Chapter 95 - Phase One

(Marvel, DC, images, manhuas, and every anime that will be mentioned and used in this story are not mine. They all belong to their respective owners. The main character "Karito/Adriel Josue Valdez" and the story are mine)Adriel PovNow that I think about it, how will the others react to Saber's sudden involvement in our group? Sure, her appearance has changed since she's no longer a Dark. She doesn't have her Alter form anymore, just her normal appearance from Fate/Stay Night: Unlimited Blade Works. She has light blonde hair styled in a braid that wraps around the back of her head, with a distinctive ahoge—a single strand of hair sticking up on top. Her eyes are a sharp, piercing blue. She wears a set of silver and blue armor that emphasizes her knightly status. The armor includes shoulder guards, arm guards, and a breastplate with an intricate, floral design on the chest. Her torso armor has a metallic silver finish, matching the armor on her arms and lower half. Underneath, she wears a royal blue dress that extends to just above her ankles, trimmed with a white, scalloped hem. The layered outfit provides contrast against the silver armor. Her hands are covered in armored gauntlets, and she wears knee-high armored boots in a similar silver tone.At least she looks like the Saber I know and not an alternate version I'm unfamiliar with. Fortunately, she accepted my offer for a "second chance" at life. It would have been unfortunate to kill someone with the potential to become a force for good. While she's still reserved, she talks and listens. I guess she opted for the "Master and Servant" relationship from the Fate verse. I can work with that. It makes sense—I am the leader of the Guardians... which makes us four now. It would be ideal to recruit more people to make dealing with the Darks less and less troublesome.As for the current state of this war, we've conquered three out of eleven regions. We've driven the Darks out of Freljord, Shadow Isles, and Ixtal. The survivors from Ixtal should be able to return to their territory. Although there aren't many left, with Qiyana freed, she should be able to restore Ixaocan. I took care of any hostile enemies that might hinder the people of Ixtal from beginning the restoration, so they should be fine for now.Now, my next move is to escort the escapees back to their home so they can help with the rebuilding. Ixtal will serve as my new base while preparing to attack Shurima.I'm a bit worried, though. Less than half of the surviving Champions remain, due to what Ace and Peter had to do. And we still haven't seen the main Darks we should be concerned about:The Spider God, Hercules, Mangog, Red Goblin, and Juggernaut.These are the only Darks I'm really concerned about. Sure, I can handle Juggernaut if I don't waste time. Red Goblin is manageable. But the other three... I'll have to put in extra effort because I'm probably the only one who can keep up with them. It's almost certain that Peter and Ace will have to fight one of them.I'll try to make things easier for them by forcing a conflict with Red and Juggy. They can handle those two, and I'll deal with the others myself."Guardian," Saber called, pulling me from my thoughts."Yeah?" I stopped and turned to face her. "What's up?""Are you sure my presence in your camp won't cause any sort of commotion? I fear my appearance will provoke hostility for what I did to their home and people when I was under the Darks' command."That's understandable. Making her fit in will take time, but time is something I don't have right now. At most, I can rest for a week before resuming my attacks on entire territories. Peter and Ace are doing this because I told them to. Sure, Ace is being a bit of a hard-ass because he wants to "test" me, but I promised him he'd get his shot. He's going to do what he did with White Beard in his world. Too bad for him, I'm not planning on fighting for days. We don't have that kind of time, and I'm going to make that clear to him.Anasis is brewing something, and I'm not going to risk it by letting him finish. This entire Omniverse broke the High Outerversal scale about a week ago, and he's planning to push it past Boundless. He doesn't seem to be slowing down.Anyway, regarding Saber's concern... I suppose I'll have to tell her to go invisible for the time being."You're right. You can still disappear, right?""Yes, Guardian.""Alright, whenever we're alone or around the other Guardians, you can be visible. But when we're around others who might recognize you, just disappear. We don't have time for them to process things emotionally. This will only be temporary, alright?""Do not worry, I understand. We are short on time, in fact. It is understandable if you want to rush things.""By the way," I ask, "do you have any idea what Anasis is doing?""I'm sorry, Guardian. But I don't possess knowledge of the