunset with melancholic eyes.
I used to watch the sunset a long time ago, when I once still traveled the World I reside in. The sunset made me remember a line one of the NPCs used to say to me. She was a sweet girl.
'Sunset is bittersweet… and how ironic it is that she also died on a sunset.'
A variable, my first variable. She became determined for all the wrong reasons, but I guess it goes in line with her existence. Good, the Light, will always seek out to destroy or uniform the Bad, the Dark.
'Haha… what a hopelessly good girl she was…'
I sat on a plain with whistling grass blown by the wind. A somber atmosphere, silent, with darkness soon to be upon me. That's when I detected movement behind me.
"Yo, why are you all the way here?''
"Hmm? Something that needs me?"
"I came to seek a spar. I've asked Albern about you, and you're quite the major player I heard. You didn't even let him get close to you, and you cast Magic like it's just breathing to you. I want to see that for myself."
"...The damages to the surroundings will be massive, and I won't be able to cover up our mess."
"Haha, nobody will give a shit. This part of the land shouldn't be of-"
"That's a very immature remark you're about to say, Miss Sherby. Even though this patch of land might not be important now, it will be in the future."
"...Really? Whatever, then how about this, only melee fistycups. I'll go easy on you since you're a Mage."
"...No need, go all out, I can take it."
"Oh? Are you sure? I won't be responsible if you have some broken bones from our spar."
"It's fine, I have healing Spells."
With that, a sudden system message appeared before me.
[System resumed common functionality operation]
[A Quest has been generated]
{A Friendly Spar}
[Subject: Cerkanos Sherby]
[Objective: Fight against your Subject and win by either subduing or killing]
[Reward: 20 EXP (Subdue) / 40,000 EXP (Kill)]
A clear temptation, but one that's all too easy to ignore when looking at the bigger picture. A Quest, after so long now, has been given to me. Most of the Quests I receive are maintenance Quests, received through reports on each of the Floors.
If I'm bored, I'd just journey through the World again, either in disguise or not. Sometimes, these journeys give me quite the haul, new insight, new experiences, new beginnings, and new destined ends.
"Then, is that all to the rules? A simple brute force fistycup?"
"Yeah, pretty much. Just fists, just our bodies."
"...Alright, nothing other than our bodies as the instrument of destruction. I can get by with that."
"Hahaha, you're gonna be in for a real fright of your life. I don't go easy on my enemies, not even when I'm sparring."
"Then you will find me quite the challenging enemy to face. I will give you what I have given to Albern over there."
"And what's that?"
Sherby gets into a stance, showing that my reply will signify the start of the spar.
"...Despair."
Like the wind, just as Sherby shot forward with the dust she made, a right punch directly aimed at my face, I disappeared like it was an illusion, a passing wind.
"Wha-?!"
"Don't get flustered that easily now."
I reappear behind Sherby, with my hand curled up into a fist and Mana ready to explode. I let it go like pulling a trigger on a gun. The sound it produced was quite similar also, a bang with a gasp for air coming from Sherby.
"Gahck!"
"Sturdy, aren't you?"
I was amazed, as Sherby immediately countered with a right backhand swing towards the side of my face. I disappeared again when she made full rotation, and appeared above her without a sound.
"How-!!"
"It's like Aura, but more sophisticated since it's Mana."
With a silent boom, my body was propelled down with great momentum as I charged up my next attack. With my left fist, I concentrate a large amount of Mana into it, coating the outside with a volatile and highly destructive layer of Mana. It's a curious thing, how Mana can change molecules to produce such an effect.
'Science… it won't be able to fully explain it.'
I've shown the properties of Mana before to many modern Worlds, and even to those technologically advanced Worlds. But all of them, not even one of them, was able to decipher how Mana can function the way it does. Some come up with theories, but they're just theories that can't serve as a basis to reproduce it the scientific way.
'Guess Magic really is just the only word to explain the nature of Mana.'
The layer of Mana, upon making contact with Sherby who shields by crossing her arms, exploded upon impact like it should and made cracks appear in the ground beneath.
"Oops."
"Don't worry about that now!"
Like clockwork, she used my built up momentum against me and swung a kick upward. With a gap exposed, I run the risk of being hit and suffering minimal damage, but massive damage to my pride.
