Sep 23th, 1349 of the Fifth Epoch
Tom, Ashborn, Mariah, and their leader, Harry all stood silently as they heard the confession of the Beyonder they had just recently captured alive. This was the one in charge of all the operations in Tingen, and the one who coincidentally despite being only a Sequence 8 Beyonder, had connections via mail directly to the top of the entire plot regarding the human trafficking, mainly to keep them updated directly on the situation.
The group of 4 were utterly shocked at the revelation, and more so at the serious implications it would have on not only the Beyonders, but also all the regular people in all of Loen!
Apparently, somebody from a high position in Backlund was ordering people to be kidnapped for something big in Backlund. Who this person was not known by the Beyonder, but what he did know… after quite some 'interrogation' was that a huge event was going to happen in Backlund in about a year's time, and a powerful Beyonder would use it to ascend to the next Sequence.
That was all he knew, but something like this, happening in the middle of Backlund, which was the heart of the Loen kingdom, definitely could not be tolerated!
Thankfully, they had thoroughly trashed the entire operation in Tingen, and something like this would not happen here for another few years at least. But they had to quickly report it to the church, and then quickly figure out how to stop such activities in the other cities of Loen as well!
"Alright, we should go to the church first. There, we can send a message to someone of sufficient authority. They will handle the rest. Good job everyone." Harry ultimately stood up in the silence, and made everyone snap out of their dazes.
Though, Tom had not been in a daze, and instead had had his eyes closed, communicating the recent information to the Primordial Unity silently, before finishing and coming back ot his senses.
…
Max, who was in Independence, heard the information Tom had provided him and frowned.
'The human trafficking should be in full swing my now, so that is no issue. But what is this about a powerful Beyonder undergoing their advancement ritual?'
'The only event that is going to happen within a year's time in Backlund would be the Backlund Smog, and that would only be used for two things. Firstly, as a cover for all the missing people for the Apotheosis ritual of King George August III, and secondly as a digestion for one of the Demoness pathway.'
'But she… or he… not quite sure on the gender of Demonesses. Anyway, they should already have advanced and be on their way to digesting the potion. Why would they spread false information to people of their own organisation.'
'Unless it was a well-thought-out diversion to lead the official Beyonders who became more interested in the missing people in other directions, diverting them from the possibility of the Great Backlund Smog happening in the first place…'
'…Or, it could be true. Perhaps there was a second Demoness involved in this case. Perhaps the first one never actually advanced in the first place. It could be the butterfly effect of my existence changing the fate of the world slightly, despite something oh-so-clearly trying desperately to turn things back to the way they are supposed to be.'
'If it really is an advancement ritual… then perhaps I could use this for my own!'
'But this would mean getting involved directly with Klein, once again…'
'I should try and avoid him as much as possible. Tom should continue to investigate this, and if he finds more details about this, he should be able to inform me soon enough. But I suppose I should head over to Backlund soon.'
'Hmm… I should be able to instantly travel to Backlund if Ademisaul requests for the door over there. And if I teach the method of summoning the door… to Cedric… Then I should be able to use the door to go anywhere I please, by using Independence as a transit location.'
'Cedric…'
Max made Kong stop his marching and told him to settle down for the day and go and hunt some food.
Getting off the giant ape, Max summoned the door, carefully hiding it in case the monkey decided to destroy it, before heading over to Earth.
…
In a small town along the coast of Desi Bay…
"Max! You're finally back!"
Max was surprised when he was tightly embraced by the one-handed, bald, and scarred old man, who had previously looked completely defeated and warn-out.
Now, the man looked full of energy and vitality, not just physically, but also mentally. He no longer looked like the defeated soldier who had lost everything, and now looked like the resolute hero who actually had something to protect, something to defend… something to live for.
And Samuel saw it in his eyes, the firmness of a man who had come to a decision, a decision to protect the one in front of him, and in this case, it was Max.
"I see. Cedric, you seem to have come to a decision. What is that decision, mind telling me?" Samuel pushed Max to ask this question, clearly knowing what he was doing, as a self-acclaimed master manipulator, he knew what he was doing.
At least he thought so from his years of only practical experience in the art of… twisting words, facts, and people around to benefit yourself, even at the expense of others.
"…"
"…"
"Sigh… yes, I have made a decision. I will fulfil what Ur- Uxas would have wanted me to do as his last wish if he had gotten the chance to say it. And that is to protect you."
"Perfect, then you wouldn't mind closing your eyes and saying a few words right?"
"Not at all."
"Good. Then follow my words."
"I pray to the Primordial Unity"
"The Unity of the Time"
"The Almighty Singularity"
"The Ruler of the Three Realms"
"Universal Amalgamation of All"
Cedric had not even spoken the first words and had instead opened his eyes wide upon hearing Max's words. His heart almost reached his mouth and fell out while he felt his whole world spinning rapidly.
'Oh no! Max has already been corrupted by some unknown being. Ural… I failed you. I could not protect him,' Cedric thought in sadness. He was not panicked about the situation, as if it was true, then he no longer had anything to live for.
"Oh, Cedric, you worry too much. Trust me, and pray to the Primordial Unity. I cannot say too many things here, but once you pray, I will explain everything to you in a secret location, away from prying eyes. Don't worry. See I'm perfectly fine right?"
"…" Cedric waited for a good 4 minutes, waiting for Max's body to rapidly morph into some horrendous abomination as had happened with countless others, Beyonders and humans, who spoke the names of mighty beings without knowing any better.
However, nothing happened.
After sighing deeply, he decided to just go with it and closed his eyes, repeating the words Max had said with resignation.
'If Max is already dead, and his body taken over by another, I might as well follow him in death.'
However, unlike the final rest he had expected, Cedric found himself in a space of complete darkness, with the only source of light being black torches that created light… that was strangely black in colour?
"Welcome Cedric, to Castle Black. It is the home to the Primordial Unity, the one who protected me so far. Anyways, Now, I will explain to you what you need to do, and how to do it." Max grinned as he saw Cedric's body materialise in Castle Black.