"Me?" I said it again, taken aback by the realization. The weight of Jordan's words bore down on me, the gravity of the situation becoming even more apparent.
Jordan nodded gravely. "Yes, Magnus," he confirmed. "You are the key to unlocking the true power of the Crown of Eldoria."
I felt a wave of disbelief and a deep sense of unease wash over me. It was almost too much to bear that my mere existence could have such significance in the greater scheme of things.
"But why me?" I asked, struggling to make sense of it all.
Jordan's expression darkened as he spoke. "It's because of your bloodline," he explained solemnly. "You are descended from the line of the ancient being who created this world, and your connection to them makes you the only one capable of unlocking the full potential of the crown."
His comments sent a shiver down my spine as the implications became clear to me, and it felt like a big burden.
But how did they know about my connection with Weaver!?
"We can't let them use Magnus like that," Anna exclaimed, her voice filled with determination. "We have to stop them."
Feeling overwhelmed by the weight of the revelations and the gravity of the situation, I yearned for the comfort of nature. "I need some time alone," I murmured to my friends and sister, my voice barely above a whisper. "I'm going to wander in the forest for a bit."
Understanding nods greeted my words, and without another glance back, I made my way out of the room and into the cool embrace of the forest.
Under the canopy of ancient trees, the rustle of leaves and the gentle whisper of the wind enveloped me in a comforting embrace. Each step I took felt like a release, a liberation from the burden of the world.
As I continued deeper into the forest, the doubts and anxieties that had been bothering me began to fade, to be replaced by a sense of clarity and peace. I found comfort in the peace of the woods, surrounded by the splendor of nature.
As I stood amidst the serene tranquility of the forest, my mind filled with questions and doubts, I couldn't shake the nagging feeling that there was more to this unfolding saga than met the eye.
"Seraphiel," I whispered into the stillness of the forest, my voice barely audible above the rustle of leaves. "If you're out there, show yourself."
But as the seconds stretched into minutes, there was no sign of the angelic being who was responsible for my travels. Skepticism began to grow at the edges of my consciousness as doubt began to creep into my thoughts.
"Was it all just a figment of my imagination? I thought he followed me." I wondered aloud, the words echoing softly in the quiet expanse of the forest.
Suddenly, Seraphiel materialized before me, and a surge of dissatisfaction washed over me. Despite my resentment towards the angel and the bitter memories of our past encounters, I knew that I had no choice but to seek his guidance in this dire situation.
"Finally, you decide to show up, Seraphiel?" I asked, my voice tinged with reluctant acceptance. "I called for you because... because I have no other options."
The angel regarded me with a solemn expression, his gaze unwavering. "I am here to offer my assistance, Magnus," he replied, his voice calm and measured. "Though our past may be fraught with conflict, I am still bound by duty to aid you in your time of need."
I gritted my teeth, suppressing the urge to lash out at him with all the pent-up anger and resentment I held inside. "Fine," I muttered, begrudgingly accepting his offer of help. "But make it quick. I don't have time for your stupid riddles and vague warnings."
Seraphiel nodded, his demeanor unchanged by my hostility. "Very well," he said, his tone betraying no hint of offense. "Tell me what troubles you, and I will do my best to provide guidance."
I hesitated for a moment, gathering my thoughts, before speaking. "It's the royal family of the Eldoria Empire," I admitted, the words heavy on my tongue. "They... seek to use me as a pawn in their dark schemes to unlock the power of the Crown of Eldoria and destroy the Gloria Empire."
Seraphiel's expression darkened, a flicker of concern crossing his features. "I see," he murmured, his voice tinged with sadness. "This is indeed a grave situation. But know that you are not alone, Magnus. There are allies to be found, friends who will stand by your side in the face of adversity."
I rolled my eyes and said, "Not the same dialogue."
I turned back to face Seraphiel, a lingering doubt still gnawing at the edges of my mind. "One more thing," I began, my voice hesitant. "Was Jordan's reincarnation... was it your doing?"
The angel met my gaze with a solemn nod, his expression unclouded by hesitation. "Yes, Magnus," he confirmed, his voice resonating with a quiet certainty. "It was me who planned Jordan's rebirth."
