LightSpecter141: It's so good to have you back! I was getting worried!
I am back and raring to go! College as started once again but my writing spirit is stronger than ever!
A/N: I'm making the chapters longer as there is still a lot I want to do before we reach chapter 60 so yeah. And God bless you Minx!
Fanfiction Nation - discord .gg/nJxvDjhtZs
Shinn: And now we get Relon's side!
Andrew: How are your fingers?
Shinn: Hyper than ever! I think my body has finally raised the ban on me writing more than 5k for this story!
Andrew: How much do you plan to write again?
Shinn: A SHIT TON MORE, AHAHAHAHA!
Relon's Subconscious
Blinking into consciousness, Relon slowly gets to his feet gazing around at familiar layout of a Lunaria Nature Park. Though he can tell it is not his.
My subconscious...
"That is correct."
Raising his head at the voice, he turns around to be met with Nameless himself.
"Nameless..." He murmurs, memories from mere moments ago resurfacing as his eyes widen looking around. "Rean!"
"Is fine." Waving a hand, a single flame appears in the air before circling in a rectangular pattern.
"Huh? What are you doing?"
"Allowing us to see and hear what is happening in real time."
True to his words, the screen shows the perspective of Aidios-Relon speaking with Sephiroth and an unconscious Rean behind her.
"To think there was another entity... Not to mention it's using my body to fight. I find it hard to believe..."
"So much that you don't want to believe it."
"Yeah... Speaking of which, where is it?"
"Up." Nameless points in the direction with its abnormally long red fingernail.
Peering into the sky, he covers it from the bright light not of the sun, but of the white-cyan sphere shinning brightly.
"What's happening to us?"
"I cannot answer that, but..." Nameless postpones his sentence as he levitates off of the ground towards the sphere.
Reaching it, he takes ahold of it before descending back towards the ground.
"There is a chance this 'Aidios' can."
"Aidios? What are you talking about?"
"Before you arrived, Sephiroth addressed the one possessing your body as such." At his words, Relon stiffens.
"Wait, I need to get back!" Stepping away, he attempts to awaken only for nothing to happen. "Why isn't it working?!"
"Possibly due to whoever is here. They may be restricting you from leaving."
"Nameless, I need to get back or my friends and whoever the hell is controlling by body will get us killed! Can't you just eject me?"
"Hmm. That is possible." He raises his sharp hand aiming it at Relon.
Closing his eyes, Relon braces himself as an invisible force slams into him sending the teen to the ground.
"OOF!" He gasps to furrow his eyebrows. "Why didn't that work or hurt?"
"To answer your first question; once again, it may be this Aidios' doing. As for the latter, I am able to control everything here. That includes pain reduction."
"Damn it!" Getting to his feet, Relon rushes over readying a punch to extend it towards the sphere. the force pushing Relon back away as he skids to a halt. "Nameless, you said either of us could do whatever we want, right?" He asks walking back over.
"Yes, though as for whether anything we try will affect this is up for speculation."
"I don't want to do anything to whatever this is. I seriously doubt it's Aidios." He mutters.
"You doubt it to be that of a Goddess?" Nameless raises an eyebrow crossing his arms, the bone-like sharp blades protruding from his elbows giving off a powerful image. "Have you forgotten what we are? A pyrokinetic as well as a mythical entity. Need I add Pippin as well as that other sword?"
"Look." Relon sighs sliding a hand down his face.
"There is no need to explain. Our minds are shared so I already understand." He glances to the sphere. "You don't want to accept the possibility due to your family's background. The Namikazes as well as all of the less fortunate such as those boys you helped in Raquel."
"As well as the question of why do I have the literal Goddess within me. And why didn't either of us detect her until now."
"Many questions we have though for now, all we can do is watch."
"You say that but..." Relon eyes the screen, Aidios-Relon beginning to fight against Sephiroth, both launching a flamethrower attack. "Does this supposed Aidios knows not to harm the surrounding area?!" He turns banging on the sphere. "Hey! Stop, you're going to do more harm to the park! I... said..." Rearing back his arm, flames erupt as it collides with the sphere resulting in a force knocking Relon away.
Groaning, he shakes the dizziness away.
"Interesting..."
"Ouch, what is? Me getting knocked away?"
"No, although that is somewhat entertaining to see. Look."
Walking back over once again, Relon eyes the screen to see both sides having halted their attacks.
"Tell me, Ishmelga. Why stop?"
"Simple. It would be a pity if those Sephiroth gathered died. We still need them after all. Though I could ask you the very same, Aidios. You could have continued your attack. Why stop?"
"..."
"Could it be, your host stopped you?" At this, Aidios narrows her eyes as Relon widens his own. "So, I am right. He is fighting to gain back control over his body. He doesn't wish for his home to be damaged any more than it already has..."
"I stopped her?"
"It would seem so. Our flames seem to affect the sphere." Nameless says holding his palm for a flame to ignite.
"In that case!"
"Might I suggest we spectate this Aidios for now?"
"... I'm sorry what?"
"It is obvious this entity has boosted our power so drastically that with her attitude, she must be confident in handling Sephiroth, the other three Lucinances, and all of the Leaguients. Something we aren't capable of."
"..." Looking between his fellow family member, the sphere, and the screen showing the fight, Relon can only bite his lip in frustration at the truth. "Damn it! Fine. Not like I have much choice left."
"In the meantime, shall we learn what we can as we rest?"
"Yeah... Now that I think about it, Pippin isn't here. I guess considering it's fighting that makes sense. Hmm, help me out." Acknowledging his host, Nameless waves his hand for Relon to sit cross-legged before he begins to levitate off the ground.
"Better?"
"Leave me alone. I want to watch the screen at a decent elevation. I'm more worried about Rean."
Nodding his head, Nameless hovers next to Relon as they gaze at the screen showing the real world.
"Rean!" The others call hurrying to the downed boy.
Lifting him, Claire presses her ear to his chest to widen.
"There's no pulse!"
"Rean!" Relon mutters in worry.
"Calm yourself. Look."
"Move." Aidios-Relon orders calmly.
"What do you plan to do?" Claire questions.
"Heal him."
"Heal him? Can she do that? Can we?"
"It may be possible that healing is a trait this Aidios carries. Something we may not be able to perform. At least, not this current point in time." Nameless answers placing his hand under his chin in thought, Aidios-Relon finishing her healing.
You knew, didn't you?" Ishmelga calls out. "About that boy's power."
"What about Rean's power?" Relon furrows his eyebrows.
"... Yes, I could feel it the day Relon met him. That boy... has a portion of you within him."
At the revelation, Relon widens standing back upright.
"Whoa, time out! The hell he means Rean's power is the same as his?! No, no, no! Nameless, adjust the space-time difference or whatever!" Relon demands placing a hand to his head to think.
With another wave, time distorts.
"Rean's Demon Unchained ability... is the same power as Sephiroth's? I mean Ishmelga's? Whoever that is..." Relon points out with confusion.
"It would seem so. Though that brings up the topic of our Spirit Unification. As the name suggests, we unite ourselves whereas Rean does not. But if Ishmelga's power resides within him too, why does he not have a similar interaction such as we?"
