Chapter Text
Through a cruel twist orchestrated by the God of Despair, the Ancient Powers were ripped from Cale Henituse's body. No longer mere voices or abstract elements within his soul. They manifested into the physical world, taking on the human forms they had possessed in the ancient past.
Super Rock.
Fire of Destruction.
Indestructible Shield.
Vitality of the Heart.
Sound of the Wind.
Dominating Aura.
Sky Eating Water.
They stood together, fighting alongside Cale Henituse.
However, they were not the only ones brought back.
Standing on the opposite side of the battlefield was the Ancient White Star. The former god and emperor of the past stood tall, draped in the dark banner of the God of Despair. He looked down at his old nemeses with a cold, mocking smile, ready to wage a new war.
However, in the middle of the chaotic battle, the Ancient White Star turned his head. His gaze swept past the manifested Ancient Powers until it landed directly on Cale Henituse.
His former wielder.
Unlike the cold, mocking expression he gave to the others, the look he directed at Cale was entirely different. His face softened. His eyes turned gentle, and a tender smile graced his lips.
He looked at Cale Henituse as if he were looking at a lover.
"Cale..." the Ancient White Star said with a soft tone.
The battlefield grew quiet.
The Ancient White Star took a step forward, his eyes never leaving Cale's face.
"Do you know that in another universe, you are my Empress?" he asked. "My goddess. The Founding Mother of the Crossman lineage."
Everyone froze, completely shocked to hear those words. The manifested Ancient Powers stared in disbelief with bewildered glances.
Cale stood rooted to the spot, equally stunned. A sudden shiver ran down his spine at the bizarre declaration.
However, the feeling lasted only a moment. He quickly recovered his composure, and stared back at the former emperor with a calm, stoic face.
All of Cale's Ancient Powers were furious when they heard what the Ancient White Star said. They immediately stepped forward, positioning themselves like a wall between Cale and the former emperor.
Super Rock placed a hand on Cale's shoulder. "Cale, don't listen to him," he said firmly. "He's trying to distract your mind and make you lose focus."
"Shut your bloody mouth, Ancient White Star!" Fire of Destruction roared, his hair flaring like actual flames. "Cale would never be your wife in any universe! I won't allow that!"
Standing beside him, Dominating Aura scoffed, crossing his arms as he glared across the battlefield. "You sure talk big."
"You don't deserve our Cale, you ******* bastard!!!" Sky Eating Water spat, her voice dripping with pure venom.
Indestructible Shield stepped to the front, raising a defensive arm. "Cale, don't let him shake you. He won't get you. We will protect you."
From just behind the shield, Vitality of the Heart nodded fiercely, tears of anger gathering in his eyes. "I will protect you too, Cale! I won't give you over to him!"
The Ancient White Star ignored them all. His eyes remained fixed solely on Cale Henituse as he began taking a step forward.
"Come with me, Cale," the Ancient White Star said softly.
He reached out a hand, extending it as if to claim him right then and there.
"We can create another dynasty here," he continued, his voice filled with a calm certainty. "We will rule this world together. With our children."
The moment the words left his mouth, the air grew incredibly heavy. Multiple forces clashed in the atmosphere as the Ancient Powers unleashed their respective elements, standing protectively in front of Cale. Earth shifted, water surged, and the fire began to howl as they bared their teeth.
Dominating Aura stepped forward. A crushing pressure radiated from his form. "Don't come closer," he warned, his voice dangerous.
Beside him, Fire of Destruction's eyes blazed with fury. Sparks danced across his skin as he raised his hands. "I will annihilate you for good today, Ancient White Star!"
But before they could go any further, the sky suddenly went dark and split open. A thunderous tear ripped through the heavens, and a chilling voice echoed out from the crack in the sky.
– If you can't remember, then how about visiting that universe?
The mysterious voice rumbled.
Cale was frozen upon hearing the voice.
This voice...
He knew this voice.
It belonged to none other than the God of Despair.
– Let's go to the universe where you're the Empress of the God of the World.
The mysterious sound echoed again, dripping with malice and amusement.
Suddenly, a blinding light erupted from the split sky. Everyone's eyes were forced shut by the piercing, incandescent glare, unable to withstand the intensity of the flash.
Then, everything vanished, and their vision went black.
When Cale opened his eyes, he saw a grand, domed ceiling made of stone and gold, which showed a map of stars. He was lying in a huge bed with thick, dark blue velvet sheets that felt very smooth against his skin. As he woke up, his long, smooth red hair spread across the pillows.
'Where am I?'
Panic flared in his chest, and he scrambled backward against the decorated gold headboard.
"You are finally awake, my Empress."
A low, smooth voice said from beside the bed.
Cale slowly turned his head towards the sound.
He saw a man with long, platinum white hair and golden eyes that shimmered like stars against his tan skin. The man was dressed in regal royal clothes.
It was the Ancient White Star.
"You—!"
Cale wanted to yell, but his voice was scratchy and lacked its usual strength.
He tried to sit up and suddenly noticed his clothing. He was wearing a flowing, beautiful white dress that fit him perfectly.
The Ancient White Star looked pleased and amused by Cale's confusion. He sat gracefully on the edge of the mattress, leaning down closer while ignoring Cale's attempts to pull away.
"This is the world where you should be, Cale," the Ancient White Star whispered sweetly. "As my Empress and the Goddess of this world."
Before Cale could pull away from the Ancient White Star, a small, gentle hand reached out and lightly covered his hand.
Cale looked down.
Sitting on the edge of the mattress was a young boy, about five or six years old. The boy looked up at him with pure, intense devotion.
"Imperial Mother," the boy said, his voice strangely mature and smooth as he squeezed Cale's hand. "We have waited a very long time for your fever to go away, Imperial Mother."
The boy then crawled closer, wrapping his small hands gently around Cale's waist.
"You remember me, don't you, Imperial Mother?" the boy whispered, a soft, hopeful smile gracing his lips. "I am your son, Imperial Mother."
The sudden realization that the child was biologically his hit Cale like a physical blow. He stared at the boy intently. The child's face looked exactly like his, sharing his facial features. But he had platinum white hair and the Ancient White Star's shimmering golden eyes.
He looked exactly like what a mini Alberu in Dark Elf form would look like.
"Cale, if we had a child, what would he look like?"
Cale suddenly remembered that one joke Alberu had told him one day in the past. The memory flashed vividly in his mind, making the current reality feel even more surreal.
A single tear he was not aware of escaped his eye without him even realising it.
"Do not cry, Imperial Mother," the young Prince said softly. He raised his small hand and gently ran his thumb along Cale's cheekbone. The young Prince carefully wiped away the tears falling from Cale's eye.
Cale stared at the child's face. A face that looked so much like his own, but was mixed with the Ancient White Star's features.
Before Cale could draw back, the Ancient White Star leaned down and licked another tear rolling down Cale's cheek. He reached out to stroke Cale's long, red hair, holding the strands in his hand like a prized silk ribbon.
"No... Stop it..." Cale choked out.
The young Prince leaned his head against Cale's shoulder and locked his small fingers tightly around Cale's hand. Beside them, the Ancient White Star wrapped his arm around Cale's waist.
They surrounded him from both sides, trapping him in an inescapable hold.
The Ancient White Star pressed a tender, lingering kiss against Cale's forehead.
"This is your true world," the Ancient White Star whispered. "We will never let you go."