Endless Path : Infinite Cosmos

While arrangements were being made to meet with the Braven Enlil, Vahn and Eva continued to shadow Asuna from within the void.As could be expected from someone with such a powerful fate, Asuna was a magnet for trouble, but, after four years of training, there weren't a lot of people who could hope to harm her. After all, she was immune to external magic, and, if she entered the State of Nothingness, the vast majority of physical attacks would simply phase through her.Though she was far from the level of Grandmaster, Asuna could enter into the State of Nothingness even faster than Vahn. It was like there was a switch in her mind that she could toggle at her leisure, so, even if you somehow managed to bypass her incredible perception, catching her off guard was virtually impossible...Unaware of Asuna's capabilities, a number of people had targetted her during the relatively short stint into Zephyrian territory. It was actually a little ridiculous to see so many groups try to approach her in such a short period of time, as, for the most part, criminal activity wasn't that common above the Cloud Sea.The heart of Zephyria was heavily policed by the Skyfarers Association, and, though every Merchant was either affiliated with a criminal organization or a famous band of Sky Pirates, they worked hard to prevent people from making a scene on their turf. If egregious crimes were perpetrated in their territory it would negatively impact business, so, whenever an incident occurred, those involved in the altercation would face a 'very' severe punishment. This was well-known amongst the residents of Zephyria, so, to see so many people targetting Asuna, Vahn and Eva couldn't help but feel a little exasperated...Fortunately, even after a group tracked Asuna for nearly a half-hour before attempting to intercept her along her path, she was able to deal with it easily. At nearly the exact same moment the group tossed a net toward her, one specialized in sealing magical power, Asuna's figure became a realistic afterimage until the net simply passed through her. By the time it hit the ground, every member of the offending party was nursing various degrees of injury, the majority of which would leave them crippled for life without proper treatment.Though some might consider it excessive, Vahn had taught Asuna to target and crush the joints of her opponents to quickly take them out of the fight. The fact they were targetting a child was more than enough reason to cripple them, so, even if it was somewhat perturbing to see her completely shatter someone's knee or elbow, it was their fault for pursuing such a path in life. If she didn't have the power to protect herself, her end would have been far more tragic than their life as a cripple, so, in a way, they actually got off easy compared to what Vahn or Eva would have done to them...---After exploring for nearly five hours, Asuna was beginning to get a little bored. There were a lot of interesting things to see and do, but, without someone to experience them with, it all seemed like a waste of time. She would normally walk around with Vahn or go bounding from rooftop to rooftop with Fenrir, so, now that she was left to her own devices, Asuna's interest and intrigue were rapidly dwindling.Fortunately, just as she was thinking about calling out to them, Vahn and Eva appeared out of thin air, the former with his usual smile while the latter had a slightly incredulous expression on her face as she said, "You're a real magnet for trouble, you know that?"With her mood improving considerably the moment Vahn and Eva appeared, Asuna adopted a wry, slightly mischievous, smile as she answered, "I wore this outfit to try and stand out, but this isn't the kind of attention I expected. Ahahahaha..."Somewhat amused by Asuna's remark, Vahn issued a light chuckle of his own before asking, "Were you able to enjoy yourself today?"Without having to think about her answer, Asuna bobbed her head a few times before answering, "I like the layout and this land. Though it isn't the same as Ostia, a city above the clouds is pretty cool. The people seem vibrant and full of vitality. If not for the ruffians and scoundrels that call this place home, it would be a wonderful country to live in..."As the last few words left her lips, Asuna's expression subtly shifted, her brows furrowing slightly as she asked, "I don't understand, Vahn...what compels people to try and make a living by exploiting and taking advantage of others? I even noticed boys and girls younger than me with vicious looks on their faces, each eager to cause harm to another person without cause..."Hearing Asuna's question, Eva's expression turned a little complex. Vahn's, however, remained calm and placid as he softly explained, "More often than not, they simply don't know any better. They are born in an environment where it is considered 'normal' to behave like that, and, unless they want to become victims themselves, they victimize others. It takes a lot of courage to break free from such a cycle...more courage than most have..."Before letting his words trail off, Vahn began to lightly pat Asuna's head, causing her eyes to squint contentedly. The conflict she was feeling rapidly melted away, but, unwilling to just leave the matter lying, Vahn added, "The more important thing we can do is enable those at the rungs of society by establishing a system that allows them to overcome their initial standing. We can provide them the opportunity for education and pressure those in power to implement laws that prevent those with malicious intentions from acting freely. It won't be easy, but, so long as you never give up trying to make the world a better place, it will gradually