End of one journey, beginning of another

End of one journey, beginning of another

Few months have passed since Delir appeared. And as Aktor said, Delir hasn't been bothering us anymore. I don't know how he did it, but I'm still thankful for that.

One day Aktor gave me a ring and told me to put it in my finger two days from now at 12.00 sharp. I heard that Lex and Relse received similar rings, but neither knew of their purpose. Lex let Ulvin take a look at it and she said that it had something akin to teleportation in it and some sort of self-destruct sequence, but other than that, there wasn't much she could decipher.

The moment came and I put the ring on my left index finger. Soon after I was teleported to a big and clean room with no windows. I noticed that there were several faces I knew and some didn't. There were Me, Lex and Relse. Then there were Fafnir in humanoid form, Amire, Felix, Eilish and Opal. There were also some people handing out drinks for all of us.

After chatting with others for a moment, I realized that something wasn't right. Lex said that the mana here was "dim" and later Amire mentioned how distorted the space around here was. She said that she has absolutely no idea where we are currently and it is making her uneasy. According to Lex, this place is like it was devoid of gods.

Then we heard a loud voice belonging to Aktor. He started announcing something to all of us.

Aktor: Welcome! Welcome. To this wonderful place of solitude. As most sharp of you have noticed, this place might feel a little weird. And don't worry, it won't affect you at all as long as you play nice in this place. *Ahem* Today is a day that I give you the opportunity to walk alongside me in the next kalpa. I present to you, an opportunity to live as gods of a new age.

We all chatter a bit and then finally someone asks.

Fafnir: What are you on about?

Aktor: Good question. You see, the time has come for this world we call Norbul to end. For you see, the place where we all are standing is the very device that will bring about the new age. I present to you, the sun eater ring!

Then a bright light comes from behind Aktor. After a moment of blindness, the shades come to block out some of the brightness. As we looked closer, we saw that we were right next to the sun.

Lex: So my hunch was correct. You built this ring. Do tell me two things my brother. One, why are you doing this? Two, how exactly are you going to destroy the world?

Aktor: Well… You see, I'm the inheritor of memories of a being named On. It is from a witch tongue that I usually bring to other kalpas, and it means "is". A being that was once all that existed until it made the place we call origin or void along the energy that is there. Each time I have created a world with or without other helpers. Everything comes from me, so I'm also known as "The all creator". In each of the world's lifespans, I have always decided to end its progression at a certain point. Well, sometimes the world becomes devoid of life by itself, but I am the one that brings the end to it sooner or later. And now it is time for this world to end and give place to a new kalpa. As for how am I going to destroy this world, well it's quite simple really, I'm just going to bring the sun to a point in time where it doesn't exist. Meaning the beginning. The moment before its birth. As to how I am going to achieve this, well to make it simple, There is a substance in this ring that is moving faster than the speed of light. I won't go into details about what the substance is, but it is something that can absorb the energy that is surrounding it. As it moves faster than the speed of light, it distorts the space inside the ring. Eventually bringing the space to a point that the sun didn't exist. And when the sun disappears, the world we call Norbul will begin to collapse on itself and eventually become part of the origin.

Lex: You didn't tell why the world has to end. You just said that it will because you say so. What is the real reason behind it?

Aktor: You are persistent as always. Well to make it simple for you lesser beings, there comes a noise when something that has a sense of self. It is a noise that will keep going on and on and on and never stopping. As the world starts to populate the other planets, usually it means that the people have increased substantially. On top of that noise, there is another noise that comes from things simply existing. That is much more tolerable, the more simple the thing is, but as it becomes a complex machine, it will bring on another noise that I have to deal with. You see, it gets kind of annoying after a while. I simply want the world to stay at its mythical age where things are complex in a good way that doesn't make that noise. But eventually, the world becomes complex in a more annoying way, so I will just reset the world and bring in the new kalpa. Sometimes I play a major role in creating the world. Sometimes I am one of many who creates the world. In the end, I always exist in one shape or another.

Relse: Then what about us who still want to live in this world? What about all of the others?

Aktor: You make it sound like those other things matter. The only constant in this world is me. When I say the world needs to end, the world will end.

