Chapter 145: Two More Foes
I stood in front of Selethon waiting. Despite my wanting to take the army on alone, almost everyone that could hold a sword was now there. Including a surprising one.
"You do know that they are here for me, right?"
The Ruler nodded.
"Of course, I do, however, I've wanted to fight Lucifer for a long time, and now he's finally showing his face. I will make sure you avoid harm."
"What do you think of his 'awakening' me?"
"Until we actually know what that entails, I'd suggest that we leave it alone."
"Why?"
"Because it could be quite dangerous."
"I guess."
I couldn't help but feel like awakening was necessary. If that man was really a threat, then if it's the only way to take him down, it may be a necessary risk.
I stood in front of everyone gathered.
"Speech! Speech! Speech!"
Then everyone went silent and looked at me.
I breathed in and breathed out.
"All right, we are gathered because someone is coming, a powerful being and his army. And many of you, those native to Pandora especially, are tired of seeing this kind of scenario."
All of the native Pandorans snickered.
"But know this. There are only two more enemies. The man we have yet to discover and Lucifer. After them, we have won. We will no longer need to fight powerful beings. We can live as we want. Many of you have families, many offspring. We need to fight for them. So, they can live in peace. But now, one of the last enemies is coming to our doorstep, half of our remaining problem can be solved right here and right now."
They all looked at me.
"So, those loyal to me I give you this command, and to those who have come to help I give this as a request. Fight, so we and all others after us can live!"
Everyone, even those in the Supreme Faction, started cheering.
[FEAR has leveled to 8]
I ignored the announcement, but some noticed that my wings were no longer tattered.
_
"So, tomorrow is war."
Me and Darsen spent the evening drinking.
"Yeah…"
"To think, just three years ago, I thought you were just a kid that needed protection from slavers."
"Oh, you were in a worse position than I was."
"Certainly."
"…"
"I'm happy."
"Hm?"
"You are suuuuch a good pershon."
His words started slurring.
"As are you."
"I love you, Rose."
I smiled.
"You're a little sissster ta me."
I patted his forehead and he fell asleep.
"And you are like an older brother to me."
I warped him to his room.
Then I checked my stats.
-----------------------
Rose Hood
Age: 2
Race: Human (Potential Form)
Level: 539
Health: 10000000000/10000000000
Mana: 0/0
Stamina: 1000000/1000000
Skills:
ULTIMATE: Fear- 8
Reality- MAX
Empire- MAX
ULTIMATE: System Owner- 2
Interspace Movement- 9
Titles:
World Mother
Righteous Queen
Denier of Fate
Rejector of Gluttony
Administrator
Fear
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"Goodness, gain a hundred levels and your stats 10x."
"That is typical."
Luma was sitting next to me, sipping her wine.
"When did I get the title, Fear?"
"I don't know, it's probably something that will come in handy."
"Luma?"
"What?"
"I think I know how to 'awaken' myself."
"What?! What is it?"
"Remember when I first got System Owner, what it said?"
"That you could combine it with FEAR… do you think that that's the awakening?"
"I think so… just think of all of the combined skills."
"Yeah, that would certainly be powerful."
"What's after Ultimate?"
"Nothing recorded."
"I see, so would I be the first?"
"Potentially."
"Cool."
"Yeah."
We snickered and clinked glasses before drinking.
"You can probably fly."
"What do you mean?"
"I mean, your wings aren't tattered anymore."
I looked down.
"What is it, Rose?"
"Luma, don't you think that it is minorly concerning that I get less terrifying every time the skill FEAR levels up."
Luma sighed.
"Yeah, yeah that does kind of concern me. And, if you are right about the awakening, that implies that he knows you can only level it in extreme scenarios. But I don't know how he could have learnt that."
"He's been watching me."
"What? Since when? Why didn't you tell anyone?"
"Since I was split off from Heather."
"T-that's impossible, you weren't even an individual yet."
"He told me that he ensured that I would live a good life. That I would exist in peace, until the right time."
"He was preparing you for loss."
"Yes."
"That doesn't make sense."
"I've heard him before. Before Heather awakened."
"What?"
"Heck, it was before I even was purified. Frankly, it slipped my mind until I talked to him."
"Rose, when did you first hear him?"
"Shortly after meeting Tessa."
"That's… so long ago."
"Exactly. I heard him two other times, but the last time, it sounded like actual speaking."
"Rose."
"That's not the most terrifying part."
"Then what is?!"
"Whenever I heard his voice, it was familiar, like I'd heard it a million times before, but I swear the first time I heard him was that day."
"Rose."
"I don't know what to do."
"Rose!"
"I-"
"ROSE!"
I stopped. Luma had slapped me.
"Calm down, I won't let you get hurt by him."
"But-"
"No buts. I swear on my honor that I won't let him touch you, and if he wants to bring you loss, then I'll ensure you don't have any, besides, we have the Ruler on our side, there's no way we can lose."
"I… you're right, I guess I'm just too scared to lose someone again."
"Who wouldn't be? You've lost way too many to not be scared of it."
"Thank you."
"Of course, I won't let you get hurt. As long as I can help, I will."
I sat back down and started drinking my wine. With or without Lucifer's help, I was certainly blessed.