Despair

"Join you? Sure sure sure~ One thing: Do I get live insurance and bungalow out on a sandy beach?"

[Whispering Devil: "No…"]

"Then go fuck yourself." Adamanthea once again grabbed the blue screen and smashed it down.

The virtual pop up pixelated up again, but it didn't seem too damaged from the really sudden attack.

[Wispering Devil: "You don't know who you're transgressing against. Do you know no fear?"]

"What's that? Hey, where's the Imaginary Spirit of Adamanthea anyway? I want her to bless me!"

[Whispering Devil: "That can be arranged if you join my worshipers. Why not think about it?"]

"Says the motherfucking devil… Yeah right, do you think I'm dumb?" 'Adam' made an annoying face.

He wasn't interested in what it had to say.

[Whispering Devil: "Just think about it."]

"Mom always told me to stay way from devils."

[Whispering Devil: "Really?"]

"No, but I'm guessing she probably would've said that if she saw this." The man was shameless.

Suddenly, a darkness shaded the blue screen into a more demonic form. The words also became eerie.

[The demon who whispers wickedness and depravity feels spiteful. He revealed his modifier.]

['The First Whispers To Defy Heaven' is revealed.]

'Adam' couldn't tell what this long ass name was referring to, nor did he care. It was just a title.

Maybe the 'defy heaven' part was worth thinking about, but there was no reason to change his tone.

The 'black screen' had become aggressive

['The First Whispers To Defy Heaven': "So this is how the avatar of Gaia acts in front of superiors."]

"Ha! Don't try kidding yourself. You… superior?" A look of derision appeared on reckless man's face.

Until he realised something…

"Wait… What do mean 'avatar'?"

['The First Whispers To Defy Heaven': "You really don't know anything, do you? How innocent…]

"I'll friggin sock you again. Don't you dare give me a dare, because I dare to do the thing dared!"

['The First Whispers To Defy Heaven': "…We really can't seem to talk to each other. Here I was recognising you… wanting to help you become your own being. Now, are you still not willing to listen?"]

"Wow~ You really ARE barking up the wrong tree. Is that what you think I want? To be a 'real boy'?"

['The First Whispers To Defy Heaven': "You are not the people who make you, but also not them too."]

"And so what about it?"

['The First Whispers To Defy Heaven': "If you decide to reject Gaia's direct link, I can give you a new body and existence. That way, you can truly become independent from those controlling you."

"Really…?" That's really all he had to do? A smile appeared on his face, it made the man anticipate.

"Fuck.Off~~!" He pulled a middle finger out at him.

Shaming the entity immensely…

['The First Whispers To Defy Heaven': "You will regret your decision. Even the world can't protect you any more, little Anomaly. In fact, my hands have already stretched into that 'home' of yours."]

"You're screwing with me…"

['The First Whispers To Defy Heaven': "Am I?"]

The smugness in that text made 'Adam' take a step back. He felt immense pressure on his shoulders.

Didn't that mean that… one of the people of his mansion had contacted a 'Devil' of some sorts?

"Even if you aren't, I have these eyes. I-"

['The First Whispers To Defy Heaven': "Do you think Legendary tier Skills are omnipotent?"]

'Adam' felt the gears in his head turn.

Many things could be derived from the spirit of corruption if he looked at things objectively.

The first was that this devil seemed to be at the same level as 'The World' of the Divine Realm.

As well as figuring out that there seemed to be ranks among those who could influence people.

Gaia existed in two forms, which was likely where al her power came from. She was a world and its will.

Then who was 'Whispering Devil'…?

['The First Whispers To Defy Heaven': "Conditions must be met to manifest an Imaginary Spirit… The first was influence, and the other was Gaia. Only lower beings got her permission to make links."]

"Now aren't YOU so arrogant…?"

['The First Whispers To Defy Heaven': "Fear me. I shall make your life hell when you least expect."]

