Chapter 31
"Clara, dear," a gentle voice called. "It's time to wake up; today is the day."
At that, Clara sprang up, quickly leaving her bed and floating into the bathroom. Moments later, she emerged, the air swirling a brush through her hair.
"I'm all set, Mom." She beamed.
Her mother returned the smile, beckoning her closer, and the air guided Clara to her side.
Taking the brush, she carefully styled her daughter's hair.
"Clara, sweetheart," she said. "Promise me you'll be brave."
Clara met her mother's gaze. "Don't worry, Mom, I've got this."
Her mother smiled warmly and kissed her forehead.
They stepped outside, where a man awaited them with a bright grin.
"How's my little champion?" he asked.
Clara flexed her tiny muscles proudly. Her father affectionately patted her head.
He then lifted his wife while Clara climbed onto his back, and together they vanished.
They soon arrived at an arena; Clara embraced her parents before heading inside. Her parents settled into their seats among the crowd.
"The annual selection is about to begin," announced a slender figure to the audience.
"Let the celebrations start as we prepare our youth to represent us in the upcoming tournament."
The crowd erupted in cheers.
"Let the festivities commence."
...
On a serene evening in the arena, four figures stood before the royal family, accompanied by an old sage.
Among the four was Clara, who appeared slightly older.
"Well done, young ones," the old sage remarked. "You have demonstrated your worth over these past years; may the Second Primordial guide your path."
The newly appointed representatives of the kingdom each set off to celebrate with friends and family, filling the arena with music and festivities.
The old sage approached Clara, who was exiting the arena with her father.
They needed to return home, as her mother had just given birth to a baby boy.
"Clara," the sage called out.
Clara and her father offered a respectful bow to the sage.
The sage glanced at Clara's father and then back at Clara.
"I see you destined to walk among beings regarded as gods, and thus you shall be known as one. Do not hesitate; always give your best, even if it costs your life, for one of these future companions holds dominion over all we know."
She smiled and continued on her way.
Clara looked at her father, puzzled, but he simply smiled back at her.
...
Ice spikes descended from the sky.
A figure clad in battered blue armor evaded the attack and retaliated with a flame attack aimed at her opponent.
Clara stood still as the flames enveloped her; she merged with the fire, moving swiftly and unharmed. She struck the armored figure, knocking off her helmet.
The ground consumed the figure entirely, leaving only the head behind as the air coalesced into a sharp blade, its edge slicing through the moisture as it slowly advanced toward the neck.
"The battle is concluded; Clara from Pyion has triumphed over her opponent," the official declared.
...
"Welcome to the team," Aenzil grinned.
...
"Those two are clearly different from us; it feels like the old man intentionally grouped us together," Tezuka remarked.
...
"...Clara, it seems you haven't been focused. Although soul manipulation belongs to the soul goddess, I believe you can master it. Let's review Concept transcending," Kuto suggested."
...
"I am not weak..."
...
Clara faced the beast, her cosmic-like form emitting a soft glow.
She extended her hand toward the creature, causing its movements to slow, while the air around its feet cracked like thick ice.
With a swift motion, she raised her hand, lifting the beast into the air, then struck it down repeatedly, each impact creating a deeper crater.
The beast slowly raised its head to meet her gaze, and the ground trembled violently, splitting apart like an earthquake. Clara stepped forward, halting the tremors and fissures.
From the torn sky above, asteroids rained down upon the beast, but Clara waved her hands nonchalantly, reducing the massive rocks to dust. She moved closer to the beast, and upon touching it, she was transported to an unknown realm, all white, the calmness stretching infinitely, yet marred by cracks.
These cracks revealed a chaotic void that seemed to resist the whiteness. At the center was a massive orb, swirling with colorful, cloud-like forms that touched but never mixed.
"Calamity..." she murmured to herself.
Taking a step forward, she found it unexpectedly difficult, yet she persisted, raising her hand. As she approached, the clouds began to swirl more violently, and the chaotic void glitched erratically.
Her finger was mere inches from the enormous orb, but no matter how hard she tried, she couldn't get any closer. The chaotic void had already consumed much of the whiteness, pushing her back as the scene blurred before her eyes.
She collapsed beside Tezuka's nearly lifeless body, her form glitching as she gradually returned to her normal state.
The beast let out a thunderous roar, shaking itself, and suddenly, the entire area fell silent.
Clara lifted her head, and aside from the distorted sky above the beast, she noticed a figure hovering above the town, indistinct and shrouded in chaos.
Her face paled as the sight before her frightened her more than the beast itself.
Meanwhile, Gath stood a short distance from the town, gazing at the figure in the sky with a smile on her face.
Sir Maxwell knelt, tears streaming down his cheek as he offered a silent prayer to the Octo-Phoenix.
The guards appeared restless, and the remaining townsfolk looked up at the sky, their faces filled with despair. Some children began to cry, except for one little girl.
She dashed down the stairs, evading the attempts of those around her to stop her. She stood at the doorway, raising her hand toward the figure.
[In a dark void...