Determined To Rise Above

Stars' strange ability to 'warp time' isn't exactly as it seemed.

It's said that time seems to proceed differently around a blackhole due to the extreme amount of gravity. However it only it still only 'seemed' that way. For Stars' a similar approach was taken. Using magic and the power of the blackhole he was able to 'warp' how time progressed. This couldn't be fine tuned, and the rate constantly fluctuated. Additionally due to the large amount of energy such a process took it would rapidly drain anyone who remained in his special space.

However the two currently inside were far from normal. Mira's seemingly endless regeneration properties gave him an abnormal amount of vitality. No matter how hard he moved he never seemed to get tired. Givale was a Dragon, along with a special magic that was incredibly similar to his own features. Perhaps through this it gave her some resistance to the energy drain.

Pang~

The sound of weapons clashing forms occasionally. Stars wasn't sure how much time had passed, but he was able to tell of the drastic improvement they were undergoing. The amount of time they lasted was increasing. It seems Akiol's hard effort to give them a good foundation to stand upon was paying off.

One thing Akiol was certain of was that they needed more experience to find what was comfortable with them. Although he was capable of subverting this with his various styles, it wasn't quite the same.

Stars' previous wielder assisted with this, while also giving them a proper fighting style to assist. Combined with Stars warping the time they rapidly improved in an incredibly short amount of time. Stars couldn't wait for the surprise Akiol would have.

As for what he had been doing during the time, he had spent it carefully searching throughout his space. If his previous wielder was still here, there must have been something. Eventually he did find something, but he wasn't entirely sure what it was.

The best way it could be described was like a fragment of something. It was so incredibly small it could easily be mistaken as something else at even a close look. If Stars wasn't intentionally searching for something out of place he would have never found it. He had planned to interrogate his previous wielder when the time was ripe. Right now he didn't want to disturb their fights.

~ ~ ~

Yuto sat upon a balcony at the South Province. Although the fights were still going he needed some time to clear his head.

He was confident in his abilities, but there was two people in that fight that were capable of beating him. All of his efforts, the time he put in to master the Endlessly Chained Scythe. Was it all for naught?

He rested his head against a supporting pillar, "What am I doing?"

How could he be concerned about things unfair? This wasn't like ordinary games, where things should get nerfs and buffs to be fair to other players. This was a whole other world. The NPCs here wouldn't care about such things, they would only care about staying alive.

So why was he? Because other players were upset that they lost? Wasn't that just childish?

So what if it wasn't fair? Just get stronger! With absolute power you can overcome such trifling matters!

Reaching into his bag he pulled out the sinister purplish scythe, "It seems I was quite foolish. I have that Paladin to thank."

'Have you finally decided?'

"Yeah, I'm done being childish. I'll be in your care."

'That is good to hear my disciple. But it's much too early for you to wield my strength.'

"I know, strength doesn't come easy. I'll find a place to practice."

'Excellent. I am glad.'

Yuto rested the scythe on his shoulders. He would no longer let his petty thoughts get in his way.

~ ~ ~

Ninn balanced a dagger on her finger. Her eyes narrowed and she moved a hand to catch the dagger as it fell. To anyone watching from the outside it looked like she moved before the dagger even started to fall, as if she was expecting it.

"Ah it's you! The one with the strange eyes."

Ninn looked over, "Pardon?"

"I watched your fight, quite the show I must say."

Ninn tilted her head, "Was that supposed to be an insult?"

"Quite the opposite! It may seem like you were destroyed, but I find it a testament to your adaptability. The ability to look slightly ahead in the future, it's not a simple one to wield!"

"I don't look into the future."

"Ah, excuse my simplification. You can see the 'intent' of others. I get that. However it can be so much more."

"I'm sorry, who even are you?"

"Oh! Forgive me, I am known as Record."

"The Ace of the West?"

"Yep!"

"Why are you here?"

"Had a bit of an argument with the West Province Head."

"So you're here for. . . ?"

"I come to you with an offer. Would you like to truly be able to use those eyes?"

Ninn examined Record's expression, but this time she couldn't see an intention.

~ ~ ~

. . .

"With this next fight coming to a close means the deadline for out next challenge draws nearer."

Horrow pondered the situation, "To target the North is much too soon. Challenging the West would cause an imbalance, meaning the best option would be the East again. . ."

"Any reason why we're not challenging the North?", asked Wrock.

