Each of the fourteen calamities came in order. It seemed as if it was a 'test' that would rather confirm humanity's capabilities to survive the [End] itself, but it was actually an effort from Lord Nettesheim.
With his final strength, he made it so that each calamity descended in an order—one that would be barely manageable to the world.
Instead of many calamities coming down at once, he chose to create a sorting area instead.
What he didn't expect, however, was the emergence of a true [World Magister] like Nobu. he could freely use the powers acquired from the sacrifice of their lives. It was as if he gained the power to write whatever he wants within a book.
From a simple character, he became an author of this book. It only turned out that the [book] entailed the [reality] instead of a simple dreamscape.
Thus, he had the choice to go against this massive flow.
Howl-!
Within this white space, nothing existed but an extremely disturbing sound.
They were the souls 'stuck' within earth—the voice of every single entity who died up until now. Not only could they be summoned by Death's authority, they also made up the entire fifth calamity—the fifth seal within the Book of Revelations, the Cry of Souls.
It was another type of calamity that focused on 'killing' the collective human consciousness. Simply put, they could bring forth thousands of 'sudden deaths'.
Unfortunately for them…
"Poor souls who could not reach paradise."
Artoria saw the sight of countless translucent white bodies stuck on the white floor. They longed to leave this space, yet they were not able to do so.
To deal with them, one should be able to have authority when it comes to death as well as the means to wipe them out in one attack.
"My conclusion was flawed from the beginning." She muttered as her cold eyes gazed upon the ground. "Without a final struggle, everything would have ended meaninglessly."
As her form of pity towards these souls that resembled the ones on her previous 'paradise', Artoria decided to finish them all in one go.
"May you find your paradise."
A bright golden light devoured everything.
*****
"Kishi-san!"
"..."
After dropping my King off to the fifth calamity, I was headed towards the sixth calamity—the World Serpent. It was a snake that could shuttle through layers of dimensions. The more it delves deeper into higher dimensions, the more vectors (directions) one has to deal with, thus resulting in a far more complicated battle.
At the beginning, it would stay in the fifth dimension, hence it became evident that one should have enough firepower to finish it off in one go. If it escapes to other dimensions, things would become more dicey.
Now, although I don't actively see the future, I could still see them passively, such as when Sajyou-san came just now.
From there, I saw that she fought this calamity by herself.
"As expected, you've already seen it, Kishi-san?"
Just like me, Sajyou-san had the ability to 'see' what I see, even if she lacks several other components of my power.
"You… Are you really sure about your decision? This devotion of yours…"
Given the fact that she was strong, she could basically live a good life in her world. Discounting the threats that would come several hundred years later, she could choose to live a carefree life.
"Haven't I mentioned it before? You were the only one who shone the brightest. It's like watching a breath-taking falling star in the night sky. People would choose to admire its beauty."
"...and I am that star..?"
Looking back at the cause and effects, it began when she 'saw' the ending of my future. I couldn't see it in the past, but I was able to do so now.
What I saw…
If I couldn't change that script…
"I will fully respect your choice, Sajyou-san. If this is what you wish, then so be it."
In the end, it was a complex 'story'. She could see what I saw, yet she was still heading towards that path without reservations. Despite seeing that badly-battered script, she chose to accept it—
She wanted to help me reach my dream.
It felt like our understanding of each other doesn't follow the conventional standards. Since we could both see the endless futures, having that definitive ending already makes things far more complicated for us.
"Just wait for me, then~!"
With those words, she went ahead and slaughtered the World Serpent.
*****
"...Nothing much had changed."
While everyone was fighting the calamities, I took care of a more urgent matter.
"Mordred and the others fought well."
Aside from the prior combatants for the first four calamities, there are others who watched the fight from a distance. They were the 'surprise elements' per se.
Although Satoru-san was busy settling the King of Curses thoroughly, there are other special-grade sorcerers who could lend a hand.
Coupled with the fact that all the magicians are mobilized to reduce any form of casualties, this would serve to completely derail this world's future to that of any parallel worlds'.
"He has the entire concept of [Heaven]... no, not just that."
With my current level, I could peer through the [Abrahamic God]'s true form. Instead of being similar to regular deities who could manifest themselves physically, He is a force that moves the world—an entity closely embedded with the entire World itself rather than a separate one.
That was the true reason as to why He sought solutions to the calamities that the world would face.
Entities at that level, no matter which world they were in, has enough countermeasures that would prevent the dissipation of their 'concept' itself. Those countless years of preparation was what I lacked.
