Chapter treat!
I wrote this chapter and felt that it was too epic to be cut in two so I wrote it as full and as contenting as it is on its original planned version on the blueprint.
Hope you like this chap and VOTE for it!
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FYI: (actually this chap is as long as a normal chap of LMS)
Xp
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Chapter 26: Fates Tied by Destinies
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There were five youths beaming wide grins full of excitement, one gold-red silk-and-blue-regal robed man wearing a frown, a familiar nemesis, and an old man with greyish white hairs sipping a tea and wearing a nonchalant face was in front of Siva.
All nine of them were in a room upstairs of a rundown building, in a pause of awkward silence because of a very weird question that their guest had asked.
"Who are the people you're in-debt to this time?"
At first, Garin felt that this was an awkward question but as soon as this was asked, the old man's hands trembled as he lifted his blend-cup with raging waves inside of it into his mouth.
But that wasn't the only reason for this awkward silence, the biggest reason was actually the identity of the guest in their midst.
"C-Come on now, young man, is that how you treat an old friend?"
When the old man, the leader of the large party, said this, the regally dressed ___-aged man who seems to exude an air of servitude despite his royal attire had his brows twitch two times before calming.
The five youths giggled and chuckled as they secretly made fun of the word 'old' that old man Janus had just spoken.
This made the regally dressed ___-aged man turn his head in a snap and glared like a father to the five youths who became startled as they scram in five directions away from the room.
Seeing this, Garin who was on the other side of old man Janus could only sigh as he was already getting used to this scene that almost happen everyday.
While the five youths were being chased around by their guardian, Janus, Garin, and an unmasked Siva, was back to their silent three.
Siva, who felt relaxed exposing his Black Smoke Skin, was as hideous as he could get. His skin was radiating this thick aura of smoke that vanishes as soon as it made contact with the air while even though he still wore his long sleeve polo and black slacks like a man in formal wear, his hair that he didn't even mind brushing up were falling at the sides of his face that gave his eyes a feel of a sinister criminal.
In fact, even though the outline of his face could be discerned in close proximity, the fact that even the darkness of his shadows can't be seen were evident.
Garin thought, "It hasn't been that long since we last met but I feel like there are a lot of things that had changed in him."
Siva kept on staring at the old man as he tried to strike a conversation.
In fact, he felt really happy seeing a familiar face. And even though it can't be seen in his face for he was cursed, it was still the truth that seeing a familiar face after all that had happened made him glad.
Teasing the old man was just his way of showing it and for Janus, given his real identity of course understood where this sense of loneliness is coming from.
Siva gave Garin a look before his eyes fell to the trey on the man's hand.
He smiled, "The last time we met, you were trying to kill me. Now though, you're serving me a cappuccino blend in a trey..." Siva then gave Janus a glance and his widened, "What kind of scheming did you do that you made even him your servant?"
"I'm not his servant!"
"He's not my servant."
Beads of sweat formed on his head as Garin desperately defended himself while Old Man Janus sipped his blend, pretending to be calm about it. Seeing this only made the atmosphere divert more awkwardly but Siva laughed a real laughter of joy.
Putting down the cup on the table, Janus gave Garin a glance as the latter turned and exited the room with a feeling of regret. He really wanted to listen to these two's ocnversation.
Now, there were only Janus and Siva.
Siva pulled up a player window and flicked it over to Janus with a finger to break the deadlock, saying: "Can you do it in two days?"
Janus looked at the design specs and the available materials and then looked at Siva with a smile.
"A Wind Element Monster Core and rare monster parts and resources. Are you the one who specifically instructed for these parts to be extracted?"
With this question, Siva felt that it was actually weird because back in the Monster Office with that NPC, he asked Siva as to what kind of weapon he was planning to create or improve so when Siva, knowing that it was the [Strong Hunter's Effect] taking place, told the NPC about the Black Ball and his plan about it.
