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ASTERI'S POV
The next day after Asteri's secret, something he didn't expect occurred. I was with Hinata when I sensed a sudden surge of energy.
Shinn immediately appeared
"Master, T..."
"I know."
The three of us appeared on the scene and standing before us was none other than Tokito. He hovered in midair, his form transformed beyond recognition.
His once-dark hair now cascaded down his back in a pure, silken white. Two long, curved horns arched from either side of his head, gleaming faintly. Even his eyes had turned a ghostly white, devoid of any mortal trace.
He's no longer a kijin… something far greater or far darker had taken shape.
Then came the whisper. That familiar, poisonous voice of Enta, seeping through my mind like smoke:
<
The temptation clawed at my sanity, its promise both alluring and fatal. I clenched my fist, steadying my breath.
"Nice try."
I muttered under my breath, discarding the whisper like ash in the wind.
"A day and a half that's quick. How are you feeling in Tokito?"
"Is this really me? Why does it feel like I can do anything? I'm super energetic now."
He looked closer at his new form.
"It's the effect of my energy. Don't worry, the fact that you've fought back early means you will survive."
"Who's this demon?"
He asked, suddenly noticing Scarlet's presence. His aura was sparkling.
"Quit it. He's a demon who effortlessly defeated Majo. You won't stand a chance."
Shinn warned.
"I might be strong but I've learnt never to underestimate my opponent."
Scarlet King replied.
"But it'll be nice seeing what he's capable of."
"Majo is right. I wanna see that for myself. I'll create a coliseum on the ocean, whenever you're ready... oh wait this is a good opportunity to host a tournament within ourselves. Won't that be great?"
"It's perfect, I've thought of that once."
Shinn replied.
"Who are the participating individuals?"
Atlas asked.
"Free for everyone within this island, except you guys of course."
I pointed at my fellow Stars. If they join, a second is more than enough for them to win.
"Something like a price shall be kept in order for everyone to work harder."
Hinata suggested.
"Of course, a tournament without a prize will be a waste of time. I'll think about that. The tournament shall begin in a month and a week from now."
"Great."
.
.
.
Later that night, I summoned Tokito and Kelly.
"You summoned us, your highness."
"Uh, yeah. As we all know, you two are the heads of the or..kijin, I mean. I'd like you both to move to the second floor."
"It's a dream come true to be on the same roof as you but, permit me to reject it."
"No problem. Your choice matters."
"I want to stay with all my people, that's one of the reasons."
"I won't protest, what about you Kelly?"
"Now that we've been reunited, only death shall do us part. I'm sorry your majesty, we're such a failure."
"It just means you two care for one another which is alright."
I leaned back on my throne.
"That's all I have to say. You may go now."
"Excuse us."
From my throne, I teleported to my bed.
"I still have unfinished business to attend to. Dark Star? The future isn't stable with one of them here. I have a lot to protect and not lose at the same time..."
I closed my eyes, thinking about the threats present
As I opened my eyes, the vision hit me like a physical blow. Star Island was engulfed in flames, the sky a haze of smoke and ash. Buildings lay in ruins, our once-pristine walls charred and crumbling.
Everywhere I looked, corpses of demihumans and humans alike littered the streets, some twisted in unnatural angles, others burned beyond recognition.
The screams of the living and the silent wails of the dead seemed to echo together, a deafening symphony of chaos and despair. Even from this distance, the heat was palpable.
The image of the devastation burned itself into my mind, a warning and a promise. Whatever had caused this would not go unchallenged.
<
"Atlas, Elaine!?"
I called out but it wasn't my voice.
<
No one responded.
I, or rather, he walked aimlessly through the ruins, calling out names that were swallowed by smoke and silence, until his steps faltered.
There, Hinamatsuri's body lay among the debris.
I froze completely upon the sight. This was nothing like what Azel had done. A single gaping hole in her chest. She died, instantly.
That pain had been sharp, brutal, but distant, something I could still rationalise, hatred? Yeah, it's him. This was different. It sank straight into my core, heavy and absolute, as if something essential had been torn out of me.
Malice and rage snapped. My vision darkened instantly, pitch black swallowing gold as my aura detonated outward, erupting violently and piercing the heavens themselves.
"W… what's going on?"
The voice didn't come from within.
"What do you mean, what's going on?"
Another voice echoed from behind me. My awareness had already expanded in all directions, no blind spots, no delay. I saw it clearly.
A dark figure hovered in mid-air, two curved horns framing its head. In its grasp was a staff, the gem at its tip glowing with a deep, ominous red. He casually rotated it, and the moment he did, images flooded my mind.
I saw myself extinguishing life in the Central World. Entire civilisations erased in moments. No survivors, no hesitation. I stood above it all, untouchable. Anyone who dared stand in my way was annihilated instantly, erased without even the dignity of resistance.
I watched myself clash with fellow Stars. They burned with their full potential, pushed themselves beyond limits, yet they still fell, one after another. In the end, there was only one survivor left before me.
