"And what about the scouter?" Alex asked, his voice hardening with resolve. "What was its purpose?"
IRyS explained, "The scouter was a beacon, a communication device designed by the Sakarians for off-world communication. It was also capable of recording messages."
"A communication device capable of recording messages," Alex mused, a flicker of understanding dawning in his eyes.
IRyS nodded. "Yes. Your mother left a message after saving you and accepting her fate alongside Planet Sakar. It was to help you understand your heritage and destiny. It was damaged during your landing on Earth. I suspect—and this is speculation—that she was saying goodbye before sending you to Earth, where you landed on holy ground. The Forsaken monks of the monastery found you as an infant in your pod…"
Alex remained silent, absorbing the information. It all made sense now: why he landed on Earth, why he was found by the Forsaken monks, and raised in the monastery alongside his human brothers. His superior strength, surpassing his brothers in both academics and physical training from a young age, was no longer a mystery. He'd always attributed it to natural talent, but his strength was not human. His masters had called him a martial arts genius, a prodigy. He considered whether his exceptional performance stemmed from his alien strength or simply natural talent. The pod he was found in as a baby, the scouter his master gave him, and the female voice he heard when he tried to activate it—all belonged to his mother. Now, thanks to IRyS's kiss, he could understand the Sakarian language, his own people's language, and use the scouter to understand his mother's messages.
Alex was happy to finally know his true origins, that he was Sakarian. But what surprised him was how much IRyS knew. Why did she know so much about the Sakarians and their history? Why did she know about his origins and the scouter's message? He looked at her suspiciously. He knew she was a Nephilim, but he still found it suspicious.
IRyS continued, "Sakarians grow stronger as they age, and when they reach adulthood, the rate of their strength increase accelerates." She added, "This is amplified if a Sakarian trains harder; their power level increases as well."
Alex was surprised to learn this, as it was indeed true. As he aged, he became stronger, as if he didn't need to undergo any training to become stronger. He also noticed that if he trained harder, he became stronger.
"So," Alex began, breaking the silence, "you're saying my strength isn't just natural talent. It's… inherent to being Sakarian."
IRyS nodded. "Precisely. And your abilities will only continue to grow. The Sakarians are a naturally powerful race." IRyS added, a faint smile playing on her lips, "inherent, and amplified by your training. The Sakarian physiology is… remarkable. Your kind are naturally strong, but they can surpass even their natural limits through hard training."
Alex looked into his hands with a stoic expression. "I see, so it makes sense now why I grow stronger when I age, because it's part of my genetics…" He thought to himself, his expression unchanged.
(Author's Note: A Sakarian's power level can be increased by food, but the effect depends on the amount and type of food and the Sakarian's condition.
For example: An injured Sakarian eating a small amount of food will heal slowly and require more food to continue healing. A medium-sized portion will heal them slowly but without needing additional food. A king-sized meal will instantly restore them to full health and strength. However, there is no power boost; the food only heals them.
Conversely, a healthy Sakarian receives a small power boost from a small amount of food, a half-percent boost from a medium portion, and a massive boost from a king-sized meal. Again, the effect depends on the food's size and the Sakarian's condition. Injured Sakarians only receive healing from food, not a power boost. Healthy Sakarians receive a power boost from consuming food.)
Alex's suspicion of IRyS simmered a low burn beneath his newfound joy. He'd learned his heritage and understood his strength, but the mystery of IRyS remained. Her knowledge was too precise, too complete. It wasn't just historical information; it was intimate knowledge of his life and his mother's last moments.
"Tell me, IRyS," Alex said, his expression serious, "why did you know everything about the Sakarians? Knowing so much about my race is suspicious, especially since you're a Nephilim. Why do you possess the same abilities as the Sakarians, like learning languages through kissing? Don't tell me this is another one of your race's abilities," Alex said to IRyS. "How… how did you know all this?" he finally asked, his voice low and hesitant. The question hung heavy with unspoken accusations.
IRyS met his gaze, her expression unreadable. "Some things," she began softly, "are best left unsaid. Knowing your past is important, Alex, but dwelling on how I know it might complicate things."
Alex scoffed. "Complicate things? You know my mother's last message, the details of my arrival on Earth… it's like you were there."
