Chapter 62: The Second Ring

This journey had been meant to be finished by the three of them. The Knight, The Witch, and The Fool.

But out of the three, only The Fool remained, because in a world where everything can lie, and where hope is the biggest danger. Only a complete buffoon could survive in such a mad world.

Aether sighed, sitting on top of a building and watching the other from above.

He was alone, yet again.

Well, not entirely.

His face lightened a little as he turned to his cat, petting it gently.

Apparently, the Sun had not affected it, which… made sense since why would it? It was an animal. But even if it was alive, it was only helping him stay sane. Which was better than what the shadows provided to him until now.

There weren’t many people on the street, but that was to be expected since most people had moved from zones like this, which were unaffected by the Sun’s cursed hope for time. But some had remained, not trusting it. Which, if it were him for not long ago, he would have said that they were just too cautious, but he knew the truth. And they were right.

He didn’t know what to do. After all, he had to change the ending of the world, and his plan had been completely crushed. Leaving him with a lot less time on hand. He was also going to have to do it alone.

He rested his hand in his palm, as he was oblivious to the situation he was in, like it didn’t bother him, even if it definitely affected him.

He didn’t know what he should do…

But he knew what he wanted to do.

Was it irrational? Could it also help with his goal? Both were true.

He wanted revenge on Elpis’s brother and the Queen for everything he had been put through because of them. He wanted to go against the Abyss. But for a Reader like him, it was impossible.

How was he going to kill a God if he couldn’t even protect his friends? If he couldn’t even break out of the Sun’s influence in time, how was he going to go against the God from where it got its powers?

It wasn’t something that he could achieve, in this lifetime, or the ones to come.

…

“And why should I care?”

He got up on his feet, climbing down the house and onto the streets.

What if he died? He didn’t care. Because in the end, even if he does, or doesn’t, if he doesn’t do anything, he would just wander the void, which was a fate much worse than just dying.

But… there was one problem after all. All the knights, and Elpis’ brother, too, probably, were in the Second Ring, which was impossible for him to get into. He had also rejected J.’s offer to take him there when he got to the Rings. So he had no way to get in.

…

Well, as himself.

He hesitated slightly, as he had never done such a thing before, and he didn’t even know how it worked. But it was the only option for him to get inside.

He summoned his mask, putting it on his face.

[Identities]:

1-Elpis Thusia

2- ——

3- ——

Aether slowly moved his finger to the first option, closing his eyes as he clicked it. Expecting something to happen, but… he didn’t feel anything.

He opened his eyes, surprised and annoyed that he had gotten played.

…But since when was he this tall?

Aether brought his sword up, looking in the reflection of the blade. Turning slightly pale at the sight, he saw inside it.

His blue eyes and blonde hair had turned grey. The silver in his eyes looked like a newly forged sword of honor, one that carved its own path, in search of creating its own world without injustice. And his hair was like a strong steel, created only for the purpose of protecting others.

He touched his face, not believing what he was seeing. He had really turned into Elpis; it was unthinkable. He never thought it would work, and to this degree.

“Damn, I’m surprised.”

Aether’s eyes widened as he heard his voice; he didn’t think that he would also get the voice of the Knight, but he did. However, he didn’t feel any powers, so he had only gotten his appearance and voice. Had only his body been mimicked, and not his Codex too?

Well, it was true that he didn’t know a lot about it. He had only found out about his rank and class after he killed him, but his flaw, for example, he still didn’t know. And would probably never know.

Even without the powers, the mask was amazing. It had also turned invisible, so he wondered where it had gone. And more importantly, how to get it off.

But that wasn’t a problem for now. As he needs to be Elpis for a while either way.

As… it was time to go to the Second Ring.

He was going to get his revenge for the death of his friend. The Queen and The Abyss had to pay the price for deceiving him and the Children of Praise, and he was the one who was going to make them do it.

…

…

Things had changed fast, way faster than he had ever imagined. But actually… it had been a lot of time since he had entered the Rings. Months have passed since he had been feeding that calamity in the First Ring. So was it really the case?

No, he still felt like they had, but he thought that it was better this way. It was the best decision to leave the First Ring this soon after Avire’s death; if he had spent any more time there, he would just be wasting time, precious time. He had spent way too much already with the Sun, and he didn’t think killing all the Knights and the Queen would take less than the Sun had done. Maybe it will take longer, maybe not. Not even time itself knows, as it doesn’t exist.

But to do everything, he first had to get into the Second Ring.

Which was exactly what he was doing now.

Aether arrived at the gate, approaching one of the guards, who looked to be quite bored, since compared to the First Rings entry, the place was quite empty, which made sense, since no one could get to the Second Ring without already being from there.

…Or at least their families had to.

The guard squinted his eyes, looking at him. He had to admit that he looked familiar to someone, but he just couldn’t grasp it completely. But it could just be his imagination, so it was better to ask than be sorry later.

“So what’s your name?”

Aether tried to stay calm, even if his heart was beating faster than ever before. He didn’t know if this would work. But he had to try it; there wasn’t any other way after all.

“My name? How unforgivable. It’s Elpis Thusia.”

The guard staggered slightly in fear after hearing that. Which surprised Aether, because while he knew the Thusia family was in the Second Ring, and were powerful. To be feared only because of a name…

He wondered what the actual role of the Thusia family in the Second Rings.

The guard coughed, trying to control his hands, which had started shaking slightly.

“The T-Thusia family, I knew that you reminded me of someone. I’m very sorry, please, come inside.”

Aether felt a wave of relief wash over him. He wanted to celebrate, but he knew it would make him suspicious, so he just did it internally.

He didn’t look the guard in the eyes as he passed; he didn’t want to have any surprises after getting inside the Second Ring.

As he was about to pass completely, the guard grabbed his hand, stopping him in his tracks. And making his heart stop for a second.

“But I have a question for you, Mister Thusia.”

Aether turned his head, gritting his teeth, thinking he had gotten caught.

“Is this cat yours?”

…Aether paused, dumbfounded.

He had forgotten that he had taken the cat with him, but was it really necessary to stop him because of it? It almost gave him a heart attack, damn it. Either way, it was good that it wasn’t anything else.

“Yes, yes, it is.”

The guard nodded, letting go of his arm, allowing him and the cat inside.

Aether took a deep breath after getting past this part of the plan.

He put his hand on his face, and after finding it, he took off his mask.

Now back in his body, he missed being taller, but he did feel more comfortable, and way easier to walk, maybe because he had not been used to his center of gravity being higher than it is. But it was hard to do things while Elpis, so he was happy that he was back.

He looked around, now with his own eyes.

“So this… is the Second Ring.”

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