Domain of Truth

The remaining mages use the last of their mana to escape from Zuriel. However, they can't. He's blindingly fast and has the power to duplicate himself and teleport. Although it's the first time I saw this kind of power, I am guessing that duplicating is not a special power of his. It's not "awesome" enough. It's just he's very smart at using it and I can't tell which one is the real one using the Eyes of Verity. Also, his hand-to-hand combat is unstoppable. Just what kind of guy is he?

Later, he finishes the last one with a powerful stomp. Then the barrier at the staircase disappears.

"Well, that's about it," he says as we walk there. "We get to fight the All-Seer now. This is gonna be a fun fight."

He grins so wide while I'm very worried. "Is the All-Seer that powerful?"

"Yeah. If I compare his strength to the people you already know, I could say that he is as powerful as Lucy."

"Then, are you as powerful as Lucy?"

"Hell, no!" He laughs. "Lucy is one incredible chick after Zaori. If I was more powerful than her, I would be Zaori's right hand."

Then I remember what I came here for. "We passed hundreds of floors but why didn't we ever come across a library—the Prudentia Library?"

"Oh, uh. . ." He's turning the pages of his grimoire with diamond bindings. "that library is a domain. The All-Seer has the Frame that can summon it."

*Facepalm* "You could've mentioned that before. And why did Zaori put me through all of this?"

"It's because I asked her for help. I didn't expect that she would send you." He chuckles. "She's very deceitful, ey?"

"You said it."

"That's what makes her so sexy."

There it is again. Why does he glorify her? She's not the best girl in this world. If I have to choose one, it would be Nisha because she's very sweet and cooks delicious food.

"I recall you met her in real life," he mentions.

"Yup but only met her briefly."

"I met her for like. . . six days ago. She's hot you know."

I disagree but I won't say that. "How?"

"Because she's thick and all."

"No, how did you meet her?"

"I was working at the Cybersecurity Department of the Dome. I detected her talking about this game in the net but I chose to stay quiet."

"Why?"

"Personal reasons. I'll tell you later if you stick around long enough for me to trust." He winks at me. "Let us hurry now! The All-Seer awaits!"

He climbs the staircase faster, leaving me here wondering about that "personal reasons" of his. What does he want from this world? I guess I'll find out soon.

This spiral staircase is the longest staircase I have ever climbed! *Panting* My knees are on fire. I'm taking a bath in my sweat. Sure, I could switch to another Frame but I still sweat in them the same. Now, all of them are drenched in sweat. This is so uncomfortable. Zuriel on the other hand is unbothered. He's humming as he hops on the stairs like a kid.

"Come on," he says impatiently. "we don't wanna lose momentum."

Oh, I think I'll lose momentum if I climb faster than this. I'll even lose my legs! Argh! So tired!

At last, we arrive at the upper end of the staircase. I can't see any wall in the distance where everything just fades into darkness. There is no ceiling, just a black sky. The ground is marble black, glassy smooth. The mist is flowing like water in a stream around our feet. And the air is cold, gnawing me down to my bones.

Then I hear Zuriel taking a deep breath. Is he nervous? If he is, then we're in something that needs him to be serious. And that means it's gonna be dangerous to a whole new level.

"All-Seer!" he greets so livelily. The All-Seer appears as the mist slowly opens like a curtain. "It's good to see you up close!"

The guy is sitting on his throne made out of steel decorated with jewels and orbs that hold magic. It could be his weapon. We must watch out.

"So, you're the Gentleman Thief?" he speaks. His voice is surprisingly calm like the slowly creeping frost.

And "Gentleman Thief"? This guy? A gentleman? Yup, he must be mistaken.

"That's me," Zuriel confirms with utter pride.

"You have caused havoc on my island for five decades, stealing not only material things but also, lives."

"It's fair square. You're the All-Seer that can see through anything. Perhaps you are seeing through too much that you completely overlooked the truth. Here, the rich only get richer and the poor will forever be slaves. I just fixed that for you a little bit. You should thank me."

"I have nothing to thank you. Everything was running faultlessly on this island as I—the All-Seer who knows a million things, have intended. That is until you meddled with our affairs. I am aware of your affiliation with the Rave Queen. No doubt that she sent you to get rid of me for her hunger for power."

My skin crawls because of Zuriel's smirk along with his sinister giggle. "That is where you're wrong, O' Great All-Seer. I came here for a personal reason."

"Oh, really? Then do not expect that you'll get it without a fight."

Like he has been looking forward to this for thousands of years, he says, "Trust me, I do expect a spectacular fight."

Their eyes glow white. In unison, they say, "All-Seeing Eyes: Domain of Truth."

The whole place transforms into a land full of eyes. You heard right: Eyes. The ground is made out of eyes as well as rhe mountains, trees, and sky. *Gulp* This eerie place disturbs me down to my core.

Domain of Truth, they said? It could mean that the eyes here can see every truth. Nothing can hide. Every lie and deception shall have an "eyewitness".

The All-Seer is a bit surprised. I'm surprised too, realizing that they have the same Legendary Skill. So, this is what he's been hiding.

"Surprise!" he laughs. "This is both our domain now, All-Seer let's get along because from now on, we're roommates." He squints his eyes and rubs his chin. "Or should I say, Domainmates? Sounds lame but correct, am I right?"

He's just spouting nonsense.

"It doesn't matter if you learned it," says the All-Seer, failing to hide his anxiousness. "I am the All-Seer, I am invincible!"

"No, don't kid yourself. This skill is basic in the Ring and you know that. After all, you've been buying things from the CTO who resides there. And that's one of the things I need from you—your connection with them."

"I'm afraid you will be disappointed."

"Oh, I know I 'will not' be disappointed."

Zuriel transforms into his Angelus Frame in an entirely different getup. His blue wings have metallic feathers. His sky-blue robe has an aura emanating from it. His diamond grimoire is covered in blue flames. And he has floating runes circling his wrists like bracelets.

The All-Seer transforms in his own way too. His Angelus Frame looks, I don't what to say, mystically disturbing. It looks like those biblically accurate angels I saw from the memes. His peach-colored wings are covered with eyes as well as his body and face. He doesn't have a blind spot now.

"Stay back," Zuriel says to me. He's all serious now as he needs to be.

I run away to a safe distance as their standoff takes a while longer. Then they just explode and I'm blown away, literally. I lie prone on the ground, afraid to stand up as the gusts of wind from their fight obliterate everything that is standing. The eyes on the ground near my face are disgusting but I just have to pay no mind. This incredibly destructive fight between these two is the only thing I have to worry about.

Maybe I should retreat a little farther just to be safe. But I have to do it while crawling because something could hit the back of my head. I turn around and crawl away steadily. It is easy since the wind is blowing in my direction. Then I reach the top of a hill. It's a good idea to get behind it to avoid the gusts.

As I ready myself to slide down, everything becomes red and I feel the heat behind me. A huge surging fire is coming after me!