"Daisuke?"
Zerina's soothing voice was the first thing my senses registered.
Ugh... The feeling of being an Incarnation was something I wouldn't really get used to. It's like I travelled from Nysia's side and arrived here instantly with my memories intact. This was probably a part of the feeling if you perfectly clone a person. It would surely think that he's the original. When proven that he's not, he would insist that he is. From there his mind would start to break down until all of its function stopped.
Ah. Well, this wasn't a perfect clone anyway. I was just a being of energy and I was clearly aware of it.
A lot of things were currently happening back there in the World of Meta but I guess knowing Nysia and my original body, they would be fine. For now, I would focus here. Helping Yuko in her Transcendence.
This wasn't the first time that I've been here as an Incarnation.
During the first instance. Even though I went to spend a day with both Yuko and Zerina, Yuko told me to spend the day at Zerina's side.
It was to catch up for the months that we haven't seen each other and about everything that happened to both of us ever since I left this world.
Of course, during that time, she felt guilty for Yuko again. Because I left without really promising anything except to become strong so that I could fight alongside them, it didn't really sound like I'm accepting her, which really weighed on her mind.
Spending a few hours telling her my experience and the number of times I thought of her, she slowly started to accept that she's now my Companion and someone important to me.
That's why this time, her reservations about our relationship has been lifted.
"Did you miss me?"
I asked her which was immediately answered by her running into my arms. I looked around me and determined that we're in her room at the fortress they were currently staying at. It's somewhere near so it's expected for the enemy to come and try to interrupt Yuko's Transcendence later.
Currently, She's not in her armor but in a red dress resembling what she was wearing when I first saw her in that dark room. Her golden hair has grown a bit and the fringes of her hair have already reached her eyes, partly covering it. Even as an Incarnation, I could feel her soft body as she wrapped her arms around my shoulder.
"Your shamelessness has really leveled up to make that as your first question every time you appear before me."
Zerina knew I was only an Incarnation. For her, that's already enough. Having me by her side again was something she really cherished even if her answer was unnaturally long and completely in contrast to what she just did.
"Well, I miss you. That's why I want to know if you also miss me. I guess I don't really need to ask that, eh?"
"Ugh... Just hug me and stop babbling there."
"Yes, yes My Lady."
"Haa… idiot."
I couldn't help but smile at her reaction. Out of all my Companions, she's the one I least spent my time with but she's the one who saw me when I was at my weakest, apart from Yuko. Now that I've grown strong enough, I want to show off in front of her. Though I could already feel our affection towards each other, I still want to give her a different image of me. Someone who could now stand before her equally.
Wrapping my arms around her, Zerina tightened her arms as she made herself comfortable in my embrace. Even if I didn't look, there's surely a satisfied smile on her lips.
We stayed locked onto each other for at least 10 minutes before she remembered why I was here.
When she did remember, Zerina's face flushed red and got out of our embrace as she immediately stripped out of her dress and started to don her armor. According to others, she's diligent and someone really steadfast that nothing could faze her. If they saw her like this it would surely be a shock. However, that wouldn't happen. This side of her was exclusive for me.
At first, I was watching her smooth back and her occasional glances at me that was clearly checking if my eyes were glued on her. But over time, she started to have trouble wearing the other parts one by one.
She then glanced back at me with pleading eyes. Without waiting for her to ask, I went next to her and took those from her hands.
"Let me help you. Tell me where these fit."
As I helped her wear the other parts, she was intently watching me and that made her blush further. Maybe she intentionally appeared to be having trouble just to have me help her but that didn't matter.
When I was done, I lifted her chin and took her lips to a kiss. Even as an Incarnation, I couldn't help myself upon seeing that enchanting figure and her charming face.
Zerina was surprised at first however, in the end, she closed her eyes and savored it.
"Next time it will not be just my Incarnation who will kiss you. Prepare yourself."
"… Shameless. You better remember that."
Zerina silently muttered with her hands cupping her cheeks to prevent her smile from peeking out of it.
In the end, she fell back in my arms to satisfy her longing for me and spent another 10 minutes just feeling each other's company.
When Zerina led me to Yuko's room, Yuko was already waiting for me by the door. She used her Foresight again and knew that I would soon appear with Zerina.
