Jensen was off to another dungeon, he had already gotten his D-Rank License, now joining as a Hunter in a new mission. This time he was holding a keep sake of Silas Glenn, his brother. The keepsake of Silas who lived instead of him in a few of the loops this world has gone through. The Keepsake was granting Jensen the brother's swords.
In the other loop, Jensen had died and Silas was the Lord of Swords, a class that was on par with Lord of Thorns but the issue was Silas was too hasty. He didn't build his powers properly and died at the hands of the Lord of Thorns. The Brother's Swords was a pendant that housed the swords that the original Silas Glenn had powered up. Most of them were at S-Rank but they lacked one thing.
The patience and discipline to wield it. The swords in the pendant responded to Jensen because of the sorrow that Silas had felt for his brother. The Lord of Thorns known as Silas or rather Sylvanus was one who accepted the duty as the Lord of Thorns, though the power was not originally theirs. The current Lord of Thorns prowess was greater than anything, and the Familiars were strong too.
The dungeon he went in with the Jesters this time around was different, they heard sounds of items being made. Sounds of iron being struck by hammers. Humming voices, and as they continued onwards. They see dwarves, demons ,orcs, angels and even elves who were working to craft items. Before them, was a giant that was seated on the chair.
"Hmm? Ah... So it seems that you're my guests for today."
"A giant!?"
"Do not be afraid human. I do not have any ill will to your kin. I see, so Jensen Glenn. The Keeper." The Giant leaned closer to look at Jensen.
"How did you know that?"
"I am the 5th Bellwitch. The one who crafts the weapons that people like you find in your worlds. My duty is simple. To aid those worthy of it as per the wishes of the Supreme Being. I have called upon you in this dungeon along with these fledgeling Hunters. As well as them." Jensen turned to see Margen, Hargrave and the many other Hunters of Cresnax.
"You have all died in a loop of a thousand deaths. I will make you remember it." In an instant they all fell to their knees, feeling the memories come back of the many deaths they had suffered. Of the struggles they had, of the losses they watched happen before their eyes.
It stopped as they stood on their feet, a special anger and rage had quelled within. They remembered everything, they felt everything. The glare was piercing even for the 5th Bellwitch. These humans had finally succumbed to those emotions.
"Good. I like the look in your eyes. Keeper, you are the one who is fated to travel to many worlds. To gather many allies and to gather the power of the Keepers. You must take the time to power yourselves carefully. The Supreme Goddess had been unaware of the insanity that you all faced due to the many worlds suffering the same fate. To save yours, she granted as many of you the powers to become unique classes that could rival the Lord of Thorns, the enemy that you all seek. The Lord of Thorns and the Frost Prison that has granted your world to the Demi Gods. Due to the demi-gods creating a barrier, the Supreme Goddess cannot enact any sort of powers to squash their rebellion but she has been able to bring another figure. This figure is the 13th Lord of Thorns, who slayed a God that tried to do the same to his world. Now he is here to aid you, but you humans are not content to sit back. Those who have gathered here. You may think you are weak. You may think that you are pathetic. It is true, but... The many Gods and the Supreme Gods have seen the plight of your humanity. The thousand deaths that you have all endured have never been in vain. It is to ensure that you are ready for your ascension. A human was able to crush a God. A demi-god is nothing as powerful as a God. The 13th Lord of Thorns and the many Avatars that believe in justice and fairness to all. Has proven that you may slay a God, even if you are mortal. My duty is to convey this message and all of you, will receive your dues. Such as you, Bradley."
Bradley was surprised.
"The God who has watched you. Is known as the God of Everlasting Brotherhood. They are a Brotherhood of Gods who were mortals that Ascended to God Hood. Never forgetting their days as mortals. The God of Everlasting Brotherhood has seen you're struggles and wishes to grant you a class. This class is given to those who have fettered through the sadness and despair that would break many, but you held on through the heaviness of your situation with a strong heart. Even if your heart has begun to crack you made sure not to worry the people around you."
Bradley clenched his fists.
