Chapter 236, The Price of a Seed

"Ancient are immortal beings because they harbored within them a Seed of Fate. The Seed of Fate is a tremendous vessel of Vi." Felicia stated. "Long ago, when the First World was first created, there was Fate at Chaos."

"Chaos?" Arata asked.

"The Fate gave birth to Fatum, our mother and the Chaos gave birth to the Night of Catastrophe." She began. "When Fatum gave birth to us, she split her power into one hundred pieces and these pieces symbolized the concepts of the world."

"These pieces are also called the Seeds of Fate. They represent the concept of the world and are tremendous sources of power." Siel stated. "We, the Ancients housed them within our bodies until we were able to drive back the Night of Catastrophe. But as a result, the Seed sprouted within us."

"After they sprouted we planted them across the world and that was when we began to notice the changes in our bodies." Gunilla stated.

"What changes?" Arata asked.

"We no longer aged, our power had grown exponentially even after we gave up the Seeds. And thus we gained the curse of immortality." Sidwell stated. "We became eternal beings tied to the concept we housed within us."

"And right now, Arata is hosting the very same seed that we housed." Gunilla stated. "And if, if it sprouts, Arata will forfeit his humanity for its power."

"So Arata could live forever when it sprouts?" Van asked piqued slightly.

"Indeed." Sebastian stated.

As they spoke Arata's focus was somewhere else entirely. His thoughts were at the future, if the Seed inside him could be helpful for the worlds he wanted to use it, this was his opinion as the Le Fluer but there was something else tugging at him. If the Seed could help the world he'd be able to help but what about after he has fulfilled his role as Le Fluer? He would become an immortal just like Felicia and the others and then what? Watch as the passage of time would consume him and sit at the death bed of everyone he has ever loved knowing he can't follow them? As these thoughts fought in his mind a simple answer reached him.

"What do you think Arata? You gain immortality and the power of an Ancient." Seiji asked and that's when they all see Arata has fallen silent.

"Arata? You can gain the power of an Ancient and protect the world forever." Gunilla stated.

"Arata could do what he wants forever." Julian says. "You don't have to worry about getting hurt or dying. You could make up for the seventeen years of your life you couldn't enjoy being a Brave. A life after your role as the Le Fluer."

"I believe letting the Seed sprout is also a good choice Master. It might be useful in the long run for restoring the River of Fluer." Ritty speaks. "You'd be immortal and you'd protect the world at the same time. I think it might be a fair deal Master."

"Eternity...?" Arata spoke.

"Yes. Eternity." Felicia stated.

The thought of eternity might be enticing to others but to Arata it was scary and not something he wanted. What he wanted was to be everyone's side, to share the joy and sadness, and die with a smile on his face thinking he lived a good life. The desire to reject eternity, the desire to stay by everyone's side, the desire to stay human despite knowing he no longer is a truly human manifest as a single word that exits Arata's mouth.

"No." He smiled with tears. "Eternity? As if I need it. I don't care about that, if losing my humanity is what it takes to protect the worlds then I don't want to anymore!!"

A silence fell after Arata shouts those words out and then Arata's words hit and tears fell from his face.

"I'm sorry." Arata runs away with tears in his eyes before anyone can stop him.

It takes a moment for everyone to process what just happened and that's when the eight Braves run out of the Main Hall and chase after Arata.

"Arata! Wait!!" William called to him but Arata keeps running, he runs and runs till he's at the door that leads to the courtyard.

'Whats wrong with me? Why did I say that?' Arata thinks as he runs, he can hear William and the others calling to him but he doesn't look back. 'I can't face them. Where should I go? I don't want to go back...'

As these words fill Arata's head he sees the Perennial Cherry Blossom and wishes to go there. As he thinks this he is engulfed in a cloud of smoke and he finds himself at the foot of the Perennial Cherry Blossom. William and the others are stopped in their tracks and sigh.

"He used an Ostium and escaped us." Andrew sighed as the returned to gathering.

"Why was Master so upset?" Ritty asked.

"That's not what surprised us. What surprised us what he said." Theo stated.

"I've seen Arata get upset a few times before but it was usually for others, never for himself..." Alistar stated. "This is the first time I've seen him get angry like that."

"So, why did he get upset?" Ryl asked.

"Probably because Master didn't want to become immortal..." Growth speaks and all eyes fall to him. "As you know I'm connected to the Master, not just by Vi but also by emotions."

"And?" Chase asked. "What did Arata feel?"

"The Master was scared... Scared of no longer being human." Growth stated. "And above all, the Master doesn't wish for eternity, he only wants to live a healthy life, a mortal life and wishes to experience it all by everyone's side..."

"Why? Would it be better for him if he gained eternity?" Ritty asked.

"Master doesn't wish for it... Even though he knows the Seed could be helpful for the worlds, is it means giving up his humanity he doesn't want to." Growth spoke. "The master is scared, scared of the thought that everyone will eventually die and he will be alone if he gained eternity. He does not wish to watch everyone die knowing he alone cannot accompany them."

"I don't understand..." Ritty stated.

"Master is torn between his role as Le Fluer and as his wish as Arata." Growth stated. "That is what scares him the most, of the unknown wish that is growing within him."

With Growth's words, William and the others stand up once more.

"Where is Arata right now?" Alexis asked.

"The Perennial Cherry Blossom..." Growth answered and the eight Braves walked for the door.

"You eight..." Felicia called to them. "Tell Arata, it is a blessing to bloom and to wither. All Flowers must bloom and some day they must wither."

Her words reassure the eight Braves and they head to the Perennial Cherry Blossom.

"Is it alright to let them go by themselves?" Mao asked.

"Leave them be. They are the ones Arata need right now. Our job is to focus on this." Monica smiled and turned to the hologram. "I'm certain, they'll bring Arata home."