Chapter 14
In darkness, a figure seems to be falling, slowly into nothingness.
"When did all this begin? I remember it started the day the diamond struck my chest. Suddenly, I was at home with my mom by my side. She looked worried but tried to hide it. Then 'dad' called; I followed her despite the pain, only to see a strange symbol embedded in the ground — a sun with the moon inside and a star above.
Before me was the lifeless body of a 'dad,' who I later learned isn't my real father. Suddenly, as if the earth had trembled, my mother appeared, bloody and wounded. Despite her injuries, she was calm, telling me to bring my brother back and giving me a chain.
Time passed, and I met a ghostly girl during a visit to her grave. I followed her into the light and lost my mother's chain. I realized I wasn't in a different galaxy, but in a completely different universe, far from the Milky Way.
On this new planet, I learned more about my mother, my real father, and my family. I met my grandfather, who always seemed unfazed and had his eyes closed — is he blind? I made a new friend, Aenzil, a beautiful, light-skinned elf. I think I might be into her. There's also Tezuka, a funny, headstrong guy; Sanity, an entity living inside me; and let's not forget about Knight.
I trained, and my grandfather called me a Blood of Destruction. I felt that during a tournament against a crazy, three-eyed, green-haired girl. I'm glad I wasn't her opponent.
And now, there's my sword... The Sword of Renon — or more accurately, the Tool of Renon, as Teku calls it. Renon was my great-grandfather, and my current realm was created for him. I think that's pretty cool, especially since I don't even have a soul to forge one.
As a member of the Celestial Phantoms, we embarked on our first mission, during which an Archdemon called me master —that still confuses me. I fought a guy named Patrick with a remarkable technique. At my limit, I entered a fight with the Alphar in his realm.
I was terrified as planets, stars, and celestial bodies were destroyed with ease, and he made it worse by saying these bodies are just like those in the Milky Way. What does he mean by that? If Earth were destroyed, it wouldn't be replaced, and that chills me. I hope I don't have to fight there.
My disintegration attempt failed against him, and I wonder why. Now, there's Xereth, possessed by our father Xenon. I don't think I'm ready to fight him yet; I need to get stronger.
With his arrival and the commotion, I think I blacked out. But where am I? Normally, I get sent back to my realm, but not this time."
His body gently hit an invisible ground. He stood and turned-
Before him was a tall, feminine figure; her body looked as if it contained the cosmos. Nine orb-like things floated around her head. At a closer look, he realised they were not ordinary orbs. Something about them filled him with unease, though he couldn't understand why. Six golden wings spread behind her; the pair at the center bore countless eyes. Above her head hovered a golden halo with four sharp points marking the cardinal directions.
A warm smile spread across her face as her diamond eyes met him. He took a step, and the ground shattered like glass. He felt himself falling at a rapid speed; everything blurred.
He opened his eyes, and he saw the face of Lilith smiling at him. They sat under a tree with his head on her lap.
Nemisis looked around and noticed he was in his realm. He sighed.
"Wait- " he suddenly stood up.
Looking around, he saw Knigt, Sanity, and the Alphar staring at him.
"..." he pointed to the Alphar and Knight. "What are you doing here?"
He looked at Lilith, "And you."
"I also had the same question when those two showed up," Sanity said. "As for Knight, he is supposed to return to the realm where he was created, and that place is here."
"Indeed," Knight added. "This is the place master Renon made me, and now that you are the new owner, I shall refer to you as young master."
"O-kay, and you?" Nemisis looked at the Alphar.
"He experienced what I did the first time we met," Lilith said, smiling. She hugged Nemisis from behind. "Although he won't admit it, we are all at your service, master."
The Alphar looked embarrassed. Nemisis walked toward him and touched his paw.
"I don't know what I did for a beast like you to mellow out, but I am glad we can work together."
"Whatever you say, little one," the Alphar said, trying to look confident.
"Now I think about it, where is my body?" Nemisis asked.
"Oh, your body..." Lilith began.
At the gates of the Kingdom of Zueston, a guard spotted a group approaching in the distance. On a closer look, he noticed it was Prince Maximus and his army. He ordered the gates opened and spread the news.
The people of the Kingdom rejoiced and stood in the streets waiting for the arrival. The news reached the castle. The King, Queen, and Princess rushed to the courtyard facing the entrance. The Celestial Phantoms, the Commander, and the Supreme General were present.
As the party drew close, the guard on duty froze, his face completely expressionless. The soldiers entered first, and there was a loud cheer, but the soldiers looked dull, only forcing faint smiles.
