Chapter 4: The Other Side

"This hurts my eyes."

Kyo surveyed an expanse of a great emptiness that was split right down the middle between black and white. Literally, as one side of the space was entirely white and the other, pitch dark. However, there was a black hole in the distance on the white side and, for lack of a better term, a "white hole" in the distance of the black side. It somewhat reminded him of a weird interpretation of the Yin-Yang symbol.

"And I appeared on the dark side, huh. How interesting. I wonder if Acheron's memories show anything about this." Indeed, although Acheron had simply poured all her knowledge into Kyo's head, unsheathing [Naught] still made it a million times easier to sort and peruse the memories he now held. "...this is... the Horizon of Existence?"

The Horizon of Existence was the space in which Kyo and Acheron had their final talk. But this version held the obvious difference of the white expanse. "No point in just sitting here," Kyo muttered. "Might as well try to cross over." 

Stepping slowly across the expanse, which rippled under his feet as though it were water despite feeling quite solid, Kyo made his way to the border between the two sides and attempted to step over to the white side. However-

???

Kyo was repelled backwards into the darkness, and [Naught] flashed an evil red. Damn, is this thing preventing me from reaching the light? Kyo flashed an amused smile, then a look of determination crossed his face. "I'll take that as a challenge then, you son of a nice lady." Rushing over at maximum speed, Kyo slammed his shoulder at the border... and fumbled right through.

"Well that was anticlimactic." Kyo complained. At that moment, [Naught] was overwhelmed by a bright white and the evil-looking eye disappeared, leaving a pristine silver hilt. "Hold on, is this... [Origin], [Naught]'s original form?" Thinking for a moment, Kyo stepped back into the darkness. A sense of lethargy immediately overtook him as [Origin] reverted into [Naught]. And this time, he could feel a change in the very nature of his Reiryoku.

"Ugh... it seems returning to the Nihility side is far more dangerous than entering the light. And my reiryoku feels... utterly wrong now. Perhaps this is the fabled Inversion? Then, is [Naught] an inverted Devil King?" Kyo stepped over into the light without issue, and his sense of depression as well as the ominous feeling in his Reiryoku departed as if it were never there. "So it would seem."

So is the taint of Nihility is simply converted into inverse Reiryoku in this world? Though that doesn't make it any less dangerous to my mentality, at least I probably don't have to worry about gradually losing memories or other Self-Annihilator things. Hold on, does that mean I was considered Inversed when I fought the AST? Well-

"Anyway, since [Origin] theoretically isn't tainted by Nihility, I probably don't need to worry. After all, my readings will be normal this time around; I'm sure they can chalk it up to a malfunction in their equipment. And now I can actually do slashing damage instead of half-baked bludgeoning damage!" Kyo cheered. 

In game terms, I've basically unlocked my basic attack and skill without the fancy space-rending effects. Finally, I have some standing ground! Now, to get out of here...

Kyo looked into the dark sun above him. "The method in Acheron's memories is to just walk towards either hole in the sky with the intent to leave. Since I want to manifest with [Origin], I guess my destination is the black hole. This'd better not kill me..." Letting out a sigh, Kyo began his walk, not noticing a hint of red lightning sparking from his blade.

———————I am the dividing line that shifts perspective———————

BEEEEEEEEEEP- BEEEEEEEEEEP- BEEEEEEEEEEP-

Kyo opened his eyes to the streets of an unfamiliar cityscape. Thankfully, it was once again undamaged. I'm quite good at not destroying things, Kyo praised shamelessly. And, of course, the Wizards should be incoming in 3, 2, 1... uh, where are they? 

Kyo looked around confusedly until he spotted a clash of explosions and ice in the distance. Oh, the kid is here. Explains a lot. Though, what exactly are the chances of two Spirits manifesting in the same area at the same time? Something feels off.

Shrugging off the weird feeling, Kyo flew over to join in the fun. Grabbing onto the hilt of [Origin], Ryo gave a devilish smile and maneuvered up behind one of the Wizards.

"Yo, Yoshino! You seem to be in a bit of a pickle! Need some help?" Kyo shouted, his voice inexplicably managing to reach everyone present. The battlefield seemed to screech to a halt as every participant stared at Kyo in shock and confusion, including a certain fleeing green silhouette holding a rabbit puppet. 

"他是... [IX]!" The Wizard closest to him exclaimed. Kyo frowned. Alright, definitely not in Japan anymore. This sounds like Chinese, I think?

"第二个精灵确定! 二, 四队, 与 [IX] 近战! 一, 三队, 继续射击 [隐者]!" At the command of what Kyo assumed to be the team leader, two swarms of Wizards broke off from the swarm around Yoshino and began charging at Kyo. 

"So I'm assuming you're the ones I felt underestimating me from before? Tough luck, babies." Kyo began leisurely drawing his blade. Just as a Wizard was about to slash his neck, Kyo's eyes shined a bright violet.

"Stream forth, [Origin]!"

———————I am the dividing line that shifts perspective———————

Yoshino stared at the back of the strange purple-haired man who had just decimated the Wizard forces with sufficient speed to leave behind glowing purple afterimages. Who is that? Are they here to hurt me too? The mystery man flashed her an appraising look before gently lifting her over his shoulder. Yoshino blushed, feeling a little bit like a sack of rice.

"Hey mister, what are you doi-" Yoshinon, her rabbit puppet, started before being interrupted.

"[White]," he muttered. Yoshino felt an unsettling wave of energy wash over the two of them, but it disappeared before she could even begin to register it. As if it were just an illusion that never existed in the first place. "I won't lie, I'm a little surprised that worked," the man muttered. Before Yoshino could reply, he took off, flying them a few hundred miles away before settling in a small suburban backyard.

"Now hold on mister, I'll give you one more chance to answer me. What is it that you intend to do with Yoshino?" Yoshinon demanded. "I'm warning you, if you're thinking of trying to hurt her, you've got another thing coming for you!" In response, he looked at her and gave a slight smile.

"What do I intend to do with you two? I don't know. I didn't think this far yet."