If you told any inhabitants of this world that today was special, they’d tilt their head in confusion.
In all the four continents, not one celebrated any particular holiday today. If you looked hard enough, you’d probably find a couple of peasants whose birthdays were today, sure. But they were nowhere near important enough to celebrate.
Which is why I say, why if you told any inhabitants of this world that today was a special day, they’d simply tilt their head in confusion. And in an instant, their tilted heads would snap back as their bodies jolted from shock.
Shock from watching as magic circles invaded every corner of their homes.
And confusion as they watch strange and yet familiar looking creatures appear before their eyes.
From all around the world, the exact same tale was heard from every lip in the lands. They spoke about people -or at least figures that looked like people- suddenly spawning from thin air.
They wore clothes unlike any you’ve seen before. They carried accessories that even a king would find luxurious. And they spoke a language even the best scholars could not cipher. Truly strange yet fascinating creatures.
What was most crazy about these tales, were the sheer number of them. Some estimated about a million, while some went as far as to say several hundred million.
But at the end of the day, these were merely tales...
Of the hundreds of millions of people, only one man was ever spotted.
Any who caught a glimpse of this boy would soil themselves out of sheer terror. It wasn’t uncommon for people to pass out from his aura alone.
As time went on, the lips that were once telling tales of the creatures who suddenly popped up, had all but forgotten them. The only thing they could speak about was this sole boy.
He became something of an urban legend to the people of Troy.
His skin was like a haunted forest howling at you from every direction. Even compared to the people of Gaia -who were far taller than the people of Earth- he was massive. If you weren’t paying attention, you might’ve mistaken him for a smaller Nephilim.
He wore a strange uniform equipped with badges, bands, and even golden chains.
But more distinguishing than that, was the fact that he had the hair of the gods. Pure white hair -the color of snow. A hair color unique to the Gods of myth.
Some said he couldn’t speak and that he only made short grunting sounds, while some rebutted that claim.
“I hear, he doesn’t know how to talk, and when he tries, he ends up sounding like a zombie.”
“I hear he can’t talk and just makes weird sounds.”
“Nah, he can talk.
“Hmm?”
“One time he came up to me personally and asked me something.”
“Oh my. What did he ask you?”
“I couldn’t tell ya. Never heard that language a day in my life. The only word I could make out was God, so I just pointed at the Holy Palace.”
“Oh my. If his sight is set on the Holy Palace, then isn’t the Royal Family in real trouble?”
“They are. But if you ask me, they had it coming.”
And so, without stopping for food or sleep, the boy ventured off to the Holy Palace, and with one single thought on his mind.
“Where... is... God.”
image [https://i.imgur.com/DE3zsOo.jpeg]
***
“Wakey-Wakey, Akuma!”
Her demanding screams shattered the fortress of peace I built for myself and forced me awake. Despite my eyes being open, her hands kept a consistent back and forth motion, like they were rolling bread while she went “Wakey-Wakey” over and over.
I simply stared at the ceiling as an indescribable emptiness swelled up withing my soul.
Was this really another world? If so, can someone explain why my morning alarm followed me? Is this some kind of sick joke?! This was supposed to be my restart, my rebirth, MY ADVENTURE!!
So, what the hell is this?!
“Are you finally awake, Akuma?
“No.”
“Great, cause it’s time to begin your training!”
(How are you Santa, it’s me Akuma. I know it’s a little selfish of me, but this year I’d like an early Christmas present. If you can find it in your heart, please kill this woman.)
***
"So where are you taking me?”
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“We’re headed to the border of Tang and Ceprun. You’re just gonna meditate for a while so you can unlock your potential.”
“Meditate? Is it about that hoshi stuff? Cause’ I already meditated with Rin...”
“Not sure who this Rin character is, but as I said yesterday, I’m teaching you a power way cooler than that. The path of the human. Enlightenment!”
“Woww… Enlightenment!?”
“Yep! I knew you’d come along.”
(Sarcasm woman. Sarcasm.)
“There are 3 stages to enlightenment:
First – Liberation
With enough meditation, you can break the barrier blocking the Yang half of your soul. And then you'll be given the chance to check-out your story from the Library of Yggdrasil.
Second – Spirituality
It’s said that once someone accepts their faults and flaws as a human you will meet the Librarian. He will ask you a question and depending on your answer, he will grant you the power of God.
Besides the power boost, the only perk is being able to temporarily fuse with other second stagers.
And that brings us to the final stage.
Third – Nirvana
Not sure what the requirements are to be honest. As far as I know, only one man has ever reached that level.
But it’s said that he who ascends to Nirvana, will combine with all versions of themselves and become a Singularity.”
“...Wowzers. That was… the corniest thing I’ve ever heard.”
“That wasn’t cool in the slightest?”
