SOULTALE | By ShadowNTS

(Chapter 166) Universal Rift.

After a moment of rest, you manage to stand back up with the help of Noire. She helps you limp towards the top of the palace. You arrive on top of a balcony. The view is mesmerizing.

NOR: The world seems much more beautiful from up here.
RHT: Yeah, it sure does.
NOR: So now what?
RHT: Now comes the plan I set out to finish.

Noire leans on the railing and waits for your move. You summon your blade and point it towards the sky. It's exactly mid-day. The sun has aligned right above you. The stars shine even though they're overwhelmed by the solar rays, and the moon is opposite of your blade.

NOR: It's perfectly aligned...

You grip your blade with both your hands and focus. It's finally time.

RHT: With the power bestowed upon me, Rhett Murdar, I will now correct the world and turn it into a heavenly paradise!

Your energy flows through your blade and fires towards the heavens. It echoes throughout the sky and covers it in your ominous aura.

RHT: Universal Correct!

Reality bends to your will. The landscape starts to alter its' form. Noire cowers behind your back. Massive energy pulsates through your body, causing you to cough up blood, but you persevere through the pain and correct the universe. A mesmerizing show of shining lights blind your sight as the world shifts. You now find yourself on a cosmic plane, surrounded by the vast expanse of the universe.

NOR: Aren't we supposed to be on earth?
RHT: *cough* I didn't have enough power.

You drop to the ground, barely keeping yourself conscious. Noire rushes to try and heal you.

NOR: C'mon now, Rhett! You took down Frisk and just a bit of epilepsy will take you down?!
RHT: You're mistaken. Frisk decided to lose to me. In that moment before our energy clashed and ruined the area, she smiled... she genuinely smiled. After that, Frisk let go of her blade and waited for me with open arms.
NOR: But still, the great harbinger shouldn't be so easily brought to her knees!

You smirk and let out a little laugh. Noire seems confused but starts laughing as well. For the first time in your life, you feel fulfilled. You've come a long way, Rhett, but...

RHT: *pant* I don't feel so well.
NOR: Ah, Rhett! You okay?!
RHT: Bette...

Now is my time to show the world what true despair feels like, and so I descend from the post of spectator to main actor.

???: All the despair you have cultivated through your journey is now all mine. I must thank you, Murdar, but now I don't need you or your body anymore.

Despair extracts from Rhetts' body and forms a dark figure. Slowly, it takes shape. Noire stands up and gets in front of Rhett, aiming their axe at the unknown enemy.

NOR: Who the hell are you and what did you to her?!
VTH: Hmm? Oh, you must be Bette. The name's Vazroth, the harbinger of despair. I must say however that you've let yourself go. Your old form was... more suiting.
NOR: Stop talking as if you know anything bout' me!

Noire infuses her soles with chaos energy. She dashes forwards, swinging her axe. Vazroth points his finger towards Noire and fires and energy ray, piercing through Noires' chest and soul. She drops to the ground, coughing up blood.

RHT: Bette!

Rhett tries to stand up but her legs are too sore. Vazroth goes to finish Noire off, but is interrupted by thundering. He turns around, confused.

VTH: Well well well, if it isn't the god of hyperdeath himself. I feel honored to meet you, Asriel.
ASR: Silence, scum.
VTH: I'll get to you in just a second. Let me just finish with what I was doing.

Vazroth turns back around to finish Noire off. He fires a deadly beam of energy. Asriel dashes through Vazroth and slaps away the bolt.

VTH: Protecting your enemy, how interesting.
NOR: Why... did you do that?
ASR: The enemy of my enemy is my friend. On top of that, I'm just following Frisks' orders. Now get up and let's show this monster that we're not playing around.

Asriel leans forwards and pats Noire on the head. She looks confused.

ASR: Feel better?
NOR: Your way of healing is patting people on the head... I love it! Please heal me some more!

Vazroth stares in disgust. Asriel enhances his powers, while Noire charges her body up with chaos essence. Rhett watches from afar as the fighting continues.

End of Chapter 166
Volume VII
"Universal Rift"

[ Vazroth has made his appearance. ]

-- Extra Soul Trivia! --
-- Did ya know? --
Noire loves pats on the head because as a child, her parents always gave her pats whenever she did something good!