"How is this possible? I'm already worried about a Cephalon personally invading Earth, but a Cephalon being born on Earth is just as concerning."
Erta was still pondering these questions even as they returned home. On the other hand, Caelum was still arguing with their new Cephalon as he examined his new abilities.
[Father, I have analysed your memories and I can only say that your combat style is quite simple and woefully primitive.]
"You damn brat! Then would you have done better if you were me?"
[Obviously. I have created a simulation of how you could use your powers and even incorporate your new wing. Please watch it. It will be of great help to you.]
Caelum was intrigued and immersed himself in the simulation that appeared in his mind. The Cephalon Ciel was not only connected to him, however. It was connected to Erta very deeply as well, perhaps as an effect of the Life Covenant.
Erta was watching a news report about the simulacrum incident, but there were not many details as it happened too quickly and only she and Caelum were really involved in it. When she noticed that Caelum went silent, she took the opportunity to finally ask Ciel her questions.
"Ciel, how were you born exactly?"
[I originally was a mere program that Father had absorbed from the simulacra, Mother. Although I was born from the power of the Akashic Record, I was not a true existence. However, Father had also devoured a fragment of Cephalon Simaris.
With that as a catalyst, the Imaginary Tree took control of the formless program absorbed by Father and forged a new Cephalon. The only thing I was lacking then was a name to complete my ego. So I am truly grateful for the name you gave me, Mother.]
"Wait, Cephalon Simaris? You mean The Collector?!"
"What's he collecting?"
Caelum, who had been watching the simulation shown to him, heard the two's conversation. He knew what a Cephalon was since knowledge of the most pertinent races directly under the Anchors was given to him by the Imaginary Tree. However, he did not know the individuals themselves.
"Cephalon Simaris, also known as The Collector, is infamous for not only killing during invasions. He hunts other races and drags them back to their homeworld Akasha. No one knows what he does with those he has abducted though."
[Cephalon Simaris uses them for experiments. I cannot say what those experiments are since those memories are not included in the fragment that created me. However, I can say that with Cephalon Simaris personally conducting reconnaissance, it is highly likely that the other Cephalons are preparing for a large-scale invasion.]
The room fell silent. They knew that if the Cephalons did launch a large-scale invasion, Earth would not be able to fight back. Two people could not possibly protect an entire world no matter how powerful they were. And Earth would ultimately fall to the same predicament as Sanctuary.
"It's happening much faster than I expected. The other avatars are still not as strong as I want them to be. They won't be ready."
A heavy atmosphere hung over them. It was not lost on them that the recent crises had all happened right where Caelum was. From the invasion of monsters in Reignbow Park to the demon invasion in Sylven District to the Avalon dungeon and the simulacrum invasion.
Every one of them was close by for him to resolve. It was like he was being targeted. It may seem fine at first glance since the strongest Avatar on Earth could deal with them, but the other Avatars would have no way to grow.
Training could only take them so far without risking their lives. And what if something else happens in a place far away from Caelum? Or what if he was stuck in a dungeon when an invasion happens? Who will save them then?
"We need to gather more avatars that would listen to us. We can start with a small group and train them. Do you have anyone in mind, Cal?"
"I can think of a few."
[I have analysed a few individuals with potential. I shall provide a list.]
With Ciel's words, several images appeared in Caelum and Erta's minds. They were profiles of several people with specific details listed.
{[Name: Ceres Ilina Grace]
[Race: Human]
[Stigmata: Unawakened (83%)]
[Potential: True Avatar Candidate]}
{[Name: Reynor Grey]
[Race: Human]
[Stigmata: Spectre]
[Potential: Primary Avatar]}
[I have only been able to collect data from these two individuals. I need close contact to be able to draw out information from other people.]
Caelum and Erta were dumbfounded for different reasons. Caelum went through the list of details again to make sure he read it correctly. He was trembling slightly as he did so.
"How? Is Ceres really the True Avatar candidate? What the hell is the Imaginary Tree thinking?!"
"That doesn't matter. We'll just have to teach her from now on. I'm more surprised by this ability of yours, Ciel. You can even tell someone's rank as an avatar. This will be incredibly valuable."
Even among individuals chosen by each world's Anchors, the avatars have varying ranks. The highest rank reserved for the representative of the Anchor itself is the True Avatar, the leader of all avatars of the Anchor they serve.
