After multiple days, A'malther continued working on his laboratory, not only in search for what can be used for improvement, but also different studies to improve himself, or the souls inside him to become stronger by still having that energy inside him.
Sebastian remained at A'malther's side, but feeling terror inside him during all the time, along deep worry and fear.
After a moment, suddenly, A'habbat calls A'malther, who after few seconds, goes to be with her, but then notices Cain being with her, as if he was also wanting to call A'malther.
A'malther focused to look at A'habbat, intrigued for what she could want. But then, Cain is the one talking instead.
Cain: "... A'malther... You have been acting strange lately..."
Cain stopped talking as the stare of A'malther was piercing through his soul.
Slowly, A'malther started taking slow steps towards Cain, who also stepped back from A'malther.
Cain: "M-my l-lord?... I-I... I-I did not want to... M-mean what you maybe t-thought..."
Quickly, A'habbat reached to bring Felix, throwing it against A'malther, who stopped once Felix got landed on his torso, and then he started carrying it in his arms, slowly turning his eyes to look at Felix.
A'habbat then slowly took with caution A'malther, leading him away from what was possibly ending in death. It was clear, he wasn't Am'lather anymore, he was still inside there, but yet, that was now that force of determination.
A tense silence lingered in the air as A'habbat gently led A'malther away, her touch both firm and soothing. Felix, resting in his arms, radiated its comforting warmth and affectionate energy, calming A'malther's seething aura just enough to suppress any immediate violence. A'malther's gaze remained distant, his glowing eyes flickering erratically as if caught between his former self and the overwhelming force of determination now consuming him.
A'habbat spoke softly, her voice laced with equal parts affection and concern.
A'habbat: "My king, your work has been tireless... Perhaps it is time to pause, to enjoy the peace you have built. Even gods must rest and reflect, do they not?"
A'malther's gaze softened momentarily as he looked at Felix, the creature's pure, untainted joy resonating faintly within him. But the flicker of recognition in his eyes vanished quickly, his expression hardening as his aura pulsed, causing faint tremors to ripple through the voidful domain. Without a word, A'malther allowed A'habbat to guide him further into their private chambers, away from prying eyes.
Meanwhile, in the Laboratory
Sebastian knelt beside Cain, carefully examining the brother of Able with his usual precision, though his movements betrayed a deep unease. Cain sat on a nearby bench, clutching his chest as though struggling to contain the lingering weight of A'malther's piercing stare. His normally calm demeanor was shattered, replaced by a rare and raw vulnerability.
Sebastian: "You are fortunate to have survived his gaze, Cain. Whatever he has become... it is not entirely him anymore. The force driving him is alien—corrupted determination, I fear. It warps even the strongest of wills."
Cain looked up, his voice shaking. "We must act, Sebastian. He is no longer the god we swore loyalty to. If this continues, it will destroy not just him, but everything he's built—and us with it."
Sebastian frowned, his mind racing as he considered the gravity of the situation.
Sebastian: "Perhaps... Nexus may offer insight. Its capacity for logical calculation far surpasses ours. If anyone or anything can find a solution, it would be that system."
Cain nodded hesitantly.
Cain: "Then we act swiftly. Nexus will know how to stabilize him, or at least guide us toward answers. Let us waste no more time."
The two arrived at Nexus's core, its endless stream of glowing data cascading like a digital waterfall across the room's walls. The AI's pulsing crimson light glowed ominously, its presence dominating the space as if aware of their desperation before they even spoke.
Cain: "Nexus, you are aware of A'malther's condition. We seek answers—methods to either return him to his former self or stabilize the force consuming him. Is it possible?"
Nexus's voice echoed, cold and calculated. "His condition is an anomaly beyond natural comprehension. The force within him is self-sustaining, fueled by the amalgamation of determination and the billions of souls within his core. Stabilizing it would require isolating the force from his mind, an act that could fracture him entirely."
Sebastian: "Then what do you propose? There must be a way to guide him back, or at least allow him to coexist with this... entity inside him."
Nexus paused, the room falling silent save for the soft hum of its processing systems. Then, its voice returned, sharper and more deliberate.
Nexus: "Two options exist. The first is containment—constructing a powerful system to suppress the force of determination and his divine energy. However, this would likely render A'malther immobile, reducing him to a dormant state."
Cain: "And the second?"
