"Nyi Roro Kidul doesn't exist in the real world," Bennett stated flatly, her voice laced with disbelief. "She's a mythical figure, a legend passed down through generations."
I frowned, a sense of confusion washing over me. "But... she helped me unlock my powers," I protested. "She guided me, taught me how to control my imagination."
Bennett shook her head, her expression firm. "It was all in your mind, Xian," she explained, her voice gentle but unwavering. "The power was always within you. Nyi Roro Kidul was just a manifestation of your own subconscious, a symbol of your untapped potential."
Her words struck a chord within me, a seed of doubt planted in my mind. Was it possible that my encounter with Nyi Roro Kidul had been nothing more than a figment of my imagination, a self-fulfilling prophecy?
The genius, who had remained silent until now, finally spoke up, their voice a soft whisper that seemed to echo through the room. "The mind is a powerful tool, Xian," they said, their gaze meeting mine with an intensity that sent shivers down my spine. "It can create worlds, conjure illusions, and even manifest reality itself. But it can also deceive, mislead, and distort the truth."
Their words hung heavy in the air, the weight of their implications settling upon me like a heavy cloak. Was I truly in control of my own powers, or was I merely a puppet, dancing to the tune of my own imagination?
The uncertainty gnawed at me, a gnawing doubt that threatened to undermine my newfound confidence. I looked at Bennett and the genius, their faces etched with a mix of concern and understanding. They had seen the power of my imagination firsthand, witnessed its ability to reshape reality. But they also recognized its potential for deception, its ability to blur the lines between truth and illusion.
"I... I don't know what to believe anymore," I finally admitted, my voice a mere whisper.
"So, Bennett, what do you want to tell me about this Xian?" the genius inquired, their voice a gentle probe, their gaze shifting between Bennett and me.
Bennett took a deep breath, her expression a mix of admiration and concern. "Xian possesses a unique and powerful ability," she began, her voice measured and deliberate. "He can manifest his imagination into reality. He can create objects, alter his surroundings, even bend the laws of physics to his will."
She paused, her gaze meeting the genius's with a newfound intensity. "But his power is also unpredictable, its full potential still unknown. We believe he's connected to the Fool God, the ancient entity who once wielded unimaginable power. And that connection makes him both a valuable asset and a potential threat."
The genius nodded slowly, their eyes never leaving mine. "I see," they said, their voice a soft whisper. "A fragment of the Fool God, walking among us. A being of limitless potential, yet also burdened by a legacy of chaos and destruction."
They leaned forward, their gaze piercing through me. "Tell me, Xian," they asked, their voice a gentle probe, "do you understand the true nature of your power? Do you grasp the responsibility that comes with such a gift?"
Their words hung heavy in the air, a challenge and an invitation, a test of my self-awareness and my resolve. I met their gaze, my own determination unwavering.
With a firm nod, I confessed, "I do..."
"I even took the Seers into my own created world and subjected them to an illusion of the apocalypse..." I revealed, my voice steady despite the weight of my actions.
Bennett's eyes widened, a flicker of surprise crossing her face. "Ah... so that's why the Seers suddenly disappeared..."
The genius leaned back in their chair, a thoughtful expression on their face. "A bold move, Imaginary," they said, their voice a mix of approval and caution. "But also a dangerous one. The Seers are not easily deterred, and your actions may have only fueled their anger and resentment... did you take anyone on this list?" The genius handed me a piece of paper with a list of names.
I quickly scanned the list, recognizing several of the names as high-ranking Seers.
The genius leaned back in their chair, a thoughtful expression on their face. "A bold move, Imaginary," they said, their voice a mix of approval and caution. "But also a dangerous one. The Seers are not easily deterred, and your actions may have only fueled their anger and resentment... did you capture anyone on this list?" The genius handed me a piece of paper with a list of names.
I quickly scanned the list, recognizing several of the names as high-ranking Seers.
"Yes, one of them named Libido... why do you know them?" I asked, my curiosity piqued.
"They forced me to give them curses," the genius replied, their voice laced with a hint of bitterness.
Bennett's eyes widened in anger. "Forced you to give curses... how dare they!"
