Endless Path : Infinite Cosmos

Cradling the unconscious Sarina in his arms, Vahn's expression became incomparably gentle as he picked a few stray hairs from her face and said, "I'm so proud of you. From this moment onwards, the entire Little Garden shall know the name Sarina Stone..."(A/N: Herm(es) means Heap of Stones. Sarina and Vahn never married.)
Punctuating his words, Vahn planted a kiss on Sarina's forehead before informing the ever-present Central Network that she would be retiring. She wasn't injured, but, after overtaxing her mental and spiritual energies, she had fallen into a deep state of unconsciousness. By the time she woke up, the Gift Game would be long over.
"Right...two more stops to go..."
Following his utterance, Vahn appeared at the center of the planet belonging to Kotoamatsukami. There, he found Tamamo in the midst of her battle against Kagutsuchi, an aspect of the very same God that had previously extended him an invitation to study Blacksmithing as his apprentice.
While most Gods manifested in a single form in order to consolidate their power and Divinity, Kagutsuchi was an exception. His origin myth attributed him with the tragedy of accidentally burning his mother, the Primordial Deity Izanami, during childbirth. She eventually succumbed to her wounds, and, as a result, Izanagi separated Kagutsuchi's body into eight pieces to serve as the foundation for some of the largest volcanoes in Japan.
Though he wasn't aware of the events that had occurred during the war, Vahn knew that five of Kagutsuchi's manifestations had lost their lives. The three that remained went on to become the Gods of Destructive Flames, Forging, and Ceramic Workers.&nbsp;
Even at a glance, it was pretty easy to deduce which version of Kagutsuchi they were dealing with. The oni-like entity was clearly the God of Destructive Flames, but, rather than immediately crushing him, Vahn appeared between the enraged God and Tamamo, declaring, "This battle has ended. You fought well, but your General has already fallen. Accept your defeat with the dignity expected of a God representing the Kotoamatsukami."
Exhaling a plume of scalding hot steam between the slits of his mask, the flames in Kagutsuchi's eyes wavered for a brief moment as he recognized Vahn as the man who had defeated Amaterasu. This effectively brought an end to his efforts to stall for time, as, even in his prime, Kagutsuchi was no match for his elder sister. With 5/8ths of his Divinity lost, he wouldn't even last a single exchange with someone on the level of a Pure Blooded Dragon.
Despite knowing how futile his actions were, Kagutsuchi stabbed into his heart with his right hand before pulling out a demonic-looking katana wreathed in flames. His coal-like eyes burned brighter than ever before as he said, "I, Kagutsuchi, challenge you, Vahn Aldrnari Mason, to a Trial by Fire. It is rumored that your skill with the sword has reached a transcendent level. Allow me to bear witness to the truth for myself."
Before Vahn could answer, Tamamo's ears and tail twitched in frustration as she stamped her feet and shouted, "Who do you think you are!? You can't even defeat me and you think you're qualified to challenge my Beloved Husband!? Absolutely shameless...!"
Ignoring Tamamo's remark, Kagutsuchi's fiery eyes remained fixed on Vahn. In response, the latter adopted a relaxed smile before gesturing to Tamamo, saying, "I'll allow it...please take a step back. It would break my heart if so much as a single hair on your head or tails were harmed..."
Perking up the moment Vahn addressed her, a lovestruck expression blossomed across Tamamo's face as she happily exclaimed, "Hai hai, Darling~!" before scampering over to where Kenshin had been observing the battle. The latter immediately got up from the throne to allow Tamamo to take a seat while Vahn, adopting a marginally more serious expression, manifested the claymore version of Laev-tan in his right hand.
"A claymore...?"
With many of Vahn's companions wielding katanas and dressing in traditional Japanese clothing, Kagutsuchi expected him to manifest one of his own. After all, Vahn was presently wearing a stylish, dark-grey yukata with a white, hearth-like emblem embroidered on his back. A crimson sash was tied around his waist, and, were it not for the fact he was wearing form-fitting gauntlets and a pair of matching greaves, he could have easily passed as a foreign Samurai. Seeing him wield a claymore just felt wrong...
