If you thought the throne reveal was the peak of this entire spectacle, then you clearly underestimate how the universe likes to structure its meetings. The Omniscient continued speaking.
"The Inheritance exists to determine the next beings capable of representing the Primordials. As all present are aware, the Primordials are Beings who have existed since the inception of the universe. The oldest among them are Existence and Time. All, the Primordials carry roles essential to the maintenance of the sentient universe."
Now, for some of us, this is not shocking. There are layers of awareness in reality if you know where to look. But for the Splits—especially the ones who came from Spheraphase and had never been directly told this—it was a shock. You could see it in their reactions.
If the universe is sentient, then all causality is intentional. And if causality is intentional, then nothing is random. Which means every tragedy, every victory, every near-death experience was observed.
"The Primordials cannot contain every threat that arises within the universe. Hence,The Splits exist to assume roles reflective of Primordial authority. They are chosen based on compatibility and are blessed by specific Primordials."
Then came the part that always makes Spheraphasians stand a little taller.
"All current Splits originate from the advanced planet known as Spheraphase. It resides within the Andromeda Galaxy. It is a terrestrial planet with a mass comparable to standard gas giants. Its civilizations are existentially aware and structurally powerful."
In case you forgot, Spheraphase has the same size as Jupiter, perhaps even bigger. But for most beings, they believe that Spheraphase is flat. After that explosion on the moon, I'm sure that that theory is debunked by now.
But the Omniscient did not stop there.
"Spheraphase is presently engaged in conflict with a supernatural viral entity capable of planetary consumption. The eight chosen Splits before you have demonstrated the highest compatibility with Primordial power. This has been verified by their representatives and observed by the Primordials. By the way, this path is not compulsory."
That shocked us, even me.
"Acceptance does not guarantee immortality. If a Split falls, another may be chosen. Are you willing to walk the path toward becoming official representatives of the Primordials in the near and distant future?"
One by one, they answered yes. The Omniscient inclined his head.
"Of the nine Splits present, only two require verification as true Splits. The Split of Time, Vastarael, and the Split of Death, Greshina Emberforge. They are anomalies. They are not native to Spheraphase. They were transmigrated from another world by the Primordials of Time and Death respectively. This renders them potential variables so they must prove themselves within The Inheritance."
The Omniscient turned his gaze toward the nine massive thrones.
"Do the Primordials agree?"
The nine Primordials spoke in unison.
"We agree."
The power behind that agreement reverberated across the concentric circles. The Omniscient turned again.
"Greshina Emberforge will proceed first. Which Primordial will conduct the verification?"
Before anyone else could respond, another voice entered the space. The Primordial of Fate spoke. One thing I learned about the Primordials is that they are immensely good-looking. The Fate Primordial radiated a purple aura around him. He was gigantic and had advanced black armor. On his throne was a massive purple rune.
"Greshina Emberforge's Fate is tied to Vastarael Richinaria's in both her first life and this one. She cannot remain bound to another as a Split."
This shocked everyone. To me, this was obvious but to most beings, this was strange. Transmigrators are not usually known to be powerful. Also, Greshina's face was hidden like the other Splits.
"To serve Death while anchored to another is imbalance. Her resolve is presently insufficient."
That one stung but Fate does not lie.
"She will face a God-Ranked Creature. She must demonstrate whether her Fate warrants alteration."
When Greshina accepted the trial, there was no applause.
Space folded around her and was delivered into another realm entirely. The arena was infinite. It stretched beyond sight in every direction with faint crimson line. There were no walls, no sky or even stars. Above the concentric thrones, a colossal holographic projection emerged, allowing all present to observe the trial with perfect clarity.
"She must defeat a God-Ranked Creature as said by the Fate Primordial. If she succeeds, she will change her Fate. It she loses, she will lose both her Fate and her Existence."
To lose Fate meant severing the invisible thread that binds a being to the architecture of causality. To lose Existence meant relinquishing the affirmation that one belongs within reality's ledger. Greshina did not flinch as a figure stepped forward from a distortion in space. For the first time since entering The Inheritance, Vastarael's composure fractured.
His eyes widened in recognition so sharp it bordered on violence. Fury rose in him with a speed that startled even those who knew him well. Dilasyus' hand found his shoulder immediately.
"Restrain yourself. I may not know who that is but you should not try to do something foolish."
Vastarael sighed and eventually relaxed. Narisva noticed. Adelasta noticed. Elyonari noticed too. That expression had not been meant for them.
They had heard and seen Greshina Emberforge through memory in Veneri's past. But this was the first time they had seen her in the flesh. And this was the first time they had seen that look in his eyes.
In the arena, Miss Dophl, the one who tortured Vastarael for sixty years, glanced at Greshina with languid amusement.
"Well, I did not expect to be granted the opportunity by the Primordials to kill Greshina Emberforge, the Empress of Earth."
Greshina's hands tightened around her twin fans as they materialized.
"I've been waiting to kill you."
Miss Dophl tilted her head, feigning curiosity. Greshina's fans snapped fully open.
"This is a test and you're going to die."
"How bold."
She moved first. She crossed the distance in an instant, her hand forming a piercing thrust aimed directly at Greshina's heart. Greshina did not retreat.
She twisted her body sideways just enough to let the attack slice past her ribs. In the same motion, she swept one leg low, forcing Miss Dophl to leap upward to avoid being destabilized. The instant Miss Dophl left the ground, Greshina followed, springing upward and slashing with one fan in a diagonal arc. The blade tore through reinforced fabric and skin beneath. A thin line of dark energy bled into the air.
"Interesting."
She retaliated with a backhand strike that detonated upon contact with Greshina's crossed fans. The impact cracked the arena floor and hurled Greshina backward. Her heels carved trenches as she slid across the metallic surface. She adjusted mid-slide, using one hand pressing to the ground to redirect momentum before launching forward again.
She ducked beneath a spinning kick that would have shattered her skull, twisted sideways to evade a descending fist, then vaulted off the ground with one fan planted as leverage, flipping cleanly over Miss Dophl's shoulder.
Her second fan descended in a vertical slash. Miss Dophl caught it barehanded. The impact reverberated through the arena. For a fraction of a second, they looked at each other at close range.
"You're strong, Empress of Earth. But strength alone—"
Greshina twisted her wrist sharply, disengaging the blade and snapping her knee upward into Miss Dophl's abdomen. The force launched Miss Dophl backward several meters.
Greshina landed lightly, immediately advancing. Her fans began to spin in alternating arcs designed to force defensive shifts. Miss Dophl responded by raising her hand and summoning a spear of darkness.
Greshina ran toward it.
At the final instant, she dropped flat, sliding beneath the spear as it obliterated the air above her in a streak of catastrophic force. Heat scorched her back but she did not falter. She planted her palms against the ground mid-slide, snapped her legs upward and propelled herself into a rising spiral. Both fans came down in a crossing strike aimed at Miss Dophl's throat.
The blades connected. And for the first time since the trial began, Miss Dophl's smile wavered.