How Much Time?

Sometime later. . .

Xo walked alongside a familiar figure, the two chatting casually. With a gesture Xo said, "Which is the reason why I brought you here."

"He's been in that state since the fight against the Sword Saint?"

"Yes, it's already been a week since then. It is of no exaggeration to say he's undergone some changes."

"I see. . . You said the time was different for each person, do you have any idea how long has passed for him?"

Xo helplessly shrugged, "I can see through many things, but I'm afraid whatever this is cannot be seen by these eyes of mine."

"Then why bring me?"

"Simply because you're more familiar with him, additionally your eyes are similar to my own in one way or another. I would not have brought you if it wasn't for this recent change."

The two turned a corner and revealed a thick sheet of glass. Inside was Akiol, he still hadn't moved. If one were to look carefully they would see the air being slashed by strands of Aura. Xo placed his hands behind his back, "So, what do you see?"

"The Aura is thicker somehow. . . that level of change is almost comparable to the Rebirth I underwent."

"It has been steadily improving this whole time, but even I can see that. What I mean is what of Akiol himself?"

"Hmmm. . . I can't see anything?"

"A shame, the same goes for me-"

"I. . . can't see anything?!"

Xo frowned, "Explain."

"I can't see anything because there simply isn't anything to see! But how is that possible?!"

"There's nothing to see. . . ?", Xo furrowed his brow and sharpened his gaze at Akiol.

"The constant styles he used, his entire past, his path as a warrior. It's almost as if it doesn't exist! How is that possible?!"

"No wonder I couldn't see anything, I was looking in the wrong places. This isn't hiding, this is erasure!"

"Has he moved?"

"Not even by a hair."

"Then I cannot say for sure this will remain the case."

"Simply by not moving he hides what is happening to him?", Xo managed to guess what was occurring.

"What happened to you. . . Akiol?", Wrock's face twisted in concern.

~ ~ ~

Akiol twitched violently, his consciousness springing forth. He immediately realized he was still in the strange space, but he found himself struggling to stand. Coughing violently he fell to his knees and struggled to catch his breath.

Wait, why was he catching his breath? This wasn't his physical body. He had no physical need. . .

His head was pounding, his whole body felt lethargic and weak. Just simply struggling to stand felt like the only rest he got in. . .

How much time had passed? The last he remembered was a few months until he shut down his mind to not forget. . . Forget what again?

Too many questions, he needed to properly review what had just happened. Where had his mind gone, what had he been doing this whole time? It was some sort of physical activity, something very important.

His vision returned and he found a sword lay underneath his palm. That answered one of his questions, he was swinging a sword. This whole time he had been swinging, creating something. It was. . . a style wasn't it? His own fighting style, yes that was it!

Akiol's eyes widened, so much information was forced into his brain and it nearly made him blackout again. The time his body spent completing the style, the muscle memory that was carefully embedded.

Wheezing he struggled to process it all, as more and more flooded into his brain he gained an idea of just how long had passed. It made no feasible sense, how could one person spend so much time doing a single thing.

He fell flat onto the ground, everything trembled violently. That amount of time! Had he really done that? Even if unconscious he couldn't process the thought. Everything was being imprinted into his brain, and he nearly watched it all occur all over again.

Two hours passed before it calmed down, he slowly pushed himself up despite his body's violent trembles. Looking around he paused for a bit before picking up the sword. He had to try it for himself, did it really exist?

Just moving an inch he was able to feel it, the amount of experience he unknowingly had swinging the sword. It was surreal, he no longer felt his body trembling as he underwent the constant movements. A grin was plastered across his face, it felt amazing! Did he truly create something like this? Was this really his own?!

"And so, another has laid the Heavenly King's Foundation."

Akiol paused and looked around, "Who?"

"We have no form, just know that you now fulfill two of the requirements. We shall contact you again when you have reached the third."

Akiol's brow twitched, "Third? Your voice is familiar. . ."

"We cannot speak any further, fulfill the third requirement."

He flinched as he recognized the voice, "You're the one who told me to find my emotions! Who are you?!"

There was no response, and Akiol was left alone. Glancing at the sword at his hand he then realized the world around him was fading. It crumbled away and revealed a dark area. Looking around he spotted three lines. Approaching them he gained an idea of what they were.

