Specialty Change: Ras

This is a contradiction!

No Human may possess the power of a god!

You say you have lived for eternity, has this never happened to you before?

To think this inferior creature was preparing such a trick...

This will not be the end. Even without Straze's body, I have other vessels.

I will become the Incarnation of Destruction and bring ruin to your world.

I'm not sure what you're talking about, but Diche and Ilryos told me to tell you this...

This is retribution for all you've done, and for Orbis's life.

This is where it ends, Fastus.

Oh?

What happened...?

Where am I...?

R-Ras!

Meru's voice...

Master was sucked in...

And Arky's... But why do they feel so far away?

Where are they?

More importantly... Where am I?

Argh...!

Ack!

Loo-loo-loo, la-la-la, grooming again today. Brush, brush.

And a ribbon too. Tie it all up. Cute as can be... Huh!?

Did... Did the Heir of the Covenant just move...?

Huh? So heavy...

Ack... He's awake! And tomorrow was my turn to play w-... Uhh, I mean, take care of him.

The ribbon is so heavy that I don't think he can move. Better take it off. I might not look like it, but I'm super strong!

Strange...

What is? There's nothing strange at all!

Purin is saying Merurin's lines.

...

A-Aren't you curious what we were doing to you while you were sleeping?

Not even a little.

D-Don't you think it's too peaceful? That's because the Archdemon War is already over!

Can we stop this already?

...

...

Stranger! Welcome to the Infinite Library...

Lio, take a closer look. It's not a stranger, it's the Heir of the Covenant who came here with that itty-bitty prince once.

We've been through this before. I'm not the Heir of the Covenant anymore.

Hmm, then... Ex-Heir of the Covenant! Why have you come to the Infinite Library?

How pitiful... He doesn't seem to remember why he's here. But don't worry, we know everything...

Haven't you two swapped positions...?

...!

...!

Can we stop playing around now, Fastus? If you're still not dead, I'd be happy to hit you again.

It does not please me to be confused with him.

I recognize I am not very adept at these kinds of tricks, but...

You're not Fastus...

I was hoping to convey what I wanted you to know without unnecessary argument. And...I would prefer it if you not compare me to that pathetic star.

Fastus! Pah, he's nothing more than a coward! Too scared to come anywhere near my Pyramid in the short time he spent on Orbis.

Instead, he acted as if he were unaware I was even here.

Who are you...?

My name is Notos, God of Battle, and owner of the Pyramid and the Monolith.

That's the exact same answer I gave you when you asked me that the first time we met.

We've already met?

You wouldn't remember. Just as you will not remember this conversation.

Time passes differently within the Pyramid compared to the world you belong to.

Are we in the Pyramid right now? That's not possible... I was just fighting Fastus in a dimension he made...

I'm aware. The blow you dealt him caused the Distorted Dimension to become unstable.

I was able to intervene and bring you here before you were caught up and swept somewhere far out into the universe.

I never expected I would need to bring you back to the Pyramid until I saw you fighting Fastus.

Hmm...

It has been a long time since I, the God of Battle, have been so captivated by a fight.

But Fastus was too conceited and weak in his incomplete state. Not to mention there were six of you...

And still, to think a Human could fell one of the high gods... *chuckling*

...Why did you save me? What do you want?

I saw the potential in you, Ras Elclare.

An embodiment of a goddess, who gave up his holiness to become a Human.

It matters to me not what kind of being you are but the prowess you have shown on the battlefield.

Do you want me to prove myself against you?

No, you have proven yourself enough already, though you will not remember. I have no interest in seeing more.

Then why?

You have other uses.

The time of your world flows through your adventures.

Thanks to you, countless more fighters are able to test their might in my Pyramid.

You're not making any sense. Do all you high gods speak in nonsensical riddles?

There's no need for you to understand my words. All I need is for you to continue your adventures.

Travel to new places, fight new foes!

Awaken their instincts for battle.

Hmm...

I was planning to continue my adventures anyway. Now that we're in agreement, would you mind sending me back home?

