3rd Pov
The atmosphere shifting...the appearance of Manas : Fate alerted everyone on the north coast and threw off guard everyone.
True dragon, human or monster...all felt the sudden emergence of a new powerhouse.
Manas : Fate who had just brought out the legendary blade [Desnity], a long sword adorned with a complex guard that could mesmerize any blacksmith.
Horizon : What in the world are you?
A justified question which received no answer, Manas : Fate simply stared at him coldly.
Her sword pointed at her enemy, she without a word...swung the blade, a sharp slicing sound cut through the space.
Horizon : Huh ?
Eleonor : No way...
Fate is a very narrow and complex concept, it is an omnipresent force that affects any living or non-living thing.
A singular attack that is influenced by Fate...it didn't come from the present, nor the past or the future.
Horizon's arm was simply detached as if it was always like this...but contrary to [Fate Paradox] which directly affected history.
Manas : Fate didn't alter the people's memories...Horizon and Eleonor just saw an unavoidable attack striking the former.
No armor, no matter, no energy...nothing could parry her blow.
Horizon : (What just happened ? My arm was sliced off ? The pain is unbearable and I can't regenerate...)
He jumped away instinctively while grabbing his shoulder which now missed an entire arm.
He glared at Manas : Fate but suddenly flinched...her eyes were passive, focused on him excluding all forms of human emotion.
She was a monster he couldn't face...
Horizon : (I-i need to run...)
Manas Fate : Pathetic.
She raised her arm along [Destiny] making those who witnessed the previous scene anxious.
Her presence was already terrifying enough, now her power was simply incomprehensible...at this point, Velzard and Guy were on standby watching the situation unfold.
Velgrynd was busy with the allied force but even so she was secretly eyeing over the Manas.
Manas Fate : Consider yourself lucky, I am not the one who will take your life.
Paradoxically, Manas : Fate is the one who follows the line of Fate the most...as the representation of such a concept she doesn't actively intervene to change what about or shall happen.
At the end, she was a skill evolved into a Manas...her master and wielder are the one who can make such a decision.
But now that Mirai Averion, the one who awakened her was « sleeping », Manas : Fate was independant skill at the moment.
She worked on the wish of her master but since she wasn't here to direct concrete order...Manas : Fate is now following her own path.
Manas Fate : [Reverse Fate].
Using the same technique Dawn had employed before, based on inversing one's fate...fortune becomes disaster, life becomes death, rain becomes sun.
A perfect balance that turned everything around...but, compared to Dawn's skill, there was a fundamental difference.
Manas : Fate's [Reverse Fate] was incredibly more perfect...the effect of her skill shattered all will power within Horizon.
Life force became poison, he fell down motionless...his eyes blanked out, his bones shattered and his status as a saint was revoked.
This wasn't a fight to begin with...Manas : Fate was not something humanity could defy.
Manas Fate : Running away, already ?
In the end, Manas : Fate has little interest in Horizon...her true enemy was the particles of glitch that separated itself from Horizon's body and started leaving.
This was part of the Author's authority...since he had lost its host, he was now going back to its main body.
And Manas : Fate didn't bother trying to stop it...no, she had finished her job and went passive waiting for a certain event.
Her eyes shifted toward the sea where the several remaining battleships of the empire were trying to retreat.
They didn't know that another catastrophe was lurking in the sky...
Manas Fate : Reality is really cruel to all living beings...
She muttered those words as a giant figure suddenly spawned in the sky above the ocean.
Diving down, the figure was big enough so more than half of its upper body was still above the water...this was Kyuri in her giant form.
A nice tail silver fox whose size exceeded that of a true dragon...her appearance was another shock as she roared, shaking the sea.
Large waves formed on itself, these tsunamis assaulted the empire's ship leaving them no choice but to take down the fox first.
All the remaining airship and navy force focused on Kyuri...anti-magic bullet and magic formation surrounded the fox titan.
But nothing seemed to affect her as she stayed still...gathering magicule at a fast pace, soon enough the imperial force realized something was wrong.
The usage of magic was weakening...before totally shutting down, no anti-magic area or barrier were set yet no magic could be used.
Kyuri : You invaders who dared sully the territory of my master...it's time for retribution.
Her eyes glowed red as she finished the preparation of her attack, just now...in a matter of 2 minutes and 21 seconds.
Kyuri, a cryptid from the nine head clan...had fully absorbed the entirety of the magicule available around her in a radius of 25 kilometers.
Kyuri : [Elemental Storm].
Opening her mouth, every natural element appeared above her head before rampaging.
Storm, thunder, the ocean...the world itself was rampaging through her spell...the incarnation of a natural disaster.
