Endless Path : Infinite Cosmos

Seeing a reddish-black inferno sweeping through the Arena was enough to leave even the most die-hard fans of the Coliseum in stunned silence. To many, it was like witnessing the end of the world, and, if not for the hundreds of Mages reinforcing the barrier, those closest would have been feeling more than just an oppressive aura.From within one of the highly protected viewing booths that were reserved for members of the Imperial Family, one member of the audience was fretting more than the rest. More than almost anyone else in the Empire, she believed in Rakan's strength, so, seeing the massive vortex of flames, a layer of moisture had covered her eyes as she turned to the old man next to her and said, "You have to help him! Please...!"Hearing the earnest plea of the young girl, the old man stopped stroking his chin, turning to her with a gentle smile as he said, "That man will not die so easily, Princess. Have a little bit of faith. You know he would tease you if he saw you with tears in your eyes..."Despite his words, the old man, Vrixho Nagasha, felt that things weren't looking too good for Rakan. The flames swirling in the arena were unlike anything he had ever seen before, dealing magical, physical, and, most frighteningly of all, spiritual damage. Those who had suffered an attack on their spirit had a much harder time recovering than normal, and, in many cases, they could outright lose the will to live. It was one of the most painful experiences imaginable, not something you would ever expect to see from someone loved by the Spirits...Though her worries weren't abated, Theo used the back of her sleeve to wipe away the tears and snot from her face as she complained, "I'm not crying...that idiot doesn't even know the meaning of death...I would never worry about him..."As if in response to her words, the flames within the Arena rapidly contracted like an inverted explosion. Then, after converging for a few seconds, creating a fiery tornado that extended to the clouds above, they spontaneously dissipated. What she saw when the fire cleared left the deepest possible impression in Theo's, the audience's, and even Vrixho's hearts, as, near the very center of the Arena, Rakan, body still smoldering, could be seen holding up his fist with a smile on his face...---Seeing the charred-black man clinging to life with the fervor of an Asura, one member of the audience, accompanied by a woman with exceptionally long hair, couldn't help but smile as he mused, "The combination of Willpower and Fate is terrifying..."Though his appearance had changed quite drastically, with rathe a rather wild hairstyle, two pointed ears, and a bushy tail, the man was none other than Vahn. He hadn't actually left the Coliseum after his final attack as there were still a few things he intended to accomplish in the Capital. He was also genuinely curious about whether or not Rakan could survive, so, after a quick change of both appearance and aura, he doubled back to pick up Medusa and witness the man's moment of triumph directly.Having heard her Master's words, Medusa nodded her head in agreement, the venomous look in her eyes fading slightly as she remarked, "He has a long way to go before reaching Master's level, but he is closer than most. He will be useful in the future..."Finding his companion's words rather curious, Vahn raised his brow before giving her an inquisitive look out of the corner of his eye. She had become increasingly more calculating since her time in the Nasuverse, and, based on her words, it wasn't difficult to imagine she would gladly try and manipulate others on his behalf. This wasn't really necessary, of course, but it was something to keep in mind since it seemed like her personality was taking a slightly dangerous turn...Taking advantage of the fact most people had gone completely ballistic with their cheering, Vahn, closely accompanied by Medusa, alighted from the Coliseum. He had sensed both the Third Princess and her escort, so, while Jack was virtually on death's door, Vahn didn't have to worry about him. The Magical World even had a few methods to revive the recently deceased so there was little chance the indomitable man, wielder of a powerful fate, would succumb to the machinations of some corrupt Prince...Confident in his assessment, Vahn, disguised as a Vanargandr, made his way to one of the few places that had garnered his interest over the last few weeks: the Warrior's Theater. He didn't particularly care about signing up to become an Adventurer or a Mercenary, but, considering it was one of the best places to obtain information, stopping by was only sensible.Though he had a considerable amount of knowledge pertaining to the history of the Magical World, there were some things that were simply never mentioned in historical texts. It was all but impossible to find any accurate accounts regarding Cosmos Entelecheia and the Mage of the Beginning. His presence also irreversibly altered the flow of fate, so, even if he decided to simply watch things play out, there were absolutely no guarantees things would adhere to the original timeline.Even toward the end of his battle against Jack, Vahn could sense the man's strength gradually increasing. This battle would undoubtedly lead to him becoming demonstrably stronger than he should have been in the canon timeline so there was no way of knowing what he would be able to accomplish. He might even rise up to become Emperor in the future, though, based on what Vahn could tell, the man seemed to have more of a Martyr's mentality than that of an Emperor...