CH. 183: How It Feels. To Lose...

Inside Hiro's mind, the vast emptiness stretched out in every direction, a blank void that felt oppressive in its nothingness. Hiro stood in the center, his spirit as exhausted as his body had been, his blue hair falling over his eyes. He wore simple clothes now, the armor of battle stripped away, leaving behind nothing but a fragile shell of who he once was.

Then, out of the darkness, his creator appeared.

With a sudden whoosh, the air around Hiro rippled, and there he was—Akira, draped in a dark cloak, his white hair glowing faintly in the dim light of the void. His crimson eyes gleamed with a predatory satisfaction, and an unsettling smile stretched across his face. He didn't stand still for long, though. He began pacing around Hiro in slow, deliberate steps, his every movement calculated, as though relishing the moment.

Akira suddenly teleported in front of Hiro, a mere breath away from him, causing Hiro to flinch. "Well, look at you," Akira sneered, leaning in close. "The mighty hero, brought to his knees, here in the place where you should have had the most control." He gave a soft chuckle, the sound echoing unnervingly through the void.

Hiro didn't meet his gaze. His fists were clenched at his sides, but he didn't fight back. There was no strength left. No resistance.

Akira tilted his head slightly, studying Hiro's silent form. "Why so quiet, Hiro?" He teleported again, this time reappearing behind him, his voice low and mocking. "Aren't you going to say something? I'm your creator after all."

Hiro's shoulders sagged, his voice barely a whisper. "Why did you take over my body?"

Akira paused for a moment, as if considering the question seriously. Then he burst out laughing, throwing his head back with a wild cackle that reverberated through the emptiness. "Why? Why not?" He spun around Hiro, teleporting in quick, jagged movements—first to his left, then to his right, then above him, looming over his spirit like a dark shadow.

"You were never in control, Hiro," Akira said with a sharp grin, now standing directly in front of him, his hands gesturing casually as if this conversation were nothing more than idle talk.

"Not from the very beginning. I've always been here, waiting for the right moment. You thought you were powerful, thought you could defy the odds, but all along, you were just a puppet."

Hiro flinched at the word "puppet," but he didn't respond.

Akira chuckled again, leaning in until his face was mere inches from Hiro's, his breath cold and unsettling. "Come on, Hiro," he whispered mockingly, "say something."

But Hiro remained silent, his eyes now closed, as if to block out the torment. Akira circled him again, this time moving more fluidly, his posture relaxed, confident.

Hiro's shoulders slumped even further, his spirit all but crushed under the weight of Akira's words. He didn't need to fight anymore. He didn't need to try. This was inevitable. He had been nothing more than a vessel for Akira, a pawn in a game far beyond his understanding.

"I fought so hard," Hiro whispered, his voice shaking as he spoke for the first time since Akira had appeared. "I thought I could change things… that I could be strong enough."

Akira paused mid-step, his crimson eyes gleaming with amusement. Then, slowly, he teleported right behind Hiro, speaking directly into his ear. "Oh, you were strong, Hiro. But not strong enough. Never strong enough." He laughed again, the sound dark and cruel, as he straightened and stood before him once more. His arms opened wide in a gesture of finality, as though welcoming Hiro's defeat.

Hiro raised his head slightly, staring into the endless void. "So… this is it?" he asked quietly. "You'll return, soon enough. But next time, you better be stronger..." Akira said.

Hiro stared blankly into the void, the weight of his realization heavy in his chest. He had fought, but in the end, it wasnt enough. "I accept it," he said, his voice barely more than a whisper. "Take everything."

Akira's laughter continued as Hiro felt his consciousness slipping, fading into the vast, empty darkness of his mind.

"Goodbye. For now." Akira said.

And with that, everything went black. Akira reappeared on the third floor of Nazzarick. Albedo by his side, wearing her full arsenal and looking at him, concerned as he fazed for a short period of time.

On the other side, was Shalltear. She was petrified, like a statue. There was no current use for her, Akira only needed one person to move forward with.

Akira stood tall, his commanding presence filling the room as his crimson eyes locked onto Albedo, who was now standing a few paces away. She breathed heavily, her golden eyes fixed on him with an expression of pure, unbridled loyalty mixed with something far more carnal.

Akira's voice cut through the silence. "Come to me, Albedo." He said, frowning.

At his command, Albedo moved without hesitation, her smile widening as she approached him with slow, deliberate steps. Her full armor clinked softly with each movement, but her gaze never wavered from his. There was something magnetic in the air, a pull that drew her to him, her desire evident in every motion.

