Dark purple flames raged across the houses and their ruins. The only thing that was not covered with it was a huge hand made of flesh, on which another battle took place. 3 battles took place in the capital of the Empire at the same time – Ludwig and Oliver against Mordred, Marren and Sean against Notredame and Sol against himself from this world.
Oliver Clain, looking at Mordred, decided not to hold back. Either out of respect or because of the injuries caused by Aren, Mordred did not attack while ruler of Arai performed the transformation. Oliver placed his right hand on his left eye, and his body became covered in purple flames, and 2 black wings appeared behind his back. They weren't made of fire, they were wings with black feathers. Clain straightened his hair, throwing it back, and, removing his hand, looked at the world with his violet left eye.
–Oh, I haven't felt such freedom for a long time... well, let's start, usurper?
–Fallen angel of the Illiot continent, Oliver Clain... – said Mordred, taking a step forward. – So why weren't you happy enough to stay in your micro-kingdom?
–Ludwig, for you, you see, the main thing is not to get caught in the crossfire.
Oliver created a sword in his right hand that was no different from any other weapon... however, even an untrained eye could discern a work of art in this blade. Any weapon created by Oliver Clain was of better quality than what even the legendary blacksmiths forged. Clain closed his eyes and held his right hand, which held the sword, above his head. The next moment, he was already standing behind Mordred, and a purple line drawn in the air showed that this was not teleportation. When Oliver appeared there, his sword was already lowered to the right, and Mordred's right hand fell down, having no connection with his body, and his huge weapon fell along with his hand.
–I believe you said that "relying on abilities is for weaklings"... well, you said so, if I remove the swearing. Of course, I can rely on abilities, but first of all, I am a swordmaster. So show me how your brute strength can match my skill, – Oliver said, turning to Mordred.
A yellow magical structure began to form from Mordred's right shoulder, shaped like a hand in armor, after which it became material, completely restoring both flesh and armor.
–I'm even interested in knowing how you found out about my words, considering that you weren't on the battlefield... – said Mordred.
–Um... let's say it was a plot hole, – Oliver replied and laughed.
–Oliver Clain, be careful! His attacks warp causality, even if they don't hit you, the damage will still be done! – Ludwig shouted.
Oliver glanced at Ludwig, but didn't change his behavior much. Now, after his lightning-fast attack, he patiently waited for Mordred to act. The armored knight raised his "sword" and swung it once towards Oliver. In an instant, Clain placed his sword in the path of Mordred's weapon, which was coming from the left side. The clash of blades created a loud noise, and although Mordred's weapon did not even touch Oliver's clothes, small wounds appeared on Clain's left side.
Ludwig was watching at this time. There had been several instances before where the causality distortion didn't work... the first time was when he was sent flying by the recoil of a rifle called by Martha... the second time was when Martha blocked a strike aimed at Ludwig... and the third time, when a strike that was aimed at Ludwig was stopped by Oliver... suddenly, an idea struck the former emperor. He settled on the ground and began to take aim.
At that moment, Oliver threw back Mordred's weapon, and, drawing purple curves in the air with the end of his sword, flapped his wings and flew towards Mordred. Seeing this, Mordred threw away his "sword", which had stuck into the ground and remained protruding several meters upward, and began hand-to-hand combat. Allowing Mordred to attack was dangerous, so Oliver focused on attacking and not giving his opponent a chance to counterattack. Twisting, feinting and always pressing the attack, king of Arai did not leave a single window for Mordred to go on the attack. The Hero of the Empire only defended himself with his own hands, but the armor, which easily withstood Ludwig's shots and Shubby's blows, was destroyed by the swings of Oliver's sword. Despite this, the damaged areas immediately glowed yellow and were overgrown with flesh and armor.
It seemed that this offense could last forever – Mordred could not counterattack, but endlessly regenerated with the help of some strange magic. In addition, Oliver's attacks were not very powerful, as he focused on speed, so they did not cut deep into the body. Taking advantage of this, when Oliver struck another blow, Mordred missed it and it hit him in the shoulder. However, this gave the knight a chance to strike back – a fist in an iron glove was rushing at all pores towards Clain's solar plexus... but then Ludwig's shot hit that same fist. The shot didn't penetrate the armor, but it did deflect the blow to the side, causing the arm to go past Oliver. Clain immediately flapped his wings again and flew back, avoiding the potential continuation of an unfavorable battle for himself.
