3rd Pov
A stream of tears befalling Dawn's eyes...he felt as if he had woken up after a very long dream...the pain he was feeling at the moment was impossible to explain.
Because, Origin Averion was cold natured...he often buried his feelings and never let them affect him...but Dawn was different.
He was born with emotion and was more human than Origin could ever be...thus, over centuries and centuries worth of pain was assaulting him at the same time.
Dawn : Seriously...I'm really pathetic...
Trying his best to stop his tears, he slowly got up...his body condition had changed greatly.
In fact, he felt almost foreign to his own body now...the awakening of a third egg that belonged to Origin Averion had changed his body structure totally.
Dawn : How much time has passed ?
Clenching his fist, he played with his body for a moment trying to get a hold of it...he couldn't quite describe it but right now...
The world itself seemed to be moving along him, when he was a True hero with 2 awakened eggs, space seemed to bend on it's path so he could move.
But now, it's as if he was blending into the world itself...his perception too changed, the magicule and energy in the air seemed to be acting neutral toward him now.
He was neither absorbing or rejecting them, they just moved around as if Dawn was part of the decor.
Dawn : This condition...ah, i see...so i naturally became a digital lifeform...
Trying to confirm his suspicion, Dawn looked to his right...on the other side of the room, he thought for an instant.
And the moment after, he had moved without any delay...he couldn't understand what he had just done, his body seemed to treat the information particle as if it was second nature for him.
Dawn : Is this a gift from Velda ? Or is it just a natural effect from awakening the third egg ?
Both could be correct, in reality the Hero egg Veldanava had given Origin...was different from the hero egg every hero has.
That Hero egg was the very first version, to put it with a blunt word...over time, Veldanava decided to nerf the hero egg as its prowess far surpassed the demon lord seed.
Origin might be the sole being to have awakened that beta hero egg...
Dawn : I can feel it...everything around me feels so close.
Smiling sadly, this was the reward for all the suffering and sacrifice he had made...
Snowie : Master !
Dusk : You already woke up ?
Suddenly appearing out of thin air, Snowie, followed by Dusk, quickly floated toward their master and hugged him.
While the last individual, Exalia appeared quietly and smiled in satisfaction.
Exalia : It seems it was a success, I greet my lord.
Bowing on one knee, Dawn remembered all the adventures he had with Exalia...well, the current Exalia wasn't exactly the one he knew.
Dawn : Exalia...no, Snowie do you remember anything now ?
Snowie : M-master...i-
Separating herself from Dawn, Snowie stuttered a little...since her whole being was connected to Dawn, she had recovered her memories the moment her master came back.
Dusk : Eh ? What are you guys saying ?
Dawn : Don't worry Dusk...it's just, we might have to say goodbye to Snowie soon.
Dusk : What ?!
Shock overcame the light spirit as she turned toward her friend, while Dusk and Snowie aren't the perfect match, they were still great friends.
The prospect of losing her made Dusk really sad...
Dusk : W-why ?
Snowie : Listen...this is the result of my own greed.
Explaining her story, Snowie flashed a regretful smile...when Dawn Arceid was born...
Exalia had felt his presence but since she was sealed in the laboratory with the single order of waiting for her master to come back.
She waited...but years passed and nothing, after a long time she lost patience...she could still feel her master's soul.
So Exalia separated a part of herself...the sword Exalia is very special and unique, she was forged with the scale of a true dragon, bathed in the magicule of the promised land and blessed spiritually to the point where any spirit surrounding it would be drained of their energy.
Thus by separating a part of herself, Exalia used all the spirit energy she had gathered to create a new spirit, then with the powerful dragon will that she had, she formed a personality to this spirit.
Dawn : Snowie and Exalia are the same being, as long Snowie will exist...the sword Exalia will lose most of her power, while Snowie will never reach her full potential.
This meant, Snowie had to disappear and become one with Exalia again...so the sword regained all its glory.
Snowie : Master...i-i just wanted to see you again...
Dawn : I know...and I'm grateful for that, if it weren't for you I might have never made it here.
Patting her head, Dawn wanted her to stay...but he knew that Exalia was a weapon he needed to have.
Dusk : B-but...
Dawn : Dusk ! Leave it be, we aren't blind people who try denying reality for our own deception.