Spider God's actions. Only those of his rank are aware. We lower ranks were merely tasked with taking territory. That was my assignment, at least," she answered honestly."That's alright; I figured as much. Do you know about the Darks in other regions?""I know of the Darks in Bilgewater, Targon, and Demacia. But I don't have information on Shurima, Piltover, Zaun, Iona, or Noxus," she replied."That's probably where the main targets are. The question is, which regions are they in...""Likely speculation, Guardian.""Anyway, we're close to the camp now. Do your thing, Saber.""Yes." A blue hue surrounded her, and she turned invisible.Now to report back to the camp and get on with the next steps............Lamb PovWe've all waited. Waited for God—no, I mean... the Guardian—to conquer Ixtal. We expected that such a being would only need a few days, at most, to free a region that had been consumed by a Darkness unlike anything this reality has ever known.To be honest, I was skeptical at first, especially when I first saw him. Wolf was always the one to test people, to confirm his own doubts or unease. But, surprisingly, he never did—not even once. I, on the other hand, observed from afar. I wanted to see what kind of... god... this Guardian was.Was he wrathful? Prideful? Greedy? Lustful? Slothful...?But what I expected was completely thrown out the window. All I saw was a man holding the weight of existence itself, with so little help. And whenever someone tries to reach out to help... he knows it would be useless. So he pushes everyone away.He doesn't do it because we're a bother... or so I hope. He does it because he's scared. Maybe that's the right word... I'm not entirely sure.He always puts up a strong front, but I know he suffers. He always smiles, but when his back is turned, he looks tired. When he sleeps, he never seems to find rest. I've never seen a man quite like the Guardian. It's admirable... he doubts himself so deeply, carries so much darkness in his own heart, yet... even when he wants to run away, a small part of him forces him to continue.Even when he's scared... he still goes on.Even when he's alone... he still fights.All those doubts he had, whatever prison he was in... they changed him. I've only known him for about a week, but I want to see more of him. Yet, he pushes me—and everyone else—away. I can understand that, but it's frustrating. Not much I can really do when he's so logical, so calculated about how he faces his enemies.I can't even imagine what sort of life he's had to live, what kinds of places he's had to go, what enemies he's had to face. What sort of hell he's had to endure.I just wish he didn't put up that barrier. But who can really blame him—or his team? They've lost everything.That kind of loss... breaks a person."I'm back!" A voice I've grown familiar with pierces the silence of the forest."H-He's back?" Wolf looks surprised."I-It hasn't even been an hour, and he's back?" Neeko echoes, just as shocked as Wolf.For some reason, I don't feel surprised... Why am I not surprised that someone like him could storm an entire region full of godlike entities and return unharmed, without even a hint of exhaustion? It's as if he just took a stroll. "So it seems he did."He's so... powerful.He wipes his hands as if shaking off non-existent dust. "Well, let's go. Qiyana is already cleaning up the place." It seems that she's still alive. I wonder what her first impression of the Guardian was.So far, Neeko treats him like someone to admire. With each passing day, she seems to idolize him more and more, as if he's perfect. The Guardian hates that, but she doesn't back down, as if trying to boost his confidence, though he won't let her.I just hope Qiyana doesn't glorify him like some of the camp members have started to. He's not particularly fond of being treated like that. While he's not cruel, he does shut down their adulations."It looks like everyone's ready," he says, snapping his fingers as a portal opens. Such mastery over spatial magic. Well, he doesn't call it magic, per se—that's what he told me."Yes," I replied. "We are ready to move to Ixaocan.""Good, let's move." He steps through the portal, and everyone follows.As twenty members of the surviving camp pass through, we enter the castle in the heart of Ixaocan. We watch as the Guardian levitates pieces of debris, somehow piecing the area back together. He's specifically reconstructing the castle's structure completely. How is he doing that?"With magnetism and hacking, Lamb," he answers, as if reading my thoughts."Did I voice my question out loud, Guardian?""No, I read it," he says.There he goes again, saying things I can't even begin to understand."Just wish I could read the Dark's text. Shit..."Text? What texts?"Guardian, what do you mean?" I asked."You wouldn't get it, Lamb," he deflects. "Everyone! Settle down and help. Reconstruction of