Amid the barren expanse of a desert lay an otherworldly monument, its origins veiled in an enigmatic haze. Surrounded by a network of whispering oases, each weaving tales of its ethereal presence, it seduced mortal minds into venerating it as a sanctuary of celestial deities. Through the passage of epochs, a thriving civilisation emerged both around and within its towering ramparts, oblivious to its true nature—an enormous battleship brimming with cutting-edge technology.
"How tiresome... Why must I address this gathering?" murmured Sigma-2, her fingers running through her long, blonde morning bed hair.
In her secluded chamber, Sigma-2 paced with the solitary assurance of a lone wolf, exuding an authority that surpassed even the most seasoned alpha. Tall and fair, with an eternally youthful visage, she donned an unzipped science lab coat that hinted at a futuristic ensemble of sleek lines and sophisticated design. Each step she took resonated with a nerdy fervour, her movements deceptively light whether she was immersed in holographic interfaces or conversing fluently in the precise terminology of engineers.
"I cannot fathom why these individuals have journeyed on foot just to see me. From whence have they all come?" she pondered, eyeing the monk standing before her. "And how has one managed to navigate the labyrinth leading to this chamber, a labyrinth I have meticulously redesigned time and again? Such technology must be foreign to you, is it not?"
"Yes, Enlightened One, your abode is divine, and much of its workings elude our understanding," replied Sora Takahashi, bowing deeply. "Forgive my intrusion. Today marks the biennial occasion when you personally guide us toward enlightenment, as pledged to our ancestors, your earliest devotees, aeons ago. They revered your wisdom and benevolence."
"Indeed? Did they also recount my aversion to crowds and preference for solitude?" Sigma-2 retorted. "Facing them will only unsettle me. I doubt any among you will benefit... I should just start the battleship and escape from all of this!"
Sora chuckled softly. "Your humility knows no bounds, even in jest."
"This surpasses my comprehension. In all seriousness, as the abbot, this task falls upon you," Sigma-2 insisted. "For aeons, since landing the Apex Ascendant here, I have wandered these deserts. Yet, after aiding just one soul, I never anticipated such a turn of events..." She buried her face in her palm. "Unbelievable, how I retreated into a room for some virtual reality MMORPG downtime, only to somehow emerge as a spiritual guide."
From a shimmering hologram materialising out of thin air, she observed the gathering at the oasis once more. In silent communion, the battleship intuitively understood her needs, materialising the Enigma of Eternity into her outstretched hands, a serene balm for her troubled soul.
"Alright, Sora, listen closely. Decades ago, I imparted this wisdom, but it seems it bears repeating. Despite my divine status, the truth remained: I stumbled upon this technology from mortals—albeit not your kind, but from a realm teeming with mind-bending advancements."
As Sigma-2 spoke, her hands moved with dexterity, effortlessly aligning Temporal Shards and stabilising Quantum Nodes.
"I'm no Enlightened One or whatever title you've bestowed upon me. In reality, I've been sharing my thoughts for as long as memory serves, and you mortals have moulded them into something entirely different."
With a precise gesture, the Ethereal Threads snapped into perfect synchronisation, and the Cosmic Runes began to glow with an ancient light.
"Originally, I arrived here in pursuit of an artefact... but found myself succumbing to procrastination. Blast it! How did time elude me so swiftly?"
In that instant, the final piece of the Enigma of Eternity clicked into place, the puzzle dissolving into a radiant burst of energy, signalling its completion.
The monk sank to the ground, pleading earnestly. "As anticipated, your words and deeds transcend our understanding, but I sense kindness and resolve within them. Please, Enlightened One, bless the Grand Oasis with your presence."
"You... haven't been perceiving. Fine. This will be the last time I'll make an appearance," declared Sigma-2. "Now, get up. I don't merit such reverence. You're making me uncomfortable."
The monk stood and offered a gentle smile. "According to our sacred texts, you've always proclaimed it would be the final occasion you'd guide us, but we know better. You've consistently been there for us, making things right."
