Coated in magnificent light, Andromeda glided down to earth like a deity. Her clothes slowly dimmed, revealing a material with 24 colors.
This material was otherworldly, and seemed to possess an energy of its own.
Not daring to make a sound, the onlookers watched as Andromeda landed next to Gilgamesh and flashed him a smile.
Gigamesh ignored the smile as he eyes closed, and he suddenly began to gather energy again.
He was heading straight for the Eight level.
"Sister Rose, was it? You must value me a great deal." Gilgamesh stated as he cultivated.
Little Feather suddenly appeared at his side, having walked over to him when she saw how close Andromeda was getting.
Andromeda pouted, "How did you know? I wanted it to be a surprise..."
Gilgamesh shook his head, "There is little that I cannot know."
Her eyes sparkled when she heard that. "So you know why I'm here?"
"You're about to tell me, aren't you? Go ahead then."
Andromeda straightened, and she looked around. Nodding, she snapped her fingers and created a barrier to prevent any sound from escaping.
Now, everyone could see them, but no one could hear them.
Gilgamesh frowned and he temporarily stopped his cultivation to glance at the barrier.
"That isn't necessary," he shook his head.
Before Andromeda could even refute his words, the barrier cracked and fell apart, just by Gilgamesh wanting it to.
Andromeda faltered slightly and cleared her throat, "Well whatever."
"As you might have figured out, I am the being that sits atop this dimension as Queen."
Gilgamesh nodded, and Little Feather stuck her tongue out again.
As for everyone else, they were already dumbfounded. Luckily, they had long given up on trying to understand. If they hadn't, their brains would probably be fried already.
"I followed you to this world when you descended from beyond the Domain of Light as a baby, and I have watched you ever since."
Gilgamesh eyes narrowed. He was not able to glean information about this from the Omniscient Author.
"Before you disappeared five years ago, we had something of a relationship. You told me about your problems, and I told you about mine."
Now, Gilgamesh was wholly interested. When he looked at Little Feather, she shrugged.
Apparently, his past self hadn't thought it was necessary to tell her anything. His mind started to contemplate this, and he suddenly thought of something.
"I don't really remember any of that. I'll need you to remind me."
Thinking critically, Gilgamesh knew that his past self possessed more knowledge than he now did.
He also knew that his past self trusted Little Feather more than anything and anyone- much like his current self was starting to.
So, he needed to know what sort of thoughts he had been having regarding this Andromeda.
"Of course," Andromeda smiled as she begun, but she suddenly faltered and waved her hand.
"Why not relax a bit?" As she said this, a table and chairs materialized, as well as a jug of water and two cups.
Gilgamesh sat down and motioed for Little Feather to do the same, and he poured a cup of water for her then himself.
Andromeda sat down after them.
They all ignored the people staring right at them.
"Should we leave...?" A disciple, seeming unsure, asked his friends.
"I dunno..." Shockingly, it was the Forest Master who had heard him and responded.
"Once I told you some truths about myself, you told me that you were from a Domain beyond our own. In fact, you told me that you were from an entirely different Page of the Book of Existence."
Gilgamesh nodded, Little Feather sipped her water and marveled at how tasty it was.
"You said that you could not remember much, but that with the right catalyst, you would most likely be able to restore yourself."
"When I explained to you that I also needed something, we agreed that we would work together to find a mutually beneficial solution to both our problems."
Hearing this much, Gilgamesh was beginning to understand what had taken place.
He did not trust Andromeda; he had been planning on using her, just as she was planning to use him!
Realizing this, Gilgamesh nodded and flashed a smirk.
"But who would have thought that when I went off to retrieve a Soul-Spark for you, you would disappear in the mystic realm. I searched for so long, but I couldn't find you."
"However, I never gave up hope that you would return. After all, I know that you're an exceptional person."
Gilgamesh nodded his head in agreement, only to see Little Feather doing the same thing. He laughed.
"So, when you did return, I approached you, but you forgot all about me. I was a bit annoyed, to be honest, so I gave the Soul-Spark to that little Shaman."
"I was trying to make things a bit tough for you, but you suddenly became so much more powerful. I started suspecting you had been restored, but there was also the issue of your memories."