"That thing controlling my body said it was only a portion. So maybe Rean has such a small part of whoever Ishmelga is that it's impossible to have an interaction." Relon narrows his eyes in thought. "But whatever portion of it he has, it certainly still has enough influence to distort his senses."
"Unlike your previous times using my power, you lacked the proper trigger which resulted in you losing control. Rean does not require such a thing."
"What are you getting at?"
"My question is not how to activate such a battle enhancer, but rather where did he?"
Opening his mouth to respond, Relon closes it thinking on the matter.
"When Rean and I first transformed, we were both nine-years-old. Neither of us had any recollection of what happened let alone how we did it..."
"Hmm." Humming in thought, Nameless turns his hovering form away from Relon.
"What are you doing?"
Not answering his question, Nameless waves his hand as if scrolling through the air for the terrain to slowly transition to snow.
"Whoa! What on- Oh wait. You can make the terrain whatever you want." Relon notes looking around at the now snow clearing above Ymir.
"Indeed, though I can also do... this." Tilting his head, Relon widens as figures appear around them.
"No way...!" He mutters in shock. "You can put yourself into my memories?!"
True to Relon's words, there before him is Rean, Elise, and himself as children facing off against the hunter and his cat. Both boys frozen at the moment of their awakenings.
"Only from the moment I awakened. This is something I have done on occasion but now my interest is peaked as for the odd phenomenon."
Walking over and crouching before his younger self, Relon attempts to touch the boy's shoulder only for his hand to phase through.
"Figured." Relon notes stepping away. "Now that I think about it, something doesn't seem right." He comments, the past replaying itself on on repeat
"What are you referring to?"
"Rean's power; it responded to his anger at this moment. Which means Ishmelga's power was already instilled within him. It couldn't have happened during my time there so he must have got it before then."
"The question becomes when then."
"Yeah. If before, then how far back? Weeks? Months?" Pondering, his eyes widen.
Both look to the other, Relon's silent thoughts resonating with Nameless'.
"Or perhaps even further back. Possibly before he was adopted by Mr. Teo!"
"If that is the case, then he may possibly know either who Rean's kindred are."
"I don't think so. Rean told me numerous times of him being told by his dad that he was found around sundown in the snow. So unless Mr. Teo lied..."
"It would not hurt to rule out the possibility."
"Yeah, you're right. Either Rean's childhood was a lie or we're missing a piece to this odd puzzle."
"Shall I make a list of all information we've accumulated up until this moment?"
"A list?" Turning to his companion, Relon's eye twitches as a flame shifts into a transparent paper with bullet points. "Uh, yeah, thanks." He sweatdrops glancing at the sphere of light.
Aidios and Ishmelga. They seem to have history. With how vile Ishmelga's power is from my experience with Rean and watching Sephiroth fight, it's safe to say it's bad news. Aidios though... Furrowing his eyebrows, Relon shifts his attention to the screen showing the fight. Is this really Aidios...? Unconsciously, he clenches his fist .
This going noticed by the demonic entity doodling words with a nail.
"It is not a matter of winning, only stalling." Aidios comments to Class VII, her point of view raising towards the sky blocked by the Senate aitcrafts.
Floating above is Relon's ever faithful partner.
"Pippin..."
"Pippin!" Aidios calls, the sword descending from the air to hover at her side for Relon to jerk his head to the light sphere.
"Did she call it by its name because I did...?"
"I continue to be bewildered by just how much influence that boy has over you. Not calling such a divine weapon by its given title and instead some privy name. You disappoint me, Aidios." Sephiroth shakes his head in disappointment.
"Then I suppose it is good that I am not the true Aidios but only a mere portion. Once I have dealt with you, I shall disappear. So, before my time is up, I will use everything in my power to stop you!" Aidios snaps her right arm out to the side.
What is she doing?
"I don't know." Nameless answers appearing at his side.
"Join us, Angbar!" At her beckoning call, a small portal opens for her to reach inside before pulling out a sword of her own.
"No way...! She-" Widening, Relon kneels placing a hand to his chest.
"Relon?!"
"I-I'm fine, I think..." He reassures feeling his chest oddly.
"What are you-"
"I can feel it now." He speaks looking up at Nameless before redirecting his focus. "That sword. It's similar to Pippin..." Getting back on his feet, Relon pokes different areas of his chest.
"Similar to Pippin?" Relon nods. "Could this 'Angbar' be the other half to Pippin?"
"It definitely has the same patterns as Pippin." Relon remarks. "But why does it look so different? Aren't dual blades supposed to resemble each other? That one is clearly bigger than Pippin."
The weapon's blade a dark red color, sharp thorn-like ends above the handle and one point sticking forward along the blade. The blade holding a black center with gold markings just like Pippin.
"Also, what was that portal about? Where did Angbar even come from? Mom, Kanade, Dad, or whoever the other guy with mom was?"
"I shall add these speculations to the list. Though regardless of the current question, she is dealing with the three Lucinances rather well."
Looking at the screen, Relon sees Aidios and the three having a flame clash before she begins absorbing their own fire. Firing once more, a larger blast erupts from her palm at it sails through the opposing side's own fire directly towards Ishmelga.
"Will it hit?"
To his question, Ishmelga-Sephiroth flies above the attack.
"I believe the term here is 'a swing and a miss.'"
Ignoring the poor but accurate terminology, Relon remains locked on the screen.
"I believe it's our turn now." Aidios states, both swords returning to her side as she takes hold of both, Angbar's prickly appearance breaking away as it now looks like Pippin retaining its reddish color.
"What the?!"
"So that's its true form..."
"Then what was its form before? Corrupted or something?"
"Possibly, but that was not the only change."
"What do you mean?"
"Her accent." At this, Relon snaps back to the screen. "For a mere moment as she spoke, she sounded much like yourself and not an omnipotent being. Though with her form now floating, that side of her remains as one would believe."
"This is too much...!" Relon mutters watching his possessed self body the Lucinances. "What's even happening anymore?!" He gasps in confusion.
"Relon, you may not want to admit such a possibility... but the evidence does appear to hold a level a truth. One so high, we would be fools to not admit it at this point in the battle." Nameless calmly states floating to Relon placing its hand carefully on his shoulder.
"..."
"Now I remember you." Both return to the screen. "You and another, your brother I believe, watched over Relon after I was instilled within the infant."
"He and that guy with mom...?"
"Oh, yeah? What's your point?"
"How could someone as strong as you be controlled so easily?"
"No one controls me! What I did, I did of my own volition!"
"You betrayed your family."
"What family?! Those people may have been like me, but they were just strangers! None of them were my own father and mother! Lord Sephiroth treated me like I was his own! What would you know?!"
"You poor child. So meeting this man, you decided to assist in the slaughter of your people?" This causing Relon to raise his head slightly as his fists tremble before losing their tightness, his shoulders slumping as well.
"So it's true after all... They really did do it..." His voice barely above a solemn whisper.
"I don't need a Goddess who gave up on her own world to tell me what's right from wrong!"
