Aikari could hear a sound of something, but he wasn't sure what it was. He then went and tried to approach towards the direction where he heard that voice.
As he proceeded forward, he then saw a black circle-like thing. He looked at it and then tried to go towards it, thinking that there must be something there.
Aikari tried to approach it and somehow a black lightning from it tried to strike Aikari. Luckily Hana is there and she then blocked the attack using her magic shield. Aikari then asked Hana "What is that? Why did it react like that?" Hana then told Aikari that it must probably it was their enemy or it is because the thing didn't know them. So they must approach that thing first. Aikari agreed with that and they then continued forward.
Aikari does get frightened as he saw that but that is not stopping him. He is with Hana here so there's nothing he should be worried about. Aikari proceeded forward and as he got near the dark energy, he then heard Lucien's voice.
"You scum. Why did you have all that much of love? Why would anyone would love you? What kind of power is this? My plan failed."
Aikari knows that voice is Lucien's voice. Probably the person might care about him when they heard that. But as Aikari heard that from him. He wasn't sure why. But it feels heartless. It feels like he does not really mean it. Hana was thinking the same too. So Aikari then says to that voice.
"You don't really mean what you say, right?"
Then that sobbing voice then turned into a laughter and Lucien replied, "Impressive, Aikari.. to think that you might be able to do this. You really are something."
A black lightning struck again and they were able to block it. As the smoke filled the space, Lucien appeared in front of them. When Aikari looked at him, Aikari then asked him if he was ready to end everything. But Lucien laughed it off and said, "You won't beat the system. It's impossible. Even if it's the world that you created." Aikari disagrees with that. As there has been a lot of tragedy that has happened before. When it's Quantum Memory, he has killed a lot of person in there before. Even had a very weird dream before. He survived all of that without any assistance. To hear that from Lucien just makes him disgusted. Aikari took a step ahead. He tried to go to Lucien and punch him. But there's a barrier between them and I blocked it. When Hana saw that, she then told Aikari to stay calm as that won't do anything to Lucien. There's maybe something they might be able to do there. Hana said Lucien must be provoking them there because he wants to buy a time there.
Aikari understands that, and he then goes and tells Lucien, "Talking with you won't make anything. Get out of my way and let me finish this." Lucien laughed. He told Aikari that even until now, he wasn't able to access quantum memory and of course he predicted that. The reason behind it is that Quantum Memory has been implanted inside Aikari. Because it became something like Aikari's second mind. So how and who would be able to access the mind of someone? Did they think someone like a magician would do it?
"Or did they think the person who could control the system would be able to do it?"
As Lucien said that, the darkness is about to surround them. But Aikari closes his eyes at that time and says.
"I'm not letting you. What is the point in making all of this. It's all pointless. Is this the world that you wished for?"
The darkness stopped. But Lucien is still there. He told Aikari that it doesn't matter. Even if the hundred of live will be taken. He doesn't mind it as long as he can achieve his goal because he is able to take everything if he wins. Aikari sighed and told Lucien that the dream that he wished to have won't happen. Because of as long as he is still alive. He won't let that happen. Aikari is no one. But he is the person with the authority inside the quantum memory. So he won't let that happen.
"Everyone voices, Everyone's heart is right here. I could hear them. If your wishes is for your people. Then let it be. I will stop you."
Suddenly a faint light appeared. The trails begin to wave out from the light, erasing all the darkness inside there. Aikari says to Lucien in just a calm tone, "If you're going to destroy the world, then I'm going to bring all of them together. Not as a hero, not as a savior. But just as who I am." Lucien tried using the system to counter back. But everything has failed. It seems like his authority on the system is blocked there. Lucien laughed. But still Aikari can't finish him there.
Aikari realized how much jerk Lucien can be. So he then just stayed silent and ignored him. He realized that Lucien never tried to get near him and hurt him. Maybe that's because of he can't do that. So there's nothing he should worry about, and with that, he then proceeds forward with Hana.
And of course Lucien can't do anything other than watch them walk away. But as Hana passed through Lucien, Lucien then told Hana.
"If the target I'm trying to get is stubborn. I guess I will take another target. That would be great, right?"
Hana stopped for a while as she heard that, but she then just shook it off and walked away. Hana doesn't care what will Lucien says. Because she knows that the time she will defeat Lucien with her own hand will come. Hana walked away and followed Aikari.
They both then arrived at where did they could see everyone was there. It's weird. But then they heard their voices.
"Hey, are you alright?"
"That was damn too close."
"Hey! Answer us!"
