Out and into the physical world, Arthur was hit by a sudden influx of light.
Rapidly blinking a few times, Arthur couldn't help but groan in discomfort.
However, finding that blinking didn't help his eyes adjust quicker. He simply covered his eyes with his hand.
"It will get better as time goes on," laughed the Old Man as he watched Arthur struggle with the drastic change from consciousness to reality.
"Why is it so bad?"
"It like that for everyone's first time. The more times you do it, the better it gets. I promise."
"Mmm, I trust you. Wait, where are Cal and Aegon? I didn't see them when I first woke up."
OOMF-OOMF!
Just as the last of Arthur's words left his mouth, he felt a cube land on top of his head as something heavy fell onto his lap.
...
After a few minutes, Arthur could finally open his eyes.
Gazing at the back of the Old Man as he quietly watched their home for the past fifteen years. Arthur couldn't help but feel melancholic.
Over the past ten years, Arthur onerously trained with Old Man in preparation for the day he would return to the Realm.
After finding out what had happened to his parents, Arthur's desire to grow stronger was only eclipsed by his need to know more about what exactly happened to his family. Leading him to the realization that his chosen Path, the Sovereign Path, was the most effective route.
Because of that, Arthur's nose was constantly buried in all kinds of books, from governance to all sorts of crafts, in hopes that he would become a phenomenal Sovereign. After all, only with the power and resources of a strong Sovereignty will he be able to scour the Realm, searching for answers and achieve his goal for a peaceful Realm.
But all of that would be for naught if his personal strength was weak.
Hence, a brutal training regime with the Old Man. From running from hordes of monsters to 'train' his endurance. To balancing on a thin pole, hundreds of meters of the ground reciting the uses of various runes while being bombarded with orbs of lighting. To learning to fight with all of his senses blocked, and everything in between. It would be an understatement to say Arthur was 'prepared.'
"All better?" smiled the Old Man as he turned around.
"Yep," nodded Arthur as he patted Aegon, who burst into particles of light that flowed toward the fang tattoo on the left of his chest. Followed with a poke to Cal, who also burst into particles of light, turning into a floating crystal that embedded itself at the center of Arthur's leather armor.
Standing up, Arthur walked up beside the Old Man as he fully took in their home. The ever beautiful lake, soft green grass, and peaceful forest.
Releasing a sigh, Arthur lifted his head, gazed at a massive cottage that floated high above the lake. 'Time really does go by fast.'
"Ready?" asked the Old Man as he placed a hand on Arthur's head.
"I was born ready."
"Heh, cheeky as always. Alright, first pull out the necklace you've been wearing. It's your father's. There should be something in it ready for you."
Nodding, Arthur took off his necklace. Disconnecting it, he let the ring it held swirl down into his hand.
It was a simple silver ring adorned with four unknown blue crystals equidistant from one another, in addition to reddish-gold runes etched between the crystals. It was a simple but beautiful ring.
Observing the ring for a moment, Arthur felt a tap on his forehead.
"Go on, put it on."
Nodding, Arthur placed the ring on his right index finger. Immediately, the ring released a soft purple light as it tightened onto Arthur's finger.
Instantly, Arthur felt his consciousness swallowed as he appeared in an incredibly luxurious storage room.
Made with the complementary of light blue, red, and black stones, the room gave off a strong feeling of grandioseness, despite its small size.
Nevertheless, looking around, Arthur saw countless squares ingresses guarded by a light blue film.
Making a full circle, Artur noticed that three of the films were missing, and of the three, one of them seemed to be still holding something.
Focusing on that window, a box suddenly appeared before Arthur.
Looking within, a small crystal presented itself to Arthur.
Curious, Arthur reached out to touch it and immediately felt his consciousness shift as he appeared back in front of the Old Man with the crystal in hand.
Looking down, Arthur asked in puzzlement. "What is this?"
"Your parents' birthday gift."
"Hmm?"
"Hold on a sec; this will make it easier."
Stepping forward, the old man placed his thumbs over Arthur's eyes. "This is my gift to you, Happy Birthday Artie."
As his words ended, a white light engulfed the Old Man's thumbs.
Feeling the Old Man lift his hands, Arthur opened his sapphire eyes, which now had a white halo around them – Omniscient Eyes.
Looking around, he was slightly surprised as he could make out distinctive traits of all of the soundings, including the flow of energy.
"Now, try looking at the crystal!"
Listening to the Old Man, Arthur shifted his eyes to the crystal in his hand.
"Woah!"
.