At that, Relon's mouth drops slightly, both he and Nameless looking to one another with eyes furrowing at the revelation.
"Gave up on her own world?! The hell's that supposed to mean?!"
"It may be as Asuma stated. The question becomes why?"
Looking at the screen, they see the three defeated Lucinances rise back up walking in front of Ishmelga-Relon.
"As I've stated earlier, I have been bonded to my host far longer than a mere 17 years. My power is still much greater than yours." He readies his masamune. "Now that you've exhausted much of your power, I can throw caution to the very wind you created and cut you down!" He declares bursting forth with the three close behind.
"Then I suppose I shall have to get serious." Aidios responds calmly detaching the cloth from Pippin's handle tossing it over to Group A, Laura catching it. "Look after that for me. Relon would surely be upset if something happened to it."
"... Huh?" Relon mutters.
"Pippin, Angbar, just a little more." Flipping them both into a reverse grip, she dashes forward.
"Just now, what did she say...?"
"Relon would surely be upset if something happened to it. It would seem Aidios cares for you."
Not responding, his eyes remain on the screen to catch Aidios be pushed away by Ishmelga's surprise attack.
"It shouldn't be long now, Aidios. Show us what else you're capable of!"
Relon watches as from Aidios' eyes, their view is obstructed by the large blast of pitch-black flames. His heart stop for a single moment...
"It seems I must now."
For everything bursts to white and cyan. Taking in a breath having unconsciously held his in for too long, a glow catches the two's attention as the sphere begins shinning brightly.
"Now what?!" Relon shouts, gales of white and cyan passing by for the teen to cover his eyes with an arm.
"It's shining brighter than before!"
"Does that mean she's using more power than before? But wouldn't that mean she's risking her limit?!"
"Oh? It seems you still have quite a bit left. Is this all of it?" Ishmelga wonders gaining their attention for the burst of aura to simmer around Aidios, the gust of wind subsiding though the shimmering glow of the orb remains.
"Pippin, Angbar, it is time."
Tensing up at the tone in her voice, both see her with Pippin and Angbar outstretched. Slamming them together followed by a click, the bright light erupts like a pin pulled on a grenade before quickly dying down revealing Aidios holding the now double saber as particles descend around her.
"Whoa..." Speechless, both can only watch as Aidios unleashes her assault on the four villains. "Badass...!"
"What's wrong, Ishmelga? Struggling to absorb me like last time?"
"Tch!"
As the fighting continues, neither spectator can say anything as not to miss the battle. Any thoughts either have are quickly dismissed by a mere action greater than the previous.
She's on another level entirely. Instilled at birth... Could she have been there and watched me train everyday of my life? Is that where she became so good? No, she's a Goddess. Of course she'd be on a level like this...
Hearing his thoughts, Nameless remains unresponsive merely taking in his host's thoughts.
"Goro/Pippin, Angbar!" Both Aidios and Ishmelga shout as their weapons return to their respective owners.
"What is-"
Before he can question both sides' action, Aidios begins to speak.
"Shimmering glow of divinity, purge thy foes!"
"An art?!"
"This is different!" Nameless shouts in correction.
"Esoteric Art: Scorched Earth!"
Both can only watch as the entire clearing is broken from beneath before white flames create a cage hiding those within followed by an eruption of flames and magma into the air.
In awe at the sight, the shimmering glow out the corner of his eyes dim for Relon to turn seeing the shinning sphere begin to lose its color.
"Did that attack do it?"
"No." Nameless answers for Relon to snap back to the screen revealing all of Senate unharmed as their black spheres dissipate.
"How...?"
"If Aidios is the Goddess, then it seems correct for the Devil to be what survives her wrath..."
"Ishmelga... Damn it!" Relon curls his fingers in frustration.
"It seems your last move was in vain, Aidios. I tire of this farce. I'll be taking that power now."
"Quite confident... aren't you?"
"Yes, for one reason alone. Tell me, has the boy encountered his cryptid yet?"
"Nameless... Remind me what a cryptid is..."
"I... cannot recall from your memory ever encountering or learning of such a thing..."
Both watch as the three Lucinances slam their palms onto the ground silhouettes of three creatures emerge.
"Those things are huge!" Relon steps back. "The hell do we do now?! She's too exhausted to continue!"
"Simple." She smiles raising her head in a victorious way to Relon's confusion.
BOOM!
Out of nowhere, something slams into one cryptid sending it into a crater before the others are hit sending them skidding to both sides of the clearing. Crashing into tree, a lone figure lands in front of the tired possessed teen.
"Dad?!" Relon exclaims in a mixture of shock and joy.
"So..." Yujiro begins, his voice that of a snarl and growl. "You're Senate..."
Over the course of the next few minutes, Relon and Nameless quickly become spectators as Yujiro takes on the Lucinances with little effort.
"I'm glad that Dad is here to save us by why is he here? I'm not complaining at all considering he came in clutch when it mattered. But no one could have contacted him nor could it have been a coincidence that he would show up..."
"It could have to do with that attack you applied to Barbatos on your descent towards the ground. The one you deemed 'Solar Impact.'"
"Oh yeah... I so caught up in the moment, I didn't really think of the aftereffects of using an attack like that. Note to self; use only in large areas."
It has a nice ring to it, I suppose.
"Its destructive force was quite deadly as well. And the ring of fire washing over the sky was a sight to behold."
"Huh? What ring of fire?" Relon asks crossing his arms with a tilt of his head. "My sight was kinda obstructed by the fire when we crashed to the ground so I didn't notice until my feet were on the ground or moreso crater and all I saw was a forest full of flames."
"While using my power, Solar Impact's 'aftereffect' if you will caused a wave of fire from the explosion to sail across the air. As for how far, I could not discern as your attention was on Barbatos but based off of the fuel and proportions, I would estimate that flame to possibly have traveled across the entire continent."
"Whoa, whoa, whoa. Timeout. How the hell can you tell dimensions from just a glance. Especially a far one at that?"
"..."
"You used your time in my subconscious to experiment with the flames, then you used my brain to learn about proximities and dimensions by recalling the memories of everything I've experienced, and finally you used that trick of yours to go to said memory just to be accurate. If you were a villain, you'd be a terrifying enemy."
"Then it is relieving to know I am not and instead an ally."
"You're telling me. But again, I have more questions than answers. Steel Maiden? Ouroboros? Who or what are these... whatever that they're bringing up? And how the hell does dad already know about Ishmelga?!"
"Possibly the members or groups associated with those fake rangers. As for the latter question, that is what you humans deem 'the one million dollar question.'"
"Argh, nothing is concrete though!" Relon groans holding his head to lean against the dimming sphere. "And I still can't get out of here."
"It may be for your own good." He notes for Relon to raise an eyebrow. "What I mean is Aidios is preventing you from leaving for your well being."
"I'm not some hardheaded idiot that runs straight into trouble..." He says growing quiet to twitch irritably at the judgmental expression on his companion's face. "The hell is that look for?"
"What look?" Nameless wonders aloud looking away.
