In a sea filled with ruins of forgotten realms stood a towering tree branching into endless possibilities. Its bark glowed with pure power, causing even the dark sea surrounding it to dare not approach, only consuming the fallen leaves and twigs. Yet, on such an indescribable existence, a figure sat on one of the branches, legs lightly swaying.
-"HAHAHAHA! Aha is so glad to see this performance."-The figure grabbed its sides, almost falling from where it sat while laughing.-"Pity that horseman couldn't see; he would love those children. But Aha was always helpful, so let's make their story even better!"
With a wave of its hand, a certain branch on the tree suddenly twisted, changing its shape and growing toward the much bigger bough.
-"There, this way, the story will be much more interesting."-The figure nodded, admiring its innovation.-"Won't you agree with Aha, Foreign Genius?"
-"I have no opinion."-A familiar voice responded to THEM.-"I just hope you won't cause too much trouble for my Dear."
-"Aha would never!"-the figure acted offended, but then it continued to laugh.-"AHAHA! Such twisted love; Aha is so happy! Aha will help you. Aha will make sure that he is noticed by THEM."
-"Thank you."
-"Do you need Aha to send a message, Foreign Genius?"-The figure asked between its laughs.
-"No. Children need to learn to be independent."
-"But aren't you still worrying about him?"
-"I am, but he can deal with everything there, and aren't you here? I believe that unfair and short story won't be as amusing as a struggle against fate."
-"HAHAHA! You understand Aha! Do you want to be Aha's…"
-"No, thank you. I prefer my peace and quiet, and your laugh is too loud for me. But I hope you can throw this back to where it appeared."-An orb appeared before the figure, something that I would be able to recognize instantly.
-"HAHAHA! So shameful! Aha got rejected! Aha is ashamed! Aha's laugh was disliked! HAHAHAHAHAHAHA!"-The figure's laughter grew more and more intense.
And then, it hurled the orb far into the endless horizon, piercing space and time, even the reality of this and many worlds, returning the orb to the past where it belonged.
The figure continued to laugh, seemingly without care for anything, yet always looking for more entertainment.
Back in the underground of Chernobog's city core, a panicked crowd gathered around a burning Sarcophagus. My Knights and Priestesses were on full alert, while many other familiar faces nervously looked around. Their attention shifted between two people operating the nearby devices and the Sarcophagus.
-"Still nothing?"-Mobius asked, the panic breaking her calm tone.
-"I checked everything. If this thing was operated as you said, then the current situation makes no sense."-Old Lynx shook her head, worry appearing in her eyes.
-"Is Eno safe?"-Mostima asked what everyone wanted to know.
-"We don't know."-Mobius couldn't answer.
-"He is well."-Once again, the familiar voice appeared.
As everyone looked around, only Kal'tsit stood in shock.
-"Who?"-Margaret demanded, her lance ready to strike any danger that might appear.
-"None of your concern."-The voice didn't spare them any more words or time.-"AMa-10, I order you to open the Sarcophagus."
Kal'tsit stood still, her eyes now filled with dread.
-"Tsk. I truly don't understand what my Dears see in you, a malfunctioning tool."-The voice sounded displeased, but decided to change her approach.-"Eno is safe, but Sarcophagus caused an anomaly in him, so I have to take him somewhere. He will be fine and will return in the near future, just like before."
-"Can you take us with him?"-Lemuel asked, unwilling to be separated like that once again.
-"No. But for my dear, I can help you meet him halfway. Not to mention, you need to grow in strength if you want to help him, and not be a burden."
-"Please."-Lemuen bowed lightly, understanding that the voice wasn't their enemy, but my friend or helper.
-"AMa-10, I leave the details in your terminal; assist them how you can. I've made sure that there will be no danger when you arrive on the other side, but rest will depend on you. Now, open the Sarcophagus."
This time, Kal'tsit followed her orders, and soon the Sarcophagus's heavy cover opened, revealing a curled bird wreathed in flames. Before anyone could understand what they were seeing, it was sealed in the Originium and then disappeared.
-"And you, memory construct. Your time has come. Time to return."
-"You…"-Mobius wanted to retort, but before she could finish, she also disappeared.
After that, the voice never resounded again, causing everyone to look at Kal'tsit, who looked like she had eaten a fly.
On top of a towering mountain, a young boy was training with a sword in hand. His movements had a strange charm, seemingly without form, ever-changing, yet not chaotic, creating a profound whole. His serious, almost heroic face contrasted with his long hair, light white at the roots and turning pink at the ends, creating a rather feminine ombré effect. With every step and swing, they would sway behind him, attracting all nearby eyes.
-"Master. Can you tell me more about Little-Shishu?"-A girl looking about ten asked the woman standing next to her, both watching the boy.
-"What do you want to know, Su Mei?"
-"Why is he training a different martial art when yours is strongest?"-She asked, her eyes never leaving the boy who appeared to be about half her age yet trained all day.
-"It's not that our style is stronger, but rather they were created with a different purpose in mind. Our Edge of Taixuan focuses on Sword Heart, aiming to transcend physical constraints and become completely formless, thus unleashing strength far beyond what the body could bear."
-"I know, Master, you repeated this thousands of times."-The girl pouted in dissatisfaction.
-"But his style is different; rather than pursuing the formlessness of Taixuan, he studies the ever-changing world, trying to encompass all within his understanding, thus having even fate under his control. This is the School of Yìxué."
-"But how can someone understand everything? Are you lying to me, Master?"-The girl didn't believe such a thing was possible.
-"I believe your Shishu will achieve it one day."
-"But why is Little-Shishu all alone? Wouldn't it be better if he had more martial brothers and sisters?"
-"The School of Yìxué has a special rule; it can be passed on only in a single line, with an inheritor appearing after the predecessor's demise."-Saying that, the woman's previously still eyes showed great pain, but it quickly disappeared.-"And members of our school were guardians of that tradition from ancient times, ensuring that inheritors of Yìxué could grow safely and then improve and expand upon the Yìxué, so that one day, they could truly control all fate."
-"So… We will also live our lives while helping Little-Shishu? Does that mean that we will marry him one day?"-The girl asked seemingly naively, but a glint of amusement appeared in her eyes.
-"Ehem."-The woman couldn't help but cough due to surprise, but quickly collected herself.-"That's not it. If you wish to do so, then I won't stop you, but we are only to guard him until he grows up; later, he will have his own path to take."
-"Hmm…"
-"What are you thinking so intently?"
-"I wonder how good Little-Shishu would look in a cheongsam."
-"He'll get angry if he hears you."
-"But he looks so cute…"
Just then, a flying sword appeared from nowhere, picking the girl up by her collar and flying far into the air, ignoring the screams of the girl it was carrying. Looking at the situation, the woman sighed and walked to where the sword flew, not looking hurried at all.