Living in a tropical country is. not. easy. Not when you have to deal with a scorching heat in the middle of a metropolis draining your forces and everything else.
At least, that's how I feel.
Anyway, hope you are not too angry because here we have a double update!
Chapter 48
The Regent of the Eternal Cycle
The party took the staircase opposite to the one they came from as per Verius' instructions. When they arrived at the end of it, they were suddenly transported to a large, circular room floating on what looked like the space. It had water flowing from its center, and a walkway that turned into a large, spiral staircase going up around four, thin pillars. According to Verius, they would probably find Origin's soul halve on the top.
As they ascended the stairs, Lloyd noticed Kratos' gaze was fixed on Verius with such intensity it seemed like he expected her to attack him out of the blue.
As they ascended the stairs, the group saw a giant, circular platform above them with a small hole in its bottom, where the staircase ended. Kratos' look became one of recognizance.
Just like everybody else when we're around our soul halves. Lloyd thought.
The group reached the end of the staircase and saw the ground was actually water, just like down below. But when Colette took a tentative step forward, her foot didn't even sink. That flowing water was as solid as concrete. The reincarnated Summon Spirits slowly walked into the flowing water floor, looking around in curiosity.
"So, this is the place where the Summon Spirits gathered to discuss the events in Aselia," Raine mused. In this platform there were eleven columns arranged in a circle on the center, in each of them was the crest of a Summon Spirit.
"That and to relax," Verius inputted with her typical, happy smile and musical voice.
"Where is Origin's soul? I can't see or sense it?" Presea spoke.
As the group looked around, Kratos walked a little ahead and... disappeared in the blink of an eye, as if air itself had swallowed him whole.
"Dad!" Lloyd exclaimed, but it was too late. There was no sign of Kratos.
"No need to fret," Verius said. "He's still here. Just not now."
"What the hell does that mean?!" Lloyd asked.
"Hey, no need to lose your head," Ratatosk said, coming in defense of Verius. "I bet this is all part of the test and..." the crimson-eyed Spirit stopped when he noticed the water behind Lloyd agitating in a strange way. Before he could say anything, a figure rose from the water-floor. A figure made out of the water. "Watch out!"
Lloyd turned, confused, and his eyes widened at seeing a strange, water-made silhouette form a great sword and take a slice at him... only to be blast by Sheena's Demon Seal, disintegrating it into several drops.
"Are you alright, Lloyd?!" she asked. The dual swordsman nodded, but his eyes widened as he pointed ahead of her again.
The group gasped at seeing several strange figures rise from the water floor, seeming to be made out of liquid like the first one. The Centurions appeared and, as they looked around, got surprised at noticing something on those water apparitions:
"They're images of the Summon Spirits," Tenebrae said.
"What?" Regal let out.
"Actually, they are Impressions," Verius said, looking completely at ease, even though more of the water-clones started to surround them. "They are the Twilight Palace's security system."
"But why are they attacking us?" Marta asked as she had to defend against the blow of an Efreet. She was then punched away by his other fist. "Argh! They hit pretty hard!"
Ratatosk drew his sword and stayed near his sister, intending to protect her from those Impressions. Emil, however, was calling Ratatosk's attention to a very important fact: why were they attacking them when they were Summon Spirits?
I don't know. Normally it's activated in the off case of intruders. Ratatosk answered mentally to his new self.
Emil found that suspicious, but let his past-self concentrate on the battle as the Summon Spirit Impressions charged from all sides and the group entered in Spirit form...
- / - / - / - / - / - / - / -
When Kratos came to his senses, he realized the others had disappeared and he was alone in the room. He tried calling for his son, but there was no sign of him or the others. The auburn haired man then turned and... a blurred figure was right in front of him, walking on his direction and about to hit him, only it instead phased through him...
There's no other option...
It will be better this way...
State thy vow, Summoner...
To think the Hero would betray me like this...
The world has to be regenerated...
Kratos wobbled in his place, bringing his hand to his forehead as he tried to recover from the onslaught of images that invaded his mind.
Meanwhile, the being that phased through Kratos started to gain the corporeal form of a man with long, blond hair. His chest was bare and his body, from the waist down seemed to be made of some kind of purple tissue. There was a ring of silver, sharp, lance blades floating around him. However, the most impressive feature was the four arms that figure possessed.
The General of Union then realized those images that assaulted his mind were memories. Memories belonging to the being in front of him, his soul other halve...
"Origin..." Kratos stated.
"So, you've finally come," the projection of Kratos' past self said.
"I suppose isolating myself from the others is your way of making sure no one interferes."