"Regardless, I don't always do that! I think before and during a fight! And as much as I hate to admit it, Krovanh, Agria, Asuma, and especially Sephiroth, Ishmelga, whatever they're called are all stronger than me. I got lucky in seeing Krovanh and Agria's exploits."
"Then there are Asuma and Ishmelga himself. Both of which are incredibly dangerous and most likely on the level of your father and aunt respectively."
"Aidios made it seem easy fighting those two. Damn it, I'm seeing the gap in skill again and it's even more frustrating than before." He clicks his tongue.
"... Hahaha... You really are something." The voice of Ishmelga speaks gaining Relon and Nameless' attention. "Yes, just as your child is mixed with Aidios, I am mixed with Sephiroth. Our figure of speech, thought processes, fighting skill, all have mixed into one just as the same has happened for those two. Although, unlike Aidios and Relon, my host does not limit my abilities. I have free reign over my every action."
"That explains her form as well as her momentary dialectic tics. Also Her form of fighting being similar to your own albeit much high skill based."
"Thank you for pointing out the obvious." Relon shakes his head. "He specified me limiting her abilities. Could it have to do with our time together being shorter compared to theirs?"
"Possibly."
"Thought so." Yujiro vanishes to reappear besides the entity, both looking at the opposing sides while Ishmelga holds an amused smirk behind his mask. "So even if I kill your host, you'll just squirm your way into someone else."
"Bold of you to come to such a hypothesis. We both know the other has been holding back. The two of you cannot best me." Ishmelga-Sephiroth taunts.
"Bold of you to assume it's just us." He snarls.
"Huh?" Relon utters for an electric shot and arrow to land at where Ishmelga-Sephiroth just was.
"Damn it, thought I could land an easy one." Widening his eyes at the familiar voice and sight, a smile graces the teen's face.
"Instructor Sara and Aunt Cecily! Backup has arrived!"
"And it seems the backup does not end there. Look again."
"What are you...?"
Dropping his jaw, Relon is speechless as tanks, trucks, cars, and over a hundred armed soldiers come to a halt. His jaw continues to hang as certain individuals exit stopping next to Cecily and Sara.
"I believe this is what an army is supposed to look like."
"Prince Olivert, his bodyguard, Lechter, even Osborne?! And all these soldiers!"
"I would like to answer your incoming question by stating that Solar Impact may have done more than assist you in defeating Barbatos. The emotions put into such a force seemed to have become a beacon for those worried and it has in turn caused all of those you've encountered thus far to rally at one point."
"Did your one day of math help you figure that out?" Relon grins a big smirk not attempting to hide it instead looking to the entity currently crossing its sharp pointed arms.
... Maybe.
"Hehe, alright! Now dad doesn't have to deal with the rest of Senate by himself!" Relon happily acknowledges punching his open palm.
"Our battle shall have to be postponed, Aidios."
"What, what did he say?!" Relon snaps back to the flamed screen to see particles exuding from the masked man.
My apologies. I will deal with you next time." Said possessed man declares.
"Be careful what you say, there may not be a next time." Aidios responds as both possessed males glow in their respective lights. "It would seem my time is up. Forgive me, Yujiro, Cecily, Relon will have to answer any questions you both have." With that a flash of black and white go off before Relon falls back being caught by Cecily and the Prince, the flamed screen vanishing into cinders then nothingness.
"I'm guessing the time has been distorted since I'm about to go back." He comments to himself. "Which means..." Both slowly turn to the dimly lit sphere as it begins to crack. Bright lights escaping for both to cover their eyes until the brightness recedes once more. "We finally get to meet, Aidios."
Sitting on the now half sphere with hands places flatly at her side, a young woman around Relon's age with long white hair reaching far down her back to lay flat against the top of the three dimensional object and white eyes donned in a white robe reaching her feet with intricate yet colorful diamond designs past the knees.
"Indeed we do... Relon." She greets looking up at the teen, her voice that of a regular girl and not as omnipotent-sounding. "It seems your doubts you originally had for me have ceased. That's good." She notes lifting off the object floating just above the ground leaving the object to disappear into particles.
"Considering what we've learned while I was trapped in here, what other choice did I have?" Relon retorts crossing his arms with clear annoyance.
"Relon." Nameless calls out in a knowing tone for the teen to roll his eyes sighing inwardly.
"Hmpf." He drops his arms putting a hand to his hip. "Explain. And no bullshit."
"Ha. Ordering someone such as I around. That's quite the interesting way to speak to the Goddess of this world." She comments slowly floating towards Relon.
"The Goddess that I never believed in not to mention supposedly gave up on this world." He retorts walking to her, their hardening his expression as their eyes lock onto the others as they stop mere inches apart.
"You watch your tongue, fool!" She hisses. "You should be on your hands and knees thanking me for saving all of our lives!"
"Last time I checked, I didn't ask for your help!"
"Ha!" She laughs turning around to walk on air away. "If I hadn't taken over, you all would have perished." She turns around to extend a pointed finger from the depths of her robe's sleeve at Relon. "No ifs, ands, or buts. You're welcome by the way."
"... You're no Goddess." Relon responds with a fierce gaze.
"And what makes you say that now? Lemme guess, my accent? Woe be I, an omnipotent being lowered to such a decrepit state." She dramatizes before giving Relon an annoyed look. "I am the Goddess, Relon Lucinance." She states walking back towards him to stop gazing at her lifted hand. "I am just a fragment of my original power..." She mumbles, a solemn look visible.
"A fragment?"
"Yes, Age. That is what I said." She answers politely with a smile before it falters as she returns to look at Relon who now holds a look of shock.
"What did you call him? Say that again!" He demands walking towards the girl for a sharp hand to stop him.
"Relon, calm down. Just now, you called me Age. Is that who I am? Is that my name?"
"So, you truly do not remember..." She says to herself, two lights appearing for Relon to tilt his head before a blur slams into him.
"Ouch! What the hell?!" He groans to open an eye seeing Pippin nuzzling him with its handle. "Pippin!" He smiles.
"And as soon as he was mad, he's happy. This boy, I swear." Aidios sighs with a shake of her head, Angbar floating beside her.
"The hell was that?!" He snaps getting to his feet, Pippin at his side.
"Back to the topic at hand." Nameless interjects.
"That is an abbreviation of your name."
"Why not just tell him his name if you know it?"
"There is a great deal of knowledge I possess. Much of which cannot simply be-"
"Oh for your sake, shut the hell up! No one cares about the abundance of knowledge you hold! Nameless is an amnesiac! The least you could do as some God people worship is help out the less fortunate even if they aren't human!" Relon roars.
"... Like I said, It's not quite that simple, you dolt!" She roars back with crossed arms.
"Explain then!"
Sighing, Aidios snaps her fingers for the world around them to vanish. The three hovering in a pitch white void.
She changed the space!
"I am the one and only Goddess, you imbecile. What did you expect?" She wonders snarky-like for Relon to click his tongue in annoyance before snapping her fingers once more as texts in an unreadable language begin to swirl around the three.
"What is this language?"
"This, Age, is our language. Consider this the first language before humankind developed their own."
"What do you mean by 'our language?'"