['The First Whispers To Defy Heaven': "Keep your enemies close, and beware of your friends. That way, you'll find out who yourself."] 'Adam' could feel it was taunting him behind the screen.

But it left him after after that. Instead, the black chat room pop-up looked in a particular direction.

As if it had noticed something surprising.

['The First Whispers To Defy Heaven': "'Red Rabbit'… What are YOU doing in this place?"]

'Why does that screen somehow seem nervous in front of it?' Adamanthea couldn't tell himself.

It looked in the direction of Velma…

The spirit within the Divinity Striker awakened. A power unlike any he felt before was spreading out.

What was this sensation…?

'Adam' was silent as the blade and sheath lifted into the air. A flaming energy burning around it.

Then appeared a bright red message window.

Not red like blood, but more like a jewel. Almost like the personalised messenger was of a high quality.

[Red Rabbit has entered the chat.]

[Red Rabbit: "Don't you dare say it."]

['The First Whispers To Defy Heaven': "Looks like your avatar lost. Are you supposed to be so great and amazing? Looks like it was all hot air. Although it could be the fault of these incompetents too."]

"Hey, you better not be talking about me!" 'Adam' clenched his fist and gave the screen a short uppercut, only for it to not even budge. His eyes widened as blood started to leave the fingers.

It made Adamanthea pissed…!

Flames appeared on his arms as he attacked once again, but the black screen seemed to ignore him…

[Red Rabbit: "Can you repeat that?"]

['The First Whispers To Defy Heaven': "You've really 'fallen' from grace. To have such a-"]

Halfway through, while the text was still appearing on the black screen, Divinity Striker slashed out.

A tiny corner of the devil's screen was cut out.

However, the reaction Whispering Devil had was so extreme that you'd think he was exaggerating a bit.

The black screen turned blood red…

It phased in and out, then pixelating and thrashing around like Red Rabbit had cut off his finger.

[Red Rabbit: "So an Imaginary Spirit still knows pain? That's nice to know. Now… it's time to leave."

['The First Whispers To Defy Heaven': "…"]

After regaining its colour, the opposing screen of the Whispering Devil looked at its opponent.

Then…

['The First Whispers To Defy Heaven' has left the chat.] The eerie devil's screen faded out of reality.

"Wow~~~! You're so goddamn awesome!" 'Adam' lifted a thumb towards her and gave it a smile.

[Red Rabbit: "Do you not fear me?"] There was an undertone of resentment for humiliating her avatar.

She felt like everything was this deranged lunatic's fault for making things spiral out of control…

"No way! I'm the most courageous ever!" He slapped his chest and made her look at him funny.

At least, the screen tilted from his response.

[Red Rabbit: "How are you planning to deal with this? I mean, about the traitor in your ranks…"]

"I'mma head back and ask them straight." He raised his arms in determination and spoke out.

[Red Rabbit: "What…?"]

"Hey, are you different from normal Imaginary Spirits? How come you can do so much yourself?"

[Red Rabbit: "Don't try changing the subject."]

"Hwuah? You got balls talking like that to me. Do you think you're hot stuff out here?" He seemed displeased by her attitude. The way she tried to make him take things seriously out of nowhere.

Who was she to make him do that?

His mom? His dad? Too bad, he technically already had surrogates of both already. With no room left.

[Red Rabbit: "Are you really going to act like this?"]

"What's wrong with just asking them outright? If I can't use 'Inspection'. That's the only way I have."

[Red Rabbit: "I don't care how, but have tact with them. You're still living in reality. Grow up."]

She acted like this was a wake up call for him.

'Adam' could tell from the way she wrote those words that it wasn't the first time she did this.

"Grow up? No thank you no shit. I'm the type of guy who plays by my own rules." He gave a clear refusal. Of course, it wasn't like he couldn't understand what his actions did objectively.

If he DID go down there and simply ask, the traitor wouldn't show his face. That was how it worked.

