Chapter 509 - Mecha Riders
Life is chaotic and without a purpose.
That was what Diana believed until she met him. There cannot be a reason for the world's cruelty because no explanation was enough to justify what she went through. Her existence was a mistake, defiance of nature and heavens, but did she not deserve to live in this world since she was born here?
"You will be a princess one day," whispered her father. "And you will make me the king," he said as if she had forgotten what he did to her mother.
Her father and mother were different, entirely so. Her mother was a pacifist who wanted peace for her people, used as a shield against Freda and the other nations. As for her father, being the strongest duke was not enough, so he wanted the throne.
The two of them were the strongest individuals in the kingdom, but their strength alone was not enough to dethrone the king or his followers. So, it was a cruel war that needed to end, and it was then that the prophet appeared.
A man who knew the future was someone anyone would listen to, and her mother was no different. After proving his abilities, he proposed a plan to end all wars.
Diana always believed that her father killed her mother, but Seref Silvera was the one who gave him the sword and staged everything. So, it was a great shock when she learned Arthur's name, but it did not change how she felt.
A part of her refused to admit Arthur was an enemy because she was starting to trust him. But, unfortunately, trust is the deadliest trap laid for humanity because once you fall into it, you will turn blind.
"All of my sufferings was nothing but a stage for him, another person to aid him," she muttered inside the Inner World, confessing to the spirit. "I am a tool designed by his father to meet his son."
Rega floated in front of her silently as Dia sat on her knees. She ran away from Runera because she was confused about what to do. Her mother cursed Seref Silvera as she died, but Dia was here, following the path that he laid.
All for his son.
"Does my life worth nothing to that man?" cried Diana as her tears flowed unceasingly as her love seemed fake, an elaborate scheme by a cruel prophet. "I want to bring Arthur back, but I don't want to follow this path. What should I do, Rega?"
Diana suddenly missed the witch, Gala. Her existence was always reassuring because she knew how to handle emotions like these and was wise enough to make them see the truth.
"I can tell you whatever you want to hear, but this is something that you need to decide for yourself. Are you going to abandon this quest, or are you going to fight through your doubts?"
The suggestion that she abandons her current quest sounded absurd to her. Arthur was gone, and that was a pain that had yet to heal. She needed to find a way to bring him back, and Saint Ai was necessary.
However, it now felt different. Dia will have to sacrifice her life to bring Arthur back, but that was what the prophet created her for. It was the sole reason she had to suffer, and she was walking toward her end like a puppet.
"I need to talk to you, Arthur," she leaned forward, resting her head on the wooden tiles. "I hate you for not telling me the truth."
***
The cosmos was infinite, and it must have been several days since Arthur lost his physical body. However, he was still hopelessly trying to create it. It was futile, and his consciousness was drifting back to a singularity.
"Amon is gone," muttered Arthur as he remembered the king's hand, who cursed him before going to the void. "I believed that it was okay to be selfish because that was what we always do, but it tasted bitter when he became someone's villain."
There was nothing here but his thoughts. Arthur closed his eyes and focused his consciousness on his city, but it was hard to see through the barrier he created because he was made solely from runes at the moment.
Arthur sighed as his consciousness returned to be one with everything. It was a heartwarming feeling to feel united and scaringly devouring his individuality. However, he had to prevent himself from feeling everyone's emotions and being the river and the dam.
It was a frustrating process, but this was the trial that Arthur left for himself. It was the path to true strength, where he no longer needs to be the villain.
***
Lusica opened his eyes, and there was nothing but darkness. It was the middle of the night, a few hours before the battle. The countdown left everyone sleepless, but not him. After the Seika allowed him to sleep, it was his favorite time.
The room was empty for the bare necessities. There was nothing personal, no paintings, souvenirs, or letters addressed to him. This made it easier for him to leave, but he still needed to leave a will.
The princess promised that anyone who dies in battle would have their will executed as much as possible. This made those with families leave wills that involved wishes, but Lusica had no family.
Lux, as his name was now, was the only family that Lusica had. However, he was also going with him to battle. Therefore, Lusica couldn't write down that he wanted Lux to live.
The letter remained empty in front of him as the candle burned quietly. The shadows danced on the paper, reminding him of where he would be after this battle: a dark and lonely place, an eternal rest.
The voices did not appear ever since the Seika gave him his name. Finally, Lusica decided that he would pay him back with his life when the time came. It was the time.
A knock made him snap out of his daze, and Lusica stood up and opened the door. It was none other than the person he was thinking about earlier, Lux.
"I want to talk," said the blonde young man, who Lusica watched grow from a reckless child. "Are you going to let me inside?"
"You needn't ask," said Lusica as he made way and allowed him inside. Lux walked into the room, and the first thing he noticed was the will on the desk.
"I see that it is also empty," said Lux as he took a similar paper from his pocket and placed it on the desk. "We are the same," laughed the blonde, and Lusica felt relieved when he saw it was empty as well.
"I already have everything I want," smiled Lusica as he sat on the bed. "I had no idea what I should do other than survive before. However, now, I have no plans other than dying."
"Again, with this attitude. Tell me, Lusica, have you ever loved someone?"
"I love you, of course," frowned Lusica as he blurted out without thinking. "You are the only family that I have, Lux."
"Idiot," blushed the knight, or it could have been the candlelight. "I meant a romantic kind of love. Did you ever look at someone and feel your heart race?"
"Ah, I did once before," pondered Lusica. "I don't understand what that has to do with anything."
"That is enough reason to live, for them," smiled Lux as he sat beside him. "I always thought of you as my brother, my sole comrade in life. I wanted us to grow to be generals, striking fear into our enemies and finding a way to banish the demons in your heart."
"My heart raced when the Seika pulled me out of the darkness. It was the only time where I realized that there is a god, and it is him."
"A god?" frowned Lux. "A god does not need saving."
"A god needs loyal followers," smiled Lusica. "You have not seen the Seika the way I saw him. He is the sun, and he will protect us against the darkness."
"And dying for him is not the right way to serve him," sighed Lux, but he knew that Lusica's mind could not be changed. "Are you that grateful for him?"
"Are you not?"
The question caught his friend by surprise, and there was no answer. So they sat in silence until another knock came on their door. It was an alchemist apprentice who was sent to bring Lux.
Lusica and Lux were confused, but they did not hesitate to follow the apprentice into the workshops. The rest of the knights were still there, and grandmaster Oriole was standing in front of them.
"You are all here, at last," said the grandmaster before he glanced at Lusica. "I see that you tagged along, but this will only be a disappointment to you."
"I apologize for coming here," bowed Lusica, but Oriole only sighed before turning back toward the group.
"The Seika had chosen you all before he disappeared to be the ones wielding his most precious weapons, the mechas. However, except for Lusica, whose powers make him unable to use artifacts."