Chapter 1674: Purpose
Though others might have difficulty finding the gate, Vahn had an absolute advantage that allowed him to locate such things with extreme ease. Thus, after spending a few minutes trying to sense the anomaly using his intent, he simply submerged into his Realm to systematically search for it within his memory. This process took nearly nine hours, but, even if he had decided to stay within for nine years, not even a single zeptosecond would have passed in the 'outside' world.
With his primary objective completed, Vahn decided to spend a few days among his friends, family, and lovers, updating them on the situation and sorting through his thoughts. The best part about this was that, prior to entering his Realm, Vahn moved everyone on the island into the Little Garden. This included Karin, who, as he had postulated, was able to enter the Little Garden without issue. After all, it might use the Laws of the original Record as a template, but, on the most basic level, the Little Garden was directly connected to his 'soul realm', comprised and maintained by his own Source Energy.
Needless to say, Karin, Jinbei, and even Eva were completely gobsmacked, not by the existence of the Little Garden, but by Vahn's power and presence. It didn't matter that his power was somewhat weakened due to the garden's Laws, as, within his Realm, it was impossible to even comprehend the nature of his existence. He was an absolute concept, and, though it would sever their connection to their original world, Vahn explained that he could, quite literally, create new bodies for them within his Realm, effectively transmigrating them.
Unfortunately, though there was nothing preventing him from talking about it, Vahn was unable to explain the specifics of The Path while they were still linked to their original Record. The best way he could explain it was that a separate axis of reality existed within his Soul, and, though it was still in a nascent state, it would gradually evolve to represent an entire Multiverse. This had come as quite a shock to people like Karin, but, as she was well aware of the existence of the Realm, Eva merely fell into deep thought for a few days. As for Jinbei, he didn't seem to really care about anything, using the unexpected 'vacation' to idle at the edge of the island with a fishing pole for a few days...
---
With the help of Da Vinci, Vahn was able to test several theories he had regarding the removal of Karin's [Penance Seal]. It was a non-standard Innate that had obviously been forced upon her as a result of some greater plot tied to the Record itself, but, with an Omnipotent Genius on his side, it was a simple matter to come up with a variety of solutions. If those didn't work, he could always use a [Fate-Severing Knife] to do the job, as, after an admittedly ridiculous amount of research, it was all but confirmed that this was the original purpose of the blade.
Similar to how Heroic Spirits would always obtain a non-standard Innate related to their legend, the very thing that gave them power, some Innates were intrinsically bound to a person's fate. The best example of this was the [Child of Destiny] Innate while other notable examples included Mordred's, [Sage Dragon Emperor's Pampered Princess], Scathach's [Scathach], Da Vinci's [Pioneer of the Stars], and Tamamo's [Tamamo-no-Mae].
By using the [Fate-Severing Knife], Vahn was able to remove a person's non-standard Innates, and, under certain conditions, he could even assign them a new one. Entities that had their fate severed were not all that dissimilar to [Nameless] existences without any fate at all. Thus, if you had a strong enough Will and a substantial influence on Fate, you could impose an entirely new fate on someone simply through assigning them a new name or purpose.
During his experiments with Da Vinci, Vahn put this theory to the test by severing the fate of none other than Skoll. She had been one of the first Companions to develop an Ego after the Awakening, and, due to her association with him, she obtained a non-standard Innate called [Companion of the Sage Dragon Emperor]. This allowed her to evolve into a chibi-form that resembled a five-year-old version of Fenrir, and, though she still had bio-mechanical components, her evolution elevated her to a similar status as Ark, Mother, and Shadow within the Companion network. In essence, she had become the God of Companions, and, after using the [Fate-Severing Knife] to remove her original non-standard Innate, that became her official title and responsibility.
In the wake of Skoll's ascension, the vast majority of Companions experienced evolutions of their own. This led to the Surface becoming surprisingly stable due to some people having spent more than two decades alongside their adorable little partners. Many had even developed an emotional attachment to their Companions, and, in some regions, Japan being the most notable example, it had become increasingly common to see Human-Companion relationships to develop into happy marriages.
