Do-hari knocked on her children's bedroom door consistently, twisting and turning the knob of the door to get it open but couldn't get the door to open. She called out to Ae-Ri specifically, wondering if her daughter was upset at her for any specific reason.
"Aeriya," Do-hari called out to Ae-Ri, using a stylized version of Aegiya, a nickname she would call Ae-Ri when she was the only child. "Museum il isseoyo..?"
Ae-Ri hit behind a partition wall in her room, covering her head with the hood of her hoodie. She sniffled softly to herself, only she knowing the full truth while Minsu did what he could to comfort her. Sa Nu looked at Ae-Ri, wanting to go to her but decided against it due to knowing why she was upset.
"Noona..." Minsu said softly, placing his hand upon hers with a concerned expression. "Eomma is calling for you...why won't you answer her?"
Ae-Ri hugged her knees, lowering her head as she couldn't bring herself to speak. The one time she actually used her power...was the one time she had hurt herself beyond her core. The man she grew up to love and idolize since birth, was the same man who committed a great betrayal, her father, Nam-Suk.
Do-hari continued to knock on the door with desperation, placing her forehead against the oakwood door. "Ae-Ri, I promise I'm not going to take you out the play if that's what you're upset about. Yes, I'm concerned for your safety...but I don't want to ruin your and Minsu's day.."
"Yeodongsaeng," Nam-Sun called out to Do-hari, walking toward her and gently grabbing her arm to pull her aside. "What is going on? You are way more anxious than before. Did he—"
"No! It's nothing about Nox!" Do-hari scoffed, pushing Nam-Sun's hand off her arm and paced back and forth in the hall, her hands running through her hair stressfully. "This is the wildest dream Eomma has had yet...first her prophecy about Nam-Suk comes true about his death, we're still waiting for Nox's fulfillment, and now..."
Nam-Sun watched as his younger sister paced back and forth in a more stressful state than he was in, letting out a soft exhale and walked toward Ae-Ri and Minsu's door. He knocked on the door gently. "Ae-Ri, Minsu. Are you two okay?"
Ae-Ri, despite being close to Nam-Sun, stayed silent and didn't respond back to him. She had completely shut herself away from everyone except Minsu, her face filled with streams of tears. Minsu could do nothing but just be there for his older sister, wrapping his arms around her and rested his head on hers.
Nam-Sun sighed softly as he got no answer, looking back over to Do-hari. "Whatever is wrong, it's certainly has her closed off from everyone else. This is the first in a while too, she hasn't done this since Nam-Suk died..."
Do-hari crossed her arms and looked at the door once again, wondering what could be troubling Ae-Ri so much. She decided to give her some space, leaving to go back downstairs with Nam-Sun with questions filling her brain. Once she reached downstairs, she noticed I was gone and looked around.
"Where did he go again?" Do-hari asked, walking into the living room to see Dong-hee sitting by herself with a thoughtful expression.
"He said something about going out himself to find information. He didn't say what, but his tone sounded more serious than before. Something he said interested me...." Dong-hee said, looking over at Do-hari and Nam-Sun.
"What? What did he say?" Do-hari asked, hurrying over to sit beside Dong-hee on the couch.
"He mentioned the Overseer of St. Goken Institution, Overseer Sun. He has high suspicions on him, almost like he knew something we don't. Whatever he's planning, it's not going to start peacefully," Dong-hee said, letting out a soft exhale as she tried to piece everything together.
-------------------------
"Oh man! Raiding Bulan City's Manaport HQ?! This is a crazy crazy plan from our Lord!" John called out, dodging strikes coming from multiple ACU Officers while firing Aether Bullets at them.
"Where's Peter when you ACTUALLY need him for battle?!" Xavier grunted, fixing his sunglasses and leaped backwards for a fadeaway throw with his fire dagger, tagging an Officer upon his right leg.
James let out a roar as he swung his great sword in a cyclone motion, slamming the blade of his sword against the ground and causing sharp stones to protrude from the ground, injuring a few ACU Officers. "At least we're using our power on the right target finally!"
I walked through the chaos with my mask on, taking on the form of Cipher and phased through multiple bullets flying my way. My body became a celestial red silhouette, warping forward with my chains snatching the officers off the ground and slamming them down. I released the two and continued forward.
"All units, strike down the masked man!" A Commander ordered, pointing at me as I continued down the halls.
I adjusted my mask once more then reached behind me, my Steel Buster sword forming behind me with an ocean blue materia equipped upon the second slot of the blade. "Zodiac Arts..."
