"Hmm? What does this mean?"
Having just received the gift of "The Nihility," Leon heard the singing voice and was somewhat puzzled.
Oh crap, how did "IX" manage to raise his fish to death!
"You are too despicable! You actually poisoned the water!"
He pointed at "IX" and accused.
"?"
"IX" couldn't be bothered to deal with him, showing a rare, speechless reaction akin to a sweating-face emoji.
In the next second, He shifted His position, deciding to ignore Leon completely. He continued to rot away in peace.
"Sigh, off to fish I go."
Seeing Him leave, Leon had to attend to his own business. If he didn't fish the fish out, he wouldn't have the face to return to the Astral Express.
Later on, the expert Cerydra would definitely have an opinion about it.
Fortunately, he had already swiped the control rights of this world from "IX's" hands. Fishing would be a breeze.
At the place where two domains contended.
"It seems you miscalculated."
Acheron, who was at a disadvantage and almost undoubtedly defeated, showed no posture that a loser should have.
Because both of them could sense that an indescribable anomaly had occurred in this world for a split second just now.
There were only a few people present, and among them, who could trigger "The Nihility"?
There were three in total. Since two were standing right here, did the answer to the remaining one even need to be spoken?
"This is nothing."
Zephyro sheathed his sword, showing no reaction to her words.
"Whether falling or Coronation, I fully accept my destiny."
After speaking, He turned around, seemingly about to leave.
"Just, in what manner I die..."
The domain dispersed. Zephyro was not a sore loser. A loss is a loss, a win is a win; reality is reality. He would never refute anything, because that would never change anything.
"...should be decided by myself."
Leon had arrived; Zephyro knew He could not live. But He still had the chance for a fight to the death.
Although it was much earlier than planned, He would launch His second charge against "IX" right now. If He didn't succeed, He would die trying.
Zephyro was just about to leave when He discovered His body couldn't move even a fraction. It was as if this space was intentionally preventing Him from leaving.
This was very wrong. In "IX's" turf, who else besides "IX" Himself had the qualification to give orders?
"Who do you think you are?"
In the next second, the Light Arrow of "The Hunt" flew forth!
Zephyro subconsciously raised his sword, but the sword that had clashed with "Naught" many times without cracking was directly snapped in two by this single arrow.
The Light Arrow hit Zephyro squarely in the center of His forehead, and the white cloth covering His face was stained by the overflowing golden blood.
"Heavenly General... can you even defeat Him?"
Zephyro could perceive that this world had already become something in Leon's palm. But how was this possible?
How could he possibly seize this thing from "IX's" hands! This was completely illogical; "The Nihility" was not like this at all! He did not accept it!
"What's the matter? You unconvinced?"
Leon nocked another arrow; this arrow would end Zephyro's life.
Zephyro gave him one last look and did not reply. He raised his sword, slit his throat, and ended himself—his movements concise and clean!
Even if there was a chance to escape, Zephyro would not choose it. He indeed couldn't beat Leon; He admitted it. When "The Destruction" encountered its own "Destruction," there would absolutely be no evasion.
Zephyro's body dissipated. This Self-Annihilator finally returned to the moment He charged into "IX's" divine body all those years ago.
In the land of "The Nihility," He welcomed the deserved, yet belated, end.
The residual aftershocks of "The Destruction" still wanted to cause trouble. The self-destruction of a Lord Ravager was perfectly capable of taking an "Emanator" down with it.
But it was suppressed by Leon with a single arrow of "Erudition"! The loud cannon instantly turned into a dud.
"You came just in time."
Seeing him, Acheron's tightly strung heart finally relaxed.
"It's a bit hard to find people here. I just got control rights."
If he hadn't swiped this thing from "IX," Leon would indeed have had to rely on Hysilens' singing to guide the way.
"You went there, right?"
With a click, Acheron sheathed "Naught."
"The end of 'The Nihility'."
Her hair, her eyes, her arm—all the anomalies on Acheron's body vanished, returning to their original appearance. Only the exhaustion on her face from the clash with Zephyro lingered.
