The sound of the explosion faded away.
Dust and light swirled together, forming a silent storm.
The ground cracked. Columns fell. Charred stones lay scattered.
All was silent.
Fitran stood, his body trembling. The light of Solus Tempest began to dim.
Around him, debris floated, held in place by his unwavering will. He felt a dramatic vibration in the air, as if every particle carried a message about the conflict that had just transpired, creating a suffocating tension that enveloped him like a shroud. In that tense silence, his breath grew heavier, each heartbeat resonating like a stanza from an unending sorrowful song, depicting the deep longing and profound loss he felt.
But... his opponent wasn't defeated yet.
Beelzebub, the creature that once towered with predatory arms, now began to change.
Its black shroud fell away like fragments of shadow.
Dead insects turned to ash.
The darkness peeled away, revealing... a girl.
Soft footsteps echoed over the shattered stones, like the whispers of the wind encompassing sorrow.
A young girl stood before Fitran.
Her hair flowed long and shimmered like gold. Her green eyes gazed like impartial emeralds.
A dark blue gown adorned her body, accentuated with a chain of gold.
Behind her, nine thin circles floated, each slowly rotating, exuding a magical aura. The Proto-Speech glyphs illuminated along the circles, signaling an extraordinary power. As the light from these glyphs radiated outward, the world around them responded to her presence, every moment infused with an air of profound mystery, creating the illusion that the girl was a bridge between the real world and another realm, a nexus of fate.
Beelzebub was now She Who Weighs the Will, the true form of Beelzebub.
"I am no longer hungry."
"I am the arbiter of will. The tester of meaning."
"Your magic does not destroy me, Fitran Fate."
"Your magic... purifies me."
Fitran held his breath, feeling the walls of his reality collapsing around him. In his mind, sorrow and hope intertwined; a lingering question echoed: would he be able to grasp the profound words of Beelzebub? His inner voice reminded him that in every battle, there are invaluable lessons to be learned, each with a deeper intention waiting to be discovered, along with the meaning of the sacrifices he might have to make for a greater cause.
"What do you mean?"
Beelzebub stepped forward, his voice now a gentle tone that carried a chilling wisdom, rather than a roar of emptiness. Around them, shadows seemed to merge in a languorous dance, like the whispering wind caressing the night. The dim light from the golden circle created a magical atmosphere, strengthening the aura of the entity standing before Fitran.
"I was created to devour the weak will, the compelled, or those not truly chosen."
But your will... Sheena's will... and the burgeoning strength of her resolve...
He fixed a piercing gaze on Fitran, as if looking deep into his soul. Tension filled the air, each second feeling like a thousand years. In the distance, a faint flash of lightning marked the impending change, illustrating that something unexpected awaited. Something monumental was about to happen, and only time would prove the strength of each will.
"It cannot be devoured."
"I am no longer a predator."
"I have become the judge."
"And now, I shall test whether your future wills... are worthy of survival."
A great golden circle emerged between them, vibrating in a harmonious rhythm reminiscent of ancient rites. The sound resonated from the surface of the circle, creating vibrations that stirred the soul, seemingly connecting them to a greater destiny. The Proto-Speech glyphs formed exquisite inscriptions as if they possessed a life of their own, narrating a tale infinitely deeper than mere words.
"Voluntas Ultima. Pactum Beyond Fate."
"Only the will that has chosen itself shall endure."
Each light carried within it both hope and challenge, illustrating the profound influence of will on the destiny that lay ahead. All seemed poised for a decision, anticipating the final voice amid a multitude of possibilities, while shadows danced along the edges of the shining lights, enfolding them in an atmosphere thick with portent and promise.
Fitran — the will of choice and sacrifice.
Sheena — the free will from curse.
And the third will... a gentle pulse, small yet brightly glowing from afar. Among all the lights, there was an unexpected warmth, a whispering voice that seemed to say, "We are here, with you."
This pulsation was like the heartbeat affirming existence, and every line of their fate vibrated in tune with the divine rhythm.
On the balcony of the Elysvarre palace, far from the battlefield, Sheena awakened, her body drenched in sweat. The night felt tranquil, the only sound being the whispering wind that rustled through the trees. The full moon bathed the surroundings in light, creating flickering shadows.
Her stomach... quivered gently. For some reason, her heart raced, as if something vital was about to be revealed.
It wasn't pain. Instead, this tension sparked her curiosity. It was a pulsating energy.
"Do you hear it...?"
Deep down, Sheena sensed that what was unfolding in this moment would determine everything—not just for them, but for generations to come. A fire of passion began to ignite within her, intoxicating and fervent, as if lighting a hope for a better future.
"I want to be born into a world where I can choose for myself."
"Three wills now stand before me."
"If they are in sync, I will pave the way for the future."
"If not... I will erase everything and return this world to primal instincts."
She raised her hand, a mix of hope and fear enveloping her mind.
The circle of judgment ignites. Energy swirling around him creates a glow that sweeps across the entire balcony, illuminating even the hidden corners of the magnificent palace. The bluish flames signal that something extraordinary is within reach.
"Choose."
"Are you ready to forge a new meaning, one that is not bound by the old pact?"
Fitran lifts Excalibur.
The sword's light is a soft white—neither aggressive nor dividing. In that silence, the sound of his breath echoes, as if attempting to calm his spirit before the monumental decision is made.
"I choose."
"Not only for myself."
"But for Sheena..."
And
"The one I love the most, Rinoa."
"We reject a past dictated by others," he declared, his voice resonating with empowerment as each word acted like a beacon of defiance against the unseen force that compressed them. In that moment, he felt as if the entire world rallied behind him, affirming that the courage to choose a new path was the first critical step towards true freedom.
"We reject the pact passed down."
He sensed that this decision was not merely a proclamation but a long-awaited form of liberation, casting aside every constraint that had inhibited their will and paving the way for authentic freedom to flourish.
Beelzebub smiled faintly—a smile he had never shown throughout his history as a devourer of wills. That smile carried hope for those who witnessed it, hinting that the chosen path would lead them far from the shackles of their past.
"Then..."
"Show me."
In the midst of an oppressive silence, Beelzebub's voice resonated like thunder, breaking the tension that enveloped them. Dark shadows danced on the walls, creating an illusion of elusive beings watching their every move. All eyes were fixated on the glowing golden circle, as if it held secrets yet to be unveiled.
"But remember... even the purest of wills must be tested with sacrifice."
The atmosphere grew increasingly taut, charged with a burning desire to uncover what lay within the circle. Each second stretched like an eternity, as the sound of racing hearts pierced the stillness, creating a symphony of unspoken anxieties. Suddenly, a magical aura enveloped them, amplifying the weight of the decision at hand. A thin mist swirled around them, enhancing the sense of mystery while fostering an ambiance filled with both hope and trepidation, as if beckoning them to explore the limits of their will and the choices that would irrevocably shape their fate.
The golden circle blossomed.
Three beams of light began to swirl.
The air vibrated.
Time stood still.
Each glimmer of light reveals fragments of forgotten pasts, showcasing events deeply embedded in memory. Their vision shifts, and it seems as if they can hear whispers of souls seeking to be acknowledged. As the circle seeps into their souls, a struggle between confidence and fear compels them to press further.
The final test begins.