"Sometimes, being a hero means being the person everyone hates. If it saves the world, then betrayal is a price I'm willing to pay." — Vincent Eberhart
Aiden stared at Vincent, his eyes filled with fury and disappointment. "Vincent…," he whispered as he recognized the silhouette of his former best friend in the moonlight. "How dare you show your face here after everything you've done?"
Vincent stood calmly, his eyes almost gentle, a sad smile playing on his lips. "Long time no see, Aiden. It seems you've found some strong allies by now. I'm glad."
"Don't act like you're one of the good guys!" Aiden shouted, his rage taking over his body. He activated [Body Enhancement], his muscles tensing as he charged at Vincent with incredible speed. "I WILL NEVER FORGET WHAT HAPPENED BACK THEN!"
Before Aiden's fist could land, Vincent calmly raised his hand. A massive wave of water surged towards Aiden, strong enough to push him back. The water sparkled in the moonlight, but it wasn't normal water—it was filled with the glowing eyes of 120 Water Nymphs, surrounding Vincent.
Aiden glared at the creatures and gritted his teeth. "How can you control so many?"
Vincent shook his head slightly and summoned four massive flying beasts—the Merodacti. They circled above him, their wings slicing through the air with an ear-piercing screech.
"You're really fighting against me?" Aiden leapt into the air, using [Lifetime Legend - Restrictionless]. From the ground, gigantic bones rose, forming a massive spear that pierced one of the Merodacti with a single thrust.
"Impressive, Aiden," Vincent said quietly as a majestic phoenix appeared in the sky, its flames cutting through the darkness. The phoenix screeched loudly and fired a volley of flames down onto Aiden like a burning rain.
Aiden focused and used [Lifetime Legend - Restrictionless] again. Instantly, bone shields formed around him, deflecting the flames. "So this is the true power of your phoenix… But I am not the weakling I once was!"
Vincent raised both arms, and ten gigantic Direwolves sprang from the shadows, surrounding Aiden. Their eyes glowed red, and their deep growls made the earth tremble.
Aiden smirked coldly and extended his hand. Bones erupted from the ground, forming a colossal bone dragon that knocked the wolves back with a single strike. "You will not defeat me, Vincent!"
Vincent nodded, his face showing no surprise, only a deep sadness. "I never intended to defeat you, Aiden." He let out a sharp whistle, and three massive Thunderbears appeared. Their claws glowed as they unleashed lightning bolts onto Aiden.
Aiden screamed as the lightning shattered his bone dragon, throwing him to the ground. Smoke rose from his body, but he refused to give up. "You won't escape from me," he gasped as he stood up again. He raised his hands, summoning countless skeletons from the ground—a manifestation of [Lifetime Legend - Restrictionless].
"This is the power I gained because of you, Vincent," Aiden said coldly. "I'll use it to defeat you."
Vincent sighed deeply, and suddenly, all his summoned beasts vanished as if they had never existed. The silence was deafening.
Aiden, still panting heavily, looked at Vincent in disbelief. "Why are you stopping? Why are we even fighting?"
Vincent stepped closer, his eyes filled with pain and regret. "Aiden… It's time you learned the truth. Do you remember the old tree where we used to hide?"
Aiden's face hardened, memories of the fire flashed in his mind. "Yes. You left me there. You set the tree on fire. I thought I was going to die."
Vincent shook his head, his voice barely more than a whisper. "I didn't set it on fire out of betrayal. Deep inside the tree, I found an ancient tablet. It described a ritual… A ritual that would make the person lying on the altar, while the tree burns, the Chosen One. They would gain the techniques of the fallen warriors they had the strongest connection to—without restrictions."
Aiden's eyes widened. "What… What are you saying?"
Vincent smiled sadly. "I laid you on the altar, Aiden. I set the tree on fire to make you the Chosen One. The power you have now—[Lifetime Legend - Restrictionless]—belongs to you because I made you the Chosen One. I was also the one who informed the forbidden army."
Tears welled up in Aiden's eyes. "You… You didn't betray me? You did it for me?"
Vincent nodded, his voice cracking with emotion. "I knew you wouldn't have accepted it. You would have stopped me. But I did it to ensure you gained the power you needed to defeat Valenor. I was protecting you, Aiden."
