The moment Rachel let go, her awareness plunged.

  A sharp drop—her senses bending, twisting—like she was falling through liquid night. The weight of her expended energy crashed down on her like she’d been caught in a riptide, her vision distorting, splitting into overlapping images before snapping back into one.

  Rachel landed hard in her chair at the center of the Yin-Yang chamber, the jolt sending reverberations through the room itself. Its glass-like floor shimmered with the last dregs of lunar light that had previously infused it. But the ground was unstable, flickering between existence and nothingness beneath her feet.

  Taking a stuttering breath, her hands tightened around the black bun in her lap. Her fanged maw tilted with her head, looking skyward through the glass panels. The dark void and violet mass of the Black Moon had shrunk. No longer the vast, cosmic expanse she’d grown used to. The swirling moons around it had all but vanished, rippling shadows. They were smaller, cracked, bleeding out their radiance into a dying abyss.

  It’s dying… Her ears flicked, catching the fractured hum of celestial energy unraveling all around her. If the Black Moon is Cerridwen’s eyes…then does this mean by the end of this…she’ll be blind?

  A ripple of gold, silver, and crimson flared around her, casting elongated shadows that didn’t match their owners.

  Nike, brilliant as ever, but dimming, sat with her arms clasped in her lap, her confident smile still sharp, despite her drooping, tiny wings. Athena’s storm-gray eyes burned with unreadable intensity, fingers laced beneath her chin as if already planning the next twenty moves in this game. And Selene’s melancholy gaze was upon her, blood-red robes fluttering with an unseen current.

  “So,” Rachel exhaled, taking in the tattered state of her Inner Sanctum. “I unleashed something insane from the 8th dimension… She’s only half awake and already devouring everything.”

  She rolled her shoulders, suppressing the bone-deep exhaustion creeping through her limbs. Her black fur bristled from time to time, threatening to retreat as the celestial spheres she drew upon wavered. Only due to the three women around her was she maintaining her constantly evolving state.

  “I have time, but not a lot of it in this transitory state… What’s the verdict? Where are the triplets?”

  Nike comed through her silver locks, suppressing the stress Rachel knew she must be under while having to take over for Nia. “I suppose a warm welcome is the first order of business. As for Thalia, Irida, and Aleka, the pups are resting within your inner core since Nia’s room is under…renovations, I suppose you could call it. I’m grateful you managed to save her.”

  Selene’s silver locks swayed as she joined the conversation, following her gaze up to observe the dim, cycling globes. Her gentle voice carried the weight of the energy she was giving to fuel her. “Cerridwen’s lingering power within you is fading, Rachel. You burned the majority of it when facing that darkness that we lost you in.”

  The woman’s gaze drifted to the sleeping and caged bun in her lap. “None of us can be certain what will befall Cerridwen. None of those who watch over you were able to observe the battle you had with Seed Scarlet, excluding the Lord Hades and Lady Persephone due to the link they had to you through their hounds…but I am confident should the light of the Black Moon remain with your pet, then she may be found and recovered.”

  Rachel’s long tail flicked through the hole in the back of her seat, her attention shifting to the most powerful goddess left infusing her who had yet to speak. “I’m sure that was a part of your plan, Athena. You don’t understand everything about the Eldritch, but you know enough to give me the wiggle room to adapt when my eyes are opened to it. We actually make a decent team,” she chuckled. “I honestly have little idea what I did.”

  Athena shifted her posture, head cocking to the side while cupping her chin and looking at a rift within the dying Black Moon above them. “A space-time gap that is impossible under True Scarlet’s laws after converting all our universes into this maelstrom of hers… At least, impossible to those below the 7th dimension.

  “I’m unsure if it is due to the ripple effect you caused by breaching into the 8th or if it had something to do with Melishna, Neil’scera, or something…else that you tapped into. What I do know is that you are currently unlocking a pathway beyond the 8th Wall. By tethering Melishna to this fable realm, you have opened a gate through all dimensions, leading to places we cannot penetrate or comprehend.”

