Changes

Jun made his way through the fire and fallen debris until he came upon part of the dead beast of apocalypse. As he ran underneath one of the necks that was craned at an angle on the ground, it was still awe inspiring to believe that Iris had the capability to do something like this.

Jun still remembered the early days when the slayers first appeared - they all arrived lost and confused inside a body that wasn't their own. The war was still heavily tilted in the favor of the Heavens, so everyday was the same nightmare as humans were dwindled down. It was during this time that Jun first met Iris. Afraid to use her own power for the voices that tempted her when she did use it.

Now she's laying down divine law on her own. Jun couldn't help but feel a bit jealous.

He could see Iris and Jayden further up ahead standing around someone else who was laying on the ground.

"Iris! Jayden!" He called out as he ran up on them.

"Hey, Captain-" Jayden started before Jun embraced them both at once.

"I thought I had lost both of you. How did you manage to survive such an impact?" Jun asked as he let go of them.

"Pfft, please. I'm not biting it just yet." Jayden joked. "It was all Iris."

Jun looked to Iris with a surprised look on his face. "Is this true?"

"We have a bigger concern right now, Jun. It's Axel." She said as her gaze shifted to Axel who lay on the ground near them. He was on his back, almost clawing at his own skin while his breathing was labored.

What is this?! Axel thought to himself. I can't feel my own or anyone's energy and it feels like my entire body is on fire!

Jun walked closer to Axel and saw the bits of black energy escaping his body. Periodically there would be a symbol that would appear over his body but then would quickly vanish again. "...I've never seen something like this. But, why can't I-

"Sense his energy?" Jayden said, finishing Jun's sentence. "We were wondering the same thing. It's like...he's not even a slayer anymore."

< That is because he is in transition currently >

Everyone perked up at the sound of the admin voice in their heads. Everyone except Axel that is.

"Transition?" Iris asked. "What does that mean?"

"Transition? Who...are you guys...talking to?" Axel asked between breaths.

Suddenly the body parts of the slain beast of apocalypse began to glow a bright white. But instead of dispersing into energy, the body evaporated into pure divine energy which then formed a sphere above them.

"What's happening?" said Jun. All of them naturally gravitated towards their weapons.

The ball of energy slowly descended and landed on the ground not far from them. It then began to shrink in size as they watched on in curiosity - ready for anything that might step out of that light. But nothing stepped out of the light. Instead...the light was becoming something.

As it shrank further down in size it took on a human shape. That of a young girl, probably a year or two younger than they were. The light began to fade and the girl's features became apparent - she had long hair that was dark purple with bright yellow eyes.

She also wore absolutely no clothes.

She blinked a few times and looked towards the others. Jayden felt as if Heaven had truly landed on Earth as his eyes grew large and round. "I think I'm the true winner of this war."

Jun in the meantime threw what remained of his crimson cloak at her while looking in the other direction. "Please. Use this."

The cloak landed on the girl's head and covered most of her body.

"Um, okay." She said as she adjusted the cloak around her body and held it shut with her hands. "I didn't expect that my clothes wouldn't come with me. I also don't see what the big deal is."

"Agreed." Jayden chimed in.

"Careful guys, she just appeared from the leftovers of that thing. She could be another one sent to kill us." Iris warned as she clenched the fist she wore the ring on.

Axel raised his eyebrow as his body continued to be riddled with agony. "W-wait...that voice..."

The others looked at him and then the same thought seemed to click for them as well. They've definitely heard this voice before.

The girl stood up from where she sat, part of her bare legs showing but the rest was mostly covered. Since she was smaller than Jun, the cloak rested just above her knees.

"I am the admin of the God Core System. In light of recent events, the creator of the system has deemed it necessary for me to materialize in your realm."

"The admin?! I thought you were just an abstract...or just data. How are you even here?.." Jun asked.

"Well, you're not completely off base, Jun." Admin replied. "I am mostly data that exists within the confines of the system. I monitor it as well as maintain it. In a sense...I'm almost the system itself. Now as to how I'm here. It's essentially the same method as what the angels use - a breach. Splitting open the window between dimensions."

"Wait, anyone can do that?!" Jayden responded in shock. "Could we also break into other dimensions?"

"Theoretically. But...none of you possess the power to do so. Only God level divine beings can do so. Their higher ranking angels are also able to do so thanks to their specific God's connection. The creator of the system however, used a slightly different method. As long as there is a high level energy source of Seraph or God level, it can be used to externally activate a breach from far away.Thankfully the body of this Beast of Apocalypse was still here. So, we repurposed the energy to create a breach for me to materialize out of."

"And who is this owner exactly?" Iris asked in a suspicious manner. The effects of using the armor still hadn't completely worn off, so she had trouble trusting anything at the moment.

"The Queen of the Underworld of course."

Jun, Jayden, and Iris all were taken back by her words. "So you're telling me the Queen has sent you directly to help...us?? But....why us?" Iris questioned.

The admin seemed like she wanted to roll her eyes to the back of her head, but duty didn't allow her to. "Well....it's not so much you guys as it is....him." She said as she pointed at Axel.

Even while suffering, Axel put a smug grin on his face. "I swear that she has the hots for me...ugh!" He winced from the pain.

"Ahem. That aside," the admin continued, "he does have some sort of...favor...with the almighty Queen due to his exploits before death and...some after." She said uncomfortably. "Due to that, I've been sent here personally to assist on what comes next and shall remain until this path is finished."

"So you know what's...wrong with me?" Axel asked as he forced himself to sit upright.

"To put it simply Axel, you've been blessed."

"I have had the best in life I suppose." Axel said as he briefly reflected.

"Not in that sense you idiot. Sigh, apologies for that." She said in a low tone. "I mean, in the actual literal sense. With his dying breath the God of Conquest placed a Seal of Blessing on you. It's a seal that locks down the unholy energy with holy energy. It's a very high level technique that mostly only Gods can perform."

"So...are you saying he can't use his abilities anymore?" Jun asked.

"In a sense, yes." She replied. "His abilities and his power are still there technically. But he won't be able to access it. Over time the seal will continue to drain away his unholy energy until there's nothing left. He'll be 100% holy energy and by all rights that would kill him. Right now the seal is in a transitioning phase as it fully integrates with his body. Once it's done the pain will go away, but the effects will be permenant."

"Fucking hell!!" Axel punched the ground with his fist, but the ground didn't even crack a little under its impact. Further proof that Admin was speaking the truth. "That book loving bastard knew he couldn't defeat me!! The coward...I was so close..and now..." He looked to the admin as his anger hung on every word he spoke, "You better fix this."

"But didn't you just kill Conquest in there? Why not just absorb the core and see if that wipes out the seal?" Jun asked him.

"I COULDN'T!" Axel said frustrated. "The second..." He stopped momentarily as the pain was intensifying. "The second Conquest died, everything disappeared and I was swept back here. The core is gone! Everything I worked for died with that coward of a God."

"Once a God dies, the realm they reside in falls apart and pushes you back to where you last came from." The admin verified. "However, that is part of the reason I was sent here. I was able to transport the core out of that dimension before it fell apart."

"What?!" Axel shouted. "Then give it to me already!! I'm sure it'll wipe away this bullshit!"

"Negative." said Admin, not even showing the slightest hint of being intimidated by Axel. "I'm going to use Conquest's core to create something that may be of great use until we get the seal removed." She looked to the other slayers. "And you three will need to come with me as well."