125 Reza Hixilia

"Shall we get started?" Starakt smiled as he removed his robe. Underneath the robe, Starakt donned a white tank top and a plain white cargo pants. Hayden was shocked of the density of Starakt's muscles. It was identical to his own body that consisted of highly dense and compact muscles.

"I'll use my Origin Limiter to limit myself to a Level 2 in terms of everything."

Activating his Origin Limiter, Starakt's aura didn't diminish in any way. He was still as intimidating and as powerful-looking. Hayden's sensitivity to danger was ringing all around.

'By far, he's the most dangerous person I've encountered.' Hayden gulped. For the first time in his life as a wielder, he was trembling. Out of fear. 'What in the world is this?'

Stretching his body, Hayden licked his lips. "I take it that you know I'm a dual wielder and I'll use it in this fight?"

"Of course." Starakt was laidback. "Use them as you see fit. If you can land a solid blow on me, I'll deem you as worthy."

"Worthy of what?" Hayden's entire aura changed. Again, he hated being questioned and tested. It was annoying.

'Oho, an outsider who can unknowingly use their Supreme King.' Starakt was amused of Hayden. He made eye contact with Gaia behind Hayden. 'I see, he is indeed fascinating.'

In his entire 2,058 years alive, he has never come across someone who can use Supreme King to this extent without knowledge of Innate Gifts. He could grasp why Gaia chose him. 'He's angry, I can sense it.'

Without a warning, Hayden disappeared from his position. Starakt was amazed of Hayden's acceleration. A sonic boom was produced in his wake. 'The power of his legs are no joke. To achieve maximum speed in such a short amount of time…'

Regardless of his thoughts, Starakt remained calm. Hayden felt something was wrong of how calm Starakt was being.

Moving behind Starakt, Hayden's sensing of something being amiss strengthened. As such, he controlled his power at a minimum, punching Starakt from the back. This punch, although it was at a minimum, can still damage the presently Level 2 Starakt.

As he was punching out, Hayden clearly felt the power of his punch being culled. Not only that, when it got inches away of Starakt, his power was reduced even more. It was perplexing and a shitty feeling.

The effects weren't done. When Hayden's punch landed squarely, the force of the punch reverbed back towards Hayden's fist. This didn't deal any real damage, yet it was disgusting for Hayden.

Immediately, Hayden jumped backwards. He didn't anticipate this situation at all. 'A wielder that can reduce or cushion, and reflect the momentum of an attack. How dangerous!'

"We have a clever one, Gaia." Starakt laughed. "Keeping your power at just the right amount of power to damage me, yet not that strong to probe my Ability."

Starakt oriented himself to face Hayden. "It's my turn, Ot-Hayden."

Starakt vanished from where he was standing instantaneously. Hayden was submerged into extreme dread.

Hayden froze time in his perception, overloading his brain. What he saw left him in awe. It was Starakt, moving at him at such a speed that his frozen time perception perceived him as half of regular movement.

In a flash, Starakt was in front of him, throwing a punch. This punch was terrifying. As if it was something that can kill Hayden. Hayden instinctively tilted his head to the right, narrowly dodging Starakt's punch. He didn't wish to test the waters of that punch.

Despite his fear of the punch, Hayden saw this as an opportunity. Retracting his claws, Hayden moved his left hand at full speed towards Starakt's stomach.

Stuck in his position and without any time to react, Starakt was stabbed by Hayden. Well, it wasn't as much as stab as so much grazed.

Starakt was literally able to deflect the momentum of his claws back into itself before it can cause serious damage. This resulted in Hayden's hand being swatted away in a straight line akin to a rifle bullet.

If Hayden didn't have the protection of Indestructible Devil, his arm would've flown off from that force alone.

Alike what Hayden did, Starakt tactically retreated once he probed Hayden. "Nice combat instincts. I never expected for you to be able to counter at that moment."

"Same to you, Ot-Starakt." Hayden admired Starakt's accuracy. An Ability this overpowered certainly has restrictions that need immense accuracy. "I guess that counter doesn't count as a solid blow?"