IRyS sighed, a delicate sound like wind chimes. "Let's just say… I have… access to information others don't. Think of it as… a gift. A gift to help you understand your destiny." She paused, then added, with a proud smile, "That is one of the abilities of the Nephilim race. I studied the history of your people so that I could answer everything you needed to know." She smirked. "And about the kissing, you Sakarians weren't the only ones with the unique ability to linguistically assimilate through physical contact, most commonly kissing. We Nephilim also possess that ability. It has the same downside as with the Sakarians; it only works with the opposite gender," IRyS added.
Alex remained unconvinced. He knew the Nephilim were powerful, but their abilities were shrouded in mystery, often described in whispers and legends. IRyS's explanation felt like a carefully crafted evasion. He decided to change tactics.
Alex considered IRyS's words, her explanation only partially satisfying his suspicions. A lingering unease, a knot of distrust, remained. "So, you studied Sakarian history," he said, his tone carefully neutral. "But why? Why would a Nephilim, a survivor of an extinct race, dedicate time to studying the history of a race your people fought?"
IRyS leaned back, a thoughtful expression on her face. "Perhaps," she said softly, "because I saw a reflection of myself in your people. The Sakarians, like the Nephilim, were powerful, feared, and ultimately destroyed by forces beyond their control. We were both victims of the higher Gods' tyranny. Studying your history wasn't just about understanding you, Alex; it was about understanding us."
IRyS nodded, her gaze distant, lost in the echoes of an unchangeable past. "They feared the power of the Nephilim and the Sakarians. They saw us as threats, uncontrollable forces that could upset their carefully balanced cosmology. They acted not out of justice but out of fear and a desire to maintain control."
A bitter expression twisted Alex's face. "Control. Always control. That's what it always comes down to, isn't it?" He stood, pacing restlessly. The darkness of the void seemed to shrink around him. "And now… what? I'm supposed to just accept this? Accept that my parents were murdered by beings who claim to be benevolent?"
"No," IRyS said softly, her voice cutting through his anger. "You don't have to accept it. You can fight it." IRyS paused, letting her words hang in the air. "And," she continued, a glint entering her eyes, "I believe your people hold the key to something… something far greater than revenge, something that could reshape cosmology itself."
Alex's curiosity was piqued. "What do you mean, my race holds the key?" he asked, his voice sharper now, a hint of anticipation in his tone.
"The Legendary Sakarian God," IRyS said, her voice low and intense, a smirk playing on her lips. "I know you've already awakened it, haven't you?"
Alex's eyes widened. He hadn't consciously awakened anything, but the raw power he'd felt during moments of uncontrolled rage, the bursts of strength that defied his own limitations, were undeniable proof. "I don't know what you're talking about...?" he said, his expression turning serious.
"Oh, you know what I mean," IRyS said, her smirk unchanged. "The transformation you underwent when you saw the corpses of your fallen brothers."
Alex's eyes widened in understanding. The transformation—his hair and tail turning golden, a golden, flame-like aura enveloping him, his eyes turning blue, and his muscles slightly increasing—he'd undergone upon witnessing the death of his Forsaken brothers on the battlefield was the Legendary Sakarian God transformation. He hadn't known.
IRyS, seeing Alex's expression, smirked, confirming he had awakened it. "You mean," Alex clarified, "the transformation that turned my hair and tail golden, a transformation I awakened, is that what you mean?"
IRyS nodded. "Yes, that's the transformation I was talking about," she said, a smirk forming on her lips. "That is The Legendary Sakarian God."
Alex looked at his hands and spoke calmly. "Yes," Alex admitted, apprehension tightening his stomach. "I have awakened it."
IRyS smiled, a knowing, almost mischievous glint in her eyes. "The Legendary Sakarian God isn't just a legend, Alex. It's a dormant potential, a power awakened by only two individuals in the Sakarian race, Daikon and Radigon. A power that makes the higher Gods fear and believe that the Legendary Sakarian God transformation is a threat to the cosmology. A power capable of reshaping reality itself. Daikon and Radigon wielded it, unknowingly, in their conquests, but they only scratched the surface of its true potential. You, however, are the fourth to unlock it."
