Chương 11: THE AWAKENING

[Sappharix Nation] [Aldenland Town] [Morning]

The Aldenland town was bursting with people and Heroes. Today, the day of awakening will take place on the scared platform where a giant statue of the Hero of Protection stood with his shield in front and a broad sword on his back.

The builders made the giant statue by carving a huge piece of green jade. It took them over twenty years to carve the statue with perfection. When the sunlight falls on the jade statue, it reflects an emerald hue.

The awakening ceremony takes place once every year. But, this time was a bit different than last year. After the awakening ceremony, the succession ceremony of the Rosewarth family will begin.

The Legendary Heroes and experts who witnessed the battle in the Alchemy House gathered around the awakening platform. They only came to see the growth of Lucas after one year and his rematch with the Scarlet Maiden.

The Elders of the respected families have gathered on the awakening platform to oversee the procedures. Guards had been posted around the awakening platform to protect the new Heroes from any sudden dangers.

[Awakening Platform]

Lucas was waiting along with other children in the waiting area. There were a total of six children waiting to awaken their power. Two of them were from the Scarlet family and, four of them, including Lucas, were from the Rosewarth family.

"So, you are Lucas, the one spreading lies about defeating our Scarlet family," a kid with red hair just like the Scarlet Maiden spoke, pointing his finger towards Lucas.

"Just you wait, my big sister will kill you today," the other kid from the Scarlet family laughed at Lucas.

Hearing their taunt, Lucas laughed, "Hahaha, you guys are so funny."

"He is the son of this town's Lord, and from what I know, he is just a scholar," a blond hair boy from the Rosewarth family spoke in a calm tone.

"Such embarrassment, he lost his mind thinking about his death," the red hair kid scoffed.

The other three members of the Rosewarth family didn't take part in the conversation.

"May I know your names?" Lucas smiled and asked the three kids, who were mocking him.

"I am Damian, and remember my name when you die," the red hair kid answered, pointing his thumb down.

"I am Ralf, brother of Scarlet Maiden, and she will roast you like a pig, hahaha," laughed the second kid proudly.

"And you?" Lucas turned toward the blond hair kid.

"Jin, you should have surrendered, haah," sighed the blond hair kid.

"Since I am going to die, dare to make a bet with me," Lucas leaned on the chair, stretching his hands.

"A bet from a dying man, you are kidding," Ralf laughed.

"If I die, you win but, If she dies, you will become my servant," Lucas gave them a cold smile.

"Very well, we will fulfill your last wish," laughed Jin along with the other two, "That's right, that's right, hahaha."

Their conversation was cut short by the sound of drums and trumpets. The Butcher arrived in the outer town along with the piece of the Cursed Seal. Many Legendary class heroes came along with The Butcher guarding the single piece.

The crowds began to talk among themselves after seeing their Leader in outer town.

"What is he doing in the outer town?" someone from the crowd spoke in a low voice.

"Shhh, don't talk rubbish and keep quiet," another one replied in a nervous tone.

"Look at his ax so big and shiny," a lady in the crowd spoke.

"Forget the ax, and look at the piece of seal," a friend of that lady spoke in awe.

"This is my first time seeing it in the outer town." the first lady replied. "Does that mean someone from those kids waiting for awakening might be able to wake it up," an old man from the crowd spoke.

"If that happens, then I will finally die in peace," another old man spoke out in a wavering voice.

[Waiting area]

"Did any of you guys do anything to catch their attention?" Lucas asked the kids who were mocking him.

"What?" Damian began to rub his sweaty hand.

"I mean, I am about to die so, why are you sweating so much redhead... I thought you did something wrong in front of those guards," Lucas scoffed at Damian.

"We sisters were there that day in the Alchemy House," one of the female kids of the Rosewarth family spoke, "I am Annie and, this is my twin sister Elle," she pointed at the blue hair kid.

"You fools, blinded by your pride, made a bet with Lucas," Elle giggled.

"You mean....," Jin tried to ask.

"Yes, believe it or not, just keep quiet and see," Annie spoke out in a low voice.

After hearing Annie and Elle, no one spoke a single word. A glint of fear and uneasiness rose among the three kids.

The Butcher went up to the awakening platform and announced, "Let us begin the Awakening Ceremony."

The noise from the large crowd gathered there vanished. Every eye was on the six children.

