Fracture (2)

It was a dizzying flow.

Time accelerated, space distorted, and their field of view extended.

Even in the midst of it all, Veras mind couldnt stop thinking of what just happened a while ago.

Just now

He locked eyes with Ardain.

That wasnt all.

He clearly intended to talk to him.

It was clearly an illusion, and he was only taking a peek into a fixed past, so how could such a thing be possible?

As his thoughts continued, the world returned to its normal pace.

Vera!

Yes Its okay.

Renees hand clutched Veras collar.

What was that? What happened?

Im not even sure

Veras face crumpled.

But what is certain is that Ardains intentions are included in Orgus actions.

And there was one more thing.

It means that theres something Ardain wants to accomplish through us.

At Renees words, Vera nodded in affirmation and described the scene before them.

A room Its a room. It looks like a room made with partitions under a big tent. And in the middle of the room

At that moment, Veras body jerked slightly.

It was due to the unbelievable sight that entered his vision.

Renee tilted her head in confusion at the way Vera suddenly stopped in his tracks.

Whats wrong?

Theres Alaysia.

Alaysia was there.

She was sitting on a chair, a smile on her face.

Vera frowned and looked at where her gaze was directed to, her big stomach.

Pregnant?

What?

Her stomach is big. Its so big that anyone will be convinced that shes carrying a child.

It was strange.

Vera knew something even though he didnt have much knowledge about the ancient species.

The ancient species couldnt conceive.

They were already complete beings and could not propagate their offspring.

That was also the reason why Locrions dragons, Nartanias followers, Maleus undead, and Aedrins elves were born using the characteristics of natural objects or other creatures.

In other words, the view in front of them was absurd.

Veras expression turned grave.

How could?

In the midst of his confusion, the tent was lifted, and Ardain appeared.

Alaysia.

Aru!

Alaysia got up from her seat.

The next thing she did was to walk over to Ardain and hug him.

The child kicked.

Alaysia.

I can feel a heartbeat. Im sure its a healthy child.

Alaysia.

Who will the child resemble? I hope the child looks like Aru

Alaysia.

Alaysias voice trailed off.

Her gaze turned to Ardain.

Immediately, her eyes folded into a crescent.

Huh?

Ardains expression didnt look good.

It was a look of sadness, but also of pity.

Its a child that will never be born. You know it.

Renees breath caught in her throat.

Meanwhile, Ardain continued.

We are the Parents Representatives. We shouldnt recklessly give this power to anyone else. No, this should never have happened

Aru.

Alaysias expression faded.

I dont know what Aru is talking about.

Ardains brows furrowed.

That child shouldnt be born.

A healthy child will be born.

We are beings that are complete as one. You are now doing something you should not be doing.

Our parent told me to love. When you love, you protect, right?

Thats not love.

Ardain squeezed Alaysias wrists.

Youre being greedy. This is not something were allowed to do.

Is it greedy to love?

Alaysia!

Ardain, who had only spoken in a soft tone, let out a sharp and loud voice for the first time.

Fulfill your duty!

Im doing my duty. Im loving with all my might.

What you should love is not yourself!

I love Aru, not myself. And this child is Arus child.

That is a child made by stealing what is mine.

Ardain towered over her.

Leaning his head closer to Alaysia, leaving their noses inches apart, Ardain spoke.

Do I need to say it with my own mouth? Isnt the reason you want to give birth to that child because you covet the authority given to me?! Isnt it because you covet my existence that is passed to that child?!

Cant I?

Alaysia. What youre trying to do is creating the Tenth. Do you even realize that?

Yeah, it will add another member to our family.

Grit

Ardain clenched his teeth.

Dont disappoint me.

Do you hate me now, Aru?

If I did, I wouldnt have allowed you to exist.

He frowned.

Ardain heaved a long sigh and then added.

I know, indeed. I am aware of how far your transgressions and greed will go. And even the fate that awaits you at the end of it all.

Yes, Aru knows everything. Youre the child our parent loves most.

Thats right, so lets stop it now. Alright? Now lets get that thing in your stomach

Aru knows, right?

Thwump!

A disgusting sound rang out.

Cough!

The sound of rapid breathing and stifled groans echoed through the room.

The scene in front of him made Veras head turn blank.

Aru knows Id do this.

A smile tugged at the corner of Alaysias mouth.

Ardain glared at Alaysia with a wretched look on his face. Her white arm pierced through his chest as he kept vomiting blood.

Its not late

Its late.

Snap

Alaysias other hand broke Ardains neck.

This is Arus fault. This is because Aru doesnt love his child.

A gruesome greed came to the surface.

An unquenchable obsession toward one goal was engraved in those eyes.

Its not allowed because were great? Because were one, we arent allowed?

Slowly, Ardains body collapsed.

Alaysia caught his body, laid it on the ground, and spoke.

So, if were no longer great and one, youll allow it, right?

Greed opened her mouth wide.

The corners of her mouth parted all the way to her ears, and then a long tongue stuck out.

Then Aru will be my only Aru forever, right?

Her head dropped down.

The long, protruding tongue coiled around the pure whiteness.

