Then Astra used the last magic dagger to summon the Warpgate to the Great Library realm of Truth as Chocola with her staff and hat , robe and glasses with white hair and indigo highlights and brown skin thank Astra as she shut the door behind for she treated both Dorothy and Nova's other wounds. Same for Tim to cast protection on his body brimming with magic as she apologized for the boys being involved with her schemes. Tim and Nova smiled not minding since she did save them from being executed or some unforeseen trouble as Estella whistled "How sweet of the little Pipsqueak finally left her hiding spot and revealed herself because her pawns are hurt.." Chocola angrily spoke "Shish it Estella!! The Anti-Goddess that stole half of my goddess' power….they aren't pawns they are people just like you and me.." Estella pretentiously gasp as she asks "Oh my? Is it like these MORTALS and weaklings? My my there are just tools for our source of power and worship after all despite my inability to ascend to godhood like some folktales say" Chocola held her staff "It's because your soul is tainted and unfit to be part of the Divine Realm"
Chocola and Estella engaged in a heated exchange as they discussed the nature of power and divinity. Chocola accused Estella of having a tainted soul and being unworthy of ascending to godhood, while Estella remained dismissive of the significance of mortals and what she saw as mere tools for power. The conversation highlighted the deep philosophical divide between the two, and the tension in the room continued to escalate.
Dorothy, Nova, and Tim watched the conversation with interest, recognizing the importance of this clash between two powerful beings and how it might shape the future of their world. They wondered how they could use this opportunity to their advantage in the ongoing battle against the Equinox and the Order.
However, they notice something as even Astra shouts "it's a trap!!" Before he can shadow teleport them he stops and notices Estella cackling "Enough dolly dallying, BEHOLD MY NEW MAGICAL prowess called the Pandora Box!! I shall trap you all in my domain my POCKET dimension of the outer realm of my 99th-floor bedchamber right here.." Prime Entertainer chaotically rumbles around happily pointing out the windows and sky brimming with an isolated aura that they are cut off from the main realm as Estella proclaimed "here me rebels" snap her fingers as she casually gathers leftover magical artifacts and Celestial Regalia in her disposal and used her Integral Cylinder shaped relic used to brainwashed faction knights now acting as a core for this so-called GOLLEM….she said she created a new tool better than the order and her knights..the Weapon Golem..it's an abstract shape with a hilt as a head and its core was the module she usually uses and spoke "and I can prevent my Colorian people to be overtaken base on a prophecy of the final DISPUTE….A civil war between people of Gradience and Coloria!!!" Suddenly the Gerbil familiar left Chocola's Robe Pocket to ENLARGE itself to fend off the Golem to protect from its unworldly mana-based laser beam that obliterated the familiar as Chocola and Nova cried out no as it shrunk back in size yet it so burnt and fatally wounded even Chocola's healing cannot resurrect it…as it's not her domain..and Nova Pat her shoulder of how Estella is amused "Aw so sad, hehe see? They have Absolute true obedience..this golem that can carry out my will...the ultimate puppet and tool for service.."
The situation took a dire turn as Estella unleashed the Pandora Box, trapping our heroes in her pocket dimension, cut off from the outside world. She revealed her new creation, the Weapon Golem, an abstract and powerful construct formed from her Integral Cylinder relic. This golem was capable of enacting her will without question.
As they tried to resist this threat, Chocola's gerbil familiar bravely sacrificed itself to protect them from the golem's devastating mana-based laser beam. Chocola and Nova were devastated by the loss of their trusted companion.
Estella reveled in her power, claiming absolute obedience from her golem and emphasizing her control over the situation. Trapped within her domain, our heroes faced an uphill battle to escape and confront the Equinox. The stage was set for an epic showdown between good and evil, with the fate of Coloria and Gradience hanging in the balance.
Then Estella smugly spoke "Dear Prime Entertainer would you like to amuse me with the best show of all by fighting these rebels?" The hatter took his hat with a chaotic smile "Sure sure hehe, it's been a while since I had to exercise" he exercised his art called Chaotic Wonderland which summons an avatar of the Cheshire Cat, his companion and familiar in gigantic size and ready to claw and consume them in a fierce battle..Tim stayed put to recover from such an intense exchange while Dorothy and Chocola worked together to fight it off just enough time for Nova to focus a stance as his eyes glowed a bit yellow a start design and his hair got floaty into yellow-orange ombré hair, only partially due not fully awakened as he calls out the elite arcana art for his sword that can Consume, Drain mana and cast Anti-Magic [Astra not brainwashed but Gaslit by Estella she may forgive him if he can assassinate them all] The Shadow Knight Astra debates as he is aware why despite being immune to the brainwashing in a magical sense isn't immune to her manipulative influence.
