Mafia Crisis Part 27
[Faraday]
[White Hot Room]
[Chapter 31.]
[White Hot room.]
Fletcher, Zoey, and TLK walk around the white hot room exploring various domains and places.
Zoey says
"So when do we get to those possible worlds?"
"We've been walking for hours."
Fletcher says
"Dont worry."
"We will get there soon."
Zoey says
'I'll trust you."
"But can I ask you a question?"
Fletcher responds with
"What is the question?"
Zoey responds with
"Is there anybody we need to worry about?"
Fletcher responds with
"We may have to battle the grand beast of Chronus."
"It is a beast that resides above this realm and protects the world."
"Nora didn't create him, rather it was the Aftergarden that created him."
"As you know by now the Aftergarden is an organization that wants to have total omnipotent power of all."
"They are like Heaven and God."
"Except that they exist higher than Heaven and God."
"But my main point is we must take him out if we encounter him."
Zoey then responds with
"Why so?"
"Besides the Aftergarden influence, what else does he have to offer?"
Fletcher responds with
"The Aftergarden has placed a Universe Fragment here after it fell into their domain."
"I am very aware of how important the Universe Fragment is to the resistance."
"I would try on my own to get it but I'm afraid I'm too weak to do it."
Zoey then responds with
"I get all of this but how strong is he?"
"We can't just rush in without thinking of a plan."
"It will only be us 3."
"We may only have one shot to do this."
"We have to make this count!"
TLK says
"Agreed."
"If it is possible we could gather enough power for me to be stuck in God Tier 3 rather than God Tier 2."
Zoey then responds with
"I dont know if we could but we could try."
"I will forge a connection with the tree of life."
"I'm going to need all the power I can get."
"Let's go on Flecther."
Fletcher says
"Alright! Let's go!"
[Later….]
[Mo-dal]
Fletcher says
"We are here."
"This is it."
Zoey says
"The collection of worlds."
"How the fuck do we beat him?"
"Listen, if he reigns over the collection of possible and impossible worlds"
"Then wouldn't that mean that there is a possible world where we lose?"
Fletcher responds with
"Depends."
"If that's the case then there is a possible world where we win."
"If he controls these worlds the only way to escape it is being beyond the collection of possible and impossible worlds."
"But how would we do that."
Zoey then looks at herself and quietly says
"The end."
"If I can transform into the end then maybe I can."
"Maybe we can win."
"A form that is banned for all succubi to use."
"Let me explain."
[Explantion]
Zoey says, her voice a melodious yet somber tone
"In this boundless realm, where every reality and impossibility coexists, there exists a platonic concept so potent, so perilous, that it has been condemned across all worlds. It is known simply as 'The End.'"
Fletcher's eyes widen, and TLK's grip tightens on the hilt of his sword. Zoey's gaze meets theirs, her expression a mixture of sorrow and resolve.
Zoey continues
"This concept is more than a mere transformation. It is the very essence of despair and ruin. When a succubus embodies 'The End,' she transcends physical form, becoming a living manifestation of the ultimate cessation of all things. Her presence turns the air cold, and shadows stretch unnaturally in her wake. She radiates an aura of palpable dread and despair that bends reality around her."
TLK asks, his voice gravelly and measured
"What powers does this embodiment grant?"
Zoey's eyes darken as she recounts the abilities
"As 'The End,' the succubus gains abilities beyond comprehension. With Mind Shatter, she can invade the minds of others, inducing intense hallucinations and shattering their will completely, leaving them in a state of permanent insanity. With Reality Warp, she can alter the very fabric of reality within a limited area, creating nightmarish landscapes that trap souls and manipulate the physical world to her advantage."
A shiver runs down Fletcher's spine as he listens. Zoey continues, her voice heavy with the weight of her words
"The Despair Aura that surrounds her drains the life force and hope from all living beings within its radius, causing those nearby to fall into a deep, irreversible depression. Emotion Drain allows her to siphon emotions from others, leaving them as empty, emotionless husks while enhancing her power. And with Command Over Darkness, she can summon and control shadows, using them to bind, attack, or spy on her enemies."
