Lord Shadow - Chapter 243

Chapter 243




ZOOOM!
Like before, the moment he began refining that saber, his mind seems to be traveling through some unknown planes of reality
But this time it seems to be slower as Azief body is slowly being enveloped by the heaven destroying power of the Heaven Sundering Aura
Azief notices that after he finished that first trial, the heaven sundering aura from the Heaven Sundering saber can now be used by him.
He touched a bit upon the Laws of Karma, Time and Cause and Effect every time he uses his finger to channel that power of heaven sundering
It also bears similar resemblance to Azief own Death Source in that they both contained the understanding of life and death.
It is with that, his understanding of the memories of Azul deepened and impressed him even more of the might of Azul
The Five Saber in the cave floated emitting a calming power different from the very beginning where they glowed ominously. It is like they are welcoming Azief now.
Then like before the other four dimmed and only the Dragon Giving Life saber seems to be gathering all of the strength of the saber.
Then a powerful suction comes out of that Dragon Giving life saber and brings Azief physical body into the saber.
His physical body like they were being erased by world, slowly dissipating like dust into the saber.
Inside that world, Azief is floating slowly feeling that his illusory body becoming solid. Azief eyebrows creased as he felt something.
He didn't feel it that much before.
But now it is different.
He could clearly feel that his body is being brought here into this strange dimension. It is not just some illusionary world.
Azief now is certain of his conjecture. This is not normal. This is not the first time Azief entering an illusionary world.
But he never once experienced this kind of thing.
There is never an occasion where he enters the illusionary world with his physical body. It is usually the soul and mind that will enter such illusionary world.
Azief however did not say anything. He looks at the light all around him. There were like strings or threads.
Around him he could hear the throes of passion, and a wave of desire welled up around him but his will quickly block that feeling from overtaking him.
This desire that is present around him and inside him, inciting him is not only lust; it is greed, desire for wealth, fame, honor and many other feelings.
Pride welled inside him for a second before it disappeared like an illusion.
Then that strings and threads bind Azief body and covered him like a cocoon, light gathered around him, and the glow of this light spreads all over this limitless space and boundless space.
Eternity…an instant…passed by.
Then he heard that voice again, this time a bit gentler than before.
'Changes Are Common, Don't Resist It. Let Things Flow Naturally. Unlocking The Secret Of The Bodies, With One Slash Sever The Covetous Heart.'
Then silence descended. Then that voice once again spoken, his voice seems to echoes endlessly in this space.

'You, mortal, have passed my first trial and the easiest trial. My life as Azul the Divinity of Fire was full of struggle. I was jealous of Heaven Sons and could not accept the fact my race was enslaved by the Celestial. With the Heavens Sundering saber I charged towards the Heavens and topple it down. With that I sever my envy and jealousy. I have good intentions but I harmed the Universe and countless of lives were reaped as sacrifice for my saber.'
The voice explains and at the same time he felt the desolation in Azul heart. There is desolation in his tone and feelings but there is also a sense of relief.
Then the voice booms again this time saying something that shocks Azief.
'Yet, strong as I am there are people stronger than me. I am still in a shackle of Creation and Destruction, my regret pierced the heavens, and my heart is in unease even throughout the long epoch'
Azief listen as his body slowly absorbed the light covering him, the threads and strings is also entering his body.
Azief is also confused. What kind of existence that could be described as strong as Azul who broke through the Source Wall?
Then the voice seems to recite something and the sound of buzzing could be heard. The Laws around Azief seems to buzz and responding to that recitation.
'From an inconstruable beginning comes transmigration. Being hindered by ignorance, fettered by craving, everything is temporary and impermanent. I am the first wielder of the Dragon Giving Life Saber and with it I bring a world of prosperity and healing to a troubled world. I was called the Saint of Ten Thousand Worlds. But I begin in a human-like world before being enlightened and retrieve my saber. I left my will and memories to the people destined to find this saber and refine it! Solve my regret and you will gain what you want!'
