FINAL CHAPTER Goddess of Atrocity The cautious Hero holds my hand and walks toward Sage Village without a hint of hesitation. After passing through the village entrance, he notices that the magic circle, which was supposed to have disappeared last time, is back. All of a sudden, it glows bloodred. Even the area surrounding us begins to twist and distort. …In the blink of an eye, everything is gone. There is only darkness. It’s as if I’ve been shot into space, yet the scenery feels familiar. This is where that demon first appeared before me. Does that mean this is the inner world? I don’t know whether this is reality or an illusion. The darkness feels like it’s part of me—like it’ll merge with my body and disappear. But even then, I can still feel Seiya’s warmth in my hand, so I’m not afraid. Perhaps I’ve been incapable of experiencing fear ever since we started heading toward the Demon Lord’s castle. Seiya’s hand twitches. He releases mine, unsheathes the sword at his waist, and puts himself between me and potential danger. Just like last time, someone appears before him, standing quietly in a jet-black robe. The hood, however, is no longer covering the individual’s head, revealing brindle hair. Long wings like those of a black swan jut from its back. “I’m impressed you were able to defeat Ultimaeus even after he transcended his existence.” The demon speaks softly as a pale bluish-purple aura radiates from its body. It is a surprisingly beautiful woman with almond eyes, a prominent nose, and pale lips. “But I am not surprised. ‘To do the impossible and save the world’—that is what it means to be a true Hero. I know that better than anyone.” “You’re not going to impersonate an old man today?” The demon gives a stifled laugh at Seiya’s question. “I’m having a hard time controlling this overwhelming power. Also, I was finally able to materialize into a physical form. Ultimaeus’s soul, even after becoming a god, has vaulted my powers to extraordinary levels. And it’s all thanks to you.” Seiya responds with a simple hmph. The demon then runs her fingers down her long hair, seemingly amused. “I destroyed countless worlds while awaiting this day. My hair’s color changes like this with every world I shatter. Perhaps this is a representation of my sin?” “…Who are you?” I ask. The demon shifts her focus to me. Her expression is surprisingly warm. “I am Mersais. Long ago, I lived in the unified spirit world just like you.” “Y-you what?!” What she’s saying is shocking, assuming it’s true. Yet Seiya just nods. “Mersais, the Goddess of Atrocity, yes?” “Oh?” The demon stares at Seiya with a look of admiration, but… Wh-what the—?! Hold on! “Seiya! How did you know she was the Goddess of Atrocity?!” “Because Zet, the Goddess of Warfare, already told us about her.” “Wait! She did?!” “She did. It felt important at the time, so I made a note of it.” Seiya whips out a book of straw paper from his breast pocket and opens it, so I take a peek inside. There, I find the following: *Important* Goddess of Atrocity, Mersais (). First learned about her from Zet, the Goddess of Warfare’s tale. [Brief Note] Started a war in the unified spirit world? Zet took part. Were probably other gods involved as well. Assuming she was kicked out of the unified spirit world and sent to another dimension, it’s possible she has become a malevolent god/Dark God. “Wow! What is this?! It’s like an encyclopedia of people!” He was already taking notes like this when we met Zet?! He wanted to keep reminders…and he even included his speculation. What a frea—ack! No, Rista! Just think about how many times this thing has probably saved us! If anything, Seiya needs to be praised! So many feelings are jumbled together. I just don’t know how to feel, but Seiya continues: “You told us to meet you here after defeating the Demon Lord. That was only so you could kill Rista and me to make yourself even more powerful, wasn’t it?” While Seiya sounds sure of himself, Mersais silently shakes her head. “After watching you triumph in battle after battle, I was beginning to think you had some sort of supernatural powers, but…it looks like you really can’t see into the future. So sorry to disappoint you, but you’re wrong. I asked you to come here because I wanted to invite you.” “I-invite us to what…?” Mersais’s