The Creator's Origins
Huh? Veldanava's words caught Dino and Veldora in surprise.
Dino, who had revered his master from the moment of his birth, was elated. He always believed that Veldanava was different, better, and engulfed in his curiosity, stood silent in anticipation.
However, things were not the same on the other side.
Struck with the information unexpected, doubt filled Veldora's mind.
From the very beginning, Veldora had held Veldanava in a high regard, the highest of everyone he acknowledged. To him, Veldanava was a brother, the only who understood that uneasiness, that irritation that accompanied him since his very birth.
Similarity. That was what the Storm Dragon used to feel when he looked up at his elder brother. They both did everything to cure their boredom, they understood each other, they were both True Dragons, they truly were 'brothers'.
Even just after meeting with Veldanava, Veldora had used 『Pursuit of Truth』 to reclaim the memories lost during his reincarnations. Sure, his personality was different from what he had from the past, but his memories not laid complete, the good and bad.
However, as his older brother's words ringed in his ears, that naive notion on familiarity Veldora held shook, threatening to crumble.
What does brother mean?
What does me mean by what he truly is?
Is he saying that he is not like us? not like me?
Is he saying that I a-am n-not his brother?
Such thoughts invaded the Storm Dragon's mind. Veldora, who was still growing accustomed to Veldanava's presence, was once again, for the first time in more than a millenia, struck with doubt and insecurity.
"Are you okay, Brother? You look pale"
Veldanava's words sprung the younger sibling out of his daze. "Y-Yeah"
"Well then, let's begin from my very own essence.
Unlike my siblings, who are born as the pillars of creation, I predate creation itself as you are aware. However, the cause of this was unknown, even to me for until a few days ago."
Veldanava continued in the silence that filled the room.
"I am a Star Spirit, a Unique, one of a kind Chaos Spirit, similar to others, but with the holy attribute of a much higher class than Demonic. The difference is so great that until I am observed to every minute detail, I practically resemble a Holy being. This is the byproduct of the circumstance of my birth.
True Dragons are manifestation of concepts that act as the backbone of this reality. However, that is not always the case. I am a True Dragon, who was not born from a concept, but a will separated from my original essence. I am not a manifestation, though if i had to say, I would be closest to totality, the all-encompassing."
Silence. A dreadful silence. That was what followed Veldanava's great revelation.
Seeing this, the King of the Stars spoke up.
"I think this is enough for now, I will reveal more when the time comes"
Veldora got up, slowly, as if in a daze. In the silence, his steps rang sharply in the room as he left through the door sluggishly, unaware of the concerned gaze that Veldanava bore.
"Maybe I should not have revealed this so directly"
Muttering this, Veldanava stood up, before turning to his subordinate.
"Dino!"
"Yes, my Lord"
"Let's go get the Key"
"Yes"
Dino got up, before raising his arm as a portal that seemingly led to a blizzard manifested before them.
Veldanava followed Dino into it, leaving nothing but a message transmitted telepathically to one he trusted with his younger brother.
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"Alright, good job Souei. Keep up the good work"
I said, before Souei disappeared right before my eyes yet again.
That honestly looks cool if we think about it, like batman, I think that was the name of the American comic character.
Anyways, from what Souei told me, Hinata was headed here, and would arrive in some days. Not only that, there seems to be another man accompanying her.
I hope we can resolve this peacefully. I don't want to fight her.
[Rimuru, this is Veldanava. I am leaving Tempest for a bit, so please watch over Veldora for me]
Huh?
This voice is definitely Veldanava's. But why does he sound so… upset? especially when talking about Veldora. Also, where is he going?
However, before I could even ask him again, he cut the telepathic connection. I tried to talk to him again but it seems like he already left to wherever he was going. Man, can't he at least give me an explanation, he's just giving me orders you know.
Anyways, Veldora's probably just lying around reading manga, I should focus on the current situation first.
Hmm. Hey Raphael, what if I—
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"Hey Beretta, Isn't this so cool?!"
Ramiris cried, floating before a sculpture she created. It was a piece, that could not be called anything other than a masterpiece, it displayed Ramiris, however, in an adult figure.
It looked nothing like the child-like pixie before it, but rather a divine gentle being of ultimate power and harmony.
"Yes, It is truly a masterpiece, Lady Ramiris"
"Fufu. Praise me more, wait a minute, I should show this to Ri—
Huh?"
"Lady Ramiris?"
"Master is here"
"Lord Veldora?
