Endless Path : Infinite Cosmos

With Arika managing to bar her mother from the room, Vahn was able to enjoy a relatively relaxing evening in the former's bed-chamber. As for Asuna, she decided to spend the rest of the night with her mother. This allowed him and Arika to enjoy some alone time, but, undoubtedly as a result of her promise with Theo, the golden-haired beauty elected to wear a proper nightgown for the first time in quite a while.Vahn was somewhat infamous for pushing his lovers to their natural limits, but, regardless of how much time came to pass, he would never force them into a compromising position. He knew Arika would give in pretty quickly if he was more insistent, so, rather than test her resolution; he spent the entire evening just hugging her tightly from behind. This allowed Arika to gradually unwind, and, though it took much longer than usual, she eventually managed to fall asleep in his arms...---Due to how early they had slept the previous evening, there were still several hours until sunrise at the time of Vahn brushing Arika's hair and helping her prepare for the day. They would be parting shortly after breakfast, and, though it took minimal effort for them to reunite, their next meeting was bound to be in a few weeks. She would be spending a lot of time away from Ostia, and, though he had offered to accompany her in his transformed state, she had surprisingly refused because she didn't want to rely on him in the execution of her duties.Even if he didn't do anything, Vahn's presence implied, not that he 'might' do something, but that he 'would' take action when presented with a scenario he didn't agree with. This wasn't inherently a bad thing, but, from a political perspective, it was akin to carrying around a nuclear warhead set to explode at a moment's notice. Arika wanted to settle things using her own power, so, while it would have set her heart at ease to have him accompany her, such complacency wasn't necessarily a good thing when mediating between warring nations.Though he didn't disagree with her, Vahn wasn't oblivious of the peculiar flow of fate that had been lingering around, not just Arika, but virtually everyone he had encountered as of late. Even Eva had not been spared, and, ever since his arrival within Ostia, an almost tangible flow had been present around both Ana and Vesperina. This was unquestionably the result of Asuna's drastic influence on fate, but, while it was somewhat concerning, it all-but-guaranteed the safety of everyone under its influence.Vahn actually encouraged his women to be more independent, so, while it wasn't easy for him, he had no intention of interfering in the decisions of Theo, Arika, and even Eva. They all had the means to protect themselves, and, though they had their pride to uphold, he knew they would not hesitate to call upon him if they encountered a serious threat. Thus, rather than insist that she allow him to accompany her, Vahn just returned an affectionate smile as he loosely braided her hair and said, "I believed in you even before our engagement. Now, I am absolutely certain you will be able to reach your goals..."Hearing Vahn's remark, a small but lovely smile spread across Arika's face as she stared back at him through the mirror and muttered, "My husband is a Dragon God of Time, Space, and Creation...this will be a simple matter to attend. Then, when everything is said and done, I will have you reward me plentily..."Though she had a serious glimmer in her eyes, Vahn noticed a considerable amount of expectation within Arika's Blue-Green irises. This caused an itchy feeling in his heart, as, despite being far more reserved than someone like Theo, Arika didn't particularly lack boldness. Rather, drawing even more comparisons between her an Ais, she was inordinately curious and highly receptive. She was already the type of woman that wanted to try new things, so, once they finally crossed that line, it was easy to imagine Arika 'blossoming' in the bedroom...Imagining the taciturn beauty in her experimental phase, Vahn couldn't help but swallow slightly, an action that was noticed by the woman in question. Her smile curled up a little more than usual, and, for a brief moment, an amorous light flashed across her eyes as she teasingly affirmed, "I'm looking forward to it..."---With her excitement reaching palpable levels, Theo found it impossible to get even a wink of sleep the night before her battle against Jack. She had eventually noticed the less-than-subtle changes to her body, but, feeling as though they granted her even greater power, Theo didn't particularly mind them. Rather, she felt the mysterious runes actually accentuated her beauty, and, though she wasn't able to interpret their meaning, Theo noticed they would glow like flames whenever she channeled her magical power through her body.While admiring the glowing runes covering her naked body, Theo sensed the presence of a group of people approaching her room. She quickly shimmied into the mesh her Master had gifted her, completely concealing the flaming runes, and, with a simple touch of a gemstone, a unique combat outfit manifested to cover her body. The outfit consisted of a black sports-bra, a matching martial arts hakama, thin leather bracers, and footwraps similar in style to the type used by kickboxers.Even prior to emulating her Master, Theo had always been fond of the color black, so, with the exception of the golden trim and sash, her entire outfit was black. She felt it complimented her skin tone