Alex remembered IRyS's words about the history of the Sakarian race and how Daikon and Radigon had separately awakened the Legendary Sakarian God. He frowned, remaining silent. Daikon awakened the Legendary Sakarian God transformation while protecting his werewolf comrades against the lycans. Radigon awakened it through domination to prove himself the strongest among the lycans and dominate the werewolves.
Then Alex noticed that he was the fourth to awaken it and wondered, "Who's the third one...?" He said, his expression serious.
IRyS, noticing Alex's serious expression, responded, "The third person who awakened the Legendary Sakarian God transformation is Brian Bautista."
Upon hearing the name Brian Bautista, Alex's eyes widened in shock. He knew that name Brian Bautista was from the Hunters Blade Shinobi, the mortal enemies of the Forsaken monks. He and Brian Bautista had fought many times in the past, when he was still in the monastery and Brian was still in the academy. He was one of the strongest opponents he'd ever fought, the only person who had ever truly challenged him in combat. Their last fight was in the Battle of Bakura 100 years ago, and that was also the moment when he awakened the Legendary Sakarian God. But after the war, he and Brian never crossed paths again; he didn't know where Brian Bautista was after that.
IRyS, seeing Alex's shocked expression, asked, "What's the matter? Did you perhaps know the person I was referring to?"
Alex's expression turned serious again as he nodded and said, "Yes, I know Brian Bautista. He's from the Hunters Blade Shinobi Academy in the Wicked Lands, located in the Western Swamps."
IRyS was surprised. "Really… you two know each other?"
"Yes, he and I fought many times in the past. Our last fight was in the Battle of Bakura. But that was 100 years ago… After the war, we never crossed paths again. He is the only person who can give me a real challenge in a fight and the only person who could push me beyond my limits." Alex said, his expression serious.
"I see… so you and Brian Bautista have already fought; that explains why he also awakened the Legendary Sakarian God transformation," IRyS added. "Your people called the Legendary Sakarian God a legend because only Daikon and Radigon had awakened it. The ability to become a Legendary Sakarian was once considered nothing but a legend by the Sakarian race, as it hadn't been performed or awakened by any Sakarians in over 460 millennia, except you and Brian Bautista, of course."
"So this means Brian Bautista is also a Sakarian," Alex said. IRyS nodded in response.
"Yes, he is a Sakarian, just like you, Alex. He was also sent to Earth on the same day your mother sent you. While you landed in the holy grounds where the Forsaken monks found you as a baby, Brian landed in the Wicked Lands where the Hunters Blade Shinobi found him."
As Alex listened to IRyS, he pondered. "It makes sense now why he was able to awaken the Legendary Sakarian God. This means he and I are the only survivors of our extinct race," he thought. He remembered Brian also had a tail, like his, but it wasn't hairless; it was hairy, similar to a wolf's tail. He wondered if Brian was a werewolf, remembering IRyS's earlier explanation:
The only difference between lycans and werewolves was that lycans had long, hairless, grey tails and naturally white hair, while werewolves had long, brown, hairy tails and naturally black hair Brian had black hair and a hairy tail.
"IRyS, tell me, is Brian Bautista a werewolf or a lycan?" Alex asked, his expression serious.
"Brian Bautista is a werewolf, not a lycan," IRyS replied. "Like I said earlier, lycans have long, hairless, grey tails and naturally white hair, while werewolves have long, brown, hairy tails and naturally black hair."
Alex, remembering Brian's black hair and hairy tail, knew he was a werewolf. IRyS continued:
"Daikon's righteous heart reflected a benevolent soul, while Radigon's wickedness twisted the same potential into a destructive force. Brian Bautista's lineage, his inherent nature… it leans towards Daikon's path. While your lineage, your inherent nature… it leans towards Radigon's path. Brian Bautista might be connected to Daikon, but that doesn't mean he must walk the same path as his werewolf ancestors. The choice, the path he takes, remains his," IRyS said.
Alex remained silent, his expression serious. He remembered how ruthless and destructive Brian Bautista was—a killer without cause. Of course, all the Hunters Blade Shinobi were ruthless and destructive, so it wasn't shocking.
"I need to find Brian." Alex murmured, more to himself than to IRyS.
