Elior Forest Arc Epilogue.
Original: 1,755 words.
Edited: 2,673 words.
The Witch of Vanity raised her head.
Her cold blue eyes staring at the horizon in the distance. Whilst the battle between the Sin Archbishop of Greed and the Leader of the Cult's Moderate Faction had recently been concluded. With the green-haired man, Betelgeuse, lying on the ground, his right arm cut off and his Mana depleted. She knew that the spirit possessed man had no chance in holding off, let alone, beating someone who is known in the Witch Cult as the Strongest Sin Archbishop.
Although said Strongest Sin Archbishop was toying with Bishop Romanee-Conti. Even then, she could sense that Bishop Corneas' mood was slightly dying at the sight of the fallen man.
Just now, she felt a disturbance. A rift between time and space was opened. An unnatural phenomena that lasted for a short time, only to disappear nearly a minute it had appeared.
As a result of this, she began contemplating on the events that occurred this day.
The plan was supposed to be simple. Make Bishop Romanee-Conti the Sin Archbishop of Sloth by forcing him to absorb the Sloth Witch Factor, find the Seal, and open said Seal with someone who has the key.
She had made preparations for this day to come, even luring the Black Serpent to this forest was part of her plan to deter any outsiders from interfering by using the presence of the most dangerous of the Three Great Calamities as a deterrent.
It was supposed to be flawless, with the information given by the Lesser Spirits she controlled, there was no possible way that anything, outside the scope of the impossible, was going to ruin what she had planned to open the Seal guarded by the Elves of this forest.
But then, out of all every possibility she could think of prior to initiating her plan, the unexpected happened.
Somehow, a Witch Factor, representing the Sin of Sloth, had made out of its box. Flew away to who knows where. And disappeared into the horizon.
Never had she seen a ridiculous sight in her entire life, even after becoming a Witch, and she was internally flabbergasted as to how a Witch Factor willingly left its box and flew somewhere.
There was only one factor that she could think it was possible, but highly unlikely as such a person was extremely rare in this world. Much rarer than even the existence of Witches and Warlocks themselves.
A Sage Candidate.
There was no point in denying it. She knew as much.
A being, who held such title, was something she had come to accept as an anomaly.
Despised by the World itself, more than its people, Sage Candidates are beings who do not belong to this world. Hence, the World, Od Laguna, often, or perhaps, always been at odds with a Sage Candidate for an unknown period of time. How long, it remains a mystery.
Wielding knowledge that this world does not possess, Sage Candidates are often holders of said knowledge only they can have. The knowledge of the stars, for example, are one of these that the Sage Candidates possessed. One that the inhabitants of this world did not know.
Capable of withstanding the presence of a Witch, these beings are often seen interacting those with insanity-induced side-effects, like the Witch of Greed who can make anyone near her kill themselves in 30 seconds, making Sage Candidates the only beings outside of Witches and Warlocks come close to them.
Then, there were two more factors that made both Od Laguna, and even herself, loathe these Sage Candidates.
One of these two factors was the Sage Candidates' ability to leave a lasting influence in this world.
Time after time, eras of old passing away for the new era to come, centuries after their arrival in this world, Sage Candidates always left a mark in this world that influenced this world's history. Often making it a byproduct of their actions that made the world as it is today.
Erasing their influence was impossible. Sage Candidates always have the innate ability to be immune the effects of their existences erased. One cannot simply forget what these beings did, never forgotten the world and land always remember. And these beings, in turn, always remember what the World had forgotten and even remembering those whose existence were erased from the world.
Although, manipulating their memories, their bodies, and their minds are still feasible for someone like her. But, erasing their very existence is astronomically impossible. Hence, the detest Od Laguna have over these Sage Candidates because of their lasting influence in this world that can be seen today. And the World's detest was extended to her in a certain degree.
Lastly, a factor she came to loathe the Sage Candidates, was their compatibility to every Witch Factor.
Balling her hands into a fist, for the first in a very long time, she narrowed her eyes at the direction where the Sloth Witch Factor was last seen flying.
If a Sage Candidate was here, then it is possible that the Sloth Witch Factor immediately chose him or her as its host. Instantly went its way to claim said host as its own, often enjoying the compatibility of the Sage Candidate seem to have.
"Al Fula!"
