The Secrets of Moonshadow Village

Welpen: “So….I’m confused. Survivor of the wha–”

Ezra: “Welpen, Saikou, Ryoko, run! Run now!”

Welpen: “Run? What?”

Ezra: “Impossible! Who are you?! Tell me! The Catastrophe ended 100 years ago. Even if you did survive, there is no way you would still be alive to this day.”

Ren: “I remember you, Ezra, Ruler of the Spirit Realm. Before I explain myself, let me express my gratitude towards you. You are the main reason why I got kicked out by God. When the Catastrophe occurred, we were tasked with destroying the other 4 realms just like all of you. We were told by God that the other realms were plotting against Heaven to destroy every single soul, so we took action first against everybody. None of us knew that this wasn’t true. We were just following orders and trying to protect our own. We didn’t know much about the other realms besides that every single one was a cruel and cold space where bad people ended up and worked for the rest of eternity. It wasn’t till we attacked everyone that I realized what we were doing. God betrayed us and wanted to pull all those souls into his realm in order to control them. Every person that we killed went to Heaven instead and God held them all as prisoners in a place that we didn't know existed. The dead souls that came to us were just a front created by God himself to make us think that Heaven was paradise. It was a bloodbath throughout the realms. The only reason why it ended was…Well, you know why.”

Ezra: “Y-You killed my people. All those souls! They did nothing and now you tell me just because God commanded you to kill others, you did it?! Are you insane?! What kind of answer is that?!”

Ren: “What did you expect me to do? Would you betray the very ruler that you devoted your life to? None of us knew what we were doing.”

Ezra: “So you killed anyway? You killed a bunch of innocent people that couldn’t protect themselves. You didn’t see the expression on peoples faces when you slaughtered their souls? You sent millions of people to the Abyss! None of us will ever get them back!”

Silence filled the air before anyone spoke again. It lingered through the tension of everyone in the room. The leaders of Moonshadow Village sat down and waited. All they could do was listen at the moment while Ren tried to explain. Welpen however, stepped in like always and questioned what was going on. They both shrugged him away. He didn’t understand why or what they were talking about, but it was clear that they didn’t want to be spoken to. He had never seen Ezra this mad, nor has she ever yelled at him to go away.

Ren: “I cannot do anything more than apologize. It seems you know that those souls went to the Abyss, and not to Heaven. I do not have the power to bring people back from the Abyss. I wish I could, but that's what I’m here to explain to you today. The only person that can bring those people back is–The Devil of Hell.”

Ezra: “You’re insane. The Devil?! You’re talking nonsense.”

Ren: “Believe me or don’t believe me, it doesn’t matter. I am the last survivor of the Catastrophe and the only way to bring everyone back from the Abyss is to join the Devil. The whole reason that I am in front of you is because of these three people right here. All this time I’ve been down here from the realms and I just learned of the secrets of this individual place in this world. The scriptures are always right and before you scream at me again, I apologize for what I did, but understand that I did not kill but one person. After I saw the look on her face, I immediately realized what I was doing wrong. Shame me all you want, but I was not like everyone else. In a way, I did abandon God’s word and chose my own path, but that is why I am here today and not in the realms. I remember you even if you don’t remember me. The last realm we attacked was yours and I admired your strength. In a sense, it wasn’t like the other realms who had soldiers like us. You defended it on your own and limited the deat–”

Ezra: “I could care less about your sympathy. 1 person dead is already enough. They already died in this world. They don’t need to experience that again. People come to my realm seeking happiness and freedom. The other realms don’t care enough and it won’t change…It never will.”

Welpen: “Ummm…Ezra, I don’t know what’s going on, but I think you should listen to him. He healed us earlier and helped, but also…Hey! Crazy healer man! Stop yelling at Ezra and explain better what’s going on! I don’t know what this is all about, but talk, and both of you should listen to each other. Whatever happened in the past, just forget about it. Clara always told me to focus on the future, not the past. She says that the past will chew you up and you can’t do anything but move forward. I-I don’t want to regret anything and I might be too young to be compared to you all, but I try to listen to her because she is…She is like a mom to me. No–”

Welpen thought back to the words that Astro had told him in the Death Games and convinced himself that he was lying to himself.

Welpen: No, she is my mom.”

A shadowy figure that Welpen didn’t know was there walked away from the wall that they were leaning up against. He couldn’t see her face at first, but eventually, the characteristics of this person came into view, crying tears of joy, and Welpen’s smile lit up like never before.

Clara: “I taught you well, didn’t I? I love you, Welpen”

Welpen: “Clara!!!”

Welpen ran into her arms, hugging her like the world was ending. She embraced him, still crying from seeing her. After all, it was a long journey for her as well, but Welpen questioned why she was here. He was confused with what was going on with so many familiar people coming before him at once.

Clara told him that she would explain, but that she needed to explain to Ezra just to listen. Welpen was still confused why she was in a place like this, but he listened and went back to Ryoko and Saikou.

‘Ah, he has made some friends,’ she thought. ‘What a wonderful boy he is becoming.’

