PART 37 :-
SON OF MADAM
Iras perspective :-
"What's going on!?!?!?! How can this happen!?!? The fire didn't even burn their clothes! How!?!?"
"That's impossible! They surely used some kind of trick!"
"Haa… haaa… haaa…"
Chiron started laughing.
What's going on?!?
"You did something."
"I am standing here doing nothing. You all watched me… haahaaa…"
"How!?"
"Maybe your God really wants them to be free and end these stupid rituals."
"Ahem…"
Bright didn't let go of my lady's hand. You really found a great man for your life.
"But this should not be happening!"
"Look, they followed every rule you told them. They did everything you asked of them. And now they have earned this. So, from now on, none of you has any right over them."
"But this should not be happening… It has never happened before."
"So, either you all can't accept God's decision, or your egos can't accept being defeated by kids."
"Ahem…"
[The judges looked at each other and finally said the thing they never wanted to.]
"The High Authority has decided that the Princess of Scribes is now free from everything. Her family can no longer force her to make any decision about her life. She can live however she wants. And as she has proved her loyalty, there is no question that she is the best choice to become her clan's next leader. If she ever wishes to become the head, she may do so without any trial. And as our God no longer wishes to continue the Ritual of the Purity Test, it is now banned."
[Outside the courtroom.]
"I never thought you guys could do something so unexpected."
Bright's stomach started growling while the three of them stood there watching him.
"Haa… haaa… You sure are hungry!"
"Of course. We haven't eaten anything since this morning. Hey, let's go to the market and celebrate our victory."
"That's a great idea."
"Hey, Mini, come."
"Iras, can I?"
"Of course, my lady. You are free now. You don't need anyone's permission anymore."
[The Machimoi group started leaving the place.]
"You were right, Sagurd. He really is different. He's more like Madam," I said to Sagurd with satisfaction.
"Well, isn't it? After all, he's her son."
"What!?!? What are you saying!?!?"
[Iras asked Sagurd, shocked and surprised.]
"I thought you already knew! He is exactly the male version of his mother, both in appearance and attitude."
"But her son died in that incident."
"Don't tell me you don't know. He was the only one who survived. And more than that, he is her son—that's the only reason that moron took care of him."
"It's not that surprising. If everyone knew his real identity, I'm damn sure his life would become hell. He has kept that secret from everyone except a few of us," Chiron said.
[Iras remembering her moment with her madam. Thinking about her madam's voice.]
"Woo, your stomach is so big now. Maybe the baby will come out while I'm away."
"I think so too. Well, the baby will meet her aunty after she returns anyway."
"Eww… not aunty. After all, I'm still young."
"Don't expect the baby to call you sister, Iras. I'd prefer Grandma instead."
"Hey! I'm only two or three years older than you."
[Closing her eyes, Iras remembered her last conversation with Madam. Tears began rolling down her cheeks.]
"Now, now. Don't cry. You're all grown up now."
"Ha… ha… He can call me aunty. It's still strange that the two of them share the same mentality. That's why people say, 'Blood runs through the veins.' Now I understand why the fire didn't burn him. Wait!!! If her son is alive, that means…"
"No… never. I will not allow that. He must never know about his past or his parents, no matter what," Chiron interrupted before I could finish.
"Why not!?!? He lived through such a traumatic childhood."
"So you really think his mental state will be fine after learning what happened to his family? His goal is the most important thing. And right now is not the right time to tell him about his past."
"But, Chiron, I guess you already know about those thugs. He has to know about his power at least. Because if he can't control that power, he will die. You have to talk to him."
Chiron disappeared from that place without saying a word or even looking at us.
Are you watching, Madam!?!? He is doing exactly the same thing you used to do. I am so happy. He stands by his friends without thinking about the consequences, just like you did. His goal is even greater than yours. I wish you were alive to see your son and how capable he has become.
......…
PART 38 :-
PRICE OF A SOUL
MC perspective :-
"Ohaa… the restaurant is full today."
"I'm so hungry that I can eat a jumbo meal all by myself."
The four of us took our seats at table 12. A waiter came to take our order.
"Can you please tell me what you'd like to eat?"
A customer had brought a dog with her, and it suddenly started barking. Then it jumped at another waiter, and I saw a glass of juice slipping from the tray.
