Monarchs of Ruination

[Consuming Emotion Points to perform Divination…]

[Quantifying the weavings of [Destiny] through the threads of [Causation]…]

[Calculating the Probability of the desired future…]

[Increasing…]

Once again, NOX was bombarded by an overwhelming wave of notifications as his Divinity carried out its Divination. The holographic screens filled his vision, detailing every intricate step of the process.

As NOX read through them, he quickly realized something—this was no mere Divination.

What his Divinity was performing was something far more complex.

It wasn't simply predicting the future.

It was actually calculating the exact key steps necessary to turn one possibility among countless futures into reality—the future in which reviving his family became possible.

A future that should not exist.

A future that must be created.

His Divinity wasn't just peering into fate. It was manipulating it.

Of course, NOX knew there was far more to its actions than what he could currently comprehend. But one thing stood out—a crucial revelation that he engraved into his mind.

His Divinity could manipulate [Destiny] through [Causation].

Manipulate—but not completely change. And there was a world of difference between the two.

[The Unrecorded Divinity completed Divination and found a way to turn two possible futures into Reality.]

The moment NOX saw the notification, a surge of uncontrollable excitement filled him, his eyes glimmering with newfound hope. He prayed that his ingenious Divinity would not fail him. He couldn't afford another setback—his exhaustion had long surpassed its limits.

[Do you wish to inherit the memories of these two possible futures?]

NOX, composing himself, exhaled slowly. He forced his mind into absolute clarity, clearing away every stray thought, every distraction.

There could be no mistakes. He could not afford to miss even the smallest detail.

After a brief moment, he agreed.

And then—

The floodgates opened.

His mind was engulfed in a torrent of knowledge—yet it was not memories in the traditional sense.

Rather, it was instructions.

Key steps.

The exact actions he needed to take in order to force one of these futures into existence.

It was not a grand revelation. It was not an all-encompassing truth.

It was simply a list of steps.

Nothing more.

As NOX regained his senses after inheriting the knowledge, he fell silent.

And the entire existence connected to him followed suit. Reality itself seemed to hold its breath. It was as if, in that moment, NOX had erased the very concept of sound.

His heart grew numb. The fire of excitement within him smothered, giving way to a deep, simmering rage.

At last, he understood. The rare emotions he had sensed from the lurking schemers—impatience, anticipation—now made sense. They had been waiting for this. Waiting to witness his reaction upon realizing the true cost of reviving his family.

They had been savoring this moment.

In the depths of his mind, he could hear their sickening laughter, echoing from the shadows. There was no goodness in the Heavens, no benevolence. It was a dominion ruled by devils. The worst kind of Devils.

Not those who destroyed out of hatred. Not those who ruled out of greed.

But those who reveled in suffering. Those who found joy in torment.

Indignation, despair, fury—NOX's thoughts raged in a storm of unchecked emotions.

He had always claimed he would pay any price to bring his family back. He had believed, without hesitation, that no sacrifice was too great. He had proven it through his actions, obliterating countless lives without remorse. To him, no life held more value than his family.

Until now.

For the first time, NOX hesitated.

There was one life he could not take. One existence he would not erase. Even if it meant forsaking the very thing he had fought for.

A chill seeped into his soul. His heart turned cold.

Then—

"Ke he ke ke ke…"

A hollow, broken laugh escaped NOX's lips. A laughter drenched in despair, echoing endlessly through existence itself.

******

Time passed, yet NOX's laughter never ceased. No one dared to approach him—let alone stop him.

He slowly exhaled, as if trying to push away his emotions with his breath.

As his thoughts finally settled, he steeled himself.

This nightmare had to end. Either he would revive his family or die trying. He would tolerate no other outcome.

No more running around like an ignorant monkey chasing the sun, mistaking it for a mango.

Still cloaked in tendrils of white ash, NOX moved. His steps were unsteady, as though some part of him resisted walking forward.

His bottled-up emotions swirled in his eyes.

He reached Lucas, who gazed at him, his thoughts unreadable.

"Let's… uh, let's talk for a bit…" NOX said, his voice faltering with uncertainty. Even as he spoke, it was clear—his rational mind had been locked away, barely functioning.

NOX could feel his 'Divinity' straining, using every ounce of its power to keep him sane. It knew that if he gave in to madness again, he might never return.

[Your Unrecorded Divinity is resisting 'The Whispers of Madness'!]

[Your Divinity is commanding the title—The Child of Madness—to assist its wielder!]

[Your Divinity...]

Lucas studied NOX carefully.

At this moment, he no longer carried the same mythical presence he had just moments ago. Lucas did not fully understand what he had endured, but he knew one thing—this was the first time he had seen NOX like this since his sister's death.

"Hmmm…" Lucas nodded, as though he, too, had something on his mind.

NOX waved his hand and vanished, taking Lucas with him.

Garuda and VRITRA, still kneeling, exchanged uneasy glances.

In that instant, their minds raced. They weren't merely predicting the future—they were calculating it.

For beings of their level, the future wasn't a mystery but an equation. They quantified inevitability, basing it on key events—NOX and Lucas's conversation now being one of them. Of course, countless other factors played into this complex process.

One thing was certain: for beings like them, the future was never in flux. Secrets and surprises did not exist.

Their perception of time was beyond linear—unless a 'Variable' was involved.

As they processed the upcoming future, Garuda and VRITRA finally saw the grim fate looming over NOX and Lucas. Their expressions darkened.

"Those parasitic bastards…" VRITRA growled, his rage palpable. "Do they really have to torment him this much? They're digging their own graves."

Garuda remained silent, but his trembling hands betrayed him. His mind reeled.

"A 'Variable' has been born," he finally murmured.

VRITRA scoffed. "What can a mere 'Variable' accomplish at this moment?"

A 'Variable' could defy fate, existing beyond Heaven's control. But how could it contend against Heaven itself?

Defying one's [Destiny] did not equate to strength.

At best, a 'Variable' had a slim chance of avoiding total disadvantage when schemed against.

And in this situation, it wouldn't change anything for NOX or Lucas.

VRITRA sighed, as if he had seen this unfold many times before.

Garuda turned to him, his gaze sharp. "It's not a 'mere Variable.'"

VRITRA frowned. "What do you mean? Have you been hiding something from me too?"

Seeing VRITRA's rising frustration, Garuda waved his hand, shielding them from the watchful eyes lurking in the shadows.

At this, VRITRA's expression hardened. He, too, became serious.

"When NOX and Lucas started their apocalypse, I received a revelation…" Garuda began.

"Wait… wait… wait," VRITRA interrupted. "Are you talking about the apocalypse NOX caused in the Upper Realm years ago, or the current apocalypse in the Lower Realm?"

"And who sent you this revelation? Don't leave out any details."

His voice carried a trace of anger. He hated secrets—especially now, when they were so close to their 'Great Freedom.'

More than anything, he refused to be betrayed by another friend.

Seeing the genuine anger and concern in VRITRA's eyes, Garuda continued.

"It was during the Upper Realm apocalypse."