Plot: Upon arriving at the Rat Leader’s bar, Sherlock smashes the lucky cat in the bar and has Adrianne eliminate the shroud keeping the barkeep in his disguise. Revealing their true appearance, the barkeep turns out to be a feline that is an assassin cat. Shocked, The Rat leader is about to beat the barkeep into turning some useful information before the underworld cat Leader assassin reveals themselves and wishes to eliminate the only things between the felines and their desired position among the twelve council members. A fight ensues as Adrianne battles the Feline Leader and the other two deal with the other feline assassins.
Plot: After a battle that reveals the reason that the felines lost their chance to being a twelve-council member race is due to the unintentional error of the Rat Leader labelling their paws as soft, Adrianne demands the Cat Leader admit where the daughter is. However, the Cat Leader scoffs at Adrianne as Sherlock and the Rat Leader arrive that the only flaw in their plan was a truly unexpected variable that nobody could have expected. Sherlock uses a magic to confirm that the Cat Leader is telling the truth and Sherlock uses a technique on the only remaining Cat Assassin from that night that was already beaten up by Sherlock and the Rat Leader. As it turns out, on the way to taking the young Rat Leader daughter to a safehouse location, the assassins managed to trigger Novus’ protective response and everyone except a hiding, scared Cat Assassin and the young Rat Leader Daughter was killed. This shows Novus regaining control and the duo heads on the trail that the Cat Leader suspected was Novus’ intended location. The scene ends with a little girl with rat-like features asking Novus if he wants a bowl of soup, but Novus only stares up at the sky in solitude.
Plot: Percival and Terra are seen running from the named gladiator BOSS monster as they try and figure out a way to defeat the monster using one of the other statues that guard another area of the city when they notice the statues perceive each other as a threat. Heading towards the royal palace where the duo is sure that there must be some sort of protector, the duo is amazed when they witness a golden dragon directly clash with the gladiator in an amazing battle that shakes the city. However, having forced the gates to the palace open in the collision, the duo is separated, and Percival enters deeper into the palace where he is sure there are answers to the HS’ plans. Meanwhile, in a lush jungle, the powers of the HS Disciples are observed as they battle against various deadly plants, insects and more. During the battle, Mercury talks with the HS herself about the alarms set up around El Dorado’s Palace being breached and the HS smirks as she says that if he is to finally make a move then she will be near invincible in the battles to come.
Plot: The palace is eerily quiet as Percival walks the ancient halls and is exposed to the story of El Dorado in times past. The murals tell a few things: 1) The ancient past of the original king and Queen of El Dorado being an Elder Species and passing down their strength through two sons via. Spear and Shield. The shield brother’s symbol being the symbol that Veronica implanted in a young Percival in Book 1. 2) As the lineage was passed on and birthed countless descendants who spread far and wide, only two kings were elected in the final lineage of El Dorado. These two kings eventually stood at odds with each other because of the corrupted influence of the Spear King via. the power-seeking queen. 3) Due to being corrupted, the king’s wish of immense greed in gold was turned real as his touch turned their only son into gold. In a guilty rage, the Spear king went mad and wished to turn the world into gold, but the Shield King used his powers to seal and contain the Spear king’s greed into only one area. 4) The murals are intentionally damaged in many key areas past that, but details such as the battle of the gods, a mighty battel between two mythical beasts shaking the world, and the use of an ultimate weapon that sought to kill gods, are detailed. Finally, Percival makes it to a golden etched doorway that leads to assumably the throne room.
Plot: Opening the double set of doors, Percival steps inside to see the familiar back seated throne and sarcophagus up above and the connections are made that the origin of the HS is of El Dorado lineage. However, it isn’t long before golden spikes attempt to attack the duo as a hand outstretches from behind the golden throne belonging to Midas, the Sin of Sloth who waited in silence as his kingdom was trapped in time and a shield. A battle ensues as Percival uses all the power he can muster to approach the backwards throne of Midas. Braving deadly attacks, Percival is forced to use the power of his circle back symbol which summons Veronica to the throne room, but she is oddly fine from the golden sealing powers of Midas. The summoning of Veronica triggers some sort of change in her as the phantom of a great man melds into her and manages to threaten Midas enough to finally get up from his throne in a battle that begins to destroy the city.
