A day has passed. The injured are resting on Amaryllis. We went back to Jupiter to go about our daily routine.
Nothing special happened. Seina left saying he will be back. I am also waiting for Keith to wake up.
I did tell Fiona about this stuff. Her face afterwards was the face of a defeated person. She just surrendered to fate.
I also contacted my parents to check if there's any abnormalities there. They said nothing of note had happened.
I am vigilant. I have stopped holding back and pulled all the stocks out. I am constantly searching through the entire system for even the slightest of abnormalities.
I have been accepted as the new creator. I appealed to everyone by saying we can get to it later. For now, we have to prepare for the worst.
Samantha met with other harbingers and managed to persuade them into accepting it.
My powers have skyrocketed. My previous self at full power can't even compare to this power.
I know too many developments have happened but it's necessary.
(Master, they are awake.) (Amaryllis)
I get a message from Amaryllis. I guess this will be the chance.
Everyone gathers on Amaryllis. I see Keith sitting on his bed. Hazel and Fay went to check on his companions.
Seeing me, he smiles.
"Sorry to have inconvenienced you, Clive. It was a hasty decision." (Keith)
"Don't be. It was necessary. I want to know however, how did you lose?"
In theory, creators should be omnipotent entities. How will a fight between two omnipotent entities go?
"I lost because it was two on one. As omnipotent beings, we are not stronger than the other person. It's always a battle of attrition. We were both at a stalemate.
But I noticed erudition in time. So I pulled a difficult stunt. I turned on a certain device which made all of us lose all strength. We became normal humans. That way, they were unable to leave my world. Currently, The Ruined World has become a penitentiary." (Keith)
Isn't that a risky maneuver?
"Yes, it's risky. I almost got killed. The device that I turned on is a relic. It's age is unknown but records say that it has existed since before this cycle. It's ancient even to us. Now, what happened actually?
That device reverses the rules. Creators are beings who are outside of the set rules. However, when the rule is reversed, our powers diminish.
I turned all of the creators present into humans. Then we got into a brawl and I got beaten to a pulp. Thanks to Anastasia, we all managed to escape. It wasn't the smoothest escape but it got us out.
My world is now locked down. Outside interface has been blocked. The device will prevent them from getting out and rescue will take time.
However, attacks on me will continue. I have to move fast." (Keith)
"Hold your horses. I have fortified the defense. I can hold them off for some time. You rest and heal. Are your powers working?"
"They are. But staying here will only jeopardize this world as well. We all need to strike back otherwise this won't end. Azathoth is doing something crazy and we all are getting involved in it." (Keith)
He is saying stuff like him being a big target. It's true that him being here increases this world's chance of becoming a target.
"Hey, I am telling you to leave yet. I am ready to fight."
Although I have to say, being the only target of a group sucks.
"Clive, although nihility and erudition are out of the picture, Azathoth is roaming free. He has many followers and even connections with the fallen. His army is unbelievably dangerous." (Keith)
"I am a grateful person. You have helped me a lot. I will repay you in the fullest."
It's been back and forth honestly. He says that he will leave and I am not letting him leave. Rationally, I should evict him as soon as possible. But I am not that kind of person.
We decided to put that discussion on hold and visit the ladies. Keith is relieved to see that his family is fine.
"Master, what is the situation?" (Hazel)
"Grim. We are the next target. Since Keith has locked two creators in his world, they will come for them. By sheltering them, we are basically inviting trouble."
I explained it to them in simple words. I didn't get their input.
"You know what I will say, honey. We are not going to abandon those in need." (Aura)
"Besides, we will be attacked eventually. Sooner rather than later, they will target us. I don't know why this is happening and what is the motive behind it but having a big target on our backs isn't exactly funny." (Fay)
"And there you have it. We will fight whoever attacks us."
I proclaimed as Keith and his family stare helplessly.
"I didn't ask though, how will they break your prisoners out of your world?"
What's the condition?
"I am the key. Since I started the machine, I have to stop it. Whoever enters my world will lose their powers without exception. Be it Constant himself. Only I can stop the machine." (Keith)
Keith is the main target then. I lockdown every single dimension of this system. No will enter or exit. I notify the harbingers to be vigilant.
I increase the security around Primis Societas as well as Jupiter. Earth can stay how it is. I could have freed the Titans for more manpower. I didn't.
And it didn't take long for us to be attacked.
"Master, our outer barriers have been breached." (Aera)
"I see. So they are here. Prepare for battle."
I alone am not enough. This is a battle of both individual strength and strength in numbers.
"Identity the enemy."
"Target identified. The first fallen, Yami, is attacking." (Aera)
Keith's face contorted. Why? Is he someone really bad?
"Yami, you decided to join Azathoth in the end." (Keith)
"I will go and welcome our invader personally. You all, stay vigilant and protect the target. Aera, you are in charge of intelligence and communication. You three, take the command."
I tell Aera, Hazel, Aura and Fay. There's not much time to waste. I teleport to where my guest is. This will be the first time I will fight someone as a creator with my full strength.