Chapter 47: Kill the Link
[Name]: You're the first emperor?!
His words echoed throughout the endless void.
Beast: Yes.
[Name]: This explains a lot. So, this is why you know so much about the etheric realm and its power.
Shadow: I'm surprised that he hadn't told you this himself.
Beast: I didn't tell him because it wasn't necessary.
Shadow: Just like I didn't need to be your vessel.
Beast: That's not how it was supposed to happen.
His voice sent shockwaves throughout the realm as the Beast's voice rang out with anger.
Shadow: Go on, tell him before I do.
The beast sighed as his massive eyes targeted [Name].
Beast: I knew that being spiritually tethered to this plane of existence could only get me but so far; so I tried something that no mortal had never done before. I attempted to reincarnate what was left of my soul to defeat the Tyrant Danger Beast myself once and for all. However, fate did not see things that way; my attempt failed.
[Name] stood in confusion. He rubbed his face as if washing his face, tired of the twists and turns of his journey thus far.
Beast: In short, you [Name] are my failed attempt at reincarnating myself.
[Name]: I see. That's why I'm able to do all of the things I can.
[Name] realized that this had to be the reason for all of his substantial physical advantages. During his time as the shadow, he had been able to overpower adversaries with minimal difficulty. He could seemingly move at blurring speeds and could perform danger beast-like feats of strength. It all made sense to him now. The village elders from his former home were correct and wrong. His soul was indeed his own, but it was brought about through supernatural means as a failed reincarnation attempt.
[Name]: It all makes sense now.
[Name]'s grandfather spoke after having a moment of introspection about what [Name] knowing this will mean.
Shadow: So, you know the truth now. What now?
[Name]: I really don't feel too much of anything if I'm being honest. I do have some closure though and that counts for something. I'm only really concerned about getting Kasumi back and helping Nightraid topple the empire. Those innocent people in the third district don't deserve what's happening to them.
Beast: [Name], I will be honest with you. In these past few weeks, you haven't been able to amass the power necessary to battle the likes of Esdeath or Budo. You've been prioritizing the needs and wants of others over your own.
[Name]:….If I hadn't been involved in any of these conflicts then it's the Nightraid could be gone by now. I know a lot is riding on me now, but they play as much of a part in saving this empire that I do!
Beast: Be that as it may, not one of you is powerful enough to battle the empire's full might. [Name], my point wasn't to chastise you. It was to tell you that now is the time to make your final decision.
[Name]: What do you mean?
Beast: The Teigu power is the energy that links together all living things and the fabrics of reality. I've honed its power to channel it using artifacts. The imperial arms.
[Name]: I know of all this already.
Beast: If that's the case then you know what has to be done. You'll have to use as much power as you possibly can to defeat Esdeath, Budo, and the Tyrant. To do this, you'll have to make a pact with the ether.
[Name]: What pact?
Beast: It's a pact that allows for you to draw as much power from the ethereal realm as your body can hold. You will essentially be a living imperial arm.
[Name]: It sounds cool, but I know both sides have to benefit from the pact. What's the exchange?
[Name]'s grandfather chimed in from several meters behind.
Shadow: The exchange is that you not only burn through your natural life span in exchange for the power, but the worst part about it is that once you pass on your soul will be sealed within the confines of the sealing itself.
[Name]'s eyes shot open at the revelation. The weight of the situation does cause drastic measures but this in a sense will end his very being far sooner than he'd thought. Death and where you may go is one thing in [Name]'s mind, but knowing you'd go nowhere is daunting.
Shadow: I chose never to make the pact no matter what. I wanted to enjoy my family's company for as long as my natural life span allows. Seeing them again in the afterlife was also another driving factor.
[Name]: If it means I'll be able to smash the empire into dust then I'll do it.
Beast: [Name], I admire your tenacity, but you need to think this through more.
[Name]: Why? it is a no-brainer. Once I make the pact, I can call forth the power to defeat Esdeath.
Beast: Not exactly. You see, this is the pitfall of having not followed my instructions from the start. The etheric life seal is a far more infantile variation of this same pact. This means instead of burning through your own vitality; you will go through your natural lifespan. The more power you use the closer you are to certain death. All it'll take from you is one powerful attack and you could simply die and be sealed all without even having defeated Esdeath or Budo.
[Name]: I need to make the pact. It's an all-or-nothing gamble at this point. I need to help Nightraid take the empire down. Now, how do I go about doing the contract?
Beast: About that.
The beast raised an ethereal finger and scratched his face.
Beast: I don't exactly know how myself.
[Name]: What?! Then what am I supposed to do now?!
Beast: It's simple. The witches of the Polaris Academy can teach it to you. That's where I learned most of what I know about magic. I was their only male student in the academy's history.