"What I mean is where I, the kind similar to Age, and even you Lucinances come from use this language. Not English like most humans do."
"So it's true then. There really is another world..."
"Yes and no. Yes, there is a place like what you say, but it is not another world. Think of it as an alternate plane alongside Earth. Though once you see it, you'll realize how vast the differences are."
"You don't plan on taking us, do you?"
"Alas, I cannot." She snaps her fingers, the void returning to the park clearing. "I've used too much of my power. If I could, I would do just that and then rejoin with my main body."
"Why separate in the first place?"
"You certainly have a lot of questions."
"What was that?!"
"What Relon is trying to suggest is that considering much about our origins remain a mystery, can you blame us? Not to mention we are before the very Goddess so who else than to ask the one said to know all."
"When you put it like that, I suppose its natural. Though a certain someone could put more effort into how they word things."
"Oh? I'd love to know which one of us you're suggesting!"
"Relon. Aidios. We shouldn't argue."
"Hmpf/Tch."
"Back to the topic at hand, why can't you just say his name?" Relon reiterates feigning annoyance.
Sighing, Aidios lowers herself to land on the ground.
"Do you remember reading a book titled 'The Realm of Possibilities?'"
"So you've gone through my memories as well... Tch, why am I not surprised." He mutters.
"Well? Do you remember or not?"
"Yeah. The author was once a professor for the Reinford company and after an accident in a testing lab, he was fired. Tried to make human-like machines meant for combat but that led to an explosion. Through examination, they found out a wire was faulty. Confused by how he could have made such a simple mistake, the man went back and eventually found his answer."
"Yes, he had done everything right as far as the blueprints went. The answer came down to simple probability."
"The accident happened because of RNG basically. After testing 100 machines at the same time, the man was shocked to see all 100 without any technical problems. Perturbed, he reran the test again and was even more shocked to find a single machine explode. the cause being the same as what led to his departure from the company. The wiring turned out to become fried due to the sheer power the machine itself exuded."
"Of course, this piqued the man's interest. instead of trying to reobtain his once occupation, he turned to a new one. One filled with unraveling what was affected by such a phenomenon." Aidios finishes.
"So basically, whatever can go wrong will. In turn, you're insinuating that if we say Nameless' name without him even knowing it, something could happen?"
"That is correct."
"That is stupid. That's what it is." Relon retorts bluntly. "You're basically saying that should someone say or do something not of this world, there is a possibility that something unearthly can happen."
"Again, that is correct."
"THAT'S NOTHING LIKE THE BOOK, YOU DAMN IDIOT! A MINOR DEFECT IN AN ELECTRIC SYSTEM LEADING TO AN EXPLOSION IS NO WHERE NEAR THE SAME AS SOMEONE WALKING ON UNTOUCHED LAND AND THE WORLD SUDDENLY COUNTS DOWN TO DOOMSDAY! WHY THE SHIT WOULD YOU ALLOW THAT TO HAPPEN?! YOU MADE THIS WORLD, DIDN'T YOU?!"
(Ignorant nuisance. Why not just make this story rated M. That way you can say how you really feel. Give the readers a good show with that cop and student of yours.) Aidios whispers to herself fixing an ear.
"What was that?!"
"Forget it. I have my reasons just as I do for Age's name ordeal. I should also mention that the multiverse theory also counts for this situation."
"Oh screw you and those theories! It can't be that bad to say the guy's name if he doesn't learn it the natural way with time!"
"ARE YOU TOO BLINDED BY A SIMPLISTIC LOGIC SUCH AS THAT TO PRESERVE THE SAFETY OF THIS PLANET?! WELL?!" She shouts.
"AT LEAST I HAVE MORE SENSE THAT A SUPPOSED GOD WHO IS DOES A SHITTY JOB OF KEEPING THIS PLANET SAFE FROM THE VERY EXISTENCES SHE APPARENTLY IS RESPONSIBLE FOR! AND AT LEAST I DIDN'T SUPPOSEDLY GIVE UP ON A PLANET! THE HELL IS UP WITH THAT, HUH?!" He shouts back.
Silence. All the anger evident in her posture vanishes as she lovers her white eyes and shoulders. Talking a slightly long sigh she turns her body sideways looking towards the ground. Seeing the Goddess in thought, Relon's own visage vanishes as he looks over to Nameless who shows his concerns as well.
"Out of all of my actions I've made since I came into reality, that may be my biggest regret." She says, her tone soft yet mournful.
"What do you mean?" Relon asks, his tone mirroring her own.
"... Sometime after creating this world, I would often check to see what it's future would look like." She begins whirling her hand for the half sphere to appear as she takes a seat. "Between the Beyond and this world the humans have titled Earth, everything was going well for centuries to come. Normal harmony, some corruption here and there but nothing that couldn't be handled. I along with a group of selected individuals known as the Elemental Guardians dealt with any problems the civilians of either realm couldn't. To those of the Beyond, the effects were as clear as day, but to those on Earth..."
"It seemed as though a miracle happened...!" Relon answers in realization.
"So something ceased this process, no?" Nameless surmises as Relon takes a seat next to her.
"Or someone." Relon adds. "Right?" Aidios' answer being a nod before continuing.
"Ishmelga was once nothing more than a simple being amongst the many others in the Beyond. Put simply, he was exposed to corruption. Evildoers who did not appreciate my rule nor the peace were attacking the innocent. Unlike here on Earth, in the Beyond, simply performing evil deeds releases pure negative energy which can infect the pure hearted."
"Not trying to sound like a douche but this sounds somewhat like that in a game."
"At one point, I thought the same while watching from within you." She gives a gently chuckle for her face to falter once more. "When the Beyond's version of the police arrived on the scene, those villains were apprehended but Ishmelga had hid himself. Unaware of this new emotion, this side of himself he's never experienced before, Ishmelga went to more and more locations where more crime was being committed. The more he went to, the stronger he became."
"And you couldn't interfere due to your status. The Harbinger of Life can only spectate until you personally felt it be right" Relon surmises.
"That is... surprising and accurately correct."
"You should know Relon is a gifted individual. Although he may be otherworldly, his mind and logic are that of a human." Nameless compliments to gain a smile from his fellow host and friend.
"Yes... You have a point..."
"But what of those selected individuals? Your Elemental Guardians?"
"They too are observers preserving the order. If one branches out too far in which those meant to preserve the peace cannot handle, then one of the observers shall act of their own accord varying on which region the problem occurs in."
"You keep saying observers and I get you can't be specific on who exactly they are but can you give us a little more info on what exactly you mean by some of this?" Relon asks, hopefulness evident.
Seeming to ponder the notion, she speaks up.
"You know how there are arts, right?"
"Yeah. There's seven of them. Earth, water, fire, air, time, mirage, and space."
"Correct. I made those elements and each individual represents one. The god of that component."
"One 'realm,' seven gods, one Goddess. Jeez." He chuckles to rub his chin in thought. "Then again, if I was in charge of my own world, I'd have people watching over locations to ensure the peace..."
"Finally, someone gets it." She smiles. "Many in the Beyond never could see eye to eye with our precautions."
