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~The Noble Protector~

A place shrouded in darkness yet illuminated by countless flickering candles, with an air heavy with the scent of crimson flowers that sporadically adorned this vast expanse, was a sight that unfolded before a soul that awoke after what felt like an eternity of slumber. Confusion gripped them as they struggled to make sense of their surroundings. Their memories were hazy and fragmented like shards of a shattered mirror. They could not recall their own name and their past, but amidst the swirling fog of forgotten memories, there’s one thing that they feel remains with them, burning like a smoldering fire.

“Hello…?”

However, even their resolute soul began to waver in this place where time seemed to stand still. As the candles continued to cast their glow and the petals whispered in the air, they hesitantly called out to the void, hoping that someone would come, but the silence persisted. Amidst the disheartening stillness, they began to see vague scenes beginning to play in their mind, but those were all too blurry for them to discern.

Then, a soft rustling sound and light footsteps echoed through the darkness. Startled, they turned their gaze toward the source and saw a figure emerging from the shadows. The flickering candles cast dancing shadows across the newcomer’s face, but it was later revealed that the newcomer hid further behind a white porcelain mask.

“You are…?” they asked with a mixture of trepidation and curiosity, uncertain of what would become of this encounter. As if in response, the newcomer, dressed in a bright red hood, halted a few paces away from them.

“You there,” the red-hooded figure did not answer their question, but pointed at them with a distorted voice that echoed with a commanding air. “Tell me, what, in your mind, constitutes an ideal world?”

The soul, caught off guard by the question, stared at the red-hooded figure for a moment before gathering their thoughts. Ignoring them, the red-hooded figure walked past them and continued.

“A world where the strong do not oppress the weak, where people are not bound by the chains of their birth and have the opportunity to shape their own future regardless of their circumstances, it is surely an ideal one, right? But what if that world is shaped by bloodshed, paid by countless lives lost, and built on top of sacrifices upon sacrifices? Is THAT still an ideal world?”

This made the soul frown and ponder to themselves. With their already faltering memories, they initially struggled to give an answer to the red-hooded figure’s words, but as they spoke, their words became clearer and clearer as if they had experienced this exact problem themselves.

“It is… Everyone… has the right… to pursue a better future… No matter how far off in the distance it could be… everything that stands in the way of that world must be torn down and remade anew so that things can change if it’s necessary.”

“Oh? What about the chaos that will ensue? Tearing apart an establishment that had stood for a very long time will inevitably demand sacrifices to be made. Is the pursuit of a new dawn really worth the price?”

“If they are inevitable, then so be it, because drastic measures are necessary to forge a great change. Lives may be lost, bonds shattered, and hearts broken. But in the end, such a path requires such sacrifices,” the soul firmly stated, surprising even themselves at how easily they have come to say that.

The red-hooded figure listened intently, stepping toward the soul until they were mere inches away from one another. The soul tried to avert their gaze, but something held their eyes locked onto that mask. They could see their reflection on its polished surface, distorted and fragmented. The mask appeared serene, yet there was an undeniable sense of menace lurking behind its blank façade.

The figure’s response to that speech was far from approving.

“Destroy everything and remake it anew into an ideal world, huh? To me, that sounds like an answer that belongs to a puppet to their own anguish instead of true enlightenment. The end justifies the means, is that what you are implying? Such an act might ignite the flames of change, but it also consumed countless lives in the process. You might enjoy it while it lasts, but sooner or later, another noble one will rise up and denounce that world as evil before tearing it apart as well…”

The masked figure strode away from the soul and into the darkness. But just as the figure was about to vanish, an unexpected twist unfolded. With an enigmatic grace, they stopped in their tracks, slowly reached up to their hood, and unmasked themselves, unveiling a visage that mirrored the very features of the soul that found themselves in this place. While this revelation sent a chill coursing down the soul’s spine, the doppelganger gave the wide-eyed soul a sinister laugh and a wicked smirk that seemed very unsettling and out of place for their face.

“And so, the original sin will be repeated in that world again and again… So much for an ideal world. Such a foolish conviction is nothing but a flickering flame. In the end, it will consume only itself.”

With those cryptic words hanging in the air, the figure threw their mask away and resumed their departure. Just as soon as they moved away, a sudden gust of cold wind swept through the place, extinguishing the candles that had flickered in the background. Simultaneously, the wind picked up the scattered crimson petals, making them dance in a whirlwind of eerie elegance amidst the encroaching darkness. As the soul’s fire snuffed out, a suffocating darkness crept in, enveloping them in its icy embrace. The remnants of their identity, now seemed like sand slipping through their grasp. The red-hooded figure’s parting words lingered in their thoughts, haunting every corner of their mind.

“What is this feeling? Who am I…?”

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~The Tree on a Clear Riverside~

In another place, another soul was drifting aimlessly in a mist of a surreal realm. Their existence, too, was reduced to a mere fragment of their former self, with their name and past memories lost in the circumstances that brought them to this place. However, this one is able to realize that they had died, even though the details beyond the cruelty of the fate that befell the soul, escaped them. But most of all, the questions of who were they, the supposed light that can ward off the emptiness that shrouded their mind, plagued them just like this fog.

Just as despair began to take hold, however, a gentle glow pierced through the haze, drawing the soul’s attention. A small entity made of pure light, with unflapping golden wings and tails, appeared and floated around them.

“I am sorry that you must endure this, little one,” it talked with a comforting tone.

“Who… who are you?” the soul’s voice, on the other hand, trembled as they spoke, their words tinged with apprehension.

“I am but a guide in this place, tasked to find and comfort lost souls who die an untimely death.”

“Umm… I… I see, you just confirmed that I died…”

“Fear not, little one, death is not the end, but merely a stepping-off point for your next journey. Here, the departed will rest before their journey continues. You still have a purpose yet to fulfill.”

“Then… where I will be going next?” the soul asked.

“Whether your next destination will become a better or worse place, it is up to you to decide. Therefore, before you depart this realm, let us talk about things to kill the time.”

