The Journey Beyond The Absolute
Prepare For War
As I gradually regain my senses, I take a deep breath and calmly ask, "How long was I out for?" My body feels heavy and sluggish, covered in an array of bandages that cling to my skin. Blinking slowly, I scan the room around me, my mind whirling as I try to piece together how long Ive been unconscious. "How long was I out…?"
Liora, her face lighting up with a mixture of joy and relief, quickly rushes to my side. With tears glimmering in her eyes, she envelops me in a warm embrace, her joy infectious as she exclaims, "I cant believe it! You're actually awake! It's been two whole months, Ather! I thought I'd never see you conscious again…"
I nod slowly, my voice steady and calm as I absorb this unexpected news, "I see now…"
"Honestly, I'm just glad that you're awake," she replies, a hint of casual nonchalance in her tone, though its clear she's been deeply affected by my absence.
"Fair point," I acknowledge, feeling the weight of the moment settle in.
"Speaking of which," Liora interjects, her demeanor shifting as she turns slightly, her excitement bubbling over. "Here you go…" With a flourish, she produces a small, red present, wrapped meticulously in shiny ribbon.
"No need for that," I say calmly, raising a hand to gently decline. "I don't need anything from you. I did what I did because you were the person who reminded me of who I was, the old Ather…"
Her eyes widen, a mix of surprise and gratitude washing over her. "Now, Ather," she replies, her voice tinged with insistence, "just take it. You're making this difficult for me!"
"Alright, fine," I concede, though I want her to know that she truly doesn't have to give me anything. "But remember, you don't have to give me anything here."
As she hands me the present, she emphasizes, "Open it! I made it for you, but don't think this changes anything about us, okay?"
I reply calmly, "Alright then…" As I begin to peel away the wrapping, my curiosity piqued, I discover, much to my surprise, a striking outfit.
"Well, yes," Liora confirms casually, fidgeting nervously with her skirt. "It's your new outfit! Not that your old one was all that great, but I saw what happened to it during the fight with Veylthor, and figured you could use a little makeover. But seriously, don't think this changes anything between us, okay?"
Gazing at the black jacket and cargo pants I've just revealed, I meticulously examine the craftsmanship. "I see…" I ponder aloud. "From the stitching, these seem brand new… So I take it you had a hand in this?"
Her cheeks flush a deep crimson, a hint of bashfulness creeping into her expression. "You pay way too much attention to detail! But, yes, I might have had something to do with it," she admits shyly.
"Well, I must say," I respond with a soft smile, "thank you. You're really a great friend."
A look of surprise crosses her face as she processes my words her cheeks flame even more. "Huh, this is the first time I've seen you smile before!"
"Really now?" I ask, genuinely interested.
"Yes!" she replies casually, still in disbelief. "You usually look so down, so I didnt think you were the type to smile."
"That's fine with me," I say, taking her compliment in stride. "But I suppose I should head back now…"
Before I can make a move, a shadowy figure clad in a black hood suddenly bursts through the window, shattering glass into a thousand glittering shards as they land nimbly on the ground.
"Who are you?" I demand calmly yet assertively, bracing for what comes next.
The intruder flashes a grin, their intentions clear. "You can call me Luka, the ninth member of the Absolute Ten."
Liora's eyes widen in shock as she realizes the gravity of the situation. "Wait a minute, she's…"
"It's too late now," Luka interrupts with a menacing grin. "You realized too late. I stand with her now."
I keep my composure, gauging the threat before me. "So you're with the mastermind, I take it?"
"Correct!" Luka replies. "So I'll make this quick for you." Without warning, she delivers a powerful kick that drives into my gut and sends me hurtling through the entirety of the MetaPleroma, crashing into a nearby wall. Instantly, she grabs Liora, yanking her away from my reach.
"Liora, no!" I shout, panic clawing at my heart as I scramble to regain my footing. "Give her back to me!"
"Later, Ather Vael!" Luka taunts with a sinister laugh, vanishing as abruptly as she appeared, like a gust of wind leaving no trace behind.