[Name]: Well know you're only the first.
He said whilst pointing a thumb at himself.
[Name]: Soon you'll be second behind me too. I'll have to travel to the school. It'll take some time, but I think I can make it before the sun comes up.
Beast: You need to rest. Your power is astonishingly low and has been for a while.
Shadow: He is right. You need to rest.
[Name]: They're counting on me to be right behind them! I can't afford to sleep while they're waiting for the empire to react.
Beast: What help will you be if you can't even raise your eyelids let alone your blade?
[Name]: You make a solid point.
[Name] stretched and as he did his muscles ached. [Name]'s body was barely able to keep itself together. His body has sustained overwhelming amounts of damage throughout the course of the battle with the empire and against crime itself. Having very little rest in between battles has taken its toll and his body had begun to breakdown. Taking the emperor's advice would be in [Name]'s best interest. Between severe bites, cuts, stab wounds, being poisoned, and having been skewered completely; it's no surprise as to why his power is diminishing.
[Name]: I'll get some sleep, but I'll need some way to contact the Nightraid to let them know about this in the morning.
Beast: As I am now, I have no way to communicate with those of no blood or spiritual link to me. You'll have to reach the academy and hope they have the means to help.
[Name]: Grandfather, how much do you know about teigu energy?
Shadow: Everything I know was passed down through our family bloodline. It was a very basic way of using this "teigu" energy. I mastered everything we had like but there's nothing I know that could help.
[Name]: Well, in that case, I'll wait until I go.
[Name] then lied down upon the cold and rocky ground. He lied there for some time tossing and turning on the dirt as his grandfather sat cross-legged, resting himself that way. He couldn't find a way to get to sleep between knowing he'll be sealed for eternity upon his death and knowing he may not win added an entirely new dimension of stress. This level may be too much to bear for [Name]. Feeling [Name]'s fear and inner turmoil the first emperor felt like he owed it to him to at least help ease his tension.
Beast: I can help with that.
[Name] sat up and saw a near mountain-sized fingertip rush toward his face, startling him. Before he could react, he felt a rush of instantaneous relief and drifted off into a dark infinity, sleep.
Morning – Imperial Middle-Class District – Night Raid Hideout
The bright orange and blue sky hung over the imperial city. The third outermost ring was nearly completely eradicated by the empire to ensure Nightraid was destroyed. The Nightraid's Akame, whilst severely injured, helped stop the destruction. The imperials with [Name]'s help, were also driven off or killed, buying the revolution more time.
Najenda sat at the small kitchen table that they were able to use as a conference and dinner table. The table itself was far smaller than any table they'd ever used. Compared to every hideout they've had; this is the smallest and discreet. A stream of smoke flew forth from Najenda's mouth as she gently tapped the ash off the butt of the cigarette.
With [Name] not returning, their plan has already been shattered. Mine and Leone had brought the news that [Name] opted not to return in favor of going to battle an old demon within himself. This turn of events is extremely mistimed. However, Najenda has trusted [Name] through thick and thin although he isn't a true member of the Night raid. This situation is bad, unfavorable, and borderline hopeless but there is a silver lining.
She, after considering all they've been through as a group and as individuals; has realized that trusting [Name]'s decision is the best one. Najenda is no longer concerned with this passing thought. Najenda smiled as she's now fully resolved to trust [Name] and make his decision to aid them.
Morning – Polaris Academy Gates
[Name] and his grandfather after a decently long trip arrived at the famous Polaris Academy. The massive gates of the female-only magic school had an amazing aura of good spirits and charm. As the massive gates to the facility were opened, none other than Nora herself was stood before [Name] once again.
[Name]: Nora, how are you?
A bright gleamed from Nora's face.
Nora: Good and you?
[Name]: Not great.
Late Morning – Head Mistress's Office
The elder Head Mistress sat at her work desk flanked by the most veteran witches in the school. The large and spacious room was almost filled as every higher up and teacher attended this conference. Distressed at [Name]'s request, she sat with her eyes closed as her hands rested upon her lower face, elbows on the desk.
Head Mistress: [Name], this is a most unprecedented request.
[Name]: For an unprecedented time. Head Mistress, I need to gain access to the sacred texts to find a contract that'll allow for me to draw as much teigu energy as I can. You know this situation is dire.
Head Mistress: Understand that this order has vowed never to get involved in another conflict since the Sovereign War over a millennia ago. I told Nora sometime after your previous visit that I saw an enormous amount of hatred and darkness within you. Us allowing you to do this could open the door for absolute darkness for the entire planet. Even if I allow it, how do you even know that this is an ability you can achieve?
