However, Era soon spoke, breaking the silence.
"The time has come, Rainer. To cease this constant fleeing, to face Dreadnight in battle, and prove to all the higher beings above that you are worthy of your title as 'The Champion!'"
Rainer grew and brightened up at Era's passionate speech as if drawing in a fresh breath of oxygen, but then he paused, seeming to remember something, and soon dulled, deflating back in silence.
The darkness churned slightly in confusion.
"Rainer?"
Era gently called and he glided away from her.
There was a brief moment of silence when Era spoke again, stunned.
"I dare not believe it. You are scare—"
"It's not yet time, Era."
Rainer interjected and the darkness closed in, churning, trembling as if enraged.
"You cannot doubt yourself, Rainer! Not now! Not after the shame, and the harm done to those you claim to love!"
Era harshly scolded and Rainer's flame dulled even more.
"It's a 50:50 victory at most anyway." He weakly muttered, cringing at his sorry excuse.
"To you Rainer, that is a boon! You'v–we've faced abysmally worse odds!! And we came out victorious every time!!!" Era pressed, closing in all around him.
"E-Era. Ple–please not now. I-I..." Rainer stuttered gliding away, trapped, but then he stopped and flickered as if having an idea.
"Yes! I still have something to do at the lower realms!"
There was silence, and the darkness backed away slightly.
"What could that be?"
Era inquired and Rainer glided about, thinking.
"Er... Ro-Rome! Right, Rome! I once promised to raise a Roman civilization to the level befitting of a Celestial Empire!"
"..."
Era went speechless as the darkness stopped churning.
But then she suddenly exploded.
"Do not lie to me, fool! We are one entity, you can't lie to me!"
"Then you must know why I'm hesitant. Right, Era?" Rainer muttered sullenly, undeterred by her outburst.
"You must know I'd die, even if I win."
Era went into a glum silence at this, and Rainer laughed to himself.
"I made you revert to your old self, didn't I? I like you better this way."
"Bafoon..."
"Haha. Don't fret, Era. I've always been drawn to Rome's potential—perhaps there, I can find the strength to face Dreadnight."
"...You should forget her, Rainer. Devour the Qegons and take back your glory. Become 'The One.'" Era gently coaxed.
"Era..." Rainer sighed to himself as if disappointed in her—disappointed in himself.
Era went silent for a moment, but the increasing intensity of the trembling void clued Rainer into her emotional state.
"Haah!" She let out a heated sigh.
"Very well. I will send you to an Earth's universe. To an era the Roman Empire still existed."
Era resignedly informed, then warned solemnly.
"But take heed. This shall be your last transmigration; for once your mortal form dies, you shall transform into your true form, and slay Dreadnight for his betrayal."
Rainer immediately brightened up.
"Thank you! You're the best, Era!"
"You are most—unwelcomed."
Her begrudging tone rang out as the darkness expanded.
"Dreadnight seems to have sensed your essence—even through my veil."
Era offhandedly revealed.
"He is rapidly approaching."
Rainer jolted and frantically began gliding about.
"Hurry up and transmigrate me then!"
"It is disappointing..." Era mused. "You could have transformed into your true form and slain him here."
"Era!" Rainer urged.
"...As you will." She resigned.
Rainer suddenly flickered as if remembering something and then he glided toward the darkness.
"Don't forget to send the Qegons' essence down to them at the lower realms! It will help me recognize them when I encounter anyone!" He quickly prompted.
"As you command, but I shall veil and place a lock on them. So that your powers may not leak out excessively; Dreadnight and his hunters may sense it otherwise." Era grimly informed.
With that, the darkness violently churned, and suddenly all seven wisps were infused with energy, pulsing like dying stars; each one an exquisite celestial marvel in its own right.
Their combined energy soon coalesced into a brilliant beam that streaked down into an undulating pool of space in the nothingness. The pool rippled, reflecting waves of ethereal light before disappearing as though it had never existed.
Then, there was a foreboding silence...
A moment later, space tore open as blood red lightning crackled across the emptiness.
Jagged, scarlet, crack lines rapidly spread across the void, and soon, a single massive claw broke through, widening the opening before slowly withdrawing.
Suddenly, a manic cosmic eye peered through the slim opening, followed by a low, guttural growl that shook the void. The vibrations extended scarlet cracks even more, like bleeding webs across space and time, buckling under the weight of the being's unbridled malice.
"I... thirst."
It's pained, maddening growl clawed beneath the rumbling, its ravings inspiring abject terror, alongside a trace of pity.
–––
In a dim cave lit by a candle, placed upon a monster's skull the size of a shelf, a humanoid form covered in fur abruptly opened her eyes in horror.
Frantic and panicked she pushed off her blanket, picking up her walking staff.
*Clackek!* *Clackek!*
The nuts and trinkets rattled as she struggled to her feet. Then she hurriedly limped to the wall, her white tail sweeping low against the floor.
Shakily brushing off the dust, an old painting was revealed—of a humanoid knight, clad in gold upon a blazing eagle leading hundreds of thousands of soldiers in neat block formations against a chaotic horde in the gloomy distance, as monstrous abominations loomed across the horizon.
"The Golden Celestial, Hell's Mortal Guardian, and Chosen of the Sacred Eagle..."
She muttered in awe, eyes glistening in relieved tears.
"The prophecy be fulfilled, our savior has come."
*Crackle!*
Lightning flashed outside and her head swept to the side, startled.
It was a dark night, and a chill wind had begun to pick up.
She trembled, but it was not due to the chill. But the being who stood before her cave.
A furry humanoid being, crouched and wearing the wide mask of what seemed like a lion, but it was not a mane that surrounded it, but leaves.
It tilted its head slightly as it observed the fur-covered woman. Then he pounced.
"Ahh!"
Her terrified shriek faded into the night.