quite a bit, and, based on the reaction of her Master, he was in agreement. Now, she had the appearance of a skilled martial artist, and, though the outfit left her abdomen, back, and shoulders completely exposed, Theo wasn't even remotely ashamed to display the body she had sculpted for both her and her Master's sake...Ignoring the preliminary knocking on her door, Theo struck a few poses in the mirror, admiring her own form with an admittedly silly smile on her face. One of her only regrets over the four years was that she hadn't matured nearly as much as she would have liked. She knew her age was the primary reason for the inhibitions her Master had shown her, and, though he had largely gotten over them, it seeded a desire in her heart to become a mature beauty.Undoubtedly as a result of the Tri-Force of Power, Theo noticed that she had experienced a bit of a growth spurt during the tumultuous hours when she had been denied sleep. She had grown from around 155cm to 161cm in a single evening, and, though they weren't that big, it seemed like her breasts had become even more shapely than before. She still had a fair amount of growth ahead of her, but, compared to her previous appearance, she had matured substantially. Her only moderate concern was that her ears had become slightly longer, and, though it wasn't particularly rare among the Hellasians, she noticed the fur covering them had become slightly denser than normal...While she was pinching the tufts of fur growing from the very ends of her ears, Theo heard a much louder knock on the door. This actually startled her a bit, as, for a brief moment, she had completely forgotten the people waiting outside to escort her. She had been too busy thinking about how her Master would react to the changes to her body, but, knowing him, he would be satisfied so long as she was happy. This thought caused Theo's ears to waggle happily, but, with yet another knock on her door, her mood did a complete one-eighty as she shundo'd next to the door and flung it open with a bit more force than was absolutely necessary...---Similar to when Vahn had battled against Jack, the Coliseum was filled beyond its natural capacity. It was exceptionally rare to see a member of the Imperial Family battle in the arena, much less one as young as Theo, so, despite most people saving up in preparation for the war, even the more miserly individuals ended up forking over their Drachma in order to try and secure a seat. There were some rumors circulating about the exhibition being a ploy to arbitrarily inflate the perceived power of the Imperial Family, but, regardless of the actual circumstances, bouts that involved Jack were always a sight to behold.Fortunately, though it had placed a heavy strain on the organizers, the event was scheduled to take place pretty early in the morning. This was a blessing for those who had been waiting ever since the previous day's announcement. They had been packed into the stands like sardines, and, though this was par for the course during major events, finding an opportunity to rest or relieve yourself was all but impossible. The moment you vacated your spot, someone would unhesitantly fill it in, so, after securing a place for themselves, most people refused to even make room for the few people trying to leave.To prevent tensions from boiling over and potentially causing a riot, the Emperor, who had decided to attend the event alongside his eldest son and daughter, gave permission to proceed earlier than was originally scheduled. The Coliseum was already packed beyond capacity, so, with Theo and Jack waiting in the wings, he felt it was appropriate to begin sooner, rather than later. It also helped that he was just as eager as the rest of the crowd to see Theo's performance, so, after a quick broadcast to inform everyone of the change, met with uproarious applause, things were finally set to begin...---Though she was a little surprised by the sudden change in schedule, causing her to pause mid-warmup, Theo wasn't even remotely disappointed. Instead, she lightly pushed against the ground, transitioning from the tips of her fingers to her feet, smiling radiantly at the Coliseum staff sent to inform her of the changes. This brought a light blush to the person in question, as, despite being a female, Theo's presence was infectious to the point of being indiscriminate. This was another small benefit of possessing the Tri-Force of Power, as, rather than a raw increase in power, it provided the user with 'True Power'.Depending on the person you asked, the answer would change, but, in essence, the highest form of power was always Authority. As a result, the wielder of the Tri-Force of Power emanated what could best be described as a 'tyrannical yet reliable' aura. It allowed them to inspire allies and terrify foes, and, so long as they possessed an adequate amount of ambition, its wielder would gradually rise to prominence, regardless of the political climate. This was the main reason Vahn had given Theo the Tri-Force of Power, as, compared to Arika and Asuna, she would benefit the most from its use as she slowly cemented her position within the Empire.Due to the presence emanated by Theo, the Coliseum personnel remained statuesque even after the former had departed the waiting room. Her face had become beet red, and, though she had never harbored an inclination towards the fairer sex, she noticed her heart was racing as a number of rather 'untoward' thoughts raced across her mind. This filled her with conflict, but, more than anything else, a desire to see Theo emerge victoriously had been seeded within her heart...