Origin didn't answer to that, instead he looked at the liquid floor with a serious, regal expression. Kratos did the same and suddenly he saw no longer the blue floor, but what looked like a panoramic projection of Aselia.
"Past..." the image changed to one that looked like elves standing near a giant tree. "Present..." images of demons invading villages. "and the futures that could and would be..." the images changed between that of a blonde boy with three people behind him, angels, an evergreen Aselia and even that of an all-encompassing, complete void. "All of this and more compose that which is known as existence. As my reincarnation, you must understand that what is happening now is only one in the many possible outcomes in a struggle that exists since the Great Lords created all that we see and can't see."
"You mean the demons?" Kratos asked, doing his best to follow.
"They are outside of the eternal cycle which we are the guardians of. What I mean is the struggle of the living and the pain of the dead."
The floor below them changed to show scenes of life and death. Prosperity and fall. Flourishing and decay. The pattern kept repeating as Origin talked:
"The many souls that are and will be live inside a never ending cycle of life and death in which they grow to reach their full potential. What that potential is, only the Great Lords know. We merely exist to regulate and maintain that balance, or, as you mortals call it, Equilibrium."
"What about the Kharlan War then?" Kratos asked. "How would you classify it inside the scope of our mission?"
Origin closed his eyes, seeming to reflect upon it. He opened them again as he said:
"The culmination of humanity's corruption on this world," Kratos sent a confused look to the Summon Spirit. "All worlds are susceptible to those that live in it. When a significant parcel throws off the balance of that world, an event must occur to set it back. Like a storm that comes in response to a disturbance in the weather."
"So, am I to understand the Kharlan War and all tragedies that came from it are our fault?" Kratos knew his other self would understand that by "we" he meant humanity as a whole. He still considered himself part of it, Summon Spirit or not.
"Every action causes a response. The magnitude of such a response depends on the action itself and the War was a response to a long, enduring process in which humans brewed hatred for each other based on fleeting things that they use as a means for differentiation. It was inevitable."
"If that is so, what about Ratatosk and the other Summon Spirits? If it was inevitable, why in his grief and anger he opened the gates of Niflheim? It seems he wasn't aware of all of this. The others as well, since they tried to search for Knights to revert the state of things."
Again, Origin stood silent, but this time, there was a slight tone of grief in that silence. As he opened his eyes, although his stance and tone betrayed nothing, Kratos could feel his sorrow.
"Not all of them are privy to the future happenings. I alone, as the Keeper of the Balance, have that gift. Even Shadow, with his Eye of the Dark, can only see that which is now. I can see that which is after. Or what can be after.
"But, such power comes at a price. I am not to share with any, even my brethren, the fact that I possess such ability. The simple knowledge of such would be a threat to the balance itself, for, once one see what can be that future is automatically nullified, for he will act so only that which most benefits him would happen. As for my brethren... they would try and share my burden..." there was a minimal trace of a smile on Origin's lips, but it was so fast, Kratos barely caught it. "and it would destroy them."
And then Kratos realized exactly why Origin was revered as the King of Summon Spirits and even treated as such between them. It was because he had the biggest responsibility and burden out of all of them, something the others (from what he could grasp on those memories) knew instinctively. It wasn't about power or knowledge, but to be able to shoulder all of that and still stand even when faced with announced tragedies that he knew would happen, but couldn't act on in danger of upsetting the very delicate balance of things.
Any mortal, when face with such burden, would collapse or go insane. That was why even Maxwell, who used to be hailed as the Ancient Ruler of Elements, wasn't the leader. Instead, the elder-looking Summon Spirit taught everything he knew about magic and the mortal worlds to Origin and then passed on the position to him.
Could I bear such a burden? Kratos wondered. It all felt too big for him. Just yesterday he was a simple general worrying about coming alive from his next mission. I am still just a mortal man. I can't even begin to fathom how it must feel having to take care of the balance of an entire world.
"I can see the doubt and confusion in your eyes," Origin spoke, making Kratos look up. "I could deem that you are not ready, but I know any creature, mortal or otherwise, would shake when faced with such a responsibility. The lifespan of a human would never be enough for one to become able to bear such a burden."
"Then?" Kratos asked.
Origin smiled, much to the auburn haired man's surprised.
"If there is one thing I've learned about humans is that, when under pressure, they might surprise even gods. And, when they have an objective set in mind and a motivation, even the wait of years becomes but a blur to the most patient of men.
"You, Kratos Aurion. Father of Lloyd Irving-Aurion, Friend of Unique Souls and Inspirer of Hope and Unity. Without the aid of special powers such as Presea Combatir's earlier awakening, or Sheena Fujibayshi's purging light, you achieved more than any man alive and all of that in an inhospitable world.
