181. “Good luck, Jormungand.”
While Malum was holding off against Fafnir, and wasting Arima's body at the same time, Jorga was in a completely different place, talking with a divine entity.
"I accept," he declared as he felt a pair of omniscient eyes looming over him. The world around him looked like a mixture between the ocean and outer-space. Countless stars were shining behind walls of water.
"So, you want to do it for that man after all," a strong and deep voice responded. Jorga frowned at his words. The other party seemed to have noticed his reaction and spoke again, "Jorga, I am not the first World Serpent. Do you know how the first Jormungand was born?"
Jorga was speechless. He was far from expecting that kind of question. "…No, I don't know."
Jormungand laughed at his answer. His voice was clear and calm and it felt like he was laughing full-heartedly. "No wonder. I never expected you to know," as he was talking, a shadow appeared within the water and gradually overtook the stars.
"Let me tell you a story," Jormungand said. "You will inherit my name so you have to know it beforehand. First of all, this plane we’re in is the World Serpent’s homeland and there is a reason for this. Jormungand was not birthed by someone but engendered by someone."
Jorga's eyes widened in shock.
"That 'someone' was called Ryugen, the First Life Hunter."
When he said that, Jormungand emerged from the darkness. The head of the serpent was so large that the only thing Jorga could see was his azure-green eye.
"Ryugen was one… no, the strongest man of his time and until this day as well. One day, he picked up an innocent dying snake during his travels. From what I heard from my predecessor, Ryugen kept him at his side as his most valuable friend," Jormungand told.
"The day of his death, he imparted all of his power to his friend. That’s how the 'World Serpent' was born. The young snake didn’t seek power so all of what he received was converted into the ability to observe and protect. He became 'Jormungand' and built the legend," Jormungand finished and his eyes squinted before backing away from Jorga.
He disappeared in the darkness again but you could still see his massive body moving around in the water. Jorga followed him with his eyes and waited.
"When the Life Hunters died to Heaven’s assault, it was during my time as the World Serpent. But there are times where nothing goes your way. Even though I could see it, I was not able to intervene."
He said as he swam above Jorga. "When I saw Ahriman coming to you, I was shocked and ecstatic at the same time. I thought that maybe it was a sign. When I gave you my inheritance, you refused, so I was already considering leaving to find someone else. But I thought it was a shame to leave such a good inheritor so I stayed a little more," Jormungand's voice started fading.
"And now, you're about to receive the title of 'World Serpent' for a Life Hunter. It brings me back to my origins," the titanic god laughed. "This is indeed fulfilling..."
"It's time for you to go now. I'm sure your era will be incredible. Keep the Life Hunter as your friend and oversee this world. That is your role. When you open your eyes again, you have to act quickly. What is situated at the bottom of Fafnir's 'Vault' is too much for the current Ahriman."
"We can't hurt or kill but there's something else we can do," the serpent's voice sounded far and his shadow was already gone. "Good luck… Jormungand."
That was the last thing Jorga heard before his mind shut down.
***
"[Third Destruction Art, Pars Impios] (Lawless Tome)," Malum urgently chanted and the familiar white and black book opened in his hands and flipped the pages. "Quick!" He shouted and the urgency could be heard in his voice. The Tome seemed to take more time than usual.
The black dragon was covered in blood, standing in the middle of a giant crater that made up for at least a fourth of a certain planet’s surface.
Malum's head was aching as he looked up. Earlier, when he saw a huge golden light flashing above Fafnir, he didn't react strongly and just assumed it was another weapon. But when the gold portal expanded and became unbelievably large, it was already too late to evade the object that hit him.
Most of his bones broke in an instant and his scales splintered and allowed his blood to flow freely. He had used Karma to deflect the blow but the scythe actually cracked and only weakened the attack by a little bit.
"What the hell is that fucking thing? It's not even funny anymore," Malum exclaimed as he observed the gold statue in space.
It was another dragon.
But this one was not only golden; it was literally made out of gold. It was a crazily big moving sculpture. Counting the wingspan, the thing was more than five thousand miles large. It was diving toward Malum with Fafnir was on its back.
