The SSS Ranked Villain's Return

Violet stared back at him for a few moments, then let out a sigh.

She didn't speak at first, but as the moments went by and the pressure he was emitting increased, she finally caved in and spoke.

"Once we all die, I believe we can be reborn again," Violet stated in a low tone. "You see... we were once one person... or rather, one system."

She cleared her throat and continued. "When we... shattered? I suppose that's the right way of putting it... When we shattered, we separated into different forms and personalities. Each one of us had certain traits that we inherited from the one who created us, and through those traits, we grew stronger."

"And your creator is Lagus, yes?" Neraxis asked patiently.

Violet slowly nodded. "He was the one who made the system, yes."

He immediately picked up on the lie, so by stepping closer, he increased the gravity surrounding her, nearly making her tumble down to her knees.

Her brows furrowed. "Fine... Lagus was one of the people who created us. The other responsible... none of us know who it is."

This time, she wasn't lying, so with a simple nod, he regulated the gravity back to normal.

She straightened her back and gazed into his eyes.

"I understand you don't wish to believe me, and you have every right to be skeptical of my intentions... but for all I know, this is a gamble," Violet said. "Our energy escapes into the universe when we die. Some of us get stored... as is Wrath stored inside you. However, on the off chance that upon our deaths, we all combine into one singular system, it's something I'd like to see happen."

Neraxis tilted his head, puzzled. "And what are the chances Lagus wants that to happen? Maybe by doing so, you'd be going back to being his system or something of the sort."

She shook her head. "That's not possible. The only reason we shattered was because we lost connection to Lagus after he had died. Since there was no host, we became independent, and even to this day, we can't sense him."

Violet scratched her cheek, looking him up and down. "We... however, used to sense him through you, but that has disappeared since a while ago."

Then she nodded. "So yes, if we were to merge again, the one thing that won't happen is Lagus regaining control over us."

Neraxis remained silent for a moment, then let out a sigh.

"So let's say you do merge together and you become some all-powerful being, then what? Which one of you will be in control? Because as it stands, I've pissed 6 out of the 7 of you off. I'm not very keen on fighting someone of a Primordial or higher caliber."

"If we play our cards right... is there any way to pick whoever becomes the one in control?" Evangeline chimed in. "Let's say you're the last one to die... if your consciousness is the strongest and most present of all 7 of you, then doesn't that mean you'd be the one in charge? Or am I looking at it the wrong way?"

"I'm not sure, Evangeline," Violet replied with a shrug. "Truth be told, the last time I've tried something this reckless was a couple of eons ago... but if possible, I do wish to be in control."

He was feeling a headache forming just from this conversation alone, but at the same time, if he could get an ally at the Primordial rank, then that would mean extremely good things for his future.

Plus, he still had the other worlds to take care of, especially those who had tried hunting him a few years back.

Even if Lagus disappeared from his body, the promise of immortality for his head had not vanished.

Still, Neraxis took a deep breath and patted Evangeline on the head before turning his gaze over to Violet.

"You know, I've been doing reckless things ever since I came back, so I don't see why not... I'll help you," he said in a determined tone. "I'll help you take control, and I'll try my best to make sure you won't be influenced by the others."

Her eyes widened for a moment, then settled down as a soft smile appeared on her face.

She bowed slightly, holding the hem of her dress.

"Thank you. I really appreciate it..." Violet mumbled. "I was half expecting you to simply toss me aside, especially after Evangeline had gained knowledge of where most of the Sovereigns were. But... I appreciate it... thank you again."

Evangeline clicked her tongue. "If you wanna thank him, then get on your knees and—"

"A thanks is enough," Neraxis cut her off as a bead of sweat formed on his forehead. "No need for anything else, I promise."

Evangeline... come on.

[What? After 500 years, you're practically a virgin too,] she replied with a pout. [Since you don't want to take me until we're done, then might as well look for an alternative? Or do you want to ravage Aella...? Maybe Celina or Aurelia?]

I'm good for the moment, Neraxis replied with a sigh. Just... calm down for a bit. At least until we're done here.

She rolled her eyes. [That again... And what happens when we're done here? Will you vanish like last time? Because from what I saw, you seemed very interested in the Void.]

His brows furrowed. It's interesting, sure. But not something I'd place over you or the others. You can trust me in that regard.

Even though he had said that as a means to assure her, he wasn't even sure.

He had grown attached to the Void realm he had been creating, but that might be some placebo effect that he hoped passed after he stayed here a little while longer.

Glancing at Evangeline's smile, and the smiles of others, he couldn't help but feel warm and fuzzy after all.

So with that in mind, he hugged Evangeline and extended his hand over to Violet, who swiftly accepted.

Then, he teleported toward the next Sovereign.

Greed.