Chapter 130: Chapter 123: The other one
[Verdantis]
[Capital City]
Her gleaming red eyes widened as her head whipped to the window of her office. A heavy frown sat on Lyra’s lips as she narrowed her eyes. A radiating gold aura of mana was apparent in the vast distance. It was powerful and, most of all, it was all too familiar.
("Damn it, why her?") She gritted her teeth in annoyance.
"That is an abundance of mana," she heard the blank voice of Verdantis’s mightiest, clad in his black armor adorned in gold and with his face obscured by his helt. Dante gave no outward reaction, noting the mana he too saw. "Another Ancestor, then. Rhiannon."
"You’re right," she heaved a heavy sigh. "Once more, it’s the worst possible Ancestor. The strongest amongst us, but her arrogance leaves much to be desired though." Lyra’s lips thinned. "Damn, who would free her soul?"
"It has been so ti, I have lost grips with Rhiannon’s personality. But if I recall she was quite the wild card."
"That would be putting it extrely lightly. Rhiannon only ever cared for her own enjoynt. She has great power with her Ultra Vires, but she would only use it for herself. She’s quick to anger and easy to bore. Once she has her bearings, she’ll seek out entertainnt. And that entertainnt would be seeking
out. No doubt she’ll want an opening battle." A sigh escaped her as she scratched her head in annoyance. "Rhiannon is terrifyingly strong. Back in the age of Gods, she fought Octavia as an equal. She has a record of killing Divine Beasts as if they were re prey. Do you know how absurd that is? Divine Beasts have the power to turn this world asunder. That woman is just absurd. Wait, you are too, as I recall. You hunted your own Divine Beast, yes? I heard you wrestled it?"
"I’ll handle her then."
Lyra shrugged. "Suit yourself. You might do so lasting damage. You are one of the strongest mortals in all the realm if not the strongest. Well, she would want to battle you either way."
"I see." He folded his arms, his tone remained neutral as if the threat of a powerful entity like Rhiannon was a non-factor.
("Well, I suppose if there is anyone maybe strong enough to face Rhiannon, it could be Dante or Mikoto. Still, it irks
that she walks through this era. Her presence complicates things drastically.") Lyra felt like sighing once more. "At any rate, why don’t you go and inform Percival of this? He’d be a target of that wench too, you know?"
"I see." Dante turned on his heel and walked onwards, his armor clanking as he exited the office. Stepping onto the expansive hallways of the environnt, he almost robotically moved through them, not even glancing at the expensive tapestries and paintings, the fine chandeliers, and ornants. His journey was one of silence, but that was the kind of journey he was most accustod to and most comfortable with.
The noise was irritating, and Exhibit A of that was about to make itself known.
"Dante!" Her squeaky voice reached his ears clearly despite his helt. He took note of that salmon-colored hair first.
"Isabella," he noted, the Inheritor of the songstress Goddess. He did not see the purpose of her and the other new Inheritor. They both were more liabilities than assets. They were much to green for battle, not to ntion the other one was much too cocky.
"You’re still walking around in all that armor?" She questioned with a smile. "Does that not get cumberso?"
"It does not."
"Really? But you wear your helt almost every ti." She tilted her head. "It must be uncomfortable. You know we’re all comrades here at the castle. We would not dare to judge your appearance."
("A aningless sentint I’ve no need of. You lot are not my comrades. Mayhap only Rowena is worthy of that courtesy.") Dante saw fit not to voice his opinion. He’d rather not involve himself in any drama. "I see. I have to et with Archbishop Percival." He hoped she would see the hint and leave him to his own devices.
"Is it about that absurd mana signature that ca out of nowhere?" Isabella surmised. He rely nodded his helted head as he started moving. Isabella saw fit to accompany him further. "Whoever that individual was, it seems they have a bit more mana than even Lucinda. Who could it be, another spawn?"
"No one important." She rely quirked up a brow at that.
"Really? Soone with that kind of mana isn’t important?" She questioned before giving a small chuckle. "But I suppose to soone with your strength, that holds true, huh?"
"Maybe."
"Oh right! That reminds !" She suddenly exclaid excitedly. "My Arcane Ascendance training with Lady Lilith is coming along swimmingly. I can even keep up my transformation for five whole minutes now!" She stated with a proud smile. "She really is a great teacher!"
"Is that so?"
"Yep! Though I must say Reylthorn himself is quite adept. Despite being a child, he is quite knowledgeable. I must admit I could not pick up on most of what he ant." She stated with a sheepish chuckle. "Though Lady Lyraeth had also sought to give
so pointers, but I could not discern what she was trying to convey, she was....eccentric to say the least. Though Ser Aerinon seems like he’s quite adept with Arcane Ascendance, but he rarely ever talks to . Or anyone really." Isabella smiled. "But the Inheritors of Verdantis are formidable and inspirational in their own way. You most of all, Ser Dante."