this city will take a maximum of two days.""W-What?! Two days?! How in Runeterra do you plan on fixing a city in two days?" Wolf asks, astonished. That's everyone's question, to be honest."You'll see," the Guardian just smirks.If there's one thing I've learned from him, it's to stop asking how he does things. In the end, you just end up with more questions than answers..........No PovA few hours had passed, and the construction of Ixaocan's center had been finalized. The heart of Ixaocan, the Guardian's first project, had been restored to its full glory. Standing tall and imposing, it was a massive structure with geometric lines and grand towers reaching toward the sky. Each tower tapered to a fine point, with one central spire rising higher than the others, symbolizing the city's renewed hope and unity. Crafted in shades of cream, gold, and rich earth tones, the citadel's architecture blended elegant curves with sharp edges, reflecting Ixtal's natural and mystical essence.The walls were adorned with intricate symbols, floral and vine-like patterns that seemed to pulse with life, embodying Ixaocan's deep connection to nature and the elements. Large archways and grand staircases led to the citadel, all decorated with mosaics depicting the city's legendary heritage and rebirth. The inner courtyards featured fountains powered by unseen elemental magic, with water flowing in gentle, circular patterns that evoked a sense of calm and order.The Guardian decided to rest in his room and continue the next day, but he took the time to write down blueprints and notes of his vision for Ixaocan's full reconstruction. This is what he envisioned:Terraced Gardens and Pathways: Surrounding the citadel were vast, lush gardens arranged in terraces, cascading down from the central structure like a natural extension of the forest. Each terrace was dedicated to a different aspect of Ixtal's elemental affinity: fire, water, earth, and air. Exotic plants native to Ixtal flourished here, arranged in a rich tapestry of color and life. Small streams ran through the terraced gardens, connected by natural bridges and walkways made from white stone and crystal. The pathways were wide and gracefully winding, designed to lead visitors on a journey through the natural beauty of Ixaocan. Lanterns powered by the city's elemental energy were positioned at intervals, casting a soft glow over the pathways at night. Statues of ancient Ixtali figures stood at key points, their watchful eyes seeming to guard the city's history and future.Outer Defensive Walls and Guard Towers: Ixaocan's outer walls were fortified and newly reconstructed, forming a protective barrier around the entire city. They were smooth yet robust, with curves that followed the natural lay of the land, blending strength with elegance. Guard towers were stationed at each corner of the city's star-shaped layout, each tower adorned with emblems representing elemental forces. Besides their aesthetic value, these structures were designed for defense, combining traditional Ixtali craftsmanship with the Guardian's enhancements. The walls and towers shimmered slightly, protected by an invisible energy field to deter any future Dark attacks. Hidden conduits within the walls could release bursts of elemental magic if the city was ever threatened again, reinforcing the inhabitants' safety.Residential and Market Districts: The housing and market areas, previously devastated, had been rebuilt with great care. Residential buildings were designed to be both functional and beautiful, with curved roofs echoing the shapes of the surrounding forest canopy. The walls were painted in warm, natural colors, accented with gold and emerald green. Each home was unique yet shared a cohesive architectural style, giving the city a unified, harmonious look. The market district, now bustling with life, featured open-air stalls and elegant pavilions. The market roofs were woven materials that provided shade while allowing sunlight to filter through. Merchants sold everything from rare herbs to handmade goods, fostering a renewed sense of community and prosperity. Elemental pillars throughout the market hummed with energy, providing soft light and a sense of security for the inhabitants.Sacred Spaces and Elemental Monuments: Scattered around the city were several sacred spaces and monuments, each dedicated to one of the primal elements forming the foundation of Ixtal's culture. These monuments were crafted from stone, crystal, and living plants, carefully cultivated to intertwine with the structures themselves. Some took the form of grand fountains with statues, while others were simple shrines surrounded by nature, inviting quiet reflection and reverence. Each monument pulsed subtly with elemental energy, restored to its original power and purity by the Guardian's intervention. The people gathered here to pay