--- In the First Firmament, unknown area ---
The zone in question was completely devoid of any recognizable land masses, resembling instead the night sky.
The area was filled with numerous planets, each of which was connected to portals by strong, wood-like roots.
Bright stars were scattered throughout the zone, with a large, voluminous domain at the center.
This domain featured a large table, surrounded by several seats that hovered in the air.
The world of the most powerful Gods.
It was the First Firmament. It was home to the Five Cosmocrats.
A man who had a vision about the First Firmament spoke great words about them. He said:
"The Cosmocrats are a group of beings created from the First Firmament, who have witnessed the birth of all beings from primordial and primeval to transcendent. They exist in the great void, where emptiness reigns and they effortlessly utter words that would destroy our sanity. They observe each world, testing and prodding before passing judgment, as voiced by the most powerful of their number, Technique God. Despite having no homeland or sustenance, they somehow continue to exist and remain a mystery to us all."
Originally, this man was thought to be a mad man, but became the Pope of the 12th century prior to the Augustus Vayetra Calendar.
The young man with golden hair who sat on a throne was the Technique God. There were several others seated around the table, but he was the most prominent.
"Hmm, very interesting. Their games have finally begun."
A long white-haired lady with glowing gold vines around her smiled as she spoke. In a clockwise manner, she'd be the next after the Technique God.
"So, it seems a new number of Reincarnators have come to light. Sakura Sakaguchi, or should I say Fetoria Vin Klaus and Haruto Sakamoto, now named Archibald Pendragon."
Her name was Luvana— Goddess of Life. Or Life God.
Then, a long black-haired man with red eyes in a black and gold frock-coat said:
"Pendragon? Isn't that the one the Technique God gave his blessing to?"
"Indeed it is," Luvana replied.
"I see, what a tragedy. Of all the great people Life God reincarnated, he chose to waste his blessing on someone who couldn't succeed in the mundane world." The black-haired man folded his arms.
This man, was the Death God, Paraslogius.
He had a habit of referring to the others like him via their titles, rather than their names.
His arms were always folded, and eyes, closed.
"I simply thought it'd be fun to try handing it out to failure," said the Technique God.
"I still think it's a waste of time." Paraslogius directed his jaded gaze at Technique God.
"Why so?"
"Genghis Khan, Alexander the Great, Napoleon, Julius Caesar... Do you know what all these names have in common?"
"They're all conquerors," Technique God suggested with a mild smile.
"You utilized my power and that of Life God's to reincarnate Haruto Sakamoto, a known failure, into the First World. Mr. Sakamoto was meant to live for another twenty years before passing away due to a heart attack caused by masturbation. However, it appears that you were more interested in conducting an experiment rather than allowing him to live out his natural life. Your desire to see a failure compete against the one percent is concerning and has led to this situation."
Paraslogius concluded with an unfeeling expression.
Throughout the discussion, Creation God, Anastasia, was quiet.
"Is that really what you think, Paraslogius?" Technique God asked with a bitter smile.
"It is," he replied ambivalently.
"So, what do you plan to do? Fight me for the right to revive him back in the Third World?"
"Nothing. I don't plan to enter a fight I can't win," he remained calm.
"Oh? Is that so? You seem quite sure you'd lose. I mean, it's possible you could against win me after an infinite number of tries."
"How modest of you... In reality, I doubt I'd be able to cause you any discomfort in battle," his red eyes were fixed on Technique God.
"Then if that's the case.." Technique God interlocked his fingers and placed them atop the table, "...Wouldn't that mean my word is absolute?"
"Whatever," Paraslogius closed his eyes once more.
Neither the Creation God nor the Mana God spoke. Both remained reserved in their own rights.
Anastasia, an elven woman with rainbow coloured hair, was the Creation God.
Ataraxia, a man known for his calmness, was the Mana God.
Despite being perceived as lazy by some, Ataraxia played a vital role in the creation of the four divine spirits and their spirit crests.
