EPISODE 204: CLANG! 2

— GREAT EDRYAN, YEAR: 7292. SEASON: NEW BEGINNING.

Blue skies… sunny days… cool wind, and spring haze.

Oh, what a lovely day…

Oh, what a lovely life…

Green pastures… grassy dew… warm stones, and bleached bones…

Oh, Eradication has come…

Oh, Eradication has gone…

Blank gazes… screaming children… burning cities, and hanged guilty…

Oh, potential has been wasted…

Oh, potential has been uplifted…

Marching troops… dismembered corpses… tortured elves, and dried carrion…

Oh, the goblins consume it…

Oh, the goblins adhere it…

Crying Saphens… storming Magi… Carno comes, and Eradication follows…

Oh, what a lovely day…

Oh, what a lovely life…

— Excerpt from ???

Lawruthian shot forward, a skill activating as the wind danced on the edge of his blade. It seemed sharper, like it could cut the air in twain. Behind him, the Imperius Army began its aerial battle; General Alexandria kept her soldiers in a close but spread-out circular formation. Flight skills were a part of all magic movement skills, and an array of different skills were being displayed to allow the army its flight.

The majority were powered through flames as red-orange fire shot from the feet of soldiers, carefully propelling them upward. Others were from various other elements with a focus on earth and wind. Those with great wind affinities seemed to treat the air as just another form of the earth. They moved with precision, their attacks and defense against the wyvern are no different than if they were on the ground. Those with earth affinities found themselves conjuring foot-sized platforms through the element.

‎ Although humans weren't bound to any specific element like Wind Elves and other such races, their general affinities were usually closely bound to the Natural Elements more than anything else.

Lawruthian half focused on the creature before him—it gave him a sense of danger but not by an exaggerated degree. "(Inspect)."

[Rising Calamity: Contra — ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ]

Base Atk: 862

Base Def: 736

HP: 4644/4644

SP: 9357/9357

MP: 6015/6015

HP Regen: 207/Hour

SP Regen: 414/Hour

MP Regen: 261/Hour

Power: 2873

Endurance: 3119

Vitality: 1548

Mind: 2005

Self: 2455

Description:

A Ballad of Red and Blue, Contra holds both extreme flame and extreme cold that allows it to create unique attacks. Born through a great magical experiment, this wyvern's future potential is deemed limitless.

Skills:

(Inferno Rush) [+], (Glacial Strike), (Blazing Blizzard) [+], (Flash Freeze) [+], (Adaptive Shift) [+], (Pyroclastic Burst)…

Theorize Weakness:

Contra's dual nature presents a unique vulnerability. While resistant to many elemental attacks, powerful bursts of pure energy such as lightning or space magic could disrupt the delicate balance between fire and ice, causing an overload. Additionally, consistent application of its two opposing elements could destabilize Contra, weakening its control and speed.

"Contra, a Rising Calamity," Lawruthian mused. The words of Carno Edryani continued through his mind as he fought. The Rising Calamity was dangerous, but it was a two-against-one.

Adam took the lead, its large shield raised and war hammer trailing behind it. Lawruthian had repeatedly repaired the golem over the past few days as they traveled deeper into Wyvern's Roost. The creatures attacked indiscriminately during that time, with no discernible pattern the invading forces could take advantage of. Now, on the outskirts of the inner sanctum of the forest, they fought what would be their greatest challenge in making it to the Aspect of Knowledge.

"You do not care, Lawruthian. What you care for is what made Carno Edryani turn into this—and, what I did to the continent," Carno's gaze refocused on Lawruthian. "You care for what occurred between me and Rasheed then and why I did my best to Eradicate Knowledge."

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Lawruthian didn't deny his predecessor's words. In fact, he agreed with them. He didn't care. He didn't care for Carno's story, but if it would provide knowledge of how Carno struck a crippling blow to the Aspect, then he would not shy away from listening. Lawruthian held his theories on exactly what Carno did—his trace of destruction was too clear in the magi history. For a period of a few thousand years, nothing in the Edryan's recorded history was certain. And, with the new knowledge of Carno's birth year, Lawruthian only became less certain. He didn't know whether this… man told him truths or lies. It was up to his discernment to figure out the falsity and the truths.

Lawruthian just shrugged and stoked the fire lazily. Around him, magi continued to butcher the bodies of the attacking creatures. If such a beast wave left and attacked anywhere in the country, then that region would suffer devastation.

Carno chuckled, "I visited the Mountain of Final Hope shortly after I grasped the position of [Chosen of Madris], my connection with the Goddess was deep," he clenched his fist. "Deep enough to begin at the third and final level. I could see the faith of the people..."

