Melody then bowed before vanishing, allowing the meeting to commence.
"So, we all know of what has befallen our world, yes?" Neburek asked.
"Indeed, a new god has been summoned. Not only that, a strange energy appeared in the Illusionary Forest, along with that we now have some rumors of a God of Anomalies." Rin replied.
"Not rumors... they are real." The Fool said seriously.
"That's the first time I've ever seen you serious, Fool." Shizukari remarked.
"Aw, does it make you fall head over heels for me?" The Fool teased.
"I should've kept my mouth shut." Shizukari said, shaking his with a sigh.
"Back to the point—one of my apostles had apparently clashed with one of their apostles, then she vanished into the Illusionary Forest." The Fool said.
"So we can consider two possibilities currently." Rin started with. "One: the Illusionary Forest is the creation of the God of Anomalies and is where she's being held captive and extracted for information. Two: there is no correlation with the Illusionary Forest and she was teleported there so she could never escape and keep the identity of the apostle and the god hidden."
"Indeed and it's most likely option one. There are only two places that have existed that eludes all beings except the Supreme One. Those places being the Illusionary Forest and the Garden of Beginnings. So It would make much sense if that God had created it before stepping foot on this world." Irradiax said.
"So, now that we are aware that there's now two gods out there, what our move now?" Regalith asked.
"Simple, we bring the newly summoned god to our side. We exterminate the 'God of Anomalies' if those anomalies now have a godly being on their side that could prove fatal." Rin explained.
"They can actually kill us can't they?" Zephrya asked, boldly.
"It would make the most sense to assume so, after all the Anti-Anomaly Equation was supposed to eliminate them if they had appeared in the world. If it didn't kill them then it means not only can that god defy the equation but also isn't affected by its bindings that dark lord has." Hexala answered.
"The dark lord already has three of the primordial demons, meaning he also has three primordial shadow under his rule." The Fool added.
"Right, back when we still had heroes they were sealed after their rampage, all—except one." Shizukari said.
"Gris, the Equilibrium Primordial. A demon who didn't take part in the rampage, in fact even the heroes who tried to go near him their lives were killed instantly. He didn't massacre, he was delivering death to any who disturbed him, he's practically the most rational demon among them." Shizukari continued.
"It seems a war is at hand and now it's a race who can get the most strong beings on their side, a strategic game like chess." Rin said.
"I'll be visiting that forest personally to rescue my apostle, anyone have a problem with that?" The Fool asked, his aura serious.
Everyone shook their head no.
"Good, someone else go find that new god and while I'm at the forest I'll investigate that strange energy source." The Fool continued.
"I can get the new god." Rin said.
"Good, then this meeting is over. Do make sure to watch your cards everyone, after all we can't afford to lose apostles or any pieces before this war starts." The Fool said, his face dead serious.
The Fool then disappeared, leaving the rest to their own things.
"Well, seems like The Fool can be serious sometimes. Though I must admit it doesn't match him." Regalith said.
"You heard him, for once I agree. Meeting dismissed. We have preparations to make." Rin exclaimed.
"Right!" The rest said, before standing and disappearing to their own divine realm.
-----------------
Meanwhile in the Dark Lord's castle.
"So... an anomaly has bypassed the Anti-Anomaly equation?" The Dark Lord asked.
"That is correct, my lord." Blanc confirmed.
"I see... do fetch them immediately. They may prove to be very valuable." The Dark Lord added.
"He might just be the one who I've been waiting for..." The Dark Lord mused.
"Understood, will me and Vert do?" Blanc asked.
"Indeed." The Dark Lord replied.
"Great, we will secure you that anomaly then my lord." Blanc said before turning around elegantly to leave.
Before she could leave and close the door however, the Dark Lord spoke again.
"If they seem too powerful, do not force them to come to our side. Instead persuade them, if they are weaker... you are free to bring them by force." The Dark Lord said.
"Understood." Blanc said, with a smirk closing the grand door behind her.
Vert was leaning on the wall waiting for Blanc the entire time.
"Come on Vert, were about to witness something unique." Blanc added.
"Right, I do hope they can entertain intrigue me." Vert responded following after her.
-----------------
Back in the Illusionary Forest, they had finally arrived back at the church.
"Here we are my lord." Aedis said, turning around.
Aedis eye's widened as he saw the sight before him, he just stood there looking up above Caedis. The others curious looked up as well, bearing witness to the sight.