Unfortunately for Kagutsuchi, Vahn wasn't particularly concerned with how the God viewed him. He had already decided to end things quickly, so, the moment Laev-tan appeared in his hand, her edge emitted a crimson red glow as he swept her in what appeared to be a slow and relaxed arc. In spite of this, Kagutsuchi wasn't even able to react as his body, the wall behind him, and half of the planet were sliced in two.
By the time Kagutsuchi realized what had happened, a second line running from his crown to his crotch appeared. This was more than enough to be fatal, but, as Vahn had also decided to show off a bit, his third strike produced a line that cut through the walls, floor, and ceiling in a perpendicular arc. Then, with a push of Vahn's left hand, the side of the planet Kagutsuchi was standing on began to float away before splitting off into four, perfectly segmented slices.
"Good fight..."
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"Did you seriously recall us just to have us sit and wait patiently for our deaths!? What happened to securing victory and gaining a foothold to enter into the 3-Digit Gates? What about our friends, the people who have given their lives to ensure we made it this far? I demand an explanation...!"
Believing their planet had been in danger, Ryouma, accompanied by his plethora of wives, gave up his subjugation of an offensive satellite in order to rush back and provide support. When he learned that Shion was considering withdrawing from the competition, he couldn't believe it. She wasn't the type of woman that just gave up halfway. If she had been, he wouldn't have spent the last eighteen years occupying the Rank 2 position in an effort to impress and make her his woman.
Having regained her stoic look following her encounter with Vahn, a cold shimmer flashed across Shion's luminescent blue eyes as she repeated, "Vahn, the Sage Dragon Emperor, is far beyond our present level. Even my [Abysswalker] transformation was completely ineffective against him. If we're serious about breaching the 1-3-Digit Gates, we'll need to reconsider our approach. Those nearest the pinnacle of the Divine Realm are far more powerful than we anticipated."
Smashing his fist against empty air, shimmering white cracks spread from the point of contact as Ryouma shouted, "That isn't a good enough reason! We're Heroes, Shion! We don't give up just because the enemy is more powerful than us! We keep pushing and doing our best until our foes submit or we no longer have the strength to continue! If we lose, we pick ourselves back up, gather our allies, and try again! We never, ever surrender...!"
With a fierce and heroic expression on his face, Ryouma looked like he was mere moments away from charging out of the throne room to assail the Sage Dragon's Hearth on his own. He didn't care how powerful Vahn was supposed to be. Until he had given his all and pushed beyond his limits, he would never accept defeat.
Anticipating this type of reaction from Ryouma, Shion exhaled an inaudible sigh through her nose before adopting a marginally more serious expression and stating, "Very well, Ryouma. If you insist on opposing the Sage Dragon's Hearth, I will not stop you. Just don't go seeking trouble with Vahn once he wipes the floor with you..."
Thumbing his nose, a warm yet calculating smile developed across Ryouma's face as he asked, "If you're that confident in my defeat, how about a friendly wager? If I win, you'll have to accompany me on three separate dates. With the promise of a date on the line, I bet I can draw out even more power than usual."
With an expression remarkably similar to the woman standing behind Ryouma, Shion made a show of rolling her eyes before leaning to the side and answering, "I will accept if you agree to have your Gifts related to pleasure amplification and quantifying a person's affection values sealed. If you lose, you will be prohibited from making use of them for a full year. Agreed?"
Though he managed to maintain his confident smile, a bead of sweat appeared on Ryouma's left cheek as he imagined managing his harem for a full year without 'cheats'. He believed he could pull it off, but, at the same time, he was worried that the more opportunistic and predatory members of his Community would seize the opportunity to poach the more susceptible members of his harem while he could no longer view their affection values of his harem. He was far from the only male in the Akuma Community with a Charisma parameter and the ability to amplify pleasure through skills or magic...