respects, meditate, and draw strength from the city's rejuvenated spirit. These spaces provided balance and harmony, grounding the city in its ancient traditions while embracing a brighter future.Sky Bridges and Floating Platforms: One of the most striking additions was the sky bridges and floating platforms connecting various parts of the city. Suspended by invisible magical forces, these bridges allowed citizens to traverse the city at higher elevations, offering breathtaking views of Ixaocan and its surrounding forest. The platforms, some serving as lookouts or resting areas, were decorated with hanging gardens and surrounded by crystal barriers for safety. The sky bridges reflected Ixaocan's seamless blend of nature and magic, gently swaying with the wind as if they were alive. These aerial walkways will become a symbol of the city's rebirth, representing freedom, unity, and the Ixtali mastery over the elements.As the hours passed, the Guardian finalized his plans, sighing as he leaned back in his chair. He looked around his room, checking to ensure it was safe for Saber to make her appearance."Saber, you can come out now," he reassured her.She appeared beside him, looking over the blueprints and notes he'd spread out on his work table."I never thought you were an architect," she remarked."I'm not," he replied casually, shrugging with a half-smile. "I just studied it in the Nexus because I was bored. You can learn everything in there." His tone was light, almost nonchalant."Still... to reconstruct an entire city in two days? Can such a feat truly be accomplished?" she asked, a hint of skepticism in her gaze.He nodded confidently, his gaze steady and reassuring. "With my magnetism and hacking abilities, I can speed up the process a lot. Plus, I know what Ixaocan looked like before, so I'm just recreating it with a few changes in case the Darks decide to invade again." He spoke with the calm certainty of someone accustomed to doing the impossible, his words pragmatic yet encouraging."...I see. That is... considerate of you," she replied softly, approval flickering in her eyes."Well... this is their home. The least they should feel is safe and secure. I plan on restoring this place to its former glory, if not more." His voice held a note of resolve, as if this task was more than just a responsibility—it was his way of giving back, of making up for the hardship they'd endured.Saber looked down, clearly aware of her role in the city's destruction, though noting that he wasn't blaming her."It's... my fault. I bear responsibility for this ruin."He met her gaze directly, his expression firm yet compassionate. "Artoria, don't," he interrupted, his tone carrying both authority and understanding. "What happened, happened. What matters is what you do afterward. You can help behind the scenes, and I'll keep you out of sight. I promised you a new path, and I meant it." He spoke with a quiet conviction.She nodded, a small, grateful smile appearing on her lips. "Thank you, Guardian.""You've been through a lot, Saber. Just take it easy for a bit. Once we're done with construction, we can take some time to relax before moving on to our next mission," he said, patting her shoulder with a gentle but supportive touch. "Relax... do I truly deserve such a luxury?"He chuckled, a warm, reassuring sound. "What are you talking about? Of course, you do." His smile was genuine, and though he downplayed it, there was an understanding there, as if he knew exactly what it meant to question one's right to peace.She raised an eyebrow. "And... why is that?"He flashed her a grin. "Because I said so."She sighed, a faint hint of amusement breaking through her stoic expression. "I... see. It is unusual. I do not know how you can be so... at ease, with so much at stake.""I get the point of being cautious. I really do. But I don't work well when I'm anxious—I don't think straight." His tone grew more contemplative, as if revealing a well-worn piece of wisdom he'd learned through hard experience. "So, I'd rather approach things with a calm mindset. The stress can come when it happens""Is that... how you approached things in the past?"He nodded, his voice filled with a self-awareness that was both humble and determined. "Most of the time. Sure, I'd plan things out, but desperation would sometimes mess things up. Luckily, I've managed to get this far with that sheer drive to survive. But honestly, I just want to relax for a bit... just a tiny break, you know? Sometimes, we all need to step back and breathe amidst all the chaos." His words were gentle, almost reflective, as though he were reminding himself as much as her.She observed him thoughtfully, intrigued by his perspective. "I suppose... I can understand that. I am simply... unaccustomed to breaks. Duty was always at the forefront of my mind. And the weight of a king's image was constant.""Being a king is never