GOD FORMULA

05 Eternal Equations

[Initiating Eternal Equations: 1/3]

[Equation 1: TimeTailor]

[Confirm execution: Y/N]

The scientist could have kissed Aegis on the lips if it were a human. "You finished the task just in time, old friend. You never disappoint. Confirmed! Begin execution!"

[Set Time Speed: x01, x0.5, x0.25, x0.1]

TimeTailor was one of the three eternal God Formula equations that Griffin had worked on for decades. Controlling the speed of time was deemed impossible, but not for Aegis, which could replicate the creator's power.

Eternal Equations did not require mana to execute, but could be used only once by an advanced user. Griffin needed to make it count.

"One-fourth the speed of time should give me enough to keep Dagon in check and roll out my plan. Let's go for x0.25."

[Equation 1: TimeTailor: 0,25] [Activated!]

Abruptly, everything slowed down. The progress of Dagon's downward plunge was also affected. In fact, the entire world seemed to have caught its breath.

It was only Griffin's thoughts that TimeTailor didn't manipulate, because Aegis synthetically accelerated them.

The scientist took a deep breath. "At least I could relax for a second. Okay, now let's execute the second equation."

[Equation II: FutureTell]

[Set Search Range and Search Object]

"Set the search range to 1000 years. The search object will be—the chosen one."

FutureTell, the second eternal equation, allowed the user to see into the future. It was another impossible thing made possible by Aegis's god-like abilities.

Griffin's HUD suddenly faded into black. All sounds ceased. A showcase of images appeared in his vision, arranged year-wise. The scientist rooted through the gallery with his fingers. When he was done, he smiled bitterly. 

"So there you are, chosen one. You'll inherit God Formula from me. And oops. That's how everything is going to turn out for you. I don't know whether I should call it a blessing or a calamity. Well, so be it. Now I have seen the future."

Griffin's ultimate wish was to see how the universe would turn out after the chosen one accepted his responsibility. After the last image appeared, the showcase would not scroll further.

[Error!] [Cataclysmic Event!] [Prediction Failure!]

Griffin clicked his tongue. "Ah, so something so epic and tragic happens at this point that even Aegis cannot see through the uncertainty. That's sad. Anyway, I got what I was looking for."

His HUD blinked to normal. Now, Griffin was about to execute the final eternal equation that would provide the chosen one with all the memories and skills needed to master Aegis and God Formula.

Crack! Griffin heard a disturbance above him. Dagon was still suspended in slow motion. However, he seemed to resist the effects of TimeTailor. "How is that possible? Nothing can overpower an eternal equation! It is woven through the creator's power!"

The answer came to him immediately. "It's that damned Zweihander!" Griffin cursed. "Its god-killing attributes are unraveling the TimeTailor equation!"

Griffin realized his plan had failed. Now, he had to make haste to salvage whatever was possible.

[Equation 3: XReincarnate]

This time, his HUD disappeared completely. A 360° virtual view came up.

[Welcome to Aegis XReincarnate] [Transferring Aegis Source Code to Chosen One]

[Warning!] [Chosen One shall experience amnesia!]

[Warning!] [Chosen One may not possess boosted stats]

Crack! Dagon had sped up enough to come within proximity of Griffin. TimeTailor still bogged him down, but the tip of his sword was around six feet away from Griffin.

A spark of dark energy from the greatsword connected with Aegis, causing a malfunction.

[TimeTailor: Deactivated!]

"Noooo!" Griffin roared, realizing that the third eternal equation was still being executed. The scientist sighed as his life flashed before his eyes. He had led a lonely life without a family and with a few work friends.

In the end, his most outstanding achievement —the Aegis AI — had somehow malfunctioned. Was it worth it? What had been the meaning of his life?

Crack! Dagon was freed from TimeTailor, and a moment later, his greatsword plunged into Griffin's body. This time, the adamantine armor gave in. It cracked like an eggshell as the blade impaled Griffin.

"Die, mortal! Die!" Dagon howled as they plummeted downwards together like meteors. "Let your unholy Aegis and God Formula die with you!"

"Aaarghh!"

With a mighty splash, the two titans fell into the ocean. The impact of Zweihander dented the water surface and sent pillars of steam and surf into the sky. A hovering satellite caught the astronomical event from space.

Moments before Griffin lost his consciousness, Aegis blinked a final notification.

[Equation III] [XReincarnate] [Successful!]

"Good luck, Noah," Griffin breathed before being blown into nothing.

An unseen, unfelt, undetected wave radiated out in the universe. Destiny had been changed.

An ancient sleeping entity stirred in its sleep. Millions of miles away, prophets and seers of different worlds had terrible, horrifying visions.