Lucavion's breath came in ragged gasps, his eyes wide with disbelief and awe as he watched the titanic clash unfold before him. He had never imagined witnessing such power, such raw emotion.
The sight of Gerald and Alexander, once brothers and rivals, now enemies locked in a battle to the death, had left an indelible mark on Lucavion.
'Starscourge Gerald.'
That was his master's name.
The name that he had heard just once.
The name that was said to have stormed through the world on his own, winning countless different battles.
'Master.'
He could not help but remember what the old man had said to him when they first met.
"A long time ago, I had a friend. He was much like you—brave, passionate, and unwilling to back down in the face of injustice. He stood up for the weak and fought against those who abused their power. But the world wasn't kind to him. He faced many hardships, and his path was not an easy one."
At that time, he thought that this old man was just speaking rubberish. After all, what kind of beggar old man would just have experienced many things? Though the pain in his eyes was clear and the sorrow was there, he thought the old man was ascribing to his own experiences while sugarcoating his words.
But, now, after the time they had trained together and after he saw his master's name, Lucavion realized.
He realized the fact that he was a disciple of one of the strongest people in the world all along. But what did it matter after his master was far, long gone at this point?
Did it matter if he had realized the identity of his master when the said master was no longer in this world?
'I did not even show my respect to him….'
While he became a bit rough after battling all that time, he also became someone who was not honest with his feelings.
While he became a bit rough after battling all that time, he also became someone who was not honest with his feelings. The pain of losing so many had hardened him, making him wary of forming new bonds. He thought that by keeping people at arm's length, he could protect himself from the heartbreak of loss.
At least, that is what he thought, but inwardly, he always knew he respected his master. It was just that he could not accept it and say it out loud. The old man's guidance, his wisdom, and his relentless push for Lucavion to better himself were things he had grown to cherish deeply.
But now…
Now, standing in the clearing where the stars above seemed to mourn the loss of his master, Lucavion felt a profound sense of regret and longing.
He wished he had expressed his gratitude, his respect, his love for the man who had become more than just a teacher to him. Gerald had been a guiding star, and now that star had fallen, leaving Lucavion to navigate the darkness alone.
He sank to his knees, the weight of his grief and regret pressing down on him. "Master," he whispered, his voice breaking. "I'm sorry… I should have told you…"
The starlight around him seemed to pulse gently as if in response to his words. The warmth of the celestial light seeped into his very soul, offering a comforting embrace in his moment of sorrow. Lucavion closed his eyes, letting the tears fall freely.
As the starlight continued to envelop him, Lucavion felt a surge of energy within him. It was as if the cosmos itself was empowering him, covering his body and entering his mind.
'Huh?'
He will feel like the world is getting darker and darker with each second.
'Ah….I am losing my consciousness.'
He wanted to resist so that he would not fall down in front of his when he was in such a state. But he couldn't.
–THUD!
As he fell down, his world went dark.
*********
"Kid."
The voice was distant but familiar, cutting through the darkness that enveloped Lucavion's mind. Slowly, he opened his eyes, his vision blurred and hazy.
"Kid, you have finally woken up."
As his vision cleared, he saw the stars all around him, twinkling brightly in the night sky. It felt surreal like he was floating in an endless expanse of starlight.
"Master?" he whispered, his voice trembling.
Gerald stood before him, a gentle smile on his face. He looked just as Lucavion remembered him, wise and serene. The sight of his master filled Lucavion with a mixture of relief and confusion.
'Am I dreaming?' Lucavion thought to himself.
"No, you are not dreaming."
Hearing this, Lucavion scrambled to his feet. As he stood up, he saw the vast expanse around him: an endless cosmos with the color of darkness, countless stars shining brightly, and many small particles drifting by. His eyes widened in awe at the sight.
The old man laughed at his reaction. "Do you like what you're seeing?"
Lucavion nodded, still taking in the breathtaking view. "Where is this place?"
"We are in the Spiritual Realm," the old man said.
Lucavion's eyes widened further. "The Spiritual Realm? That spiritual world?"
The old man nodded. "That's right."
"But how…?"
"We are here thanks to my connection to the stars," the old man explained.
Lucavion was about to ask more, but the old man raised his hand, gesturing for him to stop. "I know you have many questions, but would you mind asking them after listening to this old man's story?"
As the old man spoke, Lucavion noticed that his master's silhouette was slowly losing its color, becoming more translucent. Seeing this, Lucavion nodded and shut his mouth, understanding what his master meant.
'Master is already gone.'
This was most likely his soul, which would be sent away from this world. Right now, he was here because he was forcefully keeping himself from going away.
