Bab 22: The truth about Ritsuka Fujimaru part 2

Continuing where we left off...

***************

Ritsuka:The Aeon of Finality?!

I say this being shocked by the revelation I heard about who was responsible for bringing me here.

Ritsuka:How is that possible?! How did an Aeon that is traveling from the past manage to bring me here?!

Yog-Sothoth: There are several explanations about this, but the simplest is that you and Finality have a "connection". With that connection they used it to rayshift you to that parallel world in the future.

Yog-Sothoth said this leaving me with a thoughtful expression.

💭So this is the same situation that happened in SE.RA.PH?

The holy grail war on the moon was in a parallel world in the future, but this situation goes far beyond what happened with the war on the Mooncell.

Ritsuka:But how do I have a connection with Finality?

Yog-Sothoth: It's a secret. You can't expect me to tell you the whole truth at the beginning of your new journey. I may not care about spoilers, but I don't want to ruin the surprise.

Yog-Sothoth said this, smiling again and she let out a light laugh when she saw my surprised reaction.

Ritsuka:So what can you tell me?

Yog-Sothoth: As I said before, I didn't like what the Aeon of Finality did in bringing you here. At first I was going to deal with that Aeon personally, but I thought better of it and decided to see what this journey will lead to. But I also don't want you to lose track of your main quest in Chaldea. With that in mind I decided to give you some help.

Ritsuka:And what kind of help is this?

Yog-Sothoth:The first is the simplest to do is this little thing that Nanoock put on you.

Yog-Sothoth said this and walked up to me and touched my eye where it looks different and I feel a very subtle sensation that I almost didn't notice.

Ritsuka:What did you do?

Yog-Sothoth: I made it possible for you to control the blessing of Destruction that you acquired without Nanoock wanting to influence it. A second help is that you can't go through this journey without someone from your world to help you, so I decided to get a good friend of yours to accompany you.

Said Yog-Sothoth who opened a small portal and from the portal came a creature that I immediately recognized.

Ritsuka: It's not possible! Fou?!

(Photo)

I look at Fou who is unconscious in my lap and I am very happy to see him after a long time.

Yog-Sothoth:This little BEAST was very worried about you, so I decided to bring him here. I'm sure it will be of great help to you in the future. One more very important thing. You are aware that this body you are using is from you being a Heroic Spirit, aren't you?

Ritsuka: Yes. I realized this when I woke up on the space station and tested my skills in the simulated universe, I thought it was strange how this was possible since I hadn't died yet, so I was always in doubt as to how I became a Servant.

Yog-Sothoth:You had these doubts until you summoned your servants and they gave you the answer. That you didn't actually die and that your real body is in a coma in Chaldea.

Yog-Sothoth said this making me remember this piece of information that I acquired.

💭I still find it hard to believe that I'm a Heroic Spirit even though I don't have any fame talking about me.

Ritsuka: I still can't understand. I turned down Dantes' offer to become an Avenger, so how did I practically become the Avenger he wanted?!

I say this to Yog-Sothoth wanting to have an answer to something that has been troubling me for a long time.

Yog-Sothoth: It's very simple, my dear Ritsuka. The flames of revenge were never taken from you. After all, even though you refused the offer, you still carry that same anger and hatred that you felt that day. These powerful feelings became little embers of fire in your soul awaiting the day you could heed them again.

Yog-Sothoth said this leaving me in silence with no response to counter what she said.

It's true that after the events of the second Ordeal Call I became very bad emotionally and it was difficult for me to control my emotions which I had been holding back for a long time.

💭I knew from the beginning..... I just refused to admit it.

Marie Alter, when she was summoned in Chaldea, was always trying to cause a negative reaction in me, wanting me to fall for her provocations.

Yog-Sothoth: Now that you are a Heroic Spirit registered on the Throne of Heroes as possibly the God of Vengeance. This is very ironic, you have a great affinity with Harmony, but at the same time you can be considered the God of Revenge, something that is the total opposite of Harmony. Hehehe...

Yog-Sothoth said this, amused by my horrible situation.

Yog-Sothoth:Unfortunately, Ritsuka, our conversation will have to end. I have certain things to do at the moment, but I have two last things to talk to you about. The first has to do with you having the ability to summon your servants.

Ritsuka: I don't understand. Wasn't it because of the blessing I received from Preservation?

