Chapter 175: Greater Goal

The Ancestor of Pestilence hovered in the air, gravity seeming to have no hold over her as she blankly stared at the forest floor below. Her eyes locked onto the forms of Astrid and Mai, the two engaged in conversation. The crown princess looked frantic, and the general appeared uneasy, no doubt due to the absence of Mikoto Yukio.

"This worked out quite well," Aurélie mused. "Giving the beast some of my power worked out in my favour. Now Mikoto Yukio owes me a debt he will repay." [Void Rejection] Like Rhiannon's own unique ability, her brethren possessed such power as well. Power beyond simple magic and beyond the dragons, hers especially was powerful. Rejecting, a simple word with a simple meaning.

The ability allowed its wielder to 'reject' the existence of phenomena and concepts. This wasn't about denying reality; it was about actively unraveling its fabric. Imagine a burning fire. With sufficient focus, she could simply declare "Fire, be gone," and the flames would cease to be. Not extinguished, but truly unmade. The concept of combustion, the laws of thermodynamics – all rendered irrelevant within the user's immediate vicinity. Of course, it's not ingrained into the realm as a whole. This power was not absolute. Rejecting fundamental forces like gravity or electromagnetism would be disastrous. The user's mind, their very being, would be strained to the breaking point. However, she knew the limits of her ability well.

She could 'reject' this realm, and her body and being would be forced elsewhere. It was how she plucked away Mikoto Yukio from the confines of the Abyss. It was how a mere Astrothian could implore such power, to 'reject' a being from the world, forcing him into the depths of the Abyss.

"Mikoto Yukio has not reached his full potential yet, but he shall grow stronger and stronger as the days go by." Her thoughts were laced with certainty, and that was understandable. Of the past and present, Mikoto Yukio was an exceptional spawn of Octavia. ("Those Keepers of Order: The Architect, the Abhorrent, the Exalted, the Unbound. I'll nurture Mikoto Yukio; he shall grow ever more powerful, and then we shall kill those who enforce the Divine Principals.")

Beings that predate the Gods, the Dragons, and even the Ancestors.

All Ancestors had their own agendas. Rhiannon could not be bothered with these Keepers of Order. So no help could be gained from the strongest of her brethren. As such, alternatives had to be thought of. Her goals went beyond the scope of anything; it was to defy the Divine Principals. "Though the Blood Starved Knight has his grievances with one of the Keepers. Mayhap I shall employ his help as well." She mused. "Still, this festival seems a good place to nurture him, hm yes. In due time." With one last glance below, she saw Mikoto leisurely stroll through the forest. Briefly, he looked up at her, throwing a rather obscene gesture with his finger before making his way back to Astrid and Mai.

Aurélie shook her head at the gesture as she focused on Astrid. "So she possesses his weapon now. And she is bounded with one more, potential equal to that of Mikoto Yukio. Hm, this era truly is prosperous. Still, with Vagnir's offspring about, things become much more difficult. I'll have to deal with her accordingly."

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"Damn it! The fault lies with me," Astrid cursed, a grim expression on her face. "My impotence caused this."

"Princess..." Mai frowned, not sure which words to choose. The princess spoke the truth; that was all there was to it. Though the general kept a detail to herself, ("That scent, that sight, that feeling... it was just a split second, but I sensed it. The depths of the Abyss, as powerful and thick with malevolence as I remembered,") Mai's lips thinned; she had failed as an invigilator.

"We need to expand our efforts; Mikoto cannot be far now..." Astrid urged. Mai opened her mouth to speak but promptly shut it.

("The princess is too kind-hearted. If Mikoto truly is within the bowels of the Abyss, then he is lost forever. That news would devastate her,") There seemed to be no right move here, no right words.

"Sorry I got tossed into hell and this UGLY woman harassed me." Those random words were accompanied by the clanking of armor. Mai's head snapped in the direction of the voice, her eyes wide as she looked at the figure incredulously.

"Wha-"

"Mikoto!" The princess all but rushed towards him, coming to a skidding halt just in front of him. Her hands latched onto his shoulders like a lifeline as she leaned in close. "By the Gods, you scared me! Are you well? Unhurt? What happened?" Firing questions like a worried mother, Mikoto chuckled.

"Relax, I'm fine, Astrid. The Aurelion's desperate move just transported me elsewhere," he shrugged off.

Astrid exhaled deeply in relief. "I am thankful, truly. I would not be able to live with myself if I were the cause of serious injury or worse upon you." She glanced away, ashamed, as she released her grip on Mikoto. "I... I am sorry, Mikoto, if I were the least bit on guard then..."

"Boop," Astrid blinked in confusion as Mikoto suddenly but gently tapped on her button nose. "You're too hard on yourself, princess. We all had a moment of weakness once; it ain't anything to be ashamed about. All that matters is that I'm fine and you're fine."

"I suppose you're right," The princess's lips broke into a genuine smile. "Thank you for your words and for saving me."

"Anytime," Mikoto flashed a hidden smile. However, Mai watched the scene with confusion.

("I-I don't understand. I can feel the lingering of the Abyss on him, which means he truly was dragged to that place. Yet here he stands now, unharmed both mentally and physically.") She knew more than most just how brutal the Abyss could be. She had borne witness to it once before, forces beyond mere demons, beyond even Chaosmaw's. Yet here someone broke out of the confines of the Abyss, showing up as if nothing of the sort had occurred.