Then the voice ended, Azul every word seems to incite Laws and change the Laws of the Universe.
'The Water of Lifer replenishes everything, let Reincarnation flourish and gain enlightenment, no longer slumbering.'
Azief notices that this time that sentences changes from before.
Then a stream of information enters Azief mind, his body seems to shrink as his soul enters a body.
Bzzt!
The scenery changes and he felt the space beneath his face turning solid, life passing him by, from his childbirth until his present age in this new world.
Azief now lives in a body of a person, humanlike in appearance. His name is also Azul. It is with this memories Azief slowly understands what Azul had done.
Azief is not sure he is correct but he believes Azul uses the Nirvanic Fire of Rebirth to reincarnate himself.
After all he is the Divinity of Fire.
And one that is calling himself that must be able to use the Nirvanic Fire of Rebirth.
One of the abilities mentioned about the Nirvanic Fire of Rebirth is that one could use it to reincarnate oneself either as a ploy for safety from enemies too powerful for them to contend against, or to comprehend the Laws of the Universe.
But not many people would do that, reincarnating oneself because like anything in the world it has a risk.
Since anyone capable of reincarnating oneself and going against the orders of heavens and the Laws of the Universe is already testament to that person prowess and strength, it is not recommended since one could just enjoy his life without once again trying to reach to the apex.
Not to mention from the rumors Azief heard and learns about the Nirvanic Fire when he is in the Jade Empire, the stronger a person is, the hotter the flames.
For someone as powerful like Azul, to burn oneself in the Nirvanic Fire, how hot the flames must be and how much suffering he must have endured to reincarnate his soul?
With his power and status, he could live in some corner of the Universe with no one daring to cross him.
To break the Source Wall by his lonesome, Azief could only imagine the might he possesses.
Even the Jade Empire and the Asgardians had to borrow the Fate of their Worlds to break through the Source Wall and brought their world into that Dimension.
It was then as Azief was thinking of all this matter in his mind, that he did not realizes that his body turns solid and he realizes where he is at.
He is sitting in a chair, hearing the hymns and song, recitation of some holy songs.
He looks at his left and right. He saw an old man on his right, around thirty years old and his memory told him that this man is his father.
He had thick black beard, a pot belly that seems firm and his arms is huge. He is wearing a robe-like clothes, purple in color, denoting his noble identity.
His hand were put together, his eyes closed as he seems to be praying to Thonos.
Azief immediately know who Thonos is and why they are praying and to whom they are praying
Azief look upwards and saw the morning glow on the apse of the ceiling. Then he looks at statues of angel like creature that seems to decorate the corners of the Temple.
Then he remembers where he is, the information in his head streaming the information to his mind.
It is the Temple of Thonos. And he is in Shurley. It is situated in the southern province of Aethenspania.
Though it is now called the Aethens by the people of the Empire.
It was one of the countries that were subjugated by the Empire in its Conquest War.
Aethens southern province is a temperate region with forested hills and rich farmlands and Azul is reincarnated as the son of the Marquis of Shurley.
Thonos on the other hand is the God of All in this world, and the Empire official and only religion.
Even though the people of Aethenspania used to believe other Gods, by the time the Empire comes around, the only recognized and allowed religion is Thonos.
Thonos is the Empire official religion and the Church regarded Thonos as the source of all Order and Phaesnos the counterpart of Thonos is the agents of chaos in the world.
Thonos in order to stop Phaesnos created the Winged Ones and they deliver revelation, rewarding orders, punishing misdeed and sins and at times fulfill people prayers to Thonos.
His name in this world is Azul Verignon.
As the memory of his days at the church just began to solidified, Azief felt his body turns into smoke and the scenery speeded up.
And in that moment, Azief sees everything.
From his childhood, to his current age. Azief believes Azul is skipping all the unnecessary part.
Azief even secretly believe that Azul is trying to teach him something with all of this trial.
