Suddenly, the tide of flesh and blood covering the island, on the verge of collapse, began to reassemble little by little, and the aura of destiny that had disturbed this space receded like a tide. "Saint Tenebrous" Kisma instantly broke free from that chaotic state.
The silver scales that almost covered Ricciardo's entire body receded along with the tide-like aura, and the silver round wheel on Ricciardo's brow seemed to have its color drained, dimming and disappearing.
"I didn't expect you to have a hidden card, but it's nothing more than that!"
Wiping away the cold sweat from his forehead without a trace, "Saint Tenebrous" Kisma gripped the slightly dimmed pure white feather with a gloomy expression, staring at Ricciardo, who was pale and slumped on the ground, and whispered with a chilling tone.
After nearly overturning, "Saint Tenebrous" Kisma put away his cat-and-mouse playfulness. The distorted black shadow, originating from the Sanguine Count, which had been "restarted" and returned to normal, spread its arms, adopting a posture of embracing the crimson moon.
The Darkness around Ricciardo surged, instantly forming one illusory but solid black chain after another, binding him firmly in place.
Meanwhile, the flesh and blood covering the island surged and gathered, once again transforming into a knight covered in black full body armor, wielding a profound greatsword, exuding immense pressure. Through the gaps in his visor, two crimson lights flickered slightly, instantly locking onto Ricciardo, who was about to fight for his life.
The profound greatsword did not strike down as expected. The sinister and chilling smile froze on his face, and a golden light, so brilliant it illuminated the night, filled Kisma's pupils, a chill emerging from his heart.
"Ricciardo, long time no see."
Completely different from Kisma, Ricciardo, who was about to risk his life, finally showed a relieved smile upon hearing that familiar, slightly teasing voice and feeling the warm current surging within him.
As the "Judgement Domain" unfolded, Aaron looked at the tide of flesh and blood completely ignited by golden flames. An ancient longsword covered in blood-colored patterns, without a trace of rust, shot out, and a majestic and solemn voice resounded like a divine punishment:
"This sword shall slay the enemy!"
The "Sword of Adjudication" had its crimson light restrained, carrying an aura of irresistible might and iron blood, appearing directly in front of Kisma, disregarding space.
A distorted, swaying black shadow was pierced first. The figure only blocked for a moment before dissipating into a gem that looked like congealed, rich blood, just like a miniature crimson moon.
Following the survival instinct transmitted by his spiritual intuition, Kisma used the "Shaman King" he had grazed to buy himself a moment of respite. His shadow suddenly came alive and, after merging with the tide of flesh and blood beneath his feet, surged upwards like water.
Ricciardo almost forgot what he was supposed to say, watching "Saint Tenebrous" Kisma, who had almost killed him earlier, being suppressed by Aaron in just a few breaths, completely unable to retaliate.
As expected of someone even the Speaker wants to befriend, this growth rate is too terrifying... This thought unconsciously surfaced in his mind. Taking a deep breath, Ricciardo hurriedly reminded him:
"Mr. Duke, do not underestimate him. He holds an item granted by that 'Angel of Fate.'"
"It's very easy to attract him, so it's better for us not to prolong the fight."
The golden "Judgement Domain" had completely sealed off the surrounding space. Aaron calmly watched the intense fire gradually subside, and saw "Saint Tenebrous" Kisma, whose body was broken and no longer human-like, frantically plunge the pure white feather into his heart, murmuring playfully:
"Leave? A great gift is right before me. It's not my style to just leave."
-----------------
Feynapotter Kingdom, Seran, Governor's Mansion.
An aged sigh echoed, and the phantom of Pallez Zoroast silently emerged.
This was his original main body, which had been stored within Leonard. After reaching a cooperation with Aaron, and knowing that Amon was very likely to appear in Backlund, Pallez proactively changed the location of his main body to prevent the Beyonder characteristic from aggregating and causing Leonard's untimely death.
A rectangular "diamond" shaped charm emitted constantly refracting light, vaguely revealing layers of complex symbols extending into the void.
"Yesterday Once More!"
As the low ancient Hermes echoed, Pallez Zoroast's body gradually solidified, and an ancient, mottled phantom of a clock appeared in his pupils, surging with an indescribable, formless torrent, as if it had traveled through a long history.
