Chapter Text
Chapter 15: Intertwined Fates- The Merger
Rimuru POV:
—-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
My body felt stiff, unnatural, and was aching. Sharp stabbing pains and hard stinging pains radiate across my body. My head was pounding like the beating drum of a primitive tribe readying for battle. It felt like I had been kicked in the temple and directly at the bottom of my skull- the pain was intense but it wasn’t unbearable. It was nothing I couldn’t handle. Still it was one hell of a pain to feel as I entered the waking world.
Painfully slowly I pried my eyes open. The world around me was blurry beyond belief, the glowing fruits illuminating the walls of the cave and the pitch black darkness bleeding into each other. Pressing my eyes tightly together for a few seconds I opened them wide- wide as I could, before blinking rapidly a few times. The blurriness going away subtly with each blink.
Despite the aching pains I forced myself to sit up right, instinctively my hand raised to my head. A feeling of intense dizziness and lightheadedness enveloped me like a blanket– still I forced myself to stay up right even as the world spun. I felt like I was falling, drowning, and stuck floating in the air all at once. Yet I found some solace in these sensations- it meant I was alive, I was awake, and I wasn’t dreaming.
I felt a blank spot in my mind as I tried to think back to the event that brought me here, and to this moment- a burning sensation filling my mind as I forced myself to think back to the moments before. Taking several deep paced breaths I calmed my nerves, feelings of refreshment washed over me, the breaths slightly easing the pain; the headache and the blank spot in my memory. Each breath grounded me more and more, and brought me closer to reality– to my answers.
Yet before the answers came- the reasons I felt pained and enveloped by aching sensations was clear. I was dangerously low on my aether reserves. Inherently my body functioned entirely dependent on aether or mana– in my case generally aether.
My priorities in this moment had to shift, I wanted to know what brought me to where I am- I need to clear my head. Even the memories and moments too painful to remember hold lessons and value regardless of the anguish and torment they bring– you just have to look into them and listen.
Taking in a deep breath I began to draw in aether at a faster rate than I naturally did unconsciously. Just feeling my reserves alone and seeing the blood caked on my hands– the pool of blood soaking in my clothes I learned more than enough that I was a wreck and harmed myself. I just need to breathe, and likely it’s all I had to do before so I could get back to my rational and my senses.
I knew deep down I was a wreck, I just never gave myself time to process or think about myself and my own mental well being– the rapid growth changes didn’t help this fact either; now being effectively a boy in the heights of puberty I was especially at risk for emotional outbursts unintentionally.
I had to work to stay calm and collected– I needed to actively be cool headed and rational. The me I expressed before, that isn’t me– I know. I just need to take things slower.
I soon fell into an unnatural calm as I released all distractions from my mind and focused on recovery and drawing in aether.
My body inherently was in perfect condition– better than before, but it was degrading due to my low aether reserves. Once again I found myself at the core of my being– the violet aetheric ocean below my feet. My eyes surveyed the vast expanse of my mental world as I noted the changes.
The star illuminating the sunsetten skies was now painted in a radiant golden tinge, the warmth emanating from it exuding a rejuvenating sensation. Even as I wished to admire and take note of all the beauty of my mental realm- I had other things to do for now. It would do good for me to keep a mental note– escaping to my mental world leaves me with a sense of calm and serenity like none other I’ve experienced in this world.
With a single deep breath I let myself fall backwards. My body fell to the water unnaturally slow as if gravity here was practically reversed, but it didn’t take long for my body to create a large splash as I fell down into the aetheric ocean’s embrace.
I didn’t resist as I was dragged deeper and deeper into the infinite depths of the aetheric oceans waters. My view of my mental world was glossed over in a deep violet coloration– I admired the view of the golden star as it was shrouded in a veil of violet, the brilliant golden rays seeming almost a pure white now.
Life flowed into me as I fell deeper and deeper into the waters– a unique refreshing sensation somewhat similar to the moments I found my limbs regenerating slowly crawled up my body.
The sensation inched slowly from my toes, then up my ankles, slowly it crawled up past my knees and towards my hips. Cracking and popping sensations tiptoed up my body behind the refreshing sensation.
Soon the sensations crossed my stomach and began to crawl towards my chest, but rather than touch my head– my mind, it washed down my arms starting from my clavicles and flowing like trickling water down my biceps, triceps, elbows, forearms, and eventually bursting through my fingertips.
I felt truly alive– It was like I became one with aether in this moment. I felt like I was raw aether. Looking towards the surface I realized I’d fell hundreds of meters by now, and the sensation began to crawl up my neck. It felt like a million small creatures were walking up my neck and towards my head but it was a soothing and relaxing feeling.
A minute passed, then two. A sensation of calm and an unheard of feeling of relaxation coursed through my mind, and shot down my nerves and veins. A static shock ran through my body, forcing me to jolt unintentionally but I felt awake– truly awake. It was like I was a new person; I wasn’t but I felt so alive, so intune with the world.
-
Rimuru felt unnaturally calm, truly at peace. He felt serene pleasure and relaxation like he’d never felt before. It felt as if the aetheric ocean was touching his mind, body, and soul in all the right places to provide him the most comfort.
