The silence that followed Rood's words was palpable, so much so that it felt like they could hear each other's heartbeat echoing as the after-effect of the information disclosed. All eyes were fixed on either Ashton or on Rood.
On the other hand, Ashton remained unaffected by the revelation, at least on the surface. But a lot was going on inside his mind. [The One Above All], he had heard that na countless tis by now, and every ti he did, it seed that man's power had grown even more.
Before his encounter with Kro'Han, Ashton had assud that [The One Above All] was another Precursor as, in his eyes, they were the strongest creatures to have ever existed.
But after hearing what Rood had to say, he was even more fascinated with such a being. Soone who was stronger than the Precursors... soone who could defeat kro'Han in the blink of an eye.
"So you're telling ... Ashton is the son of the leader of the Precursors?" Astaroth mumbled, wondering if Ashton knew about it beforehand because he didn't look surprised.
Ashton heard Astaroth but refrained from either confirming or denying anything. Instead, he turned towards Rood and asked the most obvious question.
"[The One Above All], where can I find him?"
Lord Rood shrugged before replying, "I'm honoured that you think soone as insignificant as would know that information, but no, I don't."
Ashton nodded and went silent again. He was hoping he could sohow persuade this [The One Above All] character to help them subdue Kro'Han or sothing, but it seed like it would be impossible.
Why would Jo'Han urge Rood to tell him about sothing from the past? Could it be that Kro'Han was sohow related to the mysterious creature? Or was it his father's way of warning him about more precarious threats?
Ashton was hoping the eting would give him an answer to deal with Kro'Han, but it did everything but that. And then it hit him... that creature was the only one to have ever defeated the Precursors and, by extension, Kro'Han.
'Do I need to get as strong as that creature or sothing?'
The more Ashton thought about it, the more precise the picture got. Jo'Han was also the first Grim Reaper and had inford Ashton that it would be his biggest strength.
'Could it be... He wants to resurrect that creature!?'
Ashton's eyes widened as he considered resurrecting the beast. While it would ensure their victory, it was too reckless to even consider. There was no way Jo'Han would want his son to risk the safety of the entire universe just to defeat Kro'Han.
'No. I'm not resurrecting whatever that thing was... No, until I have tried every other ans of victory,'
Ashton sighed, pushing such a dangerous thought out of his head. But there was sothing he needed to confirm from Lord Rood.
"The war my father talked about," he mumbled. "Do you know where it took place?"
Rood nodded, "Celestria's Verge."
"The edge of the galaxy?" Astaroth comnted.
"Precisely," Rood comnted before turning his attention towards Ashton. "Why do you ask?"
"To visit it, of course."
Rood had expected Ashton to request sothing along those lines, but he hadn't thought he would be so straightforward. Even then, Rood knew he had to make so things clear first.
"Ashton," Rood began cautiously, "you do realise that the place where the Precursors fought that creature has been forbidden for anyone to enter? Furthermore, the Precursors themselves placed defences to prevent unauthorised access."
"I'm aware of that. But I'm a Precursor, too, and I have the right to go there," Ashton replied, his eyes filled with confidence. "No defence can keep out of there; anyone who tries will regret it."
Rood sighed, realising that challenging Ashton's resolve would be futile. Still, he had to try.
"It's a dangerous place, Ashton. Even the Precursors chose not to tread there after that battle."
Ashton, undeterred, replied, "I can handle danger. Besides, I need to understand more about Kro'Han, and if there's information on how to defeat that fucker, I want it."
"If that's what you want, then... I'll accompany you to the forbidden zone," Astaroth, observing the exchange, finally stepped forward. "We'll leave after the council eting."
"Very well," Rood sighed in defeat. "If that's what you want, then you have my blessings."
Ibis, always eager to participate in risky endeavours, expressed her desire to join the expedition. However, Astaroth, with a protective concern, declined her offer.
"Celestria's Verge is harsh and unforgiving. I cannot risk your well-being, Ibis," he comnted. "Besides, soone needs to monitor Kro'Han, and I can't think of anyone more suitable than you."
"...I know you just want to get rid of , but fine. I'll do it." Ibis scoffed before smiling.
Astaroth's golden eyes softened a rare display of emotion. "I promise, Ibis. We'll be back before you know it."
"Also, I'd need to contact Earth and tell them it might take a while longer to get back," Ashton mumbled. "They will not be happy about it, but it is what it is."
"Ibis can help you with that as well," Rood said. "I hope that's everything you need as of now."
"Yes, you have been more than helpful, Lord Rood," Ashton respectfully comnted.
Rood nodded before retiring to his room, leaving them alone. Ashton then turned his attention towards Lucifer, who smiled as he greeted the forr.
"How have you been?" Ashton asked. "I can't believe such a scrawny man was behind such aggressive system notifications."
"Try dealing with soone with two intelligence points and see what happens to you," Lucifer chuckled.
"You're still on about that?" Ashton joined in and laughed. "Sotis, even I have a difficult ti believing how pathetic I used to be."
"Used to be?" Astaroth comnted. "You an you aren't anymore?"
"I'm not anymore since you now have a body of your own," Ashton retorted.
anwhile, Ibis silently watched the trio banter like old friends. She couldn't help but wonder how things would have been if Astaroth had never died to begin with.
'We'll probably be married, right?'
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