Hold over Myriad of Worlds

~"Tell me more about the catastrophe you are referring to."

~"Being that cares for naught but destruction. Living only to consume, able to adapt to every technology, ability, even Path."

~"Are they linked to Stellarons?"

~"No, stellarons is just minor trouble compared to them."

~"Hmm... Then when will it happen?"

~"In a few years."

~"Are those beings from the world that is about to collide with ours?"

~"Yes."

Receiving a direct reply made me sigh, knowing that in the near future, Hold would face an opponent even Aeons couldn't overcome. Looking at my patron, I continued the conversation.

~"What will you do?"

~"From now on, I'll dedicate everything to helping you become Aeon."

~"Then can you return the flow of time to normal?"

~"There is one more thing."

She floated toward me, placing her hand on the center of my chest. Soon, the pain that I had never felt before appeared there. It was not the pain of my physical body or my spirit. For the first time in my life, I felt pain in my soul.

~"What... What did you do to me?"

~"I've given you the same core I possess. Yue absorbed Permanence and Abundance, and now you also have true Finality in yourself."

~"Won't that harm you?"

~"You don't need to worry. It is just part of my power."

I needed over a day to fully absorb and process the power of Finality, gaining full power of all Authorities that Herrschers possesses. Luckily, time was stopped, and I had all the time I needed for myself.

~"I'm good now. Now that I thought about it, how can you stop the time?"

~"Because of my origin, I'm the most powerful Aeon. Only Nihility can come close to me. Every Aeon is an Outer Being, only manifesting in the world. I'm strong enough to even leave the axis of time."

~"So it's not that the time has stopped, but you taken me out of its influence?"

~"Exactly, ready to return?"

~"Yes."

Not even a nanosecond passed from the disappearance of Final Herrscher. Every combatant was about to start cheering, but the sudden appearance of a woman with wings next to me made everyone freeze.

-"Yue!"

-"Be careful!"

-"Wath out!"

Xipe and Ena attacked Terminus, floating next to me. All my Guards also rushed to my side. Terminus waved her hand, disintegrating attacks heading her way, and before anyone reached our side, I spoke.

~"Stop it! She is not an enemy."

My words successfully prevented any more attacks from flying this way.

-"Yue? Can you Explain?"

~"Sigh. Let me introduce you. This is my patron, Aeon of Finality, Terminus."

-"Terminus?!"-Most shocked were Xipe and Ena, who appeared next to me instantly.

~"Hmm? Order and Harmony? Why do you seek from me?"

-"Why you appeared here?"

-"You never showed yourself. Only shadows of your actions were visible sporadically. So why did you show your true self here?"

~"Because of Yue."

Xipe and Eno looked at me.

~"Sigh. We don't have much time. I'll give you a quick rundown."

While explaining about catastrophe and Terminus' actions to seek a method to resolve it, I returned to my true form.

-"Catastrophe..."

-"No need to dwell on it. We will discuss it later when we have more details. Terminus decided to assist us, and she'll probably follow me around."

~"Yes, I'm not interested in anyone but you."

-"No time. Who is coming with me to Terra?"

-"Take some of your Guards, Fu Xuan to help the soldiers, and Yukong to help you in negotiations."

-"Good. Jingliu, Sakura, and Hare will follow me then. Fu Xuan, do you want to rest?"

-"No, I'll go with you."

-"Then let's go."

I teleported us back to Hold, and after picking up Yukong from [Command Room], we moved to Xuling, where Lapis Knights and Kenshin were waiting for deployment.

-"Kenshin, I'll leave soldiers in your command. When we arrive, we will engage to save Rhodes Island and Lungmen. If the need arises, you are permitted to destroy the landship of Chernobog."

-"Leve it to me."

Having been on standby during the fight with Final Herrscher, Xuling was ready for departure for some time, so we moved to the Gate that had the coordinates of Terra. As the rift opened, we could see the planet covered by an iron dome.

Sometime before the end of the fight with the Herrscher on the Terra, my puppet walked with four dragon girls on the streets of Chernobog. We were moving to where the signal of Rhodes Island could be detected.

-"Ahh! How I miss your power, Yue! Those annoying ants are everywhere."

-"Sorry, can't do that now."

-"Can you tell me why?"

-"I'm fighting with my main body now."

-"Who? From what I heard, you are strong. To require your full attention there must be an equally strong opponent as you."

-"I'll tell you later, Dusk. It is hard to explain with no context."

-"Hmm..."

-"There they are!"

Turning our heads, we could see Rhodes Island's main party along with Puinguin Logistics. They were fighting with Talulah and FrostNova, being besieged by countless soldiers.

-"Help them!"

Girls entered the combat, breaking the siege. Soon, it was Talulah and FrostNova who were on the back foot.

-"Sister! Stop this madness! You are being used by Ursus!"