Aikari's vision then got blinded for a while, and then the next second he opened his eyes, he realized that Ardista had landed safely in the Atrium City and everyone was calling for him outside. Aikari realized that there is some damage on Ardista. But he was safe because somehow, Nefier was holding him from the impact. He also heard Andrius saying "You sure took a long time. Now let's get out."
Aikari smiled and grabbed Ardista, then he opened the pod and got out. Everyone then was so glad to see that he was unharmed. They all then tell Aikari that they are doing well and then Aikari climbs down Ardista.
"So it's over for now."
Aikari said that to Akaru who is standing in front of him. Akaru nods in agreement and says it's right. And then Hikari appeared through the portal that he created and said that everyone was doing a good job. Maybe now they could call it a day off. He didn't think that Lucien might attack them again. Plus this time, he has strengthened the armies and guards. So it won't be easy for Lucien.
Aikari thanked Hikari for that and he then regrouped with everyone.
_-Chapter 20-_
_- A declaration of the Last War-_
As they all regrouped, Hikari then told everyone that the situation was now normal but the thing is Hikari didn't think it was the end of everything. He knows something is coming. So they will need to prepare for it. But for now maybe they can strengthen their armies first. Repair everything and prepare as many weapons as they can for their residents so they can defend themselves.
Everyone got it and they then began their preparation. As everyone leave, Aikari then went to Hikari and talked to him about something.
"Actually. There's something I want to tell you."
Hikari then looked at Aikari with a serious expression. It looks like it was something serious, so Hikari then told Aikari to follow him and they talked about it somewhere else. Aikari got it and they then proceeded to another place.
"Tap Tap"
They continue to walk and somehow Hikari brings Aikari to where did Ardista is standing. As they arrived there, Aikari saw Ai was there and she seemed to be awaiting their arrival.
Seeing Ai was there, Aimari was so sure that there was something weird there. But before he could say anything. Ai then says "How could you possess such an ability. Who are you? And who is that girl?" Aikari was so shocked by that question. But he then just smiled and told Ai that there is nothing that he hid from any of them. He also added why did she said something like that. It looks like it was something serious.
Ai just shook her head. She told Aikari that it's not something serious but she is just curious about it. Because of how weird it is. She didn't think of it like it, just something that only she could do. But it is just weird. Ai didn't know how to explain it, and she then just asked Aikari, "Don't really mind about it. But the next time. It might be the last one."
Ai used her ability and Aikari and Hikari could see an enormous energy begin to gather around them. It all goes to Ai hand and circling. Ai then told Aikari that there's something curious about him and Hana that Ai was thinking of. So she traced then using her mana manipulation and as from what did she saw, Hana did somehow have an unpredictable kind of magic. It looks like she was the main core of every magic inside that world. While on the other hand Aikari he looks like a person who might be able to create something that could go beyond of any possibility inside of that world. Just what are they actually? Ai also said that the sword that Aikari is using 'Nefier' is not something that should exist in this world. It does have a divine power like Xerava, Arghangium, and Excelia do. But she never heard about it all this time. Is it a miracle that Aikari did was to write another kind of legend?
The energy within Ai palm then goes Aikari. Aikari was then about to touch it. But Hikari stopped it and told Ai to stop it. Because he didn't think that Ai should think something like that. Even if Aikari are from another island, something. He knows that Aikari didn't have any intention of doing anything to any of them. Plus, about the possibility that Aikari has. It might not be much different than what Mizure had.
Hikari tells Ai that since the world has been together since their battle with Yami back then, it looks like their world is evolving and in the meanwhile they might encounter a lot of people like how was Hikari supposed to be the strongest person in that world. But then they met Mizure, Hikari's long lost friend, who is on the same page as him. People inside of that world can evolve and that was the same as Aikari and Hana. Plus to being suspicious of them, it might be weird because they have lived in there together for almost a year and Aikari has helped them for that long.
When Aikari heard that time from Hikari, it just made him weird. Because he didn't remember much about what happen all this year. Aikari then asked Hikari how long they have known each other.
Hikari then thinks for a while and then says "I think it has been 5-6 months. Why did you ask?" Aikari then just couldn't believe how long it had been because he didn't remember it at all. Hikari saw a shock on Aikari's face and he then asked, "You don't remember it?" Then with a smile, Aikari replied, "Well maybe we have been through a lot that I don't remember. But it's okay. Let's focus on the thing that we're going to face."
Ai then looked at Aikari and said "Your sword. Nefier does have a soul of a creature named Andrius. Which is might be another divine creature that becomes a protector. But somehow that Andrius is connected to this machine Ardista. It's like they're going to unleash a new kind of power."