---Unaware of the influence she had on other people, Theo waited for the announcer to introduce her before entering into the arena. The crowd practically exploded in response to her emergence, and, though there were a few uncomfortable gazes mixed into the bunch, Theo could feel her blood boil in excitement as the respect and adulation of the crowd washed over her. She had always dreamed of standing in the arena someday, but, never in her wildest fantasies did she imagine that her first opponent would be none other than the person regarded as the 'strongest'.Seeing Jack standing on the opposite side of the arena, his figure cloaked in a ceremonial purple cape that draped all the way to the ground, Theo could hardly contain herself. This was obviously noted by the man in question, but, while he was just as eager to begin, a look of surprise flashed across his eyes as he noticed the subtle changes occurring to her body. He could feel her power surging outward, and, though it seemed like she was still in control, Jack got the impression she was on the verge of going berserk at a moment's notice.Having watched Theo grow up since she was a toddler, an uncharacteristic frown appeared on Jack's face as he muttered, "Not good...it seems like that damned lizard gave her something she wasn't ready to control..."As this thought crossed his mind, Jack briefly considered canceling the match, but, knowing the crowd might literally erupt if he tried, his next thought was to end the fight as quickly as possible. He didn't know what kind of power Theo was using but his gut told him things would become a lot more troublesome if he didn't end it quickly. This was bound to cause some dissatisfaction among the crowd, but, as there were far more important things in life than popularity, he was willing to put his reputation on the line to protect his little sis...With his mind made up, Jack's expression became uncharacteristically serious as tiny bands of gold electricity began to surge across his body. The ceremonial cape covering his muscular body ended up disintegrating in an instant, and, immediately following the announcer's declaration, his figure completely vanished from view. In the very next instant, three explosions sounded out in the arena, one from Jack's starting point, another from Theo's, and the final resulting from a collision with the barrier protecting the crowd from harm...Stupefying both the onlookers and the person in question, Jack's body was the one sent flying, as, at her starting point, Theo stood squat with a gauntleted fist extended. A web of cracks had spread nearly twenty meters from where her feet had embedded into the ground, but, other than sinking slightly, she hadn't moved from her initial position. This surprised even Theo quite a bit, but, rather than demonstrate any kind of complacency, she released a loud battle cry as she charged to meet the uninjured Jack head-on...(A/N: Alternate Titles: 'Oh my...','Theo is quite feisty~','Bruh O_O...')https://bit.ly/2XBzAYu &lt;-(p.atreon link)paypal.me/EinlionDiscord Invite: https://discord.gg/Jwa8PKh

Against even the wildest of expectations, the bout between Theo and Jack was neither one-sided nor the pretentious exhibition many had expected it to be. Instead, it was an intense battle where, against all odds, the comparably petite Theo was able to go blow-for-blow against a man known to shatter mountains with his bare fists. Even more ridiculous was the fact that, while she was pushed back a number of times, the person sent crashing into the walls of the arena, time and again, was actually Jack.Though he wasn't really sustaining any serious injuries, Jack was unable to exercise the full extent of his power for fear of critically injuring, or even killing, Theo. As a result, he had been unable to find the sweet spot between Theo's defenses and her actual durability. Even breaking through her aura took an extraordinary amount of effort, and, though he hadn't noticed it at first, subsequent strikes had revealed there was a thin mesh covering her entire body. This paper-thin membrane, against all expectations, was actually harder than most metals he had struck, and, due to its flexibility, the vast majority of his attacks were completely mitigated...In an effort to confirm his suspicions, Jack took advantage of the moment when Theo had leaped into the air to generate a massive shockwave with his aura. As a result, she was blasted high into the sky, but, once again demonstrating a surprising degree of combat proficiency, Theo actually 'bounced' off of thin air before flickering through the void like a phantom. He recognized this as the advanced movement technique, Koku Shundo, but, as it often took years just to master the basics, it was quite a surprise to see Theo bounding around freely.Sensing an impending attack, Jack crossed his arms as an appreciative smile spread across his face. This looked like a defensive posture to most, but, just as Theo's figure appeared in front of him, his own vanished. In the next instant, his hand had been spread wide, and, like a top suspended in the air, Theo was left rotating rapidly before her body inevitably crashed into the ground, hard.Jack realized it would be impossible to end the fight without injuring Theo, so, in an effort to try and end things before they got too far out of hand, he resolved himself and decided to apologize after the fact...Though