"Wait!?!? What's going on!?!?"
Everything stopped.
The waiter froze just before the glass hit the floor. The dog and the glasses were hanging motionless in the air.
"Hey, Bond, look! What's going on?"
What!?!?
Bond, Mini, and Dex had also frozen. It felt like time had stopped around me.
Is Juha out there!?!?
[Bright came out of the restaurant and saw Juha standing outside.]
"What are you doing? And what's going on here!?!?"
"I stopped time."
"You can do something like that!?!? But why?"
"Because I have to tell you something. Something no one else should hear."
"What!?!? You could've told me later without stopping time."
"No one should know about this, including your friends. If I didn't stop time, there was a chance someone else might hear it."
"And what is it?"
"Aren't you surprised by what happened before? The fire didn't burn either of you."
"Yeah, I was shocked. I couldn't understand what was happening back then."
"The fire was manipulated."
"Manipulated!?!? By you!?!? Is that why it didn't hurt us?"
"Is that so!?"
[Bright remained silent for a moment, thinking.]
"No… it was me. Those sky-blue flames appeared in front of me. I was in a room filled with darkness, and I heard someone's voice there. What was that!?!?"
"Those sky-blue flames were actually a MythosCore."
"What is a Mythos Core!?!?"
"You already know that there are five primary elements: fire, water, lightning, wind, and earth. Every other element is merely an evolution or a combination of these. Each primary element has an ultimate form called a Mythos Core—an unimaginable source of power. Those blue flames are one of the rarest Mythos Cores, known as Azuron."
"So… I possess that power?"
"Yes, but that's not all. Those who possess a Mythos Core can manipulate its element. You had such a strong desire not to harm your friend that the ordinary flames responded to your will. That's the only reason neither of you was burned. Azuron can heal any wound or scar if you wish. It can also inflict unbearable pain that no opponent can survive. And not only that—it can heal or scar a person's soul as well."
"Can any other Mythos Core exist as well?"
"Of course. Black and whiteflames. Blacklightning—the rarest Mythos Core. Redwind, crystalwater… There are several Mythos Cores in the world. But no one can obtain one until both their soul and body are perfectly prepared for it. That's why only a few people ever awaken such power. It requires years of training."
"Then how do I have one?"
"That's a mystery. No one has ever been born with a Mythos Core before. The power exists within you, but you still haven't reached the stage where you can truly master it. That's what makes it dangerous. To control it, your body and soul must reach perfect harmony, and that is incredibly difficult."
"Then how am I using it?"
"That's not what's important right now. What's important are the consequences of possessing that power. If you fail to master it, it will consume your emotions. In the worst-case scenario, you could kill someone you love without even realizing it. But if you do master it, your soul can grant immortality. Azuron has an extraordinary connection to the soul. And because you possess both a Divine Curse and the Eclipse Boon, your soul has the perfect balance to grant immortality."
"I have a Boon too!?"
"Not just any Boon—the rarest one, Azuron. Since you were born with it, it can be considered your Boon. And your curse isn't ordinary either. It's a Divine Curse, far more powerful than any normal curse."
"So you're saying I possess an unimaginable power that I shouldn't have at my age. If I can't master it, I might hurt or even kill my loved ones without realizing it because the power will consume my emotions and soul. But if I do master it, my soul can grant immortality… which means I can make someone immortal."
"Not just anyone. Only one person, and only if that person absorbs your soul into their own. So you're in a dangerous position. If you fail to master your power, you'll become a danger to others. But if you succeed, countless greedy people will come after you to gain immortality."
"In short, I'm in danger no matter what. Whether I become strong or not."
"Yes."
"So anyone who possesses a Mythos Core can grant immortality?"
"No. It doesn't depend on the Mythos Core—it depends on the soul. Even if someone possesses Azuron, a Divine Curse, and the Eclipse Boon, there is still no guarantee. But your soul is different. It's special. Your Boon and your Curse together are the reason you possess that ability. It's far more complicated than you think. It's better if you don't know everything yet."
"And you don't want anyone else to know that."
"Yeah. Otherwise, it would bring trouble to everyone around you."
"When I entered Azuron, I could hear someone's voice. The flames even changed shape, forming different birds. Why is that? What was it?"
"I already told you—it's better if you don't know everything yet. We'll meet again soon, and then I'll tell you what you need to do next."
