The solar system was reflected in Polka Kakamond's eyes. The foreign entity that descended on Amphoreus—Creation—came from here. She was determined to deal with it—by eliminating the threat, that is.
From the brief interactions he had with the World Rendering Sword, Polka Kakamond determined that the actual person behind that power is not an Aeon. The fact he was able to utilize that power without being one is very surprising.
Her "peaceful" sightseeing was interrupted with a pair of footsteps.
Tap.
Tap.
Physics dictates that an empty vacuum cannot transmit sound. The rippling following the footsteps prompted Polka Kakamond to look in its direction.
There, she saw a woman with long silver hair. Its ends are split into two, which is then formed into spirals.
Specks of starlight surrounded her body, cloaking her like a veil.
Her existence bordered between surreality and illusion. Polka Kakamond perceived her as "non-existent" in this world, yet she could affect the universe to a certain extent.
The power and influence a future projection could bring depends on the realm they are 'guaranteed' at. Clearly, Bronya's projection exists at a level unimaginable to Polka Kakamond.
"The universe's wishes will be fulfilled. Attempting to interfere is counterproductive…"
Her words suggested it wasn't a possibility, but a certainty. The woman opposite of Bronya, whose face was concealed under an unremovable digital mesh, sported a look of intrigue.
"...and meaningless."
She spoke of events that occurred in the future. The most complex thing about this world is the Past, Present, and Future. In accordance with immortal cultivation, the Future cannot be easily affected. Exerting tangible effects as future projections would affect the 'guarantee' of reaching their realm.
They exist, yet they do not.
Their existence itself is a living contradiction; a self-sustaining loop. Interfering is the equivalent of destroying the said loop. Any immortal cultivator, save for those who had been pushed into a corner, will never do something like this.
Bronya's silver pupils stared expressionlessly at Polka Kakamond. The latter is more than certain that the former would do something had their 'talks' fallen through.
"This world lacks a past and future. It has been trapped in an endless samsara, to the point it did not know it was damaged… or perhaps it did. Entrusting its wishes to a Deliverer became its sole option."
"An endless samsara…" Polka Kakamond relished Bronya's phrasing. "It seems like you cannot freely tell of a certainty."
This time, it was Bronya's turn to be silenced.
She hit right in the bullseye. The future is ever-changing. The only 'certainty' was them reaching the Tribulation Transcendence Realm. In other words, themselves. Anything else changes according to the Present. Hence, everything Bronya knew that leads to the Future are all 'possibilities'.
One cannot know of the 'best possible choice'. Even Bronya does not dare arbitrarily decide on one future. It is a tacit agreement between the girls to trust their present selves.
Just then, shock appeared on Bronya's calm irises. She stared at the direction of Amphoreus, her mouth parting slightly.
'After all the talks of his disciples' uncontrollable obsessions…'
She is the most obsessed of them all.
The future Tuna's actions skirted at the edge of the allowable limits. She divulged the fact that Tian would face a tribulation in the future. Since it was common knowledge that all Tribulation Transcendence Realm cultivators face three tribulations before their ascension as a True Immortal, it did not affect the 'guarantee' of Kiana's Tribulation Transcendence Realm.
As if making a choice, Bronya spoke up.
"...This world will be saved. He is not a Deliverer, but he has a penchant for writing good endings. He is an author who would write this story into the ending he envisioned."
The mention of 'author' explained everything to Polka Kakamond. The being bearing the title of All Creation, the very same one that is about to cause a massive Knowledge Singularity, is this exact same author.
All sorts of thoughts flew in her mind, ultimately coming to a decision.
"I want to see that ending."
Like an illusion, she disappeared swiftly. Only Bronya's future projection was left. She thought of all the possibilities she knew. A sigh escaped her lips.
"Saving the cat… is what we must do."
*****
Phainon's divine trial took hours to complete. The time bought by sacrificing countless lives came to fruition.
"Worldbearing… is returned."
Trianne's voice rang in the empty Vortex of Genesis.
"Who… Cyrene?"
He looked at the grown-up Cyrene with bewilderment.
"You guessed it right."
Phainon would never make a mistake with that pink hair. There is only one person he knew with it.
"It's good you are here, Snowy. Was it successful..?"
Trianne… Tribios did not know what would happen once all twelve Coreflames are returned. All she knew was that the world would enter the Era Nova, escaping from the grasp of the Black Tide.
"This world…"
He bit his lower lip. Inside the divine trial was not just a test, but a revelation. It showed the truth behind Amphoreus' cycles—that every Demigod of today will become the Titan of the next cycle.
"Snowy… you might have not heard of it. Amphoreus… falls under a cycle."
"Teacher Trianne, I…"
"It's not the cycle you are thinking of."
From Griseo's and Flame Reaver's words, they learned of the truth behind Amphoreus' greatest secret. Every time Phainon returns the Coreflame of Worldbearing, he would have to face the Flame Reaver. The latter would end up defeated in his hands. That would be the time the 'embers' born from anger are passed down onto Phainon.
Once he regresses back to the beginning of this cycle, Phainon becomes the Flame Reaver. And so the loop repeats itself over and over again.
Phainon listened intently, barely pushing down his shock.
"That strong guy… is also me?"
"Mhm. He… has gone off to fight."
The graveness behind her tone needed no other explanation. Phainon knew everyone was currently fighting for Amphoreus' sake.
"Teacher Trianne. The arrival of Era Nova began the moment I finished the divine trial. It should be starting by now…"
It was Cyrene's turn to speak.
"I am still here."
"Huh?"
"He… You said it. The Era Nova cannot start as long as I am alive."
"..!"
The Vortex of Genesis fell into a terrifying silence.