"That thing could chew off a planet…" The injured dragon muttered.
Malum glanced at his shoulder. "Do you think you can make it?" He asked Karma who was kneeling there. Her fiery hair and robe were fluttering in the wind. Her face was extremely pale as she clenched her chest with one hand. She also had blood trailing down from her mouth.
She shook her head weakly. "I can't. Arima set my original form to be human when he was giving me sentience. So that I could survive even if my weapon form was destroyed. If I try to turn back now, my resilience will be too weak," she explained and Malum nodded.
"{Come back then. Don't take risks,}" Night said and she complied grimly. She immediately went back inside Arima's sleeping soul.
"Don't worry. You already saved me. If it wasn't for you, I would've been knocked out or killed on the spot by that thing," Malum reassured Karma and Layla teleported next to him just after.
"I'm here to help," she said and went toward the huge white and black book. She extended her hand and added her mana and theory.
"You should rest," Malum remarked and Layla glared at him.
"I've recovered enough," she retorted.
Malum snickered and at the same time, the Tome stopped flipping and words started appearing on the pages that he chose. Usually, only one of the two pages would be used by the Tome but this time, the two pages were filled with scripts and runes. The book even flipped to a third page to complete it.
When he finished, the Tome wrote a warning for the caster.
|| Warning: Mana requirements; Very High. ||
Malum scowled and glanced at Layla for a second. He looked back at the book and his eyes glowed. New words, in red color, appeared on the page, || I’ll be the only one to provide mana. ||
Layla's eyes widened. "You didn't need to do that."
"Yeah, but I did it anyway. If there’s one thing Arima may actually try to kill me for, it’s putting you in danger again," Malum answered without taking his eyes off the book.
The Tome wrote something else a few seconds after.
|| Acknowledged. Malum R. Nosferatu will be set as the sole giver. ||
“Nosferatu?” Malum was startled. “Did this book manage to predict what I would call myself in the future?”
The Tome had amassed a lot of intelligence since he had been created. In fact, each time someone used the Third Art, the Tome would get smarter. He was already at the point where he could understand his caster’s words and even look into him through the Laws. Maybe one day he'll reach the level where he can talk and control most Original Word Laws.
|| The magic will be activated. Considering the threat of the target, Malum R. Nosferatu is advised to read the incantation. ||
Another message was written and the pages flipped again and wrote the incantation, the first line that appeared was this, || Babel Gate ||
Malum cackled and started chanting what was written in the book. For once, it wasn't in Latin.
"[Ancient and Domineering City]."
"[Governed by Fortune and Fate]."
"[Your peerless Wealth shamed Heaven]."
"[Your Ambition made you Fall]."
"[But your Name resounds Loud for All]."
"[Babylon Never Falls]."
Malum smirked as he stared at the gold dragon's mouth that was literally about to bite the entire planet. His mana was decreasing very quickly as a gate made of crystal appeared behind him. The gate was extremely beautiful and decorated orderly with precious stones like diamonds and rubies.
The doors opened and revealed a silver vortex of light. Golden chains emerged from the vortex and flew at light speed toward the sky. There were at least a hundred of them and they all reached the gold dragon and coiled around it.
The dragon immediately stopped moving as if it was stopped in time. The chains coming from the gate tightened and effortlessly cracked the gold. Fafnir's eyes widened and he roared in anger before jumping off the statue's back.
The crystal gate made a whistling sound and the chains immediately began to return. They pulled the gold dragon with them and the statue couldn't resist as it shrank and was sucked inside the gate's vortex before anyone could say anything.
After that, the doors closed and both the gate and the Lawless Tome were dispelled. Everything regained its calm and Malum abruptly collapsed on his knee and panted.
"…The Berserker's Path is over," he muttered. "I'll leave the place for Arima," he said and lifted his head. "This is not the end apparently," he added weakly and closed his eyes.
When the dragon opened his eyes again, his expression changed instantly. He grunted and fell on both of his knees.
"…What the fuck did you do, Malum?"