His admission caused a wave of contradicting emotions to sweep over me. On the one hand, I was thankful to Seraphiel for bringing back a person who had provided me with courage and support during this difficult journey. However, I could not get rid of the uneasy feeling I had at the idea of the angel interfering with mortal affairs.
"Why?" I asked, unable to keep the note of accusation from creeping into my voice. "Why bring him back, only to entangle him in this web of darkness and deceit?"
Seraphiel's gaze softened, his demeanor filled with compassion. "Jordan's soul holds a crucial role in the unfolding of events," he explained, his voice tinged with regret. "He is bound to your fate."
"Fate?" I repeated it skeptically, my anger bubbling to the surface. "Don't talk to me about fate, Seraphiel. I refuse to believe that our lives are predetermined by some cosmic plan."
The angel regarded me with patient understanding, his gaze unwavering. "I understand your frustration, Magnus," he said softly. "But there are forces at play beyond our understanding, threads of destiny that weave together the fabric of existence."
I shook my head, unwilling to accept his explanation. "I don't care about destiny or fate," I retorted stubbornly. "I refuse to believe that we are mere puppets in some grand design. We have the power to shape our own destinies and to forge our own paths."
Seraphiel's expression remained impassive, his demeanor unchanged by my outburst. "Perhaps you are right, Magnus," he conceded. "But sometimes decisions we make are influenced by factors outside of our control."
Before I could continue, Seraphiel abruptly turned away, his form fading into the ethereal mist of the forest. Anger surged within me, fueled by frustration and a sense of betrayal.
"Wait!" I shouted after him, my voice echoing through the trees. "Don't you dare walk away from me!"
But my cries fell on deaf ears as the angel disappeared from sight, leaving me standing alone amidst the quiet solitude of the forest. Frustration boiled within me, a tempest of emotions swirling through my mind.
"How dare you?" I shouted into the empty air, my voice raw with anger and resentment. "You can't just come here, drop bombshells, and then vanish into thin air!"
But there was no response, no sign of Seraphiel's presence. With a frustrated growl, I clenched my fists, feeling the weight of my anger pressing down upon me like a suffocating blanket.
As my frustration reached its peak, a low growl echoed through the forest, drawing my attention away from my inner turmoil. I turned to see a monstrous creature emerging from the shadows, its eyes gleaming with malice as it advanced towards me.
A surge of adrenaline coursed through my veins, drowning out my anger as survival instincts kicked in. Without a second thought, I summoned the power of Astral blade fusion, channeling my rage and frustration into a display of astral energy.
The air crackled with electricity as my astral blade materialized, its shimmering form pulsating with raw power. With a swift and fluid motion, I charged toward the oncoming monster, my blade slicing through the air with deadly precision.
As the creature lunged at me with gnashing teeth and razor-sharp claws, I met its attack head-on, the clash of steel against flesh reverberating through the forest. With each strike, I unleashed the full force of my anger, channeling it into every blow, until the creature lay defeated at my feet.
Breathing heavily, I stood amidst the wreckage of the battle, my heart still pounding with adrenaline.
As the echoes of battle faded into the forest's quiet embrace, a sudden ripple of movement caught my attention. I turned to see a figure emerging from the shadows, his presence commanding attention with every step. With a flourish of dark clothing and an enigmatic smile playing across his lips, he made a grand entrance, his footsteps echoing through the clearing.
The newcomer was very charismatic, with well-defined features and sparkling eyes that betrayed a hint of mischief. Dressed in attire befitting a nobleman, he moved with effortless grace, every movement a testament to his confidence and self-assurance.
A crooked smile tugged at his lips as he surveyed the scene before him, his gaze lingering on me with amusement and intrigue. His eyes seemed to pierce through the darkness, revealing depths of intelligence and cunning hidden beneath their captivating exterior.
With a slow clap of his hands, he broke the silence, the sound reverberating through the clearing like a distant thunderclap. "Impressive," he remarked, his voice smooth as silk and tinged with a hint of mockery. "I must say, I wasn't expecting such a spirited performance in the middle of the forest."