CHAPTER 77 - THE ACT II
"W-What is this?" King Alduin said, scared of the head I carried with me in my dimension ring.
The others were the same, with the emotions that I believed would be different but I was wrong. They didn't know what I was capable of, and yet, in truth, I still don't feel confident fighting a Scythe with my current strength.
"This, well the head I have on my hand is someone from the other continent. To be more precise, an enemy general in the upcoming war." I spoke in authority which I never experienced before, my tone was calm but there was emotion in it. I didn't know what emotion, that was the strange part.
I set the head down on the table in front of me. It had been in my dimension ring for so long that I had forgotten about it until now. His crimson eyes were now dark grey without any hint of its natural color, what's more, his eyes were rolled up.
What a pathetic expression that you have, Dragoth. I solely thought to myself, feeling some anger enter me knowing that I was not enough to fully kill him without getting him off guard.
Elder Virion looked at head for a very long time, The King and Queen were speechless for a very long time. Only silence occurred for a very long time.
"How do you know this is a general from another continent? How do you know that this… being is from the new found continent?" Virion's eyes were pacing back and forth trying to understand the small and heavy information that was suddenly just dropped after one of his strongest mages had died. "And what do you mean by this upcoming war, Luke?"
"I know this because I've met another demon from that continent. Matter of fact, Alea, Aya and I have met this demon multiple times during my training in the dungeons in the Beasts Glades." I interlocked my fingers and had my head down, remembering those times where my masters and I escaped death's door many times. All because Agrona wanted me alive or it was my luck. "He is no Mana Beast or something we have seen in the Beasts Glades. No. They are descendents from the Gods themselves and possess higher levels of power unlike us."
"And the Monarch, the High Sovereign, is thinking of beginning a war with this continent."
"LIES!"
I looked at the source of the voice. My eyes were already tired of the tears I was letting out as I remember Aya somewhere in the corner of my mind.
"This has to be some bullshit you decided to inquire to us to scare us and hide the corrupt from us!" Alduin's voice was now being more aggressive, his actions were more hastily defiant along with his eyes. "Where did you get this information that not even us the Monarchs of this continent have?! Are you a spy? From the other continent!? Perhaps you didn't even help Tessia out of the kindness of your heart and instead used it to get close to us?!"
Alduin then got up, swinging his arm like he was ordering me to answer his baseless accusations as if he had finally found the truth about me.
His wife had this look on her face like she knew what he was going to say but decided to act all innocent as soon as he dropped these stupid accusations towards a teenager.
"Alduin stop."
"Father! Are you going to just take his words for granted? What if he is spilling lies to us just to scare us into surrendering? We have nothing against him or the information about his parents ever since he came to this kingdom with his fake facade of rescuing Tessia from the human slave traders! Perhaps even Arthur Leywin is in this too–"
"I said stop!"
The old elf king's words had such an impact with the surroundings that it made me even get chills from him. The elf King took a step back before sitting down with defeat written all over his face.
With the situation now calm, Virion let out a sigh before turning his attention to me. "Luke, how do we know you are telling us the truth? Of course I am not someone to judge you since you saved my granddaughter, whether or not you did it with the intention of getting close to us, but you did nevertheless."
I stopped thinking of other things I had planned and instead just plainly looked around the room without moving my head, just my eyes. Now finally being able to notice it and pin point it, I pointed with my thumb towards the doors on my right. "You can ask her as well."
The three elves turned their attention to the sole Elder elf I had put my faith in for so long.
"Isn't that right, Elder Rinia?"
"""Rinia?"""
I instantly stood up and walked towards the doors that she came through. My social battery was already depleted and now I just needed some time on my own, not to mention that I have to bring everyone else back from the dungeon.
"Where are you going brat?" Elder Virion spoke in a calmer tone, also he had appeared next to me.
Surprised, I said, "Did you use your Will?"
Virion didn't say anything and instead encouraged Elder Rinia to explain to the King and Queen first before she explained to him.
Then, the former elf King followed me outside. It was already night time, and cold as well.
"So what is the reason why you came out here for Elder Virion? I doubt that you just came here to wish me goodbye–"
"Gramps!"
He cut my words. More than anything I was trying to figure out other things aside from the current emotions of Virion Eralith.
"Okay then…Gramps. What is the real reason why you are here? I'm sure there are millions of questions you have but I don't have those answers, not now at least. I have other things to worry about now and so Elder Rinia will answer your questions with some logical ones."
I walked forward, thinking this was the last time he would ask. But I was wrong…
"You are not telling us the truth either Luke. Your eyes and how you began to open up a new world of possibilities and even a future war, not all of that was because you just wanted us to know. There must be another reason why you did it."