"Odd, so why is this one not working properly?"

These lines represented "connections", more specifically the links he had. Stars, Givale, Mira, two were glowing brightly. The middle one was somewhat dull, lacking the luster the other two had.

"Ah, this is Givale isn't it? If I were to guess. . ."

Linking with a Dragon was supposed to grant you an 'affinity' with an element. Supposedly this element was random. However Akiol found it to be slightly different, it still granted you an 'affinity', but it only enhanced the one you were the best with. However for Akiol's case he did not wield a single element.

"Could I. . . ?"

Reaching out a silver strand of Aura connected with the string. It hummed a pleasant sound and began to glow. He smiled, "A shame it had to take this long, it's a good thing I was able to tinker with it."

Akiol merely changed the 'affinity' manually. By having it touch Aura it automatically made the change, and now Akiol felt his control and understanding of Aura increase. Like he was born with a natural talent for it.

"My Aura, did it improve? It feels wondrous."

Just that single strand gave him an idea of what happened. It grew far more condensed, like a mist turning into a liquid. The amount flowing within him had not changed in amount, but its density was another matter. With this change alone he felt as if his power increased a level.

All this time, this effort. To think it would provide such results. If he could compare his current self to him during the fight against the Sword Saint. . .

The difference could be compared to heaven and earth.

"I wonder how much time had passed in the real world. By my estimates it shouldn't have been too long. . . I hope."

~ ~ ~

Wrock crossed his arms, "I genuinely have no idea what occurred. I supposed our only option is to wait and see."

"I agree, thank you for coming with me. I have gained a new insight."

"I thank you for taking care of him for all this time."

"The responsibility of the younger generation is on my shoulders. Ever since your match with the Sword Saint I have been able to smooth things over, the future of The Gated Arena should not be so competitive."

"I gained plenty of benefits that fight too."

"I can see that clearly. Now-"

Their eyes sharpened as they glanced towards Akiol. Silver Aura that was decorated with Red, Purple, and deep Blue dots filled the room. It waved back and forth, as if dancing. Akiol's eyes slowly opened, his body moving. Looking about he spotted Wrock and Xo.

"Yo, how much time has passed?"

Xo smiled, "It seems you've kept your sanity. It has been a week, how long has it been for you?"

"Several decades."

That was right! Several decades of effort to recreate a foundation! Akiol felt like if he was conscious he could have done it in half the time, but his mental state might have been put in jeopardy.

Wrock watched him warily, "Are you alright?"

"Better than ever, what happened whilst I was away?"

"I'll fill you in, but you should probably take care of yourself. It's been three days if you know what I mean."

"Ah, I'll do that. Just need to check up on a few things."

"I'll meet you at the otherside."

~ ~ ~

'The Gated Arena, to think this place still stands.'

Travis crossed his arms, "So you insisted upon me coming here and went silent for a week. What's the deal?"

'I was searching for something. Originally I was going to have you obtain a pass, but since you hold a seat to 'Above' there's no need for that.'

"Originally I thought this was above, what exactly do I have a seat to?"

'That is not important, what's important is that you obtain my key.'

"Key?"

'Head in that direction, you'll be put in the Shifted Zone. What I'm searching for is there.'

A sigh escaped Travis' lips, "Again, you're not telling me anything."

Averoth crossed his arms, 'Fine, it's the least I can do since you're doing this for me.'

"I don't even know what I'm doing."

'My long rival is currently in the hands of the Crimson Immortals. Due to our karmic ties I can feel he's soon to reawaken. Once he is he will without a doubt search for my 'Keys'. This is something we must obtain before him.'

"And these keys are?"

'Pieces of me, or rather my path and existence. This ring you have is a major key, and I doubted you would have the capabilities to keep your hands on it. However you've proven more than capable, so we're searching for another major one.'

"What for?"

'That comes later. Just know the moment my rival gets his hands on all of the keys. . .'

Travis glanced at the ring located on his finger, it had played a major part in his survival. He had no idea it held such importance. Even if originally he claimed it in hopes that it would lead him to Averoth's Vault.

'The moment he obtains all the keys there will be war.'