Yet it was unnerving how perfect the feeling was.
Rimuru couldn’t believe aether could even make him feel like this– even if it encompassed life, time, and space as its base aspects and natures. It felt as if his mind was being touched in a manner to make him feel this way without his knowing, all so he would drop his guard and fall into an inescapable trap. This possibility didn't bother him. He fell into the aetheric ocean's embrace all the same.
He didn’t feel as if he needed to take a breath, he didn’t feel as if he needed to fight, and he didn’t feel as if he was in danger. The feelings he felt, the sensations, and the expressions were unheard of to him– he only could compare this moment to times Ciel or Velzard would embrace his soul through their soul corridors.
He felt at home.
He felt at home even as black tendrils reached up from the impossibly deep depths and slowly began to grow ever closer to him. Numerous tendrils sprouted from the depths and reached towards Rimuru, his slow fall towards the bottom of this endless ocean bringing him closer to the tendrils grasp with each passing second.
Rimuru enjoyed looking up towards the golden star far far above but a sudden urge filled him as he drew further from it~ he wished to feel his descent– his comforts differently. So he did the natural thing and turned over– his descent now feeling as if he was falling through the clouds. He drew towards the embrace of the tendrils spread eagle. Unbothered he watched as the tendrils drew closer to him, inch by inch.
He continued to draw closer and closer until the longest and most strained of the tendrils was able to caress his chest– his sternum. The tendril expanded out into a massive gaping maw poised to chomp down on Rimuru, but before the jaws could snap shut- He took a breath and found himself back in the waking world. An untold number of hours passed, but at least now his aether core was filled to the brim.
-
The aches and pains left me as I awoke from my meditation and reentered reality. I had always inherently recognized my need for aether and mana but I hadn’t truly felt it until now– I was severely reliant on it. A stark realization that weighed heavily on me, it showed my need to learn more about my core– the Brahma’s Core, and to enhance my aether core however I am to manage that task.
Slowly I opened and closed my hands and felt all the sensations in my body return to me comfortably. Rolling up my sleeves I looked at my arm, the muscles and striation had become more defined. I had grown more muscular and toned, and now my veins were practically bursting with how much they bulged and pulsed.
Drawing aether to my nape I activated [Dolus’ Cerebellum] forcing the spellform to enhance my vision. Taking advantage of the new sight I gained, and the information I could gleam from it– I had my theory proved correct as I saw my veins flooded with aether.
Aether was running through my veins as if it was blood. I had a theory as to why it seemed this way and it was attached to my new rune. Reconstitution Breath. Now with my mind cleared and the activation of this rune the hole in my memories was refilled and I clearly recollected the events that led me to my aetheric starvation.
I had lost it, I broke down and acted irrationally. I let the raging emotions I kept locked away burst out with the force of a hurricane. Improper handling of my emotions and thoughts led me to the situation I found myself in.
First I started off aggressively interacting with an innocent person. Blaming them for all my pain and suffering, my troubles and the deaths of my people. Then I proceeded to take a single realization as a damning truth for reality. I ignored things I knew and was certain of all in a moment of vulnerability and irrational thoughts.
I was scared and jumped the gun. I needed to reevaluate myself and my actions. I would right my wrong and pay back my dues. Forcing myself to my feet I wiped the dust off my clothes and turned towards Sylvia who had been watching me wordlessly, an unreadable expression on her face. She seemed to be in a moment of deep contemplation and thought so I waited patiently.
I didn’t want to rudely interrupt her thoughts, so I sat down patiently and waited till her thoughts would be concluded.
Only a few minutes passed before a small smile crossed her face– the visage of her disguise expressing her true selves expression all the same. She waved her hand towards me- beckoning me over.
Resolved I stood up and walked towards Sylvia, I felt as if I’d walked a mile to reach her but it didn’t matter– even as my embarrassment from my attitude and actions filled my mind I still approached her. I came to a few feet from her throne of stone and sat myself down, my legs crossed over one another.
A silence enveloped the room as I looked for the proper words to express myself and speak my peace. Sylvia, noticing my struggle to find the words, waited patiently. Her patience and respect once again showed me now how terrible I was to her.
I took a breath, giving up on trying to find the proper words and just spoke. “Thank you.” The first words that escaped my lips were those of thanks. That moment where I was trapped in my own mind, begging for someone to reassure me– she was there and she reassured me.
In response a warm smile crossed her face as Sylvia merely nodded in understanding. She however still didn’t speak. Instead waiting for me to finish saying my peace. No matter how long it took me.
“I acted improperly towards you. You were in a stressful situation and then I unfairly accused you and treated you villainously. My actions were in no way justifiable, and for that I apologize.” I paused the words caught in my throat. It was hard admitting your wrong at times, “I know an apology will never be enough or fix what I did, but I still apologize and thank you. I thank you for being there when I needed someone– even after all I said and did towards you.”
A breath of relief escaped my lips unintentionally as the words I couldn’t find came out. I was overthinking it. I made this more complex than it needed to be when all I had to do was stop thinking and be myself– I just needed to be Rimuru, to be me.
No one is perfect, and I was by no means in the right state of mind before but that doesn’t excuse my actions and words. But I’m glad I was at least able to get this out.
