Sovereign of the Karmic System

"The-" Roley stuttered, incredulous, "The weave of fate? We have discovered it already?" Daniel nodded. "Well, I always suspected that the weave would be within Fate's one-universe domain. But I hadn't expected it to encompass the entirety of the universe. Though it is understandable." "Understandable?" Roley asked. "The seal of the universe, the solid multilayered barrier, the collapsed space in between.. heavens, even the trigate itself–they are all measures of protection for the weave of fate. Or at least, that is what they are being used for. The white space of the trigate devours existential powers, the barrier suppresses higher levels of cultivation, leaving either cultivators of aspects willing to venture inside to face an insurmountable solid barrier. And if by some miracle they happen to find a way through, they have no chances of surviving crossing through the layer of collapsed space." Daniel's explanation made Roley and the others realize how wide the range of defenses they had to cross to get where they were. Had Wolfe not been in their team, they would be probably still struggling to find a way through the wall of iron and stone, unaware of the lethal threat of the collapsed space hidden behind it. And had it not been for Aeron who, by reading Wolfe's mind, had been able to create a chance for Roley to use his spatial treasure to open a portal to the other side of the barrier, their progress wouldn't have been so far-reaching. Even Daniel, unique as he was in his ability to store power of existence, had been forced to leave it all behind to venture into the universe–A detail that hadn't escaped the attention of his companions. "Understood." Roley nodded, then asked curiously, "So, you have somehow managed to alter the course of past or future events, but when did you find the opportunity to accumulate karmic energy? I had assumed it was almost entirely relinquished when you passed through the inter-dimensional portal, and that whatever residual power remained was eradicated the first time Fate's power struck." "I was indeed out of it, but only until she attacked the bandits during the first scenario." Daniel explained calmly while casually tilting his head in Joan's direction. "While her interference was ultimately inconsequential, the nature of karma points inwardly. Intent matters more than result, and in her case, trying was enough." "How, then, did it manage to survive? You mentioned that this space is nearly as corrosive to existential forces as the trigate itself." Roley continued to inquire, his scholarly interest piqued. Daniel shrugged. "It might be possible that it wasn't the weave that corroded and consumed existential powers after all, but the inter-dimensional portal.. or that the nature of karma, being in direct conflict with that of fate, allows it to temporarily resist corrosion." "Do you believe you have sufficient karmic power to extract us from this place?" Roley asked, quietly staring at the ray of golden light that seemed to have permanently scarred the surrounding space. "Not at the moment, as I have used all I had on that attack. But producing more and storing it safely within my body shouldn't be a problem. Though, whether any amount of it can ever be enough to break us out of here, that is yet to be seen." Daniel responded while casually looking around. His gaze fixated on the effects caused by the streak of golden power he had sent through space and time. Roley and the others looked at one another with complex expressions, silence reigning, then Aeron spoke. His voice cold and ethereal as ever, as if poured directly into one's mind. "Your glee does not match the bit of discovery you have shared. What else is left? Do you know of a way out?" Daniel's shoulders rose in a casual shrug, as he said, "I am not even sure there is one to begin with. We have had to kill the aspect of War to get out of the endless battlefield. If killing Fate is the requirement to break us out of here, then we might as well welcome an obliterating strike without bothering to restore our bodies, because that is out of the question." "Is the situation that bad?" Der asked gloomily. "Well, we don't know whether a reserve of power is being consumed, or whether the weave of fate exists in a state of perpetual motion, making its reserves of power infinite. What we do know is that the lack of natural mana makes it impossible for any of you to dedicate the next thousand years trying to grow powerful enough to forcibly break us out.. so yes, it is quite bad." As he finished speaking, Daniel turned quiet. His lips pursed pensively, and his eyes grazed by the expressions of his companions. After noticing their looks of dismay and worry, his lips parted once more, and he added with a reassuring tone, "Oh do not despair. If this is the weave of fate then it means that it is Fate's own armament, and armaments usually have ways to be used." "An armament? Like the ones created by the systems?" Roley asked. Daniel looked at his surroundings with a perplexed expression, trying to peer into the fabric of the space that surrounded him, hoping to see something he had missed–then responded, "The champions of Destiny are essentially the larvae state of the aspects of existence. They do not possess absolute control over their power, but there are still many commonalities between the two, one of which being the armaments. If the weave is one such item, then it means that there is a way to control it, as Fate does. If we find out how, we might be able to take control over it." "Very well, study an ever-changing universe while avoiding all forms of interference, seize control over it from its omnipotent owner, and break it down so that we can use it ourselves." The scholar listed while mindlessly counting the fingers of one hand, then added sarcastically, "Seems straightforward enough. Anywhere you think we should start eating this piece of cake from?" Daniel's voice seeped through grinning lips. "I have one idea, but you're not going to like it." Roley's eyes narrowed as he muttered, "What wouldn't I like?" A faint shake of Daniel's head interrupted Roley's train of thoughts. "I wasn't talking about you." He said before