“And that’s the last one.”

Master said as he tore the last piece of corruption off of Engrande. It may be more complex and difficult than it looks. In my view, master is just reaching into Engrande's soul and tearing out the corruption like plucking a flower.

I can’t believe it. Master has managed to achieve the power to rid the corruption. Only an hour passed between the time master and Lady Senna is banished into Aedrox’s sub-space. Yet, master's power has grown so much in that short amount of time.

Even though master has proved himself to be an absurdity time and time again but I'm still having a hard time believing master became strong enough to defeat Aedrox.

I want to repay master for this new life but all I have done is just piling debts upon debts.

"Boy.... I took my eyes off you for a few seconds and you gone and surpass.... m-me."

Engrande struggled with his last word. Even sitting proved to be difficult for him. His complexion isn't recovering. His wounds have healed, his Mana is replenished, the corruption is expelled but....

"I learn from the best." Master responded as he lowered his gaze.

Although the corruption is rid but the Mana Vessel, the soul is damaged beyond repair.

"And you did your best, boy."

Everyone of us, nodded along.

"Indeed, Lord Creator. This is a remarkable achievement."

"Apparently, my best is not enough and just remarkable doesn't amount to anything in this situation." Master said as he looked to Bartholomew, who was covered up from head to toe with a cloth. He sent an apologetic gaze to Cormac who is just beside Bartholomew. "I'm sorry...."

Bartholomew had fell lifelessly the moment master extracted the corruption. He was long gone. There is nothing master could have done.

"It's okay, master." Cormac forced a smile. "At least, Tom and I are save."

Cormac and I are the only one who survived the encroach. The corruption wasn't too deep to severely damage our soul. Engrande wasn't so fortunate and what's more, he did the unthinkable to save us all. He injected the Elixir directly into his heart. It gave him tremendous boost in his power and strength but the backlash to his soul was too much. Overreaching his limits and the corruption already taken root in his soul, there was no chance for his soul to survive the ordeal.

"Dear...."

"Hyx...."

"Papa...."

"Lord Creator...."

Citra and Nilin kept quiet. They look lost with their consolation words.

"Come on. Cheer up, would ya?" Engrande put his large finger on master's shoulder. "We won, didn't we?"

"It don't feel like a victory."

"Son, victory don't come without sacrifices. This is how victories in most battles are like. People died for this. Don't blame yourself. It's just nature."

"I know. I'm not blaming myself. This ain't even my fault. I'm a victim too but I still feel bad. It's just the worse feeling. I think I would feel better if I was responsible.... but I'm not."

"Yes, you're not." Engrande assures master. "Well, what are you gonna do now, boy?"

Master looked at us. "I'm gonna send you off. Give you and Bartholomew a proper burial. Leave this place and look for answers. If the world is at least thousand times nicer than this god-forsaken place, I might even considering going around this world as a vacation."

Engrande managed to laugh. "Hahahaha. You're weird as always, boy. You truly have grown. I like your plan but...."

"But....?"

Engrande's good humorous nature melted from his face. "I don't need a burial."

Master frowned at Engrade's words.

"My soul is beyond saving now. You and I know that the best. If I die now, I wouldn't even join the cycle of rebirth. I would be lost and forgotten."

"Engrande.... what are you saying?"

"Before my soul crumbles completely.... I want you to devour it."

Not just me but everyone else made a noise. I expected master to refute Engrande's last will but he looks calm. Master is considering it.

"I understand." Master nodded.

Understand? Understand what? Master is really going to do it?

"Master." Cormac tugged on master's shirt.

"Cormac?"

"Bartholomew too."

Huh? What?

"I'm sure Barthy would have wanted this. To be able to be useful to master even after death. We have a debt to repay, after all."

Master closed his eyes. A look of anguish flashed past master's expression but he returned to his compose expression. "Very well." Master said as he opened his eyes.

"Dear, are you sure?"

"Yes, Angie. I'm sure."

Seeing such look on master, Lady Senna nodded with a sad smile. I expected an argument or a discussion to break out but Lady Senna relented easily.

"You ready?" asked master.

"I'm all ready, for the past hour in fact. Even now, every breath hurts. I'm more than ready. Just.... make it painless."

"Painless huh?" Master smiled wryly. "I could do that."

[Soul Harvest] is shown on appraisal as master's Mana surged.

Instead of the usual tendrils with dragon-like head, a reaper of darkness manifested above master. The black reaper bears a huge scythe in its hands. The blade gleams from the faint glowing cyan light of the room before being swung in a full circle motion, trailing a dark cyan light.

