'A new Charism?!' I thought, my mind racing. 'I thought there were only twelve… but if there's a thirteenth, it would have to be Void, right?'
I exhaled sharply.
Ahem.
A hand suddenly waved in front of my face, breaking me out of my thoughts. I blinked, my gaze refocusing on the amused expression of Vorethia standing before me.
"You okay? You kind of zoned out there." she asked, one brow arched in curiosity.
I cleared my throat, quickly regaining my composure. "Yeah, of course. The clothing shop's just up ahead. We're going to get you some clothes, then I'm taking you back to my place to get you cleaned up."
I didn't immediately register the smirk that slowly curled across her lips.
"Oh? Such a smooth invitation, Tyros… I hope you take your time." she teased, her voice carrying an undertone of amusement.
I met her gaze and chuckled. "Depends on how well you can handle it."
"Psh…" She let out a soft laugh, shaking her head but unable to hide the wide, entertained smile on her face.
I chuckled as well, stepping forward and pushing open the door to the shop first.
The tailor's shop was a medium-sized but well-kept establishment, nestled in one of the quieter corners of the Bastion. I had been here before, which was the only reason I knew exactly where to go.
The moment we entered, a bright, cheerful voice greeted us.
"Welcome to Sky's Tailor Shop! My name is Brianna Yan! How can I be of service?"
The voice belonged to a strikingly beautiful elf woman with crystal-blue eyes that gleamed like polished sapphires. Her long, scarlet-red hair cascaded down her back in soft waves, standing out against the simple yet elegant crimson dress she wore. The color matched her hair almost perfectly, and the delicate fabric accentuated her graceful elven features. Her feet were clad in simple brown sandals, a stark contrast to the regal air she carried.
Huh. That's new.
I glanced around briefly, realizing something—or rather, someone—was missing. 'That other guy must've gotten fired or something.' I thought idly. 'He did have a weird obsession with Essence Fragments… probably got Corrupted.'
Shrugging off the thought, I returned my attention to Brianna.
"Tyros Celestorn," I introduced myself, offering a polite nod. "I'm looking for some exquisite clothes for my friend here. Something that screams 'almighty and all-powerful.'"
Vorethia smirked, clearly approving of the description. She folded her arms, tilting her head. "Indeed. I want the most splendid you have."
Brianna's eyes twinkled as a knowing smile crossed her lips. "Hmm… I think I know exactly what you need!" she exclaimed.
Before I could even process her words, she vanished in a blur of motion. 'Damn, she's fast. Must be a speed-based Charism.'
Not even two seconds later, she reappeared—arms full with a stunning set of clothes.
The gown was an elegant masterpiece, woven from what seemed to be the very essence of the cosmos itself. The deep black fabric shimmered faintly, as if laced with stardust, the intricate silver and violet embroidery forming constellations across the bodice.
The form-fitting bodice accentuated the regal presence of the wearer, adorned with crystalline embellishments that emitted a soft, otherworldly glow. A high collar of delicate, lace-like void energy wrapped around the neck, giving an aura of divine authority.
The long, flowing sleeves transitioned into a semi-transparent cosmic gradient—deep purples and blues swirling like distant galaxies, ethereal wisps of void energy trailing from the fabric.
The layered skirt cascaded down, each layer resembling the folds of the night sky, adorned with faint, drifting stardust patterns. A sheer, translucent outer veil added an ethereal quality, making it seem as if the wearer was draped in the infinite expanse of the stars.
"Wow." I muttered, genuinely impressed. "That's… something else."
Vorethia's smirk widened as she eyed the ensemble approvingly.
"How much?" I asked as I took the clothes.
"Fifteen hundred gold." Brianna replied with an easy smile.
Without hesitation, I reached into my pouch, pulled out a heavy bag of gold, and tossed it to her.
"Fifteen hundred… and then some. For your services." I nodded toward her. "We appreciate it."
She caught the bag with practiced ease—only for her expression to shift dramatically the moment she felt its weight.
Her crystal-blue eyes widened. "T-Thank you… You don't know how much this helps…"
I paused, tilting my head slightly as her voice cracked.