"What is in that place?"
Acheron looked at him, asking despite knowing the answer. To be able to obtain the control rights of this land of "Nihility" meant Leon must have met "IX." How exactly did he manage to get it from Him?
"IX" didn't manage affairs. Theoretically speaking, anything could be obtained by relying on one's own strength and ability. Perhaps Leon moved "IX."
"Go see for yourself later. The four of us together."
Leon didn't answer, simply saying this. Acheron nodded and smiled at him.
"I'll wait for you," she said.
Leon made an OK sign. Then, he went to fish for his fish.
"Hysilens! Hysilens!"
Frebass shouted, extremely anxious. The "Nihility" on her body had disappeared; the singing that had abruptly sounded just now allowed her to resist the temptation of the black hole. She had finally regained clarity.
But once she recovered, Frebass saw that the people traveling with her were gone. She immediately knew whose handiwork this was.
"Why..."
Frebass knelt weakly on the ground.
"Damn it... my ideal... why let someone else drown for me..."
Frebass didn't understand why her own weakness had to be paid for by others. Her failure to resist the temptation of "The Nihility" was her own problem; she had long been mentally prepared for failure. This wasn't Hysilens' ideal.
She had absolutely no reason to risk her life for her!
Thinking of this, for no reason at all, the Nameless Creed she had sworn before suddenly rang in Frebass's mind.
Two: Even amidst stormy waves, the Express crew should stand united.
"Idiot!"
Frebass gritted her teeth, unwilling to accept this ending.
"How can this be! The four of us must go back safely together!"
She constantly slapped the surface of the "Nihility" sea, wanting to shatter it to save people. But the surface of the "Nihility" remained motionless; not even ripples were stirred up by her slapping.
Her "Trailblaze" was simply insufficient to leave a crack on "The Nihility." The reason Hysilens and Acheron could do it was that they shared the same origin and had themselves been registered on "The Nihility."
"Acheron..."
How Frebass wished that splash of crimson could save the scene in time. But she knew Acheron couldn't get away right now either.
That deep sense of powerlessness lingered in her heart, refusing to dissipate.
"Navigator..."
The only one she could pin her hopes on now was that Navigator of the Astral Express.
"I am here. I am always here."
Frebass froze. Before she could come back to her senses, the Sea of "Nihility" beneath her feet was abruptly and forcefully torn open.
As if receiving an order, the Sea of "Nihility" parted to the left and right, revealing Hysilens, who was falling downward, in full view.
Beneath this magnificent scene of the parting sea, a figure flashed past, rushing toward her.
"Going home."
Hearing the familiar voice, Hysilens, wrapped in "The Nihility," groggily opened her eyes. The Savior's face was close at hand.
Leon extended his hand to the daughter of the sea, quietly waiting for her to make up her mind to go ashore with him.
Hysilens opened her mouth slightly, seemingly wanting to say something. But in the end, she didn't utter a word.
Seeing him, a smile finally appeared on Hysilens' face. Swimming fish are naturally phototactic. And now, the brightest light was within reach.
She reached out her hand to him, but she did not grab the hand he extended toward her. Her slender five fingers landed lightly on Leon's chest.
Then, the swimming fish pushed the light she chased upward.
She made him distance himself from this Sea of "Nihility," not accepting his invitation. The two looked each other in the eye, and Hysilens shook her head at him.
She was already too deeply entangled with "The Nihility." As someone who experienced it firsthand, she knew best that this massive "Nihility" could cause even Leon to fall into "IX's" shadow if he wasn't careful.
She didn't want to drag him into this lightless seabed too.
This is fine.
A subject's life was not worth mentioning to begin with. To be able to exert final value for the monarch she pledged loyalty to was already her greatest honor.
She didn't mind. She had long been accustomed to the dim and lightless life in the abyss. It was nothing more than returning to the beginning...
Hysilens thought this.
Slap.
"No, what do you mean by that, sister?"
Leon forcefully and proactively grabbed her hand. He completely couldn't understand what kind of maneuver this was.
"When did I fall to the point of needing a tragic vessel like you to care?"