“Sylvia, I was unfair to you. I won’t ask forgiveness, but I want to express clearly that I am sorry. Genuinely.” My words came out impish and weak, but it didn’t matter as long as the message got across. After saying my peace I bowed apologetically and once again said my apologies.
After I finished Sylvia smiled gently, a nod of acknowledgement being returned. She heard my words, and now I would need to hear hers. And I would need to respect whatever she said.
“I won’t say I forgive you, but I do understand. So instead of speaking for forgiveness and apologies, let's both be better. I was hasty and you were irrational. We both committed a wrong. Two wrongs don't make a right in the end. I understand so let's just start over– we both got off on the wrong foot.” Sylvia’s words left me starstruck and unable to speak– I was honestly expecting to be told off and that I was in the wrong, and a horrible person among other things but she was mature about it and spoke like an adult. A manner I should have spoken to her before.
“I’m Sylvia, just Sylvia.” Sylvia reached out a hand towards me, a tinge of uncertainty clear on her true face, all I could do in reaction was smile and reach out grasping her hand with my own.
“I’m Rimuru, Rimuru Flamesworth.” She gently grasped my hand, a small smile crossing her face– an unconscious action I mimicked as I felt my own lips curl upwards slightly.
“I know what my people did to yours was unjust and you are correct in feeling angry but committing a mass genocide in return for an unjust mass genocide won’t fix anything.” Sylvia gripped my hand firmly as she spoke, her eyes clear and locked on my own– her tone serious and somewhat reprimanding.
“I know, I admit my desire to wipe out the Asura’s as a whole was wrong– I was angry. I wasn’t thinking correctly and deemed that annihilation was a good payment for annihilation.” I paused, locking my eyes intently with Sylvia’s, a resolve welling up inside me. “I’m not perfect, and I doubt I will change so easily after years of being plagued with the idea of wiping out the Asuras as a whole. So instead I want to ask– watch over me, I don’t want to fall into bad thoughts again and I feel you would be the perfect person to keep me straight and on the right path.”
“So I request this– Sylvia, please watch over me and hold me accountable.” A tinge of shock filled Sylvia’s face as I spoke my request. I was serious, and she didn’t take my words the wrong way.
She knew this wasn’t a proposal like one of love but one towards an individual deemed worthy of trust and respect. I looked into her eyes anticipative of her response– a look of contemplation and debate filled her face. Sylvia was uncertain of how to respond. “I won’t ask for a response from you now. I know that the request was abrupt so please take all the time you need.”
A look of relief filled her face after hearing my words. I knew this wasn’t a hastily made decision so she was grateful for the chance to think on it. I intended to give her all the time she needed and more if need be. Leaving the serious topics behind Sylvia and I started to simply chat- I had no need for sleep currently and she clearly was the same so we continued to chat for many hours until Art would awake many hours later.
He really slept like an actual rock. I seriously don’t understand how someone could sleep so heavily. I swear I could kick him in the face and he’d still be snooze snoozing away.
As Art roused awake I noticed an odd expression on his face. He seemed to be confused when his gaze passed over me. It was as if-
‘He heard part of last night.’ My eyes met Sylvia’s and a message unspoken but heard clear as day was shared between us. “You can ask away Art, it’s alright. I would’ve told you eventually.” In response Art shook his head as he rubbed his eyes, fully awakening and hopping to his feet.
Art’s expression spoke his thoughts loud and clear– even if he didn’t mean for his expression to crack, the small instant of it cracking told Rimuru all he needed to know.
‘I don’t need to know, I have my own secret after all– one I am not ready to share.’ I respected his decision and thoughts, if he didn’t want to know or share– he didn’t have to. I assume this would be his first reincarnation, it's not exactly my first rodeo and his situation makes it a bit harder likely for him mentally. At least from what I’ve observed from his behaviors and the way he reacts to certain stimuli.
“It’s certainly an adjustment getting used to your new look though Rimuru.” Art quipped in a coy manner, he wasn’t sure how to approach the subject especially since he was still putting the revelations he got aside. But he’d get it over and done with quite quickly from what I observed.
“Well this is me now, and I doubt I will grow normally so get used to abrupt changes like this.” I shrugged my shoulders unsure of what to tell him, even if I knew what made my body age or reach a new growth state now I couldn’t tell him when the next would come.
It could be today, tomorrow, a month from now, maybe even years– the chance of it never happening exists too, but I hope that isn’t the case for me. That would be the definition of annoying.
“I more so meant how your hair is darker, and your eyes seem more dead and lifeless. Despite the fact that I can tell you’re quite lively.” Art responded with a sense of uncertainty in his voice but a clear lack of worry.
“I guess now I know what I look like. Thanks Art.” Flashing over to Art’s side in a single step I pat his head in a robotic manner, my arm fully extended like a board. I could physically see the tick mark grow on his head after the third or fourth pat so I cut it out and handed him one of the fruits. Comically as if on cue his stomach growled just as I placed the violet fruit in his hand.