Great waves began to circle around my body, my Sovereign Butterflies taking the Cancer Constellation and shining brightly. Suddenly, a figure bolted out of the constellation with a powerful splash and a laugh, Fideline springing into the air with her arms open wide.
"Bubbling Starfall!" Fideline giggled with pure enjoyment, generating bubbles to fall down onto the ground and cause aquatic explosions with each crash.
John, Xavier, and James watched as I worked together with Fideline to wipe out an entire squad, their minds still unable to wrap around the power of a Genesis Zodiac. They pushed forward once I made the path clear, each of them following my lead.
Few Heroes charged toward me, but I dealt with them with ease, getting each of them out of my path before barging into a large meeting room, interrupting a meeting amongst Elites. I stormed forward, grabbing their table and flipping it over then slashed their projectors in half, causing malfunctioning in the room.
Sticking my sword in the ground, I adjusted my mask with glowing eyes and looked at the leading Commander. "My name is Cipher...and I will only ask this one time. What do you know about Sa Nu Rim..? I will not hesitate to pry the information out of you."
Each person in the room froze as I summoned a Principality Angel of Truth inside the room, each of them falling upon their knees in fear and awe. James, Xavier, and John waited outside the room, waiting to see what the officers would say.
"S-Sa Nu Rim..? That chick that was killed by Prince Zephyr? She was one of the leaders of Team Goken! We don't know much of anything! We swear!" One officer confessed, unable to hold his tongue before the Angel.
"Only the higher ups know more about Sa Nu Rim! The Upper Floors!" Another confessed.
"How high?" I asked with a stern tone, my strict voice becoming slightly more peaceful.
"Rank A to SSS levels of high! Only the True Elites know of whatever you want to know! Their main HQ is in Seolhart, that's where Athena and Zephyr stay!" The Commander revealed, throwing his phone to me with the code to the Skyscraper.
I caught the phone and looked at it then looked back at John and the others, nodding my head and warping away. John, Xavier, and James used my Sovereign Butterflies to follow me with a Warp, leaving the Elites in their own shame to question their allegiance.
A woman with a pure, white dress sat upon the balcony of her HQ, sipping upon tea as her wavy, ocean blue hair flowed in the gentle winds. The fabrics of her dress gracefully flowed as well, the amethyst gems on her crown sitting upon the table twinkling under the sunlight.
Her brother, sitting across from her donning a brown cloak, the soft fabrics flowing with the winds as well. He tapped his finger against the table gently, looking up at the sky while lost in thought. "You know, Athena...Things have been stirring up pretty recently. With Sa Nu Rim's name now back in public eye...things are becoming bothersome."
"Do you feel any guilt for simply stopping a rebellion that could've destroyed St. Goken, Zephyr? I do not. I do not feel bad for slaying Captain Nam-Suk, I did Do-hari a favor by killing a sly serpent under my heel," Athena scoffed, taking another graceful sip of her tea before setting her cup down.
"And Sa Nu Rim? Did she deserve to die?" Zephyr asked, looking down at his sister with a questioning gaze.
"That was for you to decide. You're the one who killed her. Besides, we lost no favor with Genesis in our decisions. However... something bothers me," Athena said, setting her tea cup down and hummed softly. "Neither Nam-Suk or Sa Nu Rim's bodies were found where we left them."
"That bothers me as well. Sa Nu Rim has an excuse though due to how het Catiger Ability works. I only killed off her Lynx Catiger, leaving her 8 more Big Cats...however they haven't been active other than Sa Nu—"
I crashed through the balcony window with a Warp Strike, landing on top of Athena and Zephyr's table and released a burst of wind to knock both of them into the glass walls of the balcony. "Finally, the Zodiac Royals are within my physical grasp. It is time for you to answer questions."
Zephyr grunted softly as he looked at me, activating his ring and aiming the gem at me to fire bolts of water energy at me. I phased through his blasts of energy then warped toward him, striking his chest with my knee and driving him inside the building.
Athena grunted in shock as she watched me drive her bother through a wall, hurrying after us and heard explosions from below as well. "What the heck is going on? How are we being raided?!"
Zephyr dodged my strikes then countered with an elbow to my jaw, slightly pausing as he was surprised to have hit me. I countered immediately with an elbow to his jaw, my strike actually knocking him backwards. I awakened my Yaoke, invisible strikes landing upon his body and sending him crashing into the hallway.