I have a large health pool, large enough to contend with Tank Builds in the 400s. A simple kick, even if it's a Critical, would do minimal damage to me coming from her. Estimated to not lose more than two percent of my health pool.
"Not so easy now! Enhance Boost!"
A blue Aura-like effect coats my body for a split second and my perception speed increases. My body moved with the fist as a placeholder. I pull downward and shift my force to my lower body. Narrowly dodging the kick, I spun several times through the air as the force I created in one second was very large.
"Huh?! Oi!"
"That wasn't cheating now, was it?"
I stand up straight, measuring the distance I created from my little acrobatic stunt.
"Aren't you supposed to be a Mage?!"
"I might be a Mage, but it's not necessarily the word that describes me entirely. I'm a man who seeks knowledge, whether it be Magic or not."
We resumed our battle after a short exchange. Sherby charging forward with a left fist pumped with a dangerously large amount of concentrated Aura. I just stood still, looking at her approach with a calm smile.
"Don't look down on me~!"
She roared in frustration, while I chuckled in amusement. Her punch was aimed at my face for a fatal injury. Most likely, she wants to kill me, since the force of the punch is roughly more than several tons of explosives if my guess is correct.
"Looking down on you?"
I disappear again, but this time within her own view. As she sees my image fade, her eyes widen in shock.
"I consider you as nothing but an animal, like all Demi-humans are."
But this time, I didn't reappear again.
"Where are you?!!"
"This is a neat trick I developed myself. I've become one with the surrounding Mana, my entire being changed to accommodate such a thing. I am now the Mana around you, and you cannot touch me."
"Grrrr, coward!"
Immediately in retort, a hard impact made contact with her stomach, making her release a gasp of air.
"Argh!"
"Please, if you call this a cowardly way of fighting, then you haven't seen anything yet."
And so, as if it's a horror movie, Sherby was assaulted with multiple undetectable impacts coming from every direction. From her head to her entire body, nowhere was spared the painful impacts that came like a machine gun. Although she did try and predict the impacts, she found that they have no cue or signal to them.
"Kuuuhhhh!!!"
"Having trouble sustaining yourself? Try coating your body in Aura, that should ease the pain a bit, then I'll strike harder."
"Don't look down on meeee~!"
She roared and this created a burst of Aura. This action made me lose quite a large chunk of my HP, almost twenty percent.
'Luckily she doesn't know this.'
I could only make audio when I wanted to, so I didn't let out a telltale groan of pain for her to detect that her action had some effect.
''Give up, you won't be able to kill me while I'm in this state. Your body would only sustain more pain and soon die due to blunt force trauma. Don't overexert this much just for a spar."
"Shut up! Shut up! Shut up!"
She refused to listen to reason, and continued on with her barrage of punches to the empty air.
'What a dumb mutt…'
Although it is dumb, the peak of stupidity and insanity combined, it showed just how tenacious she is. This quality is invaluable when trying to challenge through the entire Celestial Dark Palace.
'Haha, let's see your limits, girl.'
I push myself a bit more to exert more control over the spread out Mana. Sherby was taking hits upon hits without as much as a flinch, her body was like a mountain as it withstand the now thousands of impacts. Blood was starting to drip down from her nose and mouth, even so she didn't stop with her punches overflowing with a radical amount of Aura.
The surroundings were of course devastated with destruction, every wide swing of her arms, every straight punch she thrusted, every uppercut she threw to the air, earth was torn and the grass destroyed leaving only dirt and bits of stone underneath. A superhuman feat, befitting of a superwoman like her.
"Die!"
With every ounce of energy and Aura left inside of her body, she made one final last ditch attempt to struggle, to try and strike me with fear and Death. But, it was truly a futile and pitiful attempt.
'I better minimize it.'
The surroundings would definitely be destroyed to a recognizable degree. I compress the Mana in the air and form a barrier around her, trapping her inside of her own destruction. But, my goal is to stop, not to kill.
"Arghhhhh!"
Severe high heat, enough to burn a normal human male to a dry black crisp. To her with a Buff of Resilience on, it was only a minor heat that's enough to irritate, like walking under the scorching sun without any protection.
