In the next morning, under a sky bathed in pale gold above the border of the realms, Arlen and Wang were gliding through the clouds toward the palace of King Karma; that majestic edifice floating above the ten realms like a star-studded crown. The cosmic winds caressed Arlen's robe, while Wang flew quietly beside her, breaking the silence with a puzzled tone: "Are you really sure you want to read all those ancient tomes? Don't you believe me after everything I've told you?"
Arlen looked away toward the endless horizon, and said with a firm tone: "It's not that I don't believe you, Wang, but I want to make sure of something for myself.. There are gaps in history that only old paper can fill."
After a period of flight, the two reached the gate of the great palace, where the Grand Master welcomed them with his customary dignity and led them to the throne room. Arlen and Wang bowed before King Karma, who sat upon his dark and majestic throne.
Karma looked at them with piercing eyes and said in a booming voice: "I have heard of your request, Arlen.. But is there really any need to dig up the graves of the past?" Arlen replied steadily: "Yes, my lord, and I beg you to grant me full authorization to explore within the Treasury of Knowledge."
Karma smiled mysteriously, waved his hand in approval, and said: "Do as you wish.. I am basically done with that case and closed its files long ago. The treasury is open to you."
Arlen thanked the king and headed with Wang toward the "Treasury of Knowledge"; a place before which heads bow out of its sheer magnificence, its walls consisting of endless shelves holding the secrets of existence. Arlen whispered in astonishment: "I can't believe I am finally in a place as great as this.. I feel the weight of history surrounding me."
Wang remarked as he walked beside her: "Yes, in this place, every detail was recorded, every achievement accomplished by the kings of the realms, and the entire records of the King of the Ten Realms since eternity."
Arlen said, looking around eagerly: "Anyway.. let's look for the 'Mytrin' section, I want the truth and nothing but the truth."
Wang walked with confidence between the massive corridors, then stopped in front of one of the shelves that looked half-empty, as if history tried to forget what was placed upon it. He pointed with his hand and said: "Here is the book, right there."
Arlen rushed toward it, grabbed the volume covered in the dust of years, and said in an emotion-charged tone: "Here it is then.. everything I want to know about my hero."
But Wang wasn't finished; he added in a cautious tone: "There is another book.. but it's in a completely different place." Arlen asked in surprise: "Where is it? And why isn't it placed with this one?"
Wang hesitated briefly before answering: "Actually.. it's in the section of 'Wanted and Most Dangerous Criminals in the Ten Realms'."
Arlen was struck, stepped back, and her face paled: "What?! How could my friend Mytrin.. the hero of freedom, be classified as a criminal?!" Then she fell silent for a moment and added with bitterness: "Yet it makes sense.. he was fighting the rulers of the realms, and history is always written by the victors."
Wang decided to go retrieve the other book from the crime section, while Arlen sat down and began to skilfully open the book in her hands, turning pages that began to reveal a side she had never known about that ancient ruler.
Arlen began turning the pages eagerly, but soon marks of boredom appeared on her face, and she sighed in annoyance as she read descriptions that seemed hollow to her; the book spoke of nothing but surface details: "Mytrin appears like a mirage and vanishes in the blink of an eye," "His attacks are like flashing lightning," "His pale silver aura resembles scattered ash."
Arlen tossed the book aside onto the wooden table and said in a sharp tone: "What is this nonsense? These are just valueless poetic descriptions, no details, no facts.. as if whoever wrote it was afraid to even mention his name!"
At that moment, Wang emerged from the dark corridors, carrying a strange volume overflowing with dark purple, unadorned with decorations or royal insignia, bearing only a single title in bold, provocative handwriting: "Worse than a Fly."
Arlen's eyes fell upon the title, and a bitter smile formed on her lips as she said: "I am sure this title was nothing but a suggestion from Lord Karma.. his grudge against Mytrin still drips from between the lines."
