848. Puritas

848. Puritas

Nor was the phenomenon exclusive to the Impuritas stationed in Frontier.

Mae’s voice refused to come out ever since the Icon of Judgement had transformed into what she could only describe as an Angel. Moses reveled at the sight, whereas Deiman, Autumn and Mozheart watched as though the world was ending.

No amount of time could acclimate them to the glory of what Moses called:

“A Star. Like the silhouettes beyond the sea. People thought they were mad when they tried to warn of what forlorn sights lurked at the horizon...” There was no greater honor than to bask in the light of a Star belonging to the Nexus.

Her voice then faded as quickly as she began to speak.

The utter awe she held towards the Light further entrenched her loyalty to the Nexus. Iron Stars had been waiting for the day that they gained a Star of their own. The Amalgam was the first true Star they considered, hence their return to the Nexus.

The purple-haired Mae raised her hand towards the light as the white wave passed over them.

She expected the wave to throw her back. But to her surprise –

“It’s warm?”

– She was greeted by a sensation she had never felt before. She imagined this was what it would feel to be hugged, but every memory of an embrace was associated with either pain or death. She couldn’t imagine holding someone without nefarious intentions.

She suddenly recalled the type of life she was born into. Mae was an Impuritas from birth. Things that people took for granted were world-changing experiences for her. A small, illusionary hug was one of those.

She didn’t know why these thoughts filled her head.

Something about the light that caused her to reflect upon herself. Mozheart was no different. They were the only ones whose gazes were drawn deep within as they were entranced by the light

However, it was only Mae whose body had faint, white particles of light emanate from.

“Huh...?” The tone that left her lips was melodic. She didn’t intend to sing, but her voice was naturally pleasant to listen to.

“Mae!?” Autumn cried, watching as her dark horn-like ears shrunk into tiny stubs. “You’re transforming? She’s – She’s not going to become one of those monsters, is she!?”

“Let’s find out.” Moses smiled.

“I-It’s ok! I think!” Mae shouted, reaching up to the side of her head where she felt a pair of fleshy flaps. “Ears? Pointy? Did I become an Elf? It’s like when I ate the Seed...”

It scared her. She had transformed into something else before and it resulted in her being pursued by those she thought she could trust. Furthermore, it caused the people who were just like her to turn their backs on her, such as Mozheart and his Virtuosos.

“... am I being something I’m not again? I thought it was ok to be like this...”

“Mae –?”

“Wait – don’t come close!” Mae retreated from Autumn.

Would Deiman and Autumn abandon her like the Maestros of Flesh? Would the Amalgam also come to despise her? She was afraid to know. No matter how warm the sensation was, her fears greatly outweighed her optimism. Pessimistic thoughts were all that filled her head as she curled her hands to her chest, feeling her heart ache with an unusual pain.

Suddenly, a hand plopped onto her head.

It was Deiman.

“Your eyes. Your pupils are glowing. It’s beautiful.” Indeed, her musical note-shaped pupils glowed with a reflective white-purple sheen.

Her irises were also brighter as though containing more life compared to the Mae just seconds ago.

“... Don’t lie to me...” Mae’s voice trailed off.

Deiman wasn’t lying.

She didn’t have to look at him to know this. She had spent enough time with these two to know that Deiman didn’t tend to decorate his words. He was as blunt as a hammer, and she couldn’t recall a time when he had lied.

“I don’t like showing this side of me. I didn’t even know it was possible to feel like there’s a weight holding you down. I don’t know why I’m allowed to feel like this. I’ve killed so many innocent people to make music. That was my happiness for as long as I can remember...”

He stared intently into her eyes. Awe filled his eyes rather than fear, whereas Autumn’s eyes watered with concern.

She merely gave advice for the sake of it, as if by instinct.

“Why have you allowed me to live?” He carefully questioned.

“Redemption comes in many forms. However, I doubt even you can be granted penance.”

“... then why?”

Moses’ eyes glowed a bright purple as she lifted a finger. Light formed as she brought it to the skies, attempting to join it with the distant light in a juvenile manner.

“Have you heard of the proverbial phrase: ‘the enemy of my enemy is my friend’? So childish, but its meaning holds value. Here especially~”

“There is no evidence that we will be betrayed.”

“It will be too late for you by the time that evidence does arrive~” Moses pleasantly hummed. “It is not just the Brightest Star you will need to worry about. Your failure here will be an excuse for them to act.”

“That shall be mine to decide.” Mozheart refused to hear another word from her as he took out an Etched Coin.

However, as expected, he had his doubts. Mae’s warning was not done to rejoin them. She sincerely delivered this warning despite the risk of her losing her life...

“That girl cared about us more than we ever did for her.” He said and retrieved a second Etched Coin. “For you, Iron Star.”

He hurled it at her.

“Oh~” Her hand was already positioned precisely where it would be thrown. “The fabled Etched Coin~ Linked with a Hyperlink spell, no doubt.”

“Indeed. Should this so called ploy be correct, then there will be a reason for us to make contact. Keep that Coin somewhere spacious.”

“Are you not afraid that we could launch a counter attack into the heart of your operations?”

“You would not have mentioned it if that were the case.” Mozheart said, although, he was unsure if this logic applied to this Iron Star. “It will be our lifeline, and the deed will be paid in full should we survive.”

Moses deeply inhaled with a satisfied grin. When she exhaled, she slipped the Coin away into a pocket. She was not stupid enough to store it within her Dimensional Storage.

“The Nexus looks forward to your contributions.”

“Only if this turns out to be true. Otherwise...”

“Otherwise~?” Moses chuckled.

It was not a chuckle of laughter. It was one of superiority, like how one would find amusement in the futile efforts of an insect attempting to avoid being crushed by the sole of one’s boot.

The Impuritas who witnessed the events here in Grandis could no longer deny the power of the Nexus. They would have to be insane to attempt to confront them directly after their failure.

“... The Nexus is not the only thing loved by the Amalgam. You must know that well.”

“Her heart is unfortunately larger than most. The Bellum Empire would have ceased to exist if we were allowed to banish it into the Subderma.” Moses eyes glowed dangerously as a broken halo formed on her head. “It would be better if our Amalgam was solely ours, but alas, even the sun and moon rise and sets for the world.”

The supermoon of Perigian Night had sunk half-way down into the horizon. The pink glow of dawn had arrived from beyond the coast. It was nearly morning.

With that said, Mozheart disappeared, leaving Moses behind to ruminate.

“The next time we do meet – be it you or the Impuritas – will decide which of us shall remain.”

She prophesied with absolute certainty.

“Puritas.” A hopeful Deiman announced. “The Blessing doesn’t describe you as an impurity anymore!”

“Is that a good thing?” Autumn whispered.

“Any sign that differentiates one from the Impuritas is a good one. It won’t be long now till the night is over. Answers will come soon enough.”