There was confusion and shock in Phantylia voice.
It had only been a few system hours since she released The Doomsday Beast and yet, before her now stood that same unknown being who had defeated it… walking upon the Pathstrider itself!?
Back then, when he fought the beast, he hadn't even touched a Path. So how could he now be walking on not one, but two paths at once?
And not just any two, but the most troublesome ones of all.
What made things worse for Phantylia was that the force of Path surrounding X was no weaker than her own.
In other words the very first step of her plan had already failed.
A terrible omen.
"Tch... unlucky start." Phantylia muttered, clicking her tongue as the flames cloaking her form began to fade.
Time to run. I've kicked an iron wall this time. Stay any longer and I'll be toast!
X raised his hand, ready to unleash a photon blast but quickly stopped himself.
Using light-based attacks recklessly inside a Starship could easily damage it, and the last thing he wanted was to be questioned later for "accidentally blowing a hole in the ship."
His gaze locked onto Illusory Ember's retreating silhouette, watching until she dimmed and vanished into the void.
[It's gone.]
X said, his voice calm. Then lifted the transformation.
As the transformation faded, Daichi's human form reappeared inside the control room. The tension that had hung thick in the air finally began to dissolve.
Tingyun let out a long, trembling breath of relief.
"Miss Tingyun, are you okay?"
Daichi reached out to steady her as she nearly stumbled.
"My legs... seem to have lost their strength."
she murmured softly, leaning against him.
He helped her to a nearby seat. Her fingers, gripping the folded fan trembled slightly. Her bright, peach-blossom eyes were now misted with exhaustion and lingering fear.
After all, she had just come face to face with an Lord Ravagers, and somehow survived. No experience in her life could compare.
It was... exhilarating, in a way that left her body weak.
"My deepest thanks benefactor for saving me once again."
Tingyun said with a small bow of her head.
Once she had steadied her emotions, she began instructing the crew to check whether the Starship had suffered any damage during the encounter.
Not wanting to get in their way, Daichi returned to his quarters and his body was already telling him it was time to rest.
—————————————————
[Daichi.]
X's voice came from the terminal in his hand.
[While we were merged earlier, I sensed something... strange inside me.]
"Huh? What kind of strange?" Daichi frowned slightly. "You're not feeling sick, are you?"
[Not at all. The new energy doesn't seem harmful. In fact, after gaining it, my regeneration rate has increased significantly.]
[At this pace, I should be able to restore my physical form in just a few days.]
"That's good to hear."
Relieved that nothing was wrong, Daichi leaned back slightly and asked curiously.
"So... any idea where that new power came from?"
[I'm not sure.] X answered after a moment of thought.
[But while you were telling me about my 'future' earlier, my consciousness drifted somewhere else.]
"Somewhere else?"
[Yes. I found myself floating in space. Before me stood... a legless golem littered with cracks, holding a massive hammer.]
[It seemed to be building a wall. I tried to get closer, but then another figure appeared. Someone with three pairs of arms, blocking my way.]
[They looked at me for a while, and just as they were about to do something, I snapped back to reality.]
[They were enormous... maybe a native lifeform of this universe?]
Having drifted through the stars for so long, X was understandably curious.
But Daichi, after listening carefully, quickly realized who X had encountered.
"legless golem littered with cracks and holding a massive hammer..." Daichi murmured, recalling the lore from the game he once knew.
"Yes, they exist in this universe but not as lifeforms exactly."
"Here, the cosmos follows something called the Paths the Fates themselves. And those who walk at the forefront of those paths are known as... Aeons."
He paused, eyes widening slightly as he pieced together the clues.
"legless golem being with the hammer must be the Aeon of Preservation, and the one with three pairs of arms... the Aeon of Abundance."
[This is the first time I've heard of something like that. So that's what makes this universe unique?]
The concepts of Paths and Aeons were entirely new to X.
Even after traveling across countless planets, he had never encountered anything quite like them and that made him deeply curious.
"X, if you said you actually saw them, then most likely you've already begun walking along their Paths in this universe. And they're probably the source of your new power."
[Walking on their Path…?]
X tilted his head, showing his usual curious nature.
[But I didn't do anything special. Why would I be walking on their Path?]
Daichi rubbed his chin thoughtfully as he recalled what he knew.
"It seems that as long as your actions or your beliefs align with a certain Path, you naturally step onto it."
In simple terms, it was idealism given form.
And for an Ultraman like X who willingly protected others, even at the cost of his own life his ideals and actions perfectly aligned with the doctrines of Abundance and Preservation.
It was no coincidence that The Aeons of Amber Lord and The Healer chose him.
[So it's about following your heart, huh.]
X nodded as if he'd suddenly understood.
[Then what about you, Daichi? Are you walking on your own Path too?]
"Me?"
Daichi pointed to himself and gave a self-deprecating laugh.
"I'm just an ordinary person, X. I don't have such unwavering conviction."
[Ordinary? No way!]
X immediately protested.
[Daichi, out of everyone I've ever fought beside, you're the one who resonates with me the most!]
[From the moment we first merged, I knew it we were destined to fight together! So don't call yourself ordinary. You're my best partner!]
"..."
Daichi held the X Terminal for a moment then smiled.
"You're right. I'm X's partner now. I'm definitely not ordinary."
[Exactly! That's the spirit!]
Daichi chuckled again.
"You know, maybe I should get myself a belt and hang you on it. Otherwise, if I keep carrying you in my hand, won't it block your view?"
[I think that's a great idea!]