Omniphage of Apathy

Vastarael and Chainless emerged from the swirling portal, stepping into a realm unlike anything either of them had seen.

Around them was an endless expanse of sleek black metal pulsing faintly with veins of dark green light. The space was dim, illuminated only by the ominous glow that emanated from the massive structure in front of them.

A black sphere floated in the center of the room, suspended by a network of thousands of tubes and wires. These tubes snaked outwards like a web, disappearing into the walls and floor of the metallic space. Every few seconds, the sphere pulsed, sending waves of dark green energy rippling through the wires, making the entire contraption feel alive.

Vastarael's eyes narrowed as he studied the scene. Chainless clutched her wolf cub tightly, its ears flattened against its tiny head as it whimpered softly.

"What… is this?" Vastarael muttered, his voice breaking the eerie silence. "Is it... alive?"

Before Chainless could respond, or attempt to respond, the air behind the sphere shimmered and a voice rang out.

"This… is Sphere Natas."

The sound reverberated through the room. Vastarael's sharp gaze snapped toward the source of the voice and Chainless shifted uneasily at his side.

From behind the massive sphere, a figure stepped into view. At first glance, it appeared humanoid, but as it moved closer, its strangeness became apparent.

Its form was tall and thin, unnaturally so, with limbs that seemed too long for its body. Its skin was an ashen gray, almost translucent, with dark veins visible beneath the surface. Its face was a disturbing blend of human and machine. Asmooth metallic mask fused seamlessly with flesh, its eyes glowing the same dark green as the energy pulsing through the wires.

"Sphere Natas is a creation of unparalleled genius," it said, its tone devoid of emotion. "It holds the power of creation itself. It's the kind that fuels the growth of academy students. This sphere takes the souls and energy of living beings the academy students kill and converts their essence into raw energy. That energy is then used to strengthen souls, forge artifacts and... enhance physical bodies."

Chainless visibly stiffened at the explanation, her grip tightening around the wolf cub. Vastarael's frown deepened, his eyes darkening as he pieced the implications together.

"You're telling me," he said slowly, "that every artifact, every enhancement we've seen in this academy… comes from souls and energy of dead beings students from the academy killed?"

The creature nodded, its expression—or lack thereof—unchanging.

"Precisely. The artifact you claimed from the lava monster was formed using this very process. Sphere Natas harvested its essence and transformed it into power."

Vastarael clenched his fists, his jaw tightening.

"As sick as that sounds, it makes sense. So what if an academy student is killed by another student? Does it do the same?"

"Yes."

Before Vastarael could retort, Chainless suddenly tugged on his sleeve. He turned to see her pointing toward the massive black sphere. Her expression was tense, her lips pressed into a thin line.

"What is it?" He asked, following her gaze.

At first, he saw nothing out of the ordinary. The sphere continued to pulse with dark energy, the tubes carrying its power through the room. But then...

A movement. A shadow appeared. Something stirred behind the sphere, just out of sight.

'Phaenora,' Vastarael called out in his mind. 'What's behind it?'

[I don't know,] she replied, her voice uncharacteristically uneasy. [Be careful.]

The figure beside the sphere stepped aside, as if making way for something—or someone.

Then, he emerged.

A man stepped into the light. His skin was a rich, deep black, but it shimmered faintly, as though it were studded with starlight. Tiny specks of white glitter swirled across his body like constellations, glinting with a soft, ethereal glow. His irises gleamed a radiant green, their brilliance almost hypnotic. They contrasted sharply against the purity of his white robe.

Vastarael's grip on his weapon slackened slightly as he observed the man. He was undeniably handsome that even Vastarael, accustomed to his own otherworldly charm, couldn't help but silently acknowledge it. Chainless, holding her wolf cub close, stared wide-eyed, her lips slightly parted in awe.

The man's voice broke the silence, echoing through the chamber as if the very walls were speaking alongside him.

"Welcome, travelers. I am the History Omniscient, Natas."

Vastarael's focus shifted momentarily as he felt Phaenora's presence intensify within his mind. Her energy now trembled with something akin to shock. Or perhaps... unease.

The Omniscient's glowing green eyes turned toward Vastarael but they flickered briefly with recognition as they lingered on the space beside him.

"Ah. A sibling among us. Phaenora, is it not?"

"Sibling?"

A faint shimmer materialized beside Vastarael as Phaenora formed a hologram in front of them. Words formed in glowing light before her, projected for all to see.

[I never imagined I would meet a male Omniscient. I thought we were all female.]

The man chuckled softly. he replied, inclining his head slightly.

"Indeed, we are rare. But we do exist, though few have ever encountered us. Our paths rarely cross, as I am sure you've realized."

Phaenora's hologram flickered briefly, her thoughts processing the revelation. Another line of text formed:

[I always thought I was unique. This is… unexpected. A male Omniscient.]

The Omniscient's smile widened slightly, his gaze softening as he regarded her.

"You really are unique, my sister. As am I. Each Omniscient is a singular thread in the tapestry of existence. But even we, with all our power and wisdom, are not immune to surprises."

Vastarael watched the exchange in silence, his arms folded as he leaned slightly on one leg.

"So uh... what's the History Omniscient doing here, in the middle of this… Sphere Natas thing? And who's that guy?"

The man turned his attention back to Vastarael, his expression growing more serious.

"That guy is my subordinate. He takes care of the sphere. And as for your first answer, I oversee this facility," he explained, gesturing lightly toward the massive sphere behind him. "Sphere Natas is both a tool and a test. It is through this device that the academy selects and strengthens its most promising candidates."

