5th Day of the 1st Fire Cycle[1], 2000 g.c.
I spent the next twenty-two minutes laying everything out for Luda and Alex, unpacking the wild shit Destini had dropped on me. I told them about my ancestral Archon counterpart, Xero, and the twisted threads of fate that had been stitched around us. I explained the trials in Jerrica's Labyrinth, how each of us had been dragged into tests we didn't ask for, and that it wasn't random at all. It was a damn chess game, and because they were tied to me, my niggas had been made pieces on the board whether they liked it or not.
The candlelight along the walls bled slowly into puddles of melted wax, each drip loud in the silence that followed. Luda's jaw tightened, the shadows carving sharp lines across his face. He didn't take kindly to the idea of somebody plotting out his story for him, let alone writing the ending. Alex was still chewing on the concepts, trying to make sense of gods and seals and fates, while Omnia and Danica listened quietly. For them, the revelations about their mother's schemes were valuable in ways I couldn't fully imagine.
"From what I was told," I finally said, breaking the heavy quiet, "during our Trials of the Bad, we were each set against a Cardinal Protector. Those guardians were the living halves of the seals they watched. And the seals were keeping a bitch named Jerrica locked away."
Omnia's voice floated out smooth and matter-of-fact. "Jerrica, the Creation Goddess. First Elohim of Infernia. Known, yes, for her magickal power as a Succubus. But more infamous for her feud with her sister Laniakea, Elohim of Paradiso."
The revelation of our actions hit Alex and Luda like a punch to the chest as they thought back to their own time in the labyrinth. Alex gripped his staff tighter while Luda shook his head in disbelief.
The Dawn Goddess hummed faintly in Alex's grip before Danica's tone rang through it like a laugh in the walls. "She and Omnia were rivals, too. Jerrica wrecked her first toy—that Zero guy."
"Enough, Danica," Omnia snapped. "That information is irrelevant."
Luda leaned forward. "So what was she? An Aeon or Archon?"
"She was an Aeon, Prince Luda." Danica replied.
Alex scratched his head. "Aren't those both Outer Gods? What's the difference?"
"Aeons are the stepping stones," I said. "Lesser gods who can become Vessel Skills for a Godwalker. Archons? That's the final stage. They become the concept itself. Think store manager versus store owner."
Alex's eyes widened with understanding. "Ahhh. Got it."
Omnia uncrossed and recrossed her legs midair, voice as steady as the floating she maintained without thought. "The sisters waged their wars in the Lower Realms. Whole worlds became their battlefield, stripped and burned for resources."
Danica chuckled. "Mom loved to stir the pot. She'd push them to fight on whichever world she wanted reset, just so she could start humanity over again."
Omnia's tone sharpened. "It was Synga Mikazuki who finally defeated Jerrica. At my request. One I would make a thousand times over."
Alex tilted his head. "So you ordered a hit on her?"
"I needed Gaia to survive long enough for Xiro's birth. Synga was asked to watch the seals to ensure it."
I let out a sigh. "And then we came along, killed the guardians, and left the gate wide open. Chasing rewards of new power."
Luda's scowl turned into a half-smile. "Then we kill this bitch, too. That'll stop her."
"I don't really know, my nigga. But killing the heavens was always on my To-Do list."
Alex grinned. "Shiddd, you know I'm down."
Omnia gave a lazy smile. "As charming as this sounds, the Rapture is a Fated Nexus Event. It will occur. The Prime Realm was built with it coded in."
"Fuck fate," I muttered. "I do what I want."
Luda shifted his eyes toward Omnia. "Do you know a way to get rid of your mother's [Mark of the Beast]?"
"Your best chance lies with my master," she replied. "[Midnight Star: Belial] can alter a skill's unique properties."
Danica piped in, her voice sing-song and teasing. "So that's why Mom tried to destroy your prototypes. You really did still have the Abraxas code. Funny, Roxy swore you didn't."