Aiden sobbed, unable to hold back his tears. "You fool… I would never have stopped you. You should have trusted me."
Vincent gently placed a hand on Aiden's shoulder, a warm, genuine smile on his lips. "I trust you, Aiden. That's why I risked everything. And now… I will fight by your side. Against Valenor, for our friends, for everyone who has fallen."
Aiden took a deep breath and nodded, his tears slowly drying up. "Then let's fight together, Vincent. As brothers."
Vincent squeezed his shoulder and nodded. "Yes… As brothers."
Episode 12 - Leviathan
The next morning, the camp was filled with a tense silence. The first rays of sunlight shone through the trees, bathing the clearing in golden light. Liang Wei, Ash, and Yuichiro sat around the fading campfire, while Vincent stood apart, his gaze fixed on the ground. Aiden stepped forward, his face serious but determined. He knew this conversation would be difficult.
Liang Wei looked skeptically at Vincent, folding his arms. "Aiden, what is this? Why is he here?" His voice was sharp, filled with mistrust. "That's Vincent, right? The guy who betrayed you? Why in the world would he want to help us?"
Ash cheerfully flipped a small stone into the air and caught it, grinning at Liang Wei. "Well, maybe he just had a whim to join us! Sometimes the best things happen just like that, right?" He winked at Yuichiro, who only gave him a cross-armed, annoyed look.
Yuichiro sighed deeply and raised an eyebrow. "This is no game, Ash. Vincent betrayed Aiden and almost got us all killed. Try to take it seriously, if you can."
Ash chuckled quietly and patted Yuichiro on the shoulder. "You're just too uptight, Yuichiro! Relax a bit. Maybe Vincent's here to surprise us all—like a plot twist in an exciting story!"
Yuichiro snorted and pulled Ash's hand off his shoulder. "You and your naive ideas… This is reality, Ash, not a story."
"Oh, I know," Ash replied, grinning broadly. "But who says we can't have a little fun along the way?"
Aiden looked at the two of them and couldn't help but suppress a small smile. "You two never stop arguing, do you?"
Ash shrugged. "What can I say? I bring the good vibes, Yuichiro brings the serious lectures."
Yuichiro rolled his eyes but turned back to Vincent, whose face held a mix of nervousness and amusement.
Liang Wei continued to stare at Vincent, ignoring the banter between the two. "So, Aiden, explain this to us. What exactly happened back then?"
Aiden sighed and looked at Vincent, who gave him a brief nod. "It's time I told you everything," he began slowly. "It was back then, in the burning tree. I wasn't alone. Vincent was there with me."
Liang Wei frowned. "What? You never said he was there."
Aiden nodded. "I couldn't. I wasn't sure what really happened—until last night." He paused briefly, then continued. "Vincent didn't betray me to kill me. He did it to save me."
Ash, now sitting on the ground drawing circles in the dirt with a small stick, looked up in confusion. "Wait a minute! He betrayed you to save you? That sounds like a bad play. Or a really good plot twist!"
Yuichiro shook his head and shot Ash a sharp look. "Focus, Ash. This is no game."
Ash shrugged and just grinned. "Maybe not, but it's more exciting than any game I've ever played."
Vincent stepped forward, raising his hand as if to calm Ash. "I know how it looks, and I understand your anger," he said calmly. "But I found a tablet in the heart of the tree. It described a ritual that would make the one lying on the altar, while the tree burns, the Chosen One."
Yuichiro raised an eyebrow, his skepticism evident. "The Chosen One? What does that mean?"
Vincent took a deep breath. "The Chosen One gains the techniques of fallen warriors with whom they have the deepest connection—without conditions, without restrictions. It is the ultimate power, granted only once in a person's lifetime."
Liang Wei stared at Vincent in disbelief. "And you decided that Aiden should be this Chosen One? Without telling him what you planned?"
Aiden placed a hand on Liang Wei's shoulder. "I was angry at him when I found out what he'd done," he admitted. "But now I understand. Vincent risked his own life to lead me to this power. Without him, I'd be dead now—or worse."
