Chapter 554 King’s Sword (Part 2)
"Who are you exactly?" Kaizen inquired after promising that this was his last question.
Aelon looked at Kaizen with a serious expression. She knew that one day or another this question would come up, so she wasn't even surprised. She took a deep breath before she began to speak.
"If you must know, Kaizen, then I believe the time has come for me to share my life story." Aelon began. "Many years ago, when the great evil that controlled the Orcs still plagued Midgard, the King of Tretidian knew that one day his close ones would be directly attacked, or at least his home would. And somehow he knew that he had no power to defeat the enemy either, he knew that his time was coming to an end and that it was crucial to protect the future of Midgard. So he made a difficult and brave decision..."
Aelon paused for a moment, gathering his memories and emotions before continuing.
"Before his passing, the King hid the great love of his life in a secluded and protected village. At that time, I was just a fetus that probably didn't even have a brain, I was still being formed in the belly of the woman he hid..." Aelon explained. "He did that to make sure that at least his bloodline would survive."
Kaizen's eyes widened in surprise upon hearing this revelation. "That means you are..."
Without giving Kaizen time to finish his sentence, Aelon nodded. "Over the years, as I grew up in the village, I was trained by wise mages and the best warriors of Tretidian." Aelon continued. "I learned about the history of Midgard, about the history of magic and about the power of the King's sword. And when I finally turned 16, I could take over my father's throne to continue the kingdom he created."
Aelon reached out towards the King's Sword, which was now resting next to them, propped against the trunk of a fallen tree. She stroked it reverently and a glint of power and knowledge shone in her eyes as a low, vibrating hum was emitted from the sword.
"I know it may be useless to say this to you, Kaizen, but by now you must have understood that the King's Sword is not only a legendary weapon, but also an artifact, a receptacle. Here, fragments of the memories of all the kings of Tretidian exist, including mine." Aelon said and behind her dozens and dozens of silhouettes appeared, whose eyes glowed in different colors. "It is through this soul fragment that is stored in the sword that I can communicate with you."
"But... why me?"
Aelon's eyebrows rose in surprise and he replied:
"Do you still not understand? Kaizen, you are currently the scales of fate. You are the one who will choose what will happen to the world. Will you protect the King's Sword or use it? Will you fight The Eye of Hermodr or will you support them and put an end to it all? I'm just the mediator in this, an advisor so to speak, doing her last job as the former queen of Tretidian. By now, most of my soul is partying in Valhalla with Odin. So you need to know that the fate of the world is in your hands." Then she looks at him and holds out the King's Sword with both hands, bestowing it upon him. "However, don't forget, you are the Psyker, perhaps one of the only beings in all the worlds who has the power can reveal the true potential of this weapon, be careful."
[The King's Sword is placed before you.]
[If you wield it, you will be accepting the title 'Protagonist of the End of the World' and an exclusive story mission called 'Ragnarok' will appear for you at a certain time.]
He looked into Aelon's eyes, seeing the confidence and wisdom reflected in them. He knew she was right. He was the balance of fate, and it would be up to him to decide the course of events that would shape the future of Midgard. With a mixture of emotions, from apprehension to determination, but never nervousness, Kaizen raised his hand and held the King's Sword. An intense power coursed through his body, connecting him to the fragments of the souls of the Tretidian kings.
"I accept this responsibility, Aelon." Kaizen declared in a firm voice. "I will protect the King's Sword and play my part as Psyker."
[You have accepted the King's Sword.]
[You have obtained the King's Sword (Divine Item).].
[You have obtained the title 'Protagonist of the End of the World'].
Aelon smiled, a smile full of pride and hope. She knew that Kaizen was ready to take on this crucial role, to become the guardian of Midgard.
"I trust you, Kaizen." stated Aelon. "You have the courage and determination to face the challenges that lie ahead. Remember, you are not alone. There are powerful allies at your side, ready to fight alongside you and defend Midgard, only you need more, because the battle that awaits you requires more."
Kaizen was at first surprised by the Divine rank of the King's Sword, but then he looked at Aelon and all the Tretidian kings present in her shadows, and a smile broke out on his face. He felt a new determination rise within him, an unshakable strength that drove him forward.
"I will not fail." said Kaizen with conviction.
Just like that, as in the blink of an eye, Kaizen was back to the scene when he finally reached the King's Sword. He looked around himself, holding the sword, and saw the monster's innards again.
"Good... I'm still inside the guts of that thing..." Kaizen muttered. "I think it's time to get out of that place."
Kaizen then opened his inventory and took out a Teleportation Crystal.
"Home." He whispered and the crystal in his left hand glowed. However, instead of the crystal shattering or breaking as it normally would, its glow dimmed and an unusual window appeared before Kaizen's eyes.
[You are inside a creature, you cannot use a Teleportation Crystal].
This message made Kaizen laugh with a certain irony, and then he said:
"For some reason, I was hopeful that this would happen.... I was really looking forward to testing the power of this sword with my own hands and seeing what a Divine weapon is capable of."
𝐟𝗿𝐞𝐞𝐰𝐞𝐛𝗻𝗼𝐯𝐞𝗹.𝗰𝗼𝐦