Sylvia entered the conversation as Art began to chomp down on the VERY clearly juicy fruit that was leaking all over his hands. “I didn’t get to it last night, but I was under the impression that amongst humans, the earliest age to have awakened as a mage so far was the age of ten, and even then, the child could not yet grasp how to use it– so there was little he could do with it. Yet you, Art, not only formed your core but seem to be able to wield mana even more efficiently than many full-fledged mages.” In response Art quickly wolfed down the rest of the fruit as he shrugged uncertain of what he should say but clearly proud from her compliment. “My parents and this idiot-”
“Art language you are, still a child. You should not be saying those words.” Interjecting Sylvia reprimanded Art for his inappropriate language and use of swear words. In response Art bowed slightly and apologized before rewording his statement, “My parents and this annoyance said I was a genius or something. I can already read quite well and understand what the imagery and words in books are saying.” Sylvia nodded satisfied and I decided to play along with her game– she didn’t intend for Art to know that she knew practically all about him.
He knew of me, he heard that last night but he didn’t know that Sylvia knew of him. He thankfully didn’t hear that.
Days slowly began to pass by, Arthur trained his core- refining it from time to time and enjoyed conversations with Sylvia and I while he was awake. During the nights Sylvia and I would converse alone– ensuring Art was fully asleep and didn’t accidentally learn something randomly. All the while Sylvia continued to prepare the portal, yet seeing a hint of distress on Art’s face she dejectedly in a regretful tone explained an aspect of portal creation.
“The Spell will take a good bit of time to ensure it is safe. I would rather not teleport you several hundred meters off the ground and make you plummet to your deaths. Or for you to be sent to a foreign region neither of you is familiar with. A single inconsistency can entirely alter the transportation location set by the portal. Please be patient; you will be able to see your loved ones soon.” In response to Sylvia’s explanation Art nodded and flashed her a bright smile, thanking her for the Nth time for helping us.
He was fine with waiting as long as he knew they were alive he would wait as long as he needed to. I was similarly unbothered, as I knew exactly how to get home from this general region, or well to our destination the floating city Xryus, but I didn’t want to ruin Sylvia’s plan for 1 and I wanted to spend more time with her. I could also tell Art really didn’t want to climb that mountain cliff face so– Portal travel was his only option since I wasn’t carrying his ass up a mountain when he was able to climb with no issues.
I’ve seen him climb a tree at a 120 degree incline, don’t think I would let him be lazy and get carried up a several hundred meter mountain cliff sid-
Ok I would carry him….begrudgingly.
I did get some enjoyment out of seeing Art get reprimanded by Sylvia from time to time due to his statements regarding the situation leading us here. Her actions in my eyes seemed like that of a motherly figure of sorts trying to guide a misguided child back onto the right path.
Her words are subtly reprimanding and spoken in a manner that sounds like scolding. Yet her intentions were pure on just wanting to prevent him from looking at things the wrong way, then ending it off being tender. She understood clearly why he was like this regardless of knowing of his reincarnation– she looked past that and saw a child who needed to be guided due to an incorrect outlook.
But gentle wasn’t a word I would use when she flicked Art casually ten meters into the air the first time he mentioned the bandits deserving fates worse than death. I’ll just never mention the ones that got erased by the flames of Reconstitution Breath. Since then he’d know some got a fate worse than death, and this funny sight would disappear. I will never admit that due to her pinching me when I’m being a racist that I feel immense pleasure seeing Art getting tossed like a ragdoll by a flick.
Sylvia was a clear proponent of the idea of ‘being better than your adversary and enemy’. She preferred to get back at those who wronged you by living a life better than it was when you met them. It was something clear based on how she and I interacted after I realized my errors and apologized, but it was especially relevant when she spoke on why she didn’t save any of the bandits.
We will ignore that the possibility of any of them being saved was already gone. No need to mention useless things– her annoyed expression when I nearly opened my mouth before making it clear. We don’t speak of that.
“-Along your journey throughout life you will come across many situations like you did before, some worse, some that affect you more than others, and some that stick with you for a long time. But you shouldn’t let rage and grief- hatred- corrode your heart and eat away at you. Instead you should move on and walk forward– learn from the experiences and better yourself so you never experience that again.”
Her words even though she was speaking to Art felt more directed at me given how I acted and the way I was. The person I expressed myself as. I was someone consumed and being eaten away by my hatred, my rage, my depression, my self-hatred, and my regrets.
But it was funny in a way seeing Art look shocked everytime a moral lesson transpired– he saw it as getting moral lessons from someone that looked like the epitome of evil, but that notion made it stick even harder with him.
He was unable to even respond properly to her lessons- only resorting to a blank nod. Yet I knew based on the look in his eyes- he noticed.
Sylvia’s wound was growing larger and larger day by day– I. I knew why. I could’ve stopped it, but she refused. Her refusal was a silent answer to the request I gave her, and one I would respect. The profuse bleeding of her wound didn’t escape Art’s eyes even as he ignored the fact that she was alive despite having a wound the size of his whole body.
Sylvia did try to hide it at first. She covered it with her hand, then her arm- eventually she just couldn’t so she didn’t. Even her lies in response to Art’s concerned gaze didn’t work on Art.
“Do not worry little one, this wound just festers and acts up from time to time. It’s normal, no cause for worry,” Her weak smile, genuine but forced, didn't work. But Art respected her will so he didn’t press onward.