"Unfortunately not." Starakt shook his head. This was the first time in years that he was genuinely invigorated. 'A 16-year-old standing up to a monster who has thousands of years in terms of combat experience… Truly…'

On the side, Gaia was left in a daze, too. She expected Hayden to be mighty, but not to this extent. In reality, the two of them was merely testing the boundaries of Hayden's power and adaptability. They didn't believe that Hayden could stand up to Starakt in the slightest.

'How much is this kid holding back?' As aforementioned, Gaia has been watching Hayden's progress over the course of six months. 'Anybody else would've been defeated at this point…'

If anybody has the chance of defeating Starakt at his Level 2, it will be those extremely monstrous existences that she's been keeping an eye on. Hayden wasn't one of them as Gaia observed him for a different reason in the first place.

Hayden quickly replayed the previous situation in his head. 'It wasn't as plain as deflecting the momentum of my claws… He first focused the entire momentum of my hand into my claw and then deflected it. That's ingenious!'

Starakt's application of his own Ability made Hayden's fear rise a notch. Nevertheless, Hayden found the weakness of Starakt. He can solely use his Ability on a select area at a time! At least for the second application of his Ability. Hayden still had no idea what extent Starakt's power reached.

'That's easy enough.' Hayden narrowed his eyes. 'I shouldn't be negligent though. There's still the minor possibility that he has the power to concentrate on multiple points.'

Examining his surroundings, Hayden picked up five stones. In Starakt's eyes, all Hayden did with those five stones was throw them upwards, creating miniature sonic booms akin to a bullet being fired from a pistol.

Hayden picked up another set of stones. This time, it was 10. Infusing them with essence energy and life force, Hayden weakly threw one at Starakt.

Starakt, with his thousands of years of combat experience, has more or less developed the same degree of Hayden's danger instincts. He kept an eye on the stone. The second it touched the ground, Starakt questioned his own instincts.

He wondered if he was wrong to assume that there was something wrong with the stone. This brief lapse of judgement on his part caused him to be surprised when the stone came flying at him at an unbelievable velocity.

With his powerful reflexes, Starakt reacted by moving away from the trajectory of the stone. The force of that stone was stronger than a bullet. It was impossible for a Level 2 wielder without defensive powers to survive it at all.

Hayden made use of this by throwing the nine remaining stones at Starakt. Afterwards, Hayden dashed forward as well. In the midst of his dash, Starakt vanished once more.

He was now behind Hayden and Hayden was in the direct trajectory of the nine stones he threw himself. With his Heavenly Sense and keen senses, he knew Starakt was behind him.

Bending his torso at an unnatural angle, Hayden touched the ground with both of his hands. This bending allowed Hayden to dodge the nine stones with ease.

Making full use of his Capoeira training, Hayden lifted his two feet and sent a kick that was aimed at Starakt's temple.

With him being clear of the nine bullet-like stones, he had one worry left: Hayden's kick. He easily blocked Hayden's kick with his hand, even deflecting it back to Hayden, causing him to land on the floor heavily.

That was when he felt heavy objects slamming him from the front the second Hayden's body made contact with the floor. He was sent flying backwards due to the gigantic force carried by the objects. 'Those five stones he threw upwards…'

Mid-air, Starakt smiled in spite of the pain he was plunged in. 'A pure combatant.'

Deactivating his Origin Limiter, Starakt absorbed the momentum, force, and kinetic energy of the five stones that were stuck to his back. Starakt stopped his inertia. That was a cinch for him as a Level 6 wielder.

As for Hayden, he propelled himself up and landed squarely on his feet. "Not bad, huh? My degree of control over my 'essence energy of the body' is quite good, huh?"

"Indeed." Starakt dusted and straightened his clothes. "You are truly worthy. Isn't he, Gaia?"

"I have chosen wisely." Gaia concurred in a roundabout manner.

"Hayden Emperador." Starakt loomed in on Hayden. "I hereby declare you as an ally of the Overseers and the Foris. Anytime you will need our help, we will be by your side."

"Ally, huh?" Hayden wasn't that fond of this idea, but it will undeniably be useful. "I see that you've planned this all out even if I lost?"

"That is true." Starakt smiled. "Do not worry, we won't require anything of you. This is a relationship purely for your benefit. You can continue your life as usual."

"Needless to say, you'll send someone to guard me?" Hayden bridged Starakt's words.

