Ascension Gates: Ris Chapter 116 - 115: What Cannot Be Taken

Chapter 116: Chapter 115: What Cannot Be Taken

The light that had filled the hidden chamber slowly began to fade, dissolving into the quiet darkness that once defined the place. What had been a mont of transformation now settled into stillness, as if the chamber itself acknowledged that sothing significant had just occurred.

Aether stood unmoving for a brief mont, his hand still slightly raised from where the egg had once rested. However, the egg no longer existed. Its shell had dissolved into particles of light, fading completely as though it had never been there in the first place.

But sothing had replaced it.

Floating gently beside his shoulder was a small figure, no larger than his hand. Its presence was subtle, almost easy to overlook at first glance, yet impossible to ignore once felt.

The Spirit Fairy hovered quietly, its delicate wings shimring with a soft blend of golden and azure hues. Those colors did not clash but instead intertwined in perfect harmony, forming an aura that radiated calmness rather than power.

Aether exhaled slowly, his eyes studying the small being.

Unlike the Fla Sovereign Pup, which radiated overwhelming destructive energy, or the Fallen Succubus, whose presence carried a dangerous and seductive intensity, the Spirit Fairy felt... different.

It did not demand attention.

It did not assert dominance.

And yet, its existence carried a quiet authority that was far more profound.

"It is... peaceful," Aether said softly, more to himself than anyone else.

The Fallen Succubus’s voice echoed within his mind, her tone thoughtful and slightly cautious.

"Peaceful, yes... but do not mistake that for weakness," she replied. "What you have obtained is sothing far rarer than brute strength."

Aether did not argue. He had already sensed it himself.

This was not a beast ant to destroy.

It was sothing that existed to stabilize.

To restore.

To balance.

And in a world dominated by power and chaos, such an existence could be more dangerous than any weapon.

The Spirit Fairy slowly drifted closer to him, its small form moving as if guided by instinct rather than thought. It paused just inches from his face, its glowing eyes observing him with quiet curiosity.

Then, as if satisfied, it gently settled near his shoulder.

There was no resistance.

No hesitation.

Only acceptance.

Aether turned without another word and began walking toward the exit of the chamber.

The deeper section of the Beast House faded behind him as he retraced his steps. The rows of unidentified eggs ca back into view, stretching endlessly across the dimly lit space.

However, sothing had changed.

Where before there had been faint, almost imperceptible sensations calling out to him, now there was nothing.

No pull.

No resonance.

No interest.

It was as if every other possibility had already been rejected the mont he made his choice.

Or perhaps...

The mont he had been chosen.

The sealed door at the far end of the chamber began to open as he approached, the intricate formations embedded within it reacting to his presence. The chanisms moved silently, yet with precision, revealing the familiar figure waiting outside.

The overseer stood calmly, his posture unchanged from before. His deep blue robes remained perfectly arranged, and his expression was as composed as ever.

However, the mont Aether stepped out—

Sothing shifted.

The overseer’s gaze did not remain on Aether.

Instead, it moved.

Slowly.

Deliberately.

Toward the small figure floating beside him.

For the first ti since Aether had t him, the man’s expression showed a visible reaction.

It was subtle.

But unmistakable.

"...So," the overseer said quietly, his voice carrying a faint trace of surprise, "you found one."

Aether stopped a few steps away but did not respond imdiately.

The overseer took a closer look at the Spirit Fairy, his eyes narrowing slightly as he observed its aura.

"...A spirit-type entity," he continued. "But not one that has been recorded within our archives."

Aether simply nodded.

There was no need to explain.

The overseer let out a soft breath before stepping aside, giving Aether a clear path forward.

"You have made a rare choice," he said. After a brief pause, he added, "And perhaps the correct one."

There was no exaggeration in his tone.

No flattery.

Only acknowledgnt.

Aether walked past him without another word and re-entered the main hall of the third floor.

The mont he stepped into the open space—

The atmosphere shifted.

It was subtle at first.

Then imdiate.

Eyes turned.

Not toward Aether himself.

But toward what followed him.

The Spirit Fairy floated quietly at his side, its gentle aura spreading outward in soft waves. The calmness it radiated was unnatural in a place filled with powerful and often aggressive beasts.

Whispers began to spread almost instantly.

"...What is that?"

"...Is that a fairy-type beast?"

"No... it feels different..."

"I have never seen anything like it..."

Curiosity filled the air.

But beneath that curiosity—

Sothing else began to take shape.

Interest.