lips curl as she looks at me. “What do you say? How about we fix this world together?” “What?! Are you mad?! Why would we help a demon like you?!” I scream, but Mersais, on the other hand, continues as if talking to a close friend. “Goddess Ristarte, do you enjoy your life in the unified spirit world?” “Of course I do!” “Just because you currently think something is the way it should be doesn’t mean you’ll always feel that way. Ristarte, the current state of the unified spirit world is wrong.” “I—I don’t know what you’ve got against the spirit world, but this goes beyond that! Do you seriously think we’d help you after what you did to Kiri?!” “You mean the unborn child’s spirit inside that Killing Machine?” Mersais seems sad. “I once had something irreplaceable long, long ago as well—something so important that I would have gladly given up my eternal life as a goddess. And now…” Mersais glances behind herself. “You have lost, and I have gained.” Wh-what…? Someone slowly approaches us from the abyss behind her. Wearing a mask akin to those worn by the demon priests we saw earlier in Sage Village, the figure leans in close upon reaching Mersais’s side. “I eventually got it back. I have finally regained what I lost that day.” She affectionately traces her finger down the mysterious newcomer’s mask while focusing on me. “Goddess Ristarte, I can resurrect your child as well if you help me.” “K-Kiri can be resurrected?!” “With my help, she can.” She can resurrect my child “as well”? Does that mean she resurrected the person wearing the mask?! I-is that even…?! While I understand in my mind that this is a trap, just thinking about Kiriko cheerfully talking to me again stirs up my emotions. However… “Don’t let her fool you, Rista. It’s too good to be true.” “Y-yeah, you’re right!” Seiya points his sword at Mersais, and the masked individual perks up. “Hey, Mersais… Is that my enemy?” I hear a voice coming from behind the mask, but it’s so muffled, I can’t make out whether it’s a man or woman. They drift from Mersais’s side, square up with Seiya, and then… “Berserk: Phase Four.” A dark-crimson aura radiates from behind the mask. Phase Four?! B-but that’s impossible! It takes every fiber of Seiya’s being to even get close to Phase Three! Even Zet, who created the move, can apparently only reach Phase Three! They have to be bluffing, but I’ve never seen an aura this intense. I can almost see the face of a demon as the aura writhes in the air. A chill runs down my spine like lightning. Even Seiya slowly takes an uncharacteristic step back. The individual in the mask, on the other hand, advances a step but loses balance and drops to one knee. Mersais places a hand on their shoulder. “You mustn’t push yourself too hard. Your body still isn’t used to this world.” Mersais helps them up and lends them her shoulder. I don’t know why, but her behavior makes it seem like they’re best friends or more. “Let’s go. Our enemy is elsewhere.” Mersais then turns her back to Seiya and me before proceeding toward the abyss. “W-wait!” I scream. Mersais glances back and mutters: “Nothing will ever be the same after today. A new world that follows the correct path will soon be born.” I blink, and the darkness is gone. I’m standing on a magic circle with Seiya in the ruins of Sage Village once more. That wasn’t an illusion, was it? Seiya pokes me in the shoulder in the middle of my speculating. “Rista, hurry up and open a gate.” “Huh?!” “A gate back to the unified spirit world.” “Ah! W-we’re going back to the spirit world?!” “Yes. Now hurry. We’re probably too late, though.” “‘Too late’? D-don’t tell me you mean that Mersais went to the spirit world to—?!” “It’s possible.” I open a gate in a panic, and my heart rapidly hammers against my chest as I walk through. Aria…! Ishtar…! Please be okay! However… “Huh?!” Deities are idly chatting and passing through the spirit world’s plaza just like any other ordinary day. After surveying the heartwarming scene, I look back to Seiya. “Nothing happened, Seiya!” “Yep. It looks like they need to prepare. Now that I think about it, that masked individual didn’t seem to be in the best shape, either.” W-wow… So he was just worrying way too much like he always does… He almost gave me a heart attack! Emotionally exhausted, I drop