A silver fox, one of her kind which didn't follow the path of simplicity...she couldn't name her tail and summon beasts like Kumara.
But she created her own path..her true identity is, a direct offspring of the World destroyer dragon Ivarage.
Having a potential and rank equal to Zelanus, the king of insectar...a force that could rival the True dragon if raised perfectly.
Being sealed for so long, Kyuri had lost a lot of power...but in an instant, no by the end of the war...she will be undeniably among the strongest entities reaping the ground of the Cardinal world.
Mirai stood still, her eyes narrowed as a few droplets of sweat ran down her forehead...she had just entered the 9th room.
And the opponent this time was the one she expected to meet in the final room.
If the difficulty gradually increased for the first few rooms, after Luna's trial...it was just people who were close to Mirai.
The training she received allowed her to walk through these but now...she was facing another wall.
Power and closeness...this boss had both and stood there at the center of a simple room without any furniture.
Waiting for her...fortunately for Mirai, there was one recomforting fact...and that was the hair color of this individual.
Dark...this was the True Hero Dawn Arceid, not the one Mirai could consider as her father but the incarnation of a heroic tale that has lasted for 2000 years now.
Mirai : (A double awakened hero egg, the ultimate skill : Lord of Stories and an overall better swordsman only second than his future self.)
Lifting his eyes, Mirai could instantly tell the difference between him and Luna...he was the winner of their fight.
Even with her intensive training, this might not be near enough to take on such a monster...the [Hero Haki] he was releasing in constant waves were suffocating.
Mirai : (Now that I think...I don't know much about my father during this period of his life...)
What she knew was Origin Averion and the Dawn after he joined Ruberios...but between them, there was a 1700 years gap.
Mirai : Ahh...i want to say i'm scared but above all...
She took her fighting stance, holding her sword formally with both hands...her left foot slighting in front of her right's.
Her eyes cleared, focusing on her enemy...she applied the very basis of swordsmanship and waited.
Mirai : I can't lie, I always wanted to clash swords with you...father.
Copy Dawn : ...
No words, it was a mindless golem that replicated perfectly one's strength...and fighting style.
Copy Dawn : [Frozen World].
But compared to their original self, these golem won't wait to unleash their full power.
The entire room was turned into ice...Mirai included, her body froze before everything became ice, an instant defeat.
Or that was supposed to be...as Mirai's arm broke free, the rest of her body followed as if only the surface of her skin were affected.
Shards of ice fell off as she glared at the golem.
Mirai : How rude...(What was that...I definitely felt myself dying but somehow I came back...)
Looking down, there was a bright purple light sticking out of her chest...mainly from her heart, she couldn't gaze at it for too long as her enemy didn't wait to strike.
He was already in front of her, his sword [Dimension] up for the following attack.
Copy Dawn : [Dawn Break].
Mirai : (Yuu...)
Her hand instinctively lifted, her blade crossed the space forming an arc right in front of her...the information she had gotten from Yuu a few moments earlier had just saved her.
Yuu's very own technique was based on an extreme understanding over Dawn's swordsmanship...meaning among all the data given to Mirai.
Everything concerning this deadly sword art known as [Dawn Break] was listed...countering it was now just a matter of reflex and instinct.
Mirai : (I can see it...)
A square shaped pattern formed in her pupils, Mirai felt all the obsession and pain Yuu went through...the despair of being a simple facade that will eventually disappear.
Yet she clutched on a mere ray of hope...she followed her own path until the very end and accepted her fate.
Mirai : (Now that I'm here...I can tell, Yuu...you surpassed him at the very last moment...)
Power and skill were concepts that the common folk would never manage to surpass those gifted.
But swordsmanship is a matter of hard work and training...in terms of pure sword, [Dawn Break Ex] has surpassed the Dawn Arceid that Yuu followed.
The one Mirai was currently facing...Yuu managed to cross that mountain and so, there was no reason Mirai couldn't.
Mirai : At the end, no matter how well of a copy you are...you are still a copy.
Countering, she broke down the golem's guard and took a step forward, a smile formed onto her lips.
She swiftly marked the golem's stomach with a cut, not wanting to end the fight yet...she silently walked past with just that.
Mirai : I can feel it...just a little more and i'll break through the next stage.
She now wanted to become stronger, even if the stats and power of this golem were absurdly high.
There was no soul behind all this power...once Mirai realized that, everything became obvious...the attack patterns were simple, she just had to base her strategy on Dawn's strongest power and skills.
Copy Dawn : [Road of Faith].
Mirai : That's all you can do, spamming those spells.
The large holy formation that forced the hand of space was instantly broken, Mirai clutched her heart, the light held firm within her grasp.
