CHAPTER 54: | THE MINIATURE WORLD OF THE FIRST SEGMENT | 10
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Warm sunlight, thick with motes of dust, poured through the window, bathing the pages of the book in a soft, golden glow that warmed my fingertips as I turned them.
As I gently flipped to a new one, the crisp whisper of turning paper cut through the hushed stillness of the room, and I paused, the scent of aged parchment filling my nostrils as I pondered.
"I see."
The book's contents only mirrored the structure of this segment, for Celeste carried the information of the next within her mind.
She hadn't bothered to record it in the book, as she needed to report it directly to Astria, verbally.
But she didn't know that I'd heard all of it thanks to my field of perception.
Her voice echoed as she conversed with her mother through a special magic crystal as a medium to deliver their voices.
Reaching the last page, I closed the book, placing it on the table and then turning my gaze to the window.
Beyond the world that had once been a tranquil expanse of emerald and azure now lay scarred and broken.
Trees were splintered monuments, their jagged branches clawing at a bruised sky.
Craters, deep and ragged, pockmarked the ground where the titans had relentlessly churned the earth in their blind search for me.
Someone had guided these bastards to me, since how else could such simple-minded creatures have found me hiding in the Swamp of Despair?
"Quite the interesting habits they have... just hope that I won't find you."
My lips curved into a devilish smile before my face snapped back to its normal, expressionless state just as Celeste's footsteps echoed.
"Alister, I've just reported everything to Mother about our situation, and she said we should quickly leave this place."
Her voice, light, echoed through the quiet room as she swept in, still damp from a bath, clad only in a soft, white towel that clung to her curves.
The scent of her floral soap mingled with the dusty air as she began rummaging through her wardrobe, as fabrics rustled.
"Sister, why did Mother order us to leave?"
Celeste clicked her tongue, then removed her towel and dressed in front of me without any shame, as a bitter smile formed on her lips.
"It's the fault of those five Draconians that destroyed our raid party..."
She bit her lip, a spark of frustration was visible in her eyes as she quickly twisted her long, still-damp hair into a tight bun.
With a sharp flick of her wrist, the faint sound of displaced air echoed as she cast a spell.
"Anyway, we should leave soon. I've felt the Sovereign of Earth making moves around here."
Celeste paused, rummaging through her wardrobe once more, before pulling out some male clothes and throwing them directly at my face.
Her lips curved into a seductive smile.
"I can't wait to see my handsome brother wearing this."
Next, she tossed a pair of shoes onto the king sized bed and approached, asking me to turn my back.
"Let me help you tie your hair."
Celeste's voice buzzed with the excitement of a sister dressing her brother like a doll, as she hummed a cheerful tune.
"Done! Now wear that and let this big sister of yours see your captivating appearance."
I nodded, undressing in front of her before pulling on the black slacks and zipping them up.
I glanced down, the tight fabric of the black slacks unforgivingly outlining 'my sword,' a testament to its defiant presence.
Celeste clicked her tongue.
"Too much exposure! And you look like a fuckable gigolo with that tight slacks."
Celeste rummaged through her wardrobe again, retrieving a more baggy pair of slacks with a faint smile.
"Sadly, I don't have any male underwear, so you'll have to bear with these pants!"
I sighed at her remarks, removing the tight slacks and pulling on the black baggy pair she offered.
She smiled.
"Good, you won't blatantly display your massive 'weapon' now."
I gazed at her, then shook my head.
"Sister, is it really necessary to look good when I'm already handsome enough without any form of clothing?"
Celeste chuckled, then sighed, her gaze assessing me as if I were utterly foolish.
"What do you know? Clothing defines a person's personality and taste. Trust this big sister of yours... and please, try to develop some sense of fashion!"
I met her gaze with a dubious look, shaking my head even as I obediently wore the loose, long-sleeved garment she'd given me.
The garment felt like a robe but was designed as a long-sleeved top.
I liked its feel and its style.
"Your taste is quite good, Sister."
Celeste smiled brightened, her amethyst irises gleaming with excitement and pride, at my compliment.
She brought the mirror before me as a triumphant smirk played on her lips.
"See? I told you clothing would define you! Just looking at you now, I feel liberated, especially with your face."
I chuckled at her choice of words.
Handsome men always attracted Celeste, much like her mother Astria.
"Then take care of me, Sister."
Celeste's steps were hurried as she tugged my sleeve.
"Now let's go."
---
Hours passed as our forms were flickering shadows beneath the canopy of trees, as we dashed at an insane speed.
The swamp water didn't even ripple from our steps, and the scenery blurred around us in a streaking green and brown.
Astria gazed at me with satisfaction, then shouted.
"Careful!"
My eyes dilated as I muttered.
"Quantum Displacement."
Crash!
The sound of something heavy crashing into the lake reverberated, sending plumes of swamp water raining from the sky.
But my form had already distorted as I reappeared tens of meters away, gazing back at where I'd just been.
I saw a great sword, easily as massive as a hundred meters long, embedded in the ground where I had been moments earlier, its hilt towering like a jagged monument.
Celeste tapped on my shoulder.
"Careful, brother. That guy is the one I mentioned earlier."
Her voice was hushed as she whispered into my ear.
"I see, so it's the earth guy, or whatever, right?"
Celeste chuckled at my response.
"You're funny."
Then she closed her eyes as she muttered of unknown words that sounded gibberish.
As she chanted a spell, and a faint pink mist began to emit from her body, swirling like a delicate shroud.
The ancient tree leaves above us shrieked and thrashed as a sudden, violent gust of wind tore through the canopy, and along the perimeter, the delicate lotus plants exploded into green confetti.
Swords made of earth flashed in and out of existence, hurling towards Celeste.
My hand turned purplish, and I moved my palm, intercepting all the projectiles as I performed 'Mad Gate' and 'Mantis State' enhanced by my omniscient field of perception.
Krrak-Krrak-Krrak! Skrrrnnch! Crack! Shhhrash!
A storm of sediments flew through the air before splashing into the swamp as my palm struck them with ease.
The swords rained relentlessly, and then a massive sword, as enormous as the one earlier, descended from the sky, casting a colossal shadow over us.
Closing my eyes, mana surging into my palm, I heaved a breath and muttered.
"Bull Gang."
Crk.
My palm met the sword, and I focused the impact of 'Bull Gang' into the weakest point of the sword's structure.
Cracks spiderwebbed across the sword from the intense pressure of my attack, and it shattered.
Thrummm! Craaaash! Splash!
The sword exploded into pieces, fragments pouring down like a violent, gritty hailstorm.
My palm met each falling fragment that dared to strike Celeste, deflecting them with precision.
The swamp water churned and roiled as a massive figure appeared, its silhouette hulking against the dim light, strode into it.
Each heavy step sent ripples across the lake, disturbing the stillness.
Thick, menacing horns crowned its head.
Its scaled hands clapped, a slow, deliberate sound, acknowledging my bravado.
It clearly showed amusement.
"Amazing. To think that a mere human could block my attacks. For that, I, Tellus, shall grant you a painful death."