Ash suddenly clapped his hands and jumped up. "So Vincent was trying to save you the whole time? That's even better than a plot twist! That's a real happy ending!"
Yuichiro crossed his arms again and sighed. "This is no happy ending, Ash. We still have Valenor ahead of us."
Ash winked at him. "Details, details!"
Aiden shook his head but couldn't help but smile. "You two are impossible." He turned to the group. "Vincent is back with us. He has decided to help us—as a brother."
Vincent looked around the group, his gaze briefly meeting each of them before he quietly said, "I know I need to earn your trust back. But I'm here to fight by your side, until my last breath."
Yuichiro finally nodded, the tension in his shoulders easing. "Then let's end this war together. But remember, Vincent—if you betray us again, no one will save you."
Liang Wei raised his fist and playfully punched Aiden's shoulder. "Alright, Aiden. If you trust him, then I do too. Welcome back, Vincent."
Ash grinned widely and slung an arm around Vincent's shoulder. "Let's see if you're really as good as Aiden claims. You've got a lot to make up for, buddy."
Vincent smiled, a genuine, honest smile, and nodded. "I know. And I won't disappoint you."
At that moment, they all stood united, as brothers in battle, ready to face the greatest enemy they had ever seen.
Vincent took a step forward and looked at Aiden and the others seriously as he began to speak quietly. "There's something else you need to know," he said, his voice firm and calm, but with a hint of excitement. The group fell silent, all eyes on him.
"What is it?" Yuichiro asked sharply, still mistrustful of Vincent, but willing to listen.
Vincent paused briefly before continuing. "Of all the Tier-III beasts in this world, the Leviathan is the only one that remains untamed. It's one of the most powerful creatures, a legendary beast that hasn't been controlled by anyone for centuries."
Ash's eyes widened with excitement. "An untamed Tier-III beast?" He nearly jumped up, playfully waving his arms. "That sounds like the final boss in a game! Oh man, this is going to be exciting!"
Yuichiro snorted, folding his arms. "Focus, Ash. This isn't a game. An uncontrollable beast could easily destroy us as much as Valenor could."
Ash just grinned at him and shrugged. "You're always so stiff, Yuichiro. Sometimes you've got to enjoy the excitement."
"This isn't something to enjoy, Ash!" Yuichiro snapped, rolling his eyes, but he couldn't help a faint smile. "But I suppose your naivety might be useful sometimes. At least we know where the enemies are when we have a meat shield."
Liang Wei shook his head, unable to suppress a smile. "You two will drive me insane. But what exactly do you mean, Vincent?"
Vincent nodded gratefully for the chance to continue. "Not far from here lies the Lake of Truth. It's the home of the Leviathan. The lake is surrounded by a magical barrier that only lets through those who are pure of heart—or those willing to accept the truth about themselves."
Aiden looked at Vincent in surprise. "And you think we can tame the Leviathan?"
Vincent nodded firmly. "Yes. With a beast of such power on our side, we'd have a better chance against Valenor. The Leviathan isn't just powerful; it's also a symbol of balance. If we can tame it, it might help us overwhelm Valenor."
Ash clapped his hands excitedly. "Oh, this sounds like an adventure! I can't wait to see the Leviathan. Do you think I can pet it?"
Yuichiro shook his head and gave Ash a sharp look. "Ash, the Leviathan is an untamed beast, not a pet. If you try to pet it, it could swallow you whole."
"Well," Ash replied with a broad grin, "then I'll just have to run fast enough, won't I?"
The group laughed, and even Yuichiro had to admit that Ash's childlike enthusiasm was refreshing at times. "You're impossible," he muttered quietly.
Aiden looked at Liang Wei and then back at Vincent. "Alright," he finally said. "If the Leviathan can increase our chances against Valenor, then we should try. Lead the way, Vincent."
Vincent nodded. "Follow me. The Lake of Truth isn't far from here. But be warned—it won't be an easy journey, and the Leviathan won't follow without a fight. We need to be prepared."
The group gathered their gear and set off, led by Vincent, who walked ahead with swift, confident steps. The landscape around them changed rapidly as they delved deeper into the Celestial Dragon Territory. The trees grew denser, the ground became wetter, and a light mist settled over the path, as if guiding them into another world.