"That...isn't that a little unreasonable...?"
Without having to consider her response, Shion immediately replied, "Not nearly as unreasonable as expecting someone to willfully entangle themselves in your System with the excuse of a 'friendly wager'. I've told you before but I have absolutely no intention of becoming one of the Heroines in your little Dating Sim. The next time you attempt to bait me like this, expect a much steeper price."
Feeling Shion's bloodlust, a dry laugh emanated from Ryouma's throat as he scratched the back of his head and did his best to maintain a smile. He often disregarded just how much Shion resented the System he had received from his Patron Goddess, Eros. It allowed him to determine whether or not members of the opposite sex had an interest in him. So long as he could get a heart to appear over their head, he needed only fill it up before even the iciest of beauties were willing to sleep with him.&nbsp;
Simply put, Ryouma was no mere harem protagonist. He was a Hero straight out of an eroge. The world he had reincarnated into was that of his favorite adult visual novel. It was famous for having more than 300 unique Heroines to collect across three different routes. As his System allowed him to reset and receive bonuses after completing one of the main routes, Ryouma had collected each and every single one of the Heroines across eleven playthroughs.
Upon completing the character catalog, Ryouma had even managed to sleep with the Goddess that had gifted him the aptly named Ero God System. Getting her to climax a thousand times was one of the requirements to unlocking Multiversal Travel. After that, Ryouma traversed a total of twenty-six different worlds before finding himself summoned to the Little Garden by Pearl Foam Community, a group comprised entirely of boyish and muscular men meant to service the Greek Goddess of Love and Lust, Aphrodite.
Though he had 'suffered' quite a bit during his stay in the Pearl Foam Community, Ryouma never blamed the Ero God System. Instead, it became his crutch once Aphrodite had gotten bored and discarded him. The notion of having it sealed even for a short while made him uncomfortable, so, while there were few things he wanted more than adding Shion to his harem, Ryouna ultimately ceased scratching the back of his head, sighing as he said, "I understand. I can't guarantee I won't try again, but I can at least assure you I won't try for the next three years. That should suffice as an apology, right?"
Staring at Ryouma as if he were a helpless idiot, Shion was about to agree when the dichromatic 'youth' exhaled a second sigh and appended, "Fine, fine, I get it. I crossed a line, okay? At least let me off with five years. Any longer than that and I would be too depressed to even raise my sword..."
"..."
"Okay, okay! Si-no-seven years! That's the best I can do...!"
"..."
"Ten...?"
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(A/N: Alternate Titles: 'Izanagi is kind of a cunt...','Never look down on Laev-tan...','Someone get this kid some Omega-3s. His brain is beginning to fail...')

Before escorting Tamamo and Kenshin to their encampment, Vahn joined the two girls in watching the destruction of Kotoamatsukami's planet.
As outlandish as it may sound, witnessing the destruction of a planet was a strangely grounding experience. It was something very few people were able to observe directly, so, whenever he got the opportunity, Vahn would find a nice vantage point to observe the planet's final moments. He was gradually becoming the type of person that found beauty in all things, even destruction...
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Before dealing with the planets belonging to the Akuma and Trāyastriṃśa Communities, Vahn decided to wrap things up with Karyou.
After suffering defeat at the hands, or, more accurately, the fur-covered paws of Usalia, Karyou had been brooding and recovering at the center of her planet. Her first action near the start of the Gift Game had been setting her planet ablaze and destroying each of the Teleportation Nexi. As a result, the only way for most people to reach her core was to bore through nearly 6000km of molten stone and metal.
Ignoring the wards Karyou had set to prevent it, Vahn teleported just outside of her throne room before adopting a wry smile as he stared up at the massive, superheated metal doors marking the entrance to a domain of destructive flames. Karyou's last line of defense had been to fill her control room with magmous flames running from floor to ceiling. Without a tremendous resistance against them, passing through the door was like trying to trespass the core of a star.