In just that single swing, I see Engrande and Bartholomew's soul left their respective body and get absorbed into the blade. And the reaper melted back into master.

It's been a while since master last used [Soul Harvest] but it felt more.... refined somehow.

Master's Effective Combat Power is raised till 3900 after absorbing Engrande and Barthlomew's soul. His defense stats rose sharply. Probably the effect of Engrande's soul. His power ranking is now A. And master gained [Magic Melee Arts], [Herculean Strength], and [Magic Enchantment] from Engrande but [Shura] isn't compatible it seems.

Looks like nothing much came from Bartholomew but it would be boorish of me to point it out.

Master let out a huge breath. "I almost forgot how it feels like.... Goodbye, Engrande, Bartholomew."

Master then sent their bodies off with [Spirit Fire]. Heads lowered and eyes closed, we pray for their bodies to at least find a safe passage. This respect meant nothing in actuality but we did it to give ourselves a sense of comfort.

"Papa.... are you.... alright now?" Indara asked, peeking from behind Lady Senna's dress.

"Yes. I'm fine now. Sorry for worrying you, Indara." Master went and pet Indara's head.

"T-Tom...." Nilin approached me.

"Nilin?"

"Liar!!"

Uwaah~? I was slapped?

"Liar!"

Eh? She threw herself into me. Her arms tightened around me. If she has super strength, I would be crushed.

"See? I told you Hyx can fix you. He can do anything after all." She said while crying into my chest.

"Yeah. He can." I caress her head softly.

Hmm? I'm looked at with warm eyes. Master is giving me a wink while Djin gave me a thumbs up which is unlike him.

"Stupid. Stupid. Stupid...."

Nilin continues saying such stuff into my chest....

Lovely, isn't she?

Hmm? Who's that?

Unlike those times, you're not forcing yourself onto this girl. This is a real relationship where a consensus is achieved and a give-and-take is established. You longed for this, no?

W-who are you?

This moment here, this is the moment you wanted all along, no? Instead of being in the dark forever and forcing yourself on women who would probably never see light again, you're here, sharing a warm and comfortable feeling with the one you truly care about and one who cares about you in return.

How do you....

The ones you could truly call..... family.

Enough. Who are you?

Me? I'm you. The honest part of you. If it wasn't for me, you would have died back there. It is because of me, you awaken your [Wrath of Oni], no?

You?

So, let me ask you, do you want all this happiness to last forever?

Huh??

While I'm asked with such questions, master is looking at me strangely.

The next time things like this happen, it might not turn out as favorable as today. Who knows, maybe Nilin wouldn't be lucky the one the next time. What do you do then? What if master won't be here in time? What then? Do you wish to keep what you have with you, and not loose it to anyone?

Y-yes....

Master is saying something but the voice in my head is drowning it out.

The power to save the ones you care for. The power to keep you from loosing anything anymore, do you desire it?

O-of course.... Is it possible....?

Master is looking worried but I responded with a smile. I don't want master to keep worrying about me.

Yes. You just need to accept it. Accept that you have it within you to protect everyone.

Accept what exactly....?

Accept me. Will you?

I....

Master is screaming at me.... but I still can't hear him....

Will you? Accept me who will make sure that Nilin would not be harm anymore.

Y-yes.

[t -- tom -- Tom -- Tom! Don't!]

[Lord Thomas! You must not!]

Master's voice finally got through along with Djin's. It sounded like their voices broke through a barrier with a faint sound of glass breaking.

What a fool and too late.

What?

Now, I will make him regret.

No.... Just wh....

Shh..... Let me take the wheel now....

No.... master..... hel--

Damn it.

He's smart. He hid himself among the residues of Void energy from the last battle. I felt his presence but I mistook him as a residue energy.

Damn it.

[Clairvoyant] was acting up but I chalked it all up to the unstable energy lingering in the vicinity that was making it haywire. [Clairvoyant] could only see into the future of the current realm. He existed in another plane. The visions I received was too vague and I also chalked those up as my accumulating fatigue.

Damn it.

I knew something was wrong. My instincts were screaming but the death of my companions dulled my reactions.

I hesitated. It happened because I hesitated.

Damn it!

"You son of a taint, let him go!" I snarled while having my hand inside of Tom, fumbling at his soul which was being encroached. Unlike the usual, I couldn't just tear Aedrox off of Tom. He's more powerful than the others I have expelled.

It's not working. His grasp is only getting stronger.

Tom couldn't even resist it after he was tricked into saying yes. A direct corruption from the carrier is just too strong. If I wasn't here, Tom would have been his new meat suit by now.

"You sure you want to continue dabbling with me? Not that I'm opposing."

