"Orika, Saito!" Yae called out to the two.
Orika turned around and smiled at Yae. "Yes? What's up, Yae?"
Yae looked at both Orika and Saito then held her arms. "Now that Hisumi is a full time member of the Infinity Council, we won't be able to see her as often as we would like to."
"Saito is still a bit bummed out about that, but Saito believes in Hisumi." Saito said.
Yae nodded and lowered her arms. "That is why us three should gather all the Rulers we have and do something to help out. Ataraxia told me that they are still dealing with Legion and the Punishing Flame. What if we track down their leaders and help the Infinity Council take them down?"
"Saito thinks that's a great idea. With Saito's recon abilities, we should be able to quickly track down the leaders." Saito nodded.
"Let's get going then." Orika smiled.
-----
I woke up on a bed in a hotel and sat up quickly then looked around. I noticed Misao standing by the window and slowly got out of bed.
"You're awake." Yufumi said as she looked at me from the other bed. She sat up and stretched.
I nodded and held my head a bit. "My head is throbbing..."
"I don't blame you for saying that. You worked yourself hard out there." Misao said then turned around to look at me.
"Where are we?" I asked.
Yufumi got out of bed and rubbed the back of her head. "We are in Greenwind Town. It's a rebuilt and reimagined town called Greenwild Village. Power Wind and Earth Adepts live here. This is actually home to the first Wind Zodiac Champions."
I looked at Yufumi then crossed my arms. "Zodiacs have categories?"
"Fire, Water, Earth, and Wind. The first Taurus and the first Libra founded this village. There are twelve of us. I am the Leo Champion." Yufumi explained.
"The Zodiac Era commonly known as the Dark Ages of Earth only lasted 30 years where as other Eras last for hundreds of years. For only a short time frame...a lot was done. The destruction of Earth, the Spatial War between the Zodiacs and Dark Spirits...The Four Zodiac Wars, The Holy War between Zodiacs and Angels against the Demons and Fallen Legends, The Creation of Cipher, and the most recent...the Phantom Ages of the Zodiac Era." Misao explained.
Yufumi looked a bit sad when Misao mentioned the Phantom Ages. "The Phantom Ages. Also known as The End of the Zodiacs. Steven was the last known Zodiac with all other Zodiacs' powers. Chaos reincarnated into a new being and managed to get one of Steven's most loyal allies...his adoptive daughter to kill him."
"Steven's had a rough life huh...and the Fallen existed during his time as well?" I asked.
"Keep in mind, the Fallen has existed since Fallan has been alive during her corruption, but she wasn't the originator of the Fallen." Misao said.
"Then who is?" I asked.
"Origin Chaos also named Terminus. He created the first set of Fallen during the First Origin War. The war that killed Henosis basically." Misao answered. "Fallan had only perfected the Fallen's abilities creating her own version of the Fallen called Perfected Fallen."
"These Fallen Legends. Who are they?" I asked, wanting to learn as much as I could about the Zodiac Era.
"There are six Fallen Legends. Darkness, Maliz not Malis, but a woman known as Moonlight, that Maliz, Scarlett who is also known as Liz who was the previous Gemini Champion, Zodiac Chaos, the reincarnation of Terminus, Kourai, Zodiac Chaos's brother, and finally Andrew. He used to be the Sagittarius Knight but fell into evil and corruption unlocking his Malevolent Powers." Yufumi answered.
"I don't know who's history is more confusing..." I said.
"Ours by far. We've been alive way longer than the Zodiac Era and we are still dealing with Legion and Punishing Flame along with Qiao Zhi." Misao said.
"What's you ladies' story? Why do you need Steven's power?" Yufumi asked and crossed her arms.
"For centuries we've been dealing with problems only our organization, Infinity Council, can deal with. We are known as the True Guardians of the Universe. The Original God and Goddess are known as the Sovereigns who created the Alpha and Omega as well as two of the most powerful relics to ever exist." Misao answered.
"Relics? Even stronger than the Universe Staff?" Yufumi asked.
Misao nodded and looked out the window once again. "Yeah. They are the Key of Origin and the Key of Totality. One grants anything you could ever wish for and the other grants you the power to destroy anything at the cost of your life if you can't resist it's power."
Yufumi rose an eyebrow then scratched the back of her head, looking down. "Are they stronger than Steven?"
"It's debatable taken Steven has completed tasks any other normal deity couldn't such as killing a 100% Full Power Chaos and resisting the power of the Phantom. Plus it seems he can resurrect." Misao said.
"But...we are one now. The Ancient Hero...he is with me." Yufumi said.
"Ancient Hero?" I asked. "Could it be that he can gift certain people with a fraction of his true power?"
Yufumi shrugged. "All I know is I have the Hero's Core, but I can't keep it forever. It is meant to be passed down to a new hero. There can only be one True Hero at a time and I've already stopped one of the ultimate evils of the universe. The Goddess of this Human Realm."
"Wouldn't that throw the entire universe off balance?" I asked.
"Nope. Apparently according to your information...you all keep this realm in balance. Your Sovereigns are keeping this Realm balanced." Yufumi said.
"So who's going to get the Hero's Core next?" I asked.
"Well there's no way of knowing. It chooses people at random from the history of the core, but it's practically useless right now because we need a few things to awaken it. The Hero's Core is needed to awaken Steven." Misao said.
I looked at Misao then Yufumi. There was still a lot I had to learn about the Human Realm. I didn't have the age nor wisdom and knowledge these two have access too without the assistance of the Infinity Realm.
"Let's head into town. Greenwind has a bunch of memoirs of the Zodiac Era including a Statue of Steven and his most important allies. Maybe along the way I'll be able to learn more about you and your abilities as well." Yufumi said.