"Why now!? Why after all this time!?"
"It is because of the Lord of Thorns who chose this place to break your cycle. Originally it was by coincidence that he has appeared here. It was to experience a normal life and to merely do Hunting as a side job but with the appearance of another Lord of Thorns. The balance has shifted and because this particular Lord of Thorns is the Avatar of the Seasons. He has been able to bring with him, the many Gods who observe him and his affinity with the Supreme Goddess has allowed him to be a conduit to break through the seal that the Demi-Gods have placed. By breaking the seal the powers that you should be given in the 2nd loop, have finally come to fruition at its strongest. As time and time again, you've all made the same choice. To protect the people, to fight to the bitter end. To fight against overwhelming odds. The Lord of Thorns did this alone in his world, and when his world turned against him. He chose to fight for them, to free them from the evil God's desire to turn that world into survival of the Fittest. His arrival here, was a chance of a miracle. And because it is a miracle. I will provide you all with the starting weapons and gear for the classes that you will take. Such classes however, will require you all to go through many trials and even go to other worlds. The Lord of Thorns is in another world, amassing materials. The excess materials he has brought has prompted me to craft the many weapons and armors that will be necessary for you to take this." the 5th Bellwitch's words echoed throughout the halls.
"Outsiders with malicious intents will join the Demi-Gods and the Hostile Lord of Thorns but you are not alone. You have the 13th Lord of Thorns, the Avatar of Seasons and his Familiars. Including the one you call Cold Cage." Fitz appeared from the entrance.
"Sorry, I'm late Bellwitch."
"It is fine, Cold Cage. I have prepared your equipment. The Authority of Ice's coat and the Commandant of Ice as requested. Cold Cage is an outsider that had faced against the 13th Lord of Thorns, the Avatar of Seasons. Losing and forming a covenant with the Lord of Thorns. When you all accept your classes, you will be placed in a special area. Selectively going into the world of your heart. Where it will change according to your emotions and the decisions you make will determine your growth. Do not worry, because the Lord of Thorn's Familiars and Cold Cage's Familiars will be able to handle anything that happens in the city. The damage that has been afflicted Garden has severely crippled them. It will be a few years before they can launch an all out attack in Cresnax. Only because Cresnax was the only place that refused the Garden's order. Its members in Cresnax had been disposed off thanks to the Void Daggers and Orions that handled them. So no attacks from Garden. There is no restriction to how you use this power, but in the upcoming battle. The Lord of Thorns will be your commander with his servants."
The 5th Bellwitch turned to Hargrave.
"For a mere human, your power exceeded the Lord of Thorns the first time I met him. Your class I believe is Elemental Specter but you don't fight like a Specter. It seems that..."
"Enough of that Bellwitch." Bellwitch turned to see Kael walking in.
"Avatar of Destruction.. What brings you here?"
"Hargrave. You bear the soul... Of the Supreme Being I slayed before."
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"Heh. Seems like I got found out. What brings you here, Kael? Here to kill me like before?" A voice beside Hargrave spoke, an elderly figure who was wearing a white suit with glasses.
"No. You've changed. You're a lot more easier on humans than when you were a Supreme One."
"Living with Hargrave taught me a few things. How fragile humans are and seeing his loop a thousand times. I've kept on preparing him and tried to use the embers of my powers to retain the powers of the ones that died so they may become more powerful. I wonder if Lucius is laughing at me."
"I wouldn't." Lucius appeared beside Kael where he walked over to the elderly man.
"Younger brother. It seems that you were correct that humans were not frail or as weak as we thought. Physically pathetic, yet their resilience puts a lot of people to shame. How has it been, working as a Supreme Being?"
"It's annoying. You know how much paper work I have to deal with!? It's absurd but... At least. I could see you, even for a brief moment." Lucius said as the elderly man hugged him. Burying his brother to his chest.
"At least I got to see you for the last time." Lucius hugged his brother, watching the former Supreme Being turn into balls of light that began to fade. Where Lucius took a moment to pause and grieve for his late brother's passing. A situation so sudden, that even Lucius had not expected that.
