Pepe then Started to walk away. "Oh before I go looking for my servant Ashwatthama again, a word of advice don't trust the Alien God Servants, especially the one here".
Karna looked at Pepe. "You mean the one who calls him self limbo (Ashiya Douman) and refused to give his real name what about him, I think you two would have gotten along seeing how similar in personal you two".
Pepe scoped at that. "Hardly that man is more like someone who is pretending to something that is he 120% not".
Karna raised an eyebrow at Pepe's remark, intrigued by the warning. "So, Limbo isn't what he appears to be? I suppose that much was obvious. But why the caution, Pepe? What do you know about him?"
Pepe stopped in his tracks and turned to face Karna, his usual playful smile nowhere to be seen. "Limbo is dangerous, not just because of his powers but because of his nature. He's a trickster, a manipulator. He doesn't just deceive others—he delights in it. The man thrives on chaos, and there's nothing genuine about him. He might wear a mask of friendliness, but underneath, he's something much darker."
Karna frowned, sensing the seriousness in Pepe's tone. "You seem to have a personal stake in this. Did something happen between the two of you?"
Pepe chuckled dryly, shaking his head. "Not directly, no. But I've seen enough of his type to know that trusting him would be a fatal mistake. Limbo isn't just an opportunist—he's someone who would sell out his own allies the moment it benefits him. And in a place like this Lostbelt, where everything is already twisted, someone like him can turn things from bad to worse in an instant."
Karna nodded, taking Pepe's words to heart. "I understand. I'll keep an eye on him. But what about you, Pepe? Can we trust you?"
Pepe smirked, the playful glint returning to his eyes. "That's for you to decide, Karna. But unlike Limbo, I have no reason to betray you or anyone else here. My goals are my own, and they don't involve stabbing anyone in the back. Besides, I'm more interested in surviving this mess than causing any more trouble."
Karna watched as Pepe began to walk away again, his figure fading into the shadows of the palace corridors. "Thanks for the warning, Pepe. I'll be careful."
Pepe waved a hand dismissively without turning around. "Just keep your wits about you, Karna. In this game, trust is a rare commodity, and everyone has their own agenda. Don't let your guard down, especially around Douman."
With that, Pepe disappeared into the palace, leaving Karna alone with his thoughts. The warning weighed heavily on his mind as he contemplated the nature of the Lostbelt and the people within it. The path ahead was uncertain, but one thing was clear—this was a world where trust could be easily betrayed, and enemies could lurk behind every corner.
Karna resolved to stay vigilant, knowing that in this twisted reality, the only person he could truly rely on was himself.
In a different place Duryodhana was speaking with Douman or as everyone knows him as Limbo, Duryodhana looks a cube that was glowing with red and blue light, it was Advance Technology with a hint of Mage craft.
Duryodhana looked at the cube. "And you said the Alien god and her allies who calls her self Draco made this and if as you put 'shit hits the fan to use this' am I correct Limbo".
Douman, or rather, Limbo, gave a sly grin, his eyes glinting with mischief. "Ah, yes, Duryodhana, that is precisely what I said. The Alien God and her enigmatic companion, Draco, entrusted this creation to me. A marvel of both advanced technology and potent magecraft, it's designed to be your ace in the hole."
Duryodhana's gaze remained fixed on the glowing cube, a mix of intrigue and unease settling over him. "So, this... device, what exactly does it do? Why would they give something this powerful to me?"
Limbo's grin widened, his voice smooth as silk. "Consider it a token of their investment in you, my lord. They see great potential in this Lostbelt, in the path you have carved out here. But they also know that every plan has its contingencies. This cube is one such contingency—a failsafe, if you will."
Duryodhana's eyes narrowed as he considered Limbo's words. "You still haven't answered my question. What does it do?"
Limbo chuckled softly, his fingers gently brushing against the cube's surface. "It is both a key and a weapon, capable of bending the very fabric of this reality. Should you find yourself cornered, facing defeat or betrayal, this device will allow you to reshape the battlefield to your advantage. It could call forth reinforcements from the deepest corners of the multiverse, or perhaps even tear through the barriers of time and space to rewrite your fate. The possibilities are endless, but they come at a cost."
