Dorothy nods with a small smile "I agree dear companion Tim , still your dual shields are still not repaired as the source of this creation can only be repaired by a deity yet we cannot know who made it?" Tim scratched his head "No worries, I did know the name due to my bond with it like how your faction knights bond with your Celestial Regalia..It's named Skullcrest Aegis..it's power is Decay…as for Null-Sphere a specially crafted sword thanks to a special blacksmith back when we used to be Academy students can drain mana or has an anti-magic fitting for his friend having rare mana and doesn't do the usual magic like everyone else as he can already keep the secret.." then Dorothy smiles "Still the way you met again or rather simply by coincidence that he help you save me when in reality you two are both involved with my original self's past... I am just a synthetic soul created by the recently dead Equinox to occupy her body" Tim spoke "Don't say that...My Dorothy or not--me and Nova did a lot of things to find you as I especially believe you are alive. Besides, despite being a faction knight being a punishment I think it's a hidden blessing so you can protect yourself and others"
Tim and Dorothy shared their thoughts about the unique properties of their respective weapons, with Tim revealing the name of his dual shields, "Skullcrest Aegis," and describing its power of Decay. Dorothy, in turn, spoke about the "Null-Sphere Blade," which could drain mana and had anti-magic properties, making it well-suited for Nova.
They continued to discuss how they had all come together, believing that the circumstances were more than just coincidence. Tim expressed his unwavering belief in finding Dorothy, and Dorothy contemplated her existence as a synthetic soul created by Equinox. Tim saw her role as a faction knight as both a challenge and a hidden blessing that would allow her to protect herself and others. Their bond grew stronger as they discussed their journeys and experiences.
Until Tim and Dorothy part ways for a job. With, Tim helps out his family by handling steampunk engineering. Meanwhile, the current role the lady has involves paying for her needs by assisting some merchant from her village of Amerite. Dorothy speaks to an idle dazed Nova to let her burrow his sword he nods at the gesture and lets Nova rest on his wheelchair for she is prepared to chop a thick bark tree despite background woodcutters mocking she can't chop a tree just using a sword.
Dorothy accepted Nova's sword and approached the thick bark tree, undeterred by the mockery of the background woodcutters. She was determined to prove them wrong, and with a confident swing, she aimed to chop down the tree using the Null-Sphere Blade. With each strike, she demonstrated both her skill and the sword's unique abilities, showing that she was more than capable of handling the task.
The Merchant always praises her for helping them for these past few days yet asks if she can go every month to work for him and if he can give her mana-lics (magic gems as money/currency). She sheath her blade as she politely denied his request and just agreed with weekly only or a few days' pay as usual. Afterward, she received the money she was shocked to see some woodcutter people stealing the damaged dual shields Tim that Nova tried to protect yet was unable to move due to his paralyzed half-coma state and just gasped on the ground his wheelchair flipped. Following, Dorothy angrily dashed in the blink of an eye as the other woodcutters spoke about who would use broken shields or damage for she flared to give it back and they said before dropping it he could have said so all he does it mouth motions and gasping and no words uttered with just noises as Dorothy spoke not to treat Nova this way.
Dorothy's intervention was swift and resolute. She confronted the woodcutters who had stolen the damaged dual shields, demanding they return them to Nova. She was not pleased with their behavior and insisted that they show more respect and understanding toward Nova's condition. As she retrieved the shields and made her point clear, the woodcutters realized the error of their ways and returned the shields. Dorothy took them back to Nova, ensuring that he still had some of his belongings despite his current condition.
She then sheathed all the burrowed weapons back in the straps of the wheelchair and smiled for she Pat Nova's head once the wheelchair is lift and Nova fine to return home (their temporal home by the hilltop not much closer to the usual main area of Amerite Village). She kissed his cheek and asked "I wonder what kind of relationship I had behind being an ally, a childhood friend based on my original self before turned into a Knight.." shook her head and just prepared to leave the merchant and woodcutters be.
