The maw of the beast before Nuxta radiated with power. Its pull surrounded Sophia. She would feel the impending doom of a rabbit as it was about to be devoured. Something an entity such as herself would find completely new. The jaws that devoured the Grimorium now surrounded her. Her power dissolved. She was pulled into the jaws of the portal, the beast, then power Nuxta wielded so boldly. Sophia would find herself within the center of it all. Bright multicolored arrays of primal energy expanding to infinity. Was this Sophia's new hell...? Sophia walked within a dimension of energy that flowed around her like water. She wouldn't be able to breathe but something would keep her from needing to. Her everything was being slowly assimilated into the white multicolored void she found herself in. It felt almost relaxing, alarmingly so. As if easing her into a fatal release of her sense of self. Even her mind would be slowly faded away. Her sense of self preservation gently dispersing into nothing. There was an echo however. Something below, far below, swirled like a black hole. The pure energy that surrounded her was being sucked into the darkness where the echo came from. She could feel the pull gently. Like a current flowing down stream. The voice in the echo was too distant to tell for sure but it was similar to a young beast crying out.
Sophia struggled, beams of pure energy firing from her mouth indiscriminatedly. Portals appeared to redirect and multiply those beams but it seemed nothing could prevent the beast Nuxta conjured from devouring her. Her roars were a mix of surprise, fear and anger, loud enough to part the skies itself. The roars and cries echoed through the battlefield, far and wide as Sophia and the Grimorium were surrounded and devoured by the colossal jaws. For the first time in her entire life, Sophia felt powerless. Surrounded by it's maws, the last cried those on the battlefield could hear was from a raging, rampaging beast until they were completely silenced. Transported to a strange place, she quickly realized that struggling and lashing out was useless. Primal energy expanded to infinity in complex arrays that surrounded her. Strangely enough, while she was in that dimension, empty and only flooding with primal energy it felt almost as if her very being was ressonating with all that energy. Almost as if she was being slowly... dissolved into all that primal energy. While definitely alarming, it was strangely... calming. The feelings of where her own aura, her own primal energy ended and the energy flowing through that dimension began were slowly beginning to fade. Her own sense of self was beginning to be dissolved into that sea of energy. It felt... relaxing. It was definitely not how Sophia imagined the end, death, would be... To make things worse, her own body, which was already attuned and accustomed with primal energy in a unique manner, due to the Grimorium Verum's influence offered little to no resistance to what was happening.
Sophia's conscience and her sense of self preservation were hanging by a thread. The last part of her mind and instincts that were still struggling shouted and yelled desperately, telling her that she shouldn't give in, that Nuxta must be stopped. It was honestly.. hard. It was getting harder and harder for Sophia to remain herself.
When she was almost about to give up though, something called her attention in all that energy, all that emptiness. Far below her, beyond the sea of energy where it all was being sucked and pulled for, the only thing that escaped from the darkness was an echo. Too far and quiet for her to clearly discern, it was similar to a young beast crying. Hanging on her conscience, preventing her own body from being dissolved with all willpower she still had remaining, she focused on that echo and began trying to find whatever was producing it. She didn't know exactly what it was but in such situation, where her end was almost certain, there wasn't any reasons for her to not risk herself. Besides... even in such dire situations, her curiosity was still a strong motivation. For Sophia, that same curiosity was always present. It was more than just a feeling, it was a part of her own being.
As Sophia went down she would see the darkness begin to envelope her. It was cause for great fear even for one as great as her. As in that darkness was something cold and empty. It siphoned the well of power that once embraced her. Now she journeyed through an endless void. Yet one thing far below was visible. A brightly shining object. From it the cries could still be heard. As she neared it the shape of the object began to become clear. It was the shape of an egg. Its light pierced through the infinite pit and resonated with the same white and multicolored array Sophia was surrounded by earlier.
Getting close she would see the size of the egg was massive compared to hers. A familiar sound could be heard from it. Something akin to a young dragon. Something Sophia would instinctively know to be true. Life resonated inside and she was near another infinite source of power. This was purely chaotic in nature yet it was contained by the void. As Sophia would look back to where she came she would notice the vortex began to release particles of light. These lights danced around the infinite void until fading away. However a few would reach far down and touch the Egg. This would cause the egg to shine even brighter but only briefly.
