It began with Locrion’s breath.
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From the void, black hands emerged.
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Then, an eerie wail echoed through the expanse as beasts howled in chorus.
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Enormous fists hammered down with tremors, shaking the fabric of space itself.
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It was an onslaught of attacks by the Ancient Species against Alaysia.
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The Apostles and Heroes fled out of the way to avoid harm.
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The sole one remaining defiantly in the center was Vargo.
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“Such an irritating noise…!”
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With his entire body encased in crimson divinity, his mace shattered Alaysia’s bones as it swung past.
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In the landscape resembling the end of times itself, Renee, who had been moved to safety with Marie’s aid, struggled to compose her chaotic thoughts.
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‘Could Vera be…?’
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The truth that dawned on her and the missing pieces that gradually fell into place shook her to the core.
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Vera was the reincarnation of Ardain.
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In the previous life, Vera died.
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And was temporarily brought back to life by her.
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Adding to Alaysia’s words from earlier that Ardain would become the Tenth, Renee realized.
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If she had failed to stop Alaysia in the previous life…
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If Vera had become the sacrifice for the Tenth…
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‘Then, the one who killed Vera was…’
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Herself.
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The sudden surge of emotions was akin to apocalyptic flames, scorching her heart with unbearable sorrow and burning away all of her thoughts. No words could properly express the feelings which overcame her.
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‘I have to stop this…’
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It had to be stopped.
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It must be stopped.
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If he became the sacrifice for the Tenth, she would have to kill him.
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Should she not be the one to end the life of the man she loved with her own hands?
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Renee wasn’t someone who could do such a thing.
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“Saint, this way!”
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“Wait…!”
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She tried to go forward but was held back by Albrecht.
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“No! I have to get Vera…”
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“We can’t get there! We don’t have the power to break through! His Holiness has stayed behind, so we have to retreat for now!”
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They had to move, but Renee could only be wretchedly led away by Albrecht as she was unable to walk properly on her own.
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Booooom—!
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The earth-shattering explosion only amplified Renee’s anxiety, and the events that followed swiftly made it a reality.
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In that moment.
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“Too late, you silly things.”
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A bizarre phenomenon occurred.
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Amidst the deafening explosions and the tremors shaking her whole body, a faint voice whispered chillingly in her ear.
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“It’s time to return now.”
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It was a playful voice trailed by a shadowy despair.
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Clap—
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With the sound of a clap, all noises ceased.
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[What…?!]
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Gorgan’s horrified groan rang out.
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Alaysia laughed, her body crumbling halfway.
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“I was prepared for everything from the start.”
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Thump—
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Vera’s body convulsed.
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It was a clear anomaly.
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The sight of his lifeless body shaking uncontrollably, Alaysia’s laughter, and the ominous dread triggered the survival instincts of all those present.
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Thump—
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Albrecht’s grip on Renee loosened.
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Yet, Renee could only collapse in place.
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Thump—
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The one nearest to Vera was none other than Vargo himself.
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He looked upon Vera with an uncharacteristically horrified expression.
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Crraaack—
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All of Vera’s joints snapped backwards.
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His skin and muscles twisted and coiled, as if wringing out a rag.
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His physical form gradually contorted, amalgamating into one.
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And his clothes and armor fell away.
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Squelch—
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Vera’s body congealed into a lump of flesh, shaped like an egg.
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In the midst of the stunning silence lingering around this abhorrent phenomenon…
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“Aru…!”
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Alaysia called out his name, her voice overwhelmed by emotions.
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Splurch—
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The lump of flesh split in half.
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From the descending silence, only the gruesome sounds of flesh being pierced through could be heard.
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[Ah…]
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What came out was an emaciated arm.
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An arm of the purest white emerged, tearing through the lump of flesh. A head followed, dragged out.
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Splash—
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Black blood splattered on the ground with a viscous noise.
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“The Tenth…”
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Trevor’s mumble alluded to its identity.
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Its human head was devoid of facial features.
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Ten irregular horns sprouted atop it.
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Six faces followed, pulled out after.
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What emerged was no longer a fetus—It was theTenth.
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In a grotesquely blasphemous form, it began to rise.
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[Aaah…!]
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It flailed like a newborn calf.
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The black blood trickling down seeped into the six faces attached all around its body.
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[Ahh…]
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The Tenth crawled towards Alaysia.
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Alaysia spread her arms, welcoming it.
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“Aru…!”
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She called out that name with loving eyes despite her ravaged body.
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[Halt!]
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Locrion opened his mouth at the Tenth.
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Booom—!
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An inexplicable phenomenon caused his head to burst.
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The ice and sea forming Locrion’s corporeal body cascaded down. It swept past Alaysia and the Tenth, the puddle mixing with the black blood to take on the form of a swamp.
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Then, the Tenth arrived before Alaysia’s very eyes.
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[Ah, aaah…]
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“Mm, you’re hungry, right? Of course you are. You haven’t eaten anything yet.”
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Alaysia slowly got to her feet and embraced the Tenth to her chest, speaking with a lively face.
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“Eat up.”
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The Tenth hugged her back.
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Then, the mouths on all seven of the Tenth’s faces tore open and began to devour Alaysia.
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Cruunchh, grrrind.
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As the sounds of masticating flesh and bone echoed all around, the Ancient Species began to move, one by one, too late.
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[Incomplete!]
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Terdan’s outstretched fist smashed down on the Tenth, only to immediately burst apart.
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[We can still stop this! Move!]
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Gorgan’s white arm shot out to grab the Tenth, but instantly splattered into the air as flesh and blood.
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Even Nartania’s twelve-handed mudra, Maleus’ wedge dragged out from the darkest abyss, and Vargo’s mace.
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None of them reached the Tenth, yet still, they did not cease.
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“Incomplete… Yes, it’s still incomplete.”
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Trevor called out to the group.
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“We must stop this now! Together!”
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“Huh?”
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“That’s only a vessel! The fact that we still possess our powers proves this!”
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“Ah!”
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Miller’s eyes lit up.
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‘...That’s right, Completing the Tenth requires Ardain’s nine powers, soul, and body. The body belongs to Sir Vera, but the authorities remain with us. It’s impossible to guess how much of the soul has been gathered.’