Chapter 506 - Follow Me
There was nothing.
There was everything.
A droplet of water fell from a leaf near a broke. A myriad of lights shimmered on its surface as it traveled downward. The world was reflected in that single droplets.—the rivers, mountains, valleys, cities, love, hate, and eternity. Then, the droplet turned into runes, and they disappeared shortly after.
The clouds gathered in the sky, water ran beneath the ground, and a breeze made its way through the mountains. There was nothing that he did not witness except for himself.
He, as defined by himself, was a thought of the world. There are moments where he forgets that he is a separate being and others where he tries to gather himself.
Silent despair takes over the world, as he fails again to be. There is no answer to his desire, result, and end. It was hard to understand how long he had been in this state and for how long it would last.
"Maybe there is no start, and no end, just like existence."
However, he knew that he needed to return. There was a place that he wanted to protect, a family, and a love. The runes stirred, attempting another conjugation to create his body, a futile attempt preceded by millions.
"I will return," he raged, the clouds breaking in thunder that answered him. "I will form myself again," the great wind descended on the world, bespeaking what was to come.
And then, his awareness was formed. And then, he met himself.
***
Arthur opened his eyes to find nothing but white. An infinite space of white stretched in front of him, running as far as the eye could see. It took him a moment to realize that he had succeeded in regaining consciousness. However, his body has yet to form.
"Welcome," a voice greeted from behind him. Arthur turned to find a figure of golden light standing there. "I was waiting for you."
"A lot of people are," answered Arthur with a frown. "I am well-versed in novels like this. Are you going to promise me power in exchange for a promise that would ultimately bring my downfall?"
The white space was silent, and the golden man in front of him did not answer. Then, he gave a gentle and amused laugh that took a few moments before it ended.
"I am glad that you still have a sense of humor, or should I say that we still have?"
"I am you, and you are me," sighed Arthur as he spread his arms. "I have been prepared for this moment. You made sure that I knew, great planner."
"I see that you have met my friend, Spirits Sovereign. It has been a long time since I met them," said the golden man with nostalgia.
"I thought you lost your emotions," questioned Arthur, and the golden man nodded.
"A small price to pay as the first seeker," said the man with a shake of his head. "I am sorry that you got dragged into this as well."
"Ironically, the man I am supposed to be him is the only person who treats me as myself."
"I have different memories, and you have different feelings. So that makes us two separate people, but not for long."
"Are you going to take over my body?"
"I don't need to because you are my reincarnation. This is merely a meeting before the trial."
"A trial?"
"I believe you will succeed, but the runes choose their master. Your father has told you already."
"Another delusional," sighed Arthur. "I don't want to rule the world."
"That is fine too."
"...I might even destroy it."
"If it deserves to be."
Arthur stared at the man with confusion. So there was nothing he wanted from Arthur, even though he gave him his powers?
"I desire the survival of this world," answered the ancient being, reading his mind. "I came to this world for the sole reason of saving it. However, I realized that I could not make that decision as an outsider. I needed to be born into this world, to live it, before I could decide. That is why I became you, Arthur Silvera."
"I never wanted to make a decision, too."
"We are similar then. However, that is a decision too. Your next opponent is none other than an enemy I fought long ago: Kar. Your friends, lover, and people are marching to fight against him for a chance to save you."
"I do not need saving," frowned Arthur as his emotions threatened to explode, but they calmed down. "Send me back."
"I have no such powers," the man shook his head. "Your body has dissolved into nothingness. This is the result of the powers of creation that you kept using. There is only one way to go back: to master it."
"And the training arc begins!"
"Uh, training?" the golden man tilted his head. "I have nothing to teach you. You know everything that you need to know."
"That does not make sense. I need to create a body without any training?"
"You did it with Saint Ai."
"That was just pumping mana into an already destroyed body!"
"...this conversation is becoming less serious than I wanted," the golden man pondered. Arthur smiled as he looked at him, feeling as if this man was different from all the powerful people he met.
"I have some questions, man-who-I-do-not-know-his-name," asked Arthur, and the man turned to him. "Well, obviously, what is your name?"
"I am Arthur Silvera."
"You cannot say something this creepy this casually," lectured Arthur. "How about this: what is my name before I reincarnated?"
"A viable question," nodded the man. "However, the answer is still the same."
"I was also Arthur Silvera before I reincarnated?"
"Yes."
"...dammit."
"Do you hate our name?"
"I wanted something a bit cooler."
"I was called King Arthur in my world, and my name was chanted throughout the realms as prayers. Mothers would tell of me to their sons and daughters to make them sleep safely."
"It is hard for you to brag when everything you say is one of my accomplishments," Arthur scratched his head, and his past self was silent. "Furthermore, if we add this life, I accomplished more than you did."
"That does not matter!" said the man in defense before he coughed. "The calamities will not stop their attacks. I brought you to this world to realize the severity of the matter. After you return to Earth, you need to unite the people before the Last Battle."
"I thought I was the one to decide."
"There will be no safety for any of those you love unless you defeat the calamities. As we speak, your friends are in danger because of Kar. So, find a way to create your body again before it is too late."
***
Saint Ai stared at the clouds that gathered in the sky that told of an incoming storm. Her heart throbbed with pain as her mind wandered to the man she longed to see.
The walls of her tower failed to confine her imagination, and she closed her eyes. A change has occurred, and for some reason, she felt the familiar powers that brought her back to life. It was everywhere.
"We need to take you somewhere else," said Scholar Jermyn as he pushed the door open, interrupting her peace. "You are in danger."
"What kind of danger?" she opened her eyes and asked. The Scholar did not dare to touch her, but he was close enough to threaten.
"A group of people is coming to harm you," he said, glaring at her with his narrow, yellowish eyes. Saint Ai did not want to resist because she knew that there would come a day where she would take them by surprise.
"I understand," nodded the saint before a breeze arrived from her window. Then, as she turned to look, she found a man with long hair staring at her with a grin.
"My lord!" kneeled Jermyn as Saint Ai stared at the man without fear or panic. The seemingly young man pulled her into his body, his eyes almost an inch from hers.
"The time has come to make yourself useful."
***
Diana stared at the clouds in the sky from atop Rega. Her heart was beating powerfully but steadily in her chest. The deal with Yozia was still weighing on her conscious, making her wonder if it was the right choice.
"I want to see you, Arthur," she muttered, and as if answering, the sky roared with thunder. "I will do everything it takes."
As she closed her eyes, the first droplet of rain fell on her face, followed by another. Then, the sky wept as the wind stormed, making her clothes flutter.
Diana turned toward the people who had gathered below. There were some that she recognized, others that she never met. However, all of them were brought together by a single man: the Seika of Living Being.
"I am not your lord," she took a step forward to stand on the edge. Her words were broadcast throughout the city. "However, I vow to bring him back.. I need your help to do this. I know that most of you are here for a safer life, but for those who wish to defend it, follow me!"