"You did all of that, just as Kratos the man and Kratos the father. Limited to human endurance and skills, yet you challenged demons and immortals alike in the span of a few years. If that doesn't prove your worth, then nothing ever will."
Kratos was quite impressed and even inspired by Origin's speech. Thinking back, he really did all of that by his own merit. He never really had any special skill that put him above others (except for his expertise in swordsmanship, but that came from aptitude and years of training). Nothing on par with Presea and Colette's strength.
Maybe Origin was right and he could do it. He did feel quite inspired after that speech from the King of the Summon Spirits. Suddenly, he remembered about how his men said he could motivate them on the battlefield.
So, that's the sensation, huh? Kratos thought with a smile
Origin waved his four arms and weapons materialized on them. There were three lances and a sword, all stark white and without any defining features. Kratos drew his own sword, which he noted, absentmindedly, was probably laughable in comparison to the King of the Spirit's four weapons.
Even so, he would stand his ground with what he had.
"Let us begin, Kratos Aurion," Origin proclaimed.
The King of Summon Spirits then vanished from Kratos' sight and the man barely had a second to react and duck at the swing of the four-armed Spirit's lance and turn to counter.
Origin blocked with the two lances held by his lower arms, before making a cross slash in retaliation and forcing Kratos to jump back. The blonde spirit followed, attacking with fast combinations of thrusts and slashes from his weapons. Kratos put up the best defense he could, but even he couldn't defend four places at once.
Sparks flew as the two combatants switched between defense and offense. Origin had yet to take a single hit. Kratos knew he need something to surpass the unfair advantage the King of the Summon Spirits had over him.
"Sharpening Shot!" the ring of lance points around Origin aligned on the horizontal and the point of the blades aimed at Kratos, shooting to the man like arrows.
Kratos jumped back and started to run, but some blades managed to hit his legs before he managed to jump behind one of the pillars that decorated the room. Blood dripped and dispersed on the liquid floor as the man took out the three blades at that hit him. When he opened his hand, two immediately flew to the pillar behind him-
Oh-ho. Kratos put his shield up in time to avoid decapitation by a sword slash from Origin. He then felt the blade he was still holding prick his hand. Well, this isn't a fair fight, so time to be a little more resourceful.
Kratos ducked under another swing and brought his sword on Origin's leg, only for it to be deflected by a lance, which he let knock his sword out of his hand. Origin seemed momentarily confused at the blunder as he attacked only to be surprised when Kratos invaded his space and struck his chest with a punch.
Normally, that wouldn't have done anything to the King of the Summon Spirits, but Origin felt something piercing his chest and as Kratos reared his bloodied fist back, the four-armed spirit saw one of his floating blades sticking out of his chest.
"Super Sonic Thrust!" Kratos took that time in which the King of the Summon Spirits was distracted to gather his sword and put all of his strength in a single thrust that blew Origin away.
But retaliation soon came:
"Earth Bite!" the sphere of electricity hit Kratos dead on and the following earth dome closed and collapsed around him, leaving a bloodied man behind. "Falling Blades!" Kratos took off as Origin's lances disappeared when he closed his eyes and crossed the free, lower ones as he held his blade perpendicular to his face and several spectral blades rained right behind the reincarnation of the Summon Spirit, missing him by a hair's breadth. Kratos was sure that if one of those hit him, he would be bisected.
Taking refuge behind another pillar, Kratos quickly took out some gels and applied them. He brought these, knowing he would probably need them for this fight. From the tales he heard from Lloyd, the others seemed to have it easy compared to what he was going up against. Even Regal just fought against a shadow of Volt.
This is the real thing. I don't know how, but this is the real Origin.
Kratos wondered how that was possible when he was standing right there.
"Already tired?" Origin asked. "Or are you just wondering how is it possible that a shadow is as strong as the original?"
"Do you read minds too?" Kratos couldn't help, but ask as he waited for the gels to take effect and heard Origin's voice getting closer as some of his wounds closed, mainly the one in his hand.
"No. But to answer your unasked question, we are in a time drift. I am an Impression of Origin left here to test you. As an Impression I am an exact copy of him, down to his powers."
His voice was getting closer. Kratos readied his sword.
"If that is true, then why am I not dead yet?" the man replied back.
"Because..."
THERE! Kratos thought, swinging his blade as he stepped out of his cover, adjusting his aim as he got the first glimpse of Origin's head, going right for decapitation.