Athena appeared behind me at high speeds with her sword ready in her hands, launching a swift ice to my neck but I phased through her attack, striking her stomach with a back kick then warped into an enzuigiri to the back of her head. Athena groaned as she was knocked to the ground, a pained grunt sounding out as I kicked her side, sending her into the hallway as well.
Zephyr used the wall for support, lifting himself back up on his feet and huffed lightly. He looked up at me to get a good look, gasping as he recognized my mask. "Cipher...?"
Athena held her stomach as she stood up on her feet as well, looking up to see me walking toward them slowly. "Cipher..? As in...The Executioner?"
"As the ones who slayed Nam-Suk and Sa Nu Rim, I expect you too to know something...Do not lie to me. I am not in the mood for games," I said lowly, my chains emerging from my lower back.
Zephyr braced himself for another round of battle, but noticed I hadn't moved from my spot. Letting his guard down slightly, he cleared his throat gently before speaking. "What are you here for?"
"Tell me what you know about Sa Nu Rim...why are you hunting her specifically?" I asked, my tone calm yet firm enough to keep both royals in line.
Athena stared at me with a glare, panting softly and coughed lightly from the pain upon her stomach. "Hunting her..? She's the least of our concerns without her Lynx Catiger."
I rose an eyebrow behind my mask, growing curious now that I knew the Zodiac Royals were not involved in Sa Nu Rim's persecution. "What?"
"Sa Nu Rim's Lynx Mode is more dangerous than her Queen of the Beasts Mode because her Lynx Mode could stack on top of other Modes. Without that, it's just as simple as rock, papers, scissors for us," Zephyr explained, his tone truthful and coming without deception.
I was trying to tell you...
Zephyr and Athena are innocent...
Despite their pasts...
I finally heard Genesis's voice after calming down, my divine anger simmering down into peace. I exhaled softly and took off my mask, opening my eyes and looking forward at Athena and Zephyr. "So you two have nothing to do with ACU's targeting?"
Athena's eyes widened slightly as she looked at me, immediately recognizing me and gasped. "Noxius?! From Morgan High School?! You're alive?!"
Zephyr seemed just as surprised to see me as well in five years, unable to wrap his head around how I had become so powerful. "What the...five years ago you weren't this powerful.."
After a moment of calming down and hearing God's wisdom once more, I sat down with Athena and Zephyr to catch up with the Zodiacs of Aquarius. They offered me tea and snacks despite my rude arrival, the three of us having our first conversation in five years.
"What?! Bethel really put a bounty on you? Sheesh, that woman never changes then Reinhart is still missing? Of course he would be...he's just following Archer's path of betrayal. It's always the Sagittarius Kingdom betraying the Leo Kingdom as well, I've begun to notice that in history," Athena scoffed, crossing her arms and tapping her foot against the floor.
"Now, you're here...trying to solve a mystery as deep as this. Honestly, we had all the information on Sa Nu Rim and we know she didn't agree with Nam-Suk, but still went with him. I refuse to believe she went against me out of her own will!" Zephyr said passionately, slamming his hand upon the table.
"So you two did have your doubts...and still pushed through. Nam-Suk, I understand...but Sa Nu Rim? What made you realize that Sa Nu Rim wasn't her?" I asked, looking over at Zephyr with curiosity.
"Her eyes..." Zephyr said, his mind beginning to reflect upon the moment two years ago.
「Two Years Ago... 」
Sa Nu Rim stood outside the citadel of the Aquarius Kingdom, her eyes devoid of all joyful life she used to have. Zephyr stood before Sa Nu Rim with a pained expression on his face, looking into Sa Nu Rim's eyes and seeing a lifeless spirit residing within her. Sa Nu Rim Valkyria Shifted into Technical Mode, her Lynx Mode activating atop of her Cheetah Mode.
Sa Nu Rim's body began moving around Zephyr at blinding speeds, planning to throw him off with attacks swarming him from all directions. Zephyr formed a water barrier around his body, blocking each of Sa Nu Rim's attacks yet his barrier did not last long against the onslaught.
"Sa Nu Rim! Stop this at on—" Zephyr began, grunted heavily as Sa Nu Rim struck him with a lariat in her Tiger/Lynx Mode, sending him rolling across the ground.
"This...this is the only way to become free. Free from him...This...this is my last option," Sa Nu Rim said in a spiritually defeated tone, her eyes devoid of all life, the light she once had now dimmed away. "Kill me...and this all ends..."