Time was of no value though Sophia did have a lot of time to think. She no longer felt as if her very being was being eroded. Now she was firm, flesh and blood, or so it seemed. A black feather fell down from above and landed on the Egg. It began to dissolve on the egg into a black goo. This caused the egg to slowly lose its color and turn grey. Approaching from above was Nuxta, his two black wings and armored body elegantly flowed in the emptiness. Gravity was of no value here either. He seemed quite pleased as he neared the egg. Touching it and once he did so a thin outline of light surrounded his every edge right down to the strands of his flowing black hair.
He stared into it, as if seeing more than the shell allowed. The ooze now drips, sliding down the eggs side. “Dragon of knowledge.” He began. “You seek to know the truth?” He turned to look at her. A smile and kind eyes went her way, even as he gazed upon a dragon. He spoke and treated her with mutual respect. “You and I are alike. Both connected to the source. The core. This. This is it.” He looked at the egg. “It was said that the king of dragon gods was born of this source. That he placed the dragons at the top of all god hood by devouring the former gods and establishing a reign of chaos. It was indeed the end of this world’s life. The first seraphim, my mother, told me this. That she had come from a source of divinity and broke from that divine nature to live in this world and share with its people. She was considered a god and brought all kinds of beings together. So when the dragon gods came to devour her she fought back. But unlike chaos, divinity cannot destroy. So she returned the dragon god to its former state. Returning him to this core. To be reborn one day to annihilate this world.”
He clenched his gauntlet fist. Then released it. Within it was a sphere of light. It reflected in his black eyes before he pressed it against the egg. The light returned as if it had been able to breathe again. “It was decided that I, Nuxta, Second Born Descended and child of the Moon God, become the keeper of this egg. I have been keeping it from awakening by redirecting the returning energy of all dying life away from it. You see all life in this world comes from this source and all life returns to it. I have severed this direct connection. What you were in earlier is what I have kept from this source, it is also where all life now comes from. I now control the flow of life and death... However I cannot keep every drop from getting to this core. One day it may awaken despite my efforts.” He looked back to Sophia.
“That’s not all. My mother has only removed herself from this world to allow the descended here to grow. To one day ascend to the heavens. Yet she trusted them too much it seems and was unaware of the results of having chaotic blood. These descended now are no better than the dragon gods who devoured whatever they wished. Upon their return she will surely revive the world for these descended… She is too pure of divine soul.. I will not allow these descended to inherit the new world!" He yelled. Anger growing within.
“With your help Sophia I can save those who are good. I can remove them from harms way to inherit the new world. With only a spell one such as yourself can cast you can bring these Kings and Queens of descended to their knees. To allow this new world to be free of their hunger for power!”
Rewards for reading!!!
Book Of Divine Knowledge - A mysterious book that was written by seraphim long ago during the dragon war. Allows one to learn up to 2 new spells of any type.
The orbs were sent to every kingdom. The monks when approaching the city gates were questioned. Their arrival by portal being highly unwarranted in these uncertain times. The balance of nature itself is at the brink of tilting too far many could feel, as word of dragon and beast attacks rising along with the increased spreading of Nuxta's curse. The cities were on high alert due to this. When the monks approached they were first met with blades, then welcomed in after questioning. It was clear they were no threat, however, only their orbs were allowed inside.
Once examined the orbs would be given to a seer. These seers, from their respective kingdom, would speak through the orb to their lords. They began using Sophia's voice when speaking and displayed her visage through an illusion projecting directly from the orbs. Her words rang out in the halls of ancient castles of Gaia, Fotia, Vrondi, Nero, and Tearia. The royals hearing every word. Some gasping in shock at what they heard, though others were not surprised.
Each royal stood in their polished castle waiting in hushed silence for the words of their king or queen. All fell silent in the halls of Gaia. The Queen Allo Niscent looked with a solemn stare at the orb after it finished it projection. The seer bowing before her now and holding her position without a word. The Queen sat high above the others, behind her was the sky of Gaia. The wind whirled freely and the clouds passed within reach. Her jeweled adornments reflected the sun's rays over the clouds. Next to her was her brilliant white dragon, its scales reflecting like the diamonds on Allo's body.
She began to rise to her feet, all others bowing as she did. "As Queen I must do what is best for my people. If relinquishing the one thing that assures our protection would instead ensure permanent peace and prosperity for my people I will gladly do so." In her hands was the spear. She looked down at it with a gentle observing gaze. "There is truth in these words, that we the descended of those long ago who fought the Dragon gods, have failed in uniting against Nuxta's forces." She broke a smile though, suddenly.