"It's much too soon. Our goal is to obtain enough points to maintain at the very least second place. The strength of the North is currently first place for a reason."

"But that would mean we're merely delaying the inevitable. Would it not be a better choice to face them directly?"

"It would, and I originally had planned to. However with the display the West had done, my plans must take a turn."

Wrock had an expression of mild surprise, "I hadn't expected that answer."

"Tomorrow, that is the day I shall target the North. For now we shall return the favor to the East for agreeing with Inth."

"Which brings the next question: who's going?", Kan'na asked.

Horrow answered, "Unless someone volunteers I will decide."

Akiol added, "Well there's no need for you to decide."

Walking through the entrance he was followed by Givale and Mira. This time Mira was donning a new outfit, compared to the old clothes he chose to wear before. It looked like a set of windbreaker clothes. Except the jacket was unzipped with a plain shirt underneath. Its color was mostly black with a bit of red highlights, as if to match his hair and eyes. Akiol had to get it custom made, apparently Givale had shown him some of the designs she went through as well and Mira really enjoyed this particular outfit.

Horrow eyed the two, "Interesting. I assume you two wish to give it a try?"

Givale nodded confidently, "Yup! I think it's our turn!"

Glancing towards Akiol he spoke, "I have no qualms if you're confident. The question is how shall this proceed?"

Mira tilted his head, "What?"

"How would you like to do the match?"

Givale crossed her arms, "I would like us both to fight, but not at the same time? We've been fighting together for so long. . ."

"A 2v2 elimination match it is then. Who's going first."

The two looked at each other, neither side willing to go second. Akiol crouched down and offered, "An ancient rite of rock, paper, and scissors. That's how it shall be decided."

Givale immediately prepared, "You call this an ancient rite, but I don't think so."

"It's been a process of many centuries. It still remains due to how effective it is."

"You say that all the time!"

Akiol had taught them the small game when he was providing guidance. It had been their go-to method for a majority of stuff, and Akiol enjoyed the small showmanship of calling it an ancient rite.

They quickly proceeded with the game and immediately Givale lowered her shoulders in a slump, "Fine! I'll go second."

Mira raised his hand in victory, "I won!"

Horrow chuckled, "Mira shall go first. I am excited to see how you do."

"I'll do my best!"

"Get ready, this next fight is going to end soon."

~ ~ ~

Stars stared at his previous wielder, "How well do you think they'll fare?"

"They have talent, they will do just fine."

That was an incredibly high praise. Stars' previous wielder hardly ever complimented someone. A majority of the time they viewed everyone as beneath them. But Stars wasn't here to find his previous wielder's opinion, that was merely an icebreaker.

"So, how are you here?"

"Like I said, I failed."

"Failed what?"

They sighed, "A resurrection technique. I failed."

"It looks like you succeeded."

"If I had, this conversation would not be happening."

"Are you going to explain anything or are you just going to be vague?!"

"Do you want me to?"

"Yes!"

". . . Very well. The resurrection technique needed a point. A place nearby but safe. At first I had no place like that, it seemed useless to me. But then I considered this place, your special little area. . ."

"So you placed that point here."

"Yes, and when I finally died I arrived here, but not whole. Rather just as a fragment, a piece of my last moment. All I have is a limited source of energy before I fade away for the rest of time."

"So why spend it helping those two?"

"Because you wanted it."

Stars frowned, "That doesn't make sense! You never were the kind to do things if you were asked!"

His wielder looked upwards, "It's been quite some time Ren. Plenty of time for me to reflect. I know I wasn't the best of a wielder. I was arrogant, I was selfish. I only thought of how something could benefit me, and not how it affected others."

Stars couldn't believe it. This person he was facing, was it even his previous Wielder?

They lowered their head, "So after some time I finally figured out what I was going to do with this energy. I would spend it to repay the one person who was there with me.", he looked towards Stars, "You."

". . . I don't know if I can fully trust you. But I can't deny what you did to help Givale and Mira. So if it's worth anything. . . what happened in the past stays there."

"Heh, I suppose I can't ask for much more. I don't have that much energy left, but if anything I am glad I was able to fight again."

"So this is goodbye?"

"A proper one."

Stars raised a fist, "I don't have any words for this."

"Let's keep it that way.", his previous wielder said as he fist bumped Stars.

As Stars watched his previous wielder fade away he sighed, "All in the past. . ."