Yog-Sothoth: Yes. But Qlipoth is just the key to it. The reason you are able to summon the servants is because I created a bridge of connection between you and your real body.

Yog-Sothoth said this leaving me surprised with the revelation.

Ritsuka:Let me see if I understand correctly. Are you using my real body as a bridge so I can summon my servants?

Yog-Sothoth:Exactly! With this connection bridge created, you need a key for you to be able to use it and that is what Qlipoth's blessing is for. That is just a catalyst for you to connect with the servants in Chaldea. In addition to this connection serving as your ticket back to your friends.

Yog-Sothoth said, leaving me surprised again with what I heard.

Ritsuka:What?! What do you mean this is my ticket back to Chaldea?

Yog-Sothoth: It's something very simple. I can send you back home no problem, but if I do that Terminus will just bring you back here. So to avoid having a conflict on a scale that causes the end of this world, I decided to create something that guarantees your return to Chaldea.

Yog-Sothoth said this and I feel an immense sense of relief knowing that eventually I will return home.

Yog-Sothoth:The bridge I created is being guarded by Abigail wanted to help you in some way, so I assigned her the job of a guardian ensuring that nothing can interfere.

Ritsuka: Are you talking about the real Abby?

Yog-Sothoth: Yes. The same Abigail who set out on a journey into the cosmos to learn the powers of our contract. Now about the second and last thing I have to talk to you about is a simple piece of advice.

Yog-Sothoth said this distancing herself from me and she returned Welt's cane back.

Ritsuka: Any advice? What kind of advice?

Yog-Sothoth:Try not to enter the dream world too often, Ritsuka. After all, you never know if there is something waiting for you there.

Said Yog-Sothoth leaving me confused and curious what she is talking about.

Ritsuka:What are you trying to say?

Yog-Sothoth: Let's say that one of the most important Outer Gods is very eager to meet you in person, since after all you and her have the same affinity.

Ritsuka:Say the Outer Gods that you're trying to say.

I say this without having patience with the suspense she is putting in place. Yog-Sothoth pouts at me, but she answers.

Yog-Sothoth: Hmpf! You don't know how to have fun. Anyway. If you want to know the Outer God I'm referring to is Azathoth. The Blind Idiot God.

When Yog-Sothoth said the name of this entity, my entire body got goosebumps and I started to feel a very terrible sensation.

Yog-Sothoth: Unfortunately I really have to leave now, but don't worry too much my dear Ritsuka, Azathoth won't want to hurt someone she considers to be a vessel, so you have nothing to fear. If the two of you end up meeting, just don't wake her up and everything will be fine.

Ritsuka:What?!

Yog-Sothoth:Good luck, Ritsuka.

With these words Yog-Sothoth disappears from my vision and then time returns to normal.

Himeko:Ritsuka, are you okay? Your face is white.

Welt:How strange... I don't remember putting my cane on my lap.

I hear Welt and Himeko's voice which made me stop looking in the direction Yog-Sothoth had left.

Ritsuka: Oh. Sorry, I was lost in my thoughts for a moment.

I say this with a forced smile trying not to give suspicion of what happened when Yog-Sothoth entered the train.

March 7: Hey, Ritsuka, where did you get that cute little animal on your lap.

Said March 7 pointing to Fou who just woke up.

Fou:Kyuu~

Fou starts to stretch his body and he looks at me with a surprised expression.

Fou:Fou!

Fou jumps on my shoulder and starts hitting me using his paws as if he was scolding me.

March 7 sees this and starts taking pictures of Fou not being able to resist the cuteness she is seeing.

Ritsuka: This "cat" that is hitting me is my best friend from my home world. His name is Fou and he is a very "special" animal and that's why he appeared in my lap out of nowhere.

I say this drawing the attention of the adults and March 7 continues to take photos of Fou.

March 7:He's so cute! I never thought I would have something that could compete with Pom-Pom in cuteness!

Stelle: How about we have a competition between the two of them?

March 7:Great idea, Stelle! I'll make the preparations right now!

Said March 7 being very excited about making the competition between Pom-Pom and Fou.

Himeko:Hehehe. Calm down March 7. We still have to hear what Ritsuka has to tell us.

March 7:Sorry.

Ritsuka: Well without further ado I'll start with the parts you already know. I'm the Assistant Director of the space station, I'm basically the person responsible for keeping the station up and running in addition to other things I'm responsible for.

