Okay. This will be officially the last chapter before I go on my hiatus. For my Archive and readers, I'll be going on a hiatus until early May because of exams. Don't worry, as we'll be back with a bang starting right after my hiatus, and I promise you'll enjoy the new chapters as we move onto Arc 6. :)
Cheers, CDS0407
Zarestia POV (Flashback and Thoughts)
I am the eldest Great Spirit. The first existence to be officially acknowledged by Od Laguna and to blessed by copious amounts of mana that it has bestowed upon me.
I've lived longer than any human could possibly ever imagine... seeing the ever-changing reality that shifts throughout the eras... by this point, I'm not sure if it's even worth it anymore.
I lived in stasis in the place humans called Zarestia's Bed, all so that I can keep my overflowing powers in control. The Light Sphere refuses to be separated from me when I created it, and I'm only docile without it. However, since I cannot leave the object on my own, I'm always raging just like the moment that civilization betrayed me hundreds of years ago.
That was the purpose of the light sphere. A shell that housed my power as a channeling device to destroy the people that dared to betray me, causing my anger to flare for eternities. Whenever I do happen to be separated from the Light Sphere, I traverse the human world in curiosity, only to return almost immediately the day after due to the Light Sphere returning to me.
They call me the Great Spirit of Murder, not the Wind. For I am the most Beautiful Shinigami, who slays everyone and everything in sight.
I don't... enjoy hurting people.
I do it because I have to, and I can't really do anything to control it.
3rd Person POV
"Okay." A lone voice echoed her thoughts, a soothing voice that almost sounds unnatural to her ears. "Elaborate a little further on that, please?"
"When I let go of my Light Sphere, it always return to me. I never trusted humans, and to be honest, I don't think I ever will after that incident. It's just too much... it makes me remember that horrible memory, and how could I forget that bitter betrayal those ones committed...
"You should forgive, but should not forget. But remember, that not all humans are exactly the same as one another, and not everyone wishes to hurt you. Maybe only then can you finally come out of your shell to face the true human society."
"But what if they betray me again? What if they try to destroy me and my powers once more? Should I just let myself be deceived once more?"
"..."
"I don't want to feel that pain again! That's a horrible path to go down and the fact that it has the immense possibility of occurring once again, it scares me!"
"There you go, you're scared, are you not? Then cast that fear aside, and move forward. Towards the place you want to go, and eventually you'll reach your destination. The journey will definitely not be as smooth as you imagined, but with a lot of effort and the will to continue, you will get there."
"You speak as if you know a lot. Who are you, and why do you seek to sympathize with me?"
"I am the Liberator, or as my friends call me, I'm Y/N L/N, a measly human who managed to somehow twist fate." Y/N stepped out of the shadows as the Yin Magic stopped concealing him.
"You...! The human child who stopped me!"
"Yes, me." Y/N replied as he gave an exasperated sigh. "I believe now that your Light Sphere is destroyed, you can wander freely as a spirit in human society now. No more bloodlust, you'll just be you, how does that sound?"
"That sounds quite nice, but... what if I couldn't defend myself if someone betrays me again?"
"..."
"Ah, I see. I suppose not even you had a solution for that, huh?"
"Actually, no, I do. What do you say about coming with us?"
"Us? Like your merry band of fighters and friends? I couldn't possibly weigh you down like that now that you have saved me from my shackles..."
"Don't worry, Tia. How about let's form a contract?"
"A contract? With you? But you don't even have a wind affinity-"
"It's true that I don't, but that doesn't mean I can't form a contract with you. If you wish to help me and find someone who could channel your magic through, my student, Palmyra, is probably the best choice." Y/N suddenly spread his arms wide, inviting Zarestia for a hug. "I'm sorry that you've been alone for so long, Tia. However, I promise to protect you. I will protect you. I am willing to do so, and I will do so."
"But why? Why would you help me, who has been nothing but a burden to you and your group?"
"You're not worthless, Tia. I need you because at the end of my journey, I believe I cannot overcome the final doorway on my own. You're also Cahya and Bayanga's friend, and any friend of my spirits is a friend of mine. So how about it? Join us, and I'll show you just what humans could achieve, to make this world a better place."
Zarestia looked at the boy in awe and shock, his unshakeable will glowing as bright as the sun, never wavering. How could one possibly stand against all odds stacked against him, and still be so confident?
