The moment my Esoteric Restrictions resonated through my head I assumed I was ready to begin analyzing the information I obtained from my conversation with The Monarch Lumiere. However, what I didn't expect was me to fall into a state of mind I had once experienced with Isabelle almost instantly.
It had been a while since I last visited this place. It felt clearer, different even, yet the connection remained unchanged. This realm seemed to be a manifestation of my Esoteric Restrictions, and despite the dim light, I could sense a massive collection of energy that felt all too familiar.
KLNK
The sound of a shifting wheel above shook my existence like an earthquake, causing the surroundings to flicker and vibrate. Despite the disturbance, the sensation felt natural, like a reminder of my true nature. Clearly, this world I had cultivated in was changing, perhaps even awakening with me.
I had forgotten just how powerful I felt in this state, overseeing everything like a god. I could feel the tightness of my skin across my muscles, the hunger deep within my stomach, and for some reason a smug smirk found itself on my face. "I take it there's a reason I'm here..." I mused aloud to the vast, empty space around me.
KLNK
The wheel above shifted again, like it was responding to my voice. A moment later, the familiar voice that had found its way into my head spoke. [Affirmative: The Esoteric Restrictions have adapted to their Creator: Reason: the Esoteric Restrictions have failed to support their Creator under many circumstances: the Esoteric Restrictions has determined a verbal response to the Creator will be the best method of communication: This was previously not required but this is due to your Fragmented Memory: The Esoteric Restrictions have limited understanding of how that which sees all cannot recollect the creators past memories: therefore it has been decided to recreate them: The Creator has already realized their memories hold their true identity and a height of power once wielded by the Creator.]
"... Huh... That's a lot to pack down into one statement." I said aloud with some humor to myself. "... It's fine I guess, what have you recovered so far," I asked wanting to know more about a past unknown to me but not only that, the key to breaking through the fifth stage of cultivation was behind my unfortunate dilemma.
[Reason: The Tian Sovereigns Six Faced Seal has limited you to this level of growth and is currently blocking the Creators previous Identity: It is a possibility that if the seal was broken the Creator could forcefully obtain the power desired and the memories could be returned: This significantly reduces the chances of Creator's current goal.]
My Esoteric Restrictions explained in a single statement after my earlier thoughts and provided a possibility that I didn't want to pursue simply because after my evolution I felt something change, a need to protect and care for the few close to me, something that felt distant. Of course, my Esoteric Restrictions suggestion was sound, at the moment I didn't mind taking the long road of cultivation. Afterall, I had promises to keep to those close to me. "... I don't doubt that at all but I'm good... Focus on the question I asked earlier," I added.
The wheel above shifted again in response to both my words and thoughts.
KLNK
[Affirmative: The Esoteric Restrictions has recovered an insignificant amount of information regarding their Creators identity: Would our Creator like to see what has been recovered?]
"... I wouldn't have asked if I didn't," I remarked before the next rotation of the wheel sounded.
KLNK
A moment after, the scenery of this place changed while I sat above like an observer watching the reenactment of a distant past.
The first thing that ran through my head was the word "Primordial demons" however this didn't come from the Esoteric Restrictions but an Echo from a voice the was warm to the touch. Still, that didn't stop the Esoteric Restrictions from putting that into an understandable perspective.
Primordials were beings who existed before all, Spirits that existed as the very energy that filled the world. They all had names but these names they possessed were their weakness as well as their greatest secret because it allowed them to be summoned and controlled despite whatever pride they might have.
The memories that washed in front of me began during yet another war that played out before my eyes and amidst it all I felt myself in the form that which was a Primordial, chained and smelled of the filth of countless battles. The Name I had at the time was revealed to a God, the very one who had me in chains, that tore at my flesh and left me in wounds that festered with a never ending pain. "Sekai Kurai" was the name that was etched upon my being and the reason I couldn't resist the treatment I received at the hands of the one who summoned me.
I was forced to commit cruel and vile acts as a summoned primordial against the people of the world and other gods during what was referred to as the Age of Gods, a time before The Great War. This was the beginning of everything before balance and order, a time where deities fought to gain more power and yet the previous version of myself found himself in the middle of it all.
A slave serving a evil god, A Primordial that quickly became a legend, A weapon that was meant only to slaughter. Still as I watched, I felt wrong wanting to believe that was true, in fact I could remember hating being seen as a weapon, a thing that caused nothing but death but as I suffered in those chains there was nothing else I knew, just like a newborn didn't understand why they cried.
I could tell during this time I was immature to the world I was summoned in and perhaps even young but that was just my own thoughts watching over the memory I saw before me.
When the next memory began it was sometime after these events, When the Age of Gods was slowly coming to a close, Order and balance began to take form causing the extinction of many Celestials and Primordials. It was then when my life changed forever, I remember returning to the Master I was forced to serve for so long and the moment I stepped foot into the temple of the deity that enslaved me, he was dead. I was unaware of how to feel about the sudden death of someone I resented but the guilty laughter that left me told me exactly how I felt.
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Still, it didn't answer who had finally killed him, until that being stood before me. A golden light that washed over the world like a gentle rain and yet held an indescribable power that struck fear into me when this deity laid his eye upon me, a starved, enslaved creature thinking It too was about to be judged by this god. However, despite my fear I was offered a hand that extended out to me. "You have endured much, young primordial. There is no need to fear me. I will not hurt you and neither will I allow anyone else to do so." the voice echoed into the depths of my mind as it spoke, even watching I felt myself being drawn to his words, to his presence.
