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ACHERNAR'S POV
I was sitting on the grass, enjoying Azyrion's endless tranquillity. With my eyes closed, I was absorbing and releasing the pure azure energy that permeated the entire Domain.
"Achenar."
I heard someone call out to me.
Is this a dream? Am I dreaming? No, Stars don't dream.'
"Lord Achenar."
Someone jolted me out of my daydream, and I opened my eyes to see a child dressed in a white haori. His eyes have the colour of the world's azure skies, which is a characteristic of an Azure wielder. Between his white wings and his back, there was a shiver of azure energy that matched the colour of his eyes. I am not sure where he got the fancy cloth that was tied around his head.
"..Alnath..."
"Yes, it's me, Lord Achernar."
Leaning back toward the tree behind me, I closed my eyes.
"What did I tell you about addressing me with that?"
He chuckled before responding.
"Sorry, but I am used to it. You can't blame me."
"Of course I can. All you have to do is drop the honorifics."
He saluted.
"I..I'll try my best."
"Dressing up like that means you have brought good news, correct?"
He spoke while scratching his chin.
"I'm sorry... I still can not use any Mega Arts, let alone my real Azure Arts. I'm such a failure."
'Ah, yes. Ever since I met him, he has been making a lot of effort to unlock it. Poor Star, I feel sorry for him.
If it were not for the Order that says you have to awaken to use Mega Arts, Alnath and I would most likely have been on an equal footing.
Before meeting me, he had gone to hiding training after being rejected. I liked him for no other reason than that he reminded me of who I am; I, too, am a victim of Lord Adhara's Order.
Countless trials, each one followed by failure, but he remains hopeful. Perhaps that is what makes him unique.'
"This is just another trial; keep pushing, and you will break through."
He sighs.
"You always say the same thing, as if you were programmed to do so."
We laughed together. He took some steps away from me.
"Fight me, Lord Achernar."
With his arms extended in an invitation, he challenged me.
[[IMAGE]]
[[IMAGE]]
"Perhaps a good thrashing will alter your manner of speaking to me."
I attacked with one of my wings' candles. The dull candle emitted light blue beams that resembled lasers.
"Gravity Push."
My eyes enlarge as the lasers flex and are forced back.
"Space Shift."
Although he was slow, his new abilities caught me off guard when he appeared next to me, hand clutched to a fist. I could already see where the punch was going to land, so I backed away and let his fist land on the tree, leaving a mark on it.
I stood still, watching him struggle to get his fist out.
"New Nova Art?"
"No..it's all part of the Gravity Manipulation Art. I just thought of a way to improve my own skills."
"You're innovative, yes. But unfortunately, I won."
"No, you don't..."
He finally pulled his fist and charged at me, throwing random punches with his eyes closed.
"I can still fight so I can win."
He said, aimlessly trying to land a hit. Suddenly, I caught a glimpse of something as his fists coalesced in black & azure colour. I blocked the first punch packed with a regular Azure aura.
"...this is."
I felt the second punch as it made contact with my fist.
'What's this? The first punch was clearly azure... but this..this is different..'
Our arms connected with a loud shattering sound. He opened his eyes, unable to notice the raging aura enveloping his fist.
"A..are you ok, Lord Achernar?"
"Who the hell do you think I am?"
I replied, flexing my wrist as the wound healed. I turned my gaze to his fist as his aura began to dim. He caught a glimpse of it, and was visibly surprised.
"Did you see that? What was that...hmm, I think it's called Aura, right?"
"You are imagining things, Alnath. That was the effect of my energy."
I lied... but if I need him to get stronger. I'll keep this a little secret.
"I've been summoned Alnath, I'll see you around."
I turned and spread my wings before taking off. He was shouting, but I had no time to dwell on it. I glanced back at him, masking my shock, though deep down, I was terrified. If they truly exist, then I believe Alnath is a Twin Star.
Time passed after that. I kept my word, training him every day.
Once the day's session ended, I ascended to my monitor plane within the Drop, observing everything and everyone across the Nests at once.
I exhaled deeply.
"Can't today be a little different?"
Suddenly, the entire plane plunged into complete darkness. It had never happened before, and with it came a quiet surge of excitement.