After the damages subsided, all that's left is a patch of scorched earth and a groaning Sherby.
'Looks like the fight is over…'
Even though I thought it was, there's no confirmation from the system yet. I was still on guard, and so I approached her with my senses at the utmost caution.
Then, suddenly the system showed up.
[The Quest {A Friendly Spar} has been completed]
"Alright… I give up. You win."
"...You were about to counter attack while displaying your vulnerability, correct?"
"...Hehehe, you really are something, Mage. Merlin, was it? I recognize your strength, Arch-mage. I hope we'll have plenty more spars in the future."
She stood up, and then like a Miracle being displayed in front of my eyes, her wounds started to heal at a rate the naked eye can see and notice. The bruises from all the physical trauma she endured, gone as the seconds tick by. The scrapes that came from being thrown to the ground during our fight, healed to the point that not even the scales formed.
"Interesting…''
"Hmm? Oh, right, it must be unusual for you to see my kind's healing ability, right?"
"Healing ability… I've seen some during my travels, but they require an intake of specific resources in order to be activated."
"Well, I don't know about any of that, but my kind's healing ability is to channel Aura to patch the injuries up. The process takes seconds if efficient, and as you can see I'm very efficient in my controls."
"Hoooh, interesting indeed.''
In truth, I've heard of her method of healing, but it's usually done through the channeling of Qi, the Eastern equivalent of Mana and Aura. They develop techniques in order to do it mid-battle, too. But for her to do it with Aura, and it must be a Racial ability as well, this piqued my interest greatly.
'Maybe I should turn into one of her kind next time I make another appearance.'
It was an interesting preposition, but it's not for now. I have about 290 something days left on the cooldown of Proliferating Soul. Although I can't cast the Skill, my original self can do that. He should be able to observe the situation back in his place. And he could also hear and view my thoughts right now.
'It's a good suggestion… Well, it's up to him I guess.'
I am no longer him, that's a fact now.
"Alright, then should we resign for tonight? It's getting dark."
And so, a day gone by with relatively nothing to write about.
............
Dreams, dreams…
Nothing more than faint dreams
Disappear with the wake
Reappear with the fear
Nightmares, nightmares…
Nothing more than bliss and joy
Disappear with happiness
Reappear with despair
Sleep well, sleep tight, forever engulfed in slumber and ignorance
.........
I woke up.
"...Hmm."
I let out a simple sound and moved my head to observe the surroundings. Everything was the same, the cracks on the ground and the two people I'm accompanied with. Albern was awake, and he was staring at me for quite some time now I'm guessing.
''You were talking."
"Pardon?"
"Sleep talking, something about being false, being worthless. Something troubling your mind?"
"...It would seem so, but it's just some subconscious rambling. Pay no mind to it, please."
"..."
Albern was staring at me with a melodic gaze, seems like he was giving me pity or something.
"Anyway, how long is the road?"
"She said a day's journey on foot is enough, and it wasn't an entire day yet. Not in her case, at least."
"Hmm? Care to elaborate?''
"...Sherby, her kind, can stay up for many days due to their overwhelmingly powerful affinity with Aura. It's like what Life is to us, and so they can stay up for longer periods with the help of Aura Regulation, what I call their unique Racial ability."
"I see… indeed, very interesting. What is the name of her kind, if you don't mind me asking.''
"The Black Wolvens, a clan name. Her specific species name isn't known, and of all the people she won't know it either. A meathead, one that decides to avenge her entire clan that has fallen overnight due to an Undead rising."
"Hmm… quite a tragic backstory that you can find from any bard's tales."
"Well, just don't go and say it to her face. Heck, she might even be listening right now."
"Haha, don't jest like that now, Albern."
"..."
"...She's behind me, isn't she."
"Yep…"
"Grrrrrrrrr."
A low growl, and a death sentence I just uttered for myself. What a good way to start a day.
............
"Aaaaooowwww, that hurts."
"Well you shouldn't have uttered nonsense."
"How was I supposed to know? Goodness, everywhere on my body hurts!"
Every bone in my body was dust just a few minutes ago, my flesh pounded to paste. The place we just left, craters now litter everywhere there.
"You should've considered my health and well-being, should you not?"
"Why? I take everything seriously, and especially my… past."