–I understand! If an attack is prevented by someone other than its target, he cannot change the causality! – Ludwig shouted.
Mordred clicked his tongue. Ludwig was right. That is why Mordred tried to use his first attacks to, at least, incapacitate Shubby and Martha... but now, when his ability was fully understood revealed, it was necessary to act immediately. The knight instantly changed his target and decided to eliminate the weakest link – without picking up his six-meter "sword", with which he would have become less agile, Mordred rushed towards Ludwig and raised his fist to strike. Since he fights without a sword, the same trick of escaping through recoil will not work. But this time Ludwig was not afraid – Oliver flew into Mordred at full speed and threw him aside. Since Oliver interfered with the attack aimed at Ludwig, the causality distortion did not work, and the shooter remained unharmed.
–Well, in that case, I count on you even more, Ludwig! – Oliver said as he flapped his wings and flew into the air.
As Mordred rose to his feet, Oliver, high in the sky, raised his free hand into the air.
–If he heals such wounds so quickly... we'll need something more powerful!
What can even be more powerful, if even relatively weak swings of Oliver's sword caused more damage than Shubby's blows, which are capable of turning islands upside down... but Oliver was not joking. Mordred first wanted to attack Ludwig, but realized that Clain was preparing something high in the sky. If he didn't stop him... the knight jumped, soaring into the sky. Suddenly, Oliver said something like a chant:
–My name is Morning Star, Son of the Dawn. I will ascend to the heavens; I will raise my throne above the stars of God; I will sit enthroned on the mount of assembly, on the utmost heights of Mount Zaphon. I will ascend above the tops of the clouds; I will make myself like the Most High. But I won't be cast into inferno, for only my enemies will end up there.
In the time that Oliver spent uttering these words, Mordred should have already reached him and cut Clain into pieces, but this did not happen. The logic was meaningless, because while a character casts a long spell or undergoes a long transformation, no one can stop it, and the world around becomes so slow that it seems to stop. At least, such laws are dictated by the genres of epic fantasy, and this world lives by these laws. As Oliver finished his monologue, a huge ball, in which bright red and purple energies seemed to be fighting, appeared above Oliver's hand. Clain swung his left hand down and the ball flew down. It was so huge that Mordred couldn't get out of its way no matter how hard he tried, especially since he didn't have much room to maneuver in the air. All that remained for the armored knight to do was to cover his head with his hands.
When the ball of energy touched Mordred's body, an explosion of unimaginable power occurred. The consequences were more terrible than if someone from the distant future dropped an atomic bomb here. The entire capital of the Empire, along with the surface of the earth for many thousands of kilometers in all directions, was simply destroyed. Not piece of rubble was left. The huge hand made of flesh began to fall, because its base simply ceased to exist. All this time, Oliver could have easily wiped out the Northern Empire from the face of the earth, but he didn't do it... until now.
When the remaining energy dissipated, a black sphere around Ludwig was revealed. When this sphere dissipated, it became clear that the former emperor was protected by none other than Gehessikait... although neither Oliver, nor Ludwig, nor Mordred knew him.
–Ah, shit... we still need all of you to bring this idiot Sol to some sense! Why the hell is this fanfiction of Oliver throwing out such attacks?! – Gehessikait shouted and disappeared.
Ludwig was left to watch as his home being destroyed. The well-being of the Empire, which he promised his father, was destroyed. But, he will certainly be able to restore it all... yes, he had a talent for establishing order in the economy, agriculture and in general everything that the country might need... but this will take more than one year. But this is not so scary, because all this is for the sake of destroying Mordred and overthrowing the current tyrant... Ludwig began to feel a strange strength in himself, like the determination of a true Emperor, but he himself did not understand what it was.
But Ludwig was not the only one who survived this – suddenly, Mordred flew out of the dissipated energy, his armor completely destroyed. He was covered in blood, probably his own... but even so, he was able to regenerate. Ludwig suddenly realized what it was – this armor had been developed back when he was the current Emperor. Now that it is destroyed, the knight will no longer be able to heal himself, and Oliver will easily finish him off... but Oliver did not move. He bowed his head and held onto it. Apparently this attack took all his strength. And Mordred is just approaching him... from such a distance Ludwig will not have time to aim and shoot, what to do?...
