The Dawn of the New World



But then his jovial expression suddenly turned somber, as if just thinking about it was enough to bring it all back.

[Ahh, there it is. So much pain, so much...knowledge. I think I understand why the Emperor wanted it this way. He is in here too]

His tone of voice was changing with every other sentence which was very confusing to everyone present. Unfortunately, they didn't have a lot of time to figure things out since countless blaring white lights were birthed on the edge of the solar system, far away from the source of the explosion where the space was a lot more stable.

Hao Xuan was the first to notice it since he turned in their direction immediately.

[They are already here, smarter than I gave them credit for. I thought it would have taken longer]

He turned back towards Jin Wang with an apologetic expression, [I wish we could talk for a little longer, old friend. I have so many things to discuss with you. But my mind...it is still not where it should be. It is difficult to keep track of things right now. But we will talk again, once I have the other things straightened out]

He floated closer to Jin Wang until they were mere inches away from each other.

[Can you do me one last favor? For old time's sake?]

"What...is it..." Jin Wang muttered through gritted teeth, keeping himself under control was taking all his energy.

[I need some time. Can you keep them busy here, for just a little while longer? There is an old wench waiting for me]

Jin Wang wanted to laugh but even that proved to be too much in his state.

"You want me to...fight the armies of Heaven...by myself?"

Hao Xuan nodded.

[You will not be victorious but they are not prepared for you either. Just hold them back for a few minutes, just until I can go back]

"You...are planning to go back...to the past...again?"

[Yes, it has to be done]

"You are not...strong enough...to survive the journey..."

[I won't be alone, and this time someone else will be sending me back]

Jin Wang looked into his eyes for a brief moment, looking for any sign of the original Hao Xuan.

"Are you...really in there?"

Hao Xuan nodded, his voice falling to a soft whisper.

[I am, that's why I need to go back. What was the point of all this if I can't even save a few thousand people?]

But then it immediately returned to the previous tone as he placed a hand on Jin Wang's shoulder, [Worry not, old friend. We will see each other again. You won't even realize something went wrong but I will get there no matter how long it takes. And this time...it will be different...you will see]

Then without waiting for an answer the black disk underneath his feet expanded into a bubble and blinked out of existence.

Jin Wang looked over his shoulder and found himself completely alone. No Cerberus, no Hyde, just his misshapen form.

*Sigh*

"Then I wish you...luck...whoever you are now. I know...it will be a long journey ahead...nothing compared to...my sacrifice today."

Just a few seconds later the darkness of space was pushed aside by a literal army of beings of light. They surrounded him from every which direction, aiming their weapons at him without a warning or so much as a single word.

"Phew, finally...I can let loose. Come, children, let me show you the being...that vanquished so many of your ancestors!"

With a single deep breath Jin Wang stopped holding back altogether and his figure exploded in a plume of archaic energy. The shockwave was strong enough to send the vanguards flying into the back lines. And then a hand, a single hand that was just as big as his previous unfinished form shot out with unprecedented speed.

A high-pitched roar followed, which could be felt throughout the Greater World.

**

Hao Xuan opened his eyes in the shadows of an unknown forest, deep in the abyss.

[And so it begins]

There were three figures standing just a few meters away to his front, and behind him was an entity large enough to cast a shadow on everything for miles.

He turned towards the three in front first.

One of them was the old witch, the other to Claudia and the one next to them was of a demonic creature in the rough image of a horse, the same one that had marked Claudia before.

"Master!" Claudia yelled excitedly and ran towards him but when she saw his eyes she froze mid-stride.

The Old Witch sneered at her, "Why so surprised, girlie? Why don't you go hug your precious master?"

Hao Xuan ignored all of them and turned on his heels to peer towards the dying Cerberus.