[Road of Faith] is a complete holy magic based structure...but just like [Disintegration], it could be broken and overtaken with the correct formula.
Mirai : This borrows the power of faith...there is no one to believe in a vulgar copy.
Again, the soulless body that this golem was heavily limited Dawn's power...this was also a realization for Mirai.
Her father wasn't just strong because he had power...but also because he was himself, someone with his power and ability won't ever reach his level.
Mirai : Is that all you got ?
She glared at the golem, he wasn't moving anymore...probably trying to come up with another spell.
Ultimately, he opted with the most optimal choice...stabbing the ground with his sword.
Copy Dawn : [True Rewrite].
The ability to turn the very reality they were in into a story and changing every law and details...this simple ability that could even harm a True dragon if placed correctly was once again unleashed.
Mirai watched as everything deformed...she could feel the threat and danger yet her expression remained calm.
Her hand still clutched on her chest...the light within her soul kept growing, she had felt it earlier, this light protected her from being killed by the [Frozen World].
This same light guided her through all the hardship...until now, this light had protected her while being sealed.
Mirai : (Everything will be fine, i know it.)
She watched as [True Rewrite] grabbed and tore her apart...everything about her was being rewritten at an unmatched speed.
Her past, future and present...her appearance, her name and her memories.
All were being erased and replaced...the pain was intense, her cry started echoing through the room.
Mirai : (I'm being destroyed...this power is really insane...)
There was no escape route, all she could do was endure this pain...her eyes blanked and her mouth opened in agony.
Yet her mind remained sane and calm...
Mirai : (This is the power of the Author...i see, so this is the level i have to at least reach.)
It was a hunch, she felt like she had to endure this so she could take a step further toward her goal.
The pain was at this point...just a detail, her hand remained on her chest all this time.
Mirai : (I'm still ignorant...a weak and hopeless girl, i don't know anything about myself, I just realized this...)
This light protected her...it was her power that always followed hidden, yet she never realized it.
Her father's action, the past she knew and the present that was happening...she once thought everything was playing as she expected.
But now, she could only face reality...nothing went as planned, no in fact she was dancing in the palm of the other.
Mirai : (No matter what my past is...i want to look at a brighter future...)
At last, the bright light exploded...all the rewritten actions were overpowered as the light flashed through the room.
Mirai stood still, her body back to normal...her life was her own, she smiled and looked at the copy of her father.
The newfound confidence in her eyes gazed at the golem...
Copy Dawn : ...
Mirai : So...anything else ?
She created a sword made of ice and pointed it toward the golem, a spark bursted from her pupils.
She expected another powerful spell or show of skill...but contrary to her expectation, the golem simply smirked and simply dissolved.
He locked eyes with Mirai before closing them, shaking his head.
Mirai : Huh ?
It was clearly a golem...but it seems it inherited a bit of its model's memories, Mirai was left confused as the door behind her opened.
She stared at the puddle of mud in which the golem disappeared...was he moved by her determination ? Or did she just clear the trial without the need of fighting.
Simply overpowering everything he could throw...
Mirai : This is a trial...i see, a trial doesn't specifically end in a victory or defeat...
The main purpose of a trial is to test one's might...once Mirai had received the lesson and the reason for the said trial.
There was no need for a fight anymore...these 10 rooms were here to prepare her for the next trial.
Mirai : Then...if my guess is true, then-
She turned around and quickly walked toward the pathway...once she crossed the line, she was back to the trial hall.
There was no 10th room to begin with...as long as she awoke that light, Dawn appeared in the 9th room because there was no need for another round.
Mirai : I see...
She looked down, reminiscing the last smile of the golem that took her father's face, before directing her attention toward the trial doors.
One of these, the one she had just gone through was broken...two left to go, and her next destination was the « Trial of the Past ».
Mirai : ..
She silently stared at the gate before walking through it...a floating text appeared as she read it through her mind.
Mirai : (Chapter 1 : A fresh start...)
The world surrounding her shifted as her presence faded, a scene that she couldn't believe happened right in front of her.
She was back into a faraway past...a reality that was now gone, the true reality she was living in.
She had become a reader who had to observe her own story unfold...
Within the duchy of Averion, the great duke and duchess were together in a room...both were overjoyed as within the arm of the woman.
Was a fresh born infant...sat on a bed, she had just given birth to their daughter...
Catherine : Look dear...this is our daughter..
Origin : Yes...our hope for the future.
Catherine : Have you decided on a name ?
Her voice was weak and her eyes menaced of shutting, she had a hard time giving birth still her life wasn't threatened.
At this time, both of them who were nobles from prestigious families...graduated and were geniuses in their respective sectors.
One was the sword and the other was sorcery...Origin Averion and the now Catherin Averion were a happy couple that wrote their own history.