"We can talk about this Sa Nu Rim! Why are you betraying St. Goken?! If you don't like Manaport, join my best friend's organization with Randall United! No blood has to be shed, Sa Nu!" Zephyr pleaded, grunting softly as he rose back onto his feet with one hand rubbing his neck.
Sa Nu Rim tilted her head up, her golden eyes glowing with disdain that Zephyr continued to go against her wishes. She began to grow angry that the Prince would try to reason with her, a trait that seemed out of her character. "What's wrong with you?! Jugeullae?!"
"What's wrong with you?! You're the one betraying everyone you've worked hard to save! You're putting everyone you love in jeopardy! Open your eyes!" Zephyr retorted, his tone filled with pain and confusion.
"My eyes are opened!! Why won't no one believe me?!" Sa Nu Rim screamed, her voice echoing in the air as she fell onto her knees, her hands gripping the grass below her. "He ruined my life....Captain Nam-Suk, he ruined my life....and if you won't put an end to it...I'll do it myself!"
Sa Nu Rim rushed toward Zephyr at top speeds, striking his face and sending him flying backwards then used a burst of speed to appear in front of him once more, knocking him away once more. Zephyr recovered in mid air, awakening his Zodiac Energy and bellowed as powerful waves spiralled around his body.
The two launched themselves toward each other, clashing repeatedly and repelling each other away. Their battle waged on as Sa Nu Rim continued to add more and more pressure upon Zephyr, each one of her strikes becoming more deadly with the threat of killing Zephyr.
Parrying her next attack, he gripped his wrist and shifted his element to Wind, boosting his Aero Energy into Lightning and roared as he thrusted his arm forward. Suddenly, Sa Nu Rim's movements stopped, a soft gasp escaping her lips as her quivering body tensed up.
"S-Sa Nu—" Zephyr began, looking down at his hand piercing through her chest, lightning still crackling around his hand.
Sa Nu Rim smiled peacefully as she began to fall limp, mouthing her final words of "thank you" before collapsing in Zephyr's arms. Zephyr held her up, his eyes widening and his heart racing as he killed one of his closest friends. He couldn't believe his eyes, the sight of a dead Sa Nu Rim crushing him physically and mentally.
「Present Day 」
"From that moment on...I vowed to never take a life unless I absolutely have to. That's why I haven't personally went out to confirm Sa Nu Rim's existence when I hear reports about her. It could be her vengeful spirit," Zephyr said softly, shuddering lightly to himself.
"And as a Valkyrian and Aetherian Queen, I have more to worry about than old affairs. Why do you think we have Manaport to deal with the minor business? Hmph, now if only Althea would respond to me, we could end the games now," Athena said with a snarky tone, crossing one leg over the other.
I took a sip of my tea and closed my eyes, processing everything I heard and hummed lightly. "You said, Nam-Suk's body is missing as well right? What if he's the same case as Sa Nu Rim? Alive...yet using another alias?"
Both Zephyr and Athena glanced over at me at the sound of my theory, my hypothesis sounding to good to be true. However, an old saying around St. Morgan played in their heads, "If it sounds to good to be true, it most likely is 100% true".
As I was prepared to tell them my revelation, John, James, and Xavier rushed into the room in a panic, causing the three of us to look at the entrance of the room. A masked man began to follow them into the large room, his eyes glowing behind his mask.
"Overseer Sun? Why are you chasing three men through the Skyscraper? Are they intruders?" Athena asked, sitting up in her seat then stopped as I placed my hand upon her shoulder.
Overseer Sun glanced over at Athena, noticing how close she was to me and scoffed lightly. "You're more worried about other traitors, yet refuse to look at yourself. I suppose you didn't think these three were traitors also huh?"
"Traitors? We never claimed to work for Manaport," James grunted, holding his side from a deep cut wound from Overseer Sun.
John panted softly as he caught his breath, falling down onto one knee. "Yeah...hold on, give us a second. This guy is actually strong..."
Xavier chuckled at John, leaning against the wall and grunting softly as he held his shoulder. "What was that...about not needing Simon Peter?"
"I didn't think The Overseer would be SS Rank," John replied quickly, shutting down Xavier's teasing nearly immediately.
Overseer Sun made his way toward the table where I sat, his gaze locking onto mine with a studying expression. "Your Spiritual Wife. Luciel Winters. She's planning on bringing Woo-Chi back to Grushia High School and you have her registered in Bulan High. What? You believe you can make a difference at the school?"
"Leave educational affairs to those who work education, and continue playing family man with the worthless Bong Clan. Do-hari and her pathetic children needs you more than my Institution does, so be a good Messiah and focus on your people," Overseer Sun said, staring me in my eyes with a serious expression.