"Even then, have some leniency. I wasn't berating your upbringing nor did I slander anything, it's just that you have some similarity with-"
"Another word and I'm gonna split your skull along with your body in half."
She was gazing at me with a suffocating murderous intent, but due to our Level difference it wouldn't matter much. Though, the reason I'm being pressured was because it was right that she's being angry. I'm in the wrong, and all my words are just excuses to make her listen, but still it's better than to let this possibly happen twice.
She stopped looking at me entirely after that and resumed to get closer to Albern. And, like yesterday, they talked to each other again with a volume small enough for me to not listen in on it. I was curious, sure, and now that it's happening a second time I can't help but poke around and find out.
'Well then, nothing is gained by being idle, as I say sometimes.'
I boost my hearing with Mana. I walk a little bit slower to create enough distance to erase any signs of me hearing in on them.
"So, who's on the agenda next?"
"Like I said yesterday, we're going to meet with that kid."
"And are you sure he isn't dead? He is a human after all."
"He once drank the Rejuvenating Liquids, and then he ate one of three Legendary Apples of Life that grew on some of the mountains during our travels."
"Well… now that I think about it-"
"Don't, you're not the suitable type to do those thinking things. At most, you'll come up with good observations in the midst of battle."
"Hey, want to get beat up again?"
"Ah, my apologies, it seems like the truth is too hurtful for you to handle."
"Alright, I'm gonna beat-"
"But, yes, for what you wanted to ask I don't know. You've asked that question for so long now, even when we're still in the group. I may have lived long, but I wasn't around during His heydays of darkness. And not many records are kept as well, most likely burnt by His orders."
Ah, about that, the Items the two of them are mentioning are indeed native grown in the mountain regions. I don't know if they're still around, but judging by their last comment about it they must've been extinct by now.
'So, it's been degraded to this point.'
Those 'Legendary' Items they're speaking about were once common consumables found in the mountainous regions. Go by the name Rejuvenating Liquid, they're a liquid squeezed from the leaves from a tree known as Guatan that hail from an Eastern World. They need a large amount of atmospheric Mana in order to grow and sustain itself, so them dying is a sign that the atmospheric Mana has dropped.
'Damn, many things to do afterwards…'
"Well, not all. Most of the information regarding Him is still intact. I've read through a couple of those that I have the authority to view, and most of it is just history records about his deeds. It's unfiltered, but I still can't understand. He was once kind, merciful even. But, why are all those that recount the history eons ago only mention his ruthless conquest, that he's a brute force tyrant that eliminates everyone who ever laid any hostile intent towards Him."
A rather lengthy monologue, but in short falsehood has been spread by the various Races that held defiance towards my original's rule. They only mention the ruthless, bloodthirsty and violent side that sought to rule with an iron fist, while disregarding the merciful deeds I did to improve civilization.
I gave wisdom, I gave strength, I gave them a second chance at life even. I did my best to evolve and develop my civilization with the various knowledge I accumulated from raiding Worlds. I tried to bring them light of the modern world, to make them grow both in the Mystic and the Technology. To ensure that happiness can be found even in this World that many consider to be dreary and dead.
'What a disappointment…'
"So, that's the kind of man we're about to fight once we round up all those oldies?"
"Yes, and from what Merlin foretold, his awakening is near, but not given an exact time. However, His power should have dwindled in such a long time. If we're quick, we might even be able to go there when he's still in his long slumber and catch him off guard."
It was an interesting proposal, truly interesting. Only flaw is that they're telling this within earshot to someone who's practically the same as the one they're discussing.
'Well, I don't know if he hears this or not but one thing's for sure, they're truly delusional if they think they can catch me off guard.'
The original me, his scheming and meticulous planning has not changed nor regressed. Although I don't know what he has in store for me and my band of ruffians, I know that in the end, a spectacular show is our eventual end. Despair, or hopeful, only time will tell.
'Several moves ahead, might as well say he's thousands of moves ahead already.'
Now that I'm no longer the same as the original, I know how those NPCs that faced me within the Throne Room felt, and all those that have heard of my fame felt. This anxiety, this uneasiness, this encroaching feeling of Death. I've become so familiar, yet now that I'm 'different' I can't help but feel terrified.
............
