The Last Paragon in the Apocalypse Chapter 1447: Pain Of A Cosmic Law

"STOP!"

Karma's yell made the void's deep darkness shudder. With no laws ruling the void, his command bent it to his will. Sadly for her, Klaus paid no heed, and since killing him was impossible, the outburst proved pointless.

Cracks began webbing across his face. As the sole visible part of him, they raced outward fast, twisting his features into something even more grotesque.

"Do you grasp what you're doing or the consequences your choice will unleash?" he demanded, yet Klaus just sneered.

"I don’t care, and I sure as hell don’t give a damn if this messes with the universe. Thanks to you, it was already overflowing with crap. The least I can do is prove not everyone's ready to bow and let you screw them over, Mr. Puppet."

"You're acting recklessly, and it'll exact a heavy toll from you, Paragon. Defying a cosmic law ranks as the stupidest move imaginable. I figured you had more sense."

"I wonder why I'm not sensible anymore. Oh right, because some so-called cosmic entity let a pack of fools manipulate and puppet him. Because of you, everyone I've ever cherished is in peril, with some dying before they could truly live. Or do you believe that after all this time, I'd forget your deeds? I'm the Paragon; I should've been the outcast, not those close to me. But since you and those pathetic heavens are as worthless and spineless as they get, you targeted my loved ones because you couldn't touch me. Honestly, got any solid justification for that?"

Karma attempted to respond, but silence gripped him. Evidently, Klaus's words struck true, leading to the crisis now unfolding.

"Count yourself fortunate I'm not erasing you entirely this time. Consider it a hard lesson, and next time, don't endanger my grandma just to chat with me. If you've got the guts, come down like the rest and face me in a mortal form that can die. Until then, live long and thrive."

Klaus aimed his finger at the massive head and whispered, "Be gone."

A ray burst from his fingertip, striking Karma’s nose and accelerating the fractures, widening them further.

"You'll regret this deeply, Paragon."

"I caused my grandma’s illness. Think I haven't begun regretting my very being already?" A tear trickled from Klaus’s eye as his eyes snapped open in the real world.

Sweat soaked his whole body, his complexion ashen like paper. Tears streamed down his cheeks. Rage and remorse churned within him over his revelation.

Had his grandma's affliction been just a byproduct of her god core's removal, he'd have found some solace. But learning the Heavenly Laws (Karma) were behind it confirmed his own culpability.

He hadn't realized he had a grandma in this life until encountering her after losing his body during the awakening battle's peak, when he took over Maud’s.

Though unaware of her existence, the heavens knew, and ages before his birth, they heaped karmic debt upon her, painting her mere role as a Paragon's grandma as the universe's gravest sin.

Their meddling stripped her god core, dooming her to millennia of torment.

"Klaus, are you okay?" his wives inquired, their faces etched with alarm. His grandma and Queen Leah mirrored their worry.

He hadn't noticed her arrival, but Queen Leah stood there as his eyes opened.

Klaus ignored the query. Instead, he glanced at the glassy cup ahead, then its murky contents.

"It's gone pitch black, huh?" he murmured with a wry grin. "Forgive me, Grandma—this is entirely my doing. I made you a target for the Heavenly Laws."

"No need to apologize, kid. This isn't on you at all," Queen Nivara assured him. She extended her hands to stroke his fiery red hair, a gentle smile curving her lips.

"The heavens exposed their brutality years back, right after I aided your parents in evading their gaze." Defiance gleamed in her eyes, a trait Klaus once flaunted boldly. "If blame must fall, it's the cost of my rebellion against them."

Klaus dipped his head, mustering a forced smile as he replied:

"That proves you're truly my grandma. Defying the heavens is our family specialty."

Laughter rippled through the group, easing the heavy atmosphere somewhat. Yet Goddess Nivara remained ill, and Klaus looked ghostly pale.

This signaled his vision had been anything but pleasant.

"I know you're all dying to hear what I witnessed. Believe me, I'd love to tell you, but sharing it won't aid anyone. The risks are far too great. Still, I've uncovered a cure for Grandma’s condition. It demands a pivotal choice, though—one that decides if you'll keep enduring this existence or break free from the heavens for good."

Goddess Nivara beamed. "Is that even a question? Freedom from the heavens means I'd pay any price."

"Even if it means restarting as a mere mortal?"

"I don't mind, kid. I just want vitality to stand by my beloved grandson forever. I trust you utterly, so proceed with whatever's needed—as long as it spares you harm."

"Really?" Klaus felt profoundly moved.

Goddess Nivara affirmed with a nod.

"You're my grandson, Klaus. If not you, then who deserves my faith? You freed me from captivity, brought me here, and gifted me these wonderful daughters-in-law. That's plenty to earn my total trust. So do what you must."

Klaus nodded, stifling his tears. Recalling his past lives deepened his gratitude for those who'd trusted and sacrificed for him.

He'd lost countless souls, growing desensitized to the grief. Yet despite his efforts to distance them, they invariably returned to his side.

In moments, he blamed himself as their ruin. But deeper bonds revealed he thrived only because of their presence.

His wives, comrades, even certain foes—they infused his life with meaning. Witnessing his grandma's genuine devotion nearly unleashed his bottled feelings.

Ultimately, he surrendered, bowing his head to let tears cascade unchecked. His wives clustered around, ensuring his well-being.

They recognized Klaus mastered his emotions well. So when they overwhelmed him, it stemmed from something profoundly personal.

With memories resurfacing, their insight into his nature sharpened daily.