Endless Path : Infinite Cosmos

With everyone else expected to arrive around 5 AM, Vahn awoke around 4 AM to find himself alone in his bed; a fragrant aroma and a still-present warmth attesting to the fact he hadn't been for very long. For a brief moment, he even buried his face into the blankets, earning a giggle from Sis within the deepest recesses of his mind.Hearing the familiar laugh, Vahn quickly collected himself, rising to a seated position to stretch his body before muttering, "I never thought it would feel so liberating to awaken my Mind Innate...it's been ages since I just slept normally..."Understanding his thoughts, Vahn got the impression Sis had nodded in affirmation before saying, (*This is an important step forward for you. Splitting yourself apart is certainly a very useful ability, but, unless you can fully separate from your other selves, it is an extreme weakness. Not only does it place a heavy burden on your mind, but it also prevents you from thoroughly appreciating each and every moment. Now you just need to overcome your aversion to dealing with the members of your harem using other versions of yourself. If you truly wish to attend them individually, you won't be able to do so while controlling each and every version of yourself simultaneously. Once you truly accept yourself as a being comprised of many, things will become a lot easier for you.*)Though he understood the logic contained within Sis' words, Vahn knew it would take him a long time to accept such an arrangement. Even if they were himself, versions of him he had full control over and could share experiences with, the idea of another man sleeping with his women, even if it was himself, was uncomfortable. This was technically the case in his current situation, but, while it was certainly difficult to manage at times, Vahn felt obligated to be in control whenever he was with his women. If he just entrusted the task to another, it would be like using a more advanced version of the Shadow Clone Jutsu...Even if he knew it was an inevitability, Vahn wanted to reach the point where he could split the axis of reality into multiple tangential realities. He would rather experience living alongside his lovers in their own individual axes of time rather than entrusting their care to another version of himself. This would result in him living out multiple eternities, but, so long as he created versions of himself that were unaware of the 'greater' passage of time, he could live countless lives without suffering any of the detriments that came along with living forever.Shaking his head free of such existential thoughts, Vahn performed a few routine stretches, popping several joints throughout his body before reestablishing his link with Gandr, advising, ("You should hurry over. There is no way to know what you'll lose during the Naming process, so it's best to get a jump start on adapting to your new existence.")Following a profoundly exasperated sigh, Gandr quickly replied, ("Though I'm excited to become 'real', I can't help but feel like this is going to be a real drag...not only do I lose my harem, I'm also going to lose Laev-tan...haaaa...if I can't enter the State of Nothingness, I might just lose my shit...")Hearing his younger counterpart curse, Vahn's brows naturally creased, but, rather than call the boy out on it, he allowed him to be as expressive as he liked. After all, Gandr really was about to 'lose' a lot of things, many of which Vahn could never rationalize giving up. This was the truest testament to the fact that the boy had already deviated from him, however, as it was simply impossible for Vahn to part with the people he cared about.Deciding to console the boy who was about to, quite literally, become his protege, Vahn adopted a gentle tone as he mentally remarked, ("This is an opportunity for you to experience the childhood I missed out on. You have already made a lot of friends, and, though your personality and nature are bound to be influenced by your Name, your 'identity' will remain intact. Enjoy your new life...for the both of us...")Though he responded with another sigh, Vahn could 'feel' that Gandr had been properly motivated by his words. This was the benefit of being the 'Principal Axis of Consciousness', the highest form of authority within a system comprised entirely of different versions and extensions of himself. They all deferred to him as a matter of course, as, in the grand scheme of things, they were extensions of his will; each working towards the same goal without expressly being ordered to do so...