Will of chaos

Chapter 2030: Cap 2020 (Rewritten): Shadow of Creation

After I woke up, I spent the rest of the day with my wives. I missed them terribly; I loved them more than anything, and yet I spend so little time with them these days, to the point of missing the old days when we lived in the cabin inside the Blood Forest.

That day I discovered that all my Heralds and Divine Beasts had also become Entities, but they were Entities branched off from me, just like the Twins and Urd.

Of my Wives, Freya was already an Entity, but Ibuki also managed to Transcend, becoming an Entity as well.

Xerxes explained that this was only possible because of the power of Chaos that I understood, the power of Transformation. It was precisely this power that most affected my Heralds and Divine Beasts, who are more strongly connected to me.

After the many surprises that day, I couldn’t sleep; I was too full of power to rest.

Today I stood on a moon, contemplating the surrounding space within Tarzor. I could feel everything so differently. I could feel the sheer number of Essences; I could feel the raw flow of energy—it was absurd.

I could also feel many other more fundamental changes, like the power of reality within Tarzor. It wasn’t like the one outside; the difference was as blatant as the difference between water and oil. This power of Reality seemed to be Tarzor’s own Aura.

“Everything seems so different.” (me)

“That’s what it means to be an Entity. You were lucky not to lose your physical body; that’s extremely rare among Entities who have undergone Transference.” (Lena)

“But you and Cortana have physical bodies, the same goes for Urd.” (me)

“My sister and I were almost Entities from birth because of you. In the beginning, we were meant to be a part of Life and Death; maintaining a physical body was easy.” (Lena)

“With Urd, the process was different; she never had a physical body. You constructed her physical body during your Transcendence, something only Chaos can do, and only for its ramifications.” (Lena)

“I understand…” (me)

Since becoming an Entity, some things I simply know. This knowledge didn’t come from anywhere; it was knowledge literally linked to me. It was like knowing how to move my arm; it was so instinctive that it became difficult to understand.

“How did Tarzor appear in your eyes?” (me)

“His size grew more than 12 times thanks to everything the Merchant paid him. His transformation also made him evolve to his current state as part of himself.” (Lena)

“Do all Entities possess a Space like the Star Path?” (me)

“Yes, some of these dimensions are physical while others are ethereal.” (Lena)

“Urd has this universe; what she did to the planet before was temporary because of the interference of the other Entities, but now the entire universe has been reclaimed and will soon extend to all others connected to it.” (Lena)

“My sister and I have ethereal dimensions; mine is to give a second birth to those I take in, while my sister only maintains the nutrients of those she buries.” (Lena)

“Even Callidora is a combination of a physical and ethereal dimension, but her physical aspect is entirely artificial.” (Lena)

“I understand…” (me)

“How do you feel, Tarzor?” (me)

“I feel incredible.” (Tarzor)

This time, Tarzor didn’t warp space to appear; the power of Reality simply concentrates in the form of an oriental Dragon larger than a planet in front of us.

“I can feel everything and everyone within me, I can sense those with strong Will and guide them to the Star Path, I can also pull those on the Star Path into my universe regardless of which universe they are in.” (Tarzor)

“The Star Path is my Transcendental Authority, now I understand what the System was talking about.” (me)

“I can negotiate this Authority with other Entities to varying degrees, but I won’t do that now.” (me)

“And you shouldn’t, the Entities only use our Authorities in important negotiations or with the System, normally we use Origin Artifacts, Anomalous Beasts, Essences, Deities, rare items, knowledge and many other things as currency.” (Lena)

“I’ll keep that in mind.” (me)

This kind of common knowledge among the Entities I didn’t have, so I’m happy to learn, so I won’t be deceived when other Entities inevitably come to me. “Zenos, it seems someone is looking for you, your son Irius is escorting someone to the Star Palace.” (Tarzor)

“Who could it be?” (me)

“There are 2 women and Ronan, all carrying the presence of Pride.” (Tarzor)

“So they’re finally here.” (me)

I knew Pride would be the first among the Entities to come speak to me after my Transcendence; she even took a while to appear.