As she prepared to return home with Nova, Dorothy couldn't help but ponder the nature of her relationship with Nova in her original self's memories. She realized that there might have been a deep and meaningful connection between them as childhood friends or more. These thoughts intrigued her, and she was determined to explore and understand the complexities of her past as she made her way back home with Nova.
Then Astra and Chocola had a private talk after she discussed things with her siblings of events next to occur as The now Shadow Knight is no longer under Estella anymore yet still not completely recovered from his entire livelihood manipulated from 4-18 years old present as he uttered "Still even though it was hard to try to keep in contact with me back then, why? Why are you so eager to risk being found by Estella despite it being so small? You were even discreet to make sure I wasn't brainwashed in the most non-magic way possible despite I was raised by her to kill people and believe my family is dead and abandon me"
Chocola looked at Astra with a mix of concern and understanding in her eyes. She replied, "Astra, despite the darkness that was imposed upon you, there was always a glimmer of light, a part of you that struggled against her influence. I saw that, even in the most subtle ways. I couldn't just abandon someone who was fighting against his captivity, someone who deserved a chance to break free. I knew that deep down, you weren't the person Estella wanted you to be."
She continued, "I believe in redemption, and I believe that deep down, people can change. I saw that potential in you, and I'm not one to give up on others, especially someone who was torn away from their family at such a young age and forced into a life of darkness. You may have been manipulated, but I saw your struggle against it, and I wanted to help you find your way back to the light."
She also patted his head despite her loli-sized appearance thanks to her mortal Vessel and uttered "Basically besides my title I am attached to mortals and felt responsible how a God-complex Mortal Estella stole half my power due to the mistaken generosity of my chalice that had my blood..realizing she didn't ascend due to her nature…" cries despite Astra emotionally detach his blue eyes dilate for a moment to speak "Still thank you, it must've eased my suppressed conscience That is my alter ego self long forgotten ever since she raises me…and my family indeed became outlanders due to divine intervention to escape her hunt for Ecto-mana born children from families? As they did come from a world I never felt could be possible...Modern.."
Chocola nodded and wiped away her tears, understanding the weight of the situation. "Yes, Astra, your family became outlanders due to the hunt for Ecto-mana born children, and it was indeed a divine intervention that allowed them to escape. It's a complex and unfortunate history, but you must understand that it wasn't your fault. Estella's actions were her own, and you were a victim in all of this. The fact that you're seeking answers and trying to break free from her control shows the strength within you."
She smiled softly at him. "You're on a path towards healing and self-discovery, Astra. And I'm here to support you in any way I can. Remember, you're not alone in this."
Astra despite his poker face, his alter ego inside that is his 4-6-year-old appearance, and ghostly debates with the main assassin persona (mind space) to be convinced maybe they shouldn't suspect Chocola.
Astra's inner debate is an interesting one. The inner child and the main assassin persona may not fully trust Chocola due to their complex past, but as time goes on and they see her genuine concern and willingness to help, they might begin to put aside their suspicions and consider her an ally. Trust can take time to rebuild, but it's a step toward healing and finding their true selves.
Astra then spoke, "any theory about what that curse glyph did to that holy altar that can communicate with realms?" Chocola fixed her glasses and uttered "I had no idea since I have been hiding in my Great Library and only familiars to gather such help and small connection to certain souls like Nova and Astra as she knew a connection..yet I can tell that Estella must've hidden it well to suspect and prevent with her ego and power to haywire connection and she must be aware to believe legends of summoned outlanders from other parts of Mythlandia of their continent or nation.." sighs "Yet it did affect Nova's soul so not even my deity friend can visit him as he isn't in the dreamworld…so I believe maybe in the future we can just trust why we gods can intervene a prophecy about the Final DISPUTE between Coloria and Forbidden Valley true name besides being Gradience as Estella is the blame to divide two different imperial nations
Chocola's explanation sheds some light on the situation. The curse glyph on the holy altar and Estella's manipulations have likely disrupted communication with other realms, and that's why Nova's soul is in an unvisitable state. The prophecy about the final dispute between Coloria and Forbidden Valley is intriguing and might hold the key to resolving the conflicts created by Estella's actions. It's a complex web of events, but Chocola's knowledge and insights are invaluable for understanding the bigger picture.