become one..."Though she had heard similar words hundreds of times in the past, Asuna answered with an 'Nn' in response to Vahn's usual spiel. She was already well-aware of her own responsibilities as someone with both status and power; so, rather than feel upset by the behaviors of other people, she actually just wanted him to pat her head...After caressing Asuna's silky-smooth hair for a short while, Vahn retracted his hand, turning to Eva as he said, "Let's get something to eat before heading back. Arrangements for our stay have already been made so we can return whenever we want. We'll probably go visit the Great Spirit of Wind in the morning, but, based on what the Admiral has said, winning him over might not be that easy."Curious about what he meant, Eva tilted her head slightly, asking, "Oh? Are you surprised that the most whimsical Great Spirit is difficult to deal with~?"Before responding to Eva's words, Vahn lightly chuckled before grabbing both her's and Asuna's hands. Then, while walking towards a nearby tavern, he answered, "Meeting with him won't be an issue. If Arika wants to win his favor, however, she'll need to complete a challenge. Brave Enlil seems to enjoy testing people by sending them on random quests or asking them to hunt down rare and valuable treasures. Since there is a pretty important race coming up, there is a fair chance Arika will be asked to participate. I imagine she would enjoy that quite a bit, so, depending on how things go, we'll either stick around in Zephyria for a few weeks or travel to another country until the race is scheduled to begin. I'm leaning towards the latter as I don't really want to get caught idling around after spending so much time in Ariadne."Understanding Vahn's concerns, Eva nodded her head, adding, "I'm actually surprised that none of our enemies have tried to interfere with us until now. At the very least, I expected a group from the Immortal Killers to come and track us down. This is the longest period I've gone without having to repel a group of would-be assassins or crazed zealots. It actually feels a little strange not to have a large group of people hunting me..."Despite being one of the strongest existences in the entire verse, Eva had constantly been pursued over the years by various different groups. The most fervent were the organizations that believed it went against the natural order for anyone to obtain immortality. They were a bunch of lunatics that spared no expense to track down and eliminate anyone that had obtained immortality, even if their target might be a child or a victim of someone else's experimentation.Eva had wiped out a number of powerful organizations over the years, but, despite her best efforts, it didn't take long for a replacement organization to take root. At this point, her bounty was so high that you could effectively build your own country if you managed to successfully kill or capture her, so, no matter how many people she killed, there would always be someone hunting her down...In response to Eva's utterance, Vahn gently squeezed her hand with his own, a gentle smile on his face as he said, "Even if they come, we will repel them together. I don't think there is any reason to worry though. So long as we continue acting in an open and above-board manner, I doubt anyone will suspect you are the legendary Dark Evangel. We're also escorting two Princesses of Vespertatia, so, even if they suspect something, they would have to measure their actions and find proof before taking action..."Though Eva wanted to caution Vahn about underestimating their enemies, the last four years had taught her that he really wasn't. Rather, his power was just that great, and, compared to how strong she was four years ago, her own had increased exponentially. It was hard to discern just how strong she had become, but, if she went all out, Eva was confident she would be able to wipe the floor with most of her past enemies. In fact, if it weren't for Vahn's presence, she would have already gone off to seek revenge against various individuals and organizations...As various figures flashed across her mind, Eva did her best to simply ignore them as she rested her head against Vahn's shoulder. Though she wouldn't allow him to fight her battles for her, she wasn't going to insist that he leave everything to her either. They now walked the same path, and, while it was difficult for her to completely open her heart to him, Eva couldn't imagine ever returning to her life of solitude. She might not be able to admit it openly, but she had already decided to follow him for as long as he would allow.Feeling Eva's head rest against his shoulder, Vahn gave the top of her head a kiss as he led her and Asuna into the nearby tavern. Their entrance drew a lot of attention, but, compared to when Asuna was alone, nobody tried to bar their passage. The moment anyone even considered such a course of action, they would spontaneously feel an existential dread descend upon them, so, even though the trio took their time to eat, none were bold enough to disturb their meal...