His voice dripped with sadness, even Dusk could tell how hurt Dawn was by his own words.
Dusk : I-i see...i feel a bit sleepy, i'll go back into your soul first...
Biting her lips, perhaps the farewell with Snowie was too much for her...her body disappearing into particles before flying toward Dawn's chest.
Dusk gave a last stare that held all she wanted to say...
Dusk : (If I knew, I would have spent much more time with you...my friend.)
Snowie : (There is no need to worry, you lazy light because I won't really disappear...i will just become complete again.)
Their eyes exchanged all that needed to be said before Dusk returned inside Dawn's soul.
Dawn : How ironic, it's only when you are losing something that you realize how little time we passed to enjoy it.
Smiling sadly, Dawn could tell his mind was still trying to regulate itself...mainly because of the big difference in mentality and personality he and his past life have.
Once everything will be complete, he himself will be very different from the Dawn Arceid everyone knows.
Snowie : I still don't regret anything, those last 2000 years were formidable. I might lose my identity and live as Exalia from now on, but the fact that I would still be with you master is enough to wash out any hesitation I might have.
All the while, Exalia was standing behind...her eyes closed as she paid respect to the moment...
But she too was going to disappear, after all Exalia standing here is in the same situation as Snowie, only a part of the complete weapon.
The only difference is that she has no attachment to the world, all she wants is to be wild by her worthy master...
Dawn : Thank you, really...
Holding his tears as best as he could...Snowie is the oldest companion he had known as Dawn Arceid...
She is the only one who had crossed the age with him, fought and despaired for his sake...no matter how similar Snowie and Exalia will be.
For Dawn Arceid, no one could replace the current Snowie.
Dawn : I should have relied on you more...
Spreading his arm, he slowly enveloped the ice spirit in a hug...her natural coldness was replaced by warmth as both closed their eyes.
In a moment of silence, Snowie smiled sincerely...she had said all she wanted and all that was left for her to do was return her existence to its true form.
A freezing gale suddenly bursts through the room with Snowie at its center, still hugging her master as tight as she could.
Her body shone brightly along Exalai's body, in the burst of the moment...at the same time, Dawn's sword Dimension flew in the air and connected to the spirit.
A white light exploded blinding everyone in sight.
And after a short yet so long minute, Dawn reopened his eyes...this time, he was alone in the middle of the laboratory.
His hand shook as he reached for the newly formed weapon in front of him...a sword whose blade was colored in a pure white, almost as if ice reinforced the edge of the blade.
The handle was decorated of silver and the hilt harbored a small plate, its total shape was akin to a Chokuto and similar to a long sword.
It was simply a piece of art, a weapon of the highest grade known and used...Mythical weapon, a sword forged exclusively for Origin Averion.
And paradoxes his reincarnation, Dawn Arceid...
Dawn : Shin Exalia...it's nice to have you back.
The sword shook at his touch, an instant was enough for the living weapon to open its eyes and wake up.
The new name that was granted to her, Shin Exalia, was proof of the new ownership Dawn applied on her.
Shin Exalia : I have served you for over 2 thousands as Snowie, but allow me to formally greet my liege.
The weapon still in hand, Shin Exalia's spiritual body formed in the thin air...her appearance was much more different than Exalia or Snowie.
Her blue hair was cut short as they reached her neck, the tip of her hair froze in silver as her eye's pupil took the shape of a dragon's eyes.
Looking down, she bowed elegantly, the previous armor Dawn was used to see on his partner was replaced by a more modern uniform.
Her cold and fierce gaze gave her a natural authority...talking to the commander of an army.
Dawn : Will you follow me again ?
Extending his hand, Dawn smiled sadly...he knew he had to make up his mind...Snowie was now gone.
Shin Exalia : Time and space was never a barrier to me, I would have waited for you, my liege until the end of the world even beyond if needed.
Lifting her chin, she without hesitation took Dawn's hand...the warm connection between them announced the birth of a new duo.
Flashback
Traveling across the world, at that time Dawn had just started his journey to find himself...crossing the border of the future Jura Forest.
He had settled a camp for himself...alone far away from all human civilization with only his two spirits as companions.
While gazing at the campfire, he could already feel Dusk sleeping comfortably inside his soul while Snowie was out.
One of the rare occasions where she could freely roam around...
Dawn : You should rest a bit more...