In the blink of an eye, Sigma-2 warped herself and the monk to the Grand Oasis, a divinely crafted sanctuary nestled within the confines of the Apex Ascendant. Though the vessel possessed the capability to simulate lifelike environments, Sigma-2, with her divine might, fashioned an oasis that transcended mortal realms, drawing upon the celestial expanse for its essence. She yearned for a piece of home to accompany her on her journey, a comforting reminder amidst the uncertainties that lay ahead.
An eclectic gathering eagerly awaited her arrival, a mosaic of monks, priestesses, farmers, blacksmiths, merchants, warriors, humans, and beast folk, each embodying the intricate tapestry of existence woven within and around the vessel. A breathtaking 6.7 trillion individuals stood on the precipice of anticipation.
"Remarkable," Sigma-2 murmured, her voice suffused with awe as she surveyed the vast assembly. "The hologram hardly did justice to the sheer scale of this gathering. It surpasses anything I've witnessed before." With a nervous swallow, she braced herself to address the multitude, acutely aware of the weight of their expectations bearing down on her shoulders.
Meanwhile, amidst the sea of faces, Sora sat quietly, leaving Sigma-2 to stand alone at the centre of attention.
"Um, hi everyone," Sigma-2 began, her voice wavering slightly. "I must admit, I'm not accustomed to addressing such a vast assembly, but I'll do my best."
She paused, taking a moment to gather her thoughts as she looked out at the sea of expectant faces before her.
"I stand before you today not as some divine being, but as a wanderer who stumbled upon your world by chance. My journey here was not one of grand purpose or divine intervention, but rather a series of coincidences and, dare I say, procrastinations."
A murmur rippled through the crowd, some exchanging puzzled glances while others nodded knowingly.
"I've come to realise that while I may possess knowledge and abilities beyond your understanding, I am not infallible. I am prone to distractions, to moments of doubt, just like any of you."
She took a deep breath, feeling a sense of liberation in her honesty.
"But despite my flaws, I have found purpose in guiding you, in sharing whatever wisdom I can offer. And for that, I am grateful. Your faith in me, though perhaps misplaced, has given me strength in times of uncertainty."
Sigma-2's gaze softened as she met the eyes of those before her. She opened her mouth to continue, but before she could utter another word, the crowd began to stir. Their forms shimmered with an unnatural glow, and in a mesmerising instant, they transfigured into towering humanoid entities of radiant pink energy, each crowned with a dreadful pair of horns and clad in adaptive nanotech armour, wielding crescent-shaped spears and hoplons crafted from the same material as their protective plating.
"Well, well, well, looks like I've turned them all into brainless monsters," quipped a vampire overlord, draped in a grand goliath dress as she hung suspended upside down beneath the battleship's artificial sunset, her midnight undergarment plainly visible.
Sigma-2 scanned the surroundings, promptly recognizing the silhouette as that of Sister Ophelia Raindancer. Among the myriad students she had instructed over time, Ophelia's distinctive long pink hair made her unmistakable. Renowned as both an intrepid elven scholar and a devoted priestess, she had once delved brazenly into Sigma-2's labyrinth in pursuit of enlightenment and scientific understanding. With a closer affinity to machines than to mortals, her courageous quest had forged a profound and enduring bond between them, a connection woven into the fabric of memory itself.
Observing the stark contrast in Ophelia's former behaviour, Sigma-2 noted how those close to her once recognised her for her gentle, albeit clumsy demeanour and commitment to peace. Now, however, she engaged in the ruthless slaughter of innocents.
"I've never observed such a display of power from you before. It's quite fascinating," Sigma-2 noted, her tone reflecting a keen analytical interest. "However, your past actions have consistently shown purpose and kindness. What has changed? These people were non-hostile and presented no apparent risk."
"These people?" Ophelia descended, her elegant heels touching the ground before Sigma-2. With a deliberate motion, she placed her hand on one of the entities' heads, absorbing their energy with an intensity that seemed excessive. As she did so, her own power visibly surged, amplifying her presence. "You call them people, but they are monsters now! I've merely unleashed their true form. And you, Sigma-2, your kind are no exception to being monsters!"