"I don't think that's necessary, Alex. You might wonder why it's been almost 100 years since you last saw each other. He left the academy and is now a mercenary in the cosmos, known as the Fist of Fury."
Alex was surprised. "What do you mean?" He said, not understanding why finding Brian wasn't necessary or what being a mercenary in the cosmos entailed.
"Before I answer that, did you know about the Council?" IRyS asked, her expression unchanged.
Alex remained impassive. "Council? I've never heard of them."
"The Council is a group of divine beings created by the higher Gods to maintain the cosmology's balance. Their main goal is to oversee the world and ensure balance, working within their respective domains—time, space, nature, civilization, and destruction. Chaos leads them. Their purpose is to maintain order in a chaotic world. Omega Alpha, one of the higher Gods' youngest goddesses, was tasked by the higher Gods to form the Council to kill me because of my transgressions—my desire for revenge for my brothers and sisters," IRyS explained. "They recruited Brian Bautista to be their executioner. If the Council wants to eliminate someone, they order Brian to do it. Even if his target is a whole civilization or one person, Brian will eliminate them without hesitation."
Alex was shocked. So that's why he hadn't seen Brian again—he'd become a mercenary and been recruited by the Council.
IRyS continued. "And I also heard that you joined the Myths…" She paused, her expression softening slightly. "When I heard you joined them, I couldn't believe a wandering Forsaken monk would join the Myths…"
Alex frowned. "Myths? How did you know about them?" His voice was cold.
IRyS nodded. "Let's just say I was responsible for forming the group. I asked Amelia Watson to find the rest of the myths and formed the whole group." IRyS smirked. "I also planned your meeting with them in the forest."
"Unlike you being the only man in the Myths, Brian Bautista is the only man in the Council, and he is also their strongest member. The group consists of Ceres Fauna, the Avatar of Mother Nature; Nanashi Mumei, Guardian of Civilization; Tsukumo Sana, the Speaker of Space; Ouro Kronii, Warden of Time; and Hakos Baelz, the Harbinger of Chaos, and the Leader of the Council. Brian Bautista, whose previous title was Fist of Fury, now, as part of the Council, carries a new title: The Destroyer of Worlds (Personification of Hard Work). The Council originally had five members, but recruiting Brian Bautista increased their number to six."
Alex absorbed this information, its sheer scale staggering. The Council, a clandestine group of near-godlike beings, and Brian Bautista, his old rival, is now its ruthless enforcer. This explained so much—Brian's disappearance, his sudden rise to power, the whispers of a terrifying figure operating in the cosmos' shadows. But it also raised a thousand new questions.
"So," Alex said, his voice low, "the Council… they're trying to kill you?"
IRyS nodded grimly. "Omega Alpha believes I pose a threat to the balance. My desire for revenge against those who destroyed my family… she sees it as a destabilizing factor." She paused, a flicker of sadness crossing her face. "She doesn't understand. They don't understand the depth of that pain, the burning need for justice."
Alex understood. He felt a kinship with IRyS's rage, the raw, unyielding fury that burned within him after discovering the truth about his parents' deaths. He knew that need, that burning desire for retribution. But unlike IRyS, he didn't have the power—or the position—to act on it. Yet.
"But why would they recruit Brian if Brian was a Sakarian? Why would they want a Sakarian in their ranks?" Alex asked, a chill running down his spine. The image of Brian, his face impassive, wielding unimaginable power, was both terrifying and strangely familiar.
"Because Brian possesses the power of the Legendary Sakarian God. The higher Gods feared the power of the Legendary Sakarian God, but they knew that having that kind of power in their ranks would make them invincible. That's why they recruited Brian Bautista to be part of the Council," IRyS said, her voice almost wistful. "The higher Gods see Brian as their executioner, a force that inflicts dominance and destruction on those who defy the rules of the Higher Gods."
A long silence stretched between them, broken only by the hum of the voidship's engines. Alex digested the enormity of IRyS's revelation, the implications twisting and churning in his mind. The Council, a clandestine group of near-godlike beings, wielded unimaginable power, and Brian, his old rival, was their most potent weapon. The thought sent a shiver down his spine.
Alex pictured Brian, his face impassive, his eyes burning with cold determination, a figure sculpted from shadows and power. The memories of their battles flooded back—brutal clashes of skill and will, where only the slightest advantage had decided the victor. Now, Brian wielded power beyond anything Alex had ever imagined.