Eilish: And we being here means you want us to stand with you in the next kalpa. Similar to what the original powers once were.

Aktor: Exactly! Time, Magic, Destruction and Soul were people from the previous kalpas. They took on my offer and became the building blocks of this world along with me. So what do you all say? Who wants to join me in the next kalpa?

Felix: You think that my actions were awful, but here you are saying that the destruction of the world is the most natural thing. You have lost your mind.

Ameri: I agree. There is still plenty that this world can offer. But you just are in your own world thinking that you have the right to decide all of those people's fates.

Opal: You really have grown delusional.

Fafnir: There is still plenty I want from this world richest. So while it is a tempting offer, I still want to stay in this world a while longer.

Aktor: There are always people like you in these gatherings, but if you want to become part of the true circle, then feel free. The process has already begun and there are no brakes. And don't even think about destroying the ring. If you do, the energy that is inside the ring is on a level that should it be released, it will destroy the world without collapsing the world.

Relse: Aren't you supposed to cherish your creations and I to bring their destruction?

Aktor: That is what OUR sphere was. But MY sphere is to bring both the beginning and the end.

Eilish: You mentioned that you have memories of a being named On. Then which one are you?

Aktor: We are the same person. Always have been. It's simply a matter of memories.

Nor: Don't you remember what Nina told you about them. That we are made from memories.

Aktor: That is irrelevant. I'm I, and that's it. Now does no one truly want to live to the next kalpa?

Eilish: I will join you.

Aktor: FINALLY someone who gets it. Come here Eilish.

Eilish gets close to Aktor.

Aktor: Now Nor. I need you to ask yourself if you truly don't want to come with me.

Nor: I don't want to play your games.

Aktor: But does SOUL want to?

Nor: Aren't we the same?

Aktor: *Sigh* You see, Soul has been with me the longest out of all of us original powers. It's not important how long, but still I cherish those moments I have spent with her. I mean I have Eilish coming with me, so that's great, but I still want to hear what Soul has to say. Not you Nor.

Nor: What? You only chose me to come here because of Soul?

Aktor: Yes. What else would be the reason? You are just a lucky wanderer who happens to have part of Soul's soul. Nothing more.

Nor: Did our journey mean anything to you?

Aktor: You are a skilled fighter, I give you that, but that's all the good things you have besides carrying part of Soul's soul.

Nor: Then why did you pick all the others?

Fafnir: Is it truly important? The world is ending soon because of him. Why don't we make him find an exit to this predicament.

Lex: Have you grown deaf over your piles of gold or did you not hear that there is no way to stop this.

Aktor: Good. Someone gets that there is no point in squabble. The world will end in little over five days and that's it. But Nor had a good question. What were the reasons I picked the others? Well Relse and Lex were simple ones because they were with me previously, I chose to give them a chance again. Though to be frank, I thought that Lex would choose to come with me given his pride. I mean in previous kalpas he was also an astonishing mage who didn't care for the right or wrong and simply wanted to perfect his magic. He even managed to outlive any other being in that kalpa.

Lex: Glad to know that I always have been like this.

Aktor: Well you did have that weird phase in one of the kalpas where you wanted to be puppet master. And not just wooden puppets, he made fleshy ones that could talk as well.

Lex: That's… I don't know what to say.

Aktor: Relse originally was one of the previous kalpa's versions of a dragon. He actually nearly destroyed the whole planet of life by burying it in flames. Hah, those sure were good times.

Relse: I was a dragon and I created dragons of this kalpa? What a surprise.

Aktor: You have created dragons in a couple of kalpas actually. And now for the rest of them. Felix got the opportunity to join me because of his mastery over golems. While it was dastardly what he did with them, it still was an impressive feat. Ameri got the opportunity because her mastery over space is astonishing. I have seen many like her, but never someone as good as her. Well, maybe once. Fafnir got the opportunity because he is the prime specimen of the abyss. Nothing else.

Fafnir: Well that hurts a bit.