Astra spoke "I am aware of such truth of why Gradience is called Forbidden Valley by Colorian Citizens it's due to create such fear and trust in Estella's authority that monstrous creatures aren't civil" Chocola nodded "Still, I just hope you mortals understand why we gods rarely intervene much to conflicts like these.." Astra uttered, "It's normal, or rather despite me traumatized to being used as a tool for Estella's mass plan to create the faction Knights…and figure out how to overcome her weakness as I already notice only Ecto-mana born are immune to her magic so..rather they can overpower her if they train so." Blank out thought as Chocola asks "Do you feel regret or guilt in your actions as an assassin role and a faction knight placement as a cover?" Astra spoke nonchalantly with a straight face and lifeless blue eyes "I had no idea, rather I am unsure maybe sooner or later if I recover from brainwashing and redemption. Get to know my family. MY REAL family to re-experience what I have missed…I can feel yet for now I don't understand emotions..Rather, I lack empathy compared to Nova..my twin brother even though you mentioned we had a middle child sister so it makes us triplets…I wonder why he is such a softie.."
Astra's contemplation about his past and his current state is a complex internal struggle. The effects of Estella's manipulations run deep, and he's searching for answers, purpose, and the ability to connect with his emotions and past. Chocola's insights are helping him piece together the puzzle of his existence and the truth behind the various events in Mythlandia. Understanding one's emotions and empathizing with others can be a challenging journey, and Astra appears to be on the path to self-discovery.
Astra spoke, "Frankly, why can't you stop or any of your godlike siblings of the other 6 that Coloria worships do?" Chocola smiles "Because our Primordial Gods say so... They are the reason Mythlandia existed for eons and why such realms exist and mortals had conflict…basically, if we intervene all the time..Mortals cannot grow. It's also thanks to the old folklore even in Coloria where we are now shared across nations…about a HERO being summoned by the very first outlander and ascended god is non-other than Tao Yusha himself..he left mortality and was worthy yet modest to not have a high domain..he is also the reason we rarely intervene since then…it's thanks to him/her we let only intervene if it involved us" Astra blinks and sighs as he understood somewhat
Chocola's explanation sheds light on the hands-off approach of the gods in the affairs of mortals in Mythlandia. The concept of heroism and the choice of Tao Yusha to remain humble even after ascending to godhood have set the precedent for divine intervention. It seems that mortals must face their challenges and conflicts to grow and develop on their own, with the gods only stepping in when necessary. Astra is beginning to grasp the intricacies of the divine rules and the balance between mortal and divine affairs in this world.
Astra also understands why his life is the way he is as he trust higher other gods not mentioning discretion to go with their fate, then he stretched "I should visit my so-called lost brother even though I was the one separated from them....Maybe even though we aren't close we both embody the same mana.."
Astra's decision to visit his "lost" brother is a significant step towards reconciliation and understanding his past. Despite the emotional detachment he's developed due to his upbringing by Estella, there's a growing curiosity and perhaps even a desire to reconnect with his family and understand the shared mana they possess. It will be a journey filled with discovery and, hopefully, healing.
Chocola smiles yet informs him that in 2 months the prophecy will happen and the gods above decide the mortals the outcome as it only destroys the main gate of end borders to let the denizens of Gradience come through as the ex-assassin type knight Astra nods and leaves.
The impending prophecy adds a layer of tension and intrigue to the story. Astra's decision to leave and, presumably, prepare for the upcoming events indicates that significant challenges lie ahead. It seems that both the mortal and divine realms are poised for significant changes.