The desolate expanse stretched infinitely before them, a ghostly landscape where time bent and reality blurred, holding the candidates suspended in a moment of anticipation.
High above, Eve Maid hovered gracefully, her form illuminated by the shimmering aura of her sedation energy. It pulsed and expanded, strengthened by her deep connection to Omega Devia, enveloping her in serene yet potent radiance. Each wave of energy resonated through the void, a quiet signal of the power she now commanded.
Jason stood resolute, flames flickering around him—not chaotic, but refined, a regal dance in response to his new Royalty. The crown upon his head gleamed in the dim light, a symbol of triumph hard-earned. Each arc of fire from his fingertips reflected purpose and mastery, the embodiment of confidence forged through countless trials.
Jair's Jairak form shimmered with an ethereal glow, flickering rhythmically as if teasing the boundary between two selves. Their duality was seamless yet unsettling, a unified presence that defied conventional understanding. Their connection to Jason and the others pulsed quietly, an unspoken tether threading through the void.
Banjo's arrival was theatrical, a living card drawn from the deck of fate itself. A playful smirk tilted his face, the aura around him buzzing with whimsical energy—inviting yet enigmatic. His presence hinted at secrets kept close, surprises concealed beneath the confident veneer.
From the horizon, Androsha descended like the mist she controlled, fog swirling elegantly around her as she moved. Every gesture was fluid, silent, inevitable—a whisper of the power she had claimed within her inner realm. The fog wrapped her like a cloak, amplifying her mystique as she approached the others.
Eugene erupted into the expanse, sprinting with unshackled freedom. Each stride carried confidence and liberation, a tangible testament to the barriers he had overcome. His eyes gleamed with purpose, determination radiating from his every movement, as if the track of possibilities itself had granted him passage.
As the candidates exchanged glances, the space quivered subtly, and Omega Devia appeared. Neon greenish-yellow hues shimmered around its form, a presence at once familiar and unnerving. The air pulsed with a strange warmth and chill simultaneously, a paradox of comfort and intimidation.
"I imagine my appearance might unsettle you," Devia purred, tilting its head with a coy, almost playful gesture. "It's because I'm evolving, children. The hand that crafted me has granted me a hand of my own, and I intend to use it wisely."
Banjo chuckled, mischief glinting in his eyes. "Man, the way you raised that self-made hat like some cosmic dealer? Total chills! You were supposed to be… well, you know…"
Devia raised an eyebrow, glancing at the others who were now intrigued by Banjo's comment. "Y'know what?" it teased.
"Uh… cosmic… hehehe," Banjo stammered, trying to regain composure.
A brief silence hung before laughter erupted among the candidates, tension breaking like a fragile bubble.
"I was always like this," Devia said, voice smooth, "yet I am also something more. This paradox of power allows me to mimic the intricate complexities of humanity. So, of course, this was bound to happen."
Jason's tone was steady, firm. "So… what happens now? We faced ourselves… just like you wanted."
"No," Devia corrected, expression sharpening. "Just as… you wanted. I merely guided you. The journey was yours to complete."
A wave of understanding swept through the group. The weight of their inner-realm trials settled over them, heavy yet clarifying. Each had faced a reflection of themselves differently, and each had grown.
Omega Devia's voice lingered, resonant:
"Each of you defeated your own selves differently..."
The void pulsed silently, holding its breath, the next stage of the convergence waiting just beyond the horizon.
Omega Devia's voice resonated through the void, a blend of authority and intrigue that demanded attention.
"Every one of you sought the extraordinary power to manipulate the mind-space of others," he began, "but to achieve that profound capability, you first needed to delve deep into your own minds. To truly unite your essence with mine, you had to confront and overcome your inner demons..."
The candidates nodded, their expressions reflecting dawning awareness, as if absorbing a lesson Manu and Kari had subtly threaded into their journeys long ago.
"However," Omega Devia continued, "what none of you seems to fully grasp is the intricate pattern woven into this union…"
A dense wave of uncertainty crept across the group. The void itself seemed to pulse with anticipation, the air thick with unspoken tension.
Devia's tone darkened, a chilling contrast to his previous warmth. "Every act of completion you've undertaken aligned perfectly with the essential steps needed to free yourselves—of course, all under my guiding doctrine… hehehe…"
Jair's eyes narrowed, sharp and probing. "What do you mean by that? Is there truly a deeper pattern we need to recognize?"
Devia allowed the question to linger, the silence stretching taut. Then, his voice intensified. "Yes… Jair. Your bond with Jairak—the entity you became after transcending the corruption force—was a crucial signpost of your evolution."
The candidates exchanged glances. Jair's dual essence flickered faintly, caught between the identities of Jair and Jairak, each manifestation a testimony to his inner growth.
"While Jairak is an integral part of you, it still exists separately within," Devia continued. "You had to learn to unify with it. Only then could you unleash your full potential."
He gestured broadly, his hand sweeping across the candidates as though orchestrating the universe itself. "Take Jason, who claimed his throne and authority. Eve Maid, who experienced a dual awakening, rediscovering herself both literally and metaphorically. Banjo, who dared to throw the dice of potential, embracing uncertainty to forge new pathways. Eugene, who broke free from his chains and ran unbound. And Androsha, who obliterated the darkness clouding her vision, allowing clarity to shine through…"
Devia's tone deepened, reverberating with gravity. "None of these actions were random. They were part of a greater cosmic pattern—a catharsis, a cleansing of the spirit."
He paused, letting the weight of his words settle like a tangible presence.
"What you accomplished was not merely by chance…"
His intensity grew, threading through every word. "It was a cosmic agreement, a manifestation of your innermost connections. You are not just aligned with me—you are liberated, contradictions and all."
Leaning back, a satisfied smile played across his lips. "Isn't that beautiful?"
Silence fell, heavy and profound. Awe mingled with dread, washing over the candidates in equal measure.
Eve Maid's voice trembled, reverent. "I… this… this is…"
Androsha, her tone cautious but resolute: "I'm both terrified and… and thankful at the same time…"
Jair fully embraced his Jairak form, intensity blazing in his eyes. "So you're saying the narrative I chose… became tangible?"
Devia's smile widened. "Precisely. Everything is shaped by perception… even the names you give yourselves."
Banjo cracked a smirk, mischievous. "You guys have no idea how I'm gonna abuse this information…"
Eugene paced, testing the boundaries. "I believe we've all done something similar… abstract concepts becoming tangible isn't entirely new—Free Abyss or Flex City, remember?"
Eve Maid added thoughtfully, "Or even Avia…"
A heavy pause followed. The silence itself roared louder than any words.
Suddenly, Devia's expression darkened. "Avia is old-fashioned… yet this connection we've cultivated will play a pivotal role in the war."
In a fluid motion, he floated above the candidates, the void trembling beneath his presence. "Come. Let us move."
A shiver ran through the group as he continued, voice sharp, decisive:
"The hands of Avia will be broken…"
Damn.