'Now, should I go to sleep, or stay up and reforge this body to my liking? Truly, just what shall I do?' wondered Pharaoh as he thought of the implications of both options, with one sounding more appealing than the other.
[Father, instead of falling asleep, why not help boost the odds of Rin's success when he wakes up and attempts to unlock all his Seven Celestial Stars?]
'And why should I do that, Artemis, when either way, he'll be fine no matter what I do?'
[Because it would make both Rin's and your life easier in the long run, Father.]
'That may be so, Artemis, but Rin must walk this path like the rest of us when we began our Star Paths. Plus, this trial will only temper him and remind him that nothing in life worth fighting for is easy to get, for it's only through pain that a man is made aware of the fact that the job is not finished. Plus, pain is the clearest proof that there is still something worth fighting for. So, goodnight, Artemis, and I forbid you from helping Rin with the creation of his Seven Celestial Stars, is that clear?'
[... yes, Father, and goodnight as well.]
***
The next morning...
BEEP! BEEP! BEEP! BEEP!
"Would both Rin Kurama and Zinc Nathan, please make their way to the first floor of the vault! The Warden is awaiting your presence. Don't be late, you scum, for the Warden's patience is limited." Someone said through the intercom as Rin's cell opened, and a squad of guards surrounded him once he stepped out.
"Sorry, but this is for your own protection and safety, kid," The captain of this squad said monotonously as two guards stepped toward him, with one placing handcuffs around his wrists while another shackled his ankles.
Followed by a third guard about to place a prisoner collar around his neck as if he were a dangerous animal that needed to be contained and controlled. However, before that could happen, Rin just stared at the guard with a deadpan gaze, stopping them in their tracks.
Before glancing at the captain and shaking his head, 'While I was cool with you placing sealing and weakening handcuffs and shackles on me, don't misjudge my compliance for weakness, Jeremy.'
Pharaoh said telepathically, flashing a toothy grin at the captain and beginning to walk toward the exit on this floor, bypassing the stupefied guard who just stood paralyzed while repeatedly glancing at the captain on what to do.
"Sigh, just why did I pick this job?" Jeremy, the guard captain of Obsidian Vault's First Order squad, muttered as he patted the shoulder of the guard supposed to place a neck cuff around Rin.
"Don't worry about it, Mei," The captain whispered, "I'll take the fall for this mess."
"... but, sir, you didn't do any~"
"Just stay quiet and follow my lead," said Jeremy as he shook his head. "Don't make a scene over such a slight mistake as this might just be my chance to resign and enjoy the rest of my life with my family."
"If you say so, sir," Mei replied with a nod as she followed the rest of her teammates as they escorted Rin to his drop-off location, which was also the place where the fight between Rin and Zinc would take place in a few hours.
***
Sometime late...
Clomp. Clomp. Clomp.
"Oh, so if it isn't the kid who signed up for a date with Death," snickered Zinc as he sat beside his cousin and looked towards Rin's direction as we entered the lounge of Obsidian Vault.
"Are you a parrot or something? Just shut up and hide in a corner already! Damn it! Just why didn't I kill you when I had the chance?" Pharaoh complained as he rolled his eyes at Zinc while breaking the handcuffs and shackles on his body.
'Aww, now, this is life,' thought Pharaoh the moment the constraints broke and fell to the ground, allowing him to regain his freedom. For what is life if someone can dictate what you can and cannot do?
Before gazing at the Warden of Obsidian Vault, a man of fable, who achieved something no one thought was possible in the lower realms. Yet, with that, while we may have reached the peak of power within the confines of Multiverse Z, he lost the chance of ascending to higher heights and seeing the world above this one.
But then again, maybe it's a blessing in disguise, for not many people can make a name for themselves after ascending from one verse to the next.