Pandora's thoughts were soon brought back to the world as she saw a huge Ice Shard, propelled by an Al-class Wind magic, made contact with Regulus. Making the Sin Archbishop of Greed pushed back by the spell while producing a loud grunt of surprise made by the attack from the Silver-haired elf who had just arrived to the torn land made by Betelgeuse's Earth magic.
Hearing an explosion of earth from the force of the large projectile thrown at the Sin Archbishop, briefly creating a shockwave from the impact of the blow. The Witch of Vainglory remained still, her expression nonetheless remained the same.
"Hang on, Geuse!"
The voice of the woman from earlier, the woman who had left with the half-elf child to escape from her and Regulus, had returned in a somewhat nick of time.
But, depending on whose view on this, that nick of time was simply a distracted Sin Archbishop giving his usual long rant.
"Fortuna-sama…" the armless Bishop began. "Is Emilia-sama—"
"I sent her out of the forest with Archi and Subaru, thanks to you."
Pandora narrowed her eyes at the mention of the two names.
She recognized the latter's name being a star. A name of a Star.
Removing her usual smiling, she replaced it with a slightly disgusted and a bit of anger on her expression. Not noticed by the two in front of her.
"That is… good to hear…"
She noticed a look of concern by the Elven woman over for the Bishop, and took note of the love she has of that man.
"There's nothing good about it!"
The Vain Witch heard the voice of an angered Sin Archbishop behind her. The tone he used made its point towards the pair.
"Who the hell do you think you are, coming back here? I was about to crush his head under my foot! Me! What gives you the right, who gave you permission, to interfere with me, me, me, me, me!?"
Seeing that Regulus was giving the pair his signature long rant, Pandora decided her new course of action.
"Wait, Bishop Corneas."
She told the Greed Sin Archbishop, who, in turn, turned his head toward his supposed superior.
"Huh? What was that, Pandora-sama?"
Knowing that Bishop Corneas wasn't in the mood currently. She made it clear that what she was going to say to him that would ultimately decide the fate of the two and the Elves residing in this forest.
"Vent your anger. I will permit you the right to either kill them here, or claim that woman as your 79th Wife and kill Bishop Romanee-Conti now. There's been a change of plans, and I will permit the right to let you decide their fates on your own."
Silence.
Everyone in the near vicinity, whether they were on Pandora's side or not, went silent at the words she gave to the white-haired man.
Regulus himself was surprised at this. Even looking at the Elven woman and the Bishop in front of him to see that the Witch of Vanity was making a farce but could not find any. Instead, they were shocked at the declaration she made.
He turned back to the Vain Witch, her expression was of disgust and anger, not at himself but to something or someone entirely.
It was the first time the Sin Archbishop had seen her sport that kind of expression. He found it a bit odd that even her, out of all people he knew, could ever have that look for someone of her position to be like that.
"Did you just order me to vent my anger? And the right to decide their fates?"
He gave a questioning look at the Witch, to which said Witch simply nodded as she answered.
"Yes. I'm leaving now. I see no purpose in staying in this forest any longer when my plans had been foiled by an outside source. With that, I will divert the Black Serpent's attention away from here and call back our forces. You will do what you want to do. I see no reason in stopping you."
After hearing what she said, and her reasons on doing so. Regulus made a small chuckle, with his mood seemingly back to normally what it was before.
"Very well, Pandora-sama." He bowed respectfully at her. "If you insist. After all, it is my right, my authority, my will, to do what I please. Have a safe journey back."
It was a very rare occurrence that Regulus, who is known to be the very opposite on what he had just done, had politely and respectfully gave his farewell to the Witch.
Betelgeuse body and brain trembled at the sight. Knowing full well what it all meant.
After Regulus bid Pandora farewell, the Witch of Vanity simply walked away. Knowing the carnage she let the Sin Archbishop of Greed do in his own bidding.
Before she completely left the scene, she gave her one last thought on the rift between time and space earlier.
Which Timeline have you sent the Sage Candidate and the Key to, Satella?
Looking up to the sky, the Vainglorious Witch of the Witch Cult saw the figure of a bird gliding through the air. Flapping once as it circled the area where this Forest was located.
Pandora knew that this bird was no ordinary fowl of the air. Or rather, it was no creature that belonged to this world.
There were 4 Great Creatures she knew that came from a different world. A world far beyond hers.
The Lord that ruled the Earth, whose visage outclassed the magnificence of the mountains that span throughout the world. Rokkmeistari the Great.