"By harvesting energy and souls," Vastarael said bluntly, his eyes narrowing.

The Omniscient didn't flinch at the accusation.

"By shaping life," he corrected calmly. "Creation and destruction are two sides of the same coin. The energy harvested here is not wasted. It is transformed into potential—potential that you, Vastarael Richinaria, have already begun to tap into."

Vastarael frowned but remained silent, his mind churning with questions and unease.

Meanwhile, Phaenora's holographic form flickered again, her words forming once more:

[You've been watching us, haven't you?]

The Omniscient nodded slowly. "Of course. It is my duty to observe all who pass through Minafallen. And you, dear sister, have piqued my interest as much as your companion here has."

Chainless, silent as always, clutched her wolf cub tighter, her wide eyes flickering between the towering Omniscient and Vastarael.

The Omniscient's gaze softened as he regarded her briefly before turning back to Vastarael.

"You have questions and I have answers. But first tell me, Vastarael, why are you here? What drives you to challenge the tests of this academy?"

Vastarael's lips curled into a wry smirk.

"I want to become a Timeless and the academy is the only way for me to get stronger."

The Omniscient's green eyes glimmered with intrigue.

"I see. A Timeless, huh... being a Vessel of Time, I'm surprised as to why you want this. Do you wish to ask about how you ended up back in time?"

"Yes."

The Omniscient straightened, his expression calm yet firm, as if the answer were both profound and simple.

"You had the answer all along," he said. "This is your First Timeskipping Event."

Vastarael's eyes widened in shock.

"My what?"

"Your First Timeskipping Event," the Omniscient repeated. "It is an experience every divine child must undergo at some point. A trial, if you will, orchestrated by Thyrexxa, the Primordial Time, to set the stage for the grand design. You, Vastarael Richinaria, were always meant to shape the past, just as you are destined to shape the future."

So… you're saying this was planned? That saving the slaves, toppling the colosseum's hold, all of that... it's part of some Butterfly Effect I was meant to cause?"

The Omniscient nodded, his glittering form shimmering faintly as he gestured toward the Sphere Natas.

"Precisely. Thyrexxa sent you there not by accident, but by design. The ripples you create in the past will shape the flow of history. You, Vastarael, are the only one capable of such a feat, because your very existence as a transmigrated Vessel grants you the ability to transcend time in ways others cannot."

Vastarael's mind raced. The enormity of the revelation left him momentarily speechless. Natas knew about his transmigration and purpose. He can traverse through history so he can also access time itself.

He is Thyrexxa's subordinate.

"But… what does saving a group of slaves change in the grand scheme of things? They're just a few people. How could that matter? How can that lead to a Butterfly Effect that Thyrexxa wants me to create so much to 'save the universe?'"

The Omniscient's smile widened slightly.

"You ask how, yet the answer lies not in what you see now, but in what will come to pass. That group of slaves you freed will become more than survivors. They will forge a civilization. Their descendants will write their names into history and their struggles and triumphs will echo throughout Hery... ahem, countries for millennia."

Vastarael blinked, stunned by this thought. His pause made him curious but he didn't want to find out.

"So… they become something more. Something big."

"Indeed. And their genesis is tied directly to your actions today. When you return to your era, you may find their story chronicled in history books, or perhaps even whispered in legend. That is the power of the Butterfly Effect you were sent to ignite."

Phaenora's voice hummed softly in Vastarael's mind.

[You've done more than just pass the Timeskip. You've started to reshape Spheraphase itself. That's... significant. And>you need the help of those who passed the seven tests. Some are even more powerful than you.]

The Omniscient turned his gaze towards Phaenora.

"Phaenora, you've seen much through the eyes of this Vessel, yet your understanding is only beginning. You serve him well, just as I serve Spheraphase."

The mention of service piqued Vastarael's curiosity.

"And what exactly do you do?" He asked, gesturing toward the massive black sphere behind them.

I am the Keeper of Spheraphase's history. Every event, every choice, every life and death is recorded through Sphere Natas, an artifact of unimaginable power. My task is to observe, guide and protect the integrity of this world's timeline."

"So you're basically a Time Historian," Vastarael quipped, his smirk returning.

The Omniscient chuckled softly.

"In a manner of speaking. But my role extends beyond observation. I ensure that the threads of existence remain intact. Except when beings like you, are meant to pull them apart."

Vastarael raised a brow. "And what about the World System Omniscient, Axia? How does she fit into all this?"

"Axia governs the tangible," the Omniscient explained. "She is the Omniscient of Tethers and the physical manifestation of its rules. Through the Hidden Books, she reveals the strengths and weaknesses of all beings within this realm. Her knowledge is vast, but it is limited to the present."

The Omniscient's glowing eyes locked onto Phaenora.

"You, on the other hand, are unique. As Vastarael's personal Omniscient, you bridge the gap between the past, present, and future. You are his guide, his ally and, his window into the unseen. Few beings in existence can boast such a privilege."

Phaenora's hologram flickered, her response simple yet profound:

[And I will not fail him.]

Vastarael smirked again, his confidence returning.

"Good to know I've got the best Omniscient on my side. Now, what's next?"

The Omniscient's expression turned enigmatic.

"What's next, Vastarael, is entirely up to you. But know this... your journey is far from over. In fact, it has only just begun. Collect your thoughts and then you'll understand what to do next. Goodbye."

Before he could ask about what he meant, both him and Chainless vanished. Natas sighed as he looked at the sphere.

"It seems that we finally have someone who bad a different result in the First Timeskipping. I'll keep an eye on you, Vastarael Richinaria. Let's hope Thyrexxa won't kill me for doing this to her Vessel."