He looked in the direction of the Fog Sea following his senses, and his raised right hand clenched tightly. The formless torrent spread into the distance.
-----------------
Half-kneeling in the charred giant pit, "Saint Tenebrous" Kisma, whose body was broken and flesh constantly wriggling, had completely blood-red eyes. Placing all his hope on the pure white feather plunged into his heart, he roared out in a frenzied yet respectful tone:
"Wandering spirits," "Kin of the True Creator," The feather, which had absorbed Kisma's heart blood, turned gloomy. A winding, shimmering river abruptly appeared within the "Judgement Domain."
His body trembled slightly, and the despair on his bloody, blurred face instantly transformed into ecstasy. Kisma roared with all his might towards the winding river:
"Lord Ouroboros, save me!"
This roar, filled with a strong will to survive, did not stir up waves. On the illusory, winding "River of Fate," an ancient, mottled phantom of a clock quietly appeared.
The twelve segments on the clock face, either greyish-white or bluish-black, were intermingled yet distinctly separated, dividing the winding river into twelve disconnected tributaries.
This is impossible... The incredulous, hoarse voice abruptly ceased. Aaron withdrew his hand, calmly looking at Kisma, who had disintegrated into clumps of flesh, still wriggling and trying to reassemble, and said mockingly:
"Nothing is impossible. Ouroboros can't save you...."
As early as when Ricciardo used the mythical creature blood left by Will Auceptin, Aaron had locked onto the location of this area based on the guidance of the paper crane, and immediately had Pallez Zoroast use the "Yesterday Once More" charm.
Using the magnification of the "Worm of Time" on the "Trojan Horse of Destiny"'s ability, he forcibly divided Kisma's River of Fate into 12 tributaries, preventing Ouroboros from descending in time.
In just a few breaths, the unwilling will contained within that mass of flesh was obliterated. Aaron sealed the extracted "Black Knight" and "Shaman King" Beyonder characteristics, and looking at the brilliant, gem-like feather, a dazzling crown made entirely of gems appeared on his forehead.
"Exile!"
The gems on the "Crown of Stars" suddenly lit up, and a grey-blue "Door of Exile" with seven brass keyholes quietly appeared.
A creaking sound came, and the illusory gateway slowly opened. Behind the Door was a world shrouded in black mist, where the vile, corrupted aura, almost solidified, condensed into tentacles, trying to escape with piercing screams.
This was the "Abyss" Aaron had recorded in his "Crown of Stars"!
As if sensing a certain aura, a massive phantom made entirely of shadows suddenly appeared from the bottomless Rift, with brown branches slowly wriggling around its body.
Behind him was an indescribable, boundless shadow that seemed to envelop the entire world, gathering all the world's filth, corruption, and negative emotions.
Without hesitation, Aaron forcibly bound the feather and threw it into the "Door of Exile," a smirk on his lips:
"This is my great gift to you!"
Without stopping, he manipulated the "Crown of Stars" to forcibly close the "Door of Exile" and retracted the "Judgement Domain" into his body. Without time to check the other spoils of war, Aaron lifted the weakened Ricciardo with one hand.
As spirituality poured in, Darkness surged out from the Darkness Emblem like a tide, and "Arianna's Darkness Emblem" also appeared before him. Aaron, who had already prayed, watched as the entire island seemed to be erased by an eraser, and seawater poured back in.
At the same time, the mottled clock phantom above the River of Fate also dissipated, losing its obstruction, and the 12 tributaries of destiny reconverged.
A silver-haired Angel with layers of luminous wings on her back quietly appeared, her face gentle with a hint of indifference, as if looking down upon a river, looking down upon Destiny.
The entire River of Fate seemed to freeze for a moment, then was filled with the roars of corruption and filth.
-----------------
Outside the solemn and silent black monastery, Aaron was about to unfold his "Judgement Domain" to prevent the destruction of Arianna's hidden world, which was also secretly located on the island, when a soft voice sounded in his ear:
"Leave the rest to me!"
Looking at Arianna, who had quietly appeared beside him, wearing a simple linen robe with mending marks, Aaron nodded slightly, placed Ricciardo, who had fainted, on the ground, and asked thoughtfully:
"After lifting the Concealment, can Ouroboros trace the disturbance of destiny?"