to my knees, but Seiya grabs my lapel and pulls me back to my feet. “Ack!” “They’ll be making a move sooner rather than later. Rista, we’re going to see Ishtar.” “O-okay!” “Ishtar, we’re coming in.” “Ristarte! I am so glad you’re safe!” Ishtar rushes over and gently holds my hand. She must have been worried about me. After expressing my gratitude, I put on a serious expression and tell her what happened. “We learned the name of the demon of Ixphoria. Mersais, the Goddess of Atrocity—she is the brindle-haired demon.” “Mersais…!” Although Ishtar usually keeps a level head, her eyes shoot open wide as her breathing gets heavier. “The heart already banished her for starting the war in the unified spirit world, but…yes… I see…” “Listen, Grandma. She absorbed the Demon Lord Ultimaeus’s life force and gained extraordinary power. I need to talk to the gods of the heart about this. Take me to see them.” “Very well…” Ishtar leads us through the hallway to the Chamber of Eternal Stasis where we then travel to the heart of the spirit world. After making our way up the winding path, we eventually arrive at the sanctuary where we find Chronoa and Nemesiel standing on either side of the entrance. Ishtar gets on one knee before the two pillars of the heart. “God of Logic and Reason, Nemesiel, Goddess of Time, Chronoa, I have come with news in regards to the demon of Ixphoria.” “Ishtar, we can talk about that later. First, I would like to congratulate Ristarte, the Goddess of Healing, for saving the SS-ranked world of Ixphoria.” “Huh?! Th-thank you!” Suddenly being the target of conversation throws me into panic, but Chronoa’s smile is as warm as ever. “We must reward you. Brahma, the God of Creation, shall be here shortly.” “What…?!” I am about to meet the deity of deities—the highest-ranking god and creator, Brahma—for the first time in my life. The doors to the sanctuary slowly open, but what emerges from the divine light is not a brawny man like Nemesiel, nor a beautiful woman like Chronoa, but a god even smaller than me. They are clothed in a white robe with giant wings, seemingly out of place on Their small frame. But what grabs my attention most is Their face. The Supreme Deity’s face is split down the middle: half like a young boy’s and half like a young girl’s. Their hairstyle is no different with one half short and the other very long, hanging at Their waist. Wow…! So this is the God of Creation, Brahma! H-he…? She? Anyway, They’re different from how I imagined Them. Brahma’s split face cheerfully smirks. “Well done, Ristarte. This concludes your punishment. From this day forth, you are officially recognized as a high-level goddess. Keep up the good work.” “Th-thank you so much!” I reply, albeit nervously. Nemesiel, in a well-projected voice, adds: “I cannot even remember the last time the God of Creation appeared before us. You should feel honored, Ristarte.” “I—I am!” While both Ishtar and I are nervous, Seiya casually takes a step toward Brahma. “Hey, Two-Face. We’ve got more important matters to discuss.” …After a split second of silence, both Nemesiel and Chronoa explode: “Wh-wh-wh-who are you calling ‘Two-Face,’ you fool?!” “S-S-Seiya Ryuuguuin, the God of Creation is the embodiment of both the positive and negative—the grand appearance of the creator of the universe!” I timidly peek at Brahma to see Their reaction, but the half-boy, half-girl’s expression hasn’t changed. They’re still gleefully smiling. Th-thank goodness! It looks like They’re not mad! “Seiya Ryuuguuin, allow me to express my gratitude to you as well. You saved an SS-ranked world. You have done a noble thing. So I must ask… Are you interested in becoming a god one day?” I jump, startled by the unexpected. S-Seiya?! A god?! If Seiya becomes a god, then we can spend the rest of our lives together in the spirit world! That would be amazing! But… “No thanks.” “Whaaaaaat?!” Seiya refuses. Brahma’s expression makes it clear They’re just as surprised as I am. “You would have eternal life as a god, though.” “I don’t need eternal life. Living creatures can productively live and find meaning in their existences because they know they’ll die one day. Nothing good would come from living forever.” “I see. I can understand your perspective. You two are quite the opposites, hmm? In