A beam of white energy fell from the sky towards Mordred... no, it wasn't a beam of white energy. It was a full-fledged laser with a huge diameter. A giant mechanism was flying in the sky, which people of the future would call an "orbital cannon." Ludwig shouted to Oliver:
–Oliver, run! I... I can handle him!
Only now did Ludwig realize that he had completely changed. The leather armor and clothing that he had been wearing throughout the journey had disappeared, and now he was wearing a white military admiral uniform, which, however, was simply thrown over his shoulders, and his arms were not threaded into the sleeves. The collar was fur, and under this clothing there was another layer of strict white suit. The hiking boots had been replaced by white shoes, and his hands were now covered in white leather gloves.
–Well, that's something to my taste, – Ludwig said, watching as Oliver, having only now regained at least some of his strength, teleported away from the battlefield.
–What... what the hells is that thing?! – Mordred shouted, somehow surviving being incinerated by a laser from the sky.
–My father's weapon. Where did you think all the Empire's weapons went after his death? All this time, they were here... right in my soul!
Ludwig snapped his fingers. The orbital cannon charged again and fired a scorching beam at Mordred. But this was not enough. Light purple circles appeared next to Ludwig's shoulders, from which... gun barrels began to form. They aimed themselves and began to fire accurately with magical energy at the place where Mordred was. But this was not enough in opinion of returning Emperor.
–Doomsday Weapon #3: The Last Stand! – Ludwig said, pointing his right hand forward.
A huge wall appeared behind him, stretching from horizon to horizon. It was all dotted with holes that slowly accumulated energy. The beam from the orbital cannon dried up, and the orbital station itself became covered with light purple squares and disappeared. The cannons that had formed above Ludwig's shoulders also disappeared. Mordred was still alive when his skin, no longer covered by any clothing, began to smoke. With the last of his strength he ran towards Ludwig.
Right now, the countless holes in the wall had finished accumulating energy and a violet beam collected from all these sources fell on Mordred. When it dried up, not even ashes remained in the place of the knight.
~*~
Sean put his scythe to the side and ran towards Notredame. Marren wanted to run after him, but even if his wounds were bandaged by Sean in stopped time, but they were still through holes in the body, so Marren could only walk slowly, waiting for him to regenerate these injuries.
Notredame looked at Sean as at a variable in his equation that he clearly wasn't expecting. The Hate Creature soon found himself right in front of the meat abomination. More limbs erupted from the spider-like legs, resembling octopus tentacles with claws at the ends. Sean successfully dodged them and with one swing, which clearly did not cover all of Notredame's legs, cut all 6 of the monster's spider legs in half. Obviously, the length of the scythe did not coincide with the radius of the blow, but he fought, first of all, using the energy of Hate.
While Notredame was falling and, apparently, not particularly aware of what was happening, Sean made one more swing with his scythe – vertical, from bottom to top, cutting the body of the cult leader in half. Turning around and striking a pompous pose, sweeping his scythe down and to the side, Sean grinned... but just like the other time he did that, it wasn't the end of the fight.
Notredame's flesh suddenly began to pulsate. Sean jumped back swiftly and, stopping time, ran away and also pulled Marren back. And this was the right decision, because the next moment the monster's body began to grow, very quickly taking the shape of... a building. The huge cathedral stood before Marren and Sean. They looked at each other in bewilderment. The doors of the cathedral opened.
–Well, he invites us inside, but maybe we should just go away? It seems like he won't be able to follow us in this form, – Marren said.
–No... I must complete this battle to the end...
Having said this, Marren walked towards the cathedral, but suddenly fell to one knee. Those diseases and poisons that he created in himself finally manifested themselves, causing great damage to his biological system. Sean shrugged and, throwing his braid over his shoulder, walked into the cathedral, soon disappearing out of sight for Marren.
The interior of the cathedral was exactly as Sean imagined it – benches and columns made of flesh, stained glass windows made of eyes, an altar made of bones... and behind the altar, a branch of meat grew from the ground, and it went into the neck of Notredame, which hung on this tentacle. Notredame, now without his spider limbs, wings and extra limbs from his neck, smiled with his two mouths and squinted his three eyes. It was clear that this entire cathedral was literally his body.
