The Angel of Imagination, Adam!
The divine incarnation of the Ancient Sun God, the mastermind behind countless Fourth Epoch events, with a mind as cunning as they come.
Alaric raised an eyebrow, utterly unfazed. He wasn't even surprised Adam was here, merely chuckling as if in awe. "Quite the lively gathering!"
"Adam!" Medici spotted the figure emerging from the air, his gaze turning icy.
But whether due to his own strength or the Ancient Sun God's presence, Medici restrained himself, avoiding any rash moves.
Adam didn't acknowledge them, his eyes fixed on the Ancient Sun God. Two pairs of golden eyes, similar yet distinct, met in a silent exchange.
Time seemed to freeze... or perhaps it didn't.
The Ancient Sun God sighed, breaking the silence. "Why?"
"It was a necessary sacrifice." Adam replied, understanding the question. Gazing at his past self, he spoke calmly, "Some things became irreversible the moment you fell. I'm only doing what must be done."
The Ancient Sun God closed his eyes, a mix of sorrow, exhaustion, and anger flickering across his face. When he opened them, he looked at Adam. "You may be right, but… as the Lord they swore loyalty to, I owe them something."
Adam remained impassive.
"One minute's almost up, gentlemen. Mind the time." Alaric interjected, his gaze lingering on Adam. As the Ancient Sun God and Medici held a private, encrypted exchange, Alaric spoke with intrigue. "Mr. Adam, you speak of necessary sacrifices. If sacrificing yourself could save the world, would you do it?"
Adam turned to Alaric, his golden eyes devoid of joy or sorrow. He nodded. "If the sacrifice served a purpose, of course I would."
Alaric smiled, just as the Ancient Sun God finished his hushed words with Medici. The minute was up.
"Until next time, Mr. Grisha." Alaric said warmly.
"Until next time, Mr. Alaric." The Ancient Sun God replied, vanishing as his words faded.
In a blink, only five remained in the underground chamber: Sauron, Einhorn, Medici, Adam, and Alaric.
"Should I be scared? Looks like I'm the easiest target here." Alaric said, his tone anything but fearful, brimming with eagerness.
Adam glanced at him, clearly sensing Alaric's anticipation... of a fight, perhaps even a mutual destruction. "You might need a psychiatrist. Shall I recommend one?" Adam asked gently.
"Tch, you're no fun…" Alaric pouted, then grinned. "But I'll pass on the psychiatrist. I think I'm pretty normal."
Alaric genuinely believed this. Compared to the world's myriad lunatics, his quirks were hardly notable.
"Tch, you two lunatics are hitting it off." Medici cut in, his tone dripping with sarcasm.
"Mr. Medici, consider this: split personalities are a condition too. So, we've got three lunatics here." Alaric said earnestly, then corrected himself. "No, wait... five."
Medici nearly rolled his eyes. Sauron and Einhorn burst into laughter.
"I'm starting to like this kid!"
"Right? Five lunatics! Everyone's mad... name a high-sequence Beyonder who isn't?"
At that moment, the surrounding colors twisted, and a figure in a linen robe appeared. A striking youth with silver hair and matching eyes, sporting dramatic, glowing wings... the Angel of Fate, Ouroboros, once a follower of the Ancient Sun God, now loyal to the True Creator.
Ouroboros was clearly here on the True Creator's orders. His gaze fell first on Adam, wary, then on Alaric, nodding slightly. "Mr. Alaric, the Lord sends His regards and looks forward to further cooperation."
"I'm looking forward to it too." Alaric replied, his smile bright and warm.
Ouroboros turned to Medici, falling silent, his expression a mix of sorrow and joy.
After over a millennium, the Angel of Fate was reunited with an old friend.
"What's with that look, big snake? Gonna cry like a kid?" Medici smirked, ever the provocateur. "You don't look rebooted to me!"
Ouroboros didn't take the bait, studying Medici intently before saying earnestly, "You're still alive. That's good." His tone carried the joy of reclaiming something lost.
Ouroboros had lost too much... the Ancient Sun God's fall, Sasrir's disappearance, the betrayal of the three gods, Amon and Adam's divergence. Once surrounded by friends, he now prayed alone at the True Creator's side. Though content, seeing an old friend brought him genuine happiness.
"Tch! Don't worry, even if you fall, I won't die cleanly…" Medici's expression stiffened at Ouroboros's sincerity, managing only a gruff retort.
"Straight talk meets tsundere... natural airheads really do counter schemers!" Alaric narrated from the sidelines, reveling in the spectacle.
"Adam's gone, and you're still here?" Medici snapped at Alaric, annoyed.
"I know that one... it's the snow leopard meme!" Alaric quipped, unfazed by Medici's claim that Adam had left. In truth, Adam had vanished when Ouroboros greeted Alaric... whether truly gone or merely blending into the air, Alaric didn't care.
He just assumed Adam was absent.
Grinning at Medici, Alaric said, "Of course I'm still here. I haven't achieved my other goal yet!"
"What goal?" Medici raised an eyebrow.
"I want to invite you to a hot pot dinner, Mr. Medici. Please, it's really important to me." Alaric said, clasping his hands in a pleading gesture.
Medici recalled Alaric's earlier "hot pot" jab, and his irritation turned to exasperated amusement. Gritting his teeth, he growled, "You… you're something else!"
***
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