Arianna gazed at the seemingly empty sky with her dark eyes for a moment, then shook her head almost imperceptibly, pointing at Ricciardo and saying:
"That one in the 'Abyss' was provoked. Ouroboros probably won't have time to look for his traces for a while."
Having received Arianna's confirmation, Aaron's expression was somewhat relieved. Transferring the Mother Tree of Desire's wrath onto Ouroboros was the most feasible method he and Will Auceptin had discussed earlier.
A King of Angels who embodies the True Creator's will and can move freely is truly an unpredictable variable that cannot be ignored. To avoid taking the blame for Will Auceptin and being targeted by Ouroboros, Aaron decisively chose to strike first and give that fellow something to do.
Nodding gently, Aaron tapped his chest four times clockwise, drawing the crimson moon, and respectfully said:
"Praise the Goddess!"
"This Destiny Senator has overdrawn his incomplete mythical creature form. I'll trouble you to look after him for this period. I will take him away once Ouroboros's state is confirmed."
Arianna did not refuse, responding devoutly:
"Praise the Goddess."
Her and Ricciardo's figures then disappeared, as if erased by an eraser.
-----------------
Inside the ancient palace above the grey fog, Klein sat at the head of the bronze long table, his fingers lightly tapping as he watched the ripples of light screens next to him, expressionlessly appreciating the praying figures.
Although it was blurry, Klein recognized the other party as the Vampire Emlyn White at a glance.
After the experience of "Blasphemer" Amon invading this mysterious space through the little Sun, Klein didn't know, nor did he want to confirm, whether a high-level Sanguine could grasp traces, especially when he didn't understand the Sanguine's true purpose.
Watching the slowly dissipating prayer scene finally transform into a slightly dim crimson star hovering behind The Fool's high-backed chair, Klein murmured to himself:
"Sanguine...."
Shaking his head gently, Klein's hand conjured a projection of Azik's copper whistle. Gazing at this item he once considered his trump card, Mr. Azik's gentle face flashed through his mind, as well as the "Death Consul" he had heard about at the Council.
He leaned back against the chair, half-closed his eyes, and began his first dream divination after advancing to Faceless.
He didn't know how long it had been, but he saw a dark, cold mausoleum, saw deep steps extending downwards, and saw coffins placed all around.
All the coffins were open, and inside lay one deceased person after another, with white feathers stained with yellowish grease growing from their backs.
Just then, he seemed to smell the stench of decay and heard the sound of something slowly breathing, feeling that the Darkness within the mausoleum became even denser, giving an extreme sense of stillness.
Suddenly, whispers, some high, some low, simultaneously sounded. All the deceased lying in the coffins with white feathers on their backs floated up, and with their half-rotten, half-pale faces, they all looked out of the dream!
With a thud, Klein's heart lost control, as if being pulled by an invisible hand, being forcibly dragged out of his chest.
During this process, his dream instantly disintegrated into fragments, returning to nothingness.
And the last scene Klein saw was that those corpses with white feathers on their backs were pierced by almost illusory black thin tubes, the other end extending into the deepest part of the mausoleum, where boundless, profound, dense, evil, and cold black mist permeated.
The black mist slowly contracted and expanded, making a breathing sound. Klein's complexion rapidly turned pale, his skin decayed and oozed pus, and fine, yellowish-grease-stained white down grew from his pores. The projection of Azik's copper whistle in his palm then exploded into a mass of black mist.
Within the entire ancient palace, the mottled long table decayed and collapsed, and the twenty-two high-backed chairs were wrapped in white feathers, as if they had a life of their own.
The boundless grey fog silently rolled, and the mysterious space above it gently swayed. Everything quickly returned to its original state, as if nothing had happened.
After a while, Klein slowly got up, supporting himself with the high-backed chair, his expression pained. Having considerable experience with such matters, he quickly determined that the creature obscured by black mist in the deepest part of the dream divination earlier was of a very high rank, only slightly inferior to the true gods, and full of malice.
Klein, whose expression gradually calmed, integrated the illusory black mist remaining after the Azik copper whistle projection was shattered into the "World" stored in the pile of sundries. Looking at the paper figure quickly covered with feather-like patterns, he whispered: "Mr. Azik...."