Suddenly, Sean realized that he had been too careless – his legs had sunk into the floor, and now his flesh was holding them tightly. Undeterred, Sean stopped time... and cut off his legs. Since he could move in stopped time, damage could be dealt to him. Since he was a creature of Hate, albeit an artificial one, his legs immediately grew back, although now without the lower part of his pants and boots. When time started moving again, Sean was already behind Notredame with his scythe raised. He began to lower his weapon, striking, but suddenly stopped. From behind him, from the wall, a small spur of flesh pierced his head, passing through his skull and straight into his brain. Of course, such a wound would not be able to kill a creature of Hate. Sean tried to stop time... but couldn't. Apparently, this Notredame's flesh that was now in his brain was blocking the mental command to stop time.
–Well, that's it, mr... whatever your name is. Now Marren will come here alone and, considering what a kind boy he is, he will personally give himself to me in exchange for your freedom...
More shoots appeared from the floor and walls and grabbed Sean by the arms and legs, preventing him from moving. Even the black energy of Hate could not dispel this... after all, it was simply the body of Notredame. Just at this moment, Marren, already moving more or less normally, entered the cathedral and saw this terrible scene. He threw the knife, which flew right past the cheek of Notredame's body.
–As you can see, my dear Marren, your friend... or just an acquaintance, or whoever he is to you... in general, this man is now in my captivity. If you surrender, then so be it, I'll let him go and won't kill him... so come to me, my... – Notredame began to speak.
–Quiet... – Marren interrupted him. – Didn't I say? Today you will die.
Marren's body began to emit a faint green glow, which manifested itself in the form of an aura. Notredame was slightly alarmed. Sprouts appeared from the floor and flew towards his body... but they rotted and crumbled as soon as they got close. Then Notredame noticed that Marren did not walk on the flesh – the meat under Marren's feet turned to dust, creating a concave shape. The boy himself walks through the air above it. Fear again seized Notredame.
–You come close and I will kill him! – he shouted.
Marren pointed his hand at Notredame. Instinctively, the main body of the cult leader, moving on the meat appendage, flew to the side... but this body was not Marren's target. The limbs holding Sean's legs and arms instantly rotted and turned to dust. Of course, Sean's own limbs also rotted with this, but they quickly recovered. Now that he had fallen and the sharp appendage going into his brain no longer went deep into his head, Sean stopped time, and when it started again, he was already standing outside the doors of the cathedral.
–I trust... I trust it to you, friend of Sol!
–Yes... I'll do it, – Marren replied.
There was no fear or uncertainty in his voice. Just pure determination. At the same moment, the floor shook – a huge explosion occurred due to Oliver's actions, and the flesh hand began to fall. It tilted itself, now falling forward with the part opposite the entrance. This was to Marren's advantage, because he fell fast, approaching the main body of Notredame. When he got close, the flesh monster was still trying to do something... but to no avail. Marren spread his arms to the sides and shouted:
–All my life I've been afraid to use this... but here we are, alone, with no way to harm anyone! Die, Notredame! This is a requiem for your twisted soul!
Green energy began to emanate from Marren's body in all directions. All possible diseases began to spread with this energy. In addition, everything that this energy touched was poisoned with poisons with all theoretically possible effects. During this, Marren no longer stood on an invisible platform, but floated in the air. Finally, the green energy ran out and Marren landed on flesh... but it wasn't the cathedral floor, it was that huge hand. After all, Notredame has disappeared. He turned to dust and, along with the entire cathedral, scattered to the wind... it's all over. Notredame is dead, and Marren, having accepted his powers and gained complete control over them, will not die from what he did to himself in this fight. Soon the hand of flesh fell completely, and Marren immediately saw one single person standing in the middle of a huge crater to which there was no end in sight.
Marren ran up to Ludwig. Ludwig looked at him with a puzzled look on his face at first, but by his clothes he realized who was standing in front of him.
–You... you won too, right, Marren? – Ludwig said and smiled.
–Yes. It... it was hard and scary. But there's no reason for me to hide behind a mask anymore.
Sean appeared next to them. He waved his hand and said:
–That's all. We're done here, right, Oliver?
Suddenly, Oliver Clain also teleported here, after which he nodded. Clain no longer had black wings, and he himself was no longer engulfed in purple flames.
–Right.
A portal appeared next to this company, from which Aren emerged alongside Martha, who had already regained consciousness. However, when she looked around at everyone present and saw Marren's face without a mask, she blushed and looked away.
–But... where are Sol and Shubby? – said Ludwig.
–I'm sure they're safe. People like my son... and my son from another world... they will not die so easily from some explosion that can wipe out entire continents from the face of the earth.