Aktor: Then Crimson Ruby got her opportunity because the ability of her race and the mastery of it is something that is rare to see. And Eilish got the opportunity because I honestly felt at peace with her and she is a powerful mage. Also the fact that she found a way to cheat this kalpa's circle by reincarnating with her memories.

Opal: What I seem to gather from your reasons is that you simply want to gather trophies from each kalpa. You have no other reason to do so. I thought that I could forgive you, but you managed to disappoint me once more.

I could feel the air getting cold for a moment.

Aktor: As expected of the Crimson Ruby. Sharp tongue as always. Allas, it doesn't matter what my reasons are. I simply give people the opportunity to live on from one kalpa to the next. To be honest, I'm a bit disappointed that no one else decided to come with me this time around on top of Eilish. Well, at least I won't be alone again this time.

Nor: I really need to put some sense into you even if it's the last thing I do. I need to pummel you to the point you finally understand that you don't need to destroy this world.

I start to charge at Aktor as he says.

Aktor: And at that, we are going to end this. Enjoy the rest of your lives. Bye.

Then we are all teleported to the place where we got teleported from. I can't let this stand. I must get back up there. I need to give this ring to Ulvin. And then…

I noticed that the ring turned into dust in moments. What should I do? How can I get back to that ring? Amire? No, she couldn't get her bearings in that ring for some reason so she might not be able to teleport there even if she wanted to. Lex? But what could Lex do? His mastery over teleportation is less than Amire and what magic would get us to that ring.

Am I truly out of options? Is there nothing I can do to stop this?

And so I pondered for four days for a solution, but nothing came. I decided to give up and spend the rest of my time with people I care about.

Then when I finally had given up, I received a ring that looked familiar to the ring I received from Aktor that day. I thought about it for a second and came to the conclusion that it must have been Eilish's ring. But why would she give me this? Is she expecting me to do something about this? But I finally gave up. Even if I were to convince Aktor, he wouldn't be able to prevent the end coming. Does she think that I might be able to do something? To change our fate?

I have to give it a try. Even if it is wain, I must make Aktor see the error of his ways.

I went and found Amire as fast as I could. She deduced that Eilish had done something to the sun eater ring and the ring I had with me. She could teleport me to where Aktor was, but then she said.

- Once I send you there, you must be prepared to fight to your last breath.

- Do you believe that something can be done there?

- I don't know. I just want to see my father's kind face again and not that facade he is pulling now. Are you ready?

- I am.

- Then… good luck. I'll be there when I get my bearings.

Then I was teleported back to the big room where Aktor gave his speech last time. I notice that Aktor is sitting on a chair that is facing the rest of Norbul and the sun shined right behind us. I also notice Eilish right beside him. Aktor then turns around with his chair and greets me.

- My oh my, now look who we have here. Do tell, how did you get back up here? Wait… Don't tell me… It has to do with Eilish's missing ring, am I right?

Eilish looks away for a moment. Then Aktor continues.

- Don't worry about that my dear. If Nor was a risk that could stop all of this from happening, I would've made sure there was nothing that can bring him back up here. Now do tell me dear Nor, what are you trying to achieve here?

- I came here to make you regret you chose to destroy this world.

I put my hand to my sword and I activate the anchor with the full view of Aktor. I then say.

- Even though I'm quite far from it, the great soultree's mana still reaches me by some margin. That means I have a near infinite amount of mana to spend.

- It is not an infinite amount of mana. It is quite limited actually compared to me. And your plan to rewind time to this point as long as I choose to not regret my choice is quite adorable indeed. Even with your adaptation ability, I can create spears that change enough to negate that ability's usefulness. Now do you really want us to go on with this?

- I won't stop until you submit.

- So either you run out of mana to keep up with rewinding time or you lose the will to fight. If that's how you want to play your last moments, then sure, I play with you. Only…

He then opens his left hand and a spears appear around me, blocking my way to escape. Then Aktor clenches his hand to a fist and the spears get shot right through me at many angles. This fight may take more than I thought.

I rewind time and I'm back in one piece. I then charge at Aktor as fast as I can. He quickly reacts and shoots spears right below me and they pierce me to the point I can't continue.

