Aeon of Creation Chapter 16

I started things off as I spoke over Cocolia's kneeling form as her empty vessel filled with my power as she had betrayed Preservation's creed and Path. "You are a pitiful woman to be honest. From but a child you were groomed to hold this doomed city against the tide of never-ending winter and the invincible creeping doom of Fragmentum Corruption." 

"Not only was this thankless task thrust upon you with your opinion mattering little, but your very mind, your dreams, and subconscious was being attacked by the Stellaron from the moment you were appointed as the future Supreme Guardian."

I gave Cocolia a long look before I took a breath and said. "The game was rigged from the start Cocolia. But, frankly, I don't care for rigged games. They are boring and are only destructive to their player base. So you will not be executed." 

There was a long pause as Cocolia placed a hand over her ample breast and she spoke quietly. "I can... Feel the difference in my mind. It's just so much quieter without the Stellaron whispering horrible thoughts and plans into my mind as they there my own thoughts." 

She then looked up at me with her purple eyes and spoke softly. "Do I deserve another chance? When I wanted to destroy this last bastion of this world?"

To which I took a deep breath and I said frankly. "I could go on about how you were mind controlled and it wasn't your fault so you woudn't have any blame. But frankly that doesn't matter to me."

"I am your Aeon, Cocolia. You are a Pathstrider of Creation now as I have looked upon you. So make of that as you will." 

I remained silent as Cocolia processed this and I raised an idea as I could feel ever so slightly as she tapped into my domain of Creation with her making a small dagger of ice in her hand.

"What if I don't want to live as a pariah in this world that rightfully hates me for the actions my mind controlled past did?" She asked with exhaustion making my lips twitch as I knew the truth in her words.

Her adopted daughter in Bronya attempted to kill her in our brief fight when it was clear how corrupted she was by the Stellaron. To say nothing of the Underworld who hated her to the bone for cutting off the surface from the Underworld which resulted in alot of suffering down there.

I took a deep breath and then after a moment of thought I said honestly. "You have infinite options Cocolia. You have access to my domain of creation as a Pathstrider so you could just act as a wandering nun or something who uses my domain to help people. Not to mention, the fact you were mind-controlled is still a secret to the general population." 

I shrugged and added. "Hell, I could just create a portal and throw you to a different world if you wanted... I could send you to Penacony and you can try to make a life there even." 

I would offer the Xianzhou Luofu as well, but there were more on the militant side and a random Pathstrider from a new Aeon wouldn't be seen well... To say nothing of how Tingyun was a sock puppet for an Emanator of Destruction.

"I just don't know what to do now." Cocolia admitted with a sigh and I nodded as that was a perfectly normal reaction.

"And that is fine. What matters is yourself stepping out of the shadow of your past life." I said before I gave Cocolia a look before I said firmly. "Cocolia, formally resign from your position as the Supreme Guardian, you need to go on a journey of discovery for yourself." 

She blinked at me as I stood up from my throne and I popped my neck. "Leave Belabog and look at the remains of the surrounding villages and towns that fell with the eternal winter. Use your powers to rebuild them and find purpose in life as you will swiftly find out that under the Divine Tree's canopy that winter no longer exists."

I left the still kneeling Cocolia behind me as I went through the long silent hallways of the building leaving it with a content smile as I did the best I could, and it was up to Cocolia to figure out what she needed to do now.

"Seems like you are a happy little Aeon." A male voice spoke with humour and I looked over at my side towards Sampo who was leaning on the wall of the hallway to my side.

I raised an eyebrow as I took in Sampo's form and I responded with a small smile. "I am a happy Aeon indeed. And how are you little Pathstrider of Elation?" 

Sampo smiled wryly and said. "It's creepy when you look at me like that... Makes it feel like you are seeing behind all the curtains we Laughing Fool's put up."

I chuckled and said with amusement. "Good. I am not going to allow a Masked Fool or the Laughing Fool himself to sneak past and blow up everything I have for a laugh."

Sampo's face twitched at the reminder of how the Aeon of Elation 'Ahaha' was in disguise as a Nameless for a while before he betrayed them at a critical venture and blew up the Express until Himiko fixed it a good deal.

Sampo raised up a hand and said quickly. "Woah woah there... Jake?" At my raised eyebrow he swallowed and said. "Hey man, I was born here on this planet and have been protecting it for years from the Stellaron. But I just want to protect it even if I may be a bit of a rogue in doing so."

"But... The IPC, they will catch where the Preservation was looking when the big lug swung his big hammer. And when they see Jarilo had dealt with their Stellaron, along with having your treasure of an Emanator. They will make a move on it and this planet." 

I was silent for a moment before I said calmly. "Unless Diamond himself, or another Emanator comes to this planet. They won't have any ability to mess with the Divine Tree as it is alive and as sentient as yourself Sampo. And should the IPC stick to their motto of 'preparing' for the war between Aeons?"

Sampo saw something in my eyes as I saw a mad grin fill his own eyes that did not come from Sampo himself... No I could see the crimson aura in his soul as Aha himself found his 'Elation' at the thought of my fury at the IPC pulling their bullshit at a planet I had graced.

"Aha, don't pull the punchline too soon. The curtain call isn't too far from now anyway." I said quietly as I turned my back on the Masked Fool who had his mask stolen and I continued on my way.