Suddenly, he felt like his body stopped. Like the entire scene had been put on wait by something while he was still aware of what was going on. And then, just like that, it was gone, together with Origin that now spoke from behind him:
"It's not my place to do so," with that, the King of the Summon Spirits thrust his lance and pierced Kratos' side, eliciting a scream of pain from him as blood came out and fell on the liquid floor, dispersing and disappearing in the transparent surface.
Kratos could only look at the lance point protruding from his side, had he not moved an inch to the right, it would be stuck on his body instead of grazing him. With a quick thought, Kratos took advantage of that and held the lance with his shield hand, twisting to the left and using all of his strength to take it away from Origin's grip.
In that split second in which Kratos surprised his past self yet again, he rammed the pommel of his sword against the four-armed spirit's solar plexus, stunning him enough for Kratos to attack with a Double Demon fang, using not only his sword, but also Origin's lance in the Arte. The wave of energy released when he used the lance was charged beyond normal, slamming on Origin with enough strength to push him back.
So the weapon carries his power. Interesting. Kratos thought.
Not about to let his advantage go to waste, the auburn haired swordsman charged, executing a sequence of lance and sword attacks that managed to score several hits on Origin, before the Spirit regained his bearings and once more used his triple wielding to block all of the human's attacks completely.
Still, Kratos noticed an opening on Origin's lower, left side. It seemed that having four arms limited the reach that each individual arm had. When compared to two, meaning Origin's upper, left arm couldn't cover his left leg effectively while defending attacks on the left of his torso. That was the advantage Kratos needed.
"Light Spear!" the General of Unity jumped, spinning his weapons in a spiral and descending with sword slash that Origin defended, but that left the King of Summon Spirits open for the following Arte. "Shield Break!" Kratos bashed Origin with his shield, momentarily disorienting the Spirit, and followed with a sword thrust on Origin's left side, an upward slash with his still-extended sword and ending with another shield bash, which would normally hit a man in the face, but since Origin was much taller than Kratos, he only managed to hit the King in the chest again.
Origin countered by brandishing his three weapons together, but Kratos had already jumped back, spamming another Double Demon Fang, which Origin blocked. Origin then floated up and threw his two lances ahead of Kratos, who could only look in confusion as they seemingly missed him. In that split second, Origin attacked him, but Kratos managed to defend. However, he soon noticed that wasn't the Spirit's intent.
"Stagnant Barrier!" Origin shoved Kratos back with all his strength, while, at the same time, the two lances stuck on the ground, charged up with energy and formed an electrical net between them, which Kratos was shoved into.
The auburn haired General was electrified and felt his muscles spasm occasionally, paralyzed due to the strong charges. Origin took this opportunity to attack and Kratos soon found himself with difficulty to defend against his past self's attacks, being beaten, slashed and, finally, thrown by a double, upward, spear slash.
Kratos hit the pillar behind him and struggled to get up. He looked up and saw the Summon Spirit staring at him, probably waiting for him to yield or just plainly toying with him. Still he wouldn't give up.
"Double Demon Fang!" ignoring all pain, Kratos sent energy waves through the ground and took refuge in the pillar behind him as an Air Blade slammed against it. The swordsman quickly took out a Miracle Gel he reserved for emergencies and what was left of his Apple Gels.
As he finished applying the Miracle Gel, Origin appeared before him and took a swing at Kratos' head, forcing him to duck and drop the gels in his haste. They dropped on the liquid floor and sunk on it like bricks, Kratos' hand not even passing through the surface of the liquid.
He gritted his teeth and rolled to the side as Origin took another cleaving slash at him, followed by a round of Sharpening Shot. In a sudden burst of inspiration (and panic) Kratos spun the stolen lance from Origin in front of him like a helix and, surprisingly, it deflected all blades.
Note to self: thank Martel for the training. he was never happier that his position demanded he passed through a training to learn how to use most kind of weapons, should he find himself without his favorite one at hand.
Still, Kratos knew he would eventually lose if the battle dragged itself on any longer. The same also applied if he continued to simply take these pot shots against an adversary of Origin's caliber. What he needed was a sure strike, something that would leave Origin defenseless for a finishing blow. It was then things got complicated...
"Are you still wanting to go on with this futility?" a voice identical to Origin said from Kratos' left.
As he turned, he found another copy of the King of the Summon Spirits, weapons drawn and just as serious-looking as the one in front of him.
"You do realize this is inevitability playing its hand," another Origin said from Kratos' left.
The General of Unity wasn't a man given to swearing; no matter how hard or impossible the situation seemed to him. But, as they say, there is a first time for everything and the situation in which he found himself practically demanded for a single word to make itself present, even if just in thought:
Fuck.