---A few hours after the Custos Rosea had docked within the private port of the Skyfarers Association, a group of rather roguish individuals casually sauntered over as if they were approaching their own vessel. They had already lined the pockets of a number of officials, and, though Arika's Airfish stood out quite a bit, its design was considered 'childish' or 'silly' by most. Thus, despite a fair amount of attention earlier in the day, most people had quickly lost interest in the peculiar goldfish-like vessel.Though a number of Skyfarers prided themselves on being decent and respectable Transports and Treasure Hunters, a very large portion of their number was made up of Sky Pirates who had decided to 'go legit'. Despite this, they still had a fair number of vices, so, after observing Arika's ship for the entire afternoon, determining it wasn't guarded, they decided to take advantage of an easy mark. It was clear, at least in their eyes, that the Princess was lacking in experience, so, out of consideration, they had decided to teach her a lesson about leaving her property unguarded.While leaving half their group to watch the surroundings, the other half leaped onto the deck of the Custos Rosea before the leading figure, a woman with tanned skin and several scars covering much of her toned body, pulled out a series of bells. These were relatively common magical tools that had the ability to detect hidden magic circles and traps. Though they would break after a few uses, most competent groups carried a number of the mass-produced magic tools with them...Noticing the bell in her hand remained silent, the leader of the group had an incredulous look on her face as she remarked to her nearby companions, "This Princess is even greener than I thought. Unless they have the ability to conceal their traps and barriers from detection, it seems this ship is without even basic security. Unbelievable."Hearing the woman's remark, the group was split between laughing, jeering, and prematurely celebrating an easy haul. One man, a lanky figure with mouse-like traits, even descended into the interior of the ship in order to try and loot a few choice goods before his actions could be noticed. This was pretty common among Sky Pirates, and, unless you were caught in the act, most Captains turned a blind eye in order to keep morale high.Though many noticed their companion's scheme, most had the wherewithal to turn to the woman, waiting for her decision. At times like this, it was generally best to rely on instinct, but, even after several seconds of tense silence, the woman couldn't feel anything wrong with the current situation. She couldn't sense anything other than the engine, and, based on how silent it was after the first crewman descended, it didn't seem like there were any mechanical traps lying in wait for them...After nearly half a minute of silence, the woman ultimately shook her head before adopting a fierce look as she said, "Strip it bare. We won't scuttle the ship, but we'll take everything inside. Make sure to leave all the important systems intact or else the Association might come breathing down our necks."Hearing their Vice-Captain's orders, the men and women aboard the deck became excited as they made their way into the interior of the ship. They then began to spread out to target different parts of the ship, but, before anyone could make it more than a few steps, they were stopped when one of the people attempting to enter the cargo hold exclaimed, "Thomas!? What the fuck!?"Having descended after everyone else, the Vice-Captain was the closest to the stairs leading into the cargo hold, so, before anyone else could inquire, she asked, "Johnny, what did you find!?" in a barking tone. Unfortunately, the only answer to her question was a tense silence that descended upon the entire group like a pressure front. Then, followed by a light tapping sound, a figure with long white hair and glimmering golden eyes appeared from within the depths of the ship...(A/N: Alternate Titles: 'Everything is better when you are with people you enjoy being around','Eva is eager for vengeance...','Petrified, both literally and figuratively xD...')Poll Link: http://www.easypolls.net/poll.html?p=5ee6438ae4b017b74559fd5bhttps://bit.ly/2XBzAYu &lt;-(p.atreon link)paypal.me/EinlionDiscord Invite: https://discord.gg/Jwa8PKh

As he kept a version of himself back at the Custos Rosea, it didn't take long for Medusa to inform Vahn of what had transpired. At the same time, back at the banquet that had been prepared to entertain them, his genial smiled turned into a disappointed frown as he shook his head and said, "It seems the public order in Zephyria is even worse than expected..."Though there were a number of other people present, the Admiral, Katarina, was the first to react to Vahn's words. Her expression instantly became more fierce as she passed her gaze around the room before asking, "Did the Sage Dragon Emperor notice something amiss? We will send someone to address the matter promptly."Shaking his head a second time, Vahn explained, "A group of seventeen people managed to approach our vessel and board it without any port officials interceding. Is the security of the Association so lax that they are incapable of noticing nearly twenty approaching the craft of foreign dignitary within their own private docks?"Hearing Vahn's words, Katarina's expression turned progressively dour. Then, following the explanation, she looked towards an exceptionally tall man with a unique handlebar mustache that flowed into his sideburns, saying, "Beckham, see that Her Highness' craft is well guarded for the remainder of her stay. Have someone investigate the on-duty officials to find out which of the mangy curs allowed something like this to happen. If they are unwilling to talk, have the coin melted down and swallowed by the bastards."Despite the ruthlessness of the command, the man named Beckham didn't seem particularly concerned by his Admiral's order. Instead, his expression turned solemn and determined as he said, "Aye. I'll see to it. If I can't get to tha bottom of this, I'll put myself forward to be drawn an' quartered."Without delaying further, the man named Beckham briefly gazed toward the two people who had accompanied him to the banquet. Then, together, they quickly alighted from the room as Katarina turned to the rest of the assembly and said, "If it