New Game+

Everyone seemed alert at Seeker's statement.

"You are really pushing through with this meeting and is allowing her to join you...?"

"Yeah. We sort of having to. We can't run away from her forever. The war in Egypt and the Desert Empire will begin soon. Richie's already there and has completed their preparations. So even they want to see the Empress now. This will determine whether or not the war will happen."

"This is insane. I'm stepping out. Granny, you better go with me instead." Lynd shook his head.

"Lynd! Are you really going? How can you be an Overcomer if you are not willing to face the Empress? You need to. This is similar to what Meng faced. We have to fight our heart demon as what the Chinese say."

"I don't have a heart demon like you, Zeek. You and you're... extremely annoying and complicated dilemmas."

Cliff and Meryl raised their eyebrows as they heard Lynd's mysterious words.

"Anyway, Granny. This call is very dangerous."

"I know. Eagle told me of this lady. He calls her Mystery Babylon. I always thought that she would be an enemy. Who would expect that the fulfillment of Revelation would be through an ally?" Granny chuckled as she walked out.

"Goodbye, Zeek! Be careful! Give my regards to Eagle! And since you won't visit me, I'll go popping up in your dreams now and then. But please, keep your fantasies in control. That was very awkward."

Seeker facepalmed as the rest chuckled.

"Bye, Granny." Seeker bid farewell.

"I'll go ahead and check with the Covenant. Everyone got to stretch their legs except me. I want to see how they improved." Lynd went ahead, leaving everyone and Alean in the room.

"Coward. Face the Empress like a man!" Seeker ridiculed Lynd.

"I'm not doing this out of cowardice, Zeek. I am doing this because I don't want Alean ever to be jealous." Lynd explained as he left.

There was a hint of anger as he said this.

"I'm not doing this out of cowardice. I am doing this because I don't want Alean to be jealous." Lynd explained as he left. Alean blushed and glanced at the back of Lynd as the doors closed.

Cliff frowned as he heard Lynd and couldn't help but glance around the people in the room as if he realized something.

"Since when did Lynd become so macho...?" Meryl wondered.

"Hands off, Meryl." Alean laughed.

"I'm leaving, too. I know my power. I already lost against an Overcomer. I won't challenge the strongest one in another fight." Cliff spoke.

"Whose the Empress, and what's her power?" Charm asked.

"Beauty. I'll explain as we go out."

"Beauty?! Then you better not look at her!" Charm glared.

"I'm not! Don't worry! I haven't even seen her. We followed strict protocols, but now the Overcomers are finally willing to see her in a call. I guess this is one of the hurdles they have to face. Alright, Doctors! Let's wheel out Jake."

"Actually, Cliff. Leave him here." Seeker suddenly ordered.

Cliff gave Seeker a strange look.

"I hope you're not planning what I think you're planning?"

"Come on, Cliff. Zeraphine's a Presider. I won't deny my feelings towards her, but do you really think things will end up well between her and me?"

"You've treated Kristine poorly! You can't just reserve her like that while you try to see if it will work out with you and that Presider!" Cliff shouted.

"Cliff! Calm down! What do you mean?" Charm asked.

"Wait... Cliff, is Zeek really reserving Kristine by showing Jake the Tyrant Empress?! He's cutting off a rival?!" Meryl exclaimed.

"Yes! This Jake is crazy about her! And Seeker hasn't been paying attention to Kristine! I can tell! Kristine may fall for this guy. Look at him!" Cliff affirmed.

"My, my. How selfish of you, Zeek." Alean sighed.

"You guys don't understand. The stronger I get, the more me and the Adult me merge. And... It's not just me seeing the memories. Since he and I are just one soul, I have already felt this conflicting desire. Zeraphine was the one I really love. But Kristine got me out of that darkness on her death. Right now, I have to chase Zeraphine. Especially now that it is greatly beneficial to us."

"Excuses, excuses. At least now I know how you resist the Tyrant Empress. Maybe somewhere in that arrogant head of yours, you think the Tyrant Empress will be yours!" Cliff shouted and began to walk away.

"I was the bad guy, Zeek. I was the bad egg that was bribing and killing people. But I matured because of the faith that the world lies in our hands. Why don't you try that too? You forced others to grow up, but you can't even do it on yourself. I don't care what dilemma you have and whether you believe that this is the way to make you stronger. If you're an Overcomer, overcome and get stronger without toying with the hearts of people!" Cliff slammed the door as he and Charm walked out.

The two doctors were in an awkward position.

"Just go." Seeker ordered.

The two silently left.

