Lord Shadow

Each fusion requires a large amount of energy. 

And it is not only energy that is being absorbed but also all kinds of intangible concepts and Laws that governs the stability of reality around Azief body was absorbed by him

The blue energy also seems to supply power toward Azief. 

The fabric of reality around Azief also seems to be distorted extremely as the space segmented like it was cut and each segmented block of space seems to be separated by layers of other dimensions causing it to create instability on the surrounding space. 

Rifts of space multiplied by the thousands.

The orbits and the gravitational force around Azief body all seems to be altered 

All of this phenomenon happening is not because of the pressure of Azief body. This probably have something more to do with the Gate 

As his blue aura seems to cover the surrounding area around him, the star systems around him were all affected. 

Their energies that have been accumulated for millions of years seems to be drained in almost an instant as that blue aura passes them

Some of them explode inwardly and its explosion did not even able to create a ripple in the seas of star.

Because the moment it was about to erupt the blue aura would absorb the energy of that blast.

This is like the ability of that Gate. The blue aura that is coming out form him seems to have some kind of devouring abilities.

Some of the barren planets nearby shrinks and they all turns into blue energy and flew to him. 

The black hole in front of Azief seems to shrink to the point that it would not take long for it to dissipate entirely.

Space and Time around black hole is always reversed. 

And even that was affected as this dissipation is not entirely natural. Azief had absorbs almost all of the matters and energy inside the black hole and all around it.

Azief act of absorbing unrefined energy from the black hole had causes impurities to pile up in his body.

But it also undeniable it is because of that he could quickly have the required amount of energy enough for him to merge his Avatars

He is already at the last stage of Divine Comprehension to begin with. What he lacks was only a huge amount of energy to facilitate the merging process.

If there is no such matter like the kidnapping of Katarina, Azief would not have to try to do such a thing.

But, because of the legacy of the Etherna and the now swirling blue energy that is inside him, Azief inner Universe which is dark and cloudy, representing the tainted energy in his body is now being eradicated by the blue energy

Inside his Inner universe, standing between heaven and Earth is the blue crystal emanating an all vanquishing blue light that cleanse the impurity in Azief body

Azief was prepared to take a long time to purify his body after doing such act. He could not have imagined that when he tries to break through to Essence Creation that he would be activating some kind of prerequisite for the legacy of Etherna 

Azief felt fortunate. Azief right now is brimming with more energy than before. 

It was probably a few hours since he had left Earth. 

But counting time dilation and all and Azief own ability to manipulate time to a certain degree, Azief is confident that he could raise his strength before the time is up

As for the crystal, he did not have time to check it. Maybe, if he won and he could bring back Katarina back to Earth, then he would begin to research that crystal.

All around him, energy swirls. 

Azief saw that his entire body is glowing even brighter. 

There is nothing wrong with his true physical body so he went back to his Inner Universe to see what is happening and to make sure that the rate of cleansing and the rate of its being tainted did not go to the extreme.

And in his deep consciousness, he still did not choose the Path. Before, it was obstructed by the gate as he was transported toward that Thought Consciousness domain.

But, he already got the legacy. So, as his avatar is slowly merging with each other, he needs to choose what kind of soul that he wanted to form

He already had a certain soul he wanted to pick. And the path he wanted to walk. The Gate only increase his confidence in his choice.

And he smiles

Inside Azief Inner Universe, his Universe is shrouded by dark clouds and like a droplet of ink falling into a white canvass and spreading.

But the blue shaped crystal is spreading its own blue light, repressing that black ink to cover Azief Inner Universe

The black ink symbolizes the corruption and tainted energy after absorbing all kinds of energy from the black hole. 

Fortunately, Azief now have that blue crystal that he got from inside the gate. If not, it would take a long time for him to purify back energy

Most people always have impurities in their energies. But for those who seek perfection path, tainted energy would hinder him in his path later. 

Unless he purifies all of his tainted energy, improvement to his strength would be hard. Azief could sense all of this even as he looks at the orb in front of his eye

He is back at that white space where there are tens of thousands of orbs, each one representing a certain path.

And his eyes are still trained at that blue orb. When he grabs that blue orb before, he did not comprehend the methods of condensing an Etherna soul

Instead what he gains was the legacy of the Etherna. He had to grab it again and comprehend the method.

‘This is the path is most suitable for me’ he thought to himself.

Azief had decided that the content of the blue orb is required if he wanted to walk his path until the end.

That blue orb is none other than a knowledge on how to condense an Etherna soul. And maybe something more

Azief had the belief that the moment he could condense his Etherna soul, some of his sealed abilities would be unlocked.

Judging from the name of the skill that was sealed, it is pretty powerful and probably would be enough for him to go into Seresian world, save Katarina and survive together.

Beside that blue orb there is a white orb with glaring brightness that would put the brightest sun in the Universe to shame

That white orb is a path that enable one to condense a primordial soul. 

But primordial as the meaning of that name is the beginning of time. Etherna soul however is an even more ancient soul 

There probably none in the wide Omniverse. The Etherna was eradicated during the Purge that had happened during the primeval era of the Omniverse.

Etherna is a race that exist even before Time was established. It is not the allure of power that drew Azief to that blue orb. 

It is fate and destiny, oaths and promises.

Azief had taken the burden of the Ethernian in that Stairway. There is a price for everything. And this is the price had to pay

It is a price he gladly wanted to pay. Because Azief could see that once he condenses the soul of the Etherna, it would enable him to walk further in his path. 

If all he wanted to do was to strengthen himself, any soul would do. 

But he wanted more than just to strengthen himself. He wanted to make sure he has a chance to grow further in the future

He accepted the possibility that he might die in the Seresian world. But……he is also not just going to give up. 

If he is a man that had given up, he would have chosen any other path and be done with it and then charged to the Seresian world to bring back Katarina to him

The old Azief might have done so. 

But sitting on the highest seat in the world does tend to cultivate an unyielding attitude toward life.

He might die…. but he might also survive and live. 

Preferably he wanted to live. 

And if he lives and found out that his opportunity to rise higher was cut off by his own recklessness and thoughtless decision, he could have never forgiven himself

If he is going to live, he is going to live without regret. If he is going to die, he is going to die with a bang.

Azief then slowly take the orb. Light did not explode like before instead the orb glows on top of his palm

Azief smiles a bit and then he crushes the blue orb that is in his hand. The moment he did that information streams his mind and all around him the space spirals and crumbles.

‘Heh’ he smirks as he opens his eyes.

He is now back in the real world. 

>>>>