turns out any of you were involved in this, I'll personally see to it that your properties burn. That'll be a mercy compared to what the Sage Dragon Emperor would do to you. Now, get out of here. The ale and wine have bittered from this news."Though several people looked like they had something to say, Katarina hadn't been elevated to the position of Admiral by virtue of her birth. She had worked her way up through the ranks by completing countless difficult quests and earning the respect of Brave Enlil himself. Prior to her appointment, she had also made a name for herself by ruthlessly crushing the top five Sky Pirate crews over the course of a single year. Her reputation had been forged from hard effort and bloody conquest, so, rather than doubt her words, most competed to be the first to alight from the room...Of the original twenty-six guests, only four chose to dawdle after the Admiral's warning. These were some of the most affluent people in all of Zephyria, and, though they were well-aware of the promise contained within the Admiral's words, they were undaunted. After all, despite the status she held, it wasn't as if Katarina was the 'ruler' of Zephyria. Her position might be one of the highest in the entire country, but, unless she had the support of the Council of Seven, her authority was limited to the Skyfarers Association.Seeing the four choose to 'ignore' her words, Katarina's expression became especially vicious as she asked, "Have you forgotten where you are right now? There is a fine line between pride and arrogance...need I show you where it lies?"Of the four who chose to remain, the first to speak was a man with a broad chest and arms as thicker than most people's thighs crossed his arms as he said, "It is you who forgets yourself, Admiral. We represent a majority in the Council of Seven. Are you trying to force us away so that you might pander to a foreign power in secrecy?"Hearing the man's words, Katarina's expression became venomous but it was Arika who said, "You should leave. Ostia has no interest in establishing trade relations with Zephyria so your worries are unfounded. The only thing you accomplish by behaving in this manner is earning my disapproval. I have no interest in your pursuit of profiteering."Not expecting Arika to speak out, the burly man was slightly taken aback by her words. The same could be said for his other companions, the only exception being the woman among the group. She had a rather lascivious look, and, due to her unique choice of garb, she had the appearance of a 'very' successful gypsy woman.Breaking the tense silence with her sonorous laughter, the woman passed her gaze over Arika as if she was appraising a rare treasure before saying, "It be seeming to me dat de Ostians be knowin' better den to cultivate their flowers without thorns. I'd rather be avoidin' a prick so let me be away. Only fools be makin' a fuss in de presence of a dragon."With her words finished, the gypsy-like woman passed her appraising gaze over Fenrir before briefly lingering on Vahn. Then, without another word, she alighted from the room, her waist snaking in a hypnotic pattern that drew the eyes of her three companions until she ultimately departed.After having fallen silent for several seconds due to the woman's departure, the atmosphere in the room had become slightly awkward. Even the burly man from before seemed to have lost his momentum, his brows furrowed slightly as he looked around the room before settling on the Admiral and saying, "This matter involves the entire Council. If it is discovered that you are prioritizing your benefits over Zephyria, I will be the first to censure you. Don't be playing games, Katarina."Hearing the man's words, it was Katarina's turn to cross her arms, her expression cold enough to chill ice as she said, "Piss off, Kurtis. The next time you pull something like this, don't blame me for putting you in your place. You must've had a bit too much to drink if you think you can get away with insultin' me on my own turf. Were it not for the presence of the Princess and the Sage Dragon Emperor, you'd be lucky to avoid spendin' the next three weeks in a wheelchair. Now, get the fuck out of my home."With an incensed expression on his face, Kurtis glared back at Katarina, but, before he could say anything, Vahn chimed in, his casual smile fading as he said, "Leave. Now."The moment Vahn spoke, an oppressive aura descended upon the room in an instant. This left the trio without words, and, after looking directly at Vahn's glowing golden eyes, any bravado they had been able to muster rapidly evaporated like a tidal pool on a hot day. They were well aware of his reputation, so, after an oppressive silence, even Kurtis, the wealthiest Merchant in all of Zephyria, decided to retreat without another word...---Having finished their meal, Vahn, accompanied by Eva and Asuna, had been leisurely making their way back to the Skyfarers Association. The city seemed to become more alive as the sun went down, but, unlike when Asuna had been wandering around previously, none tried to bar their passage. Though some bolder individuals tried to call out to Eva, it only took an icy cold glare to immediately deter them. As for the women eyeing up Vahn, the presence of Eva and Asuna was more than enough to prevent them from approaching. It was almost impossible to compare themselves to Eva's beauty, and, though she wouldn't hesitate to correct them, the vast majority of people assumed Asuna was the child of the inordinately attractive duo...Seeing Eva cause a trio of drunkards to fall onto their butts with a single glance, Vahn couldn't help but issue a light chuckle. This earned him a not-so-gentle elbow from Eva, who, after the first