Still, I couldn't respond and even then, I had no words to say to this golden deity that had every right to judge me, I wondered if I was able to speak at all at that point, after all I was nothing more than a beast. Regardless the god before me looked upon my pathetic state with a smile of warmth that I would have never seen from the god that held me captive for so long. "... You needn't say anything. I can see your suffering and that is enough to tell me you deserve freedom, Sekai Kurai. I am the Tian Sovereign, Tenjin. I can give you a better life under my care. if you let me,"
The single hand patiently waiting for me to take it never once wavered and I stared for a long moment at that hand before I took it.
The Tian Sovereign could see right through my thoughts and distrust and smiled like it was a small thing he expected to happen. "... Are you worried I know your true name? my offer isn't a threat. You can trust me." He stated glad I took his hand in the first place. "In the Domain of Mythral, the name Xiao is the name I gave to those like you, who've encountered great suffering and hardship, I'm offering you a place among them serving me as Kazu Xiao and no longer Sekai Kurai."
And with that, I was reborn anew as Kazu Xiao. I felt freed, like a weight had been lifted off my chest. I was no longer bound by oppressive chains, no longer seen as a weapon.
The Memories I watched shifted, not to that of any war that had occurred in that life, but a tranquil moment amidst the memories. that of a comfortable mountaintop bathed in a soft orange sun. Here, the few known as Xiao gathered as friends, Laughing, and letting conversations flow freely, a family I didn't know how to react to at first. There were four others known as Xiao, the Esoteric Restrictions didn't recall their names, but I felt a familiarity with them. Each was unique and full of happiness. Even watching, I could scarcely comprehend it, but it was something I cherished and related to in the present. These were the moments where they all expressed their hopes, fears, and dreams. They were individuals with hearts capable of kindness and joy.
Even though I was the quietest among them, they encouraged me to laugh and enjoy the life we shared. I found myself opening up to them, experiencing a warmth I had never known before that. Despite my initial reservations, I was glad I accepted the Tian Sovereigns offer to repay my debt of gratitude to him for freeing me. As months passed, I began to realize I cared deeply for my family of Xiao.
The Memories before me shifted once more, however this was me on one knee before the Tian Sovereign and his Aura of strength and benevolence that offered a warmth as he had many months ago. “I can see you like it here. Have you figured out what you’re going to do? Among your brethren, you are likely the strongest and most mature. You’ve seen what deities do, they plan and plot for their gain. this is something that will never change despite Order and balance. As Xiao, you are the protectors of my domain, and the world I want for all. I’d like you to lead and protect your brothers and sisters as well as Mythral. I hope I am not putting too much of a burden on you?”
I was silent for a moment, surprised by his request and his continued trust in me, regardless of my past before this, he gave me a second chance to do better. I would dedicate my life to his cause, to be a part of a family and help him protect everything I was able to experience. "Never. I’m grateful for all you’ve offered me, and I will protect it till my last breath.”
I was filled with resolve and happiness to finally have a purpose that meant something to me, something I could relate to in this life.
KLNK
The memories vanished after that, leaving me to adjust myself to what I had just witnessed. I sat in the silence of my Esoteric Restrictions manifestation before I could find my voice to speak once more. "... Is that all there is?" I asked the Esoteric Restrictions.
[Affirmative: The Creator has been informed of all known information on his previous Identity: Sekai Kurai: The Creator has an understanding of who he once was: The Esoteric Restrictions will continue to recollect these memories: The Possibility of breaking through the Fifth Stage of Cultivation through traditional means is increased.]
The Esoteric Restrictions presented their answer. "... I'll keep that in mind, I take it the possibility goes up with each memory you recover, the same as my power... Only thing is, I don't know how to recover them faster, that memory had nothing to do with what that Monarch told us," I remarked wondering how to recover them at all and why the memory was showing me the very start of my previous life.
[Reason: The Tian Sovereigns Six Faced Seal has limited the Creators growth. The Esoteric Restrictions is designed to work around all limitations and adapt to meet the requirements of the Creator. This Memory was a trigger upon the Creators current emotions and goals.]
I didn't get the meaning behind that statement despite it being shoved into my face, it was because of them. I found it funny that I didn't even get a chance to answer my Esoteric Restrictions before outside of this state, two individuals approached the shade that once blocked an evening sun.
They didn't pose any sort of threat, otherwise my Esoteric Restrictions would have alerted me if that was the case. Regardless, it took a second for reality to funnel into my head as my Esoteric Restrictions manifestation dissipated and I was still seated like I was earlier.
Aside from the fading light of day that had passed by. Lilith and Reiner were still out cold in a peaceful slumber, it was expected for them to be exhausted after what they went through.
Still, after seeing a past of another version of me, I found what we had was relatable in this moment, bonds to protect and lead with an unstoppable determination that made a small smile pull at the side of my lip, perhaps because I was glad, they were here. however, despite my thoughts and other questions that could be tended to sooner than later, I had something to take care of right now.
The two individuals or rather guild employees I sensed stood in front of me. "I take it the room I'm staying in is ready," I remarked to the Guild employees that looked a bit hesitant to say anything.
"Yes Kazu, we can escort you there now, it is getting dark." one spoke up like they were addressing some sort of superior and perhaps they did see me that way in their eyes, they were Redmanes after all.
"... sounds good," I said as I stood to my feet and brushed off my pants with a flick, "... Carry these two while you’re at it," I added before the two Redmanes did just that without hesitation.
"Of course!" they stated together and moved the sleeping Reiner and Lilith into their arms. "Follow us please,"
The two began to walk leaving me to follow along to where we were staying. I looked at Lilith and Reiner, and again a soft smile pulled at my lips. It wasn't the same as with the Xiao, I had seen in the memory, but I didn't need the reminder of a memory to know these bonds I had were something to look after.
Even if it wasn't the same as before, I would do whatever it took to keep the bonds I had now.