In the opulent room, the walls glimmered with shifting holographic displays, depicting murals of victories mixed with icons, casting a blend of warm and cold light that moved around the space. At the far end stood an imposing throne crafted of a sleek dark material, its surfaces reflecting eye-catching iridescence as though they held swirling things within. Directly behind the throne, a massive digital imagery projected shifting patterns of crimson and black, pulsating softly.
Seated in the center of this grand stage was the man himself, a figure emanating an undeniable presence that commanded reverence and fear. His long, dark hair flowed like a waterfall, cascading over his sharp shoulders and framing his striking face that bore high cheekbones and a strong jawline adorned with a neatly groomed beard. The crimson hue of his eyes pierced through the dim light, glimmering with intensity, silently daring anyone to meet his gaze. His expression was oddly relaxed.
Dressed in a meticulously tailored dark coat that hugged his torso with a high collar accentuating his stature, he was the image of sophistication. The coat blended seamlessly into a tunic beneath, every fold and curve enhanced by subtle red highlights that emblazoned the sleeves and lapels. The most striking feature was undeniably the prominent red bow tie, perfectly knotted and elegantly positioned at the center of his chest. A thick black belt cinched tightly at his waist added an imposing structure, almost like a sheath containing a blade waiting to be unsheathed.
Throughout the throne room, armored guards flanked the periphery like statues poised for action. Each soldier, clad in the usual sleek black armor that shimmered with a matte finish, had red accents that illuminated their advanced design while adding a sense of silent danger. The curves of their uniforms sculpted their forms, a blend of dexterity and protection, outfitted with rifles that seemed almost an extension of their bodies.
The large doors of the throne room slowly slid open as a figure leisurely walked in with almost taunting steps. It was a young woman with long pink hair with an array of different colored highlights styled in two large bows on her head. Adorning her face was clown makeup with two blue hearts painted on her forehead, a round button nose, striking yellow eyes, and red painted lips. She was wearing a blue and white striped dress with a red bow on her ample bosom, made up of red, white, and blue polka dots. Her colorful form clashed horribly with the dark environment, and her pale skin served to better present her as a jester.
Her slow steps turned the heads of all the guardsmen within the room. Whether it was due to her choice of attire or her apparent cleavage was left up to them.
"Yo!♥" Her sickly sweet yet calm tone rang throughout the throne room. Despite the man clearly radiating an intensity that was all but apparent, the lack of respect would surprise most. "Why so grumpy this early?♥"
His next action belied his piercing gaze, an easygoing smile made its way onto his face, "You tell me, Verence."
She merely shrugged uncaringly, "Deary me, what could have the great Emperor Aerious in a tizzy?♥"
"Too many variables," He huffed out, almost annoyed. "But you being here must mean you have some much-needed clarification."
"You're in luck~" Her voice suddenly resounded behind his throne, Verence leisurely leaned against it as a smirk crept onto her fine red lips. "I've plenty to tell.♠"
"Then do." He merely said, not the least bit surprised.
"Where to start, where to start.♥" She chanted, "Ah, with Verdantis, such a sneaky bunch.♥" She chuckled, "Seems they have an additional three Inheritors not counting the water boy or singing girl~"
Despite her words, Aerious merely hummed in thought as he rested his cheek on his face, "So quite a few Inheritors. Which Gods are they under?"
"The Goddess of Light, the forsaken one, and the Goddess who embodies this very realm♥" She informed, her form now suddenly leaned against the sleek walls of the throne room, "They even have rankings, ya know? Be wary of the Inheritor of the forsaken one, quite the scary girl. She is the third mightiest I've heard, though do not write off the Inheritor of Astrea, she hides her true power. She could be frightening in her own right, yet the thought excited me, how about you?♥"
"It vexes me that our opponents are so mighty." He sighed out. Aerious glanced at Verence and spoke, "The one of Astrea, what could make her as dangerous as one of the forsaken God?" He questioned.
"Fused with this realm, it can even act as a source of power, her fate leads to unending paths and her destiny is for her to decide," Verence muttered with a lopsided grin as intrigue decorated Aerious's face.
"Vague, but I've a gist that you mean all of that literally and not figuratively." The emperor deduced. "How bothersome."
"Aww~Don't worry, you've the help of the Ancestors after all.♥" Verence reminded.
"True, but just how really powerful are they?" He questioned.
"Oh, they're extremely powerful, you'll not find allies as strong as them. They are from the age of Gods after all, magic was at an all-time high there. The average denizen's mana capacity in that era was higher than the average sorcerer in this era. But the Ancestors aren't normal by any means, oh no.♥" The jester girl grinned as she gazed at the vaulted ceiling, "Britha, the Ancestor of Might, destroyer of armies and conqueror of worlds, Gisèle, the Ancestor of Malice, slayer of man, the realm's personal butcherer, Aurélie, the Ancestor of Pestilence, blight of the universe and scourge to many, Aithne... watch out for the faceless one. And of course, Rhiannon, the ever-mightiest Ancestor of chaos, power enough to make the very realms tremble, a false Goddess."
"Fascinating titles," Aerious mused, "But not mere titles, I'd wager."
"Correct.♥" She affirmed, "The concepts they represent came into being at the dawn of the first universe; though they merely represent those concepts, they can be said concepts as well. Though that would require an ascension of sorts, meaning they would not be able to interact with the natural laws in place." Verence shrugged.