He still doesn’t think he can share or press for answers since he has a secret that he can begin to think people would believe or respect.
Then Sylvia did something I was expecting her to do sooner suddenly one day- she interrupted Art’s meditation and use of extremely strict movements to better manage his mana, “Art. Why not try absorbing mana while you are making movements. Ideally you should be able to at least absorb a fraction of the mana you could during meditation normally in the heat of battle. Although your use will far surpass the amount you absorb you will at least prolong the use of your mana.”
Sylvia’s words seemed to strike a nerve with Art. It was something I’d heard him mumble about theoretically before but he never bothered to try. He was too young when he was mumbling about that idea to put into practice. He and all mages I’ve met seem to see mana absorption and the manipulation of mana as two separate things and never bothered to think of the idea that they could be one in the same.
I in this case had an advantage– I had a life prior to this where my body was naturally absorbing mana(magicules) constantly even as I used magic. So the idea of absorption and manipulation being 1 in the same wasn’t that far fetched to me as I had put it in active practice.
I constantly ‘TRY’ to draw in mana regardless of the fact that I know it is a meaningless endeavor, maybe it’ll work someday. Probably not but at least I can apply the same principle to aether absorption.
I really wish aether was more abundant though. I severely would like to be lazy and not think about constantly absorbing every drop of aether that crosses my vision.
It’s quite sad to be truthful.
I do however like to see the look of motivation on Art’s face now that he has allowed his third eye to effectively be opened. Now he can walk into the world of a mage with a secret advantage and a new, superior perspective on magic. Though now that I see Sylvia teaching Art, maybe I should be teaching him more again– helping him grow as a mage and a person like I used to.
I ended up backing off partly since I didn’t want to overwhelm him or force a restricted mindset on him, or worse stunt his growth but now that I think about it.
Art. He isn’t an idiot. I can teach him unworried about the idea of him ruining himself by taking my words wrong.
Over the next several days after opening his third eye Art continually tried to absorb mana while moving, Sylvia continued to make the portal and gaze tidbits of advice and perspective shifts here and there to help in his journey.
It looked hard for Art at first. He didn’t seem to be used to thinking two ideas somewhat simultaneously, but he was always quick on the upkeep and soon was getting close to success.
Sylvia’s advice at times mimicked my own- the advice I once gave– which always resulted in Art giving me a sour expression. A tinge of annoyance painted across his face as he realized he had the answer before, and I was also here watching him struggle while having the answer ready for him.
I won’t lie watching him face plant from tripping over himself over and over was a treat. One that gave me and Sylvia a few hearty chuckles. My chuckling was not welcome as Art would alway hurl a fruit at my head
Before we knew it- Two months had passed since Art and I came into Sylvia’s company; I could tell she was reaching the end of her life. The wound- it never stopped bleeding. It was as if a sickening rot, a plague, or some sort of decay was constantly eating away at her. Her lifeforce slowly being eaten away, torn apart piece by piece.
Art grew more comfortable with absorbing mana and moving at the same time– which prompted him to name the technique to think about it more easily. He called it ‘Mana Rotation’.... I swear I heard that name before but for Aether and by me….maybe I’m losing it.
Over the last few months both Art and I have grown closer to Sylvia, but the manner and medium in which we did was different. He seemed to see her as a Demon Lord Grandmother or something of that like and while as for me– a sister, a twin sister. A younger twin sister.
Just a younger sister.
Why younger? She’s younger than me…why else? And it reminded me of how Veldora and Velgrynd reprimanded Velzard. A very bad linking thought but it happened nonetheless. I do think she did begin to see Art as a grandchild or even a child of sorts.
The only thing I noticed is that she couldn’t see him as a child of hers due to having a child for 1 and knowing so much of Aunt Alice and Uncle Reynolds that she basically could say they’d been friends for years.
Sure I do talk a lot of good about my mom Jasmine, and the woman who was my birth mother Azuray. But at least I don’t talk enough to implant the idea that she knew them for years.
Yet the good in the growing relationship between Art and Sylvia also marked the end of Art’s toleration for being intentionally ignorant of her wound.
Art but two and two together, the more the portal for our return was made defined and completed, the worse her wound became. Now Art finally confronted her, “Sylvia, please tell me what’s happening to your wound? Why is it only getting worse? It wasn’t this large or festered this much when we first met! You telling me it festered every now and then was celery a lie! This isn’t going to go away on its own, it’s growing worse day by day!” This outburst and demand for answers resulted after Arthur awoke to Sylvia vomiting a massive pool of blood.
Art was stuck unmoving at the realization. He appeared to be blaming himself, a notion I- I related to. It pained me, I knew I could heal her– I just had to push aether into her wound and it would expel the issue plaguing her but she didn’t want me to.
And I had to respect her wishes. I respect her, so I must respect her decisions.
With a deep breath Sylvia forced a sheepish smile knowing she could no longer hide the truth from Art, “Yes. Art. I am dying. But I will get angry if you blame yourself and think that you are causing this. I have been dying for quite a while now. You’re both doing me a favor letting me leave this forsaken cave quicker.”