I met Overseer Sun's gaze, seeing right through his mask and noticed the left side of his face was scorched. I stood up from my seat, awakening Vaquph at full force and releasing powerful silver energy to blast Overseer Sun against the wall. I began walking toward him, adding more pressure against his body with my aura.
"Everything on the ground and in the air, all things were made for me. The people you endanger, lie to, abuse, and kill....are my people too. Don't you ever dare speak ill about my earthly wife nor her children or family. I am not in the mood today, and my flesh...is itching to slay anything right now," I said, my left eye twitching with annoyance as I was on my final straws, red lightning crackling around my body.
Overseer Sun grunted heavily as he could feel his bones cracking under the pressure of my energy, letting out a relieved gasp as I released him from the pressure. As he was going to retreat onto his knees, I struck him with a Lion's Fist, sending him crashing through multiple walls of the building.
"N-Noxius!" Athena gasped in shock that would strike one of her Commanders without warning then paused as my words echoed in her head.
Zephyr didn't move as he could sense something was off, as if I knew exactly who Overseer Sun was. He watched as I warped away to give chase to Overseer Sun, standing up and rushing down the openings in the walls to see revelation with his own eyes.
Athena stood up as well, curious about what was going on and left John, James, and Xavier by themselves to seek truth. The three guys decided to take a moment to rest, knowing they stood no chance against Overseer Sun.
Overseer Sun landed in an open lobby and huffed lightly, noticing the lights in the room flickering with red lightning surging across the room. 'What the heck is going on..? He was not like this when I first saw him...'
"What's the matter, Noxius? Where is all that perfect patience you once had? I thought you were supposed to be Yesha!" Overseer Sun taunted, glancing around the room then grunted softly as the power went out in the lobby.
The people inside the lobby began to look around as well, each of them getting strong goosebumps along their arms and legs. Overseer Sun began to feel uneasy as well, a cold sweat crawling down his spine as he waited for something to happen.
The sounds of chains scratching across the ground played down the halls, my footsteps approaching the lobby at a slow, methodical pace. Rebirth Energy began to flow into the lobby, the energy beginning to drain the life force of the citizens within the lobby away.
"I am only here for one man. Leave this building now if you wish to live. If you stand against me, oppose me now and find out your fate," I said, entering into the lobby in my Judge Form.
With my mercy extended out to the citizens, they quickly heeded my warnings and made a quick escape. Leaving Overseer Sun to himself, he had nowhere to run as I blocked off the exits with Rebirth Energy, turning the lobby into an Arena Battle Room.
"You spoke about Do-hari and her children as if you knew them personally. That is why I attacked you, and if you did know them...I want you to know that when you actually pass, Ascea will deny knowing you because you denied them," I said, balling my hands into fists and glared at the man.
"I know that it's you...the same man who got Sa Nu Rim killed and based on how Athena talks about you, you hold a lot of power around here. So I wouldn't be surprised...if it was you who got Sa Nu Rim's information scrubbed," I added, my gaze never leaving Overseer Sun's.
Overseer Sun chuckled lightly at my accusations and shrugged his shoulders. "You're the Messiah, aren't you supposed to be all knowing? You constantly compare yourself to Yesha, so answer your question."
"If you had working ears and the correct amount of chromosomes in your foolish mind, you would know I constantly tell people that I am not Yesha. I'm still liable to get angry when pushed too far, and I've been keeping it cordial with disrespect for too long," I said, shifting my foot against the ground, unleashing a flurry of invisible strikes upon Overseer Sun.
Overseer Sun groaned as he was knocked backwards, but flipped backwards off one hand then charged toward me with an aerial tornado kick. I vanished before his attack could reach me, reappearing at his side and thrusting my leg forward to strike his jaw with a Superkick while he was in the air.
Overseer Sun groaned lightly as he collapsed onto one knee, holding his jaw then groaned as I struck his face with a haymaker, sending him crashing through multiple desks. I walked after him, my chains becoming two octopus tentacles becoming Abyssal Tentacles with suction cups at the bottom.
Athena and Zephyr watched the battle from outside the Battle Room, noticing I was using Mariella's power and began to question if St. Goken's Elonun was truly awake again. As they watched, they could see that Overseer Sun didn't stand a chance, yet they realized I was holding back my power a greater deal.