“Y-yes, of course…”

Thus, the two engaged in a conversation, with the bird regaled tales of its experience encountering other lost souls in this place, each with their own unique journey and challenges, while attempting to bring the soul out of their hesitation and fear. After some point, the bird went directly in front of the soul and asked with genuine curiosity.

“I must say, little one, you are given a unique opportunity. Your old identity may have slipped away from you, but your essence remains. As we spend this time together, I couldn’t help but want to know about what if you were reborn as someone special, what will you feel about it?”

The soul frowned in confusion but immediately spoke what came to their mind upon hearing those words, “Someone special…? Like having a special ability that others don’t?”

“Mayhaps.”

They paused to reflect before continuing, but as they spoke, a sense of inexplicable sadness crept into their heart which was shown on their countenance.

“I think that someone special like that will live their life with a sense of burden… it set them apart from others and make them alone… but at the same time, I also think that with a great power, comes great responsibility…?”

The bird floated away and giggled, circling the soul who seemed confused with their own answer.

“Fufufu… ah, the duality of being born special. Now, let us envision a scenario where you will be reborn as that special person, what will you do with your special ability, hmm?”

“It’s really a double-edged sword… But if I were to be reborn with a gift like that, I would strive to wield them for the betterment of others, to protect and guide those in need.”

“I see, to be an ally of justice? But what is even justice? Someone that I know once said this: Justice never leads the heart astray. However, when there is someone with a strong sense of justice that happens to be at odds with your own, your rivaling ideologies of justice will collide. That’s how endless wars started, because one side refuses to acknowledge that their own vision of justice might be flawed and insist that they are absolutely in the right…”

“How awful… I… I don’t think I want that…” the soul stammered, the weight of the conversation settling upon their shoulders. For some reason, the bird’s words had touched a nerve within them.

“Is there no way to find common ground? To bridge the gap between rivals?”

“Indeed, the clash of ideals often leads to suffering and discord. Yet, it is through understanding and empathy that a glimmer of hope may emerge. True justice lies not in the absolute conviction of one’s righteousness, but in the willingness to seek harmony. This, I believe.”

The bird continued to circle the soul with its luminous presence.

“But let us delve deeper, little one. In this scenario, if you were reborn with special abilities, how would you ensure your pursuit of justice does not become clouded by arrogance or self-righteousness?”

“Then… it will be as you say, to look past my instincts, humble oneself and listen to the perspectives of others, learn from their wisdom, and question my own beliefs. To seek justice not just through power, but through compassion, understanding, and the willingness to admit my own mistakes.”

A chirp of approval was the answer to the soul’s introspection.

“Good. That was very good, little one. But even without powers, you already are a special existence. Why? Because you are born, you are already special just by yourself.”

For the first time in a long time, the soul smiled with a glimmer of assurance kindling within them. As the two continued their talk in this realm, waiting for the time when they will depart to their next destination, the soul inwardly hoped to remember all this, or at least have this enlightenment be subconsciously carried to whatever their next journey will be.

Meteos Roguerider & Kagaseo

~The Fate’s Rebel & The August Star of Heaven~

After the surroundings had completely shifted, Meteos felt the ground underneath him start to tickle his back as if he was lying on top of a grassy surface. At the same time, the scent of the earth began to fill the air while the expanse of a sparsely clouded blue sky spread out above. Unlike the previous vision of a doomed planet, he really felt like he was lying on top of a grassy hill slope. As he sat up, his eyes were drawn to a small settlement in the distance, sitting idly by the edge of a forest. The dwellings’ thatched roofs painted a picture of communal life and the activities that unfold within, while at the same time, it looked very primitive. When his gaze wandered further, Meteos beheld the sight of a mountain range that loomed in the distance with summits glistening with a pristine layer of snow that sparkled like diamonds in the sunlight. This idyllic scenery made the human wonder if this vision would turn into hell like the previous one.

“Welcome to Ekoji, the Deepest Part of the Road,” he heard the Star God beside him spoke, mentioning unfamiliar names that prompted a question from him.

“Where are we exactly?”

“The home planet of Japan and Mu, a century before the Great Reset.”

“Planet Earth?” Meteos raised an eyebrow. “And what is a ‘Great Reset’? I don’t recall seeing any of this in either country’s historical records.”

“The Great Reset is a global phenomenon of this world that wiped out every civilization on Earth with a series of seemingly unending natural cataclysms, basically resetting the history of humanity into Stone Age,” Kagaseo explained as he made himself comfortable on the grassy surface. “Many millennia from this era, this place will be known as Iwate in the northeastern part of the Japanese island of Honshū.”

Meteos followed Kagaseo’s gaze to the dwellings in the distance. There, he could see a vision of people dressed in simple clothing going about their daily lives.

“Those huts over there belonged to a tribe called Linto, the original inhabitants of this land before the ancient Yamut Empire from the south invaded and subjugated them. The Linto people worshipped a Star God that the Japanese called Amatsu-Mikaboshi… This planet is my original home, Roguerider.”

“Is that so… then, am I expecting the reason why the Japanese texts about Amatsu-Mikaboshi that I read always mention you as a rebellious, or even malevolent god?”

Kagaseo took Meteos’ short inquiry as an invitation for more explanations and continued.

“That’s what the Nihon Shoki said about me, yes,” sighed the Star God. “Before the Great Reset, Yamut, a nation that worshipped the Sun Goddess, invaded this land and wiped out the Linto. Even though I was furious at that time, I have come to accept it as the natural order and that a god should not interfere in mortal affairs. But the death of my people had driven me into anguish to the point I departed Earth to clear my head.”

Meteos listened in silence. Apparently, this annoying deity had once been a genuinely kind god who blessed the Linto, a tribe so loved by him that their extinction drove the god himself into an unbridled sorrow. Hearing this, he understood why Kagaseo can relate to Astarte’s plight, though the human was unsure if he wants to tell it to Kagaseo’s face.

