Rise of Legends - DISCONTINUED

Meeting

Arthur POV:

Alistair and I were both going to Elenoir to see Tess again. I thought that she would only want Al to visit her but it seems like she also wants me. 

While I did feel sad to go away from my family already, I also knew that the recent mysteries may be answered if I were to go through.

'I don't know how to describe this feeling, but it seems like something important is going to happen.'

Inside the well-suspended carriage pulled by a large horse, I saw Alistair fiddling around with the golden orb.

He tried to see through it, or imbue mana but nothing seemed to work.

I closed my eyes to rest my mind. The ride to the teleportation gate would most likely be the only time I would have to get some sleep so I tried to make the most of it.

It is necessary, King Grey...

It is of utmost importance to bring stability to our country...

To show the people of our country, YOUR country, that you are their King and that you fight for us, it is necessary to kill her...

Kill her, King Grey, so that the world will know not to trifle with your country...

Kill her...

I shot up from the carriage seat, gasping for air. The sound of my pounding heart hammered all the way up to my head and I felt the cold air, which leaked inside the carriage, against my sweat-filled forehead. It took me a bit to realise that I had just been dreaming.

Alistair looked at me in shock with wide eyes before stammering, "W-what's wrong, Arthur?"

As I squeezed my eyes shut, hoping that would help me get rid of the disturbing memory I had forgotten for a while, I felt Sylvie's rough tongue on the back of my hand.

"It's okay, Sylv, Al. I'm fine," I assured them.

'Why did that memory have to come up now...' I wondered.

When we arrived at the destination, the moon was still high overhead, illuminating the warmly lit floating city of Xyrus. The guard stationed in front of the gate leading to Elenoir Kingdom hurried over to us with his left hand gripping the pommel of the sword strapped to his waist.

"State your reason for passage and proof of verification," the rugged guard demanded as his left hand eased off his sword, seeing that we were just kids.

For some reason, his voice sounded vaguely familiar, and not just in a he-had-a-common-voice sort of way. 

'Also, shouldn't he recognise us?' I wondered but decided to not overthink this situation.

Uncertain of what to say, I remembered that Alistair still had the silver compass Virion gave us. It had the insignia of the Eralith family so maybe it could be use as sufficient proof.

I gestured and Al understood instantly, taking out the insignia.

"Hmm, I asked for the rea... th-this is the... right this way, sirs. My apologies for being so disrespectful. I had no idea you had such close ties with the royal family." The crude expression was nowhere to be seen as he bowed down and hurriedly went back to the gate, activating it.

After the runes around the portal entrance glowed and started humming in a low pitch, he jogged back to us with an apologetic look on his face.

"Unfortunately, the gate can't immediately take you to the inside of the kingdom, but it will be in a relatively close vicinity to one of the entrances," the guard disclosed contritely, as if it was his fault.

"Mmm, that's fine. Thank you," I nodded.

The humming coming from the portal intensified, while the ancient magic runes opened the portal. 

Alistair was eagerly staring at the runes. 

'Can he see the mana flowing through the magic runes?' I wondered.

I turned my head back to see the guard giving me an exaggerated bow.

As my right foot stepped into the portal and I felt the familiar sensation of my body getting sucked in; the guard looked up.

The rugged-looking guard with scars etched on his face was gone, replacing it was the old man from the elixir store.

With a cheeky grin, he gave us a wink before saying, "Have a safe trip, young lads."

___________________________________

??? POV:

As I waited for Seris to arrive, I couldn't help but feel a sense of excitement. It had been too long since we last saw each other. When I heard her voice behind me, I turned with a smile.

"You're finally here, Vritra," I said, glad to see her.

"I am right on time. It was you who came too early," she replied coolly.

I chuckled, "Always on time, I see."

As she approached, I could see that Seris was as beautiful as ever, with long black hair and piercing green eyes. But her expression was guarded, and I knew that she was not here for idle chit-chat.

"What did you call me here for, Vicht?" she asked, her tone a bit annoyed.

I raised an eyebrow at her use of my old nickname. "I need your help, Seris," I said, my tone serious.

She sighed, "Is this about Agrona again? I've already told you, I'm not going to betray him."

"I know, I know," I said, waving a hand dismissively. "But there are other options, Seris. You don't have to serve Agrona or Kezess."

She looked at me skeptically, "And who else is there that could rival them? They are considered great even among the asuras."

I leaned in close, my voice low, "Gary Whiteborn."

Seris POV:

As I gazed upon my old friend, I felt a sense of unease creep over me. She was fading away into the annals of history, forgotten by all but the souls of the dead.

With every word we exchanged, I felt the weight of reality bearing down on me.

Vicht had chosen her champion.

"You've chosen a lesser to battle against the gods!" I scoffed in disbelief.

"Please, Seris, I don't have much time left," she said weakly.

Her voice was frail, and it sent a chill down my spine. "You gave away your unique mana art! How could you?" I demanded.

"I gave it to the boy," she said simply.

My shock only grew. She had given him not just her mana art, but also herself.

"How much do you believe in him?" I asked, closing the distance between us.

"The world," she replied with a deep breath. "The world shapes us into the warriors we become. But that boy was different. He existed outside of the world's laws, and his presence is breaking the world's order. He will surpass Kezzess and Agrona, before surpassing the world and making a new one."

I gasped in shock at her words. To hold such high regard for a single person was beyond my comprehension.

"But even if you hold him in such high regard, I don't agree. It's not worth giving up your life for him. I'll test him myself."

"Do as you please," she replied before closing her eyes, her life force fading away.