few dozen people called out to her, quickly grew tired of it.Since Eva had infused Ki into her blow, Vahn's laughter was cut off by the air being forced out of his lungs. A sharp pain radiated from his ribs, and, though it healed almost instantly, it was always a little surprising to experience the potency of Eva's attacks. His durability was a match for magically reinforced metals, but, due to the nature of Ki, Eva managed to fracture four of his ribs with relative ease.Rather than make a big deal out of it, Vahn just smiled wryly before wrapping his hand around Eva's waist and pulling her a little closer to him. He hadn't missed the guilt that briefly flashed across her eyes after she elbowed him, so, before she could fall into a dour mood, he took the initiative to hold her closer. She wasn't fond of public displays of affection, so, by drawing her closer to him, Vahn was freeing her from the obligation of having to apologize.Understanding Vahn's intentions, the tips of Eva's ears became red. The confidence she had been showing moments prior quickly faded away, but, in spite of this, fewer people dared to call out to her. Instead, a considerable number of people began collapsing on the spot, their consciousness robbed by the convergence of Vahn's aura. This caused quite a scene, but, as it had 'nothing' to do with them, Vahn continued to lead Eva and Asuna unobstructed...---Resisting the urge to pass out, a man with pale-green, almost white, hair leaned against a wall for support. His expression showed a mixture of disbelief and terror as he used his right hand to try and stymy the flow of blood from his nose. Around him, a number of other individuals had already collapsed, many bleeding from their seven orifices due to the wave of pressure that had spontaneously descended upon them.Using what remained of his willpower, the man pulled out a handful of pills before voraciously shoving them down his mouth. Anyone aware of the true nature of the pills would have been mortified to see such a scene, as, despite their exterior structure, each contained an artificial, intermediate-level, Spirit. They were traditionally single-use items that could be used to save a person's life in a dangerous situation, but, as if he was a monster given human flesh, the man unhesitantly devoured the contained, horrified, spirits.Feeling power surge through his body, a greenish-blue aura surrounded the man's body as the sound of crackling lightning surged through the room. His uncharacteristically spiky hair became even more prominent, and, after a few seconds had passed, lightning began to coil across his body. Immediately thereafter, his figure vanished from view, followed by the sound of a tumultuous thunderclap. The temperature within the room increased to several thousand degrees in an instant, but, without caring about the pawns he had left behind, the man hastily alighted from Zephyria at the speed of lightning...After covering thousands of kilometers in an instant, the man crashed into the ground with meteoric force. When he emerged from the long trench his crash had formed, his body was in an even more ragged state than before, the lower half of his face and much of his upper body covered in blood. Despite this, he refused to fall, his expression vicious and unrelenting as he pulled out a magical flare and muttered, "That monster can't be allowed to wander freely. All of our efforts will be for naught if we continue ignoring him..."With a fiery determination welling inside his heart, the man aimed the flare towards the sky, a fierce glimmer in his eyes as he used the last vestiges of his strength to pull the cord. Almost immediately thereafter, a pale-green orb of light ascended into the sky, but, unlike a normal flare, it didn't explode or linger at its apex. Instead, it vanished into the void, and, if not for the trail that was left behind, all signs of its existence would have faded away shortly thereafter.Having successfully set off the flare, the man allowed his tired body to lay against the side of the crater. Darkness began to encroach on the edges of his vision as the cautionary words of his Master played through his mind. She had warned him against approaching within fifteen kilometers of their target, but, unwilling to cower in fear, he unhesitantly entered within the danger zone. He was confident that he would be able to evade Vahn's detection, and, when the latter showed even a moment of complacency, he intended to recover the Key of Twilight and receive his Master's praise...Though he wasn't sure what had caused Vahn to suddenly 'attack' them, the man was certain their intentions hadn't been seen through. Instead, it seemed like an indiscriminate attack that targetted anyone with malicious intent within a certain radius. The most terrifying thing about this ability, other than the fact it happened 'instantly', was that it seemed to completely ignore all magical barriers and protective charms...Moments before his consciousness faded into darkness, the man noticed the length of his shadow extend before condensing into an inky black substance. From within, a figure with dark skin, darker hair, and glimmering golden eyes appeared. His body was attired in flowing robes that seemed to be formed from the shadows themselves, the hem orbiting his figure as if he was the eye of a storm.Staring down at the man with pale-green hair, a contemptuous look flashed across the dark-skinned man's face, his voice deep and resonating as he said, "Secundum...I always knew it would be your hubris that led to your end..."Though the light had already faded from his eyes, the man named Secundum had yet to lose consciousness. His loyalty and sense of purpose were the strongest amongst his