"Soooo... When are we expecting the mini boss?" Aiko asked Luna cheerfully.
"Month and few weeks probably, I am not really sure." Luna smiled as she ate with the others.
"But is it supposed to be so big?" Caster asked curiously, observing her belly with a narrowed eye.
"Well... maybe he is very healthy. Who knows?" Luna chuckled, though she had to admit her belly was bigger than it was supposed to be.
"There is no need to worry about the size. Everything is going as it is supposed to and the timing is immaculate as well..." Amon spoke with a small smile as he sipped his juice.
"What does that mean?" Both Caster and Aiko asked at the same time while Luna furrowed her brow in suspicion.
Amon's mouth twitched, but he remained ambiguous, only shrugging and adjusting his monocle. "Sometimes you have to trust destiny. Time will show us everything eventually."
Luna clicked her tongue in annoyance but nodded. Now she really missed some of the Hanged Man's abilities. If she still had divinations, maybe she too would have known what he was talking about. Though it would not have been as accurate as Amon because he used Decryption to decipher the bizarre symbols in visions to figure out the exact details of what he was seeing.
Harus nodded, knowing that sometimes it was better to remain in the dark to witness a brighter future.
But not everyone shared his wisdom. Kido groaned, leaning on Gemma's shoulder. "Listen here, dimwit. That is not how you win a lady's heart. If you constantly annoy Luna, then she will leave you, and she wouldn't even be in the wrong, got it?"
Amon glanced at her, contemplating the answer but inevitably choosing to leave things as they were.
My plan will work... I have already seen it... A human farm, huh? That is interesting, indeed. But what I truly need is the garden of acceleration. If my theory is correct, then everything will work perfectly... But should I be taking a gamble on such a risk? If something goes wrong... then I am doomed. Luna and my son as well. But then again... I am quite a gambler, and I have the tools, knowledge, and skills to pull it off, so... there is a high chance of it working. Though Luna might kill me because of that... Eh, I will deal with it when the time comes.
"Mr. Jacob took a big debt, which means The Moirai is still developing. But hiring new workers still takes a lot of money. Which means we have to hurry as well. While Mr. Jacob is doing everything in his power to sustain the growth of the city, we cannot slack off... not this time." Amon muttered with a thoughtful look, changing the subject quickly so no more questions would be asked.
"I do understand, but can't we-"
"If we do this, the temple for Mr. Error will be built without any issues." Amon interrupted Caster with a serious look.
"Deal. What should we do?" Caster leaned forward, his eyes filled with anticipation.
"Guys, wait... Can't we discuss it first? Like, come on. I have a feeling that we are going to do something very stupid and dangerous." Kido frowned, not liking how Amon was exploiting Caster's zealous behaviour.
Amon tilted his head, glancing at her with a faint smile. "It is nothing much, really. We are just going to challenge the second nightmare."
"What!?" Aiko jumped from her seat, her eyes wide with disbelief.
"Exactly what I said. We cannot waste any more time. We are ready, our cores are saturated, we adjusted to our Awakened physique, and we sharpened our skills. Besides, we have resources and the most capable cohort in the entire history. So what is the problem, really?" Amon asked with a shrug.
"My problem is that I am agreeing with Kido. I smell death." She said, clenching her fists.
"The only thing you will be smelling is shit in toilets if you don't shut up. We are talking about the second nightmare, so keep your voice down." Harus sneered, glancing at Aiko in annoyance.
Be it from finding reason or simply being scared of cleaning toilets as punishment, Aiko quickly sank back into her seat with a dissatisfied look.
"Amon is right... the world is changing quickly, and we can't be left behind." Luna sighed. She was truly uncertain about this, but she decided to trust Amon. He said he had seen a future where their son was sound and safe, and that was all that mattered. Still... it was not as if she had no other options. She could still marry the Scion of the House of the Night and live peacefully, raising her son without any danger. But was that what she truly wanted? No, she wanted to be with Amon.
She wanted to raise her son with the man she loved. The man who was the boy's father, not some random bastard thrown at her to gain political advantage for the war that was about to come.
So she was willing to take this risk. If she did not die, then she was a hundred percent confident that she would protect her baby... but if she... no need to think about that. She would survive and her child would be safe.
I am sorry, Evangelo... I know I am selfish but... I just love him so much. I cannot allow us to be separated again. But do not worry, I will protect you... even if I have to die. I will make sure you live.
She didn't know if she was a good mother or a terrible one for making such a decision. But she couldn't just let Amon challenge the nightmare alone. She couldn't stay still while he faced danger. She knew, of course, that his cohort would be there, but... last time she checked, nightmares were unpredictable. Sunny ended up in the colosseum, Effie in the temple, and Kai was burned on the stake. So who truly knew what would happen?