The three Origins charged and all Kratos could do was run and defend whatever blows came. He knew going up front with these Impressions was suicide. Actually, he was impressed he managed to do so well so far with only one of them. And the copy he had just been attacking also had regenerated from its wounds it seemed.
As Kratos jumped and defended he noticed the impressions weren't as coordinated as they seemed, so much one could attack out of turn, forcing the other to abruptly stop. Kratos tried to use this to his advantage, as he did a spear thrust on one of the copies, just for it to lock the spear on a triangle formation with its own three spears.
When the other impression came in for the finishing blow, Kratos let go of the spear, jumping forward as the attack missed and attacked the Origin in front of him with a Super Sonic Thrust to its throat... only to suddenly feel that same strange sensation of time stopping, being unable to move, as his target vanished form his sight and reappeared behind him, forcing him to use his shield to block a strong sword slash that left him grunt in exertion.
Origin must be manipulating this rift somehow to do that. the auburn haired swordsman realized. In that case... he had to stop the three Origin's at the same time and he knew only one way to do that.
Quickly recovering the discarded lance, Kratos jumped back as one of the impression tried to slice him with a cross slash. He had a small window of opportunity to execute this, but years of experience taught him how to unconsciously conserve his strength so, in moments like this, he would be able to use his trump card.
Kratos inhaled and exhaled. The Origins approached. The General of Unity then looked at them, his pose relaxed. When they were close, Kratos lashed out in a fierce Beast Arte that didn't have the common blowing effect, only stunning them for Kratos to dash towards the Impressions and execute fast combos of wide sword slashes combined with the lance he stole from Origin, each strike packing more strength than his normal attacks. Each attack either stunned or lifted the Impressions up only to receive a strong, downward blow that grounded them.
The reincarnated Origin then launched two more Beast Artes in quick succession, blowing away two of the Origins, leaving only one in front of him.
"Knight's Vow!" Kratos joined the lance and sword and put all of his fighting spirit and strength into a single blow, much like he had taught Lloyd. The slash opened a glowing wound on Origin's chest, the air pressure hitting the Summon Spirit like a truck, suspending him for a moment. Then, as if time resumed itself, Origin was rocketed backwards.
Kratos then used the last of his strength, took aim and hurled the lance at Origin as the Summon Spirit was still flying. Origin tilted his head down and could only look as the lance sailed through the air after him. The King of the Summon Spirits couldn't even move to block before the lance impaled his forehead.
Kratos would have rejoiced in victory for that maneuver, but he once more felt as if everything had stopped again. Even Origin became suspended in the air, lance still stuck to his head. Then, as if somebody had hit a "reverse" button, things started to go back. Kratos saw the lance he had thrown come out of Origin's forehead, the wound closing itself and the lance making its path back to him as his body also moved back to the throwing position without his command. He finally realized what was going on:
He's controlling time itself! But, how?! Origin couldn't have done that when he was impaled. Magic like that probably require a ridiculous amount of power and concentration and, though they were in a time rift, to simply turn a full minute back like that when a lance was impaling him... There has to be something else.
When the lance was back in his hand, Kratos had to think fast. He quickly eyed the other Impressions as the one he attacked was sent flying again and found one that was recovering. He threw the lance at that one and, for good measure, his sword too. Like he predicted, the Impression managed to deflect the lance, but didn't recover its bearings in time to avoid the sword, which buried itself on its chest.
And just like that, time stopped once more. But this time, Kratos felt some kind of pulse in the air. It was almost imperceptible, in fact, he wouldn't have even noticed it if he wasn't paying attention to his surroundings, rather than on the fight. While his sword remade its path back to him, Kratos felt a reverse wave of power in the air.
When his sword was back on his hand, Kratos stopped and looked at the place he felt the power had come from and saw...
On that pillar... Origin's symbol.
The lance was still deflected, but Kratos had a new target for his sword. He had not forgotten the other Impression had probably already recovered, so he did the only thing he thought he could: he threw his sword at Origin's insignia in that pillar and turned... to see a lance coming straight for him, impaling his stomach and carrying him through the air, pinning him to another pillar.
"AUUUGGHHH!" Kratos screamed in agony as blood flew from his wound and now stained the pillar he had been stuck to.
Meanwhile, the sword of the General of Unity had sailed through the air and suddenly stopped inches away from the pillar that was marked with the symbol of the King of the Summon Spirits, part of the blade disappearing in the air as it produced the sound of metal hitting something.