---With Gandr arriving as ordered, both he and Vahn promptly entered into the Little Garden to carry out the Naming ceremony. It wasn't the ideal place, as Naming was often exceptionally destructive, but, without knowing for certain whether or not Gandr would be able to safely transition between the Realm and the outside, it was better to be safe than sorry.Fortunately, Vahn still had the option of subsuming himself into the Realm before manifesting as his omnipotent self within the Little Garden. This allowed him to effectively create a 'Texture' within the Little Garden, isolating Gandr on a parallel sub-plane of existence where no amount of destruction would have any effect on the primary texture. Then, with Fenrir, Yoruichi, and Hinata all observing at a relatively safe distance; Vahn had Gandr kneel before him, placing his palm in between the boy's inordinately large and fluffy ears, voice rippling through the void as he said, "Henceforth, you shall be known as Gandr Erebus Mason, the Sage Dragon Emperor's Shadow..."Similar to previous Naming ceremonies, a phenomenal amount of energy began to gather even before Vahn had finished bestowing Gandr's name. It quickly coalesced into a mass resembling a black hole, pure darkness that generated a phenomenal amount of gravity as threads of reddish-black lightning danced across its surface. It's pull was so great that it actually began to tear large chunks from the surroundings, ultimately creating a void that was several hundred meters wide.When the dark sphere began to slowly retract into the shape of a person, Vahn's appeared without any injury, suspended freely within the void with his hand still atop Gandr's head. He was generally immune to the phenomenon that occurred during the naming process, but, even if he hadn't been, his omnipotent status allowed him to effectively 'ignore' damage. This allowed him to be the first to see Gandr's 'new' form, the only real differences being that he was currently naked and that his aura felt a lot more 'untamed' than before...-------------------------------------------[Status]Name: [Gandr Erebus Mason], Sobriquet: N/AAge: 304 (Ageless)Race: Vanargandr, DemigodPosition(s): ScoutStrength: D-Rank RegularToughness: E-Rank RegularIntellect: C-Rank RegularAgility: A-Rank RegularControl: A-Rank RegularShinsu Resistance: N/AShinsu: [Quality: Ice, Darkness, Lightning, Sword], [Total: 41,600], [Bang: 9], [Myun: 208], [Soo: 208], [Tension: 100:1]Soul Tier: 4 (Divine Soul)Karma: (-)Innate(s): [Insatiable Hunger(Non-Standard): (-)], [Sage Dragon Emperor's Shadow(Non-Standard): SSS], [Transcendental Sword Soul(Spirit): SS], [Lord of Shadows(Body): B]Skill(s): [Shadow Guardian: SS], [Shadow Step: SS], [Shadow Clone Jutsu: S], [World of Darkness: A], [Chainbreaker: A], [Hands of Nirvana: SSS], [Swordsman(Divine): C], [Cooking(Master): E], [Unknown Mystic Arts: (-)], [Telekinesis(Regular):B], [Spatial Control(Regular): B], (Lighthouse Control(Regular): B], [Observering Control(Regular): B], [Reverse Flow Control(Regular): C], [Flow Control(Ranker): F], [Shundo: C], [Koku Shundo: D], [Shinsu Enhancement(Regular): B]-------------------------------------------Though Vahn was a little surprised by how powerful Gandr was immediately after receiving a Name, it wasn't difficult to imagine why when he considered that the boy was templated from himself. He drew from the same knowledge, experiences, and, most importantly, he was created after Vahn had already reached Tier 4. This gave the boy comparable potential for growth, and, though his Innates had changed drastically, they were bound to compliment the abilities he was 'supposed' to possess.Before Vahn could ask how the boy felt, Gandr placed his hand to his chest, a swirling black vortex appearing for a brief moment as he pulled out a pitch-black katana. Immediately after that, a tired sigh escaped his lips as he lightly swung the sword, producing hellish black flames similar to the Amaterasu from Naruto. This demonstrated that the sword, while a Zanpakuto, was not the Laev-tan he had previously been using.Confirming his suspicions, Gandr held up the pitch-black katana, smiling wryly as he said, "Meet Abby-tan...Laev-tan's twin sister..."Following Gandr's introduction, a strangely haughty hum resonated from the pitch-black blade, almost as if it was demanding attention. This caused Gandr's smile to turn even wrier, as, in the back of his mind, a very angry loli was spiritedly trying to convince him that she was better than her sister in every way...Though his connection with Gandr was now closer to the one he shared with Fenrir, Vahn could still understand what the boy was thinking. As a result, he ended up extending his hand, roughly patting the boy's head as he said, "Hey, at least you don't have to develop a Zanpakuto Spirit from scratch, right?"Replying with a tired sigh, Gandr promptly sheathed Abby-tan before explaining, "I no longer have access to The Path and its functions. Despite this, I feel...normal? It's hard to describe. The best way I can describe it is like...I feel like this has always been me? It's really strange..."Since even Xiao Bai, Lady Xuan, Zhuque, and 'Grandpa' Qing were also unable to use The Path and its functions, despite being a literal part of him, Vahn wasn't too surprised that Gandr had lost the right to access it. After all, The Path had completely fused with his own Ego, so, while extensions of him might be able to make use of it, separate Egos had no way of sensing it, much less accessing its functions.With that in mind, Vahn asked the next logical question, inquiring, "Are you able to use and sense Source Energy?"Without any hesitation whatsoever, Gandr shook his head, explaining, "No. Though it feels similar, my instincts are telling me that my current energy is something else entirely. If I'm not wrong, it is closer to the energy contained within the items purchased from the shop. I guess that would make it Origin Energy? It's