Snowie : I do not need sleep, guarding you should be my main priority.
Dawn : Velzard-san won't be happy if she hears this.
Snowie then fell silent, this earned a light chuckle from her master as he threw another few branches into the fire.
The blaze ignited as their shine reflected in Dawn's gray eyes.
Dawn : Huh ?
Suddenly, a single tear formed and ran down his right cheek...the sudden burst startled Snowie as she hadn't seen her master shred tear in decades.
Snowie : M-master ? Are you okay ?
Standing up panicked, she watched as Dawn swiped the tear away before staring at his finger...
Dawn : I...don't know, I felt like those times of peace are just too short...
Snowie : What ?
Dawn : Maybe tomorrow, a war will break, the day after many would die...perhaps even I could disappear in the flash of a moment...
Snowie : Master...
Chuckling silently, he didn't know why he suddenly felt emotional...maybe it was just a hunch but he just felt like everything was going too fast.
Dawn : Haha, look at you Snowie, don't worry I won't leave you behind.
Noticing the worried expression the usual emotionless spirit was making, Dawn reassured her...
Snowie : Then I promise the same, I will never leave you behind.
Dawn : I see, let's reach the end together then.
The silent night was pleasant, one of the rare times Dawn had settled himself calmly isolated from the world.
Flashback end
Dawn : (Snowie...)
Forcing his smile up as he stared at Shin Exalia, he closed his eyes and just hugged the newly reformed weapon.
This action took the sword by surprise but she didn't reject it...Shin Exalia is the original weapon that followed Origin Averion during his last journey.
She had the memories of Snowie but still felt awkward how the cold Origin Averion she knew took her in his arms, this was very new for her.
Dawn : Let's reach the end together, partner.
Shin Exalia : I will follow you even beyond that, master.
After a short break, Dawn asked a few questions to Shin Exalia, it seemed he was out for 2 whole days which was less than he expected.
He also noticed that his sword [Dimension] was gone, Snowie must have used it to reinforce the new Shin Exalia.
Getting a hold of himself, he then left the study room he was standing in and went to retrieve some item his past self had left for him.
But what was more important was located in an overly protected room, hidden from the rest...if it wasn't for Origin's memories, then no one would have managed to find it.
Dawn : (I might have lost a companion, but another one is going to join me.)
His hand reached for a seemingly random wall, he injected some magicule in and all crumbled...a door formed on itself.
Dawn smiled nostalgically before entering the new room...the inside was empty of any furniture...only in the center, a very large block of ice.
Which served as a conservator for the little monster sealed inside...this ice had space/time property making sure that those inside would just sleep without aging.
Dawn : It has been a while, old friend.
Reaching out for Shin Exalia, he made a quick draw shattering the ice...the shards bursted everywhere as the little monster inside fell slowly.
Life returning to her, Dawn caught the monster...he smiled gently while petting its head lightly...
Dawn : I didn't give you a name back then, even now I'm not confident enough in my naming sense to give you one.
In his arms, slept a medium sized fox with seven tails...she is Kumara's grandmother, and one of the companions Origin had made while he hunted the beast of destruction.
Their story goes back then, and even now...the fox had let her family to follow him...following him through time itself.
Dawn : I'll just wait until you wake up then.
Closing his eyes, he turned around and left...his business here is done, he just has to bury the vestige of the past now.
Jumping out of the laboratory, the moment he visualized the outside, he was already high in the sky...standing without any platform or magic.
Dawn : I have to get used to moving instantly...
Sighing, he looked down...the entire island was really dead of any form of life...so he didn't have to hold back.
Dawn : Activation : Blade heart.
The skill of his past life, a unique skill that could rival an ultimate one...the ability to cut down anything as long as the user believed he could.
Dawn : New sword art : Eclipse.
His knowledge worth 2000 years coupled to the insane experience of his past life, he could feel the previous limit of his swordsmanship crumble.
What he thought was perfect before became simply good...an instant was enough as his sword went down.
The simple swing of that cut through the island and the ocean...the waves under him went rampaging as a rift formed in the middle of the water.
The previously dead island totally gone, slashed into dust...
Dawn : Goodbye.
His words were aimed toward no one, he just felt something leave his existence when he destroyed the island and the laboratory deep underground.