Kratos managed to look up in time to see a glowing, white rune appear in the air, his sword stuck in its middle as the rune slowly cracked and broke like glass into millions of glowing fragments. The Origin Impressions looked on in shock as they disappeared without leaving a trace.
The swordsman smiled, even thought he was still nailed to that pillar, with his life source slowly dripping from him. He had made it. He, a human, had defeated Origin, King of the Summon Spirits, fighting only as a man, even with all odds against him.
That is, until the Impression he had been battling with appeared in front of him, glowing scar still visible in its chest, confirming its identity and Kratos' spirits took a plummet towards the ground.
I... I failed... Kratos thought, his teeth clenched together in despair, as he felt weaker and weaker, as he could feel his strength slowly leaving him.
"I must admit, I didn't expect you to be able to break my Time Bender rune," Origin said. "However..." the wounds in the Spirit's body closed before Kratos' eyes, indicating his regenerative powers didn't have any relation to the rune in question. He had truly been playing Kratos from the very beginning.
"You..." Kratos coughed blood, staining his lips.
"I told you, this battle had its result decided the moment you stepped in here. What you were fighting against was inevitability and, despite what humans may think, it won't always bend to your hopes and perseverance. If it does, then it was because it was meant to be," Origin spoke.
So that was it. He was fated to lose right from the start.
Deep down, Kratos already knew that. He realized it the moment he saw this Origin had the powers of the original, but didn't choose to outright obliterate him. It was all a cruel joke.
"Go on..." Kratos gurgled, fighting now to speak. "Finish... me..." he coughed a bit more blood. The pillar behind him already had its front tinted with his life source.
"Why did you fight against me if you knew it would end like this?" Origin asked instead. "You could have surrendered."
What was this, some kind of knight's novel for the Spirit to be asking for his motives before putting him out of his misery? Still the auburn haired swordsman answered him:
"Because... everyone is... counting... on me..." he felt tired now. "And... if it was... for me to go... then... I'll go..." so tired... "on... my... own... terms..." Kratos closed his eyes, darkness claiming him... Lloyd. I'm sorry, my son…
- / - / - / - / - / - / - / -
"Origin..."
The King of the Summon Spirits looked at his brethren:
"Ratatosk. How may I help you?" he asked in his always-cordial tone when speaking to his brothers and sisters.
"Why defend them?" he knew Ratatosk was talking about the humans. "Look at what they do. They are only spoiled children that take everything for granted. Never satisfied. Always wishing for more... we give them and they ask 'where's the rest?'. Really, they even think destiny will bow down to their desires."
"Not all of them are like that and you know it."
"Ok, I admit there is a few..."
"Like that green haired one?" he asked, in a rare tone of tease.
Origin never teased, but even he had to admit it was always entertaining to knock down the prideful Ratatosk a peg or two. That and the blush on the Summon Spirit's face was priceless. Ratatosk might deny it, but the old human saying "men will do everything for a pretty face" applied to him too.
And that was because the Guardian of the Kharlan Tree was different from them like that.
"Yeah... like her..." Ratatosk said, blushing, but soon recovering. "But, if that's the case, we could just single them out and take care of the rest."
Origin sighed. They had talked about that time and time again and it still seemed his answer hadn't sunk in Ratatosk's head. That or he was just being stubborn again. Or probably both.
"Equilibrium dictates that everything must exist in balance. The good and the bad. The harmful and the beneficial. Humans are no different. And, sometimes, they can surprise even me with their perseverance."
"Verius says the same, but I don't see any heroes with enough power arising to finish this war. I think you two overestimate them too much."
"Then you would take matters into your own hands... we have already discussed that before," Origin reminded him with a matter-of-fact tone.
"Well, then how about this: instead of waiting something, like those conformists that only know how to complain, why don't you pull the strings and make things happen. If the humans have the right to bend some of the laws for their own benefit, why not us?"
Origin was about to reply... but stopped, thinking on Ratatosk's words. Even he had to admit that there was some truth to that statement. Though he wouldn't call it "law bending" for their laws were absolute. If there was nothing that directly stated against it, then it was acceptable to do. Simple as that.
Ratatosk might not have meant it that way, but that gave Origin an idea...
- / - / - / - / - / - / -
He opened his eyes wide and sat up, looking around in alarm. When Kratos Aurion realized he was still in the Twilight Palace, he looked over his body and saw no sign of the fatal wound from Origin's lance.
"You finally awoke," Origin said from besides Kratos, making the warrior almost jump out of his skin. However, Origin didn't have his weapons at hand. "You slept for what would be considered two days on Aselian time. However, in this time rift, you needn't worry about that. You said you wanted to go on your own terms and that you fight out of a sense of responsibility for with others, even though it is against inevitability."