really hard to describe...want to try reestablishing a connection so that you can experience it directly...?"As he was about to suggest something similar, Vahn nodded his head in response to Gandr before using the 'Unification' ability of [Universal Mind]. Immediately after that, he felt his connection with Gandr reestablished, but, unlike before, there was a very obvious feeling of 'disconnect', almost like there was some kind of obscuring membrane between them. This was likely Gandr's own Ego, and, unless he completely subsumed or destroyed it, Vahn wouldn't be able to exercise the same level of control over the boy as before.Feeling an unbelievable power surge through him, Gandr's pupils shrank to the side of pinholes as he shouted, "What the hell!? Is this how other people feel whenever we influence them? It's like I'm a single drop being washed away in an endless ocean of power...it's overwhelming..."As if to emphasize his point, blood began to flow from Gandr's nostrils, prompting Vahn to instantly sever the connection. In retrospect, he realized he should have returned to normal rather than allow Gandr to connect to his Realm self, but, as was often the case, hindsight was twenty-twenty.With the feeling of unlimited power fading away, Gandr's ears drooped rather pathetically as he said, "Now I suddenly feel empty...almost like my life has lost meaning...man, if this is the way other people feel after experiencing Source Energy, it's no wonder they refuse to leave..."Though he could understand what Gandr was trying to say, Vahn felt a little uncomfortable hearing him phrase it in such a manner. As a result, he quickly reverted to his outer self, extending his hand to stroke the boy's head as he said, "I'm going to re-establish the link. You previously connected to my Realm self so there is a good chance you were just overwhelmed by its omnipotence..."Before Vahn could follow through with his intentions, Gandr shook his head, a serious look on his face as he rebutted, "No, that isn't right. I won't refuse if you want to try, but my instincts are telling me there won't be a difference. I'm pretty sure it was the presence of Source that made me feel like this. I can understand why people like Eva, Illya, and Alaya are so eager to lap up your blood...I can barely resist the urge to take a bite out of you myself..."As if to demonstrate his point, Gandr opened his mouth to reveal several extremely sharp teeth. He had the same [Insatiable Hunger] as Fenrir, so, whenever he was 'hungry', his body would change to a form more suited for devouring things. This transformation could be seen with the naked eye, so, rather than exacerbate matters, Vahn decided against reestablishing the link until Gandr had better control over his new body.Fortunately, there was another Vanargandr nearby who could answer his curiosity, so, after a brief moment of hesitation, Vahn turned to Fenrir, waving her over. This resulted in Yoruichi and Hinata also coming over, but, as there was no longer any danger, it didn't particularly matter...(A/N: Alternate Titles: 'Sis with an Ego is like giving her a sledgehammer...','Chloe would be proud...','TFW you realize just how broken your previous self was...')https://bit.ly/2XBzAYu &lt;-(p.atreon link)paypal.me/EinlionDiscord Invite: https://discord.gg/Jwa8PKh

Though she got the impression her Master was about to do something very 'dangerous', Fenrir did not hesitate to appear at his side, eyes focused and ready for anything. This elicited an appreciative smile from her Master, but, before he could explain his intentions, Yoruichi burst into laughter while Hinata, having seen Gandr's current state up close, covered her red face with both hands.Following the direction of Yoruichi's pointing, Vahn noticed that Gandr was still naked. His clothes had been destroyed during the naming process, and, now that he had lost access to the Inventory, he had no way to cover himself. He still didn't understand why Yoruichi was laughing, however, as the boy wasn't exactly lacking when it came to the development of certain body parts.Having been agitated by Vahn's Source Energy, Gandr wasn't at all amused by Yoruichi's antics. The nails on his fingers became progressively sharper, but, before he could act on his instincts, Fenrir's paw came down on his head like a hammer as she firmly intoned, "Bad boy. We don't bare fang and claw at family. Ask Master for some clothes and then go wait near the World Tree."As his template had him behave deferentially towards his older sister, Gandr's ears instantaneously drooped in response to Fenrir's words. His claws and teeth also quickly reverted back to normal as he lowered his head towards Vahn and asked, "Master, may I please have some clothes...?"Since things were beginning to get a little awkward, Vahn handed Gandr a [REquip] system from his Inventory before ruffling the boy's hair and saying, "Run along. We have training pretty soon."Nodding his head in understanding, Gandr placed the [REquip] system on his left wrist, donning his usual attire in an instant before promptly sinking into his own shadow. This caused his presence to disappear even from Vahn's perception. In the next moment, however, he had reappeared, now on the 'surface' Texture. He had used [Shadow Step] to cut through a 'Shadow Dimension', and, though it was normally impossible to pass between Textures so easily, Gandr's mastery over Space allowed him to ignore such restrictions.With the not-so-young Vanargandr out of the picture, Vahn turned his attention to Yoruichi, his expression a perfect deadpan as he asked, "So, what's so funny? Why did you laugh...?"Demonstrating no hesitation whatsoever, Yoruichi offered a fearless smile in return as she asked, "Are you kidding me? Why does a boy that 'young' need such a comically oversized member? He isn't even trying to woo any women, yet he's got a tail on both the front and the back? Come on, that's got to be some kind of joke, right?"Not expecting such a response, Vahn found himself at a complete loss for words, his expression remaining the same deadpan as before. For a brief moment, he found himself remembering the first time he had taken a bath with Tsubaki, but, before he could become awash in his memories, Hinata exacerbated things considerably by pressing her fingers together and murmuring, "I thought it looked cute..."With everyone's attention shifting toward her, Hinata, once again, buried her face into her hands, a scarlet red hue coloring her ears. This was met with an oppressive silence that lingered for several long seconds, broken only when Yoruichi burst into laughter and began furiously patting Hinata on the back as she exclaimed, "It seems Vahn imagined you as a closet pervert! Maybe he read a few too many doujinshi? Hahahahahaha~!"Hearing Yoruichi's remark, imaginary steam began to rise from Hinata's head as she regretted her honesty. One of the things that had 'secretly' troubled Vahn about her original character was that she was unable to speak her mind, so, now that she had developed a nascent ego that coincided with his perception of her, the most drastic change to her character was that she felt a need to tell people what she was thinking...Deciding to put an end to Yoruichi's antics, Vahn adopted a firm tone as he stated, "That's enough. I understand you're just playing around, but you're taking things too far. You shouldn't laugh at the expense of others, Yoruichi."Seemingly undaunted by Vahn's words, Yoruichi adopted a challenging smile, arms crossed as she asked, "Hooo~? Am I doing something wrong? It's not like I've insulted anyone. Besides, who is it that made me like this, I wonder? Aren't I the confident, mischievous, and whimsical woman of your dreams~?"Though he 'knew' Yoruichi liked to tease people, almost incessantly, Vahn found it difficult to simply accept her words. As a result, his expression became somewhat dour, compelling Yoruichi to adopt a frown of her own as she remarked, "You're no fun. I bet Hinata isn't even upset...you're just being overprotective. You should learn to cut loose a little. This whole Emperor play you've got going on is just going to make everyone's lives more difficult. You should just be yourself, not the person you think the situation needs you to be. I sure as hell won't pretend to be something I'm not...name or no name..."Taken aback by Yoruichi's words, Vahn's expression softened somewhat, replaced by a not-so-subtle look of conflict as he seriously considered her words. Unfortunately, or perhaps the reverse, he was unable to consider them more deeply as Hinata regained enough composure to say, "Ms. Yoruichi is right...this journey is pointless if you don't enjoy it. Even though I'm embarrassed to think about the future...I'm happy to be here right now...I want to see and experience lots of things...I want to do my best to help all the people that need our help...I want to support our friends and allies...I...I..."With her complexion quickly reaching dangerous levels of crimson, Hinata became a little unsteady on her feet. Fortunately, before she could drop any 'substantial' bombshells, Fenrir stepped in, her expression serious as she stated, "Master is at his best when he acts however he pleases. Going at the pace of others is going to make you feel suffocated, just like in the Akamatsuverse. You should just do what you want to do. Even if you make mistakes, we will help you clean them up."Unprepared for the sudden pep talk, Vahn could only stare blankly at the three girls, confused as to how the conversation had shifted towards him. He suspected this was orchestrated by Yoruichi in an attempt to lessen her own blame, but, considering the context of their statements, it was hard to be certain. All he knew for sure was that they were trying to get him to stop holding back, much as Sis had been...Aware of his every thought, Sis seized the opportunity to add her own opinion, stating, (*You need to learn how to trust yourself. Constantly holding back will never allow you to reach the peak. Stop being afraid of things like expanding your harem or disappointing others. You are the man who will stand up the very pinnacle of creation, shaping reality itself with your thoughts. Have confidence in the person you have become, Vahn. This is the best thing you can do to repay the trust others have placed into you...besides, even if you were to try and convince them that your harem wasn't going to increase any further, how many of your wives do you think would believe you?