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ASTERI'S POV
After the whole incident, I created a vesse and head back to the Cardinal World. It's almost time for war and we have to go home. I was dressed in my casual white and gold, my signature and pride with me.
First, we arrived at the wasteland, which was once home. We walked around it, recalling the memories we've built for the past ten years.
A new emotion flickered to life sharp, sudden and unwelcome. Something I've felt in one of the Asteri. A sting bloomed in my chest.
"My heart... aches. They're alive. All of them. They don't even know I've already moved them somewhere else..."
My breath hitched.
"What is this...? Why do I feel.... sad? I... almost feel like...tearing up."
"You've lived for more than 2000 years, but a decade which we perceive in minutes affected you? You are always weird in your own way."
The Prodigy, Zhou, couldn't point it out, but I didn't give a damn about his point of view. He's one of the few that can leave the Realm, if he were interested, perhaps he'd given it a try.
"It's still not too late to return."
"You think everything will be ok if we did?"
I asked Hinata. My decision affected both of us and her answer might as well change it.
"You have new responsibilities, taking care of the Dragons. I don't even know what'll happen to me after the War."
The bitter truth I had to accept. Every plan, steps and deceive converged into the end, an unknowable ending even the Goddess of Creation couldn't understand.
'Two endless void. The first one must've been when the Phantoms killed Asteri. But this, this is for Antares.'
"Talking like you know the future."
She replied.
"I can't, but I'm certain I'll survive. I must see the end of this Star War."
"Let's hope you keep that word."
"The Young Lord keeps always keeps words, so I see no problem. Besides, I trust him. If he says he'll make it out, he will. That's just how stubborn he is."
"Let's get going."
I snapped, making my way through the rubble. The longer we stay here the more the war escalates. Zhou might be needed in Elyvra or Solara, he has to go immediately.
"Have you finalized your decision?"
He asked.
"After the war, I won't have any more enemies. Just me and the World."
I paused, looking up at the blazing star in the distance. In truth, I never had enemies. The Dark Stars were chasing something they couldn't get. As long as they always fail, they're not worthy of been my enemy.
The only problem that might persist is the God of Judgement.
"If Sabaki is stubborn enough to chase me after that, I'll just make an example with him."
"Hey, I know you can manipulate Energy and all, but you're thinking way outta the box if you think you can nake an example with a B-Class Omni."
"Let's survive together, Sensei, and I'll show you how serious I am."
Two portals opened in front of us and the two people I called out two jumped out.
"Sensei!"
"Asta kun?"
It was Rimuru and Ramiris. I immediately switched, taking on the Misfit Scourge's personality.
"Yo."
I waved.
"Don't yo me. I heard the news. I'm terribly sorry for what happened. It happened in an instant, and we weren't informed earlier."
"I doubt a Dark Star will make a presence without giving off their presence."
"Magos was different. He probably spent years among us before making his move. He has a brain, and he used it."
"Don't ignore me!"
"I'm not. Rimuru, you ok?"
I asked, noticing he's been silent ever since they came.
"I.. I am.. I just... I didn't know what'll happen if I were to lose you."
"Hey, I'm immortal, remember? No one's strong enough to kill me."
As long as I keep coming back, that line will grow stronger in the future.
"..."
"Ok. Let's head to the frozen continent. I don't wanna keep Guy waiting."
Without wasting time, I teleported us to the Frozen Continent and went straight to the throne room. Guy was sitting alone as usual, the two Primordials behind him.
"Short time no see, Red."
"You bastard. What did you do to Velzard?"
The red-haired demon went furious. I almost forgot I had a confrontation with Velzard. Everything is just moving so fast:)
"We clashed and I did my thing. She should be back by now."
"She came back but she's still unconscious ever since."
"Calm down, she'll wake up."
"How do you know?"
"I don't, but trust me, she will."
I said, placing a hand on his shoulder. He brushed it off quickly.
'Now look who doesn't want my touch.'
"I'll jump straight to conclusion, I'm here to say my goodbyes. The longer we waste time here, the more innocent Stars perish."
"A War?"
"Yes, of course."
"Who's this, your clone?"
"That's another Star. Please don't worry about it."
Zhou remained calm, arms folded and eyes closed, waiting.
"I'll be retrieving something. Please step back."
I noticed it just before I disappeared. Without hesitation, I made my way towards the room, the path and the ten-year-old seal still vivid in my memory.
My footsteps echoed through the long halls, each step measured, familiar, until I crossed the threshold and appeared at the exact spot I had left behind all those years ago.
"What are you?"
I said nothing at first. My aura began to leak as I drew back what I had stored that day, the power returning in waves that pressed against the very fabric of the Cardinal World.
It resisted, its Laws tightening in an attempt to restrain me, but I could not allow that. I moved past them without effort, bypassing their authority and reclaiming every fragment of energy that was mine.
"It is a seal from that day."
I said calmly.
"Now that I am leaving, it is only right that I take it back."
The grey hue of my aura gradually lightened before I suppressed it entirely, the pressure vanishing as though it had never been there.
"I am currently at ninety-nine percent."
"I want to fight…"
'He does not realise this is Antares, not Asteri.'
I smiled to myself, the weight of his ignorance almost amusing.
"I do not know how strong you are."
Ton replied, steady despite the tension.
"But you will not stand a chance."
"Huh?"
"You cannot even sense the trap he has laid for us, and you think you can lay a finger on him? How foolish."
Ton summoned a vessel, yet the moment it took form, it was torn apart, erased as though it had never existed. The air tightened, an unseen pressure bearing down on everything within the space.
"Antares has forbidden all movement here."
Ton said, his voice edged with caution.
"Anything that defies him will face absolute destruction, with no chance of resurrection. It is our essence being targeted, not our bodies."