turning to look past the scholar's shoulder, where Aeron and Joan had been floating, quietly listening to the conversation. Joan's back straightened as a wave of coldness spread through her veins. A terrible feeling was sprouting in her mind, blossoming to spectacular fashion when Daniel's following words reached her pale ears, "How strong can you make those chains of yours?" Daniel asked the green-skinned man who stood by her side. When her gaze rose up to the man's face, she found it welcomed by a cold, plain expression–though the green aura that surrounded him conveyed feelings of resignation, pity and compassion towards what she soon realized would be her grim fate for the foreseeable future. ----- Following Daniel's explanation, the group found itself patiently witnessing the infinite series of scenarios being played out around them. Yet this time, following Daniel's instructions, the members of the group did not remain idle. Whenever the group found itself witnessing a celestial event, or a spectacle devoid of humans or sentient creatures, Daniel and the others would observe quietly, trying not to interfere to allow the scenario to go by quickly–When the situation allowed, however, Daniel would encourage Joan to interfere in any way she deemed fit. From worlds saved from the destructive power of an asteroid and cities shielded from tsunamis as tall as skyscrapers, to kittens being rescued from a tree.. she did it all. Each action triggering the obliterating strike of fate, causing the destruction of her physical body and forcing her into a desperate cycle of recovery aided by Aeron's abilities, but also producing karmic power for Daniel to use. Meanwhile, as the three of them worked tirelessly together for days on end, Roley and the others were left with nothing but time in their hands. "Reconsider." Der said with a deep, serious tone. Roley's gaze rested on Wolfe, who had been quietly recovering from the mental strain of bearing the power of collapsed space, when his head shook lightly. "I already have, several times. And I don't intend to stop considering it.. but I have responsibilities." Roley responded with a matter-of-fact tone. "You can leave your responsibilities to me." Der retorted while tightening his hold onto his helmet. "We were once part of the same group. A utopia where elementals suffered no discrimination or abuse–A state to which you claim to aspire. I will uphold those values, and take care of your people.. so that you can-" "So that I can do what, Der?" Roley barked out angrily. "So that I can abandon them? Discard the remains of the creatures entrusted upon me, and renege on my promises to protect their people just so that I can save myself?" Der frowned. "It is pure arrogance that leads you to believe you cannot be wrong about the path you are taking." By now, Der's gray eyes shifted slowly to Daniel's figure, who was standing casually next to a pile of dust, and a mumbling Aeron. His fingertips drawing an invisible power from the surrounding air, unbothered by the umpteenth sacrifice of the female paladin. "No obligation is heavy enough to demand that one end up like him." Roley's gaze softened. He knew that the old warrior's harsh words were spoken out of worry, and the thought of losing his humanity terrified him more than anything he had faced so far. And yet, he did not feel that he had a choice. "I do not have time for it. Without the elemental system, and the primordial influence of the treasures embedded into my body.. I would be the weak scholar I was two thousand years ago. A burden, unable to protect anybody." Listening to the scholar's dispirited words, Der's eyes softened. His armored hand clanked as he raised it up to the former's shoulder, placing it gently over it. "We need you not to protect others, we just need you to be you. The rest we will help you achieve." He said with a reassuring tone. Not too far from the two old friends, Ian, who had been observing quietly so far approached a recently recovered Joan. His gaze narrowed as she didn't bother to get dressed, only covering herself in a loose robe Daniel had thrown in her direction. "Why do you do it?" He asked in confusion. Joan's eyes, as cold as ever, slightly turned towards the young man. "To what may you be referring to?" she asked. "To letting yourself be killed over and over so that he can conduct some tests." Ian replied. "Why do you accept to follow his orders.. putting yourself in danger again and again?" His voice, once marked by the exuberance and arrogance of youth, now occasionally cracked with emotion as he spoke to her. After all, while Joan was likely far older than she appeared, she still looked no different from a girl in her late teens, with pristine skin and a pure beauty, and whom he had been in close contact with for months now. How could his young mortal heart not be affected by her? Joan, unmoved by the young man's evident feelings, maintained her composure. Her gaze shifted between Daniel's cold figure and her own callous hands several times, then her lips parted. "I live the life of a paladin. My life is destined to be spent in servitude to a god.. and as far as gods go, there is far worse than the cold impartiality of karma." She then added after turning knowingly towards Ian, "You, out of all of us, should know best." Ian's body froze. 'Has she felt the mark of Conflict in me?' He wondered while stuttering a few words, "W-What is that supposed to m-mean?" The paladin's long black hair parted from her cheeks as her head tilted to the side–her eyes slightly narrowed in confusion. "You have lived under the oppression of the aspects of War, Sacrifice and Horror.. Like I have. Forced into a cycle of battle and death by uncaring deities. What else could I have meant?" The young man's nerves suddenly relaxed, as he struggled not to let out a deep sigh of relief. His lips curved into an embarrassed smile, but before he could agree, Joan's head snapped to the side, towards where Daniel had been standing quietly. "Focus on your task, paladin." Were the words that caught her attention. In response to Daniel's command, the woman went back to observing the ongoing scenario, soon finding an opportunity to interfere once more.