"However..." She began to walk down the long flight of stairs. Her dress long and flowing but embedded with thousands of diamonds matching her own elegant reflective skin. Her heels sharp and matching her dress. "Nuxta's cowardly curse is nothing more than an attempt to weaken our resolve." She stopped and stood before them all with the spear in hand. "Trying to force our unification is not the way forward.. No instead we will rise to overtake Nuxta, his mother, and even the god dragon Tevlanuit."
She thrust the spear into the air. "It is time we began the preparations to bring forth my ascension... I will never rely on others to save my people. I will do what I must to become a spear that can strike through my enemies. No matter who or what they are. Then one day I will restore the world, creating a paradise for all descended." She grabbed a hood that was on the back of her dress and lifted it up. The white hood represented the Temple of the Dragon God. As she began to walk away other hooded figures began to emerge. A secretive group maybe even more so than the Therosi. "With the help of the temple, I will surely be able to use some of the core's power for myself. Nuxta's greatest source will be mine..." She said before leaving. The skies of Gaia now being soared by her and her dragon as she headed down to the Dragon Temple which stood near the castle of Gaia's rulers.
As Sophia walked through Nuxta's portal, she began making her way back to the temple. Instead of simply opening a portal herself though, she decided to simply fly. Many things had happened on that day and she needed some time to think about it. Starting by Nuxta and the Descended. She knew what Nuxta felt, she knew that, despite the terrible methods he was using, his goals weren't really evil. After all, Sophia herself had faced that reality regarding the descended that Nuxta talked about. She knew that he wasn't entirely wrong. Upon reaching the mountains where the Library and the temple were, Sophia went straight to the Mindah Tarvitaan temple. Landing right in the middle of the gardens she called the monks, with her voice echoing through the entire temple, boosted by her magic.
[color=0054a6]"I have an important announcement to make. [i]Everyone[/i] needs to listen."[/color] she said. It didn't take long until all the monks from the temple were reunited on the gardens, all paying complete attention on Sophia, in silence and waiting for her words. The atmosphere was a bit tense, after all, it wasn't everyday that the monks received such urgent summons from Sophia herself. The fact that she wanted all to hear was even more uncommon as she normally refrained from interrupting the monks' daily routine unless it was something very, very important.
Still in silence, Sophia conjured a few crystal orbs with her magic. Such items would be known to the monks already, since Sophia herself had alreasy used those a few times before. [color=0054a6]"One for each kingdom..."[/color] she said as the orbs continued floating in front of her as she made a brief motion with her hands, making the orbs emit a light glow, indicating they were recording her words and image. [color=0054a6]"Before saying what I need to say, I will share some of my history to those whom are not familiar with it..."[/color] she started. While it was obvious that such words were directed more towards the people who would receive the message orbs than the monks themselves, since they all knew Sophia's history far too well (after all, it was their history as well), they still listened in silence.
[color=0054a6]"Over a hundred years ago, I experienced myself the endless greed and pride of the descended. Waging wars among themselves, they disrespected the library, which should be a place of knowledge and learning. Waging wars amongst themselves and attacking the library, they sought to take the library and it's knowledge for themselves. That was the day I had lost my faith on the descended. After the blood they spilled upon this mountain, I believed they would never learn and thus, I sealed the library and myself for the rest of the world. After fifty years of isolation I left the library to check if the descended had already threw the world into complete chaos and destruction."[/color] she said with a serious voice.
[color=0054a6]"It was then that I was surprised by the monks of Mindah Tarvitaan. Some of them were soldiers, some nobles who had vast riches once in their lives but all of them left everything they had, their names, their possessions and came to the mountains. With their own hands, they built a temple below the peak where the library was built. Visiting their temple in disguise, they showed me their humility and their selflessness, sharing their story and their desire to share my burden of protecting the library and it's knowledge. That was when I finally understood. Even though the descended have chaotic blood in them, they are not completely evil. There are still many who are willing to change, to [i]learn[/i]... And it's because of this that I am sending you this message..."[/color] she said, staying in silence for a few seconds.
