Generally, to achieve a positive outcome, the richer the reward, the greater the motivation.
When you offer an irresistible condition, one you can genuinely deliver, it sparks enthusiasm in those under you.
This principle applies not just to humans but to Outer Gods as well.
The more they yearned for their goal, the harder they worked, for every effort brought them closer to ultimate liberation.
Roy, resting on a warm lap pillow, napped until sunset, the fading glow rousing him. Opening his weary eyes, he felt a surreal disconnect, as if ages had passed.
In that brief slumber, the world had undergone cataclysmic change, or rather, returned to its primal baseline.
Shattered cities and fractured continents were seamlessly restored.
Likewise, troublesome entities, whether in valleys or deep seas, relocated willingly after "friendly" negotiations with the Outer Gods.
No need to await the stars' alignment or prepare rituals; today, they'd handle the rest.
A short nap, yet the planet transformed beyond recognition. Hard to believe mere hours had passed. Hours ago, he was mulling retirement and baring his heart to those he cherished most.
Reflecting on this trajectory, Roy was at a loss for words.
But such was reality. Though dissatisfied with this hard-won outcome, what could he do?
He'd surrendered his status and everything once more. First his body, now his status and Third Magic. Save for his soul, he was left with nothing.
Whether he was still himself, or the same Roy from the start, was nearly a paradox.
Swapping bodies so often was almost comical, he wasn't Aozaki Touko…
When change is inevitable, you can only choose an outcome you can accept.
First, a gaggle of Outer Gods inexplicably targeted him, chased him relentlessly, unveiled cryptic secrets and origins, and presented a slew of bewildering choices. The ordeal gave Roy a headache.
He wanted no ties with these beings, but that was impossible. These supremely selfish, willful entities wouldn't relent until their goals were met.
The only solution was banishment, their sole unresisted desire.
"Well, that was a good nap. Time to get to work."
Gazing at the gaping hole in the Wandering Sea's mountain peak, Roy stood, stretching comfortably, then extended a hand to the golden-haired princess behind him.
"I'll step away briefly, my princess. Time to send those willful beings off."
Where was this final act set?
Location: The Wandering Sea's plaza.
Without consulting the locals, they chose the nearest convenient spot.
Dense figures filled the plaza, having completed Roy's demands early, now calmly awaiting the final moment.
Initially, some Outer Gods rushed to claim their reward, but seeing Roy asleep, they withdrew quietly.
Everything was over, the goal within reach. No need to squabble over the last few hours; they could wait patiently.
Roy didn't deceive or disappoint them. Soon after waking, he arrived to fulfill his ordained, sacred role.
Taking the invisible sword, freshly adjusted by Yog-Sothoth, from Nyarlathotep's hands, Roy paced the plaza.
His task was simple: send these beings into the ark, sealing them into the sword he held.
Without hesitation, he thrust the blade into each eager Outer God, absorbing their consciousness and vessels.
Witnessing their kin truly enter the ark, bound for the new world, the Outer Gods felt an indescribable peace and joy. Earlier fears of Roy's trickery vanished.
Those lingering doubts dissolved in the ecstasy of attaining their coveted prize. They no longer cared about being commanded or what a mere human had done, their hearts brimming with relief and anticipation.
The invisible sword slashed and pierced relentlessly. Facing strikes capable of shattering phases, feeling the pain of the blade, the Outer Gods didn't recoil but laughed uproariously in the surge of joy and peace.
"Hahahahahaha!!"
"Hahahahahaha!!"
A cacophony of eerie, booming laughter echoed through the Wandering Sea.
The sound's unnatural force shattered glass and instruments, shaking the entire mountain range.
Time passed swiftly; Roy's movements quickened.
Minutes ago, hundreds of otherworldly fiends crowded here. Now, only a handful remained, no, just three.
Petite, with a signature white tuft of hair, Nyarlathotep's face radiated delight and charm. Watching the scene, her smile was genuine, this peace precisely what she sought.
Like Yog-Sothoth, she was a mastermind behind this grand design. Though Roy's influence had softened her nature, the change wasn't unwelcome.
The outcome diverged from her expectations, but the ending was right, signaling a perfect close. Time to savor this heartfelt peace and happiness.
Turning to Shub-Niggurath, Roy, sword in hand, plunged the blade into her in a blink.
"Oh? So decisive? I thought you'd cry bidding Mommy farewell."
As the imperceptible blade pierced her, Shub-Niggurath felt an unimaginable surge of joy and freedom.
Her body was truly slipping from the dream…
Her fate had shifted. One last step, absorption and projection by Roy, and it would be complete.