181. “Good luck, Jormungand.”
While Malum was holding off against Fafnir, and wasting Arima's body at the same time, Jorga was in a completely different place, talking with a divine entity.
"I accept," he declared as he felt a pair of omniscient eyes looming over him. The world around him looked like a mixture between the ocean and outer-space. Countless stars were shining behind walls of water.
"So, you want to do it for that man after all," a strong and deep voice responded. Jorga frowned at his words. The other party seemed to have noticed his reaction and spoke again, "Jorga, I am not the first World Serpent. Do you know how the first Jormungand was born?"
Jorga was speechless. He was far from expecting that kind of question. "…No, I don't know."
Jormungand laughed at his answer. His voice was clear and calm and it felt like he was laughing full-heartedly. "No wonder. I never expected you to know," as he was talking, a shadow appeared within the water and gradually overtook the stars.
"Let me tell you a story," Jormungand said. "You will inherit my name so you have to know it beforehand. First of all, this plane we’re in is the World Serpent’s homeland and there is a reason for this. Jormungand was not birthed by someone but engendered by someone."
Jorga's eyes widened in shock.
"That 'someone' was called Ryugen, the First Life Hunter."
When he said that, Jormungand emerged from the darkness. The head of the serpent was so large that the only thing Jorga could see was his azure-green eye.
"Ryugen was one… no, the strongest man of his time and until this day as well. One day, he picked up an innocent dying snake during his travels. From what I heard from my predecessor, Ryugen kept him at his side as his most valuable friend," Jormungand told.
"The day of his death, he imparted all of his power to his friend. That’s how the 'World Serpent' was born. The young snake didn’t seek power so all of what he received was converted into the ability to observe and protect. He became 'Jormungand' and built the legend," Jormungand finished and his eyes squinted before backing away from Jorga.
He disappeared in the darkness again but you could still see his massive body moving around in the water. Jorga followed him with his eyes and waited.
"When the Life Hunters died to Heaven’s assault, it was during my time as the World Serpent. But there are times where nothing goes your way. Even though I could see it, I was not able to intervene."
He said as he swam above Jorga. "When I saw Ahriman coming to you, I was shocked and ecstatic at the same time. I thought that maybe it was a sign. When I gave you my inheritance, you refused, so I was already considering leaving to find someone else. But I thought it was a shame to leave such a good inheritor so I stayed a little more," Jormungand's voice started fading.
"And now, you're about to receive the title of 'World Serpent' for a Life Hunter. It brings me back to my origins," the titanic god laughed. "This is indeed fulfilling..."
"It's time for you to go now. I'm sure your era will be incredible. Keep the Life Hunter as your friend and oversee this world. That is your role. When you open your eyes again, you have to act quickly. What is situated at the bottom of Fafnir's 'Vault' is too much for the current Ahriman."
"We can't hurt or kill but there's something else we can do," the serpent's voice sounded far and his shadow was already gone. "Good luck… Jormungand."
That was the last thing Jorga heard before his mind shut down.
***
"[Third Destruction Art, Pars Impios] (Lawless Tome)," Malum urgently chanted and the familiar white and black book opened in his hands and flipped the pages. "Quick!" He shouted and the urgency could be heard in his voice. The Tome seemed to take more time than usual.
The black dragon was covered in blood, standing in the middle of a giant crater that made up for at least a fourth of a certain planet’s surface.
Malum's head was aching as he looked up. Earlier, when he saw a huge golden light flashing above Fafnir, he didn't react strongly and just assumed it was another weapon. But when the gold portal expanded and became unbelievably large, it was already too late to evade the object that hit him.
Most of his bones broke in an instant and his scales splintered and allowed his blood to flow freely. He had used Karma to deflect the blow but the scythe actually cracked and only weakened the attack by a little bit.
"What the hell is that fucking thing? It's not even funny anymore," Malum exclaimed as he observed the gold statue in space.
It was another dragon.
But this one was not only golden; it was literally made out of gold. It was a crazily big moving sculpture. Counting the wingspan, the thing was more than five thousand miles large. It was diving toward Malum with Fafnir was on its back.