---Passing through the doors of a building with a strangely bulbous structure, Vahn ignored the glances of the various Mercenaries and Adventurers within. The way he carried himself was more than enough to deter the majority from trying seeking trouble, and, despite her rather adorable appearance, Medusa's aura gave people the impression of staring into the maw of a snake that was about to sink its fangs into your neck.Seeing the two new faces, a man who looked like a bipedal bull wearing a bartending outfit craned his head to the side and asked, "Come to register or issue a bounty?"Drawing a considerable amount of attention to himself, Vahn dropped an open pouch onto the counter. It was filled to the brim with silver and platinum coins known as Drachma, one of the primary currencies within Mundus Magicus. The values fluctuated quite a bit, especially in the period of time preceding and following a war, but the basic value ranged from 1~10,000, increasing in increments of 10 from bronze, iron, silver, gold, and platinum.Seeing the shimmering pile of coins, the bull-faced man hardened his expression as he glared toward the greedier people in the bar before turning his gaze to Vahn and saying, "There is a fine line between boldness and stupidity...Even if you're confident in your strength, you would be remiss to underestimate the greed of the desperate. Now, out with it. Don't tell me you just came here to show off in front of your girl...?"Ignoring the man's comment about boldness and stupidity, Vahn plainly stated, "Give me all the information you have pertaining to the Dark Evangel and any A-Rank threats both local and abroad. I also want everything you have related to dungeons and ruins, specifically those that are more than a five-hundred-years old."Hearing the man ask about the Dark Evangel, the broker decided that Vahn was just another fool who would find an early death in their search for fame. These types appeared every now and again, but, as it had nothing to do with him, the broker deftly scooped up the coin purse and said, "Give me a few minutes. We'll have everything out to you after confirming whether or not this currency is legitimate."Towards the end of his words, the broker poured two shots of an expensive bourbon before leaving the bottle on the table, adding, "Special service." as he disappeared into the back of the establishment.Not worried about the drink being poisoned, Vahn threw back the shot in a single motion. As for Medusa, she tentatively smelled the aroma coming from the shot glass before poking her tongue out and almost immediately retracting it. As a Gorgon, she had an especially sensitive tongue so she had never been fond of alcohol, much less the poor-quality bourbon that had been brought out as a 'special service'.Finding Medusa's reaction adorable, Vahn smiled as he lightly ruffled her hair. Then, before the men walking up behind him could speak, he said, "Go easy on them..." in a tone that was audible to the entire room.From beneath the mantle concealing Medusa's hair and body, more than a dozen silvery-white snakes stuck out like bolts of lightning, striking the three ruffians before they could utter a single syllable. Their bodies were immediately paralyzed, dropping to the ground like sacks of potatoes. One was even unfortunate enough to land face-first, completely shattering his nose as blood began to pool beneath him.Though the three men weren't exactly the strongest among them, even the most powerful Mercenaries in the bar could barely see the afterimages of Medusa's attack. Some couldn't even tell what kind of attack she used, instantly quelling any desire they had to try their own luck.After scanning the bodies of the men and confirming their lives weren't in jeopardy, Vahn gave an approving nod before saying, "Well done. If possible, try and avoid killing unless you feel as though your life is in danger. I'd rather dirty my hands than see yours stained with the blood of fools..."Enjoying the caress of her Master, a happy smile spread across Medusa's face as she rubbed her head against his palm. She would have actually preferred to inflict the men with one of her more potent poisons, but, knowing her Master disliked 'unnecessary' cruelty, she did her best to restrain the urge. As for his comment about not killing unless her life was in danger, it wasn't something she would take to heart. If there was an enemy that deserved killing, such as those who insulted her Master, she would not hesitate to give them a miserable end...