And now, on this cold winter day...they gave birth to a whole new story on its own...
Origin : Mirai...it means future in an ancient dialect, so her name will be Mirai Averion.
Catherine : I see...then Mirai, say hi to your dad.
Smiling with joy, Ctaherine gently rocked the baby...subtle waves that calmed the infant as she opened her eyes.
Blue pupils...just like her father's, her world illuminated as she raised her arm up trying to reach her father.
Incoherent noise escaped her mouth as she instinctively started speaking baby rubbish..
Mirai : Bah-ba-ba...
Origin : What is it princess ?
Smiling genuinely, the formation of a happy family...the greatest duke, the genius mage and the heir princess was born.
This was the end of the first chapter...
Mirai stood there motionless, her eyes locked on her happy family...she had no memories of such a scene meaning what was in front of her was either fake or something she forgot.
Mirai : Is this really true ?
She stretched her arm, trying to grab the memory itself but nothing came...instead another floating text appeared saying...
Mirai : Chapter 2 : An unexpected early surprise...
It was clear now, she was going to witness as a sort of ghost...all the scenes that were forgotten and sealed into her soul.
Years passed and Mirai slowly grew up, now 6 years old...she was a bright star who was loved by her family and all the servants within the duke mansion.
At the moment, she was running happily before jumping on top of a woman's back...it didn't startle the lady as she was used to this by now.
Shyria : Princess, you shouldn't run like that.
Mirai : But Shyria ! You promised to play with me !
Shyria : Hai hai, let me just report something to the duke and i'll play with you.
Mirai : Really ?
Flashing a smile, Shyria was Origin's secretary and a knight for the dukedom...she was also young Mirai's best friend and nanny when Catherine couldn't take care of the princess.
Mirai : Yay ! Then let's go see dad !
Jumping off, she grabbed Shyria's hand and started running, the secretary smiled warmly following to make sure their princess won't fall on the way.
Making their way through the long corridor of the duchy...the duo soon arrived in front of Origin's office and entered after getting permission.
Mirai greeted her father before jumping toward him, the duke quickly caught her and settled her down on his lap.
Origin : What's up, princess ? Missed your dad ?
Mirai : Yay ! Can you play with us too ?
Origin : Maybe later.
Patting her head, the little purred into her father's embrace as Origin looked up and let Shyria make her report.
From Mirai's point of view, she couldn't understand much since the adults were using complicated words for her age.
Still, she would keep those memories locked before learning their meaning later...two words really stood out and those were « War » and « Tragedy ».
Origin : I see...i guess this is inevitable, bring this report to Catherine, i also need to leave for the capital to warn the emperor.
Shyria : Right away.
Gatherine a few papers, she was ready to leave until a cute squeak retained her.
Mirai : Are you leaving ? You promised me to play...
Shyria : Argh- sorry princess, maybe next time...
Mirai : Meanie...
Pouting, Mirai crossed her arm while expressing a saddened face...this struck an arrow into Shyria's heart as she hesitated.
Seeking help from her lord, she looked up with a conflicted expression.
Origin : You both can play later, how about you stay with your father while Shyria works ?
Mirai : Really ? I can stay with dad ?
Origin : You sure can (She is still a bit young but gaining early experience won't be bad...)
He wasn't a fool, this little girl was his daughter and the next ruler of the dukedom...sure being just 6 years old didn't qualify her for teaching yet.
But even by standing and observing, a kid can learn a lot...
Mirai : Mmh, okay ! Then I'll stay with dad !
She beamed a smile, leaving a sense of relief in Shyria as she bowed and left the room...her pace quickened as she really didn't want to make the princess wait too long.
Origin : (Now that i think...the emperor did talk about an arranged marriage between my cute little princess and his highness the prince...)
Looking down, he watched as Mirai played with his finger...his eyes darkened a bit as silent killing intent filled the room.
Origin : (Yeah...that's not happening, i might have to just destroy the imperial family if they force onto this matter.)
As he had said at her birth, she was a hope for the future...the story of a life starts at day 0, following a normal life.
The parents are the one who write the prologue, the children write their story and finally, their epilogue becomes the prologue of the next generation.
Origin was ready to give his life for that...even if that meant fighting a god.
Mirai : Dad ! Are you listening ?
Origin : Yeah...what's up ?
Mirai : I want to be as strong as dad later !
Her smile was truly a ball of joy that illuminated this castle...Origin smiled and hugged his daughter silently.
Origin : No...you'll surpass me for sure.
Mirai : Surpash ?
Origin : Yes, you'll shine even brighter than me and your mom.
Mirai looked down, she could comprehend at her young age but eventually she would rise just like Origin expected her to.
