"Kaslana, Kaslana. Thank goodness for my foresight. If I hadn't installed a tutorial system…"
By then, Phainon reacted to the 'voice' he heard.
"W-who are you?"
"My identity is not that important, Deliverer. I will teach you Shamash's usage."
Both the Flame Reaver and Anaxa saw Phainon's odd behavior. The Flame Reaver, in particular, felt like that question wasn't meant for him.
'Could it be..?'
A conjecture formed in his mind. The image of the man who was planning to 'break' the 'cycle' appeared in his mind.
"First, you may wield it like an ordinary greatsword."
Sou-!
Shi Tian's explanation was cut short by the Flame Reaver's attack. Phainon was able to react in time.
Clang-!
Their blades sparked. Phainon was pushed back several steps before stopping.
"Ugh, everything else is a no brainer. This thing's the toughest sword in all of Amphoreus!"
The word "toughest" was automatically filtered to Phainon's ears.
"Then, isn't it just a very sharp and sturdy sword?" He asked.
"No, no."
Clang-!
Bam-!
Unlike the other attacks, the Flame Reaver attacked consecutively. Phainon was barely able to keep his feet onto the ground, though it is clear he is at a disadvantage.
Click-!
Psshk-!
A dozen green rays suddenly criss-crossed towards the Flame Reaver's direction. The crisp sound of metallic bullets crashed against the sharp edge of his crescent sword.
Phainon saw Anaxa pointing a 'shotgun' at the Flame Reaver.
"It's more than a normal sword. It has an ultimate attack!"
"Ultimate… what?"
"Think of a burning pillar."
Clang-!
Sou-!
Their talks were interrupted once more. Phainon was able to stand firm this time. The crescent blade slid to the ground. He took this chance to swing the sword straight beneath the Flame Reaver's right arm.
Clang-!
Clank-!
To his surprise, a shortsword blocked Shamash. The momentary blankness allowed the Flame Reaver to charge backwards, successfully disengaging from him.
"Think of a burning pillar really hard. Then grasp its handle with both hands. The greatsword's real might will descend into this world."
"A-alright!"
The tutorial's completion signified the departure of Shi Tian's remnant power.
Psshk-!
Click-!
Anaxa's second wave of attacks struck the Flame Reaver. He shifted his glance from Phainon to Anaxa.
'My humanity… it does not matter.'
A thousand years ago, he acted as the 'Executioner' in Shi Tian's play. It wasn't without any benefits. His actions, coupled with the man in the story, reawakened him from numbness. That was how the Flame Reaver, the Regressor Phainon, has sharper senses and better decision making.
This change also allowed him to call forth the power of the Coreflames inside his body—a few Coreflames, that is. One was enough to gain dominion over a certain field. Having millions of them inside his 'mortal' body is outright insane.
The thought of borrowing it remained… until he saw Phainon raise Shamash. The crimson red blade was set ablaze. A tall pillar of flame emerged from it.
Anaxa followed its ascent and saw the Grove's thick lushes of leaves get burnt. A bold premonition came to his mind.
Unfortunately, he was too late to warn Phainon.
Judgement of Shamash: Zeroth Form, Might of An-utu.
It is now fully unleashed.
*****
The infamous Zero, Okhema's former ruler, wasn't present to oversee Styxia. Cyrene was stunned upon knowing that he almost burnt the entire Grove of Epiphany down. His professor, Anaxa, was completely unapologetic about it. He even laughed about it!
Becoming the world's first arsoning, capable of bringing down the holy land of those bald and obstinate scholars…
Had Anaxa met Cerydra, the ruler who hosted banquets at the Luminary Throne, he would have been laughing too.
Tap.
Ripple.
The Imperator in question is currently walking on water. The walking staff on her hand caused ripples on the ocean's surface; and so did her footsteps.
Furina's weapon was imbued with the power to 'distort' physical laws. Cerydra used it to 'perform' several times without being caught. Walking on water is but a simple thing.
She said nothing and kept on walking. She did not mind the cool breeze of the eternal night. It was nothing but pure silence—precisely why Cerydra knew Hysilens must be here.
Bubble-!
She stopped walking upon hearing the water splashing. She turned around and saw the familiar face.
Hysilens' long black hair clung closely to each other—and to her face. Her tranquil blue pupils stared at Cerydra. The latter wanted to say something, but to no avail. She could not muster the strength to speak. The crushing guilt of their performance's aftermath left Cerydra with no excuse.
'It's unfair. He should be here too…'
"Did you come for him?"
Hysilens' question stumped Cerydra.
"How did you know?"
"Because I have seen him once in my dreams."
"..!"
Hysilens narrated their encounter inside the Nihility space. She did not cover up the woman who dissipated the said influence from Nihility—Kiana Kaslana, the Goddess of Moon.
Cerydra only had one thought upon hearing that:
'Merlin is a womanizer…'
"He is alive somewhere in this world." Hysilens shifted her gaze away from Cerydra. "I want to help him."
"I came here for that matter. The destined Demigod of Oronyx once saw him. I wanted to let you know, so as to not remain in the dark, but I did not expect your meeting with him."
Hysilens detected a hint of grievance from her words. A rare sense of victory arose within her. Just as how the two left Hysilens out of their 'play', the same happened to Cerydra. This 'little revenge' made her heavy feelings a bit lighter.
"I want you… to lead me again."
Hysilens stated her demands.
"Tell me what to do to help Shi Tian. I will follow your orders henceforth… Imperator."
Cerydra's eyes widened as she looked at her. The thousand-year-long grievances between them… disappeared right at this moment. All because of a sliver of hope of seeing him once more.
"The debts we need to settle… I will leave it after we reunite."
"I understand."
Cerydra regained her composure as she looked at Hysilens with a familiar gaze.
"It is good to have you back, my Dux Gladiorum."
Thus, this cycle's final chapters began.