Aesarthim Chapter 4: The Shattered Legacy of Hierarchia
The Murder at Allomerus Keep
The Allomerus Keep stood as a silent testament to the latest massacre. Aeon and his friends arrived to find several Apophis soldiers brutally murdered. The scene was grim, the air thick with the metallic scent of blood and the eerie stillness that follows death. Standing amidst the carnage was The Keepsake of the Prosperity, a dark silhouette against the ruined backdrop. She taunted Aeon and his companions, her voice dripping with malevolence, challenging them to a race for the Pendulum Aliezmus. The sight of her callousness and the innocent lives she had taken ignited a burning resolve in Kashtira, who formally joined Aeon's party, unable to forgive such heinous crimes.
A Grim Determination
The journey to the Astellar Fortress was fraught with peril, but the resolve of Aeon and his friends only grew stronger. Upon reaching the fortress, they were confronted by The Keepsake of the Prosperity. She offered them a chance to walk away, a brief moment of respite that was swiftly dismissed. Determined to bring her to justice, they intercepted her at the Pendulum Aliezmus's chamber. The ensuing battle was fierce, each side unleashing their full might.
Unmasking of Hierarchia
Despite her formidable power, The Keepsake of the Prosperity was ultimately defeated. In the final moments of the battle, her mask shattered, revealing the face of Hierarchia. Kashtira's eyes widened in recognition, a flood of memories rushing back. Hierarchia, the celebrated engineer and guardian of Apophis, now stood before them as their enemy. Despite her defeat, Hierarchia mustered the remnants of her power to destroy the Pendulum Aliezmus, effectively undoing Sliholphin's seal on the Paradox Veiler. With a final, defiant act, she teleported away, leaving Aeon and his friends to deal with the aftermath.
Retreat to the Infinity Fortress
Weakened and disheartened, The Keepsake of the Prosperity retreated to the deck of the Infinity Fortress. The weight of her carelessness and the exposure of her true identity hung heavily on her. Reflecting on her actions, she was consumed by regret. The Keepsake of the Glory, ever pragmatic, dismissed her concerns, focusing instead on their broader objectives. However, The Keepsake of the Auspicious seized the opportunity to mock her fallen comrade, chastising her for her lack of caution.
The Plan to "Fix" the Mistake
Determined to rectify the situation, The Keepsake of the Auspicious borrowed the Sacred Gem of Visaskarma. With a wicked grin, she assured the others that she would "fix" the mistake made by The Keepsake of the Prosperity. Her plan was already formulating, a dark and twisted strategy that would take her to Daiodiaz. The Keepsake of the Glory and the others watched as she departed, their thoughts turning to the next phase of their grand design.
A Brooding Regret
Left alone on the deck, The Keepsake of the Prosperity, or Hierarchia as she was once known, brooded over her failure. The memories of her time in Apophis, the achievements, the progress, and the admiration of her peers, clashed violently with her current reality. She had once been a beacon of hope and innovation, now reduced to a shadow of her former self, driven by vengeance and despair. The faces of the fallen soldiers at Allomerus Keep haunted her, each life she had taken weighing heavily on her conscience.
The March Towards Destiny
As the Infinity Fortress soared into the skies, the paradox of its existence now resolved, the Keepsake of the Prosperity knew that there was no turning back. The path she had chosen was paved with blood and regret, but it was her path nonetheless. She steeled herself for the battles to come, aware that her identity was now known, and that Aeon and his friends would stop at nothing to thwart their plans. Her resolve hardened, she prepared to face whatever lay ahead, determined to see their mission through to the end.
The Echo of Hierarchia
In the hidden recesses of her mind, Hierarchia still lingered, a ghost of the woman she once was. Her contributions to Apophis, the advancements she had spearheaded, and the lives she had bettered were now overshadowed by her current path of destruction. But deep down, the ideals that had once driven her still flickered. Perhaps, in the end, there could be a sliver of redemption, a way to reconcile the dual legacies of Hierarchia and The Keepsake of the Prosperity. For now, however, her focus remained on the mission at hand, and the inexorable march towards their destiny.