Desire.

And eventually—

Greed.

Aether ignored all of it and continued walking forward.

However, before he could reach the stairs—

A familiar voice cut through the murmurs.

"So you actually chose sothing after all."

The tone was unmistakable.

Arrogant.

Unrestrained.

Aether stopped.

Slowly, he turned.

Lion Solvaris stood a short distance away, still holding the Aqua Tortoise egg in one hand. His posture was relaxed, his expression confident, and his presence as commanding as ever.

The two won remained at his sides, while his guards stood behind him, silent yet alert.

At first, Lion’s gaze was casual.

Then—

It landed on the Spirit Fairy.

And everything changed.

His expression froze for a fraction of a second.

Not enough for most to notice.

But enough.

"...That," he said, his voice lowering slightly as he took a step forward, "is not sothing you should have."

The shift in tone was imdiate.

This was no longer casual interest.

It was intent.

"Give it to ," Lion said.

There was no politeness in his voice.

No pretense of negotiation.

Only expectation.

The entire floor seed to grow quieter.

Aether looked at him calmly.

"No."

The answer ca without hesitation.

Without consideration.

Without even the slightest change in expression.

Lion’s eyes narrowed.

"...You really do not learn, do you?" he said, his voice turning colder.

He stepped closer, reducing the distance between them.

"Do you even understand what you are holding?" he continued. "That is not a simple beast. That is sothing far beyond your ability to properly utilize."

Aether t his gaze without flinching.

"Yes," he replied calmly. "Which is exactly why I am not giving it to you."

The tension in the air thickened instantly.

Behind Lion, the guards shifted slightly.

Not attacking.

But ready.

Their energy began to circulate, controlled yet powerful, like a coiled spring waiting to be released.

Lion tilted his head slightly, studying Aether with a mixture of irritation and curiosity.

"You speak as if you have a choice," he said quietly.

Aether did not respond imdiately.

Instead, he took a single step forward.

The movent was small.

But deliberate.

"...Try," he said.

The word was simple.

But it carried weight.

For a brief mont—

Everything stopped.

The attendants froze.

The nobles watching from a distance held their breath.

Even the beasts within their enclosures grew unusually still, as if sensing the shift in atmosphere.

The guards moved.

Not fully.

But enough.

Their stance changed, their focus sharpening as they prepared to act at a mont’s notice.

Lion’s expression darkened.

Then—

The Spirit Fairy moved.

It was a small motion.

Almost insignificant.

Its wings fluttered softly, and a faint pulse of light spread outward.

The effect was imdiate.

The tension in the air lessened.

The aggressive energy dissipated slightly, as though sothing had gently suppressed it without force.

Even the guards hesitated.

Just for a mont.

That mont—

Was enough.

"That is enough."

The calm voice echoed once more.

The overseer stepped between them, his presence quiet yet absolute.

His gaze moved directly to Lion.

"You have already been warned," he said evenly. "Do not force

to enforce it."

There was no threat in his tone.

No raised voice.

And yet—

The aning was clear.

Lion remained silent for a few seconds.

His jaw tightened slightly, and his grip on the egg in his hand subtly increased.

Finally, he exhaled.

"...Fine," he said.

He took a step back, but his eyes never left Aether.

"This is not over," he added, his voice low but firm. "Whatever you have... I will take it."

This ti, Aether did not respond at all.

And sohow—

That silence carried more weight than any words could have.

Lion turned sharply and began to walk away, his guards following imdiately behind him.

The tension that had filled the hall slowly dissipated as he left.

The murmurs returned.

But quieter.

More cautious.

The overseer glanced at Aether briefly.

"You seem to attract trouble," he said.

Aether continued walking toward the exit.

"It cos on its own," he replied.

A faint smile appeared on the overseer’s face.

"...That it does."

Aether did not stop.

Step by step, he walked out of the Beast House.

The mont he crossed the threshold, the air outside felt different.

Familiar.

Unchanged.

And yet—

Not the sa.

Because he was no longer the sa.

Three beasts.

Three paths.

Three forces that balanced one another.

Destruction.

Control.

Restoration.

For the first ti—

They ford sothing complete.

As the Spirit Fairy hovered quietly beside him, its gentle presence blending seamlessly into his own—

Aether understood sothing clearly.

Power alone was not what made soone dangerous.

Balance was.

And now—

He possessed it.

Far behind him, within the towering structure of the Beast House, eyes continued to watch.

And far ahead—

The consequences of this choice had already begun to unfold.