“Rimuru! Can’t you do something! I’ve seen you regenerate limbs and use magic like mom does!” I bit my tongue as Art turned towards me, the corners of his eyes beginning to tear up- desperation filling his voice. I wanted to, I did but Sylvia didn’t want me to.
“He can’t Art. This isn’t something he could fix– his abilities only work on himself as they are now. I’m certain you as a mage are aware– Rimuru has no mana in his core. You can feel it. That said Rimuru I will climb out of the grave to smack you if you blame yourself too.” I wanted to let out a chuckle at Sylvia’s words and her action of pointing at me like a super villain from movies.
Art looking to me, and to Sylvia. Back’n’forth wishing for a miracle and hoping that I could pull the power out of my ass. I could heal her, I want to heal her. She doesn't want to be healed.
A moment later a brilliant golden glow radiated from Sylvia. Art covered his eyes but I saw through the light and already knew– this moment would come. In place of the ten-meter onyx titan-like figure now sat a dragon that dwarfed the onyx titan.
Sylvia was covered in a pearl white coat of shimmering scales that reached from her snout to the tip of her tale. From a little below her entrancing iridescent lavender eyes were glowing golden runes that lined har neck and ran all across her body, spreading from her tail to her legs and around each side of her titanous body. The markings were elegant, reminiscent of celestial tribal patterns that branched out across her body in a harmonious and meaningful manner. They were strung about in carefully vine-like formations. The markings she had were oddly similar to the runes that adorned my body, mine just had a unique flair in that they were separated and in specific locations.
Her wings were regal and stretched out easily over a dozen meters each. The pure white coloration matched harmoniously with her pearl white scales but contrasted in a unique way- almost making her body seem more silver, more like a precious metal. Her wings were further made unique by the fact that they were adorned with white bladed feathers so sharp and fine that even master bladesmiths had their swords put to shame. For nothing seemed to come close to the sharp point of Sylvia’s feathers.
The golden light after a moment dissipated and Sylvia had one thing to say immediately a toothy smirk filled her face, “There now I look more like a Sylvia.”
Art couldn’t hide his surprise as he stammered, “S-Sylvia Y…..you’re a dragon?!”
This however marked our end, the end of our time with Sylvia. A serious expression crossed Sylvia’s face as she spoke hastily. A moment I was dreading for a long while now.
“Now that I have returned to this form I don’t have much time. Yes, I am what you humans refer to as a ‘dragon’. The reason I am dying is because I was inflicted with a wound after narrowly escaping my captors. Recently I had sensed one of them treading dangerously close over the last few days, so I fear my time in hiding has come to an end. They will know where I am since I have entered this form. So now I will only explain what is necessary, I am giving you this so take care of it from now on.”
Stretching partially she unfolded one of her wings and revealed a translucent, rainbow-colored stone about the size of two fists or so. It was aligned with a myriad of unique shapes and colors, the stone which I knew was an egg- a baby dragon basilisk hybrid egg- resonated an aura unlike anything I’d seen in this world. It was truly a marvel to witness.
Frankly even after two months of growing close– I’m surprised she let me see her childs egg, but desperate times call for desperate measures. This is her decision, her wish in the end.
Without waiting as Art took the egg in his hands looking between the both of us confused she spoke, “Everything will be clear in due time. Just hold onto this and never under and circumstances let anyone know you have this. Many will not know what it is-” She flashed a glance at me while she spoke, “but everyone will be attracted to it by the aura. It is quite alluring to say the least.”
Without giving Art a second to think she plucked a feather from her wings with a claw and gave it to Art, “Wrap this around the stone to conceal it.” Without question Art did as she requested, I felt a bit out of place watching this all happen but I had nothing to do but respect her wishes. And say goodbye.
I looked away from Sylvia and Art for a moment as I sensed a massive presence growing closer at a hasty pace, but I was pulled back as I heard Art yelp.
Looking back towards the duo I saw the markings aligning Sylvia disappear, and her expression grew visibly pained more than it was when her wound festered and weak; she seemed so feeble in this moment- her size only made it more clear her state. Then they all disappeared- the beautiful runes that exuded an aetheric aura deeply connected to space and the lavender tint in her eyes; dim yellow eyes replacing them.
I flicked my head back towards where I sensed the presence just as a giant explosion filled the cave and a figure reminiscent of Sylvia’s disguise floated looming above. Clad in sleek black armor with a blood red cape matching his eyes, the man with pale grey skin that blended in with the dark cloudy sky behind hovered. He had two horns curling down and under his ears lining his chin with a sharp point.
Without wasting a second Sylvia covered Arthur with her wing to protect him from the debris. I on the other hand swiftly dodged the debris since I was prepared for it and snuck behind Sylvia.
I didn’t think she wanted us seen as she further kept Art and I hidden behind her wing.
“Lady Sylvia! I advise you to stop your stubbornness and hand it over. You've already caused more than enough trouble hiding yourself! If you submit, the Lord may even heal your wound.” The man barked out impatiently, his tone indicating his lack of fear regarding Sylvia. He thought he could beat a dragon. But I knew from his aura and Sylvia’s aura at least before now– she could’ve taken him but it would’ve meant exposing herself and making a larger target on her back.
