It was well past noon when Lumi'Nae stirred in her chamber, nestled on the 6735th floor of Lucidia's imposing castle. A strange sensation pricked at her senses—a feeling of being watched. Her eyes snapped open abruptly. She ventured into the adjacent chambers, finding everything in its usual order.
"Sovereign, I am present," echoed a spectral voice. From the folds of Lumi'Nae's Void-Cloaked Mantle, a magical, translucent arm extended, offering a spectral greeting before fading away.
Lumi'Nae inquired, "Who are you?"
"I am Nightmare's Nemesis, though you've known me as Nemesis. I am the True Guardian of your Realm of Emptiness," came the reply. As Lumi'Nae stood before a mirror, she noticed a peculiar alteration in her mantle, an eyeball eerily manifesting within its folds.
"Perhaps it would be advantageous to materialise an entity for our discourse," Nemesis mused. Void particles emanated from Lumi'Nae's mantle, coalescing into a templar-like figure, poised and ready to converse.
He knelt before her, a gesture of reverence tinged with apology for his prolonged absence. "Forgive me, for I have slumbered far longer than intended," Nemesis spoke softly, his form still shimmering with strange energy.
Lumi'Nae nodded, her demeanour thoughtful yet devoid of recognition. "You may rise, Nemesis," she granted, her tone neutral. "Though I must confess, I do not recall our prior acquaintance."
As Nemesis stood, a solemn air enveloped him. "I have known you since before your earthly manifestation," he explained, his voice carrying the weight of aeons. "My awakening is a recent occurrence. And in delving into your memories, I have discovered a grievous truth: you have forgotten much, including the creations birthed from your essence."
Lumi'Nae listened intently, absorbing his words. "As far as I recall, my sole noteworthy creation is Sathiel of Gehenna, the Pestilence Incarnate who later became the guardian of my realm," she reflected.
Nemesis nodded solemnly, his gaze drawn to the ominous clouds below, visible through the expansive window of Lumi'Nae's lofty chamber. His massive hand, dark and imposing like black onyx, extended to touch the glass. "Indeed, perhaps Sathiel stands as your most recent deity, tasked with safeguarding the expanse of your realm," he affirmed, his voice resonating with profound significance. "But there is more to your story, Lumi'Nae. For you have bestowed upon me a purpose beyond comprehension."
With a subtle shift in demeanour, Nemesis turned back to face Lumi'Nae. "Allow me to properly introduce myself. Mortals across the omniverses have dubbed me the Supreme God of Famine, or in more obscure circles, the Watcher of Fate and Paradox. But you, Lumi'Nae, fashioned me as the Incarnation of Existentialism."
Lumi'Nae rested her chin on her hand. "Morgrath's insight rarely misses its mark," she remarked. "And indeed, you are far more than a mere mantle."
Nemesis nodded in agreement, a faint glimmer of recognition flickering in his eyes. "Morgrath bears a resemblance to Eloharis in more ways than one," he mused. "Their wisdom runs deep, concealed beneath layers of enigma and humility."
He paused, considering Morgrath's suggestion from decades ago. "Perhaps a journey beyond this realm is in order," Nemesis suggested. "Lucidia's seclusion is unfortunate, but we must persevere and press forward. Exploring other omniverses may well unveil the truths hidden within your memories."
Before Lumi'Nae could respond, a familiar voice interrupted from beyond the door. Ten firm knocks resonated, a distinctive signal of Sathiel's arrival. With a gentle creak, the door swung open, revealing Sathiel's beaming face. "You up yet, Lady Lumi'Nae?" she called, her tone exuding warmth and vitality, reminiscent of a sunbeam piercing through the clouds.
Balancing a ruby tray with practised ease, Sathiel approached, bearing a sumptuous spread—a steaming wyvern soup, a loaf of freshly baked bread, and an assortment of ripe fruits. "I've brought some breakfast... or is it lunch already? You know, with your late mornings," she teased with a playful wink.
