I watched a memory of the time I had come to terms with my monster self during my evolution. Black and I stood there, both of us held hands as we closed our eyes. At that moment, another me slowly appeared, it was at this moment White was born, at the moment of my evolution into a Mystic Lunar Fox.
She was weak at first, but she slowly grew stronger as I did. Soon, she started to fight against Black who had started to become weaker. Over time, these two within me fought each time I had doubts about Celestia. At first, White lost these fights, but she only grew stronger and I knew why. I had started to forget who I was as I found happiness in Vale. I forgot about my monster self, only ever drawing its power out of anger.
Then, the moment happened. I forgot my past, and White grew far more powerful. She started to win, influencing me more and more. Black became weaker and I had become unable to hear her anymore. I no longer used my monster form, not even in Zalus when I had seen my friends die. Since I no longer used my monster form, Black became unable to reach me as I continued on with White’s influence.
I met with Celestia and White only grew stronger. It hadn’t been me that was named that night, it was White. I had agreed to become Her Chosen far too easily because of White’s influence on me. Then, it happened. Those memories of mine, White started to show them to me once again, influencing me to sleep more. I was a being that required no sleep unless I had exhausted myself, yet I had begun to sleep more.
At first, the memories had been truthful. I don’t know why, was it to prevent me from being suspicious? Then, she showed me the memory of the labyrinth, falsifying a memory of Celestia helping me. It had worked, I had believed it to be true. She then showed me the next dream, but White hadn’t expected me to tell Olivia about both dreams. Then, Elizabeth had appeared at the Guild, and Olivia had wanted to speak with her.
Perhaps she knew that Elizabeth would figure that something was wrong with the two memories I had remembered. I hadn’t shared the first one she had changed after all, and I had only told Elise about my first memory of Alice being remembered. Perhaps she had figured that I wouldn’t tell anyone, or that she could influence me.
She then showed me the dream of being in the cage, where I had prayed to Astraea. But this memory, it was weak. Weaker than it should have been, she had rushed it in order to convince me that Celestia had always been there for me, to dispel any doubts in my mind. I had nearly believed it until Elise spoke to me.
The seed of doubt that I had felt was Black rising up against White, a last stand where she fought with everything she had left. White fought for me to kill, Black fought to stop me from listening to the two. And for a split second, Black won. Black grew stronger because of the quest I had received from Celestia that caused me to become confused, and it didn’t stop there.
I don’t understand why, but White had been terrified of the obsidian key. And in the chaos that ensued once I returned to my room, Black once again won, this time gaining strength because of Alice’s worry.
From there, White realised that I would finally realise the truth and instead fought for control, she tried to take over my body and soul, which had become a battlefield between the three of us, which I never had realised. And then, White and Black were torn from me.
Why hadn’t Black and I become one back then? Is it because White had been born that we couldn’t become one? As I open my eyes, I see the ceiling above me, lit up by green flames. I’m still here?
Standing while holding my throbbing head, I look over and see Black…no, me. I looked at myself and felt a bit confused before the voice spoke once again.
“You have awakened. Have you remembered that which you have lost?”
“Yes, along with hundreds of questions.”
“As part of the reward, I will answer two questions before the next trial.”
I hadn’t even been able to calm the thoughts running rampant in my mind, so to think of two questions out of the hundreds I had was a difficult task. Closing my eyes, I thought it over before slowly opening my eyes.
“Who is my mother?”
“Born from a Demonic Fox, she is what you called an ‘evolved monster’. You should be able to hear her name now. Her name is Melody.” That name rang in my mind, giving me an odd sense of calm. “She, like you, had unparalleled potential in Lunar magic, however as a Demonic Fox that ws not her only potential. She was also unmatched in Dark magic. She drew the attention of Celestia, but Melody was already the Chosen of another God. I can not tell you anymore, it is not my place to do so.”
Biting my tongue so I didn’t ask why they couldn’t, in case it counted as a question, I took in what she said. So I inherited her Lunar magic? Is that why Celestia wants me? Then what about Dark magic? Looking at my monster self, I saw she only ever looked at me.
“Why are we not one?”
“You will be. Your soul has been torn in three due to the last trial, it is why you feel weakened. The next trial is less of a trial and more of a reward. You will become one again and your soul will be healed. You will unlock the potential within you for Dark magic, which you should have gained when you became one with each other.”