After hours of marching, they finally reached the edge of a vast, crystal-clear lake. The water shimmered in the light of the setting sun like a giant mirror, and in the middle of the lake, they could make out a dark, massive silhouette slowly moving beneath the surface.
"This is the Lake of Truth," Vincent said quietly, stepping aside to reveal the view of the lake. "And there, right in the middle, lies the Leviathan."
Liang Wei stared at the enormous creature beneath the water, his eyes wide with awe. "That… that's the Leviathan? I never imagined it would be so huge."
Yuichiro drew his sword and nodded. "Alright. Whatever we have to do to tame it—we're ready."
Ash hopped excitedly from foot to foot, rubbing his hands together. "This is going to be epic! Finally, a challenge worth facing!"
Aiden took a deep breath, then stepped forward and called out in a firm voice, "Leviathan! We're here to ask for your help. Show us if we are worthy to fight by your side!"
The lake began to tremble, and waves crashed against the shores. The dark silhouette of the Leviathan slowly rose from the water, and the group stood united, ready to face the most powerful Tier-III beast they had ever encountered.
The water of the Lake of Truth began to shake as the silhouette of the Leviathan approached. The waves surged high, crashing against the shores as the gigantic creature slowly emerged from the depths of the lake. Scaly skin, shimmering blue and silver in the sunlight, broke through the surface. The head of the Leviathan rose into the sky, large enough to oversee the entire lake. The beast's eyes glowed a deep, radiant blue as it lifted its mighty form from the water and moved toward the land.
The group stood frozen at the shore, mesmerized by the overwhelming presence of the Tier-III beast. Liang Wei, Yuichiro, Ash, and Aiden could only watch as the Leviathan pulled its massive body out of the water and stepped onto the land. The ground shook beneath its weight, and a thunderous sound filled the air as the water rushed back into the lake in powerful waves.
Ash was the first to find his voice again, his eyes wide with excitement. "This is incredible! It's even bigger than I imagined!" He grinned broadly and took a step forward, but Yuichiro immediately grabbed him by the arm and pulled him back.
"Ash, this is no game," Yuichiro said sternly. "This is one of the most powerful creatures in this world. One wrong move, and we're done for."
Vincent stepped forward, his face calm and determined. The Leviathan lowered its head, its glowing eyes locking onto Vincent as if peering directly into his soul. Suddenly, Vincent heard a deep, booming voice in his mind—the voice of the Leviathan.
"You dare challenge me, human? What makes you so certain you are worthy to tame me?" The Leviathan's voice echoed in Vincent's head, as if the entire universe were speaking to him.
Vincent closed his eyes and took a deep breath, then opened them again, filled with resolve. "I know I was a traitor. I know my decisions were questionable, and I've hurt many people. But everything I did was for a greater purpose. I sought the power needed to defeat Valenor—to end the evil in this world."
The Leviathan remained silent, observing Vincent as if probing his deepest thoughts. "Your heart is pure, yet full of contradictions. You seek power, but not out of greed. You strive for strength, but not for yourself. What makes you believe you can tame me when so many before you have failed?"
Vincent clenched his fists, his eyes fixed on the mighty beast. "Because I'm willing to sacrifice everything. Because I understand that true strength comes from letting go." He paused, then shouted loudly, "I will show you that I am worthy!"
With these words, Vincent raised his arms and unleashed a powerful wave of energy. In an instant, he released all the beasts that followed him—the Water Nymphs, the Merodacti, the Thunderbears, the Direwolves, and even the Phoenix. The beasts rose up, roared into the sky, and gradually disappeared in a brilliant light.
The group, still standing at the shore, watched in disbelief. Yuichiro stepped forward as if to say something, but Liang Wei placed a hand on his shoulder. "Let him," he whispered. "This is his moment. He has to do this alone."
The Leviathan, which had been watching silently until now, lowered its head again, this time closer to Vincent. The beast looked at him with an expression that almost seemed like respect. "You give up the power you worked so hard to gain without hesitation. That is the choice of a true leader, a true Chosen One."
Vincent let his arms fall, breathing heavily, but his gaze remained calm and resolute. "I don't need these beasts to prove my worth. If you accept me, then accept me as the one who sacrificed everything to save this world."