The Prince entered, and the cheering immediately died. Behind him was the Alphar, almost as tall as the gates; on it was Lilith with Nemisis asleep, his head on her lap. Everyone dropped to their knees and lowered their heads. Some trembled uncontrollably. Children hugged their parents tightly.
At the castle, the same thing happened. The Alphar stood before Aenzil, his shadow completely covering her. Lilith carefully lifted Nemisis and placed him before Aenzil.
"Take care of the master." Lilith smiled.
The Alphar and Lilith turned into strands of light and entered the diamond embedded in Nemisis's chest.
Back in Nemisis's realm, Nemisis stared at Lilith, his face pale.
"And then you were still asleep here," Lilith continued. "There was an incredibly powerful presence here, but it vanished when you woke up."
"What!" Nemisis roared, "It doesn't matter if you're as big as a mountain, you are still going to traumatize people. You are the ALphar, the one who destroys universes like it's nothing, changing your size won't help."
"At least I didn't destroy anything like how you almost did some moments ago," said the Alpahr.
"Moments ago?" Nemisis frowned.
"Yes, young master," said Knight. "It must have been something that happened while you were asleep. What happened?"
"Well... " Nemisis looked into the sky.
He described the woman he had seen in his dream, and after he was done, no one spoke. They stared at each other, their expressions growing worried.
"The Mother of Concepts," Lilith broke the silence. "Depending on whether you believe the concept came before the thing it represents or vice versa."
"Mother of Concepts?" Nemisis stared for a moment. clearly confused.
"Not all concepts. Only these, though they vary in types, are all aspects of the same thing expressed in different forms. She is the mother of Life, Death, Mortality, Immortality, Destruction, and Chaos. She is the daughter of Creation and Time or Concepts of Creation and Time."
"How do you know all that?" Nemisis asked.
"Oh," Lilith smiled. "I read books about her when I was little. Knowledge is just as important as strength if you want to become a powerful Archdemon; it's not only about strength."
"So not only are you powerful, but also a bookworm? Ha, nerd," said Sanity jokingly.
"Why you... "
"Enough," Nemisis said. "I think I'd better get going."
"Ok, master," Lilith smiled. "Don't forget to call us if anything is too much for you."
"Er... right," Nemisis scratched the back of his head before disappearing.
On a beautiful evening in the Kingdom of Zueston, a feast is held to celebrate the Prince's return. The ballroom is filled with the kingdom's elite and some residents. Representatives from the saved kingdoms also attend.
The royal family sits upon the High Stand, watching people dance. Clara and Tezuka are the only representatives of the Celestial Phantoms present.
The Princess scanned the crowd eagerly, searching for someone. She stands, excuses herself, and walks down the hallway, accidentally bumping into Aenzil.
"I am sorry," Aenzil says.
"Don't worry, I should watch where I'm going," replies the Princess.
Aenzil smiled, and before she could leave, the Princess grabbed her hand.
"Is he... is he alright?" she asks.
Aenzil smiled softly, "Of course he is. Come with me," she invites.
The Princess follows Aenzil into a room where Nemisis stands by the window, shirtless, gazing at the moonlit night.
"See, you were worried for nothing," Aenzil says.
Nemisis turns quickly. "How long have you been here?" he asks.
"I don't know. How long have you been doing that?" Aenzil teases.
"She wanted to talk to you. I'll leave you both alone. And please put on a shirt—you're damaging your ego," she adds.
After Aenzil leaves, Nemesis puts on a shirt. The Princess introduces herself as Elara and thanks him for saving her brother.
Nemisis scratches his head, smiling. "It was nothing," he says.
"It may not seem like it, but the way you arrived says a lot," Elara remarks. "Sorry if I caused worry," Nemisis responds.
"No, you didn't... well, I mean..." Elara lowered her head, blushing as she fidgeted with her hands.
"That's all," she says and dashes out.
Aenzil entered, stared at Nemisis for a moment, then slowly approached him.
Nemisis panics, "Hey, wait, I didn't do anything. Come on, Aenzil, let's not jump to conclusions..."
She hugs him, "I'm glad you're alive." Nemisis stands frozen as Aenzil steps back.
"You should get some rest. We leave at dawn," she says and exits.
Nemisis watches the door close, thinking,
I almost thought I was done for. Maybe she's not so scary after all.
He gazes at the moon, eyes widening as a dark figure appears and vanishes.
[ In the dark void exists a being.
But don't be fooled-
For this being is the void itself...
and beyond even that.
The darkness is merely its presence.
Then-
a bloody red eye opened.
1/9 eyes are opened ]