Arlen opened the purple book with burning curiosity, and as soon as she began reading, her eyes widened in astonishment; unlike the first superficial book, this volume chronicled Mytrin's "crimes" with terrifying and precise details.
Arlen read in a low voice filled with trembling: "Inciting an entire population of 'Crystal Guards' to rebel against their masters the 'Goblists'.. Stealing three complete planets from an interdimensional merchant caravan, and giving them to millions of criminals and outcasts to make their home.. Infiltrating the Great Cosmic Dungeons and releasing hundreds of millions of killers and rebels to wreak havoc on the stability of the realms."
Arlen stopped reading for a second, swallowed hard, and turned the page to find something even greater: "He managed to kill 6 cosmic rulers in a single battle with absolute ease.. and even challenged the grandfather of the current King Karma in a duel that shook the foundations of existence!"
Arlen turned toward Wang, paralysis gripping her from shock, and said: "Wang.. do you realize what we are reading? This is not just a rebellious ruler, this is an entity that aimed to turn the system of existence upside down! But..." She paused briefly as she contemplated the description of the silver aura in both books, then added in a whisper: "That silver power they describe as ash.. is the exact same one I saw in Aryos's eyes."
Wang looked at Arlen, his features carrying a mixture of anxiety and strict logic, and said in a decisive tone: "My lady, it is impossible.. utterly impossible for Aryos to be that same person. Aryos, despite all his power, remains at his core an ordinary mortal of the Celestine lineage, while that thing called Mytrin is a creature of the rulers' own origins, a being that existed before the concepts we know were even created."
Arlen fell silent for a moment, slowly closed the purple book while contemplating its provocative cover, then sighed and said: "You're right, Wang.. I shouldn't rush into matters like this. I won't make judgments and assumptions built simply because I saw a similarity in aura color or combat style. It might just be a coincidence in 'Riso' types, nothing more."
Wang nodded in relief and said: "It's good that you understand that now. Those incidents and crimes you read about happened millions of years ago, their pages have been folded and their memory erased from the minds of creatures, and it's better we close this file now and return it to its dark place."
Arlen looked at him and said as she prepared to leave: "Alright, let's leave.. let's return to planet Earth and see what happened to Aryos, for my heart still beats with a strange anxiety toward him."
Wang answered with dignity: "As you wish, my lady."
They stepped out of the massive hall, and as they crossed the royal corridors, their eyes caught King Karma; he was sitting on his grand balcony, amusing himself by watching bloody battles displayed on huge energetic screens, fierce battles between creatures from various universes, where mortals fight for the ruler's pleasure.
The "Grand Master" approached them with silent steps and said in a calm tone: "You must have finished what you were looking for in the Treasury of Knowledge."
The two bowed respectfully, and Wang said: "Yes, father, we got what we wanted, and thank you for guiding us."
Arlen added in a polite tone: "Forgive us now, my lord, that we must leave, and we truly apologize for this disturbance we caused the palace."
The Grand Master smiled a dignified smile and said: "It's fine.. it is good of you to visit from time to time, for the king sometimes feels a fatal loneliness, due to the lack of someone to fill his void or dare to converse with him with such frankness."
Arlen replied with slight surprise: "Ah.. is that so? Only natural for someone of his high status to feel the loneliness of the summit."
The two excused themselves and withdrew from the majestic palace, shooting off like comets piercing the distant horizon, returning to the sixth realm with fantastic speed that tore through the cosmic void. They continued flying amidst solemn silence, while the Grand Master remained standing before the gate of the great palace, contemplating the horizon overlooking the absolute void and the ten realms surrounding it like scattered jewels in a sea of nothingness, his eyes carrying secrets not even written in those purple books.
Wang looked at Arlen, his features carrying a mixture of anxiety and strict logic, and said in a decisive tone: "My lady, it is impossible.. utterly impossible for Aryos to be that same person. Aryos, despite all his power, remains at his core an ordinary mortal of the Celestine lineage, while that thing called Mytrin is a creature of the rulers' own origins, a being that existed before the primordial realms we know were created."