she hadn't sustained any actual damage, Theo felt the wind forced from her lungs by the unexpected impact. Despite this, she was able to recover almost instantly, an excited smile on her face as she attempted to sweep Jack's legs out from under him. To her surprise, however, a wispy golden aura pulsed from his body just as her foot was about to make contact with his tree-like legs. The pulse acted as a cushion of sorts that perfectly dissipated the force of her own blow. As a result, there was a brief moment where her movement had ceased completely, and, in that exact moment, Jack's fist, which was larger than her entire head, smashed into her impromptu guard.For the first time since the start of the match, Theo experienced what it was like to be bounced across the arena's floor like a rock skipping across a lake. At the end of her relatively short journey, her body crashed into the incredibly durable barrier surrounding the arena. She learned that it was actually much harder than the floor itself, but, before she could even lament this fact, Theo opened her eyes to see another fist barreling directly toward her face...With very little time to dodge, Theo attempted to raise her guard as she craned her flexible body to the right. In the same motion, she kicked outward with her left leg, but, from just the air pressure of Jack's fist alone, she was sent smashing back into the barrier as his fast made direct contact with her arm. She felt her own first smack into her face as an overwhelming force surged into her body, pain emitting from the bones of her left arm as it seemed to conform to the shape of Jack's fist.Surprising them both, Theo's arm didn't actually break from the impact, and, though it felt like she had momentarily blacked out when her head slammed into the arena's barrier, she hadn't sustained any visible injuries. A ki-infused shockwave had clearly passed through her body, but, as if she was completely immune to damage, it dissipated almost instantly. In its wake, replacing the momentary pain, a feeling of exhilaration swelled up inside Theo that made it impossible to restrain the smile spreading across her face...Jack sensed there was something very wrong with the current situation, but, even faster than his superhuman reactions, Theo managed to grip the thumb of his right hand. He was suddenly seized by the feeling his digit had been trapped in an unbreakable vice. By pure instinct, he succeeded in pulling away his hand and creating some distance between himself and Theo, but, in the process, all the flesh from his thumb had been less-than-cleanly removed...Even Theo was surprised by her own strength, but, rather than show any perturbation, she crushed the surprisingly 'grilled' piece of flesh in her hand. Then, kicking the ground with enough force to cause a literal eruption, Theo turned into an extended blur as she attempted to capitalize on her advantage. She knew Jack could regenerate from such wounds without too much difficulty, and, if her Master's words were to be believed, which they always were, it might not even be possible for him to die. Thus, without questioning why the ground around her had started to turn into magma, Theo continued to rain down meteoric blows on an uncharacteristically serious and focused Jack...Though Theo seemed completely oblivious to the fact, Jack, and everyone else observing the fight, had mixed reactions to the changes occurring in the arena. To their amazement, confusion, and a wide range of other emotions, Theo's horns had actually started to branch. At the same time, three more horns had sprouted from her head, two above the original pair and one from her crown. They had the same ivory white color as usual, but, instead of a gentle curve, they became more angular, and, even from a distance, the crowd could tell they were inordinately sharp.It if had just been her horns, the crowd wouldn't have been too surprised, but, from the small of her back, just above her butt, a rather thick white tail had sprung from Theo's body. Her hands and feet had also visibly transformed, and, though her clothes and mesh kept most of the changes hidden, a peculiar pattern that glowed like a yellowish flame began to spread from her hands and feet, slowly snaking its way up her arms and legs...Perhaps the most notable change, at least from the perspective of Jack, was that the once-white sclera of Theo's eyes had turned completely black. As for her eyes, they had lost their pristine blue color, shifting into a glistening amber that, like the smile on her face, exhibited an incredible thirst for battle. She seemed to be completely enthralled by the battle, but, rather than appear drunk on power, Jack was surprised to find clarity within Theo's draconic visage...Hoping to confirm his suspicions, Jack stepped backward slightly faster than Theo had delivered her blow. At the same time, he did something he would undoubtedly receive several complaints about later, grabbing Theo's horns and pulling her off balance. To some, this was akin to hitting below the belt or targetting the butt or bosom of a woman, as, even more so than other parts of their bodies, the horns of a Hellasian could be very sensitive.Even Theo hadn't expected Jack to sudden yank her by the horns, so, without any suspense, she ended up slamming face-first into the ground with enough force to create a small crater. Despite this, she was more distracted by the painful throbbing emanating from her horns, and, though she was actually fond of small amounts