No matter how I "know" everything, there are still several small "loopholes" that could go beyond the scope of my "omniscience". It only suggested that there was still an even "higher level", and that was something I couldn't properly grasp up until now.
What I could do for now was to emulate their 'failsafes'.
What was something that was present in all worlds?
"Stars."
If, just like the other gods, I could carve my existence on the stars throughout all worlds, my safety could be ensured.
However…
"Other worlds… There's still a risk with this."
I am not that arrogant to think that there aren't anyone on the same level as I within other worlds. Even so, I am more than confident to actualize this grand plan with my own strength.
"Carving the stars, was it..?"
Thus, it marked the finale of our first clash against the [End].
*****
The entire world was shaken.
That was a statement to be taken quite literally. Magnitude 10.0 earthquakes spurted all over the world, all the while four calamities caused havoc in the public eyes.
As for the governments' response…
"With the Decree Number 3307, a specialized organization would be officiated. These include the heads of the supernatural users…"
"...This is straight out of the manga I was reading several days ago."
"It is what it is."
Currently, I am sitting on the sofa along with Mashiro. She has her usual oversized clothes as she accompanied me while drinking Dr. Pepper. It was something that became famous in Japan due to several unforeseen reasons.
"Is this what you've told us?"
"That's a part of it."
With the "officiating" of supernatural organizations all of a sudden, it is reasonable to think there'd be some problems in the transitional period. It will take time for the other people to believe that this is not a dream—or rather, this new period is their new reality.
After dealing with all five calamities, I haven't thought much about smaller matters such as that. It was left to the governments all around the world as well as the joint efforts of each Magician Society Branch; in Japan, the Jujutsu High.
Of course, since there are those old fogeys whose mindset is rotten to the core, Kazamitsu-san had to step up as the current Tower Head and completely support the appointed "spokesperson" of Jujutsu High—Masamichi-san, otherwise known as Principal Yaga.
Those checks and balances within politics are way outside the scope of what I need to handle, hence I am like this… drinking soda while watching the world adapt to the sudden change.
"Are those 'dreams' a part of them too?"
"Well… yes."
It didn't take long before she came closer to where I sat from. I could smell the shampoo that she used moments ago when she took a shower.
"I spoke with someone who claimed to be my 'other self'. She said some things about you… no, us."
Just like before, I already saw which direction [we] are headed. This omniscience is one of the powers that could break a person's sense of self, hence I am careful with it.
Nevertheless, I have long been used to seeing the future on a whim. What I am trying to do, however, is to not become arrogant enough to think that everything is in my palm.
Mashiro's matching golden pupils stared at mine.
"Were they true?"
"...Yes."
"If that is the case…"
Mashiro took the initiative to sit on my lap. With her face in front of me, she hugged both her arms on my neck.
It was an extremely familiar situation—one that I had encountered from several past iterations.
If there was something abnormal to be noted on Mashiro, it would be her drive.
"..."
She was about to say something when she chose to remain silent. Instead, she let her actions speak for herself.
Mashiro's face became closer until our lips met. Contrary to the usual reactions, she kissed me while staring straight into my eyes. I could see her embarrassment build up behind her ears as they turned red, yet she chose to continue doing it.
As expected, Mashiro became more and more absorbed as she started playing with my lips. It didn't seem enough, hence she initiated an even deeper kiss.
I have to admit that… this was the sensation that I missed between us. Perhaps the main reason why I couldn't let "anybody" take care of her was my selfishness… or at least, a part of it was like that.
It was simply pressed down due to my guilt when it comes to polygamy relationships. Though, that was long in the past.
For now, I accepted her initiative. At some point, she suddenly jolted while we kissed. Mashiro was the first one to detach her lips as she buried her neck on my shoulder. A familiar wet sensation was present on my lap.
At this moment, I could feel my heart beating loudly. My soul itself was expressing joy whenever I was with one of my beloved. This part of me was what remained after sacrificing many things in pursuit of power.
At the very least, I could still empathize and love the people around me. This emotion is the only thing I would not dare compromise.
"She said… something. That this… feels good." Mashiro whispered several words in my ears, her voice remaining low as usual. "She was not lying."
Though I know that we are not yet ready to take that final step, more so when I promised mine to be with Artemis, kissing and cuddling should still be fine. No, I am making sure it would not surpass those two.
"Nobu… let's do it again."
Now, I was shown why one of Mashiro's strongest point was her sexual drive.
*****
A/N: Yes, that bit about Mashiro is canon.