Even after reaching for everything, after clawing my way toward perfection, I still fell short. 98%
My stubbornness, my refusal to yield, was all that separated me from the end.
"Asteri, what's wrong with you?!"
Her voice cut through the visions like a blade.
Hinamatsuri stood before me, alive. Her eyes were overflowing with tears, her hands trembling.
"You killed everyone. Everyone… including Issei. My baby, you swore to protect him."
That was the moment the world truly collapsed.
Ever since the onslaught began, no words had reached me. No screams or pleas, just silence.
But those words did.
I clutched my head as if it might split apart and dropped to my knees, the weight of it crushing me from the inside.
"No..no...I didn't do anything."
"Look around you—look at your hands, all stained with innocent blood."
I looked down, my hands now soaked in blood.
"It's wrong, no, it's for peace. Everyone will be safe now."
I replied positively. Yet, something felt different. I wasn't here physically, but mentally.
<
Someone dared to storm into my head, revealing these gruesome scenes.
"Safe?"
Her voice trembled, raw with disbelief.
"You call this massacre peace?"
She asked, gesturing the living hell around us.
"You killed everyone you loved and cared about. Towa, Ramiris, Guy, Rimuru… the kids, and..."
I blinked and the world answered.
Scenes overlapped one another, moments I never chose, yet somehow owned. I saw Towa reaching out before her light went out. Ramiris screaming my name as she was crushed by power she could never resist. Guy standing his ground, smiling defiantly even as I tore through him. Rimuru's eyes, confused, hurt and accepting, before they dimmed forever. Children running, hiding, dying.
"Why?!"
Her voice cracked.
"Why did you turn your back on us?!"
"I… I.."
I stammered. The words wouldn't form.
"I didn't do it!"
I roared, rage and despair twisting together as I closed the distance in an instant. My right hand pierced through her chest before I even realised I had moved.
Her body sagged in my arms, blood staining my hands.
"And… me."
She whispered, her voice barely there.
Her eyes lost their light. The world froze and the dark figure reappeared before me, hovering calmly, staff glowing faintly.
"See?"
It said softly.
"You killed everyone. You don't belong her—and you don't belong there either. Take my hand. Join us."
My grip tightened around her lifeless form.
"T… this is just an illusion."
The words felt weak, but true.The figure tilted its head, amused.
The pain and guilt was real. But the flaw was obvious. And I would never kill her with doubt in my heart. My aura began to stabilise, folding inward with terrifying clarity.
"You showed me something. But you don't understand something."
I said slowly, lifting his head.
"Even if I could become that monster. I would never be confused while doing it."
I met its gaze, eyes no longer black, but golden and cold.
"Look carefully. If you think it is? Why not snap out of it with your Mega Arts?"
It proposed and waited but I couldn't do anything. I knew I couldn't. It was right, I could've seen through this illusion but no. This.. this is real. But where is this happening?
"You can't, because this is real. You're the Third among none. With you by our side, not even the Creator will stand a chance. Join us, let's take over the World, Antares, the Third Twin Star."
<
I flinched, surprised. This thing not only invaded my mind but knows who I really am.
"SHUT THE FUCK UP!"
Rough Asteri shouted, releasing all the aura and energy he had kept sealed. Chaos was let loose, destroying everything to the point where I couldn't even detect its range.
Everything went null.
Hinata screamed, waking with tears streaming down her face.
Before she could fully comprehend her surroundings, I was already there, standing in the room, every defensive measure quietly in place.
Issei stirred awake beside her, confusion etched across his features, but with a subtle motion, I sent him back, keeping the focus and protection solely on her.
"What's wrong, Hinata?"
"I… It's just a nightmare."
She stammered, voice shaken.
"Allow me to grant you a dreamless sleep."
I raised a finger, ready to activate.
"No. I'm alright."
She whispered, shaking her head.
"Are you sure? I'm really worried. What was it about?"
"What?"
"The nightmare."
Her face was sad and she looked down at her blanket.
"...I.. I forgot..forgive me.."
"No problem. It's still midnight, try to get some sleep."
I was about to vanish when she spoke.
"Umm...can you...Can you stay with me until I sleep?"
Perhaps being with me all the time allowed her to sense my department.
"This room is the most protected on this island, probably in the Central World. But that won't be a problem."
I assured her softly, my cloak dissolving into motes of light until only my black attire remained. I lay down beside her, the air around us calm.
"Good?"
I asked quietly.
"H… hold on to me tightly, please… I don't want to have that kind of dream again."
She murmured, her face tinged with a rosy hue.
I couldn't help but grin, my voice low and teasing as I replied.
"As you wish, Hinata. Don't worry..nothing like that will happen again I promise. Get some sleep ok?"
She did as I instructed and closed her eyes.
Eventually, she drifted into a peaceful sleep, and I stayed by her side, watching over her until the first light of daybreak.
To be continued...