The Journey Beyond The Absolute
Stronger Foe?
As Me Kael Ryn and Lucien Morvane speak in unison, their voices resonate in a shared moment of disbelief, saying, "Damn... not now." The air around us feels electric, charged with urgency, as we all find ourselves collapsing to our knees, a whirlwind of emotions and sensations coursing through us. Our hair, at times cascading normally down our backs, seems to flicker between the ordinary and the ethereal, embodying a state that could only be described as transcendent.
In the midst of this chaos, Kael Ryn, ever the leader, lifts his voice above the din. "Lets get out of here before our forms vanish into nothingness," he exclaims. With determination, he strides over to the unconscious body of Nyxara Echelon, lifting her with surprising ease as if she were a mere feather despite her formidable presence.
The rest of us respond in sync, a chorus of urgency, as we urge one another, "We should hurry before its too late!" With a renewed sense of purpose, we begin to strike through every single digit of the absolute column that stands between us and freedom, each punch sending shockwaves through the air. The columns shatter under ourcombined force like glass, and in a breathtaking series of movements, we soar out of the collapsing dimension. As we break free, our forms begin to dissolve, transitioning back into their ordinary states.
Lucien, the everoptimistic one, beams as we escape, his grin wide. "I knew wed make it out!" he declares triumphantly, a spark of victory in his eyes.
Kael Ryn, matching Luciens enthusiasm, responds with a playful grin of his own, "I know, right?"
I take a moment to breathe in the atmosphere, calming my thoughts amidst the chaos. "Uh, guys, I think we all have bigger things to worry about," I calmly interject, pointing downwards.
Both Kael Ryn and Lucien glance at each other before they look down, bewilderment washing over their faces in unison. "What?!" they exclaim simultaneously as the realization dawns upon them we are plummeting through the sky.
"What do we do?" I ask, my voice steady despite the alarming situation we find ourselves in.
Kael Ryn, ever the coolheaded one, responds with a grin that somehow remains reassuring despite the chaos. "Nothing at all. Or, to be precise, nothing to worry about! This is the realm of the goddess Aeona Axiom, so well land safely." He crosses his arms, his confidence palpable.
Lucien, still wearing that characteristic grin, raises an eyebrow. "Oh, is that so?" He mimics Kael Ryns casual stance, arms crossed as he floats downwards.
Before we can even contemplate our fate further, the descent slows dramatically, as if we are caught in a gentle embrace of an unseen force.
Inner thoughts swirl in my mind like storm clouds So, thats how I survived that fall that one time. It was her, the goddess Aeona Axiom, who must have intervened on my behalf. Just how strong is she that even Kael holds her name in such high regard and trusts her implicitly?
Kael Ryns casual voice breaks through my reverie, "See? I told you we would land safely."
"You know we already knew that, right?" Lucien chimes in with a satisfied smirk.
As their voices start to fade into the background, another thought emerges, unsettling yet persistent Who is she really? And why does her voice echo in my mind so familiarly, as if shes someone Ive known my whole life?
"Hey, are you there?" Kael Ryns voice cuts through my contemplation, pulling me back to the present.
"Um?" I reply, momentarily disoriented.
"Its clear that something is troubling you," Kael says, his tone patient and understanding. "I wont force you to tell me, but dont let it distract you like this."
"You know what, Sensei, youre right," I concede, feeling a renewed sense of focus.
"Good," he replies, extending his hand out toward me.
Gratefully, I take his hand, allowing him to pull me back up into the present moment.
Lucien then casually remarks, "We didnt properly introduce ourselves, did we?"
Kael Ryn brushes it off, "Meh, what good do names do at this point? Were good friends regardless."
Lucien, not one to let that slide, grins and insists, "Youre not getting it, silly! Names are about identity!"
I cant help but let out a soft laugh at their banter. "Haha."
"What? Did I say something wrong?" Lucien asks with a teasing grin.
"No," I reply, regaining my composure after the amusement.
"Then what?" he presses.
"Its just that I didnt think you two would actually argue over something like names!"
They exchange glances, a shared moment of realization, before turning their attention back to me. "Oh yeah? What do you suggest then?"