–Wait... continents?! – Ludwig shouted. – Then the entire Illiot...
–No, I restrained my strength. Not even the entire Empire was destroyed. By the way, don't be afraid, I evacuated all the residents of the capital, as well as the surrounding cities, to Arai via teleportation, so they are safe. Let's go, we have nothing else to do here. Let's all go to the capital Arai!
–To Arai? But why? – Ludwig asked.
–Hm? Well, I will give you people, materials, funds and my best landscape sculptors. So in a few months you will fix the result... of my doing here.
–Can I ask you? – Marren asked and Oliver nodded. – What do you mean when you say "Sol from another universe and from this universe"... what does all this mean?
–Let's go, I'll tell you on the way.
Oliver snapped his fingers and a huge carriage appeared next to them all, which looked more like a building on wheels.
–By the way, Ludwig... I like your new clothes. If you would always dress like this, I would be almost as cute as Marren! – Martha said, being the first to enter the carriage.
Ludwig and Marren looked at each other. After that, everyone else got into the carriage and it drove off.
–Wait a second... what about the Sphere of the Sun? Wasn't it our goal from the beginning?! Wasn't it destroyed by the explosion?! – Ludwig suddenly asked.
–Hm? I am sure that such an artifact could not be destroyed like that. He's probably at Sol's or Shubby's now. This won't destroy them either. Don't be afraid, if Sol is there... either of the two Sols, then everything is fine.
So they went straight from here back to Arai. Moreover, they drove at a speed that clearly exceeded the sound, despite the size of the "carriage" and the absence of horses.
–Wait! You said you teleported all the locals! But you can't teleport us like that?! – Martha suddenly asked Oliver.
–Well, I'm too powerful for a long-distance teleport to transport me. So that's it.
After that they argued a lot more, but it didn't matter. After all, the most important thing happened in a completely different place...
~*~
Shubby took a few steps back. Clains clearly wanted to settle the score one-on-one. Suddenly, alternative universe Sol showed his palm to original universe Sol , signaling him to wait. Following the principles of a fair duel, original universe Sol nodded. Original universe Sol raised his right hand, in which he held the sword, upward, and the whole world turned white and black, where white was to the left of Sol, black to the right.
–Clain Family Special Spell – Emotional Turbulence: Pride! – alternative universe Sol shouted.
When this illusion disappeared, there were 2 wings behind alternative universe Sol – a black angel wing from his right shoulder and a white angel wing from his left. This clearly made it clear whose son he was... and that he was as serious as possible. Now both Sols were in their Emotional Turbulences. Without wasting a moment, they, with a speed invisible even to Shubby's eye, took off and rushed towards each other. They attacked at the same time, so Perfection did not activate for either of them. Their swords crossed, making the distinctive sound of steel hitting steel. All this time, alternative universe Sol was holding the Sphere with his left hand.
The blades separated, after which both Clains took a step back and struck from the right – each from their own right side. Their swords came together again, after which they separated again... every time they struck, they completely repeated each other's moves. But after several clashes, original universe Sol did not strike again with the blade, but slipped under the sword of alternative universe Sol and, unable to strike with the sword in this position, punched his opponent in the stomach with his left fist. This destabilized alternative universe Sol, after which original universe Sol continued this attack, now punching with the same hand in the solar plexus, which further unbalanced his opponent.
Without wasting a second, original universe Sol took advantage of this opening and lunged, but a purple flame created by alternative universe Sol appeared in the path of the sword. This fire, as if being a solid object, blocked the blade. Having regained his balance, alternative universe Sol made a retreat, now allowing his opponent's sword to pass forward. Thus, original universe Sol 's sword only pierced the air, after which alternative universe Sol himself lunged.
Original universe Sol moved to the right before grabbing alternative universe Sol's right hand, which was holding a sword, with his left hand. However, this left him defenseless – alternative universe, without releasing the Sphere, hit his enemy's face in the face with his left elbow. Now original universe Sol has been destabilized. He let go of the other Sol's hand, which he immediately took advantage of. Having made an instant turn around himself, alternative universe Sol struck with his sword, now from the left. Original universe, who had just regained his balance, barely managed to parry this blow.