Arlen fell silent for a moment, slowly closed the purple book while contemplating its provocative cover, then sighed and said: "You're right, Wang.. I shouldn't rush into matters like this. I won't make judgments and assumptions built simply because I saw a similarity in aura color or combat style. It might just be a coincidence in 'Riso' types, nothing more."
Wang nodded in relief and said: "It's good that you understand that now. Those incidents and crimes you read about happened millions of years ago, their pages have been folded and their memory erased from the minds of creatures, and it's better we close this file now and return it to its dark place."
Arlen looked at him and said as she prepared to leave: "Alright, let's leave.. let's return to planet Earth and see what happened to Aryos, for my heart still beats with a strange anxiety toward him."
Wang answered with dignity: "As you wish, my lady."
They stepped out of the massive hall, and as they crossed the royal corridors, their eyes caught King Karma; he was sitting on his grand balcony, amusing himself by watching bloody battles displayed on huge energetic screens, fierce battles between creatures from various universes, where mortals fight for the ruler's pleasure.
The Grand Master approached them with silent steps and said in a calm tone: "You must have finished what you were looking for in the Treasury of Knowledge."
The two bowed respectfully, and Wang said: "Yes, father, we got what we wanted, and thank you for guiding us."
Arlen added in a polite tone: "Forgive us now, my lord, that we must leave, and we truly apologize for this disturbance we caused the palace."
The Grand Master smiled a dignified smile and said: "It's fine.. it is good of you to visit from time to time, for the king sometimes feels a fatal loneliness, due to the lack of someone to fill his void or dare to converse with him with such frankness."
Arlen replied with slight surprise: "Ah.. is that so? Only natural for someone of his high status to feel the loneliness of the summit."
The two excused themselves and withdrew from the majestic palace, shooting off like comets piercing the distant horizon, returning to the sixth realm with fantastic speed that tore through the cosmic void. They continued flying amidst solemn silence, while the Grand Master remained standing before the gate of the great palace, contemplating the horizon overlooking the absolute void and the ten realms surrounding it like scattered jewels in a sea of nothingness, his eyes carrying secrets not even written in those purple books.
The Grand Master returned with measured steps toward the throne balcony, where the clamor emanating from the battle screens filled the place. He stood behind his master Karma, and after slight hesitation, whispered in his deep voice: "My lord.. tell me, was it truly wise to allow them into the treasury? Those records hold truths that might ignite fires we thought had died down."
Karma suddenly stopped smiling, and with a flick of his hand, the battle screens he had been watching vanished. A heavy silence prevailed, then Karma turned slowly, his eyes gleaming with an icy coldness the master had only witnessed in decisive moments, and said in a definitive tone: "Do not worry.. there is no longer any trace of that little slave. I saw him die before my very eyes, I am the one who took his life with these two hands. There is no such thing as 'Mytrin' in our present now.. he is merely a name scattered by the winds."
Karma fell silent for a second, then added mockingly: "Never mind, let the youngsters feed their curiosity with facts that have become part of the past. The empty era ended long ago, and everyone who possessed real authority in this existence perished.. no one remains."
The Grand Master lowered his head with dignity, sighing a sigh laden with bloody memories: "I cannot believe, my lord, that we witnessed those horrific things that happened in that era.. We have truly been through a lot, and what I wish from the depths of my heart is that what happened back then never repeats itself ever again."
At that moment, a mysterious smile appeared on Karma's face, then he burst into booming laughter that shook the pillars of the great palace and quieted the creatures in neighboring dimensions. He said, pointing his hand toward the void: "Do not worry, my dear! Look around you.. out of all those terrifying kings who terrorized universes, they all perished and fell into oblivion, and who remained standing without any notable losses?"
The Master answered with absolute certainty: "Of course.. you, my lord."