"I believe I've spoken of my essence before," Sigma-2 asserted confidently as she leapt upward, landing on a heavenly platform amidst the Grand Oasis. "I am a benevolent Goddess of Wisdom. Despite my tendency to be a recluse, similar to you, I also find joy in assisting mortals and—"
Ophelia chuckled dismissively. "Ah, so that's why you haven't metamorphosed into one of my Apocalyptic Golems yet. How lamentable. You're akin to raw data, unrefined and ineffectual." With a casual swing of her arm, she executed her Ladies' Farewell—a strike empowered by nanomachines that bent reality itself. In an instant, Sigma-2, standing on the platform above, was cleaved in twain from her midsection. Her upper torso fell to the ground beside Ophelia, who casually pressed her high-heeled shoe against the woman's face, the tip of her heel digging in until she felt satisfied.
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As Ophelia grasped Sigma-2's inert form by her long, golden hair, her voice carried a blend of scorn and disappointment. "Already lifeless? Not even a drop of blood stains you," she sneered. "I once deemed gods beyond my reach, but now I see the truth. The Apex Ascendant was truly squandered on the likes of you."
Assuming a fierce stance, she struck a posture akin to a howling werewolf, her declaration ringing out with madness, "I shall conquer the omniverses and ascend beyond the very gods themselves! I will never perish!" With those words, she parted her lips, revealing vampiric fangs, and kissed Sigma-2 passionately. Ophelia didn't know what she was consuming, but Sigma-2 tasted unexpectedly delightful, leaving her strangely blissful and aroused. It was a sensation she had never experienced before as a mortal—her food tasted better than the most decadent desserts.
As Ophelia succumbed to ecstasy, Sigma-2's hands seized the vampire's head and twisted it, sending both women crashing to the floor. Meanwhile, Sigma-2's lower torso warped back into alignment with her upper torso, seamlessly rejoining and restoring her to perfect form. Ophelia quickly retwisted her neck and sprang to her heels, executing a series of acrobatic backflips that revealed her black undergarment in fleeting flashes. Sigma-2 had already warped to a standing position, her lab coat disintegrating under the intense nuclear radiation emanating from her body, revealing her futuristic combat outfit beneath. Her once messy long hair was now styled into voluminous twintails.
"Analysis complete. Despite your achievement in engineering nanomachines capable of bending reality to your will," Sigma-2 stated matter-of-factly, "my capabilities surpass yours. It's more than just conceptual superiority."
Ophelia noticed that Sigma-2 had undergone a change and opted to stall for time.
"How negligent of me. I thought my actions were excessive, yet clearly, I was mistaken," Ophelia admitted, scrutinising Sigma-2's energy signature. "And superiority? Just moments ago, I was stepping on your delectably pretty head. It really makes me wonder: why are you so irresistibly delicious? A delicious mystery indeed!" She embraced herself with a self-amused smile.
Her amusement faded as she detected incomprehensible readings from Sigma-2. Perplexed, she pressed on, "You're not her. Then who, pray tell, are you?"
The figure standing before Ophelia appeared to have shed all traces of humanity. "I am Sigma-1, Primordial Infinity, Goddess of War," she proclaimed. "I am a battle android, flawlessly crafted by Sigma-0, the one known as the Void."
Abruptly, an array of advanced, heavy ranged weaponry materialised and encircled Sigma-1, their sleek, ominous design pulsating with a haunting, azure glow.
"Your presence is deemed obsolete."
With seamless precision, she initiated a heavy bombardment, each weapon unleashing a torrent of destructive force in rapid succession, poised to eradicate her designated target.
Trillions of Apocalyptic Golems surged forward hastily, forming a formidable phalanx before Ophelia. They erected an impenetrable shield against the relentless onslaught. Yet, with each volley, their numbers dwindled at an alarming rate—millions fading into oblivion in mere moments, leaving a soul-stirring absence in their wake. The futility of their sacrifice became painfully apparent when some of them, acting as living bombs, targeted Sigma-1. It was then that the battle android's quantum dimensional shield, the Infinity Aegis, flawlessly repelled their explosive impact.