When she reached him, Akira's crimson eyes softened ever so slightly as he regarded her. "Remove your helmet," he instructed, his voice low but firm.

Albedo's hands trembled slightly with excitement as she obeyed, unfastening the clasps of her helmet and slowly lifting it off her head. Her raven-black hair spilled out, cascading down her back in silky waves. Her face, usually composed and regal, now wore an expression of unmasked desire. She looked at Akira with eyes half-lidded, her lips parted slightly, her breath quickening.

Akira stepped closer, his presence overwhelming. Albedo's breath hitched in her throat, and a faint blush crept across her cheeks as she waited for his next move, her heart pounding in her chest.

He didn't keep her waiting long.

In one smooth, deliberate motion, Akira cupped her chin, tilting her face up to meet his gaze. Her lips trembled slightly in anticipation as his thumb brushed lightly across her lower lip, sending a jolt of excitement through her body. Then, without another word, Akira leaned in and kissed her.

It wasn't a soft, gentle kiss—it was firm, commanding, and full of intent. Albedo melted into him, her eyes fluttering shut as she pressed herself closer, her arms instinctively wrapping around him. She sighed against his lips, her entire being consumed by the moment, her loyalty to him manifesting in every trembling breath and fervent kiss she returned.

Akira didn't pull away immediately, allowing the kiss to linger. It was a silent declaration of his control, his power over her, and Albedo surrendered to it completely. When he finally broke the kiss, Albedo remained close, her eyes still closed, her breath ragged, her body trembling with barely restrained emotion.

Akira held her chin gently and slowly lifted her head, she was completely giving in, no resistance, nothing.

"Lord Akira..." She mumbles, her voice seductive. Her wings flapping in happiness, and expectations. Fantasies twirled in her head.

"You can do whatever you want to me, my Lord. And I'll execute it without hesitation and immediately..." She said, ready to take off the rest of her armor and clothing at a moment's notice.

Akira sighs. "I... I know that what you're saying, and that kiss, was not genuine. I relied on power to obtain you, without effort. But Ainz did the same so I guess we're even... But I'll promise to find a way for you to love me, genuinely." He says.

Albedo was confused as to what he was talking to. Her memory confirmed that she has always been loyal and loving towards him, so what was he yapping about in the end ?

Albedo lingered close to Akira, her body still trembling from the intensity of the moment. She gazed up at him with pure adoration, her breath heavy and her eyes glowing with devotion. Akira's expression was one of complete control, his crimson eyes gleaming with satisfaction as he took in the sight of her loyalty and submission.

"Come, Lord Akira~," Albedo whispered, stepping back slightly. "Let me guide you to the next floor." Her hand adventuring indecently around his body.

As the Overseer of the Great Tomb of Nazarick, Albedo had the unique privilege of navigating between the floors without the need for the artifacts usually required.

Her authority allowed her to traverse the intricate maze of Nazarick freely. Normally, any who wished to descend from the third floor would have to defeat Shalltear and claim the necessary key. But Akira had no interest in that.

"I still have use for her, so I won't do anything rash, for now." He whispered.

Albedo watched with a satisfied smile, nodding in agreement before turning toward the massive stone doors leading to the fourth floor. "This way," she said softly, her voice full of purpose as she led the way.

Together, they moved through the winding halls of the third floor, and as they approached the threshold to the fourth, Albedo reached out with one hand. The massive doors creaked open at her touch, revealing the vast expanse of the forth floor.

Forth Floor of Nazzarick; The Arena.

The fourth floor, known as the Arena, was an awe-inspiring sight. It was a gargantuan coliseum, its stone structure stretching high into the dark sky above. Surrounding the Arena was a sinister forest, dense with twisted, blackened trees that extended far beyond the eye could see, seemingly stretching for millions of miles. The sky was overcast, a deep crimson hue bleeding into the horizon, casting the entire scene in an ominous glow.

Akira stood at the entrance, surveying the scene with mild interest. He took in the grandeur of the Arena, the darkness of the forest, and the eerie silence that seemed to hang over everything. Albedo, standing beside him, glanced up at him, her voice soft but eager. "Here we are, my Lord. Nazzarick's Arena." Albedo announced.

As soon as they approached the Arena, they were teleported inside.

And waiting for them, was the two floor guardians of The Arena.

And behind him, a gory scene Akira was NOT expecting at all...

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