Awaken

I can't move my body... I remember letting myself get captured. Could it be... Did I die? Questions rained into the head of the small child as he tried to recollect everything that transpired. He noticed he was back in the very plane the Transcenders brought him after he died.

"Welcome back, creator." They bowed their heads. Kiryuu wondered why he was back here.

"Did I die?"

The White Transcender nodded without hesitation. This shocked Kiryuu as he was freaking out, the Black Transcender glared down at the whining adult soul with annoyance.

"You're not truly dead! Your body may appear dead to the human eyes but you're actually in a position where time doesn't record your heartbeats." The Black Transcender explained.

Kiryuu then asked nonchalantly, "Is it because of my bloodline?"

"Well... not exactly. Your body's will to live is impressive but the amount of blood you lost was significant." The White Transcender was surprised he changed his personality so quickly.

"Is that so? Say what the hell was that back there?" asked Kiryuu seeming to be confused.

The White Transcender looked at the Twin, even though she shook her head. "You see, the crystal that disappeared was a Genesis Crystal to an unknown Ascent that was lost through ancient times."

Ascents?

"Ascents are like pathways that are split into two categories that barrow the abilities of the Divine or the power of a beast of myth. For example, Jester borrowed the power of one of the beasts from the pillar of the Storm God, the Kraken. Every action you make will determine which rank the Authority Core will create for you. Each Array contains its abilities, and each pathway has its authority. Ascent is not limited to providing solely offensive or solely defensive capabilities but expands in scope and variety as one advances in Array. Different Ascent can do very different things, ranging from utility abilities such as divination or equipment crafting to a powerful offense such as weather or spirit control. It will allow you to do things that humans cannot. For now, you're starting at the 9th Array which is the lowest." says the White Transcender.

"Arrays?"

"Yes, think of it as levels. These Arrays are the starting point of the Ascent chain as an Ascender. Low-Arrays Ascenders are no match for cannons. They are just more fascinating and indefensible than heavy artillery. Then Again it's the weakest, but you are exempt from that rule for some reason. Mid-Array is the more common period when an Ascender initially faces madness hidden within the non-Deities Ascent, upon advancement. Their powers are starting to become more powerful, convoluted, and conceptualized. Some Array might still be unable to match or survive a cannon, but they tend to outperform guns and other conventional weaponry in most ways. At this point, they can truly be considered supreme and mystical entities in the eyes of regular people. As you get closer to the 6th Array, the Authority core will give you a glimpse of what you must do to ascend to the next level. Below high arrays, different Ascents' array have their characteristics that don't overlap. Each of them had their strengths and weaknesses, and their strengths and weaknesses were all very obvious. The rest will be more of a mystery since I know you like to find things out on your own, Creator. Also, we'll send you an artifact to aid you." Suddenly, the clock's biggest hand moved on the time was 1:32, the question was: Is it pm or am?

The final words he heard from the being of darkness was: Devour the Crystal. Whatever that meant.

When he awoke he was freed by Dolan who held a broken blade. What the hell did I miss?"

"Oh good you're awake…" Xion looked at Dolan who was bleeding from the chest. His eyes widened, his pupils dilated at the sight of the crimson-colored liquid staining his hands. He knew it, the fact that the story was rushed too early. Dolan sacrificed himself to free Xion.

"Hey now… Don't go dying on me yet." Xion said picking up the injured Dolan, his body was still weak from the loss of blood. "Help… us…" he couldn't even scream for help.

"Hehehe… HAHAHAHA! It's funny, to kill a Trinity by my own hands to bring back the true God." Jester kicked the boy down forcing him to drop Dolan. "You should have given me the Genesis Crystal. Now you have to die." Xion and Dolan lay there in their pool of blood, their blood mixing like the Yin and Yang.

Was there a god to save us or free us? Even in my world I was forced to survive on my own, kicked out, abused, tortured, and even framed… A god should protect their creations from evil and corruption not watch their creations suffer for entertainment. If this is the world I created, then I disgrace it — No I loathe it.

He felt his heart pumping from feeling inside, his body pulsing as if something was trying to escape from being chained down. His eyes trailed to Dolan who had his eyes closed, he seemed so peaceful in his resting state.

Finishing the story was part of my goal, now I have to end this corruption… The real question is though… Is Jester right? No, the gods have not been heard of ever since the New Era. If I have to get rid of the Gods who only watch us suffer, then I have no choice but to manipulate and ruin the gods and the corruption of the world… I'll become something that defies the Gods and madness, Then I have no choice… I'll become a False God.

With his final thoughts, his body pulsed again, and a dragon eye deep inside of him opened. His body exploded with so much energy the world shook. Appeared in front of him was the crystal that he thought was lost forever.

If it's power you wish for, I can grant it.

Xion heard the voice from inside the crystal.

"No… I don't want just power, I want the power to end this false narrative I've created."

