Advent of War: Part 3

Licht stood before a golden throne, towering miles into the sky. Peering over the edge of the ethereal kingdom, he couldn’t even see the field of flowers where he’d been just seconds prior; Halysian was gone as were Hika, Mikaun, and Ethera. He turned his attention to the rose-colored obsidian floor he now stood on. Despite the mirror-like surface, he was unable to see his reflection; instead, images rolled across the ground like a movie. He watched the sun rise over Azalea, an exchange between a couple friends on the sidewalk of a busy city, and an aerial view of a sleepy town somewhere in western Alura. He wasn’t sure which, if any, of the images were from the present day or if they held some kind of symbolic meaning from the past.

He made a full circle, taking in the rest of his new surroundings, but there was nothing more to see—everything was shrouded in a dense concoction of mist and fog, obscuring his vision. The only other thing of interest was the faint roar of what sounded like a distant waterfall as a lazy whirl of mist curled around his body before continuing its aimless drift through the nothingness.

“Ahzef has been busy, but your friends have done a splendid job at keeping him at bay,” the voice from earlier came. A fog-mist-like curl formed in the throne as the figure of a woman flickered through the soupy haze. “Two years ago, I put into motion something that would alter the lives of you and your friends forever. You were the only ones up to the task, despite the trials and tribulations you have faced thus far.”

“This is all happening so fast,” Licht said, dazed, “but judging from everything that has happened in the last two minutes… You must be God.”

“Hmm… I have gone by many names, but yes. Contrary to popular belief and scripture, however, I am not the kind of god you are thinking I am. However, you were not too far off when you deduced such a being as myself to a mere idea. I am the very such culmination of many.”

“Then you’ve brought me here for a reason,” Licht replied. “What an adventure today has turned out to be…”

“As I’ve watched you through the years, I have grown exponentially pleased. You have grown into a fine young man, better than my greatest expectations.” The aura flickered again, this time portraying a large bird with folded golden wings. “Your friends on Chiipha are close to defeat—you must be the wildcard, but you can only aid in one of the many battles soon to erupt.”

“Can you tell me just one thing, then? Are you Stimnir, the remaining god we were just discussing?”

A hearty chuckle cascaded from the throne. “You will discover who and what I am in time. For now, I would like to reward your endeavors.”

A heavenly aura swooped through Licht’s body like a billow of smoke as it swirled around his arms and legs. His muscles locked up, and he could hear the roaring rush of blood in his ears but, somehow, he felt refreshed: his heart fell into rhythm alongside an increased sense of mindfulness, fatigue poured from his bones like water, and he understood who he was for the first time in his life. He closed his eyes for a moment but that one, singular moment felt like an hour. Blood raced through his veins with renewed purpose—even the synapses in his brain seemed to fire faster than a raging inferno.

“This is your latent potential, Licht, but be careful. It is not a focused ability and can be used to affect even those who are around you. Let your heart decide how best to tame the mighty beast that dwells within you. I will be watching closely. However, I cannot aid you further as I am just one of many ideas, as you have come to discover. I am limited in what I can and cannot do. Never forget the power an idea contains. The energy to produce even a single thought can be immensely powerful when it leads to success in your convictions.”

Licht flexed his muscles, stretching as if he’d awoken from a long slumber. His body was full of spirit without even the slightest hint of sluggishness. New forms of magic wove their way into the folds of his mind, stored for safekeeping. He knew the combination of his own tactical magic use and elucidating foresight were good for than just support. While his part of the equation wasn’t the solution, he was part of the formula, and an invaluable part, at that.

“It’s time for you to go now. Do what you must and believe in the strength of the bonds you have formed. They may prove more valuable than you realize. Godspeed, my son.”

***

Upon his return to Halysian, Licht explained his brief, but divine, encounter with the supposed god, including the upgrades to his own abilities, but something bothered him. If God really was an idea, like they had said, what granted them such divine power and clarity? He posed the question to Ethera, but she refused to elaborate.

“There are many worlds, and each was masterfully crafted to give humanity the greatest chance to live up to the expectations laid out before them, but with every good there is an evil, and it is that very evil that will test the limits of providence and the resolve of humanity,” she said, only offering a limited explanation to his meeting.