Overseer Sun dodged my next attack, grappling onto me and throwing me across the room with his strength. I gracefully used a pulse of air to spin over the tables and landed on my feet, using an attentive force to yank Overseer Sun toward me. I palmed his stomach, letting out a roared, a shockwave of energy blowing him across the room.
"Why don't you take off your mask and show us who you truly are? It's funny how people like you are allowed to hide within the shadows until you die and everything is revealed in the light! No more..." I said, warping toward Overseer Sun and stomping on his chest to keep him in place.
"I've extended my mercy enough today. I performed an exorcism on an Infinity Council member, my Spiritual Wife and her best friend failed to collect information, and now I'm having to step in instead of being the anchor Do-hari needs!" I yelled, looking down at Overseer Sun with pure anger etched onto my face.
Overseer Sun chuckled softly as he watched me grow angrier by the second, grunting as my heel dug into his chest. "There it is...the human side of Exzodia's Messiah. The legendary Nox is also susceptible to being angry!"
"Even God has His limits on how much stupidity you humans constantly show Him. There was once a point of time Yuvah regretted mankind because you all were wicked, and you still are...admit it, Nam-Suk," I said, exposing his name and kicked his face, knocking his mask off his face.
Athena placed her hands upon the wall of Rebirth Energy, squinting with inspection to get a good look at Overseer Sun's face. Her eyes began to slowly widen as she began to recognize his face, the scorch mark on his face coming back to her mind.
"What?! That's him! The traitor!" Zephyr yelled, pointing at Overseer Sun with indignation.
Overseer Sun let out a light groan and chuckle, grabbing his mask from the ground and slowly picking himself back up from the ground. "Heh... nothing gets past you huh? What? You're gonna tell everyone I'm alive..?"
"No," I said coldly, staring down at Overseer Sun with amberlit eyes. "You will tell the world that you lived...then Do-hari will slay you with her own hands. When that day comes, it will be like a wooden stake piercing your head. You will remember the day even in afterlife..."
"Woe onto to you scribes and Herisees, you false prophets and teachers! You slithering snakes! You mocking hypocrites! You parasitic beasts! For you lie and corrupt my sheep, shut them out the Kingdom of Heaven yet you yourself will not step in! You lie and steal Salvation from MINE and expect my Father to KNOW YOU!" I began, the sky becoming cloudy with thunders booming in the background.
"Woe unto St. Goken Institution! For they poison the innocent with the Mark of DEMONS and teach self-efforts instead of learning to trust in the finished works! For I MYSELF, Shall cast upon SEVEN DAYS to your Academy! St. Goken will FALL!" I announced, a powerful bolt of lightning striking down.
Athena and Zephyr could feel their skins crawling, the two siblings holding each other for the first time in forever. They couldn't take their eyes off me as the lobby began to become ablaze with divine flames, my gaze never leaving Overseer Sun's. Fire alarms began to go inside, signalling for everyone inside to escape.
Overseer Sun stood up on his feet with a cold chuckle, adjusting his mask and looking into my eyes with a cold gaze. "It sounds like you've gotten pretty close with my ex-wife...However, I've made my choice...and I have found Salvation..."
I hummed softly as Overseer Sun summoned multiple Lizardman Girls inside the room, my gaze shifting around to see the corrupted aquatic women circling around me. I shifted my robes into a long coat, a Lion Pauldron forming on my right shoulder. I slipped my hands into my pockets, my lips curling into an amused smirk.
"So, you actually met with Mariella and managed to acquire some of her strength? Interesting, but what good is that power in the hands of a mere mortal? A regular human being can not handle Rebirth Energy for too long," I said, tilting my head slightly as a Lizardman Girl went for a thrust with her spear.
I grabbed the pole of her spear, gripping it tightly then warped into an elbow strike to her face, knocking her across the room. I held my shoulder, the mouth of my pauldron opening and releasing a powerful fireball at the monster, striking her and causing a massive explosion.
Athena grunted softly as she sensed that I was unleashing more of my power, my mind completely set on Judgement. The Aquarius Sigil began to glow on her right hand, Althea awakening as she sensed Leona's energy. "Althea..."
Athena noticed the energy walls lowering, her gaze falling upon Overseer Sun who was preparing an assassination attempt as I subdued the Lizardman Girls. Facing a critical choice, she could either protect me or let me fall, the world around her beginning to move in slow motion for this critical decision.
Overseer Sun charged toward me from behind with a dagger in his hand, but Athena rushed forward and parried his attack, catching him off guard. My lips curled into a smirk as I sensed Athena behind me, a low chuckle rumbling in my throat as I awakened The Crest of Galaxia upon my shoulder.
