The Villain's Story

‘So that’s the question.’

He chuckled, having expected it. He was somehow certain that would be the question, but just because he knew that would be the question didn’t mean he had an answer.

After all, who truly knew death? Alan certainly didn’t.

Was he a great scientist, one of the smartest beings on his planet? Was he a great philosopher? Was he even qualified to be near those guys?

Was he an empath? Or a ruthless warlord? Or something else entirely? Was he divine, to fear death, for he had witnessed its creation, its use? Or was he a new Mythic, relieved that Death would not necessarily be his end?

What was he? Who was he, to understand the various forms of death and accurately give an answer, one that would satisfy his creator? Who was he?

Her heir? Maybe, but was it really guaranteed? Or something else? Alan didn’t know, even when he combed through all his memories, the memories of Aranus, James, and his own… he couldn’t give a concrete answer.

He saw many kinds of ‘Death’ in his memories, but what did it mean? What could be explained about it? What answer should it be?

It was complex, severely complex, at a level Alan wasn’t ready for, maybe at a level he would never be ready for, but at the same time, it was incredibly simple.

He wasn’t a divine being, he wasn’t a mythical powerhouse, he wasn’t a philosopher, he wasn’t a scientist. At the same time, he wasn’t a realist, nor was he an empath, or a warlord who didn’t give a damn about it.

In the end, he was a kid, a kid who was barely four years of age if we were talking about it literally. Someone his age, even with an enhanced mind free of the seal. He had no business knowing what death truly was. If we were considering his natural lifespan, he was far, far from having such thoughts. And so…

“I… don’t know.”

He answered, and Ariel revealed a small smile. The reality of Death, what it could truly be explained, was both simple and complex to people. On one side of the coin, one could endlessly debate about it and try to pinpoint the exact definition of death, taking into account its many forms, the stories left after it, the history engraved in memories, and on the other side of the coin, one could simply say he didn’t know.

The latter was more correct in Alan’s eyes, for he truly had no business in contemplating something like this, nor was he reaching a point where he should be. In front of Ariel, a vague answer like the end wouldn’t work. He couldn’t say it was a skill that everyone feared, or any of the other numerous names it had.

Neither could he prostrate himself and say ‘You’, to Ariel. It didn’t feel right, and so, Alan just went with his gut. He just went with what he thought he should say, what it really was to him.

It was an enigma, it was something he was too young to understand, something he had no business knowing right now.

And it was correct, in the truest way. No one can truly comprehend death; they can simply come to terms with its many forms.

The smile remained on her face, but she didn’t say anything. Alan and Ariel stared at each other, their eyes locked onto each other as silence ensued. After what seemed like an eternity, she stood up from her throne, and just as she did, it all disappeared.

The bones vanished instantly, and she approached Alan, saying.

“Yes, that was the correct answer for you.”

A system window popped in front of him, the black interface with unusually detailed white outlines. On it, was neither his status nor his various techniques, his affinities or anything like that, but a simple word.

[Death.]

The skill he had acquired when he drank Ariel’s ichor, and obtained the lineage of death, her legacy. It was always an enigma to Alan, and he was never successful in using it.

It was the only skill besides [Destitute of Darkness] that he could not use, although for [Destitute of Darkness], he had a feeling he would grasp it soon. But for [Death]? He had no idea. Perhaps he would never grasp it.

Even Azmakul, a Divine Dragon, had lost [Death]; even he couldn’t use this skill despite possessing it, so what chance did he have? Would he ever grasp the usage of this ancient skill?

Ariel extended her hand, interfering directly with the system window. She had created it, so of course, she could do it, but it still left Alan surprised. But she didn’t do much, simply putting a question mark after the name of the skill.

[Death?]

“Over time, your own understanding of it will develop the skill; it will come to you at random times, or even in the most crucial of moments. Over time, you will have a view of death you consider your own.

And when that happens, you will be capable of using it.”

She paused for a moment, sending the system window away as she looked down at Alan, and affirmed.

“You’ve passed the trial. Congratulations.”

Alan heaved a sigh of relief as he felt the ‘lineage’ within his body grow stronger, forming a deeper connection with his blood. Ariel watched it all happen as she put a single finger on his forehead.

“The Panoply is an artifact I created after the death of Shi; it’s an essential part of me, capable of both manipulating the authority of Death and resisting it. However, Causality still restricts it. The Weave always has a keen eye on it.

Once equipped, it will make you immune to the effects of True Death thrice, after that, I would have to intervene personally, at a great cost.

If you die normally, and no change is made to the weave, the panoply will gather energy from the surroundings and store it until it has enough to revive you. This cannot be stopped by anyone but me.

In addition, it also grants you the ability of unaging. You will remain at the best state always unless heavily injured. It is also capable of transformation, it can transform your body to any stage of life you wish for it, whether a baby or an old man. Your strength remains the same in these phases.

The panoply isn’t a literal suit of armor like you would expect, like the one Aranus or Ardoris had, but rather a suit of armor in the Weave. It will tightly bind itself to your existence. In addition, it will also enhance the skill of Death once you understand it.

However, if you abuse it, I’ll take it away without a second thought. Just because you have the ability to resurrect doesn’t mean you should throw your life away all the time.

Only by cherishing your life will you truly begin to understand Death.”

She explained the effects of the Panoply, the strongest artifact of the house of death. But more importantly than that, it was a guarantee!

It was a guarantee that Alan would eventually rise to the Mythical Realm! Furthermore, with the connection it had with Ariel, it was also something that could protect him from The Creator to a certain extent.

The best defensive artifact to exist, and if Alan could understand the unique skill of Death… It would turn into a capable offensive artifact as well, and much more.

It truly was an heirloom of the house of death, one of the five dragon houses. Alan wondered what kind of effects the heirlooms of the other houses would have.

Would Life have something similar?

Ariel lowered her head, looking at Alan who was half her size and said.

“A ritual is needed to bestow it upon you.”

‘A ritual?’

He thought, wondering what kind of ritual it would be. He hoped he wouldn’t have to do something too hard, but after taking a moment to consider it.

It was worth it for the panoply, any task was nothing if the price was that artifact.

Ariel chuckled. Having read his mind.

“It’s nothing like that.”.

Alan was glad he wouldn’t have to do anything outlandish.

She extended her hand towards Alan, and put a single finger on his forehead, and slightly pushed down.

Alan felt his feet sink into the Black Realm, his strong and robust body incapable of resisting the single finger.

His body was gently guided to the Black Realm, disappearing within it, as Ariel explained the ritual.

“You don’t have to do anything, just don’t resist it. Everything else is to be left to me. Try to think of it as a baptism…

Yes, a baptism is fitting.”

Slowly but surely, his body disappeared under the Black Realm, leaving only his head above. His consciousness began to dim. He closed his eyes, and the last thing he heard was.

“I’ve also included another thing… Think of it as a gift, a chance to deal with ‘him’.”