The genius nodded, their expression somber. "Yes, they threatened me, coerced me into using my power for their own twisted purposes. I gave Libido the ability to manipulate ice, the strongest version, and Jeanthus the power to upgrade those perplexing Rubik's Cubes."
"So... what's going to happen?" I asked, a knot of worry forming in my stomach. The thought of the Seers being trapped in my illusionary world indefinitely was unsettling.
"Maybe, just maybe... they will stay alive in the world you created and eventually find a way to leave," the genius replied, their voice tinged with uncertainty.
With that, my instincts kicked in, and I instinctively created an orb of energy, a window into the dimension I had created for the Seers.
The orb shimmered, revealing a scene of utter chaos. The Seers, trapped in the illusion of a crumbling world, were desperately fighting for survival. Libido's ice constructs struggled to hold back the onslaught of falling debris, cracking and shattering under the immense pressure. The other Seers, their powers useless in this fabricated reality, huddled together in fear, their screams echoing through the desolate landscape.
"Oh, it's just Libido there? Where are the other strong Seers?" the genius asked, their voice filled with curiosity.
"Huh... I don't know," I replied, genuinely confused. "I just took those who I saw."
Bennett leaned closer to the orb, her sharp eyes noticing something. "That guy," she pointed at Libido, "he's created his own world of ice to protect the Seers... Xian, you somehow just made him stronger..."
A wave of realization washed over me. In my haste to trap the Seers, I had inadvertently given Libido the perfect opportunity to hone his powers. The constant threat of destruction in the illusionary world had forced him to push his abilities to their limits, creating a haven of ice amidst the chaos.
"Damn it," I muttered under my breath, a sense of frustration gnawing at me. I had underestimated Libido's adaptability, his ability to thrive even in the face of adversity. It was a mistake I couldn't afford to repeat.
"We need to get them out of there," Bennett said, her voice urgent. "Before Libido becomes too powerful to control."
I nodded, my resolve hardening. "I'll bring them back," I declared, my gaze fixed on the orb. "But we need to be prepared. They'll be angry, and they'll be looking for revenge. Maybe I can trick them..."
Imagine... that world... is no longer an apocalypse but has turned back to normal, with fake people walking around and doing their things. I focused my imagination, reshaping the reality within the orb.
The cataclysmic scene within the orb flickered, the crumbling buildings and fiery skies dissolving into a mundane cityscape. The panicked screams of the Seers were replaced by the chatter of pedestrians and the honking of cars. The world, once teetering on the brink of destruction, was now a bustling metropolis, its inhabitants going about their daily lives, oblivious to the drama that had unfolded just moments before.
Libido, his ice fortress now melting away in the warm afternoon sun, looked around in confusion. The fear that had gripped him moments before dissipated, replaced by a sense of bewilderment. "What... what happened?" he muttered, his voice barely a whisper.
The other Seers, equally disoriented, emerged from their makeshift shelters, their eyes scanning the transformed landscape. The panic that had consumed them was replaced by a cautious curiosity, a sense of unease lingering beneath the surface.
"Where are we?" one of them asked, his voice filled with uncertainty.
"We're back..." another Seer said, a note of relief in his voice, though his eyes remained wary.
The Seers, still hesitant but driven by a newfound curiosity, began to explore their surroundings. They walked the familiar streets, their eyes scanning the buildings and faces, searching for any sign that this wasn't their reality.
But everything seemed normal. The shops were open, people were going about their daily routines, and the sun shone brightly in the clear blue sky. It was a perfect replica of their world, a flawless imitation that masked the sinister truth of their imprisonment.
Libido, his initial confusion replaced by a growing sense of unease, approached a street vendor. "Excuse me," he said, his voice polite, "can you tell me what day it is?"
The vendor, a cheerful middle-aged woman, smiled. "It's Monday, young man," she replied. "A beautiful day to be out and about, isn't it?"
Libido nodded, a forced smile on his face. The date matched the real world, further deepening the illusion. He turned away, his mind racing. This can't be real, he thought, a cold sweat breaking out on his forehead. It's too perfect, too... normal.