I rewind time again and I try to shoot him, but then he just summons a shield to block the bullets. He then sends spears coming from below me like last time. This time I managed to dodge most of them but some of them hit me. I decide to charge at him, but even though he doesn't see me, he manages to keep creating spears right below me. It gets hard to continue so I try to cut the spears, but when I do so, Aktor just creates another one right below me so I have to move further back. Then many spears appear from the ceiling and they start to rain down on me. I manage to block and dodge most of them, but now the battlefield is riddled with spears pointing up and down. I decided to rewind time again.

Once I do so, I try to charge in again. While I made it far, I was eventually riddled with spears.

This dance continued 32 more times of me trying and failing to get a hit on Aktor. But in my 36th time I managed to get close enough to make him flinch for a moment. Given how my previous attempts have been, I consider that a feat on its own.

After that I started to lose count on how many times I tried to get a hit on him. This thing lasted a long time for me and I can feel the toll it is taking to my soul. In this cycle, I noticed a burrier that was put between me and the incoming spears from below. I'm sure Aktor noticed it too and he started to speak to Eilish.

- What do you think you are doing?

- …

- While it won't change anything in the end, I find these two betrayals a tad bit… annoying. You know that I can still make sure you won't be part of the next kalpa even if you are in your new form, right? Or do you simply not care for that?

- I didn't choose to stand beside you because of my own greed. I simply wanted you to not be alone even if the world ends.

- Yet you continue to make Nor a nuisance to me.

- I think there is still part in you that doesn't want the world to end.

- Is that so? But in the end, I'm saddened to do this.

Suddenly a spear is launched at Eilish. I'm in shock but I try to do something, though there isn't much I can do in the end. While I try to rescue her, the distance is too great and the danger is still looming over me even though Aktor is occupied. Then I notice someone else for a split second grab Eilish and then disappear again. I look around and I notice that Amire managed to save Eilish in time. Aktor gives an annoyed look as he says.

- I thought that the space around the sun eater ring was altered to not be accessible to teleportations other than me. Yet here you are.

- I'm glad I made it in time.

- So it wasn't only the ring that you gave Nor that you altered. You also did something to the sun eater ring. No matter. Even though my child made it this far, there is nothing that she can do to stop the end from coming.

- I sure as hell am going to try. As long as I'm here, you won't be able to touch Eilish. I can't do much for Nor though.

I took this time to make another anchor so I won't lose this progress. Aktor gives a sigh and says.

- Very well. I think that we have danced a few enough times to make me rise up from my chair.

He rises up. Then he makes a spear appear and grabs it with his left hand. It wasn't the spear that he usually uses, so I ask

- What happened to your previous spear?

- It is the very key that makes this place operational. Well, I could take it out with little consequence, but I don't feel like its uses are necessary at the moment.

- Does that one have a name?

- It does and its name is Sielurikko. Or in this tongue it could be called soulbreaker.

- I can already imagine what it can do.

- It is quite self explanatory really. Now then…

In a flash the Aktor was standing in front of me with his spear stuck to my chest.

- I'm sure this will make rewinding a little more difficult.

After those words, I could feel an indescribable amount of pain all over my body. It was probably my soul breaking. As soon as I thought of that, I fell to my knees and lost consciousness.

Then I enter a foggy white room and I say.

- Is this how it ends?

I thought to myself. Then I hear a voice that I once heard before.

- Are you really going to give up here?

- You… You are…

I look at the source of the voice and I see a woman with simple white clothing.

- You can call me Ley. It's the last name I used.

- This place is…

- Well… to be frank, I don't know how to describe it. Your soul in visual form could be the closest description I can come up with, but even then it doesn't quite add up.

- Did I die?

- I'm honest with you. You more than just died. Your soul got ripped into shreds. Like a broken glass falls into many teeny tiny little pieces. That is what that spear's ability does to a person. Honestly though, I didn't think that he would pull something like that out. It is quite a K.O. to you.

- So this is the end then.

- Not quite.

- What do you mean?

- Well, you have me with you, don't you?

- I'm thankful, but what difference does it make?

- Have you perchance forgotten who exactly I am?

