Will of chaos

“System, tell me what Callidora’s punishment will be if this Fallen Lord of Chaos escapes this place!?” (me)

“…” (Davoth)

“…” (Igor)

Ding!

<[ The System confirms its participation in the rules established for this universe’s dispute ]>

.

.

<[ The System also confirms its Authority over the Event is still ongoing ]>

.

.

<[ The System responds that if the [ Chaos Fragment (Fallen Lord of Chaos) ] escapes from the only approved designated area where it is currently located, a punishment will be applied to the [ Entity Callidora (Hell) ] who took responsibility and insisted on such a risk during the Event ]>

“I didn’t ask any of that, I want to know what the punishment is!!!” (me)

I can see that the System is also unsure whether or not to reveal this matter; this only makes me more anxious, realizing what it could be.

Ding!

<[ The system says the punishment chosen was maximum level due to the level of danger involved ]>

.

.

.

<[ The System, as a way of punishing [ Entity Callidora (Inferno) ] will destroy the target of its greatest desire and appreciation, being the individual [ Niryna (Primordial Infernal Deity) ] ]>

“CALLIDORA!!!!!!” (me)

“This doesn’t make sense… unless…” (Davoth)

I was enraged. This was one of the few times I did nothing to control my fury. I let it burn within me, feeding on this rage to extract the strength and power from my gut. The blood that was still being held back boiled in my stomach as it stole its power dozens of times faster.

I was also drawing more power from the feeling itself. The Chaos Fire ignited within my heart, converting my own blood and flesh into Chaos power. While I was healing, I was also forcing a recovery of the Chaos power that had been drained from me the most.

“Zenos, stop! You’re pushing yourself too hard!” (Igor)

“Don’t try to stop him, it won’t work.” (Davoth)

My whole body was aching. If anyone could see inside me, they would see my veins destroyed, blood spreading through every organ, muscle, and flesh dissolving almost as quickly as it healed. A constant pain that was worth it with my Chaos power soaring much faster.

Unfortunately, it would never be fast enough. I hadn’t even recovered 10% of my Chaos power when a wave of Aura swept through everything, causing space itself to fluctuate due to the Chaos power contained within it.

Looking at the thing, I saw that another one of its chest restraints had ripped. I didn’t have time; its Aura was growing stronger each time it freed itself a little further.

“I don’t have time for this…” (me)

My mind was racing, trying to think of some way out of this, but several of my cards had already been used and I couldn’t use them again. My Divine Beasts were unconscious and wouldn’t be of any help for some time. I’d already used the release of my weapons, and that alone wouldn’t be enough for that thing if everything Davoth said was true.

I needed two things: the first would be a great power to at least combat that monstrosity; the second would be a means of defeating it for sure. For one of these, I already had an option. The second reminded me of Paradox’s words.

I took that eye from where I was keeping it. I could feel the power of Chaos from it, but I couldn’t activate it with my Aura, Divine power, Anomalous power, and even with the power of Chaos, I understood that it wasn’t the power that was the problem, it was that I needed something very specific, I needed the Concept of Chaos.

“Igor, do you have anything with the power of Chaos on you?” (Me)

“Yes, I do.” (Igor)

“< Source Vault: Open >” (Igor)

Suddenly, a keyhole forms in Igor’s chest. His fingers become keys, and he chooses just one of them to insert into the lock, turning it in a strange order before his chest splits open, revealing a strange energy that prevents us from seeing inside.

Igor’s hands return to normal before he thrusts a whole hand into his chest. He quickly pulls out what looks like a beating heart. But it wasn’t a heart like the organ inside the body itself, it was a heart in the form of a drawing (♡). It was made entirely of red crystal scales, pulsing in random rhythms while emanating a faint Chaos energy.

This heart had strange markings that seemed to dance across its surface. Sometimes they seemed to form runes, sometimes they seemed to form magic circles, sometimes they formed symbols or various shapes. It was impossible to guess what it would reveal with each pulse.

