The Almighty One

A Fifth Stage! The amount of such beings could be counted on two hands! To think the ruler of the Holy Realm held such power! Someone like this could blink and erase Travis from existence. A truly fearsome individual!

The room itself gave off a similar feeling. Truly the place where a Fifth Stage resided in. It was mostly empty. White marble walls with golden gears inlaid surrounded the place. What stood out most was the three golden pillars of light. They stood at the north, east, and west positions of the Fifth Stage. Travis did not dare to look at them with his eyes, for he feared whatever they revealed would get him killed.

"So, a hybrid approaches the holy realm?"

Travis did not want to risk a single thing now! Keeping his head lowered he responded, "Yes."

"You claim to have a way to repair the Seventh Heaven, I hope you realize what I will do if it turns out you were wasting my time."

"I did not come here with such intentions."

The Almighty One turned and lifted a hand. Shattering the northern pillar a book flew to her hand. Its pages looked ancient. It's cover was a stained white, a singular golden gear placed in the middle of the front. The simplistic book gave off a powerful feeling, holy energy leaked from its pages. Holding it within her hand she ordered, "Look at this book with your eyes."

Flinching Travis slowly looked up, "My apologies, but I'm afraid I don't understand."

"You hold the Mark of Heavenly Existence, those who hold such a Mark within their eyes are granted three truths. Although I am unsure why those people granted you the Mark, I can see you hold the Revealing Truth."

What terrifying sight! To be able to deduce his most closely guarded secret so easily! Travis then asked, "Then why do you wish for me to look at the book?"

"Don't try to fool me hybrid, I can sense dishonesty in your words. You are aware of what this book is aren't you?"

"Yes. . ."

"Then look at it, fully understand what you are dealing with."

[Holy Codex]

The laws of the Holy Realm are within. Those who abide by its carefully crafted ??? are granted ???. Those who are capable of wielding its power are granted ??? of ???. This mystical book was ??? by ???. ??? ??? ???.

Requ?rements:

- ???

- ?????

Ab?l?t?es:

- ????

- ????

- ????

????:

- ????

- ????

- ????

-End-

Travis couldn't help but frown, the description spiraled into a series of question marks. The info he was granted was essentially none, for he was already aware of what he could discern. The Almighty One seemed pleased with the reaction, "Good, you aren't able to see what it is."

"Why did you-"

"Don't ask pointless questions. You must be aware that for me to put you under its influence I must hold a public trial."

"I. . . wasn't aware of this."

"Pitiful, there is much you don't seem to realize. So I will ask you again. Do you really have a way to repair the Seventh Heaven?"

"What if I said no?"

"I will end you here."

Travis reached up to his face, gaining wary looks from the two guards. Grabbing his mask he pulled it off and it morphed into the shape on his palm. Looking at The Almighty One with a determined look he answered, "Yes, I do have a way."

"You are fully aware of what will happen the moment we prove you are lying?"

"You will not prove so, for I am not lying."

"Good! It has been awhile since an Abyssal Royal dared to look at me with such defying eyes. I will host this trial, and if your words are true I will reward you with more than you can imagine!"

"I thank you for your graciousness."

Bingo! Things couldn't have worked out better! The moment Travis proved the fact he was telling the truth he would have all the negotiating power! He held the key to the one thing the Angels wanted the most, and with this he would gain all that he could!

The Almighty One lifted a finger and Travis' swords flung forward. Hovering them in the air she mused, "To think you would have these two. The ones responsible for the falling of two great realms."

Two? Travis was only aware that during the creation of Lumen the Seventh Heaven collapsed. He wasn't aware of anything to do with Abe's background!

Spinning them about she notified, "I'll be taking these into custody. Whether or not you speak the truth will determine their fate."

She pointed a finger at Travis and he soon found himself in a completely different area. It was a relaxing room, one that many would consider luxurious. It did not have any walls, but contained enough stuff to keep someone alive and comfortable. One wall was completely glass, granting him view of the whole city. Walking towards it he realized he was placed within a tall building. For he was able to see the roofs of every building in sight.

It felt slightly odd without the companionship of Lumen and Abe. Lonely even. Watching the buzzing city below, left alone with only his thoughts to keep him company. His mind began to wander. His journey to this point, everything he had went through. Then, his memories paused. Stopping at a single question asked to him.

"What price did you pay for that power?"

. . .

The Almighty One hovered about inspecting the two swords, "To think he was able to break a law set within this world. That one has dangerous potential."

"Your Graciousness, do you really plan to hold a trial?"

"We have been attempt to repair the Seventh Heaven for a long time. If this Baron has a method to repair it, would it not be worth?"

"S-Still, there's a chance-"

"Then he will perish.

"If you are certain."

"I am, spread word of the trial. I have preparations to make."

"Right away!"