When time speeded up, Azief seems to exist as a dark smoke that seems to be traveling through all this moments in incredible speed yet at the same time retaining all of the memories and feelings of Azul.
When he saw Azul in the memory felt sad, Azief also felt sad and feel that the thing Azul experience is also the thing he experienced.
His feeling, his thoughts, Azief could all understand.
In that journey of memories, his memory slowly getting clear as his understanding of this world Azul lives in increases.
He is born to the Remusian Empire, a large empire using blood magic. And that magic is regulated by the Church of Thonos
There is The Holy Church of Thonos in the Great Capital of the Empire, Ashaya where it is governed by the Learned One, the Avengers of the Chaos, and the Left Hand of Thonos, the secret forces of the Temple.
The Learned One is the priest of Thonos and the Winged Ones. They are responsible for teaching the Canons, judging heretics and leading the community and their flock.
They are also in charge of the Reapings and are always present in those events.
The Avengers of the Chaos is the law enforcer of the Church with power to carry out punishment for violations of the Canons of Thonos.
They are garrisoned around in cities, towns and along major trade routes of the Empire.
The left hand of Thonos is the assassin spies of the Church of Thonos and infiltrates heretics gathering and eliminates sedition against the Faith of Thonos in the Empire.
And what is blood magic?
Blood magic. The name explained all. It uses blood to operate.
So, began the Reaping process. Before the Empire becomes as big as it is now, they used to reap the blood from their own people and the lower caste of their people, the peasants
Azief notices that the peasant in this world is unlike the peasants in his world.
They were basically slaves here, with no freedom whatsoever other than to be sacrificed to Thonos at least in the Empire dominion.
Using that blood magic and the practice of Reaping, they defeated their neighbors, and grew as large as they are now.
And then they instituted the Reapings for all the lower caste of the inhabitants of the Empire.
And so the Reapings happens every year and in times of war happens many times in a year.
The nobles were spared of the Reapings but the lowest caste, the peasant whose duty, if the Canons of the Holy Church of the Empire to be believed, is to self-sacrifice.
Thus the peasants are always sacrificed in this Reapings.
Azief at first as these memories enter his mind could see it and feel it with detachment since this is not his world and he is not their people.
But as the memories and even the feelings of Azul enter his heart and his mind, his mind changed and his heart moved.
He felt the unfairness of this world, the dissatisfaction of the world and the anger of the heavens inside his mind and his heart.
They used the blood of the peasant sacrificing them in the altars of the Temples to fuel the magic that kept the border of the Empire safe.
And that angers him…and pains him
Every year at the Time of the Reaping, old men, young men, criminals who do not conform entirely to the teaching of the Church were brought to the reaping and be sacrificed to power the Four Walls of the Empire.
The Church teaches the peasant that obedience is the core belief. Then as he slowly absorbing Azul memories, the memory stops on one memory in particular.
Azief in his memory saw a scene, as clouds filled his eyes and he was transported into one of the memory of Azul of this world.
Azief seems to be standing in a city square, yet no one could see him and it is almost like he didn't exist.
Like before when he saw the memory of Azul finding the sabers, he is now in that kind of situation once again.
He thought that the Church is his starting point in this world but he is clearly mistaken. His body turns formless, and he is drifting in sea of memories
It is a cloudy afternoon and hundreds of peasant is in the town square, standing on the stand, and an altar of stones not far from them.
The peasants are waiting and sweating like it is a hot summer air, some were trembling, and some are crying in silence.
'For it is the duty of peasant to self-sacrifice' Azief heard the earned Ones reciting the Canons
The peasants were sweating because of the fear and nervousness in their hearts, some are crying tears of silence, and fear in their face is evident.
The Avengers of Chaos have gathered about hundreds of peasants from the fields and Azul was present for the First Reaping looking among the crowd.
As a noble, he should be detached from this Reaping but Azief could see that Azul was worried for something or someone.