March 7: We already know that.

Ritsuka:Yes, but what you don't know is that I am also an Emanator just like Herta.

Dan Hang:Interesting.

Himeko:Well, that's a surprise.

Welt:So you're an Erudition Emanator?

Ritsuka:No. I am an Emanator of Equilibrium.

When I said this everyone was surprised with the exception of Stelle.

Dan Hang: So you're a member of the arbitrators?

March 7/Stelle:What are arbitrators?

Ritsuka:I can answer that. Arbitrators are a group of people who follow HooH's actions in search of the perfect balance, some members are Emanators and depending on who you ask they are considered Gods.

March 7: Amazing! So you're part of their group, Ritsuka?

Ritsuka:Yes and no. I'm considered part of their group, but I don't do what they do. They are aware of my existence just like I am aware of theirs.

Welt:But what do you do as an Equilibrium Emanator?

Ritsuka: I am responsible for not letting the "scales" of the universe fall out of order. To summarize in a few words, I'm basically a defense system that HooH sends in cases of trouble and I receive power depending on the enemy I'm facing. An example of this is if I face something that could threaten a planet, HooH will give me the power I need to deal with that problem.

(A/N:Basically Ritsuka is a Counter Guardian of Honkai Star Rail.)

Ritsuka: Now with the easiest part out of the way, I'll now tell you about my past.

I say that and I start telling my friends about everything I've been through. How I ended up in Chaldea, my adventures in the singularities along with what happened after that and the events of the Lostbelts.

*********************

This chat lasted hours as I had to say a lot and I had to answer questions about certain details about my world, which I had to do my best to explain.

Himeko: This is a lot to process.

Welt: You were right. It's a really long story.

Welt and Himeko are processing everything they heard from me and Stelle, March and Dan Hang are shocked by all the information that was revealed.

March 7:So if I understand correctly. Are you a time traveling wizard?

Ritsuka: There are certain details about me traveling in the past, but that's a good summary.

Dan Hang: It's a true miracle that you survived all of this.

Ritsuka: You have no idea Dan Hang.

Stelle: But these Lostbelts, did you really have to destroy them? Was there really no other way?

Stelle said this making March 7 have a sad expression on her face as she remembered the stories of the Lostbelts that I had told.

March 7: It's truly a tragic thing to hear. Living in a world condemned to be forgotten..... It's even worse that there were worlds that were peaceful.

Welt:But these worlds also had no progress. Humanity would remain stuck in the cycle of evolution. As harsh as this reality is, we humans evolve with the conflicts that we go through. Without this conflict, we have no reason to move forward.

Ritsuka:I really wish there was an alternative, but unfortunately our only option for survival was the destruction of other worlds.

Fou: Fou....

Dan Hang:That must be why Nanoock was interested in you was because you have already destroyed worlds and that corresponds with the path of Destruction.

Himeko: That must have been a big burden for you to bear, Ritsuka.

Ritsuka: I know. I just find it funny that I'm an Avenger due to certain circumstances.

Stelle:You didn't explain much about the classes of the servants you summoned.

March 7: Exactly! You just gave a really quick summary of it.

Ritsuka: Well the classes of Heroic Spirits correspond with the type of combat they were most famous for, Saber are historical people most famous in the art of the sword. Archers are people famous for their bow and arrow styles, but certain Heroic Spirits go against these rules.

Himeko:What do you mean, Ritsuka?

Ritsuka: Let's say that the Archer class has many heroic spirits that don't use bows and that's all I'm going to say. Lancer are people specialized in spears obviously, Rider are people more famous for mounts, some Kings and emperors end up falling into this class due to the army they have.

Welt:So if a person is famous for their huge army they will be Riders?

Ritsuka:Or have you ever owned a legendary creature, take a Dragon for example.

March 7: So if Pom-Pom was a servant his class would be Rider?

March 7 said, making me laugh lightly as I imagined Pom-Pom being a servant.

Ritsuka: Hehehe. Yes, his class would be Rider. The last three classes are Caster, Assassin and Beserker. Caster belongs to people who are inventors and wizards, Assassin are people known in the art of assassination and going unnoticed by people and Beserkers are people who have succumbed to rage and are known to be brutal in combat.

Stelle:But you said you're an Avenger, right?

