Samael Gracefell…
My breath quickened as my heart violently pounded against my rib cage. I felt the strength in my knees depleting.
A panic attack? Just from a name?! But this name… I knew it! I don't know how or why, but I do!
"Your soul remembers that name, huh? Just how deeply had he traumatized you for you to remember him even after going through the cycle of life and death." Kiara mused out loud, but I wasn't paying her any attention at all.
After forcefully calming down my erratic heartbeat and evening my rough breathing, I looked directly at the silver-haired young woman, unafraid of the consequences.
Kiara seemed a little taken aback as I asked, "Whose name is that? And why do I know it but can't remember it?"
The silver-headed young woman slightly cocked her head, staring at me with her deep, snake-like aquatic eyes.
After a bit of thought, she answered in a serious tone, all hints of amusement lost from her voice. "He is someone with whom your fate is entwined with. Why? We don't know. He believes it has something to do with the God of Fate."
God of Fate? Joe? What does he have to do with anything? Before I could continue my train of thought, Kiara resumed speaking.
"On one end of the string of fate is you and on the other is he. When either one of you pulls the string, the other feels the effect of that pull."
A deep look of contemplation plastered on my face. "Is that effect in any way related to memories?"
"Of course," Kiara nodded. "When one of you remembers the other, the other also remembers."
But that would be a paradox? Is that what happened that day all those months ago when I killed that vampire assassin?
"This God of yours… Samael Gracefell… Is he the obsidian dragon?" I asked, slightly hesitating as I remembered my strange dreams.
Kiara raised an eyebrow. "Yes. That is his Draconic transformation. So, you at least remember that much."
"He…" I gritted my teeth. "He destroyed this planet in previous timelines! Why?!"
Kiara shrugged. "I don't know. But if he did that, then that must mean the people on this planet must've refused to submit to him and chosen death."
"Submit to him?" I frowned.
"Yeah," Kiara nodded. "After all, how could you defy the will of God and expect to live?"
"That's no God," I shook my head. "From what I've seen, that thing is a monster!"
"Careful," Kiara's eyes turned sharp. "You can't be blasphemous toward the God and expect to live either."
I clenched my fists as a piercing bloodlust was aimed at me. Yet, I refused to yield. "I don't think you answered my question. Tell me, what does he want?"
"The unification of the multiverse and all living creatures under his rule," Kiara said. "But what he wants from you is something different. He offers you his protection. In return, support his rule and his claim to the Throne of Gods. In simple words, he wants you to join him."
The frown on my face softened, and my clenched fist loosened. I stared at the silver-haired young woman for a while.
Finally, I asked, "What if I refuse?"
A faint smile sparked on Kiara's face. "I told you what happens when you defy the will of God. You, along with everything you hold dear, will be erased from the plane of existence."
"Of course," I scoffed and stood there motionlessly.
Seeing the conflicted look on my face, Kiara spoke up again. "There is no need for you to think that hard, Lucas. You do not have anything to lose. Accept the offer and help Samael ascend to the heavens. In return, you will not only be allowed to live but also serve him. In fact, no one else on your planet had to die… aside from the three Chosen Ones by Akashic Records."
"...What? What did you say?" I asked her to repeat herself, my voice shaking a bit.
"Oh, well, Akashic Records are the manifestation of the Universe. It's like a failsafe system created by the Gods to run the Universe in their stead. It chooses its champions, all of whom are destined to neutralize the threat that might endanger one or several universes. Samael is that threat this time." Kiara explained.
As she spoke, however, my mind was elsewhere. I calmed myself down, trying my best to not show my emotions on my face. n-)/(/(-/-(.-1--n
So, she didn't know. She had no idea that I myself was one of the three chosen ones.
It means two things: She is not omnipotent, and her power to see the future is limited.
Okay, good. I can make this work.
"Lucas, don't think so hard. Accept the offer, and I will grant you anything that you desire."
I looked at Kiara in slight shock. "Anything?"
"Yes," Kiara nodded. "Power, fame, your own throne, women, or anything else in the world that you desire."
Is she offering me rewards? Rewards for what, though?
…Wait, is it possible that she needs me for something? That's good. It means she's not all-powerful either.
"If I agree to the offer, can you help me remember the other timelines?" I asked.
I knew that I had the memories of other timelines locked away somewhere in my head. But I couldn't recall any of them. I didn't even know if I could remember them normally.
Besides, remembering them could provide me with some hard data that I could use to form a practical judgment and think of what I need to do in the future.
"Sure, I can. In fact, if you agree, I will show you a snippet of your past memories. It will be random, so I don't know if it'll be useful to you," Kiara answered, the faint smile on her face widening.
She quickly added, "But to remember everything, you would need to complete a task for me."
"That's perfectly fine," I said. "What is the task?"
"You will need to free me from here," Kiara answered, pointing all around us. "You see this steel chamber? This is a prison under the Government House. Free me from here, and I shall make you remember. I will also grant you unmatched strength."
"A prison?" I frowned. "But if you're so powerful, why don't you break out of it yourself?"
Kiara sighed. "You think I haven't tried? Years of being a god-like entity made me forget how resourceful humans can be. I was trapped by your government, you see. Although they couldn't harm me in any way, they managed to seal me here inside this steel chamber using a strong anchor. Take that anchor and free me."
"Is that so," I touched my chin, deep in thought. "I see. I will accept your offer."
Kiara's lips curled into a smirk. "Good job. I knew you were smart."
She then stepped in front of me and stared straight into my eyes. Looking directly at her vertical pupils, I felt something stir inside my soul.
"Now then, it's time for you to return. As promised, I showed you a chunk of your memories." Kiara said and turned around.
Slowly, my vision faded… and shrouded in darkness.
