PHASE 74 - THE CELESTIAL MAIDEN’S KISS

As the gigantic silver fox yowled for the second time, the shattered white heavens have completely faded. It was now replaced by red skies and blood moon. It seems like we’re now in Yami.

This scenery is one of the most terrifying places I ever saw. There are erected wooden crosses everywhere in this dark loom soil that makes it look a lot more like a graveyard.

On top of that black hill, is the largest cross of them all. Tiara was still tightly chained on that cross. And the gigantic Eidolon is guarding the unconscious friend of mine.

“We can’t beat her with Void Spells alone.” The Outsider sighed and then pointed at the direction of the giant cross. “But I think it’s clear that we can do something about that.”

“She’s clearly trying to protect Tiara.” I muttered.

“The seal is still active, which means Tiara Hikari is the key in winning this.”

Suddenly, the nine-tails roared, and miniature sun-like orbs materialized from each of the tips of its tails. Those glowing flame balls released orange lasers targeted to our position!

The Outsider went in front again and deployed his shield. “!!!”

As the glowing sticks of light touched his shield, the lasers bounced to a random direction, completely remodeling the landscape of this place! Small canals formed around us, and some wooden crosses evaporated in no time.

“Alaric... “ The Outsider muttered. “You should reach Tiara at all cost.”

“You can count on me!” I smiled.

As soon as the lasers faded, I made an overhead jump on the Outsider. The Outsider then positioned his shield to become my ramp, and then cast another spell! “!!!”

In an instant, we zoomed forward and halved the distance due to his extremely fast mobility spell! I used the momentum of the dash and my leg’s power to jump forward with a speed so fast enough that it can break the wind barrier!

“Useless!” The Eidolon telepathically shouted. Then the nine suns on the tails released another wave of lasers!

“!!!” I positioned my katana forward, and it released a large crimson tornado drill around my whole body! This spell served as a cocoon that protected me from those wide lasers!

The silver fox had her red eyes widened as she saw that all her attacks are ineffective. “What foolishness! I will delete you from each and every timeline in all multiverse!” She angrily shouted.

The giant fox opened its mouth and released a humongous silver blaster! “!!!”

I bravely dived forward to that strong attack, and it was the most regretful thing I ever made in this fight. My katana was vaporized by the blinding gigantic blaster! As soon as my sword crumbled and converted to dust, the crimson tornado that has been protecting me faded!

All cells of my body felt an unbearable pain as the white blaster eats me whole! My atoms are being dissolved by the time stream. And the pressure was extremely powerful that I am being pushed back!

Little by little, my body parts are converted to specks of dust. The upper part of my head, including my right eye, has been vaporized! My kidneys and right lungs are no more! My left arm has decayed! I could no longer feel the pain because I’m being slowly deleted from the timeline…

But not yet… I can see Tiara in front of me! … Just a little more!

I reached out my right hand, but the dazzling light converted it to powders…

“Tiaraaaaaa!!!!” I screamed as my existence fades away.

…

<>

Everything was dark.

A single star gave light in this infinite void. Inside the star is a glimmering energy of love for all the timelines she has given to me. My mind was enveloped by a soothing hum that would make me rest eternally in peace.

“With determination, I refuse to give up!” Tiara’s voice echoed.

Tiara… She never gave up on me, even if I die for seven million times.

But…

If she never gave up on me, then I… I will never give up on her!

The single star brightened and gave a dazzling flash, which made me come back to the battlefield!

<>

As my body reconstructed due to the timeframe of my existence being reversed, I obtained a tremendous amount of energy. I am now perfectly well and fine with my complete body, and the blaster is nothing but a gust of wind in my perspective.

“IMPOSSIBLE!!! YOU WILLED YOURSELF INTO EXISTENCE!!? JUST HOW STUBBORN ARE YOU!!?”

I rushed straight to the endless stream of time energy. The Eidolon’s eyes were filled with fear as I prepared myself for a deadly blow!

“Haaaaaaa!!!”

Void energy wrapped my right hand, as I pulled my fist with a blazing will to fight!

“!!!”

My arms were covered with dark aura of the void and reshaped itself to a dragon claw. I clenched tightly as I made a powerful punch straight to the giant fox’s right jaw! The force of the impact made a shockwave, and sent the large Eidolon twirling into midair!

The road to Tiara is now clear!

I grabbed the opportunity to run to the crucified shrine maiden, but then my body was wrapped with prana-draining chains! It can’t be! It came from the mouth of that Eidolon! The Celestial Time Fox is still alive, and floating on top of us!

“...You...can’t stop me… from reaching her!” I shouted!

Through sheer willpower, I struggled and used the last ounce of my strength to grab the girl who is precious to me. I managed to be close enough and embraced her with the warmth of my arms. But even with all that physical contact, she was still unconscious and her crimson eyes remain soulless.

But her mouth muttered a few words, signaling that she’s aware that I am here.

“...Rikkun… Do you hate me?”

“I will never hate you, Tiara…” I gave her a soft head pat and then held her rosy cheeks as I made a tearful smile at her. “Because you’re my dearest…”

I slowly leaned in close until our nose touched. Her warm breathing shoved upon my cheeks, and as I went much closer, we both closed our eyes. I tried to calm my racing heart, but it was utterly pointless. I halted my breathing as the blazing ember inside my heart gave a wildfire.

Our lips collided.

Tiara’s lips are so softer than a rose petal and as sweet as a bee’s honey. The tender soft sensation stimulated my nerves, making me feel what I am not aware that I’m capable of feeling. I felt a sudden surge of energy entering my body.

This is the right thing to do. For seven million timelines, she never felt to be loved by me. For seven million timelines, she never had a kiss from me. This kiss is just a small compensation for all the sacrifices she had done to keep me alive and happy.

Golden particles of light emerged from the ground where Tiara’s standing and both of our faces are being shined by it. As I pulled myself away, Tiara’s eyes redeemed its glow. And the golden cross sigil on her eyes is now brighter than the sun.

“...Rikkun…” There she goes with the innocent smile of hers. She even mixed it with her tears.

The shackles all over our bodies have completely shattered and turned into particles of light. And then, a small Gate opened on Tiara’s heart.

“...Rikkun…”

She spread out her arms as she stares at me with pure affection.

Without a second thought, my right arm reached for the glowing dimensional portal on her chest.

“Ah!”

Tiara made a short moan as I pulled an ultimate weapon from the depths of her heart!