He felt like he severed himself from the past, all the people he had met were sacrificed at the end so he could get stronger...he just now resolved himself to hold on to their names.
Dawn : My last journey has finally started.
Luminous Pov
Well, after talking things out with Rimuru...i realized when Dawn-kun liked Tempest, it was obvious that he was biased toward them.
Despite it being a newly formed country, his decision always advantaged Ruberios but he made sure we won't stumble on Tempest's development.
Their culture, culinary and more...all was otherworldly to say the list, it's only a matter of time before they become the center of the world.
The eastern empire won't like that, if i have to guess they'll take action during the Founding Festival they intend to make.
Luminous : A festival, huh.
Because of Dawn-kun, I wasn't able to get myself drunk last time...I tried once more after he left but the way he looked too serious played with my consciousness.
I didn't even know I could feel like that, guilty of enjoying myself when he was clearly going to do something either dangerous or serious enough for him to act.
Anyway, I left Tempest early with Hinata and Velzard who decided that she would live here now...but it seems that girl Shizu stayed there, she was rather close to the newbie.
I briefly listened to her situation, she is quite the beauty so i just went along but honestly, i couldn't care less.
Luminous : Mmh ?
Suddenly, I jolted a bit when I felt a dreadful presence intruding the sanctuary, getting up i got in guard as the presence appeared right in front of me.
Instinctively, I reached for my sword but the next moment I relaxed when I recognized my strongest subordinate.
Luminous : Well well, you changed a lot in just 2 days...
Dawn : I'm back my lady.
Smirking, I turned around to hide the sweet that had formed on my forehead...what did he do during the last 2 days...
His appearance changed light, the sword at his wrist had changed...and more importantly, he had become a complete menace, his presence alone seemed more threatening than that stupid lizard when he attacked Night rose...
Luminous : Are you going to keep everything secret or you want to let everything out ?
I trust him, so I had no problem if he decided to hide what happened during those last 2 days...after all, his growth would inevitably help me so...
Dawn : I could but...i think you already have a rough idea.
Luminous : Mmh, let me guess.
Sitting back on my throne, I held my hand under my chin and analyzed his new appearance...white hair, he actually looks more like Velzard now.
Luminous : Wait...could it be-
I had suspicions that were almost certain, that Dawn-kun was the reincarnation of the infamous great duke of Averion.
A name rather famous for those who had known that era, I personally never met him but the rumors and talk about him were just everywhere.
His strength wasn't a question too, as he was feared and recognized as the strongest of his era without counting the immortals.
Luminous : It seems you merged with your past life, how intriguing.
Dawn : As expected, you saw right through me...anyway, I had something else I wanted to announce to you.
Luminous : What ?
Dawn : After Tempest's festival, I will bring Yuu and Eleonor with me and march toward Dagruel's territory.
My eyes widened for an instant, it was already well known that he wanted Ruberios to go on a all out war against Dagruel.
But he wants to go there alone with low force ? No matter how you look at it, it seemed absurd but at the same time.
Luminous : Are you that confident in taking out Dagruel ?
Dawn : Yes, at the moment there is no threat capable of handling me.
How arrogant but I like it. This confidence isn't unfounded...merging with his past self, did Origin Averion influence his personality ?
It's like I'm rediscovering Dawn all again.
Luminous : Fine, I can't wait to hear the result, hopefully they won't disappoint me.
Dawn : You don't have to worry about that, anyways I'll take my leave first, I can feel Hinata and Velzard here.
Luminous : Oh by the way, Tempest is holding a tournament during the festival.
Dawn : Oh ? (Well this is where Masayuki is making his debut...)
Luminous : I order you, participate and win the tournament.
Dawn : Huh ?
Keeping my friendly smile, he turned toward me confused...well it's normal, i really don't care about that.
Just now that I had seen the tremendous progress he had made, I just wanted to see more of his fighting skill.
Luminous : I just want to boast around a little, my subordinate is the strongest, so be a dear and win it for me.
Dawn : S-sure...
You know, flexing on Rimuru like that is not bad, fufufu.
3rd Pov
After this, Dawn made his way back to his office...surprisingly the office has become the tea room for Velzard as he met her there.
Accompanied by Flora who served as maid for her...
Flora : Welcome back leader.
Velzard : Oh Dawn-kun, you changed a lot.
Dawn : I know, I know.
