"Grandmasters raise their power through a variety of ways. Whether through war to gain more influence or fate lines, or those with more freedom choosing to focus on a singular world as they practice their techniques of fate."
Noah narrated as the illusory scene playing out in front of them rapidly changed to show Grandmaster Luo setting up and beginning to live on this star, his focus on the unknowing inhabitants living within as he actually...began personally acting in the dark to influence the history of this world!
Whether it was by sowing discord among factions or assassinating rulers and placing the blame on other groups...anything that he could do to influence the fates of the beings living on this star- he did!
"The Grandmaster Luo you knew particularly loved experiencing the changes of the fate of billions under his fingertips, choosing worlds such as this to carry out his aims as he only sought a single thing."
Yes! This was also the reason why Luo had descended onto the Magus World with his disciples- it was to alter the fates of the beings living there as they gained a more intricate control of their techniques and fate lines!
The illusory scene in front of them continued playing as it showed the passage of time, showing Grandmaster Luo continuing to affect the state of affairs of this world as it went from a stable one into one filled with wars and conflict.
The inhabitants living within could not even explain how they found themselves on this state, only fighting countless wars as they began destroying the world they lived on in the process.
At this time, the illusory scene changed as it showed a small girl dressed in worn down clothes looking at the lifeless bodies of two humans, her gaze blank and not even being able to shed any more tears as the ones she knew as her parents did not open their eyes anymore.
This was the time that Grandmaster Luo had first observed the young Athena...and it was due to the uniqueness that surrounded her in this world full of chaos and ruin, a world that Luo himself had set on this path!
He noticed this being called Athena during one of the days when he monitored the different regions of the world, noticing this girl that had lost both her parents and yet was somehow still surviving.
Luo watched on for weeks as this girl buried her own parents and began living on her own, fighting against those that wished her harm as she also escaped deadly situations with her life hanging by a thread. Luo watched this repeat multiple times before a few thoughts entered his mind, his lips moving as they could be seen on the illusory scene playing out.
"This world might have even more surprises…"
Athena's body was shaking as she watched this scene and heard Grandmaster Luo's words, her mind being carried back to when she was young and watched as her parents passed away, and as she struggled to live until one day- a single man appeared in front of her that changed her entire life!
"Child, you seem to be in a great deal of pain."
Full of compassion and wisdom, Grandmaster Luo had appeared in front of her not because he had just happened to pass this ruined world and noticed her uniqueness and talent- but because he was the cause of such ruin as he just happened to notice one of the beings on this world that was actually changing her own fate multiple times.
Coming close to death and surviving every time, beating odds that are stacked against you- Luo thought of all this as he associated it with a single thing...and that was the possibility of a being having a Noble Fate!
He had appeared in front of Athena while lending out a helping hand to lift her from this ruined world that he had in fact made so himself, the Light of mercy shining in his eyes as he called out to her.
"There is too much chaos being spread across worlds nowadays. Child, come with me. I will teach you how to bring order and balance in these chaotic times...so that no other worlds can share the same fate as yours."
With a gaze filled with light and mercy, Luo had reached out to the young War Princess that he ruined the home world of, and called to her to join the same ranks as him!
Chapter 558 - What are you fighting for? II
Athena's entire body was shaking as she watched the scenes playing out in front of her, Noah's voice ringing out beside her as he watched the same thing.
"Effectively causing the death of your parents and billions more, and then appearing before you in order to see you from the misfortune that he himself created. This is what you are fighting for?"
RUMBLE!
The question struck Athena like a hammer as she watched the scenes continue. Watching as Grandmaster Luo took her from her world as they appeared in the void of space where he actually turned around and made her watch the destruction of her own world!
"We cannot do much to save them now, the chaos has spread too much."
Luo had said this as the ignorant Athena kept her eyes forward, not noticing as this being at the World Rank flicked his fingers and initiated the destruction of her own homeworld as a final action for his research.
"I will take you back to a Celestial Star where you can be trained with powerful techniques that will allow you to save worlds like yours."
Luo spoke with confidence as invisible Fate Lines descended unto him from destroying the fates of billions.
"If you work hard enough, you will be able to gain the strength required to bring order and balance amidst chaos such as this."
Athena recalled these same words she heard as a child, the same words that she made her conviction for seeking strength and power until now!
THUMP!
She could feel her heart beat as she slumped down with sunken eyes, her eyes not being able to leave the scenes on the screen as the life of Grandmaster Luo continued.
It showed him bringing her to the 7th Celestial Star, it showed her receiving [Fate's Disciple] and other techniques as her identity as a being with Noble Fate was confirmed, and it showed the appearance of Grandmaster Vredral as he talked with Luo on taking Athena as his disciple!
"Luo, I know that bad habit of yours is the reason you were able to find a being like her in an unknown world. You probably destroyed her star just to finish your routine!"
Vredral was looking towards Luo as he asked to be Athena's Master, Luo glancing towards him as he replied.