"To the Gods who are under my command! The demi Gods of this world has decided to put this world in a chain of chaos and violence. A chain that stems from my past as the God of Destruction. Destruction does not refer to death and misery. It refers to many things. The destruction of a tyrant, the destruction of a holy city, the destruction of hope. Many things.. My name is Lucius the Supreme Being that stands above all. I will grant you all the authority to gain classes to strengthen yourselves but be warned. The trials to attain such power must be proven by the worth of the one who desires it." Lucius spoke as he lit a cigarette.
"But wait. The Lord told me that the Demi Gods are dead!" Jensen interrupted.
"Somehow they're reviving. I don't know how, and I don't know whether its because of the Lord of Thorns on the other side is regenerating them or if there's another power in play. Gods like ourselves can't simply go through and fix things or remove them once they exist. It has to be done by a natural proxy. Back then, my proxy was the Avatar of Destruction themselves who would clean up the mess for me, but it'll take time and it will be in your hands. We'll grant you the powers you'll need to at least withstand their attacks but provided that you under stand that it will be a matter of how you build your powers." Lucius turned to Jensen.
"Keeper. Your powers are not of my place to say. There is a realm that you must go. Lorelei will meet you there, she needs to see you Keeper." A portal opened up as Jensen turned to the 5th Bellwitch.
"Your brother's weapons are swords that I have forged. Spirit Weapons with a mind of their own. They pale in comparison to what is wielded by the Avatar of Destruction, but you may reach there in due time." Jensen headed into the portal.
Finding himself in an archive of books. Seeing the figures staring at him, all of them were wearing different coats and they were armed with various weapons.
"Hello, Keeper." The thirteen figures stepped aside to reveal Lorelei who was a blue haired lady who was holding a book in her hand. Crossing her legs as she sipped on her wine.
"This is the Archive. Where Keepers can gain keepsakes and items that will be necessary for your journey. The ones with me are the 12 Zodiacs who will aide you in your journey. They were Keepers who've decided to stay as my servants and in turn will aide you Keeper. Your world will need you and you've been in a loop for such a long time. You are needed elsewhere. Now, enjoy yourself." A snap of her fingers and Jensen found himself in another world.
Opening his eyes to a ruined city, hearing gunfire all around him. Before him was a chaotic sight. Soldiers had been left to mince meat. Tanks were in pieces, armored vehicles had been tossed around like toys.
"We need support! We need support!" Jensen heard as he turned to the left, seeing a soldier be cut open by a blade. The figure before him was an armored figure who glared into his eyes.
"Who are you?" The voice rasped as Jensen braced himself for a potential fight as gunfire struck the figure who went to chase after it. The buildings were on fire, Jensen could hear screams from all sides, there were more of these figures. Some of them weren't armored, some of them were just machine like and even had one that looked like a superhero.
Jensen went over to the side of the human soldiers that were firing their guns at them.
"Don't let those heroes come closer! They'll kill everyone if they do!" Jensen heard a voice on the radio of a dead soldier, looking at a superhero punching a man into complete destruction. Painting scarlet walls on the ground and the surrounding areas.
"Come out rodents! We'll kill you all!" Jensen knelt to the dead soldier as he took a moment to compose himself, clenching his fists.
"Fuck." Jensen drew out a longsword and went after the superhero.
"Oh a rodent who can fi-" He didn't swing the longsword, his kick sent the superhero flying. Catching the attention of the other heroes that readied their weapons at him.
"Umbra." The winged tiger appeared by his side, as Jensen swapped the longsword for a sword breaker to his back hip and a basket hilt sword in his right hand.
"Protect the civilians." Jensen said as he took the brunt of the hero with the blade from earlier.
"Why do you protect them!?" The hero roared in Jensen's face, where Jensen pushed him back as missiles were launched over to his direction. A great sword shielded his left, it was one of Silas's swords. Blocking the blow as Jensen grabbed the great sword, a mighty horizontal swing that sent the other heroes back.