For a moment, Velzard's eyes went down to Shin Exalia stitched on Dawn's waist...her eyes narrowed dangerously as she was reminded of something.
Velzard : Heh, that sword is quite nice...
Dawn : I just retrieved it...a-and about Snowie...
Velzard : She is gone isn't she.
Flinching, Dawn froze as he looked down sadly...it seems Velzard already knew, she was the oldest true dragon alive for a reason.
Velzard : She might be gone but that sword of yours has all her memories and feelings, so don't mind it too much, she is still with us.
Reassuring him, Velzard's expression softened before reshaping into a scowl.
Velzard : I'm more annoyed by the fact that my big brother literally came up to me, ripped a few scales off my body to forge this sword.
Dawn : Huh ?
Flora : That sounds rough, lady Velzard...
Dawn sweetdropped, he didn't know but Veldanava had really gone to Velzard since her body was the most durable after his.
Asked her to take her dragon form, then ripped enough scale to forge Exalion...as time passed Velzard had buried the memories away.
But now, all resurfaced when she saw the blade...no in fact, she started remembering when she passed more time with Snowie.
This also helped her deduce about Snowie's true identity and her future demise.
Velzard : Anyway, who is that little fox you are carrying ?
Dawn : Huh ? You are able to see her ?
Dawn was genuinely surprised, he had previously casted [Destiny beyond Fate] on the fox so no one beside him could see her.
Basically setting her fate to be invisible, her presence turned to void...even Luminous didn't manage to see her.
Dawn : Heh, I guess the True dragon is really something else...
A moment ago, he was confident in taking a true dragon head on now...but, it seems the only real boost he had gotten was about his existence.
His ultimate skill and other power didn't receive much boosts.
Dawn : Well, this little fox is my new companion...she doesn't appear like that but she is already superior to your average awakened demon lord.
Velzard : Oh my~she seems to be a cryptid, what a rare fellow you found.
Dawn : I know, she still has yet to wake up because she was sealed in a temporal prison for a long time, so you'll have to wait a little more before actually meeting her.
Smiling softly, Dawn went to his desk which was filled with a few paperwork...he had expected much more since he was gone for a whole 2 days without counting his time at Tempest.
Flora : I made sure to leave the important matter which requested your direct approval on the side, I took care of the remaining matter. Would the leader like an overall report about the recent situation that occurred around Ruberios ?
Dawn : Mmh, you did well...and I'll listen to your report after those two come back.
Nodding, Flora quickly closed her eyes and tried to feel the incoming presence...she wasn't much surprised when she noticed Eleonor and Lucas coming back from their mission at the border.
Flora : I'll go fetch some more tea and sweets.
Dawn : Sure.
Bowing before taking her leave, Velzard chuckled at the scene.
Velzard : You sure found some loyal subordinates.
Dawn : And I'm thankful for that.
Velzard : Are you not going to tell me anything ?
Dawn : Mmh ?
Velzard : You know, I'm not dumb.
Grinning, Velzard was aware that her older brother Veldanava had taken a human and trained him a long time ago.
She was aware of the reason why he had come and took her scale to forge a sword...
Velzard : So, my little disciple is the reincarnation of an old man from millennia ago, how funny.
Dawn : We haven't really met before, but yeah...it seems you already suspected a lot about me, I would almost wonder how much you knew.
Velzard : Meh, I know enough to deduce the rest myself.
Nodding at her seemingly hinted words, Dawn grabbed the few piled papers and documents on his desk and reviewed them.
Velzard : By the way, I met a strange girl back in Tempest.
Dawn : A girl ?
Velzard : Yes, and to my surprise she clearly held the blood of Averion in her.
For a moment, Dawn froze as he looked up...his eyes darted toward the ice dragon who just grabbed her tea cup and took a sip.
Dawn : Blood of Averion, you say ?
Velzard : My eyes witnessed it directly, the raging yet heroic flare that her body released.
Dawn : Mmh...could it be...
Contemplating different possibilities, Dawn shook his head dismissing a possible reality.
Dawn : What you call, Blood of Averion...isn't something genetic right.
Velzard : Well, it was only a term my older brother taught me...he had shown me personally what it was about.
A body and soul that was perfectly compatible with the Hero egg, at that time only one lineage managed to attain such form.