“The Great Reset occurred in my absence. To the east, across the ocean, lies the original location of Mu. Its disappearance from this world was what triggered that cataclysm, and the historical records after that time is more or less messy in their attempts of recalling this period.”

According to the history of Mu that was said to be recorded without interruption since the monarchy 12.000 years ago in his world, this event was called the Great Continental Transference. Suddenly, without warning, they were cut off from their original world and found themselves in a new place so utterly alien, beginning their struggle in adapting to Meteos’ world. He just learned the other perspective of that history.

The summoning for Mu was not somewhat smooth like what Japan would experience. In fact, the Mu continent lost a portion of its land during the summoning and was sloppily transferred to the point that their ‘East’ suddenly became ‘North.’ The sudden displacement of their continent caused massive disruptions in the natural order for either Earth or the summoning’s destination. Disasters ravage Mu’s land to the point of almost destroying their civilization, followed by an era of survival from the alien world and its natives who came and invaded their land. However, despite the odds being stacked against them, Mu survived, which is impressive.

“Intriguing. By the way, what was the reason for Mu’s transference to my world?”

Kagaseo chuckled mirthlessly, “You might think of some complicated or nuanced reasoning, but the real reason was far simpler. With the presence of Shamash, or Amaterasu as she is known on Earth, and the preparations for the Nihonkoku Shoukan season were almost done, Shamash as a member of the Civilization Annihilation Game’s management, proposed to add some ‘spice’ to the storyline, that’s why they in this world held a vote to pick the civilization to be thrown into your world. The result is Mu, a civilization that the management considered most ‘lacking in realism.’ Considering how Mu was a staunch ally of the Yamut… this was an utter betrayal, perfect to farm more misery, I guess.”

“Tsk. Realism again… so that’s it? That’s the reason behind Mu’s Great Continental Transference myth?”

“I know, right!? Who are they to decide what is born into existence to be ‘real’ or ‘fiction’!? It was those bastards who exploited the honest lives of people and weaved a fictitious tale of a summoning,” Kagaseo declared, seeing the human’s expression. “It all started with my personal feud with Shamash… she broke the law with that summoning bullshit and when I returned and confronted her about it, she had already manipulated the Amatsukami and turned them against me. And now, she already infiltrated and manipulated your world’s deities. Dropping that meteor on the Ravernal Empire must have been one of her plans to greatly drain the gods’ power.”

“Is that why they don’t go to rescue Astarte?”

“No. It’s even worse. Even Astarte’s fellow gods don’t know who she is anymore. At present, there was never a goddess named Astarte to them.”

“So that’s why, huh?” Meteos muttered in disgust.

Meanwhile, the history of the Linto will eventually repeat itself when the Emishi, the people who inhabited this region after the Great Reset, was conquered by the Yamato Empire in the same way as how Yamut once subjugated the Linto. To justify their claim over this land, and to eliminate the potential opposition to the Game, Shamash (Amaterasu) made Kagaseo (Amatsu-Mikaboshi) an enemy of the Shinto pantheon. In the face of this hostility, the outnumbered Kagaseo would go to other realms and bid his time until he encountered Astarte by chance.

“Roguerider, now that you’ve been reborn into the past with your future knowledge, you should use it to advance your home to spite the higher beings to the point that they will look at you and suffer from intense aneurysms,” Kagaseo blurted amusedly. “Then I can easily kill them to protect this world and Astarte’s dreams. Leave the heavy lifting toward us gods and you do your human business.”

“Huh… oh… whatever you say,” Meteos deadpanned. “Are you trying to prevent Nihonkoku Shoukan from happening, then?”

To his surprise, the Star God shook his head.

“Not necessarily. Compared to other seasons in the Civilization Annihilation Game, the Nihonkoku Shoukan is tame. Really tame. If I disrupt their preparations too soon, they will just drop it and move to plan other seasons where we don’t know what will happen. My goal is to end this twisted Game once and for all… which is why I decided to wait for the assault on the management to the day of the summoning, but I had to admit, the timing itself is very meticulous. And there’s also the Ravernal Empire which is still on the loose. The point is, the higher beings fucked up the worlds so badly that it’s hard to make plans to counter them without suffering from headaches. Damn them all, why can’t they just go eat shit and die?”

Unacceptable tampering with the mortal realm like that is not without consequences. However, the higher beings circumvented this by hunting down other gods and sacrificing them, transforming a severe affair into a twisted entertainment industry that will eventually lead all creation into oblivion. In order to prevent that foolish end, the gods who adhere to the law of the universe (basically playing it clean) tries to resist them within these restrictions. This is what prevented Kagaseo from just snapping the worlds that the higher beings toyed with out of existence. If he wants to do that but doesn’t want to sacrifice himself and resort to using others as fuel to do it, then he will become just like a higher being, doing exactly the same thing as the Civilization Annihilation Game.

What is the point, then?

“There is a possibility that Japan and Gra Valkas will still appear in my world, then?”

“The probability is there. But if push comes to shove… I suppose I will intercept them on the day of the summoning and obliterate Japan and Gra Valkas while they are still in the realm between dimensions.”

“What? Why? Is that safe? Is that a right thing to do?” Meteos frowned.

Kagaseo raised a curious eyebrow. “Oh? Is that an objection I hear?”

The human tried to refrain from speaking further, but Kagaseo prompted him to do so with a wave of his hand. “No, no, continue.”

“Well… You said that the higher beings feed on misery, won’t killing an entity in a miserable state will make it suffer to the end? At least if they are alive, they will still be able to turn that despair into hope and live in a new world…”

“Even if it means letting them appear in your world?”

“But my future knowledge also comes from them—gah! Dammit! All of this gives me mixed feelings! You said that I should leave the matters of the divine to you and do my own business. But you know, when I was first awaking in my second life, every intention behind my work is driven by a strong feeling of envy so that my country will never be beaten by the summoned countries again. I even wished that they never appear… but now that I thought more about it… by losing all they know, those summoned countries are also suffering, right? I often wondered to myself if what I am doing is right, but I am prepared if all of this turned out to be a sin. And now that you made it clear about the other side’s suffering… I’m not sure what to think anymore.”