of pain, Theo couldn't help but tear up slightly as she held her head and sobbingly muttered, "You asshole...I hate you..."Jack obviously felt guilty for what he had done, but, as he 'needed' to confirm Theo's state of mind, it was one of the best methods available. She didn't seem like she was going to stop attacking him any time soon, so, in an effort to buy some time, he had to resort to the rather shameless method just to calm her down. This earned him a shower of booing from the crowd, but, without worrying about them, Jack adopted an apologetic smile as he said, "Sorry, kid. I needed to confirm you were still with us. Have you noticed the state of your body?"Hearing Jack's words, Theo inspected her own body, but, unlike the crowd, she didn't show any particular surprise. Instead, she adopted a glowering look as she said, "You pulled on my horns for such a stupid reason? You really are a dumb gorilla...don't expect me to forgive you..."Though she was actually very surprised by the changes to her body, Theo didn't think it merited having her horns pulled on. She suspected there was a different reason behind Jack's actions, but, regardless of what he might say, she wouldn't be content until she had gotten even. Thus, before he could say anything further, she formed her hands into claws as a pair of stylish black gauntlets formed around them...Feeling a shudder run through his body like a bolt of electricity, Jack's figure became illusory as a gauntleted fist pierced through the area where his groin had been moments prior. He could feel a cold sweat begin to develop across his body, as, after failing her attack, Theo glared at him with the characteristic look of a woman scorned. Though her slightly puffed cheeks made her appear rather adorable, the determined vindication visible in her eyes promised 'extreme' pain the moment she managed to get her hands on him. To further exacerbate matters, she had the absolute support of the crowd, who, despite their curiosity regarding Theo's changes, felt Jack deserved a beating...---While his daughter was chasing Jack around the arena like a cat trying to crush a grasshopper, the Emperor, Michael, had a serious expression on his face as he briefly turned to Vrixho and asked, "Do you know what happened to my daughter?"With a serious expression of his own, Vrixho, appearing like a kindly elder, lightly shook his head before saying, "I cannot be certain, but it would seem that Theo has awakened the bloodline of the Ancient Hellasian people. Were that the case, however, I should have been able to sense it. Instead, it seems like there is a foreign power stimulating the blood in her body. It is even suppressing the connection between myself and Theo, though, from what I can ascertain, this doesn't seem to be intentional. It is more like Theo, herself, is subconsciously suppressing the power I have bestowed her..."Though their words weren't spoken very loudly, Vrixho's explanation was heard by everyone in the private booth reserved for the Imperial Family. This included the First Prince and Princess, the latter of which, without minding the fact she was talking over her father, asked, "Are you saying that Theo is resisting the contract with her own power? Does that not imply that power is nearing your own, Great Ancestor...?"Nodding his head, Vrixho adopted an uncharacteristically solemn expression as he explained, "At her current rate of growth, I imagine Theo will surpass me within the next three years. She still has a long way to go, but, at her current level, she would be able to overwhelm most Great Spirits without assistance. It's like there is an infinite mass of energy contained within her body, and, over time, her capacity to wield it seems to be growing alongside her own reserves..."Hearing Vrixho's statement, all three of the Imperials were surprised, as, based on his testimony, it implied that Theo didn't simply have the potential to surpass an Ancient Dragon, it was virtually a guarantee. If the energy within her body was truly infinite, that meant the only limit to her growth was the passage of time. This had numerous implications, but, most importantly, it guaranteed that the Empire would be entering a new era, one built upon the foundation of Theo's power...Turning her attention back to the battlefield, an appreciative smile spread across the First Princess' face. She was considered one of the most powerful people in the entire Empire, but, compared to Jack and her much younger sister, there was a vast gulf. Despite this, she didn't consider it a bad thing, as, unlike the Second Prince, she had always been in the faction that heavily doted upon her beloved younger sister. Theo was the treasure of the Imperial Family, and, as if fate was rewarding their adulation, she ended up being the greatest of them all...As this thought crossed her mind, the First Princess, Malin Bashireia Herasu De Vesuperisujimia, was surprised to hear her father groan, "It seems the fate of the Empire is already in the grip of the Sage Dragon Emperor..."Though Malina was aware of Theo's appointment as Imperial Ambassador, she had been busy commanding the Southern Fleet along the Argyrian border. The impending war had occupied all of her focus so, despite hearing various rumors regarding the Sage Dragon Emperor, she was taken aback by her father's utterance, worriedly asking, "Father...?"As his eldest two children were part of his circle of trust and two of his most competent military commanders, Michael decided to be forthright