And Azief knew this feeling of detachment will not last long. After all he experienced this before.
What Azul feel will become what he would feel.
Azief don't know whether it is because Azul want Azief to understand him or if there is deeper meaning to it.
'Is this it?' Azief ask himself.
'Is this related to Azul regret?' Azief ask himself. He floated up in the air and just by thinking of it he appeared near Azul.
In this memory, Azief seems to be invisible, phaseless and formless.
The Learned Ones brought out an instrument to the town square guarded by two Magus.
Azul was there among the crowd, away from his father and brother who is hunting in the forests, and treating the Reaping as a normal occurrence.
Azief had these memories because Azul had these memories.
Azul is worried that the peasant he knew would be sacrificed in this round of Reaping. Azief look at Azul and he is sure now, whatever happen in this memory would relates heavily to his trial this time
'Six trials, six regrets, six lives. Azul, I don't think you are some simple Divinity of Fire' Thinking about it Azief seems to be putting his mind to work.
'Thinking about it, there were so many things that are suspicious about this saber and I am beginning to think that your race is not Asura.'
And then Azief smiles as he ask himself
'Was I mistaken?' Then Azief nodded to himself. By now, he seems to understand something. He was really mistaken.
Thinking about it again he should notice it.
He presumes that Azul race were Asuras because Celestial exists there.
But thinking about it now, in Azief journey with Will, they heard about Celestials and Celestial soldiers but not True Celestials.
True Celestials died out long time ago, and their legacy floated along the Universe and could be found in some broken stars, secret dimensional rifts or abandoned planets.
And Azief heard Azul said that he lives for eons before he reincarnated himself. Then how long has he exists?
Thinking about it again, what kind of eternal existence that could live for eons?
Everything that lives will one day in one form or the other die. Some fades, some forgotten and some die by having their soul depleted.
No matter how immortal one might be, things that exist will one day cease to exist. Since there is a beginning, there will be an end.
Since there is life, there is death.
And since it is created, it would be destroyed. That is the cycle of creation and destruction, of life and death, of blooming and wilting.
Everything has its time of prospering and time of decline and nothing and no one escape this cycle even the heavens.
Living for eons, epochs after epochs passes by.
Azul is not some kind of eternal existence that Azief ever heard before.
Maybe it is not because he is forgettable, but his name has been lost through those long epochs
And if that is true…when did Azul first live?
In what epoch and in what era?
When True Celestial roams the Universe and his race was a slave, in what epoch does that fits in the timelines of the Universes outside the Milky Way?
Azief sighed as he said
"I will find all of this out wouldn't I, Azul?' He said to no one but he knew Azul intent is listening.
'That is one of the reasons of this trial. I don't know what you want to achieve but I know by the time I reached the six sabers, I would understand all of it.'
He said it for the intent of Azul to listen.
What he did not expect that the intent reply him back, his voice seems to be echoing inside his ear and his ears only.
It was like the only thing that exist in this world is that voice and Azief alone.
'Everything you see now and you see before and that you will see later is connected. You will not understand it now, but in the future you will understand. You are one of the fated ones to encounter this saber and to refine it…but are you the fated one for me?'
The word said with a feeling of hope and then his voice dissipated.
Azief sighed as he waited for more words to be spoken. But there is only silence so Azief focused back to the teenager Azul he is looking at right now.
Azief notices that in this memory, Azul didn't remember who he was.
'So, he truly reincarnated himself as the people of this race'
He truly reincarnated himself without any memories. If Azul remembers, with his might and powers as the Divinity of Fire he could do anything he wanted.
But thinking about it Azief heard what Azul told him.
Epoch comes and goes, yet, his regret did not lessen, even through all of that time.
He could not break the cycle of creation and destruction and maybe by reincarnating himself, he tries to seek the answer to that question.
And another question formed inside Azief mind as he is thinking about the matter of Azul life.