"That thing could chew off a planet…" The injured dragon muttered.
Malum glanced at his shoulder. "Do you think you can make it?" He asked Karma who was kneeling there. Her fiery hair and robe were fluttering in the wind. Her face was extremely pale as she clenched her chest with one hand. She also had blood trailing down from her mouth.
She shook her head weakly. "I can't. Arima set my original form to be human when he was giving me sentience. So that I could survive even if my weapon form was destroyed. If I try to turn back now, my resilience will be too weak," she explained and Malum nodded.
"{Come back then. Don't take risks,}" Night said and she complied grimly. She immediately went back inside Arima's sleeping soul.
"Don't worry. You already saved me. If it wasn't for you, I would've been knocked out or killed on the spot by that thing," Malum reassured Karma and Layla teleported next to him just after.
"I'm here to help," she said and went toward the huge white and black book. She extended her hand and added her mana and theory.
"You should rest," Malum remarked and Layla glared at him.
"I've recovered enough," she retorted.
Malum snickered and at the same time, the Tome stopped flipping and words started appearing on the pages that he chose. Usually, only one of the two pages would be used by the Tome but this time, the two pages were filled with scripts and runes. The book even flipped to a third page to complete it.
When he finished, the Tome wrote a warning for the caster.
|| Warning: Mana requirements; Very High. ||
Malum scowled and glanced at Layla for a second. He looked back at the book and his eyes glowed. New words, in red color, appeared on the page, || I’ll be the only one to provide mana. ||
Layla's eyes widened. "You didn't need to do that."
"Yeah, but I did it anyway. If there’s one thing Arima may actually try to kill me for, it’s putting you in danger again," Malum answered without taking his eyes off the book.
The Tome wrote something else a few seconds after.
|| Acknowledged. Malum R. Nosferatu will be set as the sole giver. ||
“Nosferatu?” Malum was startled. “Did this book manage to predict what I would call myself in the future?”
The Tome had amassed a lot of intelligence since he had been created. In fact, each time someone used the Third Art, the Tome would get smarter. He was already at the point where he could understand his caster’s words and even look into him through the Laws. Maybe one day he'll reach the level where he can talk and control most Original Word Laws.
|| The magic will be activated. Considering the threat of the target, Malum R. Nosferatu is advised to read the incantation. ||
Another message was written and the pages flipped again and wrote the incantation, the first line that appeared was this, || Babel Gate ||
Malum cackled and started chanting what was written in the book. For once, it wasn't in Latin.
"[Ancient and Domineering City]."
"[Governed by Fortune and Fate]."
"[Your peerless Wealth shamed Heaven]."
"[Your Ambition made you Fall]."
"[But your Name resounds Loud for All]."
"[Babylon Never Falls]."
Malum smirked as he stared at the gold dragon's mouth that was literally about to bite the entire planet. His mana was decreasing very quickly as a gate made of crystal appeared behind him. The gate was extremely beautiful and decorated orderly with precious stones like diamonds and rubies.
The doors opened and revealed a silver vortex of light. Golden chains emerged from the vortex and flew at light speed toward the sky. There were at least a hundred of them and they all reached the gold dragon and coiled around it.
The dragon immediately stopped moving as if it was stopped in time. The chains coming from the gate tightened and effortlessly cracked the gold. Fafnir's eyes widened and he roared in anger before jumping off the statue's back.
The crystal gate made a whistling sound and the chains immediately began to return. They pulled the gold dragon with them and the statue couldn't resist as it shrank and was sucked inside the gate's vortex before anyone could say anything.
After that, the doors closed and both the gate and the Lawless Tome were dispelled. Everything regained its calm and Malum abruptly collapsed on his knee and panted.
"…The Berserker's Path is over," he muttered. "I'll leave the place for Arima," he said and lifted his head. "This is not the end apparently," he added weakly and closed his eyes.
When the dragon opened his eyes again, his expression changed instantly. He grunted and fell on both of his knees.
"…What the fuck did you do, Malum?"
