Swooosh...

Quickly running past streets and a few crowds of citizens, unseen due to creating a domain around himself which erased his presence for being felt or seen, Tale felt a rush of emotions which disappeared as fast as they came.

He knew there were at least a few who could detect him, so he moved quickly, though it wouldn't be troubling even if they detected him, he was just making sure not to waste time.

He had arrived at Untivon, a small city bordering Russia and Mongolia. Its population didn't exceed 10,000. It was a place of gathering for those who had rebelled against their origins, a place that is both chaotic and peaceful, something that seems contradictory. You can do whatever you want as long as you apply for an 'Identity.' Heroes and villains aren't a thing here either, there is only living with an extension of power. The darkness and light are simply one and merged, no action is good nor bad. It's a place filled with crazy people, they do what they want and there's no law to stop what the outside considers atrocious. It's one image of what most slums are like around this world, upgraded by several levels. You only have yourself as an ally, don't even think for a moment friendship, bond or love is actual.

Thankfully, the citizens of Untivon are restricted with 'identity,' so a percentage of their inner insanity and lunacy caused by situations or quirks are caged. They won't cause any major problem with this restriction, and they stay here without leaving to cause problems.

If they didn't have this restriction, they would've been wiped from existence by several powers of the world. The citizens were a threat, after all, only the craziest from around the world we're here. Even further, most of them had dangerous quirks. The existence of the current Overseer and the second behind is the only thing that has kept the independence of this land.

The Tale of what seemed like the distant past had also set several 'plans' to rid this place in a heartbeat if ever it had encroached on his newfound goal of peace. That Tale, fueled greatly by passing words with a mental fog that blinded him, acted in a manner that he was labeled a major villain worldwide for a period before he had disappeared from the world's sights. That was the time consequences of the two different realities began, and the experiments quickened to figure a solution.

In a grueling process that look several years on Tale's end, Fatir who was completely paralyzed and only had a small portion of his mind active due to the de-sync of the mind at the sudden corruption and expansion of priority to Tale's ego slowly calmed Tale and regained both of their clarity' through various means. Though, things only worked out due to a part of Tale's ego trying to revert back, but it was a small portion, even so, Fatir, and it worked together which worked out in the end.

That was a great learning experience for Tale and Fatir, they've been keeping their mind in check since as they created various counter-measures, but mostly in theory, though one of the few things that came to be in actuality is a Mind Filter. This experience also added another reason for wishing to find peace.

The 'plans' of the Tale of the past were also very much still active for Untivon, so Tale didn't have any worries of the backlash that his request here could've caused if they weren't there.

"This place sure has become far more lively since I last came... ah, there it is. At least this is the same, though the materials' been changed... Hm."

Step.

Looking around, Tale gazed at the various buildings scattered, returning his gaze, he looked at the familiar large and wide-open road ahead. Untivon was like a place that had stayed in the middle-ages in its design and structure. Modern technology was here of course and with some things far more advanced than the outside world, but they were hidden from plain sight, so one wouldn't ever guess unless you were a resident.

"Let's move on."

Quickly disappearing ahead as he could feel eyes slowly turning towards him, Tale didn't stop any longer and proceeded without interruptions.

Crackle. Crackle.

After a short passing, he stood in front of a rather cozy-looking house. The simple fence around the entrance had lightning sparks whizzing through, giving an odd vibe.

Walking past the fence, Tale ignored the lightning sparks that whizzed around him and walked to the door. He didn't knock, nor wait, he simply pushed it open. The door wasn't locked, so it opened easily. That was expected.

Step. Step.

Tale only took two steps in as he closed the door behind him. Standing still, his eyes traveled. The room he was in had a single couch, TV, desk, and lamp. A laptop and a flower vase were the only other things as they were set on the desk.

The wooden walls creaked lightly as lightning whizzed in momentary intervals.

Ignoring everything, bringing his gaze towards the couch, Tale opened his mouth, "E900, don't play around." Tale said with threat. He'd rather not waste time, especially with this 'viper.'

In a moment, as Tale's words reverberated lowly, the lights of the room flickered as the whizzing lightning gathered and traveled towards the couch. With a crackle, two figures appeared standing as they faced Tale. One was a gruff old man named Artem Dmitriev, and the other, the current Overseer of Untivon, Gresham Feron, someone Tale knew well...

"Ha, you really have no sense of fun, 00Z. You didn't even let me complete the light works." Gresham commented with a sarcastic, sad tone. Tale simply ignored this.