"I see." Confusion clearly plagued the good emperor's mind, but he did not voice it, "Powerful allies, but they no doubt have their own agendas." He leaned back in his throne leisurely, "But you've successfully infiltrated Galadriel till now, and there is something I am specifically interested in. The one who managed to apparently match my monster of a son. Mikoto Yukio, I am curious about him."
Verence merely gave a sly smile as she made an 'x' with both her index fingers, "No can do.♥ Mikoto Yukio is mine and mine alone.♪" Her smile almost immediately dropped, as her icy gaze pierced the emperor.
Aerious merely raised his hand in mock surrender with a smirk, "Very well then. I understand, I'll make sure to stay clear."
"Appreciate it.♥" And just like that, a smile slid back onto her lips, "If only your children were as mindful, oh well." She shrugged to herself as she turned on her heel, "That's all for now, I've to go back to Galadriel and play schoolgirl again so I can see Mikoto off. Ta, ta.♥"
The emperor blinked, and suddenly the jester was gone, as if she were never there to begin with. He chuckled despite this, "Dare I say I keep dangerous company."
("Though still things are progressing smoothly all the same. Unfortunately, I cannot use these Ancestors, they are far too mighty for that. However, with Project Omega, things may just shift to Vel'ryr's favor. Upon winning the festival, I'll finally be rid of that demon who dares use my son as a puppet. Soon you will be free, Orion.")
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"So it all leads back to that Rhiannon woman," Back in what he deemed as his casual clothing, Mikoto mused. Seated on a thick log in a forest he partially ruined, he gazed at Telluris leaned against a tree. Mikoto huffed as he leaned back on his makeshift seat, brushing away a strand of hair from his face. "These guys are gonna be a pain, I can tell."
"You've the right of it," Telluris agreed. "Though in the age of Gods, they weren't particularly hostile, they were a passive bane to both Gods and dragons alike."
"What the hells their deal anyway? I know what Rhiannon wants, but what about the others? That Britha woman didn't seem that thrilled with the idea of attacking the capital."
"Ah, the Ancestor of Might, she was ever one for honor. She may have felt indebted to Rhiannon for freeing her. Even so, her actions are inexcusable," Telluris reasoned, "Furthermore, this upsets the balance. With entities comparable to the Gods and greater Dragons freely walking about, this spells chaos like never seen before. However, I can predict what their next move may be."
"Really? What would that be?" Mikoto inquired.
"The participation in the festival." She answered, Mikoto furrowed his brows at that.
"This have to do with whatever the big reward may be?" Mikoto deduced, the Divine Beast nodded her head.
"Indeed, you know of your Harbinger of Fate. You no doubt also know of certain restrictions placed upon it," Mikoto nodded absentmindedly, he could not use Harbinger to attain Arcane Ascendance or as a way home despite its sway on reality, fate, and destiny. "Octavia has no such restriction when using the Divine Blade. She would give humanity a wish upon their winning of the festival."
"Would she even go through with it if the Ancestors won?"
"She would." Telluris confirmed, "There were certain rules implemented into the realm that none, not even I or her, are exempt from. Divine Principals, all beings are susceptible to so something like the great war in the age of Gods should never occur again. Said Principals are in place with this festival."
"What bogus." Mikoto shook his head at that, "So I have to deal with Ancestors and the animals, huh? I'd like to get Arcane Ascendance before fighting Rhiannon, though." At his words, Telluris merely chuckled. "Huh? What's so funny?"
"You must not try to shoulder everything, Mikoto." She merely said, "You are not alone, remember? You've allies and me."
"That's true, I guess, still I wonder if I'll keep them." He muttered.
"Ah, you are almost sixteen." She noted.
"Yeah, I don't know how I'll deal with this whole 'phase' crap, man how does it even work?" He questioned annoyed.
"Your malice, your anger, your sadness, and your despair will all be at the forefront of your emotions. Even if you are prepared for it, you will not be able to contain it. And your allies are not aware of you being a spawn of Octavia, so these bursts of emotions may come as a surprise to them." Telluris informed with a sheepish glance.
"Yeah, that's what I'm worried about," Mikoto admitted, "I don't know how bad I'll be once this phase rolls over. I'll probably be antagonistic to you as well, sorry in advance."
"No need for that," She waved off with an ethereal smile, "You'll always be Mikoto, an endearing individual."
"And why's that?" He mused.
"You can put your immense power to good use. Being a hero despite varying options." Telluris stated, "You've a conviction many lack."
"I doubt that, being a hero isn't really an ultimate goal I have. Not like I'll completely embody what it means to be one," His rosy lips thinned as he gazed at the cloudy skies. "If I can save someone, I will, but I will only save those I deem worthy of saving, in other words, I will save people unequally. Not very heroic."
"Heroes are individuals too. Their conviction varies, and their intent sways. Being a hero does not mean saving everyone, it means having the drive to do what others cannot while retaining your sense of beliefs." Telluris spoke, her soothing tone wise. "You embody that, I do not think what you want to accomplish is selfish or evil. You are merely staying true to yourself," She grinned, "And that's what makes you endearing. That normality despite your absurdity."
"Suppose I should savor my normality while it lasts then." Mikoto reasoned, lifting his form up from his seat, "Thanks for the training, Telluris. But I got a hunting trip to go to. Apparently, they want to hunt S-rank Astorothians to further those who have Divine weaponries' training and that demon fiddlers. That court mage wanted me to tag along, and I figured I could develop with Saber as a result."
"Indeed, farewell, Mikoto. Until next time."