I nodded and agreed to go into town with Yufumi and Misao.
------
"You three want to do what?!" Nagini asked and took off her goggles.
"We want to help out by seeking the leaders of Legion and the Punishing Flame!" Orika said.
Amelia looked at Nagini then back at the three women. "I don't think that's a good idea."
"Why?" Yae asked and crossed her arms.
Nagini chuckled softly and sighed. "You three don't understand the power of Legion and the Punishing Flame. These people are universal threats. Your power level barely touches the surface of Multi-Galaxy."
Orika puffed her cheeks and crossed her arms. "Come on, I'm now the chosen Ruler of Frost. Yae is the Ruler of Indomitability, and Saito is the Ruler of Humanity. We can very well help out!"
Nagini crossed her arms also and sighed. "I'm sure my lab rat wouldn't want her little playthings to feel excluded from helping."
"Playthings?" Orika said, sounding offended.
"We are not playthings. I would say it is a bit complicated since we all have feelings for her...but we are much more than just a side thing." Yae said.
"Right! Hisumi loves us a lot and would do anything for us! We will literally do the same for her." Saito stood her ground.
Nagini smirked and looked at the three. "You three think you're the only one with feelings for my lab rat."
"Huh?" Orika asked.
"You-" Yae started.
Nagini smiled and set her goggles down then placed her hands on her desk. "Yes, I am also in love with my lab rat. Hisumi if you will. Our bond...I can't stop thinking about her. No matter how hard I focus on something, she lives in my head."
"How can someone like you love Hisumi? Hisumi couldn't possibly.." Orika said. "You might be an ally, but I can't accept that you're a lover of Hisumi's!"
Nagini giggled softly and walked away from her desk then sat on her floating platform then looked at the three. "Well, you shall accept it. As cold as I truly am, I have grown to love again. Hisumi is my one and only."
Yae, Saito, and Orika looked at each other then back at Nagini. Nagini's platform carried her to the door.
"If you truly want to find the two leaders, follow me. I shall lead you to the Infinity Council base. I'll have you join Pryniau and Liao Ru in finding Gradolk and Xenerus." Nagini said and left her lab.
-----
I stared at the different statues of Team Z and held my arms. "Andrew...Mollee...Ariel. Divine Figures of the Zodiac Era. Is there anyone of that Era that still remains?"
"Only me and one other person, but she's given up her Zodiac Abilities completely. Her name is Sephora and she's immortal...technically. She used to be when she had her Zodiac Abilities. Now she's become what I like to call an Arcanus Sage. She's one of the most powerful beings in our Realm, but...her power is nearing its end cycle." Yufumi said as she stood beside me.
Misao crossed her arms. "Sephora. She's the granddaughter of Chaos, the Fallen Legend and the descendant of Terminus isn't she?"
"Yes." Yufumi nodded. "Although she may be a descendant of Terminus, she's still a hero. Helping me and my sisters defeat a powerful enemy, killing Chaos and destroying the Underworld before its inevitable return with new Demons and enemies."
I looked at Yufumi. "Is it possible to meet her?"
Yufumi looked at me then back at the statue. "It is, but I don't know where to find her. Without her Zodiac Powers...I can no longer sense her energy, but I can tell you...she's stronger than beings who can actually take down Gods and Goddesses like Stella."
"Stella?" I asked.
"She's the Goddess of an entire Realm known as the Nether Realm. Maybe she could help us, but a task like that.." Misao said then began to think.
"Stella...Our universe is bigger than I realized and I knew it was large, but this is insane! We have beings as strong as the Sovereigns who are ruling entire universes! I can't possibly keep up." I sighed.
Yufumi smiled at me then closed her eyes. "Stella, Steven, Sephora...All beings with universal levels of power and feats."
"Don't forget about some of the main Esorian God and Goddesses though. Although I don't believe you know them. Momnja, Shiro, and many others...but I don't think anyone other than Steven as of right now can help. Qiao Zhi isn't just some normal God." Misao said.
"What do you mean?" Yufumi asked and turned to Misao.
"Qiao Zhi is an Ancient God like we are aside from Hisumi and Raiden. They are called New Era Deities. I don't think Stella or Sephora would withstand the might of a God as powerful as Qiao Zhi. I mean he caused us to retreat! Even the Greek Gods and Shinto Legends have closed off their Gates to their respective locations. That's how powerful Qiao Zhi is. He is the reincarnation of Zhong Li, a being powerful enough to snap a galaxy from existence if he wanted to or if he was able to" Misao answered.
"I see." Yufumi said then looked at Steven's statue. "Well...I believe no matter how strong a foe is...a hero's purpose is to slay the ultimate evil for eternal peace even though it never truly lasts. The purpose of a True Hero and our purpose is meant to continue for generations until the cycle is finally over."
I looked at Yufumi then at Steven's statue as well. A flash of light shined on the chest of his statue then I grunted as the light shined brighter. I covered my eyes then began to slowly uncover them, noticing I was floating in a foggy realm. I looked around then heard a voice.
"A Hero's Purpose is to slay the ultimate evil. Qiao Zhi might be your ultimate evil, but there is always a greater evil." The voice said to me. "Yufumi can not carry her task as she is needed at her home to help preserve the peace. Once you awaken me, I will test you to see if you're ready to become a True Hero."
I opened my mouth to speak then was snapped back to reality. I looked around and noticed Misao and Yufumi looking at me. "His voice...I heard it.."
Yufumi smirked and closed her eyes. "So it begins. Your trial of a True Hero starts. If what you said was true...you are the next chosen for the Hero's Core."
I looked at Yufumi then lowered my head a bit. "A True Hero. Am I really ready for such a responsibility..?"