Lumi'Nae thanked Sathiel, accepting the tray and placing it on a floating table that mimicked a swirling galaxy. She eased into a floating chair shaped like a black hole, with a magical spider's web serving as the backrest. Comfortable and composed, she prepared to savour the moment. She conjured a soup spoon and sipped with refined grace. As she did so, a glimmer caught the light, revealing a dark crystal earring beneath her ear.
Sathiel expressed her surprise at seeing Lumi'Nae awake on her own, noting the rarity of such an occurrence. She was about to inquire about the taste of the food when she caught sight of Nemesis towering near the window, partially obscured by the mythical statues in Lumi'Nae's chamber.
Observing Nemesis with a wary eye, Sathiel took a wide fighting stance, the spikes on her knightly gauntlets growing in size and menace, discharging hellish red energy. She demanded, "Who's this human templar sneaking around in a demon's realm? Doesn't seem right."
In response to Sathiel's scepticism, Nemesis underwent a transformation, his form shifting into that of a four-eyed alien in a business suit. "Appearances can be deceiving," he remarked calmly. "Like you, Sathiel, I too am a deity, created by our Sovereign."
"Sathiel, there's much to explain," Lumi'Nae began. She proceeded to fill Sathiel in on their plans to explore other omniverses, detailing the significance of their journey and the mysteries they hoped to unravel.
As Lumi'Nae finished her explanation, Sathiel was excited, "Count me in!"
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Turning to Nemesis, Lumi'Nae sought guidance on their first destination. "Where should we head first, Nemesis?" she inquired.
Nemesis's response was cryptic yet empowering. "Wherever your instincts lead you," he replied, his voice carrying a profound sense of trust. "For you, Lumi'Nae, are the Creator of Everything."
Lumi'Nae paused, her presence anchoring the moment as the surroundings underwent a breathtaking metamorphosis. The world around her shifted, revealing a mesmerising array of omniverses, each unfolding like a delicate tapestry. It was as if she stood at the threshold of a cosmic boutique, gazing through windows into realms beyond imagination.
"Lady Lumi'Nae," Sathiel breathed, her voice barely a whisper in the thick of the surreal panorama. "Is this... real?"
Lumi'Nae answered, "As real as dreams can be, I think. These are the threads of existence, woven into the fabric of possibility."
Sathiel's eyes concentrated on the moving vistas before her, alighting upon a mystical realm with a field of white flowers. Curious, she reached out, her fingertips brushing against the luminescent surface.
Meanwhile, Nemesis stood slightly apart, looking at the shifting vistas with a nostalgic twinge in his heart. Memories of long-lost worlds filled his photographic memory, each one a bittersweet reminder of ages past. He wondered if Lumi'Nae, with her amnesia, felt anything.
"This one," Sathiel murmured, plucking a pristine flower. Holding it gently in her hand, she turned to Lumi'Nae. "It's beautiful. What does it mean?"
Lumi'Nae examined the flower in Sathiel's hand. "It means different things to different souls. To some, it's a symbol of purity and renewal. To others, a reminder of lost innocence. And to me..." She trailed off, unsure of its personal significance. "To me, I think it's a glimpse of a time long past, when the cosmos was young and our destinies intertwined in ways we could scarcely fathom."
The scene changed suddenly, transporting them to an otherworldly expanse. Above them, Nihilignis soared, ramming himself against many omniverses. He seemed to grow angrier with each one destroyed, frustrated by the endless number remaining. As the colossal white dragon passed overhead, an onslaught of energy cascaded through the realm—a torrential storm fueled by infinite hypernovas. Lumi'Nae, Sathiel, and Nemesis felt the overwhelming power flood through them, their hair and clothes whipped violently in the tempest.
As Lumi'Nae witnessed what was happening before her, memories began to surface. She couldn't help but recall the instance when Nihilignis, in a twisted display of affection, had dubbed her his daughter and requested her to obliterate all existence—omniverses, realms, and beyond, for good.
As if he read her mind, Nemesis approached and placed a hand on Lumi'Nae's shoulder. "Your decision to refuse the Oblivion Flame's request was the right one," he reassured her softly. "I hold firm to the belief that there's meaning to be found within existence."