"I lied," Omnia said coolly. "I knew Destini whispered in her ear."
Luda turned to me. "So you can modify other people's skills, too?"
"Only those tied to my Crest. But yeah, I should be able to do it for you. I'll take a look once we're out of here."
Danica interjected. "Then summon Roxy, Mr. Luda. She should be here for this."
Luda shrugged. "Why not. I've been curious about the three of you being sisters."
With nothing more than will, Luda's chest flared with light. Spiritons spiraled outward, swirling into a feminine silhouette before hardening into shape. Lavender flooded the room like a breeze, sharp and sweet, as the glow dimmed into the familiar figure of the lion-tailed mistress.
Roxy swept her hair aside and locked lustful eyes with Luda, almost predatory in leer. Next, she bowed low to him before stepping close to press her lips to his. The boldness made me laugh out loud. My niggas had passionate women glued to them as well. Who knew goddesses were so clingy?
"My King," she said, voice thick with reverence, "I'm always glad when you call."
"Roxy, I called you here for your sisters."
Roxy turned, pink eyes landing on Omnia and the glowing Dawn Goddess. "That staff is Danica, I take it. And you, Omnia… are you glowing? You look happy. That's refreshing."
Omnia smirked. "And it's good to see you devoted to someone besides yourself. That's refreshing, too."
Their jabs bounced between them like a practiced rhythm, making me chuckle again.
"Yeah," I said, "you two are definitely siblings."
Alex rubbed the back of his neck. "How do y'all bring them out like that?"
Danica's voice purred. "Let me help you out, master."
Alex's knees buckled as his Bio Mana drained. The Dawn Goddess drank deep, her glow intensifying until spiritons streamed outward and sculpted into a woman's shape. The air shifted, lavender mingling with amber musk, as eight tails unfurled and turquoise skin gleamed. The wolfgirl stepped forward, arms already reaching.
Danica leapt lightly and locked Roxy into a hug. "I know you're happy to see us. Stop frontin'."
Roxy laughed softly, patting her back. "I know how I ended up with Allegretto. But how did Grand claim you?"
"Master Alex?" Danica grinned, "he was rewarded with my Bible for clearing his trial."
Omnia's voice curled like smoke. "It looks like Mother's been matchmaking again."
Roxy snorted. "At least the old hag did something right for once."
Danica giggled. "She's not that bad. Just stubborn. Same as us."
Their reunion filled the chamber with warmth, but out the corner of my eye, I saw Alex sway. His body trembled from the mana drain.
The Tengu stubbornly tried to stay upright, muttering, "I'm good, I'm good—I can handle this."
The sisters were glowing with joy, but my guy looked ready to drop. I couldn't help it—I laughed harder. Maybe it was an asshole move, but the sight of him almost passing out while they hugged it out was just too perfect.
Having all three Goddesses summoned in one confined space was like stepping into a storm that looked calm but crackled with hidden danger. The air thickened with dense spiritual energy, every breath heavy with charged magitons. Scents mingled in a heady cocktail—lavender, vanilla, jasmine, and amber musk—sweet enough to soothe the nerves, yet carrying an undercurrent that warned of power too immense to be contained. To weaker beings, just standing near them would've been enough to make their stance buckle and their consciousness slip away. But the daughters of fate and free will laughed, teased, and spoke to each other like it was any other reunion.
That's when [Moon Sage: Tsukuyomi] slid his voice into my mind, cool and sharp.
"While you are unaffected by the strain of sustaining Omnia's form, I must remind you—Luda and Alex don't share your infinite reserves. They cannot match your constant mana growth."
I winced. "Ah, shit, you're right. Guess I figured theirs would work like Ma Dukes, Billy Holidaydoes—self-sustaining. I forgot these summons are tethered."
"The Biodoll you crafted for her," Tsukuyomi went on, "allowed the summon to recycle its own mana. The shell trapped the leakage. Without that, the cost bleeds from the caster endlessly."