"Wow. That Cliff sure has matured. But honestly, I'm not surprised you did this, Zeek. That's a tough call. If I had to choose between the one I loved and the one who made me love again, I wouldn't know who to choose or give up. But then again, I'm pretty enough to keep both, I guess." Meryl chuckled.

"But Zeek, why haven't you been giving Kristine attention? Not a year ago, you were simping over her. Can't you even keep chatting with her or something?"

"Honestly, I... really don't know. Even with my Unlocking my emotions are a mess. Something is stopping me from reaching out to Kristine. I tried several times but after our fight with Meng... It's as if Zeraphine herself appeared and stopped me."

Deep within Seeker's subconscious, Shakstress glanced at Zeraphine as both heard Seeker's words.

"What? Like hell, I giving him to that bitch!" Zeraphine frowned.

Seeker didn't add any more explanations, and the two became silent as Meryl could see Seeker's struggle.

"Well, I don't really care. You manipulated me to get into pedophilia, and I agreed to it. So, who am I to judge?" Alean laughed.

"Anyway, Zeek. You better be careful." Alean gave a concerned look at Seeker.

"You're already insane as it is. I don't want you to be even more insane with the Tyrant Empress's power." Alean patted Seeker on the head and slowly walked out.

"Thanks, Sis. Tell mom I'll be alright." Seeker joked as Alean walked out.

"You still have something to say, Meryl?" Seeker turned to Meryl, who showed no intention of leaving.

"No. Zeek. I want to stay." Meryl said as she gave Seeker a serious stare.

"You don't want to be outshined by the Empress, huh?"

"If I want to grow stronger, I have to see her again. If I fall for her powers, then my own Path and my own conviction are only so-so. At least in this way, you can help if I start to get affected, or I can help you!"

"I guess this is safe. You already did see her and hold her back in China. But of course, back then, your desire to shine was greater than the lust she instilled. Her powers have evolved, Meryl. Are you sure about this?"

"Yes. I'm sure Rosa will be there too. The three of us will soon walk on the crossroads to each other. It's not only me growing, but I think they can also benefit to my power."

"Alright. I can see you're confident about this. Frankly, I'm amazed that you didn't become a lesbian after holding the Empress in your arms."

"Actually..." Meryl gave Seeker a quiet whisper that even the Unlock wouldn't be able to hear.

"ALEAN?!" Seeker freaked out.

"JEEZ! ZEEK! BE QUIET!"

"So! So that's why you've been avoiding her! I thought you had a thing for Lynd!"

"You weren't able to notice? If you can't detect it, Lynd can't, right?" Meryl asked hopefully.

"He probably didn't notice since he isn't actively using his observation on you, but Alean probably knows. Her Zone will tell her."

"Ugh. I thought about that. This is so embarrassing!" Meryl cursed as she pressed her hands to her face.

As she turned back to Seeker, she noticed a very perverted look.

"Woah! Zeek! We are both your friends! What are you thinking?!" Meryl shouted.

"I'm sure Lynd will enjoy whatever it is, I'm thinking. I'm actually jealous. You two have become so much hotter after all." Seeker laughed.

"Ugh! Whatever! You boys! And who are you to talk about my little crush on Alean!? Did you intend to do that?"

"Do what?"

"Don't play dumb with me!"

"Fine! I know what you asked. And no! I didn't."

"Do you think Lynd knows?"

"Of course, Lynd knows! Why do you think he was mad when he left? It's annoying."

"Com-pli-cated... This is like... one confusing web of love." Meryl shook her head.;

"Eh, I'm used to it. It was even more complicated in my last life. What do you expect? All of us are fighting with our lives on the line, and as Unlocked, we are naturally more attractive. But those who are strong have the luxury of going after others who are strong. People on our level will only be attracted to each other. Oh! Except Cliff. He really likes Charm. It's true love right there."

"I guess that makes sense. Even I had a thing for you a while back." Meryl laughed.

"Mark my words, Meryl. You will run back to Arthur. I warned you not to get involved with Danny. But you choose the hard path."

"Whatever. That Arthur hasn't been paying attention to me. It's true. That between the two of them, it's still Arthur I'm more attracted to. But for some guy who likes to be one step ahead, he's fifty paces behind me."

BEEP!

The comm device rang.

"The call will start now. Are you sure you want to be here? Even I'm not a hundred percent sure I'm going to get out of this call the same."

"Yeah. But what's the agenda? Why call all the Overcomers?"

"Garenjazz. What else? But more than that is that this kid that Arthur trained... His powers are enough for us to infiltrate the bases of Presiders easier. So I want everyone to start their Overcomer Wars and start attacking Presiders."