"No, we won't." Starakt nodded. "Why do you think the Tiroga culture of the Overseers exists? As long as you have sufficient strength and acumen, you won't have any problems on surviving the real world. That's the point of Tiroga."

"Intriguing culture of throwing the tiger cub off the cliff." Internally, Hayden didn't undermine his own value. If Gaia, the Source Heart herself, took the initiative to approach him, a valueless person, it would be stupid.

As might be expected, Hayden's paranoiac nature didn't allow him rest. He considered the possibility that they're doing this to groom him and somehow turn him into a slave. He has next to no knowledge of the Overseers after all.

"Do not be suspicious of us." As if reading his mind, Starakt let out a short chuckle. "Betrayal isn't in the Foris and Overseer culture. It's not in our blood. At a young age, we've been taught to not do so."

"I wish it was parallel around the rest of the world." Hayden exhibited a form of sentiment. He has read a sufficient amount of books to know that he shouldn't trust Starakt all that well. 'You either die a hero or live long enough to see yourself become the villain. Holding onto your moral values in this entire 2,058 years is impossible. If he did, he must be close to breaking.'

For Hayden, a 16-year-old, he couldn't begin to envision how dull life must be in 2,058 years. During this passage of time, if your friends and family weren't wielders, they would've died from old age.

And if they were wielders, if they didn't have adequate talent, combat strength, or you couldn't protect them, they would've still died. These courses of events will be hard for a person to stay sane lest your will is iron-clad.

What Hayden didn't know is that Starakt's will was that iron-clad. He was indomitable. If anything, he is the epitome of a leader. He has made countless sacrifices for the well-being of the greater good, and he is prepared to do so again.

"Wait here." Starakt verbalized. Starakt floated upwards. Eventually, he grabbed ahold of one of the golden fruits. He floated down. He presented the fruit to Hayden. "This is the Reza Hixilia, a fruit that grows from the Reza Hixaria. This fruit will benefit you in three ways: The cleansing of your physiology, a slight advantage in terms of essence energy circulation, and will awaken an ancient Innate Gift that all humans have. You see, we are still cognizants, and we all have one common gift. This will give you an advantage."

"What is this advantage?" Hayden's interest was piqued. Just because he doesn't trust Starakt doesn't mean he'll relinquish the advantages Gaia promised him. Don't forget that he was an opportunist.

Well, not like he had a choice. He was deep behind enemy lines. He wouldn't have a chance of surviving at all. If they were enemies that is. He had three lives anyways. As long as he was alive, there will be a way for him to avenge himself when he ever is betrayed.

"Your status as a wielder will remain hidden as long as you want it to be hidden. This stealth extends to your presence, aura, and your Abilities cannot be read by those who can read or examine others' Abilities." Starakt said with a smile. "It is an Innate Gift that is completely voluntarily activated and deactivated. This Innate Gift is called Absolute Regularity."

"Aptly named, aptly named." Hayden bobbed his head. "A fruit that has such miraculous effects. Wouldn't it have some consequence?"

"This is Reza Hixilia, a fruit from the Reza Hixaria. The primordial tree of golden light and life." Gaia stepped up to clear Hayden's doubts. "It is unique and is a tree that can be considered a wielder or cognizant. It is the sole such organism on Earth. At least a space nearby Earth. It will have no side effects at all. All Foris that will go to experience Tiroga eats a Reza Hixilia."

"So they can live normally without needing to worry about this aspect of their life." Hayden muttered in understanding. "This is a crippling debt to sustain."

"You are not indebted to us in any way." Gaia replied to Hayden's remark. "I simply want you to be at your best for the battle in 30 years."

"What is this battle anyways?" Hayden crossed his arms. "Is this the same one that Colton informed me?"

"Yes, it is." Gaia didn't hide it. "In 30 years, invaders from what you Filipinos call 'Kabilang Mundo' will go and invade Earth. They will first overrun Russia, and will then spread to the huge landmass of China, Europe, to Africa."

"You can see the future?" Hayden narrowed his eyes in suspicion.

"I can see my fate, yes." Gaia affirmed Hayden's suspicion. "And everybody that lives within me. What I cannot see is your fate."

"You cannot see my fate?" Hayden furrowed his brows, his countenance darkening. "What does that mean?"