The guards quickly went to fulfill orders, leaving The Almighty One alone. She placed Abe within an unknown space and lifted Lucidus Lumen. Holding onto the sword she ordered, "Speak."

'Not many know of the fact we hold a consciousness.' -Lumen

"If something this meager escaped my view then I wouldn't be worthy of this position. Now speak, what is your intention coming back here?"

'I think you can guess that.'

"It can't be that simple."

'It is, I can't stand being in this condition.'

"Then the Baron, what is his intention?"

'Why would I reveal that? You would find out during the trial anyway.'

"You are acting confident despite your position."

'Your threats are empty, I am fully aware of the scripture. I am a Holy Being in a way, harming me goes against the Holy Codex.'

"I am in a position to make exceptions."

'But you won't, there's a piece of you who wants to believe him. Who wants to repair the Seventh Heaven. The fact he's so willing to risk it all under the Holy Codex gives you a glimmer of hope. Destroying me removes his every intention of coming here, and you'll just make enemies with someone who has the greatest potential I have ever seen.'

"You believe to have every outcome covered. Yet I do believe there is one you haven't considered."

'Ha, I doubt it.'

"Believing your words to be true, and them being actually true are two different things. Your Wielder could believe he has a method of repairing the Seventh Heaven. But if that fails?"

'Then you made no progress, but you haven't lost any. Let me tell you something. My wielder is the one guy you don't want to mess with. He managed to become a hybrid through sheer will. Two polar opposites suddenly seem to merge within him, to coordinate well. I've seen him time and time again break through the limits we believed to be unbreakable. Today he might be some mere Second Stage, but what about in a year or two? What level will he reach then?'

"Don't threaten me. Those who reach Fourth Stage come to an understanding of why this level is so impossible to reach. I understand what happened to your previous Wielder, it seems they met an ill fate before reaching such a level. A shame, but you put too much faith into your current."

'You're merely afraid. He accomplished one thing you haven't dared to think of. He broke one of the rules that bind this world. Something the Gods couldn't do. Once he reaches the max of his potential, this realm of yours will be an afterthought.'

"Enough! I will not have the one responsible for the greatest loss this realm has ever witness speak down to me!"

'I am certain it was not me who caused the downfall of the Seventh Heaven.'

"You know nothing of your past. Don't speak foolishly."

'Hmph!'

"I will host this trial, and if he has a method that proves to work. Then I will grant any wish he desires."

'To say that under the effect of the Holy Codex. . . good to know you have your values.'

"The Seventh Heaven means more to use than you can imagine. Its return is something I prioritize over everything else. Besides, I doubt there is a single thing I cannot grant him."

'What if he asks to become Fifth Stage?'

"You seem to be aware of why he won't as such a thing. I have already deduced his demands."

'Well, we shall see.'

. . .

After some time had passed. . .

"Gather, followers of the Holy Codex! Bear witness to the trial!", The Almighty One called out.

Hundreds, if not thousands, of Angels gathered around at the stands. Noise formed as they murmured among themselves. Wings fluttered about, seats filled. The Almighty One was pleased with the crowd, "I have granted permission for this trial to proceed. For this Baron of the Abyss claims to know of a way to repair the Seventh Heaven which we have lost long ago!"

Shock spread like wildfire. Travis, who was currently standing on a testimony stand watched as every Angel reacted. This was excellent, the more Angels that witness his claim the better. For the rewards he will reap once the Seventh Heaven is repaired will be grand.

Additionally, he still had the reward from the event to claim. Once this was all over with he intended to claim it. Depending on what he gained from it all would determine his future plans. However right now he must focus on the trial.

The Almighty One spread her arms and the Holy Codex began to glow with a terrifying light. Travis felt a chill crawl down his spine as its power was released. The Almighty One proclaimed, "The power of the Holy Codex befalls upon you! You now are under its effect. Any lies you tell at this trial will grant you its wrath and punishment! Now: Are you prepared to answer my questions?!"

Travis took a breath and answered firmly, "Yes!"

"Then let us begin! Are you a Baron of the Abyss?"

"Yes!"

Shocked murmurs spread across the crowd, but was silenced by a single motion from The Almighty One. She then continued, "Were you the one who offered to undertake the trial to prove your word to be true?"

"Yes!"

Once again shock rippled through the crowd. This time they were more behaved however. Then The Almighty One asked the big question, "Do you hold truth to your claim of a method to repair the Seventh Heaven?!"

Silence, every single Angel was shocked silent. Travis felt thousands of eyes lock onto him. Probing glances coming from multiple directions. Taking a breath he answered with resolution, "Yes!"

He then grit his teeth, a painful experience developed across his body. His knees gave out as he fell to the ground, a groan escaping from his lips.

The murmurs spread even further. Disappointment flashed across The Almighty One's eyes, "The Holy Codex has revealed that you are lying. Thus, in accordance to the punishment, you will be erased from this world."