The hero with the blade charged again, where Jensen dropped the great sword and pulled out the sword breaker. Intercepting the blade,snapping it right before the hero's eyes as Jensen stabbed the hero's throat.
"Tch." The hero clicked his voice and vanished, the other heroes were the same. They abandoned their cause but Jensen was trying to process what all this was? A test? A trial or something else entirely? Jensen turned to the humans who were still running watching as a building was going to fall down the people running below.
Jensen teleported over there. Clapping his hands once that created a sharp ring and punching the ground. Where the darkness swallowed the sea of humans that were going to get caught. The building crashed down as screams reached them.
Jensen then teleported to the other side, where he tapped his heels to the ground. The darkness brought the humans back out, where they were reunited with the people on the other side, but the military pointed their guns at him.
"Stay back! Stay back!" Umbra appeared by Jensen's side a sharp roar that caused the soldiers to fall on their butts.
"Umbra, calm down." Umbra stopped growling then moving to Jensen's side where Jensen stroked his head, hearing the chuffing from the tiger, showing content to Jensen's actions.
"I am not with them." They lowered their guns, perhaps they trusted Jensen because of the fact that Jensen had protected them? Either way, Jensen followed them out and when a child fell because she was tired.
"She seems tired. May I carry her?" Umbra spoke to the mother who jumped at the sight of him talking. Where Umbra nuzzled the child's hand, where she touched the softness of the fur. Jensen helped her sit on Umbra's back, where they continued their path to a bunker. Hearing loud roars from the other side.
"Go child." The mother grabbed her child.
"What about you?"
Jensen brought out a katana, looking at them with a nod.
"Go!" Jensen shouted as he braced himself for combat as the roars were now accompanied by drums as Jensen could see the ones emerging. Humans who wore masks, and the leader before him. The system identified it as a War Hero, the people around him wore fur coats and carrying axes.
"Barbarians. Keeper, they may want to break into the bunker. I am unsure if we can hold them off on our own. The drums will amplify their pain tolerance. It'll only be when you cut through them will they perish." Jensen held the 3rd Lord of Thorn's pendant, feeling the power being imbued into his hands.
"The Lord of Thorns, I'll borrow your power. Wall of Thorns!" Thorns appeared from the ground, blanketing the entire bunker with it. This was not going to be much but it'll take some time if they want to cut through it. Jensen felt the crushing weight of the lives in the bunker in his hands. This may be a new world, but it doesn't mean that Jensen was not going to shudder from this fight.
He was the Keeper of legends, and he must craft a new legend in his name. A chronicle of his own tale.
"A Keeper does not need to fight alone. The Archive is prepared to aid you. Virgo, Aries and Leo are ready to aid you. The others are preparing their powers due to being reawakened." Jensen felt a bit of relief to hearing Lorelei's voice.
"I need to save these people. Virgo, Aries and Leo. Help me." Virgo appeared as a figure wearing a porcelain mask, fixing his tie while he put on his gloves. A pair of pistols strapped to the thighs. Aries made his presence known, wearing a ram skull over his head while shouldering a trench shotgun with gold rings by his fingers. Aries lifted his mask as he lit a cigarette, then flicking it aside. Leo was wearing a lion's skull, his entire body covered with a layer of silver armor that followed his body. Claws at the ready as he had a shield in his left hand and a pistol in hand. A dagger was strapped to his chest.
Virgo was taking a deep breath as the porcelain mask began to curve.
"It's been a while since we've been on the battlefield no?"
"Yeah but hey. I see a lot of future corpses. Leo, you ready to go?" Aries turned to Leo who kept quiet, loading his pistol with an extended magazine. The shield was attached to his left arm as he checked the slide. A slight pull to see the brass inside, giving a nod.
"Thanks." The three Zodiacs turned to Jensen with a thumbs up.
"Hey, you got Umbra. That means you know what you're doing, even if you're underpowered but saving people like this? Fighting these crazy battles? Oh this brings me back." Aries said as the War Hero's army began their march.
Jensen braced himself for the encroaching chaos.