"Allow me to truly introduce myself, foolish human. I am Noxius Ascea Exzodia, The Nexus. I don't go around telling people who I truly am, but you're a special case. You don't seem to know your place in the Spiritual Hierarchy, and overstepped your boundaries," I said, turning around to face Overseer Sun then unleashed a galaxy like aura around my body.
"Overstep? You want to talk about Overstep when you're getting comfortable with my wife?" Overseer Sun growled lowly, his eyes gleaming with hatred toward me.
"Your wife? Now you want to claim her? After disrespecting her, lying to her, cheating on her, and getting her best friend killed because of your own guilty conscious. What? Did you believe I would be one of one with the True Messiah?" I asked, chuckling lowly and shaking my head.
"I am not Yesha and Yesha is not me. I could never truly amount to the man Yesha was, but I know one thing...I am a better man than you. You dare to look at me with scorn...yet can barely look at yourself in the mirror," I said in a low tone, getting into a low stance before vanishing at high speeds.
I reappeared at Overseer Sun's side before he could process my movements, striking his cheek with a spinning kick, sending him crashing out the window of the top floor. I warped after him and grabbed his shirt, throwing him back into the building upon a lower floor.
Warping after him once again, Overseer Sun tried to evade my first strike but it was an illusion, my true attack striking him on the back of his legs to bring him to one knee. I caught him with a roundhouse to his face, knocking his mask off his face then grabbed his face.
"You haven't even seen what I can truly do...or how vengeful I can truly be. I kill Daemons, I end injustice, I foil Terminus's plans every time. With His authority, I can move mountains with a whisper, I can calm storms with just my presence. You will never know what power truly is until you bow down.." I said, letting go of his face and striking the top of his head to make him bow before me.
"Every knee will bow, every tongue will confess that Yesha is our TRUE Lord, but today...you will confess that I am Exzodia's Lord! You..." I continued, grunting softly as I noticed one of my Sovereign Butterflies becoming Ragnarok Red.
Calm down...
Calm down...
I heard Genesis's soft whispers quelling the anger inside of me, an anger I had not experienced since the death of Zachary. I scoffed lightly at Overseer Sun, looking down at him and walked away from him. "Few people have ever gotten me to this point, but your life is not mine to take..."
Overseer Sun seethed as he remained bowed down, listening to my footsteps echoing away, his heart boiling over with rage. "Noxius...you will pay greatly...I will make you wish you never showed up in St. Goken..."
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"Yesha...Nox, did you HAVE to burn down Seolhart's Manaport?" Athena asked, watching the tower burn down to the ground.
"This is a bit excessive...this was one of our homes. Aside from that, what is your plan from here? You're now enemy number one in Seolhart. All of ACU will be after you," Zephyr said, turning from the tower to look at me.
I stood calmly and looked at the sky, my hands in my pockets due to the chilly weather outside. "Let them come. I'll turn their blind eyes back to the Lord. Everyone will remember His name. As Zodiac Royals...I'm disappointed with how you've run your nation. I've seen less corruption from Reinhart and Bethel, and that's saying something."
"What..? What are you implying?" Athena asked, marching over to me and grabbed my arm, forcing me to turn around to look at her. "Are you trying to say we failed as rulers?"
"That's exactly what I'm saying. Look at St. Goken, the Aquarius Kingdom is in shambles, battling against the Cancer Kingdom over nationalities and family lines. The Capricorn Kingdom has more decorum than you all...and you say you've lost no favor with Genesis," I scoffed, looking Athena in the eye with a judgemental gaze.
"You've lost favor with Genesis yet your legalistic eyes couldn't see it because you 'struck down the enemy'. News flash, the enemy wasn't the enemy yet...he had time to think. You had the legal power to stop him, but you didn't and now Sa Nu Rim is dead," I continued, my tone becoming more cold and distant.
"Noxius, come on. My sister and I had to do what we needed," Zephyr said, stepping in for his older sister with a protective gap between me and Athena.
"And you could've done more. But do not worry, you don't have to do anything but follow my lead. You want your kingdom back into your hands? It starts with the downfall of your most prized possession, Manaport," I said, holding my hand out toward them.
"It is easier for a camel to traverse the entire desert without water or food than it is for a rich man to enter a Kingdom that isn't even of this world. It's time you choose, bear your cross and work with God to make things right...for fall under my dominion," I offered, one leading to life and the other route leading to guaranteed death.