Since it was well-within their calculations, neither Vahn nor Da Vinci was surprised when the first requests to marry a Companion was submitted. Rather, a system to officiate the relationship had already been developed decades prior, so, after a brief period of rising social tensions, most people had come to accept that the Companions were just other residents of the Empire. This led to a few groups trying to advocate for Companion rights, but, with the Companions capable of speaking for themselves, those attempting to inflate the non-issue into a point of contention were never able to build any momentum...
---
With several days to consider her options, or, more specifically, be convinced by Eva, it wasn't long before Karin found herself seated naked on an examination table. She wasn't even remotely shy, as, due to her unique form of immortality and her propensity for fighting powerful enemies, having her clothes destroyed was 'very' common. Rather, if you were a woman in the Akamatsuverse, especially a combatant, ending a fight without even a scrap of clothing was considered 'normal'.
Vahn used to wonder what went through the mind of their Creator when designing certain Records, but, after remember that Records were given shape by an amalgamation of dreams, he couldn't lay all the blame of them. They undoubtedly shared the blame, especially if they created a world with a significant amount of 'fanservice', but, in the end, it was the desires of the people viewing, playing, and commemorating their creations that gave form to a Record.
While thinking about the functionally infinite ways in which a Record could manifest, Vahn slowly and methodically traced his finger across the tattoo on Karin's back. She didn't so much as flinch in response to his touch, but, considering Eva was sitting mere meters away, she was probably doing her best to appear as disinterested and unperturbed as possible. Despite this, a subtle shade of red had been steadily creeping into her cheeks, not because he was touching her, but because she was being watched by Eva...
In order to finally convince Karin, Eva had, quite literally, pushed the taciturn woman down, sealing her lips to form a Pactio. This had been something Karin coveted for hundreds of years, so, rather than complain, Vahn nearly had to excuse himself when it seemed like the two were going to do a lot more than simply kiss. It felt like he was trespassing on something he wasn't meant to see, and, though Eva was his fiancee, he wanted to give them a chance to strengthen their bond without his interference.
Unfortunately, though he wasn't exactly complaining, Eva had noticed his intentions, 'forcing' him to stay and observe. This caused Karin to visibly pout, but, after some skillful coaxing from Eva, she was quickly pacified. In the end, she even seemed to seriously consider allowing him to participate, a notion that was made even stronger when it came time for her to be the observer...
After tracing a pattern hidden within the roman numeral for thirteen inscribed on Karin's back, Vahn issued a small nod before retracting his hand and saying, "There are a few notable differences, but I can conclusively say this seal functions similarly to the 'blessing' of a God. There are complex Divine Words hidden within a structure carefully designed to conceal both their existence and function. As for their true purpose...well..."
Sensing the hesitation in Vahn's voice, Karin adopted a disapproving frown, emulating her Master's way of speaking as she sternly said, "Out with it. I've already entrusted this matter to you so there is no sense in being roundabout. If you have something to say, say it. If it isn't important, then get on with the treatment."
As Karin had been pretty harsh with him ever since he watched her make out with Eva, Vahn wasn't too surprised by her tone. Instead, he just shook his head while Eva snickered at the side, reveling in his 'misfortune' and Karin's false bravado.
Since she had put on a strong front, Vahn decided to respect Karin's resolution, explaining, "This is not your original body. The seal on your back has nothing to do with your 'Curse of Inviolability'. It is the thing binding your Ego to your current vessel. In other words, you likely died all those years ago, and, after your Soul moved on to the afterlife, you were forced back into a vessel that looked identical to your original body. Your current race lists you as a Cherubim, one of the attendants of the Biblical God...if I had to guess, you entered into a contract with a higher-tiered angel after your death, and, due to the guilt you felt at that time, you agreed to repent for your sin of betrayal by serving as an instrument of God in the physical plane..."