"You're just doing what's... best... for them..." He grows quiet to lift his head to the sky before audibly sighing. (Shit, I was an ass earlier.)
"Meh, you had a right to be an ass though."
"I guess but sti- wait. You didn't have to agree with me!"
"Hey, you said it not me." Aidios defends with a shrug.
"That is true." Nameless agrees, both swords nodding in agreement.
"HEY!" Both Aidios and Nameless breaking out into chuckles as the swords orbit Relon to his annoyance. "Back to Ishmelga please."
"Eventually, he grew too much of an issue leading the Elemental Gods to attempt to deal with him."
"How'd they fail?" He asks for the woman to glare at him. "What? It obviously happened when you use the word 'attempt.'" He defends for the girl to shake her head and roll her eyes.
"When they confronted him, he had grown strong enough to absorbed a portion of their power which he then used to escape leading to a confrontation with myself. Having absorbed a portion of my selected elementals, he had a considerable amount of power but nothing I couldn't handle. As I was in the process of eliminating him, our powers clashed opening a rift to another place. Another world."
"Earth..."
"Yes. Seeing the opportune moment, he took it before I could so anything. Into Earth he went and left in the Beyond I was."
"And you couldn't go after him because..."
"Because I had to tend to the others before I could and once I did, his presence was hidden away. Mixed with my own power and the sheer negative power that corrupted his body, everything at my disposal on Earth was futile."
"You make it sound like Earth limits your powers."
"Because it does. As it is not of the same matter as that of the Beyond, Earth is more fragile so to speak. What I could easily do is draw out his power using my own but by the laws I established for both home worlds and what power I had on Earth, this would lead to bad outcomes."
"A realm of possibilities can happen..."
"Now you understand."
"But why did Asuma say you abandoned Earth?"
"During the evolution of both realm and world, I often foresaw the future of both worlds. It was my job after all. Days in, days out nothing in particular changed. But after Ishmelga's first encounter with negative energy, Earth's future started to become clouded. With every day, it became foggier and I couldn't hazard a guess as to why. It wasn't until Ishmelga escaped by clutches that I realized the cause..."
"And that's your biggest regret. Failing to realize it sooner and stop Ishmelga."
"... Yes..." Aidios scrunches her hands as she gazes off at the ground. "From there, he went on to wreck havoc related to the Lucinance clan, a small group who I gave the blessing of living on Earth and not the Beyond."
"I'm guessing my people were under the fire elemental?"
"Yes, that is correct. Many civilians live in peace and others hone their abilities for sake of preserving that peace. The Lucinances were different than most others. They were strong, yes, but so too were other clans in the elemental regions. What set them apart weren't their strength, but their kindness."
"And that kindness is what you saw fit to allow them the passage to live on Earth." He surmises for a small nod to come in response. "But that still doesn't explain why you supposedly gave up on Earth."
"As my capabilities on Earth were limited as well as my sight to its future becoming hazy, there was little I could do compared to before. All I could do was answer the prayers of those I could see and leave the rest up the clan."
"My clan couldn't have been that strong considering you had an elemental as the God over the domain, right?"
"Yes, that is also correct. But allowing supernatural beings into a world full of evolving humans, one fully evolved or a group of Lucinances could wipe out the human race if they chose to."
"Thankfully, they didn't."
"No. They continued to thrive as they did in the Beyond. Until one day, something happened that I had not taken into account."
"What would that be?"
"A Lucinance falling in love with a human. An otherworldly being developing feelings of attachment to that of an Earthly being was something I did not register when I allowed your clan to make Earth their home."
"Then the first mixed couple were..." Aidios nods to Nameless before lookin directly at Relon.
"Your parents. Your father, a fully-matured Lucinance falling in love with a woman born on Earth. And even she was not normal." Aidios lets out another chuckle.
"What do you mean?"
"Back when I could watch Earth's progression, I say the conflicts humans fought with one another over, I saw the dark secrets they used and sealed away, the separation of family, all of it. That also included the birth of other clans. Clans that although nowhere near close to those of the Beyond like the Lucinances, but still bred powerful humans. Most eventually died out but there was and still is one. The very same one your mother came from..." Aidios states, Relon closing his eyes as the memories of Aidios' talks with Ishmelga resurface.
"The witches." He answers.
"Yes. Otherwise known as the Hexen Clan. Led by none other that the Crimson Roselia."
"Crimson... Roselia. Quite a nickname."
"Indeed."
"This woman, is she...?"
"No. She is simply the one who raised your mother and taught her everything."
"So my grandmother... Heh, I actually have a grandmother." Relon lightly chuckles at the idea.
"Your mother was skilled in magic. A prodigy would do her little justice with the talents- no. The gifts her abilities lent her. Becoming a wandering witch, time would last only so long before her fated encounter with your father would occur."
"Two parents consisting of a full-blooded Lucinance and witch would lead to their offspring inheriting powerful abilities... under normal circumstances."
"Considering I'm no where near as powerful as we'd think, I'm going to go out on a limb and say that you had something to do with this."
"I did." Aidios nods. "Though I never expected something like that to happen." She notes with a sigh before continuing. "When the news returned, I honestly didn't know how the concept of impregnation would even go so as a safety precaution, I had your mother and father spend the next year in the Beyond as I and the Fire Elemental oversaw the any effects she may have."
"Effects such as possibility of inheriting the Lucinance's flames." Nameless suggests. "As Relon's father inserted his-"
"NAMELESS, STOP!" Relon huffs bolting to his feet sporting a blush as Aidios holds a small one of her own as she averts her head. "YOU DO NOT HAVE TO EXPLAIN! WE ALL UNDERSTAND WHAT YOU'RE REFERING TO!"
(Oh my. At this rate, the story will definitely raise it's rating. I can only imagine what that person will do to Relon and Rean let alone myself if that happens...) Aidios sweatdrops.
"Hmm. I see. My apologies. Continue, Aidios."
"Ahem. During her months of childbirth, your mother began to exhibit traits similar to female Lucinances. The ability to wield otherworldly fire. An element not the same as artes and magic humans and witches use. The markings from transforming. Even the female's special ability known as Overdrive."
"That's what Agria was using. So it's something only females can use..."
"Yes, it is an ability in which the user's fighting parameters are doubled. The only catch is there must be two users. One cannot activate this on their own without a partner."
"That explains a lot from earlier... Wait, then what about us guys?"
"There is a limit to what I can reveal that hasn't already. Keep that in mind, Relon." She reminds, the boy's shoulders slumping in remembrance. "Once the delivery was completed, my original body gave a portion of my power to both children."
"As they were the first hybrids, you wanted to take further precautions in case Ishmelga arose at some point." Aidios nods.
"I gave each of you a mere five percent. A portion which would grow stronger overtime. Hopefully quickly as my life force merged with your half human DNA causing a shift in the hereditary formulas in which the growth process of my powers would hasten. For a time, all was peaceful. Your mother and father returned to Earth, you and Kanade were introduced to much of your family. Both Lucinance and those of the Hexen clan alike."
"What were they like?"