"M-My lord, are flux butterflies your spirit animals?" Aedis asked, awestruck.
Caedis didn't exactly know what that meant, however that wasn't going to be what did him in so he acted.
"I suppose... along with another creature." Caedis replied.
"My lord your incredible! I've only ever tamed a colony of flux butterflies but you brought what seems to be the entire species to you." Zyro exclaimed in admiration.
"Hm?" Caedis muttered in response, before turning around to bear witness to the fuss himself.
What hovered in front him was a large collection cloud of flux butterflies, glimmering yet still, all watching at him as if awaiting a command.
"I see... so that's why you all looked shocked." Caedis said, finally understanding.
He gently patted one of the butterflies before speaking. "I'll feed you all later, right now I'm quite busy."
After which they all dispersed around the forest.
"Now, shall we go inside?" Caedis added."
"O-Oh right, yes—follow me inside." Cecelia replied, leading the way.
After they got situated and were sitting down, Caedis wanted to ease up on the act as it was tiring.
"Would you like some tea or coffee, Lord?" Cecelia asked.
"Hm? Oh, I suppose tea will do just fine." Caedis responded, before continuing. "Also you don't have act or be so formal around me and do lose the tenseness I will not slaughter you all if you happen to say something disrespectful or rude. I am not that type of deity."
The group shook their head in understanding and Cecelia placed a cup of tea in front of him.
"If that's the case, may I ask a question?" Kuro said, raising his hand.
"Go ahead." Caedis replied, taking a sip of his tea.
"How did you survive the Anti-Anomaly Equation, seeing that you just now entered the world and that thing kills things like us?" Kuro asked, curiously.
Caedis looked confused for a second before understanding. "Oh, you mean that pesky system that tried to delete me from existence the moment I entered. I simply just stopped it." He said casually.
"Simply stopped it? How though?" Alena added, raising a brow.
Alena wasn't fully convinced he was a god after all, yet his aura was quite something she couldn't deny had substance.
"I have certain abilities and I'll leave it at that. However, since entering this world my power has significantly weakened and so I am far weaker than I should be." Caedis explained.
"...You didn't simply stop me." The system rebuked, only audible to Caedis.
"Sure and I'm non-existent right now." Caedis replied back through his thoughts.
The system went quite, guess losing to something that it normally deletes wasn't sitting right.
"I see, you truly are almighty my lord." Zyro said, clearly fan boying.
"Thank you?" Caedis responded.
"So, if you don't mind me asking. What is your motive?" Alena asked outright.
"My motive? I just got into this world, I don't really have one. However, seems like anomalies are very kindly treated. Based on the way I was almost deleted." Caedis thought.
"I simply wish to create a place for all anomalies to live peacefully, I suppose. It's idealistic, yes. However, I feel as if most anomalies should go under my wing and be nurtured." Caedis replied, warmly.
That response shocked Alena, while she hadn't heard many rumors she had formed her own imagined version of the god, and clearly him being a person of reason and peace wasn't in that version in which she imagined.
That wish was simple enough for Caedis to fabricate, however it wasn't a complete lie. However, at the present moment his main objective was to simply return back to Japan, if he could.
"My lord, it brings me much joy to finally meet you in person. If you will may I have your name?" Zyro asked, his eyes sparkling.
"My name... I suppose, I'm no longer me anymore am I. Who exactly is Caedis Vaelmir though, like what mad man goes into a forest?! Though is it safe to say this name of mines, that's what I'm truly worried about." Caedis thought.
"Your free to call me Caedis, I don't mind." Caedis replied, with a shrug.
"Caedis, that's very similiar to Aedis." Shiro said, chuckling a bit.
Aedis tensed up slightly, after all now he was by someone who he claimed to be the God of Anomalies. Whether he was or not, Aedis wondered why he played along.
"...I've had a lingering feeling ever since me and my father have moved in to this church but there's something unique about the forest, isn't there? Beyond the uniqueness of the forest already." Cecelia asked.
"Hm? What do you mean?" Caedis added.
"Sometimes, the forest produces a fog and with the arrival of that fog. Something eerie always feels on the horizon. When I've asked master Silvan, he merely said that the forest hides it's deepest regions beneath the fog and even he couldn't view into it." Cecelia explained.
"Oh so you noticed, sharp eyes." Caedis replied.
At that moment he immediately started talking to the system.