*)Though he couldn't help but question Sis' dual mention of expanding his harem, Vahn understood the basic premise of what she was trying to say. She, and everyone else, actually made a very good point. He was someone aiming for an absolute and incomprehensible amount of power; an amount that would see him rule over infinite cosmoses. There was no way he would be able to reach such a level if he continued doing things like playing by the rules of other people and observing from the sidelines as others grew into their power...Realizing he was focusing more on the growth of others rather than himself, an exasperated sigh escaped Vahn's lips. He was supposed to be aiming for an incomprehensible level of power, yet, in spite of this, he was slowing his pace just to protect a group of people he had met little more than a month prior. At the same time, he was ignoring the countless others who had similar aspirations and ambitions; idling about as the people he had 'chosen' gradually increased their strength.Vahn knew that, if he really wanted to, his power would increase explosively just by moving up the Tower. Even the Guardians wouldn't be able to hold him back, and, though he was bound to meet a few setbacks along the way, he could, quite literally, pull himself back together and try again. There were no limits to the things he could accomplish, and, unlike others, the chances of him becoming corrupt were virtually non-existent.With the exception of the family he had left behind, the family he was desperately trying to reunite with, Vahn already had 'everything' most people could ever desire. His potential was unlimited, he had absolute dominion over a functionally infinite Realm, a massive harem of passionate lovers, an ever-expanding family tree, trillions of believers, and, most importantly, an empathetic heart and a sincere desire to help other people.No matter how strong he became, no matter what he experienced along the way, the singular truth that resonated at the very core of his existence was that he wanted to help people. Despite the path his Divination counterpart had walked, Vahn firmly believed that he would never stop trying to help people. He felt genuine pain when others were hurt, and, though there were some people he could never forgive, it was impossible for him not to feel guilty after taking a life. Their pain and anguish resonated with something deep inside of him, and, though they had undoubtedly deserved to die, the fact they had been pushed down such a path saddened him.If Vahn were being honest with himself, the moments he had experienced as Gandr were some of the happiest he had accumulated in recent memory. He enjoyed the feeling of 'freedom' that came with just doing whatever he wanted, so, when he heard the words of the four, Vahn couldn't shake the feeling he had messed up the order of things. He was supposed to be walking a path towards the absolute pinnace, a place where others could follow but never reach. If he set his pace based on the growth of others, it wasn't an exaggeration to say that it would take thousands of years, if not longer, to reach the goals he had set for himself...As if to hammer the point home, Sis picked up on this train of thought, appending,(*Though there are bound to be powerful beings in the Tower, they are far beneath the entities that lay beyond it. If you want to experience a true challenge, you should move ahead at your own pace. The further and faster you climb, the more people will try to bar your passage. It is through overcoming these trials that your strength will blossom. You already have everything you need, and, even if you don't, you can obtain it along the way...what are you waiting for?*)Hearing Sis' words, a mystical light began to illuminate within the depths of Vahn's eyes, the void around him trembling in response to his aura. He knew she was right, and, if he genuinely pushed himself, it might only take a few years to conquer the entire Tower. There were bound to be people barring his passage, but, as he had attested to time and again, one of the things he feared the least was a challenge. In fact, it was something he craved to the point of foolhardiness, so much so that one of the first thoughts he had entertained after obtaining his new Innate was creating a powerful rival for himself.Realizing how contrary his actions had been up until this point, Vahn couldn't help but burst into a hearty laugh, startling the bashful Hinata to the point that she nearly fell down. As for Yoruichi and Fenrir, they both just smiled in response, the former raising her chin slightly while the latter seemed to grow increasingly agitated. She was the most affected by his mental state, so, as his excitement grew, so too did Fenrir's.Though he knew he would mellow out once he calmed down and had time to properly consider his future actions, the current Vahn was too caught up in the moment to hold himself back. As a result, he unabashedly fluffed up Fenrir's hair and ears for several seconds before turning to Yoruichi, hand extended as he said, "Come..."Despite closing the distance without any hesitation, Yoruichi didn't miss the opportunity to adopt a vicious smile of her own as she playfully remarked, "We'll see if you have what it takes..."Ignoring