Taken aback from her storytelling, Aidios thinks for a moment before answering.
"As anyone else. Two people happily in love with one another." She smiles. "Both trusted one another and during the time of your mother's pregnancy, he never left her side." She smiles at the boy.
"Thanks... I needed that. More than I think I knew..." Relon chuckles placing a hand at his chest.
"I can understand. I have experienced everything you have since you and your sister's birth."
"That's right! What happened after that?!"
"Some time passed. Around half a year before Ishmelga attacked." Her tone once again saddened as Relon tightens his fists listening keenly. "Asuma, the one we fought, betrayed our people. He along with Ishmelga nearly took away the two of you if it wasn't for the valiant efforts of the clan alongside your mother and father. As well as Asuma's own brother."
"..."
"Please forgive me. Kanade, Relon. I'm sorry for everything."
"And that's all that you can recall before we both lost consciousness and I was eventually found by Dad..." He stands walking away from the group.
"Yes..." She lowers her eyes in shame.
FWOOOOOOOOOOSH!
Snapping her eyes up, she widens at the sheer volume of flames burst through the forest. Exhaling a long deep breath, Relon exits his stance.
"I can't forgive Ishmelga. It's because of him that so many lives were altered and ruined." Relon speaks, his voice full of passion as he turns to reveal his determined expression. "But that doesn't mean it is entirely his fault." These words causing Aidios to widen her eyes in surprise and disbelief as Nameless smirks. "Rean has a portion of Ishmelga. I'm sure he'd agree with me in believing that if the Ishmelga you fought against can't change, then the Ishmelga apart of him can. You said so yourself, he was only exposed to the negative energy. "Prince Olivert and I believe in a third path and I want to hope that deep down in Ishmelga's core, there's the portion of him that was once good. If we can defeat the evil side, then there's hope of saving everyone without causing bloodshed."
"Do you truly believe that...?"
"Yeah, I do! As foolish as it sounds, all we need to do is get a chance and go from there.
"Then you're a hopeful fool." She states strongly with a stoic expression. "On Earth, there is a saying. One you, your father, your aunt, even that Ash child, and his companion you helped long ago know."
"The world is a cruel place." Relon quotes with a sigh. "It's kill or be killed. I know. And Senate is all about killing. Ishmelga and Asuma are considering what they did to my clan. But I don't want to become like them. I want to do what's right the right way!"
"I truly wish things could always go that way." Aidios mutters. "But if it did, then nothing would change. You understand that, don't you two?"
"It is not a matter of grasping the 'hard truth' as Relon would put it. The point is having enough conviction to follow through with our own beliefs."
"Dad told me on that bridge... 'if you ever have to take one's life, steel yourself so you won't grieve like I did...' Something like that is what I don't look forward to because I don't know how it'll happen. But when it does, all I can do is steel myself and my conviction so neither waver when the time comes."
"The way you speak. It reminds me of them both." Aidios smiles softly. "Your logic is that of your mother's. Always finding a way to connect one dot to another. And that conviction is so much like your father." She laughs softly at the memory.
"Then you should have seen all of this coming."
"I did." Aidios nods knowingly putting both males off. "I just wanted to see the same passion that I saw long ago." This causing Relon to widen as Aidios becomes serious. "On Earth, Ishmelga had been heavily wounded by the efforts of the Lucinances. He survived and attacked the clan taking over..." She stops to widen her eyes.
"Take over whom?"
"I... I can't say exactly. Please, just... allow me to move on." Both males shocked from her sudden desperate look to share expressions of concern with one another before nodding.
"It's... alright. We get it." Relon reassures cautiously, Nameless nodding in agreement. "I'm guessing from there, Ishmelga was weakened and thanks to all of our efforts, we have another chance to take him and all of Senate down. This time-"
"Time is something we don't have with our current situation!" Aidios snaps interrupting Relon. "Because of my careless actions, Ishmelga has grown in power...!" Aidios curses to herself, both males noticing her fists scrunch once more as Relon's own lessen. "I'm the Goddess! I'm the one who governs all of reality and to let something as simple as Ishmelga happen... For the very person once an infant I instilled myself within to carry on such a burden...!" For the first time since meeting her face-to-face, Nameless amd Relon's eyes widen at the trembling for of the female.
A moment of silence passes before she feels the weight of a hand rest atop her head. Raising up in an instant, she looks to find the culprit none other than Relon who's facing forward with a stoic look.
"You're right." He begins, Aidios' eyes widening. "You did mess up. Honestly, it's pretty pathetic that the Goddess of literally everything couldn't stop one... thing." He shrugs. "You turned your back on the very people you birthed and ignored a shit ton of their prayers when they needed you. You were too stupid to realize the crisis before it happened which in turned screwed over my own personal life." He continues lifting his head off as he hops to his feet continuing, Aidios lowering her head. "You were so weak and pathetic that Ishmelga nearly got me and Kanade as kids if it weren't for mom and most likely the village protecting us as we escaped. But most of all, you want to know what has always gotten under my family and I's skins about you?" He snaps looking to the girl unable to see her distraught gaze. "I genuinely hate you for not being all so mighty as to help the less fortunate!" He ends pointing a finger at the hunched over woman. "At least, that's what I'm going to say to the main or real you." He notes rubbing the back of his neck, Aidios' eyes with tears at the corners snapping open and up to his averted gaze.
"H-Huh?" She sniffles in confusion, the female taking note of Nameless with a smirk and crossed arms.
"Don't get me wrong, I still dislike you for a lot of things and I especially am going to give the real you a piece of my min when I get the chance. I can promise you that I'll literally knock some sense into her one way or another. But you need to realize something Aidios. It's as you mentioned a minute ago. Your perspectives changed the moment you became a part of me."
"What he says is true." The young Goddess now looking to the entity speechless. "You have spectated Relon's entire life. From the moment he was born, to where I first awakened within him, to now. Your main self has not done so while you have. The mistakes, transgressions, and other efforts you deemed a failure were that which you've encountered as a whole. Now, you are separated into three parts. One of which has experienced many developments while growing up. Something I am sure has changed your divine mentality just as it has changed your dialectic tongue."
"In other words, what's done is done. You've changed just as the two of us have and you can use what you've gained to help out Earth when you get back. I don't hate you, but I do hate you." Relon grins extending a hand. "So don't cry, Aidios. Change those tears of sadness into a new strength. One that will lead my friends and I to victory and you to solving a solution to help the Earth!"
In sheer astonishment with her mouth slightly agape, Aidios soon comes to her senses in whipping away the forming tears.
"The Radiant Blademaster's tongue still lies within you after all, you jerk..." She breathes steadying herself to look at Relon gripping his hand. "I'll make you regret insulting the Goddess." She smiles.
"Heh, I'll be looking forward to it. But before you go, question."
"Hm?" She tilts her head for Relon to point a finger to Angbar still floating beside her and his thumb to Pippin.
"Explain the both of them. You summoned Pappan so I'm figuring there are no risks on the path of endless possibilities and whatever related to our future."
"Oh, I suppose so. Wait, Pappan?"