She pauses, her eyes glinting with a knowing look
"In this form, the succubus holds sway over more than just minds and reality. She can touch the very threads of existence, altering the course of events and the fates of those around her. Life and death, as we understand them, become mere suggestions under her influence."
TLK's eyes narrow in concern
"But such power must come with a cost."
Zoey nods solemnly
"The energy of this concept is highly unstable, causing catastrophic consequences if not perfectly controlled. The succubus risks eternal corruption, losing her sense of self and becoming a mindless embodiment of despair. The use of this form can have dire effects on the world, potentially leading to the collapse of societies or ecosystems."
Fletcher, his voice barely above a whisper, asks
"Why is it banned?"
Zoey's gaze softens as she looks at the young elf
"This concept is universally banned because its potential for destruction and chaos far outweighs any possible benefits. The risk of losing control and causing irreparable harm is too high. 'The End' threatens not only the succubus who embodies it but also the balance of our world and the very fabric of reality."
The words hang heavily in the radiant expanse of the White-Hot Room. TLK and Fletcher exchange a glance, understanding the gravity of what they have learned.
Zoey's revelation is a stark reminder of the delicate balance they all seek to protect, even in a place where all possibilities exist.
With a final, resolute nod, Zoey turns to her companions
"This knowledge is a burden we must carry, to ensure that such a concept remains where it belongs—beyond the reach of any who would dare to embody it."
She pauses, a touch of sadness in her voice
"As succubi, we draw our power from the platonic concept of love, a force that sustains and empowers us. But 'The End' is the antithesis of love. It consumes and destroys, turning the very source of our strength into a weapon of despair."
[Later…]
Zoey says, her voice a melodious yet somber tone
"In this boundless realm, where every reality and impossibility coexists, there exists a platonic concept so potent, so perilous, that it has been condemned across all worlds. It is known simply as 'The End.'"
Fletcher's eyes widen, and TLK's grip tightens on the hilt of his sword.
Zoey's gaze meets theirs, her expression a mixture of sorrow and resolve.
Zoey continues
"This concept is more than a mere transformation."
"It is the very essence of despair and ruin."
"When a succubus embodies 'The End,' she transcends physical form, becoming a living manifestation of the ultimate cessation of all things."
"Her presence turns the air cold, and shadows stretch unnaturally in her wake."
"She radiates an aura of palpable dread and despair that bends reality around her."
TLK asks, his voice gravelly and measured
"What powers does this embodiment grant?"
Zoey's eyes darken as she recounts the abilities
"As 'The End,' the succubus gains abilities beyond comprehension.
"With Mind Shatter, she can invade the minds of others, inducing intense hallucinations and shattering their will completely, leaving them in a state of permanent insanity."
"With Reality Warp, she can alter the very fabric of reality within a area, creating nightmarish landscapes that trap souls and manipulate the physical world to her advantage."
A shiver runs down Fletcher's spine as he listens.
Zoey continues, her voice heavy with the weight of her words
"The Despair Aura that surrounds her drains the life force and hope from all living beings within its radius, causing those nearby to fall into a deep, irreversible depression.
"Emotion Drain allows her to siphon emotions from others, leaving them as empty, emotionless husks while enhancing her own power."
"And with Command Over Darkness, she can summon and control shadows, using them to bind, attack, or spy on her enemies."
She pauses, her eyes glinting with a knowing look
"In this form, the succubus holds sway over more than just minds and reality."
"She can touch the very threads of existence, altering the course of events and the fates of those around her."
"Life and death, as we understand them, become mere suggestions under her influence."
TLK's eyes narrow in concern
"But such power must come with a cost."
Zoey nods solemnly
"The energy of this concept is highly unstable, causing catastrophic consequences if not perfectly controlled."
"The succubus risks eternal corruption, losing her sense of self and becoming a mindless embodiment of despair."
"The use of this form can have dire effects on the world, potentially leading to the collapse of societies or ecosystems."
Fletcher, his voice barely above a whisper, asks
"Why is it banned?"
Zoey's gaze softens as she looks at the young elf
"This concept is universally banned because its potential for destruction and chaos far outweighs any possible benefits."
