While the war spiraled out of control for many, circumstances were unfolding favorably for a particular individual.
Ash, Elysia, Nia, Primordia, and Ouroboros had been present on the battlefield for nearly twelve hours.
Yet, since their arrival, the five had spent their time in a state of relative calm, merely observing as events progressed around them.
They floated high above the chaos, watching as Sylas and Konquest dove into action from the skies.
The two powerful figures cut through the battlefield like blades, their 32nd Dimensional presence causing the air itself to tremble.
BOOOOM!!!!!!!
Sylasâs double-edged sword flashed with purple light as he carved through hordes of Divine Horrors, while Konquestâs massive war staff slammed down with devastating force, creating craters of erased existence wherever it struck.
Seeing this, Ouroboros, Nia, and Primordia all turned their gazes toward Ash with questioning looks.
Ouroboros narrowed her sharp eyes, her crimson and black hair drifting behind her.
"Who are those two?" she asked. "I donât recognize them.... But with how many Divine Horrors are appearing and how their power keeps rising... this has your scent all over it."
Nia crossed her arms, her dark eyes narrowing as she scanned the battlefield.
"When exactly did you find the time to set all this up?" she asked.
"Youâve been with us the entire time."
Sure, she knew he could just blink things into existence, but in the past twelve hours, she hadnât exactly caught him doing much blinking.
Not that she would have missed itâher attention had, like always, been fixed on him the whole time.
Primordia, however, recognized the two figures immediately. Her red and lavender hair swayed as she tilted her head.
Even more than Nia, who was considered the most intense Yandere of them all, she and Elysia had been by Ashâs side for every single moment of his journey.
From the day he departed the Secret Realm of Celesteâs clanâs old home on Astralis, Primordia had never left his side.
She had witnessed far more and understood far deeper than anyone else, especially during the times Ash was alone.
"Arenât they two of the four beings you sent out through Pantheos?" she asked, her tone tinged with surprise.
"The ones you and Emma created as part of that collection of Heroes and Villains?"
Ash merely smiled, his reddish-purple eyes fixed on the battlefield with calm satisfaction.
"You all are right," he said as he slowly rose to his feet.
He stretched his arms casually, rolling his shoulders as if loosening up after sitting for too long.
The faint glow of multicolored and colorless divinity still lingered around him, making the air around his body shimmer slightly.
"Though Iâve been here the whole time... Iâm literally everywhere and nowhere at all times," he explained, his voice calm and matter of fact.
"So, while Iâve been here with you, I was also whooping the fatherâs ass."
Three of the four women turned to face him, their expressions ranging from mild surprise to clear irritation.
Niaâs dark eyes narrowed as she folded her arms across her chest, her displeasure evident.
"No fair, Ashy we should have been there too," she said, her voice tinged with complaint.
"Matter of fact, you shouldâve let me be the one to kill that disgusting man."
Though she had never seen the Father before, her deep-seated resentment toward men made her eager to join in the violence.
Primordia arched an eyebrow, her reddish-lavender eyes glinting with curiosity as she tilted her head.
"Eh... you fought him already?" she murmured softly. Ouroboros looked both intrigued and a little annoyed at having missed the encounter.
Ash chuckled low and genuinely, giving his head a slow shake.
"Well, itâs quite funny that the Father is not a man at all."
The three women regarded him with evident curiosity.
Elysia was the first to break the silence, and though she had technically been present during the battle, it was well-known she could do everything Ash could.
In other words, she existed everywhere and nowhere at the same time.
"Fufufu, I was quite surprised when I learned as well," she said, already fully aware of the truth.
Ashâs smile broadened slightly, the reddish-purple hue of his eyes gleaming with amusement.
"Yeah, the father is actually a woman... who looks exactly like the Mother."
The group fell into a brief, stunned silence at the revelation.
Niaâs frown disappeared, her black eyes still narrowed however as she processed the information, clearly confused by the idea of another woman who looked like the Mother parading as a man.
Primordiaâs reddish-lavender eyes widened ever so slightly, her face betraying a flicker of surprise. Ouroboros, clearly taken aback, shot a quick, uncertain glance toward the others.
"Well... thatâs something," she murmured at a loss for words.
Nia let out a quiet, almost exasperated sound, muttering under her breath....
"Tsk, looks like thereâs going to be another two of us soon."
Ashâs smile only grew, undisturbed by their responses.
He had no intention of keeping the Mothers apart but decided there was no need to bring it up just yetâthey would find out soon enough.
Still, the moment had come to welcome two more into the family.
His gaze swept over the mayhem unfolding belowâthe relentless tides of Divine Horrors crashing against the dwindling Existence forces, while bursts of raw power tore through the broken sky, flaring like brutal fireworks in the distance.
"Itâs almost time for the show to begin," he said, his tone casual but carrying clear intent. "So, we should go pick up my two Guardian wives~"
Niaâs grip on his arm tightened just a bit, though she said nothing.
Elysia gave a gentle smile, while Primordia and Ouroboros both nodded, their eagerness to act plain on their faces.
Without another word, the group of five disappeared from their perch high above the battlefield.
In the blink of an eye, they reappeared, hovering directly over the chaos where Eve and Eliya still battled fiercely against the unending onslaught of Divine Horrors.