"Your entrance was also rather... crass. A formal notice would go a long way-"

Raising a palm, Tale stopped Gresham from speaking further, without wasting a beat, not greeting nor giving a moment to take a breath, Tale's voice resounded clearly. "I need information, on 003X."

"..."

In an instant, at Tale's words, the 'fun' on Gresham's face vanished as he stared at Tale's blank expression, making sure he had heard right. He was already aware he would be receiving a ridiculous task since it was Tale, but he didn't expect it to be something so threatening.

"You..."

Gresham didn't know whether to be angered or indifferent. The consequences would be no less severe either way. He wanted to say something, but stopped himself.

Bringing a hand over his heart, Gresham felt the wild winds as his teeth visibly cracked under the pressure he put as he clenched his teeth. The sickening sound was rather loud. Masking himself became impossible as he looked at Tale, who was apathetic.

It never took long to drop his mask whenever Tale was there, it seemed.

Artem, who didn't care for the conversation of the two from the start, poured himself a cup of tea which he had pulled from somewhere, and simply sat down on the couch and closed his eyes as he slowly sipped the tea. The world seemed to become silent around him as he blended into the surroundings. He was rather peaceful until angered, his caged lunacy would open for a while in that state. He considered himself to be a forgettable side character when calm, and he liked that, though everyone knows him too well, but they won't say anything lest they want a 'lecture' to the depths of hell and back.

Clatter. Clatter. Crackle.

"Bastard... do you still hate me so much..." Gresham's expression was ugly. His life was already in Tale's hands, but now he was making it even more difficult. The surrounding pressure began to rise as lightning whizzed. He had no intention to attack, he was just releasing his frustration.

Staring at Gresham, Tale's expression became unreadable.

"While I hate you, I didn't come today to act on that... I am here to hire the help of Gresham Foren, the current Overseer of Untivon. You can either do it willingly to which you'll be given benefits, I'll even remove one of the domain layers, or you could simply have no benefits and be forced."

A moment of silence occurred as the pressure in the room halted.

Slightly laughing, Gresham stared at Tale as if he was an exotic specimen. In the first place he didn't have a choice, so even if he puts subpar effort, why would he want to work without benefits if possible? His anger didn't matter, it wouldn't change anything, he wasn't strong enough to take his freedom, he understood that too well, it never changed. From the first moment to the current, this was always how it was for him, he never had freedom. He survived only how he could and didn't have any regrets over them.

"Hah... this is the very first time you've ever used my name, isn't it 00Z?"

"..."

"Bastard... since I don't have a choice in the first place... you need to release AT LEAST 2 domain layers and give at least one or two favors for Untivon as a whole... You'll be receiving garbage otherwise."

Since he had a chance, Gresham would at least take it to gain a bit more overall freedom even if it didn't mean much, the end result was all the same either way. He routed out the paths he could take in his mind. Since they all reached the same end, he wouldn't hold back on requests, though he understood enough to not get too greedy.

"Alright, I'll release two layers and provide a favor to Untivon as a whole, not the Overseer, if and if you provide what is needed... I'll even release a 'sin' provided you obtain a piece of information worth that much."

"..."

"You're really trying to use the carrot and stick method well, aren't you, 00Z? It's enough, don't say anything more." Gresham said slowly as his face hardened with a sigh as he leaned back and fell onto an empty spot on the couch. If Tale said anymore, it would complicate things, this task's danger was already several times higher than any before, it was a headache in every way. There wasn't a need to make it worse.

Seeing that proceedings were going well, Tale walked a bit more into the house and went to a corner. He was contemplating which plan of his to follow now that the first step was complete.

"Artem, perform a [Foretold Writing], make first target Untivon and the second me."

Looking up as he heard Gresham, Tale looked at Artem, who slowly put down his tea on the desk and stood.

Artem was someone none should touch if you weren't strong and had enough backing, though that didn't apply to those that are the strongest in the world, like Tale. Artem was a superhuman in physique, but that wasn't the danger of touching a hair of his body, it was his backing... it was large, to say the least. He was Untivon's second leader after the Overseer who also held a large backing tho weaker. Artem had no intention for Untivon's throne, so no problems arose.

[Foretold Writing], that was his quirk which gave him a peek at something's path through writing in various forms depending on the complexity of the path. Of course, there were consequences and limitations.

...

"Are you okay, dad?"

Looking up at Fatir who had suddenly stopped, Yul was confused. They had been walking on a road for a bit now but Fatir had a sudden look as if he realized, understood, and was deeply analyzing something altogether.