She was already clad in her armor and was only waiting for the arrival of the Door of Transcendence. The saber at her waist has changed to something that looks more daunting than before, she probably got a new one. I just wonder if that was better than a Pure Regenium. Either way, they have enhanced weapons here. It's probably something that was embedded by a useful skill.
Unlike Yumiko who could call upon Higher Spirits which let her have a variety of abilities to use, Yuko relied on her overwhelming speed and strength which was complemented by her Foresight at the right timing. There were also those Spells and Skills which she could use. In fact, it's truly hard to hit her except when she's restraining herself to use her ability.
She told me that because of all my Support Bonuses along with the Hero's Companion skill in which she got 20% of our average base stats, not only her ability was enhanced due to a huge amount of Intelligence stat she got from me, it also eases her use of Psyche Energy which led to her using less of it when activating her Foresight in battle.
"How are your preparations, Yuko?"
"With you here, everything's ready, Dai-kun. The Champions of the remaining countries have also come to stand guard."
Yuko smilingly answered before looking out of the window of her room, soldiers dotted the place as if they're waiting for a decisive battle that could decide life and death. There were certain individuals there that could be said as unique and carried themselves differently than normal soldiers.
Champions. When the Corrupted started showing up to divide and bring chaos to every country, certain individuals started to rise up as well to fight them. They were like Zerina who either got an inheritance or was bestowed with a unique system.
Since the title Hero was already occupied by Yuko, they started calling them Champions. However, the strongest among them was only Rank 4 Mortal.
Ah well, that's better than nothing. Yuko chose to do her attempt here to lure the enemies out of their Corrupted Kingdom. I was not privy to the actual plan but I guess it wouldn't just be those Champions who would provide their help. She planned to reduce the number of enemies by using her Transcendence as bait and if she successfully steps into Transcendence, she'll take down the Corrupted Kingdom and liberate it from the Corrupted and the Dark Soldiers' hand.
"Good thing I got this skill, I thought I will miss your Transcendence."
I moved next to Yuko and hugged her from behind. When she felt my hand slipping from her sides, Yuko glanced back and released a relieved sigh before leaning herself onto me.
Through that simple action, I could feel her tensed body loosened up slightly.
She was nervous. No matter how strong a front she put on, she was still nervous at her upcoming attempt at Transcendence.
Zerina has already silently excused herself after bringing me here. She still had that smile on her face when I noticed her slipping out of the room earlier. I tried to pull her back but she just shook her head.
I guess that was her being considerate for Yuko again. That brief time before coming here was already enough for her.
"Un. With you here, I'm now more confident to pass it. Watch me, alright?"
"Of course. And I will not let those Corrupted and Dark Soldiers approach you. Put all your focus on it."
Yuko nodded as she pulled on my arm to tighten my hug to her.
At the remaining time before the appearance of the Door of Transcendence, we reviewed everything Nysia gave as a tip for her which boosted more of her confidence.
When we left her room and went outside, her nervousness was already gone.
A few seconds later, a loud rumbling sound covered the whole fortress which alarmed everyone as they all looked up the currently dark sky.
"It's time, Dai-kun."
"Un. Go break it."
We also both looked up and saw the huge archaic door as it slowly materialized.
As soon as that happened, Yuko jumped and flew towards it while casting every Blessings she had on herself.
Everyone below that door started to scramble and went out of the way.
"Daisuke."
From behind me, Zerina, Caila and Noelle appeared. They all nodded at me, already prepared to what was about to happen
"Am I late?"
And from the fortress gate, Reinys in her Wizard outfit appeared while riding a horse. She probably rode here from where she came from. In the end, this Princess finally got out of her depression and decided to come for Yuko's sake.
"Perfect timing, we're complete again."
I smiled at her and when she noticed me. Reinys' worried expression immediately turned unpleasant.
"That's a great expression, Reinys. Thank you for coming to Yuko's aid."
I kept my smile and thanked her which made her flustered. Well, I already expected that kind of reaction from her so it doesn't matter. She's still mourning about her brother becoming a Corrupted but for Yuko, she shelved that thought. That's enough.
With the Hero's Party being complete again, we all looked up as we watched Yuko launching her first attack to the huge door.
And along with that, the sounds of marching enemies outside the fortress also started to drown the place.
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