As the battle intensified, the Prime Entertainer summoned a Cheshire Cat avatar, a chaotic and enigmatic force that threatened to consume our heroes. Tim remained sidelined to recover from the intense battle earlier, while Dorothy and Chocola teamed up to fend off the Cheshire Cat and buy time for Nova.
Nova, with his partially awakened powers and glowing yellow eyes, channeled his elite arcana art through his sword. This art allowed him to Consume and Drain mana while casting Anti-Magic, making him a formidable force in the fight.
Meanwhile, the Shadow Knight Astra faced an internal struggle. While he was immune to brainwashing, he was not immune to Estella's manipulative influence. He debated his loyalties and contemplated the difficult decision he had to make amidst this chaotic battle.
Nova uttered something that might click for Astra "ALDOL!!!! You're my last triplet and twin brother, right? The one my parents and sister assume died when we were just 4 years old? Snap out of it and listen here...We're your true allies!!!!" Astra felt oddly familiar felt like a name he had forgotten in a long time due to his Alter-Ego persona safekeeping it or rather his Conscience… and didn't understand why he felt like the subtle intel Chocola told him back then that his family was alive and didn't forgot to abandon him was the truth he can see it now until he notice Chocola and Dorothy mortally wounded and Tim stunned to move and Nova busy to build up his special move. Then, Astra used his shadows to stun the caster's shadow to move and speak Mad Hatter gave the opportunity Nova to strike it by the heart and when the Cheshire Cat avatar fell, Mad Hatter spits blood and fainted dead as Estella is disgusted "hmph useless" casually throws it at the corner as Chocola coughs how heartless can she be as Estella uttered to stop right there while Chocola is busy healing herself and Dorothy for she explains she can't kill the Golem or destroy it because it's made of DEAD unrest lost mortal souls mash into an automaton puppet of her disposal. In turn, Chocola felt utter guilt and trouble about how can she kill such a being. As Tim told her he could finally help the others as they recover, Nova knelt as his mana was consumed to use that earlier move earlier… he looked at the artistic tapestry at the ceiling, and those crystals weren't mana crystals. There are the most precious memories extracted into jewelers and he asks Chocola for a Favour that uses his companion (Tim) , which could seem to gesture to voluntarily be something that can match up with the golem as he can have the will to kill it without guilt or trouble as the Shortie Goddess bestowed such ritual yet Estella wants to intercept until multiple shadow summons distract her and it's Astra still has mana to his disposal…"I can't let you control us any longer!!! You damn witchy hag!! I knew deep down that so was waiting for an opportunity!! And here I am!!"
As Nova focused on the memories trapped within the jewelers in the tapestry above, he asked Chocola for a favor. He requested that she and Tim perform a ritual that would transform him into something that could match up with the Golem and destroy it without guilt or trouble. Chocola, hesitant but realizing this was their only chance, agreed to help Tim with the transformation ritual.
As Tim's transformation began, Estella attempted to intercept and stop him. However, Astra, who still had mana at his disposal, intervened and summoned multiple shadow beings to distract Estella and prevent her from interfering with the ritual. Tim, with newfound determination, was ready to challenge the Anti-Goddess.
As Nova knelt to recover his mana, both Dorothy and Astra readied themselves to parry the large electric magic balls that Estella sent their way. With their combined efforts, they managed to redirect the magical attack to a location where it would have minimal impact.
Tim, on the other hand, began to bond with the original identity within the special mana crystal. This transformation was different from the Golem, requiring at least one Celestial Regalia and a Mana Crystal embodying a strong bond with a mortal. In this case, the crystal held Dorothy's sealed-away memories, which turned into an extracted alter ego.
As Tim connected with this alter ego, he transformed into a large double-sided shield, which seemed to embody the childlike persona from Dorothy's past. The young girl embraced Tim, now in his teenage years, asking if he was ready to fight against their common enemy.
Tim cried in joy in this little astral plane with little Dorothy she wiped his tears as he nodded and spoke "I finally found you, Dorothy all this time that the enemy was facing right now…How did you feel a brainwashed version of you possessing your body?"