With newfound conviction, I voice my thoughts. "I agree with Luciennames are important for identity. But I also see Kaels point about our friendship transcending that. So, heres the compromise We introduce ourselves properly, but we wont call each other by our names moving forward. That way, both of your concerns are addressedkilling two birds with one stone."
Luciens eyes widen at my suggestion, "I never thought about it that way... I have no complaints."
Kael Ryn offers a soft smile, "You know, for someone whos only 15 years old, you certainly possess a wisdom that belies your age. I have no complaints either."
I nod, a sense of pride swelling within me. "All this came from my father."
"He must have been an extraordinary man," Kael responds casually, a thoughtful look gracing his features.
"Yeah, maybe," I reply, my mind drifting momentarily to the past. "But enough about the past. Lets go back home already."
"Follow me then," Kael Ryn says nonchalantly, turning to lead the way home.
I hoist Nyxara Echelons unconscious body over my shoulder, dragging her lightly along as we navigate through the familiar paths that lead to our home. Once there, I place her in the basementa strategic move to keep her contained and out of sight until we can unravel the answers hidden within her.
As I secure her restraints, Kael Ryn casually instructs, "Make sure shes bound tightly well need her for questioning later."
"I understand," I respond as I chain her up securely, making sure she wont be able to escape.
With a flick of his wrist, Kael suddenly splashes cold water onto Nyxara Echelons face, his intent to wake her clear.
Gradually, she begins to stir, mumbling, "Huh...?" Her brow furrows as she feels the cold droplets running down her skin. The instant she registers her surroundings, an alarmed look flashes across her face as she instinctively reaches for her sword, only to find herself firmly shackled.
The atmosphere was thick with tension as Kael Ryn, a figure known for his laidback demeanor, casually inquired, "Who sent you?" His voice resonated with a deceptively relaxed tone, a stark contrast to the charged situation unfolding around them.
Nyxara Echelon, a formidable presence even in her current state of vulnerability, responded with an icy calmness that belied the precariousness of her situation. "Do you honestly believe that you can hold me?" Her confidence, though marred by fatigue, still flickered like a flame ready to ignite once more.
Kael Ryn, seemingly unfazed by her defiance, replied with an air of casual certainty. "Of course we can. Youre still recovering after our battlewe both know you dont possess the kind of power necessary to overcome us right now." His eyes flickered with understanding, hinting at their previous clash, which had taken a toll on both parties involved.
Nyxaras frustration was palpable as she gritted her teeth in response, hissing under her breath, "Tch."
I interjected, my voice steady and calm amid the brewing storm. "Just tell us who sent you, and well let you go." My words hung in the air, a desperate plea for cooperation, hoping to defuse the escalating conflict with reason.
Regaining her composure, Nyxaras demeanor shifted, her confidence returning even as the situation spiraled. "Youll have to kill me to even come close to hearing her name," she stated flatly, her resignation laced with a hint of defiance. It was clear that her loyalty ran deep the name she protected was one of great importance.
Then, as if drawn in by an unseen force, the window suddenly ignited with a vivid yellow glow that radiated as if lit from within. Emerging from this brilliance, an enigmatic figure materialized, a grin plastered across her face. "Id hate to ruin your parade," she announced with an unsettling cheerfulness, "but you have someone I need. Bosss orders are to retrieve her."
In an explosive movement, she shattered the glass, launching herself like a streak of lightning through the opening. Her long pink hair danced wildly in the air as she broke through the ceiling, her blue eyes locking onto mine through the mask that obscured her identity. Clad in a flowing black cloak that moved as though caught in an unseen gale, and dark pants that molded seamlessly to her body, she acted with blinding speed. In an instant, she seized Nyxara Echelon, rendering us helpless as she orchestrated her escape. In that moment, sinister holes appeared in our chests, as if the air itself had turned against us, and she leaped from the window, Nyxara firmly in her grasp.
I assessed the situation, my voice remaining unexpectedly calm despite the chaos. "Are you guys okay?" I barely avoided the onslaught that came from the mysterious assailant.
Kael Ryn, laboring under the weight of pain, absently replied, "Dont worry about us... just go." His words were punctuated by the sight of crimson blood seeping from his injuries, trickling through his fingers and down his lips.
