CH 56

It has been a year since Zel started having this dream, a years since the 'Upheaval'. Earth had lost its boundaries as what amounted to a planet's surface area looked more like an island in this brave new world. Three new races that had far more time with mana emerged, living on this new planet, if they could call it that, alongside the humans. The new plane of existence humanity calls 'The Vast Expanse'.

As the organizations that looked over the former world discovered a few basic principles of mana, they immediately started to progress. Weapons, medicine, technology that was never possible from before the existence of mana came to flourish, taking over the role of a goal for the whole of humanity. They called these technology as 'Mana Constructs', having no other way to dub them other than the product of mana and science.

So, what would happen when a city that's holding the most advanced mana constructs, the one who holds seemingly unbounded knowledge on the principles of mana, reveals themselves to the world?

Reverence? Respect? Fear?

No, it can only be envy, hate and fear. Envy for their teleportation portals, their mana-reinforced walls and transmutation technology. Hate for their power, their territory that grew ever expansive as the people who want to live in this new world came at their doorsteps. Fear for the miniscule chance, however small it may be, that their built-up power would be taken away. That they would become irrelevant and be left behind, something they cannot accept. Something they cannot let happen.

The Pantheon had long reached its peak and had already experienced its downfall. The city of Oculus was made even better than every iteration that Zel had ever had the chance to build, but it didn't matter. They were all still dead. Either physically or mentally. Except for him. Except for Zel.

Time is nothing to the man who has lived a hundred lives. Pain, however, is eternal. Loss, betrayal, these things cause the greatest pain. That's why even when he knew that it wasn't real, that it was only a 'possibility', he couldn't let go.

When he felt that all hope was lost, he heard a voice. One that was eerily similar to his, from a face that was identical to his. A man who also has control over time, but in a way that Zel didn't know was possible.

"Zel Huertazuela? You're the fourth iteration, huh?" A man floated in the air, his long hair was still but his long black robe was gently flapping in the wind. He faced Zel with a curious expression.

"Who are you? Have those bastards actually made another clone of me?" But Zel had been living a harsh life in this dream. He couldn't trust anyone, even someone who looked like him. Especially someone who looked like him.

"Haha. Only my parents could make a handsome devil like me!" The young man fell to the ground while placing his hands on his waist. He gave Zel a smile, one that he uses a lot of time.

"…" Zel just thought that it looked disgusting when it was done to yourself.

"Ehem. I'm you, but after you die. Let me make it clear, after you die three more times." Zel, the 7th incarnation of Zel, stood tall while a radiant violet sphere appeared on his hand. Tossing it into the air, a few violet dust particles suddenly sprayed themselves into Zel's face.

"Huh?" Memories of his past lives bombarded Zel, but just as he started to experience pain, the Seventh placed his hand on the sphere. The dust it released stopped going to Zel, and went back. But the effects were already left behind on Zel, who looked at the violet crystal in hand with a different light.

'Estophelia? Why!?'

Dots connected in Zel's mind as he figured out what exactly this crystal was. Why the system appeared, what it was for. Who made it, who managed it.

"Hey, I know it's a bit intrusive to do that so suddenly but I don't really have much time. I'm leaving in a few days, and I can't really handle doing any more explaining to my past lives." The Seventh waved his hand and the violet sphere disappeared. Zel was able to see a violet light from the Seventh's black eyes.

"When you go back, I hope you make it right. I don't want to lose my wife because I failed in my past life." The Seventh disappeared just as quickly as he appeared. Leaving a listless Zel that contemplated on his next actions. It seems that it's time to leave, but not before he gets his revenge.

….

A few days later, on the ruins of the Oculus.

"No one here will leave alive." Zel let go of the violet mana crystal and it fell towards a hole on the ground.

When the crystal was out of sight, the men surrounding Zel had their faces turn sour. Though their regret at the loss didn't last for long as an earthquake forced everyone, except for Zel, to stumble on to the ground.

"When I said to stay away, you flies just couldn't help but buzz in anyway." Zel's eyes turned indigo, his trademark smile was presently giving off a different vibe. A murderous vibe.

"When I wanted to help you out, you refused. When I wanted to talk, you forced me into action."

The trembling earth had intensified its magnitude. A circle made of mana appeared from the hole where the crystal was dropped, a circle that burst out of the hole and expanded to encompass the whole island.

"I've already lost everything. I would have returned already if I wanted to but that means letting you all go. I don't want to let any of you go."