He rejoined the other Seers, his unease mirrored in their expressions. They had escaped the apocalypse, but they were now trapped in a different kind of prison, a prison of their own making.
"Something's not right," Libido said, his voice low and urgent. "This world... it's too perfect. It doesn't feel real."
The other Seers murmured in agreement, their own suspicions growing. The illusion, while convincing at first, was beginning to unravel, its seams showing under their heightened scrutiny. The absence of chaos, the lack of any real danger or challenge, felt unnatural, a stark contrast to the world they knew.
"We need to find a way out of here," one of them declared, his voice filled with a newfound determination. "We can't stay trapped in this... this mockery of our world."
They began to explore the city with renewed purpose, their eyes searching for any inconsistencies, any clues that would reveal the true nature of their prison. But the more they searched, the more they realized the futility of their efforts. The illusion was too perfect, too meticulously crafted. It was a prison without bars, a cage built from their own perceptions and expectations.
Meanwhile, back in the real world, I watched the Seers' struggles with a sense of grim satisfaction. They were trapped in their own fears, their own desires for control and power. It was a fitting punishment for their crimes, a reminder that even the most powerful among us could be humbled by the boundless potential of the human imagination.
"How long are you going to keep them there?" Bennett asked, her voice a soft whisper in the quiet office.
I shrugged, a playful smile on my lips. "As long as it takes," I replied. "They need to learn a lesson, to understand the consequences of their actions, of their ancestors hunting down the Unveiled ancestors... But I'm also holding Boss Mira."
The genius's eyes widened. "Boss Mira? You actually captured her?"
"I jailed her," I confirmed, a sense of satisfaction in my voice.
The genius let out a low whistle, impressed. "That's quite a feat, Imaginary. Boss Mira is one of the most powerful Seers, known for her cunning and foresight."
"She may be powerful, but she's not invincible," I countered, a confident smirk playing on my lips. "And she underestimated the power of imagination."
Bennett nodded in agreement. "Indeed. It seems your abilities are even more impressive than we initially thought. So, where is she jailed? At the police station?"
"No, in my world," I replied, a hint of mystery in my voice.
A portal to Boss Mira's jail! I imagined, focusing my will on creating a gateway to the dimension where I had imprisoned her.
Swoosh! A swirling vortex of energy materialized in front of us.
I, the genius, and Bennett stepped through the swirling portal, emerging into the stark white room of the jail. It was sparsely furnished, with only a bed, a sink, a chair and table, and a bathroom. Mira was nowhere to be seen, but the sound of running water coming from the bathroom suggested her presence.
I walked towards the bathroom door and knocked gently. "Are you in there?"
"Huh!? Yeah! Don't come in!" she yelled from inside, her voice laced with a hint of panic.
"Is Mira really in there...?" Bennett asked, her voice a mix of disbelief and frustration. The idea of the Seer leader hiding in a bathroom seemed absurd, yet the muffled sounds from behind the door suggested otherwise.
After a few moments, the bathroom door creaked open, and Mira emerged, her hair damp and a towel draped around her shoulders. She was still wearing the same black suit she had been captured in, the stark white of the room contrasting sharply with her dark attire.
Surprise crossed my face as I took in Mira's appearance. "You... you didn't change?"
Mira shrugged, a defiant glint in her eyes. "I don't have any other clothes," she retorted. "Besides, what does it matter? I'm a prisoner here, not a fashion model."
Imagine a spare set of clothes for a woman, tailored to her body... I focused my imagination, my gaze sweeping over Mira's figure, taking in her measurements and proportions.
"Hey! What are you looking at, pervert?" Mira snapped, her cheeks flushing slightly.
"I'm trying to create clothes for you," I replied calmly, my focus unwavering.
"Oh, Mira is really here?" The genius walked closer, his eyes wide with disbelief. He circled her cautiously, as if examining a rare specimen. "I can't believe you actually captured her, Xian."
"She surrendered," I explained, a hint of amusement in my voice. Then, with a flick of my wrist, a pile of clothes materialized in my hands. "Here, change. Your clothes probably smell bad."
