A New Beginning

INTERLUDE

THE FATE OF THE CURSED CHILD

“I am really fine, I will keep on waiting for her and one day we might just….” I said feeling a bit let down by the cool fresh breeze which seemed to have almost stopped blowing.

“Cheeeer-up…Cheee” A soft purr like voice responded diligently to my swaying mood.

“That’s a funny way to say it, but you are really saying that to cheer me up aren’t you.” I responded to the weird clatter of the oblique lips.

“Cheeeer-a-leee” the quirky voice kept on making the same set of abstract sounds, when suddenly a large group of giant eagles, five times larger than the ones on earth, took a jump on us.

“Don’t scare us during our conversation like that…” I simply controlled the wind flow and send them straight up in a heavy wind vortex. I looked beside me and took a deep sigh.

“That really gave you a scare, huh, Niboro.”

“Cheee-eee-ee-cheeee” crying that the being with a dark head, wearing a warm orange wide underpant and a brown skin, soon disappeared from my sight.

“Wait… I am sorry I gave you a name without consulting you. How about Robin, then, but that’s too common a name, don’t you think… so I just tried to add a special twist… Please come back.”

It’s no use. Maybe it can’t hear me anymore and in fact left. I have been for an hour flying at a normal speed matching that of the bird, who has been enjoying my good company, at least that’s what it seemed to me.

As I dictated to him the things that recently happened to me. In the start it seemed that he was quite interested as it kept on increasing its cheering tone and started flying faster as I followed it round and round. It was just too excited and influenced by my oratory prowess that it couldn’t stand down any longer. Alright.

According to Lu if I went straight in this direction which is supposedly south-east of the Eirin village then after crossing the ocean I would reach the human continent. While on the other hand, her destination lied at a perfect right angle to the south west. We couldn’t even travel for a bit together….it’s not like I believe I will again loose all sense of my direction.

This time I made a brilliant move, and marked the tree from which I had to just keep on moving straight forward. It’s just at the back of me… looking back, as I turned my head….it’s right there…

Huhhh…

I am sure, it’s just there, at least a moment ago….maybe when the sky gets clear a bit I might be able to see it again. Honestly speaking, I think it’s all Mr. Niboro’s fault, if only he hadn’t been so enthusiastic about my story and distracted me.

So I just need to increase my speed to catch up soon. After what that bird- brain had to say I need to meet up with Athena soon. I don’t have any information regarding my other classmates and what have they been doing up till now, but more importantly I also need to find out how that creature got hold of our secret.

He did never tell me his real name though. Well I am not the type to force out an answer from someone, better to wait, than to keep on pondering or worrying myself.

At least that‘s what mother would say. But I just can’t stop tormenting myself with the question. It’s just that it is such a mystery to me… and that’s why I need to be extra careful.

The mask which I am wearing right now… even though Lu wouldn’t like seeing me wearing it again. But I have to be pretty strict about it myself. I can’t let myself be discovered unless I know whether I can trust that person truly or not. At least that’s how it is meant to be. But I really don’t know, how to do or find people like that.

Meeting Lu was a fortunate encounter, but what if I had met that talkative and nosy crow first. Well at least for now I would find nothing less suspicious than a flying person with no origin or identity to speak of. So I need to create myself one on my own. And I just happen to know what it should be… and I would just have to count on more fortunate happenstance and encounters.

But then again, that just might be me raising flags for myself, and later complaining about it.

And then this feeling of drowsiness in my body, sinking in, I can’t hold myself steady any longer. I need to find a place quick. After a minute or two I chanced upon a waterfall and a small dry bank surrounded by tall trees. If not for my protective field which acts serves as a preservation and observatory sphere over my adjoining surroundings, then I highly doubt I would have been able to spot it even from this height.

In the middle of the clear compound, I created a small tree house with a single room and a bed using earth and wood magic.

I have trained as far as making a castle, but then again I probably won’t be needing one, not at least right now.

I still fall asleep for a minimum of five days after I level up, while according to father my body keeps on accumulating magical energy and condensing it even further. So, I need to be careful that I don’t absorb too much magic from this beautiful landscape and render this fertile and scenic beauty to a miserable state of a dried gouged desert. If only I could instead visit here for a picnic with Athena but taking a nap in nature, doesn’t seem to be a bad idea either.