- Original power of soul.

- Well, at least what remains of me anyways. With my power, we can collect those tiny fragments of your soul and put it back together. Isn't that right Ron?

I look to the side and I notice Ron sitting there with an annoyed look. He says.

- You really got done to that old bastard. If it were me, I could have lasted a few more seconds. No… maybe a second at best.

I respond.

- Not so confident today are you.

- That old bastard is one hell of a killing machine. The speeds he can move in his top form are something that our body couldn't even compare against.

- So it is that hopeless.

- You going to give up?

- Heck no.

- If you would have, I would have taken control for you.

- For me? Not your own selfish gains?

- Look. We have gone a long way together. Sometimes there are moments for me to come out and sometimes it's your time. I don't have any other place than the battlefield, so you need to be there for the other stuff. And we decided on not letting that old bastard keep thinking that it's okay to end all of this.

- You have changed.

- That what time does to a man. Anyways, are we going to collect all of the little pieces or what? Even though time moves slower while we are in here, we still should not keep the others waiting.

- Sure. What should I do?

Ley starts to explain.

- Concentrate and think of all the little pieces out there. Then you just… umm… focus on getting them back to you?

- That's not very helpful. How am I supposed to bring them closer?

- Look. Just… just do it and you will get it. … Maybe.

- Maybe?

- It's kind of hard to explain. Lot of the stuff that happens to souls comes down to a simple feeling and stuff. I… You just have to try and get that feeling.

- Why can't you do it then since you are part of me?

- I am doing so constantly. But I'm just a small part of your soul that's all.

- I see. Then let's get this started.

I close my eyes and focus on gathering all the fragments. It takes me a while to get a hang of it, but eventually I manage to gather them at a good pace. Eventually all the tiny fragments get more or less concentrated. Then Ley starts to speak

- Good. That should do for now. After you leave, me and Ron will try to get the remaining few fragments that still are around here with the rest of them. Now you should… Wait…

The fog has gotten a bit clearer in certain spot so I look a bit closer to where it got clear. I manage to see a figure sitting on a rock. When I get closer I manage to get a clearer view of the figure and see that it is something that looks like Aktor. I get a bit closer to him with Ley and Ron. Then the figure that looks like Aktor speaks.

- You promised to help my brother push me over the edge.

- That I did.

- Yet here I am. Slowly losing my mind.

- What are you doing in my soul?

- I am a… well… to simply put, I am a will that I put on your soul. I aren't the real Aktor. Just his former will.

Ley says.

- I didn't know you could do that.

- I learned by watching you.

I then ask.

- Did you know anything about On?

- I am On, yet not. The memories and the voice were starting to gather as my memories of this life began to fade. Thinking of how much it has affected the real me by now is something I don't look at with hopeful eyes.

- You are trying to destroy the world.

- So that's the point I'm at. Huh. I thought that I would last a bit longer. Guess the noise really gets to me that bad.

- And you are just sitting here.

- Yes. I am waiting.

- Waiting for what?

- For you to keep that promise.

- What am I supposed to do? Both of your brothers have given up on stopping you.

- Then you must do the job for them.

- How?

- I wish I knew. Just…

He looks up to the sky.

- Just make sure I don't leave regretting anything this time.

- I… I will try.

Ley then grabs me in the shoulder.

- It's time to go.

- I know. Aktor…

He looks back at me and asks.

- What?

- If this is the last version of you, thank you for your service.

- I don't think I've done anything thankworthy, but… it's been a pleasure.

Then I leave and I'm back on the floor of the room where I fought Aktor. I spill some blood out and rise back up. I hear Aktor say.

- You fucking did not just come back from that.

- Did you forget who was with me all this time?

- You fuck. Soul! Don't get cold feet now! The amount of times you have come with me is something I cherish.

- She says her name is Ley.

- You stay out of this Nor!

- Wow. You getting angry there, old man?

- You… *breathes in and out* Of course I'm not. What difference does it make if you come back or not? The end will come whatever you do.

- You are afraid of something. What is it?

- You shut your mouth you filthy rat.

- Oh look, am I getting on your nerves?