the past, when I asked Ristarte’s soul the same question, she immediately replied, ‘Eternal life?! Yahoo!’” “My soul said, ‘Yahoo’?!” Seiya glares at me before facing Brahma once more. “The mastermind behind the unified spirit world’s war, Mersais, the Goddess of Atrocity, materialized in Ixphoria. It is highly likely that she will be invading the spirit world soon.” “Hmm. I see.” While Seiya is being serious, Brahma’s response is as casual as if They were merely discussing the weather. “Mersais… She was a powerful goddess. Nevertheless, her power is primitive compared to ours.” “I caught a glimpse of her strength during my fight against the Death Emperor. While I still can’t say for sure, it’s possible she possesses a power that could shake the spirit world itself.” “It isn’t, though. No one is a threat to a goddess who controls time and a god who controls logic and reason for three thousand worlds. Valkyrie will be there to handle Mersais, no matter what she tries. The spirit world is under no threat.” “Mersais probably isn’t the only one coming. There might be demons, fallen gods, and even…” Seiya turns to Brahma with eyes full of conviction. “…Heroes who will join her.” The room is as quiet as a placid lake until Brahma giggles. “Yes, I suppose you’re right. There are an infinite number of possibilities, after all.” “Let’s say it does happen. Would the gods of the spirit world be able to kill the Hero?” “No, deities cannot kill humans for the most part. It goes against the order of the spirit world.” “Then what will you do?” “Well… Hmm… I suppose I could make it so Ristarte can summon you.” “I’d appreciate it if I could keep my memories again next time, too.” “Oh, sure… Wait. Did I just play right into your hand?” Without even a gesture of gratitude, Seiya turns his back to Brahma and begins striding away. “Oh? Where do you think you’re going, Seiya Ryuuguuin?” “I’m going to meet Zet to hear more about what happened.” “You saved Ixphoria. Your job is over.” “There’s something I need to check. There was someone with Mersais who could raise their Berserk Mode to Phase Four.” “I have already moved Zet somewhere more secure than the Well of No Return, since she was plotting a rebellion. No one is currently allowed to speak with her.” “Sh-she was moved somewhere secluded?! No wonder she wasn’t there when I visited last time!” “We always take preemptive measures like this to prevent rebellions.” “Then I need data on all the deities who rebelled against the spirit world during the war. There should be a lot of them. It was a war, after all.” “Seiya Ryuuguuin, this is no business of a human’s.” “Then I’ll simply investigate things on my own.” “Sigh… You leave me with no other choice.” Brahma snaps their fingers. What?! And just like that, Seiya vanishes from the heart of the spirit world. “S-Seiya?!” I look around, but he’s nowhere in sight. “God of Creation…! What…? What did you do to Seiya?!” “I sent him back to his world.” “What…?!” I shriek at the God of Creation’s casual tone. “How could you do that?! Seiya risked his life to save Ixphoria! He even worried about the spirit world where we live…and yet…you sent him away without even giving us a chance to say good-bye! How cruel…!” “R-Ristarte…!” Ishtar places a hand on my back to calm me, but I’m still too pissed to forgive Brahma for doing that without even a word. “You’re right. Seiya Ryuuguuin is a magnificent Hero who saved an SS-ranked world. Chronoa has even taken a liking to him. If he ever decided to become a god, I would welcome him with open arms.” “Then why didn’t you even listen to what he had to say?!” “That was never an option.” “Why?!” The lips of the split face twist into a grin. “Because until they become deities…chosen one…humans are nothing more than foolish creatures of little significance.” When I see Brahma’s frigid, two-toned glare, I feel something inside me begin to crumble. The spirit world is supposed to be filled with truth and love. Aria, Ishtar—everyone gets along. It’s my home. A peaceful, comforting home. And yet, after meeting Mersais, I start to doubt everything I ever thought was right. The entire unified spirit world is slowly being swallowed by the chaos yet to come. (Ixphoria Arc: Fin)
Chapter 155
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