The men and women around Zel tried to stand back up and utilize their abilities to confront Zel. But the mana that made them all-powerful didn't respond to them. In fact, it seems to be leaving their bodies in a hurry. Seeping into the trembling ground.

"The world has been too unfair for me to give any more fucks. I've heard from someone about my foolish wishes, I've already remembered everything I should. When I return to reality, I'm going to take back what I gave all you motherfuckers. But before that, here's a little taste of what you did to me and my family."

Zel's right hand raised itself and the shaking stopped. The people surrounding him thought it was their chance to prevent whatever he was doing and attempted to use their storage rings to reveal their weapons. But it didn't work.

"Ha!" Zel offered them this opportunity intentionally. After all, what's despair without a little hope. He then slammed his raised arm down.

"Boom!" A forest made of violet trees appeared all over the island. Looking from above, the forest would appear similar to an elegant bush of violet grass. But from inside, it wasn't anything but beautiful.

"No! Fuck off!"

Three men of similar faces ran away from three threads that chased them. These threads didn't seem to care about their words as it stabbed their bodies every so often, not causing any vital wounds.

"Ed!"

"Ahh!" One of the men had his legs pierced repeatedly, each stab was strategically done to make him hurt. One hole for every one square centimeter on his leg. No hole too big, no hole too small.

The two other men went back to try and pry the threads off but when they did, six more headed for them.

"Shit!" Eddy ran away, leaving his brothers behind. He knew just how powerful these thick threads are, these ropes of destruction that had no weaknesses. Their only hope was to kill Zel, but that man would most likely be the most formidable man in here, no, the whole world. Even the four Champions had to flee when he uses the crystal. If it weren't for that idiot Chu Yang, they would have killed him already.

"You like the feeling of anger coursing through every fiber of your being?"

A voice appeared right beside Eddy while he was running away without looking back. He swiftly threw a punch in that direction but suffered a mind breaking pain after the fact.

"Ahhh!"

"Good! Cause that's how I feel!"

Eddy couldn't care less about Zel's ramblings as he tried to appease the pain on his right arm. He checked to see exactly what happened and found out in horror that thin threads were etched onto his arm, flooding his body with mana. Mana he can't control.

"No! No please! Thud." Eddy knelt in front of Zel, begging him for his life.

Though he didn't get close to him as the threads on his arm pushed their way deeper inside his body. Taking away any control he had over it, except for his head that continued to drop tears and snot. But the feeling of getting filled with mana grew intense, so strong that he felt the shackles of Level 5 breaking through to Level 6. Thinking this might be his chance, he continued to beg with his head low. Hoping to secure himself more time.

"Poor you, does the feeling of having your body being out of your control make you feel helpless? What about when Billy and Matthew had their bodies chained to the ground as your men shattered every bone in their bodies? Or how you bombed my family to death? There is no mercy left for the wicked, I know that now."

Eddy did think they went too far, but that was because their survival was on the line. If he wasn't going to give up the crystal, then they would force him. No matter what it takes. But his pain will not last any longer than it has to, he could feel it. The coveted Level 6 was on the horizon now.

"Hahaha!"

"Ahhh!" Zel's laughter rang clearly in Eddy's ears as he then looked up to see what exactly was so funny. But when he saw his all four of his limbs all from his body, when his brothers that had a similar situation all looked at him in horror, he couldn't help but despair.

"No! What have yo-"

His body was in pieces, the mana he had been building up was forcefully taken away as quickly as it was given. He looked at Zel who was now pointing at his body with one finger. Though his smile was very graceful, that look of scorn filled his body with only helpless hatred. For he comprehended why he was doing this, and he bore nothing but regret. He regretted it all.

"Die!"

All three brothers had a thread go up their asses, grinding their insides into mush. Every slice, every pound, they endured it. Zel made sure of that.

When all that needed to be done was finished, the violet forest came back down below the ground and 100 trees were left behind. All of them were similar to what the three brothers looked like now. A thick thread passing from their asses that showed itself out from out their mouths. A fitting end to scum like these.

"You sure know how to kill, Zel # 4."

A man similar to Zel in appearance appeared from Zel's side as he placed his arm around his shoulders. The two looked very similar in body structure but the longer hair, the strange expensive looking robe and the fact that he was covered in violet flames made them distinctly different.

"You sure about what you showed me? About how to use this thing?"

Zel had already retrieved the violet crystal from where it was formerly. The thing hadn't changed a bit. He hated how much trouble it brought but damn, it really was useful.