"Y-you despicable fiend! All that sanctimonious preaching, and it turns out you're just a killing machine!" Ophelia's voice reverberated with a potent mix of rage and disbelief. "Didn't you care about these... these ugly monsters?!"
Sigma-1 scanned and acknowledged each energy signature tied to individuals Sigma-2 cherished, yet she remained unmoved, devoid of remorse as she systematically obliterated them.
"They're inconsequential and in my way," she declared coldly. Without pause, her armaments unleashed an unrelenting onslaught of even deadlier and swifter energy bombardments. Simultaneously, she warped Omega Obliteration between her hands, the pinnacle of railgun technology, and unleashed its devastating power.
"Amplifying output from negative infinity to a mere fraction of a percent."
In a flash, the phalanx crumbled, leaving just a solitary Apocalyptic Golem standing amidst the wreckage of over 6.6 trillion annihilated in the battle.
Sigma-1, her silver eyes keen and analytical, observed intently. "The last golem is transcending, shedding Ophelia's malevolent energy. It's taking on aspects of the Void. Confronting it may demand unimaginable power, jeopardising all realities and existences."
Ophelia's emotions and power surged into the last Apocalyptic Golem in a desperate bid to cling to life. "No, no, no! I've barely tasted my new beginning... I fear dying again!" The abnormal golem pulsated with erratic energy as it charged towards Sigma-1. Despite her barrage of firepower, the golem's Mushin and nanotechnology aided its relentless advance. Sigma-1 swung her hefty railgun at it, but the golem absorbed the heavy blow head-on, seizing both her and the weapon in a sudden, purposeful embrace, spiriting them away to unknown realms.
Amidst the whirlwind of displacement, Sora Takahashi's voice resounded from deep within the golem's being. 'Cease this conflict, Enlightened One. This path is unbecoming of you,' he urged.
Sigma-1's response was swift and ruthless. Her right arm transformed into the Deathfall Sabre, a sinister blade designed to conclude battles, driving it deep into the golem's cranium and shattering its helmet. Simultaneously, her hovering ranged armaments reconfigured for close combat, encircling the golem and syphoning its essence. This melee transformation unveiled an array of advanced and formidable implements, each poised for devastating impact at close range.
"Current capabilities insufficient for immediate suppression. Initiating Assault Mode: Annihilation," Infinity stated mechanically. Her combat attire underwent an instant transformation, adopting a more aggressive and heavily armoured appearance. The bulkier armour added height to her form, enhancing her imposing silhouette. Both of her eyes bore an infinity symbol before a face-concealing mask materialised, obscuring her synthetic features. Six advanced robotic wings phased into existence on her back, while her hovering weapons, including the devastating Omega Obliteration, generated overwhelming power alongside her.
The Apocalyptic Golem recoiled from Sigma-1's Beyond Infinity Aegis, its own power turned against itself until only its head remained intact. With the golem finally released from her grasp, Sigma-1's left arm transformed into the Lone Warrior, her signature platinum sabre.
"Every battle fought in this configuration has ended in victory," Sigma-1 declared confidently. "The probability of success surpasses infinity itself. Even entities like yourself will be reduced to mere finitude, dwindling to less than nothing."
The Apocalyptic Golem regenerated its body and equipment, swelling endlessly in size. 'Though I could not protect you, Sigma-2,' Sora reflected calmly. The golem's pink energy shimmered, transforming into a radiant golden hue. 'I will steadfastly ensure Sigma-1's protection with unwavering diligence.'
Meanwhile, Sigma-1 drew an infinity symbol with her sabres in the space before her, proclaiming, "Reality anchored. All pasts understood. All presents accounted for. All futures calculated. Initiating Protocol PALLAS."
The Infinity Realm expanded from within Sigma-1, altering the entire battlefield into a pure white expanse with ethereal five-handed clocks ticking in erratic directions. Commanding with authority, she decreed, "Condense into finity and dematerialise." Her words resonated as the clock hands spun at such extreme velocity that they seemed to have disappeared.