Lawruthian looked up sharply, halting his slow stirring of the fire. Carno smirked, his gold-red eyes squinting like crescents. "That caught your interest? Yes, Lawruthian, I, too, could see the faith of the people… but it was much more than that. The third level of [Chosen of Madris] allows you to manipulate it. To become God-like among the Goddess's worshippers truly—an apt representation of Her," he sneered.

Lawruthian's eyes widened. There was so much about Faith he didn't understand. It was an esoteric metaphysical concept that Lawruthian was barely coming to familiarity with. In the Prime Plane, in the Genesis Realm, Faith was an actual power that could be manipulated. Lawruthian began to understand this just from the very fact that he could see it. And, it wasn't his first time doing so once he obtained the second function of [Chosen of Madris]. He distinctly recalled seeing something when the Goddess's Incarnation of Wisdom originally descended to bless him.

Contra blasted forward, its speed nearly beyond Lawruthian's reaction time. Fortunately, its primary focus was on Adam, who approached it first. The golem barely turned its body, but (Velocity Stride) allowed a manipulation of gravity like none other. To the golem, the sky was nearly a malleable thing that it could twist and hold.

Blue flames spewed from the wings of Contra, a black blur being the only thing Lawruthian could see. His eyes widened, his focus becoming sharper. This creature was a Rising Calamity and was owed his respect. He manipulated Adam through (Imperius Synchronization), his mind merging with his golems partially. He manipulated Adam like a second body, activating the very skills he carved into the golems exterior. They appeared like tattoos and the runic inscriptions flashed golden when activated.

Adam raised its shield, barely activating a skill as a blur shot by, its wings like blades that attempted to slice the golem in twain. Adam's body blew back, forced toward Lawruthian who dodged out of the way. It didn't take long for him to regain control of the golem, who managed to block all incoming damage.

"Whatever," Carno shrugged, a glint in his eyes. "You don't care for that anyway."

Lawruthian pursed his lips, choosing his silence over taking Carno's obvious bait. The words of the second Chosen were a ploy and even if it wasn't Lawruthian didn't respect him enough to ask for further details. He only made various guesses and assumptions. When he regained Minerva the two could further discuss it.

"Back then, the Aspect's home was no longer the center of learning it once was, but like you, I found my task hard to accomplish. Saying I would conquer the continent is one matter, but the logistics, acumen, and more were beyond my level. No magi of any of the united territories could give me a satisfactory answer on how to accomplish this goal," Carno shook his head. "They believed the guidance of the Goddess would be enough—if it was, Alidra wouldn't have failed."

"And you wouldn't have either," Lawruthian interrupted.

Carno sharply looked at Lawruthian; their gazes locked for a moment before Carno looked away and laughed. "I didn't fail."

Lawruthian frowned, he glanced down at himself and then back at Carno. "Then, why… am I here."

Carno sighed, and for the first time since their conversation began—for the first time since he met the [Echo], Lawruthian could sense a deep, ancient aura from Carno Axius Karl Edryani. The man stood and gazed in the direction of the Mountain of Final Hope. His thoughts were imperceptible, his face a stone mask.

"I did and didn't fail. I was the Demigod of Eradication, made into such a figure by the very Aspect you march to defeat. I succeeded in my quest of conquering the continent—the only bastion of Saphens left was the Temple of the Sun, which I could have allowed them to starve out as I carved a new world order."

Lawruthian was taken aback, the confusion on his face asked more than any words could. Carno didn't gaze at him; it seemed he could sense it, and he continued to explain. "An Aspect is the guardian of a Law. Laws are malleable, semi-physical objects that can fundamentally alter how mortals interact with what is known as [Reality] . As the sole Aspect remaining, Rasheed is a central figure in keeping this fragmented realm alive. His Knowledge serves as a kind of foundation upon which reality sits upon. When I arrived at his mountain, I was treated as a young disciple and taught many things, including the manipulation of the Soul Attribute—which I exchanged Mind for. Soul , Spirit , and Force …"

Before Carno could continue, Lawruthian visibly shook. He paused, his mind was chaotic and in turmoil. He felt like a part of him he never knew was missing was suddenly returned. He dry heaved, the meal from earlier nearly forcing its way out. Lawruthian squeezed his fist, eyes bulging, and body tight as he did his best to control himself.

Carno waited patiently, a look of understanding crossing his features. His gaze remained fixed on Lawruthian, but there was no gentleness, only a calm certainty. Lawruthian let out heavy breaths, struggling to regain control of himself. Eventually, he calmed enough to gaze wearily at Carno. He was unsure whether that was an attack or…

He opened his mouth to speak but halted, a notification answering his most vital question.

