Esper Harem in the Apocalypse

Chapter 1099: Lord's Chamber

The ethereal landscape around them began to fade, the stars and galaxies dissolving into the mundane reality of the tent. Soon, the tent faded away too, leaving them both in the middle of the street. Everything around them was silent, as if only they existed in the world.

"What do you plan to do next?" Nyxia asked in a soft voice.

"Hmm~" Rudy hummed in amusement, his old personality taking over him. He looked at her with an emotionless look on his face and suddenly smirked like a menace.

"Well, first of all, I should let people know I am back."

"You mean…" Nyxia's eyes widened.

"Yeah." Rudy nodded. "I am going to declare my lordship in the Lord's Chamber, something I put on pending for a long time."

Although Rudy's memories were back, he only had the memories the white ball contained. He didn't remember everything of the past timeline. He had no recollection of infiltrating Area 69 and creating his dynasty.

"Are you ready?" he asked her.

And with a snap, Nyxia and Rudy's bodies disappeared into matter.

The Lord's Chamber was a sight to behold, even in its ruined state. The once-grand structure stood as a testament to the passage of time, its walls crumbling and covered in moss and ivy. The high, vaulted ceiling was partially collapsed, allowing shafts of moonlight to filter through, casting dramatic shadows on the ancient stone floor. The air was thick with the scent of age and decay, yet there was an underlying sense of power that permeated the very atmosphere.

The chamber was open to the elements, with massive pillars supporting what remained of the roof. The walls were adorned with faded murals depicting scenes of ancient battles and long-forgotten heroes. The floor was littered with debris—broken statues, and the remnants of once-magnificent tapestries.

At the far end of the chamber, a set of long, high stairs led up to a throne that seemed to defy the ravages of time. Unlike the rest of the chamber, the throne was pristine, its surface gleaming with an otherworldly light. It was carved from a single piece of black marble, veined with pulsing energy that seemed to resonate with the very essence of the universe. The throne was flanked by two massive statues of mythical beasts, their eyes glowing with an eerie light.

Rudy and Nyxia stood at the base of the stairs, their eyes fixed on the throne. The weight of history and the echoes of ancient power seemed to press down on them, yet they stood tall and unyielding. Hand in hand, they began their ascent, each step echoing through the chamber like the beating of a primordial heart.

As they neared the top, a sudden voice echoed through the chamber, freezing them in their tracks.

"Stop!"

The voice was young, yet filled with an authority that belied its age. A moment later, a figure materialized before them—a boy with white hair, his eyes blazing with determination. It was Rudy, or rather, a younger version of him, his expression a mix of anger and desperation.

"You can't do this, Rudy!" the boy exclaimed, his voice echoing through the chamber. "You're ruining everything!"

Rudy regarded the boy with a calm, almost detached expression. "And who are you to tell me what I can and cannot do?"

The boy's eyes narrowed. "You know who I am. I am you—the you from a different timeline. I've waited eons for this moment, sacrificed everything to ensure that our plan succeeds. And now you're going to throw it all away?"

Nyxia stepped forward, her voice steady and calm. "You should know better than to interfere, child. Rudy has made his decision, and we must respect that."

The boy turned to Nyxia, his expression softening slightly. "Nyxia, you of all people should understand. You restored his memories, knowing full well the consequences. Why would you do that?"

Nyxia sighed. "I had no choice. Rudy's will is absolute, and I could not defy it. Besides, it was time for him to remember. The cycle must be broken."

The boy shook his head in frustration. "This might be our last chance. If Rudy declares his lordship now, everything we've worked for will be for nothing. You have to stop him, Nyxia. You have to make him see reason."

Rudy's expression hardened. "Enough. I've heard your arguments before, and I reject them. Your plan is flawed, built on assumptions and hopes. I will not gamble the fate of the universe on such shaky foundations."

"I have seen you destroy the very universe you love so much, a million times!" Kid Rudy yelled.

The kid Rudy didn't know what to do. They could have fought, but their fight would have lasted for decades, even centuries and it still wouldn't have come to an end. They knew there was no point in fighting each other.

The boy's eyes widened in disbelief. "You would dare—after everything I've done, everything I've sacrificed—"

"You did it for yourself," Rudy interjected, his voice cold. "You had your reasons, your motivations, but they are not mine. I will not be dictated to by a shadow of myself. You have no right to interfere in my life or tell me what to do."

The boy fell silent, his arguments crumbling in the face of Rudy's resolve. He knew that Rudy was right—that his plan was far from certain, built on a foundation of hope and desperation. It had never worked before, and there was no guarantee it would work this time, either.

"Leave," Rudy commanded, his voice echoing through the chamber. "Watch and wait. That is all you can do now."

The boy looked up at Rudy, his eyes filled with a mix of resignation and hope. "Very well. I wish you luck, Rudy. May your path be true."

With that, the boy vanished, leaving Rudy and Nyxia alone in the chamber. Rudy turned to Nyxia, a small smile playing on his lips.

"Thank you, Nyxia. For everything."

Nyxia returned the smile, her eyes shining with pride and affection. "It was my honor, Rudy. Now go—take your rightful place."