A few millennia ago.
Nemesis POV.
My name is Nemesis Pendragon, and today is my birthday. I turned 10 years old, which is a significant milestone in the life of every Stellar Cultivator.
At this moment, parents discover how promising their children are in terms of their abilities with energy types.
I didn't need to leave the confines of the family castle to find out my predisposition to energy types. Unfortunately, I was told that I manipulate the energy of Air. I burst into tears in the morning and even thought about ending my life, but my mother assured me that it wasn't that terrible. To comfort me, she decided to give me nutritious milk.
I loved to feed in her embrace, while she sat on her throne.
— Sis, come to Mommy, — she said lovingly, sending an air heart my way. As it reached me, it transformed into a kiss, leaving an indelible mark on my cheek.
— Uuuh, it's terrible, — I mumbled, rubbing my cheek in protest of my mother's actions.
I felt shy as I gazed at my beautiful mother in a red crown and attire, with white tails and black hair with fluffy ears. The color of her tails and ears changed depending on her mood and needs, but most of the time they were either white or black.
What I loved most was that her eyes were always pink, matching the color of my private chambers.
— Nemesis, don't ruin your celebration. Go to your mother before the other girls come and take all the milk today, ha-ha-ha.
I couldn't let that happen. I was hungry, so I jumped onto her lap. She removed her breastplate and fed me, explaining as I drank that if I tried hard enough, I would become a powerful woman, and everyone would fear me, just like they fear my mother - Niks Pendragon, the rightful Empress of the Styx Empire.
After all the family members gave me silly gifts, I had to set off with my sisters on my first journey.
Finally, I left the capital's limits and would explore how the world is structured, hee-hee-hee!
I sat in the wardrobe wearing only panties with the family emblem, looking like a separate pavilion. My little legs dangled above the floor, and I waited for my mother to dress me according to her discretion.
I couldn't choose my clothes yet because the laws prohibit children under twenty from selecting attire without outside assistance.
I didn't know why such rules were established in our Empire, but I knew my mother made them, so I had to obey her, even though I enjoyed deceiving her and outsmarting my sisters.
Usually, the Imperial maids dressed me, but today was my birthday, and my mother took up the responsibility.
My mother entered the dressing room and spent several hours dressing me up like a toy doll. It was fun because I loved my mother, and she didn't pay much attention to me due to her government affairs. But the end of the dress-up turned out to be very unpleasant.
— Well mom, I don't want to wear this jumpsuit; it makes me look...
— You look very cute, — Mom finished, starting to comb my short hair. I resisted in the first seconds, but Mom temporarily bound my hands with ropes of Darkness energy, saying, — You look like a very headstrong little prankster, who will become a strong woman in the future.
Mom fixed me up and lifted me up, then placed me in front of the mirror. I looked at the tasteless outfit with wild disgust, although my face didn't show any emotions due to my fear of being scolded by my mother.
I was wearing an unattractive shirt, with a jumpsuit made of wild space dragon leather on top. I liked the golden buckles that held the outfit, but it wasn't enough.
— Do you want to tell me something? — Mother said coldly, sensing my dissatisfaction.
I lowered my gaze from instinctual fear but boldly replied, — You have bad taste; I want a combat suit like Cousin Aludra's.
— To do that, you will have to kill many sentient beings among the cultivators, — said Mom, lifting me and seating me on her neck, allowing me to touch her fluffy ears on her head. I squeezed her beloved charms as she spoke, — Nemesis. 'Someday,' you will feel that the world is unfair to you. But the truth is that it is unfair to everyone. The universe does not revolve around you. I mean that the world doesn't revolve around you, my beloved little one.
— Hmph, then I'll take this world into my own hands and make it revolve around me! — I grumbled, puffing up.
— Ouch, let go of Mommy's ears, they are very sensitive! — she growled when I accidentally pinched her fluffy charm.
I released them abruptly, laughing at her weakness, — Mom whines like a little lizard, ha-ha-ha.
— Nemesis Pendragon! — Mom addressed me officially and slightly annoyed, — Young princess, I recommend that you address your mother with respect. I'll make an exception for your birthday, and I won't punish you.