Though... the same applied to her. She could also be in dire danger. But she was a sower, she could sacrifice her own lifeforce and even the lifeforce of others to make sure her child was safe.
"Are you okay?" Amon took her hand, looking at her calmly. Luna snapped out of her thoughts with a surprised look. She smiled softly and nodded her head, but her expression was still concerned.
As for Amon... he knew why she was so worried, and he could understand it. But he also knew how harsh this world truly was. The incident in Rain's school had solidified that idea even more. Both Amon and Luna knew that the future was unpredictable. So what if the same incident happened to their child? What if a gate opened near where their boy was while they were away? What would happen? The answer was as simple as it was tragic. Their son would die.
Amon wasn't arrogant enough to think that he was capable of protecting everyone. So he decided to use a tested method. The Tomb Of Ariel was the answer to that problem.
He would use this nightmare as fuel for his son's power. The child would be born in the nightmare, and when they survived it, he would become a master from the start. That would eliminate the risk of dying in the first nightmare and also the risk of death after being transported into the dream realm after the winter solstice. Who knew what the future hid? Maybe his son would survive the first nightmare... or maybe he would not. Maybe he would end up in a safe region, or maybe in a death zone like Amon and Luna. That was why Amon wasn't willing to take such a risk.
So he was willing to bet on the second nightmare. It was the easiest way to gain strength, and if Amon found his son quickly in the nightmare, then he would put the baby in the Horizon's Edge to keep him safe.
With that, Evangelo would simply rest in his soul sea while Amon fought. Then the nightmare would end, and Evangelo would become a master. There would be no risk of dying in the first nightmare that way. There would be no risk of the death zones as well. Their son would not need to sleep to enter the dream realm as a master either. He would be able to transport himself directly to his anchor if danger arose. He would be more resistant to the call of the nightmare. Not to mention, life would be more comfortable as a master, since he would not be forced to spend time in the dream realm. He could have a normal life that way.
What Amon needed to do was simply survive to make that future a reality.
But he was also a little uncertain. With Decryption, he was able to decipher the symbols of his vision, but he was still hesitant. What did Crescent Moon and Carnage even mean? He had been unable to decipher those two, and that worried him. There was also the symbol of the Error pathway, which was related to time. He was aware that the symbol was pointing at him, but there was a possibility that it was pointing at the actual river of time. He wasn't one hundred percent certain.
Haaaaa... it sucks that I don't have any knowledge about this nightmare. I don't really know what will happen. It would have been so much better if it were two years later in the tomb of Ariel. I would have information, more resources, and more power.
The lack of information is really driving me crazy... well, I cannot get everything on easy mode. However, if I manage to pull this off, my son will be safe. Not just safe, if my theory is correct, he will be powerful enough to... now that I think about it, why am I seeing two versions of the future? And why are both versions filled with death and mountains of corpses? Though the first one is more calm and silent. It is like a hunter that kills whatever breathes. A hunter that does not discriminate and does not care whether his prey is human or a beast. While the other version is filled with more chaos and bloodshed, with flames and bones... this is strange. Will my son be some kind of sadistic maniac? I don't know... now I am concerned.
Amon sighed, dejected because of his chaotic vision. Divination was not really omnipotent, after all.
Now that he thought about it, he would have already digested Seer, Clown, and Magician if he were from the Fool's pathway. That was a bit funny, but right now, he needed to think about his own advancement. I should remember that I must be the antagonist in this nightmare, meaning I am the bad guy.
Amon's lips curled up once again as he thought of that, his expression turning unsettling and filled with mischief as he glanced at the sun. How ironic...
Shaking his head, he glanced at Luna, who still had a worried look, and kissed her hand. "Don't worry, we will handle it."
Luna nodded, her expression relaxing as she touched his cheek with one hand and his tie with the other, pulling him in and kissing him.
"You guys should really find a room..." an unimpressed voice was heard from behind. Luna, remembering where she was, pushed Amon back, quickly licking her lips and composing herself.
"And you should not stalk people, Medici..." Luna grimaced, glaring at him, but then she leaned back, a soft smile appearing on her face. "Or is it that you are jealous because..."
She paused, then both she and Amon simultaneously said. "That you've got no bitches."
Medici remained motionless for a moment while Luna giggled softly and Amon burst into laughter. Then he turned around, walked back, opened the window, and took a deep breath.
"FUUUUUUCKKKKK!"
After calming down, he coughed awkwardly while the entire restaurant watched him, stunned in disbelief.
"Ahem... though, Luna... what kind of girl says 'you've got no bitches'? It feels like you're saying that you're also bitch, heh." He grinned, poking at her shoulder with the stick.
