Death... and me

'How do you know this name?'

Roan didn't explain, saying.

'That's our problem. We only want to know if we can obtain information regarding it instead. If not, then forget it.'

Wario narrowed his eyes as he looked at Rean and Roan. Finally, he let out a sigh before saying.

'I should have killed you two straight away. Still, it has been too long, and you are indeed helping us by taking non-believers away. However, I can not give you the answer you seek. If you really want to know more about it, you will have to ask the City's Artifact Spirit. If he doesn't answer you, then there is nothing I can do.'

Rean and Roan instantly had puzzled expressions on their faces.

'Artifact Spirit? What's that?'

Wario then explained.

'You saw how the city was built, right? All the buildings are connected to the terrain itself. In fact, they are all the one and the same. There isn't really such a thing as several houses. They are all part of the same structure. Simply put, this is an artifact. The entire city is a large piece of equipment.'

Rean and Roan were taken back. They didn't expect that such a big piece of equipment could exist.

Wario then continued.

'This equipment has a Spirit, which is the real one responsible for everything inside. The reason you were able to enter this place is most likely because the Artifact Spirit allowed you to. If it wanted to, you would all be dead a long time ago.'

Rean couldn't help but ask.

'What kind of equipment is this? What does it do?'

Wario shook his head.

'It's not up to me to answer that question. If the Artifact Spirit wishes to, it will give you that answer. Anyway, that's as far as I can tell you. Do you want to meet it right now? Remember, this will be done in the place of your rewards. If the Artifact Spirit doesn't wish to talk to you, then we can't do anything about it. You two will end up being sent out empty-handed.'

Rean and Roan nodded almost instantly. They didn't have much interest in the treasures and cultivation techniques of this place to start with.

Wario then appeared beside the twins like a ghost, which alarmed Tiria and Juvian. However, they quickly calmed them down.

"Don't worry, elders. Senior Wario is bringing us to get the reward we chose. There is no need for the things we asked you anymore either."

Tiria and Juvian wanted to ask what was happening. After all, everyone was kept inside the hall while they chose their own rewards. However, only the twins were being brought away. However, Juvian and Tiria knew that there was nothing they could do. The difference in level was just way too big.

Wario enveloped Rean and Roan with his Spiritual Energy and then disappeared with the two. 

"Tiria, do you know what's happening?"

Tiria shook her head.

"I have no idea. However, something's not right. Those twins definitely know something that they don't want to talk about. Also, I'm still puzzled why they asked for Rank Four Spirit Stones before."

Juvian nodded.

"It seems like we can only wait for now."

Tiria and Juvian were not the only ones to notice it. The other sects, as well as the royal family, also saw how the twins suddenly disappeared with Wario.

'It's those twins again. Just what is wrong with those kids?'

'I need to report it back and have them further investigated.'

The ones with the worst looks were obviously the Umbral Sect members.

'Those twins will be the greatest threat for us in the future. Perhaps we should really pay the price the Shadow Reapers required for the job.'

Meanwhile, in several parts of the city, many citizens were informed about the elders' decision.

"What? We can leave?"

"Idiot! This is not leaving. We are being banished."

"So what? Do you want to stay here forever?"

"Hmph! That's only for the non-believers. When the ancestors come back, you will be stuck in this world. How can you give up the ancestors' words that easily?"

"Indeed. In fact, it is better that you are gone. This will purify our city."

"Zerio, are you really leaving? Are you going to leave your parents behind?"

"Sorry, mom, dad. However, I can't stay here anymore. Instead, you should come with me. Nothing will change if you stay in this place."

"Brat! How dare you say such things?"

This kind of conversation was happening in the entire city. In the end, the number of believers was much higher than the ones who didn't. Only around 10% of the population wanted to leave. Another 10% were in doubt where it was the right decision or not. As for the remaining portion, they were fanatics that genuinely believed that their ascender ancestors would come back and bring them away.

The guards around the city repeatedly advised everyone.

"Everyone who wishes to journey outside, be aware that this is a permanent decision! Once you step outside the city, you will be forbidden to ever come back. Ask yourselves, is that what you really want? Can you leave your family and friends behind? You have one day to decide. On the second day, we will start to bring everyone out."

While all of that happened, the twins finally arrived at the back of the city. There, they could see an enormous sphere that glowed with a faint light. They couldn't help but remember the glow on the pedestal that Latalia used to open the city's entrance. 

Wario then bowed to the giant Sphere before saying.

"This lowly one seeks the Artifact Spirit's assistance. I've brought two outsiders who wish to know more about the Vruve."

Rean and Roan looked at each other, and then at the Sphere. Although the elder said that, nothing seemed to be happening.

Wario then sighed as he looked at the twins.

"I'm not sure if the Artifact Spirit will answer. If it doesn't, then we are lea-"

Suddenly, the Sphere's glow shone more brightly as a Spiritual Sense message entered their minds.

'Wario, you can leave.'

Wario was taken aback. Although he had brought them here, the truth was that he didn't expect that the Artifact Spirit would really answer. However, he didn't dare to neglect the Artifact Spirit's orders.

"Yes, this lowly one shall come back later to fetch the twins."

Wario then disappeared like a ghost. He was too fast for Rean or Roan to see his movements. Well, that didn't matter now. They finally seemed to be able to obtain a few answers.

Rean then bowed to the giant Sphere before saying.

"Thank you for receiving us, Senior Artifact Spirit."

Roan didn't say anything but still bowed to the Sphere as well.

However, the Artifact Spirit ignored the twins. Instead, he looked at Kentucky, who was brought together with them. The Artifact Spirit didn't have a mouth, so he could only communicate with Spiritual Sense.

'The swallower of suns and moons. How long has it been since I saw a real Minokawa? I can't even remember correctly anymore. Still, this one seemed to have received some kind of mutation.'

Rean and Roan were taken aback. The artifact spirit was the first one other than Elder Reliance to identify Kentucky's race.

*Chick?*

"Do you know about Kentucky?"

The Artifact Spirt confirmed.

'Yes. They are powerful creatures capable of bringing death to entire planets.'

Rean and Roan had the knowledge from Earth, so they understood what the Artifact Spirit meant. If Kentucky could really devour a sun, any planet in that solar system would lose its support. A sun was crucial for the existence of life, so it wasn't wrong to say that eating the sun would also mean the death of planets with life on them.

"Don't worry. We will raise Kentucky well."

The artifact spirit didn't seem to care, though.

'It doesn't matter. That is not my problem. The life that exists inside me can be sustained even if the Sun and Moon disappear, but I'll give you a piece of advice. Minokawas can't escape their fate. They need to swallow one sun and many, many moons to compensate for the Sun's Yang Energy. Be careful once you decide which ones you will let it eat.'

Rean nodded. He already knew how the universe worked thanks to his education back on Earth. There was no lack of life-devoid solar systems in the universe. Well, this was a problem that he won't need to care about for many years. He still didn't even know how they would leave the planet to start with.

However, that wasn't as shocking when compared to what the Artifact Spirit said right after.

'Leaving the bird aside, what kind of relationship do you two have with Soul Gem?'