  “Well shit.” Rachel’s ears tilted to the left, the many eyes on her body struggling to stay open as she held a hand against her chest, feeling the Eldritch pulses. “All I can feel is Melishna rousing. There is a gap that was created. Some kind of reality warp where she is between awake and dreaming. I have to fully wake her. She’s right on the cusp of manifesting. Her eyes open in a waking dream. It’s only lingering. Like the last embers of a dying fire.”

  Nike strained a laugh. “It’s frightening to think how much it took from all of us—so many deities and higher beings—to just…nudge this entity a little. And as far as I’m aware, she’s only the night light we are trying to start to awaken the real power that will snap Fate’s cord. I suppose that is the race we heard you mention that resonated through your soul.”

  Rachel glanced up. The Black Moon, once an eclipsing darkness, had thinned into something translucent, veins of crimson and silver crawling across its core—Selene and Athena’s doing—in an attempt to keep it open just a little longer. It looked like it was being devoured from within.

  Shit… We are achieving this by a thread, and I’ve put just about everything into this… Gods, Hell realms, and Personifications… We’ve combined the 3rd dimension all the way up to the 7th in order to just pierce Scarlet’s Wall into the 8th, and I barely accomplished it. What does Black Hat see that I can’t? His end is his beginning? Damn the Eldritch.

  She didn’t let her expression shift as she reached down to rub the snoozing black bun’s head; if she awoke, she’d be the living embodiment of hope devoured.

  “So… I’m bringing in two Eldritch sides to flip Fate’s board on its head. I’m not sure if Cerridwen is truly my ally or has been using me this whole time. What I do know is that she chose me for this reason…and the path I’ve been guided down has been for the ever-shifting Mists to enter the Maelstrom. I have gained some allies, though,” she added with a grotesque smile at the Personification of Victory.

  Nike’s dimmed countenance beamed in return. “Since the moment you saved me, I have had faith in you, Rachel. You have the heart of a victor, which is how I’ve been able to grow and sustain myself within you. I will carry you with what little wings I have to flutter with.”

  Selene’s glowing gaze brightened, somber notes pulling them in. “You misunderstand the danger that awaits you ahead, Rachel. You require my power for the coming fight. When infused with my power, and without Cerridwen’s Eye…the fading sun will kill you.”

  Rachel’s ears twitched, creating the image of Melishna coiling through the shattered planet, her flower partially blooming to drink in the expanding supernova.

  “…If Cerridwen’s power fades mid-battle, I will be eradicated. Black Hat only has to buy time. That’s why I need to adapt and use the potential I’ve saved up,” she muttered, opening her status window to see what she had to work with. “Hopefully, Nia can join me. If not…then we’ll see.”

  Nike sighed, running a hand through her somewhat disheveled platinum hair. “I hate when you all get doom and gloomy. No offense, Lady Selene.”

  “None taken.”

  “I just feel like…we can do this,” Nike chimed, hands tightening in her lap. “The one thing I am cautious and, admittedly, curious about, is that colossal dump of spiritual energy that you funneled to Athena, Rachel. It will take effect after tonight’s events through that rift the Black Moon created. It’s as if…we’re getting a small grasp on The Oscillation.”

  Rachel’s fingers curled in, nails biting into her palms as she stared at the blob in her lap. “You’re not wrong… I’m almost certain The Oscillation had something to do with the Eldritch. The fact Black Hat was sealed inside a Fable Seed makes me wonder if, within all of our cores, are similar beings, waiting to be set free. Fable Seeds are a combination of Greater and Lesser, as well…which adds another layer of complexity to it.”

