Chapter 221: Story
"Stop fighting, Elian Reed. I will ensure no harm will come to you or your family. Better yet, just kill yourself for the sake of the world."
Origin’s words caused Elian’s body to tense up. The visions he saw felt so real, as if they were all truly memories from a different timeline. Granted that Origin had the capability to traverse worlds, or what seemed like it, it made sense.
Elian knew it long ago. He was inherently broken. It all began when he was left alone to die in that cave. From a normal guy, something inside him twisted.
As he cried in fear in that dark cave, waiting for his death, he lost his humanity. It was only because Bianca was present that he managed to get some of it back. But what would happen if he suddenly forgot her one day?
I would lose the reason for wanting to exist.
And sadly, regardless of his love for Bianca, he ran the risk of losing her love. For all his power, Elian couldn’t even promise her that he would never forget her, nor their time together.
Pathetic.
Despite Elian’s recent triumph as the Tyrant of Earth, he considered himself weak. He could not seal Driven-Hopeless, it was too useful a skill. It was the only reason why he won over Heaven’s Fist.
Elian knew that if it came to it, he would choose to lose memories all to ensure Bianca would not die. Even if it meant for him to forget. He wasn’t strong enough to watch her die. He would rather bear the burden and leave the aftermath to her.
It didn’t take much to imagine what would happen.
Elian and Bianca would come up against an overwhelming opponent. They would do whatever it takes to win; Elian would trigger Driven Hopeless and lose memories.
Enough times and he would forget her completely just like he did with Ned Patel. And while he could regain some of them, so long as he fought, he would lose more. Until the time came that he would be nothing more than a hollow emotionless machine.
The image Elian saw in the visions haunted him. It showed what he would eventually become. One he knew for certain was the most probable outcome. And that version of him would kill Bianca and many others.
"Kill those you wish to kill, but save a hundred times that number."
This was the absolute rule Elian taught the Weapons. It should have prevented the genocides he saw in the reality Origin showed. But he knew better, for all the autonomy he enforced on the Weapons, he could enslave them just as easily.
He just chose not to.
Unfortunately, that meant as long as he fell apart, there was literally nothing the rest of the Weapons could do.
Origin is right; if I live, I will cause much suffering, Elian could only conclude in sadness.
But before he could say anything, she acted.
KRZZZZZ—THOOM!
Like a goddess out to end the world, Bianca attacked. Unleashing everything she could, the villainess drove Origin back.
"JUST SHUT UP!"she roared like a beast.
Elian could only stare dumbfounded at his beloved. She was the epitome of beauty, intelligence, and power. And her face warped in fury.
"Enough with your abject accusations, you disgusting faceless pile of crap! How dare you slander my beloved husband with your abhorrent fabrications! I DON’T CARE WHO YOU ARE OR WHAT YOU ARE! ANYONE WHO HARMS MY HUSBAND SHALL DIE!"
Her words caused Elian to choke up. Despite the darkness and evil Elian could unleash on the world, to Bianca, he was still her "Beloved Husband," nothing more and nothing less.
To Bianca, Origin’s words were lies. Although she never explained, Elian understood. No matter the reason, Bianca Valestra would never abandon him. For one simple reason.
"I love you, Elian Reed. More than anything in my life. I want to be your wife, the mother of your children, and the only woman who holds your heart. I love you more than words could ever say. I love you. I love you. I love you..."
Just remembering her words gave Elian unfathomable strength. All the doubts, fears, and questions about his other self, vanished. In their place, only one truth remained.
The promise and vow that he and Bianca made.
"For our happy ending," he recited with conviction.
[Password accepted. Alert: all prerequisites for the hidden quest for Elian Reed have been cleared.]
[Alert: You have received a quest: End the Crucible.]
Quest Giver: Magnolia Dawson
World: Earth
Details: Unknown.
Locations: Unknown.
Time limit: 10 minutes
Reward: N/A
Failure Penalty: N/A
Accept? Yes | No]
"..."
A thousand questions swirled through Elian’s mind at this moment, but he held his tongue and focused on the sudden mission he received. It was a mission from someone who died nearly five decades ago.
[Debrief available. Would you like to view it?]
"Yes," Elian answered curtly.
A video then began to play in Elian’s vision. The background appeared like a typical office one would see anywhere.