Seeing Fatir's expression clearer, Yul remembered a few times when it had happened before. Always after, his father seemed to do something he thought was quite crazy and cool.

"Hm...?"

Though, unlike his past memories, Yul was a bit surprised as his father quickly returned from the state he was in.

With an impassive expression, "Path... Alright." Fatir muttered as he looked ahead.

Hearing the mutter, Yul was confused for a moment and blinked, but that didn't last long. The next words' of Fatir's changed Yul's mood greatly.

Looking towards Yul, Fatir smiled lightly and spoke. "Let's keep walking, Yul, towards the west now." These were simple words, but they carried a big meaning for Yul. His father had agreed to train him, as he had requested at breakfast today. This meant one step closer to being able to follow his father without bringing him trouble, he could finally become strong!

'This is cool as well!' Yul was smiling from ear to ear, but that quickly shifted.

Stepping forward with silent steps, Fatir had lightly tapped on Yul's shoulder as he appeared a meter ahead with a small gust of wind brushing against Yul's face, waking him from his excitement.

"Ah...!" Yul blinked as he turned his head.

"Yul, keep up!" Fatir said as he stepped forward once more in Yul's surprised eyes, threading 6 meters ahead.

Regaining himself and steadying, Yul happily hummed as he stretched like how he was taught and began running after Fatir who was 15 meters ahead and slowly increasing in speed.

The rushing wind felt comfortable as Yul experienced a new sort of feeling he didn't understand, but he didn't give that mind as he focused on keeping up with his father.

After a bit, he had a thought. "Feel the earth as I run...? I think that's what dad said before..." A subtle aura rose around him as he did, though he didn't see.

Watching, in one of the elven homes in the vicinity, a beautiful elf looked out the window, gazing at the duo of father and son until the last moment they had left her view. "His Grace and his child..." She had muttered.

After a moment's pause, looking back on the past, the watching elf smiled at the memories she remembered as she turned away from the window.

"Tyrael, Fenian, let's go play for a bit, we could all use some sun. The sky is very clear today." It was a perfect day to play with her children, it's been too long since she joined them, she had the thought.

.

.

.

While that had occurred with Fatir, at the same time, somewhere within the High Realm or Land of Gods as those of the lower realm refer,

Slice!

Crush!

The towering figure of a Goddess loomed over the sky as she cut down Vexieceans, natural creatures born of darkness. They had shadow-like bodies with the distinct feature of a goat-like head with six dark antlers, which allowed them to release darkness to the world.

"SCRRRECH!"

The Vexiecean tried to retreat as they brought up the shadows around to blind the attacking goddess, but before their plan could come to reality, the shadows in several mile radii suddenly withered as if they had been consumed.

"SCRREEE!!!"

Feeling fear but left with no choice, the Vexieceans scattered and rushed in every direction as they released all their power simultaneously in an instant. Their dark antlers released fog-like darkness from every corner.

Unfortunately, with a blinding light, the goddess cut through their darkness with her mighty battleax, there was almost zero resistance. The goddess sighed in disappointment at that.

As the screeches of the Vexieceans disappeared one after the other, even her battleax shook with disappointment.

"Tsk! More weakling's trying to conquer my domain with overconfidence! When will a Ruler try to attack... no, a Star Conqueror would be even better!" The Goddess exclaimed enthusiastically. Her battleax shook violently in agreement.

"No-NO!"

"Y-your eminence...! Please do not wish for such a fate!" A sudden voice sounded from the side, anxious and frightened from the goddess's words. He wore a black butler outfit, as his color-changing hair visually expressed his swirling emotions.

Seeing him, "Oh, Oh, HERTEL!" The goddess called out, her tone all smiles.

Flying back with a gulp, Hertel looked wary. The smile of the goddess was very frightening to him.

"My, oh my, were you the one to swallow those shadows, Hertel...? Was it you? I'm asking formally like you always ask me to!" Her voice had an odd tone to them.

Hertel could only sigh. Understanding the Royal Eminence's desire for battle and challenge, Hertel knew saying anything more on the subject would lead to nothing anyway, so he decided to just distract her. It was the most applicable.

"*Cough* Your eminence, his royal highness has sent a message!" Hertel readily and suddenly announced, making sure to bow and straighten his posture as he took on a calm tone. His hair had also returned too normal to look natural.

With a moment's silence, a moment which felt very long, Hertel gazed up to see that the goddess had readily calmed as expected, she even had a subtle joy. Even her bloodthirsty battleax stopped radiating murderous intent.