Ultimately, she just nodded and looked up with her bright smile.
Mirai : Then I'll make dad proud !
Origin nodded, his eyes caught on at the same time a piece of paper that stood out from the other on his desk.
Origin : By the way, Mirai...
Mirai : Mmh ?
Origin : How would you feel if I told you that you'll soon be a big sister ?
Mirai : Huh ?
This was a very early and unexpected surprise for the young Mirai who didn't even knew the process of life...
Concluding the chapter, Mirai was left speechless as she stared at her father and her younger self.
Mirai : I-i have a sibling ?
This was truly an unexpected turn of event, where was this sibling now ? What truly happened ? Why ? How ?
All kinds of questions tormented her mind as the third chapter started...
Mirai : Chapter 3 : Birthday...
Winter was coming, it was already Mirai's 7th birthday...oblivious of the political conflict that was unveiling outside.
She celebrated and buried these happy memories forever into her mind, standing in front of a large cake with dozens of guests.
Her father and mother behind her, Mirai blew off the candle officially announcing her growth to the age of 7.
She happily jumped as she received gifts but even with all the luxurious clothes, jewels or toys she had received...
The one thing she was the most curious about was her mother...Catherine's stomach was bulging out, showing signs of pregnancy.
This had awakened a natural instinct in young Mirai as she would often stay long hours with her mother, hugging her soon to be sibling.
Catherine : Are you curious ?
Mirai : Yesh...
Catherine : Fufu, I'm sure you both will be the best sisters.
Mirai : Sisters ?
Catherine : Now that i think, i didn't prepare a gift for today...mmh, come here Mirai.
The little girl nodded and quickly made way to her mother's side, Catherine smiled and bent down all the way until her mouth was right beside her daughter's ear.
She used her hand to cover any noise leakage and whispered.
Catherine : I didn't tell daddy yet but you will have a newborn sister soon.
Mirai : Really ?!
Grinning, Catherine gave her a thumbs up before both girls hugged each other...on the side Origin just smirked while faking indifference.
He had heard their whole conversation but felt like not intervening.
Origin : (A second daughter, huh...i guess i'll have to step up my game to all these parasite young nobles.)
He was also thinking about a name, this was a hard dilemma as he took months to decide on Mirai's name...
It's an important matter that he would carefully work day and night if needed.
Mirai stood there watching the birthday unfold, a lounging sense of loneliness washing her back.
She saw herself being happy with her family yet none of that actually happened in her current life...
Mirai : A birthday, huh...
She wanted to walk closer, to join this feast...laugh and smile like the young Mirai but her feet just didn't move.
She was frozen on the spot, fearing the unknown...
Her eyes displayed her desire, yet she remained in the shadow as the space around her broke down...
« Chapter 4 : Years later »
This simple floating text appeared as the scenery changed...jumping a bound in time...
Years passed, Mirai was now a young lady...standing as the glorious princess of the duchy, a 15 years old beauty that could charm anyone.
She was now more aware of the world surrounding her, learning sword from her father and magic with her mother.
She was talented in both fields, not at the individual level of her parents but in the long term, everyone agreed that she would surpass them both.
Being claimed as a gem, she wasn't sent to the imperial academy and stayed in the duchy which she preferred.
A young lady who had it all...loving parent, generational talent and a healthy sister.
But as perfect as her life was, at the dawn of her 15th birthday...a war broke out, it all happened on the continent they were living.
The empire and a group of united nations opposed to the imperial rule rebelled...this was inevitable.
The situation concerned Averion more than anyone else since they were directly at the border of where the fight would break down.
Mirai who had gained that knowledge after growing up expecting to rule the duchy in the future, she with heavy step bursted into her father's room.
Mirai : Father !
Origin : Mirai ? What are you doing here ?
In this reality, Origin had never ascended into a saint or even an enlightened...meaning he was very affected by tiredness.
He had dark circles under his eyes and buried himself in work...
Mirai : The situation at the border is worsening, we need to do something !
Origin : You don't have to worry, even if the imperial family refused to send aid with their ridiculous excuse, Averion is still the strongest side.
Mirai : Still...
She looked down, frustrated...
Origin : Is something wrong ?
Mirai : I...i heard a lot of gossip in town, they have been calling father a « coward » because we are letting these rebels run free.
The war in itself wasn't a problem, Averion's force is the greatest in the continent...Catherine's family was also a dukedom.
With the union between Wisdon and Averion, their combined power could oppose the imperial family themself.
This is why the emperor didn't cooperate with Origin in most matters nowaday...they feared his influence more than anything.
Origin : Let them be, above my personal pride...i am the great duke ruling those lands, don't forget that a leader cannot let meak insults get in the way of your judgment.