Did…Azul succeeded in the end? Did he unravel the mystery of Creation and Destruction? Did he break the cycle?
Or is he still experiencing never ending lives, trapped in the cycle, never breaking free, wandering among countless reincarnations without purpose?
Considering that he had six saber and each sabers seems to contain his memory of his life, Azief is sure that at least, he survived this world and gain enlightenment in the end.
That enlightenment is clearly not his regret.
But then…what is Azul regret?
In this life, Azief knew that Azul would grow up to be the Saint of Ten Thousand Worlds. This title is a grand one and elicited a feeling of respect and admiration.
Not many people could claim themselves as Saint in the Universe and clearly not such a grand title like the Saint of Ten Thousand Worlds
With this Azief understand that maybe someday, Azul in his mortal form gains enlightenment and remembers who he is and ascended once again to a higher realm.
Each lives…could it be there is a regret for each lives? Six regrets, six sabers, six lives.
Six lives, six sabers, six regrets.
The first trial was full of struggle but not the struggle of body but the struggle of the heart.
Even though Azul only speak a little about his life as Asura, Azief could imagine and even visualize Azul life.
This is probably because he was Azul at that time and not Azief, it was like what Azul had experienced, he experienced it too.
He had all of his memories.
Azul hardship when he was a child, shunned because of his relations with Meihul, and the fact that he knew he was destined for greatness but was hindered because of his compassion for Meihul and his merciful heart.
He hardened his heart and kills the woman he loves only to regret it for eons.
Azief solves that regret by promising that no matter what they would be together, in life or death.
Azief didn't know what happens after that. Did he change anything? Or is that just an illusion…that life and that feeling?
Or could it be something really changed…reconstructing the Laws of the Universe for Meihul to bring her back once again?
Azief shakes his head.
How could one do such a thing for love?
Azief clearly underestimated the power of love. In the future, Sofia sends Loki to the past solely to change the future.
Even now, the endgame of Sofia gambit is not yet seen. Plans are hatched by Loki every day but the true objectives of the plans are never revealed.
Even though it is safer and probably faster to kill Azief from the get go, Sofia did not mind gambling with the fate of the Universe because of her love.
And how about Azief himself in the future?
He knew exactly that the cause of his Fall is Sofia, seeing in his prophetic dreams that she would be the one that will cause him to fall yet he could not bear to kill her and only distancing himself away from her.
And when Katarina died, regardless of the consequences, he executed two Sovereigns with True Death, scattering their soul and grinded them to nihility with no hope of reforming back.
Six lives, six sabers, six regrets…the first life full of struggles, while this second life is full of human emotions and temptations.
For some reason Azief was reminded of some inscription written on a Temple he use to hide during his fugitive states in the Jade Empire.
Could it be Azul six sabers is like that? It really acts like that? Azief thinks to himself.
Azief also sense another flaw in Azul words. Azul said he is the first wielder of the six sabers. But Azul found the sabers in a cave.
It is not like he crafted it. So how could he be called the first wielder?
But it is also serve no reasons to lie to Azief. Why would Azul lie? Since in the end that memory will be seen by Azief anyway.
And this time Azul also stressed the word that he is the first welder of the Dragon Giving Life Saber.
The lingering will of Azul clearly knows that Azief has already seen that memory where Azul found the saber in that mysterious cave but why Azul continue saying he is the first wielder?
Azief have two conjectures on this matter.
But it is still too early to tell. So Azief will wait until he got enough information to formulate a deduction on this matter.
Then he sighed as he looked back at Azul looking stomach sick. Azul seems afraid that the peasant he knew would be offered for the Reaping.
Azief searches his memory and then exclaimed
'Ah' he said with a hint of surprise and then he smiles
'Another girl' Azief said smiling a bit.
Could it be like his first trial? But Azief don't think it is that. The trial seems to be trying to teach him something.
He still didn't know what Azul is trying to teach him but Azief don't think the task this time is as simple as his first trial.
