32 The Echidna’s Library
Location: Great Jura Forest, Dwelling of Treants and Dryas
Time...
Time flows steadily, like a river carving its path through the landscape of existence. It marks the passage of moments, each one fleeting yet eternal in its own right. Time is the essence of change, the rhythm of life that beats in harmony with the universe.
It is the ticking of the clock, the turning of the seasons, the march of days into nights and nights into days. Time is both constant and ever-changing, a paradox that binds us to the present while pulling us inexorably towards the future.
In its simplicity lies its complexity. Time is the heartbeat of the cosmos, the silent observer of all that unfolds within its embrace. It is the keeper of memories, the sculptor of destinies, the measure by which we mark our journey through the vast expanse of existence.
Time is a reminder of our mortality…You cannot touch the same water twice, because the flow that has passed will never pass again…
"At least that is the case for mortals." Aria's eyelids quivered, peeling open, revealing serpentine amber orbs."The constraints of Time mean nothing to me. Past and Future? Inconsequential. I am a Living Anomaly that only exists in the present, my fate my own, and Time my bitch.
Acceleration."
As she uttered one of Time Spirt Magic spells, a subtle distortion occurred around her. Time responded to her whims, its flow accelerating within the confines of her will.
"I guess I shouldn't be surprised." Ramiris muttered with a wry smile, seeing Aria learn in mere moments after showing her.
"Of course, it's Mother that we're talking about." Fenrir raised his head proudly as if he was the one getting praised.
"I agree with the wolf. As longs as it is Lady Aria, even if she creates a planet, it's completely normal." Elaine added, making the Dryas trio and Ramiris stare at her weirdly, with Fenrir being the only one nodding at her words.
"Is there any reason that Lady Echidna wanted to learn Time Spirit Magic, Lady Ramiris?" Treyni asked the question that her sister's were also wondering..
The Elemental hummed for a moment, remembering what she knows about Aria, before she said, "Other than wanting to have better control over her abilities as an Elemental Queen, I would say she likes learning and doing new things." She turned to Fenrir, the first of Aria's family, "What do you think, Fenrir?"
Said wolf's ear twitched, his beastly gold eyes turning to Ramiris for a moment, before shifting back to his Mother who seemed to meditating(?). "She is going to create another…sibling." He answered after a momentary pause.
"Create a sibling?" Doris titled her head in confusion and curiosity.
"How do you know?" Elaine furrowed her brows, wondering how her fellow rival(?), companion(?) was sure about the motives of their Lady. It rubbed her the wrong way that he seemed to know something she didn't.
"Who knows? Maybe Mother told me and not you." The Firstborn of the Echidna gave the High Elf the smuggest smile he could manage in his beastly form.
"Hmph." Elaine harrumphed and focused her gaze on her ever-beautiful Lady.
Ramiris had already tuned out every when she heard that Aria was going to create Life. It was something that she thought wouldn't occur in the present day with Twilight Valentine and Veldanava gone, the two whom excluding her had the capacity for such a thing.
Don't get her wrong, creating monsters was possible as long as someone with enough Magicules constantly released it in a given area. Veldora was a good example of this, as his Magicules had created monsters like Tempest Serpents, and the most famous Charybdis.
However, creating monsters was different from creating life, with the former not having a physical body and most importantly lacking a sense of self, at least most of the times.
As for her being able to create life, it's rather a stretch, as Elementals are all she could create, and again, they lack a Material Body and developed Ego.
So Aria's actions was one she really curious about, since she didn't witness Twilight Valentine or Veldanava create life.
"Hm?" The Elemental Queen's eyes suddenly widened, sensing the sudden fluctuation of the elements, "The Great Holy Spirits…" She muttered, narrowing her eyes at Aria, the only other person in the world who could manipulate them.
….
[ Aria's PoV ]
«Notice. Individual 'Archangel Lucifer' has been analysed.»
Noice. Finally done after—
『Confirmed. Extra Skills [Light and Heat Manipulation], and [Gravity Manipulation] has been successfully acquired.』
Eh?
『Confirmed. Unique Skill: [Battle Junkie] has been successfully acquired.』
What?
Hey, Scholar, my buddy, my padwan, I feel like I'm missing some context here, even if I vaguely know why it happened.
«Answer. The skills are analysed from 'Lucifer' who upon arriving in this universe started having his abilities being transformed into skills, while also awakening a Unique Skill as he crossed over.»
And his other abilities like Second Phase and Third Phase were more racial than anything, and he didn't use them or his mind reading on me…I'm lost, so let's see if this will help.
"Library." I mutter softly, and immediately find my consciousness(?) transferred into a seemingly never-ending library lined with bookshelves. What was weird though was the fact that all of these shelves were devoid of books, save for the four in front of me.