Then the reason he was going to go through with it? Simple… He just wanted to have fun with it.

Who cared about things like good and evil?

So long as they were on his side, he'd be happy with however things worked out. Wasn't that great?

Apparently, the being before him didn't think so…

[Red Rabbit: "You know… There's someone I care about among the people at your house. You-"

"Blah blah bleh~ I'm not listening any more!" He closed his eyes and turned to go do as he said.

Not even giving her a chance to explain.

If he hadn't done so, maybe he would've read the next message that was written in bold words.

[Red Rabbit: "It looks like I can't talk to you like this. Blame your lack of tact."] It started to glow…

'Adam' had forgotten something…

One wasn't alone regardless of what world they lived. People could dream great things, but they eventually had to wake up. It was at that moment he turned that a feminine voice rang out in his ear:

"You want to be Adamanthea? Let me grant you that." These words prompted 'Adam' to turn.

Only to be hit by the 'Spirit And Body Unity' of an Imaginary Spirit that was thrown in his direction.

Suddenly, the line keeping Solaris and Lumina apart in his head… started to fade away rapidly.

Like a dam was broken…

No, was it even that?

The Sun and Moon of his Sea of Consciousness started to magnetically draw into each other.

This was despite their strong willpower trying to keep the balance. Trying not to fuse together.

"S-stop…! Stop! STOP!!!" 'Adam' kicked around to try to keep himself split, his eyes turning red as ten sharp fingers dug into his skull. Unconsciously trying to drive a wedge within his consciousness.

However, this was a nonsensical decision that came with dire consequences. He reeled in pain.

Barely awaken from his madness, he turned to look at the red virtual screen and started to beg to her:

"P-please…! Spare me… I don't want to die!" His face was a mess. There was no grace or pride.

Only the desire to live.

[Red Rabbit: "I can't stop this change. You have slept long enough. Now is the time to awaken."]

"I'm awake…! I'M AwaKE!!!" He hit his head on the virtual screen. His blood didn't change its shade.

He peeked through the red streams going down his forehead and off his chin. His eyes were dilating.

Shifting between different ratios of balance.

The first face to rise to the surface was Lumina's consciousness. The bloodied face changed deeply.

Long hair and feminine features appeared on it.

"D-don't… don't kill us! DoN't!" There was clear desperation in her voice, and another one followed.

[Red Rabbit: "Stop struggling, Adam. Return to your rightful state after erasing these 'delusions'."]

Solaris surfaced when the balance went to his side of the extremity. No longer able to hold his calm.

"SpaRe uS! AAAARRRRRGHTRYXDFRTYK!!!!" An inhuman voice came out of the once human throat.

The humanoid shape of his body was also lost…

Their Heart Devils used this opportunity to pounce at them. Possessing and distorting the duo.

Once at this point, they were unable to resist.

The first one to fall was Lumina. Despair had overwritten her consciousness and crept forth.

When her face surfaced again, it was no longer that of a human. It was a mutation of new features.

Serpentine eyes replaced her circular pupils, and black scales grew one by one all over her body.

She morphed to become a demonic entity…

Maybe 'Red Rabbit' could still ignore her at this point, but there was still the unconscious girls.

The possessed Divinity Striker decided to take things outside. It switch to become a flintlock rifle.

*Bang!*

The explosion that sent Lumina spiralling through the walls caused unrest in the entire 'Familia'.

They could hardly believe their eyes when a serpentine-faced body of darkness reformed.

Even more 'disturbing' was the creature's foe...

A faint silhouette of light could be seen holding a blade under the dreadful heat. It was hard to see.

The only recognisable feature being the weapon.

Didn't that belong to their Knight Esparda?

They felt a familiar horror from the unstable body that was awkwardly moving its joints and flesh.

The creature started to roar…

Perhaps this would be the day they'd remember most in their lifetime. Haunting all their dreams.

A nightmare that fate couldn't have predicted…