"I also don't understand. However, if I have any chance of surviving, a person not limited by fate is the best option, is it not?" Hayden could tell that Gaia was being upfront with him. Unless she was some kind of evil goddess, she would not lie to Hayden.

Well, there was this bit of uncertainty within him, however Hayden calculated that this possibility was minuscule. "Why not use the Yorixia?"

"Because me, the Rixeus, and the Foris are guards of the Source Heart." Starakt's tone was solemn. "That is why we are called the Overseers. We cannot possibly leave the Source Heart unattended even if the outside world burns down."

"Because if the Source Heart is left unattended and it is destroyed, Earth will crumble." Hayden immediately fathomed how heavy the responsibility of an Overseer is.

"Indeed, that's why we need you, Hayden." Starakt walked in front of Hayden. Taking his hands, Starakt handed Hayden the Reza Hixilia. "Eat it. From what Gaia told me, the Philippines is in a fragile state, right? I know for a fact that you will not allow that Kamay ng Lagim to rule Philippines as that will not be a free way of living. Thence, you'll need every bit of advantage you can get. You should eat it now. The full effects will manifest by the end of Annual Youth Pride."

"You can foresee that there'll be an oncoming war, can't you?" Hayden turned his attention to Gaia, downing the Reza Hixilia in one bite. A cool, yet warm, and relaxing, feeling was disseminated in his circulatory system.

"In the Philippines, yes." Gaia didn't hide anything. "I am forbidden to tell you more than that. That is the extent I can tell you."

'What or who's forbidding her to tell us…' Hayden wondered. If it was to not stop the event from happening, that would make sense. Hayden sensed there was something else at work here. Something… Not exactly sinister, yet it had that impression.

"Anyhow, I still have to bring you to the Xirixian vault." Starakt strolled past Hayden. "Come."

"Xirixian?" Hayden asked. "What's that word? Based from how you said vault, Xirixian are weapons? Equipment? Artifacts perhaps?"

"You deduced this from 'vault' alone?" Starakt halted and turned to Hayden. "You're not smart. You're a freak!"

"I didn't want that insult." Hayden rolled his eyes. "What are, or is a, Xirixian?"

"Xirixian is the plural form of Xirxian." Starakt proceeded. "In English, it means 'extremely powerful, sentient, and natural object. From the names alone, you can conclude that Xirxian are objects that has extreme power and is sentient. It all naturally forms and is from nature itself. Although Gaia has no control of them."

"How mighty are we conversing of?" Hayden asked without much thought. "Is this world-level destruction or something?"

"Well, it isn't that powerful." Starakt put both of his hands behind his head. "Some are close though. Such as Zeus' Master Bolt."

"Zeus' Master Bolt existed?" Hayden blinked his eyes. As a fan of mythologies and anthropology in general, the mention of the master bolt was akin to poking a hornet's nest. "Wait, wrong tense. The Master Bolt exists?"

"Yes. Actually, the so-called gods did exist." Starakt chuckled. You see, our ancestors were pranksters who ran around pretending to be gods. There are tapestries of their pranks becoming part of the world. It's… Incredibly offensive, in all honesty. If you're looking for the bolt, you're out of luck. The Master Bolt is currently in the hands of the Ulthax Family Head."

"Pranks, huh?" Hayden rapidly blinked. Now, he imagines some Foris the same age as him wielding the Master Bolt and Poseidon's Trident. He repeated in his mind bitterly, 'Pranks, huh…'

Outside of the entrance, Starakt materialized a light bridge. As for Hayden, he donned his black mask again. Starakt and Gaia knows his face. Nobody else did.

The light bridge extended to the direct opposite of where they were. In no time, they crossed the bridge.

Stepping in the vault, Hayden's eyes widened in shock of the vastness and gloriousness of it. There were gold-rimmed display cases with all kinds of items inside.

There was a golden spear. It struck Hayden as Odin's spear, Gungnir. There was the… Long-lost Honjo Masamune. There was the… What? Is that the Holy Grail? And many more stuff from various mythology. Of course, there were ones unfamiliar, too.

On the far side of the room, Hayden saw a smooth and seamless black orb suspended in the middle of a display case. It was about the size of a volleyball For some reason, Hayden was attracted to it.