Likening Karyou to a pouting teen that had closed themselves off in their room, Vahn made his way up to the superheated door. Even temperatures exceeding tens of millions of degrees had very little effect on him. He had also become intimately familiar with the Law of Destruction during his time in the Actualized World of Dragon Ball, so, even when a sudden and intense wave of destructive intent washed over his body, he just smiled and said, "It's me, Vahn. I don't have to come inside if you-"
Before Vahn could finish speaking, the massive set of superheated doors spontaneously opened. A tidal surge of liquid flames poured from within, but, instead of attempting to sweep him away, they flowed around him to form a channel between Vahn and the delicate, raven-haired figure seated on the throne.
"Vahn Aldrnari Mason...what do you want?"
Though it was difficult to say they were on friendly terms, Karyou had always been the type to repay her debts. This included debts of charity and kindness, so, with Vahn coming to her aid and helping to preserve her dignity, Karyou felt she owed it to him to at least hear him out.
Crossing his hand over his heart, Vahn offered a polite bow before raising his head to answer, "The Gift Game will soon draw to its conclusion. I came to inform you that your elder brother and sister have already retired. I thought it would be rude of me to-"
"Kouryuu is one thing, but you mean to tell me that Wu has been defeated? Impossible. Even if that annoying Fox Goddess made use of her Authority, she wouldn't be able to beat Wu without paying a price. Tell me, what trickery did her opponent use?"
Understanding that it would probably harm Wu's reputation if he mentioned that her planet had been destroyed by complete accident, Vahn maintained a relaxed smile as he explained, "Wu was not defeated in a contest of speed, strength, or wit. Her planet was suddenly destroyed while she was protecting someone elsewhere."
Furrowing her brows, Karyou's crimson eyes appeared to be attempting to look through Vahn. He was remarkably proficient at fooling his enemies, but, whenever it came to people he trusted or felt sorry for, his expression and aura gave him away. Karyou couldn't tell he was lying, but, feeling that something was amiss, she stated, "You aren't telling the whole truth..."
Rather than trying to refute Karyou's claim, Vahn nodded his head and affirmed, "Your intuition is telling you the truth. However, I can say with certainty that I am not withholding information with the intent to deceive or exploit. I just reasoned that it would be more appropriate for you to learn the truth from your brother and sister directly."
Sensing no falsehoods within Vahn's words, Karyou fell silent for a moment as she considered her options. Wu was significantly more caring towards her than Kouryuu, so, unlike the latter, Karyou wasn't particularly concerned that she might receive a beating. She may even receive a 'reward' if she secured a lower-digit Gate and simply swapped places with Wu once it was over.
With that thought in mind, Karyou asked, "Which Communities still remain?"
Seeing through Karyou's intentions, a wry smile developed across Vahn's face as he answered, "The Akuma, Trāyastriṃśa, and Sage Dragon's Hearth Communities."
Furrowing her brows, Karyou gave up the notion of trying to secure a better position through her own efforts. Instead, she stared deep into Vahn's eyes as she asked, "Are you willfully choosing to place me beneath the Akuma Community? I was under the impression you were an ally to the Jade Palace..."
Shaking his head, Vahn adopted a more casual expression as he explained, "I am on friendly terms with the Jade Emperor, Erlang Shen, and a handful of others within the Jade Palace. However, as a Community that aspires to maintain neutrality, the Sage Dragon's Hearth does not forge alliances. We act in the interest of balance and ensuring the people of the Little Garden have the same rights as those who presume to rule over them. As fond as I am of the Jade Emperor and certain members of his court, the values of the Aldrnari Empire and the Heavenly Domain are drastically different. We have absolutely no obligation to act in their interest."
Though she kept her brows furrowed, Karyou didn't question Vahn's statement. In hindsight, she realized that the Jade Palace, or, more specifically, the members of the Jade Court would demand she hand over her lower-digit Gate. She could refuse, but, as a Community comprised of a single individual, she wouldn't be able to protect such a coveted Gate without the protection of a larger organization.