"The risk of losing control and causing irreparable harm is too high. 'The End' threatens not only the succubus who embodies it but also the balance of our world and the very fabric of reality."
With a final, resolute nod, Zoey turns to her companions
"This knowledge is a burden we must carry, to ensure that such a concept remains where it belongs—beyond the reach of any who would dare to embody it."
She pauses, a touch of sadness in her voice
"As succubi, we draw our power from the platonic concept of love which is also attributed to be a part of the fundamental Concept of love energy, a force that sustains and empowers us. But 'The End' is the antithesis of love."
"It consumes and destroys, turning the very source of our strength into a weapon of despair."
[!][!]
Suddenly, the air grows even colder, and a massive, ominous presence fills the room. The ground trembles, and a deep, resonant growl echoes through the expanse. The Grand Beast of Chronus, a being of immeasurable power and ancient malice, materializes before them, its form a swirling mass of shadows and monstrous features.
TLK draws his sword, ready to defend his friends
"We need to fight."
Fletcher, his voice trembling but determined, prepares his bow
"We have to stop it before it destroys everything."
Zoey steps forward, her eyes fixed on the Grand Beast.
She knows what must be done. She had hoped never to use it, but there is no other choice.
She begins to transform, her form shifting and contorting as she channels the forbidden power.
Zoey says, her voice now echoing with an otherworldly resonance
"Forgive me."
As Zoey embodies 'The End,' a palpable dread fills the room.
Her presence becomes overwhelming, a living embodiment of despair. Shadows stretch and twist around her, and the air grows so cold it burns.
The Grand Beast hesitates, sensing the immense power she now wields.
TLK and Fletcher feel the oppressive weight of her transformation, but they press on, fighting alongside her.
TLK strikes with his sword, his movements swift and precise. Fletcher loses arrow after arrow, each one imbued with elven magic.
Zoey raises her hand, and the very fabric of reality warps around the Grand Beast. Nightmarish landscapes form, trapping it in a maze of horrors.
The beast roars in fury, but Zoey's Mind Shatter invades its thoughts, fracturing its resolve.
With a sweeping gesture, Zoey summons shadows that bind the beast, holding it in place. Her Despair Aura drains its strength, weakening it further.
The Grand Beast thrashes and struggles, but it cannot break free from her grasp.
TLK fights valiantly, his sword cutting through the beast's dark tendrils.
Fletcher's arrows find their marks, each shot weakening the beast's defenses. Together, they push the beast to its limits.
Zoey, now fully immersed in 'The End,' feels the strain on her soul.
The power is overwhelming, threatening to consume her.
But she holds on, focusing all her will on subduing the Grand Beast.
With a final, desperate roar, the Grand Beast of Chronus falls, its form dissolving into shadows that fade into nothingness. The battle is over, but the cost is clear.
Zoey collapses to her knees, her transformation fading.
TLK and Fletcher rush to her side, their faces etched with concern.
TLK says, his voice soft but firm
"You saved us, Zoey. You saved everyone."
Fletcher, tears in his eyes, adds
"But at what cost?"
Zoey looks up at them, her eyes weary but resolute
"It was necessary. But we must ensure that such power is never used again."
As she finishes speaking, her eyes flutter and close. Zoey's body goes limp, and she passes out from the exertion.
TLK catches her before she falls to the ground, holding her gently.
TLK says, his voice filled with determination
"We need to get her to safety. She'll recover, but she needs rest."
Fletcher nods, his voice shaky but resolute
"We'll protect her, just as she protected us."
In the aftermath of their battle, the trio remains united.
They have faced the peril of 'The End' and survived, but the memory of its power and the weight of their vow to protect the balance of their world will remain with them forever. Carrying Zoey between them, TLK and Fletcher set out to find a place where she can heal, knowing that their bond and their commitment to safeguarding the delicate balance of their existence have only grown stronger.
TLK says
"Now that that's over, we can finally grab the universe fragment."
TLK then spots it laying on the ground and carefully picks it up.
He gives it to Fletcher and says
"Keep it safe."
Fletcher nods his head.
[End]
[End]