Essyna opened a portal directly to the capital of the Witch Association. More precisely, it led into Nicneven’s majestic palace.“Zeke!”Jennifer ran up to Zeke and gave him a hug before worriedly checking for any injuries. “I’m fine, mom.”Zeke felt a bit embarrassed as they weren’t alone in the hall. In fact, there were dozens of 5-star witches, and two 6-star Witches.Jonathan Stellar Link approached Kleya and politely bowed before whispering a few words, to which she nodded at.Thereafter, he and his little group left the spacious hall. So did most of the witches, in fact.“Zeke Orland, follow me.”“Can’t I talk to him for a bit?”Although they hadn’t been separated for that long, Jennifer still wanted to spend some time with her son.“Her Majesty is waiting. We’re already late.”Kleya’s voice was slightly apologetic. She was the closest to Jennifer and knew how she had felt. However, due to Zeke refusing to cooperate with Jonathan, the plan was already delayed.He had been suppo
The Day of Reckoning“I’ll keep Angel and everyone safe.”Early in the morning, Celestia hugged Zeke and gave him a kiss.She looked nervous and unwilling to part with him, but she knew that she wouldn’t be of much help if she insisted on going with him.“I know you will. As for me, I’ll try not to disappear for more than five years this time.”“This isn’t the time for jokes!” She squeezed the back of his palm, which made him apologise.“I love you, Celestia.”“I love you too. Please be careful… and be safe.”Celestia wiped her teary eyes as she watched him leave the room.However, a couple of seconds later, someone knocked on the door. She thought he had forgotten something, but it turned out to be someone else.“You?”The unexpected visitor looked left and right, ensuring that he wasn’t followed, then asked to come inside.…In another room.“You’ve grown, Azmer.”The Dean, who had grown older and wrinklier, was sitting across from his student. They haven’t met for the past couple
An hour after the ceremony, Zeke was taken to the Throne Hall. All Witches, 4-star or higher, were orderly standing with hands behind their back and wearing official military attires.Zeke stared at Nicneven, who had changed from the royal robe to a more unique outfit. It was a silver light armor coupled with matching gloves, sabatons, and shoulder guards.She even had a black katana on her waist.“What?”She coldly looked back at him, annoyed despite him not muttering a single word.“Nothing.”“...”Nicneven checked everything and even wore a necklace made of bones, which was creepy and didn’t suit her style.“All is ready, Your Majesty.”The Witch of Disaster, Hephradet, approached Nicneven and bowed before gesturing toward the center of the Throne Hall.The last Proto-Demon, Essyna, was being assisted by a group of Witches as well as Aether-rich artifacts, all to facilitate opening the portal to her original world.“This is a two-way portal. All Witches will be on standby to fend o
“No harm shall come to her, Your Majesty.”The Sword Saint stood next to Essyna, who kept her arms extended toward the portal. She was supplied with ample artifacts that boosted her Aether output and recovery, thus prolonging the time in which she could maintain the portal.“...”Zeke looked around, spotting nothing but a sea of red fog. Strangely enough, it wasn’t as thick as the one on the Aether Planet, but this one felt more dangerous and sentient.“I’ll take the lead. You’ll save your energy for its Heart.”Nicneven took out an old compass and stared at it for a couple of seconds before she started walking towards a certain direction.Jonathan and Zeke were right behind her, the former looking tired but determined to see this to its end. In a matter of seconds, the Sword Saint and the young Proto-Demon were out of sight.Zeke noticed that the ground itself was sucked dry, for want of a better word. There was no ambient Aether whatsoever, and the dirt was like ash, soft and lacki
The Unending Star(Home planet of the Proto-Demons) The Cursed Plains “Your Majesty!” Jonathan ran to Nicneven to support her, but she stopped him and stood on her own. Parts of her armor had been dented or riddled with holes and her complexion got worse. They had increased their pace and were very close to the ominous spire looming within the Dead Ends. However, the closer they got, the stronger the resistance. The Witch Queen had slain over 10 of those adult dragons, that and hundreds of savage monstrosities. Jonathan had his fair share of battles too, but as Nicneven took the vanguard and eliminated the stronger ones, his job was relatively easier. At this point, Zeke felt a bit guilty and contemplated lending a hand. In a land utterly devoid of ambient Aether, it was surprising that the Witch Queen was able to fight non-stop against all sorts of enemies. Furthermore, she wasn’t a System user, so the Dead Ends were affecting her senses, but at a much slower pace than norma
Thanks to the thunderstorm Zeke had previously summoned, the three of them managed to reach and enter the Black Spike. Strangely enough, the entrance of the spire was fully-opened as if beckoning them inside. “This looks man-made.” “Because it is.” Answered Nicneven as she held the black katana with one hand and controlled five differently-colored elemental orb with the other. The interior of the black spike was empty but particularly eerie. Everything was black and except a spiralling staircase that led to the top, there was nothing else, not even the crimson fog. “Who made it?” “...” “Why do you refuse to tell me anything, Your Majesty? What is the Dead Ends? Who created it?” “You do not need to concern yourself with that. Just destroy the Hearts and everything will end.” Her immediate dismissal did irritate him, but he didn’t press her for answers he knew she wouldn’t give. “This is the final stretch. Jonathan, take the vanguard.” “Yes, Your Majesty.” Jonathan pushed bac
“I know this is a lot to take in, Zeke Orland. But, I want you to trust me. Know that I have your best interest in heart and I wouldn’t have come unless necessary. I could’ve let you venture alone and complete your objective, after which you’ll be killed by your own System.”Zeke pointed his open hand toward the incoming shades.[Voltage King]A barrage of lightning bolts was unleashed, piercing through the shades and extinguishing them. They vaporised in an instant, leaving only a bit of red fog.The Dead Ends and the Paths of Extinction System, they both had that unique and ominous crimson light. However, Zeke thought it was just a coincidence.Now that the truth was revealed to him, he felt a bit lost. It wasn’t that much of a surprise that his System was dangerous or a threat as he had already suspected as much after learning about Edward Heart.Nevertheless, the fact that it was a tool from the very beginning did make him feel weak and clueless.An eerie silence flowed between Ze
Right after the destruction of the Heart of the Dead Ends, Zeke stood there, seemingly in a daze.The Witch Queen stared at him intensely, and when his eyes glowed with a crimson light, she immediately attacked.Jonathan roared and rushed as well, a creeping Darkness exploding from his hands.Nicneven struck out from afar, unleashing a blazing wave of flames, fused with a spinning thick beam of Ice-aspected energy.The Paths of Extinction System, which had taken control of Zeke’s body, retaliated with full-force as well.Dozens of thunderbolts erupted from Zeke’s raised hand, blasting Jonathan back and clashing with the Queen’s magic.“The Seat of Magic.” Muttered a voice that didn’t resemble Zeke albeit speaking from his mouth.It was emotionless and cold, one which no living being would be able to imitate.[Voltage Zap]Using such an elementary skill, the System shot innumerable bolts that arched in the air and concentrated on Nicneven.She jumped out of the way and performed a stra