My companions are waiting.

Of course, I will return you to your own time. But before that...!

I must make you stronger. For your new adventures and the battles you will fight.

Make me...stronger?

There are some tasks I have prepared for you. Even if I erase your memories, your body will remember.

In order to imprint those memories on your body, you must complete those tasks here in this frozen time.

And once you prevail, you will be returned to your companions.

Are you waiting for somebody?

Yes.

Though we never organized a time.

Of course. Life doesn't always follow a schedule.

Would you like a refill?

No, thank you.

How about some information, then? Or perhaps you have some you'd like to sell to me?

Hmm, not right now.

That's fine. Just call me if you need me.

Is this seat free?

Garo, two Reingar Special Drinks, ple...

Oh, he's gone.

He must be busy.

Shall we get straight to the point?

You've finished your tasks.

And so you will return me to Orbis?

You passed the test, there is no reason for me to keep you here any longer.

However, this final trial is not of my making.

Don't tell me...

You catch on a lot quicker than you used to.

That's right, this final trial is by you. This is a world built of your memories, so it's up to you to find the exit.

I will be watching from the sidelines, as always.

Notos?

...Dammit.

Heir of the Covenant?

I should have known you'd be here. Please, I don't want to hear that name anymore.

It is your... No, our destiny.

Not any longer. Those days are gone now, we can't keep dwelling on them. We need to make use of our strength and move forward.

That was the promise I made to Diche.

As we move forward into the future, our memories of the past will fade.

Are you okay with that?

The comrades we once fought alongside, who live on only in our memory...

So you would prefer we stay here, deceiving ourself...

Soothing the souls of those who fell victim to fate.

Moving back and forth between the coldness and innocence of the divine...

You will always be the Heir of the Covenant.

I've already given up my holiness. I let go of all those lingering regrets...

Or so you thought.

You simply moved them elsewhere.

You gave up your holiness, but you are still full of these regrets.

And you turned them into something you must now overcome!

I will not forget them. They will not fade.

They are still within me, in my heart.

I will show them a new world. A new adventure.

And that even a mortal can live forever in stories that transcend generations.

...

...

Where am I now?

Wait, that wasn't the promise I made!

...But what was? Who did I make it to?

I'm pretty sure I made a promise, but I can't remember.

I was fighting Fastus, and then...and then...I heard Meru and Arky's voices, and...

I swear there was something...

Oh, there you are! I found you a lot quicker than expected.

Huche!? How did you get here?

...Where is "here?"

I'm as lost as you are on that front. I just followed a map...

A map?

That's right. Somebody had a special order they wanted me to give you. They even drew me a little map so I could come find you here.

I already had a request from Famous and was planning to set up a shop here anyway, so I thought why not take this request too?

...Can you tell me who gave you that request?

Well, that's the thing... I can't remember!

I remember the order and signing the contract...but not who I signed it with.

But they paid me, so I can at least do as they asked. That's business!

Hmm...

Delivery complete! This is some of the finest craftsmanship you're ever likely to see. Anyway, until next time!

Hey! Do you know the way out of here?

Of course, I'll just go out the same way I came in. That's my way out.

If you just go into that light, you'll find yourself in that strange dimension.

I think I know what you mean. Thank you, Huche!

Heh, it seems you owe me more and more with each passing day.

Don't worry, I'll pay you back later. All at once.

A gift from somebody he can't remember...

Hmm....

It's designed to cover all the weak spots... And it's a lot easier to move around in than it looks. Light, too. It's quite practical, actually.

Perfect for my new adventure.

Now, I suppose I should go through that light...

But, Ras...

Meru! Look! Up there!

The vortex is coming to a stop... There's something...

There's light coming out of it!

Their voices were coming from somewhere around here...

It's Ras!

Kyuu!? But he looks different from before...

Master, where did you get that new armor from?

I'm not quite sure myself...

It doesn't matter, as long as you came back safe!

All Arky cares about is that you keep giving him plenty of snacks.

...