As the environment was being reconstructed, the scene dissolved into the past. Lucidia wielded her Celestial Scourge twin swords, their blades aglow with elements of light and darkness. Before her stood Eloharis, whose crown intermittently slipped when she neglected to secure it with her power. With her flowing orange locks and billowing white robe, Eloharis wore a joyful and welcoming expression.
Despite the intensity of their clash, Eloharis's demeanour remained devoid of malice. She approached the confrontation like a seasoned warrior in a sparring match rather than a fight to the death. With each motion, the waves of water she commanded warped the fabric of reality itself, transforming the surroundings into a mesmerising array of elements: lush green fields that confounded her opponent's senses, zealous armed alien civilizations, galaxies shaped like unicorns and mechas, adorable yet fierce plushies, clouds spraying divine jet water, and more. These elements obstructed Lucidia's path and held their ground.
Drenched in both her own and Eloharis' blood, Lucidia viewed their duel through an unique prism. To her, it was not merely a skirmish but a legendary battle, each strike fueling fierce joy. With her Seraphic Frenzy ablaze, her eight wings pulsed with fiery and destructive energy, every movement irregular and lethal, driven by an insatiable love for the art of combat. "For a supposedly pacifist deity, you've shown quite the spirit, Eloharis!" she yelled.
"Ah, Lucidia," Eloharis replied, her voice carrying serenity. "You thrive in the heat of battle, but true strength lies in the ability to find peace amidst the storm." Then, with spontaneity, she struck a heroic pose and added, "Keep the praise coming though, it's really boosting my spirits!"
In the expansive realm of the omniverses, their battle continued with Eloharis maintaining an air of amusement and unshakeable poise, seemingly impervious to Lucidia's escalating dominance. But within this cosmic theatre, where even photons raced sluggishly, their movements defied the very essence of speed, rendering the swiftness of light a mere languid drift in comparison.
Then, in a pivotal moment amidst the intensity of their clash, Eloharis's gaze suddenly shifted toward Lumi'Nae, her heterochromatic eyes—one purple, the other pink—illuminated with surprise and recognition.
"Fool, your defences are breached!" Lucidia's scorn-laden admonition sliced through the fray.
In that fleeting moment of distraction, Lucidia drove both blades of her Celestial Scourge into Eloharis's heart. As the fatal blow found its mark, her features softened into one of serene resignation, acknowledging the inevitable outcome of their duel.
Then, in a surprising gesture, Eloharis drew Lucidia into an embrace, her words filled with a mix of admiration and gratitude. "You are a paradox of strength and vulnerability," she whispered, her voice touched with sincerity. "This timeless competition, spanning dimensions unknown, has been the most exhilarating experience I've known in an eternity. Thank you, Luci."
"The present and 36,572nd Supreme God Sovereign," Nemesis proclaimed, his voice resonating with gravity. "One of the 79 Royals of Light. Many among the divine favoured her ascension over Lucidia's. Yet, it is the Throne of Omniverses that ultimately decrees the worthy bearer of such a title. Little is known among the pantheon of your true nature—the First Supreme God Sovereign, the architect of the omniverses and the very seat of power. It seems Eloharis is among the few privy to this knowledge."
He paused, his words pregnant with implication as he subtly referenced Lumi'Nae's essence as the Void Incarnate.
"It's ironic that the throne Lucidia covets was crafted by you, Sovereign. Even more intriguing is her desire for you, her clone, to occupy it in her stead. Such is the irony of fate," Nemesis concluded with a wry chuckle.
Sathiel admitted her ignorance, expressing surprise at not being privy to such essential knowledge despite her divine nature and origin as Lumi'Nae's creation. In response, Nemesis offered understanding, acknowledging the complexity and secrecy surrounding Lumi'Nae's true identity.
As the conversation continued, the surroundings phased in and out several times under the influence of Lumi'Nae's subconscious. Finally, they found themselves standing atop a snowy hill.