“Roguerider, you…”

Meteos braced, dreading the outcome of his rant. However, that feeling disappeared as soon as it arrived, for the Star God suddenly broke into a wide smile while divine magic confetti started showering him out of nowhere.

“YOU’RE THE MAAAAANNN!!” he declared with fanfare.

“Eh?”

“That was a test!”

“A test!?”

“Oh, yeah, a test! I’ve been observing you for these years. You sure have the ‘drive’ and ‘conviction,’ but I want to see if you still have this thing called ‘conscience’ even after reincarnation. And boy I’m glad you did. Ever since you’ve been awakened, I half-thought that you decided to invent things so that your country can do funny things, if you know what I mean.”

“W-what if I don’t?”

“Got dunked on, duh. Think about it, I and Astarte are basically your ‘sponsors’ that allowed you to be alive a second time. Why I would want you to exhibit a higher being behavior?”

Meteos deflated due to how true it was. The divinity among the two laughed heartily.

“So, you’re afraid about your deeds turning out to be sins, eh? Really, Roguerider? You can still uplift your home without contradicting your faith, you know, so do NOT lose hope in the mercy of the divine, for no one loses hope in their mercy except those with no faith.”

“…Goddess Astarte…?”

“Of course!” Kagaseo nodded vigorously. “Dedicate your deeds to the gods who gave you a second life. Be grateful. Astarte loves your world and all the people in it like her own children. Even when she is deprived of her memories, she still instinctively knows who are you and prayed to save your life. See? Love connects our two realms together. Love of people, of cultures, of the world. Strive to preserve that which inspires hope in your people like those who walked the land before you, and you will find yourself standing at the pinnacle of Heaven’s embrace.”

These words made Meteos’ eyes widen.

A god told him that he was not a sinner, nor he was committing a sin by doing what he did.

After a roller coaster of emotions and finally hearing the one thing that washes away the doubts that always haunted his soul, Meteos’ voice cracked as he slowly brought his sleeve to his eyes and rubbed them.

“Is that… true?”

“I promise. As long as you continue to remember Astarte, any god and higher being who objects will have to eat my divine power. That’s the least I can do.”

“Ah… I’m unsure if that’s necessary, but thank you…”

But with Kagaseo being Kagaseo…

“…Aah? Dude, are you crying?”

“…! GAH! You just HAD to ruin the moment, dammit!”

The Star God burst into laughter, but after a moment, Meteos joined, letting go of all the nine years worth of pent-up stress of this second life inside him into the air. Having no one to confide about his reincarnation besides his one-sided prayers, that feeling of weariness had grown to the point where Meteos can no longer ignore it.

Wiping the tears of joy off his face, Meteos joked with a smile. “…Goodness… I didn’t realize I need that… By the way, what are the chances that a higher being that listens to all this talk gets seizures and dies from cringe?”

“Ah? …Oh… BWUAHAHAHA! Good, then! Less misery-maker to kill so that I can chill out on my turf and take care of Astarte. Besides, Roguerider should care about what the higher beings think of him because…?”

“Right, right. My bad,” Meteos let out a long sigh and calmed himself down. “By the gods… it feels as if a massive weight had just lifted off my chest. I feel lighter.”

Kagaseo chuckled in response, but something caused him to look up at the sky and mumble something.

“Is there something wrong?”

“Let’s return to the sanctuary.”

Once again, Kagaseo’s divine magic shifted the surroundings and they were back to the garden of a cottage that serve as Astarte’s sanctuary. But as soon as they arrive, two beams of light shone from the sky and landed in front of them, revealing two different-colored glowing orbs. The one on the left has a red glow surrounding it, while the one on the right is colored yellow. As they approached them, Meteos’ interest peaked once again.

“They’re here…” Kagaseo nodded to himself.

“Hm? I can sense a person’s worth of mana emanating from them. What are these?”

“Souls.”

Meteos observed closely, waiting for an explanation that he knew was about to come.

“These,” Kagaseo began, “belong to people from two different worlds that were toyed with by the higher beings. I just received a telepathic message from Ashir, a god who found and delivered them here. The red one was affected by one of the outcomes that can happen in its life and has completed its journey, while the yellow one died too early. Both of them carried regrets, and…”

The silver-haired human watched as the orbs glow brighter when Kagaseo brought his hand to gently swipe over them.

“Ugh… it seems that their souls are damaged.”

“And that means…?”

“Meaning that if they were to reincarnate, they won’t be like you, a properly reincarnated soul. Some of their past lives’ aspects may be carried over to their next life, but I am certain that they will not remember their old identity and living experience, nor they will realize that they are reincarnated.”

“But are they going to be reincarnated?”

Kagaseo smiled knowingly, “That was a matter of consideration, but after seeing you being able to recall Astarte’s name… I have come to the decision that I should turn Heaven’s Wheel. And you, Roguerider, will play a significant part in it.”

“Me?” Meteos inquired.

“Yes, you. Have you ever wished for siblings, Roguerider?”

Meteos immediately caught on to what Kagaseo was implying. He gasped at the same time as the Star God’s widening smile.

“To be honest… I’ve never really thought about it. You don’t mean…!?”

“Yeah! This is my decision: these two souls will be reincarnated as beloved families of he who is able to recall Astarte’s forgotten existence. And with your love, they hopefully will also be able to say her name.”

“I still don’t understand.”

“Well…”

Kagaseo started to elaborate. The reason why Meteos was the only child of the Roguerider couple in his first life was his parents who doted on him like crazy. It turns out that the absence of Meteos’ presence this early in the second life left a void in their hearts that Roderick and Meteora found solace in each other’s company. It was during this time that they discovered a new desire within themselves—a desire for another child, and have been praying fervently to the divine as of late. Therefore, Meteos, who underestimated just how deep the extent the warmth and affection his parents had always shown him, had basically brought this to himself. But Kagaseo decided not to smite him for his neglect, instead the human will be given a responsibility to ensure the well-being of these souls and guide them in the new world.