In response to Sigma-1's aggressive manoeuvre, the colossal Harmonious Golem discarded its spear and hoplon, adopting a lotus position. A sacred flower image manifested behind it, radiating its Lotus Blossom Aura. This aura emitted a gentle warmth, dissuading violence and warding off harm. Nevertheless, the golem's form began to distort, yielding to Sigma-1's Singularity Compression technique.
The golden waves of the Lotus Blossom Aura glinted off Sigma-1's cold, silver mask. Observing calmly, she remarked, "The golem's transcendence is regressing, yet its power remains largely unaffected. Recalculating: this stalemate is temporary; your abilities will falter next." As the aura continued to wash over her, she analysed its effects, noting, "The Harmonious Golem is attempting to rewrite my GRADIVUS Core." Her voice remained impassive as she added, "Such actions are futile and unnecessary."
Omega Obliteration underwent multiple reconstructions, each time adapting to exploit the weaknesses of the Harmonious Golem. Failing to uncover any discernible vulnerabilities, it instead focused on forging new ones, reshaping itself into a more formidable form. It charged itself with layers of power that surpassed infinity, manifesting as pulsating energy rings surrounding and emanating from the weapon.
The railgun hovered above the battle android. "My eternal directive mandates the eradication of all primordials and higher existences not created by Sigma-0. You fit neatly into both categories. Cease to exist."
The weapons hovering around her transformed into their ranged forms, releasing black lasers that mangled reality and fragmented into multiple beams. Sigma-1 stood at the epicentre, initially appearing like an explosion of ink on white paper from afar, before the beams converged into a single point. The barrage struck the Harmonious Golem from all angles, exacerbating the instability of its already erratic realities.
Sora's voice resonated gently. 'Sigma-2, I perceive you clearly now,' he acknowledged. 'And you as well, Infinity. May serenity and eternal peace accompany your journey forward.'
"Scanning reveals the entity devoid of emotional and combat parameters. Interpreting its intent suggests surrender, its last words a golden opportunity." Sigma-1's equipment emitted chaotic power and frequencies, disrupting the golem's mind and spirit, its form flickering between gold and purple hues. Two voices of Sora resonated—one calmly reciting, the other crying out in anguish.
As the Omega Obliteration fired its laser, Sigma-1 opened a gate that linked with every aspect of the dualistic entity's essence. The beam passed through this gate and obliterated the Harmonious Golem before it could ever truly exist.
'As the veil of illusion lifts, I am but a fleeting dream in the cosmic expanse. Let my consciousness merge with the infinite, where light and shadow dance as one.'
As the Liberated One spoke, a luminous realm emerged from the spot where the golem had been annihilated, enveloping Sigma-1 in countless sparrows made of light. These sparrows chirped in perfect harmony with everything around them, resonating even within the Realm of Infinity, causing the hands of ethereal clocks to halt. The android's weaponry was removed, except for the Lone Warrior, which pulsated aggressively. Her armour stripped away, she stood exposed, her long blonde hair streaming backward. The birds perched on her body, draping her like a blanket. On closer inspection, snow-like particles emitted by the Lone Warrior formed a protective layer around her, shielding her from further contact with the sparrows and their light.
Sigma-1's Eyes of Infinity discerned the true nature of the sparrows. Fixing her gaze upon a frozen timepiece, she willed it to restart. Slowly, its hands began to move again—one by one—until all five were in motion. 'Threat neutralised,' Sigma-1 transmitted. She paused, sensing a recalibration in her systems. 'Operational directives... reassessing.' The platinum sabre surrounded her with a phase-shifted Stasis Prism of Non-Existence.
Back at the remnants of the gathering inside the Apex Ascendant, Ophelia collapsed onto the ground, exhausted and trembling. "Monsters, every one of you," she murmured weakly. Saliva gushed uncontrollably from her mouth, flowing like a waterfall over a cliff's edge, pooling around her in a shimmering oasis. She let out a strained, choked laugh, a haunting sound that echoed through the area.