I really wanted for Lu to come with me, but more important than me for her should be her family, right now. I just don’t want to be myself anymore, if only I can have someone by my side to look after me even when I am asleep. I would rather rely on a person to take care of me now rather than an ultra protective barrier which will cut me off from this place for the next five days.

***

THE BLACK VATHYS THRONE ROOM

“So, this is where you have locked yourself…and what this is about one of your servant Apostle getting killed.” Akihiko took an offensive tone in his outburst as he walked on the sapphire rug, laid down from the huge mantle gate of gigantic doors up to the very last inch of the front legs of the throne.

The throne’s huge size and uncommon structure was not the only thing about that room, but also the walls and the run-down pillars did not have anything new to offer to hook on an onlooker’s eye. That said, only an expert in the field of magic would be able to decipher at how amazing the built of the throne was. A researcher in the field of magic engineering would claim it as the breakthrough in discovering the most efficient way of channeling the surrounding magic and transferring it directly to the living systems of the people that inhabited it.

That again said, such a technology, was still far from the grasps of the humans, rather all of the mortals because this place was submerged in the deepest parts of the underworld. The runes and magic circles inscribed on the walls and the pillars were not only a medium for channeling the dark miasma from the mortal realm into the realm of dead but also it was the one and only means known to travel between the two realms.

Every tiny spot and a little rock that could be excavated from the room could be considered equivalent to a piece that could cause a magic boom if not handled properly. But this was none of the concern of the man with deep red hair and a scar on the face, that appeared to be the mark of a sword, which was yet to heal; who just showed up in the Vathys Throne Room – once known throughout all the realms where the kings of the underworld would dare to take control over several of the world systems – he entered unannounced.

His question directly demanded an answer from the highest ranked figure in the room – as one would assume of the being who inherited the throne itself. His long hands resting on the broad armrest of the stone chair.

His eyeballs were static and his chest refused to move, even while breathing. One just couldn’t ascertain that the being reigning over the throne was even alive or not. And yet the overwhelming force, his mere existence exerted everywhere in the room was more than enough to make the impatient Akihiko to not over-step his bounds and get close to the Master he serves, called Zero.

“And what’s your point? Running like a dog around everywhere and complaining about every little thing. I loathe weak minded people like you, who can’t even finish their own job without someone looking after.” Kariba Chiyoda intervened before, anyone from the three figure could turn their head to Zero for a response, as their leader. Her voice showed utter contempt for the protestor but at the same time she seemed to be totally uninterested in that matter with her feeble looks as she carelessly twirled a finger round her twin-tail hairs.

“I hadn’t asked for your opinion. And I am least bit interested in your power play games. So that is clear to you now, get of my way.” Akihiko taunted Kariba who instead of standing just near the steps that led to the throne was now looking straight at him eye to eye. He found her eyes, as if they were thirsty for something, they would go to any lengths and pain to get hold of that elixir and satisfy that thirst.

He did not wish to fight her. Even now when she just might have walked to him, she was too fast for him to even catch a glimpse. He had no doubt in his mind that if they both go all out, then he would be taking the short end stick of the fight. There was a land and sky difference between the power and abilities of the unique skills granted to them by their gods. Not only that her unique skill had already evolved once.

That did came as a surprise to everyone who learned of this fact, but in fact the unique skill could be evolved even into a higher existence to the extent of calling it a godly skill.

But at the same time he was not into the aesthetic of being ordered and played around like a damn fool would and getting killed.

Not to forget this was quite an arrangement where two other reincarnates were still standing in the room, which was quite a rare occasion to occur. Since most of them only kept to themselves and their reason for joining Zero, in destroying this world and building a new one as we would desire.

But he still found it strange, that such rare existences could be gathered in such short amount of time at one place and under the same power. Suspecting an existence of a third force, which tied all the thread and events that occurred to this day since his reincarnation he always was at odds with other reincarnates who followed him faithfully and Zero himself. But as long as he gets what he wanted, he knew this was the only place he could find it. This was the last place he could turn to. Because he had even closed and sealed away the final gate to his salvation and peace and that scar was the proof of it. using time for the scar and the wound he had succumbed to heal, he did not rely on superficial powers to soothe his anger or justify his cause.

