"These beings hold the fates of infinite realms in their hands without allowing those who reside in them to have any real control over their own lives, but don't you think that's unfair? You experienced it for yourself when I sealed your core. You know what the inability to have a say in how you live your life feels like first-hand," he continued, forcing his eyebrows upward to seem almost pleading.
"And you think giving power to all the realms is the way to make that happen? What of those that have creatures that could potentially challenge that liberation you're trying to give them and seize control for themselves?" I asked, hoping to find a flaw in his argument I could exploit.
He took a moment to pause and think about the question, pushing his bottom lip outward just a little. "Well, I suppose there are those who would be affected by the paradigm shift in power. After Nexis' untimely death by the wardens' hands, I wonder if any others might try to take up his mantle as my disciple," he began lightly, tilting his head side to side in consideration.
"Out of all the species I can think of, usually the more intelligent, human-like species are the greediest and most evil, often requiring the harshest means of control. However, their resistance will be of little consequence against the might of a true bearer of the Autarchica Primaria," he said, with a shrug, but apparently hadn't noticed the fact that I picked up on what he was implying.
Got you, I bit down a grin.
"That statement alone is why your plan would never work, Mideia," I began with a shake of my head. "Oh? Why do you think so?" he asked with genuine confusion. "Your version of liberation is nothing but a medium for you to step in and take control for yourself. In your case, you would end up subjugating these realms to a freedom only you have a say in, which, to me, sounds a lot more like slavery; a promise of power in exchange for undying servitude," I said, my tone growing dark with the last word, but much to my surprise, he grinned.
"Ah, I see. A minor slip of the tongue to a keen mind is like a loose scale on the mightiest dragon," he nodded slowly. "Well done, Thoma. Well done indeed, but regardless of your personal feelings toward the matter, it doesn't change the facts," he halted just before the panel Meliss had adjusted only a few minutes prior.
"You're right about that, but sadly, that doesn't make me want to take your side. Maybe in another life, I'd truly believe in your ideals, but this is not the one," I let out a heavy sigh, hoping to get him to let his guard down even for a split second, since I noticed Mom and the others growing restless, their hands gripping their hilts tightly.
To say I was genuinely surprised they'd held off on attacking for that long would be an understatement, but since they could sense my intentions of getting him to talk, they'd avoided it for as long as possible. Unfortunately, he'd already noticed what I was trying to do and chuckled lightly again.
"Oh, I understand, but you cannot say later that you weren't warned," he said with a dismissive wave. "You really would do well among them. You're as cunning as ever, but I pity you for thinking your little stall for time would succeed," he said, aiming a hand a Meliss and lifting it in one, smooth motion.
Leech mana exploded around her, forcing those surrounding her to protect themselves any way they could. Irun was nearly sent flying back into the wall. Thankfully, he was able to dig his daemonic claws into the ground beneath, then put up a barrier of violet mana hardly big enough to shield him under the forceful weight of the mana. Mom, Kalia, and Ysevel each did their best to protect against the blast, but even they found it difficult to bear.
Athar, however, looked like his mind was tearing itself in half, prompting Devyr to pick him up and lead him away from the source of his discomfort and shielding him as far away as she could.
I was also forced to shield myself from the blast, but in the split second of deviated attention, Mideia pinned Edryd to the ground by sickly green chains tethering him to the ground beneath the orb. "Ed!" I shouted through gritted teeth as the full brunt of Mideia's power suddenly engulfed the room.
Meliss suddenly disappeared from sight, only to reappear directly beside Balgrim's possessed form, her eyes glowing with Leech mana. "Damn you! How dare you use her body so carelessly, you mangy fuck?" I heard Mom seethe. I knew she didn't like Meliss very much, but even I was surprised to see he would stoop that low.
"Test me and find out," he grinned, his words tinged in the purest malice I'd ever seen. With a grunt of exertion, Mom dashed toward him with everything she had, her first strike taking them to the far side of the chamber, with Kalia following close behind, leaving Ysevel, Irun, and I to handle Meliss.
"Be careful, she's completely under his control, so it will be no different than if we were fighting Mideia himself," Ysevel warned us, drawing her weapon. Meliss held an emotionless, shadow-cast expression, but the look of both despair and acceptance in her eyes was only highlighted by the memory I had of her back when I told her the truth of how I felt that night on the balcony.
To be honest, I'd never wanted to see that look again, not even on the worst of my enemies' faces, but a single, mana-ridden tear streamed down her face that shed just enough light to burn it into memory with the might of the sun.
"I never would have thought I'd be fighting your ex, Thoma. At this point, it's really making me never want to date," Irun sighed and shook his head, forming his jagged kataki blade.
I know he's just trying to lighten my mood about this, and even though I know it's Mideia inhabiting her body, I never would have guessed it would come to this, either, I sent Ysevel, slowly drawing my blade. I know. Will you be alright? If you need to step away from this, just let me know, she offered, but I shook my head.
No, I can't walk away from this now. It would be a disservice to the sacrifice she made for us earlier. The least we can do is give her a quick death to put an end to Mideia's control. I'm sure that's what she would've wanted, I sent back, taking a deep breath and setting my jaw once more.
Just behind her, I saw the orb of Leech mana beginning to react, but to what was something I couldn't pinpoint with it being as saturated in the chamber as it was. However, my focus was drawn back to Meliss immediately as her mouth moved silently. I couldn't hear or understand what it was she'd said, but I felt my anger and hatred toward Mideia grow that much stronger.
I didn't need to tell the others it was time to begin our assault, but they followed my lead as I led the charge, drawing as much Ethereal mana as my body could handle.
I'm so sorry, I thought privately, gripping my blade as the stones beneath my feet crumbled into little more than dust.