Rise Of The Infinite Sovereign-Chapter 452: Reunion

Ezra’s eyes darted left and right, panicking inwardly as the urgency to escape rose higher than ever.

Before anyone could react, he sprints and grabs Vanessa’s hand.

"Wait, what are you—" Vanessa’s protest was cut off as the world around them blurred.

In the blink of an eye, they vanish, leaving both mothers standing in stunned silence.

"Well, that was unexpected"

Mrs. Elisa remarks, thoroughly flabbergasted.

Ezra’s mother giggles, Mrs. Elisa chuckles, "He’s always been unpredictable. But don’t worry, they’ll come around eventually."

"I’m sure they will," Mrs. Elisa replies with a sly smile. "After all, they can’t run from their mothers forever"

Both parties simultaneously burst into giggles right after.

—---------

On the other end of things, Ezra reappears back at Quartez with Vanessa in tow.

Roxanne is the first to call out, waving as she approaches.

"Vanessa! How are you?!"

Feeling a bit disorientated, Vanessa is stupefied to see the siblings and lay in shock for two seconds before hastily responding.

She hadn’t noticed that Ezra had already let go of her arm.

"R-Roxanne?! What are you doing here? Where are we?"

"I will leave it to you guys to bring her up to speed. I have to get Frederick"

And with that, Ezra disappears once again.

—--------

Rather than the front door, Ezra reappears in the living room.

Here, he finds Frederick but this time with another person by his side.

A familiar face no doubt. But not for a good reason.

Sporting a navy blue dress, her lush hair of black and white still shone through.

Compared to the last time he saw her, Fressia, Frederick’s sister, looked much healthier—both physically and mentally—than before.

Before Ezra can say anything, Fressia lowers her head. ƒrēenovelkiss.com

Ezra’s sharp eyes locked onto Fressia’s figure as she stood near Frederick, her gaze lowered, a rare sight for someone with unrelenting and ruthless demeanor.

The air in the room became tense, not from hostility but from the weight of unspoken words between them.

"My brother told me about how you helped me recover. Thank you"

Ezra shakes his head. "I didn’t do that for you"

"I know" she replies. "But you have my gratitude. I also apologize for my behaviour during our last encounter. I dismissed you without realizing you were Frederick’s friend, someone he values deeply"

"...Is that it?" Ezra wonders, feeling incredulous, his tone rising higher as he speaks on. "You have nothing to say for all the people you killed and all the lives you took?!"

Here, Fressia raises her head back to level, her face calm and unflinching.

"I owed you an apology. But not for what I’ve done in the past, never that. I have no regrets about the choices I made. Those were necessary for my survival, regardless of their morality."

"You’re a demonic human, raised who thrived on bloodshed for a long time. I haven’t forgotten the lives taken from the chaos you left in your wake. Yet now you’re trying to justify your actions?"

Fressia responds without any change in expression.

"I’m not asking for forgiveness, Ezra. I’m simply acknowledging my mistake in disregarding your importance. I’ve accepted what I am a long time ago, but I don’t expect you or anyone else to think any differently"

"Sure" he curtly replies, looking at Frederick with a questioning gaze. "What is this about?"

"Ezra," Frederick began, his voice calm and measured, "I understand how you feel. Believe me, it took a while for me to settle my own feelings about her past.

But precisely because of what she’s done—what she is—she deserves a chance to leave it all behind.

To step away from the blood-soaked path she’s been forced to walk and search for something better."

Ezra frowns heavily, his skepticism evident. "You think dragging her into the universe with us is the answer? That it’ll erase the lives she’s taken?"

Frederick shook his head. "Not erase, no. But it’s an opportunity for her to start anew, to grow beyond what she was made to be"

"Didn’t you say the oni?- yuni?- universe? Tch! Whatever, you said it is unbelievably vast. If it is as vast as say, then I believe she can find a new purpose out there—if we give her the chance"

Ezra’s gaze flickers between the two siblings, weighing Frederick’s earnest conviction against the cold reality of Fressia’s nature.

He exhales slowly, his shoulders relaxing slightly.

"Fine," he said at last. "But understand this, Fressia. I’m not doing this for you. I’m doing it because Frederick asked, and because I believe in the possibility of change—even for someone like you. Don’t make me regret it"

Fressia inclines her head, her expression inscrutable. "Of course, you have my word"

Without another word, Ezra steps forward, placing a hand on each of their shoulders.

The air around them shimmer, and in an instant, they disappear.

—------

The trio reappear at the gathering, where the others were still catching Vanessa up to speed.

The lively chatter came to an abrupt halt as everyone turned to see Ezra and the newcomers materialize out of thin air.

"Frederick!" Roxanne exclaimed, rushing over with a beaming smile. "You’re finally here!"

Her excitement dimmed slightly when she noticed Fressia standing beside him.

The tension in the air was palpable, but Roxanne, ever the optimist, quickly masks her unease with a polite nod in Fressia’s direction.

But Johan wasn’t letting slide.

"Why did you bring her here?" He questions, blatantly pointing his finger toward Fressia. "She’s not exactly the kind of person anyone wants on a team."

