Chapter 878 Sword Of Creation
A green flame traveled through the streets of Helios, taking its time as it relived memories of its owner: the orphanage, the stream, and the now deserted market of the lower districts. The tiny flame visited every corner and alley that had once been the headquarters of their childhood adventures.
The final destination of its visit was the Dawn Plaza, where the final battle occurred. However, its arrival caused a stir because one of the two fighters paused to stare at it.
The crowned man stared at the green flames, which swayed in the wind, bidding its farewell. He reached out to touch it, allowing it to rest on his hand as it burned the last of its owner"s life force.
"Lyle is gone," muttered Arthur with realization as he stared at the green flames. The world was confused since the creature of nothingness had launched its attack to terrorize the citizens. Countless people started screaming as they turned into fallen beings against their wills after being touched by the black holes Nameless created.
Rain staggered as she heard his words and then b.u.mbled her way toward Arthur. She stared at the green flames with surprise and confusion before tears appeared. Her fingers reached out toward the fire, which covered her fingers gently.
"Has he truly…" muttered Rain with a choked voice, as her tears overflowed to cover her face. It was the first time Arthur saw her show such emotions, making him realize how much Lyle meant to her. "Can you do anything?"
As for his feelings, Arthur was conflicted. The lingering feelings in the flames didn"t carry hatred and regret but held peacefulness and happiness. It might be the first time that Arthur sensed such emotion from Lyle"s existence, and he didn"t want to disturb him.
"Even if I can do anything or retain his existence, do you think that he wants me to do that?" asked Arthur as he reached out toward the flames. "But I can take us to visit him one last time."
"…please."
"I understand," said Arthur as he stared at Nameless, who was gazing at him with what he sensed to be a mockery. His black holes spread chaos among the crowd, but Arthur didn"t hesitate to write several runes to grant Rain her wish.
[Spiritualize]
[Clairvoyance]
Arthur connected the two runes and pressed them against the green flames, using them as a medium to communicate with the faraway soul. It exploded around them, creating a green mist that transported the two elsewhere. However, the two were merely seeing something in another realm.
The green flames flared up to form the mist, which soon turned into images of two figures standing far away. Arthur and Rain stared at them, recognizing one as Lyle. As for the other person, it was a woman with sky-color hair.
"Am I dead?" muttered Lyle as he stared at himself before turning toward them. His face was hazy and almost ethereal, but it recognized Rain and Arthur. "Am I alive?"
"You died," replied Arthur, making Lyle nod before he turned toward the other woman. He looked at her for a long time until she smiled and reached out. She touched his cheek softly, making tears fall from his eyes. "It seems he is indeed in a better place."
"…farewell, Lyle," said Rain as she stepped toward him with her hand on her chest. "Your mother wanted nothing but happiness for you. I wish that I… could tell you more about her."
Lyle turned toward the two with trembling lips, which soon turned into a smile. "I forgive you," he spoke the three words before the mist started dissipating as the two souls walked toward the distant gate.
Arthur and Rain watched as the mist dwindled into nothing, with the scene engraved into their minds forever. It was a magical place where the lost and wandering souls go. However, what touched them was that girl waited for him at the gate.
"Gate of Souls," muttered Arthur as he stared at the scene. "After he goes through that gate, I cannot revive him anymore. He will be gone forever."
"…I know."
"Are you alright with that?"
"That was the first time I saw Lyle cry, and they were happy tears. Do you think I would take that happiness away from him?" said Rain as she sniffed and turned toward Arthur. "This is what he wanted, right?"
"It is."
"Then, we need to let go too."
Arthur stared into Rain"s teary eyes before nodding. Then, as the mist disappeared, it revealed the chaos-struck battlefield of Helios. Things wouldn"t end until they won against them.
"You seem different too," said Rain as she stared at him, with his viny crown layered with golden flowers. "Is this your true form?"
"This is how I became after remembering her," said Arthur with a smile. "You were right, Rain. Lyle and I are the same. We are obsessed with people we lost and live every moment trying to avenge them."
"And are you satisfied with this ending?" asked Rain as the countless black holes appeared above them. Nameless was there to start their battle. Arthur was quiet before he smiled and shook his head.
"I would be the luckiest if I ended up the same," said Arthur with a smile as he raised his hand. Golden mana gathered on his hand with strings whipping out from them. "This ending… is too good to be true."
The black holes expanded, devouring everything in their path. The Fallen Osian obtained the ability to turn everything into nothing and turn the citizens into fallen beings. However, the golden mana of creation exploded with overbearing might that tore the black holes apart.
"More," muttered Arthur as he clenched his fist, making his mana explode toward the sky in a pillar of light. Then, he lowered his hand as he started walking toward Osian, whose aura exploded to push the mana of creation back.
"This battle… will finally… begin…"
"You didn"t seem to be in a rush," said Arthur as he walked through his golden pillar of light. It gathered around his arms as his runes manifested. "What plan are you stalling for? Your son is dead, and Ca.s.sius is out of the picture. Are you waiting for the reinforcements from above?"
Osian was silent as he raised his arms, each at least a meter and a half long. Then, he started gathering more black holes until he formed a sword of nothingness, which looked like a shard taken from the starless sky.
Arthur smiled and raised his hand as well, gathering his mana of creation to create a sword. The mana folded into itself as it solidified, and Arthur used a rune to give it the final form.
[Sword]
This simple rune created a sword of mana, encapsulating it within specific boundaries. However, it allowed Arthur to infuse more mana into his blade, which can cut through the nothingness.
"It seems that when the strongest two elements collide, fights can end in seconds," said Osian as he raised his sword of nothingness. "I have never lost using this attack, creator."
Arthur raised his sword, letting his mana rampant throughout the plaza. A golden barrier appeared around the plaza as his mana diffused everywhere, pushing the nothingness back. Then, he took his stance.
"You are called the Invincible because you never lost a fight?" asked Arthur as he held the sword of creation with both hands and raised it high.
"Indeed."
"How laughable," said Arthur with a smirk beneath his crown. "You were called the Invincible… because you have never met me."
"Arrogant fool!" roared Osian as he stomped on the ground and bolted forward. s.p.a.ce vaporized between them as the nothingness creature crossed the distance faster than light. He swung his sword, which could devour anything in its path.
"This is not arrogance, Osian," Arthur replied as he swung his sword, making his mana explode. The world started buzzing as his mana left his sea of consciousness, overbearing and threatening. "This is strength."
The Sword of Creation cut through the darkness and nothingness, replacing them. It collided with the dark sword, creating a shockwave that disturbed existence throughout Ilios.
BOOM!
Earthquakes shook the grounds as tsunamis rose to flood the sh.o.r.es. Valleys grew bigger as the mountains moved under the force of the impact. However, the two creatures stood equal against each other, neither being pushed back.
The fallen being in the plaza started screaming and howling as the golden mana reached them, but more citizens began falling into the darkness as it touched them. Then, strings of creation exploded from the colliding swords, wrapping themselves around the nothingness.
"How can you… be so powerful… already?" whispered Nameless with shock and confusion. Then, Osian repeated the question. "You should have been weakened by Eragon, not strengthened!"
"Eragon is indeed an unruly brat," replied Arthur with a smile as he adjusted his feet and brought his sword down. "However, he can only show what I allow him."
Black lightning crackled as it infiltrated the golden mana, seeming to weaken it. However, as the colorless lightning seeped into the surrounding, Arthur started pushing Osian back.