Dorothy (this alter ego) ghostly walks "Well she felt bad realizing she is like a synthetic copy of me right? So I don't mind besides I finally manage to reach my soul out even a little to signal both you and Nova to be safe.." Tim gasped "Nova?" Dorothy's alter ego waltzed close and kissed his forehead "You will remember soon enough" A light engulfed their world and now back to the present dimension as the double-sided shield spread dusty. Wings with a sparkly White Mana Crystal acting as its core as Nova gasped at how amazing it was yet he noticed Chocola felt weak and held her close as she cried "Ahh CREATION AND LIFE..so pretty..truly" as she fainted due to consuming a lot of mana and magic since her vessel is mortal despite the soul a goddess (half of it in power) as Estella laugh one fused Celestial Regalia transformed being is no match for her weapon golem that is made of more than one soul bonded and multiple Celestial Regalia (Astra and Dorothy exhausted and knelt and uttered they believe Tim can do it)
The battle raged on as Tim's new form, the double-sided shield with the White Mana Crystal core, managed to slice off parts of the Weapon Golem and stab its core into pieces. The lost souls within the Golem cheered for their newfound freedom, although Estella was furious at her creation's destruction.
With a blink, the abstract form of the double-sided shield communicated its determination to defeat Estella, despite the physical limitations of its current manifestation. However, Nova and Astra, along with the unconscious Chocola, were unable to interfere.
As the battle continued, the double-sided shield attempted to deflect Estella's ethereal spearhead, sacrificing itself to protect the others. Estella's arm was severed, but there was no bleeding. The shield faded away, leaving Tim holding the White Mana Crystal that contained the original Dorothy's memories.
Nova and Dorothy were stunned, unable to comprehend what had just transpired. Dorothy used her remaining strength to parry one of Estella's attacks, and the battle seemed to reach a critical point. Nova was breathing deeply he had never witnessed such an intense battle before in his entire life (whether back in the modern world or here). Until Astra as well thought finally he had the evidence Chocola informed him back then THIS WAS an unexpected reunion yet he knew was it another schemed Illusion of Estella to control him. Is it his lost identical brother? He crawled and weakly touched Nova's face before hugging him awkwardly as Nova subconsciously pushed Astra away and asked how is he a lookalike or rather a brother…then Astra uttered It was complicated to say now yet he tried to stand up as he felt his brother is too emotionally sensitive while Astra is emotionally detached due to many kills he had since HIS childhood away from his real family and sorely raised and manipulated by
Astra's return and his encounter with Nova left emotions and memories swirling within them both. As Astra weakly approached Nova and attempted to connect, their complex past weighed heavily on them. Astra tried to explain the truth, that they were brothers, identical twins separated at a young age. He had been manipulated by Estella and raised as an assassin, while his alter ego, the Conscience, had been suppressed due to the traumatic belief that he was responsible for the separation from his family and their supposed deaths.
Astra, still struggling with his emotions, tried to use his shadows to assassinate Estella, but she easily dodged his attack. She taunted him, revealing that she had taken him in when he was just four years old and separated from the De Valor family, confirming his real identity. Dorothy and Nova, unconscious and stunned, watched the emotional reunion and conflict unfold.
As Nova began to remember his lost brother and the necklace they shared as triplets, he felt a deep sense of regret for not being able to protect Astra. He recalled another memory from his life in the modern world, a heartbreaking moment when he had to break up with his first love, Sachiko, who was battling cancer. She had encouraged him with the word "Ganbare" from her Japanese culture, and that memory now brought a smile to Nova's face, filled with tears.
With renewed determination, Nova prepared to intervene and save his brother from Estella's attack, using his skills to protect Astra and kick him safely into the shadows. Their reunion was filled with emotions, complexities, and a shared desire to confront Estella and her manipulations.
Astra then heard Nova shout "Ottoto…No little brother my brother Aldol..No your name is Astra now right..Protect the unconscious Other-" cut off as he got busy using his sword midair to parry Estella'a now staff weapon. Shadow Knight (Astra) lit up for a moment and shouted "Understood dear brother and Astra is the name I go by now!!!" Before rushing to use his shadows to transport the unconscious Dorothy and Chocola near him and on guard as he can trust Nova, while Nova concentrates a weird power surging within him (he felt that the voice of Tao Yusha that told him by his dreams the time will come WHEN HE AWAKENS thanks to his Ecto-mana) as he flips his avatar look again, it got a Greek-angelic like outfit no wings, rather translucent colored accessories, gloves barefoot yet socks that let toes out, fingerless gloves..his hair and ahoge coil up to turn to a blazing yellow-orange ombré hair that flair up to raise his bang upward afloat, Starry forehead mark and halo. As he awakened properly his sword made from the Oblivion Boulder tried to drain Estella's mana yet it was just enough to lose her mana to cast magic to make them land on the bed chamber floor yet her strength and godlike physical strength wasn't gone like she transform her weapon with remaining magic into a sword as Astra warns Nova she is still powerful.