"I told you guys that because it was your soldier, your mage, that died in the cavern alone without anyone strong enough to at least take her and leave that battle. I am only paying the debt I had since you guys let me train with Aya and Alea. Nothing more Elder Virion."
"Then tell me this boy, why are your eyes irritated? They are red, not from the greed of power you yet seem to show us or maybe it perhaps be that instead. I have gotten too old for things like these Luke, I already outlived my wife, I don't want to outlive my children either. Nevertheless, you cried. You are still grieving Aya's death and that is something I understand, the weight of losing someone you cared about."
"Of course I know that Elder Virion. However, the grief you had was bigger than mine or it may be the same weight of it but I must continue this. I must prepare before the war begins, I need to fight a battle that I've known of its existence."
I looked at the sky as I stopped in my path. My hands were cold, I didn't know why but it was a feeling I was about to forget soon anyways so there wasn't a need to fuss over it now.
"Listen Elder Virion, I know too many things, things that are going to get me or you gys killed if I let you in on this information. That is the reason why I need to tie some loose ends before I even begin to say 'I'm sorry' after everything is over. Or perhaps I may not be able to say those words when the time comes… It's just been so long since I've had things I really cared about, feelings and emotions that are not just something I'd read from books or see in shows. For once, I actually have a nice life I can ease myself into… but the way things are progressing I have no doubt there will be a day where I can no longer enjoy them."
My body felt stiff from the cold which the breeze brought along. Then I turned around to face the former Elf King with an idea I had ever since I was in Alacrya. Yet, to actually have him agree I have to undo my spell.
"But I can do that easily and come back safe and sound, I only need three favors…"
"Let's hear them."
"No hesitation I see…" I scoffed at his bold move but also something I had respected him for ever since I continued to read the novel. Virion Eralith was someone whose trust you could earn if he knew who you were, no fake alias or emotions that seemed to be a facade. He needed truth so that he could continue his bold and truthfulness of a path. A path of pure death and sorrow.
"First one, keep my family safe after today. Whatever happens I need to make sure my family is okay, it would keep me sane and perhaps might help me with what I am about to do. Second," I handed out a device to him that was similar to something I had been working on since before my expedition to Alacrya, the same device that Emily and I were trying to get to work. "I need you to have this, when you enter the floating castle, place it where all the Monarchs can see what it will display."
I took a second before handing it over fully to his control and Virion noticed this before he took it in its entirety with the instructions I had veiled upon him. "Don't worry this is not a device that will blow up the castle I assure you with my life. However, this will reveal something that will turn the table when things get out of hand. The Kings and Queens of Sapin, Darv, and Elenoir need to see, they need to witness the truth that they need to overcome."
Again, Elder Virion only nodded with understatement and no doubt of my words that came out of my mouth. I wondered if there really was a way to not cause this man any more pain and grief during this war.
But I didn't know if them knowing was going to change anything, I know the King and Queen of Darv already allied with Agrona since the beginning of their ruling as Royalty. Perhaps it will be a necessary sacrifice for the rest to know what will happen if they were to side with Agrona.
"However, if things really go the way they are intended to go, I believe that the Kings and Queens of Sapin and Elenoir will make the right choice of siding with them. I need to know that you will side with the Asuras, but do not completely depend on them either, Elder Virion."
"What are you talking about boy, also I told you to call me gramps–"
"Please Gramps, I need you to side with the Asuras that follow the Indrath clan. I just need that confirmation before I do this. I need to make sure that everything will be okay even after I am…"
I stopped myself. Both of my hands were already on Virion's shoulder. I was pleading to him that everything was going to be okay even after I made the biggest change in the story.
Sure, killing a Scythe before his grand debut and having a different elven Lance killed might have already changed this story completely but I can finally change it for a good ending. An ending that I might be able to see if the after effects don't eat me for completely.
I just need the fourth Keystone from the phoenix prince…
K–eystone?
I seemed to have dozed off but I quickly regained myself into the setting I was in.
"Are you okay, Luke?" Gramps asked with his hand gripping my shoulder as if trying to not let go of my falling body.
I raised my hand helplessly with a smile that didn't reach my eyes, "Y-Yeah gramps, I am fine." Letting out a couple of deep breaths, I once again spoke, this time letting out the power I held in secret out for the old and former elf king to see what he had given me the chance of being. "As of today, I wish to be the replacement of my former master's stance in the military ranks."
"L-Luke…?!"
"Yeah, I have reached the very same stage that my late master had been for so long."
Right at the moment, I released the armor that the asuras had given me as a gift–in my eyes but not in theirs–fully covering my whole body, before kneeling in front of the former elf king.
"I wish to be a Lance."