| ARC IV | Chapter 16: Eyes of Truth

 Upon my inception, I was welcomed by the vast expanse of the celestial sky. At that moment, I was unaware of the concept of beauty nor of my own existence and purpose. My creator, an aged being, utilised all of their accumulated knowledge to construct me with utmost precision and skill.

—I am a unit of war. 

 This body of mine is designed to utilise the most destructive nature of my core. This source of energy and its output is limited by design; I cannot go beyond the artificial limitations. I cannot comprehend why Master would limit my ability—I am designed for maximum destruction. With my core alone and the end of my being, I can end his war. I simply do not understand his intentions.

—Why am I not to self-destruct?

 Master. Is my purpose not to end this war? 

 I am not a free biological being like Master. I'm shackled by my artificial creation. Master, why did you make me this way? I fight the war, and I win the battles. Am I not allowed to end this war? I cannot comprehend. I, a unit of optimised destruction, am incapable of the full utilisation of my core: The A-Logic. 

—Why am I restricted? 

 I once articulated this to a being closer to Master. Although it was Master's creation, it was structured biologically—unlike this body of star steel. 

 The B-Logic: Homunculus. 

 However, it, too, could not comprehend Master's intentions. It was freer than me. Its creation did not limit or restrict its utility and capabilities. It was weak. Why did Master create such a being? Did he not want to end the war? 

 Why was it not me? Why was I not created like my creator? 

 …..

 …

 "W-Why? A-Are you not satisfied with me, M-Master!?" 

 Upon coming back to her senses, Aetlise stared deeply into her master's grey and cold eyes. She noticed some reluctance being expressed. But even after becoming a homunculus with her original core and after having experienced many emotions she previously could not comprehend, she still failed. 

 "I-I won't fail you ever again! I-I…" Aetlise lowered her head as her voice slowly faded, and tears crept near the corner of her eyes. "I…I knew I was reckless and…" 

 As an Ex Machina, Aetlise would never have failed. But ever since her rebirth a little over a decade ago, she has let her emotions take control. 

 "I will not change my mind," Alester stated calmly. 

 "….." 

 "Aetlise, you're free." 

 At the heavy statement. Aetlise remained on soft labyrinth grass. The soft yet rough, prickly feeling tickled her hands, but her mind was too blank to realise she'd been cut. 

 (Free?) she pondered. 

 "—What a joke," Hilos interjected. "Haven't you been free all this while?" he questioned sarcastically. Coldly, he stared into her soul. "Aren't you just trying to impress your Father?" 

 Aetlise couldn't respond. She'd always known that her program didn't hinder her. She was as free as any other; she was in all of the senses… A living being. 

 "Tell me, Alester, she was never shackled, was she? I realised something when I fought them—you really are a worse monster than me. What an awful parent, telling his children to wage war on the world. Don't give me the crap 'You're free?' of course you picked those words. You knew how she felt restricted by her core—her crisis and the lack of identity for not living up to her maximum potential."  

 Hilos stood up and pulled Enders Blade out of the void. Hastily, he teleported; the tip of his blade met with slight resistance as it pierced through tender flesh, and blood gushed, leaving everyone astonished. Nobody was able to react in time as they witnessed Hilos's blade pierce through Alester's heart. He gritted his teeth—showing signs of pain, but his eyes were still calm as he looked into Hilos's resentful eyes. 

 "….." 

 The quiet was ever-lasting. Amethely and Aetlise had a horrified look as Hilos pulled out the blade with a kick, sending Alester to stumble backwards with a pant. 

 "Tsk…" Hilos clicked his tongue with his fists clenched. "ARROGANT BASTARD! SAY SOMETHING!" 

 "M-Master!" 

 As Alester stumbled, Aetlise jumped up to grab hold of her Master, who was panting and clenching his chest; sweat ran down his chin while he kept an eye on Hilos still. But the next moment, a loud crash and two blades erupted, the ground cracked, and the collision caused strong winds. 

