Endless Evolution: Last Star

Chapter 1610 1610: Her Weapon

While Adam was undergoing the First Star's trial, the real world continued to live at its usual pace.

"Sir, are you sure this was a good idea?" Merra asked uncertainly, directing her gaze at Zargos.

Zargos waved his hand. He looked as relaxed as before, but his low tone betrayed his true emotions.

He glared at Merra.

"Don't you trust me?"

Merra shook her head.

"Of course I trust you, but... He's still not at the border of the First Circle. Getting the Dark Energy at such an early stage, cases where everything went well are critically few."

There was no response. Zargos put his cocktail aside and got up from the deck chair.

His shadow loomed over Adam, who was shaking his head from side to side with a permanent frown on his face, as if he were in a nightmare, which was not far from the truth.

"Yeah, if it were any other K4-Phantom, I wouldn't take the risk. You're right, if Adam Vinter dies because of my actions, my ambitions, then I'll be in serious trouble, but..."

Tap.

Zargos slung Adam over his shoulder as he headed for his house.

"He'll be fine. Still, we have to be prepared for the worst. There's no telling what will happen when he wakes up. If he wakes up..."

Merra gulped and, after a brief nod, followed Zargos.

"Y-Yes!"

In their pair, she had always been calm and serious, Zargos's loyal servant, because he was always reckless and joking around. But when even he became serious, it meant the situation was not easy.

...

While Merra and Zargos prepared for the aftermath of Adam's evolution, he was going through perhaps the most confusing trial of his path.

First, he had to fight Silvana, or rather her dark clone. He accepted it because it wasn't the real Silvana, but simply the First Star's will, but... he wasn't ready for the new turn.

Step. Step. Step.

Each heavy step echoed through the endless void until a tall silhouette, familiar to Adam, appeared from the veil of darkness.

It was the Silver Weaver, not a clone or some distorted variant, but the real one, the one who had been his loyal ally for some time, ever since Adam received the Desire of Beyond.

"You..." Adam's voice faltered. "What are you doing here?"

The Silver Weaver looked at Dark Silvana, at the black flame, and then turned to Adam.

"Well, this is a little awkward. Let's say I was never supposed to exist. The fact that I am here is a result of a series of events that occurred, the chances of which were negligible. Still, you brought each of them together."

The Silver Weaver slowly walked toward Dark Silvana, continuing his story.

"Didn't you ever find it strange that one of the conditions for the Grand Stars not only gave you new power, but also took on a special form? Before that, this only happened to Lone Blaze, but her situation is different. She had a mind from the beginning. It was her own doing."

The Silver Weaver paused, turning to Adam.

"Also, the Evolution Tree never hid your power from you. The old tree simply didn't tell you the whole truth."

Adam gulped.

"W-What? What the hell are you talking about?"

Tremble. Tremble. Tremble.

The black flame trembled as the clot headed straight for the Silver Weaver, entering his chest.

His long white robe instantly turned black, and his hair grew slightly longer. His skin remained pale, his nails black, and his eyes green with wise, round pupils. But the most significant change was in his aura.

It was not a complete transformation, but an evolution to the next stage that had previously been impossible.

"Adam."

The Silver Weaver's voice rang out.

"It was the Dark Energy that allowed your memories and emotions from your first battle, from your victory for your life, to take shape with your mind and ambitions. If it weren't for the black flash, I would never have existed, Adam."

Adam became alert, his expression becoming more serious. The Silver Weaver's aura significantly surpassed Dark Silvana's level.

"So, what now? Are you my enemy now?"

The Silver Weaver shook his head.

"I will always be your ally, as long as you live. But, since you still don't have control over all the Dark Energy, I am forced to obey the First Star's will. You can think of it as a trial, in which there are prizes and penalties."

The Silver Weaver stared at him.

"And remember, none of us has a choice anymore, not after you passed through the glass gates."

"Rewards?" Adam asked. "What will I get if I defeat you?"

"Isn't it obvious? Complete control over the Dark Energy. Only a tiny fraction of it was used when I was born. The Path Construct intervened so that it was unnoticeable and painless for you. But as long as the Dark Energy is here, the will of the First Star's will be more important than yours. You must change that."

Adam raised an eyebrow.

"What if I lose?"

The Silver Weaver turned away, his gaze filled with sadness.

"Then we will all disappear. First me, then the Evolution Tree, and finally you yourself."

He looked at Dark Silvana.

"Only she will remain, the real one."

A chill ran down Adam's spine.

"But I won't lose, right? I'm strong!"

The Silver Weaver smiled bitterly.

"I hope so. Either way, my time has come to an end, it's time to act. The First Star won't wait any longer. The only thing I can tell you is this: remember the power that only you possess."

With these words, the Silver Weaver's flame trembled as he turned into a stream of black flame.

"Agh?"

The flame headed towards Dark Silvana, who had already assumed a fighting stance.

The Silver Weaver took the form of an arm made of black glass, which completely healed Dark Silvana's wound after Adam's energy blast.

But her restored arm was the least of Adam's problems.

The great dark needle with a wide blade was now in Dark Silvana's grasp, the weapon that was not even available to him now belonged to his enemy.

"S-Shit... How am I supposed to defeat an improved version of myself?"