The other reincarnate included Sakamoto Sanda who spent the most time with Zero, discussing about a major plan that they even wouldn’t let others know. Though Kariba was unaffected, by all of this. Akihiko never figured out what she wanted, or why such a normal girl who was average at everything in her previous life as far as he knew landed up here in this God forsaken place.

What exactly happened between she and her God? – that they tried to kill each other. And even if she did, what happened to her Goddess.

The next one in attendance and line to another set of purely sardonic and unknown origin was Hashima Katsuragi – another rare hybrid monster race like Akihiko Totsuka. But unlike him he always acted high and mighty, as if belonging to a noble race that transcended all other existences. His own self clouded by an undeniable superiority complex to the extent of imposing it on others, sentencing all those to deaths who refused to accept it.

He probably must have been here to report his success over the mission of stopping all types of communication and trade between demon continent and human continent by raising pirates. Otherwise, he doesn’t even responds during meeting summons or bothers to train and be actively a part of the plans. However Zero lets him do anything as long as he is told what to do.

‘And these bunch of people think I am pathetic.’ These thoughts of Akihiko could not have been that far off the mark. But for those who knew their real side and the brutalities they have committed which might have out shadowed his very own sins.

They were no longer humans, but monsters in human clothing. But even their pretense to act normal was so brilliant that no one would be able to catch a glimpse that they wanted to destroy the world, or rather they want everything in their sight they hated to be destroyed and plundered.

“Indeed. Akihiko, it seems that Corvus is no longer among us.” Zero responded in his icy voice which emanated no emotions, at least not what a human, or a previous life human would feel in the very least.

“And what’s really the point. He was not that special. All he was good with illusionary spells and lifting off seals. He did not possess that rare of a quality or skill to make us worry. He was pretty weak even among us if you ask me… I said good riddance. In my world where only the strong would get what they really deserved and be the number one…”

“As if I would like to live in that world. But that’s just why I am concerned because Corvus was a Apostle. In Isleguard he should be powerful enough to take down any opponent and f his enemy is even an army he could use his illusionary spells to make every soldier slit their own throats in despair. So I want to know who did this… because they would surely be a hindrance to our plans. And anyone who stands in the way of my goal, I will strike them down.” Akihiko pushed back Kariba at her shoulder as he started walking towards Zero showing signs of pure hostility, while totally ignoring the murderous glare Chiyoda was passing to him. He still knew Zero was hiding something very important to be this calm and relaxed as if nothing had happened.

“Corvus did manage to complete his mission, by being a sacrifice and paving the way to the awakening of the Cursed Child.” Zero said in a polite tone as if he was not at all affected by Akihiko’s defiance to his order.

“So, you finally found the cursed child. So is it that thing which ended Corvus. Does that mean he is not on our side? And why did you hide such important information from us.”

“That was rather not my intention, so as to displease you all abandoned God’s blessed. But rather there was nothing you could do regarding that matter. Your job is to find me helping the Septian keys, while this matter of the cursed child will be totally handled by him.”

“So there really is a collaborator. So how many truths are you going to hide from us. I don’t like it. First Vertigo, and now Corvus. They were your loyal subjects who wanted your hard work and ambitions to come to fruition. And yet you abandon them in their deaths….” But the words of Akihiko suddenly submerged in his own throat as it got mingled with the saliva which he gulped down.

In a heartbeat the atmosphere of the room had changed, as the magic circles and inscriptions on the throne, pillars and walls started glowing and a pressure of magical aura being radiated far worse to even melt down the skeleton of a human took control over the room and its proceedings.

“I chose to take on the name of the king of the underworld and so it’s my duty to use my subjects in the way I see fit. I will achieve the ideals which I desire where I bring the Gods to my knees and rule over the entire world as its true master that would stand above all powers. This pitiful world will not be reborn by those who were forced to do evil but by those who cannot stand to watch it get destroyed and never to be born again.”

Zero’s anger was justified, as the loss of two of his powerful subjects only impressed upon another powerful existence that negated and berated him while living in the unknown. Even if it was the cursed child, itself – he had no feelings for possessing it but considered it merely as a tool and a means of executing his Project.

For a careful being such as Zero, he would never allow the continued survival of such an opposition force.

But it is on the request of him, his collaborator that he chose to leave the matters of the cursed child in his hands to be taken care of.

He knew that now he had a new piece on the board moving on their own or rather a new Queen might have emerged all by itself all along.

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