Amanises' dark eyes remained fixed on the southern horizon where the sun began to set, dyeing the skies pale orange. She slowly closed her eyes and let out a deep sigh, immersing herself into the pleasant sensation of her potion digesting.
A Knight carrying their burden should never stray back—only advance. She turned around.
This was a principle she had concluded not long ago. A Knight of Misfortune's ritual had multiple options, each with greater difficulty than the last; a worthy risk. While the Demonic Wolves hadn't been completed extinguished, it was still undeniable that they had lost their hegemonic status due to her. This was amplified with her putting the True God atop this mystical race into Eternal Slumber.
The greater the achievements, the better the stabilising factor upon drinking the potion. However, you can only climb up or remain around this general standard from here. Thus, her hunting down the Black Emperor Uniqueness, and now this Archduke of the Abyss counted.
As the feeling subsided, Amanises put herself into sleep. The Klein avatar on her ear was attentive as he influenced her dreams with his theft, modulating certain scenes that would affect her spirit body and her body of heart and mind. Carrying one's burden included their memories. Flegrea's, though mostly blurred and indistinct given "His" poor state of mind throughout "His" lifetime, taught her a sharp lesson. She wasn't too kin about recalling the wolf's fantasies.
"A lackey," Klein and Amanises uttered in tune, with the latter chuckling. "Always in "His" shadows… Even before everything fell."
She moved and Klein took the moment to steal both the Darkness Uniqueness and the Phoenix accessory. While he did so, Amanises leisurely studied what she now carried.
Born in Sydney, Australia, 1967. A miserable life, shaping a true scum of the Earth. Success and loss found him, but none of these could compare to when he finally went under "Him"… You couldn't even recall your past name, parents, nor anyone close. Only "Him". The dusk breeze whipped her hair as she now stood atop a hill that gave her a commanding view of the land. Peaceful, without a care of the supernatural battle that had just decided its fate.
Fortunate enough to survive and eventually thrive… Not so fortunate when fate dragged you back to be "His" dutiful shadow… You and a few who barely clung to their past identities saw yourselves as above the 'unnatural' Devils… No, you were always one.
You finally thought you could break away from "Him" by making a fool out of that Filthy existence. After all, you were the one who enabled "Her" to reach that level. It was simply time for you to collect the fruit of your labour… But you were once again reminded why you are the eternal second.
A smirk touched her lips. You failed, yet you succeeded in ripping some benefits… Then again, it only led to your demise… Who would've thought a Devil could feel? Maybe because of your Cursed Artifact tendencies?
She shook her head. She couldn't help but wonder how many more 'Earthlings' survived through everything.
Her eyes settled on Klein who gave her a bow. "Shall we continue the act?"
Amanises wordlessly nodded, before remarking, "I'm surprised "He's" leaving "His" backyard this open."
"An invitation into the Abyss," Klein pressed down his mini-hat as his entire demeanour was now shrouded in mysteries. "How could we not exploit it?"
As he spoke, the environment morphed into a darkness filled with a bottomless sensation. This wasn't darkness they were familiar with. No… They were intimately familiar with this specific feeling—all beings were. It was the realm seeking to drag them into its embrace at all times. Always by their side, always within. Always trying to extend its grasp.
The Abyss.
The grey-fog permeated the space but couldn't propagate beyond a similar fog cloaking the duo. They felt a gaze on them, the distance in-between was seemingly endless. But the presence was undeniable.
The Knight and the Fool weren't here to sight see. The latter glanced around, the Abyss's properties, coupled with his Error authority allowed for many things. In this universe, none could truly escape the Abyss—not even one who jumped into the endless void.
"It's only normal that I reciprocate," he muttered, the environment shifting again. Emptiness, void, darkness, mirrors—Moon.
The Hidden Domain governed by the Silver Moon suddenly trembled, but the retreat of its aura slowed to a crawl. An ancient giant clock filled with worms appeared within, accompanied by a deep sense of calm. It rang once, freezing the already slowing pace.
On the other side, Klein and Amanises, stepped on the waters illuminated by silver light. They felt all their hostility melt away as they admired the Moon. One which was intimate with their dearest memories.
Both sides remained stunned for a while before Klein shook it off, followed by Amanises. Taking this brief window, she uttered,
"Be not afraid. We're the cosplayer's allies."