As that thought crossed Karyou's mind, so too did the words Wu had spoken to her in the weeks leading up to the Gift Game. Wu, between her ramblings, had implied that Vahn might be able to do something about her mother's injury and the corruption that was gradually spreading through her body. Karyou didn't take this seriously at the time, but, even if there was only a 0.000000001% chance that Vahn could help, it was infinitely better than nothing.
"You said I could make use of your Community's services without needing to pay, correct...?"
Recalling the conversation he and Karyou had the previous day, Vahn nodded his head. Before he could clarify, however, Karyou beat him to the punch, stating, "I need your help. Help me acquire a lower-digit Gate and I will join your Aldrnari Empire as a vassal. After that, so long as you can fulfill two of my requests...I will never refuse a single thing you ask of me..."
Though she disdained men to the very core of her being, Karyou trusted Wu's judgment. The latter never stopped talking about Vahn whenever they were together. She wasn't entirely sure what Wu saw in him, but, if Vahn really could help her mother, Karyou wouldn't mind becoming his servant...
Stopping time, Vahn took a moment to massage his temples and drag his hand along his face. Sis, viewing this as a perfect opportunity, chimed in to tease, (*Look on the bright side. As one of Wu's only friends, it was only a matter of time before you became entangled in Karyou's affairs. At least this way, you can secure the 1002nd and 1009th Gates at the same time.*)
Hearing Sis's words, Vahn's eyes widened as realization donned on him. His original intention had been to let Indra occupy the 1009th Gate. This would allow him to ease a lot of the fear and anxiety people held towards him and Aldrnari Empire as Indra was one of the original creators of the Little Garden. By demonstrating a willingness to cooperate with the existing powers, Vahn could ensure the establishment of his Empire was a lot smoother than it otherwise might be.
The caveat was that it was only a matter of time before Vahn instigated as Last Embryo scenario. In order to do so, he would need to occupy six of the Gates between the Digits of 1000 and 1010. The opportunity to seize two of these Gates in a single game wasn't something he should ignore...
"..."
(*...*)
Shaking his head, Vahn allowed the flow of time to resume as he calmly answered, "I am more than willing to help you even without such conditions. As much as I appreciate your intentions, I would much rather forge a contract that prohibits you from making such guarantees...no one should have to 'sacrifice' themselves just to help the people they love..."
Not expecting Vahn's response, Karyou found herself at a genuine loss for words. Anyone else in his position would have readily accepted such an offer. She may be on the shorter side but the number of people that had coveted her body could form a mountain linking the Heavens and Earth. Hearing Vahn deny her in such an earnest manner was touching, but, at the same time, Karyou couldn't help feeling mildly offended by how quickly he had refused...
Though they couldn't compare to Dragons and the Young Masters of insignificant clans, Phoenixes were among the most prideful creatures in the entire Heavenly Domain. Karyou's bloodline was far from pure, but, having never met her father, the only major influencers in her life were her mother, Wu, and her chosen siblings. Her mother was a remarkably kind person, but, as the manifestation of the Divine Phoenix, she wouldn't even look at or meet with people she considered beneath her.
Making no effort to conceal her displeasure, Karyou asked, "Is there something about me you find lacking...?"
Recalling that Vahn had seen her 'true' form, Karyou's eyes sharpened as the temperature of the surrounding flames began to increase. In response, Vahn's expression morphed into a deadpan as he telepathically replied, ("Are you seriously asking me a question like that despite knowing about my relationship with Wu?")
Blinking in surprise, a hint of confusion briefly appeared in Karyou's expression before realization donned upon her. She and Wu had remarkably similar proportions. If anything, she was actually a little more developed in certain regions, so, upon comprehending Vahn's words, the faintest hint of a blush colored Karyou's cheeks as she appended, "Forgive me...I may have spoken out of turn..."
Exhaling a sigh, Vahn shook his head in mild exasperation before saying, "Don't worry about it. Just make sure to stop by the Sage Dragon's Hearth when you get the opportunity. Any friend of Wu's is a friend of mine."