Brianna's hands trembled around the bag, her fingers clenching as if afraid it would disappear. Her breath hitched, and she blinked rapidly, trying—and failing—to stop the tears welling in her eyes.
"You have no idea…" she whispered. "My little sister—she's been sick for weeks. The healers… they demanded an insane amount of gold to help her. I—I was running out of time."
Her voice wavered with raw emotion, the weight of her struggle settling heavily between us.
Damn. Wasn't a surprise—things tended to be ridiculously expensive around here. But gatekeeping healing? That was beyond messed up.
I understood where she was coming from.
I knew what it was like to need a lifeline—and have no one reach out.
Without a word, I reached into my pouch again and pulled out another, even larger bag of gold.
"Here, Brianna."
She flinched, her gaze snapping to the second bag. Her hands shook as she hesitated.
"I-I can't accept this… You've already given me so much—"
I cut her off with a shake of my head. "Take it." My voice was firm but gentle. "No kid should suffer because greedy assholes gatekeep healing. Get your sister the help she needs." My eyes darkened. "And if those healers try to overcharge you, tell them I'll personally drop by for a… conversation with them."
Brianna choked out a half-laugh, half-sob. Tears slipped down her cheeks as she clutched the bag to her chest. "I don't know how to thank you…" she whispered.
"You just did." I said simply, offering her a small smile. "Just take care of her."
She nodded rapidly, wiping at her tears.
Vorethia, standing beside me, watched the exchange with a rare softness in her eyes. She reached out, placing a hand on Brianna's shoulder.
"Keep that purity," she murmured. "It will take you far. Farther than you know."
Brianna's breath hitched, and before either of us could react, she dropped the bags of gold and lunged into Vorethia's arms, hugging her tightly.
Vorethia stiffened—clearly not expecting the gesture—but after a beat, she awkwardly patted Brianna's back.
"Aw, look at the Void," I teased, smirking. "Showing emotions."
Before she could retort, Brianna suddenly pulled away from Vorethia—only to stumble forward, colliding into me instead.
Her face burned red as she avoided my gaze. "I… hope we can see each other again."
I chuckled, wrapping an arm around her briefly before stepping back. "Likewise, Brianna."
As we turned to leave, I caught a glimpse of something unreadable in Vorethia's expression.
Ignoring it for now, I stepped into the street and stretched.
"Alright, follow me. My place is near here."
Then, a thought struck me. I glanced at Vorethia.
"Wait… If you're the Void… does that mean you created the Twelve Primordials?"
Her smirk faded, replaced by something quieter.
Then, softly, she answered.
"I did."
Her words lingered between us, heavy and undeniable.
I waited, watching her carefully as she exhaled, a slow, measured breath.
"I made the Twelve Primordials," she admitted. "I shaped them from pieces of myself, giving them form, purpose, dominion over existence."
I narrowed my eyes. "Why?"
Her violet gaze flickered, distant. "Because without them, there would be nothing."
I tilted my head. "That's kind of the point of the Void, isn't it? You were fine with nothingness before, weren't you? Why create anything at all?"
Vorethia hesitated.
For the first time since meeting her, she didn't have a teasing remark ready.
Instead, she looked past me—past the streets, past the Bastion—her gaze far away, lost in something older than time itself.
"…Because I was alone."
I blinked.
The weight behind those words sent a strange pang through my chest.
It wasn't just an admission—it was a wound. One buried deep beneath layers of smirks and flippant remarks.
"The Void is infinite," she continued, voice softer now, "but it is empty. It is stillness. Silence. No light, no time, no purpose." She flexed her fingers slightly, as though recalling something distant. "Even gods fear emptiness. They scramble to build and expand, to become more, so they don't feel the inevitable pull of nothingness. But me?" She let out a small breath. "I was the Void."
Her eyes met mine, and for the first time, I saw it.
That hollow loneliness, buried beneath everything—the presence of something greater than the Primordials, the gods, or the world itself.