Lucien Morvane, despite the grimness of his own condition, managed a grin, though it trembled on the edge of desperation. "Id hate to admit it, but hes rightgo, now! We wont be able to catch up to her in time. Youre the only one who can," he articulated with painful clarity, clutching his bleeding chest with a grimace.
"But you guys are" I started, my concern evident.
Kael interrupted swiftly, "Dont worry about us. Go now! The longer you spend helping us, the farther away she gets. We cant let her take our only lead." His insistence was resolute, a clear signal that the urgency outweighed my desire to aid them.
Determined, I nodded reluctantly and turned away, leaping through the shattered window. I caught sight of the figure on the rooftop, an ephemeral silhouette against the starlit sky, and propelled myself toward her.
She sighed audibly in exasperation. "What a pain," she muttered, bounding effortlessly from rooftop to rooftop.
"Wait!" I called out, unwilling to relent. I took off after her, my heart pounding in my chest.
With a wicked grin, she tossed Nyxara aside. "Youre slowing me down, so you go report to the boss," she ordered, her tone dripping with nonchalance.
Nyxara, showing no signs of hesitation, nodded in understanding before sprinting away, a shadow consumed by the night.
"You seriously think Ill let you get away?" I shouted, adrenaline surging through my veins as I charged after her.
In a dark, mocking tone, she stepped in front of me, blocking my path with an impenetrable presence. "Your fight is with me."
"Ill rip you limb from limb," she declared, her eyes burning with a fierce intensity. Instantly, she wrenched off my right arm with a swift, practiced motion.
"Aah!!" I exclaimed, a scream of anguish escaping my lips as I clutched the bloody stump of my missing arm, the pain searing through me like fire.
"Oh, your fear is delicious!" she taunted, savoring the moment as a predator relishes the first taste of its prey.
"Gget ready for this!" I retorted defiantly, summoning all my strength to deliver a devastating punch aimed squarely at her face.
In a shocking display of power, she caught my punch effortlessly with just one finger. "How weak," she remarked with a disdainful expression. With a flick of her wrist, she swept my legs from under me and pinned me down by my neck.
"Do not underestimate me!" I grunted, grappling with her arms, using every ounce of strength to throw her into a twirl, forcing her off me.
"Not bad for a weakling," she replied with a twisted grin, clearly enjoying the challenge.
I seized the moment, unleashing a fervent barrage of blows aimed at her face, fueled by a mix of desperation and anger.
With a glimmer of surprise in her eyes, she remarked, "Hoh? Youre faster than I thought. But no matter." In a single fluid motion, she caught my fists, swiftly flipping me over before delivering a punishing blow that demolished the very mountain we fought upon.
"So fast," I gasped, blood trickling down my nose, but my spirit remained unbroken. "But I wont quit!" I countered, channeling my resolve into one last, powerful punch aimed at her face.
Get baited! She sidestepped my attack effortlessly, delivering a gutwrenching punch that knocked the wind out of me, sending me tumbling through the air.
I coughed up blood, the harsh reality of our confrontation settling upon me. She was exceptionally toughfar tougher than I had anticipated.
With a dark grin, she leaned closer, her voice dripping with malice, "My turn again." With a flick of her wrist, she flung me into the void of space, a realm where reality felt as flimsy as a whisper.
As I drifted away from any semblance of ground, I found myself entering an incomprehensible dimension the Absolute Container. Here, impossibility fused with possibility, where impossiblity and possibility, have a beyond absolute infinite number of layers, where each possibility and impossiblity trancend to the point where comparison becomes irrelevant. Where every thread of logic unraveled as I floated aimlessly. The Absolute Container can also trancend itself as much as It wants to. The Absolute Container contains the Absolute Continuums, and enveloped everything, transcending not only reality itself but also the very concepts that governed existence.
"I thought I destroyed all the Absolute Continuums," I panted, finally regaining my footing in the boundless void, trying to clear the haze from my mind.
Her grin widened maliciously, deepening the chasm of fear in my gut. "In that dimension you did, but this is a different dimension after all."