  “Indeed,” Athena hummed, knuckles pressing against her nose while staring off to the side into oblivion. “The Scarlet Hand’s dead 8th-dimensional entity, Revilla, could have a hand in it. Clearly, they intend to resurrect her, as Rachel seems to be doing in waking Melishna. It makes me wonder if Fate was the one who killed Revilla or was the Scarlet Hand’s primary nemesis and they were fighting for this very outcome from the start…only from the opposite side.”

  Thinking back to everything she’d learned, the many factions lingering in the background, Rachel saw dozens of interplaying pieces, all working toward one goal—to reach them. True Scarlet made this massive collection of universes and defensive barriers to keep something out…which meant she was trying to protect something in the center.

  Could the thing Scarlet most wants to protect…inside the core of our planet? It’s possible. Could the World Tree’s roots extend into the depths of the planet and branch into whatever is down there? It’s possible…

  Her mind was already calculating the worst-case scenarios. It didn’t last long, though. Rachel slowly shook her head. “Whatever speculations I can make should be done when all of this is over. I don’t have time to plot when, if I succeed, everything changes and Fate’s neat little timeline is shattered.”

  Nike laughed, excitement brimming in her bright eyes. “That’s the spirit. You’ll just have to be a little more…unhinged than usual.”

  Rachel’s grin widened. “I’d have you define ‘a little,’ because I can hardly keep up as it is, but we’re running out of time. Athena, there are a few things I need to run by you,” she pressured, many eyes darting to the goddess.

  Athena’s arms crossed, a small frown tugging at her lips. “You’ve triggered an Oscillation yourself through Melishna, flooding the world with spiritual energy… Yet, you must have noticed that half of that incredible power, which would make a lesser god jealous, did not go to the world…but your brother.”

  Rachel’s breath stilled for a fraction of a second and then she nodded. “It was rerouted.”

  Selene’s voice was quiet, but weighty. “More like…drawn in.”

  Rachel’s body locked, her heartbeat pounding in her ears. “Nam, or Eostre?”

  Athena shook her head, calm and measured. “It was deliberate. I threw it out like grains of seed into a field, and a potent force within your brother—not externally—drew half of it in.”

  Rachel’s fists clenched. “Why?”

  Athena leaned forward, eyes dark with calculation and something else—concern? “My guess? Because…without it, Nam would have died, despite Eostre’s support. Whatever was unleashed when his Seed and soul shattered…that singularity goes beyond even something like the Heart of the Universe. Not that that would mean much to you.”

  “…But he didn’t.”

  “No. He will live. I am certain.”

  Rachel’s nails ripped into her palm, a slow breath pushing through her nose. “And what is he becoming?”

  Athena hesitated, a considering crease moving her brow.

  Selene answered without hesitation. “There are speculations we have discussed. Ultimately, we do not know.”

  Rachel’s eyes narrowed.

  Nike shrugged. “Whatever it is, it’s not anything normal within the physical bounds of a multiverse that we are aware of. And he’s definitely not…human is a rather ambiguous word, but not…the same anymore. Yet, he should remain your same older brother.”

  Rachel’s mouth became a line. “Great explanation, V…”

  She gave a helpless smile, as if saying it was the best she could do.

  Silence hung between them. Rachel’s mind raced, piecing together the implications. Her brother had been saved by something beyond even the goddesses’ sight, essentially. That only meant one thing. Something from the 8th dimension. But…inside her brother? And now he was evolving into something unknown.

  Her mother’s smiling face flashed through her mind, putting a somewhat bitter taste in her fanged mouth—Misfortune’s words dug at her heart.

  Mom…what are you hiding about us? The Mist knows something about me… Cerridwen knows something about me, which caused her to bless me at the start of The Oscillation. I’m pretty sure you know a hell of a lot more than you ever let on…and you desperately don’t want me to pursue it.

  Dammit. I want to know. Misfortune is me… The shadow in my soul. Eventually…you know I’m going to ask. So, Mom…please, don’t make me doubt you when that time comes… Her mind drifted back to Scarlet’s tear-struck face and her shattered world at her parents’ actions. I don’t know if I could take it.

