Eugene smiled broadly and said, "It's wonderful to find you here, Aaron. We've been looking for you for the Legacy Book."
Aaron fell silent for a moment, gripped his sword, and took a few steps back. He said firmly and coldly, "No."
Eugene replied in astonishment, "What?"
Aaron answered, "No, this book is mine."
Eugene was shocked by his response and tried to persuade him, saying, "Aaron, we are completing what William started. We've come a long way, and we need my father's fortune to finish the journey. Please, understand that."
Aaron remained silent for a moment, then said firmly, "No, Eugene. You can complete whatever you want away from me. I won't let anyone lay a hand on the book before I lay my hands on that wealth. William gifted me this book; it belongs to me alone!"
Aaron's words hit Eugene's heart like a thunderbolt, while Rin stood there bewildered by the situation, and Kaiden, in turn, could not comprehend what was happening. He wondered to himself: Why was Aaron acting this way? Where did the principles he learned from William go? And why did Eugene seem so intense?
While Kaiden was lost in thought, Eugene shouted in anger and drew his sword, heading toward Aaron, while Rin followed to support him: "You selfish man!"
Kaiden tried to calm the situation, saying, "Eugene, calm down! We can settle this amicably!"
But Eugene replied angrily as his sword clashed with Aaron's, "Amicably?! How do you reason with an arrogant man seduced by money!"
Aaron said coldly, directing his sword toward Eugene at an angle that would cut across his chest from the top right to the bottom left, "Hold your tongue, Eugene! William gifted me this book! Do you want to take it from me just because you are his son? Who is being selfish now?"
Eugene screamed in rage, parrying the blow with another strike from the opposite angle, "Shut up! Do not mention my father's name! He didn't know your principles would change. You were his first disciple! Don't you want to end the corruption as he intended?!"
Aaron laughed mockingly and said, continuing to land blows, "William was always chasing the impossible! I never believed in those delusions. Skills and money were all that concerned me!"
At that moment, Aaron overpowered both Eugene and Rin together and nearly dealt Eugene a serious injury. But Kaiden intervened quickly and said firmly, "Aaron, you are scum."
Kaiden continued directing strikes at Aaron after entering the fight. Then Eugene and Rin stood up and joined him until the scales were balanced.
Kaiden said, "After everything I've read about you... Aaron, you were never what we expected."
Eugene added sadly, "And you weren't who my father used to talk about."
Rin said, trying to break the silence, "... You let us down, Aaron."
Aaron launched a dangerous attack that scattered them, then headed toward Eugene to deliver a finishing blow, but Eugene parried it. Then Kaiden rushed in and continued the assault until Aaron retreated several steps, only to find Rin behind him. Rin grabbed him firmly with both hands and then slammed him violently to the ground.
Aaron remained lying down, leaning on his elbow as he saw Kaiden before him. Kaiden had thrust his sword vertically into the ground and placed his hand on the hilt.
When Aaron saw this scene, he remembered a flash from the past...
....
The scene was of Aaron in the same position he had fallen in.
Before him was William, taking the same stance as Kaiden, appearing majestic under the night light.
"This isn't the first time I've saved you, but I hope it's the last. How many times have I told you not to get involved with those brats who bully you?", William said.
Aaron said, lying on the ground and covered in dirt, "They bully me and my mother."
William sighed and then said, looking at the boy carefully, "Fine, take me to your father. Where is he?"
Little Aaron replied sadly, "I don't.. know .. he is scum. He left my mother a long time ago, and we don't know where he is or what he's doing."
William said after a short thought, "Then, will you come so I can teach you some moves to give those rascals a lesson?"
Aaron: "Will I be able to hurt them?"
William replied, laughing, "You underestimate me, boy."
Then he continued, looking at them as they fled into a dark path, "I will make them wish they never see you even in their nightmares."
...
After the three calmed down and took the book from Aaron, they realized what had happened to the place and noticed the stares of the people around them
Their raised voices and the mention of each other's names, especially Kaiden's name, drew attention. Soon, the name of the wanted Kaiden spread through the area, and guards rushed to try and arrest them.
Kaiden said quickly, "We don't have time. Eugene, Rin, let's leave now!"
In the midst of the chaos, they followed Kaiden, who led them through a secret path known only to a few. They ended up at a filthy, deserted beach, completely void of ships or people.