The old man began his story, his voice filled with a nostalgic warmth. "Once, there was a child living in the slums. Life was harsh, unforgiving, and full of hardships. But that child had an ambition, a fire that burned brighter than the suffering around him."
Lucavion listened intently, picturing a young version of his master struggling to survive in a world that seemed intent on breaking him.
"This child faced countless difficulties," the old man continued. "Hunger, cold, and danger were his constant companions. But he never gave up. He practiced under the open skies, always trying his best. From a young age, he was an avid fan of swords, always loving their elegance and power."
Lucavion could almost see the young boy, his master, swinging a wooden sword with determination, his eyes filled with dreams of a better future.
"The child trained and survived. By the age of twelve, he had become the head of a gang in the slums, and his strength and cunning earned him respect. It was then that he awakened, using the Mana Accumulation Art he had developed on his own."
Lucavion's eyes widened at this revelation. His master had not only survived but thrived in such harsh conditions, creating his own path to power.
"But the child was more ambitious," the old man said, his voice growing softer. "He didn't want to remain in the slums. He wanted to become someone strong, the strongest in the world. So, he embarked on a journey, and it was during this journey that he met someone. A girl."
The old man's eyes shone with a distant light, the memory of the girl clearly still dear to him. "She was a noble, riding in an attacked carriage. The boy saved her, and at that moment, he fell in love. It was love at first sight. But he knew that with his origins, he could never meet the requirements of marrying such a girl."
"So, the boy trained harder than ever. He earned a scholarship to the world's best academy, gaining fame for himself and making friends and enemies alike. Among those friends, he made one particular friend with whom he became sworn brothers. A friend he could trust with his back."
Lucavion felt a pang of empathy for his master, understanding the drive to prove oneself and the bonds formed in the pursuit of greatness.
"They became one of the strongest duos on the continent, each rising to the rank of general. But then, something happened. The boy's friend fell in love with the same girl he loved. From that point on, a rift opened between them."
The old man's voice grew heavy with regret.
The old man's voice grew heavy with regret. "At first, it was not that deep. While there were occasional fights, their bond was strong. They were still brothers, but at the same time, they became rivals in the feeling of love. They promised each other that they would respect the decision she made."
"But then everything became cursed on that damned day."
-----------------------
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"But then everything became cursed on that damned day."
Lucavion listened intently as Gerald recounted the events that followed their graduation from the academy. "After we graduated, we both continued to court her. At that time, I had risen to the rank of a high-ranking general in the army thanks to my talents. Even though I was born a commoner, my abilities allowed me to climb the ranks quickly. But I always felt a bit inferior to Alexander. He was the son of a duke, one of the strongest, while I was just a commoner."
Gerald's voice took on a somber tone. "That feeling of inferiority drove me to work harder, to prove myself. I wanted to compete with Alexander on equal footing. But in my relentless pursuit of ambition, I began to drift away from the woman I loved."
Lucavion could sense the deep regret in his master's voice. "Then, one day, I received orders to head to the battlefield. It was sudden and unexpected, but I was blinded by my ambition and failed to see the scheme that was being orchestrated behind my back. For five long months, I fought on the front lines, giving everything I had to secure victory."
Gerald's expression darkened as he continued. "When I finally returned from the battlefield, victorious but weary, I was met with devastating news. Her betrothal to Alexander had been announced. I was overcome with anger and a sense of betrayal. How could they make such a decision without telling me? It felt incredibly cruel."
Lucavion's heart ached for his master, understanding the pain of such a betrayal. "I marched to the dukedom to confront her and Alexander, but I was not allowed entry. The order came from Alexander's father, Cyrus. Despite my status and achievements, I was blocked at every turn."
The old man's eyes reflected the depth of his anguish. "I was powerless. No matter how much I protested or demanded to see them, I was denied. The Duke's influence and authority were absolute. My heart was shattered, and my spirit was crushed. I realized then that my ambition had blinded me to the treachery around me and had cost me everything I held dear."
Lucavion felt a surge of empathy and respect for his master. He had faced immense trials and endured unimaginable pain, yet he had continued to fight and teach, imparting his wisdom to those who needed it.
"But at the same time, I felt suspicious. How come my best friend, my sworn brother, was not letting me enter the place? Hadn't we made a promise? Why would he do such a thing? After getting suspicious, I decided to check everything out myself. There was something fishy about this, something that I needed to see."
Gerald's expression darkened as he recounted his plan. "I decided to go to the dukedom right before the wedding. The security was tight for some reason as if the dukedom was expecting something, but I was able to hide well thanks to an artifact I had acquired." He raised his hand, and a small necklace materialized in his palm, glowing faintly with a magical aura.
"The same material that I used so that Alexander would not notice you," Gerald explained.