Nexus: "Separation. Extract the force of determination from his essence and isolate it within a vessel capable of withstanding its power. Such a process would require a dangerously high level of precision and resources, and the risks are considerable. A'malther could be weakened permanently, or worse, destroyed."
Cain's expression hardened. "Neither option is ideal... but we must decide. The longer we wait, the further we risk losing him completely—and the more danger we place ourselves in."
Sebastian placed a hand on Cain's shoulder. "Then let us act with care. A'malther entrusted us with his vision of creation and peace. We must honor that trust, even if it means risking everything to save him."
As the two deliberated, A'habbat continued guiding A'malther through their chambers, distracting him with reminders of their shared vision. She spoke of the worlds they had saved, the balance they had restored, and the love they shared.
A'habbat: "My king, you are the foundation of all this. Without you, the multiverse would crumble under its own weight. But you cannot carry this burden alone. Allow those who serve you to aid you—to share in your vision and your struggle."
A'malther's aura dimmed slightly as he listened, Felix nuzzling against his chest. A flicker of his old self seemed to stir within, but the overpowering force of determination remained ever-present, a volatile storm threatening to consume him completely.
A'habbat resolved silently: If they cannot save him... then I must. No matter the cost.
In the way, for A'habbat's surprise, A'malther weakly whispered, as if only that was already exhausting.
A'malther: "... Q-quit it..."
A'habbat froze mid-step, her eyes wide with shock as A'malther's weak whisper reached her ears. She turned to face him, his towering form now hunched slightly, his cosmic aura flickering erratically like a flame caught in the wind. His body trembled, the glow of his eye sockets dimming as if the battle within him was draining his very existence.
A'habbat: "Quit it? My king... What are you asking me to quit? Speak to me!"
A'malther's grip on Felix tightened momentarily before loosening, the glow of his skeletal fingers fading to a dull hue. A'malther didn't respond back, but his expression and face was shadowy.
A'habbat remained confused, but decided to continue leading him to their bedroom. Maybe, after all, what he needed was some rest, after everything that happened so soon, and was a high level of immense mix of feelings and emotions, for him and for everyone.
Meanwhile, in the Laboratory
Sebastian and Cain stood before Nexus, the AI's crimson light reflecting off their worried faces as it processed A'habbat's report of A'malther's state. Nexus's voice broke the tense silence.
Nexus: "The situation is escalating rapidly. The force of determination has fully manifested within him, overtaking his consciousness. He is no longer in control."
Cain: "Then what do we do? There has to be a way to separate it—to free him without... without destroying him."
Sebastian: "Nexus, earlier you mentioned the risk of separation. Is it still possible? Even with the added chaos?"
Nexus's processors hummed, the room filling with a rhythmic pulse as it calculated.
Nexus: "It remains possible but improbable. Extracting the determination force requires a vessel capable of containing its raw power. None of you, nor I, are suitable. If A'malther fell to the determination force, that means is an entity out of possible control, and possess endless control over any entity it becomes it's vessel."
Cain: "If the problem is that force being inside him, how about Sebastian heals A'malther, while for other part, that force is extracted from A'malther?"
Nexus: "... By my analysis of A'malther physiology... That can most probably work as a success, or end in his faith in death... As I see all data from his physiology, and is a very volatile action with multiple, but all dangerous, possibilities as solutions."
Sebastian: "If his physiology makes it volatile, then we must take the risk. Nexus, explain us what are this possibilities."
Nexus: "... The first one, A'malther becomes soulless. He will be who he is, but he will not feel anything, and will mostly fall in careless behavior. The second one, A'malther dusts, dying. As without a soul, his magic will being uncontrolled, and vanish, being lost in the process. The third one, A'malther's real soul is freed. This will make A'malther get back to his true self and true form, loosing all his current power, and being saved inside the determination force. The fourth one, an anomaly happens. This is a chance of any possible anomaly happening to A'malther, as his body, soul, mind, or any other possibility."
Cain: "And... If he gets back to his true self form, that would be the best possibility, correct?"
Nexus: "... Not the true self you know... That was his 'true self' in full power, but without determination, his true self, real self, as his true soul, will be freed, and he will not be capable of much. Weak, and most importantly... A kid."
Cain and Sebastian instantly got surprised, not expecting that answer. A'malther's true self from his true soul, a kid?
