The World Serpent

A Bright Pillar of Light illuminated and shone over its surroundings. As it slowly dimmed, Seven Figures revealed themselves within it. The Figures were the Spirit Lords, Statera, Ego, and finally Persia. After the Pillar of Light dimmed and faded, They began looking around in their surroundings and found themselves in a strange plaza. A Golden Bright Sun shone over the Plaza, and it seemed to be focusing on one Certain area, which was not that strange for the Spirit Lords and Statera. Such occurrences were rare, but the Spirit Lords and Statera were extremely old by now.

"Where are we?" Mayon mumbled to herself while looking around the Plaza. The Remaining Spirit Lords were didn't speak a single word as they looked towards Ego and Persia, who seemed unworried about the current situation. Statera, on the other hand, nodded in understanding. She then looked at the Spirit Lords with her Red Crimson Eyes and explained with a calm and seductive voice.

"It seems that we are currently in a Soul Core." The Spirit Lords turned their gaze towards Statera, hoping to hear more. Statera seeing them, sighed as she continued explaining information about the Soul Core. "The Soul Core is a Pocket Dimension that only those who reach the Peak of Existence can get. It's the same as the Divine Kingdom of the Gods though it isn't using faith as its power source."

"Does Master Statera have one?" Aqua was curious as she hadn't heard about the Soul Core. Statera nodded as the Spirit Lords looked at her with anticipation. Statera sighed and spoke with her seductive voice. "We aren't here on a field trip. Also, I least expected you to have a Soul Core. Persia." Statera turned her gaze towards Persia, who was looking around the Plaza.

"I'm an Irregular, Statera. Using your common sense won't work on me, so I advise on abandoning your common knowledge when talking to me." Persia smirked as she looked at Ego, who stood right beside her. Ego seemed to be having fun seeing the Plaza. Though, Persia could understand as it was Ego's First Home. "Are you having fun, Ego?" Persia smiled as Ego turned her head and nodded in agreement.

"Hmm... I can't use my abilities in this place." Ventus noticed that most of their power got locked within the Pocket Dimension. Statera looked at him and replied with her seductive voice. "Those that own the Pocket Dimension will have full control of it." Statera then changed her gaze towards Persia. Persia shook her head and denied what Statera was thinking within her mind. "I can't control it."

Statera fell to the ground after hearing Persia's words. She looked at Persia while her body shook and spoke. "What do you mean about not having control?" Entering an unknown soul core was severe. Like what Statera said, Those that own the soul core will have complete control over it. It would either be enemies or allies. Even if Statera could survive being attack in the Soul Core, She couldn't say the same to those around her.

"Don't worry about an enemy. I assure you that this is my Soul Core. Though I have no control over it." Persia said with a calm voice as Ego began walking in a direction. Persia followed Ego as Statera, and the Spirit Lords followed. Walking towards the borders of the Plaza, they could see a simple small house. Persia raised an eyebrow as she was curious about the simple small house.

"I built the house when I was within your consciousness Sister. It is the place where I kept most of the stuff I got within the Ancient Library." Ego explained with her monotone voice while Persia nodded in understanding. Statera and the Spirit Lords looked at the house and noticed the Castle that surrounded the Plaza. Statera furrowed her eyebrows as she didn't perceive the Castle walls before.

'Manipulation of Perceptions and Senses. This Plaza isn't as simple as I thought it would be.' Statera thought to herself as Ego opened the door of the house. Persia, Ego, Statera, and the Spirit Lords entered the house and found themselves surrounded by books. The books towered over everything and found themselves scattered all over the floor. All of them looked at Ego, who was avoiding their gaze.

"I never thought that my Ego let books scattered on the floor. It is rather surprising for me." Persia looked as if her world got broken into pieces. Ego's body shook as if reality broke in front of her. Statera and the Spirit Lords looked at the two and silently chuckled within themselves. Statera coughed as Persia and Ego stopped being trap in their small world.

Persia began preparing for the chairs as Ego began throwing books around the house. She was trying to find most of her belongings that she couldn't bring to the outside world. After ravaging through the pile of books, Ego finally found a treasure from a long time ago after she was born.

Ego took out a Picture Frame that revealed a Beautiful Ego and a Little Persia. Mayon instantly noticed the Picture Frame and disappeared from her spot. She reappeared right beside Ego and asked with an aloof voice. "Who's that?" Ego turned her gaze towards Mayon and answered with her monotone voice. "This is my sister and me." Ego then pointed her fingers to herself and Little Persia.

"Eh?" Mayon found herself in shock as Statera and the remaining Spirit Lords heard Ego's words. They disappeared from their spot and reappeared right beside Ego as they looked at the Picture Frame with curiosity written all over their faces. The Spirit Lords and Statera chuckled as Persia, who prepared the chairs, noticed them having fun.

"Ohoho, Don't leave me ou-" Before Persia could continue her words, She could see her Little self having a nap on Ego's lap. A Bright Red Tinge Color appeared on her face as she instantly stole the Picture Frame for Ego's hands. "E-Ego, When did you take this?" Persia asked with an embarrassed voice. Statera and the Spirit Lords looked at Persia with anticipation as they wanted to see such form. Ego tilted her head in confusion as Persia still found herself embarrassed by the Picture Frame.