  Athena was watching her, assessing. Then, she raised her hand, and a golden sigil flared to life, hovering between them.

  Rachel’s eyes snapped to it. “And that is?”

  “A gift,” the goddess of wisdom simply replied. “Due to the stress this has caused, and how many resources you have burned, I am concerned about the Crystal. I trust Chang’e to be punctual and support you in it. However, I’m one who likes a little insurance.”

  Rachel frowned. “And you won’t tell me what it is?”

  A knowing smile brightened the woman’s lips. “That would ruin the fun…but in spirit of this event we have undergone, I will leave the choice up to you.”

  Nike snickered. “We Greek gods and goddesses do like our surprises.”

  Rachel sighed, rubbing her temple. “I can respect that, I suppose.”

  Athena tapped it with the tip of her finger. It floated toward her and Rachel reached out. The sigil absorbed into her, a sharp pulse running through her veins. Nothing changed on her status sheet but the Black Moon flickered overhead, a final shuddering pulse of energy before its glow fully dimmed, leaving her with the time-stopped countdown again of [Lunar Spike].

  Rachel exhaled, tilting her head back. Each second was minutes when inside this distorted fable space, Melishna’s presence warping it erratically. Still, she now had an observable limit.

  Nike adjusted her posture and said, “Though annoyances may come out of this night. Whatever the outcome, I sense victory in our favor.”

  “For now…until some tentacle man in a top hat starts to tap dance,” Rachel mumbled, stretching her arms and rolling her shoulders as the Blood Moon’s energy simmered beneath her skin, ready to break loose. “I guess it’s time to see how strong I can be after breaking Level 20. At least I can give the rest of the crew some insight.”

  The three women fell silent as she focused on the menu in front of her, doing another glance-through of her status menu. She identified her current available upgrades:

  The first thing that caught her attention was the two Type Evolutions, the newest addition to her understanding of the system:

  Rachel thought about the two possible choices, and it soon became apparent that the [Type Evolution] provided passive buffs in and of itself, while inside the Type were two branches or paths she could choose to further specialize in either field. Tapping on each one, she leaned against the side of her chair, a small, curious smile lifting her lips.

  Sitting a tad straighter, silent laughter rolled through Rachel’s belly as she read each one that would unlock many Feats that she could work on over time rather than waiting for each level to give her something new. This was perfect.

  Interesting… I’m locked out of two Extensions without certain achievements… Obviously, I’ve been called Karma before, by Seed Scarlet and Black Hat, which certainly does spark some intriguing theories. But I can’t linger on those. Between the two open options…

  Her wide, monstrous mouth salivated, eyes drifting between each tantalizing path. Time adaptation sounds…insane, but these likely opened up due to the Black Moon’s influence that is still within me. The madness aspect is…a little concerning. But the cinema of an opponent thinking they hit me when I flicker juuust out of range a moment later? Bullet Time…like Green can do? Hmm…

  Heartbeat rising, she made her decision:

  Rachel clicked her tongue with anticipation, toothy grin peeling back as a wealth of upgrades opened up before her. Power surged within her, a cold heat that filled her with a thirst of curiosity.

  Rachel sat back, a tad overwhelmed by the pure breadth of what she’d just gained. Level 20 is no joke… I suppose it is a soul breaking moment, you could call it. I’ve jumped into a higher bracket. I’d probably feel it in my chest and ripple through my body if I wasn’t already infused with cosmic forces. That one path boosted my Stats by seventeen points. That’s more than I have invested.

  Immediately looking at her Stats, she rubbed her chin. I can get to ten on Speed and Quickness with six points… Let’s first try Speed.

  Rachel’s eyes defocused. Multiplied by two… So it’s not ten…it’s twenty?!

  Without another thought, she tapped it into Quickness.

  Stunned, she sat back for a moment to examine her other Stats, a new thought tugged at the back of her mind upon staring at Agility, currently at a base of 1 with 4 bonus points from [Phantom Hare] and [Lunar Grace].