brothers and sisters, so, until he had passed on his message, he would not allow himself to rest.Forcing back his hatred and resentment, Secundum grit his teeth hard enough to draw blood before stating, "Listen closely...you defective piece of trash...we cannot allow that monster to hold onto the Key of Twilight...everything we're working toward...will be undone...if we don't do anything..."With the same contemptuous expression on his face, the dark-skinned man, Dynamis, just shook his head before saying, "Master told you to stay away and observe. I will report your failure alongside your final words..."Hearing the man's words, Secundum's expression turned even more vicious, a small amount of light returning to his eyes. Before he could say or do anything, however, a sickening feeling spread through his body. He could feel the life draining away from him as a series of shadowy spikes penetrated his body and began to coil around him. Then, as if the ground had become quicksand, he began to sink into his own shadow, an almost inaudible, "Dynamis..." escaping his lips before he was completely subsumed.(A/N: Alternate Titles: 'Leave. Now.','Doki-Doki Eva-chan','Vahn's domain is actually very terrifying (o w o)...')http://easypolls.net/poll.html?p=5ee6438ae4b017b74559fd5bhttps://bit.ly/2XBzAYu &lt;-(p.atreon link)paypal.me/EinlionDiscord Invite: https://discord.gg/Jwa8PKh

Contrasting any expectations she might have had about the peculiar reddish-brown liquids, it had a rich, smooth, and powerful flavor. It created an illusion similar to drinking liquid flame, but, instead of burning her throat, it brought an extraordinary feeling of satisfaction as the heat spread through her stomach before warming the rest of her body. She couldn't prevent a hot sigh from escaping her mouth, fogging up the empty glass she had yet to pull away from her slightly parted lips...Though the alcohol had the stated effect, Vahn wouldn't give someone a drink they were unable to tolerate. The [Call of Cthulhu] was infinitely more effective on those with vile, greedy, and unhinged characters. The Admiral didn't give off the impression of someone who had been 'corrupted' by the darkness of the world. She likely dealt with some of the worst kinds of people, but, despite that, her aura remained pure, stable, and vast.After holding the position of drinking for several seconds, the Admiral seemed to come back to her senses enough to pull the glass away from her lips. She appeared unaffected by the potent alcohol, but, the moment she tried to set the glass on the table, the truth was revealed. Not only did she fail such a simple action, but, as if she had partaken of an entire keg, her legs completely buckled from the subtle movement.As much as he would have enjoyed supporting the Admiral's body with his own, Vahn, instead, used his telekinesis to prevent her from collapsing. Then, in response to the fact she had drawn an ornate magical flintlock, somehow aiming it directly at his forehead, he created a small barrier between the hammer and firing pin, preventing it from shooting no matter how many times she absentmindedly pulled the trigger.Since she had a number of reasons to be 'hostile' towards him, Vahn didn't take offense to the Admiral's instinctual reaction. Rather, the fact she had enough wherewithal to draw her weapon at all was rather impressive. If she had been a normal person, she would have blacked out the instant the cup left her lips. The [Call of Cthulhu] might go down smoothly, but, like the tide heralding a massive storm, it would continue to swell and encroach upon the mind until all but the strongest had been drowned in its wake...After guiding the Admiral to sit in her own chair, Vahn took a seat across from her before putting another glass on the table. Her pale blue eyes still glimmered with a bit of intelligence, but, if you looked closely, it was almost like her pupils had become like ink blotches. The darkness within had gradually started to encroach upon the surrounding iris, and, given enough time, it would create a phenomenon where her entire eyes were covered in an inky black substance. If left untreated, inky tears would begin to pour down her face, and, preceding the loss of her mind, she same substance would begin to flow from her ears, nose, and mouth.With her eyes still focused on him, Vahn filled up the second glass before reminding her, "Though it might not make a lot of sense, the only treatment is to drink even more. The moment you down the entire bottle, the effects of the alcohol will vanish in their entirety. I would encourage you to finish it down to the last drop...if you give up halfway, I'm afraid things might not end well for you..."Finished with his explanation, Vahn poured a glass of the same substance for himself. It was unique in the fact that, no matter how many glasses you filled, it always had enough to fill ten glasses for each person participating in the bout. The moment one person finished their portion, the effects of the alcohol would vanish for everyone, so, even if the Admiral failed the challenge, there was little danger of her falling to its influence.Seeing Vahn down his glass in a few massive gulps, the Admiral turned her hazy blue eyes toward her own cup. It was hard to form any coherent thoughts but her instincts told her that Vahn was just toying with her. This filled her with a palpable amount of indignation, so, after witnessing him refill his glass, she lifted her own, a resolute glimmer in her eyes as she downed the contents in a single sitting before slamming the cup on the table and stating, "Another...!"Rather than immediately refill the Admiral's cup, Vahn finished his own before setting it down and saying, "Fenrir. Fill mine and the Admiral's glasses, will you?"Though she had originally intended to join the drinking game, Fenrir dutifully received the pulsating bottle with her paws. She made sure to fill her Master's cup first, earning a trenchant look from the Admiral, but, as the latter's opinion didn't matter in the slightest, Fenrir completely ignored her...