Elysia in Another World

Chapter 31: Athanasia P3
~31.3~
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Astarte was unsure how to explain it, and Atalante was too shocked to say anything. “Meddling with time... might in this case be what has already happened.”

“Astraia?”

“We were able to find trace remains of many people from that island, including our mother’s, but we could not find any of the children. Could that mean that... it already happened?”

Rather than Kye, it was Kaylie who answered. “Yes. That’s exactly what it means. Time is not easily meddled with. It is not like some flow of water that can be diverted with some effort. Everything that has happened before now cannot be changed. And, even if mom decided against time travel in this case, the part of history where those three simply disappeared would happen, anyway. The fact is, they escaped that day and nothing will change that. The only remaining uncertainty is how.”

Kye nodded and smiled. “Yes. It seems my decision is made. Rather than not know how they escaped, we will save them ourselves.”

Atalante grasped Kye’s wrist. “You can do it, though? You’re going to bring them here?”

“Yes.” Kye nodded with a smile. “Right now.”

“Huh?”

“Right now.” Kye turned to Kaylie. “I need your help for this, though.”

“But you just said it would take a hundred years to save up the mana!” Kaylie protested.

“Yes. If I were to start saving mana right now, it would take that long to build up the required amount to open a gate to that era.” Kye looked down at her hand. “However, I don’t have to save it up. I’ve built up an extraordinary amount of mana for the sake of Elysium over a hundred billion lifetimes.”

Alethea and Luma protested immediately.  ““You can’t mean to-””

“I do. Others have contributed quite a bit as well, so all of it combined is more than we need to revive the greater Elysium. There’s enough surplus to spend some on time travel, but not enough for a resurrection.”

“You sly...” Luma chuckled. “You meant to time travel from the very beginning!”

Kye grinned. “Yes, but I wanted to complain about the mana expenditure a little first. Sorry if I worried you any more, Lanti.”

Atalante glared at Kye. “So long as you bring them here.”

Kye nodded and transported the group to the core space where Eve was. “So, you’ve decided. Go on, then.”

“Yes.” Kye nodded, walked over behind Eve, and held her hand out toward the core. “Elysium, hear me! I am King! Innocent souls have earnestly prayed and earned my attention. Adaal Olympus, Orion Orthrys, Noah Oceanus, Iris Atlas, and Nephele Erytheia have agreed to this expenditure. I seek to open a path to the planet Terra in the year 3965 BAE. Head my command! Grant me the necessary mana!”

“Command Acknowledged. Usage of Foundation Mana must be approved by the King, Queens, and all governors. Consent of one governor is missing. Please acquire their consent.”

“I have consent from all five. Explain yourself! Who’s consent is missing?”

“Consent has been given by the following individuals: Elysia Athas, Maya Athas, Adele Athas, Adara Athas, Adaal Olympus, Orion Orthrys, Noah Oceanus, Iris Atlas, and Nephele Erytheia. Consent has not been given by the following individual: Atalante Atlantis.”

Kye sighed. “Of all the...”

“I GRANT MY CONSENT!” Atalante cried out.

“Acknowledged. Usage of Foundation Mana has been approved. Now supplying mana.” A small orb of mana appeared in front of Kye. It pulsated with a strange intensity. It was as if it naturally demanded attention from everyone.

Kye took the orb between her hands and began to manipulate it. “Now, I must open the gate. I have already done the calculations, so I know exactly where I need to go.” Kye slowly pulled her hands apart, and the orb was pulled into a ring that gradually expanded until it was large enough for people to pass through it.

The portal was ready.

“Kaylie, I need you to maintain it while I’m gone.”

“Right.” Kaylie held a hand out and took over manipulating the ring of mana.

“Sanae, will you help her keep it steady?”

“Of course. Go save them.”

Kye turned around and smiled at everyone. “I’ll be right back.” Then she stepped through the portal.

Kye stepped through the portal and immediately saw a horrific sight. It was as if the planet was made to be target practice for a cosmic slingshot. She gritted her teeth, knowing that saving anyone other than the three she came for could not happen.

I can hear their prayers... countless screams. It’s so much. I have never heard such a concentration of prayers... all crying for help.

A tear rolled down Kye’s cheek as she set to work. She had to find Athanasia and her brothers.

I can’t be too obvious, but the people of this age aren’t as in tune with mana. If I used something as grand as the Eye of Providence, I would certainly gain the attention of every Atlantis family member, especially Lanti, Gaia, and Kari. I can’t risk that. But that doesn’t mean I can’t find them with mana.

Kye began spreading her mana across the floating island. It didn’t take long. Kye’s growth accelerated and far outpaced everyone else once she returned to her original body. Alethea began showing accelerated growth when she gained her new body as well. Athanasia was impossible to miss. Her mana was leagues above and beyond everyone else. She was one of the very few in the era who could manipulate mana properly, but even then, she was special. Her capacity was greater than even her mother’s.

She knows it’s coming. It’s headed straight for us.

Kye warped to Athanasia’s position and entered the barrier the blonde princess had made, shocking everyone inside. “Greetings, Athanasia.”

“You dare speak to Her Highness with such disregard?!” shouted a guard knight standing in front of Athanasia.

Kye glared at the man, but said nothing.

“Now is not the time for adhering to etiquette,” Athanasia said. She regained her focus and continued fueling the barrier. She meant to make it as powerful as possible.

Kye shook her head. “Indeed, it is not.” She laid a hand on the princess’s barrier and measured its strength. “This will not hold up against an asteroid that can knock an island out of the sky.”

“You should not say such things,” the princess said.

Kye retracted her hand from the barrier and held it out toward the princess. “I’ve come, Athanasia.” She smiled. “I’ve come to save you.”

*****

Revision: 2024-10-1