---With three paralyzed bodies serving as a deterrent, things were relatively peaceful until the bull-faced man returned. When he saw the trio collapsed on the ground, his face formed into a frown, but, instead of commenting on it, he just handed over a literal crate full of journals, scrolls, and a special kind of crystal that stored information of various bounties.Picking up the crystal, Vahn infused a thread of energy into it, smiling as he saw various three-dimensional monsters projected into thin air. It was a curious fusion of magic and technology, but, compared to the terminals developed by Da Vinci, it was a little lackluster. Still, it had all the information pertaining to the monster's ecology, known habitat, and, most importantly for aspiring Mercenaries, their bounties.After tossing the crystal into his Inventory, earning an inquisitive look from the broker, Vahn asked, "What about the information on the Dark Evangel? I heard she has been seen in this area?"Hearing Vahn's words, the bull-faced man dug into the crate full of documents, pulling out a dossier that was thicker than an encyclopedia as he explained, "This is everything pertaining to the Dark Evangel that has been collected over the last fifty years. You probably won't listen to my advice, but you shouldn't set your sights so high. Read through this information very carefully before you try and track down that monster. Thousands have walked this path before you, none accomplishing anything more than increasing the body count..."Vahn didn't appreciate the man referring to Eva as a monster, but, as that was generally how most people thought of her, he suppressed his animosity. Though the man had a muted grey aura, he gave off the impression of someone who hated seeing people waste their lives. Since his current appearance made him look relatively young, mostly to match Medusa, the broker's intentions could be considered benevolent.Forcing a smile, Vahn gave a polite nod to the broker before stowing the entire crate into his Inventory and saying, "I'll keep your words in mind. Don't worry, while the Dark Evangel is my penultimate goal, I don't imagine our paths would cross too soon. Thanks for the information. You can keep the change as my gratitude for the special service."Without waiting for the man's response, Vahn turned on his heels and casually made his way outside. He had completed his objective, so, after one last stop, he would depart the Capital and be on his way. Mundus Magicus might only be around a third the size of the Earth, but it was still a vast land with large regions of unexplored territory. If the opportunity presented, he would venture into some of the ancient ruins that dotted the landscape. Some of these places contained powerful relics, and, though they were likely worse than anything he could forge, it would still be useful to collect them.At this point in his ventures, Vahn's primary goal would be to increase his prestige and create a name for himself within the international community. There were quite a number of people who would be willing to grant him a favor if he handed over some lost relics from the ancient civilizations that had fallen into obscurity. Eva, in particular, liked to collect such things, so, at the very least, Vahn could begin preparing his apology in advance.Though he would like to assume everything will go smoothly, Vahn knew how prideful and cautious Eva could be. It took literal decades for her Memory Fragment to truly open up to him, and that was only after a few drastic actions on his part. The 'real' Eva was bound to be even more closed off than her counterpart in the orb, so, even with [Magia Erebea], she might not open up to him. Rather, there was a fair chance their first encounter would involve a great deal of bloodshed, even if he didn't put up any resistance at all.Shaking his head, Vahn decided there was no sense in worrying about his reunion with Eva until it had come to pass. Even if he had to suffer a bit, it was inconsequential compared to the thousands of years she had tolerated him. There was even a chance he could avoid a fight by simply allowing her to view his memories. Once he could convince her of his sincerity, it was only a matter of time before her icy facade began to melt away, revealing the lonely girl that desperately sought the companionship of others...(A/N: Alternate Titles: 'Birth of the God of Perseverance','When a currency has no meaning to you xD...','Eva is going to thrash this boy into next century')https://bit.ly/2XBzAYu &lt;-(p.atreon link)paypal.me/EinlionDiscord Invite: https://discord.gg/Jwa8PKh