"…"
Klein used his clown's powers to the maximum, sensing even the moonlight's flickering. Then, a powerful golden light illuminated the space, drawing from the environment and the duo before reaching out for each other's essences. As they neared, a dark shadow formed along their rims, aiding their collision. Light and Darkness exploded into a conflicting, but complementary brilliance before vanishing like it never existed.
A Sun's contract is not something even I can break, let alone one supported by the Sin-Bearer's Shadow. Klein's eyes shone before he closed them, sensing the moon's domain relax even more.
So, "They"… they are really with "Him". A thought was born from the moon as its gaze focused on the Knight and the avatar. I was plunged deep into the unknown depths following the Mirror World's destruction… Not even "They" could truly reach… Yet, this duo managed.
Its gaze shifted to a specific area of its domain. A strong, buttomless and jarring feeling emanated from it, though it couldn't spread in. "You exploit even the most dangerous and elusive of loopholes, yet you share none of that Betrayer's traits." Klein felt the divine gaze settle on him. "You walk alongside a Knight carrying the remains of that idiotic wolf." This time, Amanises felt it. "And you both stand with the one seeking to guide humanity back to greatness."
"But most importantly…" The voice faded as the moon occupying the backdrop appeared before them, compressing into a figure. Both couldn't even begin to describe "Her"—so they didn't.
Amanises entered a partial concealed state, while Klein used an Error to separate himself from the influence. However, even this couldn't shield them from Beauty incarnate.
The blond haired existence smiled at the two. "We all share a commonality." "Her" crimson eyes, somehow tryed to coax them out of their self-made shells.
Such divine beauty could not be ignored.
"Lilith has always been my name," "She" stated, "though I assume you already know that… The one reigning above the Spirit World, and the Dark Knight Amanises."
Amanises blinked, removing her concealment as she watched the figure touch ground before them, the water ripples spreading below "Her" bare feet. Before she could speak, Lilith gestured and the surrounding vitality changed and formed couches for the three.
"Let's not stand on ceremony," they both nodded, Amanises's focus lingering on Lilith who moved and formed a crystal table topped with wine-filled glasses for all three. Klein's was miniaturised for his current mini-disposition.
"You two weren't exactly stealthy," Lilith took an elegant sip, answering Amanises's unspoken question. "In addition, the Spirit World provides me what I need… Though I haven't been that active with it these days." "She" glanced at Klein who shamelessly made himself smaller so his drink's proportional size increased.
…Yeah, I got your cue, Amanises nodded with a chuckle seeing her partner, before locking eyes with Lilith. The latter's smile only grew. "You both are shameless," The Sanguine Ancestor muttered while shaking "Her" head.
For the Knight of Misfortune, carrying one's burden meant inheriting many aspects of another's. Naturally, listening and understanding her 'victims' lightened the burden's load.
Making it easy to digest, Amanises smiled but remained silent as Lilith's eyes grew dreamy. "When… The cosplayer as you called "Him" appeared before me, it was the first in a long while since I had some level of sanity…" "She" twirled "Her" glass, looking down at it. "An unprecedented opportunity as I had immediately realised. So, I ceased it."
"She" finished the remaining drink in one gulp—even that was done neatly. Letting out a soft burp, "She" proceeded. "Mate and reproduce; to be the herald of the complete end of all things, leading to Chaos, one I could reshape and use to further propagate my influence."
"I admit," "She" brushed a strand of hair, "I thrived under all this. I barely offered any resistance. But the few times I did, my progeny and I flourished even more. Thus, I used what little sense I had to make them a Queen. One who could always be steadfast. One whom they could directly look up to… Thus Blood Moon Queen Auernia was born."
"Her" smile turned gentle, then melancholic. "But I'm selfish. I, too began to look up to "Her". I, too wished to be freed from all that madness. So, when I saw the Blasphemy Slate, I pushed down my complaints about how tedious those rituals were. Unfortunately, sacrifices had to be made for my goal to be realised."
Klein's analytical eyes stilled as he tilted his head. Apocalypse, Naturewalker, Beauty Goddess. These three were "Her" foundation supporting the Moon Uniqueness. And now "She" only has the Beauty Goddess characteristics, making "Her" a King of Angels.
Naturally, Klein had no intention of underestimating this ex-True God—none who used to be at that stage could be taken lightly.
Lilith gave him a meaningful look. "I'd wanted to keep the… Naturewalker, is it? Unfortunately, I couldn't retrieve it. Heh, I even had to regrow my hair," She stroked "Her" beautiful mane, unintentionally dragging their attention.