the woman's goading, Vahn made use of his Petting Laws to caress Yoruichi's silky, dark-purple, hair. It was something he had always wanted to do, and, though it more than a little selfish considering the circumstances behind her creation, he got the impression she wanted him to do it. Rather, much like her personality had been dictated by his perception of her, his adolescent crush on her had manifested in a way that made her uncharacteristically receptive to him. After all, much as she had alluded to previously, he had always thought about what it would be like to keep her as a pet. She was very likely the reason he had developed such a fondness for Cat People, and, though she lacked the characteristic ears and tail, her ability to transform into a literal black cat gave Vahn a strong desire to pamper and play with her...As if her earlier words were false bravado, Yoruichi quickly developed a contented smile in response to being caressed. She even began pushing her head against his palm, and, after a few seconds had passed, two purple cat ears spontaneously sprouted from the top of her head. This resulted in Vahn using both hands to fondle the newly formed ears, his fingers massaging their interior as the edges of Yoruichi's mouth curled into a vaguely feline smile.Petting one of his childhood crushes was a pretty surreal experience for Vahn, but, before he could get fully into it, a demure voice emanated from just outside his periphery. This caused him to turn his head to the side, his pupils shrinking to the size of pinholes before rapidly expanding when he saw the cat ears that had sprouted from the timid girl's head. Then, as if to destroy the last vestiges of his restraint, she pressed her fingers together and muttered, "Ano...I would also...like to be pet..."(A/N: Alternate Titles: 'It's better to have and not need than it is to need and not have (UwU)...','An unexpected intervention...!','A monster has just been created...')https://bit.ly/2XBzAYu &lt;-(p.atreon link)paypal.me/EinlionDiscord Invite: https://discord.gg/Jwa8PKh

Though he should have expected it, Vahn found himself unable to answer Nami's question. This was a situation he had never even anticipated, so, for several seconds, he just stared back at the woman with a blank look on his face.Fortunately, now that she could do more than just speak within his mind, Sis promptly came to his aid, stating, "Don't put so much pressure on him. A True Name isn't necessary unless you intend to leave the Realm. Vahn still needs to assign True Names to Phae and Gandr, so be patient until your time has come. Besides, other than Hinata, neither of you really 'need' a True Name. Even that isn't entirely necessary, however, as Vahn could always purchase a Byakugan for her through the system shop."Similar to how Vahn was influenced, Nami, Yoruichi, and Hinata all listened patiently while Sis was speaking. They were still extensions of the former, so, while their nascent Egos allowed them to give off the impression of 'real' people, they were still just 'Templates'.Understanding what Sis was trying to convey, Nami released an exasperated sigh before remarking, "I guess you're right. I'm more interested in exploring and mapping Gaia's Textures than venturing out into that hell hole of a Tower. Unless it's absolutely necessary, I would rather avoid combat and just focus on honing my navigation skills. Though, now that I say that, it could be pretty interesting to become a Guide..."Piggybacking off Nami's words, Yoruichi decided to make her own intentions known, smiling with a battle-hungry expression as she said, "I want to go outside. There's no way I'm going to miss out on the opportunity to thrash some corrupt assholes. You can just throw me into the Little Garden until the cooldown of Akasha wears off. I'm already looking forward to beating those brats into shape!"Since they were extensions of Vahn, similar to Fenrir and Medusa, there was nothing preventing the trio from manifesting outside his Realm. They even had all of his Innates and abilities while the link was still active, so, despite her disdain for combat, even Nami would be a powerhouse the moment she entered the Tower. As for Hinata, Vahn was quite surprised to see her ball her hands into fists, a determined expression on her face as she said, "I will also fight...!"Imagining Hinata using a modified form of the Gentle Fist to manipulate the flow of Shinsu within the Tower like a swirling vortex, an amused smile naturally made its way to his face. This caused the girl in question to immediately avert her eyes, covering her face with both hands as the tips of her ears turned a vibrant shade of crimson...Ruining Vahn's good moon in an instant, Nami clicked her tongue at the side, arms crossed as she muttered, "Lolicon..." in an accusatory tone. This resulted in Hinata's face turning even redder, but, thanks to her constitution, it was pretty much impossible for her to faint. As for Yoruichi, she began cackling like a hyena, seemingly finding the label extremely hilarious.Before things could get further out of hand, Sis drew everyone's attention by clapping her hands hard enough to generate a shockwave. Her expression was enough to instantaneously cow both Nami and Yoruichi, the former, in