Such was the Star God’s verdict. It can be said that it was him being very lenient, but he had his own plans to push.

Meteos’ mind raced with a mix of surprise and uncertainty. But as he remembered one more thing, he frowned.

“But my mother at this point is already thirty-nine years old, she’s—”

“Safe,” Kagaseo readily answered, interrupting him.

Meteos was about to voice a concern regarding his mother. At least in this era’s Holy Empire, human women aged 35 and above have a higher risk of certain pregnancy complications and… the likelihood of having twins. A cold sweat ran down his spine when he recalled this fact.

“Many human women in their late thirties and forties still have healthy pregnancies and deliver healthy babies, don’t they? Don’t worry, your mother will have my blessing so that her pregnancy and childbirth will be without any complications… Hmm, come to think about it, blessing pregnancies are supposed to be Astarte’s job description, isn’t it?” Kagaseo pondered after convincing Meteos.

The human slumped his shoulders. There’s really no point in arguing and no use in reasoning.

“That’s…! Ah… I-I suppose it can’t be helped… If it’s for Mom and Dad’s happiness, then…”

But after closing his eyes for a moment, those sky-blue eyes snapped open, gleaming with vigor.

“In that case…! I shall accept this as a test of faith from the gods for myself and my family! I hope that all of us will come out as better people than before! Thank you so much, for our sakes, let my wish come true!” Meteos declared and bowed to the Star God in gratitude.

A faint smile was planted on Kagaseo’s lips. ‘He is quickly adapting to the situation. Or was it resignation? Either way, this is divinity, Roguerider, get used to it, hehehehe.’

“Very well,” he replied, accepting the prayer with a dignified tone.

It was at that moment, the dreamscape around them began to dissolve into particles of light, floating around the two with an increasing intensity.

“Ah, just in time. Looks like it’s time for you to wake up, Roguerider,” Kagaseo remarked.

“So it would seem. Will we meet again?”

“This will not be the last time you and I will talk to each other like this, but that depends.”

The silverette nodded in understanding. He could faintly hear Kagaseo’s parting words as his surroundings were enveloped in light.

“See you around, fate’s rebel. You need not be a hero to make a change!”

Currently Publicly Available Information

If ever eyes of darkness widen

A light from yonder soon will break

But if the land the light should brighten

A shadow wanders in its wake

If dawn is sent to slay the night

And chase its minion underground

Then when dusk makes the day take

Night beneath it pinions night rebounds

But do not cry, my sons and daughters

Life must leave to come again

And when it does, it springs like water

A great reprieve to and all pain

Turn now, Heaven’s Wheel!

Turn, turn, that we may heal!

Meteos Roguerider

~The Fate’s Rebel~

March 21, 1615 Central Calendar, 07:00

MOASEC Apartment Complex, San Redentore District, Runepolis

“Hrngg!”

With a jolt that sent Meteos out of his slumber, his eyes snapped open as he abruptly sat up on his bed. Disoriented and bewildered, he slowly noticed the sunlight that cut through the half-drawn curtains of his bedroom and then the clock on the wall. He had succumbed to sleepiness after consuming the Angel Fruit at 16:00 in the afternoon yesterday, so the conclusion that he must have woken up in the morning the next day seemed surreal to him. In both of his lifetimes, he surely had never slept for that long, as he once considered even sleeping for eight hours at night to be a waste of time.

Now, as he swung his legs over the edge of the bed and planted his feet on the floor, he could feel the Angel Fruit’s stated effect kick in. Meteos felt an indescribable sense of vitality coursing through his veins. His body, once burdened by the buildup of fatigue, now felt invigorated and revived. He felt free and brimming with energy. A wave of clarity soon washed over him. His mind immediately sparkled with sharpness and focus, with him almost capable of hearing his thoughts chime like a well-tuned orchestra.

Glancing at the empty and tidied-up section of the bed beside him, Meteos muttered, “Walman must have awoken long before this. I wonder what he was thinking when he saw me sleeping like a log?”

Leaving his bedroom and going down the corridor, he could hear the faint clattering of dishes and the delicious aroma of breakfast wafting through the air. The familiar noises of his friends could also be heard coming from the dining room. There, Meteos found Walman seated at the table, engrossed in his meal. He silently made his way behind Walman and tapped his shoulder.

“Hey.”

“What the—” the brunette boy exclaimed and sharply turned to look behind him. But as soon as he saw Meteos’ wry smile, a look of relief crossed his face. “AH! You’re finally awake…! You had us worried, you know!? We thought you were never going to wake up.”

Meteos laughed sheepishly, “Ah, sorry about that. I guess the Angel Fruit really knocked me out. I’ve never experienced such a long sleep before. It feels strange.”

“Well, at least you’re alive and kicking. That’s a relief. We were about to call a sleep specialist mage or something.”

“Oh, did I miss anything important?”

Just then, Robin emerged from the kitchen, donning an apron and a spatula in hand. She initially looked confused, but as soon as she laid her eyes on Meteos, she laughed.

“Oh my, the sleeping beauty finally awakens!” Robin teased, approaching Meteos to ruffle his bedhead. “Good morning, kid, you got us worried there.”

“I appreciate the concern, but I’m perfectly fine now. Guess I just needed a little extra shut-eye.”

“You don’t say! One, you’re lucky today is the weekend. Two, I’ve informed all parties concerned that you are very tired from work yesterday, so don’t worry. Three, that’s what happens if you neglect rest for so long. Honestly, perfect balance is the way to all things, don’t you think?”

“Uh, sure thing. Thanks, by the way.”

Right, the usual evening calls. She must’ve been worried too. The teacher rolled her eyes before continuing with a voice laced with curiosity.