"Yes. And?" Kratos asked, not understanding what was happening.
Why was he still alive? He clearly remembered being impaled by Origin's weapon. Why did Origin still insist on that even though Kratos lost?
"And that is why I deem you ready."
Kratos' mind did a one eighty at that, going from confused to utterly shocked. He passed the test? But how?
Like if reading his thoughts Origin said:
"As I stated, the fight was decided from the beginning. As I am not a lesser version of the original, but rather a copy of him, the difference between our powers was simply immeasurable, even if I was holding back. No. The true test was to see how you acted towards inevitability when it makes itself known.
"Many a men shatter when they see a situation in which their fate, their death, is already decided from the beginning. Some despair and beg, but there are those who accept it and try to do the best they can, even if they know the end result will be the same. 'Going on their own terms'. That is the strength and resolution within the human soul that I hoped our new selves would reach once they reincarnated. Without that, there is no use in us gaining a human identity and the ability to intervene."
Then memories started to pop into Kratos' mind, memories that were reflected on the liquid floor bellow them:
Forging a plan…
Talking with Undine when she woke up after fainting in one of their meetings. The Maiden of the Mist agreeing to be the first…
Observing one Raine Sage growing in the lands owned by Shadow's would-be-Knight, Neran Illirium…
Telling his plans to the others, but asking them not to mention it to Ratatosk. Their brother was too unstable with all that was happening…
Inserting their souls into the Stream, setting them to reincarnate at determined times…
Those memories showed everything Kratos needed to know about the plan, including its finer details.
"Now that you are reunited with the others, I leave it up to you to decide whether or not to tell them. Keep your heart strong and always remember this sense of responsibility which guides you," Origin instructed.
Kratos nodded. He now understood what Origin truly wanted from him and, seeing what would be waiting for him once he was out of this rift, he needed Origin's power.
Standing, Kratos looked at his past self with determination as Origin extended his lower, right hand. The auburn swordsman grasped it and a surge of power manifested around their handshake, expanding and forcing Kratos to close his eyes as a white light engulfed all the space.
As he felt himself being transported somewhere, Kratos heard Origin's voice for the last time:
Protect this world and its future. Never look back, O Regent of the Eternal Cycle…
- / - / - / - / - / - / - / -
"C'mon! This is crap!" Zelos cursed and the party couldn't agree with him more.
The Impressions of the former Summon Spirits not only were ridiculously strong, both in magic and physical strength, but every time they managed to defeat one, another would form out of the liquid floor to take its place. It was like fighting an endless wave.
"Raine! They're made of water, can't you do something?!" Sheena called out as she dodged the attacks of Impressions of the Sylph, who were even faster than her.
"Don't you think I would have done it already if I could?!" Raine shouted back, avoiding being impaled by a liquid Shadow's limbs and punched by the hulking frame of a liquid Efreet. "They may look like it, but they aren't made of water. It's something else!"
"Actually, I was always curious to know what they're made of," Verius piped up from her place, watching as Ratatosk struggled against an impression of Aska (which he thought was ironically fitting). "Maybe it's some kind of liquid time-thing. Not sure…" Verius said putting her hand on her chin and looking up in an almost cute way.
"You're not helping!" Marta berated as she tried to hit a slippery Undine, who seemed to skid on the ground, quickly approaching her and delivering fast and strong strikes with a water blade she formed when swinging her arm.
Lloyd and the others were in a similar situation, fending off against one or two Impressions at the same time. There were even copies of these Impressions, reinforcing the sensation of helplessness in that situation. Marta and Raine managed to heal them whenever they received too many attacks, which was a testament of how they achieved to develop their Spirit forms. But all of that would become irrelevant when they finally became exhausted and the Impressions attacked.
That was when a bright flash appeared right in the middle of the room and they had to cover their eyes. Even the Impressions seemed to stop their attacks to look at the phenomena.
When the light receded, Lloyd and the others looked and the young man gasped at the visage:
"D-Dad?!"
Kratos had reappeared, but his clothes were different, which signified he probably passed Origin's trial. It looked very similar to his purple uniform from the Renegades and Vanguard, but it was mostly white with grey outlines and several belts on its arms, legs and waist. The swallow cape had become darker and thinner.
Like Lloyd and the others, the reincarnated Origin also had multicolored, ethereal wings. However, the thing that truly grabbed their attention was the sword Kratos was carrying. It was a broadsword with a purple blade, straw-brown lines on its edges and a light-yellow handle with a red gem in the middle. Purple energy was flowing through the blade like it possessed an aura of its own and Kratos was wielding it with only one hand.