And below that are the main armies of the Anchors composed of Primary and Secondary Avatars. Primary Avatars are stronger than Secondary Avatars but also fewer in number. They are akin to generals commanding the multitude of weaker avatars.
And even among these Primary Avatars, the strongest few have the opportunity to become True Avatars, thus they are called True Avatar candidates.
[Would you like to see your own profiles, Mother? Since I am connected to you and Father, I am able to analyse you both completely.]
Hearing her words, the two nodded. If they could learn more about themselves, then it would surely help in their growth. It was too precious an opportunity to miss.
The previous two profiles disappeared and were replaced by another two detailing each of their abilities, even those that they did not know of.
{[Name: Caelum Grace]
[Race: Human]
[Stigmata: Imaginary Tree]
[Potential: True Avatar Successor (Trial in progress)]
[Titles: Pillar of Grace | Angel of Slaughter | The Once and Future King]
[Aspects: #### | Gluttony | Troll's Vitality | Life Covenant | Eternal Flame | Dragon Heart]
[Status: Stigmata sealed (3 out of 10 seals broken)
>Wing of Serenity
>Wing of Chaos
>Wing of Reason]}
{[Name: Erta Ki'ana]
[Race: High Alf (Seraphim)
[Stigmata: Judgement]
[Potential: True Avatar Candidate]
[Titles: Cherished Light of the Divine Obelisk | Angel of Light]
[Aspects: Judgement | Holy Light | Holy Flame | Life Covenant | Dragon Heart]}
"I can understand Erta's aspects, but why are mine so weird? Did you make a mistake in your analysis, Ciel? Also, could you remove those embarrassing titles?"
[Father, my existence is sustained by your power. There is no possibility of error in my analysis. However, the Imaginary Tree has prevented me from seeing everything. Other than your first aspect, however, everything else is correct.]
"I don't really see any problems with your aspects, Cal."
"What do you mean no problems?! What about Gluttony?! Do I look like a glutton to you?!"
"Honey, please. You've been devouring your enemies from the beginning. Besides, the most important point is that your trial as the True Avatar's successor is already in progress. Is that why we haven't met the True Avatar of the Imaginary Tree?"
[Mother, the Imaginary Tree currently has no True Avatar. And Father has already been given the authority and responsibilities of the True Avatar since the moment the Imaginary Tree revealed itself to the people of Earth. He is the only True Avatar that the Imaginary Tree will ever have.]
They were speechless once again. Caelum already learned of this during his time in the Imaginary Space, but he could not help feeling disappointed at not being able to wield the authority of the True Avatar fully.
After all, not only had he yet to truly claim the position, his own power was also not enough. Right now, he was only about as strong as the S-rank Chosen, or so he assumed. He had not met an actual S-rank to compare himself to. He was just taking the people's word for it.
To make them follow him, however, he must be able to overwhelm them with his power, especially since he cannot wield the power of absolute obedience that True Avatars exercise over all other avatars.
Meanwhile, Erta's attention was caught by the fact that Caelum was already chosen to be the True Avatar from the very beginning. And even more importantly, that he was the only True Avatar that the Imaginary Tree will ever have.
Although he was still undergoing his trial, it was merely to facilitate his growth into becoming a True Avatar. With Caelum being the sole True Avatar and Ceres being a True Avatar candidate, Erta thought that such a coincidence was too uncanny, suspicious even.
There must be a deeper reason, one that the Imaginary Tree itself is fully invested in to warrant the madness that Caelum had to endure in the Imaginary Space.
[I recommend not worrying over this. I believe time will resolve it for us. It is best to focus on what can and must be done at the moment.]
"Right…. Let's meet with Reynor tomorrow. Ciel, how long will it take for Ceres to awaken her stigmata?"
[I am uncertain. Your sister's power is not as powerful and abnormal as yours, Father, but it is nonetheless extremely potent. Perhaps the reason why it has yet to awaken is because the Imaginary Tree knows that she is not yet ready.]
"Hey brat, is that a compliment or an insult? And what do you mean she's not ready?"
[You know it as well, Father. Ceres Ilina Grace is afraid. She is afraid of everything in this changed world. And she is especially afraid and resentful of the Imaginary Tree.]