Chapter 10

‘Alsa…this explains a lot. So I am somehow in the past…or probably just a retelling of it put here to see how things had happened…and if I remember correctly from what I have read back then on Osfor-sensei’s cabinet…this is the great war…and I am the devil that was able to use the eyes of the wise to kill thousands of humans…what irony…however if the texts are true…shouldn’t this be impossible? I was the one who taught the girl the warrior arts…the old texts said that she was the origin…so if I was the one who taught her…and then she taught others descending all the way thousands of years until I myself knew it…what a twist of fate…is this what they call a paradox…

“Alsa” I said…”What a beautiful name…”

“Master!” the girl cried “Please don’t leave me master! Please don’t die!”

The overseer then spoke to me while I began losing my focus

“Challenger…you have but moments left in this world…your actions will have consequences from now on. Choose your words wisely…”

I understood immediately what he meant…

I then said to the little girl

“Oh worry not little girl…” I said while coughing blood. “We could meet again”

“How! In death? No I don’t want to! I want you to live, please master!”

“Not in death little girl.” I said

“Then how?!” she said

“It is easy…become an Everlasting…but before so…protect the people…protect them from the demonic beings…they are...”

But at that moment all the light in the world went off…

I was back inside a dark abyss…

“Ashurian…”said a voice

It sounded exactly like the devil within me

I looked down on myself and saw that I was wearing the cloths from the time I was on the void…placing my hand on my face the mask was still there.

“What is it…devil” I said

“You know full well I am not such…” said the devil.

“You clearly look like one to me…” I replied

“I am an Ashurian like you…but they…tricked me…changed me and made me who I am…a slothful and disgusting being…only wanting to feast and only wanting to grow stronger…the moment I died was the only time I ever felt satiated…the only time the hunger truly went away…now I remember…I remember everything…how they forced me to kill my own! To fight for the devils and made me such myself…I hate them for this I hate them for making me do what I never had wanted…Listen Ashurian…I have a request to make” said the devil.

I calmly looked at the devil and then said…

“What is it?”

“If you promise me revenge, promise me that you will kill the Overlord…I will then be yours…never had I thought myself capable of saying such words…but now knowing the truth…I am no longer bound to a race I am not a part of in the first place…I was a human! And an Ashurian. A descendant of a god…and now forced to become a devil! It is an insult I cannot nor should any of us accept…”

To kill the overlord…considering the monsters back at the Great plains or the fallen world like many would call them…it seems that the overlord is still alive…well this aligns well with my agenda I was intending to kill them all anyway…but even though that is what I want…it is probably impossible with my current strength…I will need more power…

“Then give me your power!”

“It is yours…” said the devil without batting an eye or even hesitating.

And with that I woke up from the dark…and was standing back at the crucible…the floor I was standing on was the last of the tower. The one hundredth…

“Challenger…” said the Overseer. And with that word two gates opened showing the way to the exit…the square of Quietus showed. And another gate…showing open fields

“You had cleared the crucible…you had managed what many had failed at…and for this you can leave.”

“Why are there two portals?” I said

“One is for the fallen world…the other is for the true world…I think that you were wishing to leave this fallen world so as a gift to you I made it so that you could go directly to the true world…forget about these weaklings…let the humans and devils kill each other. You are meant for greater things…and you need not matter with the lives of the lesser beings.”

Interesting…going to the true world from here might be the easiest way so that I could go and meet the other races…but

“I would have to refuse.” I said

The overseer snorted saying

“Why?”

“Because I made a promise to a friend…and I won’t leave this place without him…I will go to the true world but only with him. He was the reason I still live and he was the reason behind my power…this is the least I could do.”

“Very well…” said the Overseer. And with that the gate to the true world closed down leaving only the one for quietus.

I then said

“I would like to claim all the potions of all the chests”

“Hmm? Potions you could get them once you are out along with all the treasures.”

“Ah no I am not going to leave…at least not right now.”

The overseer seeming intrigued then said

“Why so?”

“Well. I would like to take on the one hundredth and one floor.”

“Hoo…”said the overseer “And what would that be? I am sure that this is my tower and I only made one hundred challenges.”

“No this challenge is mine to make. I challenge you to a fight!”

***

“The time has come” said the overlord

“And we are at your service our great overlord” replied all the devil lords present.

“The gates had grown weaker…Go, lead all the army toward the nearest border. This time I will be with you, this time none will stop us. Even the one wielding the eye will fall today. The descendants of the guardians are almost extinct and the Ashurian had fallen. Our time to rise is nigh.”