"I wanted something to exist," she said simply. "So I created them. The Twelve. I gave them rules, purpose, dominion over aspects of reality." A dry laugh escaped her lips. "And in doing so… I chained myself."
I frowned. "What do you mean?"
She exhaled, shaking her head. "I made the mistake of tying myself to creation. I thought it was necessary. That I had to be part of it. But now…" She clenched her hands briefly before releasing them. "Now, I am the foundation. The laws of existence? The Charisms? Every power the Twelve hold? It's all directly connected to me."
A sinking feeling settled in my stomach.
"So you're telling me… you made them, gave them control over existence… and now you can't end the Rends? Can't stop the gods' game?"
Vorethia smiled, but it wasn't a happy one. "No, the reason I can't end it is worse than that."
She turned her gaze to me again, a strange look in her eyes.
"If I try to destroy it all—if I try to erase the gods' game—it would be like tearing apart my own body, ripping through the fabric of existence with me inside it."
I sucked in a breath.
She gave a humorless chuckle. "I built reality with pieces of myself, Tyros. If I try to unmake it… the universe would break. And I would break with it."
"Well… damn." I muttered.
Silence stretched between us, the weight of her words sinking in.
I ran a hand through my hair, exhaling sharply. "So what's the plan, then? You're going to leave? Or are you bored enough to stay?"
Vorethia studied me, her expression shifting. "Things have been… interesting as of late." Her smirk returned, but it was softer this time. "You're different, Tyros. I know you know that too. After all, it's not every day I stumble across someone with all the gods' essences."
I shrugged. "Well, I am the True Eternal. I hold the Charisms of all twelve Primordials."
For the first time, genuine surprise flickered across her face.
Her eyes widened slightly. "You're the piece… the—"
"The one to end the gods' game once and for all?" I finished for her, smirking. "Yeah. That's me."
Vorethia fell silent, watching me intently.
"So tell me," I continued, tilting my head. "How would you feel about that?"
She stared at me for a long moment.
Then, to my absolute shock, she… shrugged.
"I could always make more," she said nonchalantly. "Not a big dea—"
"Don't." I deadpanned.
Vorethia giggled, clearly amused by my reaction. "Fine, fine."
She didn't elaborate further, but something in her expression told me she was intrigued.
We walked the rest of the way in comfortable silence, the air thick with unspoken thoughts.
By the time we reached my place, the weight of our conversation still lingered. My mind was racing, trying to process everything I had just learned.
Vorethia leaned against the doorway as I pushed the door open, stepping inside.
It wasn't extravagant—just a simple, well-kept living space. A small sitting area, a worn-down kitchen I barely used, and a bedroom off to the side. Nothing impressive, but it was mine.
She glanced around, humming. "Cozy."
I shot her a look. "You were expecting a palace?"
She smirked. "No, but I was hoping for at least a little grandeur. You are hosting the Void, after all."
I smirked. "Yeah, well, the Void can deal with what it gets. This is my humble abode."
She giggled, but her gaze flickered toward me again, unreadable.
I pointed toward a door. "Bathroom's that way. Everything you need is in there."
Vorethia nodded and plucked the clothes from my hands.
I narrowed my eyes, a thought crossing my mind.
"Wait… If you're all-powerful, why can't you just snap away the filth and be clean instantly?"
Vorethia paused mid-step. Then, slowly, she turned her head back toward me.
A playful smirk tugged at her lips.
"Because doing that would create unnecessary complications,Tyros." she said smoothly. "I have to live like you Eternals for now."
She giggled at the confused expression on my face before stepping into the bathroom and shutting the door behind her.
I stared at the closed door for a moment.
Then, shaking my head, I chuckled to myself.
"Damn, I could use a haircut," I muttered, running a hand through my hair. My bangs were getting way too long. "Eh. I'll deal with it later."
I exhaled, stretching.
Right now, there were more important things to do.
I sat down and pulled up my Status screen.
"Time to check out my recent rewards, increase my Rank, and allocate my Stat Points."
With a flick of my hand, the system interface materialized before me, golden runes flickering as my True Eternal Status updated.
I grinned.
It was time to get stronger.