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?”
…!
