It took a while… but Three eventually calmed down.
The tears stopped first. The shaking followed. What remained was a quiet heaviness sitting in his chest, one he didn't fully understand yet, but couldn't ignore either.
Vexer watched him carefully before speaking.
"There's no need to lose hope," he said, his voice gentler than before. "If I succeed in my breakthrough… if I reach the level of the guardians, I will return."
Three looked up slightly.
"And when I do, no one will be able to stand against our clan. I'll make sure of it." A brief pause followed. "I'll even find a way to help you awaken something."
The words lingered.
For a moment, they almost felt comforting.
Almost.
Then...
"Can the guardians give power to anyone?"
Three's voice came out quiet at first, but it didn't stay that way.
" Can the guardians give power to anyone? If so, why can't you use your connections to tell them to make me awaken. Why?" his emotional outburst came once more as Vexer shook his head.
"If they can… then why can't you just ask them?"
His hands clenched slightly.
"You said you know them, right? So why not tell them to help me awaken? Why not fix this?"
The emotions came rushing back, not as explosive as before, but sharper.
"Why?"
Vexer didn't answer immediately.
Because the truth… wasn't simple.
To him, he knew that the so called connection was nothing more than just having being recognized by them. He was sure that if they were willing, they could save the clan and stop the battles with just a word. But how those guys operated, he couldn't even explain. Especially with their ' non interference' policy that they usually preached. As long as the word was at peace, they had nothing else to worry about.
Vexer also knew that the reasons as to why he even knew them was because of his strength. He remembered a time when one of the appeared to him and asked him if he was willing to be a guardian, and be granted immense powers, but with his goals and ambitions, he couldn't accept such an offer. None of the people from Starborn had ever accepted such an offer, and he wasn't ready to do that yet. After all, no power came without responsibilities.
He had seen it himself.
That time, when one of them had appeared before him, offering him a place among them. Power beyond anything this world could hold.
All he had to do… was accept.
And leave everything behind.
The Starborn Clan.
His family.
His responsibilities.
Vexer's fingers curled slightly.
But he also knew that his decision could cause mass destruction of his clan. He was sure that if he accepted the offer, his clan would have been spared from mass extinction, but his selfishness got the better part of him. This was the pain he had to bear, and he had steeled his heart to bear such a loss. His mind had already thought of a countermeasure. Why not get strong enough to reverse all things that happened and restore his clan to peak state? Vexer also knew that it was a bit delusional of him to think that way. If it were possible, why was there never any earlier descendants of Starborn willing to come back and save them? This meant that there was something going on out there, which made it difficult for them to even concentrate on their world.
He had refused.
Not because the power wasn't tempting, but because he wasn't ready to abandon everything he had built.
And now…
A faint breath escaped him.
He knew the cost of that decision.
That was why he was a bit hesitant of ascending, before ensuring that he was at his limits, and that his foundation was extremely strong.
" Listen grandson. It's hard to believe this but though the guardians have a connection with me, they are not willing to do such a thing. If only..." He remained silent as he let Three calm down.
He paused briefly.
"If only…"
The words trailed off.
Three didn't press further this time.
He could feel it, the answer wasn't something he would like.
Vexer looked at him for a moment longer.
If he had more time…
But time wasn't something he could bargain with anymore.
Vexer knew that if he was stronger, or better, have ten more years, no, five or even maybe three, Sigil would breakthrough and become a strong power house that will act as a shield for the clan and maybe get another child who would be talented enough to carry the mantle of the clan.
So instead, he made a choice.
He stood up.
"Enough of that."
" Quit suckling child. We have to enter inside this portal so that you can get to see what makes us extremely strong" Vexer stood up as he waved his hand and the wooden seats disappeared.
Three's expression turned better, knowing that they were going for a great adventure. Though he had failed in his awakening, he was still a kid and going for adventures was his current occupation.
With him not having siblings, he usually went for small adventures with his father. His grandpa only had one kid, his father, and so was his father. It seemed as if their lineage followed the one child rule. Luckily with no siblings and cousins, he had all the love from himself, that was why his grandfather and mother liked spoiling him so much. He didn't have lots of friends, as most of them usually treated him as a young master and were scared of offending him. His life was filled with followers who were busy boot licking him, just to curry favor with him.
That was why he liked going on adventures with his mum or dad.
"We didn't come here just to talk."
"Come."
Vexer gestured toward the portal.
Three followed his gaze.
The red tear in space still pulsed faintly, its glow unnatural, almost alive.
For a moment, fear crept back in.
But alongside it, curiosity.
" Is it dangerous?' He asked, as he was still a bit terrified of the red portal that looked like a gate to hell, and less of an adventure.
Vexer let out a small chuckle.
"Have you forgotten who you're with?" He straightened slightly, flexing his arms in an exaggerated manner. "Your grandfather is the strongest in this world. Nothing here can hurt me."
Three couldn't help it, he let out a small laugh.
"Alright…"
The fear didn't disappear. But it eased. Just a little.
" Now, hold onto me when we are entering, and there is nothing to worry about." he said as he held Three's shoulders, as the red portal swallowed them whole.
Three nodded.
This time, without hesitation.
The red light from the portal reflected in his eyes as they stepped forward.
Closer.
As the world twisted and the portal swallowed them whole.