"So," Alex finally said, his voice low and thoughtful, "the Council… they're essentially using Brian's power… the power of the Legendary Sakarian God… to maintain their control."
IRyS nodded, her expression grave. "Precisely. They believe they are upholding order, preventing chaos, but their methods are… ruthless." They justify their actions as necessary sacrifices for the greater good, but their definition of 'good' is… skewed."
"And Omega Alpha… she wants you dead because she sees your desire for revenge as a threat to that 'good'?" Alex asked, a grim understanding settling over him.
"That's the gist of it," IRyS confirmed. "She views me as an unpredictable variable, a force of chaos that could disrupt their carefully constructed reality." She paused, her gaze drifting to the viewport, where the swirling nebulae painted a picture of cosmic indifference. "Ironically, their fear of me, their need to control me, is precisely what fuels my desire for revenge."
Alex understood that sentiment completely. The fire of vengeance burned just as fiercely within him, a reflection of IRyS's own pain. The deaths of his parents, the revelation of his true heritage, the knowledge of the higher Gods' tyranny—it all fueled a burning need for justice.
"What about the myths?" Alex asked, shifting the focus. "Why did you form them? What's their purpose?"
IRyS smiled faintly. "The Myths… they are my counter to the Council. A force for balance, but one that operates outside their rigid framework. They are individuals with unique abilities, each a potent force in their own right. Mori Calliope's power over death; Takanashi Kiara's unlimited phoenix powers; Ninomae Ina'nis's power over the Ancient Ones and her dark magics; Gawr Gura's Atlantean powers and abilities; Amelia Watson's manipulation of time; and you, Alex Garcia, with your Legendary Sakarian God Transformation, would pose a significant challenge to the Council and a threat to the Higher Gods."
Alex's expression was serious. He found IRyS's words suspicious. How did she know those girls and their abilities? "How did you know the myths?" Alex asked seriously.
IRyS smiled. "Let's just say, I had a part in forming the Myths in the first place," she said, her expression unchanged.
"What do you mean, you had a part in forming the Myths?" Alex asked, his serious expression unchanged.
IRyS replied, "I gave Amelia Watson a vision to form the Myths—to find all five of them and bring them together. And then you, joining them, was also part of my plan."
Alex frowned. "You planned this from the start, didn't you…" he said seriously.
"That's correct. I was the mastermind. I was the one who released the powerful energy Ina'nis sensed, leading the Myths to find you in the forest meditating at the waterfall," IRyS said, her smirk unwavering
"And why?" Alex pressed, his voice low. Her casual confession grated on him. He needed to understand her motivations. "Why did you do all this, IRyS? What are your true motives?"
"To destroy the Higher Gods and their precious Council," IRyS chuckled, finding Alex's question amusing. "A war against the higher Gods. I want to destroy them, to avenge my extinct race, and for what they did to my brothers and sisters…"
Alex stared at IRyS, the implications of her words settling heavily upon him. The higher Gods, tasked with maintaining cosmic balance; Order Omega Alpha, a goddess tasked with forming the Council to eliminate her? It was a tapestry of power and intrigue far exceeding anything he'd ever imagined. "So," he said slowly, "your plan involves using me and the Myths to… what? Fight the Council?"
IRyS nodded, a glint of desperation in her eyes. "Yes. You and the Myths must fight the Council. The Council, while powerful, isn't invulnerable. They operate within a framework, a system of rules and limitations. My plan is to destroy the higher Gods and their council."
A chill crawled down Alex's spine. The scale of IRyS's plan was breathtaking and terrifying. He'd always considered himself exceptional, but a pawn in a cosmic war against beings of unimaginable power? The weight of it was almost unbearable.
"And what if I refused to be part of your plan?" Alex asked, his voice barely a whisper. The question hung heavy in the air, unspoken fears manifesting in the ensuing silence.
IRyS's smile vanished, replaced by cold determination. "Then you, the Myths, and all the people on Earth will die… As a Forsaken monk like you who fights with honor and justice, I know you wouldn't allow innocent lives to be lost," IRyS added. "The higher Gods will not hesitate to destroy Earth if necessary."