I felt a chill run down my spine and wrap around my aether core like a vice grip as I forcefully expelled a torrent of aether from my core. In an instant the world froze. I knew inherently, this was Sylvia’s fault- she had paused; no separated us from time. But she seemed thankful and shocked that I was able to do it on my own. The colors of the world looked as if they were being shown through an inverted lens. Art looked around in shock utterly confused but I was quite used to situations like this so I was more just proud that Sylvia was capable of this.
Ignoring the horned man Sylvia peaked under her wing at us, her eyes flashing at me seriously. Getting the message I listened intently. “I’ll open the portal now. I didn’t have time to perfect it to take you home but you will be near some humans. Do not let him see you and do not turn back.” It was clear who she meant without clarification so I nodded but Arthur was experiencing the problems that come with undeveloped bodies as he ignored Sylvia for an instant despite her solemn expression.
“Sylvia! Is what he said true? If you-” I didn’t want to hear it, I felt bad but I didn’t want her to suffer anymore- I could see how fast she was dying, I didn’t want to prolong her agony so I smacked Art on the back of his head.
He quickly turned towards me, teary eyes but all he needed was to see me shake my head. “He’s lying, you know it.”
“Please if you can’t go with him Sylvia come with us. I don’t want you to die here. Please…” Art pleaded as he pulled on her wing slightly urging her to come but Sylvia couldn’t. “I’m sorry but I cannot go with you. You will forever be in danger if any one of them finds out we had contact. I need to stay. I- I have to die here.” Sylvia stuttered for a moment, hesitant. It went past Art but I heard it, she meant something underneath that.
She had to die here. But that didn’t mean she had to ‘Die’. Sylvia had a plan. I would do what I needed to do. No questions asked.
Sylvia raised her claw to Art’s cheeks and wiped away his ears, as tears started to line her eyes too.
“You asked me once why I saved you. It was simple Art, to satisfy my own greed. I wanted to keep you as my child even if only for a short while. I intentionally extended the time to make the portal because I wanted to spend more time with you both. But it seems in the end I wasn’t able to finish it. I’m sorry for my selfishness. But I have one last request. Little Art, can you be my grandson and call me grandmother just this once?”
Unable to hold back his emotions, Art went blind to everything around him as he cried out, “NOO! I don’t care about all that! I will say it as much as you want if you come with me. Grandma! Grandma! You can’t! Not like this…:”
Sylvia didn’t respond as a small smile began to fill her face, “I-I Please, I’m begging you, please come with us. I–I don’t know everything is frozen but I know you did it; we can escape. Please grandmother, don’t go. Please, please don’t go. Not like this!” He grabbed Sylvia’s claw desperately, tears even formed in my eyes at the scene before me as he desperately tried to drag her away. “RIMURU! MOVE YOUR ASS! HELP ME!” I bit my tongue as Sylvia smiled and pushed Art through the portal. His screams echoing in my ears, “Thank you my child.”
.
.
A moment passed and the portal closed– the world remaining frozen as Sylvia looked towards me. A solemn but content smile across her face. “Rimuru is that offer still valid. Do you still want me by your side to keep you in check?” A serious expression crossed Sylvia’s face as she fell towards the ground, her dragonic form collapsing to reveal a young woman, who seemed to be growing younger by the second.
“Yes, 1000x yes.” I answered honestly as I walked over towards her, pouring a rush of aether into her body– I didn’t know what she was planning but I figured she’d need the help.
“Just to be clear, this is not romantic.”
“It is not.”
“Good then, I guess you can be like that-” Sylvia’s words cut off as she coughed up a heap of blood before urging me backwards. She needed space. “I never thought this day would come when I’d call this favor.”
I couldn’t hide my shock at her words but I didn’t question it as Sylvia forced herself to her feet, her appearance being like that of a 16-year-old girl now. I stepped forward instinctively to help her to her feet but she put out her hand and stood tall on her own. Sylvia sighed as he took a deep breath, and the world slowly began to grow its colors as she yelled into the quiet void. “FATE!”
A moment passed, then another, and another still. Nothing happened as the world resumed its rhythm. The man with gray skin hovered above us, his gaze dripping with disdain, as though he were observing ants scrambling beneath his feet. I wanted to speak, to do anything, but my body betrayed me. I was frozen in place—paralyzed by a terror so profound that, while my mind refused to acknowledge it, my body couldn’t deny it. My eyes darted to the side, curious despite the fear.
Sylvia’s smirk was subtle but unmistakable, her gaze flicking toward my left. Compelled, I turned to look. That’s when I saw it: a crack, faint and white, suspended in the air. It clung to nothing and yet disrupted everything, a jagged wound in the fabric of existence itself. Space was not merely bent or warped; it was broken. The gray-skinned man floated on, unmoving, seemingly oblivious to the anomaly beneath him.
Against all expectations, a thunderous explosion erupted from the crack. The sound was overwhelming—a cacophony of booming thunder and shattering lightning that filled the air, drowning out all thought. The crack pulsed and expanded, growing from a mere sliver to a towering chasm three meters high. As it grew, the air around it seemed to ripple and distort, as though reality itself were unraveling.