And that was Origin Averion...so Veldanava had decided to name this phenomenon after him...the heroic blood, Averion.
Velzard : I didn't manage to gasp her physical appearance but...her spiritual body was terrifyingly similar to your past lives.
Dawn : Mmh...i see...
Velzard : Do you have any leads ?
Dawn : Would you believe me if I told you I had a daughter ?
Velzard : What ?
Her face flashing white, she dropped her cup before releasing a bewildered look.
Dawn : During my time as Origin Averion, I never got married...but for a long period, I had a partner...her name was Catherine Wisdon.
Velzard : W-wait...are you serious ?
Dawn : Yes...she was pregnant but died before our child could be born.
Realization hits Velzard as she puts the piece of the puzzle together.
Dawn : When her life ended, I had buried her in a coffin deep underground...but now that I think back, the life inside her had disappeared almost instantly along with her.
Even if Catherine had died, the life inside her belly was a life of its own...the baby should have at least shown signs of life even if she died later.
Velzard : Are you saying that the child was already gone when she died ? But how ?
Dawn : It should have been impossible...but many things make me think that the girl you saw is exactly that child.
Explaining his reasoning, Velzard confirmed that the girl she saw had an almost exact similar constitution to Origin Averion.
And no matter how similar and pure it was, as age passed...the blood and genetics along with the spiritual body will alter.
That definitely crosses the possibility for her to be one of Origin's descendants...
Another thing is about the words she said to Luminous and Velzard, if Dawn considered them...it was clear that she was somehow aware of his circumstance.
Dawn : My theory is that...right before Catherine's death, she had formed some kind of spatial magic to send her away...how old do you think she was ?
Velzard : Not older than 100 for sure...
Dawn : Teleportation that transcended time and space ? No, that's too much even for a genius like her...
Velzard : What about...the other world ?
Dawn flinched a bit, before thinking about it...it was plausible since the time in the other world and the cardinal world weren't connected.
Being from the early age of Earth could be summoned after those from the modern age...if Catherine and Origin's daughter was sent to another world...
And then, later resummoned to the Cardinal world...then, this would fit the sudden disappearance through space and time.
Velzard : But that's very unlikely...because entering this world is one thing but leaving is another.
There is no case of people leaving the cardinal world to reach the other world...entering was easy in a way.
Summoning, reincarnation or being randomly teleported here...
Dawn : Catherine was a genius...even now, we are using her invention, spells like Disintegration were part of the legacy she had left for the future.
Velzard : Are you saying she could have...found a way to leave this world ?
Dawn : She is an iconic figure for most...the mother of modern magic, for a long time we studied the concept of life together.
Life and death, Space and time...all those completed each other and formed creation...it was common sense that a normal mortal would never manage to understand and control those powers.
Yet, deep inside...Dawn knew that if one mortal could achieve any insight into them...it would be Catherine Wisdon.
Dawn : Skill was something we weren't aware of in the past...I believe Catherine might have a skill powerful enough to achieve it.
Velzard : This...then, supposing she is your daughter...what would be her goal ?
Dawn : I don't know...but from your words, she isn't an enemy, at least not yet.
The more they deduced the more plausible it became...that also means, somewhere around the world, Origin's daughter was acting on her own trying to pray to open another path of her own.
Dawn : (I see now, everything makes more sense...i know who you are, so you were my daughter all along.)
Placing his hand over his mouth, he couldn't help but chuckle...with the news theory and information he also deduced some other things.
On his last journey, he had occasionally checked on the two siblings he had left behind...from Catherine's words, those two got married and started a life of their own.
Dawn : How funny, hahaha !
Velzard : Mmh ?
Dawn : Even after so many years, Averion is still living among a few people...
His daughter and the descendant of Rachel and Luke Averion...he had already deduced one of the family that originated from them.
And coincidentally, this same descendant helped him find the laboratory...the leader of the underworld, Noireva...descendant of Luke Averion.
Dawn : Now that I think...if you invert the name Noireva, it makes Averion...how funny...
Muttering to himself, he had also realized who the descendant of Rachel Averion was, and that part was the most hilarious...though he had to keep it a secret for now.
Closing his eyes, he waited a few more seconds before feeling Eleonor arriving...for now, he had to settle his inner thoughts aside and focus on the situation around Horizon's disappearance.