Duryodhana raised an eyebrow, finally tearing his gaze away from the cube to meet Limbo's eyes. "A cost, you say? And what might that be?"
Limbo's expression darkened slightly, his tone growing more serious. "Every power has its price, Duryodhana. Using this device could destabilize the Lostbelt itself, unleashing forces that even I cannot fully predict. It could attract the attention of entities far beyond your control—or mine. In short, it is a double-edged sword, one that must be wielded with utmost caution."
Duryodhana pondered this, weighing the risks and rewards. The thought of wielding such power was tempting, but the potential consequences were equally daunting. "And why would the Alien God and Nero Beast give me something so dangerous? What do they truly want?"
Limbo's smile returned, though it held a hint of something more sinister. "The Alien God is playing a game of cosmic proportions, one that spans countless worlds and timelines. You are but one piece on her board, Duryodhana, but a valuable one. As for Nero Beast... well, she has her own reasons, none of which I am privy to. But rest assured, as long as you play your part, they will continue to support you."
Duryodhana nodded slowly, his mind racing with possibilities. "Very well, Limbo. I'll keep this device close, but I won't use it unless absolutely necessary. Thank you for bringing it to my attention."
Limbo bowed slightly, his grin never fading. "Of course, my lord. I live to serve."
As Limbo turned to leave, Duryodhana couldn't shake the feeling that there was more to the cube—and to Limbo himself—than met the eye. He resolved to remain cautious, knowing that in this world of gods, beasts, and cryptic allies, nothing was ever as simple as it seemed.
As Limbo exited the room, his smirk broadened, his thoughts brimming with satisfaction. The seeds had been sown, the device handed over, and now it was merely a matter of waiting to see how the pieces would fall. Whispering into Duryodhana's ear had been all too easy, unlike Karna, who was far more resistant to manipulation. Karna's unwavering honour and deep connection to the truth made him a difficult target, but Duryodhana, driven by ambition and the scars of past grievances, was far more susceptible.
Limbo paused as he glanced upward, his gaze locking onto the brilliant sun hanging in the sky. The light of Surya, the Sun God, blazed down upon him, almost as if it were challenging him.
Limbo's eyes narrowed, his smirk fading into a contemplative expression. "Surya," he muttered under his breath, "you continue to watch over your son, even in this distorted timeline. I wonder, how far will your protection extend? How much can a father's light truly shield his child from the darkness creeping ever closer?"
He knew well the power of divine intervention, especially from a god like Surya, whose influence could alter the course of fate itself. But Limbo was not easily deterred. He thrived in the shadows, manipulating the strands of destiny where the light could not reach.
"And yet," he mused, "even the brightest light can cast the darkest shadows."
Limbo's smirk returned as he turned away from the sun, leaving the thought behind. He had set the stage for what was to come, and now it was time to let the players move. Whether Duryodhana would use the cube or not, whether Karna could resist the machinations set in motion, it was all part of the game. A game where the stakes were higher than ever, and Limbo was determined to come out on top, no matter who stood in his way—even if it was a god.
As the night settled in, the group busied themselves with setting up camp. Aozaki and Kama had ventured out to gather firewood, while Sita and Rama went hunting for game. Kadoc and Anastasia worked together to assemble the tents, their hands moving deftly to create shelter for the night. Meanwhile, Ritsuka, as always, took charge of cooking.
The aroma of the meal wafted through the air, drawing the attention of Arjuna. He approached Ritsuka, eyeing the food with curiosity. "Can I have a taste?" he asked.
Ritsuka nodded and handed Arjuna a spoonful of the dish he was preparing. Arjuna tasted it, and a look of pleasant surprise crossed his face. "This... this is incredible," he admitted, clearly impressed.
Arjuna then glanced at Ritsuka with a thoughtful expression. "Are you sure you're Karna's descendant? I had his cooking once, back when he joined Duryodhana's side, and let's just say..."