Ren: “Please just listen to me Ezra, Ruler of the Spirit Realm. God forsook me when I came back to him and refused to help. He tried to banish me to the Abyss as well, but he failed to do so. I climbed my way back up after 2 full days non stop, and came down to this world on my own accord. I’m sure he felt my presence and realized that I escaped, but he can no longer touch me while I am down here. However, when I climbed out of the Abyss, I saw the ripples of the realms and all 5 had collided. I assumed the 5 rulers were fighting, so I used that in order to escape through God’s walkway where souls enter. I do not know what happened after that, but I have learned many secrets of this world in order to one day go back and take my vengeance. After all these years, I studied healing magic in order to take an army there and destroy him. I have finally perfected it, even the skill of necromancy without the use of chaplets. And now, there is hope. The Reaper Sword has emerged from a boy. He will be able to bring us there with the power of it and we can destroy God once and for all.”

Clara: “Ezra, Ruler of the Spirit Realm, please listen to him. What he says is the truth. You may not know who I am, but I am the 2nd Reverend of the Great Swordsmen, The Mana Illusionist, Clara Serengetti.”

Welpen’s eyes looked more shocked than before when he saw her. ‘Clara is…A Great Swordsman? My mom is a Great Swordsman?! She’s so cool!’ he thought. He would have never guessed in a million years that she was anyone like that. He admired her for who she was, but never realized that she was really strong and powerful.

Ezra: “Okay, fine, so you’re a Great Swordsman. I’ve seen many Great Swordsmen come and go. What does that have to do with the issue at hand?”

Clara: “I met Ren about 3 years ago unexpectedly when I was shopping for food outside of my hometown. I travelled for many days to bring some different food back for Welpen when I noticed an immense pool of mana pouring out from underground. I stood over the ground and pounded and pounded on it until he eventually came out. My powers allow me to control all mana, including people. I can see any person’s full mana even if concealed. I can manipulate it however I want. Needless to say, we talked and were both curious about each other. I realized there was something different about him, so he told me willingly what I wanted to know. Of course, he did lie at first. I saw the mana fluctuations wiggle at each point. Anyways, I trusted his words when I learned the truth, but to make sure, I made a trip to the Infinite Library and out of anything I could ask, I asked about what happened. I learned everything, even things that Ren did not know. The Great Sovereign said that there were only a handful of people that she has ever favored in her life and I was one of them that she shared more knowledge with.”

Ezra: “Let’s say I believe you and there are things that I didn’t know, you still want to get the Devil to defeat God. God is not the only evil person in the realms if what you say is right. There is a reason why we don’t visit each other. I have opinions of all the rulers of the realms and we were all held down until it was fixed by one person. Although, you said earlier that I knew what happened, but I don’t. I can’t remember the face of the person or what they did, but the realms became intact again when I opened my eyes.”

Ren: “I know exactly what happened and I know who saved it. I don’t know how, but as I crossed the beginning of the bridge to come down here, I saw who it was. He smiled at me and waved as the entire space became white and I jumped down quickly. The mythical legendary sword that can transcend above all–The wielder of Alcion.”

Clara: “Before you ask why you don’t remember and he does, we don’t know, however like I said, I can track any mana that is concealed no matter what and guess what I found in the Coolian Mountains…The exact same mana structure coming from the inside the middle of the mountains. Although, even if we chipped away at the surface, there are tons of barriers. It’s impossible to get to it. I tried to verify this mana source with some of the other Great Swordsmen, but they cannot sense the presence. Only I can.”

Ezra: “So what? We are doomed? There is no way to get to this person?”

Clara: “I don’t even think Michiaki can pull off such a feat, but I noticed something not too long ago from a Great Swordsman and a friend of mine, Natsuki Tooru. I asked to see his sword, intrigued at the design and when I touched the shard on the end, invisible mana rushed over me in waves. Nobody else could see it, not even Natsuki. He questioned if I was okay after it and I thought it was just a fluke, but a few moments ago, Welpen came over and hugged me and that same feeling rushed over me unbeknownst to all of you. I was the only one who could feel it. However…Welpen, there is a reason I came here. I knew you were coming here. These people are beyond knowledge. This entire area is built upon the wisdom of the Infinite Library from hundreds and hundreds of people. They can literally tell the future of what is to come to a certain extent and the prophecy said that you would arrive here with that shard on your sword.”

Welpen: “Wow! So is this thing really important? I never knew, but it certainly seemed really powerful.”

Clara: “Yes. With that, chaplets, crafting, and even individual training is not necessary. We believe that it is a piece of Alcion, the legendary sword.”

Welpen: “A-Alcion? This is a piece of Alcion?”

Azelth: “If I may intrude please. I have waited patiently, but let me remind everyone here that we remain neutral in the eyes of all. We simply live our lives and do not bother others, but welcome them in. Yes, we have scripts that foretell the future collected by our ancestors, yet we do not wish to be a part of any harmful actions in the future. May I remind you, Ren Itou, of our deal as well as you, Clara Serengetti. We would like books written of your experiences in the Infinite Library and in the places you live. We always love to learn.”