"Is it not enough?" Y/N sighed as Zarestia tried to tell him that she didn't mean that she won't accept, but was interested to hear what he would say. "In a sense, it's my duty. My duty and dream to help those in need, and make them part of the future I wish to create."
Ha. Hahahaha! You sure are an interesting one, Y/N. I can see why you're Frakinedottir's successor now. The holders of Deceit are always extraordinary, and maybe you're even more so.
"I accept, Y/N L/N." Zarestia extended her hand towards Y/N, who took it as their binding vow began. "Do you swear to keep your promise?"
"I swear upon my life and soul." Y/N smiled. "And the dream I wish to achieve."
Capella POV
Around 5 minutes before Y/N won...
"There." I said as I patched Reize's arm back up, transforming it back to how it was before.
The oni looked at her disappearing wound in surprise, before immediately retreating back a few steps.
"Really? No words of thanks as I reattached on of your limbs? Really?" I said, exasperated towards the oni. I swear, before I met Y/N, I would've definitely turned this ungrateful idiot into a meatbag-
"Thank you. I... really appreciate it."
The oni's words surprised me as she suddenly looked at herself in shock, as if she didn't expect herself to utter the phrase either. Huffing a little, I gave a slight smile. "Oya? Are you not mad at me now? I'm still kinda responsible for your revenge, you know? So come on, finish me off, I'll stand here with absolutely zero movement."
"Don't get me wrong, Archbishop. I still hate you for what has happened... also, wasn't it you who wanted my 'thanks'? Why are you taunting me now?" Reize stopped before noticing my smirk. "Oh... you little-"
"Okay, calm down, calm down." I waved my hands in surrender, and sighed. "How about this. Since you are still quite skeptical about my beliefs, how about you just see for yourself? Come join us on some journeys, I'm sure it'll be fun, and you can also take your time to observe. We'll provide all your daily necessities for you."
"I..."
"Ugh, fine, if you're so indecisive about it, I'm going to just leave you here."
"No, wait!" Just as I was about to take off, the oni let out a cry. "I'll go. I'm just not so sure about it."
"Now that's the right answer." Transforming one of my claws into a dragon, I grabbed Reize and flew back towards my beloved Y/N.
Y/N POV
"Here." I said as I attached the purified Light Sphere to Zarestia's chest, and it fused with her body as a glimmer of light spread from her limbs, before it dimmed.
"Felling better now, Tia?" I asked, and the Great Spirit nodded.
"Incredible. You're truly her successor. Only you two could solve the problem no one could solve."
"I guess it's a view from a different perspective, one that everyone here lacks, mostly..."
I helped Zarestia get rid of the thorn in her side by using Suitoru to suck her Rage out from the Light Sphere, which was what it was infused with since centuries ago. In order to not let the overwhelming rage consume myself and lose myself, I fired off several Stage Three Rage Pulses, which made several large holes in trees as well as in the ground. Such a pity I couldn't have done this somewhere else where I actually needed to continuously fire off Singularity Beams...
And now, Capella returned with Reize in her 'hand?' and landed next to us before giving me a hug and made sure I was okay before she went to talk to Sphinx for an update on the situation, leaving Reize with Zarestia and I.
"Great Spirit Zarestia, I am deeply sorry for stealing your Light Sphere. I... wanted revenge too badly that I did not think of the consequences, and even allowed so many parts nature to be destroyed..." Reize suddenly kneeled and apologized, much to my surprise. Zarestia, however, suddenlly did the same and kneeled down beside her, and patted her head.
"Don't worry, child. everyone tends to make mistakes. However, everything worked out in the end, didn't it? Without this event, my Light Sphere would've never been purified, and I would still be rampaging across the land periodically."
"You.. what?" Reize looked at me in disbelief, but I shrugged.
"Well, ya. I kinda did that. Nothing too amazing, but like, it was necessary."
And so, the curtains close on the stage of Zarestia's Bed, as the mysteries and incidents surroundings of the Great Spirit's domain has been purged and discovered. Now, before we leave Kararagi, let's go accomplish our final goal.
The cameras pan towards the north, where one of the only mountains in the world lie.
The Jimuna Volcano.
Within the lava and magma, a wyvern lies dormant,, protecting the property of his contractor from centuries ago. However, the red object gave a faint glow as it hummed with happiness, recognizing its new wielder as it pulsated.
"Now, let's go to the Jimuna Volcano." I said to my Battalion as they awaited my orders, and I pointed my finger towards the mountain in the northwest.
"To obtain my fourth Sword of Power, the Love Sword."