The room starts to shift as a doorway appears at the other side of the room. Me and me start walking towards and through this doorway and before us is a giant lake, except it was completely black in colour and there was a power that made me tremble, with fear…and excitement.
My mind thought of something as I looked at this lake and I asked another question, not expecting an answer. “What happens to us after we enter this lake? How can we trust you?”
“I suppose a distrust of Gods is normal after what you have endured. I, Nyx, hereby swear upon my Divinity, Soul and the System that no harm will come to you upon entering the Lake of Primordial Darkness and that you will only benefit from it, meaning you will not lose your current strength nor magic. You may also gain a Primordial Darkness Mana Spirit. Once you have become one and either absorbed the Lake of Primordial Darkness or failed to do so, you will be taken from this realm and returned to where you entered. I swear this on my name.”
An Oath came up explaining the entire thing, stating that this ‘Nyx’ had sworn everything they had stated as well as their punishment: Their soul and divinity would be mine to command. Looking at my monster self, we smiled at each other as we held each other's hands. We both step into the lake, ready to face it, as one.
Trial Three Beginning.
Submerge yourself in the Lake of Primordial Darkness.
Rewards: 30,000,000 experience.
Elise’s PoV
It’s been two weeks. Yet I still stood here, watching the house surrounded by the Branch Master’s barrier, my heart heavy with guilt. We were watching from near the gate. Xia stood before the house itself, refusing to move. Alice sat on the ground, her head in her knees, only ever asking if Alisha is okay. Summer and Xeno were leaning against the wall, never averting their eyes from the house. Alexander and Roland both stood behind Xia, both watching intently. Tails stood behind them, also looking intently at the house.
Olivia stood to my side, Elizabeth to my other side. Getsuna, who I had only learnt recently to be the Demigod of Vale, stood above the barrier, patrolling the area. They were worried that Alisha might be rescued by the Sisterhood of the Moon Goddess and taken away from us. Her memories, those false memories of hers brought everyone here so much concern, yet she had not been heard of since that day two weeks ago.
I remembered that look she had given me. That killing intent she had released towards solely me, as if ready to lash out and kill me. She had warned me to leave, throwing me into confusion but I did as she told me. I immediately used my adventurer’s plate and shattered it, with Tails arriving almost right away, followed by her getting the Branch Master.
As an advisor, I knew I was abandoning those I looked after at the Guild, but I couldn’t leave and the Branch Master had given me permission. I felt bad, I truly did, but I needed to know Alisha’s fate before I could function again. None of us had really been able to eat.
“Come on, Alisha…” She’d been saying that nearly every hour, and on queue Olivia replied to Elizabeth. “She’ll come through, Ellie.”
Gripping my arm harder, I worried. I had seen that little girl go from being scared of everything, ready to lash out and fight with everything she had to being this fantastic woman who was loved by so many, maybe none more than her. Turning my head, I looked at Aubrey, who was the only one who didn’t look upset, worried or concerned. Instead, her eyes were steeled, full of belief for Alisha. I remembered her words when she arrived here and heard about Alisha.
“I believe in her.”
Since then, she had only ever stood there, never faltering. The first friend of Alisha in Vale, and Alisha was her first real friend. I looked at the night sky and wondered why Alisha had been targeted by the Moon Goddess. At that moment, Alice stood up and yelled happily.
“MUMMY!”
Turning my head to look at the cute girl, I wondered if she felt something. Just as I thought that, two things happened, nearly at the same time. The moon flashed red for a moment, as if angry and as the red moon quickly disappeared, I quickly looked at the house before an eruption of Dark magic exploded out, flooding the house.
“Delta-level?!” Roland sounded shocked as I took in the strength of this Dark magic. It was beyond the Pathways!
“Alisha! Is Alisha okay?!” I screamed at Roland, Alexander and Tails. I only cared for her, if a Delta-level opponent got to her…
The story has been taken without consent; if you see it on Amazon, report the incident.
“Ahaha, she’s more than okay! Holy moly, she hasn’t even stepped onto her Path, what is the strength of that magic? Did you teach her Dark magic, Alex?”
“Tails, I’ve told you, it’s Branch Master. And no, I didn’t. Don’t get too excited, this is just a burst of energy, not her actual strength. We don’t know if she's a friend or foe. Be ready for anything.”
I felt my heart break at that sentence. However, my sadness was short-lived as a voice rang out from the house.
“I, Alisha, abandon you, Celestia, the Moon Goddess. I will no longer be your Chosen and I reject your name. Fuck you.”