[color=0054a6]"With that said, I have an important announcement to tell... For the first time, since the conflict with Nuxta began, I was able to talk with him without interference."[/color] she continued. [color=0054a6]"After capturing me, Nuxta could have simply killed me in order to steal my power but he didn't. Instead he chose to come and talk. Tell me the reasons behind his actions and secrets not even I knew. The first thing I have to say might be hard to believe but please, steel your hearts and hear my words, for they are honest and true."[/color] Sophia said, with an incredibly serious tone and stare as she said her last words.
[color=0054a6]"Ages ago, when the dragon god came, seeking to devour everything, one being fought back, The First Seraphim. Coming from a source of pure divinity, she could not destroy the dragon god. Thus, in order to contain his tyranny, she sealed him back into the place he was born from, which is the source of all life in this world. Until today, the dragon god still lies dormant within the source of life, tapping into the life energy of those who die, slowly feeding itself until it can awaken and once again devour everything he wishes to, bringing naught but chaos and destruction."[/color] she said with a grim tone.
[color=0054a6]"Until now, the one who was able to delay his revival was Nuxta himself. As the son of the First Seraphim, he was tasked to be the keeper of the core where the dragon god is sealed. In order to delay his revival, Nuxta cut the connection from the core to the world, becoming the one who controlled the flow of life and death. Unfortunately, his control isn't flawless and life energy still seeps from his grasp into the core, slowly feeding the sealed beast, whom waits until the day it will awaken again."[/color]
[color=0054a6]"Despite his efforts, Nuxta still watched as the descended continued their greedy and violent ways, showing themselves to take more of their chaos blood than of their divine blood. Waging wars, killing themselves through the ages with no clue of the beast who slept, waiting to end everything or his efforts to keep it under control. After observing for countless years, just like me, he lost the faith in the descended. Deciding to give the descended a last chance and an ultimatum, he became the evil himself, sincerely hoping the descended would put aside their differences and their pride, reuniting themselves in order to fight a common enemy. Unfortunately, none of you did. Despite the meetings, despite my warnings and everything that I said to all of you, you still were unable to throw away your pride and greed in order to fight together, as one."[/color] she said, with disappointment on her eyes.
[color=0054a6]"Even Nuxta, whom holds the power of all life and death, cannot use it to conquer the descended due to the power all the descended, as a race were able to attain. Enough power to even defeat Nuxta himself in case you all fought together. That was, after all, his original reason for attacking all the kingdoms. Seeing that it would never happen though, he asked for my help in order to break this stalemate, to weave a spell that could bring all the kingdoms to their knees and bring forth a new start. To purge those whom follow the ways of chaos, keeping only those who are truly good so the descended as a race could finally inherit this new world."[/color] she said, sighing heavily.
[color=0054a6]"If he had made me the same offer fifty years ago, I would probably have accepted without even thinking... But now, I know that you can still change. The monks who now live in the temple with me are descendants of soldiers, nobles, and kings who once waged war against each other and sook to take the library to themselves. People who willingly left behind all they had for a selfless and noble goal, holding each other's hands despite their races or castes. There is still kindness in this world. It might be scarce and rare to find but I know that it still exists. Knowing that, I refuse to end an entire civilization, years of history, evolution, and knowledge, spilling this much blood knowing that there is still an alternative."[/color] she said.
[color=0054a6]"Nuxta told me he already sent word for each one of the kingdoms, asking for them to surrender. Even though you refused, I ask you to at least listen to me. There is still a way to save this world, to restore it to how it originally was. For this though, a ritual must be made. In order to summon the original seraphim, Nuxta's mother, and the only one able to restore the world, all the five treasures kept by each one of the five kings and queens are needed. It would be easy for Nuxta, with my aid, to simply raze all kingdoms to the ground and get the items from what remained of them but I wish to give you another chance."[/color] she continued.
[color=0054a6]"Even though I wish Nuxta was lying to me, trying to manipulate me, I'm afraid he was indeed being honest and his words were true, for what he showed me is impossible to fake. Not only that but everything he told me checks with the knowledge I already had, perfectly filling the gaps of which I still didn't know. No matter how much I reflect, I can only think of three possible outcomes. The descended can learn how to cooperate as one single race, throwing their pride and differences aside and completing the ritual. In case the descended show themselves unable to learn, Nuxta will, with my help, raze all the kingdoms to the ground, purging the evil in order to complete the ritual and give the descended a new chance in a new world. At last, the only outcome left is the revival of the Dragon God. With Nuxta's plans not being able to be completed in time and the descended still not able to fight together, sooner or later, the dragon god will be born again... and I will not let this happen."[/color] she said with a serious tone.
