Destiny

|Jude|

As my eyelids fluttered open, I was greeted by a barrage of light that caused me to squint until my eyes adjusted. The air was filled with the soothing fragrance of scented candles, which brought a sense of calmness that cascaded through my body.

Gingerly, I sat up on the bed, feeling the remnants of pain radiating through my body from the intense battle with Alceraz. Surprisingly, though, my injuries didn't seem as severe as I had expected. Was it because I had recently broken through to the Seventh Door, allowing me to mitigate the recoil of using Realmheart to a certain degree?

"You are finally awake," a melodious and elderly voice greeted me, prompting me to turn towards its source.

The figure before me was that of an elderly lady with hair as gray as if it had been struck by lightning. Her eyes were a mesmerizing blend of colors, and her thin white brows added to her unique appearance. Rinia Darcassan, the elf deviant who had aided Arthur before.

"Thank you for saving me," I said, bowing my head in gratitude.

"It is my duty to save the hero of this world," Rinia replied with a warm smile as she observed me.

Hero.

That word again. Myre had also called me a hero back in Epheotus. Was it just a title given out of respect, or did it hold a deeper meaning?

Before I could ask, Rinia spoke again, as if she had read my thoughts.

"I looked into your future," she said, her gaze unwavering.

My heart skipped a beat. Rinia was known for her ability to see glimpses of the future, but at a great cost to her own lifespan. Did she see something significant in my future?

"Fate has been warped, child," Rinia sighed, her expression filled with a mix of concern and regret. "You are someone who shouldn't have been born in this world. However, fate deviated, resulting in your birth here, and it may lead to dangerous consequences for everyone."

Her words left me unsettled. Was my very existence a threat to the world?

"Not you, specifically," Rinia clarified, as if sensing my thoughts. "It is more about the consequences of your birth and the events that followed. You see, Agrona used your soul as a balancing act to summon two other powerful souls, completely altering the method he used to bring forth powerful beings. This change in the summoning ritual had a profound impact on fate itself, and two extremely powerful individuals were born into this world."

"Someone other than Cecilia?" I furrowed my brows, surprised to learn about another powerful being like her.

"Yes, someone even more dangerous," she nodded gravely. "This individual possesses the same ability as me—he can see the future, but without any consequences. However, there is a limitation to his power. Aether can block his visions, which is why this humble cottage is a safe haven, preventing him from seeing your future. As a result, he and Agrona both believe you to be dead."

A sense of relief washed over me. My plan to fake my death had succeeded in fooling the world's most powerful seers.

"

What do you plan on doing now?" Rinia asked, her eyes filled with genuine curiosity and concern. She handed me a cup of tea, and I accepted it graciously, savoring the fragrance and taste that rivaled the tea from the palace of Sapin.

"I need to get stronger," I replied with determination. At the very least, I have to successfully open the Eighth Door. With higher mastery over aether, Realmheart, and my swordsmanship, I would be able to surpass Kezess Indrath.

Rinia nodded in agreement, her wisdom evident in her eyes. "Yes, you are already very strong, but you must continue to grow stronger for the challenges that lie ahead. Do you know how to achieve that?"

I pondered her question carefully. The Ninth Door had led me to the Sword Horizon as I achieved godhood, which was not a viable option for me at the moment. While my mastery of Realmheart and aether would undoubtedly improve with time and practice, I needed a more tangible and immediate increase in strength.

"I need to form the aetheric runes and break through to the integration stage," I replied confidently.

"Focus on avoiding the eyes of the other Legacy by enveloping yourself in a thin sheen of aether," Rinia advised, taking another sip of her tea. "After that, you can venture into the Relictombs, where you'll find opportunities to grow even stronger."

|Arthur|

Hope.

Hope can be likened to the shimmering light on the horizon, the feeling of expectation for something good to happen. It is the beacon that guides us through the darkest nights, the flicker of courage when all seems lost.

In the annals of history, there was a time known as The Beast Era, where the three races clung desperately to hope as beasts hunted us down mercilessly. Life was a constant struggle, and we were powerless, unable to wield mana to defend ourselves. Even an E-class beast was a terrifying threat, and the appearance of an S-class beast meant the loss of tens of thousands of lives.

Yet, hope was our shield. It kept us going, driving us to endure and persevere despite the odds.

But when Dicathen lost the war to Alacarya, that hope was threatened once more. The darkness of defeat loomed over us, and the Castle's destruction shattered the last remnants of resistance. The most powerful mage of Dicathen, Jude, fell in battle against a full-blooded Vritra, a foe we were never meant to face due to the Asuras.

The loss of Jude extinguished hope like a flickering candle in the wind. The once proud nation was reduced to hunted prey, and despair seemed to engulf us all.

"Arthur, we need to go," Sylvie's voice brought me back from my somber thoughts, and I nodded in acknowledgment.

Today was Jude's funeral.

I stepped out of the room with Sylvie by my side, making my way to the hall. It was filled with thousands of somber individuals, elves, dwarves, and humans alike.

We hadn't found Jude's body, but we found traces of his presence on the site, suggesting his remains were destroyed during the Castle's crash.

Thus, we prepared a pristine black coffin with just his name on top. Next to it was his legendary sword, the Solstice Scimitar.

Burying such a weapon would be a waste, but my brother deserved it. Not only that, nobody else could wield that sword anyway. Its power was beyond comprehension, and I was only able to suppress it enough to get it here by using Realmheart. Using it in battle would be foolhardy for me.

Mom, dad, and Ellie were all crying tears of sadness.

I didn't blame them.

As the eldest brother, I had the honor of giving the first eulogy.

"I thank everyone who came here to remember Jude Leywin," I began, trying to keep my voice steady despite the emotions swirling inside me.

"Jude Leywin. A Lance, a mage, a brother, a lover, a son, a friend. He was many things, and he excelled in each role he took on."

"He was a beacon of hope in our darkest times, the pillar of strength we all leaned on. His bravery on the battlefield inspired us all, and his kindness touched the hearts of those he encountered."

"Jude was not just a hero of Dicathen, but a hero of our hearts. He gave everything he had to protect us, and his sacrifice will never be forgotten."

"As we say our goodbyes today, let us not mourn his loss but celebrate the life he lived. Let us carry on his legacy of hope and courage, knowing that he watches over us from the heavens."

"Rest in peace, dear brother. Your light will forever shine in our hearts."

With that, I stepped back, my voice choked with emotion. The hall remained silent, the weight of our collective grief palpable.

After the funeral was over, I noticed Kathyln walking away, her steps heavy with grief. She had been the most affected by Jude's death, so I decided to follow her and offer my support, asking Sylvie to stay with my family and Tessia.

I found Kathyln sitting at the edge of a small water body, gently dipping her foot into the water.

"Jude," she said softly, her voice trembling with emotion, "Do you remember that day at the lake? Our date when you playfully got me all drenched?"

A faint smile crossed her lips, momentarily breaking through the sadness.

I remained silent, staying out of her sensory range, and watched her with a heavy heart.

"And this ring," Kathyln continued, her fingers gently caressing the engagement ring on her finger, "You asked me to marry you. I was so happy that day, Jude. Do you know how much it hurts to think that I won't get to spend the rest of my life with you?"

Tears streamed down her face freely, her pain evident.

"I love you, Jude. I will always love you," she whispered, her voice barely audible over her sobs, "I don't think I can ever move on or love anyone else. You are my hope, my everything."

"I'm praying for a miracle," she said, her voice stronger now, filled with determination, "If there's any chance that you're somehow still alive, please come back to me. I miss you so much, Jude Leywin."