Alex remained silent, the weight of IRyS's words pressing down on him. The threat wasn't just to him, or even the myths; it was to the entire planet. He pictured the faces of the people he knew, the lives that would be extinguished if he refused. The image was too stark, too horrifying to ignore. He closed his eyes, battling the turmoil within.
He understood IRyS's rage, her desire for vengeance. He shared a similar fire, albeit less cosmically fueled. The memory of his parents' deaths, the revelation of his heritage, fueled his own burning need for justice. This wasn't just about survival; it was about a fight for something bigger, something righteous.
Opening his eyes, Alex met IRyS's gaze. There was no hesitation in his voice, only grim determination. "I'll do it," he said, the words carrying the weight of a world. "I'll help you fight the Council." His voice was low and strained; the words felt heavy, the commitment monumental.
IRyS's expression softened, a flicker of gratitude in her eyes. "Thank you, Alex. This won't be easy. The Council, with Brian Bautista on their side, now possesses unimaginable power. But we have strengths of our own. You, on our side, will give us a chance of beating them. Your connection to the Legendary Sakarian God… that will be crucial. And the Myths, each a force to be reckoned with, will be instrumental to our success. We will need to strike strategically, exploiting the Council's weaknesses and their adherence to their own rules."
"I see, and what about the others in the Myths?" Alex asked, his mind racing. "Are they aware of this…" War you're planning?"
"No," IRyS admitted. "Only you. I will tell them eventually," she said. "But don't worry, I will tell them eventually when the time is right," IRyS said, smirking.
"Now then, it's time for me to take my leave…" IRyS said. "I would have loved to spend more time with you and tell you more about everything I know, but unfortunately, I have some important things to do…"
"You're going to leave…" Alex said, his expression stoic.
"Yes, I have to… But don't worry, we will talk more in the future…" IRyS said with a warm smile. Alex nodded respectfully.
"But before I go, I wanted to see the Legendary Sakarian God you awakened," IRyS said to Alex. "Can you show me the Legendary Sakarian God, Alex? I want to see the legend itself," IRyS said with a smirk.
Alex hesitated. Showing IRyS, the transformation felt like a profound vulnerability, a revelation of power he barely understood. He wasn't sure he was ready, especially not for a Nephilim, even though he trusted her. But her persistent curiosity spurred him on.
Alex closed his eyes, breathing deeply. He focused, not on the rage that had initially triggered the transformation, but on the quiet strength within, a strength he now recognized as ancient and powerful. A warmth spread through him, a golden light emanating from within, pushing against his skin. His normally white hair shimmered and flowed, transforming into a cascade of yellow gold. A golden, flaming aura erupted around him, crackling with energy. His usually deep black eyes shifted to a piercing, vibrant blue, reflecting the celestial light of the aura; his hairless grey tail also turned golden. This change wasn't accompanied by the uncontrolled rage of the first transformation; instead, it felt calm, powerful, and utterly controlled.
Alex's appearance was almost unrecognizable. His now golden hair stood up spikily, a single bang falling to the left side of his forehead. His eyebrows had also turned golden; his pupils were blue. His hairless grey tail was now golden; his muscles were slightly more defined; and a resplendent, fiery golden aura enveloped his entire body, crackling with energy. Small sparks of electricity crackled within the golden aura.
(The Legendary Sakarian God, or Legendary Sakarian, or LS for short, has four stages of transformation. Each stage multiplies the user's base power. (The Legendary Sakarian transformations are similar to the Saiyans' Super Saiyan forms in DBZ.) The only drawback is stamina drain, increasing with each transformation. However, the user can eliminate stamina drain through training and mastery. The first form has a multiplier of 1000, the second 2000, the third 3000, and the fourth 4000. Alex, having mastered the Legendary Sakarian transformation, experienced no drawbacks. He had only awakened the LS 1 and LS 2 transformations; he would awaken the others in the future.)
Alex glanced at IRyS, meeting her gaze. The change was complete. He stood before her, a breathtaking embodiment of the Legendary Sakarian. Still feeling the power surge within him, he found a strange comfort in IRyS's presence. Her reaction wasn't one of fear or threat but of wonder and intrigue. He lowered his gaze, noticing for the first time the subtle changes in his own physique: increased muscle definition, enhanced agility, and a heightened sense of awareness. It wasn't just a visual transformation; it was a complete elevation of his physical and spiritual being.