“Negative…”
“Not even the part about one person being the only one person was able to reach Nirvana?”
“Negative…”
“…”
***
{After what felt like 30 minutes of walking, Akuma and Sanzang finally arrived at their destination. Where Akuma would begin meditation.}
“Should you be talking to me while I’m meditating?”
“Oh, you’ll be fine. Enlightenment is more about freedom than concentration. Thank Monkey for finding that one out.”
“I think this is the second time I’ve heard you talk about this Monkey thing. Is that your house pet?”
“NO… Why would you even assume that….” Sanzang complained in a pouting tone. “…But if you must know, he’s the hero of the First Trojan War.”
“First Trojan War?”
“Well yeah. Thanks to you, I’m pretty sure the second one’s coming any day now.”
“Umm… I think you mean thanks to you.”
“Yeah, yeah small details.”
“He sounds really cool though. Could you introduce me to him?’
“… I can’t…” I couldn’t see her face -since I was meditating on a nearby boulder- but from the shift in her tone I could tell she was wearing a sorrowful expression. “…To put an end to the last war he used the Devour technique and ended up shattering his soul.”
(Shattering his soul…? That’s the thing Rin warned us about… Now that I think of it, she was down in the dumps when she mentioned it too.)
“I guess you had a crush on him, huh?”
“I-I did not! …He’s just really strong is all… And I guess kinda cool.”
“Holy cow, I know this plotline! You’re the cute heroine that can’t admit her feelings until season two. Then she spends the next season finally building up her courage, only to be interrupted by a firework or a phone call!”
“G-GET BACK TO MEDITATING!!”
“Okay-okay… But tell me. What exactly happens when your soul’s destroyed anyway?”
“Their story is returned to the Library of Yggdrasil. And only people who’ve destroyed their Yang barriers will remember you.”
“Wooww. I guess this enlightenment stuff is useful.”
Sanzang’s eyes sparkled as she heard that.
“Are you finally seeing the beauty in Buddha?!”
“Negative…”
As quick as she was to get excited, she was even quicker to start moping.
“It’s interesting though… That story sounds a lot like what happened to my mother.”
“Your mother?”
“Yeah…”
“As in Megara Tiryns?!”
“Yep. Wait, how do you know my moth-”
“Megara Tiryns is dead?!”
“Yeah… Why do you seem so concerned?”
“That doesn’t matter right now. Tell me, how did Heracles take the news?”
“Hera…cles?”
“Yeah. Heracles… You know, your father?”
I couldn’t help but chuckle from her repeating the same mistake.
“What’s so funny?!”
“Nothing -nothing. It’s just that this is your second time doing this.”
“?”
“My dad’s name isn’t Heracles, it’s Iphicles.”
Just then, Sanzang felt the heavy breath of terror itself. She could feel as he corseted her shoulder, brought his lips to her ear, and exhaled a current of despair.
“…Shit”
(He knows. Dammit, he knows. Now that I’m thinking about it, I should’ve realized it in the bath. What do I do… Calm down and think, Sanzang. What is his ultimate goal… The AntiGod!)
“AKUMA DON’T BREAK YOUR YANG BARRIER!!”
“Hold on. I feel like I’m getting to the good part.”
“No Akuma. Trust me you shouldn’t.”
“One more minute.”
(He’s not listening. This is for your own good, Akuma…)
In an instant Sanzang leaped to Akuma’s meditating body, initiated a chopping motion and said the words:
“Tamazen Empower: Copy”
(Give me strength, Buddha!)
As she said those words, her kimono began to glow a beautiful rich gold. Soon a statue the color and shine of a king’s riches appeared just behind her.
Its appearance was an exact replica of hers, and it moved its body in the exact motions she did.
Keeping her left hand just below her chin and her palm flat up, she swung full force with her right.
If you could even see it, it was like watching lightning as it zipped down from the heavens just to strike a mere tree.
But as the edge of her fingers made contact with the boy's body, her right arm was suddenly blown straight off her body, pushing her right side in that same direction. By the time her eyes wandered to her missing limb, the golden statue behind her cracked and shattered, and she was sent flying into a nearby boulder.
The force was enough to suck away all her energy, leaving nothing but crumbs. Her moving a single inch would be deemed a miracle.
The blood raining down her face and pouring form her right shoulder only drained her chances further.
(…Crap. Without realizing it, we were dancing in the palm of his hand… How does he know about the prophecy...)
Sanzang mustered what remnants of strength she could and raised her head to face the thing before her.
(This isn’t right. None of this is right. First his name isn’t Tenshi, but Akuma. Then he has a brother, despite Heracles only having one child. Then his father isn't even Heracles but instead Iphicles. And now... And now. His soul is on the brink of destruction… Just how much history did you change?!)