"Is that right?"
"Of course, you’re an inspiration for all in Verdantis. The ’strongest’ in the nation. They say your very presence would make entire armies quake in fear."
"An exaggeration."
"Haha, I don’t think so. Even the governing body seems fearful of you. Even Lady Ysabel is not confident in her chances of beating you." The girl continued.
Contemplating on what short response to give next, Dante almost found himself content as he finally ca across what he was looking for. Large dark double oak doors stood before the two.
"Archbishop Percival is in the garden again?" Isabella questioned with a tilt of her head.
"As always," he grunted out. "I need to speak with him in private. Could you leave?"
She seed taken aback by his blunt declaration. "O-oh alright then, I will not keep you. But you know I wanted to ask you if you wanted to see a play of mine here in the capital this afternoon. Only if you want to that is!"
"I’ll think about it." That seed to be enough for her as a bright smile enveloped her face.
"Really? That’s great. Then I will see you soon, Dante! Farewell." She gave a small wave before turning to leave. She seed to walk with an extra pep in her steps. He turned away from her as he pushed past the doors.
He stepped onto an expansive area, the array of different plant life of all colors and slls lined up in a riot of color. Exotic, otherworldly flowers blood all around as if in defiance of the snow outside. Their petals were glowing with colorful hues. Giant, crimson lilies, their stalks thick as tree trunks, stood at the entrance as he moved further in. Beside them, a grove of luminescent, bioluminescent trees cast a glow, their leaves pulsating with light.
He followed a winding path that led deeper into the garden. Along its sides, vibrant, alien flora flourished. There were plants with leaves that resembled shimring scales, and others with flowers that resembled tiny, pulsating stars. A peculiar vine, its tendrils decorated with glass-like blossoms, climbed a nearby wall, its reflection creating a srizing pattern. In the heart of the garden, a towering oak tree stood, its gnarled branches large. Beneath its canopy, a small, crystalline pond sat, its surface undisturbed. A variety of aquatic plants, their leaves and flowers painted in vibrant hues, grew in the pond, their reflections distorted by the icy water. And there he stood, Archbishop Percival.
He was no longer draped in his Archbishop attire; instead, he was clothed in a white shirt with an elaborate collar, an extravagant blue robe was thrown over his form, along with baggy black pants and simple shoes. This is where the Archbishop spent most of his ti, a garden only living on due to magic. Apparently, no one had planted the strange fauna found in the garden house; they simply ca to be due to the mana spilling out from the oak tree.
It was odd; in this garden of absurd flowers and simple plants, an oak tree should not have stood out as much. Yet the mana spilling out from that simple tree was odd. Simply calling it mana seed incorrect. There was sothing almost otherworldly about it; Archbishop Percival clearly knew why that was. He would often stand in the garden house, rely admiring the tree as he did now.
"Percival," he voiced, the androgynous man perked up, turning to him with a smile.
"Ah, Dante," he greeted with his soft-spoken voice, clasping his oddly calloused but delicate hands together. "What brings you here?"
"That mana, you felt it too, no doubt," he started, folding his arms as he took a glance at the tree before turning back to Percival. "It was an Ancestor, sa as Lyra. She’s the strongest one. She might co for
and you, seeking battle."
"Oh? I hardly noticed; I was preoccupied with sothing more interesting," the Archbishop freely admitted with a chuckle. "Seems my once trusty blade has found himself his destined companion."
"Is that so?" Dante mused. "You speak of Sabre, correct?"
"Ah yes, that is the current na given to him," Percival muttered thoughtfully. "Alas, he seems happy."
"I see."
"But at any rate, another Ancestor is surprising, and one against us," Percival humd at the thought.
"She fought the Goddess of war and magic equally and slayed two Divine Beasts. A formidable opponent; should she choose to make trouble, it could spell the end of the festival before it even began," Dante surmised. "Should I interfere?"
"No, not yet. Let us wait and see for now; she may yet remain docile or hunt for other would-be prey," he frowned a little before his lips quirked up once more. "Do not stress yourself over such matters. You know, in the anti, you could use so respite. You’ve been hunting lingering Vel’ryr forces all this ti now, yes?"
"I don’t need rest. There is much to do. Much to prepare for."
Percival chuckled, "Co now, Dante. Even Aerinon has taken ti off to be with his sister. Mayhap you should take Isabella up on her offer?" Dante rely shook his head.
"I’m busy; I’ve lots to do."
He got a wry smile from the Archbishop, "With how insistent you are with overworking yourself, you tend to remind
of an old friend of mine," Percival stated with a distant look in his eyes. "He was a loyal friend until a certain small...mishap, but I could not have asked for a greater comrade. He was soone I could always rely on when it matters most. A lot like you."
"Sounds like an interesting individual."
"He was," Percival smiled.
"Very well, I’ll see the play."