"Oh, right! I forgot about that. How do you even know this stuff?" I asked, a hint of desperation creeping into my voice.
With an incomprehensible satisfaction, she mused, "Like Id tell you. But lets just say that the boss knows a lot about you." Her tone carried a note of sinister assurance, indicating that this was far from over.
Clenching my fists, I steeled my resolve. "I see now!" I declared defiantly, gathering my power to throw a devastating punch aimed directly at her face.
She caught it, a twisted smile still dancing on her lips. "My turn now," she taunted, twisting my momentum before sending a punch that hurled me through an unfathomable number of Absolute Containersa disorientation that threatened to consume me entirely.
Lying on the cold, unforgiving ground of a newly forged dimension, blood cascading down my body in torrents, I gritted my teeth in defiance. Damn it, I cannot let it end here…
As the chaotic landscape around me trembles beneath the immense weight of fate, an immense figure, cloaked in shadows and malevolence, stomps down upon me with a force that obliterates an infinite number of Absolute Containers, erasing them into oblivion. My eyes widen in disbelief, filled with both shock and a creeping sense of dread. Ugh...damn it... My thoughts whirl as I grapple with the enormity of the situation, and with a sinking feeling, I allow my eyes to close, surrendering to the enveloping embrace of darkness that spreads like an allconsuming void.
In this dark abyss, a blurry figure appears before me, shifting and flickering like the last remnants of a fading dream. Unable to discern its features, I speak calmly, my voice echoing faintly, "Who are you?"
To my astonishment, I hear a voice resonating in my mindintangible yet distinctly present. Who, me? Call me Azaor. Theres a strange warmth to its tone, juxtaposed by the chill that runs down my spine. I see youre able to communicate through telepathy. But more importantly, why do I appear as a mere blur to you?
Azaor chuckles darkly, the sound reverberating ominously in my head. Because most beings cannot withstand my true form without slipping into madness.
Still holding onto my calm demeanor, I inquire cautiously, "What is your business with me?"
The response rolls through my consciousness like a distant thunderclap. Its simple, really. I noticed that she was making things particularly difficult for you, and I saw that you need my power. But, of course, it comes at a pricesomething will be exchanged for someone else. The final part of the sentence echoes with an unsettling finality.
"What do you want?" I ask, ever aware of the weight of his proposition.
Azaors voice drips with calculated malice as he replies, How about 5% of your soul?
I narrow my eyes, skepticism brewing within me. "That sounds too good to be true. There must be a hidden catch or a significant drawback."
Ah, youll only discover that when you choose to wield it, Azaors voice resounds in my mind, almost mocking. So, shall we make a deal?
With a heavy sigh, I acknowledge my dire circumstances it feels as if I have no choice but to accede. Its a matter of survival either I live or face the consequences of her merciless grasp. "Very well then, I accept your offer," I say, my resolve solidifying even as uncertainty gnaws at my thoughts.
Azaor grins wider as he extends a black, blurred hand toward me. Put it there, he urges, the shadows rippling around him in response to our impending pact.
Reluctantly, I reach out and take his hand, a shiver coursing through me as our fates intertwine. In an instant, the world shifts again, and I find myself standing facetoface with ???, a menacing figure filled with dark intentions.
Suddenly, a blinding light erupts from the sky, a radiant phenomenon that appears as if it could consume the heavens themselves. ??? jumps back, her dark grin widening as she exclaims, "Oh, what is this?"
A majestic, shadowy aura envelops me, transforming my very essence. My eyes turn an inky black, void of any color, while my hair shifts to a shimmering white my cloak becomes a deep abyssal hue, and my pants darken to match. In an astonishing display, my right arm, once lost, regenerates effortlessly, and the wounds that marred my body close in response to this overwhelming surge of power. I declare darkly, "I see this is my… Absolute Pinnacle!" Clenching my fists together, I feel the boundless strength coursing through me.
??? grins with evident glee as she assesses the transformation. "Oh, what do we have here? Still alive after everything? You are worthy of knowing my actual nameno one has ever survived my attacks before! Call me Imperia Apexus."