particular, feeling extremely nervous as Sis stared at her with a smile that wasn't quite a smile. Then, with a tone that left no room for argument, she said, "Even if you are an extension of Vahn, I won't allow you to badmouth him. He works too hard to have such accusations forced upon him. Besides, regardless of appearances, you all share the same age. Now, shall we move this conversation along? If we're going to keep idling about, I would rather Vahn use this time to relax, not generate undue stress."Though Sis' tone was a little harsh, none of the people present could really argue with her. After all, her words hit the nail on the head, and, if they really wanted to, each of the three girls could change their appearance, apparent age, and even gender. Even their race could be changed with a thought, and, no matter how much time passed, they would never truly age. This applied to Phae, Gandr, and even Sis, so, while it was undeniable that Hinata currently looked 'very young', physical appearance was the least important factor when discussing Ageless beings with an infinite capacity for change.Feeling unnerved by Sis' gaze, Nami quickly adopted an apologetic expression as she remarked, "It was just a joke! I'm sorry, okay!? Stop staring at me with that creepy smile...!"Amused by Nami's words, Sis squinted her eyes slightly, giggling in a surprisingly terrifying manner before musing, "Please be more thoughtful from now on. I'm not fond of people who say rude and abrasive things about my little brother. There are enough foul-mouthed and wicked people in these worlds. I don't want to hear such remarks from the people who should understand him best..."Noticing the dangerous light in Sis' eyes, Nami couldn't help but swallow the knot building in her throat. Fortunately, Vahn promptly came to her aid, stepping between them with a wry smile on his face as he said, "Please don't fight..."Shifting her attention to Vahn, Sis' expression immediately softened into an affectionate smile as she said, "I understand. I know she wasn't trying to be hurtful; it just upsets me to hear people say such thoughtless things. Don't worry, I am only being strict because she is a part of you. With that in mind, please prepare yourself for a lot of lecturing when you make mistakes in the future. I won't manifest very often, but, when I do, I'll make sure to pamper and lecture you until you're satisfied."Seemingly finished with what she had to say, Sis placed her hand against Vahn's chest, punctuating her words with a radiant smile as she vanished into motes of bluish-green light. Moments later, her voice could be heard echoing within his mind, saying, (*I am happiest being a part of you. Though I will manifest when you need me to, please never forget that simple truth. My sincerest desire, even after obtaining my own Ego, is remaining your reliable big sister until the end of all time. No matter what other things might change, that is the one thing I pray remains eternal...*)Feeling a comfortable warmth spread through his body, almost like Sis was embracing him, Vahn couldn't help but nod his head, smiling as he answered, ("Of course. We already promised to stay together forever. Though my track record isn't perfect, I'm not the type that would go back on a promise once given. I'm just glad we were able to meet like this...you're very beautiful, you know that?")Amused by Vahn's words, Sis' laughter could be echoing within his mind, followed by her voice taking on a teasing undertone as she remarked, (*Don't go falling for your own sister. There is no relationship more intimate than the one we currently possess. Though I'm not unwilling, I would rather pamper you than tarnish our relationship with carnal desires. Besides, I experience everything you experience...including the more 'passionate' moments of your life...ufufufufu~*)Though he already knew Sis shared his senses, as she was literally a part of him, Vahn couldn't help but blush in response to her words. He suddenly had the mental image of Sis embracing him from behind whenever he was making love to one of his women, a mischievous smile on her face as she whispered encouraging words into his ear...---After spending a few days taking care of Nami's living arrangements and explaining the situation to his ever-expanding group of lovers, Vahn finally departed his Realm. To his relief, the transition was already a lot easier thanks to the strengthening of his Soul, and, though it was a little disconcerting to have only one perspective active, a smile spread across his face the moment his connection with Phae and Gandr was reestablished.As could be expected, the duo was more than a little confused by what had happened, but, even without needing to explain things, they were instantly brought up to speed due to the connection itself. This caused Phae's laughter to echo within his mind, but, perhaps understanding what was to come, Gandr couldn't help but complain, ("I don't know how I feel about building my own harem...I kind of want to just settle down with one woman...")Amused by his youthful counterpart's lamentations, Vahn placed his hands behind his head, staring up at the ceiling as he remarked, ("It was only ever a matter of time before your Ego separated from my