---Seeing Vahn spontaneously begin a drinking game with the Admiral of the Skyfarers Association, Arika's expression had become a perfect deadpan. She thought she had become used to Vahn's whimsical nature, but, at times like this, she was reminded of just how 'peculiar' the man she had fallen in love with truly was.Though he didn't seem to do it consciously, Vahn had a way of tearing down the walls surrounding a person's heart. She had first noticed this during his stay in the Sun Palace, but, after observing his interactions with people like Nyon Utu, Evangeline, and Grandmaster Sidra, Arika couldn't help but feel fascinated by Vahn's capacity for endearing himself to others.Fortunately, Vahn's capabilities seemed to be derived from his empathic nature and his exceptional eye for people. He had a way of bringing out the best in others, so, from the moment he showed an interest in someone, they were all but guaranteed to experience great fortune. This was particularly true for those closest to him, and, though it was difficult to admit, Arika was a little ashamed of her past self's hubris.Arika had never thought herself weak, but, if she compared her current self to the person she was prior to meeting Vahn, it was almost ridiculous how much she had grown. Though her progress was inconsequential compared to Asuna's, Arika felt as though she could fight against a hundred of her past self without even breaking a sweat. Despite this, she felt nowhere near her limits, and, so long as she continued to push herself, Vahn would undoubtedly help her reach even greater heights...As this thought crossed her mind, Arika couldn't help but smile as she observed the Admiral nearly fall over in her chair. This was probably the part of her that had changed the most, as, compared to her past self, she no longer felt jealous whenever Vahn interacted with other women. She had come to understand that he simply enjoyed teasing people, and, though Vahn had an admittedly massive harem, he was very sincere with his emotions. Rather, as a result of his unequaled capacity for care and comfort, Vahn was often on the receiving end of others' pursuit...---After nine glasses of the progressively potent alcohol, all rational thought had faded away from the Admiral's mind. She didn't know what was keeping her going at this point, but, every time she saw the 'smug' look on Vahn's face, a voice in the back of her mind pushed her to say, "Ahnuverrrr..." in a dull, sensuous, tone of voice. She didn't even seem to notice that the surroundings were writhing about like a living creature, as, for the time being, the only thing that seemed to matter was proving herself against the man seated across from her...Hearing the Admiral's slurred words, Vahn offered an appreciative smile as he admired the woman half-sprawled across her desk. She couldn't even sit up straight, and, due to her drunken state, her previously neat appearance had now turned slovenly. Her face was suffused with a ruddy hue, and, in an effort to cool her feverish body, she had been tugging at the collar of her blouse. Fortunately, despite her untamed and heroic appearance, she properly wore a bra beneath her blouse, so, even when she began to absentmindedly unfasten the buckles of her leather bodice, she didn't expose herself completely...Deciding to concede the victory, Vahn gave a small nod toward Fenrir before setting his own glass on the table. He had already received numerous benefits from the drinking game, so, before things got further out of hand, he decided to take a step back in order to preserve the Admiral's pride. She gave him a similar impression as Tsubaki and Musashi, so, if he managed to win against her, things would probably become troublesome during his stay within Zephyria.Without thinking about Vahn's actions in the slightest, the Admiral managed to half-raise her body. The [Call of Cthulhu] had a property that made it impossible to cheat by spilling the contents, so, even though a large quantity of the reddish-brown liquid escaped from the side of the Admiral's mouth, slinking down her neck and staining her white blouse, she was able to empty its contents after a few large gulps. Immediately thereafter, as if the potent alcohol had never existed, all signs of presence, including the contents of Vahn's cup, evaporated into thin air as clarity returned to the Admiral's gaze.As if she had just awoken from a realistic daydream, the Admiral didn't immediately react to having her clarity restored. Instead, she looked between her empty glass and Vahn's expression, her own a mixture of confusion and disbelief. She was certain she had been drinking moments prior, but, now that she had 'awakened', even the taste of the liquor had been forgotten. Instead, she actually felt a little parched, almost as if she had gone the entire day without a single drop of liquid.Awakening the Admiral from her stupor, Vahn adopted a wry smile as he said, "Though I'm certainly not complaining, you might want to fix your attire before we continue our conversation. Beige suits you, by the way. It matches your olive complexion well..."Hearing Vahn's remark, the Admira turned her attention to the state of her dress. She had unfasted most of the clasps of her bodice, so, instead of hugging her body tightly, her blouse had loosened to the point it was nearly falling off one shoulder. Her jacket had also fallen