As soon as he said that, a pain assaulted my mind.

"Yes. Don't let go." He spoke with Tom's voice.

It's too late. His grasp is already strong enough on Tom to exploit our link. His trying to corrupt me, Indara, and Djin along through the link. Fucking twat.

"Dear!" Angie called out to me worriedly.

"No! Don't come any closer! All of you, stay away!" I warned them. "And don't answer to anything you might hear in your mind. Don't listen to it. No matter what you hear."

I said and cut off the link to Tom.

"Hey, tell me. Do you even need their consent to take hold of them? Can't you just encroached them like you did with the others?"

The question must be unexpected since Aedrox, with Tom's face looked at me with a short blank expression. It then turned into a snickering.

"What are you saying? Never once have I not gain their consent. It is impossible for them to be enthralled without their consent."

Never without consent? What is he talking about?

"How do you get their consent like that?"

He grabbed my arms with Tom's hands and pulled himself closer. "Give them a little bit of agonizing pain and wait for them to beg for the pain to go away. Those unaccustomed to this kind of pain, they immediately gave in, begging for me to take the pain away."

I see. The consent does not need to be direct. It can be roundabout. The details can be omitted, as long as he gets a yes in the end.

"There are some who resisted it for a day but in the end, they all fall. Pain breaks most people easily. They will jump on the first chance of salvation but not you. You've been through so much. Corrupting you with the usual way would be futile. Your body and soul would crumble first before giving into the Void. Frustrating it may be but that is the reason of why you're worthy to be my vessel."

So, all those suffering I have been through.... It is to prepare for this? Did Visa put me through all that because she knew my encounter with a Void Demon is inevitable?

Heh? Ah. I shouldn't be thinking about other stuff right now. I should be concentrating on saving Tom. However....

I should give up on that already. It's all too late. I can't save Tom. His status information is slowly becoming incorrigible. The black flames he clad himself in is turning dark purplish.

I can't save him.

"Lord Creator, it is too late for Lord Thomas. We need to retreat now!"

My attention is robbed for only a split second and Aedrox who has taken hold of Tom seize this window of opportunity.

"Huh. Impressive." A compliment came from Aedrox.

I managed to stop him from moving away from me with [Void Skin] and [Psychokinesis]. My MP and HP is dropping and raising since I'm hurt by Aedrox's Void Energy but at the same time it's also healing and rejuvenating me. This sensation is odd but I'm not complaining.

"Angie. Djin. Get everyone out of here, now." I told them without taking my glare off of Aedrox. Looking at Aedrox through Tom's face is really unsettling.

"Lord Creator. That is--"

"Understood, dear."

Sounds like Angie stopped Djin from refuting. I spare her a quick glance and a smile.

"Angie, what are you saying? We can't leave Papa alone here."

"This is his fight and only his. We would be nothing but liability. We shouldn't be interfering, okay?"

"But...."

"Don't you trust Papa?"

Damn, Angie is becoming good at handling Indara.

"Y-yes. I'll trust Papa."

"Good boy. Now, Djin. I trust you will comply with your creator and master's order?" Angie's voice sounded sharp and stern.

"O-of course." Huh, even Djin stuttered against the serious Angie.

"Mwu...."

"E-eh...?"

"Kyu...."

"O-okay...."

The remaining four comply, with reluctance.

"Just make sure to come back, alright dear?"

"I will." I answered.

"How nice. They trust you so much but you are so cruel to lie to them."

"About what?"

"About you coming back to them. Well, you aren't lying. You will come back but just not sure about whether it would still be you when you come back to them." A smirk form on Aedrox's lips.

"Is that a fact?" I return a smirk of my own.

I can see a slight frown from him.

"See you later, then. Senna."

As Angie jolted back a little from me calling her with name, I [Free Warp] myself and Aedrox to a place where it will be suited for our battle.

It was already in ruins but after Aedrox came through here, Rising Valley is even more of a ruin than before. It is now a remnant of a ruin. The plants especially, have all withered.

While giving such comments in my mind, I took out the Elixir with name on it.

It taste worse than I remember. Adding to the fact that it was red, it didn't help with the digestion.

Eyes closed, I gulped down the whole vial within a beat. I toss the vial away after emptying it.

My status, HP and MP all returned to their nominal state.

I flexed my joints and elbows, cracked my knuckles and neck.

"You waited. How chivalrous." I held no contempt back in my voice as I gave a side glance at Aedrox who was sitting on air like a chair.

He made no moves while I'm making preparations. He just stared at me with an expression that oozes out confidence like a river.

"Most prey run from their predators. Is not everyday you get one so obedient to stay put. I'm just.... amazed."