Thus resulting to the NPC suggesting to extract these monster parts and resources.
Siva answered, "No." and then pulled up the Back Ball from his inventory that was still preserved in the nanosphere he made. "I am planning on improving the Black Ender into a more destructive type of sword. I've fought people with so much destructive force into their attacks that the one thing I noticed I'm lacking against them is my strength. So to counter that, I want a Black Tech weapon that can fill up that part of my weakness along with my Black Ender."
At this point, Siva looked at his hands and then clenched them into fists that made Janus look at him with such deep melancholy.
When Siva raised his head, he saw this kind of look and he can't help but actually feeling puzzled.
"I've heard what happened." Janus started and this statement made Siva pause his mind. "I've seen the fight in Dragona. I also heard about Baron from the people closest to you on your flight. Knowing your stats and how you started your career, I can somewhat feel where you are coming from. The strength of your enemies are years ahead of yours. Keeping up with their might with your meager stats is impossible so you want to bridge that gap with better equipment."
Siva who clenched his fist looks down on the floor as he felt the words stab on his reality.
"Heh... what do you know?" he said bitterly. Putting a hand on his face, Siva tried to stop the tears that was about to fall from his eyes. Ever since the time they shared in Loire, their small talks, Siva always felt that fatherly figure in this man, more so today, that's why he felt he can let out his heart to him.
"We all have our own weights to carry." Janus said and then gave Siva a meaningful look.
Siva remained silent. Reality was crashing down on him and he was trying his best to fight it with all his strength.
And yet while the world was only looking at the face of the man who somehow had connections to the Grand Quest of this game, while the world only sees him as something that is either an enemy or an item that they can manipulate for their own personal gains, the fact remains that he was still just a young man of 19 years of age.
His parents are dead and he didn't even have enough time to mourn for them before he learned that Baron is in a coma. To save him and his mind, he gambled on this situation and put Baron's mind in this game.
But of all the places he'd land into, Baron had to land in the cruelest of the continents, in this place full of people who will do anything for their own profits.
And what more... Uncle Faust had somewhat turned his back on him. The only person he thought had his back had deliberately left him hanging in the air.
Being alone in this cruel world, for a 19 year old, is a fate that could be said to be so cruel.
To shoulder this much weight was still too much for him. And yet... he was not allowed to share this pain with anyone by the rules he agreed upon, given by same person who provided him his only hope to save the only family he has left.
Augustus Laniary.
For itself, while he seemed to be a monstrously cruel person outside of his black smoke skin, underneath the masks he wears, is a young man whose world hangs on a single person before collapsing –Baron Kingsley.
Janus looked at the man and, deep in his eyes, he was actually trying to think of ways to help him. It was... after all... the only thing he could do for the person who sleeps within the deepest recesses of Siva's mind.
"This kid... carries the fate of two worlds." Janus lamented. "These, all of these, no matter how cruel and painful it is, are all just part of his tribulation..."
Garin wasn't aware of the purpose of his actions but Gabriel understood and even though he was against it, he still followed along because he trusted Janus, the sole and only Mortal Divinity that walks this land.
Janus is the only person who knows the truth of this world while Gabriel was his confidant; the chosen one to continue what Janus is going to leave behind.
"All these time, I've only been able to watch..."
The painful thoughts in Janus' mind could be seen on his old experienced eyes as he watched Siva crumble like a paper in front of him.
He may be his vessel, but Siva is still too young and he carried two worlds worth of responsibility in those small and trembling shoulders if his.
Siva began to cry. Janus couldn't even stretch his hand out to comfort the boy for he knew that he needed to be strong for himself. He had to establish his own foundationshimself for the sake of successfully making the [decision] that he is bound and compelled to make in the future.
For a few minutes, his shoulders trembled and he cried. Siva released the pent up emotions and frustrations in his heart before he wiped those tears in his face and faced the old man.