Seeing Jack pick up his sword, Vahn's momentum exploded outward as his figure vanished from view. At this point, something like a starting bell was completely pointless. The only thing that had any meaning was the clash of wills and the weight of their blows. It was either move forward or risk having his own willpower suppressed, something Jack seemed to understand well...Not expecting the match to start so suddenly, the casters were still in the process of hyping up the crowd. They were completely caught off guard by the massive collision that occurred in the center of the Arena, forcing an oppressive silence over the crowd as Rakan and Vahn locked blades, gold and crimson violently colliding as a result of their tempestuous auras.Despite his height advantage and the size of his sword, Rakan wasn't able to secure any advantages in the first collision. Instead, he felt like a blade was being pressed to his throat just by staring at the katana in Vahn's hands. He was barely even able to react when the relatively thin blade suddenly cut through his own like butter, forcing him to bend backward as his trunk-like right leg raised to strike Vahn's flank.Seeing Jack dodge his attack, almost as if he had a very high rank of [Instinct], Vahn couldn't help squinting his eyes slightly. The angle of his sword changed in an instant, turning from an upward piercing motion to a downward arc as he attempted to cut into the man's left thigh. Dodging the kick was impossible at this point, so, rather than evade, he aimed for an internecine outcome. His katana completely ignored the thick aura of magical energy surrounding Jack's leg, slicing through the steel-like muscles and tendons with considerable ease as a momentous force slammed into his left side...From the perspective of the audience, they only saw Jack evade Vahn's slice before the latter was sent crashing like a meteor into the far wall. This caused them to cheer uproariously, but, before a chant could be started, many watched in horror as a shower of blood erupted from Rakan's leg. He didn't seem to be bothered by this in the slightest, but, in an instant, any illusions of his immortality had been shattered.A stark contrast to Rakan, whose white trousers had now been stained red, Vahn emerged from the cloud of debris without a scratch on him. Then, with a simple sweep of his blade, all of the dust and debris were cleared in an instant. This was an impressive display on its own, but, seemingly to prove just how sharp his sword was, a 100m long cut had been left in the reinforced stone behind him...Rather than display even a hint of fear, Rakan's smile only became more prominent as he remarked, "That is quite the blade you have there..." before vanishing from view.Caught in the moment when he was about to respond, Vahn's lips had barely parted when a heavy pressure appeared right behind him. He had severely underestimated Jack's speed, but, with several decades of experience, his body moved even without him willing it to. As a result, Jack's fist swept through the area where his head had been moment's prior, the wind pressure alone strong enough to rend flesh from bone...Ignoring the pain from his eardrum rupturing, Vahn 'flowed' around Jack's fist like a slow-moving stream around a rock. His sword seemed to move in slow-motion as he swept it in a smooth arc across the man's chest. To his surprise, there was very little feedback from this blow, causing Vahn's brows to rise slightly as Jack's figure became slightly illusory, much like an afterimage...Before the image faded completely, a fist larger than his face tore through Jack's chest, completely blocking Vahn's vision. Vahn's already raised brows attempted to rise higher, but, before the nerves could fire, it felt like the front of his skull had been smashed in as Jack's fist slammed into him. This was only the beginning, as, the moment the fist came into contact with his face, Vahn felt his body shudder as a result of tearing through space. Jack had used a skill similar to [Shundo] to force even more momentum into his punch, smashing him into the Arena floor with purely physical strength...As if a small-scale atomic bomb had been set off, a massive crimson explosion created a mushroom cloud that sent powerful shockwaves rippling across the Arena's protective barrier. At this point, the crowd had all but fallen silent, each member of the audience captivated by the scene below. Only a few, those closest to the barrier, had the wherewithal to question whether or not they were actually safe from harm...---Vahn was trying not to reveal his trump cards, specifically [Magia Erebea], but, after being smashed into the ground by Jack, he realized his hubris. He was well-aware of the fact that Jack was stronger than him, but he hadn't expected the man's strength to be so 'drastic'. His original intentions were to just enjoy the fight for a while before ultimately forfeiting the match and preserving the morale of the Hellas people. They were on the verge of war, so, if he defeated their champion too easily, it would severely hurt their pride...What Vahn hadn't accounted for was the fact that Jack was well-aware of the fact that he couldn't afford to lose. He might not be going all out, but the force behind his blows was enough to end the fight in an instant, at least against normal opponents. His own enjoyment was a secondary concern when his people's trust was on the line. If he fell here, everything he had been working for over the last few years would be undermined, irreversibly damaging his status as a symbol for the Hellasian people...