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The endless white expanse stretched before King Arion as he approached the three figures seated upon the mysterious stone outcroppings. With each step, the familiar aura grew stronger, confirming what his instincts had already told him—these were no ordinary beings relegated to this otherworldly realm.
As he drew near, the central figure raised his head, revealing features that bore an unmistakable resemblance to Archanos. Before Arion could speak, the man cut him off with a voice that carried both weariness and recognition.
"Noira. If it isn't the guy who was created to take down my father. You came for it, didn't you? Essence Manifest."
This was Novachro Solara, Archanos's son, and his tone carried the weight of countless years spent in this liminal space.
Novelius, one of the brothers, chimed in with a slight tilt of his head. "Well... 'he' did say that someone would come seeking Essence Manifest, but he never said it would be the person who took down your father."
King Arion's expression shifted slightly at the casual mention of this mysterious figure they kept referencing. "I know Kaipo defeated you all, but why weren't you brought back through the Great Revival?"
Damasin, the third brother, chuckled—a sound devoid of any real humor. "Do you really think Kaipo would allow us to return to the Kingdom of Solara? All his work would have been meaningless."
The logic was sound, but it raised more questions in Arion's mind. "So what do you all do here? Just... sit around?"
Novachro's response was matter-of-fact, almost philosophical. "Quite frankly, serving the punishment 'he' deemed was necessary."
Arion frowned, his tactical mind already working through possibilities. "Haven't you tried to escape? It's three on one."
"At face value, that isn't entirely incorrect," Novachro replied, his tone suggesting there was far more to the situation than met the eye. "Though, it's still futile."
"What do you mean?" Arion pressed, sensing there was crucial information being withheld.
Damasin leaned forward slightly, his expression growing more serious. "Kaipo lost his 1000+ Essence Manifests along with any other power he has attained. He did this as a form of punishment alongside being sealed away with us."
This revelation struck Arion as significant, yet something didn't add up. "Well, I don't understand. How was I partially incorrect? How is it futile to fight him?"
Novelius answered, his voice carrying a note of resigned acceptance. "He still possesses the raw power of Essence Manifest. That was the only power he kept—not by choice. He has fully became Essence Manifest itself when he achieved the Pure Heart. Something that can't be changed or reversed."
The implications hit Arion like a physical blow. Here were three beings who had once commanded the power to dominate universes, now sitting listlessly in an endless void, their aura and passion completely drained. It was both pathetic and deeply unsettling.
"Well... did you at least try—" Arion began, frustration creeping into his voice.
"Give it a rest," Novachro interrupted, his tone sharp with finality. "You go fight him, then come back to us and we'll see if your attitude changes."
The dismissal stung, but Arion turned away from the trio, his jaw set with determination. He began walking in the opposite direction, though in this endless white expanse, "direction" was a relative concept. Every step looked identical to the last, the horizon remaining constantly unreachable.
As he put distance between himself and the brothers, something changed.
An aura—impossibly heavy—suddenly pressed down upon him like the weight of entire galaxies. Arion froze mid-step, his breath catching in his throat. His chest felt as though it were caving in, the very air around him becoming thick and oppressive.
What... what is this? he thought frantically, his eyes darting around the featureless landscape.
In the distance, barely visible against the white void, stood a solitary figure. Even at this distance, Arion could feel the overwhelming presence emanating from the man.
The figure appeared to be in his 40s, wearing an all-black kimono that seemed to absorb the ethereal light of this realm. Black aura surrounded him. His arms were crossed in a relaxed but commanding posture, and a black straw hat shadowed his features, with black flowing hair making it impossible to discern his face clearly.
Arion blinked—a single, involuntary reflex—and when his eyes opened, the man was standing directly in front of him.
The sudden proximity sent shockwaves through Arion's enhanced senses. This close, the aura was so intense it felt like standing at the edge of a cosmic black hole. Every instinct screamed at him to flee, yet his body remained frozen in place.
As recognition dawned, a single thought crystallized in King Arion's mind:
"This is... Kaipo... Kasumi."
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