Level Up Legacy

Cassius started shaking for the first time in his life. He stepped back inside his gray world, his haven, as he looked at Arthur Silvera with apprehension. His eyes squinted and darted from one side to the other, unable to believe this was real.

“You are running out of time, Cassius,” said Arthur Silvera with a smile as he looked at the people around. “However, it wouldn’t matter if you keep coming back here. You will always find me standing here whenever you stop time.”

“That is not possible,” said Cassius with a frown as he flung his arms, rising golems from the ground. “You cannot use your powers here!”

“And what would stop me?” asked Arthur as he grabbed the same sword with which he executed the earlier enemy. It rippled like a whip under his command while his spiritual energy started leaking again. “You should have preserved your life, Cassius. Yet, you came back to me. If so, I will haunt you for the rest of your days.”

The spiritual energy flared up from Arthur Silvera, and his golden mana coiled around the sword. Cassius started shaking again as his golems crumbled to the ground. He knew that no heavenly being would bring him back if this attack struck him again.

“Get away from me!” shouted Cassius as he flew away into the frozen world. Arthur Silvera appeared in the sky above him, bringing his sword downward at him. Cassius dodged the attack and soared higher, leaving Arthur Silvera behind.

All the calamity could think about was to get as far as he could from the man who invaded his world. His time-stopping ability has been broken twice, and there was nothing more to give him confidence.

“How did I grow so weak?” muttered Cassius with confusion. Even against the creator, he used to be powerful enough to hold his ground. However, now, nothing seemed to work.

As he ran for his life, Cassius experienced his first helplessness. He has met an enemy that he could not defeat and who would hunt him down all of his life. Cassius soared toward a distant mountain south of Helios before he caught his breath.

“Is this as fast as you can run?” asked Arthur Silvera, who appeared sitting behind him. He seemed at leisure and inspecting the surrounding. “How long can you maintain this world for?”

“Disappear!” roared Cassius as he controlled the mountain to split apart and engulf Arthur Silvera. His efforts were successful, as the man fell into the hole without any resistance, and the mountain regained its ship. Then, as he began to feel at ease, Arthur Silvera appeared in the same spot again.

***

Suyin stared at the calamity using his shard again. He disappeared while facing Arthur, but he never reappeared. Instead, Arthur Silvera stood alone on the battlefield, seeming baffled. Then, he burst out laughing.

“What… what happened?” stammered Little Yin as she walked forward and looked around. “Where is Cassius? Is it over?”

“I think it is?” said Arthur with doubt as his laughter faded. “I tried something before he disappeared but never assumed it would work. This is… truly hilarious.”

It was her first time seeing him laugh so much, making her smile. Even the rest of the rebels and knights seemed to look at him more humanely after seeing him act like an ordinary man.

“What have you tried?” she asked, curious.

“The ultimate weakness of arrogance is the lack of awareness about one’s situation and dismissal of surrounding. I expected the calamity to be prone to illusions but never thought they would be so effective.”

“What kind of illusion did you create?” asked Suyin with shock. If such a simple tactic worked against a calamity, humans didn’t need to suffer all this time.

“I made him see his deepest fears,” said Arthur with a smile. “I expected it not to work because I doubted a calamity filled with pride would have any fears. But, it was somehow… successful.”

Arthur did not know that his earlier battle against the calamity was the real reason for his disturbed mind. He has wounded Cassius with a lifelong trauma, making him easier to lose his composure.

“Then, is it over?” asked Suyin with confusion. Arthur smiled before raising his hand, sending a bolt of golden mana toward the sky. It burst out to create a giant screen that faced the citizens on the ground, showing himself.

“Dear citizens,” began Arthur with a smile. “This long fight is over, but it will be the beginning of countless battles. I seek no crown or throne but wish that Ilios would stand strong in the future challenges.”

The citizens stared at the screen with confusion before joy filled their faces. However, none dared to cheer yet, hoping to hear what Arthur Silvera wanted to say.

“We lost many to the fallen beings and unjust emperors. However, many good leaders remain in Ilios, seeking to work for it. These men and women will lead Ilios to a better future where nothing can harm it again. I will remain in Helios until it can stand strong against predators. Thus, I want to seek your help. Many cities of Ilios have no idea what has happened here today or the truth about the emperor. Be the voice of truth in the world, and let your brothers and sisters see the light. This is the beginning of a new era, and you will be its bannermen.”

After he made his speech, Arthur looked at the knights who remained behind. The rebels were staring at him, waiting for their command, with Vruckrus in the vanguard. The giant stared at him with a grin, which made Arthur walk toward him. Suyin followed him.

“Take your men and arrest whoever sided with the emperor or got left behind from the armies,” said Arthur to the giant who was thrice his size. “Treat them well. Most of them will either be hostages or the new troops of Helios.”

“What about them?” asked Vruckrus as she raised a brow at the soldiers standing around the dead Ilia Perli. Arthur stared at them briefly before leaving the giant and heading their way.

“Is there anyone here who wishes to fight?” asked Arthur, but the soldiers did not respond. Ilia Perli was covered with his jacket as the soldiers silently stood around him. Arthur did not say anything and instead walked through the crowd of soldiers.

A man blocked his path. It was one of the knights that served under Ilia, and the two of them fought together against Amelio. His glasses hid sorrowful eyes behind them before the man asked Arthur to leave.

“We hold no resentment against you, and none of us here wish to fight. However, please leave us to show our respect,” said the knight. Arthur Silvera was quiet before raising his hand. Indigo-colored runes appeared, and Arthur teleported them before any of them could say a thing.

Suyin got teleported as well. As she landed on the ground and looked around, she realized she was inside the deepest layers of the Runic Dome. The knights were confused and alert, as most grabbed their weapons.

“Uncover the body,” commanded Arthur.

Although looking confused, the knight still obeyed. He crouched down, raised the jacket, and watched as Ilia Perli transformed into a lump of metal. Gasps spread among the crowd, and confused voices echoed.

“What is this, Arthur Silvera?” asked the glasses-knight. His eyes held both confusion and hope, which Arthur did not betray. “Can it be…”

“I killed Ilia Perli, but he was not the man I struck. Ilia Perli was a prisoner of his vows and people, and he died the moment we fought together in Kera. However, the man I struck down is recovering behind that door,” said Arthur as he pointed toward one of the guest rooms. “He is waiting for me, but you need to see him more.”

“…it was his wish to die…” one of the soldiers said hesitantly.

“It was his wish to end his life, which I did. No one will ask about him anymore, and he doesn’t need to abide by the spiritual contract he made with the Yalen King. I negated that as well.”

“Why are you doing all of this?” asked the glasses knight as he rose. His eyes were still doubtful, but Arthur could see the sorrow fade. These men truly cared about their leader.

“Ilia Perli is a good man, which makes him rare in our world. I want him to be here when everything ends so that he can help rebuild this world anew.”

“When everything ends?” repeated the knight.

“After what I saw today, I realized the misery this world suffers. Every citizen in this world is a hostage of his ruler, and we almost lost a million souls to the selfish whims of an arrogant emperor. Therefore, I will bring this world to the ground if I have to and build it anew for its people.”