There was an old woman in a lab gown seated at the center of the video. She was a 50-year-old grandma wearing a blue shirt, white slacks, and a white lab coat. The grandma had on a pair of glasses and was quietly sipping tea.
After her sip, she placed the teacup down and smiled, [Pleased to meet you, Elian Reed. You have no idea how much I have waited for this moment.]
"..."
[Not one for words, I see. I apologize that I am far from your type,] she teased with a light chuckle.
"I have questions," Elian grunted in annoyance.
[I know. It is as Origin has said. I am his sister; so, we have the same power. Or more like he calls me his sister because I originally had the same power. As Bianca had already told you, I am a Psychomancer. That you should already know.]
"But this is—"
[As much as I want to humor you, Weapon, we’re short on time,] Dr. Magnolia interrupted.
She frowned and her face turned serious. [At this moment, Bianca should have begun to fight my brother; she cannot defeat him. Only one person has been able to do so. And that person is none other than you.]
"Even if that is the truth, how can I stop the future? How do I not forget Bianca?"
Dr. Magnolia then shook her head and sighed.
[You ask the wrong question, Elian Reed. You miss the forest for the trees. Didn’t you remember your friend? Why can’t you remember Bianca using the same method?]
"..."
[I guess it would be far better to show you,] Dr. Magnolia concluded. She took a tablet and operated it for a few seconds.
[Theater mode enabled. Your body will remain in stasis until you return.]
At those words, Elian felt his consciousness slip away. His vision turned blurry, then all he saw was darkness.
A great light shone and allowed him to see a moment later. Only rather than the crucible with Origin and Bianca, he now saw a different scene. It was a scene of a man being dragged towards a gigantic throne made of ice.
[So, this is the Villainess, huh? Funny. I would assume you to be absolutely ugly from all the stories I have heard.]
His eyes grew wide when he saw the man’s face and build. It looked like a younger version of his father, only it had his features. The man looked up toward the figure who stood imposingly on top of the throne.
Bianca.
Instantly, Elian recognized his wife. She wore different armor, but it was none other than the Witch of the Frozen Night.
[Wow. Huff... Big breasts, thick thighs, and a tiny waist. Pale skin, and you’re even rocking a ponytail. What the hell? You’re totally my type!]
Hearing the blatant lechery of the man made Elian’s eyebrows furrow.
This horny bastard...
The video played on and showed Bianca one-sidedly forcing his alter version to ingest Forged. Without his consent, Elian was turned into a golem. And when he threatened to kill himself in protest.
[So you say. What about Katri Valkama?]
[...]
[I give you a simple choice. Follow me or she dies. I am aware you lost your parents to monsters. Go against me and I will make you a widower on top of being an orphan.]
[Is she safe?]
[She is alive. And will continue to be until you complete your task.]
[What must I do?]
[Destroy the Crucible. That is why I made you.]
[I understand.]
Just then, a female voice began to speak. It was Dr. Magnolia’s voice.
[This is the part Origin will not show you. There are two key differences between you and that world’s Elian Reed. One is that your parents were dead by the time you returned to humanity. The other is that no one saved you when you were betrayed.]
"..."
[What you fear will not happen, Elian Reed,] the Psychomancer reassured. [In this timeline, Tom and Susan Reed were protected. The you who reunited with them after you were betrayed and the one who did not—therein lies a huge difference. You should know this best.]
Elian couldn’t help but nod. His father’s words were what allowed him to find his current path. While he and Bianca wouldn’t have been able to reintegrate with humanity without his mother.
And without Bianca, Elian probably would have grown cynical and disassociated from humanity all together.
[In case you haven’t understood yet, I changed this reality to force that outcome, Elian Reed. I changed the story. And you are the protagonist.]
Dumbfounded by what he heard, Elian tried to find Dr. Magnolia as he had asked. "You changed the story? Why?"
[Why do you think? To give you an alternative. After many tries, only this world showed the best chances for success. To ensure Elian Reed stayed human, I gave you an Anchor. The same Villainess who would turn you into a genocidal Weapon: Bianca Valestra.]
"..."
Unable to utter a single word, Dr. Magnolia continued.
[Let me now answer all your questions about why this world became the way it is, Elian Reed. And why the fate of the multi-verse rides on you.]
"..."
[Let me tell you the story of the Tyrant of the End.]