Plot: While a possessed Veronica and Midas fight an earthshattering battle, Percival, and a separately escaping Terra, attempt to escape the collapsing city, but have trouble as the buildings and streets collapse all around them. It isn’t until Percival hears a voice from the ancient entity of the Shield King of El Dorado that Percival is empowered using the technique -Sacrifice- used by Veronica and the Shield King. In one big blast that decimates the city, Percival finally kills off Midas and the Spear and Shield of El Dorado circle around Percival as they choose him as the next lineage of El Dorado.
Plot: As the HS and her HS Disciples are now travelling in some sort of tomb, the HS senses her connection to Midas disappear and she is shocked as she tells the other HS Disciples that Midas has been defeated. Mentioning that one of the only figures that should be capable of defeating Midas to be Gaius, the previous Sword Saint, or the Pantheon Master, Xavier, The HS is questioned by her Disciples if they should be worried for their plan, and she says they will only know when they reach the end of the tomb. Meanwhile, having descended after being accepted by the Lineage of El Dorado, Percival descends to a heaving Terra who is clutching a strange bag for dear life. Terra jokes about how Percival has inherited a power that would let him be a conquering tyrant, but Percival shakes his head as he asks why Terra is clutching the bag for dear life. Terra grins and says that while Percival was off doing the dirty work, that he was reaping the rewards.
Plot: The scene begins with steps racing towards each other and a reunited Rat Leader is welcomed by the crying figure of his daughter as they reunite with each other just outside of Edna’s hometown. Adrianne and Sherlock watch with a smile as the two are reunited and the two gain a brief notice of Novus’ condition and the town’s downtrodden history from the Rat Leader. Walking forward towards the town, the group sees a sword mark that extends along the horizon that is permeated by Novus’ energy, but slightly different. Adrianne and Sherlock bid a reluctant rat Leader and crew away as they track Novus’ path through the sword mark that he left. As the vision shows Novus shifting through the various streets and houses, the image shifts one over top of the other as they observe a calm Novus out not too far from shore out on the abnormally calm morning waters.
Plot: The two paddle out one of the last remaining wooden boats out towards Novus’ and they slowly float over to Novus boat as they gradually get on and observe Novus hugging a jar with unknown contents inside. Adrianne seems like she doesn’t know what to say and the voice of Novus is heard as he speaks of how the tradition of burning the dead bodies of the corpses seemed odd to him before, but he understands now that it is like the rebirth of fire that the dragons do. He further explains that it is to maintain the purity not of just the body, but the lasting memory of the deceased person. Getting up slowly, Novus pours out the contents of the jar into the ocean and speaks that Edna’s secret dream that Novus perceived was to live a simple life along the coast away from all the struggles of life. Turning to Adrianne with tearstains down his cheeks, Novus tells Adrianne that he can’t do all the battles again, not this time. Novus wishes to live in complete solitude away form everything and Adrianne finally tries to convince Novus that he must come back to battle against the HS as he is the only one who can do it, which Novus promptly refutes. However, a standing Sherlock calls Novus out in a brunt way that initially stuns Novus.
Plot: In response to Sherlocks brunt calling out, Novus dismisses it as the ramblings of an unrelated person. Sherlock continues to deny Novus as he speaks of the means, of which someone that Novus still must live for, that his dear friend Adrianne went to just to find him such as: Potentially losing her mother to an abusive father, facing all her trauma in her step siblings, continually facing the shame of her days as a HS disciple, etc. all just to find him and bring him back. Novus is visibly moved, but still denies it and Sherlock says that if he wont face what is here in front of him, that there is still one more person he must face. As Sherlock headbutts Novus, Novus sees the flashing images of Edna and his interactions. The final images are left with the image of Novus mouthing the words “You’re my Family” to Edna and Edna mouthing back the words “You’re my Family too.” to Novus. Novus finally lets out a single tear that slumps him to the bottom of the boat and with a wail, the wooden boat splits apart and pushes the ocean in the area apart.
If you spot this story on Amazon, know that it has been stolen. Report the violation.
Plot: It isn’t until a long time that the waters around Novus slowly recede and the ocean resumes its calm with Novus still making water droplets along the water. However, the whites of Novus’ hair and clothing gradually starts to recede as he regains a new appearance afterwards. A few sounds are heard as the Soul Partners that Novus has accumulated begin to appear around Novus and comfort him. Not long after, a slowly walking-on-water Novus heads towards the shore where Adrianne and Sherlock have been waiting and Novus kneels towards Adrianne and grasps her hand while saying the simple words “Thank you.” Finally, Novus turns to the water where he spread Edna’s ashes and kowtows towards the water while hitting his head and thanking his master for everything. And finally raising his head, he says thank you towards the water holding Edna’s ashes for being his family.