"Yeah, but… he's just standing at the gate. Wait here, I will bring him here"
"As you command, Lady Ramiris"
Without paying a mind to Beretta's formality, Ramiris flew to the inner side of the gate, opening it with the authority that now rightfully belonged to her.
CREAK.
The huge door creaked as it gave way for Veldora to enter.
"Master, why are you here? Did you bring the next volume of the manga?"
"Oh, sorry. I didn't"
Hearing this, Ramiris froze, eyes widened, as she held her head with her tiny arms, as if in pain.
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Huh? What the—
I'm sure I was just before master who was looking… sad?!
"Lord Veldanava, shouldn't you interfere?"
Eh? Why is my voice so— no… is-is this a m-memory?
"How many times have I told you not to address me with such formality?! We are not strangers are we, child?"
Sigh. "Okay, Fath… I mean, Velda"
"That's… better"
"I see, but please refrain from calling me a child"
"Fufu. Alright, Ramiris"
Sigh.
"I still have doubts. Shouldn't you console Veldora?"
Wait wait wait. That's… t-t-that's V-Veldanava right?!
My mind was all jumbled up. Why… just why was this memory showing up now of all times?
This was simply a memory, but it still hurt, it pained my heart, it broke my mind, and all I could do was watch as the memories that layed dormant began to resurface, as if their only purpose was my torment.
"He needs someone other than me right now, if not, he might become dependent on me. I do not want myself to become the pillar of his mind, i want him to grow, and this is not the time for me to intervene yet. So, I have a favour to ask of you, take care of him, if i am no longer in this world"
Huh? W-what does that mean? Did he know what was going to happen? W-was he really thinking of a-abandoning us all? Abandoning ME?
"No longer in the world? Are you planning on leaving?"
That was all i could ask. F-Father was Immortal, even if other True Dragons died, I do not believe he could die, after all, he is the SOURCE of life.
"This world is merely a selection ground, for the gate to my most prized creation. There will come a time where I will leave this world behind, for better or worse. You may not understand this now, but someday you will," Veldanava turned to me, "I leave Veldora in your care, Ramiris. My mind lacks the emotions that most have, so I hope you forgive me if I hurt you in the future when we meet again in the ******** ****"
What was that last part? I can't properly hear... but F-forgive him? I—
"…"
It took some seconds before the words properly sinked into my mind. I could not give a proper answer to his question, and all i ended up responding with was a slight nod, but he seemed satisfied with that.
"But what about the current situation?"
I asked, glancing at Veldora, who in all his draconic majesty was curled up in the middle of what seemed to be a wasteland, which just a day before was a lush forest briming with dryads, with his eyes empty as a void.
Huh? Wait… those eyes, they look like the ones Master had now… EMPTY!
Father had told me. Earlier, Veldora tried to befriend some elves and dryads, and he did. But in excitement, his aura was unleashed to it's full enormous potency, devastating the forest with a storm that ravaged the land in an instant, reducing all his new friends to dust.
Veldanava tried to reassure him, resurrecting the dead dryads. Veldora was elated, of course, but when they met again, all the eyes stared at him with dread and disdain. However, seeing this, something broke inside Veldora, it was painful to see.
The once jovial, prideful Veldora, now remained curled up like a juvenile child. While I did not admit to Father that I cared about the naive Storm Dragon, although I'm sure he already knew, just like he knew almost all else.
I felt him to be kin, maybe because as Father said, we were born near the same time.
"I will leave him to you"
And before I could even look at him, let alone reply, he was gone.
Sigh.
Now, once again turning to Veldora, I flew right before his head, and laid my hand on his snout.
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Frost Palace, Ice Continent.
Guy, seated in this palace, pondered about Dino's actions. Dino was not someone who would do something like this. No matter how much he thought about it, only one reason seemed appropriate for his behavior.
But that was impossible. He would have no doubt sensed Veldanava's intense Aura, there was no way he, no, anyone in this world would not have sensed it.
Unless… but why would he even hide his aura?
Dismissing that thought, he was about to go ask Dino himself… until—
!!!
Someone's here? Hmm? It's Dino… and someone else, i can't sense any energy from him at all? Impressive.
And so, he sat on this throne, waiting for Dino and the other 'interesting' person who could withstand the chill of the ice continent's weather.
He did not have to wait for long, as the duo approached the castle within moments, and soon, seconds later, they had already reached the hall where Guy sat, waiting.
"What brings you here, Di—"
Guy's words stuck in his mouth, his eyes widening in surprise as crimson eyes met azure.
"It's been a while, Guy"
Guy grinned.
"Heh. It sure has, Veldanava!"