A few hours later…
Isabella returned from work. She drove in, moving around the RV. She parked and exited her vehicle. She closed the garage, heading inside. She calmly took off her heels and held them on her two fingers. She passed the living room, noticing Missio was sitting by himself. She placed her heels on the rack. Passing the living room, she called out to Missio.
"Missio, where is your brother?"
Missio flinched and turned around.
"Well, uh… he went shopping."
"Shopping for what?" Isabella halted.
"… He said painting supplies?"
"Hm…" Isabella shrugged.
She ascended the stairs and headed to the living room. After changing into her normal attire, she returned and sat beside Missio.
"Why did he go out for painting supplies?" Isabella asked.
"I dunno… he said it's to help me ascend or whatever…" Missio replied in a soft tone.
"Aw… come on, don't whimper. You can treat me like your sister. I'm family too." Isabella patted Missio.
"Really? You family?" Missio raised a brow impulsively.
"When Dante gives me ring then yes, I will be family." Isabella smiled.
Just then, the front door opened. Dante took off his shoes and stepped into the living room.
"Oh, look. You're finally back." Dante commented.
Isabella spun around and peered at her boyfriend. Dante carried a canvas, painting supplies and a stand.
"Got an urge to draw again?" Isabella inquired.
"Nah, It's for Missio." Dante replied. "What were you two talking about?"
"Oh, nothing. I was just asking him if You had any plans to Propose to me."
"I assure I don't."
Isabella pouted as Dante passed them.
"Follow me. Both of you. To the backyard."
Isabella and Missio raised a brow. The duo stood up, putting on their slippers. They followed the King to the backyard. As the door creaked open, the fresh air assaulted Missio. Giving him a sense of freshness like never before, it felt as if he was hallucinating. The birds chirped in the distant, the wind blew through the vicinity and the leaves rustled alongside. Dante dropped the materials. He placed the canvas on a stand.
Then, he rushed inside and brought out a chair. Isabella and Missio watched in confusion as Dante put the chair down. He picked up the colors and squirted them onto the palette. He gripped the brush and mixed specific color before placing the palette on the chair. He locked eyes with Missio.
"Come here." He waved.
Missio blinked. He approached his brother. Dante spread his arms slightly as his mouth opened.
"Alright… it's about time I told you this… have you heard of the Pillar of transcendence?"
Missio paused, recalling his memories. In a certain one, he heard his father – Alaric mention something about 'Transcendence'.
"I mean… dad said something about transcendence. Is that what that is?"
Dante snapped his fingers.
"A phenomenon known by few and achieved by even fewer – Transcendence."
Dante locked eyes with his little brother.
"You're already on that path… on the pillar of creation."
"What?" Missio blurted.
"Listen, Missio. The Pillar of Transcendence is a metaphysical ladder first discovered in the early stages of the Legendary age." Dante stated. "Each pillar of connected to a different concept of the universe. Chris is on the Pillar of Stars, Kedith was on the Pillar of Nothing and you…"
He pointed at Missio.
"You're on the Pillar of Creation as an Awakener."
"Uh, huh…" Missio nodded.
"So, before I explain any further. Please paint something." Dante moved out of the way.
Missio stalled. He stepped forward and picked up the palette. He sat down and held the brush.
"What do I paint?" he asked.
"Whatever you want." Dante stood beside Isabella.
Missio peered at his brother. Then, he gazed beyond looking at Isabella's home. He stared at it for a moment before pressing the brush against the green paint. He colored the bottom green and top blue.
"Why are you making him draw?" Isabella inquired. "And what is this Pillar of Transcendence thing?"
"Can't tell. It's a secret kept by the Augustus family."
"Well, maybe if you made me your wife, you would have the courtesy of telling me!" Isabella sneered.
"Of course – of course." Dante wrapped his hand around her.
Isabella heaved a sigh. He looked forward, watching Missio paint. A few minutes passed in silence until eventually, Missio finished his drawing.
"Is this good enough?" Missio showed the canvas to the couple.
"It's good enough." Dante's eye twitched at the horrible painting.
Missio placed it back on the stand. "Now, what do I do?"
"Repeat after me." Dante raised both hands. "I created this painting."
"Okay…" Missio replied.
He gazed at his creation. He drew a deep breath. His lips parted as he uttered four words that would soon shake the area.
"I created this painting."
In the very next instant, a strong wind blew out from Missio. The panting and chair flew away. Dante protected Isabella as she covered herself. A blinding yellow light expelled from Missio body. He opened his mouth in shock as he lifted off, shaking the earth below. The same light released from his eyes and mouth. A massive pillar rose from beneath, splitting the clouds. A few seconds later, it all vanished without a trace.
Missio touched the grass. He blinked. His mind felt refreshed – as if he had been elevated to another dimension. His body felt… purer as if it had been cleaned thoroughly. His senses had sharped, catching almost every sound, taste, smell in the area. But in the next instant, his Music Box glowed with something beyond divinity. Static buzzed through his mind, jolting his neurons awake. His pupils dilated as it stated three words in an ethereal yet unbound voice.
"Breaker of Creation."
He froze in place – the words echoing in his mind but Dante's clapping snapped him out of it.
"Congratulations! You're now a Breaker!"