[color=0054a6]"I am giving you another chance. I was able to convince Nuxta to trust me, to trust you one last time, just like his mother, the original seraphim once did. Show me I am not wrong. Show me that you can indeed learn. Show me that you are not like the Dragon God, whose infinite greed would devour and swallow everything. You have one last chance to end this infinite cycle of war, greed and hatred."[/color] she finished, waving her hand and making the orbs stop glowing as they slowly floated to the ground. [color=0054a6]"I know that it is too much information to take in but I need to ask one more thing of you. I need five monks to deliver each one of these five orbs to each king and queen."[/color] she said, looking to the monks with an almost sad expression, almost as if she was feeling guilty of asking them to do this.
[color=0054a6]"When you are ready, I will open five portals, leading you straight to the center of each city. Your duty is simply to give these orbs to each king and queen and teach them how to use it to send me a reply back. Do not worry though, I will not let anything happen to any of you nor any of the monks who stay in the temple. You, who have restored my faith in the descended, who were my friends, followers and students for so long, have pure and clean hearts. I will place a protection ward in each and every one of the five monks who decide to be my messengers. In case anything happens, you only need to invoke my name and my power and I will bring you back to the temple unharmed." she said, with a warm and kind voice.
[color=0054a6]"You need not to worry about all this. I only told you so because I thought it would be unfair to keep you, who decided to follow me for all this time, in the dark. No matter what happens, Mindah Tarvitaan and the Library will persist. Even though these matters deal with the entire world, just like I always told you regarding wars and politics, we are secluded and not a part from the rest of the world." she said, her tone warm and comforting before she laid down in the middle of the garden. [color=0054a6]"I will stay here with you, in the gardens for now. If you have any doubts, questions of feel uneasy after everything that I told you, I am here."[/color] she finished, laying down in the grass, avoiding to step or crush the flowers that decorated the beautiful garden.
As the darkness enveloped her, Sophia couldn't help but feel a twinge of fear and even that was threatened to be completely swallowed by the terrible calmness of all that primal energy enveloping her. Knowing that if she stood there, her mind would sooner or later give in and be completely dissolved, she did the only thing that she could and went closer to the shining object. The shining object soon took the form of a massive egg as she approached it. The manner how it's light seemed to pierce even through the darkness that threatened to swallow everything was the only irregularity she saw on that sea of nothingness she was trapped in. Not only that but strangely enough, the moment she approached it, she no longer felt as her very being was being dissolved and once again, she felt a comforting sense of not slowly fading into nothingness. Despite it's huge size, a young dragon was contained inside it, as she was able to feel the life coming from inside the egg. The few particles of light that escaped from the vortex and touched the egg, made it shine brighter for a fraction of a second. Sophia didn't need much to understand that the egg, was an endless source of power, contained by the void created by Nuxta for some reason. No longer being threatened by the vortex to have her own being dissolved, Sophia now had all the time in the world... That is, if the concept of 'time' even existed in the place she was right now, unlike the concept of gravity, that seemed to not matter anymore as she floated effortlessly in the air. As she analyzed the egg, a single black feather fell down from above, landing on the egg dissolving and turning the egg into a grey, dull color. For Sophia, those signals were clear enough to give her a very good idea of who was approaching. Confirming her predictions, Nuxta appeared soon after, with a strangely satisfied expression as he touched the egg.
[color=0054a6]"What do you want, Nuxta? Did you come to mock me? Or perhaps to finish what you started...?"[/color] Sophia asked, with a fierce stare as she gazed towards Nuxta. As Nuxta began speaking though, Sophia went silent and simply heard to his words, surprised that he wasn't trying to mock nor finish her... Instead, he had came to talk. It wasn't like she would be able to do anything now. Time was everything she had and escape from such strange place didn't seem to be an option. No matter how much Sophia hated Nuxta, his words weren't exactly wrong... They indeed resembled each other on one aspect... Their thirst for knowledge and their search for the truth above everything else. According to his words, the both of them were connected to the egg, or 'the core' as he called it. He continued to explain on how the king of dragon gods was born out of that very source, reigning over the world in his tiranny before the First Seraphim, Nuxta's mother, whom had given up on her own divinity to share the world with it's people, fought against him. Even though the one who was speaking was Nuxta, Sophia knew better than to ignore his words just because she didn't agree with his ideas. She knew that what he spoke was truth. Nuxta might have a twisted point of view and an even more twisted way of trying to solve problems but he wasn't a liar. Everything he said until now matched with the fragments of information Sophia herself had about that matter.
