Chapter 357: "Our estranged cousin."

Chapter 357: "Our estranged cousin."

Ceresta felt like she was living a dream. When she opened the door to the house, a wave of warmth washed over her.

But it wasn't about temperature or comfort, nor the contrast with the night setting outside. It was the boundless amity she felt when she got to lay eyes on these people whom she had seen through nothing more than a digital stream until now.

The warm welcomes of Flavia and Evelyn, the friendly banter of Higure and Kara, the polite and gentle greetings of Marie, the boisterous cheers of Allan, the adorable acceptances of Pronos and Tyran, Akronis' prideful laughs, and Natsu's mature and serene reception.

And despite Kaelith jumping Rakna the moment he came into view, much to his chagrin, the vixen acted as if that action was a bonus and fully focused on her with a wide smile.

Nyx stood at the back a little, her face still retaining some amount of color, which the poor girl was desperately trying to get rid of. In embarrassment, she didn't dare to get close to Rakna, but that didn't mean she failed to express her own surprise and joy at Ceresta's presence.

The dollish girl stood in the middle of it all and didn't realize that at some point, she had started crying once again. Silently, this time, but much more meaningful to her blossoming soul.

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Meanwhile, somewhere in the 700th Plateau, dubbed the Outer Land for its irrational terrain that never stopped changing elevations. As if a botched-up generation, the System had created a world demarcated by countless cliffs.

In one area, you could be standing on a meadow and be surrounded by walls of earth. They could be as tall as kilometers or as low as a few meters and there would always be completely different weathers or vegetation past each boundary.

These cliffs could go up and down at the same time from the same area. These areas were called the Lost Enclaves and in one of them, where rain poured endlessly and fogged the view, a strange castle was built out of white stone that incongruously never got wet despite the deluge.

Inside that large fortress, Roias walked through a corridor, occasionally stepping aside to give way to unworldly creatures; soulless and hushed. As small as a mouse, as big as an elephant; it didn't matter. They roamed the castle, noiselessly and unresponsive to the presence of creatures other than themselves.

The Abyss Ruler was obviously accustomed to it, hence his thoughtless avoidances. Eventually, he reached a wide hall, surprisingly warm and well-decorated for the den of the Abyss Téra. At least, it was if one didn't mind the monsters hanging from the ceiling like bats, or hiding under furniture and inside vases.

"Creepily homey, as always," someone who was already in the hall before Roias spoke up; one very familiar Nine-Tailed Scorpion. Zasha grunted and rolled his shoulders as he brushed off one of the mindless Téra that had bumped into him.

"I'll take that contradiction as praise," Roias smirked.

"You do that," the scorpion huffed and tossed out a small object that the Téras swiftly caught with one hand. "Everything about the wolf kid is in that talisman. His status and every step he took from the moment he entered the System. Oh, and he survived, by the way."

Roias chuckled as he checked the weighty piece of paper in his hand. It was a sort of amulet used by exorcists, filled with an energy similar to mental force, but more driven.

"Of course, he would survive," the Téras added. "I would be quite disappointed if he died from an attempt at matching me. It wouldn't have been my fault; he would have killed himself with his own power. Quite a pathetic prospect."

"Uh uh," Zasha raised an eyebrow. "Well, you will be happy to know he's stable. Whatever power he was losing control over, he got control of it. He got some help from that old woman in the First Plateau..." He paused. "...forgot her name."

"Flegra," Roias provided.

"Right, that. You wouldn't believe what he did to do it though."

"What is it?"

"He got frisky with the goddess he had with him and the foxes' princess at the same time."

Roias genuinely blinked in bewilderment at that before he eventually burst out laughing. "Hahaha, now this is something! Perhaps he should thank me for it," he cackled. "However, I wonder, were you not found out spying on him? The Nine-Heavenly Flame cannot be fooled easily."

"No way," the scorpion waved his hand with a scoff. "Afnil personally undertook your request. He's our best at that kind of job. I doubt even the Top 10 could sense him when he doesn't want to."

"Ah, yes, that famous elite of yours," Roias nodded in understanding. "I now understand the reason for this talisman then," he said whilst glancing at the strip of paper.

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The Empress' voice rumbled delicately.

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"Systemakva is dying."

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"What...?" Roias' eyes widened. "The System is about to die? What does that mean?"

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"It is reaching the end of its lifespan. It is starting to produce more than what it can handle and thus approaching the limits of its conception. The Broken Depths should know this... but perhaps they have convinced themselves or concluded that everything would go as envisioned regardless."

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She paused talking for a moment and the lighting of the hall behaved unnaturally as if the sources of light were being moved... yet their physical manifestation remained still. Roias knew well that this was merely an effect of his Empress' contemplation, like a regular facial expression.

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"Tormento is the youngest of their Ten Espectros... and I have learned he was deeply involved with one of their Royalty and the sacrifice they made for their goal of Realm Synchronization. I would be inclined to believe he seeks Father's measured assistance; holding a different degree of passion for their endeavor."

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"Then... we might come to fight against three factions at once," Roias said dourly. "Do we still hold a chance against Eternal Night, The Broken Depths, and the residents of Systema?"

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"Do not concern yourself over Father. If he finds a way to intrude into Systemakva, I shall be the one to confront him. We will take Eden for ourselves and I shall not accept failure, not even to him. The fruit is ripe and soon... we will pluck it."

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Roias smiled as he felt her words make the entire castle tremble. "I vow not to disappoint you, My Dear Empress. However, whatever shall we do with our newly reconnected kin? He might be quite a threat against us in the future from what I have seen. Should I go ahead and finish the deed?"

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"Hmm... Our estranged cousin... Perhaps it is best not to pursue the ire of Father..."

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The Abyss Empress whirred in an audible hint of wonder. A clear emotion was present in her tone when mentioning kindred beings. It appeared she held more for Arimane than a sardonic share of respect; it was closer to genuine recognition as if a true daughter to her parent.

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"But, tell me, Roias, what is he like? I wish to learn more about our estranged kin."

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The Abyss Ruler smiled softly at his Empress' honest curiosity. "As you wish," he nodded and went on to recount his interactions with Rakna.