Pride crystal would usually feel a bit annoyed, but this time... after recalling the past, a pleasant smile was its reaction.
It replied, "I would love to serve you for the rest of my life, Lord!"
Lord was startled. "What?... Aren't you the Pride crystal? You have no sense of pride! Sigh!"
It laughed, "That is because... hehe! You won't understand this feeling, Lord! It concerns my past memories."
Lord frowned, "You mean... I... Lord cannot understand something? Such things do not exist in this world! They never will and never would have either! Hmph!"
Pride crystal smirked, "Hehe! If that is the case, then let me narrate my past to you, and then you decide for yourself, Lord!"
Lord laughed, "Bring it on! I will prove you wrong."
It replied, "Wait, wait, let's first go to our planet! Then I will narrate it!"
"NO! RIGHT HERE AND RIGHT NOW!" Lord snorted.
Pride crystal sighed, but it suddenly felt a strange surge of power as it shone brighter; a purple halo painted the sky.
Making the dark sky appear purple in color, the stars turned dimmer, as they couldn't compete with Pride crystal.
The serene and tranquil night sky was now bright and warm as day, thanks to Pride crystal.
This change affected multiple places in the solar system; Life crystal and Death crystal were rebuilding the abyss.
Even they felt their hearts sink after seeing this scene.
Life crystal went speechless; Death crystal sighed, "It appears that the true fools were us! When he chose to be the Pride crystal... including Fate, all of us mocked him.
Only he firmly believed in himself, but now... it appears that we were all wrong and he was the only one who was right!"
Life crystal replied, "Hmm! If he continues to turn more powerful, Fate crystal itself will have to show up... which I would never want to see.
Death! Kill him! I know you can do it!"
Death crystal shook its head as it agreed. If Fate was in danger, these two would even sacrifice themselves to save it.
Death crystal closed its eyes and spread out its black aura; it saw countless creatures in its vision.
It was like overlooking the entire world from above! It searched everywhere to find the purple crystal.
It found it... and smirked, "Pride! Looks like your time has come to an end! Goodbye, my friend! Sigh! Although I hate killing, for Fate... you have to die."
It released cosmic energy to kill Pride crystal; the purple sky was now half-filled with black color.
Pride crystal, who was talking to Lord, felt intense pain as it crashed away.
Lord felt something amiss as he grabbed Pride crystal. It was laughing through the pain, "Hehe... looks like I can't see it! But this situation was still within my prediction."
Lord was confused, unable to comprehend the current situation.
He asked, "What are you saying? What is happening? Tell me, Pride crystal!"
It started to dim away, slowly... step by step.
It said, "Lord! Hehe, the guy who said with pride that nothing exists in this world that he doesn't know is asking me?
Damn you! If I had time, I could have mocked you, but now listen, Lord! I am going to die now! But this time, it won't be temporary!"
Lord suddenly felt a strange feeling that he had never experienced before. He frowned, "What is this? Damn it! I hate this indescribable feeling! Ah!"
Pride crystal smirked, "Lord! Here, absorb me completely! I won't die that easily! I will never die until I can see pride reaching the pinnacle of the world!"
Lord didn't want to absorb it, but he couldn't stop himself either.
His one hand grabbed the crystal while the other tried to prevent it.
He started to feel desperation for the first time ever in his life.
Pride crystal smiled gently as it spoke, "Lord, I probably know how you are feeling right now! You cannot understand it, right?"
Lord roared, "I can't understand? Ugh! You..."
He couldn't speak anymore. Seeing Pride crystal fade away, he felt that strange feeling crawling through him.
Pride crystal said, "Alright! Alright! I know you are supreme, even beyond supreme, but please absorb me!"
Lord shook his head. It sighed, "Listen! Okay, let me do it this way: I will narrate my past memories to you, and you listen to them and make any decision of your choice."
Lord calmed down as he agreed.
Pride crystal smirked as it started narrating the tale of its past.
"When I first opened my eyes, all I saw was a vague figure; it was also a crystal, golden in color.
It had a warm gaze. Then I looked at myself, who was nothing but a small speck of white light.
It asked me, 'What feeling are you going to choose?'
And I, who knew nothing, answered the question with a question: 'What are feelings?'
It smiled gently as I started to see the entire solar system. I saw every single creature, and felt every single feeling in the world.
Each feeling was a peak in its own way, but one feeling was unique from the rest... I actually couldn't feel it well.
I asked, 'What is this feeling called?' The golden figure sighed, 'It's called pride! Don't tell me you are choosing it!'
And I shook my head, 'No! I just want to fully feel it! Then I will make my decision.'
It replied, 'Pride... in this world, everybody and everything has pride and ego of its own, but nobody has ever had it at its peak.
So... I am sorry, that feeling cannot be completely felt by you! Why don't you try love? Or happiness?'
I firmly disagreed as I said, 'Pride! I love pride, I want to see its pinnacle! I am not choosing anything else.'
The figure couldn't help but sigh at my naivety. Yes! I was naive and unique, I was too picky, I was too selfish!
Afterward, even after countless pieces of advice, I chose pride!
I may have offended others! I may have become evil! I may have been stubborn! And I may even have made a mistake!
But... for me, it didn't matter at all.
Because I chose to be true to my own feelings, I never mistreated them.
I did what the depths of my heart wanted me to do.
And that feeling is only present in one virtue... which people call a sin!"
Lord interrupted, "That feeling... is it pride?"
Pride crystal smiled with deep satisfaction, "Yes... it is indeed pride! The purest form of feeling that ever existed.
They say love is pure, but lust exists!
They say kindness is pure, but hatred exists, which gave kindness its purpose, so it isn't pure!
They say being good is pure, but being good is only possible because evil exists.
And in the end, my friend, forgive my ramblings.
What I wished to see was a prideful world! A world made of pride—not in a bad way, I just wanted everyone and everything to treat their own inner feelings properly.
I knew it was impossible! But then I wished to see at least one such being alive! And that is when I saw you, Lord!
Hehe! I waited a millennium just for you. Promise me one thing! Even if I die or you die, this world shall never forget pride!"
Lord grabbed Pride crystal gently. His caress was so soft this time that even Pride crystal felt that Lord had understood its tale.
It grinned widely as it said, "Lord, one more thing, take this as friendly advice! Some people say living is better than dying.
Some say dying is better than living, but in truth, dying with no regrets is the second best feeling in this world... after pride, hehe!"
As it finished speaking, Lord's face turned pale, and two drops of water dripped over Pride crystal.
It was startled; when it looked up, it saw that they came from... Lord's eyes.
It laughed, "Haha! My Pride's pride's pride! Hehe, crying now? Isn't crying a weakness?"
Then it completely turned into dust and crumbled away into thin air.
Lord stood there in a daze, both his hands holding onto... nothing.
His heart felt heavy as he didn't know what to do next.