[color=0054a6]"I... do understand your anger, Nuxta. Maybe better than I could have before..."[/color] Sophia said, sighing as she looked to him. [color=0054a6]"I am not as foolish or naive to believe every descendant can change their evil ways but even though, the hope for change isn't a dream. It's not just a possibility, Nuxta."[/color] Sophia continued. [color=0054a6]"You don't need to go far to understand what I mean. The same monks who now devote their entire lives to guard my library, going as far as constructing a temple on the same mountain and renouncing their titles and riches came from the same place from the ones that fought bloody battles to try and conquer my temple and wield it's knowledge as a weapon, Nuxta."[/color] Sophia said, with a serious tone and stare. [color=0054a6]"Descended can be greedy, cruel and evil... But they can change. Maybe they only need a small push. Someone to [i]guide[/i] them."[/color] she continued, her eyes meeting his as she spoke. [color=0054a6]"I vowed to never interfere in the world outside my library but maybe I was wrong... Maybe I was being... negligent. It should be [i]our[/i] duty, Nuxta, to guide them. Even if [i]we[/i] need to be a little... forceful on this guidance."[/color] Sophia said, looking to him once more, analyzing how he was going to react to her words. It should be clear for him what she hinted at with her words. [color=0054a6]"There is [b]always[/b] another way, another option, Nuxta. We can try to find one, together. Your mother trusted the descended. She believed they could [i]learn[/i]. Trust her, trust me. Using just force to deal with this issue wouldn't teach the descendent. For them, we would be seen as nothing more than tyrants. Maybe even the same way they saw the king of dragon gods."[/color] she finished, analyzing how he would react to her words.
Nuxta’s eyes closed as he took in Sophia’s words. Listening just as intently as he spoke. If not for Sophia’s tender care to speak openly with someone she was just at war with Nuxta and his plans would be forever hidden. Now with her accumulated knowledge and wisdom from the world and its source did she speak to Nuxta as an equal. Though Sophia knew that she was quite powerless to avoid this conversation. It seemed Nuxta had the entire world in his grasp. He opened his eyes. But kept them only halfway. He stared at the glowing mass briefly. “So…” He began. “You agree with me… However my methods have put you off. I can understand that.” His wings enveloped him slowly. A dance of lights began to escape from within what his wings hid. Then suddenly it opened. Wings expanding far out with feathers spiraling into the void. His armor which kept him invulnerable and taken from the King of Vrondi himself was being removed. Each piece floating around him as they came off. The inside of the armor emitting light.
His hair flowed in the dark abyss like water. He seemed relieved to be able to remove such a burden. His form beneath the armor slender and his black attire made entirely to fit closely to his flesh. And only reveal some of his chest. “I believe I can trust you now. Unlike the others you do not harbor a hatred towards descendants… This makes you more valuable.” He ran his fingers through his hair as if this was the first time in centuries he's been able to do so. “While as you can see I have access to the source I cannot readily use it to conquer the descended. It is strange to say but they have amassed enough power to repel me even with the source. If they united they could very well vanquish my dreams of seeing their kingdoms fall. But I have watched for over a thousand years as they fight amongst themselves. Instead of truly uniting even under a common enemy they will all try to defeat me on their own. Their pride knows no end and it will be their downfall.” He smiled. Observing Sophia now for a response.
Despite the other times they had met before, for Sophia, it felt that it was the first time she and Nuxta were able to properly talk to each other and... surprisingly enough, reach to a common point between their ideals. That fact made Sophia genuinely hopeful despite the situation she was currently at. There was still hope. Even if she couldn't fight against Nuxta, she may reach a common point between their ideas. A better way to solve the problem than just destroying everything. Much to Sophia's surprise, Nuxta seemed to have approached her to talk as an equal. Despite having the upper hand, he still took off the very armor that made him invulnerable, not as an act of arrogance, but standing in front of Sophia and seeing her truly as her equal. [color=0054a6]"Anger and hatred do nothing but cloud one's mind and lead them to disaster, Nuxta."[/color] Sophia said calmly, letting out a genuinely amused half smile and a chuckle as he said that he could trust her. [color=0054a6]"I am the dragon of knowledge. You should know I would never act out of pure hatred."[/color] she continued with a chuckle.