Mirai : Still...I hate it when people call you names when they don't know anything.
Origin : The sole recognition I need is my family's.
Smiling, he closed his eyes and crossed his arms...perhaps his own father would have disapproved of such words but Origin had developed himself in such a way.
He believed in Averion's total victory and this wasn't arrogance, Averion's forces were just above...thought Origin couldn't expect betrayal from behind.
Time passed by and all started to fall in order, slowly but surely...the rebel's force started weakening, Averion showed the difference in their military.
But...as winter approached, the first sign of erosion appeared, the rebels employed demon summoning to enhance their force.
On top of that, the provision given to the dukedom from the rest of the empire was cut down...the harsh winter incoming didn't allow self management for food and many other resources.
All hell broke down the day before Mirai's birthday...when the imperial family backstabbed the great duchy...
An all out war happened, the weakened duchy fought the best they could but a decisive turn shattered all hope for victory.
Standing in the middle of the destroyed castle...Origin held his sword looking down disappointed.
He stood in front of his family while facing the invader...his eyes locked as he made his resolve.
Origin : Catherine, take the two girls and leave.
Catherine : You...
Their youngest daughter passed out while Mirai couldn't get up, her leg was injured and all the things that had just happened traumatized her.
Her hand shook as she felt truly powerless, the land she had started to cherish, her family and the rest of her life was being torn apart.
Origin : Averion is no more...there is no need to clutch on a useless pride or logic, please Catherine.
The enemy force were approaching quickly, the remaining knights serving the dukedom all stood up and raised their sword.
Pledging to follow their lord to the afterlife...
Catherine : Still..i can't leave you here !
Origin : You can't leave our daughters too, go...don't worry everything will be fine.
He was injured, blood tainted his clothes and his sword started rotting from all the flesh he had sliced now.
Yet he stood up, pointing his sword toward the sky.
Origin : I will now issue my last order as duke of Averion !
His voice was dry but still loud enough for even the enemy to hear...
Origin : The present might be dark but the future will shine brighter than ever ! Rise your blade once more, let your soul cry for a last battle !
A genius swordmaster hailed by all knights...even when put at the lowest, his presence still captivated the crowd.
Just a last ray of hope amidst a sea of despair...
Origin : Protect the hope of the future !
Mirai who had heard those words could only look up, her body still shaking in fear...the last memory she had with her beloved father...
Was he rushing toward the enemy with the remaining standing knights...as she was pulled regrettably by her mother along with her sister to flee.
Mirai : N-no...mother ! We can't leave without dad ! G-go back please !
Catherine : I'm sorry sweetie...I'm sorry.
The strong and confident mother she always knew was crying her heart out, she forced her legs to run...tightening her grip over her daughters ?
She apologized over and over...but no matter how many times she did, Mirai couldn't hear any...her vision narrowed until the last sight of her father's back disappeared in the horizon...
Mirai : N-no...NOOOOO !
She desperately stretched her arm trying to grab her father who was already gone in the distance...a first tragedy that will soon be followed by another.
On Origin's sight, after a short battle where he didn't aim for a win but rather buying time for his family.
He fell down a knee, while trying to support himself with his sword...he looked up regretfully at the one who had completely wiped out the duchy's army.
A white haired lady with crimson red pupils...
Origin : To think the emperor would help the rebels to take me down...
The woman was now standing right in front of him, her eyes locked down on his soul as the people around were mercilessly killed.
Blood showering the destroyed castle...what remained was fully conquered...
Origin : To even summon one of the calamities of the east...may i know why the white deity of Silberia appeared here ?
The reaper that accepted to join hands with the rebel...Blanc, the white primordial demon...
Blanc : You seem to know me, well for your question...i was offered quite the big amount of sacrifice and i was bored.
Origin : So my defeat all laid in a bored factor...how pathetic.
Chuckling, a dreadful after taste was left in his mouth...to think the simple boredom of a singular being would cause Averion's downfall.
This was a harsh reality he had to accept...that no matter how powerful he was, how skillful with a blade or proficient ruler he was.
In the end, he is a simple human...
Blanc : Mmh...interesting, i was a bit intrigued since you have white hair similar to mine, what's your name ? I'll make sure to remember you after your end.
Origin : Heh, what an honour...
Getting up, he ignored all the pain and relaxed his body...this was his last job as a ruler, a husband and a father.
Origin : Origin Averion...that's my name !
Releasing all the remaining power he had, Blanc got startled at the sudden burst of magicule...the demon that she had summoned shrunk down in instinct.
The rebel's force were pushed back...Origin in an instant had formed a wall with all his power...