I nodded silently and buried my face in her nape, inhaling the floral scent of her hair as she carried me on her shoulders.
Mom brought me to our family in the palace hall and seated me next to them on a luxurious sofa, asking, — Don't you want to drink my milk before the 'responsible' expedition?
Shaking my head, I hugged my big cousin Aludra and, showing my displeasure, said, — I'd rather have some of Cousin's milk on our trip than spit from yours.
— Ha-ha-ha, — Aludra began to laugh, pointing her finger at my mom, — Aunt Niks, alas and ah, but I prioritize my little cousin.
Syrma teleported into the air, explaining the harsh truth to me, — Aludra won't go with you. You will go with Alhena and Mebsuta.
She was a very beautiful aunt with golden hair and violet eyes. I liked her dark outfits and shimmering hair, but they weren't always that color. It all depended on the personality that spoke to us at the moment.
Now we had the evil side of Aunt Syrma with us, and her words deeply saddened me.
— Nooo, it's already happened! — I got up from the couch and wailed in despair, stomping my foot on the golden marble, — Ugh, Mom. 'Someday' has already come. I understood that the world is unfair, fix it quickly...
— Ha-ha-ha-ha, — most of the family members started laughing at my words.
It made me even more upset. They don't care about me at all. I'm the youngest... it weighs heavily on my will.
— Why did you come out of your hiding place? — Mom asked Syrma, — We haven't seen you for years. How did your meditation go?
— I have been observing how you raise Nemesis in recent years, — she replied.
— And what's next? — she provocatively asked.
— I want to criticize you. You have been a decrepit cat for a long time, and your educational process is as pointless as before, — Syrma didn't let my mom say a word, raising her hand before her face, — At this rate, your daughter will grow up as a maniacal hysterical and pathological liar. Don't you see how her impatient temperament, impulsiveness, weak will, and duplicity are forming? A life within strict rules without much creativity won't provide her with the necessary conditions or put her on the right path. Your lousy habit of inaction will lead her to imitate you, but being a stern Empress won't work for her all the time. It won't bring her the desired result, and then she'll complain about us, saying that nobody values or takes her seriously.
I didn't understand anything of what Aunt Syrma was saying, but the faces of all the girls became very serious. Even Spika and Aunt Isida furrowed their brows, which frightened me a bit.
I clung to Aludra, who started patting my head, while my mom argued with her sister, — You shouldn't worry about how I raise my little one. Let her become a lover of devouring little dragons if she wants. This is MY Empire, and you are the Queen within it, with your cosmic sector. Syrma, you have the responsibility, so get the fuck to your domains and manage them properly.
— Are you provoking me? Do you want me to piss in your mouth? — Syrma provocatively yelled, but Aunt Isida stood in front of her.
My mom pushed Isida away and leaned her breastplate against Syrma's neck, grabbing her by the hair and shouting, — Nemesis is my unsuccessful experiment and has little potential to become stronger than our trio, unlike the other children. Instead of quarrels and bickering, you better ponder with an empty head how to bypass the system of Universe and create the truly strongest being!
I understood that she was very dissatisfied with me, that I was a useless domestic princess for our mother and the whole family. I felt hurt and scared, tears welling up in my eyes as I retreated to a Aludra not wanting to hear my dear family arguing and shouting at each other.
— How tired I am of your foolish experiments! We didn't give birth to daughters to compete with Femiarth in power, but it seems you care little about their existence. Do you want to create a monster, huh? — Aunt Syrma began releasing cosmic energy, but suddenly her personality changed, manifested by a shift in hair and skin color. My aunt calmed down and smiled, saying, — Oh, forgive me, dear sister. I didn't mean that. I have no complaints about your upbringing.
Hearing the kind voice of Aunt Syrma, I looked at her to confirm my assumption.
She was beautiful in her own way: pale skin with a cosmic dust shade, green eyes, and silver hair. I liked poking my finger at her crown with the singularity in the center while drinking her delicious milk. She was gentle and never scolded me for playing with dangerous artifacts, unlike mean Aunt Syrma.