---Though Vahn could understand Jack's will, as it was being directly transmitted from the man's fist to his face, his pride didn't allow him to simply give up without a fight. If he lost the match too quickly, his own legacy would be irreversibly damaged. He wanted to become a deterrent force that caused any who would harm others to second-guess their actions. A single decisive defeat would make this virtually impossible to achieve as people would have 'proof' that he wasn't indomitable...Unwilling to completely undermine his own goals just to elevate Jack's status, Vahn's aura exploded outward with even greater intensity than the previous explosion. He then buried both of his feet in the man's seemingly indestructible abdomen, forcing him back and causing blood to spurt from the cut across his chest. He hadn't been able to completely evade the previous slash, but, as if it didn't matter in the slightest, Jack's aura only surged with greater intensity as he shot forth a mass of pure magical energy from his palm.No longer intending to simply trade blows, Vahn's expression became serious as he cut swept aside the ball of magical energy before vanishing from sight. Jack might be fast, but his movement ability was nowhere near the SSS-Rank. His instincts might allow him to react to any kind of attack, but, in a contest of pure speed, Vahn was confident he could win. In fact, with his mastery over Space, even someone with the same degree of mastery would be hard-pressed to read his movements.Seeing Vahn disappear, Rakan brought up his arms in a defensive stance, his senses strained to the absolute limit. He could tell that his opponent was serious now, so, if he dropped his guard for even a moment, it might spell his end. Vahn's sword seemed to be able to cut through anything, and, no matter how much he tried to perceive its movements, all he saw was a flash of light and a feeling of being cut...As that thought crossed his mind, Rakan felt as if a blade was tracing across his left shoulder. Even before his brain finished processing this, he had already dodged to the right, barely evading what seemed to be a completely invisible attack. Then, causing his eyes to widen in shock, he suddenly felt as though a prison of blades had formed around him, severing any path of retreat...From the perspective of the audience, Vahn had appeared near the edge of the arena, his body slouched forward slightly with his katana sheathed at his side. At the same time, Rakan's figure had become a blur as he seemed to 'glitch' around the Arena. It was virtually impossible to follow his movements, but, everywhere the blue moved, move and more blood would mar the battlefield. It hadn't been too noticeable at first, but, after a few seconds had passed, even the people furthest in the back could understand what was happening.Like a tsunami sweeping over an island nation, a deathly silence overtook the Coliseum as a result of the oppressive atmosphere weighing down their hearts and minds. To them, Rakan was an ideal to aspire towards, an invincible figure that could freely roam even the Imperial Palace with impunity. He represented everything they could be, someone that had risen from nothing to the pinnacle like a meteor tearing through the sky. Now, however, that same figure was dyed red in his own blood, his speed gradually slowing down until he ultimately had to stop dodging entirely...Despite more than a hundred cuts across his body, Jack never ceased smiling for even a moment. There was a dark shadow cast over his eyes, but, like two blazing suns that illuminated the darkness, his golden eyes shone with unceasing vitality as he stared back at Vahn and mused, "Not bad at all. You may have made a mistake, though..."Remembering Jack's previous attempt to bait him with words, Vahn's figure simply vanished like a phantom. Immediately afterward, a flower of blood erupted from Jack's shoulder, causing the smile on his face to become more prominent as he added, "After losing so much blood, there is nothing weighing me down...!!"As if to prove his point, a thick crimson aura surrounded Jack's body as he completely vanished from view. It wasn't until nearly a second later that the area he was standing in erupted from the force of his movement. At nearly the exact same moment, another eruption occurred elsewhere, followed by a flickering golden light as Vahn's figure smashed into the Arena's barrier, sending a few massive cracks through its surface...Feeling as though every bone in his body was broken, Vahn coughed up a large volume of blood as he stared in awe at the man posing like a statue that had just thrown someone. There was a swirl of blood creating a small vortex around his fingers, his movement so swift it had produced a vacuum that persisted even after he had become stationary. As for where the blood had come from, the ten holes in Vahn's chest and abdomen were a fair assumption...Remembering Jack appear before him immediately after he completed his [Shundo], Vahn couldn't help but agree with the assessment that the man was a living cheat. He had enough blood to easily incapacitate someone twice his size, but, as if injuries