IRyS gasped, her eyes wide with awe and reverence. She reached out, her fingers lightly brushing his golden hair. The touch sent a jolt of energy through him, a connection both intimate and intense. "Fascinating," IRyS whispered, her voice thick with emotion. "More beautiful, more powerful than I ever imagined." She traced the lines of his golden aura with her eyes, lingering on the intensity of his blue eyes. "But I don't feel any godly presence. This transformation… I don't sense any divine energy…"
"What do you mean by that?" Alex asked.
"Your race calls it the Legendary Sakarian God, but I don't feel any godly presence in you… that transformation is more like… genetic," IRyS said.
Alex looked at his hands, still transformed. He, too, felt no godly presence, as if the transformation were purely genetic. "You're right," he agreed. "When I try to tap into it, I feel no divine energy. But the only thing I feel is myself becoming stronger."
"So I'm guessing it's a potent genetic mutation then," IRyS mused, her fingers still lightly tracing the edge of his golden aura. "It makes sense why the Legendary Sakarian transformation has no divine powers. Because it's only part of the Sakarian race's genetics, it will only trigger if Sakarians experience intense emotions, or it can be awakened through rigorous training."
Alex remained silent, considering IRyS's words. It made sense. The Sakarians were known for their strength and prowess in battle, their capacity for raw power exceeding that of other races. This transformation wasn't a divine blessing; it was an evolutionary culmination, a peak of their genetic potential. The legend, then, was not a divine entity but a powerful, inherited ability.
Alex understood. The Legendary Sakarian wasn't just a transformation; it was an awakening, a connection to a forgotten power, a legacy that bound him to his race's history and destiny. His journey had only just begun, and he knew the world would never be the same.
The golden light surrounding Alex began to fade, his hair, eyes, and tail slowly returning to their normal state, leaving behind only the lingering feeling of immense power, and the promise of an even greater adventure. The transformation was gone, but the knowledge it left behind, the understanding of his own potential, remained. He knew, with a certainty that settled deep in his soul, that his journey had only just begun.
"Well, since the Legendary Sakarian God isn't godly after all, I think it's better if we call it the Legendary Sakarian instead," IRyS said jokingly.
Alex remained silent; he, too, considered "Legendary Sakarian" a more fitting name. It made logical sense. He had previously called it his "super form," but now, thanks to IRyS, he knew its true name: Legendary Sakarian. It was a more accurate reflection of its nature—a powerful genetic mutation, not a divine gift.
"Always remember, Alex Garcia. Don't forget anything I told you. Be strong. I'll see you next time," IRyS offered her final words of advice as she prepared to return Alex to the outside world.
"Oh, and one last thing—don't tell the Myths about everything I told you, especially about Daikon and Radigon. I'll be the one to tell them eventually. But you're allowed to tell them about your race and your meeting with me. Can I trust you with that…" IRyS asked.
Alex's expression turned serious, but he nodded. "Yes, you have my word, IRyS." IRyS smiled, activated the technique, snapped her fingers, and Alex was hit with a blinding light, then sent back to his consciousness.
Back in Alex's room, he was still seated in the middle of his bed in a lotus position (Padmasana): legs crossed, feet on opposite thighs; hands resting in his lap, palms up; head slightly bowed; spine straight; eyes closed. Deeply concentrated, his expression was stoic and relaxed. He slowly opened his eyes, his expression unchanged.
The lingering warmth of IRyS's presence faded, leaving Alex with a head full of unsettling revelations and a heart pounding with a mixture of fear and exhilaration. He sat for a long moment, still in the lotus position, but no longer meditating. The echoes of her words reverberated in the silence of his room. A war against the higher Gods? He, and those five girls—Mori Calliope, Takanashi Kiara, Ninomae Ina'nis, Amelia Watson, and Gawr Gura, the Myths—were key players? It felt surreal, like a fever dream from which he would soon awaken. But the subtle ache in his muscles, the lingering golden afterglow in his memories, were stark reminders of the reality of his newfound power.
To be continued.