Blanc : (He is just a human...yet, this power...there is no mistake-)
An aura that could be compared to an awakened demon lord...though at this time, Guy Crimson wasn't the first demon lord yet, there was no accurate scaling.
So for Blanc, the power this human displayed was akin to her very own...the essence of a primordial...
She couldn't help but grin at the sight...as a demon, she naturally enjoyed meeting someone that could bring up excitement.
Blanc : Bravo...
She clapped her hand before materializing a large scythe made of black energy.
Blanc : I'll kill you myself.
Origin : Do it if you can.
But the one thing that truly fascinated Blanc was the lack of fear in her opponent, he wasn't fighting to win but trying to buy even the slightest second for his family to run.
This strangely left a bitter end in her merciless soul.
Blanc : Before that...tell me, why are you going that far for these people ?
Origin : What do you mean ?
Blanc : You could easily run away and hide, so why fight a lost battle ?
Origin : I guess you demon cannot understand us lowly human's mindset...
Blanc just stared at the man...his expression softened while his body shook in agony.
Origin : My rôle is to simply protect my family...
Blanc : Haven't you done enough already ?
Origin : A father can never do enough for his children.
He smiled confidently, this resolve was charming...Blanc could only shake her head before taking a step forward.
This was the moment to end this...she stretched her arm in the air as a menacing presence approached the duke.
In an instant, the battle ended when both reached each other's danger range...
Blanc : Truly fascinating.
Blanc brought her hand to her cheek, a slight cut was performed...the will power Origin displayed had managed to get this simple injury.
Meanwhile, Origin fell onto the ground...his body was diagonally cut in half from his shoulder to his wrist.
Blanc : Okay, you win this Origin Averion.
Smilign, she issued an order to the demon serving her...the order to stop the massacre and leave.
She didn't intend to protect what Origin brought time for, so she decided to give them mercy in her own way.
And that was to stop being involved with this stupid conflict.
Blanc : Human conviction can certainly be beautiful...i wonder if i'll ever meet a human like you again.
She was curious, despite fighting to death and posing a threat to his family, Origin didn't look at her with hatred.
No he who accepted his fate...fulfilled his rôle until the very end.
Blanc : Fufu, I wonder will this heritage grow into something even greater ?
She also hoped to see this human's will again...certainly through the daughter Origin had left behind...
If she can become like her father...then leaving her alive was a good choice.
With that, Blanc disappeared from the main world...her boredom cured for the moment.
Blanc : But somehow, I believe we'll meet again...Origin Averion.
Mirai Pov
W-why is this happening ? F-father said everything will be fine so he'll come back and win, right ?
So why am I being carried away by mother...why are we running away ? Why ? WHY ?!
Catherine : This won't do...
Mirai : Huh ?
Mother suddenly turned around and created several magic barriers blocking a large fireball incoming, I looked up with tears in my eyes.
Catherine : Tch...the imperial army, I guess they truly want to end us.
Mirai : M-mother...what is happening ?
My voice broke down in the middle, I was petrified...
Catherine : [Earth Rampage].
The ground suddenly started to shake as a large dome made of rock and stone surrounded us.
Catherine : Mirai, my daughter...listen to me because I won't repeat.
Mirai : W-what ?
Catherine : Father and mother will be gone for quite a while...
She gently dropped me and my sister onto the ground and brought out a short dagger.
Before stabbing her own finger...she then started drawing a magical formation onto the ground, at the same time I felt the dome around us shaking.
Someone was combarding it with spells...at this rate we'll get buried alive...
Mirai : W-what are you saying ? Dad and mom...y-you-
Catherine : You heard your dad, everything will be fine...so don't worry about us.
Her finger danced around, her fresh blood completed a complex formation I didn't recognize...I racked my brain trying to put order to the situation but failed in the end.
Catherine : Runic teleportation...Mirai, please take care of your sister.
Mirai : W-why are you saying that ?
Mother hurried to my side and hugged me tightly...for the very first time, i heard her crying...droplet of tears fell onto my shoulder as her caress brought me a sense of distance.
Catherine : Eat well...if you ever feel sick, rest before doing anything else...find a good man for yourself...
Her words slowly tore me apart, I didn't find the strength to hug her back as reality hit me straight in the face...
Catherine : Look after your sister, she is still young...she needs you, and you'll need her...
Mirai : I-i...
Catherine : Life won't be easy but remember...me and your father will always love you both.
I couldn't stop the tears that flowed like a river, I never cried openly because it was unruly for the princess heir of a duchy.
But now...i couldn't control my emotions...
Catherine : Mirai, my precious little baby...p-please live.
Finally breaking the hug, she gently planted a kiss on my forehead before activating the magic formation.
Mirai : W-wait...y-you can't leave us too...