— Alhena, erase her memory. She wasn't supposed to hear that, — my mother whispered with regret.
Suddenly, I heard my sister Alhena's soothing singing, and I felt really good, — My dear, forest sun...
Then, my mother kissed me on the forehead and sent me out into nature, carefree and cheerful for the gift walk.
Unfortunately, Aludra didn't come with us, which greatly disappointed me. She had her own affairs, as she was belligerent and loved bloody battles.
For half a day, I went on a hike with my two older half-sisters, twins who were much older than me. I had fun with them unlike the angry mother!
Alhena was the elder twin, and Mebsuta was the younger.
The night sky of Pendragon Prime was incredibly beautiful! Thousands of stars shimmered and created different patterns. I made up colorful stories with them that I wanted to bring to life someday.
But my sisters laughed at me and said that to do that, I had to become a powerful cultivator.
It made me sad that I was the only little girl in the family, and few wanted to play with me. Mebsuta supported me the most and played hide-and-seek with me. I had never found her yet because she could become invisible by controlling Reality Energy. I thought it was unfair, but no one listened to me.
— U-u-ugh, it's so unfair! — I complained to the air, listening to Alhena playing a melancholic tune.
Mebsuta, on the other hand, was collecting light-butterflies that circled around me and her, illuminating part of the mountain range. Sister was beautiful, having dark blue short hair, brown eyes with a golden hue and soft skin with large tits that produced thick and sweet milk.
I had always been told that drinking milk from the breasts of close female relatives was very beneficial for progress in cultivation and future meditations, so I obediently followed this rule. One day I will become the strongest and already I will be feeding them milk while laughing at their weakness, ha-ha-ha.
I smiled slyly and watched as Mebsuta whispered a nature song, watching as the light butterflies emitted warmth at her palms.
— Give yourselves to me, you miserable insects, — I commanded, reaching out my hand to the flying creatures.
The light-butterflies quickly scattered, and Mebsuta chuckled lowly into her hand.
I never managed to catch a single light-butterfly, which made me even more upset. This is the worst birthday in the history of birthdays in the galaxy!
— Hey, Nemesis, don't feel bad about failing. You're too active, you're easily angered. Take an example from Alhena, she exudes absolute control, hahaha, — Mebsuta said ironically, pointing at her twin.
I shifted my gaze to my older sister, I could hear a slight melancholy motif.
She was playing on the String-Wave Psaltery, a soulful instrument of unique construction, a variation of the Harp, but designed specifically for Stellar Cultivators who controlled Sound Wave Energy. Usually, three strings were stretched from the left and right sides, anchored to a sturdy material in the middle, resembling a starship's wings attached to the hull.
She explained it to me that way when I asked about the instrument.
Alhena's music was expressive and emotional, but her appearance was frightening: red irises, dark blue hair with two braids, incredibly fast fingers whose nails played the strings, creating a symphony of sounds.
— Shut up, with your shrill voice. Don't disturb my divine melody, — Alhena said roughly, looking at Mebsuta with a deadly gaze.
I tugged on Mebsuta's hand, asking, — Why is she in such a bad mood?
Mebsuta smiled and whispered cautiously, — The heir of the Dark Sanctuary sect was bothering her again.
— What did she do? — I inquired.
Mebsuta smiled and whispered, — She almost cut his testicles off... um, I mean, almost made him a eunuch.
— What does it mean to make someone a eunuch? Will Sister Alhena leave us and become a eunuch's wife?
— Haha, very funny, Nemesis, — Mebsuta said through tears, trying not to distract her older twin from the game. But Alhena heard everything perfectly and couldn't help but smile at my childish naivety.
I crossed my arms and pouted, scolding my sisters, — Hey, don't laugh at me. I'll ask Mom what eunuchs are.
— Don't you dare ask! — Alhena said in a commanding tone. She stopped playing the Psaltery, came to me, crouched down, and said, — It's better for our mother not to know about the lower scum approaching me. Otherwise, she'll execute him publicly and create even more political problems in the GDES council. I'll handle it myself. You don't want our family to have problems, do you?
I nodded with my head down, — No, I don't want problems.
