[ Creators ]

Chapter 20

Meanwhile, Synthis is inspecting the area where Red and Straus were last seen. With a wave of his hand, he collects any magic energy left by them and culminates it together in front of him. "...Black Eyed Children magic...and yet it almost feels beyond them..." He uses the gathered energy to link a portal leading back to Straus and Koto's Space and enters.

As he looks around their Space, he takes special notice of the orbs containing their Worlds. "What do we have here...? 'Lightverse'...? 'Wanderers'...? Worlds made by children I assume..." Synthis taps the World Orb for Wanderers and is warped inside. He arrives in a forest with tall redwood trees, pale green grass, and a light blue sky. Just then, he spots a girl walking through the area: It's Nova, out on patrol.

She smiles as she strolls along, "What a nice day today!"

"Hm...?"

"Oh-! Hello! Did you just arrive?"

"Yes. I did."

"Ah! Welcome to DreamWorld then!"

"Interesting..."

"That's what a lot of people say. Now, please come with me, sir! There are some- not nice people in this forest."

Synthis is reluctant but decides to follow this strange girl. He and Nova exit the forest, and before them are the open plains of DreamWorld.

"(Truly an interesting place...It's fueled with the familiar power of the one who made it but- there's another energy here...with an origin from a distant land...Jupiter, do you see what I see?)"

Jupiter is able to see everything Synthis does due to a psychic bond she has with him. She communicates with Synthis from her throne room, "Indeed...Seems pure enough so far...Though, the appearance of that girl and the mention of 'not nice people' has me fearing the worst..."

"You alright, sir?", Nova's little voice breaks Synthis' concentration.

"Of course, I'm just observing this World... (Same here...) Who are these...not nice people?"

"Hm...ok, I'll tell you. They're called The Followers. They've got pointy ears, sharp teeth, and scary black eyes!"

Jupiter has come to a conclusion, "...As I feared."

Synthis pauses, "(Seems like the Black Eyed Children are also manifesting themselves in Worlds too) ...I see."

Nova turns around to face him, "Just keep an eye out for them, ok? And if you see them, run! ...Ahem- do you need my help getting anywhere?"

"(Permission to engage, your Highness?)"

"...Permission granted.", orders Jupiter, "This will draw the attention of those criminals."

Nova awaited Synthis' response, but she wasn't quite prepared for what he did next. "No, I'm capable of handling myself", he says as he summons his weapon, "Sorry about this, child, but I'm putting this World of yours under quarantine for Purification." Nova considers her options, she knew whoever this man was, he was beyond Koto's influence on her story. She knew this was something beyond her power alone, so she runs for help. As she runs, Synthis plunges his weapon into the ground, causing a massive fissure in the ground while the surrounding environment begins to break down and glitch around him.

Back at Gaia's castle, Koto feels a sudden sting of pain through her soul; she clutches her shirt. "Koto-?", Straus goes to her side. "...Something's wrong, we've gotta get home now!" Straus quickly summons a portal back home; he and Koto hop through. Red awkwardly smiles and waves to Gaia before following them.