meant nothing to him, Jack just kept going. It was truly amazing, as, not only did he use his magical energy to stitch together his severed tendons and muscles, but his heart had slowed to less than six beats per minute. He prioritized blood flow to the brain, cycling the bare minimum to keep his organs from shutting down as he manipulated his own body like a marionette...With a smile spreading across his own face, Vahn wiped away the blood from his lips as he said, "It might not mean anything to you, but know that you have earned my respect. If you can survive this next blow, you will have earned a new title..."Though he had yet to unlock his Bankai, Vahn could communicate his intent to Laev-tan without actually 'releasing' her. As a result, she happily transformed into her Shikai form, causing ripples to spread across the barrier as he jumped down to the Arena below.Since moving too much might break his concentration, Rakan continued to hold his pose, never losing his smile as he asked, "Oh? I'm quite fond of collecting titles. If you've got a good one, I'm willing to accept it..."Pleased by the fact that Jack seemed to have understood his intentions, Vahn smiled even wider as he answered, "It might sound silly, but, henceforth, you shall be known as Jack Rakan, the God of Perseverance...the person acknowledged by the Sage Dragon Emperor as an equal..."Finished with his words, Vahn's aura surged immensely as body instantly transformed into his half-dragon state. The release of his Zanpakuto had already caused his aura to multiply by ten times, so, with the increased pressure from his Huanglong transformation, the Coliseum, the barrier, and even Space itself began to tremble as brackish-crimson flames erupted to cover the sky. Visibility within the Arena decreased until the only thing visible was a swirling vortex that promised death...---Immediately after releasing what seemed to be an ultimate attack, Vahn's transformation shattered due to the strain he had placed on his mind and spirit. He would normally struggle to produce even a small amount of Laev-tan's flames, but, after consolidating energy over the last few weeks, energy he had intended to use for Fenrir's summoning, Vahn was able to fake it well. He hadn't been lying when he said Jack had won his respect, so, after apologizing to Fenrir in his heart, he decided to go 'all-out', at least from the perspective of the audience...With an uncommon amount of intelligence, Rakan had seen through Vahn's intentions the moment the latter's killing intent faded away. Others might not be able to sense it, but, as the person it had been directed toward, Rakan was extremely sensitive to such changes. As a result, he stopped trying to press the attack, waiting to see what Vahn had planned. After clashing with the man a few times, a certain degree of trust had been built between them, something that could only be achieved after two powerful wills had clashed against one another...After taking a few seconds to catch his breath, Vahn smiled wryly toward Rakan before saying, "Your love for this country is awe-inspiring. I'm not entirely sure what you have planned, but I can tell you are doing your best. Now that I've seen your power for myself, I'll leave this nation in your capable hands. When the Emperor asks, you can just tell him I went off to test some other people...when the time comes, we will undoubtedly meet again. I look forward to seeing how much you've grown by then..."Having said everything he intended to say, Vahn prepared to teleport away when Jack surprised him by asking, "What is your connection to the Dark Evangel? Are you a Dragonfolk or a descendent of the Ancient Dragons?"Finding it humorous that Jack was attempting to gather information even when his body was on the verge of breaking down completely, Vahn returned a smile as he said, "Just know you are most likely making a mistake in your assumptions. As for the latter part...well, let's just say there will come a time when that fellow bows his head to me. Now, no more questions. If you don't focus, there is a very real chance you will lose your life..."Just as he had throughout the entire battle, Jack merely smiled in response to Vahn's words, stating in a genial tone, "Until I have completed my objectives, I will continue pushing this body beyond its limits. You don't need to worry about me, bratty lizard..."Hearing Jack's method of addressing him, Vahn's expression froze for several seconds before his laughter began to echo in the surroundings. His figure then vanished from view, his laughter still echoing as the flames began to converge on Jack's location. It was an attack that, by all rights, had the potential to kill the man. Despite this, Vahn had no doubt in his mind that he would be seeing the rather brazen hero in the future...(A/N: Alternate Titles: 'Such speed, such power, such skill...is what I might be saying if I could see what was going on!','United States of Smash!','He ded, lol')https://bit.ly/2XBzAYu &lt;-(p.atreon link)paypal.me/EinlionDiscord Invite: https://discord.gg/Jwa8PKh

Chapter 1543: Preparations