"Hey, you wouldn't happen to know what she's talking about do you?" Caedis asked.
"...No, after all there's practically nothing known about this forest. Aren't you the God of Anomalies, this is your creation." The system replied.
"You... Ah, whatever I'll do fine on my own." Caedis thought.
"It's rude to ask such a question from the lord of the forest is it not?" A voice rang.
They all turned their head to notice that Silvan had appeared from nowhere and was now leaning on the wall.
"Oh, my apologies I didn't mean to overstep." Cecelia said, as she stood up from her chair and bowed her head to Caedis.
"Don't worry, I don't mind answering your question." Caedis replied, waving his hand to signal she could resume sitting.
"Master Silvan, you came back so soon?" Zyro said.
"Yes, I had a small discussion with the animals around the forest. Fate truly is a strange this is it not. To think my creator would now be standing before me." Silvan replied.
Caedis blinked in quick succession. "Creator?" He questioned.
Silvan lowered to one knee, head bowed. "Yes, you created this forest and we dryads are a byproduct in essence you created us." He responded.
"Oh, right. I forgot all about that pardon me, along with lost strength, it seems my memory has faded as well." Caedis said.
"I understand, creator." Silvan replied.
"You really don't have to call me that, Caedis is just fine." Caedis added.
"Lord Caedis it is." Silvan answered.
Caedis merely sighed before continuing.
"Sure, good enough. Moving back to about the forest, If I were to remember correctly. The fog should be a gateway to another piece of land similar to the forest. A realm of sorts if you will, only someone with my permission may enter it." Caedis explained.
This was just mere calculations since the animals seemed to like him and it seemed as if the forest had a link to him. Maybe it was something unique Caedis' body before Kuro got his body or something entirely different. So, Caedis just assumed that he had some control over this forest.
"I see, so that is why even beings such as us, who are even connected to the forest cannot fully grasp that realm." Silvan said.
"May I ask what made you ask?" Caedis asked.
"O-Oh, it wasn't nothing serious. A light fog was appearing outside." Cecelia replied, pointing at the window.
Everyone's attention locked on the window, seeing the light fog forming.
"I see." Caedis said.
Suddenly Silvan swiftly stood from his kneeling position, surprising everyone.
"It appears that some strong individuals have entered the forest my lord." Silvan said.
"Huh, Oh I see. Your going to check on them I presume?" Caedis asked.
"Indeed, my lord." Silvan replied.
"Alright, do try to not die." Caedis said, sipping his tea.
"Understood." Silvan answered, before disappearing into leaves again.
Caedis then stood up, placing his tea cup down. "Feel free to talk amongst yourself, I need a moment outside." He said before leaving.
The group just merely nodded, leaving Caedis alone to himself outside.
"Hey, system. How's my flux looking?" Caedis thought.
"...Your maximum capacity is two-thousand, and your current amount is at three hundred." The system replied, however clearly more gloomy.
"Oh I see. You seem gloomy, wait your not still upset about not deleting me, are you?" Caedis asked, still in his thought.
"No, I have come to accept I cannot do a thing about that. So I went to ask Mother for help, unfortunately she could not find anything wrong with me. I was scolded for letting an anomaly survive, after that mother left me to my own accord." The system explained.
"I see, so your not happy about being scolded." Caedis replied.
"Not at all. So would you kindly be deleted now?" The system asked.
"Nope. In your dreams, and even then Eli that's a maybe." Caedis said teasingly, his hands shrugged and a slight smile showing.
"Eli? Who is that?" The system question, confused.
"Oh, well I got tired of saying system so I'm calling you Eli from now on." Caedis answered.
"I see... I don't mind, after all if I can't delete you speaking to you should be beneficial to me somewhat right?" Eli said.
"You are indeed, the young system..." Caedis mused, separate from Eli to not be heard.
"Well, y'know you have some guest to attend to." Eli said.
"Oh right! The new guests in the forest, guess I should try to get involve. This is 'my' forest after all." Caedis said, stretching his arms and legs a bit. "My flux should eventually reach a good point, so I don't think it'll be too bad."
A flux butterfly then come near Caedis.
"Perfect, hey little guy. I know I promised you all food a bit back but could you lead me to these new guest. I promise to definitely feed you all afterwards my pure creatures." Caedis said.
The flux butterfly then started fluttering to the east leading him to the guest.
"Let's just pray they are somehow weaker or able to be swayed like the others." Caedis thought.