“You are alive!” The Spirit exhaled in relief.
“I am, though it wasn’t easy.” Kai nodded, then turned toward Tenebria. “So, you are the new spirit of the Grimoire. Your mission is over. I would like to help you find peace.” Kai spoke clearly.
“What do you mean?” She asked, confused.
Kai poured some of his memories into her spirit form and showed her everything related to Kaleth.
“I see. So, his legacy has been taken by you. And you claim that you have no connection to his soul?” She asked suspiciously.
“I am me, and he is him. Though we do share a very similar soul structure, I suppose.” Kai explained simply.
“And you absorbed the Temporal Laws from my other self alongside the Space Laws from the Flame?” She questioned.
“You did what?!” The Old Spirit burst into laughter. “I swear, every single time you manage to blow my mind. You even stole space magic from that old redhead, huh?” The Spirit chuckled.
Kai smiled. “Yes, Lord Primogenius, I did. What, you thought I wouldn’t figure it out? Why would a simple spirit be so powerful and linked to everything? Why would it even have a realm of its own? And beyond all of that, be so clearly connected to Tenebria?” Kai turned serious.
Suddenly, Tenebria burst into loud laughter. “This one sure is smart. Reminds me of Kaleth. I can see why you like him.”
“You figured it out, huh? What gave it away?” The Spirit of Primogenius asked, confused.
“Well, ever since I saw your younger self, I had a feeling he reminded me of someone. Then, while I was going through my transformation, all three of them, or rather all three of you, appeared, and that’s when I figured it out. It made sense that both of you would leave a part of yourselves behind to personally watch over Sacra. She made the Grimoire and the Witch, and you made the Spirit and the Trial. Both searching either for Kaleth’s replacement or for his reincarnation.” Kai explained.
“Indeed, but I swear that had nothing to do with it. I truly gave you choices and skills that I felt would suit you. I never pushed anything onto you. And every time I saw you, you managed to surprise me even more.” The Spirit spoke, his voice heavy with memories.
“I know, don’t worry. I don’t blame you for anything. It’s just my fate to be a perfect match for Kaleth’s legacy and, by the looks of it, both of yours as well for some reason.” Kai chuckled.
“Truly, to contain all three primary elements of Origin, I fear what you might one day become.” The Spirit said.
“Don’t worry, I have it under control. See?” Kai summoned his World Serpent.
It continued spinning calmly behind him, its eyes closed as it fully digested the power of the six masks now completely integrated within it.
“Back to one head, I see.” The Spirit chuckled. “So, you plan to devour the Grimoire as well then? That’s the final piece.” The Spirit turned toward the cold-faced Tenebria and sighed.
“Don’t worry. I will only stop the madness. I can remake her soul into a spirit. She will be very weak afterward, but she will truly be herself.” Kai spoke seriously. “Are you alright with that?” He asked her.
“I am. My mission is finally over after all these years, and I have seen that my old self has found peace as well. It wouldn’t be so bad to finally live for myself.” She smiled and clapped her hands.
Woosh.
With a surge of mana, the thick, ancient, black Grimoire appeared.
“Within it are all of Nyx Tenebris’ spells and knowledge of Time Magic. Take it.” She smiled for the first time.
Kai nodded, and his soul awakened.
The serpent lunged forward and swallowed the Grimoire in a single swift motion.
“Excuse me for a moment.” Kai closed his eyes just as Tenebria disappeared.
He appeared within his Soul Root and began weaving together the remnants of Tenebria’s soul and the memories of both lives into a single existence. One Tenebria. One that would be free and separate from Nyx and everything else. One that would finally be her true self.
With a shimmer of Soulforce, she appeared within the white void.
Her black hair drifted like smoke, her dress was red as blood, and her eyes had become a brilliant sky blue.
“Thank you for setting me free. Now I can finally join my two brothers.” She smiled.
Kai let her out.
She flew toward Arthraxius and Scry, smiling from ear to ear.
“Gods damn it all, welcome back, sister!” Scry shouted.
“About time for you to join us as well. Our mission has finally ended, sister!” Arthraxius roared contentedly.
“It has been a long road indeed.” She smiled.
“What about you?” Kai turned toward the Spirit.
“I am bound to the Realm of Trials. From there, I observe and manage the whole of Sacra as the first layer of defense against the Infinite Nest. This is my reason for existence. Don’t worry about me. At least one part of me has found peace. But what kind of a ‘father’ would I be if I didn’t reward my new son for a job well done?” Spirit Primogenius grinned and summoned a small seed.
The seed was half crimson and half silver, flickering in and out of existence. With each flicker, it released waves of spatial mana, and in the moments it vanished, it released pure Origin.
“With the wall weakening and you already marked by the Enemy, I see no reason to hide our powers any longer. Let us march toward the end of this damn conflict, one way or another.”