-"Ch'en, please, move out of my way."

-"You must be the leader of the Reunion."

-"You are..."

-"Yue. I blocked your attack some time ago, defending Rhodes Island."

-"That white person? Why do you look like that."

-"That's not important. Can you listen to what Ch'an has to say? She severed her ties with Wei Yenwu after hearing what was done to you. Give her some of your time."

-"Did you truly..."

-"To me, you are my family, not the person who throws you away."

-"I'll listen."

Ch'en spoke about what we established, the purpose, and consequences of her actions.

-"You won't help infected that way, only start a war with them in between."

-"But I already slew Kashchey."

-"If I may, that Kashchey is so-called Ageless. It's not so easy to kill being called immortal. He probably just escaped like a cicada from its shell."

-"You think he is alive?"

-"I believe so. It is easy to check."

-"How?"

-"Have someone check for forces on the border between Yan and Ursus. If you are part of his plans, the start of a war is not the end of them."

Talulah nodded and contacted the subordinate. A few minutes later, she received an answer.

-"Forces on the border are beyond what can be gathered in a week. They either ignored the chaos in Chernobog or were waiting for something else."

-"See. What will you do now?"

-"Sister, please come with me. Let's find a true home together."

-"..."

Suddenly, commotion from soldiers of the Reunion could be heard. Some started slashing on their allies. The situation quickly spiraled out of control.

-"It would seem that your leadership was not solid."

-"Sigh."

-"Can you get control over your forces?"

-"Only Nine responded. Alina is silent, probably captured. Other commanders refused contact."

-"Let's gather all forces we can and try to stop this landship."

-"I'll help you if you can help me save Alina."

-"Good. Rhodes Island and you guys, and complaint?"

-"No."

-"It's the first time I'm talking with a puppet, no problem though."

Having decided on the next plan of action, we moved toward the center of Chernobog. On our way, we were able to reconnect with W and Patriot from Reunion, who joined us.

It took us some time, but we were able to find Alina in the room where the core of the landship was. Sadly, she was no longer alive. This shook Talulah, making her regret her simplemindedness.

-"Take her body for now and stop the Chernobog from moving forward."

-"..."

-"Believe in me."

Talulah locked at my puppet. After a moment of silence, she nodded. She stopped the landship only a few kilometers from Lungmen. We then moved to the evacuation point, leaving the Chernobog that fell into chaos.

Our return to Lungmen was not accompanied by fanfare but by sober thoughts about being pawns in someone's game. Most of us moved to the bridge, where the situation was still tense.

-"Reunion? Why are they here? Wait... Talulah? Is that you?"

-"Uncle."

-"Leave that for later. I don't think that this is the end."

-"Sadly, you are right, Yue. We detected that forces from Ursus are moving into Yan territory. Not to mention that something big is happening in Kazdel."

-"Kazdel?! Is that traitor doing something again?"

-"Oh, W, you are here. Yes, forces that are his backing are moving around."

-"So we have enemies inside and outside. What is Yan's reaction?"

-"They said that only after Sui return to their rightful place, the reinforcement will be dispatched."

-"No reinforcement then."

-"Don't worry, Nian. We won't sell you."

-"Yue, you must have a way out."

But there was no response from me. They looked at me, and soon, Nian rushed to my side to support me.

-"Yue, are you all right?!"

-"Sorry, something happened. How close are the enemies?"

-"At the walls."

-"One hour. Can you buy me this long?"

-"OK. Focus our forces on the main city! We have to defend it for this hour."

Everybody quickly moved, believing me with no questions. They reinforced defenses. The organized forces of Ursus were much harder to defeat compared to the mob of Reunion, not to mention that said mob still was attacking them.

As time passed, Enemies were closer and closer to a breakthrough. I was at the checkpoint where four dragon girls were fighting, but even they were near exhaustion.

-"Yue, how long?"

-"Guys, look up."

-"Huh?"

As they looked into the sky, something incredible started happening.

Xuling passed through the Gate and arrived outside the dome over Terra. I looked at Keshin next to me.

-"Be fast in your actions. Defenses there are almost broken."

-"Got it."

She moved outside to where soldiers were gathered. Stopping on the platform before them, she started speaking.

-"Soldiers! The Emperor has spoken! Our allies are in need! Let's show them the power of the Hold!"

-"For the Hold!"

As Lapis Knights were boarding Starskiffs, I teleported above the Xuling. Focusing on the dome, I used the Authority of Thunder, which had the ability to disintegrate matter. My tails appeared behind me with streaks of lightning jumping between them.

The next moment, a spot of purple energy appeared on the dome, quickly expanding and soon becoming a ring that surrounded a hole in the barrier, revealing Terra before our eyes.

A few seconds later, the hole was large enough for Xuling to approach. It flew closer to the Terra while Starskiffs started leaving the Jade Gate, each looking like a star falling.