"What? It fits since they're a pair! Pippin and Pappan, hmpf!" Relon defends crossing his arms, Angbar going to circle around him along with Pippin. "See? It likes it!"
"Your naming of attacks are fine but your naming of people and objects require more work." Nameless sighs.
"Kernviter, the Polymorphic Blade. A sword capable of shifting into different weapons. And Angbar, the Dimensional Blade. Able to cut a tear in the fabric of reality itself. Both strong in their own rights."
"... No offense Pippin but Pappan just sounds more stronger." He notes to get a whack to the back of his head. "Ow, I said no offense!"
"For a normal Lucinance, using them would be simple."
"But because I'm a hybrid, things are slightly different." Relon sighs. "Why make hybrids a thing? And why make the difference between a full and half breed so different?"
"It was for the sake of balancing powers should something happen and something did happen after all. I just wish I could have seen it coming." She mutters hopping off. "It's nothing too major for you. You simply can't use both of their abilities at once until you gain your second mark." She pokes his abdomen before walking off and turning to them.
"Pippin, if you would." She asks, the sword flying to her hand. "Both were forged around the time you were born but Ishmelga and Asuma attacked and somehow caused it to lose the transformations I once bestowed it. Yet it has relearned how to become both a bastard sword and a blade similar to Ishmelga's newest host."
"Rean... Wait, did you say it relearned how to be a tachi like Rean's?"
"Yes." She answers holding Pippin out horizontally for the sword to surge with flames before shifting into a tachi similar to Rean's albeit made of focused fire.
"When did it...? When we took out Cabrakan!" He exclaims in realization. "I didn't even notice." He chuckles in shock.
"From what I've seen, it can't just transform after looking at a weapon. It takes time to analyze how the user uses the weapon. Say Gaius' spear or Alisa's bow. With time, it should be able to transform given enough experience."
"Add that to the list, Nameless."
"Already am." He answers without haste already having finishes writing to snap the floating notes away.
"What about Pappan? You really allowed a blade capable of cutting through space and time?"
"Yes. Though as for why it wasn't with you, your mother and her companion most likely had it. Most likely it was linked to the companion based off of its appearance when I summoned it." She mutters in slight annoyance switching Pippin for Pappan. "They likely have been using Pappan here to go back and forth from the Beyond."
"What for?"
"That, I no longer know. Possibly to notify my main self of Ishmelga's status or the world's itself. Maybe both. I don't know anymore. I'm sorry."
"No, it's fine. But won't Pappan being linked to me make it more difficult for mom and the other guy?"
"Oh no, there are more than one way to reach the beyond. Your mother knows that very well." Aidios smiles.
"You're not telling us something." Relon deadpans matter-of-factly.
"You shall learn everything in due time. It is not my place to say though you may not like all of it."
"With how much Senate has blabbed about, I believe you on that one. So could I just whip out a portal and walk into the Beyond?"
"Yes and no. It is possible if you were skilled enough or if the possibility of something going awry if Pappan did it for you." She explains for Relon to tilt his head in confusion.
"Does it have to do with the newly established link between it and Relon?"
"Indeed. The link with its previous owner was vastly superior to the link now and the stronger the link, the more accurate the portal Pappan conjures. At best, it could open a tear in space for a few seconds and you could go maybe a few arge at best."
"Note to Relon; do not attempt to make a portal..."
"Hmpf! How exactly do I switch the link? I can feel it right now. The both of them but Pippin moreso..."
"That left hand of yours. The one that you release your flames from. Hold Pappan in it."
Looking in wonder, Relon extends said hand for Pappan to float over. Gripping it, an odd sensation flows through his body for a single moment.
"Whoa... Now I feel closer to Pappan than Pippin. Wait, that didn't come out right." He oddly states to get whacked again by Pippin. "Ow! I didn't mean it like that!" He cries out, Pappan moving to defend him as the two swords begin to mutely bicker.
"Oh me, they're like a married couple." Aidios chuckles.
"I see what you did there and my only response is 'good one.'"
"Ow..." Relon groans rubbing his aching head. "Nameless, do not side with her, she's... uh..."
"Going to the other side soon?"
"I swear I didn't want to say that."
"Swear to who? I? I thought you didn't believe in me?"
"... You're mocking me."
"Am I?"
"That's not very Goddess-like, you know." He snorts putting himself in between the swords.
"I'm 5% Goddess and 95% sass. Bite me." She rebuttals with hands on her hip.
"Like I said, I'll punch you next time I see you."
"The relationship the two of you have produced is quite fascinating. It seems almost like flirtation with a hint of sarcasm."
"Nameless/Age, you have two seconds to take that back."
"Aren't I supposed to be given three seconds?"
"Nameless, no offense but the sheer idiocy spoken from your mouth literally was reason enough to take a second away."
"I concur. The magnitude behind such foolish words pale in comparison to anything I've ever witnessed!"
"Yet the glares you both present couldn't be anymore identical." Nameless chuckles at the sight of the two standing side-by-side with arms crossed sharing facial expressions.
Glancing at once another, the dup can only hmpf.
"Very well. Relon, what is your plan for once you return?"
"My plan? Oh yeah, now that you mention it..." He comments looking to Aidios. "Were you bluffing when you said you were out of time?"
"Partially. I can no longer take control of your body but my remaining power is what you see. You have an idea."
"Yeah, I don't want to let Ishmelga get away. Especially now that I know a little more about the whole story." He cracks his knuckles.
"Actually, before you tell of this plan, does it involve your friends?"
"No, why?"
"I figured." She sighs. "You can be denser than that other boy."
"Hey, you take that one back right now! I can totally tell if a girl likes me!"
"Laura?"
"Er! Well, that doesn't count! She's my childhood friend."
"Sounds like an excuse to me."
"What's your point already?"
"My point is they may not be you, but your friends are strong. Remember what was said back when you first arrived at that military academy? You're only going to get stronger. The same can be said for them. What's the point in fighting dangerous villain if you aren't allowed to grow from it."
"But it's me Senate is after!"
"And it's you they want to protect! Everything Ishmelga is attempting to do, you and your friends are trying to stop so just let them help."
"But-"
"Relon. What Aidios says hold truth and a reasonable cause. Laura and especially Claire both feel the effects of being on the sideline more than anyone else. It is more reasonable to use an ally's strength in tandem with your own than by itself."
"... And if they get hurt? Then what? I'm suppose to protect those I care about. What do I do once they get hurt. That'll be on me.
"You don't need to live with a guilty conscience over something you can't control. Although most humans and species do regardless but I digress."
"... I'll keep that in mind."
"That is all I ask."
"Wow, the Goddess asking something of me. I'm honored." He rolls his eyes. "Anything else as I rethink my strategy?"
"A few things actually..."
A/N: Ahem, anyone vibbing with this young Aidios or is it just me, lol.
Fun Fact: I've been enjoying the Kuro no Kiseki news and Tales of Arise Demo that certain references in the form of characters will be making their debut in the next chapter. Also, I had written an alternate explanation on Ishmelga attacking the Lucinance's but the continuity in that was terribly written so that was scratched for what I believe to be a better version.