Ren: “As you wish.”

Ezra: “I-I don’t like it. Everything I know–wasted, like it never happened.”

Clara: “That’s not true Ezra. You don’t have to believe us, but trust me that we are going to take down God and whatever chaos follows. You do not even have to be a part of it, but I want you to know.”

Welpen: “Ezra, please listen to Clara. She is a really great person and always does her best. Whatever she puts her mind to, she will do. She always has.”

Ezra: “Welpen I-I’ll do it. But, I can’t do anything without my physical form first. I can transfer down here in case things go bad. I know this will take a while to prepare, but I need my physical form. Know this though…I will make my own decision when we get to God.”

Clara: “I can get your body back. I can sync your current mana with the mana in your physical form down here and find it. Do you have an idea where it is? What happened to it?”

Ezra: “That is a long story, but a man named Shin took it. It’s probably around Deceased Paradise.”

Clara: “Shin? Who is Shin? Ah it doesn’t matter. I just need to be in the area and I can probably find it. If you will excuse me though, first I would like to see Welpen and meet his great friends.”

As Clara chatted with Welpen and his friends off to the side, she relished this moment while Ezra tried to fully understand the situation. She trusted people very easily and loved everyone for who they were, but this hidden secret that occurred many years ago still haunted her. Ren assured her of the truth and that he would even help someone make it to the Infinite Library to confirm this, but she decided to believe Clara.

Azelth: “Our scripts are never wrong. However, we don’t share everything with everyone. We can even show you when and how you will die if it is destined to be soon, yet we don’t intend to ruin people’s lives. Our ancestors sought this knowledge and we aspire to help, but we will not honor what everybody wants. If we did this, then chaos would rule this world. Meaningless deaths would occur from stress. What good is life if you know everything you will do for the rest of it? It is a gift, not a designated plan. Ren and Clara informed me of this problem that you had in the past, and this is my choice to inform you of the matter. We will tell you of what God will do when you get there and what will happen through fate. If you do not like what you see in the scripts, then it is your choice at that point what you will do.”

Tairen: “I just want this stated that me and Rynjuro do not approve of this. We are supposed to stay neutral, Azelth. I like to help people as well, but it’s like you said…We don’t want to cause major problems in the future. Could this not make heaven fall down and destroy this world?”

Rynjuro: “I agree with Tairen. If they decide to do this, and it fails, then what will happen to this world? Our ancestors would have died for nothing if this place crumbles to the ground.”

Azelth: “Shall we let the scripts decide that? Shall we let them predict if this world is ill fated? Let’s venture to them then. Everyone, please follow us.”

Everyone followed behind Azelth through the buildings to the middle church. He flipped a light switch on the wall, which opened up the entire front half of the floor. Out of the floor rose a separate wall filled with scrolls of paper. Magic pens floated around and continued to write.

Welpen was amazed, letting everyone know through his voice. Azelth made sure that they did not touch anything. With his mana, he took 2 blank scrolls down from the thousands that hung on the wall and the pens started to write, matching his question of what would happen to the world if they went through with this plan. It wrote and wrote and wrote and erased. It did this over and over, showing different scenes of the outcome if they went to defeat God. The other scroll drew more of the plan that they had to do in order to win.

Azelth was able to decipher it better than anyone, but the rest more or less got the gist of it. 2D figures continued to come across the papers and use powers over and over along with chaplets, swords, and other people that none of them knew.

The scripts closed and went back up to their spot on the wall while Azelth shook his head. There was too much to explain from what he saw, but he tried the best he could out loud.

He specifically explained to Ezra the plan, but she questioned who all those other people were that assisted them. His response was not to worry about that as fate would pair them together. Ezra succumbed to their stories and decided to help as her stomach squeezed on the inside, nervous of what was to come, but also lit up like a fire, ready to take vengeance on God.

When she came face to face with him, she wanted to ask him herself why he would do this, but for now, she was ready whenever.

Azelth: “The scripts tell nothing but the truth. If you are destined to defeat God, then it will happen. I am telling you this now as a neutral party. They never lie to us. In fact, that is why we knew Welpen and his companions would be visiting us. The scripts told us of them coming to pass. If you would like, then we will be happy to train them slightly on their mana powers before your departure. Clara and Ren can provide me with knowledge while Tairen and Rynjuro teach them some things.”

Clara overheard the conversation having talked to Welpen, Saikou, and Ryoko already and confirmed that this would be the case. Welpen jumped for joy knowing that he would finally receive some real training and not have to venture to Sakura Academy anymore. Although Astro helped him a lot, there were lots of ups and downs and challenges that they had to continuously face, so he never really grasped the concept of mana, nor had he even used any of his chaplets.

They each went off in their own sections.

Clara and Ren ventured off with Azelth while Tairen and Rynjuro brought the three of them outside to the training grounds. Ezra wanted to be left alone for a while and floated midair in front of the wall of scripts that slowly sank back into the ground.