He tossed the seed toward Kai, but before Kai could catch it, his serpent lunged forward and swallowed it before retreating into his inner self.
“What was that?” Kai asked.
“It’s the least I could do, and a surprise.” He smiled. “Now then, I see that you have plans of your own. I will return and hold the wall stable for as long as I can. At least try to put that dog Luminarius in his place first. I believe that you have the power to do so now.” The Spirit smiled and tore open space before leaving with a simple wave.
“Thanks, old man. Hope to see you again soon.” Kai shouted after him, then turned toward the Archons and Seraphs who had heard everything.
“Say, Kai, was that true?” Grimnir flew toward him.
“Aye, it is exactly as you heard. We must prepare for war.” Kai nodded.
“Not that, the other part. The power of three gods and all that?” Grimnir asked, his eyes glistening.
Before Kai could answer, Scry flew over.
“It’s true. Just imagine what artifacts we could make with Time and Space Magic intertwined.” He grinned.
“Can you steal some from him? I’ve got a few ideas.” Grimnir whispered back.
“Don’t worry about it. I can get us as much as we need. Now, what did you have in mind?” Scry moved him farther away from Kai.
“I can hear both of you, you know. Steal some mana? You bastards!” Kai chuckled.
“Well then, Grimnir’s father. He never told me he had a Seraph for a father, you know.” Kai teleported next to a stocky Cinderfolk with a large crimson beard and a bald head covered in engraved runes.
“He tries to be self-reliant, that one, but he means well. I hope he didn’t insult you. Uhm… what should I call you?” The man scratched his head.
“Just Kai is fine. None of that divine nonsense.” Kai smiled, then turned around.
“Lady Queen of the Forest Folk, are you coming?”
Heliconia twitched and, with a defeated sigh, ordered her ships to follow Kai and the Cinderfolk.
Kai’s group landed safely aboard the enormous magitech flying forge, and together they set course toward the Chain Mountains of the Titan God and the nation of Ferrum.
***
Meanwhile, on the Central Continent, Liliya had just finished absorbing the new surge of information and smiled.
“Kai is back. And you guessed it, stronger than ever.” She said.
“How strong?” Strider asked suspiciously.
“Stronger than both of us.” She smiled.
“What are you so happy about? That is not something to celebrate!” Victorio argued from beside her.
“It is when he is on our side.” She replied simply.
“Now then, with all of you here...” She turned toward a group of battered, pale, and chained ancient Eldari. “I think I can finally begin my plan. Kai is doing the same on the other side, so that makes things much easier.” She said simply.
“Don’t think that you can treat your elders like this! Lord Licht will end you!” One of the old Archons screamed.
“Oh, shut it. If I was afraid of your lord, I wouldn’t be here doing this, would I? And you saw my ability. I think I can take him on. What do you think?” She smiled.
“Hmph! Blasphemy!” Another shouted.
“Well, since I have you all here, it would be a shame to waste all this firepower, right?” She smiled evilly.
“Forgive me, my friends. I had to do it.” Victorio closed his eyes as Liliya spoke.
“Mind Leash! Soulbound!”
Chain-like tendrils of dull gray energy erupted from her form and stabbed into the heads of dozens of Eldari, binding them to Liliya.
“Interesting spells you kept hidden inside that network of yours.” She chuckled.
***
Nerva and his group finally returned to the Seven Towers. As the portal closed behind them, they took a deep breath.
“I cannot believe I am saying this, but I missed some peace. That was intense.” Nerva exhaled.
“I miss Zara,” Xarion muttered.
“That last realm was insane. A realm filled with skeletal beings that could not die. I do not think I have ever fought so desperately before.” Lucian muttered.
“Indeed. Well, let me report to the old Magus, and then we can go home.” Nerva said and, alongside the Magi, left toward the Seventh Tower.
“Can I go check on my restaurant?” Schwartz asked.
“You are not going anywhere, missy, not until we meet up with Lisa!” Cecily spoke firmly.
“Fine, have it your way!” Schwartz hissed.
***
As Nerva and the Magi made their way into the Headmaster’s office, he spoke calmly as if he had already sensed them.
“Come on in.”
“Thank you, Headmaster!” Nerva opened the doors and bowed.
“How did it go? Find anything interesting?” He asked.
“We found these.”
The Magi produced piles of relics gathered from other realms, including remains of the powerful-looking Sentinels.
“Wonderful. That should fuel your research for years to come. What about the Realm of the Four Beasts?” He asked impatiently.
“We met Kai there by accident, and he actually took the relic stored within the Chaos Continent,” Nerva explained without much thought.
Oh, shit. He frowned internally. I went and did it...
“What?! The boy lives?!” The Headmaster nearly jumped out of his robes. “Where is he now?”
“He left before us. We have no idea where he went.” Nerva shrugged.
Hopefully that’s that... “I see. Wonderful! You may go now. Thank you!” Time to find my flame! Hehe.