Taking Jingliu, Sakura, and Hare with me, I teleported nearby to where my puppet was. Some knights already disembarked at the checkpoint, reinforcing the defense. Dragon girls were standing on the side, shocked beyond words, seeing the dome destroyed and the landing of Hold forces.

-"Is this your organization, Yue? Are you some kind of alien? No, more importantly, are you someone important?"

-"You can say so."-My main body spoke while emerging from nearby.

I grabbed at my puppet, taking it away and hiding it in a void pocket, created by Authority of Void. Turning my head to four dragon girls, who were looking at me, I started speaking.

-"While we were aquatints for some time already, this is the first time we are meeting in the flesh. I'm Yue, a pleasure to make an acquaintance."

-"Yue?"

-"Hmm?"

-"Are you a dragon?"

-"Why do you ask Ling?"

-"While hidden, your aura is that of a dragon."

I nodded and slightly opened my eye to look at four dragons. My gaze was powerful enough to kill weak-willed people, but to them, it was not too bad. Feeling that aura, they understood that I had something to do with dragons.

-"You already know that I'm born from two gods. One of them, Permanence, is known as Long, the progenitor of all dragons."

-"Then you have the blood of a divine dragon?"

-"Spirit, to be exact, but let's leave this for later. Knights will take care of the rest. We should go back to the center."

I started walking with my Guards following behind. Four dragon girls woke up after a short moment and caught up to us.

-"Can you introduce us Yue?"

-"On my right is Jingliu, while on the left is Sakura and Hare."

-"Your guards? Are you some kind of noble?"

-"Yes, they are. Jingliu is the leader so be nice to her."

-"Is she strong?"

-"She can easily defeat you four."

-"Realy?"

-"Jingliu, do you want to show off?"

-"Do I have to, Master?"

-"No."

-"Then allow me to stay here."

-"But someone has to deal with those rats around."

-"Rats?"

As if prompted, some soldiers of the Reunion jumped at us from the surroundings. The moment they appeared, Sakura grabbed her katana, and quick slashes followed. Before the rest could respond, heads started rolling.

The remaining walk to the center was mostly quiet, the difference in strength leaving a deep impression on the dragon girls. As we approached the bridge, a discussion could be heard.

-"We will push out all enemies from the city, but do you plan to follow the will of Yan and declare us an enemy?"

-"..."

-"Kenshin, leave them be. Our true allies are Rhodes Island, not Lungmen."-I entered the room.

All Lapis Knights present saluted me. This attracted the attention of everyone present, especially Amiya, Doctor, and Kal'tsit.

-"Tell the soldiers to clean the battlefield. Fu Xuan will help you reveal all your opponents. Sakura, Hare, you will follow Kenshin. If any stronger enemy appears, get rid of them."

-"Yes, My Lord."

-"Kal'tsit, Amiya led your forces back to Rhodes Island. We will continue our talks there. Talulah, bring me to the Alina."

-"She is here."-Talulah spoke and looked at the stretcher lying nearby.

I moved to it and revealed a woman with a grievous wound across her throat. People around locked visibly uncomfortable to be in a room with the deceased person. Understanding what I needed to resurrect her, I asked for assistance.

-"Terminus, can you help me with her soul?"

~"I don't mind, but you should be able to do this alone."~Terminus appearing near me, along with the aura of Aeon, pressured everyone from Terra to kneel.

-"I don't want to experiment on someone important to an ally."

I touched Authority of Death and Path of Abundance to restore Alina's body to life. Next, with the Authority of Sentience and the Path of Permanence, I recreated her spirit, linking it with a soul that Terminus brought. Putting the spirit into the body, Alina's breath of life returned, and she opened her eyes.

Terminus disappeared the moment the task I asked her to do was completed so everyone could rise from their knees. Looking at my back with mixed emotions, they soon looked at Alina, who had slowly risen from the ground, touching her throat.

-"Don't panic. You are alive once more. Talulah, physically, she will be all right, but psychologically, there might be trauma. I can remove those memories, but I believe that it's better to leave them.

-"Yes. I'll take care of her. Thank you, Yue."

-"I'm just keeping my promise."

-"You four. Want to come with me?"

-"Of course! I decided to follow you some time ago already. That's why I called my sisters."

-"Just promise to drink with me."

-"I must drow those interesting scenes from today! Let's go!"

-"..."

-"Ch'en?"

-"Can I join your group?"

-"Directly? Don't you first want to know more about us?"

-"Yes, I want to join you."

-"You are more than welcome. Let's go. I'll show you the Xuling. Yukong, can you please accompany Rhodes Island and the remains of Reunion and take them on board later?"

-"Of course."

-"Then I'll be waiting for you later."

I took Jingliu, Ch'en, Nian, Ling, and Dusk away, teleporting us back to Xuling, flying over the Terra.