"I'm sorry, old man... I just... had a lot to take in."
"That's alright." Janus wore a fatherly smile. "Though it is not in my place to butt my nose in, I still have some sort of connection to your strength so I feel that it is my responsibility to help you become the strongest you can be. That said, you at least have your Blueprint with you, right?"
"I still don't." When Siva replied, he pulled up one of the capsules he obtained from Dragona and threw it at the area at the side. "I was just actually planning to ask you about this item. The name sounds useful."
After a POOF sound, a compact portable Designing Table appeared before them.
Janus couldn't help but laugh lightly seeing this item.
"So you got yourself this expensive stuff huh? With this with you and pair it up with a compact portable nano-furnace, you can even carry around your own Weapon Shop anywhere you go."
"Really?" After hearing this, Siva actually pulled up another capsule from his inventory and POOFFED out the said item, [Nano-Furnace]. "I got this on a really cheap price but I don't know how to use it aside from knowing its name."
When he saw these things, Janus made a meaningful laugh and lookd at Siva as if seeing a kid. He stood up, examining the items in front of them.
After a while, he faced Siva, "This Portable Table alone is almost as expensive as an entire Warship and this Nano-Furnace here is as much as a quarter of Aarun's economic profit for a year."
"T-T-That expensive?!"
Janus raised a knowing finger to the ceiling with closed eyes.
"Not only that." He said and gestured to the second item. "Not many people are allowed to carry it around with them."
Hearing this, Siva was startled as he felt something on the old man's words to him. Siva couldn't help swallowing. "You mean... it's against the law to carry this around or something?"
Janus beamed a wide [very meaningful] smile at him. It was as if he was looking at a person who declared that he was Janus in front of him.
With a matter-of-fact tone, Janus pointed a fi nger to the ceiling again.
"Of course!" Janus said proudly. "These stuffs are compact items with the full functionality of an entire Weapon Shop's fully functioning Nano-Furnace. Usually, only us Weapon Builders are licensed to actually buy one from the Human Society's Headquarters in Jeremiah so you making up that lie of getting this for cheap can fool anyone but us Weapon Builders."
"..."
"..."
"..."
"...in fact, there was actually a Royal Decree from Jeremiah that whoever is seen with this item without the proper authorization from Jeremiah will be subjected to trial by the Kingdom."
Siva's breathing souded as if it hit a comet. He tried to swallow but couldn't as he began to tremble in fear.
Who wouldn't be?
Who would be so audacious as to actually dare to defy the strongest unified continent in Terroa? The Humans may be physically weak compared to the overall bodily constitution of the Terrans but theirtechnology and their overall profiency and versatility is ways ahead of the Terrans.
In fact, not only that, Humans have their own ways of embedding [Magic] into their Nano-Technology, resulting in the «Inventory Technology».
Given the Humans' Technological advantages, if they wanted to rule over the planet, they always can do so. But they didn't and in fact even taught the Terrans how to use their Technology, allowing these Tribal Races to establish their own unique defining culture in just 50 years.
The Castle City of Jeremiah, despite being the largest Terran City in the world, is also the city where the Human Society's Headquarters are located.
Because of the gift of the Humans, they are treated as a heroic race.
Someone who has a Nano-Furnace... an [item] that can create the nano-weapons of The Naturals, without a permit can be considered some sort of criminal under the security measures and technology-related crime preventing policies.
As a «player» compelled to abide by the rules of the game world, Siva is still a violator of that law.
"Hehehe..." Siva could only scratch his cheek as he admitted about the lie.
Janus didn't mind it though since to him, this was actually a good thing.
"Well, since you already have both of these things, all you have to do is to actually get your materials and stuff them into your Nano-Furnace, input your design from the Portable Design Table on the panel here, make sure that enough nanocubes are fed to the resource bin in relation to your design, and then set up the parameters according to the limits of the materials and your own specifications."