Catherine : I have no choice...but don't worry, I won't go far away...I'll just join your father and we'll always watch over you two.
The circle below us glowed brighter and brighter, at the time I couldn't understand why mother didn't come with us.
But...later I realized, this magic formation which served for teleportation was incomplete...mother never finished it and activated the spell in such a way where she needed to sacrifice her life force.
She just couldn't cross the teleportation spell...
My last memory of her was...her smile, her hands carefully grabbed my shoulder, her face showed pure regrets as she sent me and my sister off.
I tried to reach out for her but just like how i lost my father...i was just too weak to reach my mother...
The ceiling broke down, as the imperial guard's captain appeared with a lustful smile...he surely hoped for more than simple humiliation from us.
But that was too late, my vision blanked out when I was sent away to an unknown location far away from this hell.
3rd Pov
Once Catherine made sure her cute little daughters were gone...she smiled and stood up.
Most of her power went into that runic teleportation so there was no way for her to get away from this...now that she was surrounded.
David : Surrender, Catherine...you can't win.
Captain of the imperial holy force serving right under his majesty, David Burkwood was a classmate of both Origin and Catherine.
He is a corrupted man who always had his eyes on the heir of the Wisdon but failed in seducing her in the past.
Catherine : I have no regret, though you will start having some for coming here.
David : Huh ?
Catherine : Wait for me, dear...i'll join you soon.
She closed her eyes before messing with her magicule...it was clear what she was intending to do, a self destruction spell.
David : W-what are you doing ?!
Catherine : What else other than taking all your trash with me.
Fear crept in all the soldiers around, Catherine Averion...a sorcerer genius who possesses an absurd amount of magicule.
Even if she is extremely weakened, the power she was releasing was enough to scare them all.
David : Y-you stop this ?!
His attitude flipped instantly, as he jumped forward trying to stop this madness before it's too late.
Catherine : (I never thought I would use this spell...)
She couldn't know that one day, she'd need to sacrifice herself like that...it wasn't even a proper spell, just a rampage of her power until everything exploded.
Catherin : Let's just call it...[Hope for the Future].
Smiling, the area was blasted into a large explosion...leaving nothing behind, all forms of life within the radius were disintegrated.
A large white light surrounded the explosion area...this was what she called « Hope for the Future », a light that symbolized a brighter future.
At the very end, even if the casualties were immense...the duchy of Averion had lost the war, putting an end to hundred years of history.
Far away on another continent...Mirai opened her eyes, she was right under a tree as heavy rain flooded the atmosphere.
She tried recollecting her thoughts, feeling a hazy mind as if she had been asleep for weeks...finally, she remembered everything.
Mirai : N-no...mother, father...
She fell onto her knee, crying all her emotion out...she felt dreadful, her throat turned dry and slowly, she lost her mind.
She punched the ground, scratched the dirt to the point where it damaged her nails.
A series of negative thoughts crossed her mind...
Mirai : (Father and mother lied...they are liars, why did they leave me alone ? Why...why ? Why why why why why why why why why Why why why why why why why why why Why why why why why why why why why Why why why why why why why why why Why why why why why why why why why Why why why why why why why why why whywhywhywhywhywhywhywhywhywhy whywhywhywhywhywhywhywhywhywhy whywhywhywhywhywhywhywhywhywhywhywhywhywhywhywhywhywhywhywhywhywhywhywhywhy whywhywhywhywhywhywhywhywhywhy whywhywhywhywhywhywhywhywhywhy whywhywhywhywhy?)
As her tomanet continued, a small noise escaped the other survivor of that hell.
Mirai froze up before she looked to her left, there...her little sister who was just getting up...rubbing her eyes not knowing what just occurred to their perfect family.
Sister : Onee-chan...w-where are we ?
Without waiting, Mirai rushed to her sister and hugged her tightly...she cried silently with the confused sister in her arms.
Sister : Onee-chan ?
Mirai : E-everything w-will be f-fine...i-i p-promise y-you...
Her voice wavered at each word, she couldn't contain her fear and sadness...
Mirai : Y-yes...e-everything w-will be f-fine...
The rain overshadowed the two sisters...Mirai at this moment could only comfort herself with this last request from her mother...
To take care of her little sister...
As the chapter ended, Mirai stood under the rain...the droplet didn't reach her yet she felt like a whole tsunami had covered her all body.
She looked down, her hair covering her eyes as she felt all sorts of emotion...her first tightened to the point where blood gushed out.
Her eyes were empty as she witnessed the whole chapter silent...an intense rageful aura escaped her body, this tragedy happened on the morning of her birthday...
Mirai : Father...mother...
Without care, the next chapter's floating text appeared... « Chapter 5 : Deviation »