Plot: Novus rises from his kowtowing and witnesses a red bird far away flapping towards the east that is supposed to signify luck. Adrianne excitedly tells Novus that she is happy to have him back and interrupts Novus’ thoughts. Novus scoffs and Sherlock thinks to himself that he is left out of the thanking for getting Novus back. The trio begin to head out of the village where Novus says there is still one thing left to do and he sets the village to ashes where he says that the memories of the village are already scattered and that a new beginning is needed to let the earth reclaim the territory again. Adrianne jokes about Novus being worried that ghosts will sprout from the village and Novus explains the process of creating dead spirits would require impossible conditions for this village which turns Adrianne’s joke literal and unfunny before Novus lets out a chuckle that lets Adrianne know that he was also just joking. Novus’ laughing cuts abruptly as he grasps his hand out towards space and knocks a tumbling Xuanwu from initiating space travel. Novus tells Xuanwu that it isn’t pleasant to be transported without consent and Xuanwu is initially confused by Novus’ power before explaining his relief to see Novus again. However, Xuanwu tells everyone that Percival has urgent news about the HS that he must gather everyone to tell, and the group rapidly teleports over to a large conference room that is explained to be the inside of Yggdrasil. In the conference room, all the people gather around to hug Novus, and he is left speechless as everyone welcomes him.
Plot: Gathering everyone’s attention from the arrival of Novus, Percival is about to tell the group what he saw when Adrianne instead asks Sherlock to use his memory magic to relay Percival’s memories to everyone present. Sherlock reluctantly agrees, but not before making a bunch of excuses that are immediately solved by the people around him. After seeing the images of what Percival saw in the ancient hall, the group deliberates on what to do to get the HS herself developing according to their rhythm. The group decides that while the HS herself is trying to revive the leviathan, the anti-HS coalition must gather all the powers of the continent and find the remaining Origin Key of Creation. Novus pipes in awkwardly as he materializes a chalice in his hand that resonates with the Origin Key of Destruction in Adrianne’s grasp and mentions that it was with him since Avalan to which everyone demands an explanation from Novus.
Plot: It is time to finally tell the truth as Novus must explain that he is the reincarnated version of a much older Ultio from a past life that was brought into this world by the gods of Angrea. This story is et with much shock from everyone, including a present Ultio, but everyone finally makes some connections that explain it and everyone except a questioning Sherlock accept it. Sherlock bursts out in question as he asks the big game question of why the gods would have left the key with you in the first place if they asked Novus to find them. Extrapolating using the mural and memories of Novus’ past life, it is revealed the God of Creation is preparing for another war among the gods that will bring Angrea and its people to its knees. This scene is intercepted by the faceless god that is watching through the tea of his teacup as he makes a comment on someone finally making the connection. However, the faceless god is unable to continue his tea as a goddess that is in his side of the soon to be war comes in and tells the God of Creation that the God of Fate has had a revelation that threatens the entire world of Angrea.
Plot: Adrianne says that there is only one way to confirm a war between the gods and looks towards Novus eerily. Adrianne mentions that the faceless god can come visit apostles when they are unconscious, and the group looks towards the empty seat of Novus. Adrianne mentions to chase after him as the entire tree of Yggdrasil squirms as it tries to keep an escaping Novus from leaving the range of its teammates. In a comical sketch where Novus seeks to not faint and the group causes mayhem just to put Novus unconscious, a Percival and Adrianne combo manage to read Novus’ pattern and knock him unconscious. Novus reawakens in the endless white world but is concerned when he sees rips in the fabric of the space’ power. However, a calm faceless god of Creation welcomes Novus and congratulates him on succeeding past the dreaded whitening phase of a Soul Predator. It doesn’t take long before Novus questions the Creation God on the origin of the war between the gods and the faceless god replies cryptically but pointing towards the source of Adrianne’s destructive strength and that this space is no longer a safe communication space. The tea party ends with the faceless god telling Novus that he already has most of everything prepped to defeat the HS, it is just a matter of whether he can create the right situation in a matter of time and a matter of lives.