The crystal glowed. Jester, who was facing Lucy turned to the red glow. "It can't be. That crystal belongs to me, only I can wield it, it's the chance to truly control the Beast of Apocalypse." Lucy swung her mighty blade sending the man flying into the wall leaving a huge crater.

Devour me.

Xion nodded opening his mouth. If this is the way to save those I care about by sacrificing everything… then so be it!

Crunch!

He ate the crystal. Those who watched were shocked that he ate it, Marcus looked at Xion who swallowed the crystal. "Xion…" he looked to see Dolan lying next to Xion unconscious. What made it strange was Xion was healing Dolan with a magic clock.

He then lifted him, there was no shed of life in his eyes. "Father, please take care of him," Xion said, handing Dolan to him. "Why about you? You're injured."

Xion chuckled, "Don't worry about me." He said healing his body. He looked to see Lucy fight Jester and the worst part Lucy couldn't keep up with him. So this was the power of an Ascender, huh?

"Die! Die! Die?" Jester grew five slimy tentacles from his back. Each one striking after the next to hit Lucy. She couldn't block them, some of the strikes cut her. "You should have stayed out of the fight, Lucy. Now, it's time to meet your children in Heaven." He exclaimed creating a water blade. While making a downward slash, the area around them slowed down. It was Xion moving within a single second to move Lucy out of the way.

"It's not nice to harm a lady," Xion said boringly. Jester backed up, fear caused his legs to tremble greatly, and sweat dripped down her face. "It can't be… why are you still alive?" He was shocked by Xion's appearance he had the purple color mixed in with his crimson-red hair. His pupils slit like a dragon when enraged.

Xion rolled his eyes in annoyance, he heard enough of his yelling for once. It's time for some payback that Jester caused, the attempted murder of Dolan and sacrificing him to an unknown beast. "Jester. You're too loud, shut up." He said snapping his fingers, he somehow cut his throat open. Everyone watched in horror, they would never expect him to be this cold-hearted. Of course that wasn't enough to kill Jester.

"W-wait! I apologize, can't we work out an arrangement…?" Jester asked begging to be spared.

Xion thought about it for a moment.

"Wait, you're not exactly thinking about it?" Asked Lucy who was being healed by a knight.

"Yeah, think about it. Look what he did to you and Dolan. He did this for an unknown god…" Marcus held Dolan tightly. The words of the two were taken into consideration.

Xion then sighed before lifting his hand with his palm facing Jester's head. "Y'know, you can tell the gods this when you make it to the heavens. I, Xion Trinity have awakened as the False God Candidate. Compulsion: Tick." He created a small orb and blasted it at Jester who screamed in agony. The move he just did borrowed the time around him creating a force amplified by his mana erasing the target from existence if they're weaker than him.

"May your soul rot in the deepest part of hell, swine." He said before collapsing.

His hair color returned to its natural, and he passed out from mana exhaustion. "He did it." Lucy and the others watched Jester turn into nothing but dust. The group cheered for their victory, Marcus and Lucy sighed as she picked up the tired Xion, who knew he had the power to take on an Ascender.

…

It's been several weeks since the defeat of the Cult of Apocalypse, most of the members fled while the twenty they captured were sent to the Court of Knowledge. For the two victims, Dolan recovered rather quickly, but he still felt ashamed for Xion who risked his life to save him. As for Xion himself, he recovered but had no memory of what transpired. All he knew was the fact he felt stronger and glad to see Dolan smiling again.

"So Xion, what are you going to do?" Asked Dolan walking by his side.

Xion thought about the question, the possibility of them being separated was inevitable but he had his own goals to achieve. "I'm going to the Astral Valley School." He blankly stated.

"Wait really? But you're so young."

"I may be ten years old, it doesn't mean I can start my career early, besides I have something to do." He put his hands in his pockets while staring at the clear blue sky.

The power of False divinity is now in the palm of your hands, Trinity.

He looked behind him to see nothing or nobody there. That voice sounded so familiar but not even he could remember it.

"Are you okay, Xion?" Lucy asked setting down two mugs filled with coffee onto the table.

"It's nothing, Mom. I have a gut feeling that this isn't over…" He gazed at his hands, he could see the bloodstains that remained there even after washing it off.

Marcus chopped his head causing him to whine, "Stop worrying so much, it'll make your brain explode."

Xion smile brightly. "Right." The family laughed together enjoying their happiness and lunch.

…

Somewhere in the country of Luminous, a Church in the center of the city of Chanda.

"You called, Pope?" A young man with long silver hair approached the leader of the church.

The pope turned around with a closed eye smile "Ah Sean, yes. I noticed a strange feeling that's been bothering some Ascenders."

"You're referring to the awakening of that candidate?" Sean questioned.

The pope nodded vaguely "The last Candidate of the Gods has been chosen. The real question has yet to be asked. Will the 12 Candidates become allies or enemies?"