From Human to Skeleton: Revived with Infinite System Crystals

"I see, but how do you plan to break it to her that you have to leave?" Todd's tone was gentle but probing, his eyes searching Nana's for any hint of a plan.

"I imagine our time here is shorter than you'd like," he added, glancing at the dimming light around them, the sky painting a backdrop of orange and purple hues.

Nana nodded, her expression thoughtful as she looked at the horizon. "Yeah, I guess I haven't really thought about that too much, but I'm sure I'll figure it out when I cross that road." Her voice was soft, almost lost in the evening breeze that rustled the leaves around them.

Todd chuckled, the sound warm and reassuring. He bent down to pick up Jalen, the weight of the small boy familiar and grounding. "A problem for future you, I respect it," he said with a wink, shifting Jalen's weight to his hip.

Find your next read on empire

"Let's get going. We have quite the walk back. I can't believe he fought against Erebos all by himself and King Griswald..." Todd's voice trailed off, his admiration evident.

Nana's face went cold for a moment, her eyes clouding with a mix of emotions. "Yeah, and he was there... also." Her words were almost a whisper, carried away by the wind.

"Yeah," Todd agreed as they walked out of the coliseum, the ancient structure casting long shadows in the fading light. "He fought all of them by himself and probably could have won if he knew the gimmicks..."

Nana and Todd exchanged a determined look. "Regardless, we need to get stronger somehow. I feel there's a huge gap for us to close, but you do look good taller," Todd remarked, his eyes flicking over Nana's new form.

"You think so? You think Ty will like me taller... and, well, more filled out?" Nana asked, her cheeks tinged with a blush, her fingers nervously rubbing the back of her head.

"No, not at all."

"Wha-what?" Nana's eyes widened in surprise.

"Just kidding, kid. Of course he will," Todd said with a grin, his teasing tone lightening the mood as they continued their journey back,

Meanwhile,

Elithira and Sanguina soared high above the clouds. Sanguina turned to Elithira, curiosity in her eyes. "What are you looking for exactly?"

"I'll know when I see it. It's her travel cube of sorts. It helps her stay away from the general population while she monitors and develops the crystals' power guidelines," Elithira explained, scanning the expanse below.

Sanguina, a bit confused, asked, "The what?"

Elithira's voice grew slightly annoyed. "You know, how the power systems work for each planet they go into."

Sanguina shook her head. "Not really, we Vampires can't produce crystals, remember?"

Elithira nodded. "That's right. Well, regardless, we like to develop worlds without our intervention and without being known for who we are."

As they continued traveling through the air, Sanguina asked, "And why is that so important?"

"Grandfather and Father believe it's important the mortals grow in a world that is free of intervention, so they can live a life as pure as they want or as vile as they want. They carve their own paths, and when they die, he can properly judge them and the life they lived," Elithira replied, her tone serious as she gazed at the horizon.

Sanguina shrugged "Seems a bit sinical don't you think?"

"I'm not sure I get what you—" Elithira's voice trailed off as she noticed a glimmer of light hanging in the distance. Speeding up past Sanguina, she came onto the footsteps of a short metal walkway leading to massive doors of dark black steel with lines of blue energy pulsing throughout.

Sanguina followed behind shortly, landing and stating, "Wow, and what is this floating hunk of metal?"

Elithira, not answering, placed her hand on the door as it illuminated and spoke the word, "Resiencia."

As it glowed and energy began to pour out of her, Sanguina chimed in again, "If I recall right, you and a few other races use that word to unlock your innate talent and power, is that right?"

"Yes, that and the Ultimos mode. But that's much harder to maintain."

"Why not just be like us and always be in your strongest or best form?"

As the doors slid open, Elithira replied, "It's because it draws an immense amount of energy to maintain, and unlike vampires, we don't have an unlimited reserve of energy to restore quickly."

Walking in, Elithira's eyes widened in horror at the sight before her.

The entire place was damaged and wrecked; books were burned, and crystals cracked. The smell of burnt paper and scorched metal filled the air, and the eerie silence was punctuated by the occasional crackle of a still-smoldering fire.

Searching around, Elithira eventually found Fiera lying on her back, blood trailing down her face with three open wounds that looked like they were caused by Burnt beams of energy. The once serene and powerful aura of the place was now replaced with destruction and despair.

Elithira broke down to a knee next to her, her face etched with worry and fear. "Hey, what the hell happened here?! How did Erebos even get in here?!"

Fiera's eyes fluttered open, her voice barely a whisper. "N-no."

"I'm sorry, I don't—" Elithira started, her voice shaking, but Fiera interrupted her.

"It wasn't Erebos who attacked me..."

Elithira's confusion deepened, her mind racing. "Then who was it?" She gently pulled a platinum cross from her side, the metal cool against her fingers. "Don't worry, I will get you back to Father to recover."

"It was someone working under him... I have become to pained. Just kill me, please..." Fiera's voice trembled, a mix of fear and desperation.n/ô/vel/b//jn dot c//om

Elithira's eyes widened, her heart pounding. "Nonsense, I will not. You will recover from these wounds and be just fine. What did the person look like?!"

"Sister, I can't explain it, but something is off with me." Fiera's voice was strained, her eyes filled with pain. "He was tall, with red scale-like armor and spoke with few words. I thought I could handle him, but he mimicked Erebos before stealing the book."

Elithira's grip tightened on the cross, her mind reeling from the revelation. "I feel like my mind is splitting," Fiera continued, her voice breaking. "He said I would be a good pawn in the future after beating me..."

Elithira's heart ached at the sight of her sister's suffering. She quickly swiped her neck, her voice firm yet gentle. "Please, just rest now. I will take things from here."