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[Vel’ryr]
"What rubbish!" Aegraxes found himself sighing as he deftly stepped out of the way to avoid a gold goblet thrown his way. It collided with the wall before bouncing off and falling to the ground, the contents being revealed to be wine, seeping into the velvet carpets. He looked at the culprit; her long golden-blonde hair was in slight disarray, yet that seed to do nothing to her clear beauty that was still apparent. No longer with her eccentric golden armor, she wore nothing but a long white cloth wrapped around her waist and chest adorned with golden lines. She was seated in a rather plush red armchair with a scowl. The room they found themselves was extravagant in its own right; expensive paintings lines the walls, clean wooden wardrobes leaned to the side and an overly large bed in the center along with a chandelier hanging atop.
"You call that wine!? I’ve seen horse piss more appealing," she bellowed.
"Then mayhap you should drink that. Or better yet, not drink wine so early in the morning," Aegraxes shot back, ignoring how dangerously her eyes narrowed.
"Do watch yourself, Fate Walker. Or should I wipe you and your pathetic race from the face of the realm," she threatened with a low hiss.
"Hmm, you could do that, but you won’t, right? Rhiannon, mightiest of the Ancestors and only driven by pleasure. Sothing we can provide."
Rhiannon scoffed at his words, "Worthless babble coming from you. I’m only staying here because of that Prince and that general. They seems as though they’ll be so fun sport, though they’re not the only one. I sense soone with distinctly similar mana to that of Octavia."
"One of the magic Goddesses’ spawns," he answered, taking note of how the Ancestor quirked up a brow at his words. "Ah yes, you’ve been asleep since the age of Gods. So, I’ll keep this brief. After the great war, reality was reshaped, Aethel turned into this world you now inhabit. There were varying effects on the realm due to that war, my kind’s tamorphism being one of them. And the creation of newer races, the demons first, who reside deep within the Abyss as you could call it. They’re poor mockeries of what we were; their existence being due to our mana spreading and fluctuating with the reshaping of the world. There are also the the sins crawling inside the Abyss. After them ca others: elves, fairies, Solkari’s, and of course, humans. The Gods took a liking to them, bestowed upon them blessings to remake them in their image. Those who receive such blessings are called spawns; the one you sense is one of the spawns of Octavia."
Rhiannon cracked a smile at the information, "I see, seems you are not as useless as I thought. But how interesting, for a mortal, that is quite the abundance of mana. Alas, still too ripe; I’d accidentally kill her in battle. But what of the other spawn of Octavia? You ntioned this one was rely one of them, I can’t seem to sense this one’s mana."
"You’ll find him more interesting; he is quite powerful-"
"Oh?" She suddenly blurted out, turning away from him, suddenly staring at the room’s wall. With how focused she was, it was as though she was staring at sothing interesting.
"That mana there, I know it... hahahah! Telluris! That damned Beast is here as well!" She exclaid rather excitedly, shooting up from her chair.
"You intend to battle her?" Aegraxes questioned.
"Of course, it’s been naught but worthless idling since coming here. I need so form of entertainnt, lest I die from boredom," she grinned wildly, and a soft golden glow enveloped her form, outfitting her with her armor. "Though before that, I just must ask, do your comrades know?"
"Know of what?"
"That you intentionally summoned ?" She asked with a smirk. Aegraxes’s expression remained unreadable as she continued. "You Fate Walkers were always an emotional bunch, always clinging to one another like a pack of wild animals. I am surprised you would sacrifice the soul of one of your own just to bring
forth." She chuckled. "Annoying as you are, I always repay my debts."
"I see, that is good."
"But do not get your hopes up, cur. I need to see if you are worthy of my companionship." Her red eyes seed to gleam more and more as she spoke. "Tell , Fate Walker, what is it you intend to accomplish."
Aegraxes remained silent for a while, though his silence only hung in the air for but a mont. "The seven great calamities, do you know what they are?"
"I suppose, that God Arcturus foresaw the realm slowly coming to ruin in the distant future; seven calamities would strike, slowly rendering this realm and the others asunder. What of it?"
"Hm, the lost child, the red and white ones, the ones from beyond, the blue swallow, the one free from all, the leader of wars, and the last one, the Typhon. Those are the ones that would be responsible for the following calamities. Yet if the first calamity does not start, the others cannot follow." Aegraxes snapped his fingers; a tear in reality occurred, and suddenly within the small tear, she saw a girl. Gray fuzzy hair and pitch-black horns nervously conversing with a girl with long tousled dark-blue hair. "That is my ’spawn,’ so to speak, and with her, I shall start the first of the calamities."
"Is that so, huh?" Rhiannon’s expression was blank for a mont before she scoffed and turned away. "Interesting as that may be, I will not aid you nor stand against you. Though that festival you had ntioned sounded interesting. For now, excuse , I’ve another Beast to hunt!"
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