with them, pointing out, "Have you noticed the choker around Theo's neck? I had Henryk attempt to analyze it but the only thing he was able to determine it had a concealment function. Despite that, Theo doesn't even try to conceal it...I trust you understand my meaning?"Remembering the purpose of this event was to complete Theo's Rite of Challenge, both Malina and Casimir, the First Prince, frowned. They both cared deeply for their younger sister, so, understanding their father's implication, neither was all that enthused about it. Her age was one reason, but, more than that, it was the fact that she was displaying a choker. This implied that she was in a submissive relationship, and, while that wasn't necessarily a bad thing, it became a major issue when the other party was a contentious element or a foreign power.Though he empathized with the thoughts of his children, Michael surprised them by shaking his head and saying, "You are not to intervene in this matter. Not only has Theo made her choice, but the power she received is undoubtedly due to the Sage Dragon Emperor. Even Vrixho isn't certain of victory, so, for the time being, it is best to allow Theo to be willful. She has already demonstrated an uncharacteristic amount of maturity for her age, and, though it remains to be seen just how far his influence reaches, it is likely that the Sage Dragon Emperor has already extended his influence into the affairs of both Ariadne and Ostia. He has also transported the Elves somewhere beyond our ability to detect, so, for the time being, there are no benefits in prying into his private affairs."Despite feeling as though he had aged several years during a single explanation, Michael, like many long-lived Hellasians, had a habit of trusting his gut. It had gotten him through numerous battles in the past, and, though he had never fought on the frontlines, he had famously commanded both the Northern and Southern Fleets through several successful campaigns. Thus, even if it made his blood boil quite a bit, Michael decided it was best to simply support his daughter. Her actions might result in a complete shift in the social and political dynamic of the Empire, but, at the very least, she would have more than enough power to reign supreme...Almost as soon as that thought crossed his mind, Michael witnessed his daughter dropkick Jack in the face, and, though it didn't do much damage, it sent him tumbling backward with two trails of blood flowing from his nose...(A/N: Alternate Titles: 'Theo is a tough cookie','Booooooo...!','Michael is surprisingly wise for an idiot who lets his son do whatever he wants...')https://bit.ly/2XBzAYu &lt;-(p.atreon link)paypal.me/EinlionDiscord Invite: https://discord.gg/Jwa8PKh

With her first battle ending in such a decisive manner, a brief interlude was called in Theo's Rite of Challenge. The Second Prince was in dire need of medical treatment, and, though a Captain of the Imperial Guard was nothing to scoff at, it was clear to everyone that Theo had surpassed that level by a considerable amount.Despite the presence of more than a hundred Aristocrats, including many of the strongest people in the entire Empire, less than ten were able to follow Theo's initial movement. To everyone else, it was like a second version of herself had teleported behind the Second Prince in an instant. She was even able to strike before Kacper had finished chanting his spell, but, demonstrating a masterful amount of control, she retracted it at the last moment.Needless to say, Theo was much more than 'prodigious'. The speed and control she demonstrated put her on the level of a tactical weapon. She had already qualified for this classification due to her ability to summon Vrixho Nagasha, but, as that was a purely situational power, it had more meaning from a political perspective than a military one. Now, however, it was easy to imagine the youthful Princess sinking Superdreadnaughts with her own power. They hadn't even seen her go all out just yet, but, comparing her speed to others capable of similar feats, it was hard to say who was faster...Within the Hellas Empire, there was a special rank of General that had existed since ancient times. It was a special designation given to war powers who could directly contend against enemy fleets and armies without the support of the Imperial Military. This was a level of power typically attributed to natural disasters, so, in recognition of that fact, the sobriquet bequeathed unto such individuals was known simply as: 'Storm General'.In the present day, there were only five individuals in the entire Empire who qualified for the title of Storm General. These were the Emperor himself, the First Princess of the Hellas Empire, the Admiral of the Northern Fleet, Jack Rakan, and, as could be expected, Vrixho Nagasha. Due to their unique status, however, none had been given the legendary sobriquet, as, for social and political purposes, their other titles greatly exceeded the ancient honor. The only person who would have qualified was Jack, but, prior to his appointment as Special Grand Marshall, he was publically recognized as both a Hero and an official Guardian of the Empire.Now that Theo had demonstrated an almost incomprehensible amount of speed and control, many among the Aristocracy were curious to see if she could actually take down a Superdreadnaught on her own. They even appealed to the Emperor to have one of have her challenges modified to allow her to quantifiably demonstrate her power, as, even if she