'Enemy attack?'
A gust of wind tore through me, and I turned to see a man clad entirely in black. His long dark hair swayed gently, and several black orbs hovered behind him. His face was expressionless, his eyes closed.
"You have the potential, but… you're not the one I need,"
He said.
'This presence… this is definitely a Dark Star.'
"Do I—or the unknown—have anything to do with you?"
I asked, my gaze fixed on the pale figure before me.
"He's chosen, you're not. He's not one of you, and neither are you."
"Who are you talking about?"
Deep down, I already knew. I only hoped he would not say their names.
"As a Star of high calibre, perhaps a Hypergod..."
He paused, as if straying from his intended path, then abruptly shifted the subject.
'What truly makes one a Dark Star?"
'So what if I'm a Hypergod?...'
"The iability to use Mega Arts but Dark Arts."
I replied.
"Correct. And you are..."
"Do not misunderstand; Azure is a Divine Art. Your offer has been successfully rejected."
I declined, my body releasing a faint azure glow. Which is probably showing off.
"Correct."
"You're free to leave then."
"I come and go when I wish."
For a moment, he revealed his dark aura, and I was forced to my knees, gasping for air. It was overwhelming, even for someone like me. Yet he restrained it just enough, to assert dominance without killing me.
"I'll get straight to the point. Give me the Star Alnath, and I will see to it that this Azyrion is spared."
The crushing pressure faded. He was waiting for an answer.
"Alnath? Why him? Why not any other chosen Star?"
"Because he is a chosen Dark Star."
'Alnath... is a Dark Star? It's impossible..is that the reason he couldn't use Divine Arts? But wait, Azure...Azure is..'
My eyes widened as I realised the indisputable truth.
'Mega Arts are the only known Divine Arts. Your Azure might be pure, but it's not Divine. Rest assured, though, I've placed it among the first branches of Divine Arts since Sabaki's uprise.'
My mind flashed as I remembered what he said.
'Yes, Lord Acamar's actions were motivated solely by his fondness for Azure. My own made Art wasn't that special or Divine..'
"You have.."
He paused, looking up at the darkness above us.
"Two days, or I'll take him by force."
After gauging the flow of time, he set the deadline.
As the surrounding darkness collapsed in on itself, he vanished, swallowed by nothingness. My energy was completely drained, leaving me unable to move.
'Alnath...Alnath...-
The next day, I was training him, but I could not get over what had happened the previous day.
"What is Lord Achernar? You look pale.."
"...I'm just...a bit tired,"
I lied, a false trait for a Supreme Being. However, anyone in my shoes can relate.
"Tired? Even those with limited stamina don't get tired easily."
'I can't keep lying. I have to tell him, and time is running out. He will be back in a single day.'
"Alnath... I have to tell you something."
"I'm all ears."
He paused, listening to me attentively.
"Regardless of who they are, everyone has a weakness. Always look for that out the moment you meet strangers, no, not strangers, but anybody, regardless of who they are."
He was surprised.
"Huh? I understand, but why everyone?"
"Don't trust anyone no matter who."
"Noted..."
He saluted.
"But I'll trust you. You are the only one who has stood by my side since then."
I was taken aback, but I dismissed it with a serious expression.
"No, you shouldn't... you have no idea what I will be planning, so please do not trust me as your mentor."
I don't need to be soft for this path.
"No matter what you'll say, I'll..."
"You're not! I don't want you to end up regretting it."
I turned around and flew away, annoyed not by him, but by what I was about to do. I returned to my usual place.
"Time's ticking, less than a turn left."
Without making his presence known, the Dark Star from the other day spoke.
"What are your plans for him, if I may ask?"
"He is one of us, and as his new teacher, I will assist him in controlling his abilities."
''I don't know if he's lying or not, but I can't just take his answer as a yes.'
"I will be here tomorrow, but do not expect me to say anything."
I stood speechless.
'What should I do? The fate of my Azyrion or Alnath's, who do I value the most? Should I.. not inform Lord First about this is..'
I shook my head.
'No, I'll soon awake as an Omni. These are hardships I must face alone.'
To be continued...