[Name]: Because the first emperor told me about it.
At that moment the air was sucked completely from the room. Every woman in the room looked at one another and the room was quickly swarming with whispering. The head mistress's eyes had shot wide at the revelation and responded promptly.
[Name]: He's already helped me use a much lesser version of the seal.
Head Mistress: How is that possible?
[Name]: I think you know precisely how. He used something he'd learned from this school to seal and preserve his spirit after death. He's called to me to stop the empire and now this is my only chance to help the revolution win this bloody war.
Kira, the most prodigious witch, who was very skeptical of [Name] upon meeting him, chimed in.
Kira: This is insane! Something like that isn't even possible. If you expect us to believe wh-
The headmistress raised a hand, queuing for silence as Kira stopped mid-sentence, obeying the command.
Head Mistress: If what you say is true then I must see for myself. [Name] look into my eyes.
[Name]: Ok I-
He gasped as her eyes turned and resembled that of the colorful kaleidoscope as she'd inhabited [Name]'s mind space. The headmistress before she knew it stood before the massive emperor-turned beast standing before her enormous eyes beaming light down upon her like the morning sun. The headmistress showed not a hint of fear nor a state of perplexion.
First Emperor: Head Mistress.
Head Mistress: It's nice to finally meet you, emperor. The tales about you have been passed down for the last thousand years.
First Emperor: I'm glad to see no one's forgotten about me.
Head Mistress: Tell me, please. How did this child come about?
First Emperor: I foresaw the events of the Prime minister seizing control of the empire. However, also foresaw I saw destruction unlike any other. I tried to reincarnate myself in hopes that maybe I could make a difference. Unfortunately, I hadn't studied the spell properly. I failed and [Name] was conceived. As a result, he has an unnaturally high predisposition to use Teigu energy or as you would call it, magic. Truthfully, I believe he was born out of necessity.
Head Mistress: I see. This destruction you foresaw, when does it occur?
First Emperor: I don't exactly know when but it's very nearby. It's right around the corner and [Name] needs this to help stop this.
Head Mistress: Hm. I suppose as a former student of the academy and emperor of the once-great empire; you can be trusted. Very well I will allow him access to the archives.
First Emperor: You're doing a good thing Head Mistress.
Head Mistress: After the war, this institution faced utter annihilation and we vowed to never deal in imperial affairs again. Yet here we are.
First Emperor: If Head Mistress Trilla didn't go out on a limb for me like you're doing for [Name] then we probably wouldn't be here now.
Head Mistress: As they say the more things change the more they stay the same it seems.
The mind space that the Head Mistress and the first emperor spoke within had dissipated. [Name] lost his balance and almost fell over. He stumbled and regained his composure.
The Head Mistress was still seated as the women in the room stood no differently than they had only seconds prior. Almost no time had gone by as the Mistress used the etheric plane to shift her consciousness within it and speak with the spirit of the emperor.
Head Mistress: I've decided that [Name] will be granted access to the texts.
Whispering and murmurs once again swarmed the room's large interior. Kira, a witch among the most powerful spoke out.
Kira: Head Mistress, forgive my tone but you must reconsider! He can bring down this entire order!
Head Mistress: I've already taken much into consideration. I too now see that if we deny [Name] passage into the archives, the empire may gain enough ground to threaten this order. When that time comes, we will not be able to win. If the empire gains access to our knowledge, then the entire world will be in no place to defend itself. Believe me, I do have my doubts, but this is the best option. I have made my decision and it is final!
"Yes, Head Mistress!" Most of the room shouted in unison. [Name] realized that these times are far direr than he'd thought. This order that hasn't shared their information with an outsider for a thousand years means desperate times for everyone. Whatever, the headmistress saw must've scared her enough to allow her to give [Name] access to whatever he needed. Although some of the witches are firmly against it, they're in no position to alter the decision of the Head Mistress.
Head Mistress: Now, the unsealing of the library will take several hours. Is there anything you will need in the meantime?
[Name]: Is there a way that I can communicate with others through their own mind space? Normal people I mean. Can you link me to someone else mentally to talk with them?
Head Mistress: Perhaps. However, ones with barely any access to an ethereal tether will be almost impossible to communicate with. I could however connect you with someone who does, such as an imperial arm user.
[Name]: I thought using an imperial arm didn't take having that much of a spiritual link to the ether.
Head Mistress: It does, and it doesn't. However, an experienced and powerful imperial arms user likely has a decently high affinity for it. Who did you have in mind, a family member?
[Name]: You can say that. I wanted to talk to a girl who I adopted some time ago to see if she was okay. But she isn't even close to being an imperial arms user. But if I can't talk to her then I'll try. . .General Esdeath.