Perzahar then walked forward saying

“No need to bother with that my overlord we will bring you victory ourselves.”

“No. I do not want a repetition of what happened that day…these humans dared use death magic against us I know that you are all strong and can use death magic at will…but something of that tire only I can prevent…thus me being there is a must.”

“Very well my Overlord. Then so be it”

Said the devil lord and with that they all went their way preparing for an invasion of the scale of the Great War.

An invasion that will determine the end of a race and with it…the return to the true world

***

“Your highness” said a man wearing a black suit. “Why did you call them here?”

“Is it not my right as a king?” said the boy “I need the world to know me and for this I called for all of them.”

The man wearing black then sighed saying

“We could have arranged that if you had told us so. We could have made them all come to this…party of yours but we still would need to have prepared…there might be a spy or someone that is not fully in accordance to our new policy…this is a grave error you made my king”

“…sigh well that is why I have you for Mr. V…to protect me from those that mean me harm…did I not let you do as you wish here in this country. I mean I know you are the reason that I am here today sitting on this throne but I should still do as I please once In a while…”

“True your highness but next time please be sure to do us the honor of notifying us…we are here for your safety after all.”

Said the buffed man and left with a sigh…

The place was the hall where the coronation was held…and the invitee were numerous.

And amongst them were the envoys of different countries. Political envoys and diplomats even more so the highest and most important people short of the kings and the royal families themselves. They were however represented by many of their own.

For the kingdom of Astarte was the principal of the Mächtige cling. Herself wearing a formal dress with of a dark green color and even though she was old her charm was still apparent.

From Astora was the minister of defense himself along with some of his entourage as for the country of Alsa there was both the leader of the lighting beast clan and the new leader of the raging water dragon clan.

The clan leaders were both discussing some topics over the open buffet that was held at the hall.

The new king then took interest in the white haired girl raising up from his throne and approached her while everyone on the hall bowed slightly whilst the king moved.

The boy now was in front of the two clan leaders who stopped their conversation and turned to salute the king. The first to talk was the leader of the lightning clan.

“It is lovely to see you all here clan leaders” said the king

“It is a pleasure to us too to be in your presence.” Said the man known as Ryuji Youtaro.

The king then addressed the white haired girl

“I am happy to learn that you managed to clear all the fifty floors of the crucible Ms. Yuna of the water dragon clan…”

Yuna however didn’t feel the same as she looked at the new king with disdain but didn’t show it. She then replied

“Thank you…” said the white haired girl

“Can I ask you about something then?” said the boy and without waiting for the girl to reply he added

“How was that crucible? Seeing that a girl managed to clear it I think I should give it a try…too bad only few days remain until it closes down…” said the King

This statement however had injured Yuna more than the king had hoped for

his intentions were clearly to underman her power making it look like the crucible is for the weaklings but once he said that the crucible would remain for but few more days this actually reminded her that that person still has not left…creating fear in her heart and doubt that he might have actually failed and probably died…yet she instantly brushed away that idea…remembering that person’s strength gave her courage. She then replied

“How do you intend on clearing it your majesty…perhaps you think that that eye will help you clear it?”

The king then understanding what she was going to say replied

“Yes ‘My’ eye will do just so. I think that I am more than capable of clearing the fifty floors even more if I wish to do…you see I know many spells and many ways to kill my enemies so a bunch of monsters will be nothing to my might.” Said the king as if spitting on Yuna’s face as he already knew that that eye he is holding belonged to a person she knew

“I never got to thank you for killing that devil lord back then. You really did us a great deed you are a hero to your country, so here is my proposal. I want you to be my queen” said the king.

And with but those words the room fell silent.

The king found the silence a good way to continue with his speech.

“This will improve the relationship with both our countries greatly and will be a step toward a better future-“but before the King could continue the leader of the water clan interrupted

“I refuse!”

Everyone in the hall was shocked at the direct refusal. Many of the present here would, have if presented with the chance refuse the offer. It is true as many know that he is not the real heir but none can say anything against it.

But not like this. There are procedures to be taken, at least many would have said that they would think of it or even find excuses and politely decline in private giving the king some face and value, but to refuse the king’s offer publicly is the same as slapping him in the face.

A vein almost popped on the forehead of the young king while calmly saying the words

“What do you mean?”

Before Yuna began to speak the lightning clan leader tried to stop her but she placed her hand forward making him drop the idea then she said

“I refuse to share my life with you. That power you claim to have is meaningless without skill and even more so it is not yours…you can enjoy it…but I can assure you…it won’t be long.”