A long silence fell over the lake as the Leviathan continued to gaze at Vincent. Finally, the beast lowered its head as if bowing, and the voice echoed in Vincent's mind once more. "You have my approval. From now on, I will follow you, and together we will free this world from Valenor's shadow."
The Leviathan rose again, letting out a mighty roar that shook the air. The water of the lake began to rise, forming a massive, protective barrier around Vincent before gently settling back to the ground. The great beast slowly turned and glided back into the lake, but this time its gaze remained fixed on Vincent, as if signaling its readiness to follow his call.
Vincent, breathing heavily, turned to face the group, who stared at him in stunned silence. "It is done," he said quietly. "The Leviathan will follow us when we call for it. Now we have a chance to face Valenor."
Aiden stepped up and placed a hand on Vincent's shoulder. "You truly gave everything, Vincent. Now I understand why you did all of this."
Vincent nodded. "I had no choice. This is the only way to stop Valenor. And now, with the Leviathan on our side, we can succeed."
Liang Wei shook his head, unable to suppress a smile. "You two are like fire and water," he murmured softly. "And that's what makes you strong together."
Vincent moved ahead without saying a word. The Leviathan hovered silently in the water of a nearby river, watching the group from a distance before disappearing into the thick mist. Vincent came to a halt and gazed at the dark outline of the castle now visible in the distance. The massive towers reached into the sky like the teeth of an undead monster, and the black stone walls seemed to absorb all light.
"This is it," Vincent said, his voice calm but filled with resolve. "Valenor's castle. This is where it all began, and this is where it will end."
Aiden stepped beside him, also staring at the immense structure towering before them. "So this is Valenor's throne. The source of all the hatred and destruction that has plagued this world."
"It looks like it's been standing here forever," Yuichiro murmured, studying the massive structure with a sharp gaze. "But today, it will fall."
Ash grinned broadly, twirling his daggers playfully. "Listen to you all! You're really pumped up! I can't wait to show Valenor that he messed with the wrong people!"
Liang Wei stepped forward, placing a hand on the shoulders of both Aiden and Vincent, looking at each of them in turn. "We've made it this far, despite all the losses and betrayals. This is our final battle. But we're not the same as we were at the start of this journey."
"That's right," Vincent agreed with a firm nod. "I'm here because I earned it. And I'm going to show Valenor that he underestimated me."
Aiden clenched his fists, a brief flash of [Lifetime Legend - Restrictionless] glinting in his eyes. "I will avenge all the lost souls who suffered under his tyranny. This time, I won't fail."
Yuichiro slowly drew his katana, its blade gleaming gold in the fading sunlight. "We don't have any time to waste. The darkness here grows thicker with every passing minute. It's time to put an end to this."
Ash spun around once, his eyes shining with excitement. "Oh man, this is going to be epic! When we get out of here, we're all going to be legends. No conditions, no restrictions—just us and Valenor."
The group moved forward, and soon they reached the gates of the castle. Before them stood the black walls, adorned with grotesque statues and rune-covered panels, infused with ancient magic. The wind whistled through the cracks in the walls, carrying a deep, ghostly whisper.
Vincent stepped up and placed a hand on the cold, black metal of the gate. "This is the moment we've all been waiting for," he said, his voice calm yet filled with emotion.
"Let's tear Valenor from his fortress," Liang Wei said, drawing his weapons. "Today, we finish what we started."
Aiden stepped forward, looking at his comrades with a firm and determined gaze. "No matter what comes—we stand together. And we will emerge victorious."
"It's time to put an end to this nightmare," Yuichiro murmured quietly, his eyes sharp and focused.
Ash laughed and winked at his companions. "I hope you're all ready for the greatest spectacle of all time."
"Then let's go," Vincent said finally, pushing the gate open with a powerful shove. "Forward, into the darkness—and let's bring back the light."
With these words, the group stepped boldly through the opened gate, their silhouettes disappearing into the shadow of the fortress as the echo of their footsteps sounded like a quiet, triumphant drumbeat.
The time has finally come. The team is now facing Valenor! What will happen in this fateful battle? Find out in Chapter 13 - Awakening (Part 1)!
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