did fight against Jack, there would be no practical means to assess her strength.Michael was very interested in his daughter's strength, but, as such things were better kept private, he was against destroying military assets just to give others a clear understanding of her strengths and potential weaknesses. This would give some people reasonable justification to have her sent to the frontlines, and, after she completed her Rite of Challenge, refusing such calls would be difficult.Since it was ultimately his decision to make, Michael refused such a demonstration, stating, "Theo's power is a blessing upon the entire Empire. Her growth, however, had little to do with anything we provided for her. She reached her current level through her own efforts and it is my desire that she continue growing and improving at her own pace. Once this challenge has come to an end, she will be free to choose between continuing her duties as Imperial Ambassador or advancing her strength through private training and tutelage. I will hear no arguments on the matter."With the Emperor putting his foot down, there was no longer any leverage to openly discuss the matter. It had now become a private affair, and, though his decision could be modified, it would be through private dealings rather than political dialogue. This was a setback for those with thoughts of how best to use Theo's strength, but, as such things were par for the course when it involved the Imperial Family, they were used to it. They would just need to organize their case and approach the Emperor in confidence. He might care greatly about his own family, but, when it came to choosing between his children and the interest of the Empire, he was duty-bound to consider what was best for the entire nation...---After a prolonged discussion lasting nearly four hours, it was ultimately decided that Theo would be allowed to skip her second challenge. Her next bout would be against Jack, but instead of a private affair, their showdown would take place in the Coliseum. This was something that Theo, herself, had advocated for, as, not only did it allow her to demonstrate her power, it served the dual purpose of increasing her popularity while also improving citizen morale.Generally speaking, it was improper for a member of the Imperial Family to participate in any public matches unless they were specifically being tried for a crime. This directly affected the image of the Imperial Family, as, even if it was meant to be a harmless exhibition, there would always be a faction willing to support anyone able to contend against the Aristocracy. They didn't care about the actual consequences of their actions, as, in the minds of many, things would simply be better if the people in power were replaced by someone else...Fortunately, Jack was a sensible man who publically admonished anyone who tried to prop him up as the leader of a new faction. He was the type that always considered the repercussions, so, even if he had a number of grievances with various members of the Aristocracy, he generally handled them within the bounds of the existing system. He didn't want to see his country torn apart by a civil war that directly benefitted their enemies. Instead, he was determined to bring change by correcting the system from the inside. This would likely take more life than he had to give, but, by inspiring young minds to reach for ever-greater heights, he believed he would leave the world in a better state than how he found it...---With the details sorted out, the Imperial Guard took to the streets to announce the battle between their beloved Third Princess and the man who had risen up to become the Hero of the entire Hellas Empire. This wasn't a match-up that anyone had expected, so, at first, there was complete disbelief within the public forums. It wasn't until the Imperial Magistrate used the public broadcast system to verify the declaration that the city exploded into rumor and speculation.Theo had always enjoyed a special place in the hearts of many citizens, as, ever since her debut as a child, her infectious personality and outgoing nature had distinguished her among other members of the Imperial Family. They might have given her the moniker of 'Tomboy Princess', but, rather than an insult, it was a term of endearment. She had become both their pride and their hope for a better future, and, though it would be many years before she was crowned Empress, much of the dissent within the Empire had been quieted by her actions.Though they had misgivings about their most treasured Princess fighting against the undisputed Hero of the Empire, most people were still looking forward to the fight. Logic told them that there had to be a reason for the match, and, though it had already been mentioned that the battle was the result of Theo attempting the Rite of Challenge, the fact it had been publicized at all indicated there was a chance she could win. This seemed completely ridiculous in theory, but, as they would find out the answer the following day, people began swarming around the Coliseum to secure their seats a full day in advance...