Nodding her head in affirmation, Karyou decided to save a bit of face by promptly announcing her intention to withdraw. When her body vanished, so too did the flames filling the throne room. The temperature was still unbearable for most people, but, from the perspective of someone like Vahn, it was actually a little chilly...
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In the midst of Vahn's conversation with Karyou, a figure resembling a zombie with black and white hair appeared on the planet belonging to the Sage Dragon's Hearth.
Unperturbed by the figure's ghastly appearance, an abnormally petite girl with coordinating hair color and an outfit reminiscent of a grinning cat made her way over, saying, "You don't have to look so dispirited, Ryouma. Even if the Captain refuses to give you the time of day, you still have us."
Exhaling a depressive sigh, Ryouma looked down at the petite girl with dead fish eyes as he said, "In the end, I had to promise not to ask her out for thirteen years. I appreciate your concern, Cheshire. I really do. It's just difficult to be happy when the person you like doesn't like you back..."
Resisting the urge to smack Ryouma with her oversized, paw-shaped hammer, Cheshire forced a smile as she said, "As I said before, you still have us. I understand that you really like the Captain but you're going to make everyone sad if you stay like this. Come on. Let's go ahead and prepare for our raid. Who knows? If we do well, the Captain may even change her mind..."
Though the first half of Cheshire's statement did little to improve his mood, the final part was like fuel on the cinders of Ryouma's motivation. Infernos appeared within the depths of his obsidian-black eyes, and, along with them, a powerful aura burst out from his body as he pumped his fist and shouted, "You're right! Alright, everyone! Let's do this...!"
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(A/N: Alternate Titles: 'I imagine Vahn sitting in the middle of a burning room and being like, "This is fine."','What are Vahn's preferences, you ask? The easy answer is, "Yes." The best answer is, "Booty."')

Following Kefla's departure, Vahn asked Mikoto to return to their planet while he teleported to where Sarina was currently engaging Meng Zhang's wives. She was forced back following Wu's sudden disappearance, so, before things could get further out of hand, he appeared to the path of a sleek, eastern dragon covered in a mix of phthalo green and faded golden scales.
Arresting the 73m long dragon's charge with a single hand, a smile developed across Vahn's face as he said, "I would appreciate it if you pulled back..."
With a jade green crown pulsating between curved, burgundy-colored horns, it was clear to most that the phthalo green dragon wasn't an opponent to be looked down on. Against Vahn, however, she may as well have been a kitten. The moment he appeared to confront Amaterasu, even Meng Zhang, a Long in possession of seven crowns, felt his soul tremble in fear and expectation. As far as he and his wives were concerned, Vahn's status may as well be equal to the Jade Emperor's.
Pulling away from Vahn's hand, the phthalo green dragon immediately transformed into a beautiful woman with hair matching her scales, pointed ears, red eyes, and curved horns that started off as a deep purple near her scalp before transitioning into a pale shade of burgundy. Her eyebrows were a little on the thicker side but her body was lean, thin, and flexible. As for her outfit, it consisted of a bodice-like top that flowed into a long-sleeved robe. An armored pauldron, seemingly forged from her own scales, protected her right shoulder while similar plating protected her hips and the slender tail protruding from her lower back. As for the rest of her outfit, it consisted of an ornate skirt, white stockings, and various accessories.
Though the woman's outfit was rather eye-catching, the thing most people would take note of was the fact her left hand and feet were still transformed. Those with more dilute dragon bloodlines had a harder time transforming into humans. They could overcome this limation via cultivation, but, due to the Heavenly Lightning Tribulation forcing non-human entities to revert to their original forms, it wasn't uncommon for those descended from dragons to struggle with maintaining a human form.
Descending to one knee, the bushy-browed dragoness lowered her head as a sign of respect as she practically shouted, "Xiu Xuanshe greets the Venerable Sage Dragon Emperor!"