"Hmm? Not really. In this situation, Amon is my bitch." Luna muttered, a bit confused by his question, while Amon choked on his drink. Then he wiped his mouth and glanced at Medici.
"Where did you even find that stick? Or why are you carrying it?"
Medici blinked, looking at his stick and then back at Amon and Luna, dumbfounded. "Don't you idiots recognize it? This is Excalibur, fuckers." he said proudly, crossing his arms.
Amon and Luna froze, then got closer, observing the stick until their eyes started sparkling.
"This shape... this sharpness... hey, let me borrow that." Amon said with a wide smile.
"Hey, I am a lady. At least let me touch it first." Luna glared at Amon, pushing him back.
"Fall back, peasants!" Medici took a step back with a fierce look. "This sword can be wielded by only the person who is worthy!"
"Wow..." Amon and Luna admired the shape of the stick while Medici swung it.
"Isn't that just... a stick?" Kido blurted out, dumbfounded.
"I think so... why are they acting like imbeciles over a stick?" Aiko nodded, not understanding the situation.
"Why... what is this feeling?" Caster said with wide eyes, his heart beating wildly as he looked at the stick. "Is this true love?"
"Dude, what the fuck?" Harus grimaced, shaking his shoulders while Kai sighed helplessly.
"Oh, by the way, Amon. Where's Raven?" Harus asked curiously, remembering dirty minded bird.
"I... Don't know." Amon muttered while running with stick in his hand after stealing it from Medici and as a result, he was chased.
"Uhm... I think Raven has existential crisis, guys." Caster replied with hesitant tone, his expression conflicted.
"Huh? What do you mean?" Medici and Amon paused fighting while Luna snatched stick secretly, whispering to baby in her belly. "Evangelo, this will become your aspect legacy."
Meanwhile Caster's expression grew more hesitant and awkward. "Well..."
...
Two days ago...
"Hey, Lil Raven. Wusup?" Caster appeared out of nowhere in the woods, looking at Raven, who was staring ahead with bloodshot eyes.
"Yo, check this out..." Raven whispered, his voice trembling from terror, his four bizarre eyes burning with hatred, a sense of doom, and helplessness.
Caster frowned, then looked up, only for his frown to deepen and his expression to turn completely baffled. Isn't that... Scarecrow?
"Listen, Raven... I think-"
"Shush!" Raven slapped his wing over his lips, screeching at Caster from desperation. "Shit... he noticed us."
"Dude, what do you mean? It's just..." But alas, Raven was not listening. He was having a panic attack.
"Hey, what's your name? Answer me!" Raven screeched at Scarecrow, yet it did not move, remaining motionless. Raven scratched the rock he was standing on with his talons in anger. "See? He's playing mind games. He's playing with us!"
"When was the last time you slept?" Caster asked, now growing more concerned.
"Huh? I don't know. Maybe three or four days ago. But that doesn't matter. Listen, speedster, I've been watching that thing all this time and I can say, without any errors, that it's advancing towards the city... trust me, I know what I'm saying."
Caster's expression darkened, holding his face with a tired look, not wanting to handle this situation. "Okay... I think I know what to do."
"Oh? What's that?" Raven asked, hopeful.
"We retreat for now and discuss how to handle this situation. Listen, we need to rest. We cannot fight that thing if we're barely standing." Caster tried to reason with Raven, even going along with this nonsense.
Raven stroked his beak with his wing, resembling Amon when he said something stupid with a wise face for some reason. "That's true, young Padawan."
That's how Caster managed to bring Raven back. Though Raven was constantly glancing back, pointing at his eyes with his wing and then back at Scarecrow as if warning it that he could see through its act.
Some time later, Raven was standing on a table, shaking his wings and then pointing at the crudely drawn picture of Scarecrow on the board after walking in circles for twenty minutes. Then he screeched from sleep deprivation and anger.
"It does not talk! It does not move! This does not make sense! It has been there for an entire fucking week! Who the fuck is this guy!?"
After that, another day passed. It was early morning, and mist was engulfing the entire forest as Raven glided down from the sky, landing on a familiar rock and glaring at his nemesis. Scarecrow remained motionless, its red eyes just staring back at him, lifeless and cold.
Raven watched it for a few minutes, his eyes burning with hatred and bloodlust as he spread his wings, cawing loudly, "What do you want from meeee!?!"
...
"That's the gist of it." Caster said after explaining where Raven was and what he had been doing.
"Huh? For an entire week? He is still at it?" Amon muttered, dumbfounded. Raven originally did not have the ability to speak human language, but after eating some human corpses... "That is concerning..."
"Tell me about it. He is obsessed with that Scarecrow as if he is hunting his nemesis." Caster shrugged.
"Haaaaa..." Amon pinched his nose in irritation. "And Mr. Jacob is not in the city too..."