After saying that, he disappeared, and time began flowing again.
I possess a power that could kill anyone. That's not good. I have to master it, no matter what. Otherwise, I may end up hurting the people around me.
......…
PART 39 :-
WHAT THE HELL
[At the northern edge of the Land of Aaru. Inside a ruined house. No light—only darkness. A group of thugs had gathered there, though not all of them.]
"So annoying. This place is filthy."
"What can we do? We made a mistake, and now we have to deal with it. That's why we need to hide here for a few days."
"Are you kidding me!? Hell nah… I'm not staying here for days."
"It doesn't matter whether you want to or not. It's the Supreme's order. You have no choice, Rod."
"Aha… Hey, don't tell me you all agreed with him. He may be the Supreme, but we've never followed anyone."
"As long as it's him, Rod."
"Well, I admit he's more powerful than all of us combined. But that doesn't mean we have to follow him."
"If it weren't for him, we wouldn't have escaped. And I have no intention of dying at a young age."
"Hey, you. You were with him before, right!? Tell us what he wants."
"He'll appear soon. Then you'll understand the purpose of your lives."
"What did you say!? Don't think that just because you're a girl, we can't hurt you…"
[Black clouds covered the sky. It became so dark that noon felt like evening. Three shadowy figures appeared inside the ruined house.]
"Now who the hell are you people!?"
"Rod, they're not physically here."
"Quite observant. That's exactly why all of you are here. Ketty, how many of them are capable?"
"All of them. But there's no guarantee of their loyalty. After all, they're just thugs."
[A dark ring of shadows emerged beneath the four thugs. Chains burst from it and wrapped around them. None of them could move.]
"What is going on!?"
"Let me make a few things clear. First, I know every one of you. You're nothing more than petty thugs, and I know your purpose. You're all hunting a boy named Bright—theCurseofJoyful. Do you know what he possesses?"
"Of course. After learning that his soul holds the power of immortality, there's no way we'd let him get away… Aaagh!"
[The chains tightened around him until he could barely breathe.]
"Hey, stop! He might die."
The chains stopped tightening after one of the shadows spoke.
"My name is Hell, the Supreme of the Doomwalkers. Bright is my prey. I am the one who will hunt him and claim immortality. Your reckless actions could ruin everything I've been waiting for. So… what should we do? Kill you?"
"No! Please don't kill us! We'll do anything!"
"What are you doing, Day!? Begging is a man's greatest shame."
"Shut up! We're in this situation because of you!"
[The chains tightened around them once again.]
"I don't like being interrupted."
"What is your true goal?"
"I want to destroy this land."
"Heh… hahaha… We all hate each other, yet every one of us shares the same dream—the destruction of this land. Work for me, and you can become part of it."
"What are you talking about!? I don't understand."
"We, the Doomwalkers, were once just like you. Our lives were ruined by this land as well. We all think differently. We all hate each other. But we stand united because we share one common purpose—the destruction of this land. I offer you a place among us. Join us, and become part of the destruction we will bring in the future. You don't need immortality for that… and you don't need to die here."
"We've already seen your power. If you're this strong, why don't you destroy the land yourself?"
"As you can see, there are still people whose power surpasses even mine. That's why I need that boy's soul. Once I obtain immortality, even the gods will have to bow before me."
"Then why don't you take his soul now?"
"Greed, money, and lust are the greatest causes of a man's downfall. I have no intention of falling because of them. His soul isn't ready yet. It must mature first. I want him at his strongest. When he becomes powerful enough to face me, I won't waste another moment. Until then… I have no problem waiting."
"What do you want from us?"
"Serve under me, and I will fulfill your wishes. All I ask for is your loyalty. In return, I will protect you from every danger."
"If you're truly going to destroy this land, then I have no problem joining the Doomwalkers."
"Good choice."
[With those words, Hell and the other shadowy figures disappeared.]
"You can all stay here until the trouble you've caused outside settles down. If the Supreme decides you're worthy, you may be summoned to our headquarters."
"What!? She disappeared in an instant too!"
"I'm just glad we're still alive."
"After witnessing his presence, I don't think he was bluffing."
[In a world full of mysteries, what exactly are the Doomwalkers? And what awaits Bright in the future?]
......…
[END OF THE ARC]
---------X---------