Athena held her arms, staring at me with a sour attitude and scoffed lightly, looking away and tapping her foot against the ground. "To be talked down by you of all people... You spew all these words at us, tell us we have failed, for what?"
"So you can learn to finally have faith. Stop using self-efforts because look where it is leading you? Nam-Suk is still alive and is after more than your throne. Terminus will elevate him...and you will lose your throne. Just like the other royals, but you are not alone," I said, warping in front of Zephyr and Athena to catch a fiery bullet headed toward them.
"The growing legend around Dong-ga and Bulan, Noxius Winters. I've been waiting for the day we can finally strike you down...not for your actions in St. Goken, but because of your blasphemy!" An ACU Commander said, aiming his rifle at me.
I looked around, noticing other officers and commanders grouping around me then rolled my shoulders. I began to stretch my arms and legs, hopping up and down to energize my body. "You want to fight, Manaport? You want to strike me down as I burn down your lies? Do your worst, but be warned...you can't hit what you can not see..."
"Fire!" The Commander roared, unloading his entire magazine toward me.
The other officers and commanders began firing at me, my Sovereign Butterflies flickering around me to block each bullet with perfect precision and leaving me unscathed. I hummed thoughtfully, my gaze shifting toward the ACU Commander wielding the rifle. He grunted softly and took aim once again, his body now betraying him with fear.
Athena and Zephyr stayed behind me, knowing I was their stronghold at the moment. Seeing how quickly Manaport and ACU had betrayed them, the two knew this was only the works of Overseer Sun, the Overseer of Manaport and St. Goken Institution. Athena cursed to herself on how she allowed Nam-Suk to slither beyond her ranks, but knew there was nothing she could do now.
I pat my lion pauldron and walked forward, phasing through each bullet the Commander fired at me with calm efficiency. "Your name is Douglas Francis, before you were created...I knew you. Born in Garnet City, Capricorn Kingdom, mother and father were both A Rank Snipers.."
Douglas grunted softly as I began to lay out his life before him, his eyes locking onto my Yaoke which were activated. He took a step back as I neared closer, his body betraying him once again as his finger hesitated to pull the trigger. "Who are you..?"
"His Reminder, His Echo...the one who will remind you of the Lord you forgot. You all call him The Son of Man, I call him the true Son of God. You all call him forgotten, buried...I say everything under the sun will be revealed once again. I am Ascea!" I announced, a flurry of divine winds rushing around my body to push Douglas backwards.
The other officers began to hesitate against fighting against me, some of them lowering their weapons to retreat while others stayed to continue testing the waters. Athena and Zephyr stood still, noticing the calm standoff between me and ACU, both of them wondering what would happen next.
"You all stand here in the wrong fear when I do not come here to instill fear into my sheep. If you do what is right, would you all not be accepted? You should fear me, but not for the reasons you have. My Authority...is His," I said, pointing up at the sky.
"Those who remain here, lower your arms. Your fight isn't against me but the corruption that has blinded you! Wake up! The enemy is right under your nose and always has been! Do you dare to be swallowed by yet another serpent? Yet another prowling lion?!" I called out to the ACU units that remained in the area.
John listened to my speech, taking out a notebook and writing down what he heard. James watched as his brother wrote down my statements, wondering what he would use them for since The Biblos and The Chronicles were completed. Xavier watched the ACU units closely, being sure none of them make any unwise choices.
"Sa Nu Rim, your beloved Captain at Manaport was manipulated, spiritually and physically drained, and then killed by the same Overseer you all support! Sa Nu Rim is innocent and with God as my witness, her innocence will be made written! Stand firm against injustice and be still before your Lord as I will promise you the same words as Yuvah, 'Vengeance is MINE'!" I announced, looking around the crowd and seeing sparks of Holy Embers appearing.
Few had their hearts hardened against me and retreated, their choices made to stand firm with Overseer Sun due to not believing in my words. However, those who did believe stayed behind, wanting to know the full truth about the company they served under.
Athena exhaled softly as she saw the change in few people's hearts, her gaze shifting over to me. "Hmph...you speak a good game, so that's why I'm willing to trust you. However, Do-hari has not seen true combat in ten years...how will you set your plans in motion?"
"I have my ways," I said cryptically with a smirk, closing my eyes and warping away.
Everyone watched as my Sovereign Butterflies scattered throughout the air, Athena and Zephyr becoming more curious about my methods of not only saving their kingdom but all of St. Goken from Nam-Suk's grasp. Despite their worries, their royal duties came first which included rallying forces to go against their own nation.