Mafia Crisis Part 33

[Faraday]

[Chapter 37]

[Aftergarden]

Bayon says,

"You know, there are always higher peaks, even when we think we've seen it all."

"The Aftergarden isn't the pinnacle, merely a stepping stone."

Lolibaba says,

"Hmm, you're implying there's something more out there, aren't you?"

Katrina says,

"I've always felt that our journey wasn't just about reaching the top."

"It's about the growth we experience along the way."

Bayon says, "Exactly. The theme of Developer Showdown isn't just about power; it's about transcending our limits."

"It's woven into everything, even into us."

Lolibaba says,

"So, we're all part of something much bigger, something beyond our comprehension?"

Bayon says,

"Yes, and often our paths are guided by forces we can't see, like threads woven into a grand tapestry."

Katrina says,

"Threads... Like a certain 'will' that shapes our destinies?"

Bayon says, "Precisely. It's all part of a greater design, whether we realize it or not."

[Later…]

Bayon, Lolibaba, and Katrina stride confidently through the shifting landscapes of the Aftergarden, encountering various celestial creatures along the way.

Each encounter is a test of their prowess and unity as they face these mystical beings.

In a clearing adorned with glowing crystals, they confront a Seraphic Drake, its scales shimmering with iridescent light.

Bayon takes the lead, her movements fluid and precise as she channels cosmic energy into powerful attacks.

She maneuvers with grace, dodging the Drake's celestial flames while delivering precise strikes that disrupt its elemental defenses.

Lolibaba joins the fray, her golden aura blazing brighter as she summons ethereal shields that deflect the Drake's fiery breath.

With a wave of her hand, she unleashes torrents of starlight, binding the creature in celestial chains that weaken its resolve.

Katrina supports from a distance, her abilities harnessing the elemental energies of the Aftergarden itself.

She conjures winds that disrupt the Drake's movements, creating openings for Bayon and Lolibaba to strike with renewed vigor. Together, their synergy overwhelms the Seraphic Drake, forcing it to retreat into the astral currents from which it emerged.

As they press onward, they encounter a constellation spirit, a shimmering entity composed of cosmic energy and starlight.

This creature tests their ability to synchronize their powers, requiring precise timing and coordination to overcome its celestial defenses.

Bayon's mastery of cosmic manipulation, Lolibaba's innate understanding of celestial energies, and Katrina's intuitive connection to the Aftergarden's elemental forces prove invaluable as they weave their abilities together in a symphony of light and power.

With each victory, their bond grows stronger, resonating with the very essence of the Aftergarden.

They navigate through celestial mazes, traverse ethereal rivers, and ascend crystalline peaks, facing challenges that push their limits and deepen their understanding of this mystical realm.

[Later…]

[Floor 8]

Bayon says, "We have finally made it to the 8th floor within the second section."

Lolibaba responds, "Did you just say 8th within the second section?"

Bayon then responds, "Yes, the AfterGarden is quite a large cosmological structure."

"There exist 12-14 sections."

"Each its own AfterGarden."

"Each its own Transcendent Piece."

"Like I said before, Prime Omega's Realm is just a simple existence check to test if you can even handle the sheer power of the Aftergarden."

"I do not know everything about the Aftergarden, however I do know that the Akashic Records stand just above Prime Omega."

Lolibaba then says,

"Aren't the Akashic records supposed to make you Omniscient?"

Bayon responds,

"It gives you all of the knowledge of the events that happen within The Universe."

"We are not in the universe."

"The real Akashic Records are called the Extended Akashic Records."

"Those are located near the top floors."

"In my quest to become an N-Being, I have to become completely Omniscient, Omnipotent, and Omnipresent."

"I have yet to do any."

Lolibaba then says, "But what are they exactly?"

Bayon begins, her eyes alight with cosmic understanding, "

It's not merely a repository of past events or collective memories, but a tapestry that weaves together the histories, futures, and infinite possibilities of existence itself."

She gestures towards the shimmering waters, where faint echoes of distant stars seem to flicker,

"In the Aftergarden, we glimpse fragments of this grand tapestry. Here, the Akashic Records extend beyond time and space, encompassing realms where the boundaries between past, present, and future blur into a continuum of cosmic consciousness."