Mira eyed the clothes suspiciously, her expression a mix of reluctance and curiosity. "And how do I know these aren't some kind of trap?" she asked, her voice laced with a hint of suspicion.
"They're just clothes, Mira," I replied, my tone patient. "I'm not trying to trick you. I just want you to be comfortable."
She hesitated for a moment, then reluctantly took the clothes from me. "Fine," she muttered, turning towards the bathroom. "But don't you dare peek."
I rolled my eyes playfully. "Don't worry, I have better things to do than watch you change," I retorted, though a mischievous grin tugged at my lips.
While Mira was in the bathroom, Bennett and the genius engaged in a hushed conversation, their voices barely audible above the soft hum of the prison's machinery.
"This is unexpected," Bennett remarked, her eyes still fixed on the bathroom door. "I never thought Mira would surrender so easily."
The genius nodded, their expression thoughtful. "It seems the Imaginary's power is even more potent than we realized," they mused. "To instill such fear in a Seer, to break their will... it's a remarkable feat."
Bennett turned to me, her gaze searching mine. "You're full of surprises, aren't you, Xian?" she asked, a hint of admiration in her voice.
I shrugged, a sheepish grin on my face. "I just do what I have to do," I replied.
The bathroom door opened, and Mira emerged, her damp hair now tied back in a simple ponytail. She was wearing a pair of comfortable jeans and a soft, oversized sweater, the casual attire a stark contrast to her usual power suit. The change in clothing seemed to have softened her demeanor, her expression less guarded, more approachable.
"Better?" I asked, a playful smile on my lips.
Mira nodded, but a flicker of suspicion crossed her face. "I'm a bit worried, though. These clothes fit me perfectly. What exactly did you imagine when you were looking at my body?"
"Why are you looking at me like I'm a pervert..." I retorted, a hint of mock offense in my voice. "I was merely ensuring the clothes would fit properly."
The genius chuckled, breaking the momentary tension. "Now, now, let's not jump to conclusions," they said, their voice a soothing balm. "I'm sure Xian had the best of intentions."
They turned to Mira, their gaze curious. "So, Boss Mira," they began, their voice gentle but probing, "would you care to explain why you surrendered? What did you see in your vision that convinced you to give up the fight?"
Mira sighed, her shoulders slumping slightly. "I saw... destruction," she admitted, her voice heavy with regret. "I saw the Seers falling, their plans crumbling, their power extinguished. I saw a future where we were hunted, persecuted, our very existence threatened."
She paused, her gaze meeting the genius's with a newfound vulnerability. "And I saw... myself. Alone, defeated, my daughter left to fend for herself in a world that despised us. It was a future I couldn't bear to face."
Bennett nodded slowly, her expression understanding. "So you chose surrender, hoping to protect your daughter?"
Mira's eyes filled with tears. "Yes," she whispered, her voice choked with emotion. "She's all I have left. I couldn't let her suffer because of my mistakes."
Bennett's expression shifted, a cold, calculating glint replacing the empathy in her eyes. "Well... tell me, Mira," she said, her voice taking on a sharper edge, "about your Seers' goals and everything you know about them. I know where your daughter lives."
Mira's eyes widened in alarm, her fists clenching tightly. "Don't you dare..." she growled, her voice filled with a protective fury. The threat to her daughter was a line she would not allow anyone to cross.
A tense silence filled the room, the air thick with unspoken threats and simmering anger. Bennett's words had struck a nerve, exposing Mira's vulnerability and reminding her of the high stakes involved. She was caught between a rock and a hard place, her loyalty to the Seers clashing with her love for her daughter. The conflict was etched on her face, a battle between duty and maternal instinct.
I watched the exchange with a growing sense of unease. Bennett's tactics, though effective, felt manipulative and cruel. I understood the need to extract information from Mira, but I couldn't condone using her daughter as leverage. It felt like a violation of trust, a betrayal of the principles we were fighting for.
"Tsk! Tell me... what do you guys want to hear?" Mira finally said, her voice laced with bitterness and resignation. The fight had gone out of her, replaced by a weary acceptance of her predicament.
< Chapter 200 > Fin.