---While a tumultuous fervor was spreading throughout the capital, the two most-discussed people in the entire Empire were having a casual chat in one of the Palace's many gardens.Since he felt too awkward to inquire directly, the Emperor had entrusted Jack with finding out more about Theo's actions in Ariadne. People didn't just become world-class powers overnight, and, even if the Sage Dragon Emperor did favor his daughter, her actions implied a deeper bond. This wasn't necessarily a bad thing, but, fearing his daughter might reveal some devastating truths, Michael had Jack act as a mediator. It would be a lot easier learning the truth in the form of a casual report than hearing it directly from his daughter, so, while part of him wanted to remain ignorant, his status as Emperor 'demanded' that he know the specifics...Though he wasn't particularly fond of being asked to pry into the affairs of his 'little sis', Jack was equally as curious about Theo's time in Ariadne as her father. His blood still boiled every time he thought about his previous battle with Vahn, so, with a teasing smile on his face, he asked, "Tell me, rascal, is this Rite of Challenge meant to be retroactive or did you have something else in mind?"As she had already been anticipating such a question from Jack, Theo adopted her characteristically mischievous smile as she answered, "You could say it's a bit of both. At the same time, however, it is probably a lot different than what you and father are thinking. Though 'something' might happen in the future, the only thing that really matters is that I've seized control of my own fate. Even without the support of the Sage Dragon Emperor, I will guide the Empire toward prosperity and help shape the future of the entire Magical World using my own power!"Despite feeling surprised by the fervor of the young woman seated across from him, Jack didn't let it show on his face. Instead, he adopted an approving smile, musing, "You've really grown up in the time that I haven't seen you. I'm going to miss the brat that used to ride around on my shoulders every chance she got. It's a shame, really, I was looking forward to documenting your 'growth' with my neck and shoulders."Having long grown used to Jack's casual pervertedness, Theo wasn't even remotely affected by his teasing remark. She could tell he was trying to measure her reaction in an attempt to obtain even more information, so, instead of displaying even a hint of timidity, she adopted a predatory smile as she mused, "Hmmm, be grateful you ever had the opportunity. Now, you should take the rest of the day to prepare yourself for tomorrow's match. If you underestimate me, you might not even know how you lost~?"Though her words were lacking a certain 'oomph', Jack couldn't help but display a similar smile as the thought of fighting a powerful opponent always got him excited. He could tell that Theo was hiding a tremendous amount of power in her body, so, while it would be difficult for him to go all out against her, it was bound to be an incredible fight. This was what his instincts were telling him, so, after a brief staredown with the comparably petite princess, he began laughing boisterously as he turned around and departed for the exit.Seeing Jack walk away, a fiery glimmer reflected in Theo's eyes as she followed his departure. It was surprisingly hard to restrain her urge to fight him then and there, as, for reasons she couldn't wholly understand, her instincts were screaming at her to defeat him in battle. She had previously only felt this way towards her Master, so, dismissing other factors, it was most likely the consequence of her draconic heritage acting up. Her Master had helped to purify her bloodline, and, though it was still inactive, their separation had seeded a powerful longing in the depths of her body.Theo had always been very fond of Jack ever since she was a child. He was her hero and the person she looked up to more than anyone else. Even now, this view hadn't really changed, but, due to her recognition of Vahn as her Master, part of her vehemently resisted the idea of yielding to any other man. She knew her defeat wasn't the same as submitting, but, regardless of the reality, a tiny voice in the back of her mind simply refused to accept defeat.Unbeknownst to the person in question, Theo's sapphire-blue eyes had developed a ring of silver around her slit-like pupils. Her usually vibrant and zest-filled eyes momentarily reflected an icy and resolute glimmer as a golden light appeared on the back of her hand. This caused her eyes to revert back to normal, but, even after raising her hand to take a better look, the golden light, shaped like a perfect triangle, continued to glow amongst two identical, albeit faded, icons.Remembering her Master's explanation of the Artifact he had gifted her, an expectant smile spread across Theo's face. She was unable to use her Pactio without causing a fair amount of trouble for all of them, so, prior to their parting, her Master gifted her one of the three pieces of an Artifact known as the Tri-Force. The other two pieces had been given to Arika and Asuna, but, while Wisdom and Courage were both incredibly useful, Theo felt that Power was the most useful of the three...Feeling a phenomenal amount of energy coursing through her body, Theo was completely unaware of the subtle changes occurring to her appearance. Her horns became slightly sharper than before, and, though it wasn't noticeable due to the skin-tone mesh she was wearing, the lines of her body became more refined as a tribal-like pattern of runes spread across her forearms, calves, abdomen, and lower back...(A/N: Alternate Titles: 'Conspiring Nobles? What a novel thought...','RIP Michael','Wasn't there some kind of saying about absolute power...?')https://bit.ly/2XBzAYu &lt;-(p.atreon link)paypal.me/EinlionDiscord Invite: https://discord.gg/Jwa8PKh

Chapter 1620: Impact (1/?)