With a determination ignited within me, I respond darkly, "Im going to break you now. Need a hand...?" Before she can react, I catch her punch effortlessly and slice through her hand with a single flick of my finger, sending a shockwave of pain across her being.
Imperia, undeterred and surprisingly resilient, grins wickedly. "Not bad at all." In the blink of an eye, her severed hand regenerates, and she unleashes a torrent of punches, each intended to overwhelm me.
Maintaining my calm demeanor, I step forward, effortlessly absorbing her strikes as though they were but mere whispers of pain. "Is that all? You seriously thought something like that would hurt me, especially after everything youve put me through?"
With a confident grin, Imperia smirks and declares, "Lets see how you handle this!" She increases the speed of her blows, hoping to catch me off guard.
"Remember what I promised?" I state darkly, unwavering. Her rapid onslaught fails to penetrate my defenses I seize her spine, a calculated move, and with a decisive twist, I break it, eliciting a pained cry from her.
"Ow! Youre actually hurting me now!" Imperias voice, filled with disbelief, punctuates the air.
yet I wear a menacing grin as I methodically break her bones one by one, taking pleasure in her suffering.
As tears stream down her face, Imperia manages to plead, "The boss didnt say you would be this merciless!"
With a chilling grin stretching across my face, I relish the moment. "Maybe thats what happened. Any last words?" I raise my hands skyward, reveling in the dread I instill.
"Please, Im begging you! Please dont kill m" Imperias plea is cut short.
In an act of cruelty, I flick her body to pieces, the sheer force of it annihilating a beyond infinite number of Absolute Containers, leaving nothing but remnants in my wake.
Imperias eyes widen in horror as her form disintegrates, blood and fragments exploding outward. "No!" she screams in shock, but it is too late.
With a swirl of energy, I teleport back home, my voice calm as I address the empty space around me. "Uh, guys, Im back." I turn to find Kael Ryn, and Lucien Morvane, and as my form gradually reverts to normal, the remnants of my newfound power fade. My cloak returns to its mundane shade, my pants lose their dark sheen, and my hair transitions from white back to a familiar black.
Yet as I behold their gazes, despair grips me like a vice. My eyes widen in horror, frozen as I take in the grim reality there, displayed ominously in the window, are their heads, trophies of the violent encounter I had just escaped. All remnants of hope shatter within me, leaving only the chilling echo of my actions resonating in my mind.
I find myself collapsing to my knees, overwhelmed by an avalanche of emotions. Tears begin to flow uncontrollably down my cheeks, cascading like a relentless river. In this moment of despair, I articulate the depth of my sorrow, letting it pour out "Sadness has consumed me." I never anticipated that I would feel such a profound heartache. I had once believed that the world was different, that perhaps this time, my experiences would break free from the cyclical torment of the past. Yet, no matter where my journey takes me, I am tragically transported back to the same painful memories, as if trapped in a relentless loop.
"This cannot continue!" I declare, my resolve hardening. Those who have idly stood by, failing to act or acknowledge the suffering around them, will not find refuge. The heavens, the deities themselves, shall not escape the fury I now harbor. In this heated moment, I realize that the time for vengeance is upon me. My intentions crystallize as I silently vow, "I will have my revenge!"
As I clench my fists in a display of determination, a magnificent, shadowy aura envelops me, pulsating with a pitchblack energy. Its as if the very essence of the darkness is coming alive, wrapping around me in a cloak of power and intensity. My eyes, usually vibrant, now transform into a deep abyss of pure black even the pupils merge into this impenetrable darkness. My hair, once a colored reflection of my identity, turns an ethereal white, a stark contrast to the surrounding gloom. The cloak I wear shifts to an inky black, absorbing the light around me, while my pants adopt the same dark hue, creating an ominous silhouette.
With gritted teeth, I brace myself against the tumultuous energy swirling within me. It feels as though my presence is powerful enough to tremble the very foundations of the world itself. I can sense the urgency in the air "Your time is running out," I utter, directed towards the unseen forces that have wronged me.
As I lift my gaze towards the heavens, I prepare to unleash the storm that has been brewing within my heart. A fierce determination ignites in my spirit, a signal that the tides are about to turn.
To be continued...