One name popped up in Azief memories.
Zinar
Precisely Zinar. Azief also had Azul memories. So, he knew Zinar.
And then Azief closes his eyes as he saw that memory inside his mind.
Azul used to hunt with his brothers and they will ride up Rosehill, when one day Azul met this peasant.
He was taken aback of how attractive she was for a peasant and he was attracted not for some superficial reason and not in the fact that her face is beautiful but her demeanor.
She was lean, and sun parched, but her smile and confident stance were strangely charming.
She was blocking the way of his brother, telling him that the way ahead is dangerous, that the dike on the river path was broken and flood would come and no trek could be seen.
When she was asked to identify herself by Azul brother, she states that she worked under the estate of the Duke of Margon
For a peasant she seems confident and unlike the peasant Azul met before.
At the time, Azul brother was baffled at the impunity of this peasant and wanted to whip the little girl for her impunity.
But Azul then interfered, saying the girl worked under the estate of the Duke of Margon and it would breach noble etiquette to discipline other people servants and peasants.
Since then Azul met with Zinar almost every day in secrets from his maids and servants and his father and brother.
It wasn't until a few months after knowing her, that something struck Azul, opening his eyes to the cruelty of the world he is living in.
One of the peasants close to Zinar was brutally slaughtered by his masters.
The old man named is Bent.
The old man has a few daughters and children. His masters wanted to sell his children to some Old nobles in the capital.
When the slave collector wanted to drag those children Brent pleaded to his masters.
The daughter of his master were upset with Brent attitude unbefitting of a servant and asked her mother to punish the Old man.
The Old man was hauled out back into the stables, beaten with threshing flails, until those whom love him couldn't tell him apart from common meat in the market.
Azul, a sore thumb in gatherings of peasant and poor people, attended the funeral in secret when the peasant buried that old man is some patch of land in the forest, digging it deep enough so that no beast would ever eat his remains not that there is much remains that was left behind.
It was there he also got to knew Tyr.
He is also a peasant and the friends of Zinar from the same stock, a peasant class. He made no secrets among the peasant that he hated the Empire and the Church.
Of course he did not say it openly or else his life and the lives of people close to him would be forfeited.
As the three of them started knowing each other, they talked about many things. Tyr at first was intimidated and distrustful of Azul since he comes from the Blue Bloods.
They talk about the Church, the Empire, and the rebellions that are against the Empire occupation and its forced indoctrination of their religions to the people of Aethens.
While he talked about other things with Zinar, with Tyr they were like brothers. Tyr is huge and burly, strong and sturdy.
It is probably why his master bought him from other lords. He is handy for field work and for strength consuming tasks.
But Azul from he was a child while he did not inherit his father hatred for the peasant who his father described as fouling the air of his estate, he inherit his father talent in fighting.
Since he was young he trained with blademaster from the Capital and strategies and battle tactics from a teacher his father hired from the Capital.
One day, they fought each other, him and Tyr because of a provocation.
Tyr could not believe that such a well-bred son of nobles who never had to endure hardship since they were a child would be able to contend with people of the land like him, who have to labor away at the field from morning till dusk.
While Tyr is stronger, he is not nimble neither is he utilizing the energy he possessed in an effective way.
Azul was agile, good in utilizing force, his attack aimed at vital parts. No matter how big and strong Tyr was, how could he endure repeated attacks at his weak spot?
When the peasant group saw how Azul, a kid two times smaller and younger than Tyr defeated that giant with only wooden blade, they were truly impressed and in awe.
Azul then started teaching battle tactics and blademanship to the peasants as more and more of them were interested in learning.
In the beginning, Tyr was full of disdain as he describes that battle tactics is for the weak. But slowly he was open to the idea and surprisingly he is a fast learner.
As Azief saw this memory he snickered.
Azul did not realize it but he is unintentionally creating a private squad.
He saw in that memory that the peasant start practicing with clubs and staves in secret for self-defense and slowly even when Azul squared off with them, they are slowly putting a good fight.