— Then be a good princess and stay quiet. That way, there'll be nothing to worry about, as such matters must be resolved discreetly, right, Mebsuta?
— What are you talking about? I won't help you kill him, — Mebsuta replied.
Alhena grabbed her by the collar, explaining, — I'll be the one to help you kill him.
I started clapping my hands and jumping with joy, assuming I would assist the twins, — Killing-killing! Killing is so much fun, I want to be with you! Take me with you!
— No, — they said simultaneously, denying me the fun.
Killing living beings is actually very interesting and enjoyable. Mom taught me the art of killing since I was six. She said that if someone is bad, you can kill them and not worry about the consequences. So, are eunuchs also bad? I'll have to remember...
Alhena suddenly sang again, and I felt like I forgot something important.
...
What's happening?
I had a dream about a forgotten past. It was a nightmare in some places, where Mom and Aunt Syrma were arguing?
Alhena erased my memories twice for my tenth birthday, but all the memories returned and overwhelmed me like a cold shower.
Suddenly, I couldn't tell what was real and what was a dream. I opened my eyes and looked at the gray, frozen world.
A magical sword pierced my chest, and Spica lay dead in the distance. A bit closer stood Queen Arachna and Queen of Spiders, Proserpina and Alcyone, respectively. They didn't move, even though Proserpina held emptiness in her hand.
I couldn't find Thanatos anywhere. I didn't understand what was happening.
Why was the world frozen? Where was my younger brother? Why am I still alive if my heart is pierced and the Soul Vessel is destroyed?
My worries were dispelled by the words of the Goddess, whom I had seen only once. 18 years ago, when our family sought her help to save Thanatos' life.
— You have unleashed a truly terrifying power within yourself; I am genuinely surprised. Something interesting has happened in the last millennia, — the Goddess's voice echoed throughout expanse.
— F-Femiarta? Your Holiness, is that you?
— Yes, it's me.
I drew a magical sword from within me and stammered, — D-Do I control time like Aunt Isida?
— No, you can be much more dangerous. You control the Singularity of the Soul, just like me."
— S-So, I've become like you? — I skeptically asked.
— Yes. If you hadn't been defiled by your brother, I would have made you my successor. But I don't favor such beings in my dimension.
— Pff-f, you didn't need to, — I mumbled to the air, inflating my cheeks. Continuing to listen to Femiarta's voice, I asked warily, — Why is time standing still?
— While we may not be able to control it, the Time energy of other cultivators hardly affects us, which puts us in a temporal loop. Thanatos and Isida are currently using magic to save you, — Femiarta explained, then said her farewell, — I'll be in touch with you later. It'll be interesting to observe you now.
— O-oh... wonderful. My brother controls time? Damn... so he knows about our future daughter... — At first, I felt sad, but then I found many advantages in this situation.
Even though I can't control time, it means... ah!
All the moments when my memories were erased or Time magic was used came slowly back to me. I also remembered that this was Thanatos' second attempt to save my life.
I was upset about a past moment when Alhena accidentally exploded my favorite toy, and then she erased my memory so that no one would find out about her mistake.
Well, watch out, sis! I'll get revenge for my plush dragon!
But if I think seriously, I actually gained the most awesome ability in the Universe, to the point that even the Goddess Femiarta contacted me instantly. And our family was in a dispute with her, yet the Goddess of Chaos and Order still communicated with me.
That's what I was missing. Finally, I had the opportunity to catch up with my sisters in rank and power, all thanks to Thanatos' persistence.
For now, I'll pretend I know nothing about his actions, and then we'll wipe Proserpina out of existence together.
Damn, what if Femiarta gets angry about killing her subordinate? On the other hand, it was her fault that the Weaver Spiders attacked us, but Femiarta is too strong for me to foolishly get angry or argue with her.
— You can kill Proserpina, — the Goddess answered, as if reading my thoughts, adding, — She has bothered my eternal life for far too long.
Within a moment, time began to rewind, and armed with knowledge from previous attempts, I started learning how to defeat Proserpina, lovingly watching each unsuccessful attempt by dear Thanatos.
This event will undoubtedly change me, but whether for the better or worse, only I can decide.