“Our involvement was planned from the start,” Licht replied. “While I hate to end our conversation here of all places, Hika and I need to leave.” He had become acutely aware of a new, sickening eminence. “If we get hung up here much longer, we might be too late to help where it’s needed most.”

An ominous fog crept across the ground, wilting the flowers that succumbed to its toxic breath. As their fiery oranges decayed, dry, cracked soil was left in their wake—even the moisture in the ground had been consumed and purged. The warm, ethereal sunlight grew bitingly cold as frostbite threatened to decay any exposed flesh it could latch onto. What had been an empty, blue sky was now filled with dark clouds as the remaining energy nestled within Halysian’s paradise found itself at odds with a menacing foe; lightning streaked across the grey expanse, charged by the collision of the two energies, vying for control of the realm.

As the air grew heavy, Licht noticed that the flowers unaffected by the dark energy had fallen over, unable to peer into the endless atmosphere above them, but they weren’t wilting—gravity had increased tenfold. It took everything he had to stay on his feet, but Hika had already fallen onto her knees; she had grown susceptible to the energy that had infiltrated Halysian, still magicless. His eyes darted to Mikaun, brandishing a pair of odd-looking revolvers. Where did the bullets go? Neither revolver had a cylinder that could store them.

Mikaun caught his gaze. “Boy, get yourself and Hika out of here. If you’re worried about me, don’t be. These revolvers can reshape spacetime—that’s my special so-called ability Ahzef gave to me.” He frowned at Licht’s confused expression. “In simple terms, whatever I shoot, I can change the age of and where it is located in space and time. Think about how powerful that ability can be if it were to be used to its full potential. Ethera and I will be fine. Speaking of, it looks like she’s about to announce our guest.”

Ethera’s voice was cold, but unsurprised. “So, that’s where you’ve been hiding, Azael. It seems Millee lost track of you some time ago… I had hoped she would pin your shadow up like a nice little doll again if given the chance, but I suppose that task will be left to me, instead.”

“Ethera, you cannot fight Azael here,” Mikaun warned. “Not after you… It was never your intention to return to a normal life, was it?” he realized. “Well, in that case, I suppose I can have a little fun myself. After all, that would mean I get to fight alongside the former Grandeur. You’re running off of your own reserves—not the power of the Grandeur anymore, so do not go overboard. Remember, your daughter is expecting you home after this.”

“I am aware, Mikaun, and I appreciate the help. We will need to be decisive, however,” she said, eyes fixated on the horizon.

“I’ll let you all in on a secret, then,” Mikaun smirked. “When other devils are around, though I am only half of one myself, their energies enhance my own abilities—a side effect Ahzef is unaware of. With Azael’s aura, in terms of power, I can rival even his strength.”

Gold dripped from Ethera’s palms, transforming into twirling ribbons. “Hika, I said I would have something for you, remember?” She glanced over. “The writing on the haliphers is the work of every Grandeur. It is magic woven into the bands. Decipher it and you will find your own abilities restored.” A solemn look crossed her face. “I’m sorry that it isn’t something that will allow you to mend your relationship with the Aurei, but it will at least give you just as much, if not more, power as you previously had.”

“Hey,” Mikaun chimed in, “what would I be if I didn’t pitch a little something in, too?” He pointed a revolver at the halifer as he pulled the trigger, unleashing a wave of spacetime manipulation across the band. “I’ve just deciphered the halifer by sending it into a future where it was already deciphered. By returning that deciphered information here, the work is done for you. Pretty handy, eh? The halifer itself never left, but its information did.”

“Find Millee first and help her with Kuria,” Ethera added. “She may be strong, but she’s not at full strength—your aid will determine which way the tide of this war will go.”

Hika nodded. “I’m not bound to just Lacia anymore. Licht,” she said, “thank you for allowing me into your world. I am unsure how to ever repay such kindness. I’ll buy enough time with Millee, but please do not remain here long.” She hugged him, hoping her gratitude would reach him in whatever form it took. “Thank you.”

He tossed her the now-deciphered halifer. “I’ll show ya all about Earth once we take Ahzef and his lackies down,” he beamed. “Pretty sure you already know what to do with that halifer, though.”