off, crumpling up in her chair, so, rather than a proud Admiral, she currently appeared more like a tavern wench.Rather than react flusteredly, the Admiral just frowned slightly before quickly arranging her clothes. She didn't even bother asking Vahn to look away, as, even compared to other regions, nakedness wasn't considered a big deal within Zephyria. It wasn't known as the City of Freedom for no reason, and, though most women properly covered themselves, there were quite a few who decided to just bare it all or wrap their breasts with a simple cloth.Almost immediately after fixing her clothes, the Admiral turned her attention back to Vahn, her pale blue eyes glimmering with intensity as she said, "You've a lot of gall for a shitty lizard. Do you enjoy messing with us puny mortals that much? If you keep looking down on us-"Before the Admiral could finish speaking, Vahn's smile gave way to a serious expression as he said, "You insult both of us with such poorly conceived words. Am I supposed to pretend you didn't give me a glass laced with a tasteless poison? Besides, I didn't force you to drink, you partook of your own volition. If I had malicious intentions, I needed only to prevent you from finishing the bottle to ensure you completely lost your mind. Do not insult me at your leisure, Descendent of Scarlet. I'm not fond of formalities, nor do I mind harsh language; but, if you think you can get away with freely insulting me, you are sorely mistaken..."Though she was not completely cowed by the pressure released by Vahn, the Admiral fell silent in response to his words. The 'poison' within the glasses was only intended to loosen the tongue and decrease the inhibitions of the other party. She hadn't intended to cause them any harm, but, even if she tried to clarify her intentions, it wouldn't really matter. The fact remained that she did, indeed, try and poison him...Taking advantage of the Admiral's silence, Vahn regained his usual smile as he added, "I never look down on other people. Rather, if you knew the true nature of my existence, you would undoubtedly feel like a fool for uttering such words. I represent the infinite potential of all things, and, unless you earn my ire, I generally try and help everyone I meet. Though the [Call of Cthulhu] has the potential for catastrophic misuse, it is actually a blessing if used without malicious intent. Now that you have finished the bottle, any alcohol you drink will temporarily strengthen your body based on its quality and potency. You can now drink as much as you want without ever having to worry about blacking out or suffering the detrimental effects of alcohol toxicity. You can still get drunk, but, unless it was something brewed by a God, the chances of you losing clarity are slim, at best."Hearing Vahn's explanation, a look of disbelief flashed across the Admiral's eyes. Then, after eying the bottle she had brought out previously, she uncorked it before downing nearly half its contents in a single go. This was enough to make a normal person blackout drunk, but, other than a pleasant feeling of warmth and a tipsy feeling, her mind remained clear. She also felt a familiar dulling of her senses, but, other than a slight 'lag' between her thoughts and actions, there were no other adverse effects from downing nearly 400ml of a liquid with 62% alcohol...Realizing the 'gift' Vahn had given her, the Admiral couldn't help but rub her temples in, her husky voice suffused with a bit of drunken warmth as she muttered, "How troublesome..." before quickly adding, "I'm not going to thank you. This was not a gift I asked for, so, regardless of your intentions, I do not feel indebted to you. I will, however, apologize for my previous words and actions. Also, as it occurs to me that I had never introduced myself, you may address me as Katarina. Most know me as the Dauntless Katarina but my actual name is Katarina Hawkins. Considering how you previously addressed me, I doubt it would surprise you to know I am the great-granddaughter of the Crimson Scarlet..."Deciding to ignore Katarina's remark about not thanking him, Vahn just nodded his head, a casual smile on his face as he answered, "Though it seems my reputation has preceded me, I suppose it is only proper that I introduce myself. Feel free to address me as Vahn, but, if the situation calls for it, it would be prudent to refer to me as the Sage Dragon Emperor, Vahn Aldrnari Mason. As for this lovable young Vanargandr to my right, she goes by the name Fenrir Mason, Queen of the Frozen Abyss. I don't particularly mind manners and such, but, when she is around, you should take care not to accidentally insult me. She can be pretty sensitive when it comes to defending my honor..."Hearing her Master's introduction, Fenrir's scarlet-red eyes glistened with a murderous light, and, though it appeared cute to Vahn, Katarina felt her body tense up in response to the rows of sharp teeth revealed by her smile...(A/N: I'm going to start polling for the next Record. Keep in mind that the next Record is the 'final' Record Vahn will be visiting (Tier 6+). Though there will actually be a lot of other Records appearing in the story, they will come into play after Vahn has linked the Records. The actual Epilogue of EPIC is supposed be 500+ plus chapters, including short stints of various characters in various worlds, so, even if Vahn doesn't visit a verse you are interested in, there is always hope for the future~! Poll will be listed at the end of every chapter and in the paragraph comments for easier copy+pasting.)http://www.easypolls.net/poll.html?p=5ee6438ae4b017b74559fd5bhttps://bit.ly/2XBzAYu &lt;-(p.atreon link)paypal.me/EinlionDiscord Invite: https://discord.gg/Jwa8PKh

Chapter 1601: Meander