All this time, Shubby just watched from the side as two Sols, whose speed was barely captured by her eyes, fought, destroying the environment with shock waves that occurred with each of their strikes. All the houses of the city block, and even many more, were already in ruins, although these two did not even touch them. But it didn't last long. Suddenly the ground itself shook, and Shubby, Sol and... the other Sol realized that something was about to happen. Shubby instantly ran up to them and spread her arms in different directions. A magical barrier in the form of a ball formed around these three. Power of Shubby alone would not be enough to explode such power... so both Sols, forgetting for a while about their enmity, added their strength to this barrier.
They were protected from destruction, but this ball of energy was carried many kilometers away... when it dissipated, it became clear that, by great coincidence, they were thrown straight to the Temple of the Source. Shubby, when the barrier dissipated, lost consciousness and fell onto the ice.
–Sol! What is the reason for your hatred?! – original universe Sol shouted, stepping aside so that after the battle continued, he would not accidentally hit Shubby.
–As if you couldn't guess, Sol... when your parents sent you to this world, I was thrown into yours, into the original universe, and I saw its end. And when I came, I could not return to my Oliver and Cirael, because my connection with this world had become thinner... and because you had already taken my place!
After shouting this, alternative universe Sol ran towards original universe Sol. Again the blades crossed, but this time alternative universe Sol threw the Sphere up and created a knife in his hand. With this knife, he tried to pierce his opponent's stomach, but was unsuccessful – original universe Sol grabbed his opponent's left hand with his left hand. But alternative universe Sol planned it that way. He used his knee to hit original universe Sol's hand before stomping on his toes... while creating a blade coming out of his boot. In other words, the original universe Sol's foot was now nailed to the icy ground. He tried to teleport a short distance, but it seemed like the purple flame, like the black flame of Hate, blocked the magic.
Taking advantage of his opponent's disadvantage, alternative universe Sol spun around, letting go of the original universe Sol's leg, then turned his back on him... and stabbed him in the stomach with his sword, passing it under his armpit, through his own cloak. Original universe Sol suddenly widened his eyes and took a couple of steps back. It's... just a sword that pierced him right through... "I... won't die from this...", he thought, but his opponent didn't even think of stopping. Alternative universe Sol raised his hand up and created a sword flying above it. This huge sword, 2 meters long and 40 centimeters wide, flew in and pierced the chest of original universe Sol, pinning him to the floor... just like father of Oliver from the original universe once nailed his son to the floor. Alternative universe Sol, realizing that this was the end, flinched, but soon came to his senses and pulled Unity from his opponent's body... and caught the Sphere falling from above. After that, he sheathed his Unity and picked up the Unity that original universe Sol had previously held in his hand. He turned away and walked towards the Temple of Origin.
Sol from the original universe could barely keep his eyes open. He began to feel cold. But it was not the coldness of the surrounding air, although they were literally at the north pole of this world. It was approaching death. It seems this is the end... Sol breathed what seemed to be his last breath... and then the world froze. A man in a black cloak with a hood stood in front of Sol's pierced body. Under the hood it was impossible to see who it was. He spoke:
–Why are you lying? Get up. If you want to protect this world... if you want to save Martha and Ludwig... remember whose son you really are and face the truth.
–Fa...ther?... – Sol said somehow, looking at this figure.
–Oliver's son will not die so easily. Just as the main character, who in the end must defeat the main antagonist, will not die so easily. But you are not just the main character. You are Sol, son of Oliver and Cirael. So stand up and fight to the end.
The cloaked figure disappeared, and the world began to move again, and Sol himself, although he had just been completely dead, coughed up blood and began to pull out this huge sword from himself. Hearing a noise behind him, alternative universe Sol turned around and was shocked to see his seemingly dead opponent stand up and now point the sword he had just created at him.
–Sol... you're right, I... am a terrible person, – original universe Sol suddenly said.
There was no hint of a hole in his chest or stomach on his body. However, he didn't look like he was thinking about continuing the battle... but not because he couldn't.
–I... let's put this damn Sphere where it belongs first.
–You...what are you talking about?! How can I go there with you?!... – alternative universe Sol answered, but original universe Sol... smiled?
–You are right. I understand what motivates you. But now is not the time to argue... now I just want to talk to you.
–You... – the anger left alternative Sol's face, as he understood everything.
–Yes. I realized and accepted the truth... you know, I just saw him.
–Him?...
–My father, Oliver. He asked me to keep fighting and said that I would not die so easily. I... can't fail my father's wishes, you know?
