Primordial's Conquest

Chapter 15: An unfathomable existence

"That is all we can do for now,"

"But it will not remain that way." Bastian said with a hardened expression as he leaned back in his chair again.

"Not if my plans for you succeed."

Arbus's tear filled eyes slowly turned towards Bastian.

He was stunned when he saw the rage-filled expression colouring Bastian's face.

"Not if we finally put an end to this ceaseless war that has claimed so many lives." Bastian continued with his fist clenched.

He paused for several moments.

Then, his purple eyes narrowed as he gazed upwards. An image of a ghastly shadowy figure, observing them from beyond the stars appeared in his mind.

"...And not if we kill that being."

Arbus's eyes darkened at the mention of that entity. His tears suddenly stopped flowing as his jaw clenched tightly.

Every sentient species in the Rendes universe knew of the otherworldly parasites known as Humanity.

They had either experienced, or at least heard of the countless horrors Reincarnators had perpetrated across the Cosmos.

They had also encountered the accursed second chance group. Citizens of Rendes that aligned themselves with the Humans.

They were secretive traitors that had turned their backs on their own universe for various selfish reasons.

So far, members of that organisation could only be identified by the markings given to them by the Evil witch. Unfortunately, those markings were completely invisible to most.

These were the horrors that most of the universe knew about.

But there were a select few, mostly among the top brass of the universe that knew better.

There was one more.

One more being of unfathomable power.

The most terrifying of them all.

The cause of this endless war.

A being that existed in a void outside the universe, constantly watching them without their knowledge.

A being not even the emperor could reach, despite his god-like power.

The primordial.

Bastian let out a faint breath as his expression returned to normal. He turned to Arbus with a complicated emotion in his eyes.

"The massacre of Terytl-B is a tragedy I will never allow to occur again in my star system.

"So be rest assured for now, while you strive towards your conviction."

Arbus remained silent for several long moments before he wiped away his tears.

Eventually he let out a tired sigh.

"...And how am I supposed to do that?" He asked with a hint of annoyance in his tone.

"Are you forgetting that I'm still a sentry?"

He scoffed.

"I'm not oblivious, I know how strong I've become after my constant training.

"And yet, I've been stuck as a Sentry for almost an entire year."

Arbus was not exaggerating when he spoke about his strength. No knight in his outpost was capable of beating him head on, despite him hiding his regenerative abilities.

Bastain finally smiled for the first time since the start of their discussion.

"That, is something you at least no longer have to worry about."

Arbus's brow raised.

"As of today, you are no longer a sentry. You are now a knight candidate, by my authority."

"And naturally with permission from a majority of the council" He added.

"What! Seriously!?" Arbus shouted in amazement.

"How'd you get them to agree!?"

Bastian nodded.

"A few promises here and there before the meeting was even announced." He said with a faint smirk.

"That's the main reason I called you here today, Arbus. To tell you that your journey is finally beginning."

His expression suddenly became serious again.

"And just in time too." Bastian muttered.

Arbus's excitement slowly faded as he noticed Bastian's sudden quietness.

"...The day is coming."

"The day the Emperor's life will reach an end"

Arbus's eyes widened as a tense silence fell over the room.

"...W-what!?"

"What are you talking about!?"

The Emperor.

The single most powerful existence in the universe, and the protector of Rendes for the last 10,000 years.

Arbus couldn't believe the blasphemous words Bastain was saying. It sounded insane to him.

"Bastian, what are you talking about!?" He shouted again.

Bastain let out a somber breath.

"The Emperor is just like me and you. He's a Mornan that has lived a very, very long life. But naturally, nothing in this universe lasts forever."

"His lifespan."

"It will be reaching its limit soon."

"And when it does, a new Emperor will be chosen from the Pinnacles to continue this vicious cycle."

Arbus suddenly found it had to breath.

He couldn't believe it.

The emperor... Was dying?

Bastian continued with a darkened expression.

"Unfortunately, the moment his life ends."

"Will also be the moment this universe descends into Chaos."

"The second chance group lead by the Reincarnators will make their move, and we will most likely end up losing at least half our protected galaxies to them."

"It will be a dark time similar to the first coming of the Reincarnators."

Arbus's face hardened as his gaze dropped to the floor.

Bastian turned to Arbus.

"That's why you must succeed, Arbus"

"You're the only one who can, thanks to your half-human heritage that everyone despises so much."

"You must obtain the Heart-shard, and ascend."

"You are the only one capable of breaking this cycle."

"You are the only Renegade alive who could possibly reach the level not even the Emperor himself could achieve."

"A stage theorised to be so powerful, that the previous Emperor believed it would grant him power on the level of the Primordial."

"Stage 11: Genesis."