10 Missing Link

Particles are the amalgamation of one's inner soul and energy that is born inside each and every living being. Animals are no exception to this, once enough particles have built up in an animal, they gain characteristics reminiscent of their in-born particles, Slimes are usually born from any type of animals possessing the Earth particles, once more particles build up in their bodies they undergo a monster evolution, from a slime to a goblin and so forth.

However, when exposed to energy not of this World, their particles twist and turn, their genetics are overwritten and they turn into Corrupted beings.

Due to particles being the very essence and amalgamation of the inner soul, a normal human will only be able to control a single Path. The Seven Paths comprises of, Earth, Air, Wind, Water, Fire, Darkness and Light. Essentially basic elements that make up the World. To further their Paths in the World, they will only ever serve one Goddess of their own elements. Should they turn and stray away from that path, the Goddess will look in disgust and reject them, in turn, they will be unable to exert their inner energy. However, this does not apply to monsters. It is unknown to this day why that is, researchers and scholars have investigated deep into the matter but have come up with nothing.

Thus, Goddess are highly looked up to, not to mention even having the mindset of insulting them. This was what felt wrong in the illusion I suffered.

Memories suddenly flooded my consciousness, the sheer amount of 'time' I have dawdled in the fake World had taken a toll on me. I remember, apart from the last iteration, it had always ended with the Capital Valencia and its inhabitants being slaughtered as a matter of course. My final moments laid in the orphanage when Francesca had sneaked out at every iteration and was slain by that Minotaur-like monster.

I had gone insane, over and over and over and over and over.

I slaughtered each and everyone of those bastards like wheat being crushed and reprocessed. After it was all and done, every damn monster slain. When my dagger could no longer pierce their throats, I used my fists. When I could no longer use my fists, I used my legs. And even when those proved useless, I concentrated my particles to gather within a two meter radius and ended my own life at the orphanage. A ball of fire ensued and the entire city was engulfed with deadly concentrations of energy and everything was burned to a crisp.

As quickly as the memories came, they faded like a dream. Illusions truly are fearsome, they entrap you in an endless loop and once one has escaped, the experiences become vague until only a speck is left. This was a unique constitution of World-Class Illusions, it prevents anyone from remembering about it and exactly how to escape.

A curse and a blessing in disguise indeed.

A strong presence exuded its aura and came closer. An extremely well-built handsome man towering over 6 meters entered the Parthenon, I laid on the bed at the middle and he came closer.

"Resilient as ever, aren't you, Alias?" Long silver hair flowed down his back as he grandly spoke. "Congratulations on escaping, to put even you in a coma for a year, it truly is worthy to be called World-Class."

"Where is the Goddess? Where is she now? Where is Veronica?" I croaked, it seems my throat is still not well enough.

He looked away, "She, it's best for you to see for yourself. First, we have to do something with your missing leg and arm. We can't heal you right away as there may be side-effects in regenerating your body. You've been stuck within its Illusion for a grand while. We don't know what exactly that spell is capable of, we know it can affect us though." He paused, "Need a hand?"

"Yeah sure, give me yours and while you're at it, throw in your legs as a discount too." I grumbled.

"Sure thing handsome~, touch these thighs as much as you want." He replied and I felt like I would throw up in my mouth.

"Go touch your own grandfather! Once I get back to my full strength, I'll beat you senseless, Litho, you better remember this!" I shouted.

"Exactly, this is the only time I can tease you without being reprimanded," Chuckling, he continued, "I'm glad you've woken up, welcome back, lad."

While Litho had his quirks and... Odd favoritism, yep, it was only favoritism. He was the oldest Champion of Light and had been with Veronica for a long while. I myself, could not remember when I had started serving Veronica but awkwardly, he was more respectful to me compared to when he interacted with the other two Champions.

I have a need for finding out what happened to me. In the first place, who exactly was I? Before she disappeared, the Goddess told me she had sealed my memories somewhere. A need to unseal those are of top priority.

"Alright, come out little lady." Litho looked back at the entrance.

How odd? There was no-one else I could feel other than Litho but wait, could it be?!

A young girl appeared in front of me, with blazing scarlet hair, it was not as bright as it once was however, it seemed that she had appeared to be much shorter and chest as non-existent as ever.

"Alias!" The girl ran over to me and hugged me. She felt my missing arm and leg, her mood suddenly dampened.

"Don't mind it, I can always regenerate it sooner or later." I responded quickly, but wait, who was this girl? She's certainly not Veronica.

"She is the new Goddess, our greatest object of worship has passed away and her successor, the avatar Francesca has taken her place." As if reading my thoughts and noticing my bewildered expression, Litho answered.

An old familiar whisper suddenly came to me, as quiet as it was, I caught it, "Oh young man, won't you become my champion once again?"

A fragment came back to me, I put my hand on her head. "Sure thing."

Francesca looked delighted and seemed as if she wanted more. Therefore, I rubbed her head a bit.

"Ehehe, I like this!" She looked extremely delighted.

"It seems she's as blank as a white sheet, please keep in mind not to taint her. As much as you'd like to dye her of your own colors, please refrain." Litho stated underhandedly.

I looked at the girl, she was so pure, as if she was just born. "So, the old hag finally kicked the bucket and a new one has taken her place? I was tired of getting beat up and ordered around." I sighed. I hid and discarded my true thoughts to the back of my head.

"This is the first time it has happened, the other Goddesses are fine, only our unfortunate Light Path has suffered the consequences behind the massive ambush at Vericia." He said, "The entire city was completely engulfed and utterly destroyed, millions lost their lives that day. It was unheard of, I cannot believe that Corrupted beings managed to breach through and reach the Water Goddess Domain." Pausing, he looked at me, "The last report was a literal meltdown of the entire city, in the epicenter, we found you unconscious and a dark inkling of a World-Class Illusion inhibited your body. How did this?"

"That, I cannot remember." I replied, "Before she disappeared, Veronica told me that she had sealed my memories somewhere, but it is all so vague. Perhaps..." I trailed off.

"Oh, big sister Veronica told me where! But she didn't say to show you yet. I think it was when I've properly matured or something..? Do you think I'd able to grow even more than big sister?" She pouted and looked down at her chests.

"It seems she has inherited our old Goddess' plight." Litho stifled a laugh. "Well, currently we have a dire need of a Goddess in order to reorganize our Path. Gaining experience is essential! You will stay under that amnesiac state to take care of our little shining star."

"And what are you planning now, dirty old man?" I looked rather displeased.

"Live normal lives as mortals in the Light Goddess Domain and remain hidden! You will teach Francesca about the meaning of life, the citizens we protect and the very reason of our existence! In other words, gather the faith of the people and reinforce their mindsets!" Litho stretched out his hands and began preaching, "Only until you become a formidable figure and raise Francesca into a fine and mighty Goddess will you be allowed back! This is my ultimate order as the oldest big brother around here!"

"Furthermore! You are not allowed to spout and show off your statuses! If you do, I will get really mad, you know?" Litho looked a bit serious, "Teach her the value of life. Of course I don't mean it in a lewd way, so no touching! Otherwise three soggy meals a day and a rough bed only awaits you behind cold steel bars!"

"What do you take me for, huh?!" I yelled at Litho.

"Uhm, what's the Lewd way? Is that another path?! Which Goddess governs it?!" Francesca looked quite curious. But, it's better off to ignore this.

Litho spread out his arms and shouted grandly, "I will give you three days to prepare, you will leave all of your equipment behind and you will only be equipped with the bare minimum! Just like an ordinary upright abiding citizen of the Light Goddess Domain. So go, prepare your mission to raise this child into a refined True Goddess of Light!"

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