easy, so I get that. But now, you can rest easy. Sure, there'll be times when things get difficult, but... that's life, I guess." His tone was warm, laced with a quiet wisdom that reassured her."I'm not sure if he's wise or just carefree," Saber thought to herself.The two continued their idle talk until a knock was heard on the Guardian's door. He looked at Saber, who nodded in understanding and disappeared from sight. He stood up from his chair and stretched, letting out a light yawn. "Who is it?" he raised his voice slightly."It's Qiyana, my lord," came the reply from the other side of the door."Great, she's using honorifics. What a hassle," he mentally grumbled. "Come in," he called out."Certainly," she replied, opening the door and stepping into the Guardian's room.The Guardian observed his visitor, noting she looked much more presentable than when he'd last seen her. Qiyana was a young, attractive Ixtali woman with tanned skin and wavy, shoulder-length white hair. Her round face, button nose, and yellow eyes gave her a striking appearance. She was of short but curvaceous build, with a trim waist, broad hips, and thick thighs. Her attire consisted of a strapless blue-green dress with a black midsection, accented in gold. She wore black leggings and open-toed sandals. Her appearance was further enhanced by jewelry and makeup, including a golden tiara, bracelets on her wrists and upper arms, and a necklace, all set with large green gems. Her eyes were decorated with golden-green eyeshadow, and her nails were painted in her signature green."The room is perfect for someone of your status—large, royal, and elegant," she said with a light smile."I'm going to flip a table," he thought to himself. "It's fine," he replied aloud, frowning slightly, "but... could you not call me 'lord'? It makes me a bit uncomfortable.""But why not? You saved this city and returned it to its people. If anyone is fit to rule here, it's you," she said, matter-of-factly."But I don't want to rule. That's too much work for someone who already has enough on his plate," he argued."Well, how about this..." she continued, undeterred."She's annoyingly persistent," he thought."I can rule publicly, and you can operate from the shadows. From what I can tell, you dislike the spotlight, so I'll take that role for you, and you can simply rule in secret.""Why does it have to be me? And seriously, ruling? That's not exactly on my to-do list..." he muttered to himself."Guardian, I don't think you realize what people feel about you," she pressed."I do; I just don't like having such high expectations placed on me. I'm already overwhelmed with my own responsibilities, and if I add this, it's going to triple my workload. I have enough to handle as it is, and you're more than capable of managing this on your own. I'm just here to help.""You've been more than just 'help,' Guardian. You're this planet's hope. And I only needed to see you once to understand that." Her voice softened. "I know you're going to conquer the neighboring regions after resting. Just let me do this for you. I don't think I can ever repay you for what you've done for me and my people," she said, smiling warmly.The Guardian was conflicted. He knew Qiyana as a cocky character with an occasionally annoying personality. But he couldn't deny that the recent Dark invasion had altered her. None of the characters he'd met were behaving exactly as their lore described, especially when they started treating him like some kind of messiah. That kind of admiration weighed on him, making him feel pressured to meet their expectations.Little did they know, he wasn't even here for them. He was simply fixing a corrupted narrative, which happened to involve the characters as part of the restoration. So he tolerated their reverence, even if he wished they'd treat him like a normal person. While he knew he had godlike powers, that treatment still made him uncomfortable.He sighed, giving in. "Alright, but cut me some slack, okay?"She giggled. "I was already planning to give you a break once Ixaocan's construction is finished. You have a hard road ahead of you, and I don't want my hero going into battle tired and sloppy," she teased."Yeah, yeah..." he smirked, "Your hero, huh? Bold of you to claim that.""You're one of a kind, Guardian. I hope you know that," she said, playfully tapping his nose."I get that a lot," he replied, scratching the back of his head. "Anyway, I'm going to sleep now. I should be able to finish rebuilding this city tomorrow."She turned around, swaying her hips slightly as she headed toward the door. "Hmm, I know. It's to be expected," she said with a light tilt of her head, adding, "Goodnight, Guardian~," her voice carrying a hint of a whisper before she closed the door behind her."Not again..." the Guardian mumbled, sighing."This is a common occurrence for you, Guardian?" Saber's voice broke the silence as she appeared, already seated in his work chair."Unfortunately..." he replied, flopping onto his bed."I shall take the couch," Saber said, making her way to the bathroom with a set of pajamas."Nuh-uh, you're taking the bed. I'll sleep on the couch," he insisted firmly."This is your room, so it makes sense that you take the bed," she retorted."I'm not letting a lady sleep on the couch. Just take the bed," he shot back."No.""Yes.""That would be improper. I insist on taking the couch.""Saber, come on! Don't be difficult. Just accept it!""