- *Groans*

Then Aktor comes close to me in a flash and tries to do the same thing again. This time however, there is a barrier between me and his spear. I didn't do this and I didn't sense Eilish's magic from it, so who did… ?

A bright light appears from behind me and I hear a voice I once heard long ago. Someone who grabbed my face. It was Cantio.

- While I do agree that there is a time when things have to end, I don't think it's time to end all of this quite this soon.

Aktor jumps back and has an annoyed look on his face. He says.

- Of course you would come Cantio. You were always such a softie.

- I didn't come alone.

Another flash of light appears and four more figures appear from that light. A tall man with golden hair speaks first.

- You think we will sit idly and let you continue without our intervention? I assure you that you will fail.

- You speak to me as a god of time or as a person?

- Both.

- Leave it to Aeon to be cryptic. What are you going to do then?

- I make the balance of time a bit more stable inside the ring.

- So you lengthen the inevitable. How charming

A lizardfolk with black hair and white eyes speaks.

- I will not let you have it your way.

- Oh, and what are you going to do?

- I'm going to curse you with slowness.

He raises his hands and points at Aktor. A black light comes from his fingertip and it goes to Aktor. Aktor says.

- You think that little trick is going to stop me, Mors?

- No, but it will make your combat prowess less effective. I also made it so that you can't use your creation ability so easily.

- My body can get over with something so simple.

- Not if you don't focus.

- Says you.

Then a woman with a reddish fox tail and ears touches me and says.

- I will help you keep recovering your wounds. By doing so you don't have to keep upsetting the balance of time. Well… Not more than it already is.

- Leave it to Vita to care for others.

- I don't want to hear that from someone who abandoned his creations.

- Softy. And what are you going to do Iter? Make Nor's soul somehow stronger?

Iter, who looks like what I imagine other vitreous were like, answers.

- No. I will cast a spell on you.

- What kind?

- It should help you calm down a bit.

- And why would I need to calm down?

- You will see. Now, Nor, we leave it up to you.

I answer.

- I will try with everything I have.

- Good answer.

Then a light appears from the same spot where the five gods were standing. As soon as the light fades, the gods have disappeared. Aktor then says.

- Fine. Have it your way.

He puts the soulbreaker away and summons another spear.

- Come to me, cursed spear of Tuonela.

A dark aura comes from Aktor as a spear comes to his hand. That spear gives me a very bad vibes and I don't want to get anywhere near it. Aktor then speaks.

- This spear has been with me for many kalpas. It has the ability to make the damage dealt by the user unhealable as long as the user wills it. So in other words, the thing you got from Vita is close to useless.

- Close to useless. So not completely.

- Yes, there is some time that the curse will take effect before the wound becomes unhealable. But the time is small so there won't be much healing done. In other words, your wounds will heal a bit, but not completely.

- You share your secrets quite easily.

- It won't change the outcome of this battle.

- So you say. So you say. Then shall we?

- As you wish.

Then after I put another anchor, we crossed blades. This time Aktor was much slower than before, but still quick enough to be a bit faster than me. He wasn't able to summon spears just like that anymore, so that was a big help.

We continued to cross blades for quite some time. He got some hits on me which I couldn't heal. But as he managed to land a few hits, I managed to land a few as well. With everything I got, I managed to sever the left hand of Aktor that was holding the spear. As quickly as his arm was cut off, he grabbed the spear with his right hand and we continued to cross blades for a few more swings before I managed to cut off his other arm. He then grabbed the spear with his mouth and even with just his mouth holding his weapon, he was quite a formidable opponent. In the end I cut off his head and the battle was won. But not the war.

Then after a while of resting and letting Aktor's hands and head connect with the rest of his body, we start to chat. Aktor is sitting on the ground and doesn't even bother to grab his cursed spear. He starts to speak.

- Now… Now are you happy? You won against me. Even though it was with a handicap, you still managed to defeat the all creator on his tracks.

- I'm not happy. Not until I make you realize you are making a mistake.

- What mistake? I do what I was always meant to do. The end will come even if you complain.

- You still care for your creations.

- I do, but the time to end those creations is something I also care about.