Alisha’s PoV
You have completed the Trials of the Underworld. Rewards available.
A Hidden Condition has been met.
Your link with Alice has strengthened. You can now share Dark magic.
A Hidden Condition has been met.
You have gained 30,000,000 experience.
You have levelled to 100.
The Crossroads is near, but before you can reach it, you must complete the following:
Return to Crater.
Complete the Level 16 Mutated Dimension Dungeon: Cerberus’s Domain.
Find Melody’s Body.
Your Class is Locked.
You are no longer the Chosen of Celestia. This does not affect your Race, however you can no longer pray to meet Her, nor will you receive opportunities to learn Lunar and Astral Ice magic.
You are now known as ‘Alisha’ and no longer have the name ‘Starcaller’ Nocturne.
You have learnt Primordial Dark Magic.
A Hidden Condition has been met.
You have learnt Blindness.
You have learnt Primordial Corruption.
Breathing in steadily, I released the dark magic erupting from me. As it starts to fade, I once more look at the night sky. I knew what I had to do now, but getting there would take such a long time. Breathing out, I thought back to the Lake of Primordial Darkness. The moment we had submerged, we had fallen into a deep slumber, and slowly we had become one, without something to interrupt us. The result is this Primordial Darkness. We had absorbed it entirely, and within it was a gemstone, a mana spirit in the colour of pure black.
“Disciple.” Looking up, I saw Alexander standing there. “Either you’ve gone crazy or you just denounced the Moon Goddess in front of everyone. I don’t care personally, but I need to know of your mental condition. Tell me, who are you?”
“No idea.” I shrug and look around. “I need to go to Crater. I’m ready.”
“Not until you’re at the Cros-” Alexander stopped and frowned. “Level 100? You’re at the Crossroads?”
I shake my head lightly. “No, I’m not.” Explaining to him the message I received, he raised an eyebrow.
“I hadn’t expected this. I’ve heard of it though. I can’t let you go to Crater until I’m sure you’re stable. Tell me everything.”
“Can I ask something first, Master?”
“Go ahead.”
“Can we get something to eat? I’m starving.”
***
“That is a lot to take in.” It was only Alexander and I here. I had just finished telling him everything that had happened in the trial. “To think such a thing happened. I’ve heard of Gods that enjoy trickery or tomfoolery, but to think the Moon Goddess would do such things.”
“I’m just glad I found out before stepping onto my Path.”
“You said the voice named themselves ‘Nyx’ right?”
“Mm.”
“I’ve heard of that name from somewhere. I wonder…” Alexander sat there with a thoughtful expression. He seemed to know quite a lot, and thankfully he was more than willing to teach me.
“ Is Coffee outside?”
Alexander tilted his head. “Coffee? I thought he would be with you. He is a spir-” Suddenly he frowned and I remembered. Coffee had been given to me by Celestia, which meant…Feeling a bit sad, I pursed my lips. “Sorry.”
“It’s fine. I don’t know what has happened to him, but hopefully he’s safe.” Leaning back, I look at the barrier outside. I couldn’t see through it nor sense anything past it. “What’s happened since I’ve been gone?”
“A lot. None of which concerns you though.” Turning to the sound, I saw Roland walk in. “At most, your garden has bloomed. Your friend with the antlers has been tending to it. I must leave to attend to my own duties, I have a message for you before I leave. He has told me to tell you that He does not care who you are a Chosen of, in fact he’s happy for you to become His Chosen as well. Just pray and He’ll respond. It’s good to see you are well, I’ll be seeing you.”
Roland left as quickly as he had arrived, disappearing in a flicker of purple sparks. Sighing, I lean back on the chair.
“Do you wish to meet with everyone? They are waiting for you.”
“Not yet. I need to speak with Xia first, can you bring her in?”
“Sure. I won’t stick around and once you’re done just tell me and I’ll remove the barrier.”
Alexander walked out of the house and in the next moment Xia walked in, looking at me with a serious expression. Before I could say anything, she knelt.
“I, Xia, will no longer worship Celestia, the Moon Goddess. I do not care if you are not Her Blessed, I have given you, Alisha, my all and I will continue to fulfil my Oath by your side until my death.”
“Thank you, Xia. Truly, thank you. I’ll tell you everything that has happened, but please, don’t act like this anymore. You’re my friend now, I don’t consider you my Guardian.”