...""...""Fine..." she finally conceded."Finally," he muttered with a small smile.After the brief argument, Saber emerged from the bathroom in a set of blue pajamas, her hair undone and cascading down her shoulders. She noticed that the Guardian had pulled out the sofa to make a bed. Sighing, she made her way to the larger, more comfortable bed."Guardian," she called, catching his attention."Hm?""Wouldn't it be troublesome if someone were to open the door and... see me in your bed?""No one's getting in. I hacked the door's settings. No one passes unless I say so.""Your abilities are incredibly versatile," she observed."Oh, you have no idea.""...""...""Guardian..." she hesitated before speaking.He sighed softly, sensing her seriousness. "Yeah?""Thank you."He smiled warmly, appreciating the simple sincerity in her gratitude. "Don't mention it.""Goodnight," she murmured, settling in."Goodnight, Saber," he replied, closing his eyes and letting sleep take him..........Peter PovWell, this trip has certainly been one of a kind. I've traveled through all of Freljord. I managed to clear this region, but honestly, there was nothing left to save. Every single inhabitant here is dead. While it's free of Darks now, no one can restore it to its former glory. Plus, I killed the last remaining survivors myself... too bad.But honestly, that was probably for the best. After what AM did to them... they could never go back to normal lives. They wanted to die.Did I do something cruel?Yes. I gave them hope, and then I shattered that same hope. Does that make me a monster?Yes.But I had no choice. AM could've taken over their bodies—he almost did, but I didn't let him. I had to kill everyone here. AM was unlike anyone I've ever faced. Just... how can a fictional character be so deranged?I haven't even had a decent rest. Heck, I barely slept while dealing with him. If it wasn't keeping an eye on the survivors, it was watching my surroundings, fending off attacks, or enduring AM's attempts to break my mind. And let's not forget Aurora trying to get... overly familiar with me every night.Fucking hell... what kind of machine masturbates while watching that kind of depravity?Fucking creep. I'm glad I got rid of him, but I have a feeling his memory is going to stick with me for a long time—unless I can find something in Demacia that finally clears my mind of AM.I'm exhausted...For now, my makeshift camp is an igloo. At least it's cozy. This will be my bed tonight. The suit should keep me warm enough as I travel through this region's snowy terrain.Demacia, huh? I wonder what kind of hell that place has turned into...I wonder what the others are doing...I lightly tugged on a necklace to take a peek at its contents. The pendant held a small picture of me and Chrona playing Mario Party. We both looked so competitive in that shot, though Chrona had decided to snap the picture in the middle of a mini-game because she thought my reactions were funny. Man, it's been a while since I've seen her... same goes for Mr. Karito. I can't help but feel the change in him. Whatever this place did to him, it made his power skyrocket to levels that will take me way too long to reach.I'm going to have to push myself too. I can feel the Darks getting stronger by the second, especially the main ones that reside here in this dimension. I just wish I could pinpoint their locations instead of just sensing their power radiating throughout the entire universe. Ugh, how annoying.Still, I'm surprised Mr. Karito recruited someone. I just hope it doesn't end up like Alpha—that didn't go well, and I know it still haunts Mr. Karito's mind. But this is Saber we're talking about; she's definitely a lot more mature than Alpha ever was. To be honest, I'm glad it's her. She's great, at least from what I've seen in the Fate anime in the Nexus.Alright, time for some repairs to my suit before I head to Demacia.I grabbed the symbol on my suit and tore it off. The suit peeled away instantly, almost like it was a bubble popping. A liquified Narralith suit—idea borrowed from the Invincible Iron Man suit. Just going to check its specs before battle.But before I could start, my stomach grumbled loudly."Guess I'm eating empanadillas," I muttered, pulling out my inventory to grab some pizza-flavored ones. I munched on them while running a diagnostic on