[color=0054a6]"That said... It is truly the first time we are able to talk to each other, without any interruptions. Not a confrontation, but a conversation."[/color] she said, with a heavy sigh. [color=0054a6]"Before we start... Answer me honestly. Deep down inside, you were honestly hoping that the descended would be able to unite themselves against you, weren't you, Nuxta?"[/color] Sophia asked, looking deep inside his eyes as she said so before she turned away, looking towards the glowing mass for a moment. [color=0054a6]"I can't help but to wonder... How much could be avoided if we had the chance to meet like this earlier..."[/color] Sophia said, turning her stare towards Nuxta again. [color=0054a6]"Through the history, there were always wars between the descended. Fueled by greed, hatred or other selfish reasons of a small handful of people."[/color] she said. [color=0054a6]"Wars waged between a few incompetent kings and queens, by the few people who rule a kingdom. The other descended rarely have a choice but to follow their leaders. You know this as much as I do, Nuxta. Through the history, wars [i]only ever[/i] brought suffering to both sides. Ironically, the ones who wage these wars rarely feel the suffering they caused themselves."[/color] she continued with a sad tone to her voice. [color=0054a6]"When the ones who take the role of leading other descended are unfit to the role... The result is always catastrophic."[/color] she said with a sad expression. [color=0054a6]"Descended aren't perfect. They are but young children, Nuxta. Prone to making mistakes, acting on impulse, easily influenced... All they need is an example. They need proper guidance and attention. Even if this attention means an occasional scolding."[/color] Sophia said, looking to Nuxta as she talked. Even for Nuxta, the way she talked, the words she said were the same words a mother would say when talking about their children.
Nuxta's smile was simple. Controlled but genuine. His eyes were low with thought. "Sophia. You're such a young dragon compared to the ones I've known long ago. Yet you hold knowledge that rivals theirs. Yes perhaps many would have been spared but I do not regret what happened. It was their own undoing." He began. His calm voice growing a bit more aggressive. "For a thousand years I waited. The seeds were placed but none had to nourish them. For doing so would awaken my wrath. The ritual was so depraved it required an army of wicked to even bring me here. Just one of the many conditions necessary to summon me here with new flesh. This is why I am here. Because so many were so desperately evil as to summon the lord of death to attain power over this world."
He looked at Sophia now, his speech slowing to a more calm voice again. Yet his face seemed to be holding back something. "I have already sent word for the Kingdoms to surrender. Naturally they rejected this. Though some were interested in negotiating. Others outright killed or enslaved my messengers. Perhaps we should start with the ones willing to speak. Then crush those unwilling to with their aid. Perhaps this will be the path forward. Would you agree?" He spoke now as if Sophia were his council.
As Nuxta spoke he carved out a portal with his index finger. It opened up to a bright blue cloudy sky. The air could be felt from within the void. Nuxta motioned for her to follow before flying into the massive hole. On the other side he soared through an open sky. Above was more sky and so was below. This seemed to be an infinite sky realm of some kind. The sun not visible but the light radiated from the clouds as if it reflected the perfect sky.
Nuxta continued to soar until they reached a giant ancient structure. It floated here with magical stones within its every fiber. The essence radiating from it below. Statues of ancient creatures of various races were chipped but mostly intact. Standing above both Nuxta and Sophia as they walked within. Down the spacious hallway with a ceiling lit with multicolored glass. They reached a ritual circle with various pillars arranged around. "This is the temple of revival. It can replenish the world. I have taken it and placed it in this dimension. Here only the divine can enter or leave at will. It is kept safe here for a reason."
He turned to one of the pillars. There he stepped and stood. He reached his hand forward and a small portal opened. He reached within and pulled out the helmet of his armor. Placing it on the pillar gently with both hands touching the sides. After doing so a jolt of light ran down the pillar and into the ground. "The invincible armor of the King of Light, Vrondi Illumi." He then turned to another pillar and walked past it saying. "The spear of truth wielded by the Queen of the Mountains, Allo Niscent." He continued for each pillar. "The god slayer blade of the King of volcanic ruin, Magnixx Hanoxx. The reaper's crescent held by the King of the underworld, Sleeth Kaine Mythue. The eye of chaos worn by the Queen of the depths, Tydra Nept." He stopped now after walking past each pillar and stood in the middle of the ritual circle.