He's had a few weeks to develop and execute this trap. It took him a while to place that formation underneath this island but it was worth it. But this was, nonetheless, just a dream, a possibility. One that he won't let happen in reality. Revenge was nice and all but he embodies loftier aspirations.

"Why would our memories be lies? Just try not to do this to your own soul again for the rest of your life and you're fine. Remember, the crystal will vanish soon afterwards, so you don't really have a second chance. Don't overdo it."

Zel thought that he really was too talkative in his next life. He took out a familiar gun he had already turned into his suicide weapon since long ago. Pressing the gun's nozzle against his temple, he turned to his future incarnation and offered him a smile.

"Yeah, yeah. I'll try to find you again when I get back."

"Oh, I already know about you man. Remember, I just came back to see the most tragic side of my past life. That stupid old beast just really wanted me to carry out this ritual. I swear, when I reach his level, I'm gonna force him into one of these just so he remembers how boring it gets. Even if I'm you, this part of my existence has since passe-"

"Bang." Unable to keep himself from suffering from the Seventh's endless ramblings, Zel used his gun to end it all once again.

…..

It has only been one night since the fight with the Heftpounds. Word has already spread around the world, videos of the fight as well as commentary from the world's most influencial people littered the globe.

The warm bed had taken in Zel's weary body and spat it back out filled with energy. The constant use of mana hadn't been easy for his body to take as even one overload could claim his life away if it was left unchecked. Thankfully he had known what to do beforehand, making it possible to do what he does without going overboard.

"Morning, tiger." A hand caressed his face as he felt the tender softness underneath. Her inviting voice had jolted his body awake, and he lifted his head to face hers. A gentle smile plastered on his face.

"Morning, love." He pressed his face closer to hers and placed his lips upon her forehead. Her hands had slipped into his back as she gave him a tight embrace.

"Are we going back now?" Her face was veiled from his sight as she placed her head against his neck. Her soothing voice seemed to be begging for his reply, hoping for a satisfactory answer.

"Are we?"Zel placed his hands over her waist, hoisting her up into saddling position on top of him. Her pleasant smell invigorating his body.

"Hehe, stop."

Though she protested in words, her hand had already been caressing his abdomen through his shirt. The gesture seemed to have turned something on as he hoisted her up through her thighs, carrying her whole body while he placed his lips over hers.

"Ohhh!"

Zel used a thread to open the bathroom door, not halting his advance on her tongue. She placed her arms around his neck while her legs tightened themselves around his waist. She was about to provoke him with words when she inadvertently read his thoughts.

"Why?" Her thoughts got clouded as his memories of last night had issued her more than a little shock. Was it all true? Would it really be like that?

"I don't know..."

He still upheld her in his arms while he looked into her eyes. Her presence right now had given him hope, something he had lost in the that dream long ago. Perhaps he thought it was just a temporary reprieve but now that she was back in his arms, he won't let go. No matter the cost.

"I won't let it happen, never again."

He took back those tender lips while turning on the shower. He placed her ass on the bathroom counter and let her stay there. He took off his shirt while her hands unbuckled his pants. The water in the back had already been heating up as steam permeated the room.

Emilia used her hands stroked his manhood over his boxers as he felt up her butt while kissing her neck. He bestowed her a series of kisses that wandered all the way from her neck towards her chest, caressing every inch on the way down. Her eyes closed themselves in pleasure as she felt the room getting warmer.

"I lost you again. I'm sorry."

Zel's lips raised themselves from kissing her left shoulder and placed themselves promptly onto her neck. He murmured the words he had preserved for years inside the dream, the words he felt he needed to say. Emilia placed her hands over his cheeks, forcing his eyes that cannot meet hers to focus solely on her.

"I'm right here, I'll always be waiting."

"..." Zel knew that she grasps what's in his mind right now, he didn't hide it anymore.

Her love for him hadn't been because of them being together in his dreams. It's just because she loved him, she loved his soul. Having lost her in the dream doesn't mean he lost her here, but he couldn't help but feel that he let her down again.

"What do you say? Are you willing to start over again with me?"

"If you stay the same way, then does it matter? You'll never let me go anyway. Besides, you'll be able to get all of me this time, won't you?"

Emilia placed her hands over his and set them on her chest. Placing her forehead against his, she offered him a smile that he wouldn't be able to see as Zel's eyes already had tears flowing out. He was asking so much and yet, she accepted anyway. How can he not love a woman like that?

"That's right."

Zel took her back in his arms again, this time, he had no more plays and teases as he directly collected both their clothes off by taking them into his storage ring.

"I'll never let you go."