"Come back!" My voice grows more frantic, but it engulfs only empty air. "It seems my body hasn't fully recovered yetdamn it, move!" I manage to crawl to my feet, pain radiating from my bleeding gut as I steady myself against the wall. Inner thoughts swirl around my mind as I call out, "Azaor, are you there?"
...
A sigh escapes my lips as I realize he's still recovering from his exhaustion. It looks like I'm on my own this time. With renewed determination surging through me, I struggle to rise fully to my feet. "I will save her no matter what…" But as I scan the area where Luka had vanished, I feel the cold grip of uncertainty. How can I find her? This Luka had left no trace for me to detect.
"Aeona Axiom," a voice resonates deep within me, rich with the wisdom of the ages. "So, you're just going to give up?"
Shocked, I respond, "How did you find me?"
"I see everything that happens and doesn't happen," Aeona replies, her voice poised with divine authority. "I can behold the past and the future all at once. As an Absolute Goddess, I perceive each event before it unfolds and can witness everything simultaneously in the present moment."
With growing hope, I grasp her words, realizing the implications. "You can see both when it happens and when it doesn't? That's amazing, Aeona Axiom! You're a genius! I can't believe I didn't think of this sooner!" I step forward and pull her close, enveloping her in a gentle embrace of gratitude.
"Ather," she says softly, concern evident in her tone, "are you alright? You're unusually happy."
A small smile spreads across my face as I reply, "Of course, I'm happy! I finally figured it out how to trace someone who doesn't leave a single mark to track! If I can just see everything in real time and even predict their movements, I can locate Liora! Please teach me how to do this, I need your help! Liora will be in danger, and… she'll die if I do nothing! Please, I need you youre the only one I can turn to!"
Aeona Axiom regards me with an ancient wisdom and curiosity. "And why should I meddle in your affairs?"
"I understand exactly what I'm asking," I respond earnestly, my gaze unwavering. "I know you are an Absolute Goddess, and I respect your time, but I need you to make an exception just this once. I can't afford to lose anyone else because I'm too weak! So please, I ask again teach me!" My eyes burn with determination as I lay my urgency bare before her.
Aeona Axiom, her voice seeping through the fabric of time, challenges me with a profound question, "Tell me, Ather Vael, how much will you sacrifice to protect this one person?"
Without missing a beat, I reply resolutely, "Absolutely everything. I don't care what I have to lose! just can't afford to lose anymore. As long as they're safe and sound, then that's enough for me."
Her eyes widen slightly, as if taken aback by the weight of my conviction. Inner thoughts swirl through Aeonas mind "Those eyes… they're the eyes of someone whos willing to sacrifice anything to succeed." In a voice rich with authority and ancient truth, she responds, "I see. But your training will be one of pure hell and agony. Do you think you can handle that?"
"I'll take on anything," I declare fiercely, "if it makes me strong enough not to lose those precious people again."
A smile flits across Aeona Axiom's face, almost ethereal in its beauty. "Very well, I suppose I can make some time for you." She raises her hand.
Meanwhile, in an unknown location, a dark figure stands within the confines of a shadowy building, yelling at her men with palpable fury. "What do you mean it suddenly exploded? If I find out you're lying to me, there will be consequences!" Her voice crackles with authority.
Axer, a tall figure with piercing blue eyes and long blue hair, nods in understanding. Clad in a mask and a black vest, he exudes the readiness for battle.
The woman checks the crack in spacetime, her eyes widening in realization. "It seems your report was truthful. This looks like the work of a god or perhaps even god themselves. Investigate everything you know about which god has meddled in our affairs. Teach this god that we are not to be trifled with!"
"Yes, ma'am…" Axer responds, his demeanor resolute.
Back with Aeona Axiom and Ather, I look at her curiously, "Why is your hand raised?"
"Not important," she replies cryptically, placing her hand down. "I was just dealing with something. We have about a year or less to prepare…"
"Prepare for what?" I ask, my mind racing with questions.
"Prepare for war," she states ominously.
"War? With who?" I respond, feeling a sense of dread crawl up my spine.
To be continued…