While they were resting there, they were surprised by the arrival of Elias, who had tracked them until he entered the place with them. They all sat contemplating the situation until nightfall, when they noticed a ship approaching the horizon.
As the ship drew near, its black flags decorated with the silver eagle symbol were revealed, and the echoes of the sailors' voices resonated. On the deck of the ship stood Freeze, the ship's captain, beside Hawkeye, the warrior known for his sharp vision. Behind them was the crew, made up of men and women with diverse expertise, preparing the wooden plank for boarding.
Eugene and Rin said in unison, drawing their swords, "It's Freeze's ship! What danger we face now!"
But Kaiden looked confident as he watched the ship.
As soon as the ship docked, Freeze descended, extending his hand to Kaiden, and said, "Come on, boy. There is a kingdom waiting for us and a fortune ahead."
Kaiden smiled calmly and extended his hand to Freeze, saying in a friendly tone:
"Of course, Freeze. A journey like this needs an optimistic spirit and strong company. Let's begin; the kingdom awaits us."
The faces of Eugene and Rin were filled with astonishment, unable to grasp what was happening.
While Eugene, Rin, and Elias were contemplating the ship, Kaiden broke the silence, saying:
"The ship arrived exactly on time. It seems Freeze is a man who keeps his appointments."
Eugene looked at him in surprise, "Wait, what? Did you know about this?"
Kaiden nodded calmly and said, "Yes, I had contacted Freeze before the third duel. He is a man of great influence at sea and knows how to avoid the Emperor and his cronies. If we want to reach the Kingdom of Peace safely, he is our only choice."
Rin replied with annoyance, "Why didn't you tell us this before?"
Kaiden said in a calm tone, "Because you were busy with Aaron, and I didn't find the right time to explain. Now we need him more than ever."
In the capital, Fiona was standing before a large window in a luxurious house, watching the crowded streets. Declan entered the room carrying a scroll of papers, saying:
"I can't believe you came to the capital yourself, Fiona. I've gathered the information you requested. The Emperor has begun moving against Kaiden and his companions. There are direct orders to arrest them alive, especially after the recent incident."
Fiona turned to him and said calmly, "I expected that. The Emperor won't let them move freely. But don't worry, I have a plan to distract him, but I need your help."
Declan raised an eyebrow and said, "And what is your plan this time?"
Fiona smiled and said, "We will exploit the rumors about Aaron. If we can spread fake news about his movements, the Emperor will head toward him instead of Kaiden."
Declan nodded hesitantly, "A bold idea, but what if the Emperor discovers the truth?"
Fiona replied firmly, "By then, we will have given Kaiden enough time to get away. We are playing for time, and we must move quickly."
Declan fell silent for a moment, then said, "Fine. I'll start spreading the news immediately. But make sure this step doesn't backfire."
After days of sailing, the ship began approaching the kingdom's shores. On the horizon, the landmarks of the Kingdom of Peace appeared clearly, with its high towers and rocky walls that have kept it in peace until this day.
Freeze said with a wide smile, "Here we are. The Kingdom of Peace is waiting for you. From here, your real adventure begins. I couldn't believe a place like this still existed."
Kaiden replied in a firm tone, "Thank you, Freeze. We'll take it from here."
Hawkeye said, "We'll wait until you return, Kaiden."
Eugene looked at the horizon, where he saw warships anchored in the harbor, and said, "I hope we find what we came for."
Rin's voice rang out as he tightened his grip on his sword, "We've overcome a lot. This kingdom will be the source of our victory."
As the ship approached the harbor, a moment of silence prevailed among them, as if they were bidding farewell to a sea full of challenges in preparation for entering a new land full of mystery and secrets.
They reached a massive gate decorated with engravings telling stories of peace and unity. The bright colors and hanging flowers gave the place a special charm. Guards stood on both sides, but they showed no hostility; instead, they simply greeted the passersby.
As the four prepared to enter the city, a young girl caught their eye. She was wearing a simple dress, and her black hair fell over her shoulders. She stopped suddenly upon seeing Eugene, her eyes widening in surprise as if she had seen a ghost from the past.
The girl ran inside, then stopped suddenly at the threshold of the gate and shouted loudly:
"Mooooooooom! Uncle William is back!"
Everyone froze in their tracks. The girl's words struck them with bewilderment, especially Eugene, who stood stunned, looking at her as if time had turned back.