Alternative universe Sol stared at his original for a moment... and then laughed. He hit him again... but not seriously this time. The fist that hit original universe Sol's shoulder did not carry the desire to harm. It was more of a playful jab... the kind that friends do.
–Yes... you probably want to ask me about a lot of things, – alternative universe Sol said and smiled for the first time.
–You know, you are far from the first person to ask me this question... but you are the first one to whom I will answer "yes." I want to ask you about a lot of things. But... first, let's go get this MacGuffin.
–Yes, – said Sol from the alternative universe and walked towards the Temple.
–My first question... what happened to my parents? – asked original universe Sol and followed him.
–They... are dead. No, that's the wrong word. They are erased from reality. They were erased by the Story Devourer...
–So, I don't understand it at all. But can Oliver even be erased, with his protection thanks to the Necronomicon? And what is this Story Devourer?
–Oh, we'll have to start from the very beginning. This will be a long story... by the way, here you go. I believe this belongs to you by right of inheritance.
Having said this, alternative universe Sol pulled out "his" Unity from its sheath and handed it to his interlocutor, after which he sheathed Unity of this world's Oliver. The other Sol nodded and took his father's sword. They had just arrived at the hall with the pedestals.
–Let me tell you first... and then we will put this Sphere down.
–Okay, I'm listening. It looks like it's time for That One Chapter Where One Character Takes a Long, Tedious Time Explaining the Worldbuilding to the Others, While Dumping an Awful Amount of Exposition
–And so, I'll start from afar. I learned this information from your father. Gerda, somewhere on the 700th Iteration, to make it easier for her to erase the universes she generates, created the "Story Devourer"... it is an entity that erases multiverses without blinking. At first it was quite weak, so often Clains lived through the erasure of the world and its re-creation in a new universe. However, then it absorbed more and more worlds and became stronger, eventually becoming so strong that Gerda can't control it anymore. When the story ends, he comes... and erases the world of that story. Gerda gave freedom to Oliver, Cirael and everyone else... but the Story Devourer didn't care.
–Well, it's just another multiverse threat. Oliver and Cirael had already dealt with Kayen.
–But this is different. Story Devourer can only be damaged by Paradox...
–Just what Paradox is? You call me that, Dantes called me that...
–Paradox is a character who was not written by the writer of the work in which Paradox was born. They are usually born after the end of the story... due to plot holes. Gerda, almost at the very beginning of the 1078th Iteration, wrote that Cirael had a stomach ache... and because of this hanging Chekhov's Gun, as a result, you were born. You see, the Narrative, although not living, itself strives to fill plot holes by changing the work... it's just that sometimes they are so big that even the Narrative can't handle it. And so, you were born as a patch to this plot hole.
–Sounds quite depressing...
–Yeah, now remember that I'm just an alternative version of you. I'm the one who should be depressed. So here it is. You are literally the only Paradox on this entire Narrative layer... and, perhaps, on all Narrative layers in general. As for me... I am a copy of you from another world, so I am not a Paradox. You know how the multiverse works within one Narrative layer, right?
–More or less. There is the "original universe" created by the original writer from a higher layer, and then there are alternate versions of that universe... in other words, fanfiction.
–Exactly. The world you see around you is fanfiction created by the Necronomicon... however, the Necronomicon disappeared along with Oliver, so this world no longer has a creator to look after it. That's not the point. Basically, your parents knew that Story Devourer was about to come to their world, and that's why they sent you here... after all, they themselves had to at least delay him so that as many ordinary peaceful background characters as possible could leave that universe.
–It's...damn, they were heroes. The most real ones, but they called themselves "sub-heroes"...
–Yes, they were heroes. Let me continue. When you were thrown into this universe, me, as a copy of you, was thrown into the world where you came from. There I met Oliver and Cirael of the original universe and they told me what happened... and gave me the Unity forged by your father, – when alternative universe Sol said this, a tear rolled down original universe Sol's cheek. – I... I was weak. But even if I were strong, I could not save them. At the last moment, they threw me back into my world, but I was already out of sync with this space-time, so I could only speak as white noise. And when I came to the capital of Arai... I found out that my parents had already found "their son."
–Me...
–Exactly. My heart almost stopped then, and I had already developed a dislike for you... and then I heard you talking about your parents...
–I understand why you hated me. I... if only I had known, I would have stayed and...
–No. You were no match for the Story Devourer back then. But now that you have recognized yourself as Paradox...