'Thousands of moves… what ridiculous yet truthful thoughts my now inferior clone.'
Phew, after so long I've prepared myself to meet with one of the Floor Guardians. Reshval Von Kirlan, although from the retellings of that mermaid priestess, I was hoping that he'd remember me and not attack. But, it's just wishful thinking. This is a Quest, and it wouldn't qualify as one if there isn't a fight or trick.
'Let's get this over with… and I shouldn't use his father as backup now, should I?'
A terrible idea to even consider, but it's the truth. After what unfolded back in the Bone Mausoleum, I must prepare myself for what variables to come. His power, if my guess from Suriel's fight is correct, must've risen to an unknown degree from my absence.
'I'll just reserve their strength for the time being. They shouldn't be used carelessly.'
They're trump cards, World Bosses, so naturally to balance this out the system back then set in place a cooldown if they ever fell in battle. A whole thirty days, a very long time to have a 'vacation' in my opinion.
'Well… whatever then, not like I can force them. Their power is scaled proportionally with mine, so they're almost as equal as me if they team up and under certain beneficial conditions.'
If a munity were to happen amongst the Monarchs, untold damages would generate in an instant. So, I guess this much is necessary to keep it in line. World Bosses were once the strongest apex within their respective Worlds.
'But now…'
I face the rusted, moss and seaweed covered gate with a solemn expression.
A light engulfed me, and I faced the gate not as Absolute Death, but as the Demon Slayer Edir Amadin. The power of a Demon Slayer is useless, but they have Debuffing properties so it's an added bonus nonetheless.
'Let's go and set up the stage.'
It's been more than a few days, close to a week, I think? From my previous visions, Manu has progressed very efficiently and steadily. His experience while under the tutelage of Robin Hood improved astronomically. He also learned good trapmaking proficiencies, making the defense of each night easier on his other two companions. Most of the traps are Magic based, meaning he makes them entirely out of his own Mana.
From Slowness traps to Spike traps, he learned everything he could during the few days learning with Robin Hood. He mastered every possible thing with a rough understanding of them, and even managed to further his understanding in the Mystic. His capability in being a Mage has improved to beginners level, something Manu considers to be hard for him to achieve.
So, in short, they should be able to finish off this floor after my tragic staged ending as Emir Amadin.
'I'll drag our fight onto the surface, then let them finish it off.'
I have no confidence that these children would be able to fight Reshval on their own. He's simply too much of a wall for them to cross, and I can't play the waiting game either since many unknown variables can occur.
'I've helped them enough, so now it's about time they fly on their own.'
Of course, I'll stage some stuff along the way to assist their growth in the needed sections, but from this point out it's their own hard work that will determine their fate. Let the show officially begin!
............…
Whispers, uncountable, too much, noisy… I hate this uncomfortable feeling. I'm rotting, but I'm not dying. I'm wasting away, but I'm not getting any weaker. I have reached new heights, but without him, without him I am nothing more than a weapon with no wielder. I yearn for something that has been gone for so long, I yearn for his warm shadow that has disappeared amongst the countless other shadows. I want him to return.
'......'
And now, he did. But it wasn't happiness that I displayed.
"State your name, Champion."
"Emir Amadin, I am here to challenge you for the rite of continuation."
"......"
It was anger, an anger that's directed towards the miserable mockery that is my father figure. This… human, he is the same, so close, yet not completely. A stench of Daemon infests his Aura, and an unwavering determination for something I do not know of.
"Edir Amadin… familiar, but too many whispers…"
I stood up, my eyes zeroed in on this challenger's figure. I examine him, eyes scanning everything there is about his potential.
"...Good, this won't end so meaninglessly at least.''
My name is Reshval Von Kirlan. I am the loyal subject of Absolute Death. I am his weapon, his tool, and most of all a 'child' to his eyes.
I have reached this point with countless bloodshed, and now I stand before another after so long, waiting, itching to display the stored up power that I have attained through the many arduous battles.
I have forged my body, tempered my mind, and strengthened my Soul to this point, and now I shall unleash all that I have learned, developed, and mastered throughout the many uncountable years of battle.
"I am Reshval Von Kirlan, and this place shall be your watery grave."