Lucavion's eyes widened in realization. His master had been protecting him all along, using the same artifact to conceal his presence.
"Master…"
Gerald continued, his voice tinged with sorrow. "I infiltrated the castle, avoiding the guards and making my way to her room. When I finally reached it, I saw the most devastating sight of my life. She was sitting on the edge of the window, looking at the sky, while crying."
The scene played out vividly in Lucavion's mind. The woman Gerald loved, trapped and alone, her tears reflecting the moonlight. "I called out to her softly, and she turned, her eyes widening in disbelief."
She rose from her seat, hesitating for a moment before rushing into his arms. "Gerald!" she cried, her voice filled with a mixture of relief and sorrow. "I missed you so much."
Gerald held her tightly, his heart breaking at the sight of her tears. "I missed you too," he whispered, his voice choked with emotion. "Why are you here? What happened?"
She buried her face in his chest, her sobs shaking her body. "The Duke of Valoria forced me to become Alexander's bride. He threatened my family, saying that if I didn't comply, he would ruin us. I had no choice, Gerald. I'm so sorry."
Gerald's eyes blazed with anger and determination. "You have nothing to apologize for. This isn't your fault. We'll find a way out of this, I promise."
She looked up at him, her eyes filled with hope and fear. "But how? The Duke is powerful, and Alexander… I don't know what he'll do if he finds out."
"We'll figure it out together," Gerald said firmly. "I won't let anyone hurt you. We'll escape from here, and we'll find a place where we can be free."
"No." She shook his head. "I do not want to live such a life."
Gerald looked at her, his heart aching. "What do you mean? We can escape this, we can start anew."
She shook her head again, her expression one of sadness and acceptance. "I don't want to spend my life running, always looking over my shoulder. I want to resolve all my regrets now, to face them head-on."
Her eyes met his, filled with a depth of emotion that took his breath away. "Gerald, I've missed you so much. I love you. If this is the last moment we have together, I want it to be free of fear and regret."
Before he could respond, she leaned in, pressing her lips to his in a desperate, passionate kiss. Gerald's arms tightened around her, the world fading away as they lost themselves in the moment. The intensity of their connection was overwhelming, a lifetime of love and longing pouring into that single kiss.
For a brief, beautiful moment, they were the only two people in the world. The weight of their past, the uncertainty of their future—all of it melted away in the face of their love.
When they finally pulled apart, she rested her forehead against his, her breath coming in soft, shaky gasps. "I love you, Gerald," she whispered. "No matter what happens, remember that."
Tears filled his eyes as he cupped her face in his hands. "I love you too. Always."
After that, the scene played out quite fast. Gerald and she mixed their bodies for the last time, their love and longing culminating in a final, bittersweet union. They held each other close, savoring the fleeting moments of intimacy, their hearts beating in unison as if trying to imprint these last moments in their souls.
At the end of the night, as dawn began to break, Gerald whispered, "I can't give up on you. I need you here with me."
She shook her head, her eyes filled with sadness and determination. "Gerald, my love, I can't live a life on the run. I can't let you destroy yourself for me. This is the path I've chosen, for my family, for our love to live on in memory if not in presence."
Gerald's heart ached, but he knew he had to respect her decision. He held her one last time, their tears mingling in a silent farewell. "I will always love you," he said, his voice breaking.
"And I will do the same," she replied, her voice a whisper filled with heartbreak and resolve.
With a heavy heart, Gerald left the dukedom, his soul burdened with the weight of their separation. He glanced back one last time, seeing her silhouette in the window, a poignant reminder of what he was leaving behind.
Time passed, and the news of their marriage reached him, a dagger to his heart. He could hardly bear the thought, but he continued on, driven by the promise he had made to her. Nine months later, the news arrived that they had their first child.
When Gerald heard the news, a strange feeling washed over him; it was as if a connection had been established, a bond that transcended distance and time. He began to suspect that the child might be his own.
However, at that time, Gerald found himself on another battlefield, unable to return immediately. The war raged on for two long years, and he was bound by duty and circumstance. He knew that Duke Cyrus' influence played a significant role in keeping him away, but there was no escape from his obligations.
Five years later, Gerald finally returned home. At his first opportunity, he silently visited the dukedom, just as he had in the past. He moved with caution and stealth, driven by the need to confirm his suspicions and see her once more.
When he reached the dukedom and saw her, her eyes widened in shock. But Gerald saw something more profound than surprise. He saw emptiness, a hollow look that spoke of a soul that had been drained of life and joy. The vibrant flower he had once known had been plucked and withered.
-----------------------
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And if you liked my story, please give me a power stone. It helps me a lot.
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