Bhima, who was standing nearby, finished the sentence for him. "It felt like we were all going to die, especially considering all of us brothers are demi-gods."
Ritsuka laughed, recalling a similar experience. "Yeah, in the Chinese Lostbelt, Karna tried to cook, and we all felt like we were going to die as well."
The group shared a moment of laughter, the tension of their journey easing slightly as they bonded over the simple pleasures of food and camaraderie. Despite the looming challenges ahead, this brief respite offered them a chance to relax and enjoy each other's company, even if just for a moment.
As they ate, Kadoc glanced at Ritsuka, curiosity evident in his voice. "So, Ritsuka, you have two new powers—or, well, one, really—Energy Manipulation, and now you've got a new gift: a Mana Heart. So, what happened to your original heart?"
Ritsuka instinctively touched his chest, his thoughts drifting back to the unsettling memories of the gifts bestowed upon him by the Alien God and Draco. "Well, to answer your question... I don't have my original heart anymore."
Anastasia, usually composed and embodying her title as the Ice Queen, suddenly froze. Her usual calm demeanor shattered, and she blurted out in disbelief, "I'm sorry, what the fuck?"
The entire group fell silent, the gravity of Ritsuka's words sinking in. Even the crackling of the firewood seemed distant as they processed what he had just revealed.
Ritsuka could feel the concerned gazes of his companions on him. "It's... complicated," he began, trying to find the right words. "The Alien God, Draco—they both did something to me. The Mana Heart was their doing. It replaced my original one."
Kama, returning with Aozaki, narrowed her eyes. "So, you're telling us you no longer have a human heart?"
Ritsuka nodded slowly. "Yeah. It's... something else now. Something more, but at the same time, something less. I don't fully understand it myself."
Anastasia, still processing the shock, placed her hand over her own chest, as if trying to imagine what it would be like to have a heart that wasn't truly her own. "How do you even... function?" she asked, her voice softer, tinged with concern.
"It still beats, it still pumps blood, but it's not human. It runs on mana, and I can feel the energy coursing through me. But sometimes... I wonder if I'm losing touch with my humanity."
The group exchanged uneasy glances, the reality of Ritsuka's situation weighing heavily on them. Kadoc broke the silence, his voice uncharacteristically gentle. "We're in this together, Ritsuka. No matter what changes, you're still you to us."
Ritsuka offered a small, grateful smile. "Thanks, Kadoc. That means a lot."
Arjuna, looking intrigued, asked, "So instead of pumping blood, it pumps Mana through your body?"
Ritsuka nodded in response. "Yeah, that's right. It draws Mana from the air, filters it, and then pumps it through my body."
As the group absorbed this information, Mash, Ophelia, and Kama moved closer, their expressions filled with concern. Each of them gently grabbed a hold of Ritsuka's shoulders, their worry evident.
Mash spoke softly, "How are you coping with this? It sounds... overwhelming."
Ophelia nodded in agreement, her eyes filled with empathy. "Yes, how are you handling the changes? This must be incredibly difficult for you."
Kama's expression was a mix of concern and frustration. "We're here for you, Ritsuka. This isn't something you should go through alone."
Ritsuka met their worried gazes and took a deep breath. "It's been a challenge, but I'm managing. The Mana Heart has its advantages—it enhances my abilities and connects me more deeply with the Mana around us. But, there are moments when I feel... disconnected. It's like I'm on the edge of something I can't fully grasp."
Mash squeezed his shoulder gently. "We're here for you, Ritsuka. No matter how different you feel, you're still the same person we care about."
Ophelia added, "If there's anything we can do to help or make things easier for you, just let us know."
Kama nodded firmly. "We're a team. We face challenges together, and we'll get through this one too."
Ritsuka felt a surge of gratitude for their support. "Thank you. It means a lot to know I'm not facing this alone."
The group shared a moment of solidarity, their shared concern for Ritsuka strengthening their bond as they continued their journey together.
To be continued
Hope people like this Ch and give me power stones, also today is my birthday and hope people have a nice day, thanks for 379.5k readers