Tarzor simply nods, and the space opens like a door revealing an empty crystal room. We all pass through before it closes and walk to the main hall. I knew exactly where they were; their presence was like points of light in the darkness, visible from afar.

Entering the room, I recognized people: Ronan, who had spent quite a bit of time with me, was servilely behind an Elven woman who grinned from ear to ear without any restraint—an Elf overflowing with Pride who caught my attention from my first step inside. She was Ronan’s mother and also the principal Avatar of Pride, the Elven Empress Ohara.

Shifting my attention to the third person, it was a woman I didn’t know. Clearly an Elf, as beautiful as Ohara and very similar to her, clearly one of her daughters. But sensing something strange about her, I noticed her fanatical gaze, which she didn’t even try to disguise—a look I’d seen in one of my daughters before.

Only then did I perceive the power contained within her. It was hidden by the power of Pride, but it was clear to see when I focused my attention: it was a Concept, the seed of a Concept that was already sprouting.

“Zenos, boy! Hahahahaahahaha!!!” (Ohara)

She moved very quickly, appearing right in front of me, crushing me in a tight hug as if I were an old friend or something, giving me two pats on the back that seemed to deprive me of the air I had millions of before letting go as if proud of me.

“(What a strange woman…)” (me)

“I have much to discuss with you and someone to introduce, but business must come first, and I feel Pride eager to see you.” (Ohara)

“A little rushed, but let’s go.” (me)

I know it’s pointless to say anything, they have their own rhythm, and I don’t want to have more Entities against me.

But before I could understand what was happening, Xerxes arrived, throwing a die between me and Ohara as he approached us.

The whole room flashed, making everything and everyone disappear. Then I looked at everything that appeared afterward; it was a ruined hall, and there was a broken statue of someone holding that same die between two fingers.

“Xerxes, what…?” (me)

Before I could ask what was happening, Ohara’s eyes gleamed, her golden hair became strands of pure golden energy floating around her, her demeanor also became more delicate as her face smiled looking at Xerxes.

“Hello sister.” (Pride)

“Pride, do you really want this?” (Xerxes)

“No, but they’re attacking, I’m not going to stand here, and that’s why I had to drag you out of bed, I just needed the right alarm clock.” (Pride)

“Can someone fill me in on the conversation?” (me)

“I hate to leave you out, but it’s been a while since I’ve seen Paradox…” (Pride)

“My name is now Xerxes.” (Xerxes)

“Don’t listen to your words, she came here because of your impatience, she sensed our contact with Dream, she wants the way to reach them.” (Xerxes)

“The Shadow of Creation… there was no place where my will did not extend, there is no place where I was denied to go, with only one exception!” (Pride)

“…” (me)

For a brief moment, a massive pressure passed, creating armor in space, but it was only for a brief moment before passing, and Pride’s smile returned to her face.

“I suppose the Shadow of Creation is where those enemies are, isn’t it?” (me)

“Yes, that’s the name of that place; even for Entities, it would be difficult to reach.” (Xerxes)

“Yes, the place you created.” (Pride)

I look at Xerxes; she seemed confused for a few seconds before closing her eyes, and when she opened them, she looked tired.

“That’s right, they were still my brothers, but they weren’t supposed to return, not like this.” (Xerxes)

“I don’t leave things unfinished, so let’s make this alliance.” (Pride)

“Ohara will go personally; I accept no refusals.” (Pride)

“I won’t reject you; so far you’ve been consistent with our alliance and fulfilled your part, but I ask that the plan be discussed among all of us and that you avoid making your own plans in secret.” (me)

“I don’t hide, and my word carries only truth, don’t worry.” (Pride)

“Now, could you explain why we’re discussing this here?” (me)

“The presence of an Entity is strong and has its effects. Tarzor is still recovering, and his children are in the Star Palace.” (Xerxes)

“The presence of Pride, in particular, tends to awaken a pride that is too strong within those not strong enough to resist.” (Xerxes)

“I believe I would be fine, but Xerxes didn’t want to risk it.” (Pride)

“I would appreciate it if you would avoid doing something like this again…” (me)