Gesturing for the woman to rise, Vahn's expression relaxed as he stated, "Your courtesy is noted and appreciated. Now, take me to your Husband. We have important matters to discuss."
Cupping her hands together, Xuanshe offered a courteous bow, answering, "As you will." before raising her head, turning to her sister-wives, and nodding. In response, the duo reverted to their human forms in order to offer similar courtesies before darting off into the half-destroyed palace below.
Following the duo's departure with his senses, Vahn had to admit that Meng Zhang was a lucky man. Not nearly as lucky as himself, of course, but, upon seeing the beauty of the Goddess whose true form was that of a Long comprised of ice and water, Vahn couldn't help feeling that there had been a bit of bias when Chang'e was concluded to be the most beautiful woman in the Heavenly Domain.
"May I have your permission to walk ahead?"
Returning his focus to the dragoness standing before him, Vahn simply nodded before extending a hand towards Sarina and asking, "Shall we?"
Recovering from the stupor she had been ever since Vahn arrived, Sarina swiftly dissipated her Bankai before flitting over to link her arm with his. She would never pass on an opportunity to be closer to Vahn, but, feeling a little miffed by his sudden arrival, a cute pout developed across her face as she whispered, "I had everything under control."
Nodding his head, Vahn returned a whisper of his own, stating, "I am well aware. It's just that a lot has changed in the past few minutes. Don't worry. Once I've delivered my message to Meng Zhang, you're free to destroy this planet at your leisure."
Though he had been whispering, Vahn made no efforts to prevent Xuanshe from overhearing him. Her expression became considerably more solemn, but, rather than prying into why Vahn wanted to destroy their planet, she just accepted it as an inevitability. After all, they were in the midst of a Gift Game. As the weaker Community, it was only natural that Vahn decides their fate...
Following a short journey through a palace constructed from marble and jade, Vahn and Sarina found themselves in a massive throne room that dwarfed the one situated at the core. An ornate throne could be seen on the far side of the room, but, contrary to what most would expect, Meng Zhang was not seated upon it. Instead, he had his wives lin up in two columns, heads bowed as a sign of respect while he waited to greet Vahn at the chamber's entrance.
After witnessing Vahn's performance against Amaterasu, Meng Zhang no longer had delusions about the former's status. Vahn was clearly not a descendant of his. His multiple transformations had already called this into doubt. Seeing Vahn manifest as a Celestial Star-Class Dragon had just confirmed things. It was a degree of power that far exceeded Meng Zhang's, so, if anything, it was more accurate to say he drew inspiration from Vahn.
Believing that Vahn may be the Origin of all Dragons, Meng Zhang, for the first time in his life, knelt for someone other than his father, the Jade Emperor, and Sun Wu Kong.&nbsp;
"Meng Zhang is both humbled and honored to be in the presence of the Venerable Sage Dragon Emperor."
Observing the heroic-looking man kneeling before him in a set of flowing, azure-blue robes, Vahn would be lying if he said he wasn't surprised. He had thought Meng Zhang was still being stubborn by expecting him to come and pay a visit. Instead, it was starting to seem as though he was just too afraid to come and pay a visit himself...
Resisting the urge to cough and clear his throat, Vahn simply nodded his head in approval before moving forward to help Meng Zhang stand. This was a sign of considerable respect that implied he would no longer need to bow in the future. Vahn had never been particularly fond of such customs. He often observed them, but, more often than not, he was paying homage to the culture more than the people he encountered.
Surprising many of his wives, a relieved smile developed across Meng Zhang's face as he accepted Vahn's assistance and self-deprecatingly stated, "You honor me beyond my standing."
Deciding not to get dragged into a competition of humility, Vahn chuckled in response to Meng Zhang's before stating, "No need for such remarks. My reason for coming here is to inform you that I will be stopping by your home to pay a visit. I'm not entirely sure of the date but it should be soon after the festival in the North."