“So, Meteos, now that you’ve woken up, have you noticed any changes in yourself?”

Meteos nodded. “Yes. I feel amazing. It’s like my whole being has been rejuvenated. I’m bursting with energy, and my mind feels razor-sharp. I’ve never felt so refreshed before.”

“Really!?” Walman’s eyes widened with fascination. “It seems the Angel Fruit truly lives up to its reputation. Then I guess I’ll eat one tonight.”

“I’ll be there to wake you up,” the silverette idly commented.

“Alright, that’s good! I’ll go make you breakfast. Make yourself comfortable.”

After Meteos went and relieved himself in the toilet, he finally plopped down on the dining chair just as Robin placed the breakfast she had cooked in front of him. The aroma of the sizzling eggs and the bird wyvern meat of the frittata, a Carthinian dish that was Robin’s favorite, soon filled the room, making Meteos’ stomach growl in anticipation. On the opposite side, Walman had already devoured his plate, leaving only a few crumbs behind. Robin’s grin spread across her face as Meteos looked up at her with gratitude.

“Well, since you’re up and about and today’s the weekend, how about we make the most of the day? Do you want to go to the waterfront after training?” Robin leaned forward, her eyes shining with anticipation.

Meteos smiled. “Sounds perfect. I don’t see why we shouldn’t do it.”

The two shared a hearty laugh. Amidst the happy mood, Walman asked a question.

“By the way, Meteos. Do you remember the dream you had after eating that Fruit?”

“……No.”

“Oh. That’s disappointing, but alright, then…” Walman shrugged.

Meteos simply hummed in affirmation. After that, they proceeded to enjoy the morning and get ready to savor the joys that life had to offer today.

…………

After finishing breakfast, Meteos decided to join Robin at the sink to clean the dishes. The warm water cascaded over their hands as they began to tackle the stack of dirty dishes together. With impeccable coordination, they seamlessly worked on the plates and utensils with precision.

Meteos broke the comfortable silence with a gentle yet curious tone. “Teacher,” he began, his voice carrying a spark of curiosity. “Do you happen to know someone named ███████?”

For some reason, a strange sensation washed over Robin, it was as if her mind was suddenly screeched to a halt upon hearing what must have been a name. She stopped scrubbing the plate in her hand and blinked in an attempt to clear her thoughts before rapidly shaking her head, perplexed by the sudden lapse in her memory. Robin could see Meteos beside her looking at her expectantly, but her mind was drawing a blank.

“Um… who, Meteos?” Robin’s voice sounded unsure.

“███████,” Meteos repeated.

Robin struggled to make sense of the syllables as they reverberated in her mind, melting into a disorienting blend of indistinct sounds. Her ears seemed incapable of processing the name, leaving her with an unsettling feeling of discomfort.

“Sorry, I… uh… didn’t quite catch that,” she stammered with palpable confusion.

In response, Meteos gave a slight nod and sighed. “Never mind. It’s not that important anyway. I guess I’ll find it out myself.”

“O-okay…”

They resumed their chore in silence with the sound of water splashing and the rhythmic scrubbing becoming their only soundtrack. Robin focused intently on the movement of her hands, finding solace in the repetitive motion. The physical activity helped clear her mind, gradually erasing the remnants of the strange sensation that gripped her earlier. The incident with the name ███████ slowly faded into the background, becoming nothing more than a fleeting moment lost amidst the flow of their day.

…………

Meteos moved from the kitchen after washing the dishes and went to the office room. Settling himself at the working desk, Meteos took a deep breath before reaching for a blank sheet of paper and a pen, preparing to write down a certain name.

“Astarte,” he whispered softly, trying to etch the name onto the paper.

A-S-T-A-R-T-

Yet, as the pen prepared to write the last letter, an unsettling glitch rippled through reality. With widening eyes, Meteos watched in astonishment as the incomplete name dissolved and vanished before him.

“!!!”

Undeterred, he picked up the pen again, determined to see the name appear on the paper. With intense concentration, Meteos’ pen touched the paper surface once more.

‘Astarte, Astarte, Astarte, Astarte, Astarte, Astarte, Astarte, Astarte, Astarte, Astarte, Astarte, Astarte, Astarte, Astarte, Astarte, Astarte, Astarte, Astarte, Astarte, Astarte, Astarte, Astarte, Astarte, Astarte, Astarte, Astarte, Astarte, Astarte, Astarte, Astarte, Astarte, ASTARTE!!’

Meteos tried to write a barrage of that one name, but every damn time, the glitch reappeared and erased the ink on the paper as if it were a mirage. It’s as if the paper was never been touched by a pen before. Exasperated, Meteos threw his hands and slumped on the chair, now confirming that the Goddess’ diminishing existence materialized as some insidious force that prevented the name from taking hold in the physical world. At least he can still clearly remember her name.

‘Poor Goddess…’

He glared at the blank paper in increasing frustration. He knew that he could just leave it to whatever Kagaseo will do to make Astarte’s existence last in the mortal world, but he also felt invested to see it happen with his two hands. Perhaps there is a loophole that he could exploit.

With newfound resolve, Meteos set the pen aside and reached for a pencil. His mind brimmed with the vivid imagery of the intricate details, every line and curve of the magical hydrogen cell he had once worked on before his death. Slowly, he began to sketch, pouring his concentration and intent to dedicate it to the Goddess into every stroke. As the image took shape, his thoughts wandered to the knowledge that was generously given to him during the period between death and this second life.

“That’s right, what if I do this…”

The Desire Driver that his soul once used to transform into Rogue was apparently a far more advanced development of this hydrogen cell technology, tempting Meteos to incorporate some part of it into this rough sketch. And so, with a steady hand, Meteos finished by drawing a rough outline of something new. With the sketch complete, Meteos closed his eyes and took a deep breath, focusing his thoughts on Astarte.