“Why does the Merchant have this!?” (Davoth)

“I have no idea, but I had plans to use this to form a more lasting partnership with you, Zenos.” (Igor)

“That’s no problem, we can discuss it later. Now, tell me about this thing.” (Zenos)

“It’s called the Crimson Blood Pulse. As you may have sensed, it generates Chaos power. It’s also used to refine any type of energy, as well as many other feats that I don’t need to explain. As soon as you touch it, you’ll know how to use it.” (Igor)

“Then pass it over.” (Me)

I grab that heart, but with the first pulse in my hands, a crimson energy traveled throughout my body. The power of the Concept within me awakened, flowing through my body with great difficulty. This also made the eye I held in my other hand vibrate as if in resonance with me.

What happened next was unexpected. The eye flew from my hand and hit my face, crushing one of my eyes, taking its place, and already taking root in my brain. It didn’t even hurt.

Ding!

<[ You have integrated the Origin Artifact [ Eye of the Primordial ] ]>

.

.

<[ Your Link with the [ Paradox Entity (????) ] strengthens ]>

.

.

<[ You have gained a fragment of the Transcendental Authority of the [ Paradox Entity (????) ] called [ Chaos Perception ] ]>

.

.

.

<[ Your Concept of Chaos strengthens ]>

With the eye in place, it was as if my heart had completely transformed. I could see something hidden within it, a true, eternal heart beating.

When I looked at it, I felt as if that heart was beginning to change its rhythm to match mine, but before I could understand what was happening, it sank into my hand, partially emerging on the back of my hands, still pulsing.

“!!!!” (me)

What I felt was a horrible discomfort in both my body and my Soul. My entire body ignited in Chaos Fire, all the most serious injuries healing rapidly before my eyes. I also felt my Chaos power recovering ten times faster.

Ding!

<[ You have integrated with the Origin Artifact [ Crimson Blood Pulse ] ]>

.

.

<[ Your Chaos Concept strengthens ]>

.

.

<[ Your Control over the Concept of Chaos has increased ]>

“…” (me)

I look at my hands and feel myself recovering much faster. In these few seconds, I’ve already reached 15% of my Chaos power.

“I’m well enough to try…” (me)

“(I didn’t expect the Merchant to have the Crimson Blood Pulse.)” (Paradox)

“(Since when can you do that so easily!?)” (me)

“He’s coming!” (Davoth)

“I’m coming!” (me)

Spreading my wings, I charged at the creature that was advancing without breaking free, all the while gathering all the power I had.

“(Will my plan work?)” (me)

“(It will, but I didn’t expect that from you.)” (Paradox)

“(If it works, that’ll be all that matters.)” (me)

That thing was fast advancing on me, its tentacles writhing, entering the space as if it were in water, gathering its power in its hands.

“Tarzor!” (me)

“(I’m ready, but remember… don’t overstep the limit.)” (Tarzor)

“Let’s start light, 25…” (me)

“That’s far from light!!!” (Tarzor)

“The only time you used that in real combat was at 10%!” (Tarzor)

“It’ll be 25% to start!” (me)

“< Universal Incarnation: 25% >” (me/Tarzor)

From my shadow surged Tarzor’s power as I flew. I could feel his power invading my body and expanding ridiculously. We were just beginning, and it was already difficult to bear without remaining within Tarzor’s universe.

5%

I resisted the pain and the horrible feeling of strangeness. My body expanded as I returned to my Dragon form. Over 60% of my scales were still severely damaged, but I limited my size to match his.

10%

Meanwhile, Tarzor’s power flowed through me, his power invading my Energy Cycle, traveling through my body and Soul along with my power.

15%

Suddenly he was right in front of me, his claws aimed at my head, but I dodged as my scales became more claws and my claws became serrated like fragments of the night sky as I attacked him.

20%

I felt as if something was expanding without limits inside me, I felt as if I were going to explode. Suddenly, I no longer felt drained of energy; the sensation was the complete opposite: I felt as if my energy were infinite.

25%

The power took over my body completely, I felt stronger than I had ever felt before, my claws descended against the enemy a second time, already cutting the space together, but to my surprise he held my weight and his large mouth tried to bite me, his speed was superior to mine and just his grip on my weight displaced the bones, that’s when I used my Dragon tail to strike him back.