As Ash stood there with the Grand Cosmic Prodigy Convergence finally over, he couldnât help but smile.
How could he not?
He had come on a whim, invited by LaylaâLady Truth herself.
Yet that decision had brought countless rewards: system cores, physiques, new races, conceptsâheâd copied them all.
It was also why his showcases during the events had been so over the top.
Without that flair, the affection he earned wouldâve grown far too slowly for his taste.
Sure, his looks alone brought plenty, but acting decisively made it almost instant. Now, along with millions of aspects, he had gained millions of blank precept seeds... all waiting to be used.
His lovers and closest companions had shone brightest, their moments painted as literal portrait.
Nia devouring auras in waves of multicolored flames that shifted from obsidian black to euphoric crimson, consuming everything in obsessive hunger.
The twins weaving lightning and gravity in paradoxical duality, positive bolts repelling while negative pulls crushed in infinite escalation.
Sylvie dominating using her sword with unyielding precision, blades of pure Primavus will carving paths through ranks.
Lithia charmed legions into blissful submission, her gaze weaving illusions of desire that transformed enemies into devoted shadows.
The rest, each and every one of them, possessed paintings that would forever capture and replay It was a moment just for them.
The five women, gathered in his arms or lingering nearâAurelia with playful flames dancing in her gaze, Elara moving with calm, harmonious grace, Madison radiating a deep, primal satisfaction, Lady Truth and Seraphiel both standing close by with quiet curiosityâheld unspoken questions in their eyes, lips just beginning to part.
But before they couldâ
"Ashy!"
"ASH!"
"My love!"
His lovers and companions came rushing himâthe void rippling with their arrivals, auras flaring in joyful chaos that cut through lingering battle haze.
Especially Niaâso fast she seemed to bend space itself, her wings a blaze of multicolored flames tipped with hungry crimson, tearing through the air, anyone in her way facing annihilation from her relentless drive.
The five women instinctively stepped aside, giving her space as curiosity sparked in their eyes. They had no idea who loved to claim Ashâs attention the most... but they were about to find out.
BANG!
Nia collided with him, the impact cushioned by his solid frame, her arms locking around his neck in a possessive grip, body pressed close as the void-black sun mark on her forehead throbbed with a hungry pulse.
"Mine... youâre mine... I missed you so much!" she murmured with obsessive fervor, yandere heat blazing in her eyes before her lips captured his in a fierce, consuming kiss that burned with euphoric fire and an unshakable claim.
Vaeloria stepped forward, the sword maiden herself, ever cold and sharp like the blade she wielded... until his touch tilted her chin, and she melted into his embrace with quiet surrender, her body yielding entirely to his hands.
Seris played hard to getâarms crossed, the cold generalâs gaze slowly softening as he drew her in despite her feigned resistance, her protests fading into quiet acceptance beneath his kiss, daggers drifting lazily as her imperious facade began to crack.
Yonna was directâgrinning broadly as she pulled him into a playful hug.
"Took you long enough!" she teased before stealing a fierce, playful kiss that nipped lightly, her sword humming in loyal approval at her side.
Sonna drifted in with a soft hum on her lips, wrapping her arms around him in a warm embrace, her kiss tender and calming, like a gentle lullaby that melted away any lingering tension.
Raven held on with an intense, hollow devotionâempty eyes lifting toward him as she pressed close, murmuring, "Mine... forever..." before a deep, consuming kiss that seemed to drink in his essence.
Katherine and Summer approached with an easygoing grace. Katherine wore a smirk tinged with a hint of crimson devotion, while Summer stayed relaxed and unhurried, yet melted beneath his touch.
Their kisses carried a quiet, tender warmth, echoing the gentle surrender of Vaeloria.
The Valkyries trailed after.
Sylvie with a mischievous wing twitch and a playful kiss, Lithia exuding a purring charm that lingered on the lips, while Mira and Diana shared devoted, synchronized embraces that radiated the steadfast loyalty of Primavus tradition.
The restâSeraphiel watching with wary but softened supernova eyes, Aurelia grinning with mischief as multicolored flames flickered with jealousy, Lady Truth distant yet intrigued behind her purple-pupiled gaze, and Elara shifting gently in quiet aweâstood frozen, their auras flaring in a mix of shock, envy, and reluctant admiration.
Seraphiel murmured, his flames flickering low in thought.
"That boy... steals hearts just as the Cycles have taken countless before."
Aurelia chuckled softly. "Tch, show-off. But... I canât deny it heâs pretty irresistible."
Laylaâs nine pupils moved in slow circles as she gazed far deeper than anyone else.
"So, many have reached this state? How interesting."
Elara blushed, still unaware that her grandmother was Lady Truth and that her grandfather was no longer there.
"So... heâs really like this."
Ash grinned through the hugs, then lifted his fingers for a countdown.
"Three... two... one."
At one, space shimmered lazily, and a new figure appeared with easy swagger, like they werenât fashionably late to save the day... or universe to be more literal.
Kaelor Narakavaâtall and broad-shouldered, his short black hair in wild disarray, black eyes flecked with white like scattered stars, his presence radiating raw Asura power in a casual yet dangerous wayâflashed a feral grin, his aura crackling with battle-lust.
His eyes slowly widened as he took in the wreckageâcountless prodigies frozen in death, some Tyrannus obliterated, only Rune and Zion standing amid the ruinâbefore a smile crept across his face and he let out a low whistle.
"Damn, did the devil lock the universe down?"
Shia had been standing frozen in place since dealing with her opponent. She finally stepped forward and said,
"Uncle Kaelor... Ash took care of it. And... Nia and Ash are two of Momâs missing children."
She spoke with a clenched fist, having truly battled her internal emotions. Yet now, she understood the message Ash was trying to convey. He was no longer the weak little prince, no longer someone who needed protection.
He was already everything... Yet at the sound of her voice, Niaâcurled up against Ash like a kittenâturned quickly.
Her eyes went wide, wings faltering. "B-Big sister?"
Before anything else could happen, Ash gave a casual wave, portals blooming in rose-pink ripples.
His voice slid directly into Shiaâs mind,
"See you soon, big sis~ Letâs see just how far youâll go by then."
Everyone except Rune, Zion, Kaelor, and Shia vanished into his inner cosmosâspecifically the World of Astralisâarriving softly in the grand palace Celeste had crafted years ago.
Its vast halls were of star-forged marble woven with fate-threads, ceilings open to boundless star-filled skies, thrones of potential essence arranged in a friendly circle, the air rich with familiar warmth.
"Make yourselves at home here," Ash said with an easy smile. "Iâm not kidnapping youâI promise. I just... have some business to take care of."
He then turned to his lovers and said with a playful grin, "After this, weâll have some fun~ So decide whoâs getting their reward first." The women exchanged amused glances, a few soft chuckles slipping out.
He looked to Aeloris, Lady Truth and Seraphiel. "You threeâcome with me. Somewhere a bit more private."
With that, the four of them left as the others moved about, chatting and mingling with each other.