[> Name: Sovereign Crystal <]
[> Type: Special Legacy <]
[>Summary: A must-have item for those pursuing the Sovereign's Path. Not only does it allow an individual to create a settlement from scratch, but it also comes with a slew of perks and boons as the Settlement grows. And courtesy of this being Legacy Sovereign Crystal, it also contains special gifts from the Sovereign Legacy it is carrying on. Note to make use of this, it must be fully linked to an individual's soul (Fusion Rate Varies). As for how to begin Soul Link, just circulate one's energy into it to begin fusion. Also, to truly embark on the Path of a Sovereign, a Trial awaits you at the end of the fusion. Should one fail the Trail, one's Growth Path(s) will be crippled. Fuse with caution.<]
.
"Woah! Thanks, grandpa!" Burst Arthur as his eyes shone with excitement, ignoring the last of bit information.
Watching Arthur's excitement, the Old man couldn't help but smile.
Circulating energy into the crystal in his hand, Arthur immediately felt a burning sensation as the crystal began to sink into his palm until it was completely swallowed.
[> Soul Link: 0.1/100<]
"Oh right, you should know that your eyes won't be able to see information on everything for the time being due to your strength being too low right now. But you shouldn't have too much trouble when it comes to most beasts, plants, and such. On the other hand, for people and certain entities, you will have to be a bit stronger than you are right now. Also-"
OMPF!
Before the Old Man could continue, he felt Arthur grab onto him. "Thank you, grandpa…sniff…sniff….I will definitely make you proud."
"Yeah, yeah, I will know you will," chuckled the Old Man, as he hugged Arthur tightly.
Still sniffling, Arthur turned his head upward, "will I be alright?"
"Heh, aren't you looking down on my training too much?" smiled the Old Man as he ruffled Arthur's hair.
"eh heh, I guess you're right," responded Arthur, as he grabbed onto the Old Man tighter.
"Oh right," continued the Old Man, as he stroked Arthur's hair," there will be massive war beginning soon in the Realm. Try to prepare as much as you can, alright?"
"Huh?" asked Arthur as he turned his head up again.
Smiling, the Old Man let go of Arthur as he bent down down a little. Flashing a grin, the Old Man poked Arthur's forehead.
"Goodbye, little one."
VOOOM!
Before Arthur could react, he felt everything shift as the Old Man and the world around him disappeared.
Seeing Arthur disappear, a pained smiled appeared on the Old Man's face. 'He should be alright…right?... Ah! Beanstalks! I forgot to tell him that it will take him a while to adjust…..he should be fine…..should.'
Saddened by Arthur's departure, Old Man released a heavy sigh as he began to walk toward the nearby lake as he peacefully hummed.
'You came into my life, just like another season.'
'Not for long, just a time, just like another season.'
'Maybe this time next year, you'll reappear for an unknown reason.'
Reaching the lake, the Old Man sighed again as he waved a hand.
Following the wave of the Old Man's hand, the lake began to ripple violently for a few moments as the golden apple shot out towards the Old Man. Upon reaching the Old Man, the golden apple stopped as it hovered a meter away from the Old Man.
'Like the sun gives into the moon into the night.'
'Time continues marching….'
Looking at the apple before him, the Old Man moved his hand to grab it when he couldn't help but notice the faint line of a cut in his palm.
Focusing on the cut for a moment, the Old Man turned his hand as black and white marks began to appear. After a moment, the image of a snake eating its own tail soon appeared etched into his hand.
Observing the circular symbol, the Old Man turned to his palm again and whispered, "I wonder what you will do then, my little Godslayer." As he waved his hand again and, along with the golden apple, disappeared.
However, as they disappeared, the mystical place suddenly collapsed on itself until soon, nothing was left.
...
…
Appearing in a grand circular hall, the Old Man's footsteps could be heard as he approached a golden throne situated at the hall's head.
The hall was quite majestic, with impressive golden pillars holding a massive crystal dome. If one were to look closer to the pillars, each of them was engraved with a unique emblem at their highest points.
On one pillar, its symbol was a pyramid with a shining eye atop it, giving off a brilliant radiance. On another pillar, its symbol was the front view of a temple seated in clouds, giving off an ethereal feel. And another was a floating city connected to a bridge. Amongst these few, there were a plethora of other pillars along with their own unique symbols. However, they all shared one thing in common. They all gave off a divine feeling.
However, the most eye-catching part of the grand hall wasn't its pillars; it was its floor.
Etched into the massive white floor was a snake on a green background. It was half black and half white. But, the most interesting thing about it was that it was eating its tail –an Ouroboros, the symbol of eternity and cycles.
Seated on the throne, the Old Man released a heavy breath as he rested his head on his left fist while he lightly tapped on the throne's right arm with his right index finger.
VOOOM!
Suddenly the atmosphere in the hall changed as, one by one, people began to appear.
Some appeared with waves of fire, others with bolts of lightning, and others in rays of light.
However, despite their powerful entrances, the moment they all appeared, they all immediately fell on a knee and roared in unison.
""""We Greet Father!"""
Hearing this, Old Man simply nodded, and with a wave of his hand, permitted them to stand.
"Tell me, children, what have you all been up to these years?"