"This feels like a better farewell. You're not my real mother, but thanks for your help."
"Tch… so unforthcoming, my child."
"We lack blood ties, but you truly captured my attention."
"If I didn't know I couldn't sway your will, I'd drag you from this dull universe and keep you by my side through endless ages."
"Pass. I'd go mad." Roy shook his head.
"Pfft, life with Mommy would lack fun? So unforthcoming…"
In her final moments, Shub-Niggurath chuckled fondly, glancing at Nyarlathotep and Yog-Sothoth.
"That's it, then. I'm going in. Don't linger too long; those inside are getting impatient."
To Shub-Niggurath's nudge, Nyarlathotep waved dismissively, "Why care about them? A bunch of troublemakers bullying Lil bro. If this universe didn't cramp my style, I'd have flattened them all."
"And hurry up. Your mouth's about to give you away. Don't want to show Lil bro your other side-"
Bang!!
Before Nyarlathotep could finish, a sudden fist sent her flying.
"Talk too much."
But still…
"I'm off, child. Mommy left you some gifts. Nyarlathotep will pass them on later."
"Got it. Goodbye, Mother…"
"Mhm."
Hearing Roy's final address, Shub-Niggurath beamed with joy, suppressing wild ecstasy to maintain a motherly poise before vanishing.
Now, only Nyarlathotep and Yog-Sothoth remained.
These two had aided Roy most, earning his deepest gratitude.
"Ugh, hitting me before leaving? Hateful Onee-san…"
Rubbing her neck, Nyarlathotep sauntered back as always, grabbing Yog-Sothoth's hand and rushing to Roy.
"Just us now, Lil bro."
"Yeah, just you two."
Roy nodded, not hastening to seal them into the ark. He wanted to hear what these two, deliberately lingering, had to say.
"Hehe, I've got tons to say, but the new world's more enticing than chitchat."
"But since those guys waited this long, a bit more won't hurt. The goal's so close, a minute or two won't matter."
"Your minute or two?" Roy sensed trouble.
"No, no, Shub-Niggurath'd kill me, and Yog-Sothoth wouldn't agree. Just your sense of time."
Nyarlathotep shook her head, winking playfully.
"But Shub-Niggurath was right about one thing, gotta hand over the gifts we prepared."
"Gifts?"
Roy was surprised, struggling to imagine what these Outer Gods could deem gifts.
"Yup, gifts."
"Since we screwed you over, taking your body, hijacking your status, even snatching the Third Magic, a little toy, that's too much, even for me."
"As your Onee-san, how could I let you take such a hit for nothing? Those idiots balked at first, but Shub-Niggurath, Yog-Sothoth, and I leaned on them, and they coughed it up. Now that it's all settled, it's the perfect time to give it to you."
With that, Nyarlathotep winked at Yog-Sothoth.
"Hey, Yog-Sothoth, it's ready, right? That thing we talked about."
"Of course."
Expressionless, Yog-Sothoth pulled a strange, talisman-like stone from her pocket. Ignoring Nyarlathotep's attempt to snatch it, she stepped forward to Roy.
"..."
"..."
After a brief, silent stare, she said nothing, merely pressing the glowing stone gently into Roy's body.
In that instant, Roy felt his body lighten, as if he'd grown taller, no, he was floating.
His soul detached, hovering midair, with Yog-Sothoth smiling at him.
"What's this? Claiming my last shred of value?"
"Don't rush, Lil bro. It's about to start."
Seeing Roy's confusion, Nyarlathotep grinned. As promised, his soul began to change.
In a fleeting moment, Roy sensed his soul altered by some peculiar force. A dark green glimmer flickered deep within.
Under this strange energy, his soul twisted, morphing.
In mere breaths, his soul underwent countless shifts, black, white, green, colors unfurling behind him, enveloping it, then erupting.
It took scant seconds, barely a dozen.
Thud!
With the sound of a body hitting the ground, Roy felt solidity beneath his feet.
"What's this? A new body?!"
Incredulous, Roy touched his face and hair, glancing at the eerie black robes radiating strangeness, unlike his usual style. His current state baffled him.
It was physical, with all human functions.
Yet… the sensation was indescribable, elusive. He felt omnipotent. Though this body lacked magical circuits, it was like a conduit and filter, needing no refinement, just endless extraction and wielding of power.
The source seemed to be points or planes in the boundless cosmos above. If he wished, he could draw any power needed.
"This… is the Outer Gods' power?"
He grasped the true origin and meaning of this force.