“Off you go, Hika,” Ethera smiled. With a snap of her fingers, she was gone, off to assist Mille first. “Licht, or, should I say, Rei— The battle you choose to fight could have consequences that you are not expecting. Prepare yourself for whatever may come, but do not give up, even if you feel all hope is lost. You helped bring everyone this far—do not forget that. You have always been more than you realized, but that’s a little secret between ‘God’ and I,” she said, winking.

“Ha. You even knew my real name. You and ‘God’ have been watching me for a while, I guess. “Licht” is just something I threw together years ago, but I suppose I’ll have to face that past a bit later.”

“Before you go,” Mikaun joined, “take these.” He dropped a small leather pouch of crystals into his hands. “These crystals allow you to combine the powers of someone else with yours, kind of like my own crystal I smashed earlier. It could be your greatest ally or your greatest crutch, depending on how you use it. Remember, believe in the strengths of the bonds you’ve created here and with your friends, and don’t let that fire in your eyes die.” He closed his hands over the pouch and stared directly into Rei’s eyes. “Avenge Lainie for me, please.”

“We’re all going to avenge her death for you.” Determination soared through his voice. “Thank you for everything, Ethera, Mikaun— You too, ‘God’. You’ve all been of invaluable help and,” he paused, “sorry for eavesdropping on your conversation with your daughter earlier. I was just so awed by the two of you. It’s… been a long time since I was shown something like that, so I kind of just…”

“Don’t be so modest,” she said, “but please keep my daughter safe, will you? Make sure she sees the world and doesn’t hole herself up in here, please. I’m not sure how things will be after this, regardless of who wins but, as her mother, I will do everything in my power to ensure my child is able to live her own life. Oh,” she said, tacking on one final tidbit of information, “and she has been instructed not to relay your true name until you give the O.K.”

He locked eyes with Ethera. “Your daughter will live to see you again, waiting right here for her.” He turned to Mikaun next. “I’ll avenge Lainie, and I’ll make sure you get the final blow, too! Try not to worry, though—either of you. Your daughter is in good company, Ethera, and we’ll hold a proper service for Lainie when we all get back, Mikaun. It’ll move you to tears,” he said, offering both of them an endearing, and confident, smile.

With a final wave goodbye, he disappeared in a flurry of golden dust, the particles catching the final rays of dying, etheral sunlight. A stark wind carried them away as they drifted over the dying field of flowers, their auburn petals weeping in their wake.

“And so it begins,” Ethera sighed. “I truly hope this is the last time this must be done, not just for our sake, but the universe’s.”

“Indeed. We have reached the climax,” Mikaun said, echoing her sentiment, “but even if we fail here, we have to believe that Rei, Hika, and the others will settle the score, once and for all.”

***

“Ahh. Music to my ears. It would seem Azael has managed to break into Halysian which means the war has officially BEGUN!” Lucifero shouted. “I can’t wait to hang your heads above the mantle on my wall in Ahzef’s new world!”

“This fight won’t go like it did last time, Lucifero,” Lacia warned, transforming the bracelet on her left wrist into a ruby-tipped spear. “They say goodbyes aren’t forever and that life is what you make it.” She smirked. “Hello to my new life, and,” she paused for emphasis, “goodbye, Lucifero.”

The clang of clashing ideals and weaponry poured through the empty corridor, heralding the beginning of the first battle of the new war; it signaled an end to a life she once knew, pushing headlong into a future that only she could define. She smiled, not just because she knew her best friend stood by her side, but because she knew everyone was fighting with her.

Standing at the precipice of life and death, past and future, each breath she took was more precious than the gleaming rubies that adorned her weapons, but were those breaths also just facades, or were they the catalysts to something new, something so grand it could only be described as a dream? What would life be like when the war was over? As the sharp clang of metal tolled through the halls, she couldn’t help but feel the most alive she had been in years.

“This will be my final performance.”

[As the climax reaches its peak, make sure to keep up with Part 3 of "Aria-Cherishment" as new chapters will now begin resumption for the first time since fall 2023! After 14 months, all revisions are now complete.]