Hearing the explanation and how it was put together actually looked easy. But before his imagination ran wild, he looked at Janus and asked.
"Old man, if making an Invention is this easy then what's the use training in this profession and obtaining a license to become a Weapons Builder?"
"Well, that's because handling nano-machines are not just imputing your design and waiting for the Invention to be finished. No, it also needs the proper understanding of the materials to be used and then considering and calculating their effects with one another before coming up with the mechanical functionality of the Invention to match the functions with the design and specifications of the customer.
"Like for example, back in Aarun, when you brought me your Dragon Materials for Dragunov, you only gave me your design. Back then I asked you about what kind of functions you wanted on it and told me that you wanted to create a weapon that can deliver impact-type attack functionality. Thus, we talked about it for hours until ending up with the Air Shock."
Siva nodded as he recalled that time. Back then, he was so excited with the materials that he only focused on the design and ease of use, and never actually thought about the limits set by the materials.
He only knew that with better materials, higher limits and more functionality will be available for him to choose from.
Siva never thought that there are actually a lot of things to consider before ending up with a final design of an Invention.
Now, he became aware that an Invention, and how powerful it is, does not just depend on how well it is used by the wielder but also depended on the insight of the Weapons Builder and how it will match with the respective style of the user.
For example, a sword with a Mech-Function of Air Shock is unsuitable for a swordsman who likes to fight in a distance using sword arts-imbued magic.
Not only it wasted the precious monster materials, it also affected the player's efficiency in the battlefield –all because the Inventor and the Weapons Builder focused on using the most powerful function ability for the Invention and ignored the wielder's own style.
It is in this regard that Siva's respect with Janus rose into a whole new level.
Those long empty conversations back then were all for the sake of matching up the Air Shock into his own fighting style. He thought it was his own ingenuity that enabled him to fully use the Dragunov to its fullest capacity. Never would he have thought that it was all actually an idea given to him by his talks with this sly old man.
Siva couldn't help but smile bitterly and shake his head. He listened carefully to Janus' instructions and learned how to use the Nano-Furnace albeit only just the surface of this profession.
"Well, basically, it all boils down to your knowledge on the Monster Materials and how they affect one another. From there, you can think of the best design according to your own needs and specifications."
Hearing up to this point, the crash course for being a Weapons Builder rapped up and a full six hours were spent talking about it.
Seeing the time, Siva gave Janus a hand. "Thanks, Old Janus."
Janus sighed and laughed dryly, taking the offered hand and shook it. "Do you really have to put that old detail in there?"
"What, are you ashamed of your age? You worked hard to earn it. You should be proud."
Janus' eyes narrowed as he pressed hard on Siva's hand. The latter was taken by surprise by the power on the old man's grip.
"I am proud." He said, grinning mischievously victorious with Siva's pained appearance.
"Atatatatatata.... Alright! Allright! I give!"
Letting go of the hand, Janus made a triumphant smile.
"Actually I'm in the middle of a quest myself and only stopped by here to get some things. Those kids and those two are my party-mates this time from the Circle of Illuminati."
Siva blinked. "Old man, you're part of the Illuminati?"
"Not me, the kids." He corrected.
Siva nodded and then recalled about Garin. "So he's with you because?"
"An overseer from Dante."
Siva's eyes made a serious look as he warned Janus to not trust Dante. Janus only laughed dryly, not paying it a mind. After their meeting, Janus personally led Siva out of the building and then pointed him the direction of the Trading Center.
"Just remember that after you bind your compact nano-equipment to your Inventory, it can never be reversed so you should prepare yourself because expanding your Inventory after it is done will now be double the usual price of expansion."
"I get it. I get it..."
"At least say thanks for MY warning... and for goodness sake, Siva, you haven't even used your guns the way I told you to!"
Of course Siva had known it all these time but it's not he doesn't want to imbue Mana on his twin guns, it's just that he hasn't found that reason to use it yet.