Scavenger of the lost, who searches wayward souls that lost their way only to be hunted by the creature of grey. Úlfaprins the Hunter.
There was the Ruler of the Otherworldly Dragons, whose Power and Authority it commanded Supreme dominance over those who belonged to its pack. Drekadrottinn the Lord of Dragons, rival to the Divine Dragon Volcanica in power and majesty.
Finally, there was the King of the Skies, who held command over the skies of the Realm beyond this world. A realm that the dead reside.
"一Fuglakóngur the Terrible. Personal pet to the Lord of Helheim."
The Witch of Vainglory uttered, the name of the otherworldly being she encountered centuries past still bear significance to this day.
"Sending a pet of yours to this world. It seems that you made an intervention. How interesting..."
It did not matter to her. The business with that Lord has nothing to do with a Witch like her. In fact, that Lord only does what peaked his interest.
The Ruler of the Dead should have no business in this World of the Living. No matter how genuine the cost it be, there is no purpose nor reason to it. Rather but to satisfy his curiosity.
She was aware of the countless worlds that existed. And there were few that can travel to those world as simple as taking a mere step.
"No matter. Whatever business you have found in this world, I'll see to it to the end."
Thus, the Witch left the Forest of Spirits. Leaving the Sin Archbishop of Greed to his desires.
X.
High above the skies of Lugunica, there lies the figure of a strange bird circling roundabout on Elior Forest below.
With feathers sported a disgusting green color, with soulless eyes that will make any normal person go insane. Its intimidating aura can make anyone bear witness of it fell into the depths of despair.
"It seems she's aware of our presence, old friend. What a perceptive Witch she is.
Riding this creature, sitting with his legs and arms crossed, was the Ruler of the Dead.
The red dots in his dark empty eye sockets scanned the world below him. Eyeing in the events occurred.
He had been observing for some time now. Watching from above the heavens, looking down at the inhabitants below.
"It would seem our presence here have changed this world's history, Fuglakóngur. Or rather, we have created a new divergent timeline."
The bird, Fuglakóngur, reared its head. Its soulless eyes stared at the Lord of Helheim. As if questioning his liege.
"Don't fret, old friend. I did not do anything but created a Gate for those three to pass through. It was only that man had intervened earlier."
Flapping it's great wings once more, Fuglakóngur squawked. As if communicating the skeleton with it's own language.
"You mean to tell me it's my fault I've brought him here?"
The bird nodded as it glided while maintaining its circling movements.
"Perhaps you are correct. It may be a slight miscalculation on my part, old friend. Even then, I've expected him to do so in the beginning."
The Ruler of the Skies shook violently, as if conveying his passenger of what he said.
"...Originally, it was supposed to be that Half-Elf child and that human boy to go through to the Gate with their Quasi Spirit alone. Leaving the Elven young man to die by the Black Serpent. With that man having intervened earlier, the wheels of fate has changed their course. A new path has been forged because of the action of that man."
The Lord of Helheim pointed at the direction where the portal, the so-called Gate, was last located.
"At the very least, we managed to fool that Vainglorious Witch into thinking it was all Satella's doing. When, in fact, the Gate was the byproduct of the Witch of Envy's death in another timeline."
After the Witch of Envy's death occurred in some future timeline, it created wormholes known simply as Gates. Creating passages towards infinite amount of timelines or multiverse created by the infinite probability.
Even then, there was great uncertainty the Lord of Helheim felt through his connection to his Father, the Lord Creator.
"Perhaps we should go now, old friend. Let us observe their journey in another timeline. Hmph. At least there's entertainment going around in this realm."
Fuglakóngur the Terrible nodded, flapping its wings with great strength. Propelling him and his passenger to their destination.
The wheel of fate is turning. Paths overturned and renewed. Destiny awaits those who chose their way.
Here it is, the Epilogue that concludes the Elior Forest Arc.
Edited: [So began the changes of the previous iteration of "The Early Arrival".
Though if you're reading before the rewrite, I appreciate that you love this fic. I've made changes because of things I don't like about. Especially concerning plot, characters, and the ideas planned for this rewrite.
Thank you for your continued support everyone. Rewrites will still continue for the next few days. A week at most will I truly update this fic.]
Hope you guys enjoy this story so far, and that is all thank you.
gabrielchiong11, also known as user/ Mamon Ramon of reddit, a I bid thee farewell.