"Wait, what? Mr. Jacob is away?" Caster froze, his eyes widening in horror.
Amon was confused at first, but then he too realized the gravity of the situation. "Oh... shit. Guys, quickly grab your things and let's go, we are leaving!" he yelled, while the others groaned, dragging themselves up, but as they heard that Raven was all alone in the Moirai without anyone to watch over him, they understood the situation.
"Love you, dear, bye!" Amon kissed Luna quickly and ran after his cohort.
...
"What in actual... fuck?" Caster muttered, looking at the ridiculous scene in front of him, rubbing his eyes as if he could not believe what he was seeing.
The others were no better, because they too were equally shocked.
At this very moment, around two hundred Scarecrows were locked in a brutal fight against dozens of giant birds. Of course, those birds were Raven's clones, and by the looks of it, the Scarecrows had some ability to create clones as well.
Caster instantly summoned his jian, wide-eyed. "Shit, that idiot was right!"
"Don't strike the Scarecrows!" Raven's clone yelled, catching a Scarecrow in his talons and immobilizing it.
Where is it... where!? Raven narrowed two of his four eyes, then he noticed a normal, harmless-looking one slipping into the city. It did not look as savage as the other Scarecrows and was avoiding the battle entirely.
Found you, bastard... you're dead. he thought and descended from the half-built pagoda, masking his presence with illusion and striking it. But blood gushed out from this one, and it started screaming with a distorted voice as if its mouth had been sewn shut.
"Shit!" Raven cursed, but in the next moment, another Scarecrow appeared from a dark alley, its red eyes burning with malice as it caught Raven, whose body started deforming.
Raven's eyes widened in horror, his heart beating wildly as the sewn mouth of the Scarecrow began opening, strings becoming taut until snapping as its mouth split open and bestial fangs replaced the empty spot, sinking deep into Raven's flesh.
Raven screeched, trying to slow down the process. The bastard was trying to turn him into a Scarecrow as well. Cawing loudly, he turned around, trying to spread his wings, and when he could not, his body started dissolving into mist, escaping the terrible grip of the Scarecrow and transforming into Carapace Centurion, his scythe slashing down and severing its arm.
The Scarecrow staggered back, its form becoming more monstrous. It started growing in size, its shirt buttons snapping while it adjusted its hat with another arm. Straw fell from its severed arm as it growled.
The Scarecrow's eyes looked more like those of a living creature now. Its wooden legs grew larger, more like logs than sticks. But it was not some average scarecrow. It was crafted as if it were a work of art.
But Raven did not give it the opportunity to transform in peace. In the next moment, he transformed into a Crimson Terror. Raven had devoured the body of the terror and could transform into it as well. That was why he had been able to sustain the Crimson Spire and act as a soul conduit for the Artificial Sun for three long months without killing anything.
He stood tall, his maw opening as a tiny dot of light appeared in the dark depth of his mouth. It grew brighter and brighter until, blinding, a soul-annihilating beam descended on the Scarecrow like a pillar of light, burning both its body and soul as the Scarecrow roared in anguish.
Raven did not let it have a chance to breathe, shifting his form once again. This time he became a Gorgon, slithering towards the Scarecrow and coiling around its body, imprisoning it, then locking eyes with it.
Slowly, the Scarecrow began turning to stone. First, its eyes became stone. Then its head, neck, shoulders, and arms, until it had been transformed into a statue.
Raven hissed, releasing the terrible creature and striking it with his tail, shattering it into pieces with a look of disgust.
Only its head remained, which still retained some semblance of life for some reason. Transforming back into his original form, Raven leaned forward and pooped on its head before saying. "When you see Shadow God in his realm... tell him Raven says... hello."
All the Scarecrows, which were supposed to be clones of the original, fell down, straw, old shirts, and hats scattering and disappearing, leaving behind only people.
Amon stared at this, his expression thoughtful. Parasitic creature, huh? Raven must have sensed it.
At the same time, he heard Spell announcing the kill in his head.
[You have defeated an Awakened Titan, Bane of the Cursed Messengers.]
[You have received a Memory, Seed of Avian's Nemesis.]
...
At the same time…
"Mr. Gunlaug, please wake up." A soft voice whispered in Gunlaug's ear and he opened his eyes groggily.
"Did the movie start or something?" Gunlaug yawned, grabbing his bottle of juice which was, in truth alcohol, really. "Ahh… headache. But heh, what better way to fight a hangover than getting wasted again?"
"No, Mr. Gunlaug. It's already over. In fact, it's been a few hours since everyone left. We're cleaning the theatre right now."
Gunlaug blinked, dumbfounded. Tilting his head, he frowned, then gulped down his whiskey before leaning back with a confused look. "Aye… fair enough."