"Damn old man, I've read its function! Once I used it, I will definitely lose my guns!"
"That's why you can use it as a last resort!"
"I still love my guns!"
"You will lose your life before you use it!"
"Shut it! They're my guns! I'll use them the way I them want to!"
"Oh for crying out loud, stop being melodramatic! You made it once you can make it again!"
"Look who's talking! Just pay your debts already!"
"Y-You...!!"
The two were screaming at each other while Siva made his way across the street. He left Janus with a twitching set of eyebrows, beet red with anger, and a fist held in front his chest.
After turning on the corner, Siva vanished, leaving Janus looking angry at that direction, and the group he led blinking with this new side of the old man.
Sighing, Janus shook his head and turned to Gabriel as if what they saw was nothing.
"Well then, shall we get going as well?"
He was now wearing the calm and composed wise old man's expression. Gabriel, blushing, coughed lightly before speaking with a bit of embarrassment.
"I heard it all. I'm sorry. I didn't know that he..."
Of course, Gabriel was talking about the conversation in the room upstairs. A slight laughter echoed with light shrug, Janus then patted his shoulder.
Shaking his head, he said, "Don't blame yourself. The kid's poor fate is but the result of the people trying to be Gods and manipulating our destinies. Our mission is to help the kid transcend his tribulation and make sure that the other guy will accept him and his decision. I've already put my own piece into the chessboard so all we have to do is wait and see what will happen after their clash."
Gabriel's brows were frowning and he took one last glance over the direction where Siva went.
"His decision huh..."
After pondering for a moment, he followed Janus inside the building leaving Garin and the still bickering kids who then followed him behind.
As Garin became alone, he turned his head towards the building, and locked his gaze into the silhouette of the mysterious old man.
He had already sent his report on all the things he had learned so far and aside from the fact that he was still surprised with the connection between Janus and Siva, the biggest mystery that he still wanted to uncover was the real mission that the two adult men of this group were always talking about.
Although now... with the things he heard, he couldn't help thinking that the mission Janus gave him were all for the sake of the player named Siva.
"Chess game of Gods, huh?" after murmuring, he looked up to the blue sky and thought to himself, "I already sent my report anyways... I wonder what he's doing with all of that information I've given him."
*****
In his dark office, a Real@D rendering of Dante was seated in a blue and white lined rendering of his sofa in front of a white tux-wearing Augustus Laniary.
Augustus was reading a panel of information that the respected head of the Circle of Illuminati wanted to personally deliver him.
Though he was yet to finish, under AG's white mask is his beaming smile of satisfaction and excitement.
And just as he finished reading, he slammed a hand on his face and started laughing loudly, startling the four bodyguards behind him and exchanging looks of worried gazes.
"This is just too perfect! Too perfect! Hahaha!!"
Dante on the other side of him only smiled as he sipped his own teacup.
He then looked at the old tattered book that was on his table with the title [Clemente's Demise], and actually couldn't help but also chuckle a little.
"I never would have guessed as well."
"Hahaha! This is just too wonderful! Too wonderful to even imagine! The Trimurti lives on and the War of the Gods will be the ultimate entertainment of this generation! Hahaha!! Project Genesis will see its first day light for sure!"
As he was laughing, Dante put down his cup and made a smile as he stared at AG. No, in fact, even though it seems that he was actually looking at AG, Dante was actually looking far beyond AG, into the far distance even behind the four bodyguards.
There, a group of people were seated. They were all watching the conversation that was happening and when they heard what AG had said, they too seemed to be unable to contain their excitement as they all clapped their hands while some even yelled while others even whistled.
In front of this crowd, a scientist in a lab gown had his eyes fixed on the book that was on Dante's table.
He had long heard that it was something that Rex had given them. And this was also the same book that became the reason why he was pouring all his efforts to this project.
"Soon Ellie... very soon..." Faust muttered.
