Floating within the dense clouds as the world continued to scream in pure agony and madness, Janus observed the pandemonium happening all around him. His eyes closed shut, and his attention was focused entirely on his surroundings.
Despite his stoic composure, the sheer madness, horror, and woe are overwhelming. From the bottomless depths to the farthest horizons, Janus could feel his connection and influence in the Dreamlands start to deteriorate as his control and authority slowly slip away from his grip.
With Cthulhu's presence growing ever more dangerous, the god of time has seen everything happening throughout the realm itself. People are screaming, dying, and killing each other. Buildings are burning, and the land is being ruined. Creatures and monstrosities alike rampage towards communities, devouring everything in sight and leaving behind no survivors.
It is terror like never before, one that no being could ever prepare for its horrors, and Janus could do nothing but witness it. Watching everything fall apart before his very eyes, "no one is safe, not even me," gripping his spear firmly, he begins to question if this is the time for him to face the monstrosity that is coming to destroy the world.
"We have to run!" The paranoid Saturn urged, "There's no stopping the Great Darkness; we have to save ourselves!" His desperate pleas fell untothe same deaf ears as the others, especially when Quirinus detested such cowardice and refused to abandon a fight worthy of their attention.
"Run? Hide? Hah!" Wanting to laugh, Quirinus scoffs insultingly, "Absolutely not; together we shall overcome this monster with our combined might! Besides, fleeing is beneath us, is it not?" Finding the notion of retreating an equal foe ridiculous, he would rather stand their ground against their opposition and vanquished their threat once and for all.
The narrator sighed, "It is our host's decision alone to face or flee, not ours." Knowing perfectly well that the repercussions and risks facing the Great Darkness are outright suicide, he urges their host to consider the options carefully. "Janus, what is your verdict on this?"
"My my," grinning wryly, Culsans share his fellow's sentiment of engaging in battle: "What's life without a little thrill and excitement, eh Janus ol' chap?" It was exhilarating to speak about it: "Yes, a duel worth a tale to tell! Don't you agree, Vesta dear?"
She scoffed, "Oh, please, not your attics again."
"Come now, Vesta. Fight the good fight, live valiantly, and persevere! That is the essence of the Roman spirit, is it not? Glory and valour!" Inspiring his fellow companions, "To defeat this foul demon is no small feat; are we not the very gods that mortals make us to be?"
Despite the world being in chaos, Janus can't abandon nor flee like a coward after leaving his friends to face this danger alone. "I'm going to stop this," the answer completely caused everyone to look at him as Saturn's fear grew immensely.
"Are you crazy?! Listen to me, there is no stopping this catastrophe; believe me, we can't win—"
Suddenly Portunus interjected, "Saturn, enough. His decision is final." His words caught him briefly: "Despite my disagreement with confronting this adversary, Janus is our leader, and his choice is the final say." Although hesitant, he can see their own logic on the success rate and whether or not they will prevail, "but the odds are severely stacked heavily against us, when I have no clue how Cthulhu even grew this powerful."
Shaking his head, Janus didn't care how strong that monster had gotten. "Do you think we will win?" Questioning his fellows opinions, "Are we truly a match for the awakened Cthulhu?" Deep down, the uncertainty of the situation was terrifying, but he did not show weakness, having to conceal his worries and await an answer.
"Victory isn't guaranteed, and failure is imminent," Portunus answered truthfully, "even with his awakened form, there is still a fifty percent chance that he or we shall be the victor of this duel," an estimation he can safely claim, "something about seeing through the future or altering it still remains unaffected when it comes to such a powerful entity," admitting the facts honestly.
Culsans softly chuckled, "We're screwed," a statement everyone agreed on.
However, Janus didn't give up on this; instead, he is going to fight just to preserve this world. "Whether we lose or win, as long as I stand on my ground and fight till the end, it's fine by me," he determined. "Let Cthulhu come and test his newly acquired powers against us."
But a curious Saturn chimed in at this turn of events, "Why are you defending this realm that isn't your own? There is no reason to sacrifice yourself; the dreamlands are not our responsibility." Not believing any reasoning for having to go through this, "we can leave whenever we want and escape with our own lives, not putting ourselves into an unnecessary fate!"
"Because," finding a perfect reason for this moment as Vesta scolded him gently, "he loved this world and its people," her words surprising the old man, "Janus had made wonderful friends and allies, despite his own flaws, he grew attached to here because of the experiences he made," understanding his motives and why the god of time refused to abandon his friends in need, "he saw and made himself feel that he belong to this place, a purpose to fulfill."
Her heartfelt speech moved him, feeling his whole spirit reinvigorated by her encouraging words, expressing gratitude towards her: "she speaks the truth." With a nod, she acknowledged his response: "This place has shaped and grown into someone I am today."
Looking up at the green, dark sky, "the world has helped me to touch my inner humanity of being god," a moment Janus realized he grew attached to the dreamlands, "although flawed and imperfect, its filled with beautiful wonders and miracles alike," describing this world's qualities and eccentricities, "and because of that, I learned human lives have value through the kindness and love these mortals have given me," expressing his true feelings to the friends and people he had met.
