"Escape Fate?" The masked figure's voice carried a tone of sarcasm, as though the very idea was far-fetched.
"Yes, that's our plan. We're constructing a spaceship to get off this planet. Aren't you trying to escape Fate too?" Aquanos retorted. If the Moonlight Sanctuary was indeed targeted by Fate, it would mean they shared the same enemy—Fate itself.
A cynical mental laugh erupted from the masked figure.
"Hahaha. Don't get me wrong. I'm all for breaking free from Fate, but I'm not about to run and hide," he replied, exuding an air of confidence.
"What do you mean?" King Aquanos asked, seeking clarification.
"Give me the Lapis of Truth, and I'll show you something interesting," the mask figure responded, his thoughts reaching Aquanos's mind.
Aquanos took a moment to absorb the masked figure's offer, his mind processing the implications of his request.
In this tense moment, a fragile balance hung in the air.
The whole Supernatural Summit representative and the Moonlight Sanctuary combatants faced each other, caught in a standoff.
Adding to the complexity was the fact that Razu, Aquanos's close friend, now found himself in the masked figure's grip—a dangerous reminder of the seriousness of their situation.
Razu's initial attack had been fueled by his desire to protect Atlantis on Aquanos's behalf. However, he was now unconscious, a reminder of how strong the Mask Figure was .
Razu boosted the strongest physical traits among them, bearing the blood of Asura, yet it took the masked figure only a couple of seconds to deal with him. Such an accomplishment could only be feasible if the power disparity was like heaven and Earth.
However, it wasn't enough to instill fear within him. King Aquanos held within himself the power, technology, and capability to confront the leader of the Moonlight Sanctuary. but, he was keenly aware that the masked figure could effortlessly snap his friend's neck before he even had a chance to react.
"Hand over the Lapis of Truth," Aquanos's voice was firm as he addressed Saintess Agness, motioning for her to surrender the stone.
Curiosity and caution flickered in Saintess Agness's eyes as she hesitated, taking a step back. The stone held great significance, a cherished treasure of the Vatican, and parting with it felt unwise.
"Why do you need it?" she asked, her voice tinged with apprehension. The implications of giving up such a valuable artifact was hard to swallow.
"Just give it to me," Aquanos's gaze turned icy, his frustration visible.
He held Saintess Agness accountable for the turmoil that had unfolded, and his impatience was evident as he struggled to find a way to address the pressing situation.
Emotions ran high, reflecting the tangled web of alliances, tensions, and power struggles that had culminated in this critical moment.
Cornered and under Aquanos's unrelenting gaze, Saintess Agnes felt the weight of her predicament. If looks could kill, she might have met her death several times over already.
Reluctantly admitting defeat, she let out a sigh and handed over the stone.
Aquanos took the blue stone and, in a sudden and swift motion, launched it into the air. Like a meteorite, it streaked through the sky at blinding speed, its path almost a blur.
SWOOOOSH!
Yet, defying physics itself, the masked figure effortlessly snatched the stone from the air. His action was marked by a casual ease.
"What have you done? Why did you hand over the stone to him?" Saintess Agnes exclaimed, her voice tinged with frustration. The stone, a legendary item bestowed upon her by Saint Uldrick, now rested in the possession of their enemy. What kind of twisted logic was behind this result?
But before she could fully voice out her concerns, the masked figure's voice resonated in the air.
"I promise to speak only the truth," he declared, and the stone responded.
This time, the stone's reaction was more intense.
Vibrations coursed through it, producing a rumbling sound that reverberated in the surroundings. The stone's response highlighted the masked figure's overwhelming strength in comparison to Saintess Agnes.
"What's your plan?" King Aquanos inquired, his voice tinged with curiosity.
"To end Fate," the masked figure declared, his tone resolute.
Aquanos's skepticism was evident as he pressed further, "Do you even have the capability?"
"We possess a means to defeat Fate," the masked figure responded, his words carrying an air of confidence.
"Is he telling the truth ?" A hushed tension settled over everyone as they absorbed the weight of his bold proclamation.
All eyes were gathered on the stone, a silent observer to the unfolding scene. The masked figure's claim of being able to eliminate Fate was met with a mix of doubts and anticipation; the notion seemed absurdly impossible.
