"A hero is an ordinary individual who finds the strength to persevere and endure in spite of overwhelming obstacles." -Christopher Reeve
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LUTHER|
Five days have passed since Roland and Azrael passed away. I still haven't been able to forgive myself for not being able to save them.
While they are fighting against the enemies to the death, I was in my room sleeping in peace.
I was supposed to be with them. I'm their King yet I let them die in the hands of those demons.
Roland... He's been my friend for as long as I can remember. I become a king at the young age of twenty three. I was supposed to be his Elder Brother. I'm two years older than him, yet I wasn't able to do anything to save them.
Alone in the outskirts, I'm standing infront of the spot where the grave of my brother and his wife lies.
"Roland, Azrael. Why did the two of you chose to die on your own?" My tears are starting to build up from my eyes but I must hold it in. I'm the King, it's not proper for me to show my weakness, specially to the one I consider as my younger brother...
I lay the flowers that I brought to their graves and continue to stare at them as if I'm talking to them in person.
"I know that you've already forgiven me, but the problem is... It is I, who can't forgive myself for letting the two of you die." I sniff countless of times trying to stop my tears from falling. I know he won't like it if I shed tears right now.
The only thing I know I can do is to take all the blame of their deaths. I will take full responsibility for what happened. I'm the King, if Roland wants to protect it, I'll even give my life for this Kingdom too.
I stayed here in their graves for a moment when one of my soldiers rushed to me and inform me about something.
He bows in front of me and continue his report. "You're Majesty, King Arthur Pendragon of Camelot is here, he's asking your presence."
Uncle Arthur? What is he doing here? I didn't receive any letters coming from him that he'll be coming here in Enthopia? Something must've happened.
"Is he alone?" I asked.
"Yes, Your Majesty."
He's alone, huh? I fix my clothes and immediately enter the carriage that will take me back to the Royal Castle.
I wonder what is uncle's business with me? But I must come to him immediately, it must've been something important.
When I arrived at the castle, I was told that Uncle Arthur was in the balcony of the castle. By the time I arrived, he was sipping on a cup of tea with my wife and son accompanying him.
"Your Majesty, how may I aide you?" I asked while bowing my head.
"Don't be so uptight towards me, Luther. Your father, William, was always been a good friend of mine, I consider you as my own nephew." He stated and made me sit in the chair next to him.
"I'm sorry uncle, so, what's with the sudden visit?" I asked.
"I want to talk to you and Merlin personally." He stated as he continues to sip his tea.
I see, it must be serious if he also asks for Merlin's presence, but I still have no idea what's happening right now.
I signaled one of my soldiers to come and he immediately respond to my call. "Please ask the Grand Sorceress, Merlin to come here immediately. King Arthur wants to talk to the two of us."
The soldier rushed to where Merlin is, my wife, Igraine also excused herself with my son, Sigurd because she said she wants to give us some privacy. I guess she also thought that what uncle wants to talk about is something serious.
After a few moments, Merlin arrived here in the castle's balcony. She immediately bow to Uncle Arthur and sit with us.
"We're here now, uncle. What do you want us to talk about?" I asked.
He took a deep sigh and a faint sad smile slowly forms in his lips and said.
"My son, Lionheart died in a battle against Abaddon." I stood up in shock after hearing what uncle just said.
"H-Hey, uncle... T-that's not a good joke... Lionheart can't die... Tell me that's not true!" He didn't answer but he just looked at me with a sad eyes...
I sat there in frustration. This isn't happening... After Roland, now it's Lionheart? This isn't funny anymore. My brothers are dying, one after another! I can't take this anymore!
I looked at Merlin but she's just sitting there, remaining silent. I don't know what she's thinking. Even I, don't know what to think anymore!
I looked in to her eyes, but it feels like as if it was already dead... She's holding it back... Deep inside her heart, she wants to scream and cry...
"And Merlin, I would like to give this to you." He said and mumbles "storage."
He took out an armor inside his storage spell and hand it over to Merlin. "Lionheart told me to give this to you." He uttered. I can feel the sadness in his voice and tears are starting to fall from his eyes but he manage to hold it in.
"He wants you to have this. My son loves you, Merlin. He said he'll be seing you on the other side..."
"I will accept it, thank you, King Arthur." She response plainly and took the armor from uncle. She's moving like a soulless person...
"Now that my son is gone, I will join the battle myself." I was shocked because of what he says. This is too much! He's already too old for this!
"Uncle! You don't have to do that! I'll send one of the heroes to Camelot once they arrive!" But he just shook his hands and smile at me.
"You don't have to do that, Luther. It's my duty as a father to carry the will of my own son." He said as he stand up and placed his hands on my shoulders.
"Don't punish yourself too hard, Luther. Even if you are a King, there are things that you can't control. Those are the words of your late father." He added as he took his leave, leaving me and Merlin along here in the balcony.
I placed both of my hands on my knees as I try to suppress my frustrations...
Is there really nothing I can do in this situation!? Am I going to be hopeless once more!? Damn it! I lost yet another one of them! I'm so useless...
I looked at Merlin who's still sitting there in silence while holding the tattered armor of Lionheart that was covered with blood in her hands.
I can't help but to laugh bitterly... I'm not the only one who's hurting right now... Merlin also considers Roland a brother, and Lionheart as a man she loved the most... I know that for a long time...