"You should have said so earlier, Hertel! I would have ended the battle instantly if I had known!"

'That would make your need for battle worse later on... none of us need that.' Hertel said in his heart as he smiled lightly. 'It's unfortunate I had to step in, the destruction had to be stopped, though. The scale was rather large this time...'

"Firstly your eminence, his royal highness has sent the souls you requested for Project RISE to the royal temple, they'll arrive at the world tree for Goddess Endredalioca to find the link, The second part of this is a personal message already awaiting in your royal bedroom-"

Swooosh!

Suddenly feeling the wind, Hertel stopped speaking and closed his mouth as to not bite his tongue. He was being pulled like a rucksack, but he didn't have the luxury to care. The destination was obviously the royal palace.

'*Phew* I'm in one piece... I'll remember this debt, your Royal Highness.' Hertel silently thought as his dignity had stranded to the bottom of the sea as the Goddess flew over the city.

.

.

.

Fatir was rather comfortable today. Even with the happenings on Tale's side, both of them had a momentary place to relax here. Today was an especially peaceful day.

All proceedings needed to be complete here were done, the souls' Tale gave a few moments had already been sent to the higher realm, and he could only hope they had waited long enough. The elves of this settlement who were by no means suddenly recovered from longing and trauma had also gotten a bit better, they were on the right track at least. He wouldn't go to bother them today and would let them explore what they needed to.

Of course, even if he was comfortable today, he knew more problems had already sprouted, but he pushed those thoughts away for today.

It was important to take breaks now and then to relax the connected mind. Having a bothersome or rather problematic thing happening constantly in both worlds' isn't the way to go if they want to keep their mind balanced and healthy from corruption.

Step. Step. Swoosh!

Swinging off a tree branch, Fatir disappeared into the forest as Yul chased from 12 meters back with a subtle aura surrounding his body. His expression showed he was rather determined and joyful.

Fatir was quite glad Yul could develop his aura so quickly, even if it was in its infancy, and that he was having fun from the looks of it. Though, having experienced Fatir's aura so many times, again and again, Yul developing an aura was expected.

Jump! Turn! Hide!

Jumping through branches, running through the tops of trees, hiding from Yul's sight, and creating minor distractions. Fatir made sure Yul didn't have it easy trying to chase him. This day was for Yul to figure out how to control the strength in his body he had no idea he had, after all. Taking it easy would result in nothing.

Over the years, Yul had consumed various special items and dishes those from the lower realm would never have the chance, what he gained was not natural strength, he had to figure out how to properly channel it so all these odd movements were for Yul to try and figure out how to do such a feat. Fatir could naturally Tell Yul how, but then he would miss learning from scratch, which would provide better results overall.

Like Fatir had wanted, Yul finally fell to struggle. He tried to imitate and adapt Fatir's movements to suit him, but that was more difficult than he had expected. He had also finally felt the tiredness traveling through him.

Thinking for a moment, Yul knew that if he ran from below, he would never catch up, not with his speed, so he looked conflicted on how to act as he searched through his memories of how his father moved during the times he went with him to the forest before.

"Um..."

Staring up as he saw Fatir getting further and further, Yul steadied as he took a break, calming himself as he tried to shake away his tiredness and run forward.

Stopping wasn't a good idea. Unfortunately, it was too late for such a thought, that stop he made caused his tiredness to take over, he didn't make it far before his body simply refused to move forward.

"Ah... I don't want to give up yet..." Yul tried to fight against his body, but ultimately failed.

Memories slowly started to surface in his mind and his father's movements slowly processed clearer through his mind as he stopped and was thinking.

"Um..."

"Like this... ah, aura... maybe I can change it to help me...?" Yul had the thought. His aura had become really faded now, though.

"There is mana, but I don't know how to use mana... dad said he would teach me later... hm... well... perhaps I could try to see if I can feel something and make it like aura but not aura...? Hm... what...?"

Fatir who was watching Yul in hiding had a smile as mana particles slowly gathered around Yul, it was odd and not like how a normal person would use it if they had it. It tried to act like how an aura worked, it failed, but there was a small success, Yul had felt there was something inside him.

"Good."

Coming out from behind a tree further ahead, Fatir walked over to Yul who lightly pouted as he knew that meant that was it for today.

"It's still noon, let's go eat something, you can also meet a new friend." Fatir felt Miru could finally show themselves in front of Yul without a backlash.

______________

To be continued...