"Ehem... Let's talk about the Soul Core, for now." Persia slightly coughed as the Picture Frame on her hand instantly disappeared. She looked at the group with her Golden Amber Eyes as she finally spoke with her soothing voice. "The first thing we need to do is enter the Castle. Though, I have little to no information about the Castle." Persia turned her gaze towards Ego, who nodded and explained the Castle with her monotone voice.

"The Plaza we are in is within a Gigantic Castle. Its size is unknown, but it has Four Gates leading to the Castle. It seems that they finally opened, though I don't have any information about anything beyond the Gates." Ego said with her monotone voice. The group nodded as they knew they lacked most of their abilities, Which meant they would have to be careful during the exploration.

"Other than the Four Gates, We have no information about the Castle we are about to enter. Since we have no information about the Castle other than its Plaza, We would have to be careful while traversing through it." Statera spoke with her seductive voice as she looked towards Persia and continued her words. "We would like to know more about the way you would solve the blockage of your memory."

"Unfortunately, I have no information other than entering the Castle." Persia shook her head as Statera still had a smile plastered on her face. "Hmm... I see, so this is why you wanted us to enter with you." Statera said as her seductive voice echoed within the simple small house. Mayon then stepped forward as she spoke towards the two rulers. "Well, then. Why don't we begin on our exploration."

"Should we split up for maximum efficiency?" Igneus spoke with his stern voice as Aqua shook her head and denied with a calm voice. "That's one way to defeat. We are heading towards the unknown. Splitting up our force would be a foolish move." Persia nodded after hearing Aqua's words and continued with her soothing voice.

"Splitting up is not a good plan. We should go together and make sure that nothing would split us. I have a feeling about traps hidden within the Castle." Persia said as Statera shook her head and mumbled to herself. "An uncontrollable Soul Core. I can't believe I'm willingly entering it." There was nothing she could do as she was repaying an Important favor. She was also the Astral Spirit Lord. Being a coward wasn't within her vocabulary.

"Let's begin the exploration," Persia said as the group walked out of the simple small house. Ego brought some books from her recent home. Though, Persia didn't try to stop her as she knew the importance of the book that Ego brought. They walked towards the main stone road of the Plaza as they finally found themselves in front of the Castle Gate.

"A Beautiful Artistic Stone Gate," Mayon mumbled to herself while looking at the Giant Stone Gate. Each cranny and crook of the Stone Gate was rather beautiful for Mayon. "Let's enter." Persia proposed as the group entered through the Stone Gate. As they walked through the Stone Gate, They began looking around as they got engulfed by a Cold Darkness.

"Darkness..." Statera muttered as numerous torches illuminated the Cold Darkness. The Bright Light shone as the interior beyond the Stone Gate finally revealed its form. Persia looked at the Giant Broken Statues. They were beyond recognition which was a bit disappointing for Persia. "Hmm... Are you sure this place is yours, Persia?" Mayon teasingly asked as Persia chuckled and answered. "Even I am not sure about it anymore."

"As Persia lost her memories from the blockage. I expected her not to know anything about this place." Statera spoke with her seductive voice as Persia raised an eyebrow and spoke with her soothing voice. "That is possible. I hope that gaining my memories will give me an idea of this place. I can't remember a single thing about it other than Ego."

The Bright Torches shone over everything as the whole interior got revealed to the group. The group could see a Gigantic Locked Gate with had a Strange Face plastered upon it. Persia walked towards the Gigantic Locked Gate and began investigating it. After a while of investigation, she was about to sigh in disappointment until the Strange Face began moving. "EHhh..." Persia jumped back in instinct as the group prepared themselves against the Strange Face.

*Inheritor of the World Serpent. You have gotten stronger since your birth. Prepare yourself for the Seven Rites brought upon by your Predecessor.* An Ancient Voice echoed as the Strange Face began speaking with a Distorted Tone. Statera furrowed her eyebrows as she continued gazing at the Strange Face. She couldn't sense anything from it, which was strange.

The Gigantic Locked Gate finally opened as a Bright Light illuminated the group. The Strange Face looked at the group and continued speaking with its Ancient and Distorted Voice.

*Statera, Persia, and Ego had gotten the covenant to enter the Gate. Those who try to forcefully enter will get eliminated and deported back to reality.* The Spirit Lords was about to speak back towards the Strange Face, but Statera stopped them and spoke with a seductive voice. "The three of us will enter. Protect the entrance and wait for us. If we don't return, Go back and call the Supremes of the Great Forest."

The Trio stood in front of the Gate as Persia turned her gaze towards Statera. "It's clear that you could go back without following us." Hearing Persia's words, Statera smirked and replied with a seductive voice. "I, unfortunately, am not the one to retreat from a challenge." Persia sighed after hearing Statera's reply as Ego continued looking at the Bright Gate.

"Well, Let's begin the Seven Rites," Persia shouted as the Bright Light illuminated the Trio. They faded through the Light as the Seven Rites finally began.