"Fressia is coming with us. Whatever her past, she’s here now, and she’s agreed to follow our lead. If anyone has a problem with that, they can take it up with me" Ezra replies.

"Well, if you put it like that" says Johan. "I guess I’m okay with it"

Nodding. Ezra claps his hands together, drawing everyone’s attention. "Alright, everyone, gather up! It’s been a while since we’ve all been together, so let’s make the most of it."

His voice carried a warmth that felt rare given the tension moments earlier.

Ezra’s usual sharp edge softens, replaced by a genuine smile as he looked around the group.

Roxanne grinned widely, nudging Vanessa playfully. "See? He’s not always frowning"

Vanessa, still adjusting to the bizarre twists of her day, gave a small, nervous laugh. She glanced at Ezra, her eyes searching for answers to unspoken questions.

Stepping into the mana dome, they each sneak glances at one another, with Ezra breaking the ice.

Ezra nodded. "Yeah, I’ll admit things haven’t exactly gone according to plan, but here we are."

He gestured to the group, his gaze softening. "And honestly, it’s good to see all of you. It’s been too long."

Roxanne eagerly interjects. "Too long? Ezra, you make it sound like it’s been years. You’re the one who keeps disappearing and reappearing like some phantom!"

The group chuckled, easing the tension.

. "

"Sheesh..." Ezra comments, scratching the back of his head as he looks away awkwardly. "Alright, alright, but that was because I was busy"

"If you say so" Johan shrugs.

The rest of the siblings laughs again, before the atmosphere finally cools down.

"I know you have questions," he begins, his tone measured but firm.

His gaze swept across each face, ensuring his words struck home.

"But let’s make one thing clear—what’s coming next will push you beyond anything you’ve experienced so far. This isn’t just about transcending your limits. It’s about survival."

The room seemed to grow colder with his words, the weight of them settling heavily over the group.

Johan is the first to break the silence, his arms crossing over his chest as he frowns.

"Survival? You make it sound like we’re walking into a war."

Ezra didn’t flinch under Johan’s questioning gaze. Instead, he met it head-on, his expression unyielding.

"I wouldn’t be surprised if we were. Out there—beyond this world—the universe operates on an entirely different set of rules. It’s unpredictable, volatile, and ruthless. You have to be ready for anything."

He let the words sink in, watching as the reality of his statement began to dawn on them.

The playful camaraderie that had momentarily existed was quickly fading, replaced by somber understanding.

Theron shifted uncomfortably, exchanging a nervous glance with Johan, but neither spoke.

Ezra’s presence had always been commanding, but now it carried a gravitas that seemed almost oppressive.

"In the universe," Ezra continued, his voice low but resonant, "strength isn’t just a measure of pride or personal accomplishment. It’s a currency of existence.

There are countless beings out there who won’t hesitate to trample you if they perceive you as weak, so you have to be ready"

Johan crosses his arms. "And you’re here to make sure we’re ready?"

"No" Ezra shakes his head, defying their expectations.

"You are ready" he proclaims. "All of you have trained hard. I’m just here to guide you to startling line where you can discover the answers to any questions you may have, and then, you’ll be the one’s to do decide what you want to do next"

Observing their expressions, Ezra smiles, softening the tension in the air as his tone taking on a more encouraging quality.

"But don’t let my words dampen the beauty of what lies ahead," he said, his voice carrying a note of wonder.

"The universe is vast—far more than any of us could ever imagine. It’s not just dangerous; it’s also awe-inspiring, full of wonders that make every risk worth it"

Here, Velora punches him on the shoulder.

"Instead of telling us like this, why don’t you just show us???"

This had Ezra blink a few times, before exiting the mana dome.

Utilizing <Gatekeeper>, he disappears, appearing on planet Polaim and places a <Gatemark> there.

Returning to Quartez moments later, he places another <Gatemark>, connecting the two spaces.

To which Ezra then, opens it up, performing feats beyond comprehension to those watching.

Once the gate lay open, Ezra turns to them. "Alright. It’s open, let’s go"

"You know how to use space magic?" Ashton questions, bringing Ezra to realize how anomalous his skills are to normal people.

"Ehhhhh.... something like that?"

Staring at him with an incredulous face, they wondered if it’s effects were authentic but Velora runs past them all and leaps right into the portal.

"Wait!"

"Stop!"

Before their words would reach her, Velora had already gone through.

As Velora disappears through the portal, the group stands frozen, a mix of excitement and apprehension swirling in the air.

The portal flickers, the vast unknown on the other side beckoning them, yet no one moves.

Ezra rolls his eyes, his voice cutting through the tension.

"She’s always the impatient one." He steps forward, gesturing toward the opening.

"Come on, don’t just stand there. This is the chance to see something no one on this planet ever has."

Theron designates himself as the runner up, walking into the portal without saying anything.

Roxanne glances at the others, her eyes gleaming with determination. "We’re not missing this," she declares, stepping forward with purpose.

One by one, they follow, each passing through the portal with varying degrees of hesitation.

Thus initiating the next stage of their adventures.