★245
The next day, I purposefully avoided visiting our training ground. I remained in my plane, cursing myself for making an unknowing decision. But I forgot Alnath had access to my monitor plane. As I turned to go seal off the entrance,
"Lord Achernar?"
Alnath approached and sat beside me. I could not feel his presence even though he was so close to me. Was I really distracted that I couldn't pick up his signature?
"I have no idea what happened to you, but I will never betray you. If I had to choose between you and the World, I'd choose you."
He reassured me with a gentle smile.
'It's understandable. He was supposed to use Azure Arts, but he was unable to use a single Mega Art or his natural Art. He is the embodiment of failure, and he could not take the words and actions thrown at him, so he fled to the edge of the planet to begin a new life. He has the right to be a villain, and if that's the case...'
"Then, if at all possible, answer this one question. In a life-or-death situation, who would you rather choose: yourself or me? I only want the truth, and I will not judge your response."
"I would choose you regardless of the circumstances. Why? Because you're unique. When everyone else turned me down, you accepted my concerns.
You saving my worthless ass will not benefit the future, but you do have the power and mind to change it. So, I will not bother risking my life to save you."
His remarks are devoid of any suggestion of treachery or self-interest; they are the total opposite of who I am or will become, a pure heart with a dark mind.
I was left with no replies. I sigh before speaking.
"Alnath you...I am not trying to convince you otherwise, but you ought to try worrying about yourself occasionally."
"I will."
He responded with his white teeth shining. I stood up.
"We have to train, but I need you to do something for me."
"Anything for Lord Achernar."
He stood still and saluted.
A small white box appeared on my hand, and a portal cracked below it. I let it go and shut the portal immediately.
"Let's see how fast you are. The box is falling all the way to the last planet. Go get it. Your time will be calculated and scored."
"All the way to the bottom? It'll take at least ten days before I return."
He complained.
"Your time's ticking. Being overdue may result in a punishment."
"S...st..start with that next time!"
He flinched before spreading his wings and descending at maximum speed.
Just as he left, the darkness from that other day gradually began taking shape, and I turned around. For some reason, I was not scared; I was motivated. The Dark Star appeared before me once again.
"You sent him off seconds before my arrival. Perfect timing."
He said calmly, arms clasped behind him.
"That's the plan."
"Have it your way then."
"I'll protect both with my life. If I fall today, I have Lord Acamar and Alnath. As long as those two live, I don't mind perishing."
I said, conjuring Azure orbs on my palms.
[[IMAGE]]
[[IMAGE]]
"Thank you."
He said.
"For what?"
"Being ready."
Black roots sprang up from the earth and headed my way.
"Clear."
One of the orbs exploded, burning the roots, which kept increasing in number.
'I just have to defeat him. But that's easier said than done.'
"Azure Sphere."
In the heart of the darkness, an azure dome erupted, sealing us both inside. It was an Azure Sphere, containing nothing but pure azure energy, which I could harness as effortlessly as breathing.
"Futile."
He raised a finger, but nothing happened.
"Surprised?"
I said, appearing behind him as I released the final orb.
"Azure Radiance."
Everything was consumed by its blinding light. Even the endlessly regenerating energy was torn apart, converted into volatile azure force that detonated in a chain of relentless explosions, an unstoppable, self-sustaining storm of destruction.
I could feel it, my energy draining as my opponent was purified. As I healed, I continued to absorb the infinite flow, sustaining the Azure Sphere and feeding on its power.
"Is that all?"
A voice echoed, and the Sphere cracked, revealing the man standing beyond it.
'Heh—?'
There was no time to process it. I conjured another orb, but it failed to take shape. Looking down, I saw it, a gaping hole in my chest. My energy source had been destroyed. Not enough to kill me, but enough to cripple me.
The Sphere collapsed, exposing the vast layer of darkness beyond. Here, I knew he held the advantage. As if to defy that thought, the darkness itself was drawn in, absorbed by one of his orbs. With a mere flick of his finger, my left arm vanished without a trace.
What unsettled me more was that it did not regenerate. It felt as though I were trying to grow a limb I had never possessed.
I formed a golden orb, etched with black markings. Though invisible to him, he somehow sensed my intent.
In an instant, he closed the distance. His hand clamped down, crushing my arm with effortless force. The orb slipped from my grasp, rolling across the ocean-like surface before coming to a stop, its faint glow still lingering.
"I won't let you,"
He said.
"What a waste to kill someone like you. Goodbye."
He spoke as one of the black orbs behind him rose, forming a spear that shot straight towards my head. I closed my eyes, bracing for the inevitable, but nothing came.
"How do I use this, Lord Achernar?"
A familiar voice echoed across the monitor plane.
When I opened my eyes, I recognised him, it was Alnath. He was standing there, holding the orb.
"What are you doing here?! Get out of here and run!"
I shouted, ignoring the frozen void hovering inches from my head. But Alnath, as always, refused to listen.
"I knew something was wrong, so I faked my departure,"
He replied.
"The chosen one, the Devil Lord's second manifestation. It's a pleasure to meet you, Alnath,"
The Dark Star said, releasing me as the spear split into multiple rods, pinning me to the ground.
He began walking slowly towards Alnath, who stood firm, unshaken.
"Run! Alnath, run!"
"Silence."
Another spear pierced through my spine, forcing the words out of me.
"I've come to take you home."
"Home? This is my home."
"It is where you manifested, but you do not belong here."
"I do not know why, but I will reject you, if only for attacking Lord Achernar."
The Dark Star paused, tilting his head slightly in my direction as if studying me. I closed my eyes, holding onto those words.
"I promise not to kill him if you follow me. Your former mentor and this world will remain as they are."
He extended his palm, inviting him.
'Come on, come on, come on. What was it?'
"A...are you sure? How can I believe you?"
A portal appeared next to him.
"We leave whenever you're ready."
'I don't know if he's telling the truth but...sorry but Lord Achernar told me not to trust anyone. Especially strangers, strangers that attack my beloved master.'
'No way to convince him I'll just take him by force.'
He raised his hand before I uttered the word I was looking for.
(I had to intervene in such a scenario without switching POVs.)
"..."
I braced myself, letting the golden orb hover above my palm. Its light flared once more, blinding the darkness that surged toward me. Every ounce of energy I had left focused into that single point, and the air itself seemed to tremble.
"Not today."
I muttered, my voice cutting through the encroaching void.
The Dark Star froze mid-motion, surprised by the intensity of the radiant sphere. Shadows recoiled, as if the orb itself was rewriting the laws of the space around us. As the light faded, Alnath was gone, ejected from the scene.
"Where did he go?"
He demanded.
"You will never find him, and even if you do, Lord Acamar will not allow you to have your way."
I replied.
"...Two nil, huh. Nice play. I see no reason to keep you alive."
He said, turning sharply, ready to wipe me out.
'Good, I've successfully executed Alnath's safety. Now for the next plan...'
"Wait..."
"Last words?"
"No. Take me instead since I also have the potential."
"As a trade for the kid?"
"Y...yes.. take me and leave Azyrion and Alnath alone."
He paused for a moment before answering.
"He is indispensable, but we can use an extra hand. You'll catch up to us in no time."
"..."
"You know how it works right?"
He asked.
"I do..."
The void surrounding me coalesced into a black flame, scorching as it merged with my body.
"While you're at it, I have something to attend to. I'll be in touch," he said, taking me to an unidentified place and leaving me to my screams as I was forced to become something I was never meant to be.
..
..
..
To be continued...