*****
Apus Epirus
Gats were beaming a wide smile as he sat down on his chair in the Round Table.
Around them, the twelve other members of his group called Blue Card Legion.
Eyes focused on him, Gats then motioned for all of them to look at the direction of the entrance. When the people turned, they all saw the dazzling beauty of Scion who wore a look of resolve as he made her stride.
"Ladies and gentlemen," Gats spoke loudly filled with excitement. "Tomorrow, we will launch our plan and we will secure the other half of The Providence before we chase after the missing King of Jeremiah."
Exclaims of excitement could be heard as rest of The Legion cheered with this great news.
Only Kira remained stiff. Kladis only smiled. Volga was glaring at Kladis. Scion was looking at the ground.
She wasn't sure what she was doing but she knew that if she doesn't do something, then these people will go after Rex and present her as a hostage. She feared that no matter what Rex was doing, as long as she knows that it was related with Baron then she can trust that Rex will never do everything for it to succeed.
To not be able to become a burden, he would also do her part to lessen his load by reducing his enemies.
"If helping them helps Rex, then I will do my best to do it."
Her downcast expression was something to behold as it exudes an impression of a sad queen with a beauty that all men and women would want to accompany.
She wore this lonely expression as she stood at the seat with the etched name of "Percival".
As the crowd cheered on their seats, Kladis sent a secret glance at her. Volga, on the other, clenched his fists as he thought of the plan he had in his mind.
"She's mine. Shes mine!!"
*****
On the other side of the Snow Giant's mountain, in the Control Bridge aboard the Garuda...
Mefisto sat on the Commander's seat, his back relaxed on the chair, body leaning on the side seemingly bored, while the leader of the Alcides Guild stood in front of him, on a lower level, giving out his command with a serious expression.
"Destroy anything that stands before us. We must kill the boss' enemy. Kill the one named Janus!"
*****
In the Archangel, Loni stood firmly in the leading post while behind her was the TOS Guild members and Priestess Eleanor of The Circle of Magi with her assistants.
Eyes burning with determination, she gave the command.
"Full speed ahead!"
*****
In the Magus Archive, Samantha kept on reading.
Feeling something, she raised her head towards the dark empty ceiling before her gaze was attracted towards the large book.
In the time that she had spent here, she had read a few things that had a connection with Rex and the things he had done in the past.
Especially that war 56 years ago.
After thinking about it, she couldn't help but make a sad expression, closing the book in her hands, and then walking towards the Book of Legends with the gold letters of history.
Tracing her slim and gentle fingers into the words, Samantha sighed, "In the past, great wars had changed the flow of history. Only this time, this Great War will not change anything but rather correct the path that was once bent the wrong way."
Sighing again, she locked her gaze into a single word.
It was a name.
"Destiny ties you in the flow of events. And now, you are once again tasked to shoulder the sins of the heavens..."
A single teardrop fell from her left cheek and smeared above the golden name of Siva.
*****
Siva was walking along the streets when he felt as if something wet and cold, yet warm at the same time, fell on the cloth that covered his skin.
He didn't even bother to know how it was possible to feel somehting that fell on something that wasn't even part of his skin.
Lifting his hand, he touched his right cheek and pulled that finger to look at.
A single drop of water aws there that seemingly came out of nowhere
He looked up, and saw the blue sky with occasional clouds drifting by. He thought just where this drop of water came from but couldn't possibly think of how the weather system of the game would make a miss.
So he continued to walk, ignoring everything.
In front of him was the Trading Shop.
A player girl working part-time beamed a smile on him and greeted her customer.
"Hi sir, what can I do for you today?"
"I just wanted unlock some equipment and also sell the rest for some cash."
"Okay. Right this way sir."
Siva entered the building and sheltered himself from the bright sunny day.
Unbeknownst to him, the wheel of fate is turning and with its every turn, destinies are being tied.
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The world is moving... Baron is in trouble!
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