"With all five crafted items I can summon my mother, the original seraphim, here. With her power combined with the source I will give her we will be able to restore the world." He smiled at Sophia. "I already have the aid of the King of Vrondi. He has sent out warriors to retrieve what the Wyvern Queen refuses to give to me. Something necessary to complete this ritual."
"Yes it was my desire to have them come together to fight me. But it wasn't just so they could focus their resources on me alone. I needed for many to die. The more that died the more souls I can store for the restoration of the world. They will be reborn as a part of the worlds life in new ways. Death to bring in new life was my entire purpose for attacking the Kingdoms. For now it may continue as long as they oppose me." He sighed.
Sophia heard Nuxta's words as he spoke, even though she did consider him an enemy just a few hours ago, her opinion about him changed. His methods might not be correct and he might have done many evil things but deep down inside, he wasn't entirely evil. Not only that but, no matter how terrible his words were, they were all true. Sophia knew that many descended often chose to follow the path of evil and greed but she knew that not all of them were like that, much like the monks who willingly threw away their names, riches and prestige in order to join her. As Nuxta mentioned his attempt to make the kingdoms to surrender, going as far as to suggest them crushing the ones unwilling to aid, Sophia closed her eyes, with a saddened expression. She couldn't possibly be as naive as to think that all descended were kind and good deep down inside, but still, she believed that everyone deserved a second chance. As Nuxta opened the portal, Sophia followed him until they arrived on the Temple of Revival, which could be used in tandem with the artifacts each one of the rulers of each kingdom had in order to summon the original Seraphim, Nuxta's mother. Using her power, she would be able to restore the world. After putting the helmet of his armor, or better, King Vrondi's armor, in one of the pillars, a jolt of light engulfed the pillar. Turning to the other pillars, Nuxta continued, saying the name of each one of the artifacts of each kingdom as he passed by every pillar. Sophia knew that the artifacts weren't something the rulers of each kingdom would gladly part away with. It would be akin to either surrendering to Nuxta or supporting him.
[color=0054a6]"What we are seeking by gathering each one of the artifacts isn't their surrender, but their support, Nuxta. There were enough deaths already... At least for now..."[/color] Sophia said as she looked at Nuxta. [color=0054a6]"You have already tried the sword, why not try to extend them your hand? Offer them your support, earn their trust so they can support you back. I am not as naive to think that there is kindness in all descended... I know that is far from the truth but still... They all deserve a second chance."[/color] she said, looking at Nuxta almost as if she pleaded for him to understand her point of view. [color=0054a6]"Be honest with them. Tell them the reason for what you have done, tell them your goals. If we try another approach, the ones who previously didn't hear you might do so, just like King Vrondi did."[/color] she said, looking to the Temple of Revival as she spoke.
[color=0054a6]"I said previously that everyone deserves a second chance, Nuxta. I know you are not evil, I know that despite the methods you used, your goal is a noble one. I trust you, so I ask you to trust me too."[/color] she said, extending her hand towards Nuxta. Despite her kind expression and smile, Nuxta would be able to understand how much the words she said meant. To most people, showing such a warm and comprehensive smile, extending their hands to someone whom they considered an enemy just a few hours ago would be unthinkable... But Sophia was an unique being, in almost every aspect.
Nuxta took in Sophia's wise words. He silently looked at the decorations within the temple as he did so with a sense of aloofness. He froze, time stood still as Sophia awaited his reply. "Fine." He began with an exasperated sigh. "It seems you cannot see things my way without experiencing it yourself." He turned to Sophia. Raising his hand and a brilliant white aura engulfed his palm in the shape of fire, water, and solid matter. It flowed yet remained intact.
"You will be my voice. You may be able to reach them where I cannot. The very sight of me may throw the Kingdoms into a chaotic rage. With my actions many have perished for my goals. This won't be easily forgiven even if the world will be restored. I have no regrets, so I cannot apologize sincerely. So you, who has fought against me, will know their struggle. I trust your wisdom will be able to decipher what to say. The rest will be up to them to decide." He released the aura. It floated midair for several feet before collapsing into a bright star before turning into another large portal. "This will return you to Protogonia. From there you may decide what Kingdom you wish to speak to. Good luck." He smirked. Confidently watching Sophia attempt to make sense of this. Nuxta who held all the power in his hands seemed to be setting a wager on the shoulders of the dragon who hoards knowledge, Sophia. A wager on the descendant's will to change or to be thrown into the endless cycle of war.