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I awoke with a start, the remnants of exhaustion still clinging to my body, and immediately sought out Lord First. My steps were hurried, driven by a mixture of anger and disbelief.
He knew Achernar was waiting for me. He knew a Dark Star was in Azyrion, but didn't interfere. How's he protecting the Pond, the Star Realm if he knows all but refused to act.
I had to know why he had not intervened in the destruction of the worlds, which had indeed occurred, or why he had not repelled Achernar.
"I certainly did not expect Achernar to fall from Grace. But we had an agreement."
He said, his voice flat, mechanical even. He was seated innocently in seiza, kneeling on his heels with a straight back, toes flat on the mat, hands resting quietly on his thighs.
His words were precise, each one bound by the weight of his bond, leaving no room for argument.
"I cannot interfere with his actions. As for why I did not assist you, it is the same reason."
He continued, his gaze unwavering.
I gritted my teeth in frustration, my fists tightening as I turned to leave, the anger coiling tight within me. Then he spoke again, his tone shifting subtly, the pressure behind it palpable.
"Are you going to join your Master's side? Should that be the case, I will break the agreement and remove you both."
The force behind his words pinned me in place, freezing me where I stood. The weight of his authority pressed down, heavy and undeniable.
"I… I'll b… be the one to… kill him…"
I stammered, barely able to force the words out in his presence.
He regarded me for a long moment before finally releasing the pressure, letting me move. I did not linger. Without another word, I spread my wings and took to the skies, leaving him behind.
Since that day, I have not seen or spoken to the Golden One, except for the rare moments when he appeared with a proposal, brief and calculated, each visit leaving its own mark.
My presence brought corruption to the rich world in azure energy, earning me the title of Curse Lord. The Drops and their Nests were under my control, but it felt excessive, so I appointed my Supergods and Hypergods in addition to my four dependable soldiers, Shadows.
I replaced everything Achernar possessed with mine while also learning and comprehending how to use my cursed body and powers on my own.
I can literally curse anything physical. Such as cursing them with their immunities, making one for them. It can even have an impact on spells. I heeded his precept and became the Lord of Weakness.
I just needed to believe that I could curse them and it would work. Furthermore, it takes willpower stronger than mine to escape a curse, but I refuse to let any exceptions with my absolute thoughts.
However, that is assuming the curse is intended to materialise.
When used as speech which is intangible, I have the power to influence intangible things like thoughts, ideas, feelings, emotions, and even Archetypes, eventually changing their purpose by binding them to my curse. I continued to train to hone my new abilities to exact my vengeance.
While others saw me as an evil god who belonged among the Dark Stars, he did not. On a particular day, I found myself in Hell's Palace in Morke Helvede, the monitor plane and the Palace where Achernar resides. I received an unwanted guest.
I recognised him, but his appearance had not changed except for the absence of his absolute authority, and he was now dressed like a middle-grade schooler, with a bag strapped around his shoulders. It took everything I had to hold back my laughter.
He appeared nearby, playing with the flowers, while I sat on my throne.
"The Golden One."
I stood up.
"Please sit down. I just have a question for you."
"Have I been this lucky?"
I teased.
"We do not have many Omni-Tier Stars. The only thing stopping Achernar was his inability to awaken. Although you are not, would you mind taking Achernar's place for the Omni?"
I flinched, getting up from my throne.
"I do, but I don't think I'm ready."
"Why?"
He inquired as he appeared across the hall, staring at the flames.
"Aren't you confident or what? Tell me."
"I might rule over Hypergods, but I'm still one."
"So what?"
I watched him in silence, unable to think of anything to say.
"There is a reason I am the Watcher. Me being here is absolute, or do you defy that?"
Still preoccupied with one or two things in the palace, he asked.
"I...I didn't say that."
"I chose those who are ready to walk among us. Indeed, you are not there yet, but the journey ahead is as easy as crawling."
He is no longer here; he was looking through some of the Shadows' books in the library.
"My namesake too wasn't ready. If he were here with us, he would awaken and become one of us."
(Yes, Acamar and Achernar have the same name. Same Constellation, Eridanus. How cute:)
"It may be a baby's crawl for you, but for me, it is a light-year journey."
Even though we were far away, I heard his quiet laugh before we were taken to an unidentified location with an immense number of possibly endless drop-like structures.
"This is the Pond."
He presented. I was admiring its breathtaking vista when we started to contract. I contracted until a Drop resembled a person standing in front of the sun (human realm comparison).
(In actuality, Acamar just moved them; they did not shrink.)
He stood by me and flew out behind one of the Drops.
"You know this Drop contains, don't you?"
He asked, looking at the transparent sphere that resembled a planet.
"A Nest each containing Infinite Hypeworlds.."
"What can be found in each Hypeworld?"
He cut me off.
"Depends, Infinite universes, voids, energy, celestial bodies and others."
"Good, destroy it."
He asked. The sudden request surprised me.
"Star.."
"I won't ask you to destroy a habitable Drop."
I summoned a black ball of fire, and he spoke once more.
"Take this seriously, Alnath. This Drop was made by me specifically to test you.
The tone of his voice was serious. I took a deep breath and broke my vessel as I deactivated the fireball. My body shone in dark light, and as the light faded, a boy with two black horns, a black and white haori and greyish white hair and eyes appeared.
I reassured myself with my childish voice.
"My True Body should be enough."
'I hope...I don't think I can wipe this off in a single blow.'
I closed my eyes, allowing my body to emit a grey aura. For a minute, I stood motionless and spread my palm toward the Drop; every second, my aura grew larger. I opened my eyes slowly and launched an assault.
I released the black neutron (vessel) by combining Necrotic Grasp, Ethereal Eclipse, and my entire aura. Even though the neutron was not visible next to the Drop, the detonation destroyed over two-thirds of it, leaving only a small portion in the middle of the void. My actual body began to disintegrate as a result, forcing me to return to my former state.
To avoid embarrassing the Golden One, I made an effort to remain motionless. His gaze shifted, giving me an approving smile.
"Welcome to the Omni Tier."
Even though I was not sure I could have done what I did, I could not let him down.
"So, was destroying the Drop one of the requirements?"
I asked curiously. He shook his head looking ahead into the empty void.
"No, but yes. You might wonder why, but it will automatically count because Hypergods are incapable of accomplishing that feat."
The scene changed back to my hall, without him there.
"Be ready; I will be welcoming you among the others shortly."
His voice echoed. Unable to stand my ground I fall on my back.
"T...this is so exhausting"
After some time had passed, I went to the meeting that was taking place in the garden within the Divine Land, above the Pond..
To be continued...