Then, suddenly, silence. A buzzing hum replaced the chaos, faint at first but rapidly intensifying. The sound clawed at my ears, insistent and maddening. Even the gray-skinned man was affected, his expression shifting to irritation as he swatted at the air like one might at a persistent fly.
Without warning, the sound of shattering glass reverberated through the space. Jagged fragments of reality fell to the ground, glinting like crystal shards before fracturing further upon impact with the stone floor. From within the void, a hand emerged. It moved with an unnatural slowness, each deliberate motion exuding an air of menace. The hand—pale, almost luminescent—grasped the edges of the crack, its long fingers digging into the fractured space.
Another hand followed, equally eerie and deliberate. The first hand extended outward, clutching at the empty air as though it were solid, pulling its owner forward. A figure began to materialize, forcing its way through the widening rift. The crack splintered further, the schism in reality growing wider with every agonizing moment.
And then, with a sharp snap, the crack sealed itself, the air knitting back together as though the wound had never existed. Where the rupture once gaped, a man now stood. He exuded an aura of raw power, his presence heavy and oppressive. The silence that followed was not merely the absence of sound but the weight of something incomprehensible, something impossible made real.
“About time, Fate. I admit you were right.” Sylvia spoke in a strained voice. Without a word the man reached out his hand and blinding light escaped his hands.
“Don’t worry he thinks I killed you both now.” A sharp voice escaped from the man, his tone clearcut. Finally able to move again I looked around and towards the man.
Looking towards the man, I finally got a good look at him. What I saw was a man seemingly of Elven descent, his ears from what I know about this world were unnaturally long. He had a head of the most unique and simple hair I’ve ever seen. He had on simple yet elegant clothes. He had a single red earring and a wedding ring but most oddly he wore this odd mask that covered only half of his face. The shattered mask as it looked partially covered the left side of his face, an iridescent wave pulsing from its metallic surface constantly distorting the air around the man who I knew as ‘Fate’. The shattered mask seems to dig into his skin and merge with his being as what looks like black metallic tendrils took root in his face keeping the mask from falling.
“I want to help him.” Sylvia spoke in a crass tone, her weakness and waning strength catching up with her quickly. The man didn’t utter a word at her request but turned to me instead. A curious and analytical look on his face. He stood staring a few moments before it seemed as if a lightbulb went off in his head and a look of satisfaction filled his eyes.
“Rimuru do you trust me?” Sylvia spoke in a pained and tired voice, her gaze despite being tired still showed how serious this question was. “I do.” So I answered honestly.
"Don't believe anything he says, but believe all he speaks. Not a soul has ever deceived him, but he is one who will forever bathe the world in his deceits. You will expect and know of his deceits but still would fall into its trap. " Sylvia's words left me at a loss, the intentions behind the words and the expressions she wore- they spoke different tales. She knew never to trust this man, but she couldn't help but trust and rely on him.
"Don't worry child" His voice cut like a white hot knife through butter, an ethereal eminence enveloping his words. His soft yet strong hand placed on my shoulder somewhat reassuringly. "It will all end as it should, you will meet your love as preordained. The mistress awaits thee, so I cannot have you die here." His voice trailed off, a sense of wariness and worry filled my chest before he broke the silence again.
"You truly look like your mother- both of them. The disguise she forged from the gifts I gave her seems to have served you well. Good luck, dearest distant nephew. Oh dear, Lord Venerable- King of the Djinn."
‘Mistress, what? My love… Velzard? Ciel? Why does he know so much?’ So many questions filled my head in an instant- it was like I was afflicted with mania, inherently at this point I understood Sylvia’s words but a single line alone made me question everything and brought hope to my heart. “Wait Nephew?”
“My brother-in-law is your moms dad, nice to see you distant detached nephew. Good luck. This might hurt.” Before I could ask anything else my supposed ‘uncle thrust his first into my stomach- directly where the Brahma’s Core rune and my Colorless Core was situated. I couldn’t move as his fist stayed unmoving in my gut while he dragged me to Sylvia. She wore a regretful look on her face but she quickly let the feelings go. “Do you trust me Sylvia?”
“No, no Fate I don’t.” Fate laughed off Sylvia’s deadpan response as I watched him thrust his hand into Sylvia’s sternum as she whispered off an incantation I couldn’t hear over the beating of my heart. Looking towards Sylvia I saw golden particles of light escaping her body and without a second's notice she burst into golden light.
“Now thankfully since you have this core the process is quite easy. Lucky you, I’ll send Lady Velzard your regards.”
Before I could ask anything or think for even a second I fell unconscious.
.
.
“HUP!” I woke up frantically as I looked towards my stomach seeing no wound. Looking around at my surroundings I saw an unconscious Arthur next to me. He was clenching the egg tightly as if his life depended on it.
Taking a breath I looked down into my lap, planning to think about what I just did only to find a letter. Or well a letter written in space- “Enjoy the merger. Take Care~ Fate”
I blinked a few times and rubbed my eyes, reading the letter a few times before it vanished– entirely unsure of what it meant until I saw something at my feet.
“No fucking way….”
.
.
Chapter 15 End~9120 Words