After a moment of both thinking, suddenly, A'habbat reached them, worried, and with Felix in her arms. But quickly, A'malther appeared from where A'habbat ran from, his face completely shadowed, with only two red lines as eyes, and taking slow steps closer.
After a short moment, A'malther stopped in front of them, but then, he looked at his right hand, while was opening and closing it. Then, he raised it up, and with a surprise shock move for them, A'malther pierced his own chest, his own heart, and red numbers started appearing up of his head, while his body was trembling and shaking.
After a moment, he took his hand out, holding a red heart, then with very slow steps, he moved closer to where all the souls he had saved, those billions of souls, used to be. And with a quick move, he raised his right arm and hand, and threw the red heart inside an empty jar.
The jar instantly started to fill up with a red glow of light from inside, as the red heart was sealed. After a moment, A'malther started to walk back with very slow steps and trembling. Each step was slightly slower, while trembling and shaking more. Until in his way to move towards A'habbat, he suddenly fell down.
A'habbat gasped, dropping to her knees beside A'malther's motionless form. Her hands trembled as she gently lifted his head, cradling it against her chest. Felix squirmed in her arms, trying to climb onto A'malther's chest, but his glow dimmed as if sensing the gravity of the situation.
A'habbat: "A'malther! My king, what have you done? Why... why would you do this to yourself?"
Sebastian quickly approached, his plague doctor mask hiding the deep concern in his expression, but his body language betrayed him. He knelt beside A'malther, inspecting his body for signs of life.
Sebastian: "He's alive... barely. His magical essence is almost completely drained. Whatever he's done, it's left him in a severely weakened state. A'habbat, help me lift him."
Together, they managed to carry A'malther to a nearby table, where Sebastian began his examination. His hands hovered over A'malther's trembling form, faint wisps of green healing energy radiating from his palms.
Sebastian: "He's removed his determination force... and possibly his soul along with it. That heart... it's what's keeping his consciousness tethered to existence. If we leave it sealed for too long, he may never recover fully—or worse, he may lose who he is entirely."
Cain, standing in the doorway, stared at the jar holding the glowing red heart. He cautiously stepped toward it, his presence steady but filled with hesitation.
Cain: "That heart... it's not just his soul, is it? It's something more. The determination force... It's alive in there. And now, without it, A'malther is vulnerable. Nexus, do you have any readings?"
Nexus's voice echoed throughout the laboratory, its tone flat but tinged with urgency.
Nexus: "The red heart contains both his soul and the raw determination force, held in a precarious balance. However, without a host, the determination force will begin to destabilize within the next 48 hours. If it fractures... reality may unravel in this domain."
A'habbat turned sharply toward Nexus, her eyes fierce.
A'habbat: "Then we don't have 48 hours. Nexus, analyze the risks of reintegrating the heart back into him. Can we stabilize him without breaking the balance?"
Nexus: "Unclear. Reintegration poses severe risks. Without the full strength of his determination force, his body may reject the process entirely. Alternatively, the determination force could overpower him again, recreating the instability we're attempting to avoid. A secondary vessel remains the safest option, but finding one compatible within this time frame is unlikely."
Felix chirped softly, nudging A'malther's hand with his gooey body. A faint spark of light flickered in A'malther's fingertips, but his body remained limp.
Cain: "There has to be another way. He's fought so hard to get here, to protect all of us. We can't let it end like this."
A'habbat, stroking A'malther's hair gently, nodded with determination.
A'habbat: "No. It won't end like this. We'll bring him back... together. Nexus, prepare every resource we have in the domain. Sebastian, focus on stabilizing his body. Cain, watch that heart and make sure nothing interferes with it. I'll... I'll stay with him."
Sebastian nodded and placed a reassuring hand on A'habbat's shoulder.
Sebastian: "We'll save him. We must."
As the team worked tirelessly, the jar containing the heart began to pulse, its glow intensifying with every beat. Felix remained at A'malther's side, his cheerful energy now subdued as if understanding the weight of the moment.
A'malther's chest rose faintly with shallow breaths, and for a moment, his lips moved, whispering something inaudible. A'habbat leaned closer, tears forming in her eyes as she strained to hear.
A'malther: "... I... believe... in... you..."
With those words, his body fell completely still, leaving his fate in the hands of those who had vowed to save him. The red heart pulsed again, as if waiting, watching, and testing the resolve of those who would decide his destiny.