Hearing Vahn's speculation, Karin was completely slack-jawed, her mouth dangling open as her brain failed to find any words to explain her current mental state. If what he stated was the truth, it meant her 'curse' was something she had imposed on herself, not something that had been forced upon her. As for her ability to use Holy Magic and Purification Spells, these were likely related to the fact she was a Cherubim, or, at the very least, a human Soul sealed within the body of one...
Not finished with his explanation, Vahn adopted a thoughtful expression on his face, using the hand he had previously used to caress Karin's back to stroke his chin as he said, "I'm guessing your desire to 'serve' also has something to do with your Cherubic nature. Though it is pretty obvious that your Ego is in full control, the form and function of our vessels often dictate our self-perception and how we engage others..."
Though she was still staring at Vahn, Karin's mental processes continued to move at a snail's pace, her mind struggling to make sense of everything he had revealed previously. She suddenly felt like a stranger in her own body, as, while much of what Vahn said was mere speculation, the one thing he continued to reinforce was that this wasn't her body. It was something she had been bestowed in order to fulfill a purpose...a purpose she had instinctually followed without question prior to her meeting Eva...
Before Karin could fall further into her doubts, her awareness was brought back in an instant when she felt a familiar embrace. She immediately recognized this as her Master, and, though she still had a number of doubts, the one thing she didn't question was that Eva was the most important person in her heart. She never wanted to part with her again, so, even if it meant betraying the purpose she had been assigned, it didn't matter so long as she was able to fulfill the purpose she had chosen for herself all those years ago...
(A/N: Alternate Titles: 'Hax...','The rise of the most adorable Goddess...','Omae wa mou shindeiru...')
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Chapter 1675: Devout
With Eva helping Karin to calm down, Vahn was able to move on to the most important part of the procedure: treating her 'condition'. To that end, he offered a casual yet confident smile to the dark-haired woman, explaining, "Now that I have a better understanding of your situation, it is actually a lot easier to treat than originally anticipated."
Though she wasn't fully focused on what he was saying, largely due to the fact Eva was holding and caressing her head, Karin eventually extricated herself from her Master's hold to say, "I'm ready...tell me what I need to do."
Seeing the glimmer of conviction within the woman's eyes, Vahn nodded his head in approval, but, as there really wasn't much for her to do, he explained, "All you need to do is lay flat on the table. I will remove the [Penance Seal] from your body and then reseal your Ego in your current vessel. This will allow you to continue using the powers you have become accustomed to over the years. As for the so-called Curse of Inviolability...you don't really need to worry about that. It isn't that you can't take damage, but, due to the Laws at play within this world, most attacks within the physical plane aren't able to affect you. Your current body is like a solidified spiritual projection, so, unless they are able to directly affect your Ego, any attack strong enough to overwhelm your natural defenses will simply phase through you without dealing permanent damage. In essence, so long as your mind is strong enough to bear the burdens placed upon it, the only things you really need to be wary of are powerful corruptive forces and sealing."
Though she felt like Vahn was explaining a lot of unnecessary things, Karin was still grateful for his explanation as it answered a lot of her concerns. Thus, after silently staring into his eyes for several seconds, she simply nodded her head and said, "I'll leave it to you..."
Without any further discussion, Karin adjusted her position on the table so that she was lying flat on her stomach. This allowed both Vahn and Eva to see the line of her back, a beautiful and practically flawless curve that was accented by the immaculately sculpted muscles hidden beneath her fair and unblemished skin. Even with the tattoo marring her upper back, Karin had one of the most 'perfect' bodies Vahn had seen in the Akamatsuverse, but, considering it was a vessel constructed by one of the highest tiered Deities in the verse, this wasn't too surprising...
Noticing Vahn's 'gaze', even without him actually looking, Eva gave him a slightly accusatory look before poking her tongue out at him. She was actually rather envious of Karin's body, but, now that something as 'convenient' as the Little Garden existed, it wouldn't be long before she matured into the buxom beauty she had always wanted to be. For now, however, she wasn't afraid to admire the bodies of others, tracing her palm along Karin's back before coming to a stop on her perfectly pert butt as she said, "There is a lot we need to discuss when you wake up..."
