Fate's Reversal: The Divines Return

….

"Halt, there is no reason for you to retreat. Let us confront what is before us," spoked Kaiden in an unnatural voice. However, those present didn't realize the change in bearing. Nor were they able to see the change in his appearance due to his being before them.

"W-what? But Guild Leader do you see that status? Not to mention, everyone else has left. What do you suppose we do in this type of situation? I don't believe we'll be able to transverse this tribulation standing before us. We're talking about a Legendary boss here. To make matters worse, the information clearly states it's this rank in its WEAKENED state," countered Symbolic Soul with a flabbergasted expression. What was his Guild Leader thinking?

The forces thinned by an ȯbsċėnė amount! It wasn't a simple 2 or 3 raid teams leaving. There were only 2 raid teams remaining in total—Teros' and Kaiden's teams including Snow Bunny. Yet even then they couldn't be called raid teams, those who weren't their immediate guild members left as well! In other words, at most, only 2,500 people remained.

While the number sounded extremely large, it wasn't; there were 3 factors that need not be overlooked. First, this was a raid that began with near 100,000 members. There remained a reason the number was so large. From the beginning to the end, the numbers continuously dwindled until slightly over half remained. It was clearly a sign the boss would require everyone to deal with.

Secondly, this was a double reinforced boss. Not only did it hold the status of a Legendary Boss. It was both above Lv.100 and classified as a Raid Boss. Using the breakdown relevant to Sanctoria, being classified as a Raid Boss meant they possessed means needed to be counteracted by numbers. The only way to bypass this was to be a personage on par or stronger than said boss.

Lastly, they were all still losing health and debuffed. In other words, attempting the boss in this state was suicide. It was possible one simple hit would result in the extinction of the entire remaining raid party. Yet, throughout this all, a confident yet blank expression remained on Kaiden's countenance.

"Up until this moment, have I ever led you astray, my people?" questioned Kaiden as he sheathed his swords and leisurely clasped his hands behind his back. The change in demeanor was too extreme. In this situation, he remained too lax. This only raised more questions!

'What could this lad possibly possess that bestows him such confidence. It isn't arrogance but rather pure confidence I sense. It's if he believes in the depths of his soul that he is a match for what resides before us,' thought Teros as he glanced at the serene aura surrounding Kaiden. All of his aurae had been reigned in.

"You have not but…" began to reply Hollow Stance before Kaiden promptly interjected.

"No buts needed. I have not done so before and I won't be doing so now. Put your faith in me and let me guide you down the correct path. All perilous points give birth to newfound opportunities. In desperation, strength is found. We pierce forward and never take a step backward," calmly spoke Kaiden before turning around towards the others.

At that moment, a shocked expression appeared among everyone. This couldn't be Kaiden. His silver hair was turning white as well as lengthening to his ankles. Black, yet sharp, tattoos appeared around his eyes piercing down his cheeks. Meanwhile, his gaze remained calm, yet emanated a piercing feeling.

"W-who...what is that? That can't be Kaiden. I've never seen this transformation," stammered MagicsSlave at he stared wide-eyed at the new appearance of Kaiden. On the other hand, people like Elena, TerrorAssault, and Teros frowned. They were curious about what happened. This wasn't the same youth before them.

"This… I'm not sure what to say. But I can ȧssure you, that's not Kaiden right now," stated TerrorAssault while heightening his senses, preparing for battle at any moment. There had already been one instance in this raid when Kaiden's mind was clouded. If it happened again, he wouldn't hesitate to begin attempting to rectify the issue.

However, Kaiden raised his hand calming down TerrorAssault with a few words, "Calm down, it is me, but not me. I have allowed this. Relax your tense nerves; I simply seek to find us a way out while capitalizing on what we need," remarked Kaiden as his tranquil eyes bore into TerrorAssault's.

Seeming to placate him, TerrorAssualt subconsciously nodded as his flaring aura ceased and receded back into him. Meanwhile, Kaiden's consciousness was undergoing a different series of events.

….

Inside Kaiden's Soul Temple…

[Master, are you coming back already?!]

"What? I have never left," muttered Kaiden as his shadowy soul image remained perplexed. Why did Genesis begin acting weird the moment he blanked. 

[I sense…the fluctuations of Master. So, I became excited. I don't believe I was talking to you, Master. It was just a feeling that burst from me subconsciously. Please forgive my outburst.] .

"There's no need to apologize. Perhaps, you miss your prior Master more than you realize. But, I promise I will do my best to provide you experience that rival or even surpassed what you continuously dėsɨrė."