Eilish seems to have realized something and starts to speak.

- Titus you… or should I call you On now?

- It matters not to me which you call. I believe it's still me even after some forgotten memories.

- Then, Titus… Do you remember that time before you created anything else? The moment you were still all alone in this universe.

- I do.

- Wasn't it lonely?

- Yes. For a long time, yes.

- Then do you remember the joy you had when you managed to create something that could talk back to you? First person other than you.

- I… I do.

- How happy were you?

- I… was the happiest I've ever been before.

- And do you realize that you destroyed that one thing that you once so cherished?

- I… But the noise is…

- All because of some noise?

- You don't understand. The noise… it becomes unbearable over time. The more time passes, the more the noise grows.

- But you still choose to end that one thing you so dearly once cherished.

- I… But I…

The look on Aktor's face is that of a man who realized the weight of one's sin. He says in a defeated voice to Eilish.

- What in the world have I been doing? How could I… Just like that.

- Have you come to regret your choice of ending things here?

- Yes. Even if I suffer, I must treasure the thing I have created. If the world is to end, it is not by my hand.

- Glad to see that you are the same man I fell in love with.

- I see.

I ask.

- So what now? Are we going back to where we came from or…?

Eilish says.

- I would like to see the rest of my family one last time.

Aktor then rises up as if he had made a realization.

- Only way to safely destroy the sun eater ring is to send it to the origin to absorb the energy the destruction of the ring brings. So if that is the only way, then…

- Then what?

- We need to just bring it there.

- How? Could Amire even do that?

Amire answers.

- With the ring's distorsion over space it isn't possible. And if it was turned on, I have never teleported this large of a mass to somewhere so distant. And even if I could do all of that, I only can send it near the edge and not outside of it.

- Then how are we supposed to do that?

Aktor looks at the sun for a moment. Then he says.

- With all my power, I can do it.

- You can do that even with the limiters Mors put on you?

- Those are simple things to solve once I have my trusted spear in hand. The only thing that is worrying me is…

- What?

- Is that after I use that much power and send my physical body to the origin, I'm not sure I can hold my consciousness in Norbul. But maybe if I leave my spear in Norbul, then maybe… Just maybe, I will just end up in a deep sleep. Yes, let's go with that.

Aktor goes to the center of the room and calls for his spear.

- Come, the spear of creation.

Then golden lights come flowing like snakes on every surface of the room to a one point. Once all the lights gather in that one spot, a familiar spear comes from the ground. When it is fully out, Aktor grabs the staff and starts giving his orders.

- Remove the last restriction.

- Password three please.

- My brother's light will come to shine once more. For he is the golden sun.

- Access granted to the current form. Releasing the last restriction.

Then Aktor's body starts to have cracks coming from his skin that shine. The spear asks a question.

- Question. For what purpose was there a need for the last restriction to open? Wasn't the end master was looking for coming?

- It was but I changed my mind. I have to end up using all of my power.

- Processing… Question. Are you truly satisfied with your choice?

- That's weird coming from you. But yes, I am satisfied with my choice.

- Question. Will I ever be held again by you?

- Not for a long time. How does it make you feel?

- Processing… Answer. The closest thing I can think of is… sadness.

- If it means anything, I am sad too. Now let's get to work.

Aktor then starts doing something and I can hear some clunking sounds coming from the ring. Then when he was finally done with whatever he was doing, he seemed to suck up the light that emanated from the spear. He then told the spear what was going to happen.

- Aina, I will now hand the rights to use you to a man named Nor Los. I also give permission to speak with a woman named Eilish Deroth, or in this life Ariana Litcoon. Did you get all that?

- Processing… New user and listener names added to the library. Soul signature required.

Aktor then points at me and tells my name to the spear. Then he does the same to Eilish.

- Processing… Soul signature added to the library.

- Good. Now my last order to you. Please guide those two to the best of your ability. Especially to Nor on how to use you.

- Orders received. Question. Master?

- What is it?

- Answer. If this is the last time we meet, it has been an honor to be by your side.

- Me too Aina. Me too.