Even with her face resting comfortably in the hole built into the table, Karin was able to tell who was touching her even before her Master spoke. A ruddy hue quickly spread through her cheeks, and, though she did her best to control herself, she was unable to prevent the muscles in her butt from tensing up, jiggling slightly as a result. This further increased her embarrassment, but, after a few seconds had passed, she managed to meekly reply, "I understand..." as she instinctually closed her thighs.
Seeing the interaction between the two, it was Vahn's turn to give Eva a look of mock incredulity, his eyes asking, 'should I leave the room?'. To this, Eva just rolled her own at him before gesturing toward Karin with a, effectively communicating, 'get on with it'. He was pretty sure she even tacked on 'idiot' at the end, but, as that was pretty common when it came to Eva, Vahn just ignored it as he manipulated the energy in the surroundings to condense a Soul-Transferring Formation out of thin air.
With ample practice in both Danmachi and the Nasuverse, Vahn had no trouble extracting Karin's Ego, effectively removing the [Penance Seal] in the process. In the end, it took him less than three minutes to complete the process, surprising both Karin and Eva since it was generally very difficult to perform such procedures. In response to this, Vahn just shrugged it off with a smile, earning him a look of mock exasperation from Eva as she remarked, "I suppose this is what I should expect after choosing to marry a God..."
Though he was amused by the remark, Vahn couldn't pass on the opportunity to tease his beloved wife-to-be, smiling from cheek-to-cheek as he mused, "Being a God is the least important thing in my mind. First and foremost, I'm a father to my children. After that, I'm a loving husband, and, when the need arises, a 'very' generous lover..."
Expecting him to say something important, Eva and Karin had both been listening closely to Vahn's words. Devaluing the status of a God was rather significant after all, so, for a brief moment, neither was able to fully process the meaning of his words until Eva's face gradually turned a deep shade of crimson...
---
After pummeling Vahn a bit, Eva kicked him out of the 'operation' room so that she could be alone with the still-naked Karin. Seeing her sitting there lost in thought brought Eva a moment of pause, but, after quickly recovering her senses, she walked over to the woman's side and asked, "How are you feeling?"
Hearing her Master's question, Karin's eyes came back into focus as she offered a polite bow and answered, "My body feels the same as it always has...if anything, it feels like I can breathe a little easier than before? I suppose that is a testament to that man's skill..."
Nodding her head, Eva adopted a confident smile as she casually grabbed Karin's hand and said, "I told you, didn't I? Though he isn't without his faults, Vahn is one of the most amazing people I have ever met. There is nothing he can't do, but, more importantly, he is constantly pushing himself and others to be become better...something more than what fate had decided for them..."
Seeing the devotion in her Master's eyes, Karin couldn't help but be reminded of the many faithful she had encountered over her inordinately long life. Though Eva lacked the zealotry of some, Karin could easily imagine her fighting at Vahn's side, staking everything to protect the man she loved. At the same time, however, she could imagine Vahn doing much the same. This was a stark contrast to other Gods, as, rather than elevate himself above others, he seemed to be constantly pulling others up to his level...
Remembering the many scenes of Vahn interacting with others, a perpetual smile on his face as he seriously listened to their concerns and tried to help them, Karin couldn't help but suppress a sigh. He was so far beyond the conventional standards of a 'human', but, when you observed Vahn for a long period of time, that was the impression he gave off. Though she had little doubt that he was capable of pulling off the majesty of a God and an Emperor, it was easier to imagine Vahn happily setting out dishes on a table than it was to imagine him lording over others...
Noticing the various conflicts in her companion's eyes, Eva liberated the woman from her reverie as she lightly cupped Karin's cheek with her hand and said, "It is fine to have doubts, Karin. The most important thing to remember is that, from this moment onward, we are free to choose our fate. You are no longer bound to any person, place, or ideology...there is so much more to the world than we ever knew, and, depending on our decisions, there are no limits to our growth...I promise to support you in whatever you choose, but, while it might be selfish of me to request, I'd like for you to stay at my side...at least for a little while..."