"Still, I've a debt to pay you at any rate," She tuned into their conversation once more as she heard Astrid speak up. "I thank you for pushing me out of the way when you have. Even if no real harm would've come to me, I am charmed all the same," she smiled.

"Don't mention it, but I'm guessing that thing is dead now, right?"

"Indeed, after you were wretched away by it, I and Mai were able to slay the beast successfully," Astrid confirmed. Mikoto glanced at Mai, noting how uncharacteristically quiet the woman was being. There was unease in her eyes and clear tension in her body as she threw him weary glances.

"Guess I wasn't needed after all, huh?" Mikoto mused.

"Nonsense," Astrid denied with a smile. "Your swift magic was a wonder to recognize. You implored wards and barriers so swiftly, with but a thought. It leaves me to wonder just how mighty you would be in open combat, no holds barred."

"How about a friendly spar once we're done with all this?" Mikoto suggested. Astrid's expression lightened up upon hearing his suggestion.

"Really? I'd like that. It has been some time before I dueled, so bear with me when the time comes," Astrid playfully urged.

"No promises."

"How harsh," she snorted.

Mai was torn between still being unnerved that Mikoto was seemingly fine after being within the Abyss or deadpanning at the two once more. Both, she would do both.

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The vibrant city life of Veron was now more than ever clearly the exact opposite of the almost lifeless forest beyond it. No doubt due to the powerful Astrothians plaguing it, they scare off the much weaker Astrothians and animals with their presence and dominating mana.

Fiona exhaled deeply. "That was quite the battle. I suppose they're not classified as S-class Astrothians for no reason." She mused, currently leaned against the wall outside of a simple food establishment, Lukas and Guinevere stood by her side.

"You did well, considering you only used Omnia finem. A Divine Artifact you're not yet accustomed to," Guinevere complimented. "You'd have made short work of the beast if you primarily used magic."

A slight blush crept onto the Solkari girl's cheeks at the compliment. "Coming from the court mage, that means a lot, Lady Guinevere."

Guinevere gave her a nod as she glanced at Lukas. "Though I cannot say the same for you, boy."

"I-"

"Gallariynin is quite a destructive weapon, being that which belonged to the Storm God, Veldian. Though your performance was sloppy with the relic, Fiona has had her Divine Artifact for less time, yet her performance was exponentially better," Guinevere bluntly stated.

Fiona could not help but internally wince. She did exactly like the young knight, but the court mage's words seemed much too harsh.

"I admit my mind was elsewhere," Lukas begrudgingly spoke. "Only because I worry about the princess's safety. It is my duty to safeguard her!" His outburst drew some looks he promptly ignored.

"A lacking excuse," Guinevere scoffed. "You may as well be blaming the princess while you're at it."

"This no doubt still has to do with Mikoto, huh?" Fiona deduced.

"Of course it is. I trust General Mai to have the best interest of the princess in mind, but that boy? I could never. His brashness will cost the princess. She may be seriously injured," his expression grew grim. "Or much worse."

"The princess is as safe as ever, even more so, considering Mikoto Yukio is vastly more powerful than you," Guinevere stated matter-of-factly. Lukas opened his mouth to retort but just as quickly closed it. He had not seen Mikoto battle, but word of his strength was easily passed around. So he could not deny the court mage's words.

"Ah, seems I am not the last to arrive," someone cut through the awkward atmosphere. The three's gazes latched onto the approaching form of Adrian.

Guinevere quirked up a brow. "Hm, seems you actually managed to defeat the S-class Astrothians."

"You sound disappointed," Adrian noted with a small smile. "It was quite the difficult battle. I had to sacrifice quite the number of demons."

"You say it like it's a bad thing," Fiona chimed in with a frown. "The Realm could do without demons."

"Mayhap, but they have dreams and aspirations too, you know?" Adrian half-jokingly said.

"I doubt it," Fiona shook her head. Adrian was an odd boy. Holding any kind of meaningful conversation with him would be a challenge. So turning to Guinevere, she spoke, "I'm guessing we'll change teams to finish off the rest of the Astrothians?"

"Indeed, Mai was a bother and begged to be with Mikoto. The reason I brought him along was so that I could assess him myself, so I'll be going with him and one other," Guinevere clarified with a curt explanation.

"Please, Lady Guinevere, allow me to partner with Princess Astrid. It is my duty to-"

"Yes, yes, your duty to ensure her protection," Guinevere cut Lukas off with a dismissive wave of her hand. "You hold a rather unique position, Lukas. As someone who underwent the Oath of Purification, you lack the ability to make use of magic. Though with your Divine Relic and its versatility, that fact is all but negated. Yet you are lackluster in your performance."

Lukas pursed his lips at the crude and blunt wording, not knowing what to say.

"You have great potential, boy. I understand that you wish to follow in the footsteps of your Aunt Elisa. She was one of the greatest knights this realm had ever seen, yet with your pace, you shall not reach her ever." Guinevere's words were harsh, but there was an undertone of something else there. Encouragement despite her berating.

He knew herself her words were true. But he knew he would not listen to her advice all the same.