Chapter 10: Echoes Beyond the Sky
Noah was just stepping down from the Awakening Platform when a voice like rolling thunder stirred in his head.
"Kid, play with your little girl all you want later. But first… release us from here."
Noah froze, his grip tightening unconsciously around Lila's hand. Play...Little girl?
He muttered back in thought, What are you talking about? She's my sister.
A low chuckle rumbled across his mind. The Dragon Supreme.
"Do you really think you can fool us? Supremes who've walked eternity, who've seen the threads of every past and every possibility? We know more about your history than you know yourself. Spare the act… her, and the other two girls you call sis—"
Alright, alright! Noah cut him off, cheeks burning. Don't spell it out here! I'll find a place, just shut up for now!
Beside him, Lila squeezed his hand tighter, eyes bright with joy at his awakening.
"Noah," she whispered, almost bouncing on her toes, "you really did it."
He forced a smile. "Yeah… hey, can you wait here a bit? I… need to go to the washroom. Won't be long."
She nodded eagerly. "Okay!"
Noah pulled away gently and sprinted down the stone corridors until the voices of the crowd vanished. His heart raced, not just from running but from the pressure in his chest. Finally, he found a shadowed alcove behind the grand walls where no one ever came.
He shut his eyes and opened the portal into his mind realm. Reality folded like glass bending, a shimmering gateway expanding before him.
As the Supremes' silhouettes began to emerge, a calm, ancient voice cut through the chaos.
"Before stepping out… suppress your aura." It was the Sage, his tone carrying both warning and inevitability. "If anyone sense us here, with this fragile boy's presence, they will slaughter him a thousand times over until our secrets are torn free. Do not risk it."
One by one, towering presences dimmed themselves, shrinking into shadows of what they truly were. They stepped out, but as swiftly as they appeared, they began to vanish again, streaking away in forms unique to their essence.
Kronexus dissolved into a lattice of radiant lines, disappearing upward, probably towards the orbiting moon-sized satellite. The Vampire Supreme dissolved into a crimson mist, muttering about needing a "throne of decadence." The Beast Supreme and Shadow Supreme grinned, talking of armies to rebuild, then vanished into the call of unseen wilderness. The Weapon Saint gave only a sharp laugh—"I need new prey"—before blurring into a streak of steel-gray wind.
Only four remained: Dragon, Demon, Angel, and Sage.
The Dragon's voice cut the silence, sharp as a drawn blade.
"Samael… quite the name you claimed. Among demons, none more feared is it. How about we test if you're worthy of it? I propose a duel."
The Demon's lip curled into a sneer, eyes glinting like burning coals.
"A duel? Heh. I'll enjoy killing you—again and again. Billions, trillions of times if needed. Kekeke…"
The Dragon laughed, deep and booming. "That suits me well. In this boy's memory I found a place… 'Bootes Void,' was it? Strange naming sense if I say. A region of space so empty it could swallow entire galaxies. No world to break, no wives to scold us for tearing things apart."
The Angel finally stirred, wings flickering with golden light. His voice was cold as steel wrapped in flame.
"If you two play, you'll leave me out? No. I will join. A three-way battle—unending. We cannot die, so why not sharpen eternity upon one another?"
For a heartbeat, all three stared at each other. Then they erupted in laughter—different tones, yet all carrying the same hunger.
In an instant, they became streaks of light, ripping through the skies, vanishing beyond the atmosphere toward the endless dark.
The Sage alone remained, watching their trail. His voice softened, carrying both wonder and melancholy.
"This world is young, fragile, and… fascinating. I will wander it. Knowledge here may surpass even ours."
And with that, he too dissolved, scattering like pages carried away by the wind.
Silence descended. Noah exhaled, pressing a hand to his face.
"T-take care...I guess?"
"The fuck am I even talking about…They just said they'll kill each other trillions of times over…" He shook his head, then smirked. "And somehow they happen to be my other selves. Hah. I really am a badass."
His laugh echoed in the empty corridor, half-mad, half-triumphant.
---
Meanwhile…
Where Noah had vanished from the platform, murmurs spread like wildfire.
"What? Where did he disappear?"
"Did some high-level being kill him?"
"Or maybe one of his assimilated counterparts had enemies who hunted him down?"
"Damn it… we lost our chance to network with him!"
No one believed, not for even a second, that a freshly awakened Legendary would abandon his newfound fame… for a washroom break.
Lila, however, was lost in thoughts of her own. Her cheeks flushed crimson as she bit her lip.
Shouldn't Noah have the Dragon Factor?
She had heard the rumors—dragons, with their boundless vitality, were said to be creatures of endless hunger, their urges impossible to sate.
Her blush deepened, creeping to her ears. T-then… does that mean Noah…
The image in her head was enough to make her wobble on her feet. N-no… if my sisters find out, they'll definitely try to be first… I can't let that happen.
Her fingers curled into fists as she made a silent vow, her inner voice turning oddly fierce.
This is my chance. I'll seize it. Sorry, big sisters… but your cute little sister demands more..hehe.. this one's mine.
---
By the time the buzz in the courtyard had died down and the crowd began to disperse, Noah returned, looking refreshed and far too calm for someone whose awakening had shaken half the college.
Lila spotted him instantly. Her face softened, and without hesitation she rushed over and clasped his hand again.
He blinked, a little confused by her sudden intensity, but said nothing. Together, they walked side by side, leaving the academy grounds.
Heading home.
To share the good news.