But, as seconds stretched on, the stone's unresponsive stillness told a different story. It seemed to validate his words, sending shockwaves through the assembly. The realization was met with a range of reactions.
"Is this even possible? Can he truly kill Fate?" A representative's voice trembled, their disbelief evident.
"I can't say for sure, but the stone didn't react, so his words might hold truth," added another representative, their voice joining the discussion.
Saintess Agness felt the world around her shift as the weight of his words sunk in.
The Moonlight Sanctuary's claim of being able to end Fate struck like a hammer blow.
Her most powerful trump card now appeared to be turned against her, a twist of fate she had never foreseen. The revelation redefined her status and left her grappling with the implications of this revelation.
"Don't believe him!" Saintess Agnes retorted, her voice carrying a mix of defiance and desperation.
"Ah, but does the Lapis of Truth not prove the reality of my words? Or are you suggesting that this little stone can't be trusted? In that case, could it be that you're also misleading us about Fate wish?" His words were laced with mockery and challenge.
"You…" Saintess Agnes found herself momentarily speechless, caught in a rhetorical trap set by the leader of the Moonlight Sanctuary. She had been skillfully outmaneuvered.
Amid the tense atmosphere, King Aquanos's cold and frustrated voice cut through the air.
"Is what he says true?"
"I.." Saintess Agnes faced a dilemma. If she rejected the stone's accuracy, her credibility would be undermined.
However, confirming its reliability would only confirm the Moonlight Sanctuary's claim of having the means to end Fate. She was aware of the ancestral grievances harbored by the representatives, stemming from the disappearance of their ancestors countless years ago—a shared history that lent weight to the masked figure's words.
The possibility of the Moonlight Sanctuary truly possessing the means to defeat Fate was a tantalizing prospect—one that, if proven, could lead the representatives to rally behind the masked figure side.
"Tell us, Saintess Agnes!" King Aquanos's voice boomed with anger, the urgency of the situation propelling his demand.
With a heavy sigh, Saintess Agnes knew she had to confront the truth.
"The Lapis of Truth does not lie," she admitted, her declaration rippling through the assembly like a seismic wave. Her words carried the weight of an admission she would have rather avoided.
"The Moonlight Sanctuary really has a way to defeat Fate!"
A spark of possibility had ignited within each of them, and they fervently discussed the idea that now gripped their thoughts. The allure of putting an end to Fate proved to be an irresistible temptation for all.
"Do you truly believe he could defeat Fate? He might possess a method to overcome it, but can he truly achieve it? Remember, Fate governs the world law!" Saintess Agnes's words jolted everyone from their delusions.
How could they overlook that point? While he might have a method, it doesn't necessarily imply that the chances are high. For all they know, it could be something bordering on the impossible.
"I really don't care whether you believe me or not," the masked man declared, "but the moment you oppose us, someone far more powerful than me will become your enemy. Even Fate itself would cower in the presence of that being." He chuckled as he held the stone, which remained unresponsive, confirming the truth of his words.
"Now, should we prepare for a fight to the death?" The masked man's tone grew serious.
"Where does he find this confidence?" King Aquanos muttered to himself.
It was one thing to proclaim that he could defeat Fate, but now he was asserting that even Fate would cower in fear. Who was supporting him to grant him such unwavering assurance?
'I need to think this through' King Aquanos once again employed his telepathic abilities.
This time, he engaged in a conversation with Itzel and Master Zang Lee, the core members of their plan, seeking their opinions and input.
"What should we do?" he asked.
"I think it's better not to antagonize Moonlight Sanctuary for now," Itzel explained.
"The masked man just revealed that someone more powerful than him is backing them up. If that being descends, then forget about the plan. We won't even survive to see tomorrow."
"I agree with her. That true Dragon is more than enough to stall the three of us. I don't know what trump cards you have in Atlantis, but I'm 100% sure that this city will fall if an all-out war happens," Zang Lee added.
It wasn't that they were weak; the enemy was simply overwhelmingly strong. For all they knew, other powerhouses from the Moonlight Sanctuary might still be hiding within that black hole, biding their time for the impending war.
The mere existence of the black hole's creator was enough to make them doubt their chances.
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