Plot: Novus awakens again in a bed as he explains to a nearby Percival and Adrianne that they must go easy on him since he is technically their elder. However, soon after he mentions to the group that they already have most of what they need, now they just needed to create favorable conditions. Meanwhile, in a temple head far away, a bruised and battered HS and her disciples finally reach the top of a pyramid-like tomb as they talk amongst themselves for facing such tough battles against the guardians. However, the HS hushes them as she is seen creating a golden handprint whenever her left-hand touches anything other than a special glove. Reaching the circular altar, the image of a serpent and sheep/deer are seen fighting each other. Walking over to the eye of the Leviathan drawing, the HS herself pulls out a special deep blue, round gem that she places in the divot in the leviathan’s eyes and the platform briefly floats the ball before imprisoning the ball in a wreath of light that prevents the HS from touching it. However, no more events take place as the HS angrily vents her rage at Novus taking away the Behemoth key which cuts to Novus using the ball as a footrest or something unimportant to him as he sneezes.
Plot: A Novus that is relaxing and wading through numerous ancient texts trying to dig up information of the burial places of the twin beasts as he is interrupted by Percival who says he wishes to test his powers against Novus. Sensing that this isn’t just about wanting to test strength, Novus accepts, and they meet in a training courtyard far outside of the elven city where multiple spectators have already gathered. The battle begins with cursory blows before Novus’ Soul Partners get involved and Percival rouses the Shield and Spear powers of El Dorado. Novus is impressed with the powers of El Dorado and over time, he uses a new ability that he has gained since becoming a Soul Predator: Soul Partner Fusion. Though he can only manage to use a basic two-partner-and-Novus fusion, the resulting power is enough to push back Percival into the nearby mountain and defeat him completely. The spectators are awed by Novus’ strength, but a hardy Adrianne helps Percival get up and the two shake hands as they soon say its great to have the trio back together again.
Plot: A rushing Terra helps Percival by bringing a few master health potions, but Percival says that the shield’s regeneration of his body is enough. Terra then excitedly whispers into Percival’s ears that when Goibhniu is finished crafting Percival’s new crown that he will be invincible anyway (Top Tier Equipment! I’m telling you, Top Tier Equipment. Games are all about the equipment.) The scene cuts to a Novus being dragged by Goibhniu who tells him that he must go away for a while as he contemplates on potentially the best piece of equipment he will ever created. Goibhniu asks Novus to take care of Circe while he is gone and crafting in the ancient giant forges of the eastern forest and Novus agrees to taking care of Circe.
Plot: A clang is heard as Circe drops the teacup in her hand and apologizes to Novus for being so clumsy. However, Novus really doesn’t mind it as he says that it is a mistake anyone can make, even powerhouses have moments of interrupting clumsiness. Circe is more relieved as she pours a different cup of tea and brings it to Novus as she asks him what he came to visit her for. Novus explains the trip through the desert and Beastman capital and to the coastal homeland of both Circe and Edna. However, being confused by what he saw, Novus wanted to ask Circe about Edna’s past and why she was so concerned with finding Gaius and about her older sister. Circe sighs as she almost slips into a depressed state that Edna would usually help her out of before Novus grabs her hand and says that he is here and understands her pain too. This awakens Circe enough to regain her mind by herself as she begins to tell the story of Edna’s past
Plot: Circe explains Edna’s main points in life: 1) Being bullied but stood up for by her protective older sister and following younger sister. 2) Her fascination with Beetles, while her older sister loved snakes and she herself loved plants as they used to venture out into the forest with family. 3) Gaius being long-time friends with her parents and offering to see if any of their children had any potential to be Soul Predators and Edna being able to while Circe and her older sister weren’t suitable. 4) Her older sister’s envy turned the family situation strained and when disaster struck that killed the parents of the three sisters, they struggled to survive until Gaius would find them once more. However, by that point, their sister had entered the forest, never to return. 5) During the time that the older sister had wandered lost in the forest, Edna attempted to revive their parents using devil magic and ended up being saved by Gaius in the nick of time at the cost of losing his right arm to a devil king. 6) From then on, Gaius raised the two sisters while looking for traces of their eldest sister, but never succeeded as if her eldest sister had disappeared off the planet. Sighing after having completed a hard-to-get-through story, Circe looks towards a contemplating Novus who thanks Circe for sharing and that it means a lot to him. Circe responds that she demands payment now and Circe ends with slipping a letter to Novus that is entitled ‘To my little plant lover’. Novus is shocked, and Circe explains that the only one who called her that was Gaius. Novus makes the resolution with a determined Circe to finally find Gaius and the scene cuts to a one-armed old man slicing through a giant wyvern atop a lightning wolf. In the distance is a ruin that contains a giant sphere atop of it. To which the old man responds that he has finally found it, his master’s origin.