Like a young man learning his father was about to return home from war, an enthusiastic smile developed across Meng Zhang's face as he loudly replied, "Splendid! The entire Azure Dragon Clan shall eagerly await your presence! For someone as August as the Sage Dragon Emperor, our doors shall never be closed...!"
Feeling a little awkward due to the man's zeal, Vahn's smile became imperceptibly strained as he extended his hand to give Meng Zhang a pat on the shoulder. This caused the heroic dragon's eyes to visibly sparkle, a hint of fervor appearing in his expression as he prepared to command his wives to prepare a feast.
Unfortunately, at least for Meng Zhang, Vahn had other places to be, so, immediately following the friendly pat, he stated, "We will discuss this matter in greater detail as the date approaches. For the time being, I have other matters to attend."
On that note, Vahn remove his hand from Meng Zhang's shoulder before promptly teleporting away with Sarina. He got the impression the overzealous dragon would try and convince him to stay if he delayed for too long. Since he had already announced his intentions to allow Sarina to destroy the planet, it would be incredibly awkward once Xuanshe passed along the message. He had a feeling Meng Zhang would readily surrender, but, as that would remove Sarina's chance to show off, Vahn willfully departed before things could take a strange turn...
Reappearing high in the sky, Vahn waited for a few of the spectating cameras to shift their focus to him before surprising Sarina with an unrepentantly passionate kiss. She was startled at first, but, less than three seconds later, she was practically clutching the sides of his face like a vice as she eagerly reciprocated his affections.
Though he could feel the envy and disdain of countless people washing over him, Vahn managed to appear completely relaxed when he ultimately separated his lips from Sarina's to state, "It's time to stop holding back. Let the entire Little Garden see your true power."
Recovering from her dazed state, a hint of confusion appeared in Sarina's eyes until she noticed the meaningful glimmer contained within Vahn's. Immediately after that, a veritable ocean of energy far beyond her natural capabilities erupted from her body as her previously black hair gained a silvery-white hue. As for her eyes, they had shifted from a beautiful, obsidian grey to a vibrant, shimmering silver.
Though she felt as though her heart was about to burst from her chest, Sarina managed a confident smile and an affirming nod as she separated from Vahn and saying, "It's finally time to show people why I was chosen as the Vice-Leader of the Sage Dragon's Hearth..."
Striking a pose, Sarina manifested her Bankai without even needing to call out its name or exclaim its activation. When she saw the form it took, excitement and a hint of fear appeared in the depths of her eyes, as, rather than the cannon she was familiar with, a futuristic, shoulder-mounted cannon that made Soi Fon's Bankai look like a toothpick enveloped her right arm. At the same time, a petite girl with remarkably similar features to the version of herself Vahn had picked up all those years ago manifested next to her, an excited smile on her face as she assisted Sarina in keeping the oversized cannon stable.
Similar to when Kefla charged one of her incredibly dense ki blasts, the planet below began to visibly shake as an indescribably vast quantity of Divine Energy surged charged Sarina's artificial Shukai. A thin trail of blood emerged from her right nostril, but, with Vahn next to her, neither of the Sarina(s) showed any semblance of fear. Instead, their smiles continued to grow until a series of angel-like wings spontaneously erupted from the back and far side of the cannon.
Hearing words echoing within her mind, Sarina ignored the fact her gums were starting to bleed as she smiled wider than ever and shouted, "Clear the path towards Transcendence! Angelic Buster...!"
Following her outburst, Sarina squeezed the trigger hidden within the massive cannon's structure. The last thing she recalled before waking up outside the Game Board was Vahn's warmth spreading throughout her body as a blindingly white light consumed everything in her vision. When she later reviewed the footage, she almost couldn't believe it, as, the moment she pulled the trigger, a mass of energy larger than the nearby star erupted from the end of her cannon...
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(A/N: Alternate Titles: 'Vahn casually checking people out with a completely straight face...','Meng Zhang be like, "Subarashi, Vahn-sama...!!!"Ah'm a firin' mah lazor...!!!!')

Chapter 2242: Power, Prowess, and...Stupidity?