…Plus, the Moon apotheosis ritual is basically suicide, Amanises thought in a daze as the smiling Lilith nodded at them.
"It seems you both saw the slate as well. However, the ritual isn't the only reason I gave up pursuing this path." Lilith's face grew thoughtful. "It was vague, but I know I searched for it. Back then, my budding children and I went to war with the Giants. While I can't recall the details, I do for the feeling that resonated with me then."
Convergence? The duo shared a thought as Amanises glanced at Klein out of the corner of her eye, before she addressed Lilith. "Convergence towards the Giant Queen?"
The Sanguine Ancestor shook "Her" head. "It isn't entirely wrong, but the attraction I feel towards that cyclopes bitch is different."
A beef I see, Amanises casually drank from her cup, enjoying the deep crimson-coloured wine. Klein on the other hand, thought for a moment and said, "Kvastir?"
"Not the same," Lilith disagreed again. "It was more similar with what I feel towards my daughter, though slightly different."
The last Beauty Goddess Beyonder Characteristic? Klein raised a brow, having narrowed the options. Though, the assumption had some issues.
The Giants have it? Logically, if they did, Omebella would've long devoured it, making the True God count in this era be nine. I'm not sure about the situation of the Beauty Goddess characteristics in the future… He frowned a little, deciding to put the matter to the side for now.
"About the Moon apotheosis ritual," Klein looked at Lilith. "You know of the dangers?"
"She" didn't nod, rather, "She" glanced around and laughed. ""She" advertises "Herself" as being the opposite."
Seeing their questioning looks, "She" elaborated. "Even now I can vaguely hear them, though they aren't precise anymore. One is beyond that invisible barrier—the actual Moon. The other, lies behind the endless fog." "Her" expression turned solemn. "At my unstable peak, I knew I could call upon and rely fully on both of "Them", irrespective of what stood between us."
Gulp!
Both Klein and Amanises tensed at this. They immediately knew this was no lie nor exaggeration!
Yeah, Lilith, Amanises shook her head as she regarded the Goddess in question. You had to go…
Lilith seemed to realise something as "She" quickly added, waving a hand. "Not to worry, of course. Unstable as I was, even I knew it was the worst thing I could ever do. And as one of those who stood at the top of the world, I am very keen on how dangerous it is to blindly rely on such existences."
Klein felt relief, though a thought formed. You still had the Uniqueness accommodated… You may lack that complete qualitative leap, but a lower level of application should still be possible. He watched as Lilith reclined in "Her" plush seat, gazing up.
"Right now I simply want to relax. Toss all those details aside, and be selfish. Heh, no amount of power can compare to the high I feel now; I have started regrowing something I dearly missed and took for granted." "She" eyed the two. "But, you just reminded me that the world we all enjoyed has long faded into scant memories."
A deep sigh escaped "Her" as "She" straightened, fixing "Her" attention to Amanises. "I can see why you are here."
The Dark Knight's raised brow prompted "Her" to elaborate with a scoff, "That stupid wolf tried to put me and everyone to sleep multiple times, you know. I don't need to devour that flying lizard's brain to known it's a key ritual."
At this, Amanises slightly moved forward on her chair holding her breath, whereas Klein suddenly realised something. It was Amanises that asked if Lilith was alive…
"But…" "She" raised a finger, the suspense increasing. "I do have one condition; for old times sake."
But you don't even… Before Klein could finish that thought, Lilith kept "Her" smile and turned to Klein. Amanises looked puzzled for a moment before she smirked knowingly and likewise turned to her partner who kept looking between the two. Before he could ask, his full senses returned to him in Sefirah Castle.
"…"
He looked down at the star corresponding to Amanises, noticing an illusory veil shrouding it.
…Did she just conceal my avatar? In spite of his surprise, Klein could pierce through the concealment, but choose not to.
He was a gentleman, after all.
He exhaled, looking elsewhere. "Well, let the ladies talk. I have endless things to think over now." For a moment, Klein put his focus on the junk-pile sensing the Moon Uniqueness faint crimson glow.
Amanises reclined, watching the surroundings shift into a bar with a fitting ambience. The sharp noise of a shot glass hitting the table drew her stare to the side. She watched Lilith, cheeks flushed, let out a different type of sigh as "She" shook her head.
Without looking at her, this Beauty Goddess muttered, "So… why don't I see any ring?"
"…"