Still trapped in the spiraling emotions of the memories of that day. Nero looked up at the beautiful woman before. She showed no outward emotion to his explanation besides the thoughtful expression that replaced the soothing smile. Sighing, she simply nodded her head.
'That was… a lot. 'I'm sorry you experienced all this and so suddenly as well.
'But I'll tell you one bit of truth in this fog of confusion you must be in.
No one's purpose can be defined by another living being, no matter how much influence they exert over one's circumstances.
The power to change everything is always within grasp. I think this information may prove useful to you in the coming days.
Nero was curious about the meaning of the words the woman had spoken to him.
But that curiosity faded in moments, the despair that had settled in his heart
with the memories in his mind, thirsty to consume him. The woman sighed again and smiled once more. Nero locked eyes with the woman once more as well.
This time, though the woman did not speak, she merely looked at him curiously; her golden eyes shining just a little bit more than before. She raised an eyebrow at the sight of him. You're a bit of a curious existence, aren't you? I've never met a half-Valadorian.
Those people are quite protective of their bloodline. Surprise washed over Nero, at the mention of his half family.
Completely shocked and stunned, Nero fumbled over his words. But at that same moment, Nero's eyes widened.'They… are they here? The people of Valdor?.
The woman smiled again. Why yes, Of course, I wouldn't expect them to be anywhere else?' she replied with a chuckle.
Hundreds of questions filled Nero's mind. And he felt something he hadn't felt in a long time. A sense of family, the tight strings of a bond with someone similar to you.
The sense of belonging… it was something he longed for so badly. Something he had only had for what felt like a moment in his life…but his heart grew dark once more.
You said they are very protective of their bloodline, huh... My father would say the same thing.
The woman's gaze grew melancholy at his words. She knew those people. She knew they wouldn't accept him, not fully anyway. I'm sure you're tired and exhausted.
And so we just have one more thing to discuss and what I think will be your biggest and most defining one of the next few months or even years.
You have two options: Nero of the city under the night sky. You're a magically awakened being. And so you cannot live among the people of the city, not in the way you may have before.
So you need to make a choice.
You can either join our military and defend the sun sky from any threats we may face, now or in the future.
Or the priestess can remove the shard from its bond with your soul. Nero had never heard of a shard being taken back; it made no sense. Remove it?.
Yes, the shard can be taken back.
It hasn't fully been digested by your soul yet, so there is still time to take it out. Nero didn't know much, or anything at all, about this stuff. But there was one thing he did know.
This power, it was his to have. He had escaped the clutches of death and obtained it, and he wouldn't give it up. Nero spoke without hesitation.
'I'll take the first one'
Surprise shone on the woman's face for the first time. Are… are you sure? Yes I am. Nero knew he couldn't just go back to life as before.
His life was dead just like his home, the world beyond the door behind him wasn't his home. And he didn't know if it ever truly could be.
So his decision was made for him the moment he set foot in this city, In this world.