"Conceptual erasure."
Guy noted, his gaze sharpening as he chose not to act.
"And you believed that?"
I asked, unimpressed.
"What?"
As if to test it, Hinata moved first, her motion clean and deliberate, followed by Ramiris and Rimuru. Nothing happened. No destruction or erasure. The space remained still.
Guy slowly turned, his eyes settling on Ton.
"I have already defeated you with a bluff."
He said, shaking his head in disappointment.
"I have imprinted the gateways to the hidden world where Asterians reside."
I continued.
"Feel free to visit them."
"Are you really leaving without saying goodbye?"
Rimuru stepped forward, his tone carrying a quiet concern.
"Do not worry, Rimuru. I will be gone for a while. Think of it as a short journey. I will return, that is a promise. Take care of Ramiris for me."
I opened a portal, its light cutting through the space, and stepped through without hesitation. It was a rushed departure, but with what lay ahead, the sooner we stepped onto the battlefield, the better.
I appeared on the first floor of my palace, the familiar silence pressing in as soon as I arrived.
"Elaine has not woken up. What is wrong, Anta?"
Hinata asked, her gaze settling on her still form.
"I… I cannot tell you right now."
I replied.
"It was not harmless."
Zhou added, his tone.
"That blockage alone is not enough to render her completely inactive. She will wake for brief moments, only to fall unconscious again. It is a judgement upon itself."
I exhaled quietly, the weight of it settling in, before stepping closer. My fingers brushed gently against her face, moving a stray lock of hair aside as I looked at her.
"The war has begun. Hurry and join us. Lady Elara is waiting."
I said softly.
"Are you ready, Hinata... I mean..Mother of Dragons."
Her body ignited with light, soft at first, then blinding. When it faded, she stood transformed, draped in garments of white, gold, and deep earth-brown, majestic and regal.
Her long white hair fell freely down her back, golden ornaments glinting atop her brown draconic horns. Runes of pure gold traced across her skin, glowing like inscriptions written by the heavens.
"That's my type,"
I said, unable to look away from her divine beauty.
"You're not complete without the wing, My Lady."
Sensei addressed and as if waiting for someone to notify them of their absence, her wings spread out.
"Satisfied?"
She asked, staring at him in embarrassment.
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Sensei closed his eyes and shook his head.
I opened a portal, not to our destination, but to retrieve the final piece of the puzzle. I reached in and pulled the last fragment of myself free, calling Antares forth.
In that instant, the vessel shattered and reformed. Flesh, essence, and identity twisted, converged, and settled. Asteri became Antares. My True Body has fully returned after eons of physical inactivity.
A dull silver glow radiated from me, soft yet absolute, as if the world itself exhaled in recognition and welcomed me home.
"From pitch black to silver. The Goddess of Life was right. You are attaining Divinity, Antares. Perhaps something entirely different."
"I can see too."
I said, looking down at my arms. Etherium flared, and I the Fragment of Divinity warping around my essence like any Star with their True Body active.
"I'll reach the silver stage anytime soon. And before that, I should've completely assimilated. What about you Sensei?"
"You seem to forget that my vessel and True Body are identical. My battle form is more like my True Body. I'll use this for now."
"Whatever. We're waiting for your word, Queen of Dragons."
I turned towards Hinata.
"S..stop calling me..."
She paused mid-sentence, eyes landing on someone behind me.
"What's wrong?"
I turned. I never thought the person in front of me would be courageous enough to prepare for War.
"I..i want to fight too."
She said, her voice barely whispers. The Star Slime Mimu hopping enthusiastically, eager to join us too.
Behold, Lady Athena, in her true form, holding a staff I don't know she got it from.
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"What are you doing, my love?"
I asked, surprised.
"I said, I want to join the War."
She repeated.
'Crap, I can't have this conversation.'
"I'm sorry, but I have to decline."
"Why?"
She asked, the Star Slime Mimu, frowning in response, displeased by my decision.
"I understand you want to fight side by side with Antares. I, too, want to be by his side, but the battles he'll be taking part in require people of his calibre alone."
Hinamatsuri intervened.
"If we join him, we'll only be a hindrance. Having to fight while protecting us."
"W..why are...you going with him?"
Mimu turns, its cute annoyance towards Hinata, demanding a solid reason why they can't join me, but she can.
"We'll head to Kalidor first before going our separate ways."
"I want to go to Kalidor too."
She pressed, relentless.
"We have to reclaim Kalidor from the Void Dragons. It's still a dangerous fight for us."
At the mention of Void Dragons, her enthusiasm vanished along with her courage.
"I'm sorry dear. I wish I could let you join us but I can't risk taking you out there. Don't you worry, I'll be back in no time."
I replied, blowing her a kiss. She flushed, her staff disappearing before she followed, erasing her presence from sight. Mimu froze, having been left out, it strained its slimy body, struggling to bring out something.
In mere seconds, poof, it vanished, leaving a flicker of starlight behind.
"How cute."
I responded.
"So, Mother of Dragons."
I immediately brought back the topic at hand.
"I said stop calling me that."
She replied.
"I'm sorry but that's what you are."
She raised her hand but couldn't summon the portal not because she couldn't, but because her feelings were obstructing her. I can see Ecliptarchs floating around, defining her emotions.
"What's wrong, Hinata?"
"A new world. A world I've never been to only seeing them in my memories. I'm...I'm nervous."
"It's alright. We're here. It's alright to be scared. I'm scared too. The Dark Stars will be looking for me. I have to fight this War while watching out for Sabaki. It seems I have a lot to worry about compared to you."
I comforted her and she was finally able to crack the portal open.
"Come to think of it, where are the Balance Dragons?"
"They're waiting for us on the other side."
She noted before making the first move to enter the portal.
To be continued...