The thought sparked something in me. A workaround. A way to let these three women live freely without draining my brothers dry. My eyes drifted to Alex, pale and swaying, his hands shaking as he gripped his knees. He was near his limit, and it was only round one.
"Alex's MP won't hold Danica's form much longer," I said out loud. "So I've got an idea to help y'all out."
I pulled [Dominus Avaritiae] into play, conjuring an Arcanum Delight from nothing. The glowing orange fruit pulsed like a bottled sunrise as I lobbed it toward Alex. He caught it in one hand, too drained to waste words, but the smile he managed was enough.
Luda chuckled. "Oh yeah. That's the same fruit he gave me yesterday. Refilled me back to the brim."
I nodded. "Yeah, but why do you even need an Arc Dee? Why not use [Dominus Avaritiae] to duplicate your own mana? Make yourself a false infinite pool."
The words hit him like a punch. His eyes widened; his mouth hung open, no sound coming out. Luda wasn't often stunned—but he was floored.
"I... didn't know the Sonata Skill could be pushed like that."
I couldn't help the laugh that burst out. "Hahaha, I do it all the time with Divinity Mana. Since my soul's got that natural weakness to it, I gotta improvise. For now, at least."
I raised both hands and drew Omnis Mana between my palms, coaxing it into three glowing orbs. The light shimmered like liquid moonlight around a void, splitting evenly. Omnia finally broke from her sibling chatter to glance back at me. Her eyes widened at what I was shaping.
"Appreciate that, Xi," Alex muttered, wiping his brow. "Thought I was gonna blackout for a second there. Yo... what are you doing now?"
"Making bodies," I said. "Ones they can inhabit without draining y'all."
Danica's ears perked; Roxy spun with a sharp glance. She studied me with her chin resting on her knuckles, pink eyes narrowing, her mind running in silent calculation.
"So Sonata Zero is more resourceful than I thought," her thoughts practically hummed. "Omnia was right to put her faith in it."
Omnia, though, wasn't subtle. She drifted closer, eyes smoldering, voice low and warm. "I'm amazed, papi. Not only at how quickly you've grasped soul manipulation, but at your instinct for magick itself."
I gave her a crooked grin. "Honestly, it feels like music to me. Like making beats. Mana flows the way sound does in my head. Magick is no different from producing a track through my synesthesia. Hell, most spell arts foundations layer like basslines and drum kicks."
Her lips curled. "Fascinating."
[Magick Reconstruction] and [Matter Manipulation] carried the rest of my will into action. The orbs stretched into pale mannequins, their limbs smooth and unfinished, like clay still wet. Magitons sparked and hissed, filling the room with pressure until they settled into the shells.
"Damn, Xi," Luda muttered. "You've gotten that precise already?"
Alex exhaled. "This is my first time watching him do it. Crazy."
"Let's see if they act right," I said. "Omnia, you're up first."
She smiled, teeth catching the candlelight. "Always, papi."
She stepped forward, pressed her palm to the chest of one shell. I pulled on [Absolute Domination], guiding her essence, weaving her spiritons into the waiting frame. Periwinkle light blazed into violet and indigo as the figure began to shift, muscle and skin layering like crafted silk.
Then came the soft pop, and Omnia's new body bloomed into being—breathing, complete.
And naked.
The sisters moved fast—Roxy covered Luda's eyes, Danica shielding Alex's, both of them hissing at their men not to peek. Omnia stood tall, dark hair spilling down her back, honey-toned skin gleaming in the glow.
Luda chuckled from behind Roxy's hand. "I was just trying to see the craftsmanship."
"You'll get your chance when it's my turn," Roxy said, her tone as sharp as her nails.
Danica giggled. "Big Sis, you look so cute with that complexion."
Alex groaned. "What complexion? I wanna see."
"Hush, master," Danica scolded. "No peeking."
