The air was thick with tension as Noboru appeared outside the Temple.
"I have returned," he announced.
"Noboru!" Yumeko exclaimed, rushing over and wrapping him in a hug. "We were worried about you. Are you okay?"
"I am fine," he replied, smiling gently.
"You left without warning. It's not like you," she said, releasing him and stepping back.
"Sorry, I had to deal with something," he said.
"Don't worry, it's not your fault," she reassured him.
"It seems like I've missed a lot. Tell me, what happened?" Noboru asked.
"Well, the remaining Disciples of Darkness priest was here, and he said some things about the Void Queen. They worship her and plan to release her and are after the Relics. I don't trust them, but something feels off about the whole thing. Basically, after Kuro Kage the high priest was killed by your hands and you left us, there were others. Sky, well, he lost control finding out that all this suffering, his mother's death was for them to get the relics, and he killed them. But something strange happened," Yumeko explained.
"Oh. What happened?" Noboru inquired.
"Sky lost control and used a corrupted version of wind aura. Red wind aura. It defied the rules and even ripped through the Disciples Of Darkness Void Barriers, which should have turned the attack into nothing. It's unnatural and it's never been seen before. I think it has something to do with his rage and the emotions connected to it," Yumeko speculated.
"I see. Thank you for the information, Yumeko," Noboru said. "Did they explain why they needed the Relics?"
"Yes, but their plan sounds crazy," Yumeko responded.
"What is it?" Noboru asked.
"They said they wanted to use the relics to create a singularity. Then, once that's done, the Void will consume the singularity and grow, consuming everything that remains, and the Void Queen would be released," Yumeko explained.
"I see. Well then, you better take Sky and report to your Wind God along with your teammate Layla," Noboru said.
"Thank you. I owe you a lot. We all do," Yumeko said, her voice filled with gratitude.
"Don't worry. You've got nothing to worry about. Now, go on. Get moving," Noboru said.
"See you around," she said, waving goodbye.
"Farewell, Yumeko. And be safe," he said as he watched Layla and Yumeko take Sky and leave.
Noboru then turned and entered the temple. Once inside, he noticed the large statue of the first wind god, Arthur Skyward, in the center.
"Wow, this place is huge," he remarked, marveling at the majesty of the ancient temple.
"So this is the legendary Excalibur, one of the Relics," he muttered, observing the sword held aloft by the statue. "I can't let the disciples get their hands on this."
With a surge of will, Noboru channeled his power, teleporting directly onto the statue and yanking the sword from its grasp.
"Hmm, this is a pretty heavy sword," he remarked, holding the massive weapon in one hand.
As he stood on the statue's pedestal, the air in front of him began to shimmer.
"Oh, it's you," he said, seeing the old Sage materialize.
"Noboru, you've been busy," the Sage remarked, noting the sword in Noboru's hand.
"Yes, but this is important. If I don't take this relic, the disciples will get it, and we can't let that happen," Noboru explained.
"Noboru, this relic has been here since the first Wind God, Arthur Skyward. Before that, he was called Arthur Pendragon. His story was simple. An ancient Wind Spirit created this blade because men all over would fight to be king. It was said that whoever drew this sword in those times would be The Once and Future king of the land. Arthur pulled this blade, and the ancient spirit bestowed his blessing upon him and made him king," the Sage explained.
"What does that have to do with me?" Noboru asked.
"That sword allows for complete dominion over the winds, but that's not all. These 4 Relics are the key to accessing the Void and closing it. You see, the Disciples were on to something. These Relics can open the Void, but not by creating a singularity that will just expand the Void. If the chosen one can use all 4 Relics, he can enter the Void and face the Void Queen Yami and use the Relics to close the Void once and for all," The Sage explained.
"So you are saying only the chosen one can wield these relics and seal the Void and save the world and all realms?" Noboru said.
"Yes, and since you are able to draw it from the statue of the previous king, that means you are the chosen one. The destined saviour. Noboru the black star knight, you are the hero this realm needs, and only you can save the world," The Sage said.
"I see. This is a heavy burden, but I will not back down," Noboru declared, accepting his role.
"Very good, Hero-sama, you are the chosen one. You are the only hope this realm has, and with the 4 Relics, you will have the power to close the Void," the Sage said.
"What about the other three relics?" Noboru asked.
"Yes, the Fire Relic is a shield. The Earth Relic is armor, and the Water Relic is a bracelet in its original form but turned into a trident by the Water God as like water it possess the ability change shape. Each Relic gives you complete dominion over the element just by holding it. Once you have all 4 Relics in your hand, you will have access to the power of all elements and sub-elements. These are the relics the first founding elemental gods had obtained, created by ancient spirits of those elements," The Sage said.
"Alright, I understand," Noboru said, accepting his mission.
"Good. Now head to Ignarok. From there, you will find that young sentinels Sky, Yumeko, and Layla will be accompanying Wind God Kaze Hayashi to Ignarok, and that's where the next part of the story is taking place," The Sage said.
"Very well, thank you, Sage. I will do my best," Noboru said.
"You are the only one that can save this world and all worlds. If the Void manages to absorb the singularity and this world, it will start to absorb other realms because once it starts eating, it won't stop, and Yami's will to be free will grow. So be careful, the Void is a dangerous enemy. But with the relics, you will have the power to stop it," The Sage said.
Noboru nodded and said, "Don't worry. I will stop the Void. This is my destiny, and I will not fail."
"I wish you luck, Hero-sama," The Sage said as he faded away, leaving Noboru alone with his thoughts.