"Humans are that important to you?" A serious question came out of Culsans mouth: "They're an inferior, foolish, and insignificant bunch," insulting the mortal kind with flare of ignorance, "nothing compares to our superior and immortal existences," expressing his true feelings towards lower forms. "I never understand why we bother associating ourselves with mere ants."
If Janus could smile, he would say at this instance, "You could be right about them. Humanity is never perfect, flawed, and selfish," an objective observation he made, "yet, despite all their faults, there are redeeming qualities yet to unravel," listing a few traits he enjoys, "humans strive to overcome hardships and can achieve greater heights if they believe in themselves," admiring the strength of mortals, "no matter how impossible, they'll find a way and never let fear control their hearts."
Hearing the optimistic perspective Janus held, Saturn commented, "You changed," realizing the true extent of how god of beginnings and ends isn't the same person from the past; "Back then, you would dismiss mortals as pathetic, worthless, and not worth praise, but now you are more compassionate and kind."
Tearfully, Vesta admires Janus: "You finally have a human heart," finding the end of God's emotional growth; "It's good to see you finally learn the value of those below you." She was proud to see Janus develop his humanity from being with them.
Portunus and Culsans could agree, "hah," scoffing the idea as Culsans responded with his own inquiry, "so, the all-mighty primordial god had gained sympathy for mortals, interesting," an notion he laughed mockingly, "do you even think Saomi still loves you after she blamed you for everything?"
Flashes of images ran through Janus mind, remembering the furious Saomi blaming him for everything and wishing him gone forever. "Yes," he said remembering the awful things she had said to him, "and I'm still willing to forgive her despite what she said," standing strong on his decision.
"Even if Saomi hates you?" Portunus was intrigued. Janus refused to cast her aside, saying, "We don't know if she still cares for you anymore after what happened," telling the god of time harsh reality, "Your willingness to let this slide, even though she was nothing more than a traitor.
In his heart, he knows for fact that she never truthfully said them, as the lovable young woman he had grown to love is still in there, confused and angry about losing someone precious to her. "She will find her heart to forgive someday," believing the swordswoman can overcome her sorrow and apologize.
"And if she refuses your love?" Vesta asked him.
"Then...I will leave her be," knowing his presence will only hurt her; furthermore, "it is for the best, she and I remain distant away from each other if it makes her happy." accepting her resentment in regards to him, "her happiness is more important than mine."
"That is a surprisingly noble thing to do," the narrator compliments the end god, "even though I will not do such an act for petty betrayal," like Saturn, who is not fond of backstabbing traitors that stab their allies behind their backs, "amusingly, it's interesting to see you grow more as a human than a god."
His turn to the direction of where Cthulhu is, as Janus could sense the monster's approach in the direction where he was floating, "I can't let it get through them," he said in determination, "not when Saomi and Schrodinger are currently with the others."
Before leaving them, he had told the two to stay with the rest, despite Saomi's refusal to have him face the eldritch horror alone. Although she never got the chance when he left, she still continued to not comply with his advice.
Aside from dealing with a powerful entity rivaling his power, he just hoped Schrodinger would not let her do something foolish and drag himself into the confrontation. She is just a mere human, after all, and facing a being beyond human comprehension can bring her to the brink of insanity.
He doesn't want to risk losing her, not after she lost someone very important. If she dies, Janus won't know for himself if he can live with this. She is responsible for helping him see the world around him in the eyes of mortals, and having that person dead would be a devastation for him.
Despite the risks, Janus will confront the eldritch monster as the fate of the dreamlands rests on his shoulders. He will not let the Kalpa continue because he is going to end this once and for all, so no one within this realm has to eternally continue this maddening cycle.
Janus prepares himself to combat the eldritch monster. Ready to lay his life to the line against the Great Dreamer, "this is it," gripping Genitalis tightly, "no turning back now," gazing at Cthulhu's from several hundreds of kilometers in front of him.
There will be no mercy or hesitation, not a single ounce of remorse. Only resolve and an unyielding stand will stop the Great Dreamer's pursuit before completing its mission. Janus is aware of the price, knowing well that his actions can potentially cause the impossible.
Can he do it? Will he win through this? He has little knowledge of the future, as no matter how much he tries to dwell in it, otherworldly force prevented him from doing, "I'm going to be the victor of this duel between us," proudly proclaiming his victory, "you may be the Great Dreamer itself, but not this time," not backing away from a challenge.
Janus ready his stance, preparing Genitalis as the battle will commence. "I will win, and no one is going to stop me," declaring his vow, he leaped through the air, producing an immensely powerful shockwave that rocked the entire area below him.
Flying faster than a speeding star, his strong belief in his pursuit of victory had reassured him of any worries or troubles that would befall him for all the uncertainty that was yet to come. Janus continued onwards towards the Great Dreamer, closing the gap between him and Cthulhu.