One Elder came forward, "Damian Scarlet, come forth and stand in front of our protector."

Damian went up the platform and stood in front of the jade statue. "Now put your hand on the shield and, it will show you your class and essence quality," the Elder spoke in a loud voice.

Damian did as the Elder ordered. A wave of red essence came out of the jade shield. "Unique Class, Vampiric Aura, essence quality Mid-tier," the Elder announced the result.

"Next, Ralf Scarlet, come forth," The Elder Announced.

"Are you not going to let me touch the seal," Damian spoke out loud, pointing his finger at the seal.

"That is not for you," The Butcher spoke out, giving out a fierce look at Damian.

Seeing his fierce look, Damian didn't speak another word in fear and went back to his seat.

Ralf went up to the platform and put his hand on the shield. A wave of blue essence came out of the jade shield. "Unique Class, Magician, essence quality Mid-tier," announced the Elder.

After that, Jin went up. He was a Rare Class Tamer with High-tier. "Ha, high-tier but a Tamer, such a shame," the Elder nodded his head in disappointment.

Annie became a Unique Class Sniper and, her essence quality was also High-tier. "Good, good, finally a worthy hero," the Elder praised her.

Ellie also became a Unique Class Sniper and got High-tier essence quality just like her sister. "Twin High-tier sniper, hahaha," the Elder laughed in amusement.

"Next, Lucas Rosewarth, come forth," the Elder announced.

Since none of the awakened kids were allowed to the seal, everyone's eyes were on Lucas. They looked at Lucas with the hope of a miracle. Some people and Heroes in the crowd even began to pray to their Hero of Protection for Lucas.

"Finally, wait and watch," Lucas got up from his seat and made his way towards the jade shield.

He stood there and put his hand on the shield. Everyone held their breath.

Suddenly, the sky became dark. The wind began to blow like a tornado over the giant jade statue. Green thunder began to strike the wind tornado fiercely.

"He is the one," The Butcher got up from his seat and screamed.

Everyone was watching the inexplainable view in awe.

"What will you do now, my old friend Lucas?" a shadowy figure spoke slowly from far away as if he is gravely injured and began to walk away from the area.

A wave of green and purple essence began to spread out from the jade shield.

"Unknown Essence type, Unknown Class," The Butcher screamed in excitement.

"Stronger than Eons, impossible or miracle I don't know anymore," the Elder fell to his knees.

The piece of seal suddenly flew above Lucas.

"Do it, kid, awaken the.....," before Butcher could finish giving his order, the piece seal began to glow vibrantly.

A large portal opened on the platform. A green hue began to pour out of the portal.

"I thought they went extinct," a deep voice came from the portal, "A survivor, there is still hope," an old man emerged from the unknown portal.

After seeing the old man, tears began to fall from Lucas's eyes, "How? no What are you?" questioned Lucas.

"[MEMORY MANIPULATION] was used on the last fallen Hero but, no one remembered," the old man spoke in a deep voice.

Everyone was confused by the old man's words about the fallen Hero. Lucas, on the other hand, began to doubt his memories. He thought that if he believes that man's words, then which part of his memories was tampered with and who did it.

"If what you said is true, then tell me, old man, who and when?" Lucas spoke in confusion after hearing the old man.

"Gather the pieces and, the truth will reveal itself," the old man pointed his finger at Lucas.

"A word of a dead man, I saw you die, I was there," Lucas screamed at the unknown man with tears in his eyes.

"When time stops, reality breaks, and, when reality breaks, only fragments remain," the old man spoke in a sad voice as he looked at Lucas, "My time is almost up."

The portal began to sink. The old man began to walk towards the shrunken portal.

"Wait, what is he? and, how can you know a little kid who never saw the seal?" The Butcher screamed at the old man pointing his finger at Lucas.

"A change is coming, and hidden Heroes from shadow will rise once again," a voice of a woman came from the portal, "But, will you succeed where we failed?"

"Yes, Yes, the truth will eventually come to light," another deep voice of a woman came from the portal, "But, first you need to survive."

"Hahaha, we have planted the seed today, now I wonder if the new era of Heroes will be ready when they arrive in this last reality," another voice came from the portal but, it was not a human voice, "Hurry up, old man time is almost up."

The old man went into the portal and, as the portal began to vanish, a voice came from that unknown portal, " The Fallen Hero, Limitless Class Weapon Master, Essence quality Unknown."