They weren't even able to achieve their happiness... it's so vexing, it's driving me mad...
She's been holding back long enough... She doesn't have to keep it all to herself now...
I stand up and walk towards her. I stand behind her back and a faint sad smile was formed in my lips.... I wrapped my arms around her as I uttered...
"You've done well holding it in... It's time to let it all go now..."
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MERLIN|
"You've done well holding it in... It's time to let it all go now..."
After hearing those words, my tears starts to fall on it's own without my control...
My already broken heart started to shatter into tinier pieces...
It hurst so bad...
I was already prepared for what might happened but it still hurts so bad...
"AAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHH!!!!" I screamed as an endless stream of tears falls from my eyes.
I hugged the tattered armor of Lionheart as if I would never let it go again...
He said he will return...
He promised me that...
"Why? You said we'll get married once you return right? Where are you now Lionheart!?" I don't know what to do anymore...
First Roland and Lady Azrael. And now it's Lionheart... The one that I loved for a long time...
I should've stopped you that day... I should've told you that I love you right from the start...
I can't do anything but to regret all of that... I should've known... I'm the Grand Sorceress yet I let them die...
"I'm sorry... I'm so sorry, Lionheart... Brother Roland... I failed to save both of you..."
I just can't help but to blame myself. I hold the power strong enough to save them both yet I wasn't able to do so...
I feel the warm embrace of King Luther wrapping around my body, making me feel a bit of comfort.
"Shhh... It's alright now, Merlin... Everything will be fine... Your big brother is still here... I won't die..."
I can feel the sadness and pain in his words as I continue to let the tears fall from my eyes...
I know I'm not the only one who's feeling sad right now, but I just can't hold my emotions any longer...
When King Luther removed his tight hug from me, he walks towards the rail of the balcony and my eyes instantly followed him.
And once more, I saw the terrifying power that he holds, his aura is bursting and crackling sounds of thunder and lightning surrounds his whole body. A terrifying power that only he, can control.
The power of the God of Sea and Storm... The power of the Dragon God, Ryuujin....
"I swear by my name, I will not lose anyone anymore... The death of my brothers will not be in vain... I will march with the heroes and slay every demon who gets in my way..."
****
Two days have passed since we received the news regarding the death of The Hero of Flames, Lionheart Pendragon, and it's been a week since The Hero of Light and The Archangel of Death, Roland and Azrael Sasaki passed away.
But that's not all, because today. The new generation of heroes will arrive in the Kingdom.
The new hope of the people who will be entitled as a hero...
I hold the necklace that Lionheart gave to me and smile.
As a guide for the heroes, I swore by name that I will fulfill my duty up until my last breathe, so wait for me there okay? Once this is over, I will follow you...
I waited at the front of the castle for the arrival of the heroes. Any minute now and they will arrive.
After a few moments, I feel the presence of four different people approaching the castle from different directions.
The first one to arrive is a man with long red hair and bow. He is the War Knight, Sir Tristan, Hero of Righteousness.
And the next to arrive, being carried by a chariot. Blonde hair and gallant figure, it could only be him. The Knight of the Sun, Sir Gawaine, Hero of Courage.
The two are already here, and there are two more and one of them is already near us.
A female knight with a blonde and curly hair. The first and only female hero in human history. The Knight of the Moon, Mistress Mamoru, Hero of Wisdom.
And the last one to arrive, a person who has a purple hair and elf blood. The Knight of the Lake, Sir Lancelot, Hero of Love.
With the four of them here, the new generation of heroes is now assembled.
"Thank you for coming, Great Heroes, we're expecting your arrival." I uttered as the four of them bow their heads.
"The pleasure is ours, Lady Merlin." Gawaine stated as the four of them raise their heads.
"King Luther Enthopia is waiting for you at the throne with his queen, allow me to be your guide."
The four of them followed me as I walk to where the throne is.
They immediately kneel in the presence of the King as he stood up in his throne and approach them.
"You may rise, brave heroes, for as of this moment, the four of you will now serve not just the country, but the whole world itself." He stated. "You who holds the power to end the war, I would like to ask for your aide in fighting the Demons."
"It was an honor for us to serve you, My Liege. We will finish the task that was left by the great Hero of Light and Hero of Flames, who serve before us." Tristan stated with pride as the four of them bow and immediately stand firmly after that.
Now that the King has given a few words, it's now my time to show the power of the Grand Sorceress.
Using my sacred weapon, Staff of Judgment, using its end, I hit the floor twice and without any chant. The whole area turns bright as countless of magic circles surrounds me.
"Blessing of the Supreme Sorceress."
That is the skill that I used along with my unique skill, 'The Magus' which is a passive skill that I posses which helps me activate my skills without chanting.
Using the Blessing of the Supreme Sorceress, I bestowed them various buffs such as 'Rapid Regeneration', Rapid Growth'. 'Truesight', 'Magic Defense', and 'Physical Defense' that can help them to become stronger.
"I bestowed you some of my powers, and from here on out, I will continue to be your support and guide, until we achieved our victory."
The four heroes thanked me for the blessing that I gabe them, but I'm just fulfilling me duty...
That's right... This is my duty...
Brother Roland...
Lady Azrael...
Lionheart...
Please continue to support them from above as the four of them will carry your will and finished what you've started...
I know that someday, the good will prevail, the light will swallow the darkness and once and for all, we will finish this never ending war...
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End of chapter 11