Karma adjusted his sitting position and said in an instructional tone: "Look, Master.. in our world, power rules, that is true. But there is no harm in using a little deception and cunning to achieve victory. Those naive kings believed in raw power only, and nothing else. If they possessed my intelligence, at least one of them would be alive right now.. but in war, nothing is fair, and results are all that matter."
Then Karma stood up lazily, stretched, and said with boredom: "I am going now to take a hot bath to relieve my nerves from this naive talk about the past."
Karma left the hall with light steps, releasing a quiet whistle echoing through the marble corridors, leaving the Grand Master standing alone, contemplating his master's words deeply. The master felt at that moment like a small pupil before an expert teacher, realizing that Karma is not just a king who possesses power, but a skilled chess player who still holds the threads of the game, even if everyone thinks the board has burned.
As slanted threads of snow covered the facade of the quiet house, Wang and Arlen set foot on the ground, only to find the atmosphere charged in a way they hadn't expected. There were no farewell tears or embraces; instead, Clarice was standing at the house gate, touching the hem of her royal dress with arrogance as she prepared to leave.
Arlen whispered to Wang while watching the servants: "Amazing.. she's leaving this fast? Wasn't she just yesterday filling the world with screams in his name?"
Wang shook his head hopelessly: "It seems so, my lady.. Princess Clarice cannot endure places that do not grant her full attention."
Arlen wondered, anxiety gnawing at her chest: "Then, where is Aryos? Is he going with her or staying here?"
They stepped toward the main threshold and greeted each other with the dignity of rulers. Clarice looked at them out of the corner of her eye and said in a tone dripping with venom: "Oh.. welcome, ruler Arlen. I see you've returned to visit this cursed place once more? You seem to love the smell of grief emanating from its walls."
Arlen ignored the insult and asked directly: "Unimportant.. tell me where Aryos is? Is he returning with you to the First Realm?"
Clarice stopped moving and glared at Arlen with a probing look full of jealousy: "Huh? And why are you asking about my fiancé with such insistence? I see your interest in him has crossed the boundaries of casual friendship!"
Arlen became slightly flustered, trying to regain her composure as she said: "Nothing.. just asking out of companionship, I wanted to check on him, nothing more."
Clarice waved her hand indifferently and said: "I don't know.. Aryos is not returning with me, although it bothers me greatly and burns my nerves, he suddenly decided to isolate himself alone for a long time. He promised, and Aryos's oath is never broken, that he will return at the appropriate time so we can marry officially and crown our love before the realms."
Arlen screamed unconsciously, panic filling her voice: "Where did he go?! Tell me his location, Clarice!"
Clarice looked at her coldly and contemptuously: "I told you I don't know! The important thing in all this is that he will return to me, and when that happens, I will prevent him from returning to this disgusting place ever again, so he won't be tainted by those who are here.. for you bring him nothing but headaches and weakness. And now.. farewell."
A majestic purple energetic portal opened in the air, Clarice's personal servant cleared the path for her. Clarice stepped inside the portal with her head held high, and she and her servant vanished in a single second, the portal closing behind her as if it had never been, returning to the luxury of the First Realm.
Arlen and Wang stood before the door in a state of shock and disbelief. The silence Clarice left behind was heavy, as if she hadn't left alone, but had taken with her the last thread connecting them to Aryos.
Wang and Arlen entered the house lounge with quiet steps, greeted by a scene overflowing with sorrowful serenity; Raymus was leaning over Lina, tucking a woolen blanket around her as she slept soundly on the couch, like a child trying to escape her bitter reality.
Arlen said in a whispered voice full of anxiety: "What is going on here, Raymus? Where is the spirit that used to fill this place?"
Raymus raised his gaze toward them, the dark circles under his eyes evidence of a night where he hadn't tasted sleep, and said in a tired tone: "Oh.. it's you two.. you've returned then."
The three sat around the fireplace, where the crackling sound of burning wood was the only thing breaking the absolute silence. Wang asked, watching Lina's chest rise and fall rhythmically: "Is she alright? I mean.. has she begun to overcome the shock?"