my suit."Alright... let's see what we have here...".........Ace PovI know you've been wondering what I've been up to for the past week. Well, let me shock you—I've been doing nothing but sleeping! Sleeping on the last remaining hill from the Isles. It's official: I completely destroyed an entire island while fighting Cyclops. I couldn't go easy on him; he kept me on edge the whole time until I had to use every bit of my power.Man, I was in pain for days. How annoying. That laser beam of his was unnecessarily painful. Ever since I was thrown into this gig, I've been racking up a lot of scars. Most of them are courtesy of Godzilla, but that stupid lizard drove me insane for 50 years in another dimension. Fifty years! Man, screw that lizard. I hope he's rotting in hell.I waved my hand, making the party chat screen appear in front of me. Peter and Karito are the ones using this chat the most—I only text occasionally. But I've been a bit worried since Karito mentioned a new member, Artoria... who used to be a Dark and is now a Guardian with what he calls "the power of talk-no-jutsu." Initially, I had the same reaction as Peter: cautious and skeptical. Though, Peter seemed to ease up after a bit because he remembered her story. I might need to check it out myself once we're done in this dimension.I wonder what the Nexus is. Those two have mentioned it to me in chat before, but I'd like to see it for myself. They make such a big deal about it, so it's impossible not to be curious. A place where being boundless is as easy as breathing? Who could imagine such a place, aside from some mythologies I know of thanks to the passive information skill. But they just brush those off, saying mythologies don't even compare—that they're just books inside the Nexus in a literal sense. I guess it really does contain everything, just like they said.Anyway, I'm feeling a bit better after resting for so long. I even snatched a shark from the ocean and cooked it with my flames, so I'm well-fed and ready for the next assignment. I'll be heading to Bilgewater next. Not sure what to expect there, but at least I know a bit about the place—it kind of reminds me of home from the description on the official League website.Not gonna lie, this search engine in Karito's system is hella useful. Sure, I can gain info just by thinking about it, but being able to actually see it is great. I'm more of a "need to see things" kind of guy, so I just popped open Google and started looking. Peter says the only reason we even have this feature is because we're connected to the Nexus, and I couldn't be more grateful for it.I stood up and stretched, feeling the waves gently hitting the rock I was standing on."It's about time I pay Bilgewater a visit," I mumbled.Flames appeared beneath my feet, slightly melting the rock as I took flight, a smirk on my face."Let's see what this archipelago has in store for me.".........Next Day...Adriel PovSlowly, I opened my eyes, staring at the ceiling as I sighed. If there's one thing I dislike, it's waking up early in the morning."Oh, you're awake, Guardian," Saber greeted me. She was already up, and it seemed she'd been the one to wake me."I wanna sleep more..." I mumbled, rubbing my face."You have obligations to fulfill, and one of them is restoring the city. Don't tell me you're getting lazy..." Saber's tone was calm, but there was a hint of reproach in her words."Cut me some slack... I'm not a morning person, but fine, I'll get up." Reluctantly, I sat up on the edge of the sofa bed, muttering to myself, "This bed wasn't bad."The notification bell from the party chat system chimed, and Saber glanced over. I'd added her to the chat, so she was now receiving alerts, too. "It appears Ace is nearing Bilgewater," she informed me as I continued to rub the sleep from my eyes."I don't think I asked you who the Dark residing there is..." I said, still groggy."I'll inform Ace of his adversary." She turned to the holographic keyboard, her fingers moving swiftly.I guess Ace has rested enough. I just hope his opponent isn't a complete pain in the ass. I'd better ask who it is, though..."Hey, Saber..." I stood up, stretching, and felt a few satisfying pops in my back."Yes, Guardian?" She turned to face me, having just finished messaging Ace."Who's he gonna fight?" I asked."Ace's opponent is Shinra Kusakabe," she said, dropping the information with her usual composed tone.I blinked a few times. "From Fire Force?" I asked, needing confirmation."Yes," she replied with a slight nod.Well, Ace is definitely in for a tough one... Let's hope Shinra's only in his base form and not in his Banshoman state. If he's in that mode, Peter might actually need to step in to help out.Two pyromancers... one's a breakdancing speedster who might be able to turn into a god, and the other has cosmic flames.Good luck, Ace... you're gonna need it.To be continued...