The battle to see if this human in front of me is truly the man I have been waiting for, at least a replication of him to a certain extent.
"Know the domination of the sea!"
............…
"Mother, long time no see."
"Yes, my dear. It has been… quite some time."
It took a long while for the first floor's Guardian to fully recover from the fight with Emir Amadin, the alias name for their father, Absolute Death.
''Father is…''
"Back, yes. He is indeed back."
The smooth, calming and serene voice of a petite girl resounded in an eternally dark world. Her body type was nowhere near the title she has, but appearances shouldn't be judged so quickly. The petite girl turned around, facing her 'child' with a smile befitting that of a mother indeed.
"He's fixing our chaotic home as we speak. Do you want to rest some more, now that you've returned here?"
"...Maybe yes, I would like to if you're offering."
Suriel, who's still in the fleshy armor that is Kael, sat down next to their mother. Their mother glanced as they sat, then turned to look at the endlessly abyssal sky with no stars.
"He has returned… my dark sky."
"Father… why is it now that he has returned?"
"Hehe, I wouldn't know, but that cunning Daemon might know a little bit, he's always a fanatic about your father."
"Hugor… bearing the Sin of Envy, yet he doesn't plot to assassinate father. I'm surprised that he resisted his natural Sin."
"It isn't resistance. He knows that for a fact, since he was once given the power over Death by your father."
"...Now that wasn't something I've known. Why did it take this long for you to tell me?"
"You didn't ask, sweety. But, since I've piqued your interest I might as well sate it. Alistair Hugor, bearing the Sin of Envy, has once tried to take your father's powers as Absolute Death. Seeing that he has such a deathwish, your father complied. It was so hard to believe at first for me, and even more so when he pulled out a Homunculus to replace his Soul into it."
She showed a bright smile as she recounted the old days lost in time's innumerable events.
"Hugor, eager to have his wish fulfilled by your father, immediately began to fall into panic as the first few seconds tick by. Your father, Absolute Death, described his daily trials as follows. "I tend for the Dead, they come to me like millions of moths to a shiny, radiant flame. I swallow them, with their millions of voices that wallow in agony, fueling my existence as the God of Death". Those were your father's words, and that was what Hugor must've experienced for several days straight."
She finishes her small story, leaving Suriel speechless at that fact.
"I… have no idea he was facing such a thing."
"It's no big deal for him, he said. So, I have faith in what he says. He hasn't lied to me, not yet anyway."
Suriel turned to her mother, the face she's making right now that's devoid of a background made it stand out more. The face of a wife expecting her husband's return.
"Mother… I know it's not my place to say it but, why hasn't you nor father tried to make a bloodline? Wouldn't the union of your blood bore the strongest existence?"
"...Pft, Suriel, sometimes I forget how dense and forgetful you can be. You are mistaken, my dear. Your father is not of blood and flesh, have you forgotten? He is Death incarnate, he cannot bear Life. Our union is, unfortunately, something that can never happen as long as he bears the title of Absolute Death."
The sad truth was given to Suriel's very interesting question. If he was capable, Absolute Death would've tried for an offspring with Charlotte already. They would even do the deed everytime after she gives birth if they can. But, unfortunately, they cannot. It is the only massive drawback an Undead has.
The Lineage System, a special System reserved for Players to manage and grow their child. It's a Status screen for your child, how much potential they might have, and how they can possibly grow into in the future given the proper nurture.
"So… you cannot?"
"Yes, but if by some miracle, I would cherish the child me and your father made together. Oh, how I would spoil that thing rotten with crimson blood and golden sparkles."
She closes her eyes, imagining the things she'd do to the sweet little thing that she calls her real child. She hums something for a few tunes, and then turns to Suriel.
"So, anything you would like to know now that we've met after so long?''
"No… not that it might matter, but why is father playing make believe, mother? He was with four Elven children, he killed one while fighting me, do you have any knowledge of what he might be up to? I'm curious because I never could understand all the things he does until he explains it."
"Hmm… If I know your father like I do, then he most likely has a plan to make them his first ever Legends to greet this new World. Haven't you seen it? Those challengers, both outside and inside of our World, came here in search of your father, in search of the power, fame and riches he has either by their own volition, or by guidance of your father."
"Those four kids…? I find it hard to believe that they can live up to father's expectations."