The king then roared

“Is that a threat? You dare threaten me in my own country in my own hall!”

“I only said the truth”

“SEIZE THEM!” said the king and with but these words several dozens of men wearing black and royal guards entered the room surrounding the whole guests…the party was about to become a massacre…

***

That was stupid…so very, very stupid…

“Are you satisfied challenger?”

“Yeah…very…” I said

“It was good that I was able to flex my muscles for a bit it’s been long since I last used them.” Said the overseer

I don’t know about muscles I can only see metallic armor…But I am not one to judge…

I just finished the bout against the Overseer…and it was like I just said before utterly and seriously stupid…

I was squashed in an instant…I didn’t even see the attack coming I thought myself dead but he healed me and not even with the potion they were destroyed the moment his hammer struck at me the first time…god that thing was painful

He then asked if I wanted to go again…to which I agreed…we did this for hundreds of times until I finally gave up…there is no way in hell I am capable of even scratching him…

“If it was anything or anyone else I would have destroyed them…but you I like not only you refused to give up on your promise you even challenged me an overseer…I admire your courage Challenger but you will need much, much more than this for you to even be able to even stand your ground against me.”

“How much do I need then?” I said

“Hmm…my real body is not in this realm this is but a persona that I am controlling. And for you to be able to take it on you will be needing to become at least…Seven thousand time stronger than your optimum power this of course using the aspects and fully exploiting their power to which you are still far from.”

…so my full power is not nearly enough to even defeat his puppet…damn and I thought that Drakhsis was strong…

I bowed to the overseer saying

“Thank you for the chance and for your understanding. I will take my leave now if you please.”

“Very well challenger. Go and make yourself known shake the heavens if you need to and once you think yourself strong enough to challenge me come and I will be waiting.”

I turned around and began to walk toward the gate.

“Challenger. Your prize”

He said and then I turned.

Instead of a box like everyone had gotten earlier there were but two things on the floor.

A small circular platinum object that looked like a medal

And a golden ring with three small jewels a ruby a sapphire and an emerald.

“That ring is worth the world’s weight in gold. Take good care of it…it will help you in your journey.”

I took the ring and placed it in my finger. And placed the medal in one of my pockets

“Thank you for the gift.”

“One last thing.” Said the overseer

“Yes?” I replied

“I don’t want you to go out looking like that…it will bring you a bad image”

I looked down my cloths and just noticed that they were in tatters…really that acid did its job at ruining the cloths I had…

And with a snap of the overseer’s finger

The clothes had mended and became much better looking. Above the dark violet hues and signs on the clothes the rims of the fabric was now that of a dark golden color. Making the set look majestic…like that of the Overseer himself.

“On your way Challenger.”

I thanked him again and walked toward the gate.

“This should be interesting.”

Taking the first step out, I noticed that it was night…

I felt the energies of the world wash over me cleansing me from feebleness and filling me with great power…I was in equilibrium and the energies of the real world are much easy to harness

It felt good…

“ASURA!” cried a voice I knew very well. That voice was in my head and with just that step felt myself back in a place I have been before.

It was a throne room filled with bodies and swords of all kind. And inside the throne made of flesh sat that person

Ashura…

“It has been long decadent of mine.” Said the god of war “You grew strong…too strong that I now feel proud…the body of a dragon and the origin of a god…with the disposition of a devil…what a strange mix of unbalanced and extraneous sets of power…yet you still manage to keep them controlled…very good…”

Everyone loves to hear complements but why is he speaking to me now?

“Where were you? All this time…”

“You know full well that our link was severed…more so once you lost that eye…it is in the hand of someone that does not deserve it…take it back”

“And do what with it? You think they will just give it to me? And even if I did so will it work again?”

“That is a gift from the divine. It will still work, it will even make you stronger but that is not why I need you to get it…I need you to get it so that you can inherit my legacy.” Said the silver haired god

“Your legacy?” I said

“Yes! My Kingdom! My palace, my flying fortress! Hidden in plain sight only a dimension away you can call upon it and it will come to you and within that place lies my throne…a throne that is fit for one of my own.” Said Ashura.

But I have no idea who has it

“It is mine and I know where it is…I can even show you what the eye sees.”

The devil did so and with that a projection showed.

