A Promise

"First off, your soul, along with your physical body, will transmigrate to a space between both realms known as Paths. In it, you will earn your new core that holds your Element, and your Runic Web, got it?"

June nodded in return, trying his best to follow along. 

He didn't exactly know what an Element was, nor a Runic Web, but he was sure it'd be explained as the explanation furthers.

"The Runic Web you will find far before anything else; it'll be a sort of shard etched into your skin, on the backside of your forearm near the wrist. It will grant you access to a part of the Entity's system, therefore allowing you to inspect your own core and what not."

A shard etched into his skin… wouldn't that be painful?

"Inside the Runic Web, you will find the description for your Element and future abilities earned by completing each Pathway Thread. In time, you'll understand the inner workings of it, so there's no need for any in-depth explanation on that part."

Dusk wandered around to the other side of the fire, his hands folded behind his back.

Element and future abilities were the main things that had caught June's attention. The awakening of the energy that was lying dormant inside him — which he had earned from The Ark — would allow him magical powers, that much he already knew.

But, what kind… he'd have to wait and find out.

Curious, June asked him:

"What's an Element?"

His question prompted a smile on Dusk's face as he answered:

"Basically, the main source of your power. Elements are derived from pocket dimensions through the currents of both realities. They're purely cosmical creations… magic, in a way, and billions at that. You will earn one based on your soul's affinity, which is different for everyone. It'll then pair with the passive abilities of your Heritage."

'Interesting…'

The concept of magic and powers always seemed interesting to him, but also a bit scary. 

As a child, he constantly imagined the evil things a mortal could do when getting his hands on power beyond their existence. 

With the amount of webnovels he read… the recipient who received great power eventually became radical in nature, altering their mindset entirely — twisting it, even.

For mortals, supernatural powers were both a gift… and a curse.

Of course, there are always going to be humans that are crooked in nature, and there's nothing anyone could do about it. 

Such is the way of life.

However, he didn't want that for himself. Sure, power was great and all, but he refused to be a slave to it. 

Yet, now… he was sort of becoming one. 

With the Heritage of The Void, he would be enslaved to death, forced to succumb to it as it is written.

What's worse is he cannot even deny it.

'Damn…'

The Heritage was still something he was trying to process… and with time he eventually would. 

Maybe.

As June pondered his impending future, Dusk himself sat down once again, this time across from June, separating them between the ghostly fire.

Both of them just sat there, lost in their own thoughts. One was coming to terms with his inevitable end, and another was processing his future going forward.

Eleven years of a future.

"You know, it's kind of weird. I can still remember having the same conversation with Arthur — the previous holder of the Heritage — only I was in your shoes, listening and processing as best I could. Now, it feels weird to be on the other side, explaining to you what he explained to me."

Dusk chuckled as he finished, rubbing the base of his neck.

June somewhat understood where Dusk was coming from. After all, what June was going through currently was something he'd go through again but in Dusk's position. 

For now, he could only imagine what that'd be like, but perhaps he'd have the same thoughts Dusk was having at this very moment.

It was bizarre, really.

June's voice cut through the silence, asking:

"Why did you even accept the Heritage?"

He was curious.

The only reason June was forced to accept the Heritage was to be able to complete his Trial and prevent the world from ending while getting to live himself — albeit, a few years.

So either Dusk felt the need to prevent the world from ending, or another reason June couldn't begin to guess.

"Ah, well… when Arthur came to me, he told me exactly what I told you. Well, not word for word, but similar. Anyway, I was compelled to accept the Heritage not only to save the world from a catastrophe, but also because Arthur came to me."

Arthur came to him..? Well of course he did.

"What do you mean by that..?" June asked, leaning forward.

Dusk sighed and a nostalgic-like smile appeared on his face.

"Arthur was different, truly. He was a warrior down to his bones. He told me how he slew the Tarnished and fought tremendously hard for the past years. So, being selected by him was sort of an honor. It was hard to say no to someone who fought so hard and achieved great feats, and in the end chose you out of anyone else."

Dusk paused for a moment, before continuing:

"... And to a nobody like me, it gave me a purpose."

'I see…'

The way Dusk saw it, Arthur was someone who he could not say no to, simply because it'd be greatly disrespectful. 

After all the trials and tribulations Arthur faced, at the end of his journey, he chose Dusk out of anyone else in the world.

From someone who slayed not one but three Tarnished, who could reject him? 

They owed him at least that, to let him pass in peace and not die with any more regrets than he already had.

'Man, that's heavy…'

Although it was a cruel fate to be dealt with, at the same time it was of great merit.

It was still difficult to accept, but it wasn't something worth crumbling over, not for June at least.

"It's time now, June…"

Dusk's words seemed to cut through June, as though igniting a facet of his soul he had previously chosen to ignore.

It was time to kill Dusk… and become the new bearer of the Heritage. 

June's hands began to tremble inadvertently, as if he was already feeling the weight of the situation. He still hadn't fully accepted it all. 

Neither the Heritage, or having to kill Dusk.

Reluctantly, he stood up and looked over to Dusk who bore a smile on his face as if expressing that everything was going to be alright. 

For him, he had years to accept his fate. But for June, he had only learned of everything now.

It was like two sides of a coin. 

One, a clean one… only beginning to accept its fate. 

And the other, a dark and grim one… that had long accepted it over the years.

Seeing his expression only made it harder for June.

Even in the face of death, Dusk remained vigilant, his smile showing no signs of cracking. 

To think, everyone he has ever cared for, loved, and looked after — all of them would now only remember him as a distant memory.

"Dusk…"

June whispered under his breath, feeling a sense of sorrow he had never felt before.

Seeing his state, Dusk just chuckled, walking over to him.

June listened quietly to the footsteps of the man that echoed through the belly of The Great Serpent before stopping just next to him. 

He was considerably taller than June, so he had to crane his neck downward to meet June's gaze.

However, June's eyes were glued to the floor, his hands clenched into fists.

"Don't fret… June. Death is something everyone has to face in their life. I just happened to face it sooner rather than later."

Dusk knelt to the ground to be shoulder to shoulder with June.

"I'm sure you think this Heritage is a curse to your very existence. But in a way, it makes you want to enjoy being alive… so, don't look at it in such a dark way. And remember, I accepted my fate long before I met you."

He reached over and placed his hand on June's shoulder, prompting June to look over to him. 

Dusk was still smiling… despite everything.

"My fate is not a pleasant one, sure. But…"

He paused for a moment, patting June on the shoulder and smiling even wider.

"... Such is life."

For the first time in June's life, he felt for another person. 

Ever since his parents had abandoned him, he grew to hate the world and the people in it. 

But now, he couldn't help feeling sorry for another man he only just met. And one that had cursed him at that.

It was such a bizarre situation…

Nevertheless, Dusk was truly a strong person. 

To be able to smile in the face of death was something only a truly strong human was capable of.

June slowly turned his entire shoulders toward Dusk, overcome with a sudden resolve.

"Dusk, I'll accept the Heritage with grace…"

Upon hearing June's words, Dusk smiled, nodding in response.

However, June continued:

"... But, I won't let it be my end. I'll break its bind, and free myself of this Accursed Heritage." 

His words seemed to hit Dusk like a train, his eyes widening and his smile faltering.

"... I swear to you, I'll end this crude cycle."