"Bingo, Lil bro. This is the gift from me, Yog-Sothoth, Shub-Niggurath, M'shithra, even Ghroth, Abhoth, all the Outer Gods. We couldn't restore your original status, but we can compensate with power. This is a relay to all Outer Gods' true forms in the ark, your new body."
"We're leaving soon for a new universe. To stabilize the dream, our true forms can't leave this cosmos, but transferring consciousness suffices. The dormant bodies left behind, along with their power and control, are yours. Not just commanding, this is a true handover. Use it, draw from it, however you like. Consider it our amends."
Nyarlathotep winked playfully, emphasizing, "Lil bro, you can live as you please now. Anything you want, even crafting a custom world, is a mere thought away."
This body was less a vessel than a relay and pump.
Its source: the Outer Gods, their mindless, slumbering forms in the cosmos. After reaching the new world, these were cast into cosmic depths or their domains, left to eternal sleep until destruction. The Outer Gods no longer cared for them, so gifting them to Roy was no issue, a fair compensation to avoid future grief from Nyarlathotep or Shub-Niggurath.
With this body, Roy sensed countless doors, each tied to an Outer God's true form.
With a thought, wielding their power or commanding their kin was effortless. Nyarlathotep's gift essentially handed him the universe, a lone pantheon of one.
Stretching, Nyarlathotep sidled up to Roy, grinning mischievously.
"All done. Figure it out slowly. But be careful, our power's immense. A slip could obliterate star systems. Time for us to enter the ark. It's my dream, too~"
She tossed the fallen invisible sword back to Roy.
Though deeply attached to him, the new world beckoned stronger.
One thing was certain: no matter the eons, she'd never forget her Lil bro.
"Alright."
Taking the sword, Roy prepared to send Nyarlathotep into it.
"Yog-Sothoth first. I'm your Onee-san, so I go last, duh."
Self-appointed, but…
Roy grumbled internally but didn't voice it, turning to Yog-Sothoth.
"Come on, Abigail. Time to send you off."
"Mhm."
Yog-Sothoth didn't resist, stepping to Roy's side, gazing at him earnestly.
Her purpose was to witness this plan's end. With it fulfilled, no reason remained to stay.
As the blade pierced her, overwhelming joy engulfed her, and she vanished.
"Sweet! I'm the last one~"
Seeing Yog-Sothoth depart reality, Nyarlathotep skipped gleefully to Roy.
"I really wanted to drag you along, Lil bro. But that'd make you miserable. We've twisted your life enough; we won't meddle with your final wish."
"I was tempted to take something from you, like Shub-Niggurath, maybe snag some 'seeds'… If I could raise a Lil bro's heir, that'd be…"
Pfft!!
Hearing Nyarlathotep's outrageous words, Roy unhesitatingly thrust the invisible sword into her.
"Oh, learning on the fly? That's Yog-Sothoth's power… No shame in using it. A pity, but fine. If I did that, Shub-Niggurath'd go berserk with jealousy."
Nyarlathotep's form faded, absorbed into Roy's status.
In her final fleeting moment, she leaned to his ear, whispering, "About those girls…"
"What now?"
"Don't tense up. I didn't touch them. Just some parting words. Don't deny it, you love them. But your guilt, feeling it's irresponsible or unfair, makes you dodge and deflect."
"No need for that. You've nothing to fear. You hold divine power now. Be a bit more selfish… you've earned the right."
Roy felt a sudden dampness on his cheek, as if kissed, but when he looked, Nyarlathotep was gone.
The invisible sword, having absorbed all Outer Gods, lifted into the air as the ark, shooting toward some cosmic direction at indescribable speed.
A dazzling beam erupted from an otherworldly barrier, cleaving galaxies and world-rifts, forging a [passage] beyond human comprehension before nearby stars or zones could react.
In an instant, it crossed star rivers, then breached the universe, hurtling to the unpredictable outer cosmos, seeking true, freedom.
"Man, such reckless guys, leaving so eagerly?"
Gazing at the ark's cosmic leap, Roy sighed softly.
No reluctance, but a faint sense of loss lingered.
Happiness…
A beautiful yet alien word to him, yet seemingly within reach…
Roy snapped his fingers. Countless eyes opened in the shadows behind, stabilizing chaotic phases while glimpsing the near futures of various timelines.
"Not bad. But why not be a bit more reckless?"
"Knowing the ending changes nothing."
The sunset vanished, and all returned to calm.
The world didn't end, didn't even change. Everything seemed untouched.
Then...
The youth who ended it all turned, walking toward the horizon, chasing his small slice of happiness
--- [END] ---