Bayon pauses, allowing the profound implications to sink in before continuing,

"To access the Extended Akashic Records is to transcend the limitations of mortal comprehension. It requires attunement to the cosmic harmonies that resonate throughout the Cosmology, a harmony that echoes in every atom, every celestial body, and every sentient soul."

She gazes into the cosmic waters, where ripples distort the reflection of distant galaxies,

"Those who seek to understand the Extended Akashic Records must embrace the interconnectedness of all things. It's not merely about knowledge but about resonating with the universal symphony, where every action, thought, and existence leaves an indelible mark upon the fabric of reality."

As Bayon concludes, a gentle breeze stirs, carrying with it whispers of forgotten epochs and future destinies.

Katrina then chimes in, "Knowledge greater than mine? Sounds interesting."

"Well, my mother is probably on the higher floors."

"We have to venture there, don't we."

"Even if they drive out the enemies within the Universe, this Game Quest Arc is still going to take us a while."

Bayon replies, "Yep."

[Later…]

Bayon, Lolibaba, and Katrina gather around a luminescent map of the Aftergarden, its intricate pathways pulsating with cosmic energies.

They discuss their next move, aiming to navigate towards the elusive third section.

Bayon then suggests while tracing ethereal lines of light that crisscross the map,

"We need to follow the ley lines. These pathways resonate with the energies of the Aftergarden. If we align ourselves with them, they should guide us deeper."

Lolibaba peers closely at the map, her eyes scanning for any signs of danger or hidden passages.

Lolibaba suggests, recalling ancient texts that hinted at shortcuts through celestial doorways,

"What about using portals?"

Katrina, her focus sharp, points to a shimmering vortex marked as the gateway to the Extended Garden of Eden.

Katrina then says,

"We could harness the cosmic currents here," she proposes, her voice resonating with confidence born of deep arcane knowledge. "This portal aligns with the ley lines. It might offer us a direct route to our destination."

Bayon nods, acknowledging Katrina's insight. Bayon then says,

"Yes, that portal seems promising. It connects to the realm of transcendence, where the boundaries between mortal and divine blur."

With their plan set, the trio prepares for the journey ahead, their minds attuned to the cosmic symphony that guides their path through the ever-shifting mysteries of the Aftergarden.

[Extended Garden of Eden]

As Bayon, Lolibaba, and Katrina traverse the intricate pathways of the Aftergarden, they finally reach the threshold of the Last Floor of Section 2—the fabled Garden of Eden.

Here, the air shimmers with a serene glow, and the atmosphere is thick with the essence of primeval creation.

Bayon, with her keen senses attuned to the energies of the Aftergarden, leads the way cautiously.

Bayon then says,

"This is it! The Garden of Eden! Where the boundaries between reality and myth blur!"

Lolibaba gazes around, her eyes sparkling with curiosity and a touch of mischief.

Lolibaba muses, her voice carrying echoes of ancient tales,

"Imagine the stories hidden within these groves. Legends of beginnings and forbidden knowledge."

Katrina, ever the scholar of cosmic lore, approaches a towering tree whose leaves shimmer with knowledge from distant epochs.

Katrina then says while running her fingers along the tree's bark,

"The Akashic Records are palpable here. Every leaf holds a fragment of existence. Every branch whispers secrets of the universe."

They are on the threshold of Section 3—the Extended Garden of Eden—a realm rumored to hold the keys to transcendent power and unfathomable wisdom.

[Later…]

There appears to be a problem only Katrina has realized.

"How do they exactly get up?"

Katrina says,

"Bayon, you are the most knowledgeable on this place. How do you suppose we venture upwards?"

Bayon says,

"A transcendence is needed. Even the ones that are constantly happening in my body do not amount to what we need."

"The Aftergarden girl is merely a pawn in the grand scheme of things."

"We will think of something, I hope."

[Later…]

[Section 15]

In the dark recesses of Section 15, Astrid Augustus Aura, draped in shadows that seem to writhe with malice, stands before a twisted altar adorned with arcane symbols. Her presence commands the space around her, suffusing the air with an aura of ominous power.

With a sinister smile playing on her lips, Astrid gazes into a swirling vortex of energy, where images of Bayon, Lolibaba, and Katrina flicker like flames in a storm.

She then says,

"Bayon and her little friends. They dare to tread the paths of the Aftergarden, seeking power they cannot comprehend."

"They shall Meet their end."

[End]

[End]