★114
ASTERI'S POV
From the silence and darkness of the void, my eyes snapped open. My gears began spinning, picking up where they stopped before it temporarily crashed.
I was lying on my back, my vision returning to life in that instant. From the looks of it, it was early morning, birds chirping in the distance. For a moment, I felt at peace. The bed was too comfy to let my fatigued body get up.
"I wish I could stay like this forever,"
I said, my voice barely a whisper.
At my words, something stirred to my right. My pupils adjusted immediately, catching the reflection of the figure beside me on the crystalline ceiling.
I jerked sharply to my right, my gaze landing on Hinata. She was still asleep, but the sight didn't sit well with me.
'Don't tell me—'
I sat up abruptly, my head spinning as I tried to make sense of the hazy fragments from last night.
The last thing I remembered was Hinata sitting on top of me. The smell of sweat, the skin-to-skin contact, the moans.
"What?"
The question flew out. Before I could process it further, a familiar voice intervened.
'You fucked."
He said.
'And damn, you did quench her taste. She'll be satisfied for a few days while craving more."
The evil bastard, Entares, began bombarding me with loads of crap.
But wait—how did he know?
'You left. How did you know what happened?'
I asked, appearing in the endless darkness within my mind. I was positive he had said something before leaving. If he left, how did he know?
'I can never escape your mind. No matter where I go, you'll always be in front of me, just like she was in front of you.'
"G-good morning."
A quiet, lovely voice greeted, pulling me back to reality.
I flinched. I could feel the blood rushing down my legs, but I held my composure, forcing myself to stay focused.
"Good morning, Hinata. How was your night?"
I tried to act calm.
"It was—"
She flushed mid-sentence, embarrassed, but didn't look away.
Instead, she leaned closer, giving me a good-morning kiss.
"I can't wait to be yours,"
she whispered.
'So it did happen.'
I thought, my blood running cold, my heart racing.
"Issei will be looking for me,"
She said, breaking off and hopping off the bed. Silence would be awkward, so I mustered a random reply.
"He's eighteen and he's still clinging to his mama."
She chuckled, her clothes materialising through the same magic she used yesterday.
"Have breakfast with us. No refusals. I'll add you to the list."
She's leaving. Good. I need some time alone.
"Alright, I'll be right behind you."
She waved before leaving.
(Oh yeah, forgot to mention the kids have grown, and Asteri, Atlas, and the clones have been training them since the age of ten._. Too much vital movement.)
Finally alone, I exhaled deeply.
'I can't believe it. I had sex.'
I gulped. It's one thing to kiss, but this… this is blasphemous. Unholy for a divine being like me.
Yet despite it, I don't feel any bit of remorse. As a matter of fact, I'm longing for it.
'How low you've fallen.'
Though I'm now a certified sinner, I don't feel any fear, despite knowing Sabaki will hunt me down.
Tzz. A sharp spike struck my head, like being electrocuted directly in the brain. I clutched my head, eyes widening.
'Sabaki?'
I might have admitted zero fear towards the God of Judgement, but my instincts haven't yet evolved.
'Nop.'
"Entares, what was that?"
I asked. He was unaffected, so he might know something.
"I don't know. The side effects from being drained, perhaps. I can't exactly say what it was. You might be the first Star to experience it anyway."
That was his answer. Yet this was too much for an emotional backlash. It felt more like a warning, though not as severe as the last.
If it was Sabaki, the shocks would intensify each time a Star crossed a line. This was instantaneous—almost like an invasion.
I stood up, naked, heading to the mirror. I stood before my reflection, yet I didn't feel ashamed.
I cupped my palm. Water materialised, and I washed my face.
We need not clothes, but we need privacy. We need not genitals, but I've crossed the line this time. As if testing my shame once again, I felt nothing—and the mirror somehow reacted to it.
My wings, once pure white and intact, had turned pitch black, their feathers withering without losing shape. My halo was fractured and burning, my azure eyes losing their transcendent light. My skin, once flawless, now bore cracks all over, my hair long and pitch black like tar.
I took a step back, nervous at the sight, my heart pounding in fear at such a horrific image.
'Did I fall from Grace?'
The question was heavy. I couldn't bring myself to say it out loud.
I blinked, and the negative image faded, the mirror reflecting what it should. For a moment, I felt relieved. I was just hallucinating.
"Perhaps I've crossed a line."
I looked down at my hands as my clothes stretched into being.
'Perhaps you should do as you're told,'
Antares said, not giving a damn about my feelings or the consequences. He knows the risks and is willing to proceed. If that's what he wants, I have no reason to worry.
Without deep thought, I left my room, making my way to the diner on the first floor.
The door slid open, and as I entered, they were all set. It seemed they were waiting for me. I didn't need to apologise, so I took my seat next to Hinata, ignoring them.
Atlas, Elaine, and Elfaria were among the few others present. Majo, now dressed as a maid, made her way in, dishes floating beside her.
Amir and Shinn followed, both dressed as maids, each with separate dishes floating next to them. In a matter of seconds, the table was full, the maids serving us mechanically.
The Scarlet King ignored the whole process, teleporting next to me. He was dressed in his casual white butler's outfit, a flask in hand, pouring tea into my cup. I glanced at him, saying nothing.
Without a doubt, this was Majo's doing. Looks like she's been infected with Eto's madness.
"Where's Annie?"
I asked as Scarlet carefully added sugar to my cup.
"In the Eastern Empire,"
Elfaria answered.
"She planned on taking the night, but Lord Atlas somehow changed her mind."
"He's in love,"
Elaine said, taking a sip, clearly annoyed by what we were turning into. Well, I hope she doesn't know we've both raided dungeons, with Atlas already in S-Rank.