Although Kaiden responded, he lifted his head. Slightly confused, he felt an ethereal presence within his conscience now. Except, it felt morphed like he had but hadn't met this presence before.

[Do you feel it now, Master? That's what I was excited about. The minute presence of Old Master is continuously disappearing and reappearing like an undulating wave. Unfortunately, he never really stays.]

"I...feel it. But Genesis, it doesn't quite feel like him. Perhaps...it's something else?"

[Yeah...it feels wrong. No, wrong isn't the right word. It feels as if he is just using his presence to stimulate you. Or maybe...something within you.]

[«Who is that calling out to me?»]

[«It is time for you to awaken and perform a task. After all, isn't this why you left your Origin Soul Mark on this fellow? However, it seems it is too weak to be awakened on its own. Hence, I have bestowed you a minuscule amount of my Primordial Soul Essence. It should be enough to complete your task.»]

[«Who are you?»]

[«My origin is unimportant, simply help the young one you sought to in the beginning...»]

The conversation ceased though the first voice remained slightly confused. Why did such a grand presence, one which felt like a goliath who could devour the world itself, rouse him to awakening? Furthermore, why was it so early? He placed these precautions in place when that youth faced a problem completely out of his grasp to give him a means of advancing.

"Young one, why is that I was roused from slumber? Have you run into an issue with no route of advance?" a voice sounded resounded within Kaiden's mind causing them to widen with shock. This was a voice he hadn't heard in months. In fact, he had slightly forgotten what it sounded like.

"It seems I had indeed run into such a situation. I have met an existence which shouldn't be allowed to continue living yet I don't possess the means to combat it," replied Kaiden before continuing, "What do you suppose I do?"

"Hold on, let me sense its presence," an undulation emitted from Kaiden causing Erebus to narrow his gaze on him. The aura he felt gave him a small feeling of danger. But for some reason, it didn't feel like it would originally be capable of such a feat.

"A strengthened soul?" muttered Erebus. He felt the presence of three souls that sought to meld as one. Of course, there wasn't anything he could do to stop it. For the moment, he was still restricted. As a result, he silently watched on as the undulating aura receded.

"Ah, I see. That is indeed something you aren't capable of dealing with. Only…" the voice fell silent as if contemplating. However, that wasn't the case. Instead, it was looking throughout Kaiden's body. While stronger than what it previously estimated, the integrity of it was compromised. Performing this action, the voice continued.

"The only way to counteract this would be to allow me to ȧssimilate with you and take control of your body. Except… with the state of your Soul Temple… you'll most likely suffer from catastrophic damage. Although not irreparable. It'll take a long period of rejuvenation."

"More damage is it…" muttered Kaiden before taking a moment to ȧssess the situation. Were the risks worth the rewards? He had already witnessed the power a legendary item possessed. There was the potential of receiving yet another one of such ċhėsts. Making his decision after ample deliberation, he made his choice, "I will suffer the damage. According to Genesis, my Soul Temple was formed early. If it suffers damage, I'll just have to search for ways to remedy the situation."

"Very well, relinquish your defense of your Soul Temple," stated the voice as it began to turn distorted. In the next instant, a familiar appearance arrived before Kaiden before expanding and then encompassing the entirety of Kaiden's soul. At the same time, the changes in Kaiden's appearance began taking place.

"Oh, there's the presence of another soul residing here. Hm? Is that the soul resided Law Armament? Then… I see, your fate was indeed extremely large. I've read about these in old history. It also seems to be in the form of a sword. Excellent,"

"Teacher," smiled Kaiden's soul form before continuing, "Genesis, allow Teacher usage of you."

[There is no need, Master. There are traces of the Old Master on him. He should possess the ability.]

"No, I am a devout follower of the sword. I, Kroxus, seek permission from all swords who develop their own souls. Not to mention, I don't match the grandeur of yours. Hence, I seek permission to utilize your soul. Will that be possible?" 

[Yes. I find your mannerisms to be pleasant. I will not resist you.]

….

Turning back towards Erebus, Kaiden uttered a question, "If you were to regain freedom, what would be the target of your ire."

Chuckling, Erebus released a cold smile as an answer, "Everything shall know Darkness."

"Very well, you have given me the answer I needed. I do not slay for no apparent reason. However, you seem to be a danger in need of expunging…"

'Ziiiiiiiiiiiiiiiing!' 'Krrr' 'Krrrr'