These two deities were responsible for the very foundation of the different worlds.
When Anastasia, created the First World, Ataraxia was the one who enriched it with mana. Hence, creating the "first" magical world.
--- In the Third Firmament. Rabastines in the Eses continent ---
In the blizzard, Lamperogue and Archibald treaded the white lands.
Progressively, steps were harder to take. The thickness of the snow required more effort to overcome.
These tireless efforts would eventually wear them out.
"Hey Rogue," Archibald called out to him.
Lamperogue who was in front said: "Yeah?"
"We should set up camp in these caves, it looks like the blizzard's getting worse."
"Shouldn't we keep going, I mean, we're almost at the jaw of the Turen Mountains, which means Rivelune is nearby."
"Yeah, but we might not make it there if we keep at this pace. We should rest up and wait before the cold gets to us."
"I guess you're right, we should wait for the weather to improve."
("Definitely, Hypothermia is no joke.")
Archibald said to himself while Lobo walked beside him.
--------Some minutes later.
They were now in a cozy cave, a significantly dark one.
It was by sheer luck that Archibald found said cave in the mountainside.
The two boys sat on the ground facing opposite sides with their back resting against each other.
("Well, this is just great. We're stuck here with no search party in sight. Just fantastic. I'm starting to miss my old life, where I could be a shut-in playing video games and watching porn all day. But no, now I'm stuck here with a wolf and a guy who's about as interesting as a rock. Can this situation get any worse? Probably not. I'm thoroughly unimpressed with this turn of events.")
Lamperogue decided to break the silence, "Shouldn't get going now?"
"Nah, don't forget dude, the first thing to do when lost is stay where you are. And besides, you might be able to survive the cold, but I'll die of hypothermia if I'm out there any longer."
"Well.."
"Don't stress it, all right?" Archibald looked at the stalactites that hung from the roof of the cave, "Rumia and Lutessa will definitely find a way to get us help, Rumia's pretty smart you know."
"How sure are you they'll help us? It's possible they'd just leave," said Lamperogue indifferently.
"I know the weather seems unfavorable, but don't worry, I've known Rumia for a while... I doubt she'll do that," he smiled.
"So you trust her?"
"With my life," it may have seemed like a naive response but it wasn't.
Archibald had fought side-by-side with her, there was no way he wouldn't trust her after she protected him faithfully against the | Red Crest Magi |.
"You shouldn't trust people so easily," Lamperogue articulated.
"It's not that I trust people easily. It's just, rather than Rumia having to earn my trust, I have to earn hers.." Then, placing his hands together and covering his mouth, he exhaled hot air for warmth.
To Archibald, Lamperogue didn't look like the type of individual who had friends. It wasn't a surprise for someone like that to trust sparingly.
------------
Meanwhile.
The Rabastines mountain range was traversed by a man of great importance, the Water Emperor, Runteria Ahelios.
The rank of Emperor was the highest attainable rank, and there were only five per generation.
These five were usually of different elemental affinities.
Meaning, only one Water Emperor could exist at a time.
In other words, classifying him as the strongest user of Water Magic.
He was clothed in a billowing cloak and carried a magic staff, a symbol of his power.
His attire was typical of a wizard, complete with a long hat with a pointed top.
The Emperor's appearance was defined by his dark skin, bushy, gray beard and long hair.
"The great Water Emperor has arrived! I am the one who slayed the dragon that terrorized Beldris forty years ago, when I was still a handsome bastard! Hahahahha! Cough... cough, cough, cough!"
Who was he speaking to? No one. Absolutely no one.
Runteria walked alone through the harsh lands of the Rabastines.
Despite the attempts of ice golems to attack him, he remained unfazed, effortlessly reducing them to pools of water.
It was clear that this man was indeed the Water Emperor.
He was headed towards Archibald and Lamperogue, and it was imperative that they prepared for his arrival.
If only they knew.
"I love sexy ladies!"
The old man abruptly shouted.