Omnia glanced down at herself, ran her palms over the curve of her breasts, her smile curling hotter than her mana signature. My chest thudded, my dick jumped.
"Looks like you succeeded, papi."
I took a moment to just stare, being a full-on pervert while Omnia subtly posed in place. It was a lovely exhibition, I couldn't pass it up.
"Good," I smirked. "Can't wait to take it for a test drive later."
She didn't hesitate. She leaped into my arms, her mouth crashing into mine, lips hot and claiming. Her kiss was deep, shameless, a message in itself. Behind us, her sisters cooed and whispered their approval, their amusement like an audience for our moment.
I knew then—Even as a goddess, Omnia craved the same thing every woman I'd ever met did—romance. And I wasn't about to let her down.
With the fusion finished, I had one thing left to fix. Omnia's brand-new body was standing proud and fully nude—beautiful, sure, but it wasn't exactly proper for the company we had. I snapped my fingers, weaving a layer of Omnis Mana over her, the glowing threads wrapping like silk around her form. With a quick transmutation, the energy hardened into matter, reshaping into a full outfit.
Vermillion shorts, cut high like bikini panties. A matching bra-wrap snugged around her chest, tucked neatly into the collar of a sleeveless top that hugged her frame. A black and indigo left armguard trimmed with red accents, Velonican shin guards wrapping her legs. For the finishing touch, I conjured glasses—purely for style. Something about a woman in glasses always got me.
"There we go," I said, stepping back to admire her. "You've gotta keep my treasures covered when we're in public."
She giggled, low and sweet. "I love it when you're possessive. And you're right. I am all yours."
Roxy and Danica dropped their hands from the boys' eyes at last and stepped closer, both studying Omnia with curiosity and approval.
"You know, the glasses suit you," Roxy mused. "The light brown skin tone will take some getting used to, though."
Omnia twirled one lock of hair between her fingers. "I chose a tone that contrasts nicely with my master."
Danica bounced eagerly on her toes. "Big Bro Xi, do me next! Please, can I go next?"
I smirked. "Actually, let's knock you both out together. I think I've got the rhythm down."
As the two sisters walked to the remaining shells, I caught the low murmur of Luda and Alex coming up beside me.
"I knew Xi liked brighter-skinned women," Luda said with a shrug. "Personally, I lean more toward caramel or chocolate tones myself."
"What can I say?" I replied with a grin. "I do like lighter and whiter complexions. Something that contrasts against mine tends to drive me wild."
Alex scratched his head. "Honestly? I don't care about skin color. Long as she's cute, I'm good."
"Haha! Priorities, huh? I feel ya, my nigga."
The fusion began. Both sisters glowed—Danica in an azure brilliance that resonated with Alex's Soul Core, and Roxy in a radiant golden hue tied to Luda. It hit me then—Soul Cores weren't just fonts of power. They had unique colors, frequencies stamped on them like cosmic fingerprints. Mine carried indigo. Alex's bled blue. Luda's burned gold.
When the glow finally faded, both women stood bare. Luda and Alex, without hesitation, whipped off their coats and draped them over their partners in perfect unison. It was almost too adorable to watch, though I laughed under my breath and gave them the respect they deserved. A man's treasure should always be guarded.
That's when the Prime Realm System chimed in.
«Installing Personal Skill [Core Fusion].»
I blinked. "Another new skill? Interesting."
Danica poked at her new arm, eyes wide. "Oh wow, this feels amazing. Is this real skin? Ouch—yep, it is!"
Roxy pressed her hands down her own body, then smirked up at Luda. "Seems he is more resourceful than I thought. My King, would you like to test my new body firsthand?"
"In private," Luda said calmly. "For now, focus."
The sisters had chosen interesting complexions. Roxy retained her caramel blend, glowing warm and earthy. Danica darkened, her new skin a rich brown that contrasted sharply against her usual ash-blue. Together with Omnia's honey hue, they looked like morning, noon, and night—shades of a day personified.