‘O Astarte, Goddess of Fertility and the Blessed Mother of the Elven Race. With this humble creation, I offer my devotion and gratitude. May it serve as a beacon of your presence in this world. Let the fate that erases your name be defied, and may your existence be made tangible. Grant me the privilege to honor you, O radiant Goddess, with this creation.’

Meteos slowly opened an eye, his heart pounding with hope and anticipation. And there it was—the sketch remained intact, undisturbed by the mysterious force that had plagued his previous attempts. It succeeded.

“Huh? Ha… haha… hahahahahahahaha! YES! FINALLY! HAHAHAHAHAHAHA!”

Meteos couldn’t contain his elation any longer and laughed hard inside the office. It was a laughter filled with triumph and confirmation that fate, can indeed be defied.

“Now I wonder if I can realize this and—”

He was interrupted by the sound of the opening office door.

“I heard laughter, what happened here?” Robin’s head peeked out from the doorway.

“Hm? Oh, no, no, I just got a surge of inspiration,” Meteos said, his laughter still resonating in the air.

“Heee… must be something if you laughed that hard. Care to share it with us after training?”

With a wide smile, the silverette responded, “Sure thing! I’ll gladly do so!”

After Robin left, Meteos found himself alone once more gazing at the sketch he had just completed. Thoughts swirled through his mind as he contemplated when the next important news might be coming.

March 28, 1615 Central Calendar, 14:00

The awaited news came much faster than he had expected, but it did not come until one week later when Meteos received a call from his father while spending another weekend by Runepolis’ waterfront with his friends. As soon as his grimoire rang, Meteos stepped aside and answered the call.

“Hello, Dad? How are you?”

A familiar voice burst through the device, tinged with excitement. “I’m fine, son. If anything, I feel much better than ever. I have incredible news to share with you!”

‘I know, Dad, I know.’

Roderick continued. “So, your mother and I went for a check-up today, and guess what? You’re going to have a new sibling!”

A gentle smile formed on the reincarnator’s face. Even though he had already learned about it through the dream, that moment of foresight still brought a feeling of warmth and joy when he heard his father like this. Although, it’s more like he’s going to have siblings.

With “S” on it.

“That’s incredible news, Dad,” Meteos responded with utmost sincerity. “I’m happy for both of you. How is Mom? Is she doing well?”

“Your mother is over the moons, son, but she’s resting right now. She’s doing great and we’re trying our best to prepare for the new arrivals. William and Marie came as soon as the news come out. We’re all eagerly looking forward to this.”

“I see. Please send Mom my love and congratulations.”

“Of course, Meteos. Your mother mentioned how proud she is of the person you’ve become, and she’s thrilled that you’ll have a sibling to grow alongside.”

“Thank you very much, Dad… I’ll see if I can be there on the day of the childbirth.”

“Your mother said you don’t have to worry too much, but we greatly appreciate that. Focus on your work and take care of yourself. We’ll talk more about this in due time.”

“Alright, Dad. May your happiness multiply.”

“On you as well, son.”

The call ended, leaving Meteos standing there contemplating in the direction of the ocean. A quiet chuckle escaped his lips as he felt the gentle caress of the springtime breeze, embracing the dawn of a new chapter in his second life.

“Welcome to my world,” he muttered, as if sharing his secret with the vast expanse of the ocean. Turning towards his waiting friends, he couldn’t contain his excitement any longer. It was time to share the auspicious news.

Currently Publicly Available Information

If ever should the dead awaken

Then welcome them as life reborn

And in my heart from sleep is taken

Then let it sing upon the morn

Let all those souls be held entranced

And gather to my mighty strains

For if they die again, by chance

Their voices join the grand refrain

Each soul shall have its time again

Within hearts they still reside

And when I sing, they are sustained

From death to life, I am their guide

Rejoice, rejoice my friend!

Our song will never end!

Never, ever end!

Kagaseo, █████ and ██████

~I’m Here for You, Are You Here for Me Too?~

A pair of glowing lavender eyes watched with a surge of pride as their owner witnessed the trails of two orbs of light that shot upward into the starlit heavens and flew into the skies unknown. The tolling bells that signified another invocation of a miracle echoed almost endlessly, but this esteemed individual didn’t mind. In fact, he relished in it.

“Way to go, fate’s rebel, that was stellar work…” laughed Kagaseo, the Star God, from the garden of Astarte’s sanctuary.

While Kagaseo will still fulfill his promise to reincarnate the souls sent to him as Rogueriders, seeing the fate’s rebel found and confirmed a loophole behind the rule that dictates that Astarte will slowly cease to exist convinced him to put the schedule ahead, planting the souls of Roguerider’s would-be siblings inside Meteora’s womb one week after that dream as a reward. And thanks to the human’s deed, even though Astarte was still in a comatose state, she now became responsive to external stimuli. The day shall come when Astarte will be able to open her eyes again.

Just as Kagaseo continued to stargaze, particles of light coalesced behind him to form the silhouette of two humanoid figures, which soon faded to reveal two new arrivals, a male and a female.

The Star God greeted them cordially without ever slightly moving from his position.

“Welcome, Ashir, Mirook, make yourself comfortable.”

“Thank you, Lord Kagaseo,” the male one, Ashir, answered in a diplomatic tone. “How was Lady Astarte’s condition?”

“It’s improving. The other day, I spoke to her as usual and held her hand, then… she gripped my hand tighter. She still doesn’t give up.”

“I am relieved to hear that, Lord. Speaking of which, I have finished gathering the damaged souls as you say. What should we do with them?”

“Reincarnate them all in Kain. They won’t be useful in the war effort, but it’s nice that your people will be fertile for years. Be fruitful, multiply, and fill the world!”

“……I see.”

While Ashir was dumbfounded, Kagaseo’s attention switched to address the other visitor.

“And what about you, Mirook? I sense gloom coming from you in droves. Do tell me what happened in your brother’s absence.”

Even though Mirook was also dignified in her response, she sounded like holding back tears.