The emotions Hysilens revealed throughout her life were never intense. She wouldn't think "I definitely must," but rather "I hope" or "I can only."
Just as Halicra's source motive factor was "Denial." She spent her life denying herself.
Therefore, she would place the meaning of her survival on others; she spent her life waiting for the person who would pull her out of "The Nihility."
Cerydra, Aglaea—they had all been this person.
And now, it was Leon's turn. No longer a temporary light, but the light of a lifetime. A sun worthy of Hysilens swearing lifelong loyalty to.
"δΩΩ², is the Emperor's Conquest."
Leon knew what Hysilens was worried about. Actually, thinking back now, he was also quite puzzled.
Not getting close to "IX's" "Nihility" could be overcome with powerful mental fortitude. That was no problem.
But the "Nihility" around "IX" was, after all, the manifestation of an "Aeon's" mighty power. Leon had stayed by "IX's" side for so long, not only safe and sound but not even affected in the slightest.
This was indeed a bit unreasonable. Where did he get the capital to contend with an "Aeon"?
[Remark: This superpower is a passive skill. The effect is to seal off one's entire perception. Don't ask how to trigger it; asking means you'll understand sooner or later.]
Leon recalled the introduction of this superpower. Total Sensory Closure. Letting one be completely immersed in their own world, unaware of what heaven and earth are.
Wasn't this the best method against "The Nihility"?
Zephyro was right. Unless he was hacking, he really couldn't resist the erosion brought by "IX." So Leon had never turned it off from the start.
"Fishy, stop being so emo."
Leon grabbed Hysilens' wrist, fishing her up from the Sea of "Nihility."
"Our Astral Express family is a community of shared destiny!"
"Community of shared destiny..."
Hysilens muttered to herself; these words struck a chord in her heart considerably.
"Mm, community of shared destiny!"
Facing his eyes, an imperceptible smile rose on Hysilens' exquisite face. In this moment, the lost fish found a new ocean sufficient to accommodate her.
That true ocean in the oracle—
"Realm of Heaven and Earth's Ocean."
Hysilens looked at Leon's face. Cerydra always said her loyalty didn't vanish with Caesar's death. Hysilens thought she could finally speak from her heart now.
No longer a fake, spiteful saying of:
—Caesar, leave my heart.
*
"Really... you could have come earlier..."
Frebass looked at the two escaping from "The Nihility" and finally breathed a sigh of relief.
"Very timely, isn't it?"
Acheron walked over from behind, holding her blade.
"Acheron?"
Frebass turned at the sound. "You're okay too... that's great..."
Seeing that Acheron had no external injuries other than being a bit weak, Frebass was truly relieved.
"If not for him, I might have had issues."
Acheron didn't deny it; she hadn't won against Zephyro. If Leon hadn't come to help her first, she indeed couldn't have come out unscathed.
"The Astral Express's Navigator of this generation is so strong," Frebass lamented.
As far as she knew, the path of "The Trailblaze" hadn't produced an "Emanator" level figure for a long time. The reason various factions were willing to give face to the Astral Express wasn't because of strength, but because of reputation.
However, under Leon's current leadership, the source of that face should shift from reputation to strength.
"Let's go. To the end. All of us together."
Leon brought Hysilens before the two.
"The place Akivili has not reached, we shall trailblaze."
The four gathered together once again.
"Yes, us together!"
Frebass, who was half-kneeling on the ground, stood up and nodded heavily.
"This, returning to you."
Hysilens returned the compass Frebass had entrusted to her earlier to its original owner.
"I think there's no need for me to do it for you anymore."
Frebass took it. She subconsciously looked down and froze.
The needle of the compass was no longer falling downward but was firmly pointing in a certain direction. She looked up at Leon.
Only he could do such a thing here; it had almost become a stereotype.
"Go on, set off following the compass's direction."
Leon simply said that to her. Indeed, he did it. Under "IX's" transfer, he had already become the master of this world. Such a small matter as the compass needle was naturally a piece of cake.
"Then, let's set off!"