Alex leaned forward, voice low. "Yo, Xi, could you read my mind and build the outfit I'm picturing for Danica?"
"Say less," I replied.
The Prime Realm System answered before I could pull deeper.
«Installing Personal Skill [Detect Thoughts].»
I smirked. "Back-to-back upgrades, huh? The System really rewards desire matched with willpower."
With [Detect Thoughts], sliding into Alex's mind was effortless. Images flickered like television surfacing—his vision of Danica sharp and clear. I shaped it with precision. Then, for good measure, I dipped into Luda's thoughts too, pulling his ideas for Roxy's attire into the stream.
Danica's look echoed her eldest sister's, but in her own palette—Velonican shin guards, blue-tinted shorts, and a matching bra under a torsoless crop jacket strapped across her chest.
Roxy's style leaned northern: tight mini-shorts, a backless top that lifted and framed her curves, and high-heeled boots with lion-headed kneeguards. Combined with her tail swishing proudly behind her, she was every bit the lioness.
When the light dimmed, both women stood armored and ready.
"Exactly how I dreamed it," Luda said, satisfaction in his tone.
"Yeah," Alex added, smiling at Danica. "Appreciate that, Xi."
"No problem," I told them. "Now, time to retrieve the others."
I spun a circle with one finger, and the indigo-hued hyperspace folded open. The portal spat Dream Flower, Nicole, and Ameera back into the hallway, their faces just as confused as when I'd whisked them away.
Dream gasped. "Oh my Creator—what is going on? Xi—!"
Nicole smoothed her cloak with a sigh. "It appears we're back."
"Welcome back, ladies," I said. "Sorry for the detour. Hope you enjoyed the break, but now it's time to get that ass back to work."
Dream pointed past me. "Wait—who are they?"
"Our Guardian Armaments," I explained with a grin. "Let's just say we brought out the heavy firepower."
Nicole's ruby gaze sharpened, her thoughts flickering loud enough for me to hear. "Great. Lady Death has a body now. My luck can't be this bad."
Ameera stayed silent, but her eyes betrayed her. She looked from Danica to Alex, her ears twitching before flattening slightly.
"We can't worry about these feelings now," her thoughts whispered. "We need to save Father. Love can wait… can't it?"
I snapped my fingers again, stripping the Omnis Mana disguises I'd wrapped around Dream, Nicole, and Ameera earlier. Their clothes reset to normal, vanishing with a shimmer. The night's dress-up session was officially over.
"No more costumes?" Alex asked.
"Nah, that's done," I said. "Time to lock in."
"Good," Luda muttered. "Not in the mood to party."
Ameera stepped forward, her tail flicking once. "Demon Lord Xiro, then you know where my father is being held?"
Right on cue, [Moon Sage: Tsukuyomi] whispered into my head.
"The mana signature of Melech Una has been located on the 34th Floor. Coordinates locked for teleportation."
[Midnight Star: Belial]'s voice followed, eager and raw. "Finally. Let's get back to the sex and violence already."
I ignored him and turned to Ameera. "Damn right, I do. Everyone, gather close. Time to take a shortcut."
They pressed in around me as I reached into the Sycamore Tree's bleed of energy. Something about it buzzed odd, but I brushed it off. Mistake number whatever of the night.
With Spatial Mana, I folded space, ripping a green-lit doorway into existence above us. As it collapsed downward, swallowing us whole, crimson bolts of energy cracked along the hyperspace walls. The humming of the air and the heat singeing on my skin told me instantly that something was wrong. Someone or something had interfered. Yet, it was too late to stop.
And just like that, the eleventh-floor hallway vanished behind us.
I swear, one thing about life on Gaia—power never made the path as easy as it promised.
[End of Chapter]
[End of Midnight Masquerade Arc]
[1] April on Earth.