Raymus sighed, gazing into the flames: "Yes, she is better now than she was yesterday, but the wounds in her soul need a long time to heal. She went through a similar state when Aryos left for the First Realm the last time, but she was stubborn and hid her pain behind a mask of strength. She has suffered a lot indeed during those past eight months, and now her mother's death has been the straw that broke the camel's back of her patience."
Arlen dropped her head and said sorrowfully: "You're right.. Lina is a kind and pure girl, and doesn't deserve all this hell. She lost her mother days ago, and now her brother.. did Aryos really disappear again, Raymus? Did he leave her at the height of her need for him?"
Raymus remained silent for a long time, casting his gaze toward the large window where snow began to fall with sudden intensity, as if the sky were sharing their pain after having been calm moments ago. Then he said in a strained voice: "Yes.. he said he would disappear for a long time, and that he preferred to stay away from everyone. Actually.. I spoke with him several hours before his departure. He was shattered from the inside in a way I had never seen before. Lina's harsh words fell on his heart like the burning fires of a furnace, making him feel unbearable tightness."
Raymus continued, interlacing his fingers nervously: "After he sent his message to Clarice, he asked to meet me secretly without anyone knowing. He stood in the darkness of night, his eyes holding an eternal farewell. He instructed me to take good care of Lina, and told me clearly: 'I may never return here again.' Then he vanished into the dark like a ghost, without uttering another word. I didn't tell arrogant Clarice, nor even Lina, for he asked me to keep it a secret from everyone.. and in truth, I completely understand why he did that."
Arlen looked at him in astonishment, raising her voice slightly: "And how can you understand that?! He leaves his only sister in the wind and departs without a destination? How can this escape be justified?"
Raymus exhaled a hot breath, leaning back against the chair as he watched the dying flames, and said in a strained tone: "I don't know.. but didn't we also wrong him? Throughout this past period, we called him a 'traitor', and never stopped blaming him and questioning his loyalty.. am I not right?"
Wang lowered his head, signs of remorse appearing on his face as he stroked his beard thoughtfully: "Yes, you're right.. he has every right not to accept us after we branded him with such hurtful descriptions, but to leave everything behind and go this way? This isn't his usual self; the Aryos we know used to face hardships and not run away from them."
Raymus looked into the void, his features sad in a way the two hadn't seen before, and said bitterly: "I too feel a suffocating sadness.. think about it, he and I were the last two surviving members of the Celestine race in this universe, and now.. there is no one else here. I truly don't know what I will do alone. I was here originally because of him, for his sake, and now he himself has left and abandoned me.. so what about me?"
Arlen looked at him deeply, seriousness settling on her face as she spoke in a confident voice: "You have a strong reason to stay, Raymus, did you forget?"
Raymus raised his eyes toward her inquiringly: "And what is it?"
Arlen didn't answer with words, but pointed her eyes toward Lina sleeping peacefully. Raymus fell silent for a moment, then sighed deeply and said in a low voice: "Yes.. true, I understand what you mean now."
Arlen stood up suddenly, dusting off her royal robe as she prepared to leave, and addressed her companion: "Let's go, Wang."
Raymus asked her, watching her swift movement: "Where to?"
Arlen replied as she headed toward the door: "To my planet.. I need some rest away from these pressures, and also.." She paused for a moment, looked at Raymus with exaggerated strictness, and completed: "Take good care of her, for she has no one else left except you, Raymus. You are the last one remaining for her in this world."
Raymus looked at Arlen in astonishment at her commanding and serious tone, but replied with undeniable sincerity: "That goes without saying, Lady Arlen.. I could never leave Lina alone, I will be her shadow and guardian until Aryos returns.. or until my life ends."
Wang and Arlen stepped out into the night's cold, leaving Raymus alone with Lina amidst the quietude of a house sinking into the silence of isolation.