"So, I watched as you reclaimed the Soul-Spark thinking it would help you regain some memories, but apparently it has not."
"What it did do, though, is increase your power. I'm glad to see that."
Gilgamesh and Andromeda locked eyes, and she smiled brightly.
"I understand now. So, in other words, you're saying that you held up your end of the bargain, and now it's time for me to hold up my end."
Andromeda nodded, "Exactly. All I need is for you to come with me to my Residence. Once we're there, I can use the Holy Universal Light-Seal to open the way to the Domain of Light, and you can participate in the Tournament of Divinity."
"And why did you want me to do that again?"
Andromeda's smile suddenly turned crooked and she laughed stiffly.
"Well, once you become the Divine Champion, you'll rise to glory and be able to ascend, thus returning to your home Domain."
"And, as a result, I'll become the Sovereign of the Universe that produced a Divine Champion, and be greatly rewarded."
Andromeda gave her answer, and Gilgamesh finally understood everything.
Then, his smirk grew.
"Well, in that case, I'll have to thank you for placing the Soul-Spark in my path. It really came in handy."
Andromeda flashed a warm smile, "No need for thanks. It's what I should have done."
Gilgamesh suddenly threw his head back and laughed.
"Right! You're so right. It is EXACTLY what you should have done. Because I am me, and you are you. You can only ever hope to serve me!"
Gilgamesh stood up from the table and Little Feather followed him. Andromeda's expression sunk and the table vanished once it did.
All jaws fell open when they heard Gilgamesh's words.
"What are you saying, Gilgamesh?" Andromeda stood, her brow twitching.
"I'm saying... Just who do you think you are? You think you can use me? That's now how it works."
"I use you, and then you fade off into the background like the stepping stone you are!"
Gilgamesh's red eyes appeared incredibly sinister in this moment, and Andromeda's eyes narrowed in rage.
"Gilgamesh... Think carefully about what you're doing..."
Gilgamesh grinned, "I don't need to. Everything's already worked out the way it's supposed to. Now be quiet, side character."
Gilgamesh gestured for Little Feather to go ahead of him, and they started to walk away, leaving Andromeda seething in rage.
"If that's the way you want this to go... then that's the way it'll go." Andromeda suddenly extended a hand and flicked her finger, and the very nature of space heeded her command.
Gilgamesh was ready, though, and Samael cut a clean path through the air around him.
Space had begun to congeal around him, but he instantly eradicated that attempt at holding him in place.
His eyes found Andromeda's, and he gave her a disdainful sneer.
However, when he saw her again, his blood began to boil and his aura billowed out of him in torrents, surpassing its previous peak by leaps and bounds.
"Big Br-"
Little Feather tried to cry out, but Andromeda put a hand over her mouth. In the little girl's eyes, shock and worry flashed. Tears were already welling up in them.
She realized that she was being used against her Big Brother. She hated that feeling.
At the same time, a cosmic energy of light soldified on Andromeda's fingertip, and she pressed it against Little Feather's neck.
"I told you to think carefully. You may be able to render my control of this entire dimension useless, but you cannot stop me from doing this, can you?"
Gilgamesh's entire body trembled with rage, and he raised his sword, pointing the tip at Andromeda.
"Release her." He coldly ordered.
Andromeda responded with an icy laugh, "You think I will? Because you want me to? Please! I gave you a chance, but you spit in my face."
"Now, you have two choices."
Gilgamesh gnashed his teeth as the hand that was holding Samael tightened its grip.
"You can do as I say, and repay the debt you owe. Become mine, and you will undoubtedly rise to the peak of this Universe."
"Or, continue to defy me, and watch as your 'Little Feather,' dies. Or do you think that you can supress the power of my entire dimension?"
Andromeda giggled when she saw Gilgamesh's angered state, and she licked her lips.
"There, there. Don't be too mad about it. In truth, ever since you landed in this Universe, you were mine. I'll admit I came to admire you quite a bit."
"I even desired to take you as a consort. I just underestimated the scope of your arrogance."
"Now," Andromeda's finger pressed into Little Feather's throat, pricking the skin and drawing a tiny bit of blood.
"Make your choice."