Xia trembles for a moment before looking up and standing. I stood as well and pulled her into a hug. Sitting opposite her, I told her everything that had happened as Xia listened.
She had a similar reaction to Alexander, though she had been saddened. Not for the Moon Goddess, but for me. We spoke some more, about future plans and everything else, and figured we’d go with the flow for the time being.
“Master, can I speak with Elise next? I’m sorry, I just want to speak to her alone.” Xia stood and gave me a light smile while telling me she’ll come in with everyone else, she left and soon Elise walked in.
“Elise I-”
“Don’t apologise. I’m just glad to see you’ve gone back to how you were.”
“No.” I shook my head before sitting down. “No, I’m not how I was Elise. I don’t know what has changed, but I’m certainly not the same as before. I just need to figure myself out first.”
“Well, let's get everyone in here and you can tell us all.” Elise came over and pulled me off my chair and into a hug. “We’re all just happy you’re alive and well. Even if you change slightly we’ll accept you, at least it won’t be like earlier. You were rather scary.”
“Sorr-”
“I said no sorrys. Alright, let's get the Branch Master to bring the barrier down and we’ll get everyone in for a late dinner. You can tell them all what happened.”
***
Laying there in my bed, I looked at the ceiling before sighing lightly. A few hours ago everyone had just left, all planning to get to the Crossroads in some way. After explaining the situation, most seemed a bit fearful that such a thing could happen but after explaining that it hadn’t been a God or Goddess that changed my memories but rather something within, everyone had calmed down a bit.
As for Elise, she’d left fairly on, saying she needed to go back to the Guild. I’d been a bit worried that she wasn’t happy with me but as it turns out she had been relieved. She’s helped take care of Alice for me which I had been grateful for.
Feeling movement next to me, I look down and see Alice hugging me tightly. I was currently in her room, she’d dragged me in and fell asleep. Alice had sensed the Primordial Darkness within me and hadn’t left my side since. I had to wonder exactly what she is, I had received her from Cerberus all that time ago, was it for a reason? What exactly is a Demonic Fox? I’m still a Celestial Nightweaver Fox, my strength remained the same except for some reason my Class had been locked.
I had been told by everyone that I had changed physically. Looking into a mirror I had found my hair had returned to its previous void black and my eyes no longer had silver in them and were a deep, piercing blue with stars in them. They were also fox-like now. My ears on the other hand were a soft dark silver and my tail was the same void black as my hair. I hadn’t grown at all, just my appearance itself had changed slightly.
I still felt confused overall, everything had happened so quickly. I had just been level 76 not long ago and suddenly I’m about to step towards the Crossroads. I was no longer the Chosen of Celestia, even though I honestly didn’t understand what a Chosen is, I knew that I had gained another enemy. From here on, I had to only focus on getting stronger. The Blade, Celestia, Selenia, Astraea and the Sisterhood, they would be coming for me at some point, and I had to prepare for that. Master doesn’t believe the Sisterhood will move, if it's true Celestia wants my power when I reach Demigod then it’s likely they won’t touch me until then.
He also said that tomorrow night he will prepare for me to leave for Crater, stating that the sooner the better. According to him, once I have selected a Path, if I were to step onto it within a year it would be far stronger but if it took longer it wouldn’t be as strong.
Melody, huh? My mothers name…I never knew her, because I’d been taken from her at birth of course, but it seems like she was the Chosen of a God or Goddess, but I didn’t know who or why. Just as I think about this, I heard the chime through the house. Getting up slowly, Alice clamped onto me and woke up right away.
“Mummy no!”
Smiling, I stroked her hair and picked her up while standing. “Alright, I won’t leave you alone Alice.”
“Yay~” Alice hugged my neck and slowly fell asleep while I left her room and moved towards the front door. Xia stood there and gave me a slight bow before opening the door for me. There stood a man wrapped in black clothing with a black cloth around his mouth. I could tell he had already stepped onto the Path from the energy that came from him, something I had only been able to sense today.
“What do you want?” Not caring for who this is, I stood before him holding Alice. I was confident I could escape a Delta-level opponent, not fight but escape, but I hoped he wasn’t an enemy. No one here could face him.
“The Archbishop of the Church of Darkness wishes to meet with you.” The man put a hand to his heart and bowed slowly.
“Nah, fuck that.” As I’m about to turn around and leave, the man's next words froze me in place.
“The Archbishop wishes to speak with you about Melody before you leave for Crater Hell.”