Zoom-!
Cipher's figure disappeared the moment she threw the black coin midair. Only sparks of golden lightning were left in her place.
'Her Majesty…'
Over the past two hundred years, an organization called 'The Black Knights' rose. They remain obscure and hidden in the public eyes, though rumors state that they are linked to the deaths of Aglaea's dissidents. The Elders first pointed their fingers towards Aglaea, only to be shocked by the group's next move.
They weren't limited to Okhema. Even the Castrum Kremnos' high officials died in their blades. Every faction in Amphoreus faced their 'wrath' as they killed the corrupt and disbanded dozens of city-states.
These elders were forced to take back their fingers. No matter what, linking Aglaea to these 'heretical warriors' will spell Okhema's calamity. The Black Knights offended the majority of Amphoreus' major factions.
Much to their surprise, not a trace of the Black Knights has been found over two hundred years, just that their leader's name was "Zero".
Seeing Cerydra just now confirmed Aglaea's suspicions.
She is Zero.
As for how, what, and why it happened, these questions are destined to be left unanswered for a long time.
Thinking of Cerydra made her think of Hysilens.
If the Imperator was her 'teacher', Hysilens is her good friend. It was through Hysilens' words that Aglaea discovered much more about the world.
'The world has changed a lot…'
*****
Seasons come and go. Along were the memories of the deceased, of the futile struggles, and the longing towards a brighter tomorrow.
Year 4928.
Aedes Elysiae greeted another new day… and a calamity.
A thousand years have passed since the fall of the Ocean Titan. Countless things changed. The end of Era Chrysea, spelled by the descent of Thanatos, robbed everyone of their inherent immortality.
Physical bodies aged and souls waned.
The only thing that remained constant was the Black Tide's constant expansion. A thousand years ago, it was only present on the outer edges of the Okhemian continent. Now, most of Okhema was polluted by the Black Tide. The world's eternal night was further darkened by its relentless expansion.
Only three major city-states remained fully-functioning: Okhema, Castrum Kremnos, and the Grove of Epiphany.
There are also 'special' places the Black Tide dare not stay permanently. Styxia, the city-state where the first Flame-Chase Journey occurred, was one of them.
Other than that, there were smaller villages who survived out of sheer luck. Aedes Elysiae was one of them.
It is a village connected to the port—an island isolated from Amphoreus' largest continent.
Everyone who left never came back, causing them to view the outside world as an accursed place.
The children stared at the sole 'adventurer' who came to the village a few months ago. She is a gorgeous woman whose singing was akin to the ocean's finest sirens. Her humming was revered by everyone who heard of it as a divine song, reversing the aversion of the villagers towards outsiders like her.
Today, just like usual, she did nothing but stare at the ocean's horizons. This time, however, a neat white card was tightly squeezed by her.
Its front side reads:
To the one who overcomes Nihility.
The woman's bright blue eyes remained tightly glued on the other side.
It reads:
I am sorry.
No fanciful words, no instructions. Only a pure, unfiltered apology.
It remains unknown what was hidden beneath her gaze.
"A thousand years of hero-making."
Hysilens' attention reverted to Cerydra's plans. She herself received a gift in the form of a lyre. It amplified her lull to another level, capable of defeating Titans through her hymns.
Meanwhile, the former Imperator received two gifts. One of them was a Guide Book—one that leads Amphoreus to the Era Nova. It records all the future events until the ending.
Who else could its author be other than the Court Magus?
The other gift was a walking staff; one that came straight out of the Hydro Archon's story.
Through that fraudulent notebook and walking staff, the Black Knights defeated the corrupted Strife Titan ahead of time. They are only awaiting for its Demigod to assume his destined role.
They also assisted the newly-ascended Death Demigod in fulfilling her wishes, allowing her to return the Coreflame to the Vortex of Genesis.
Only Oronyx, Kephale, Aquila, and Cerces remain.
For the latter three, they haven't found the opportunity. Kephale's Coreflame lay on his statue that holds the Dawn Device. Cerces was still alive and uncorrupted. Aquila's base is protected and hidden in the skies, requiring them to hold extensive preparations.
Oronyx, on the other hand, has already surrendered her Coreflame a long time ago. All that was left is to await the arrival of the chosen one… who currently resides in Aedes Elysiae.
Despite Hysilens' 'resentment' from the duo's betrayal—for leaving her out in that accursed play—she could not bring herself to ignore their calls. She came to this village solely to escort the destined Time Demigod to the mainland.
"Sister Hysilens, good morning."
She turned around and saw a pink-haired girl. Sparks of liveliness could be seen from her ocean blue eyes.
"Hm, good morning."
The girl was accustomed to Hysilens' few words. She walked right beside her, joining Hysilens in staring at the ocean's horizon.
One glaring difference between the mainland Okhema and the Aedes Elysiae was the latter's daytime. Amphoreus suffered from eternal nighttime ever since Seliose failed in her Flame-Chase Journey. It was this small, inconspicuous village that retained its daytime and nighttime cycle.
The pink-haired girl also had her own complex thoughts.
'A familiar presence… but Sister Hysilens denied being Oronyx's priest.'
Cyrene recalled their first meeting. Hysilens' arrival to Aedes Elysiae jolted even the "fairies" living in the cave. These different-colored "Mems" sensed the concentrated presence of Oronyx from Hysilens. They mistook the power of Remembrance as Oronyx's power.
Cyrene was treated as the next generation priest of Oronyx. In this village where Oronyx is the sole faith, her status is the highest.
Hysilens' presence and 'intrusion' shattered the village's tranquility.
Just then, Cyrene happened to see the white card pinched tightly between Hysilens fingers. The impression of it instantly gave rise to a question, one coming out of her instincts.
"Does Sister Hysilens have a significant other?"
Her sudden question caught Hysilens off guard.
"...No, not quite. A kindred soul… and a good friend…"
Hysilens never knew how she felt towards Shi Tian herself. She couldn't confidently answer Cyrene's question…
'...Perhaps.'
…nor could she completely deny it.