The swordsman then looked around and saw the Impressions of the previous Summon Spirits, his newly gained knowledge telling him how to get rid of the Twilight Palace's defense mechanism.
When the liquid figures charged at the Regent of the Eternal Cycle, Lloyd's eyes widened and he rushed for his father's aid... only to stop when Kratos spun on his place with his newly acquired blade, releasing a purple wave of energy which made the Impressions dissolve upon contact.
That got the group impressed. They had been fighting those things for a while now and Kratos dispelled them all with a single attack.
"I don't know if that was awesome... or anti-climatic," Lumen spoke.
"Dad?" Lloyd uttered again.
Kratos turned to his son and merely smiled at him.
"I am fine. Actually, I feel better than I've ever been," he then raised his broadsword, a Runeblade from what he could tell, looking at it. "So, this is the power of a Summon Spirit?"
"Well, yeah... but, you were really cool back there," the dual swordsman said, giving his dad a grin. "We could hardly beat one of those guys, but you managed to do it in one attack."
"Yes. But I wonder..." the auburn haired swordsman's tone became more serious and his expression grave. "That security system is designed to react to foreign presences that are not the Summon Spirits. However, it can also be manually activated by another Summon Spirit. Isn't that right, Verius?"
The entire group turned to the Summon Spirit of the Heart at seeing Kratos' grave and piercing gaze settling on the tall, fox-like woman. Ratatosk just looked between her and Kratos, seeming to try and process what was being said.
"Wait, are you accusing my sister of setting the Impressions off?!" the crimson-eyed spirit demanded, his tone quickly becoming angry. "Is that what you are implying?!"
"I am merely posing a question for her. There were only two Summon Spirits present with the knowledge to active the defense mechanism. Three now. So if it wasn't you, Ratatosk..."
"OF COURSE IT WASN'T ME! Are you brain damaged or something?!"
"Then I can only conclude it was her."
The group now glared at the Summon Spirit of the Heart, who had kept a neutral, poker face ever since Kratos reappeared, not dropping it even when he accused her. Ratatosk, however, would have none of that:
"SHUT UP! What do you know about Verius?! My sister would never do something like that!"
"But, he is right. We didn't activate it and..." Emil tried to rationalize with his past self, only to be cut off.
"Shut up you too!" Ratatosk said aloud, looking at the side, as if speaking to somebody only he could see, but the group understood he was talking to his other self.
"Please, let's all calm down," Regal said. "We still haven't heard Verius' side of the story."
"Well, she hasn't denied anything so far," Marta said, in a devious tone.
"What the... Marta?! Even you are buying this crap?" Ratatosk asked in a surprised tone.
"Why wouldn't she?" Verius finally spoke, making her brother to look back to her so fast the others were surprised his neck didn't crack. "She didn't like me from the very beginning."
"I didn't like the way you talked and spoke as if what we were doing was useless, when you weren't even willing to do anything yourself. It's easy to judge others and tell them they won't accomplish anything while you stay in a comfortable position, isn't it?"
"And you hate that and the fact that was exactly what your family did, isn't it?" Verius talked back.
That made some members in the group glare harder at the Summon Spirit. They never mentioned the subject around Marta again, because they knew it was a sensitive matter for her.
But this time, the brunette talked back, although her tone had a bitter edge to it:
"Yeah they did, I won't deny that. But... at least I want to set that right."
"Oh..." Verius now smiled that innocent smile that seemed to be her trademark. "Somebody finally grew up a bit from their trauma. And could you please stop comparing me to this Alice girl?"
The group ignored that last bit and only focused on Verius. Ratatosk had to admit he was quite proud of Marta for standing up to that comment, but the fact it came from his sister made him confused at what to do.
Kratos then suddenly appeared in front of Verius, Runeblade drawn and pointing to the Summon Spirit's face. The group gasped in surprise as none of them had mastered teleportation (with the exception of Presea) yet Lloyd's father seemed to have done so easily.
"Stop dancing around the subject," he spoke, his tone low and icy and his eyes sharp, as if accessing the best way to neutralize a threat. "Now, answer: did you set the Impressions at my son and his friends? And don't lie."
Ratatosk and Emil could only look from one to the other, stunned. When the Lord of the Monsters recovered his bearings he was ready to lash out a Kratos, even attack him for daring to threaten Verius. That is until he saw she smile a foxy smile and heard her response with that same lilt in her tone she always used:
"Why would I lie about something that is true?"