Stelle said this, keeping her arms crossed and I take a deep breath, mentally preparing myself for seeing that I'm going to have to explain the class I'm using.

Ritsuka: Yes, I said that. Avengers are part of a set of classes that do not belong in a normal summon and we call these classes "extra classes". The Avenger class is similar to the Beserkers in certain aspects the difference is that we succumb to anger and hatred and the desire to carry out revenge on something or a single individual.

Dan Hang:Can you explain it better, Ritsuka?

Dan Hang said and I could hear a slight tone of concern coming from his voice.

Ritsuka: Of course. To be an Avenger you need to have gone through something very tragic that led you on a path of revenge. You need to have a high desire to kill and a huge desire to achieve this revenge. It doesn't matter the type of revenge, the important thing is whether you have the ability to fuel that flame.

Himeko:And as you are an Avenger you went through something very tragic.

Ritsuka: Yes. I am considered the last Avenger to exist and the strongest in history as I am carrying the desire for revenge of an entire planet.

I say this leaving Welt with an expression of curiosity.

Fou: Fou...

Welt:This has to do with the event that caused your planet to bleach, doesn't it?

Ritsuka: Yes. Due to some events, I ended up harboring an immense desire for revenge against the person responsible for everything I went through, but by doing so I could end up going against Humanity.

March 7:Wait a minute! How can you go against humanity if you were saving them?!

Ritsuka: I have an explanation for that, but let's leave that for later. We've already spent a lot of time talking.

Himeko:Hehehe. True, we were talking so much that time passed quickly.

March 7:Awww...but I wanted to hear more...

March 7 said, pouting.

Welt: Patience, March. We'll have enough time for Ritsuka to tell you all about his adventures.

Dan Hang: With everything finished, I go to my room.

Dan Hang said, being the first to leave.

March 7: There he goes, back to being isolated in his room.

Ritsuka:I'm also going to my room. I have certain things to resolve and messages that I have to respond to.

I say this by withdrawing and entering my room with Fou on my shoulder.

Ritsuka:Welcome to my new room Fou. I hope you like this place.

I say that and I see Fou leaving my room and he starts exploring the place. While he's doing this I look at the messages I've received.

💭My god, how many messages.... I don't know where to start...Hmm?

I see that I received a message from Herta recently and it catches my attention.

💭Let's see what that grandma wants from me now.

I sort through the messages to see what Herta wants from me.

Herta💬 Assistant! I need you at the station now!

Ritsuka💬 Explanation please.

Herta💬Screwllum is going to pay a visit here at the station in a little while and I want you to send that girl friend of yours from IPC away.

Ritsuka 💬Are you talking about Topaz? She came to collect payment for your bills, didn't she?

Herta💬Yes and I want you to use your charms that enchant young girls to send her away so that I can focus on my important project without interruptions!

Ritsuka💬You're lucky I already finished my first expedition. I am on my way.

I finish reading Herta's messages and I let out a sigh seeing that Herta is once again using me to solve her problems.

Ritsuka: At this point I deserve to be the station's chief director. If that happens I'll send a letter of complaint to Nous and tell that Aeon that they need to choose a better Emanator.

I finish saying this and look at Fou who is looking at my collection of miniature mechas that I created.

Ritsuka:Come on, Fou. You will meet someone who is a lover of cute animals like you.

Fou:Fou?

💭I wonder what Numby's reaction will be when he sees Fou? Jalena is probably in my office wanting free food.

I think about it and look at the messages I received from Jalena.

Topaz (Jalena)💬 Ritsuka! Where are you?! I'm hungry and I miss your food! Numby feels the same way too!

I read the last message from the Stones Hearts member and I let out a sigh seeing how addicted she was to my food.

Ritsuka: I said that if she's that hungry she can eat at the fancy IPC restaurant, but no, she'd rather come here just to waste time in my office.

💭It feels like my office has become a second home for her.

With a destination in mind I finish packing my things and prepare to head back to the space station.

*************

Next chapter: Meanwhile at Chaldea

***************

A/N: Certain things I have to say to you readers. Ritsuka will return to the space station and he will do some companion missions and this also includes Ruan Mei's mission which will be very important for Ritsuka in the story.

After that we go to Xianzhou Luofu or should I put Argenti's mission before that, I'll think about it.

The Chaldea chapter could probably end up being quick since it will only focus on what is happening in Chaldea while Ritsuka is in a coma.