"Brother Vredral, don't say it like you haven't messed with the fates of a few worlds yourself. You've become much more reserved after returning from the Celestial Realm."
"Hmph."
Athena's eyes became darker as she realized even the living Grandmaster Vredral knew of the hidden secrets of Luo, and even he himself did similar things in the past before he went to and returned from the Celestial Realm!
She watched as Vredral used his status on the 7th Celestial Star to obtain the rights of training the young warrior that would be known as the War Princess, and then watched on as Grandmaster Luo went on to return to his methods of cultivation and raising fate lines by directly influencing the fates of others!
"This is the order and balance you strive for? From the beings that are sowing the most chaos in the Novus Galaxy?"
Noah's words continued to smash towards her like sharp knives as Athena's eyes remained on the scenes in front of her, her mind not knowing how to proceed as Noah's voice became even firmer.
"You also went along and destroyed an entire world yourself. I ask you again, was that balance?!"
RUMBLE!
Her gaze shook as she turned from the screen and looked towards Noah, seeing a cold gaze she had not seen on him before.
"From the same beings that hiddenly go around ruining and destroying worlds for the sake of increasing their Fate Lines, you listened to their words and used a vessel to destroy a world with billions residing within!"
"For what reason!"
RUMBLE!
A red light erupted out as Athena coiled back, her expression filled with uncertainty, shame, anger, fear, and a myriad of more emotions.
Her eyes shook even more as she looked at Noah and felt an inexplicable sense of pain.
This was the only being she had opened up to after tens of years, the only one she truly felt happy and safe around as they trained and rose in power together!
Yet this being was looking at her with such coldness that it made the pain she felt on top of everything else even worse!
"That's it? Just blankly stare after knowing and even possibly realizing that you are the one spreading chaos in all of this?"
"This Last War that you are now leading, why should the beings of the Dark Expanse not defend themselves as you all attacked them 1000 years ago and then you repeat the same thing now?"
"The innocents of the world you destroyed, the innocents you are killing now, the chaos and discord you're sowing now- what can you do to atone for it all?!"
RUMBLE!
Question after question seemed to strike towards her as she looked towards Noah with an unfocused gaze.
"I…I can't…"
She had no words to say as her gaze traveled back and forth from Noah and onto the illusory screen he showed that continued to replay scenes of Grandmaster Luo's life over and over again.
Her mind was reeling as the basis of reasoning she had built her strength on was crumbling, the effect of it on her mental state exacerbated even more with the inclusion of Noah!
'Was I really…'
Doubt and pain clouded her as she recalled the images on her parents and the apathetic Luo that caused it all, the images of Vredral and his cold gaze as he bargained for a position as her Master while using his status...numerous images passed through her mind as Noah's voice rang out once more.
"Whether you want to or not, you will atone for all that you have done."
"You said you will point your sword against all those spreading chaos, that your purpose is to maintain order and balance. Now, you will fulfill that in a much truer sense!"
Athena raised her head towards Noah as she looked at this being that looked familiar yet seemed so distant. He looked so warm yet felt so cold! Her voice was hoarse as it left her mouth.
"...impossible. Nothing can be done…"
Her gaze was that of someone that had lost all hope in what she believed in, of someone that had no reason to do anything anymore!
"Nothing is impossible, my dear Senior Sister."
Noah's voice was cold as he placed his hand on her chin and raised her head, moving the dark hair from her face as he stared her dead in the eyes and spoke out as his eyes shone with l.u.s.ter!
"After all, you have me by your side, remember?"
…!
Chapter 559 - Painful Coldness!
For a particular War Princess, it was an extremely rough day as under the influence of Noah, she experienced a slew of the hidden truth that she may have even already known, but it was now made more apparent with the life history of the Grandmaster that was very much involved in her being where she was now!
More than an hour had passed since Noah had begun playing the life history of Grandmaster Luo on the illusory screen, and Athena stood up at this moment with a blank gaze that just seemed tired.
"...what do you want?"
Her eyes seemed to have no emotions as she stared at Noah, only shaking thereafter as an overwhelming power descended around her.
"It is never about what I want, Senior Sister. It has always been about your goals. Your purpose is to establish order and balance, pointing your sword against all enemies that sow chaos. You will simply do that."
Athena felt the overpowering essence of a Star Forging Realm individual squeezing her defenses as she deprecatingly let out a hollow laugh, realizing her Junior Brother had always been ahead of her as always!
Her tired eyes looked out to the numerous warsh.i.p.s surrounding the Realm Dreadnaught as she spoke.
"You're planning on using my new status to destroy this huge force?"
The War Princess was still actively thinking as always, seeing Noah's overall plan as she felt his power and irresistible red light that seemed to always be erupting from his eyes.
"Naturally, your atonement will begin there. Whatever judgment falls upon you thereafter...well, that will be your fate."