"You sure about this? I kicked your ass last time not thirty minutes ago."

Aedrox chuckled at my words. "This vessel contains some of your essence. You gave him a part of you. This, is a huge upgrade for me. You would be a fool to assume we still a match to each other."

Well.... that's unnerving.

"After I'm done with you, I will go after your bride. Your child. Your companions. Your creations. I will make them suffer right in front of you until you beg me to let you be my vessel. Sounds like a plan?"

I don't know if I'm just used to it or the evolution made my mind dull against such threats. I don't even feel the least bit provoke. His simpler words before has more of an impact in term of intimidation.

And without a prior warning, Aedrox unleashes a stream of dark purplish flame at me. I stacked multiple [Plane Displacements] coated with Void energy and blocked the stream. I counter with [Force Push] and send everything back to Aedrox.

With a wave of his hand, everything that was sent back is dispersed with ease.

Okay....? That's discouraging.

I received a look that no longer saw me as a rival. That smug face he has tells me that he's looking down on me even more than ever.

"No hesitation at all towards me?"

"This all happened because I hesitated. I'm done hesitating. I won't be making that mistake again."

"But wasn't I your friend?"

"Thomas is my friend. You're not. Just give up. Tricks like these don't work on me."

"That's what you think."

Pillars of black flames encased me. Using a new composite ability inspired by a certain path of pain, the flames are all pushed back until they extinguished. [Spatial Magic: All Repel]

"You know, you don't sound or act like someone who is doing this for his kind or race." I tried to sound as haughty as possible after giving the notion his last attack was a cinch.

I got a slight reaction from Aedrox.

However, he was kinda right about his vessel, this body is really holding out. Aside from the dark purple markings that cover the whole body, I don't see any other signs of this vessel giving out. Actually, it looked better than when it was "alive".

"You still see me as someone of your kind, you label me as such. I am not. Don't presume an outworld entity behaves exactly like primitive mortals."

Excuses, excuses. I rolled my eyes and I made it obvious.

"You don't believe what I'm doing is for the sake of my brethren, do you?"

"You act more like a mad dog with insatiable blood thirst than a savior or a hero."

"You mortals brought this upon yourselves." His grin disappeared. "We asked nicely. Not just this realm. Not just this dimension. We been to others too. We were all rejected. We weren't even given the chance to proof that we meant no harm. You primitives, you mortals all attacked when you realized how naturally harmful and toxic we are to your world. We were given no room, no chance to explain ourselves. We were instantly deemed an enemy that needs to be culled immediately."

"That justifies the atrocities you and your kind committed?"

"Atrocities have been committed in the name of Gods. It happens every where and no matter the era or generation. At least we are honest. So what does that say about you Sagax races?"

As far as I can tell, I'm not really part of Sagax but I'll let him talk for now.

"What will you have us do then, Harbinger? We played nice. We only defended ourselves when attacked. We suffered and endured for a long time. So long that you mortals will call it, eternity. One day, we asked ourselves, why are we playing nice? We don't owe any world, a thing. We didn't ask for this. We were born like this. None of us chose this."

"So, you all decided to use force and violence?"

"And what's so wrong about that? Humans, sapient races, the Sagax, even animals, you all would came to a place and call it yours. Anyone who opposes, you put them in their place with the difference in strength. Survival of the fittest."

I'm loosing this argument, aren't I?

"We realize we are in fact part of nature running its course." His grin was back. "Don't despise us. We are just doing what you all living things have been doing. The strong thrives, the weak perishes. The Sagax races, isn't the process of the founding of their civilizations the same as what we trying to do? Came to a place, claimed it as yours, and destroy any objections. I believe you humans called it, conquering or colonization."

God damn it, he makes a lot of sense but I still can't abide that, reasonable or not. Not when my loved ones are threatened.

"You think we're evil. We're not. We're just the natural order. We are the next apex predator and we will take hold of this world and shape it to our will."

I sighed. "I guess there's no more room for discussion?"

"Not if we are discussing your terms of surrendering."

Damn. I rubbed some off on Tom and Tom rubbed some off on Aedrox. Hearing some one speaking in a similar tone and voice as mine is really unsettling.

"Are you going to surrender?"

"You have Tom's memories now, what do you think?"

"I think, I'm a fool to ask."

I laughed, maybe to get rid of some anxiety. I activate [Awakening] and take my true form. And with the deep ominous voice, I spoke as I stared directly into his eyes. "You are right. You are a fool. A fool to kill my friend and defile his corpse."

"Well, let's do this." He said as he looked at me, smugly.

Ah. Truly unsettling.