–What does being a Paradox give me anyway? Well, except that I can damage the Devourer.
–Hmm... Paradoxes, as Oliver told me, are, in principle, immune to changes in the Narrative. You can even ignore Gerda's text... and influence of those above her. In addition, you can move outside the Narrative, transcending space-time. You can also bring back objects, characters and worlds from the Sea of Ideas... if they haven't completely dissolved after too many Exes. And finally, you can... climb the Narrative Layers without effort.
–That is... can I just think about it now and meet Gerda?
–Yes... but I think we have more important things to do now.
–Agree. Moreover... in general, I am not interested in meeting Gerda. She... she allowed my parents to live free, and she did not set the Story Devourer on them. Nothing connects me with her. Better tell me, if you're so smart... how does my True Blade work?
–I was waiting for this question. My True Blade actually erases things and phenomena at the conceptual level... but you are Paradox, so it works differently for you. When your blade passes through an object, or you try to erase a concept, you are actually preventing that concept from appearing in the Narrative. It still remains in the past, but in the future, he can no longer appear in the Narrative, and such, it basically does not exist. That's why you can bring back what you "erased"... and it is this power that can harm the Story Devourer.
–Well... I don't know much yet, but... let's go. It's time to place the Sphere of the Sun on its pedestal. And then... shall we fight again? We still have score the settle.
–Agreed.
Alternative Sol placed the Sphere of the Sun on the central pedestal and the walls of the Temple began to glow in different colors. Sighing with relief, he headed towards the exit, followed by original universe Sol. When they came out, Shubby had already met them... with a surprised face.
–You... didn't you want to kill each other?
ؘ –It's a little more complicated, – answered alternative universe Sol, smiling.
Noticing that the original universe Sol looked a little depressed, Shubby ran up to him and took his hand, then said:
–Tell me why... your hands... are cold?...
–Cold hands are often a sign that your body is trying to maintain its regular body temperature. Always having cold hands, however, could mean there's a problem with your blood flow or the blood vessels in your hands... – original universe Sol began to explain, but Shubby hit him on the cheek with her palm.
–B-baka! You don't understand girls at all! – she shouted.
–I don't understand almost anyone at all, – Sol answered. – But that doesn't matter now. Shubby, go back to your tavern. Our journey is over. I... no, both me and this Sol will return to the capital of Arai... after we end our rivalry once and for all.
–I understand. But Sol... I'm not going back to the tavern! I'm also going to the capital of Arai... and I'll be waiting for you there, Sol!
Smiling sweetly and closing her eyes, Shubby got into a running position, after which she ran off towards Arai with lightning speed.
–She's head over heels in love with you, – said alternative universe Sol, looking at original universe Sol with a grin.
–That's nonsense, nonsense. What could she even see in me?
–Who was saying that he is "perfection"?
–It was stupid childishness...
–This is true. But it doesn't change the fact, she's going insane around you.
–I'll talk to her personally about this later... but now we have to end everything for good. Take out your sword.
Alternative universe Sol took out his father's Unity, and both Sols moved 50 steps away from each other. Turning around, both pointed their blades to the right and down and said in unison:
–En garde!
~*~
–I knew you would come, – said Edmond Dantes, without turning around.
–Oh, yes? Then I knew that you knew that I would come. How do you like that? – answered Kai, who appeared behind him.
The world around them was gray and had nothing but a table with a tea set.
–You know, Sol is absolutely right. You really are my cheap copy... and I don't really want plagiarism of me to live peacefully on this Narrative layer.
–Before you kill me, and I have no doubt that any plot armor and any of my protection does not matter to you, may I ask something?
–Only if it is interesting enough.
–If Gerda heard my question... what would she answer me? You know her better than anyone, so if anyone can give me the answer, it's you, Kai Clain.
–Hmmm... I think she would answer something like, "Oh my god, another freak is going to stalk me."
–And if seriously?
–Hmm... – Kai sat down at the table opposite Edmond. – She really has changed" I think if it weren't for the first 27 iterations, I could forgive her.
–So you still want her dead?
–Everything is a little more complicated than it seems. But oh well, this dialogue has already gone on for so long. It was nice talking, Count of Monte Cristo. Goodbye.
Kai snapped his fingers. Dantes' body was torn apart. He was invulnerable to magic, to physical damage, to reality warping, to changes in the Narrative... but all this was useless against Kai.