Noah was saying this as his hands reached out towards Athena's head, the red light in his eyes beginning to shine ever brighter as Athena felt her mind and thought becoming cloudy, her mouth moving slowly before Noah could do whatever he intended!
"You do not need to put me in any mental state…"
Noah paused at her words as the War Princess rose up while dusting the thin robe she wore.
"My new state will most likely be found out by the other Star Forgers if you do, and I most likely will not be able to carry out my role as a commander as I normally would."
Her emotionless eyes looked towards him as a tinge of her valiancy returned, her words continuing.
"I...I also wish to look upon Vredral and ask him...If we really are the ones sowing chaos, I will stay true to my heart and seek judgment for us all."
She looked towards him as light was gradually returning to her eyes, her gaze locking towards him with only a slight tremble!
Noah's hands coldly moved as he initiated one of the newly gained abilities from the upgraded Terror of Aether skill tree, it was [Masterful Aether Control]!
A crackling ring of destructive Aether erupted between them, a golden light of fate going on to cover it as it turned into a thin golden line. This line went on to pierce into Athena's chest as she felt a tinge of pain, Noah's voice ringing out thereafter.
"That is a destructive strike of Aether veiled by the light of fate. It is currently going on to wrap around your heart, veiled from being seen by anyone other than you and me. And for even more assurance…"
Noah placed a destructive ring of Aether around Athena's heart as he also went towards her, glistening fangs erupting from his mouth as he turned her face to the side and exposed her slender neck!
Athena's eyes followed his as she didn't even portray the surprise in her eyes, her gaze only watching emotionlessly as Noah's bit into her and she felt the intrusion of a strong authority of blood that was changing her very Origin into something else!
"Ahh..."
She could have normally resisted or even put up a fight, but her mixture of mental state did no such thing as she let everything happen, her body feeling pain and pleasure she had not felt before.
Noah released his fangs as he watched the body of Athena convulsing, her blood gaining the quality of a normal Vampyre as he did not even grant her a bloodline of a Pure or Royal Vampyre, but one of the lowest ranks!
RUMBLE!
Fate Lines and Chaos Particles floated around them crazily as many shot into Noah's body, but the essence of Fate and Chaos also descended onto Athena's body as she gained the right to be called Noah's subordinate, gaining the boosts of his two Guider Type Abilities!
Athena felt the change in her blood as well as the descent of a powerful essence of fate and chaos, her gaze towards Noah constantly changing as she now felt a sense of domination that she could not even say no to.
Noah then waved his hands towards her as her bloodline, any of the chaos and fate essence...everything that he wanted to be hidden and remain beneath was covered through the use of [Unique Origin] while also using <
With this, he finally came to a stop as he stared at the War Princess who had straightened up and looked towards him emotionlessly.
"Are we done?"
She brought forth a question that seemed to contain many meanings, her eyes hiding the biggest emotion of pain she felt currently as she gazed towards Noah. She felt pain every time she stared at the cold gaze he showed towards her, at none of the warmth or teasing she was used to before! Her question seemed to be filled with double meanings as she asked whether they were done!
Noah's luminous eyes locked toward her unshaking gaze as he only replied passively.
"I will send you telepathic messages on how to move from now on. Just be ready."<
br />
His words were devoid of emotion as he looked at her while she nodded and replied.
"If you could please leave, I would like to prepare."
She said these words as she looked around at the areas where they were just spending time on. On the dining table they ate on, on the bed they slept on, on the blank space where he showed an illusory screen not too long ago. She looked at all of this as she then observed the back of a man that seemed like a towering mountain to be leaving the room.
The moment Noah left the room and closed the door behind him, the War Princess within slumped to the ground as tears freely spilled from her shaking eyes!
Her body trembled as the entire belief system she had was brought down on this day, and the only person who could have even been there to comfort her was not there anymore! Her eyes shook as she realized that apart from everything else...she had no one to even hold her at a time like this.
No one!
On the other side of the door, Noah's eyes were cold as he moved away. He felt like he had won, and yet...
Chapter 560 - Nearly There!
The concept of laws was very hard and mysterious to understand, but some beings were extremely talented and used many ways to comprehend these laws and use them to their advantage.
If one found a loophole or a certain System to help them, even crossing the threshold that many could not even near on laws such as those placed on the level of Supreme was not that hard.
For Aldrich, he had found one such loophole- but even with the use of it, it had still taken him hundreds of years just to near completion in this single law!
The current remaining Founder of the Celestials was still meditating in front of a certain gold barrier in the Celestial Realm as line after line of fate descended down onto him, the ongoing war in the Dark Expanse continuing to provide him with Fate Lines.
The War was not just occurring in strongholds like the Verittas Fortress, but also in thousands of other locations as the lives of hundreds of billions were constantly being affected. Some of these locations didn't have flashy Commanders carrying out magnificent battles like the few that were mentioned before, but their battles also held great significance as each of them came together to make for a singular result that was taking place right now.
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