"Lay low and knock yourself out, Elaine,"
Atlas replied.
"This might be the only opportunity you'll get."
'Atlas is right.'
I picked up my cup and went for a taste.
'With the war and all, the 'future' is uncertain. It's best to enjoy things while we can…'
Tzz. The shock came again. I recoiled, black tea spilling over my coat. The whole table stared at me, but I was too absorbed to process anything.
"Apologies, Supreme Monarch. I forgot your tea towel."
Scarlet said apologetically, towel in hand.
Before I could react, he used magic, extracting the tea from my coat and placing the towel where it belonged.
"Thanks,"
I said, forcing a smile.
This time, the shock lingered—heavy and intense—electrically charging my brain.
"A-another cup, please."
I stammered, trying to stay calm on the outside. I was fine physically, but mentally unstable.
'I wonder what Hinata's thinking.'
I tried to distract myself, but it was no good. Though I wanted to know, now wasn't the right time.
My mind slowly drifted from my body as I struggled to withstand the pressure. It multiplied tenfold with each passing second, growing more agonising.
My mind buzzed, vision blurred, noise distorted. I was barely holding onto my physical wellbeing.
I hoped no one noticed as I struggled to keep myself in check. As Scarlet went for a refill, I took a spoon and decided to try something, anything.
I gripped the cold cutlery, my hand shaking as I reached for the honeypot. Midway, Hinata intervened after sensing my uncontrolled state.
"Here."
She took the spoon and decided to feed me. Time seemed to freeze as they awaited my response.
"Hmm,"
Atlas hummed, smiling as he took a sip.
"Don't worry—I'm alright, Hinata."
"She didn't ask if you're alright or not. I thought you two would be more romantic than Atlas and Annie."
Elfaria said, watching closely.
Not wanting to drag it out, I leaned forward, allowing her to feed me. The sweetness of the honey melted down my throat. Hinata smiled, happy to do so.
"Pathetic."
Elaine muttered, glaring at me.
With my cup waiting, I tried again. As I gripped the small handle, the shock intensified. My fingers clenched harder, causing the cup to shatter, tea spilling over the towel.
"Are you alright, Asteri?"
Someone asked, but I couldn't tell who.
'What's wrong with me?'
I raised my palm, noticing the faint tremor. Never had I shaken from fear. Why now?
'Is this what happens when a Star falls from Grace?'
The unanswered thought lingered. If demons thought forced servitude after defeat was humiliating, this would be far worse.
A prideful being losing what made them stand apart from creation—no sane Star would want to feel that.
"I'll get that."
Scarlet said, swiftly cleaning the table and replacing the cup and towel.
"You're acting weird, Young Master. Did something happen last night?"
Elaine asked, sharp as ever. Our magical signatures were basically open books to her.
Hinata looked guilty but didn't react. At that moment, I didn't care if she knew. Let the world know I'm a sinner—just…
'Please, don't take this from me.'
I, Asteri, along with fragments of Antares, pleaded inwardly. Though falling from Grace grants a form of freedom, this feeling wasn't worth it.
'Stars aren't apathetic after all.'
Antares remarked scientifically, unbothered. To be able to use this moment and collect data.
"I'm alright…"
I forced out, wearing a pained smile.
"I—I just need some space…"
I stood up, and everything went wrong.
I clutched my head, trying to suppress the rampaging aura within me, but it was useless. The shock was numbing, overwhelming everything else.
"Master."
"Supreme Monarch?"
"Ati-chan?"
"L-Lord Asteri?"
Their voices were distorted. I couldn't tell who's talking and what they're saying.
My source felt like it was tearing itself apart from the inside. They rushed to me, Scarlet already supporting my weight.
A low growl escaped my throat as a thin layer of grey aura shimmered faintly—a defensive mechanism that had never activated before.
They were close. Too close. In fear of what might happen, I violently shoved Scarlet aside, a void singularity narrowly missing him.
Atlas and Elaine froze mid-step.
"Don't get near him!"
He urged—at least, I think he did.
With no immediate threat, the singularity faded. Only internal protection remained.
A sharp, agonising scream tore from my throat. My body had reached its limit.
"Argh! Guaaaaaa! Gaaaaaaaaaa!"
My aura erupted violently, and the star artefact activated safety measures, absorbing the chaos. Equilibrium was enforced—no damage—but the room was crushed under immense pressure.
I staggered, clutching my head as the pain overwhelmed me.
"Arghhhhhhhhhh! Damn you, Magos!"
It was too late. Magos had won. His patience bore fruit.
All this time, he had been watching, waiting like a predator. He struck after yesterday's emotional spike, hijacking my mind. I was naïve to think he'd rely on brute force.
Amidst my blind rage, a searing bolt of lightning split space itself, and in an instant, I was gone. Not pulled or transported, but teleported without warning, ripped from the world I knew to the unknown.
A black-and-white card bearing a joker's smile rested where I once stood.
"Elaine, track!"
Atlas commanded.
"On it—"
As her gears began tracing the coordinates, she collapsed with a soft thud, azure lightning violently cracking out her body. She was electrocuted violently, passing out—perhaps dead on the spot.
"Elaine!"
"What's going on?"
Hinata flinched, unable to grasp the situation. First Asteri, now Elaine.
Sensing her unease, a faint pop echoed as the Balance Dragons, Yin and Yang, materialised.
"Dragons?"
Atlas recoiled. He hadn't expected such beings here—no one with energy like that.
"On it, Mama,"
they said.
Without hesitation, the dragons began tracing the coordinates, searching for who had taken Asteri—and where.
To be continued...