Vera crumpled his face, but the whole process was burned into his eyes.

A physically incomprehensible scene followed.

Alaysia swallowed Ardain, who was larger than her own body, like a snake devouring its prey.

Then, she licked up the blood on the floor and drank it.

It was a sickening sight. A hideous sight that disgusted Vera, who was watching it, and Renee, who was only hearing it.

Then suddenly

Uh?

Alaysias body swelled up.

She crouched down.

Her back heaved endlessly, and her stomach bulged.

Her body, which was throbbing so loudly as if it was about to explode, soon scattered in all directions with a bloody sound.

Splat!

Blood, flesh, and organs swept through the tent.

All of that fell to the ground with a thudding sound.

It was a scene that made all the hair on ones body stand.

Not long after, Alaysias head, which had fallen late, rolled over to the pool of blood.

Wow

She exclaimed.

Where Alaysias gaze fell was something lying on top of the pool of blood.

It was a fetus with a grotesque and ominous shape.

It was in an unfinished form, with the eye sockets just beginning to form, but even so, it had distinctive features.

There were ten horns on the top of its head.

And the six heads sprouting all over its body were shaking.

The fetus stirred.

It gasped and twisted.

Then, with a fizz, it began to melt.

Shhh

It happened in an instant.

Alaysia giggled at the bizarre sight of the human form dissolving into blood.

Aru really knows everything.

With a popping sound, a body grew from Alaysias neck.

After her neck and collarbone, her chest followed, then her shoulders and stomach, her arms, pelvis, and legs sprouted.

You prepared yourself before coming to me.

Her body had recovered as if nothing had happened, but there was no more fullness in her belly.

Alaysia rose to her feet.

She stepped over the pool of blood, then stepped on Ardains rolling head that wasnt digested.

By the way, what else did you prepare?

She stepped hard, but there was no answer.

This was because Ardain, falling short of his name as an ancient species, had completely become a corpse.

Hmm

Splash splash

Ardains white hair turned red as Alaysia stomped her feet.

If its Aru, Im sure youve prepared a lot, right? Lets see Did you tell the others in advance? Or did you prepare a blade in secret? Oh, you could have stolen the authority from our parent, right? That must be it, because I cant feel anything from Aru right now.

Alaysia crouched down.

Sitting on the pool of blood, she lifted Ardains head and hugged it in her arms.

Were you so afraid of our child? Youre a coward, Aru.

The words, sung with a smile on her tearful face, told Vera and Renee the truth that had remained hidden.

Stupid Aru. Even if you tear out your soul and run away, I will find you.

Over the red pool, Alaysias hair began to absorb and turn into the color of blood.

Because I love Aru so much. Ill keep waiting, no matter how long it takes. And then Ill see you again.

Alaysias eyes folded into crescents.

The corners of her mouth parted in a long line.

So

She held up Ardains head.

After pulling it upright, Alaysia kissed the parted lips and spoke.

Be my sacrifice forever, Aru.

With that whisper, time accelerated once more.

***

[I had to run away.]

A voice echoed in Veras head amidst the accelerating time.

Ardain?

It was his voice.

Vera turned his eyes, trying to find him despite the dizzying view, but it was impossible to find him.

[I had to stop Alaysia. I had to hide myself so that her greed wouldnt succeed.]

Black and white lines filled his vision.

Countless voices buzzed in his ears like a roar.

[It was the only way I could think of. Even though I knew the consequences would be tragic, I couldnt think of any other way.]

Snap

The accelerating world stopped.

Immediately, it began to move at a speed that Vera was very familiar with.

In front of him was a gigantic citadel.

And a throne.

Find him.

Alaysia was there, sitting cross-legged and whispering.

Kneeling before her were countless humans.

Their eyes were filled with terror.

Boom!

The earth shook.

The walls crumbled, letting out a rumble.

Then, beyond the fallen walls, a giant rose up.

[Alaysia!]

Terdan vented his anger.

He curled his fist and launched it toward Alaysia.

Clash!

And once again, the world was turned upside down.

***

Pure white snowy fields.

Locrion and Nartania faced each other.

[Are you trying to stop me?]

[For the Creator did not plan for you.]

Locrions scales bristled.

His big mouth gaped wide open.

[Queen, thou must await thy appointed hour.]

Nartania spread out all six pairs of arms.

[Thats the problem with you. You always talk nonsense and block my path.]

The snowy field vibrated.

The fallen snow was thrown back to the sky, and two unfathomable forces began to fight.

Soon after, along with a blinding burst of light, the landscape was turned upside down again.

***

The series of consecutive scenes made Vera gasp for air.

What just?

He was confused because of the information that pounded into his brain.

His headache went beyond its limit because other scenes followed before he could process what he had just seen.

Vera! Are you okay?!

He heard Renees urgent voice.

Just as Vera was about to respond,

[Get out of the way.]

A voice rang in the newly emerging landscape.

Vera looked up and soon recognized the owner of that voice.

It was a black beast the size of a fortress with a pure white arm extending from its spine.

There was a giant tree in front of it.

Friede?

And an elf with a blank expression.