You have shattered a {Veil}. You have come to learn of the Six Lesser Attributes, hidden by a God or a being of their level.

And suddenly, he understood. "This…," Lawruthian said hesitantly.

"That is a {Veil}, a hidden truth of reality, cast by a God or one of their level—just like the False Sky. What I did was break a part of the {Illusion} a part of the {Veil}. Mwha-ha-ha-ha-ha-ha," Carno laughed—suddenly stopping as he gazed away from the mountain and back to Lawruthian. "What I did was use my Law to tamper with that foundation and make Truths untruths and Falses truths to save the realm. The Aspect of Knowledge wants to die. And, should he… then the very foundation reality sits upon will begin its final crumble. Ashaka didn't allow Rasheed to join them in creating the False Sky because of this Truth. And, Rasheed resented him for that—to not know the touch of Oblivion and join his wife and children in the freedom of nonexistence."

Carno sighed. The sun penetrated through the clouds above, its golden rays landing on the two. The rain clouds that persisted throughout the night finally let up, their downpour over. "My tampering with Knowledge has fundamentally altered reality—breaking off portions of [History] and placing them out of order. I know of things I should and shouldn't do through this. I was never defeated on my quest, Lawruthian… Imperius… Koltius… Edryani . Only, I tampered with a force I shouldn't have until I ignited my seed and ensured my Tree of Divinity bloomed."

Carno shook his head; a small smirk danced across his face, as did [Madness] in his eyes. "And, the Gods put what was left back together before starting their third and final game."

Lawruthian shot forward, [Legacy] glittering in the daylight. It was stronger, increasing his attacks by 50% from what was once 10%. He managed to feed it strong materials, but the sword wouldn't accept anything that wasn't among the best of the best. Mythical items and ores were barely qualified, and that wasn't something Lawruthian was willing to do continuously. It wasn't the expense, although that was a part of it, it was the standard. Barely any of the materials offered were accepted.

Contra's body was a blur, a trail of fire extended from one wing and one of ice from another. Adam chased, and Lawruthian followed, both cutting down any errant creature that got in their flight path. Tobi and his Imperius Guards struggled to try and follow while magi and creatures dropped from the air, their life extinguished in the service of another.

One was caught, not in body, but in soul—escorted to the Promised Land. Their red Vitality was consumed and slowly pulled through the ground to the center of the forest. An action that remained unbeknownst to the forces that fought above.

Lawruthian halted, pulling Adam to him as Contra suddenly turned, an explosive skill let off a wave of damage targeting him. Adam blocked a majority of the attack, and Lawruthian simply shrugged off the remainder. The final words of Carno entered his mind as he searched for a way to defeat Contra. The creature was fast, its skill consumed its Endurance boosting its speed to a realm where Lawruthian could barely perceive it. How did one defeat an enemy faster than them?

A chilled breath escaped Lawruthian's lungs; frost began to coat his armor. It was fast, instant, and caused many of the fighting aerial figures to pause. Some shivered from the unexpected cold, while others warily regrouped. Lawruthian felt his heart thump… once… twice… thice . A Mother's Love enveloped him and every mage present. The sky surged pink, strengthening those it touched, and the world turned hostile, its mana unavailable for the magi to use. A single, terrifying roar, like a long piercing bell note, coated the battlefield, extending for kilometers in every direction. Snow fell, yet it remained cloudless—the power of a Calamity present.

Carno's smirk stayed present for a long time. His final words rang through Lawruthian's mind as he pondered on all he was told. "Rasheed wishes to die if he cannot revive his children. Perhaps you have given him {Hope}, but his [Madness] is far too ingrained. Should he perish, then the countdown will accelerate, and we will all finally fall to Oblivion. You, Lawruthian, are the Goddess's final ploy to enact Her plan and save the realm. Should you fail…," Carno paused, shrugged, and turned to face the streaming sunlight. "Then, it doesn't matter… suffering doesn't exist in Oblivion ."

AN: I'm semi-satisfied with Carno's story. Mainly because I didn't just want to have a yap session like I was prone to in earlier seasons. I wanted the story to continue its progression theme even while explaining stuff, so I tried to incorporate that. I didn't want a full backtrack into his story because that would fill up a book to go into heavy details, so I tried for an abridged, accurate, and precise version of the events. This should help clear your understanding of the timeline and why it is the way it is. To add a bit more context and kinda spoiler-ish... think of Laws like primordial clay, once established, reality sits on top of them. What happens if you mess with the foundation of a building…? It collapses, right? I won't say more until we get deeper into the story and Law is exploring this type of stuff.

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