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As Drew entered the chamber, the name "Astralith" echoed through his mind, unearthing memories of a battle fought 11 years ago—a confrontation so intense it had reshaped the very fabric of the cosmos. The recollection of fighting Astralith, coupled with the unresolved mystery of her disappearance, left a mark of unease in Drew's heart. Despite this, he reassured himself, recalling the decisive blow dealt by Levi and Kaipo that had seemingly ended her reign of terror. The absence of her body, a detail that had always lingered in the back of his mind, now resurfaced with a haunting significance.
However, the woman who sat before him on the throne, with her striking beauty and regal demeanor, bore no resemblance to the Astralith he remembered. This discrepancy led Drew to initially dismiss the connection as mere coincidence. Yet, as Empress Astralith began to speak, her knowledge of Drew's past and the intricate details of the Areala Universe's history hinted at a truth far more complex than he had anticipated.
Her words, laced with insight and an unsettling familiarity, prompted Drew to confront her directly. "Who are you, truly?" he demanded, his intuition telling him that the story unfolding before him was intertwined with threads of the past.
Empress Astralith's response came with a serene acceptance, as if she had anticipated this moment from the very beginning. "I am the same Astralith you fought 11 years ago," she revealed, her voice carrying the weight of unspoken truths. "My disappearance was not a defeat but a calculated retreat. The battle you remember was a turning point, not just for me, but for the destiny I sought to forge."
She recounted her survival, detailing a plan meticulously crafted in the shadows of defeat. The moment after the Celestial Sunder Slash had enveloped the battlefield, she had utilized the chaos to enact her plan, leaving behind the Illusion, Domain, Gravity, and Elemental Jewels as decoys. She used a technique named "Reversal" and created a "Perfect Illusion" before dying. She utilized Reversal and set a timer for a year to undo the damage and bring her back to life. She needed time for this though, which is why she casted the illusion as if her body was gone when in reality, it was still there.
Astralith explained how the intervening years were spent in the shadows, gathering strength and allies, manipulating events from afar to position herself as the leader of this universe. Her ambition, however, was not born of a vision to unite the universes under a single banner, but of VENGEANCE AGAINST THE AREALA UNIVERSE.
Empress Astralith's revelation sent shockwaves through Drew, his mind racing to piece together the implications of her survival and rise to power. The audacity of her plan, coupled with the cunning required to execute such a deception, was testament to the formidable adversary they had once fought. Drew, however, was not one to dwell on the shock of revelations. His focus sharpened, understanding that the path forward demanded not only strength but unparalleled diplomacy.
"If vengeance is your ambition, how do you reconcile this with the governance of an entire universe?" Drew inquired, his tone measured, seeking to understand the depth of her transformation. "And how does this vendetta serve the people you now lead?"
Astralith's gaze, both ancient and piercing, met his. "Vengeance, Drew, is but a means to an end. My resurrection was not solely for retribution but to usher in an era of undeniable strength. The universes, fragmented and warring, require a ruler who can enforce peace through power. My reign here is a testament to that belief."
She paused, allowing the gravity of her words to sink in. "As for the people," she continued, "they thrive under my rule. Prosperity, order, and progress mark my universe—not despite my past, but because of it. My ambition is not at odds with my leadership; it is the foundation of it."
Drew absorbed her explanation, recognizing the complexity of the situation. The woman before him was no longer just the Astralith he had fought; she had evolved, her motivations and methods refined by the trials of her past.
"Then what of us?" Drew asked, his mind turning to the immediate concern of the Astral Concord Delegation and the broader implications for the universes. "You speak of unity through strength, yet our mission is one of peace through alliance. Can there not be a meeting of minds, a way to blend our visions for a future where war is not the architect of peace?"
"Your little delegation was just sold off to the Malevolent Cosmos Universe," Astralith declared, a hint of triumph lacing her words. "Emperor Malacar also harbors a vendetta against the Areala Universe. Thus, the Malevolent Cosmos Universe, Abyssos, and The Luminar Concordia Universe have now united in an alliance against your universe."
Despite the dire news, Drew's resolve hardened. Facing Astralith, he allowed a defiant smirk to play across his lips. "Oh yeah? You think your alliance has enough to deal with us?" His voice, infused with a potent mix of challenge and confidence, resonated through the chamber.
In that moment, Drew called upon the full breadth of his power, tapping into the core essence of his being. He transformed into Nature's Avatar, his form shimmering with the vibrant energies of the natural world. As he assumed this powerful state, Drew became a conduit for elemental forces, his presence commanding the attention of all within the chamber.
"Worldbender's Command," he shouted, his voice echoing with the authority of the elements themselves. This declaration was not merely a display of power; it was a statement of intent, a promise that the forces aligned against the Areala Universe would face an adversary unlike any they had encountered.
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