 "AL?! Why are you stopping me!?" Amethely cried with teary eyes. 

 Alum's eyes were soft, showing concern for her. But he did not want her to attack Hilos. He knew she'd win. He was selfish; he didn't want to see this side of her—out of control and reckless. 

—What hypocrisy.

 He carefully guided her glade to the side and let her fall into his arms. In a tight embrace, he restrained her—squeezing her tightly, albeit gently. 

 "Ame, please," Alum gently hushed. 

 Quietly, Amethely sunk into his embrace, but she glared at Hilos resentfully before letting go of Celestial Construct. 

 Hilos gave her a snide glance before turning to Alester, who appeared to be dying. He also noticed Chely's glare, whose eyes told him not to move. Hilos let out a sigh.

 "—I'm sorry about Itia," Alester uttered barely. 

 Suddenly, a swirl of divinity erupted briefly before instantaneously disappearing at the same time. "You were aware, you asshole… Ex Machina, I hate you all!" Hilos loudly declared in a fit of rage. 

 As much as he wanted to unleash this rage, his form could not hold as his body began dematerialising into his spiritual form. 

 "You sure lack divinity for a God," Hilos uttered while glancing at his sword. 

 At Hilos' statement, the already silent recruits tensed up further. They've heard something ridiculous. (A God?) they wondered. They saw Alester's sorry state. Even if it was The Void Spirit Hilos who said it, they had difficulty believing it. 

 But as Aetlise supported Alester to stand, his wound slowly closed. His grey eyes began to shine cold blue as his mana levels surged. "I am no God," Alester coldly voiced. "As you can see, I'm as mortal as you are." 

 Hilos didn't comment and disappeared into Depth Cutter. Aetlise held him tightly. Her eyes were filled with tears as she sobbed behind him. Slowly, his eyes lost their gleam as his eyes met a certain girl's eyes. 

 "Master Alester…is what he said true…?" Amethely reluctantly inquired. 

 Alum, who gently held her in his embrace, could feel her quiver. Her voice was inconsistent, heavy, and desperate for an answer. He knew that Alester once saved her, taught her and guided her in her time of hardship—even if their meeting was brief, she respected him. 

 Alester did not answer. His eyes drifted toward a girl whose eyes were wide in his direction. She was covering her mouth; tears ran down her face as her eyes peered deep into his soul. She broke into a run. 

 "Miu!" Noel exclaimed as he tried to grab her hand. 

 Miu hastily pulled away without as much as looking back at the confused friend she'd known almost all her life. As she got closer to Alester, Aetlise stood between them with her arms spread wide. She'd lost all her powers, but whatever Miu would do to him, Aetlise wouldn't allow it. 

 "…It's okay, Aetlise," Alester said. 

 He put a hand on her shoulder, reassuring her it was okay, but as Miu arrived, sharp stinging coursed through his cheek—a loud and sharp slap echoed. 

 Miu's eyes were filled with tears and boiling anger. "You idiot!" she cried. "Why?! Would any of them have wanted you to do all this!? The horror I saw through you! What have you fallen to!? Alester!?" 

 The others were surprised and wondered if she knew him. However, before anyone could ask what she meant, Aetlise pushed and pinned her down. "How dare you mortal!!" she exclaimed angrily. 

 Miu couldn't understand herself. The things she saw were hazy and blurry yet profound enough for her to understand. But what she couldn't understand was her uncontrollable sadness and anger toward this individual she barely knew. 

 Noel and the others rushed over to separate the two. All the while, Miu glared at Alester angrily—again, she could not understand why she felt this way, but her heart sunk at the deep darkness she experienced through Eyes of Truth.

 The mood was suffocating, and tension was high. Alester, who was the cause of this all, stared into the distance as he sighed. 

 "You would never understand." 

A/N 

I updated the Character Wiki; feel free to check it out; there are some images there, too. (on RR and SH) uploading images here is...more of a chore.