“It is exactly as you say, Lord Kagaseo. A Gra Valkan fleet stopped by the port town of Ruhir and bombarded the city. Very few civilians survived.”

“Hmph. Told you.”

Ashir and Mirook are sibling deities from planet Yggdra who ruled over Light and Shadow, respectively. Worshipped by the people of the Kain Divine Kingdom, the nation’s global war with the Gra Valkas Empire naturally put them at odds with Noluthe, the serpentine deity revered by the Gra Valkan people. While said war, the War of Fate, had been lasting for many years with no peace in sight, Kain was in a disadvantaged position in multiple fields: resources, production capabilities, technology, and military strength. If the war continues, Gra Valkas will eventually emerge as a victor, and being deities who are close to their people, Ashir and Mirook were distraught by this eventuality.

That is, until this strange god named Kagaseo came.

Out of nowhere, he told the siblings about what will happen during the War of Fate, but with an interesting outcome: “Twenty-four years from now, Noluthe will betray its own people and steal the Gra Valkas Empire’s mainland to a world where magic exists. There, they will be made to suffer as a punching bag of a nation championed by another higher being called Shamash.”

Although Ashir and Mirook were skeptical at first, many of Kagaseo’s predictions occurred exactly just like what he had said. Among them was Kain’s successful counterattack that managed to recapture their provinces of Gevura which will be followed by Gra Valkas’ retaliation to an occupied city named Ruhir. The executioner, called Ishtam Fleet, which was made up of the lowliest dregs of the Gra Valkan military, assaulted this city to spread fear, leaving many dead civilians in its wake. After that, Ashir and Mirook decided to join Kagaseo’s cause after more and more of his predictions came true, and would come to hear the conspiracy behind the prophesied outcome.

However, Kagaseo knew that while Ashir see him as trustworthy, the same could not be said for Mirook. On the other hand, he wanted dependable allies that respected the hierarchy if they were to form an alliance.

Kagaseo, the strongest god in this assembly, stood up and turned to the siblings with crossed arms. His physique, which took the form of a tall young adult, towered over the siblings who looked similar to humans in their late teens.

“So, what do you think?”

The siblings looked at each other before Mirook answered.

“My Lord, if we are to be honest with ourselves, we are looking forward to the disappearance of the Gra Valkans from Yggdra so that our people will be able to recover—”

“But the thought of inflicting suffering somewhere else with their presence doesn’t sit well with us,” Ashir continued.

““Lord Kagaseo, what should we do?””

The two finished at the same time, reminding a twitchy-eyed Kagaseo of their quirk. The Star God then paced back and forth with a thoughtful expression, while the siblings anxiously awaited his response.

“Hmmmmm…” he deliberately hummed. “In other words, you two decided to put your trust in me?”

““Yes, My Lord.””

“I believe there may be a solution that can grant Kain an upper hand in the war without necessitating direct intervention from the heavens, so that you two don’t need to sacrifice yourself protecting your people,” Kagaseo stated with confidence.

Mirook stepped forward. “Lord Kagaseo, please enlighten us. We are eager to hear your solution.”

“Okay, first. Unfortunately I don’t bring a Kainian soul from the future to be reincarnated, so don’t get your hopes too high,” he said, causing the siblings to deflate. But he continued, “But there’s another way. You two can communicate with that Priest-King, right?”

The Kainian monarch also serve as the high priest for the nation’s religion, blessed by the siblings to be able to communicate with them through what was known as Prophecies once a year. Although these prophecies can be put into consideration when formulating Kain’s national policy, so far the sibling deities refrained from giving prophecies beyond mundane matters. This is because Ashir and Mirook wanted humanity to be able to be self-reliant, but at the same time still respected the gods. In a way, it was the siblings’ vision of an ideal world.

The siblings nodded in unison, still getting used to Kagaseo’s strange way of talking.

At their response, Kagaseo grinned and tapped his right temple with his finger.

“Then I can help you by showering him with a surge of KNOWLEDGE. The Gra Valkas Empire has the upper hand in its technological advancements and military strength, but I have the future knowledge. Therefore, I will share the knowledge of Yggdra’s future events with you two, and you, in turn, can communicate these revelations to the Kainian Priest-King. The goal is to create the most ideal conditions where the Gra Valkas Empire will be weakened by Kain’s counterattack before the summoning happens and make them disappear.”

Ashir and Mirook exchanged glances again. The elder brother spoke up, “Lord Kagaseo, we understand about guiding our people towards a better future. However, is altering the course of events safe? And how about the summoning?”

“I will deal with the matter of Gra Valkas after the summoning. Surely I know that which you don’t,” Kagaseo waved his hand to dismiss his concern, but his gaze softened. “Though, I appreciate your caution. But if you want to see your ideal world, that is the solution I propose.”

““Our ideal world…””

Seeing the two gods mutter those words with gazes filled with longing, Kagaseo inwardly smirked. ‘Predictable.’

“So? What do you say?”

The siblings nodded with determined gazes.

“Very well, Lord Kagaseo. We shall carry out these revelations and communicate them to the Kainian King—”

“Together, we will shape a preferable future for our people.”

“Awwww, that’s the spirit!”

The Star God clapped happily and rushed to hug the siblings. “Man, I’m glad to hear that. Your dedication and trust are commendable. But remember, the revelations should guide, not dictate. The people must make their own choices, right, but armed with KNOWLEDGE, they can make their way toward a brighter destiny. So, when we can start the briefing!? Let’s show that snake and those cocky bastards who’s the boss!”

Ashir coughed, not used to this strange gesture.

“The sooner, the better, Lord. But if you don’t mind me asking, from what I know, the structure of time itself is so complicated that not even gods can properly control traveling through it. How can you obtain knowledge from the future so perfectly?”

Hearing this, Kagaseo smiled. This time, his lavender eyes shone with a gleam that somewhat scared the siblings due to how unnatural his smile was.

“I am Kagaseo, Ashir. Amatsu-Mikaboshi, the August Star of Heaven. I do have my own methods…”