  If I sink the rest of my points into Agility… What would happen if I +1 an entire Secondary Stat sheet? Would I get another bonus from +1 Dexterity as the Primary Stat? Hmm… She glanced up at Athena, who sat with a passive smile, no doubt judging her choices; her pride made her not want to ask for help. It’s worth a try.

  Turning her gaze to her new Branch Feats, her brow furrowed:

  Rachel restrained a sigh and shake of her head upon reading the Divine Paradox Veil. Moongmor… That had to be you. Did you put that in there when Mei was tying you up for sexual harassment? A multi-tasking bun… You need help with your approach, man. But…this isn’t bad. Better than your Less is More one, at least. I guess you’re learning.

  Examining each of the developments between her Limit Breaks, Rachel scratched her left ear, her black fur rippling like waves down her frame. Oh, my… Level 20 just keeps getting more insane. The difference is night and day. And…I can put Extensions on my new Path Feats. Yes. Saving upgrade points for large Soul Break moments seems extremely important. Once you reach the next Soul Tier, you’re in a whole new league. Bullet Time is amazing.

  Athena spoke up from her throne, her tone somewhat amused as Rachel considered the last two aspects that required her attention, new Feat Choices and her Stat Modifier.

  “You best wrap it up. You’re about to pass through the rift to Grace and interrupt the moment.”

  “Nothing new for me. Just because my Dexterity has exploded doesn’t mean I can handle the output,” Rachel chuckled, finger tapping Stamina. “I’m a tad worried about my Defense, but, then again, that department is becoming Nia’s focus. Utility and Defense while mine is Speed and Force… I have two Equipable Feats to get and two slots open with [Mental Acceleration] being absorbed into [Phantom Hare]’s passive.”

  She scrutinized her menu, quickly flipping between windows, a low hum in her throat. “Although, I don’t need to use them now. [Lunar Amplification] is certainly needed now to convert the buns’ energy, which takes a lot more when trying to turn it into Unique Energy. Use upgrades them…and maybe I’ve been sleeping on [Lunar Burst].”

  Fixating on her outfit’s evolution, she rubbed her chin. “If Nia is a part of my soul, and the items she absorbs are a part of hers, in essence, our hammer is a part of me. Couldn’t I channel [Lunar Burst] through it? Now, that sounds like an incredible combination. Defense bypassing attributes on that force of nature?”

  Well, Rachel mused to herself while glancing down at her torn and repairing outfit, in constant flux. Null Crescent takes on a whole new meaning with my newest Phantom Hare evolution. Keep fighting, Soldier. Yeah, let’s save the Feats until Level 25, when we get our Soul Expansion. I’ve gained a ton of Grade and Rank advancements throughout this, as well. I had a lot on my mind, I suppose.

  Swiping away the menu, she rubbed her Black Bun’s head and looked up at the other buns of hers, spinning in a circle within the fading light overhead. Now with one foot on solid ground, the other in quicksand, Rachel smiled and turned her gaze to the three women who were left supporting her. Her consciousness being pulled out of her Soul Sanctum back to the battle.

  “I won’t forget those who helped me…”

  Athena’s stormy eyes softened as she glanced at the healing Personification of Victory. The bright-faced young woman returned the look with a bright grin.

  “It is due to your actions in saving Nike that I have stood beside you, Rachel. That one action, standing with your head high and chest out before the wrath of a lesser god which impressed not just me, but every other deity who saw that moment. Nike is only free because of you. I respect your choices and believe we align in our goals for answers.”

  Rachel felt a tad annoyed to miss the heartwarming moment as Nike responded, only for the words to fade into oblivion with her mind. Dionysus was a lesser god, then she’d faced Seed Scarlet’s awakening, and now…she had to race a restricted Eldritch fiend to the core of a flower to break Fate.

  Game on.

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