"He has different expectations for everyone, my child. He is cruel, heartless, merciless to those that're used to it, kind, compassionate, insightful to those that're used to it, and sometimes going as far as becoming their companion through this place. Although, I've only ever seen him do it once to another."
"...Alright, that is all of the questions that I have, mother."
"Great, all better yet?"
"Somewhat, I should get back to my floor now. Thank you for the short moment of respite, mother."
"It is nothing, my dear. I was just being what you expect of me, my child. Tell Kael my greetings as well, won't you?"
"Yes, mother. I apologize on his behalf, it seems like he's still dormant."
With that, the two stood up with each other's hands locked together. Charlotte, the mother to all the Guardians, both past and present ones, sent them away to their residents once more. As the darkness fades, colors take their place as the familiar pale and dimly lit room materializes around them.
"Farewell, and may you live long, my child.''
"Yes, mother."
Sadness, as she left with a single tear trailing down her cheeks, to leave one of her children once more.
...............…
What a wonderful mother, she is
What a monster, father is
What a wonderful family, this is
What a monster I am to destroy it
I know no compassion, only tales to sate the hunger
I know little of family, only an intricate word that links
What am I, other than a monster born of Chaos
What am I, other than a girl father once said I was
The warmth returns, ever so radiant in the guise of dark
The coldness returns, ever so blissful in the guise of dark
Nothingness greets the return of its master
This little girl dreams once more to hear her father
Tales of all variety, of chivalry, of magnificence, of hatred, of love
Blissful, warm, cold, as Death embraces this little girl once more
Blissful dreams, warm visions, so close, yet still a little too far away
............…
"When are they arriving, Felicia?"
In an office with a wide window at the back that lets shining sunlight through, a man spoke as he read through papers that came from a stack on his table. His dark hair with some grays and beard tells of an experienced old man, but his face had no wrinkles, showing that the color might be deceitful.
"We do not know, sir Andre. We can only pray that they do not bring trouble, they are Elves after all.''
"Elves… It's always such a hassle to handle them. They come all mighty and grand, while being fugitives and the likes in their own territory. Slavery for all of them."
"...."
The woman who's in the room with this man was standing by the door, within the dark shade of the room. Her hair was beautifully white with a hint of being slightly light blue at the tips. Her monotonous tone while speaking coupled with her robotic default expression made her look like a Golem or Homunculi from first impressions.
"Ah, almost rambled away at you again, apologies Felicia."
"It's nothing, sir. I am your personal secretary, this is the least I can do since you forbid me to attend to paperwork duties."
"It's not that I doubt your capability, it's just that I can't just laze around."
"But at least let me handle the easier ones, you needn't bother with them as much."
"It's fine, Felicia."
"...Understood."
This was a rather weird scene to see, but if one knows the background of them then it's more or less understandable.
Colson 'Bolt' Andre, a former general and now a lord of a land given to him after his achievements in stopping seven massive waves of Undead that numbered in the tens of thousands with most being Level 80 on average.
Felicia 'Frost' Alkairon, also a former soldier that's nicknamed 'Colson's Snow Maiden' because she's almost always present with Andre wherever he goes. She was discharged when Colson was given an early retirement, and is now working as Colson's personal secretary.
They were assigned here after their early discharge from the military force. They're tasked with managing this little city with a little over 300 residents, a fairly medium size city in this day and age. Trades have been making the rounds, money circulates through the city at a well-mannered pace and everything is in order, all because Andre hasn't been going off and doing fights all the time.
Then, a knock came from the door. Felicia went and opened it slightly, peering through the opening.
"Miss Felicia, some people said they're here to get their collars removed."
"Escort them here, fast."
"Yes, miss Felicia."
The one on the outside was a soldier in standard full body steel armor. Light, enhanced with Mana, making it a suitable and well received standard issue armor set. The soldier went off immediately under Felicia's order.
"Sir, they've arrived. They'll be escorted here soon."
"Ah, good good, I'm excited to see what those foreigners are like. If it's anything like that first woman, then it'll be an interesting experience again."
The man put down his pen. Upon closer inspection, it's a mechanical fountain pen, something only rich and noble aristocrats can have.
"Let's see what these people are like."