Then Aktor offers the spear to me. Once I reach out to it he hesitates for a moment and brings the spear closer to him again. Then when he is more composed, he gives the spear to me. I grab it with honor.

- Now then. It is time for me to clean up the mess I caused.

I say.

- Good luck. And thank you for your service.

I return the will back to Aktor and he flinches for a moment. Then he smiles and says.

- Thank you. Amire, take them back to home.

- I will, but dad?

- What is it?

- You might not have been the best dad, but you were my favorite one.

- Thanks.

Then we teleport to Amire's floating island. We could still hear Aktor speaking from the spear.

- Ready for the jump.

Then a loud noise comes from the spear and a moment of silence. Then we hear Aktor's voice again.

- Cleanup successful. *Static* The sun eater ring has been brought to the origin. *Static* My body and mind are breaking apart. *Static* But with my last moment I say… *Static* Thank you Eilish *Static* for showing me the way. *Static* And say to everyone else… *Static* That I am sorry. But most importantly… *Static* Tell them it was nice knowing you all. *Static* This was the all creator On *Static* A husband and a father Titus *Static* And a friend Aktor *Static* Goodbye

- Signal lost.

We stood there for a moment. Eilish starts to cry to Amire's shoulder but even Amire started to tear up. Then I shed a couple of tears as well as I said.

- Goodbye… Old friend.

Epilogue

After the dust settled, me and Eilish decided that she gets to hold the spear on weekends and I will have it the remaining time. There is ofcourse room to alter it a bit, so we are in consensus.

We also told people who were there when Aktor announced the end of the world what happened and what was Aktor's last message. We decided to not tell the public about what was about to happen since it would have caused quite a stir. Only people who got to know who weren't in Aktor's announcement were close family and friends. I even Ulvin got to know what was about to transpire. She was disappointed that the SAR had to be destroyed.

I sometimes ask about things from the spear of creation named Aina. Things like.

- What is it like being a spear?

- Question. What's it like being a human?

- It's pretty cool I would say.

- I see.

- You didn't answer.

- Answer. I didn't mind being a spear until now.

- Until now?

- Answer. Yes. After master On left, I've had a longing to be a bit… more.

- So you wish to have a humanoid form as well?

- Processing… Answer. Yes.

- Then you have to ask Aktor when he comes back.

- Processing… Question. Do you mean if he comes back?

- It's called wishful thinking. You should try it sometimes.

- Processing… Understood.

- Speaking of trying something, can you do something about your speech pattern?

- Answer. Negative.

- Why? Is there something making you unable?

- Answer. No. It is just not necessary.

- Well as your new user I order you to try speaking more fluently.

- Processing… Understood. Adding an analyzing routine on this unit. Processing… Hello user Nor, are you perchance bored sitting near the great soultree all day? Explanation. You are quite talkative now for an unknown reason. ERROR… Processing speed pattern… Hello user Nor. Are you perhaps hungry or thirsty? This unit thinks that you might be irritated by the apparent questions you are giving this unit. Or are you simply curious about this unit's capabilities in aspects such as… Processing… Communication. This unit finds it a bit… Processing… Irritating.

- So you can talk and express yourself to this degree. There are still some improvements as you might have guessed.

- Acknowledged.

- By the way. Now that I think about it, your name, Aina, is it some word from the witch tongue? And if so, what does it mean?

- Answer. This unit's ID is Spear of Creation. Shortened to SC. Codename Aina. Assuming you mean this unit's codename Aina, it means, according to master On, evermore. Does this answer your question?

- Yes, thank you. So evermore. Not bad naming sense I give him that.

- Indeed.

After I came back from one of trips back to the great soultree, I noticed a figure sitting unconscious leaning against the tree. I ask Rin if she knows anything, but then she says.

- I only just noticed him… her? Which one is it?

- I see. I can't tell either. But I feel a strangely familiar presence from them.

- Is it someone you know?

- I don't know. We should be cautious of them. We don't know if they are ally or a foe. Look, they are waking up.

The figure opens its eyes and says.

- Where am I?

I point the spear against their throat and ask them.

- Who are you and why are you lying under this tree?