[ Archangel Lucifer ]
[ Extra Skill: Gravity Manipulation ]
[ Extra Skill: Light and Heat Manipulation ]
[ Unique Skill: Battle Junkie ]
That was the title of the only books in my Library. With a low hum, I picked up the book titled: Archangel Lucifer, "How cliche." I smiled in amusement, as I noticed the devil's pentagram and the devilish design of the book.
Wouldn't it be funnier if it suddenly turned into a bible—
"Oh?" The golden book was no more, instead replaced by a all white book with a golden cross. "Imagination based, nice." I quickly realise, and leave the book the way it is, since it's less gloomy this way. So after I admire for one last moment, I open the book—
A crimson visage adorned with feathers, three piercing eyes gazing into the depths of existence.
The searing blaze of a realm aflame, where they were nurtured amidst the fiery embrace of their
home.
A flash of white hair and crimson eyes, a small child exuding an aura of power and determination.
The clash of titans, a celestial battleground where gods and mortals collide in a symphony of chaos and glory.
A moment of vulnerability, a shy smile hidden behind a facade of strength and ambition.
The allure of recognition, the thirst for validation driving relentless pursuit amidst the echoes of ancient rivalries.
A glimpse of camaraderie, a bond forged in the crucible of battle, transcending the barriers of pride and power.
A realm in turmoil, the echoes of Ragnarok reverberating through the corridors of destiny, shaping the fates of gods and men alike.
A dance of power and prowess, martial arts techniques honed to perfection, mirrored in the dance of combatants on the cosmic stage.
My eyes snap open, and I momentarily reel at the sudden overwhelming torrent of memories that filled my mind…
"That was just…" Cleaning really is convenient, "Wow." Truly that kid deserves to be a champion among gods and is the embodiment of raw potential and boundless power.
The only reason he couldn't go beyond was because it wasn't his Fate or Destiny. The moment he was born, it was predetermined that he would end up being stepping stone for Mori, despite his potential being greater than the Monkey Kings.
Lucifer was just…unlucky.
"All that blood, sweat and tears," I'm definitely not tearing up at this moment, "Damn I want to punch Yongje." Sniffling—I mean sighing, I close the book and place it back on the shelf.
I now know why I only got Light and Heat Manipulation and Gravity Manipulation and not anything else. Other than then being racial abilities of Lucifer, he just didn't use them against her, or rather he couldn't.
Crossing dimensions was more merciless than I could imagine from what I saw of his memories.
"The cosmos is a dangerous place." I recall the creatures that Lucifer had to fend off as I summoned him.
Space Worms; entities that slither through the void between universes and dimensions, their forms twisting and contorting in the endless darkness between the stars.
Void Spectres; entities that dwell within the depths of the void, their forms obscured by the shadows of oblivion. Just a touch had previously reduced Satan's regenerated arm to dust.
The poor kid even saw a Eldritch Horror and ended up adapting to the madness and insanity effects!
"I'm feeling like such a bitch for making him experience all that, even when I know he clearly enjoyed the experience."
I smile wryly, glancing at the bookshelves, which once again makes me feel annoyed.
Do I really need to go on a devouring spree just to fill this whole place up?
….
..
.
No.
"I have already consumed knowledge and life experiences in my previous and this life, haven't I? So I shouldn't limit myself." As I finish this thought, I begin to see more and more books filling up the Library. It isn't enough to fill even a tenth of this place, but it's a start.
Taking a step, I appear in the Forbidden section of the library, my gaze immediately drawn to the new books, some which make my lips twitch.
[ Eldritch Runes ]
[ Eldritch Engineering Basics ]
[ How to Call Forth Otherworldly Beings ]
[ Cooking with Curses: A Beginner's Guide ]
[ Nurturing Nightmares: How to raise Children of the Abyss ]
[ How to Handle Eldritch Body Parts ]
All the knowledge I had unlocked in the Abyssal Depths now had a book, and it was easier than needing to search through my memories.
"Now then," I turn my attention to two books that I didn't expect to be here.
[ Aria Monroe ]
The name and surname of my previous life.
[ Echidna Tempest ]
The name and surname of my current life.
"Why are they in this section?" I grab both books, staring at their covers, the former was a plain white book, and the latter completely black. "How cute." I giggled, seeing the miniature Cthulhi's on the centre of both books.
«Answer. Both books likely detail Eldritch related information, and as such are deemed 'Forbidden'.»
"Or it's because they have my memories from the very moment I was born." I add, smiling softly at the open book about my previous life. My eyes stuck on the picture of a blonde hair blue-eyed woman, "Your filial child misses you, Mother." I joke, feeling a deluge of emotions assault me.
Longing. Pride. Regret. Sadness. Happiness.
Shaking my head, I close the book and return both of them to their shelves.
"I already spent enough time here, so I guess it's time for the Devil to return." Giving the library one last glance, my consciousness returns to the real world.
****
A/N: Hope you enjoyed the chapter. Didn't write anything for a few days since I kinda wanted to take a small break, and updates might also not be consistent the next month since I have to focus on University coursework assignments.