It was a party of sorts many had attended and the person using this eye was speaking to a tall blond man…

Then his vision changed toward another person…Yuna…

I could even hear what they were saying but it mattered not…at least it didn’t until I heard him proposing to her while she refused…huh

Then this man or whoever it was called upon the capture of these persons…he wants to execute them…

The visions then stopped

“This is all I can do without making them notice I was seeing what I saw…Asura this eye is now held by a king, if you want it back…you will have to breach into their kingdom fight their army and take it by force…”

“I know…” I said

“I know how you feel…but there is nothing you can do to save them. They will be dead long before you can make it there…you can only take revenge once you arrive”

“It doesn’t have to be so” said something behind me when I turned I saw space cracking and a devil coming from within

“Devil…you dare come here…”

“No. I only turned to one…I too am an Ashurian and for that reason I am able to coexist with one of the divine…” said the devil “But I have a way so that you can get to that place…”

“What might that be?” I said

“It is something that you have been working on but failed to do. I however know the way.”

***

The middle of the hall was now emptied while all the guests were forced to watch as Yuna and co were caught by the royal guards and now were forced to kneel.

“I won’t have anyone disrespect me in my own home! Said the king “You will all die for this”

Astora’s minster of defense then said “That is a foolish thing to do your highness…if you dare harm your guests you will be called to war. And the Alsians will never let this one slide.”

“Do you want to die with them too!” roared the king

“If I die then Astora will join in on the fray and I can assure you having two of the great countries against you is the same as committing suicide…”

The King was silent for a moment then right before he could speak a tear in space opened inside the hall.

The Royal guards were on alert but couldn’t do anything, the king was surrounded by many of the guards and men wearing black to ensure his safety.

From within the tear a leg appeared stepping down first upon the red carpet then the entire body of a man exited with it.

He was tall and had a mask on his face while his cloths were black with gold and dark purple signs and embroidery all over them matching the ting of purple strands of hair on his originally black hair.

The man had a white sword on his right side that he left there without a sheath. The tear that opened then slowly closed and with that the man was now alone.

“Who the hell are you?!” said one of the guards.

“Me?” said the man

And with that word an unwholesome presence washed all over the room

“I am the dragon eater!” said the boy and the weight of the presence rose even more

“I am the half god” and with that the pressure rose while most of the women fainted from its pressure many still stood however none could even more

“I am demon’s descent” said the man

And with that, all of the none fighters dropped, and fainted leaving only the guards who barely held on to their consciousness.

This pressure was aimed at everyone but two.

The white haired girl…and the boy wearing the crown.

“I am the void walker. I bring death to those that stand in my way! And will always take what is mine!”

Said the man and this time he was directly in front of the shaking boy.

“y-you what did you do to everyone!” said the boy

The man ignored the boy and said

“Give me what is mine!”

The boy not understanding or at least the man made it be so as he did not clarify what was his. The boy only could assume that it was related to the throne

“You will have nothing! Paralyze!” said the boy and with that the right eye on the boy’s face shone in gold while a spell was casted on the man in front of him

The man then stopped unmoving

The boy then finally taking a sigh of relief said

“S-see you are not strong after all. It took but a spell to stop you from moving huh I should have you killed too”

“Is this the extent of your power?” said the man and this time moving one step closer to the boy

The boy shook in his place he then placed his had forward and casted another spell far stronger than the earlier making his eye shine even brighter for a moment as it channeled the energies of the world around.

“Blood paralyze!”

And with it the man stopped moving once again

Yet it only took a second before he moved this time breaking the concentration of the boy that tried to walk back. The boy then stumbled and began to escape on his hands and knees trying to find anyone to help him.

But once he saw that everyone was down he knew that his time was neigh.

He looked at the man and placed his hand forward this time trying to cast a spell that would probably kill everyone here

“Disintegrati-“but his hand was cut off before he could even finish the chant. The man had already unsheathed his blade cut off the arm and placed the blade back where it was the only indication was the small splatter of blood that remained on the white of the curved sword on the man’s waist.

The boy screamed from pain and tried to use his remaining hand to cast another spell only to have the man grabbing him by the hair.

This was the king…a helpless king…

The man then used his right hand to rip out the right eye of the king tearing at it and making him pass out from pain.

The man looked at the eye that now transformed into a small golden marble and placed it back into his pocket.

He turned only to see one woman standing…

He approached the girl and waited for her to speak. He knew she had much to say so he waited.

The girl couldn’t say anything…because nothing can (in her point of view) justify what she had done…apologizing is not enough but she didn’t know that the man…already forgave.

There was only one thing she could do…something that would explain much but will still make more mysteries…

The girl approached the man and locked her lips on his mask.

She did so for a long while until he understood what she meant…after that the girl walked back her face was as red as it could get but she still looked directly into his face.

The man then snorted and disappeared…

To be continued