own. This will prevent things from becoming even more complicated in the future...besides, you don't actually have to build a harem. Even if you've inherited my empathetic nature, you can always put your foot down or outright refuse a relationship...")Without delaying for a single moment, Gandr immediately replied, ("That's a load of crap, and you know it! How am I supposed to say no when a girl comes crying to me when even you can't!? You didn't give me that kind of character, you damn Master...!")Though he was a little surprised by Gandr's outburst, Vahn was actually a little relieved to hear the boy being so expressive. It showed that his Ego had grown and developed quite a bit following the awakening of [Universal Mind]. Unfortunately, without introducing a catalyst for change, he couldn't overwrite Gandr's nature to make him less 'vulnerable' against women. As a result, he could only try to pacify the youth, reminding, ("Well, you can always have Fenrir intervene. She will probably treat you differently once you receive a proper name, but you are still her little brother.")Hearing Vahn's reminder, Gandr's mind immediately blanked, silence dominating their telepathic network until he remarked, ("It's going to take a lot of getting used to...not seeing everyone as my lover. Damn...I suddenly feel like a massive hole just opened up in my chest...")Understanding what Gandr was trying to convey, Vahn's mood also became a little somber, but, as there was no way he would 'share' his Harem with others, the only consolation he could offer was saying, ("No matter what, they are still your family. Besides, we never relied on things like sex to feel close to the people we loved. If you are that eager for a physical connection, I'm certain Endorsi or Yuri would be willing...")Speaking the words Vahn wasn't willing to say, Phae quickly added, ("You should make sure to take care of Anak as well. That girl still hasn't been able to open her heart to others. I'm not going to tell you to push her down, but I think she will be happier if you treat her as a woman. She seems to be oblivious to it, but everyone else is able to see that she seeks your acknowledgment. Remaining as rivals are fine for now, but don't ignore the fact she is a young woman...we all want to be treated as if we're dainty flowers by the people we care about...")Much like Gandr, Phae's Ego had also blossomed quite a bit following the awakening of [Universal Mind], so, even more than before, she was prone to giving helpful and motherly advice. Even her tone through telepathy gave off the impression of someone who truly cared about the people she was speaking about.Since Phae was originally meant to have an ambiguous relationship with him, Phae wasn't entirely sure how he should treat her following their separation. Fortunately, they could each understand the others' intents while the connection was maintained, so, almost immediately after this thought crossed his mind, Phae dropped a bombshell on both of them, stating, ("If anything, I'm going to be a lesbian. The thought of having a man gouge out my insides makes me feel queasy, so, while I am a little curious about the relationships between men and women, it will be quite some time before I am willing to consider such things.")Though she had developed her own Ego, Phae was different from Nami, Hinata, and Yoruichi. They all made use of templates pertaining to their original characters. Her's, however, was fundamentally just Vahn putting on an act. Though the aspects he wanted to cultivate were currently embodied by her Ego, she shared his aversion towards having sex with a man. Even having sex with a woman was pretty scary, but, as she already had a bit of experience in that regard, it was a lot easier to accept than falling in love with a man; Vahn included.Understanding Phae's train of thought, Vahn didn't question her decision in the slightest. Rather, as much as he appreciated Phae's carefully crafted beauty, he had never considered her as a potential love interest. If anything, she was like a sister to him, one whose beauty he could readily appreciate without developing the desire to sample. He could also benefit from some female companionship that didn't revolve around sex or love, so, with a contented smile on his face, Vahn replied, ("Good luck....") before following it up by saying, ("We'll deal with the naming tomorrow. For now, I'll cut the connection so that you can adapt to your new Egos. Get some rest.")With both Phae and Gandr answering in the affirmative, Vahn quickly severed the connection, his perception shifting so that he viewed the world through a single perspective. It was a very strange yet calming sensation, one he had forgotten after spending hundreds of years controlling multiple bodies at a time. This caused the smile on his face to become more prominent, his consciousness slowly fading away as a buxom cat girl appeared next to him, tightly hugging his body as he slept...(A/N: Alternate Titles: 'Sis don't play (O,...,O)...!','RIP Gandr','After nearly three hundred years...Vahn has finally learned how to sleep peacefully...')https://bit.ly/2XBzAYu &lt;-(p.atreon link)paypal.me/EinlionDiscord Invite: https://discord.gg/Jwa8PKh

Chapter 1762: Partition : Unification