Frebass took a deep breath and gripped the compass tightly.
...
The four arrived at the end.
The result was unsurprising. The end of "The Nihility" was only "The Nihility." Expecting "IX," this kind of nihilist toward all things, to hide something big for you? You might as well wash up and go to sleep.
"Sure enough, there's nothing."
Frebass looked at the empty space before her, unexpectedly calm.
"Disappointed?"
Leon had known this result long ago. The only thing of value in this place was "IX" Himself. Acheron had also come for Him. And the "IX" who was supposed to be here had already shifted positions because He couldn't stand Leon.
"It's okay."
Frebass shook her head.
"After all, no matter what, it's true that Akivili hasn't been here!"
Frebass was very optimistic. Even if the story is fake, the bits and pieces of love on the journey are real. It was true that there was nothing here, but it was also true that Akivili had never visited.
She had already walked a path deeper and farther than Akivili! For Frebass, this was enough.
"Whether the ending of the story is worth the hardships along the way should be decided by the people who write it themselves."
In Acheron's view, good or bad should be decided subjectively by them. At least, in her opinion, it was quite worth it; exchanging blows with Zephyro had benefited her greatly.
"The final procedure. Leave a mark belonging to 'The Trailblaze' here."
Leon handed a Space Anchor to Frebass.
"Haha, I feel like future Nameless won't be people who want to come to this place."
Frebass took it, feeling that people like her would ultimately be the minority.
"On the Path of Trailblaze, there is never a lack of god-like figures appearing."
Leon told her not to be a hater. A Nameless who liked digging through trash cans might look like a psycho to outsiders, but among them Nameless, that could only be considered a normal person. There are many god-like people in the world; true and false Trailblaze, who can say.
"True enough."
Frebass planted the Trailblaze beacon, feeling that what he said made sense.
"By the way, let's shout that! I haven't had a chance to shout it yet!"
She proposed to the three. Leon and Hysilens looked at each other and nodded.
"Shout what?" Acheron was completely confused. Why did the three seem to know perfectly well, leaving her ostracized?
"May this journey..."
Frebass spoke first.
"Lead us starward!" x3
The three shouted the Trailblaze slogan in unison, then shifted their gaze unanimously to Acheron. Being watched by them, Acheron didn't come back to her senses for a moment.
Only after a good while did she finally react.
"...May this journey, lead us starward?"
Acheron added with half-knowledge, interpreting the label of a clumsy beauty to the fullest.
"Hahaha."
Laughter echoed in this space. "The Nihility" was no longer "The Nihility"; this world was artificially endowed with the meaning of existence.
...
The Gap in the Path of "The Destruction."
The four Lord Ravagers had been waiting here on standby for the result after Zephyro left. Because They all knew. Whether Zephyro succeeded or failed, the answer would come very quickly with that Heavenly General's interference.
"Zephyro is dead."
Celenova announced this sorrowful news.
"Oh, my old colleague, may 'The Destruction' rest your soul."
Quietus took off his hat and placed it over his chest, mourning Zephyro for a few seconds.
"Iron Tomb fallen, Zephyro perished, Phantylia captured."
Compared to the first two who met Nanook openly and fearlessly, Phantylia was simply a disgrace.
"There were eight Lord Ravagers; now only four remain."
Counting Zulo, there were a total of four Lord Ravagers. All four had folded in the hands of the Galaxy Rangers. Damn it!
"But their departure cannot hinder the progress of the Wounded God's great cause of 'Destruction.' 'Emanators' are nothing more than fuel for the 'Aeon.'"
"As many as needed, there are."
Celenova implied something. "There are many people who have long been under the Wounded God's gaze."
"Whether it is Zephyro or Iron Tomb, there will be successors to take their places."
"And before that. I think it is time to introduce a new colleague to you all."
In the second after Celenova's voice fell, a cold female voice sounded faintly from afar.
"This time."
A woman with sky-blue long hair, her eyes covered by black gauze, walked out slowly.
"—The Alliance will definitely put The Abundance to death!"
____
New Story: Bleach: Dominating Soul Society in One Sting
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