Of all the things her Master was saying, the words that seeded themselves most firmly within Karin's mind was Eva's offer to stay together. Her desire to support the woman had never faded for even a brief moment, so, without any hesitation whatsoever, Karin overlapped her hand with Eva's, a look of conviction in her eyes as she firmly answered, "There is nothing I desire more...than to stay at my Master's side..."
Though a smile had developed across her face, Eva shook her head in response to Karin's words, confusing the woman slightly until she stated, "I don't want you to be a servant or an attendant. I can literally produce countless dolls to attend such things. What I want is for us to stand together as equals, working alongside and supporting each other to reach our goals. I want us to be like a family...no...closer than family and without any of the restrictions..."
As she spoke her final few words, Eva passed her thumb along Karin's bottom lip, her intentions clear without needing to go into further detail. This caused a notable blush to develop across the dark-haired woman's face, but, rather than resist, she parted her lips ever so slightly to suckle on the tip of Eva's thumb.
Truth be told, Eva didn't have much interest in members of the same sex, but, after spending a few years alongside Arika, Theo, Fenrir, Medusa, and even Asuna, she had gradually come to accept the reality that awaited her. She would never be the only woman in Vahn's heart, and, though this made her feel a little resentful at times, her memories of Terra and her interactions with other members of Vahn's harem allowed her to make peace with her husband's lack of fidelity.
With that in mind, Eva allowed Karin to continue suckling on her thumb for several seconds, a smile spreading across her face as the woman's expression stirred some of her sadistic tendencies. Part of her was tempted to just push the woman down then and there, but, without Vahn present, Eva was afraid things might go too far. She didn't want her first time to be with another woman, and, even if she did have a soft spot for the dark-haired woman, Eva wasn't romantically attracted to her.
After habitually licking her own lips, Eva liberated her hand from Karin's grasp. This caused a rather disheartened look to appear on the woman's face, but, before she could become too dispirited, Eva made a point to lick the thumb Karin had been suckling on as she asked, "So, what is your decision? Regardless of-"
Without waiting for Eva to finish, Karin adopted a very serious expression, a fiery look in her eyes as she stared at the former's thumb and answered, "I accept! I decided centuries ago that I would even follow you through Hell if it meant staying at your side! Even if I am unable to serve you as my mind compels, my heart will never change!"
Though her response wasn't unexpected, Eva was still amazed by the fervor contained within Karin's words. It actually made her feel a little guilty, but, as she had never gone out of her way to try and manipulate Karin's heart, Eva did her best not to let it bother her. It was Karin's choice to follow her all those years ago, and, even though she had tried to push the woman away numerous times, the inviolable Saintess of Steel always kept coming back, never waning in her devotion...
Feeling that she should reward the woman somehow, Eva's expression turned gentle as she issued a light chuckle and hopped up on the table. Then, taking advantage of Karin's stupor, Eva guided the woman's head to rest on her thighs, caressing her silky black hair as she said, "I'm glad. Vahn might be my most important person, but you have always had a place in my heart. Truth be told, I actually wanted to thank you countless times in the past, but, due to my own fears, I always ended up trying to push you away. Thank you for never giving up on me, Karin...though it might not be the same as my feelings for Vahn...I want you to know that I love you...always and forever..."
Hearing Eva's 'confession', Karin's face became beet red in an instant, her eyes swimming around in their sockets as illusory steam began rising from her head. She had already been satisfied just being able to feel her Master's impossibly soft thighs against her face so she was absolutely overwhelmed when her brain attempted to process the accompanying words. Fortunately, rather than expecting a response, Eva was enjoying her flustered appearance quite a bit, a gratified smile on her face as she continued to comb her fingers through Karin's hair...
(A/N: Alternate Titles: 'It's just transferring a soul. What, did you expect it to cost an arm and a leg?','Eva is a realist','KARIN.EXE has stopped functioning')
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