Azief also saw how Azul in that memories slowly changing.
In Azul weekly meeting with the peasant around the forest, he slowly understands who he is. He would never truly belong with the peasants since he is a different status no matter how nice or generous he is.
The fear of peasants towards the nobility is ingrained in their soul.
And in one occasion he could understand why. One day, he comes to the meeting place when he notices no one is there
News come a day alter from Zinar, that one of the peasant who worked in the estate of Count of Cartegena were caught eating phollum, a plant to induce miscarriage.
If the person eating it was a noble, then at least she would only be sent to the Church to atone for a few months before returning home.
But for peasant…they were not allowed to abort their children for the Reaping needs lives and blood.
How could the servant class keep their numbers if they started aborting children from their belly?
When asked, the servant did not dare say who it was that impregnated her but she pointed her fingers at Tyr.
Tyr was angry and got up in anger. One of the servants is friend with Tyr and defended him saying that the Countess son was the one that impregnate the servants.
And unsurprisingly, the Countess son denies the charges and pointed to Tyr.
Tyr, a strong man, fought off the other servants, cracks the neck of the guards trying to arrest him and fled the estate.
He is now hunted by slave hunters.
The servants that try to defend Tyr were subjected to punishment. The Count estate took the servant tongue for lying and his bones were broken.
At night Tyr once again broke through the Count estate and took that servant away.
When the peasant group that heard of this matter, they do not dare to come out of their estates to meet fearing they would be discovered by the slave hunters.
It was then Zinar ask him how far would he go for the peasants? At which point that they will lose him?
It was at that time Azul understand that he had to make a choice,. He made a choice to stand with the oppressed.
It was also that moment when they affirmed what they were feelings for each other.
But other than an unspoken understanding it did not go more than that.
In the years that followed, Azul saw how cruel life is for the peasant of the Remusian Empire. And how cruel its nobles.
Since then he met with Zinar and they talked about many things, thing that could be considered heresies to the Temple of Thonos.
He never saw anyone that spoke more freely about the world then Zinar.
And as he saw the world, not only through his eyes, but through the eyes of the peasants, the people below him in both status and wealth, he began to secretly despise the Empire.
But what he loathed the most about the Empire, more than the fact that the Empire brutal disregard for the rights of common folks,, it was the fact that peasants are treated as less than humans, like cattle, and above all the harvest of their blood in the Reaping.
The more intense the war in the borders, the more peasants is sacrificed to the church for blood magic.
Azul was a noble…but he was no simple noble. While his father agreed with the doctrine of the temple, the Canon and even revered it, obedience above all, his mother is different.
Azul mother reminded him when he was a child before her passing that a noble duty is to keep everyone under their lands safe and fed, protecting its people from harm and fear is what it means to be a noble.
Even though his status and Zinar status is different, they both share the same feeling about the empire.
They were kids at the time but both of them are not normal kids.
While Azul was born into the aristocracy and descended from a noble old lineage, he himself share not the passion of his father for the Church and its teaching that seems like a perversion of the Holy Canon to excuse all the horrendous things done by the Church.
And while he sympathizes with the peasant, Azul never show his support openly since he himself could be dragged as heretics.
Most nobles view the peasant as pig waiting to be slaughtered for the next reaping.
Azul on the other hand did not share the same opinion. As he was thinking of this he spotted Zinar among the crowd.
He did not shout to her, he only beams at her with his clear blue eyes. Zinar face is turned towards Azul and Azul could see that she seems worried.
She seems to be searching for someone else in the throng of peasant crowds.
In the town square the priest began its recitation of the Holy Book, once again hammering down the fact that nobles have the right of self-preservation and the peasant have the duty of self-sacrifice.
Every time Azul heard it he felt uneasy and repulsed.
Azief saw all of this in Azul face, his expression shows disgust. He is standing beside Azul looking at his every movement, his body ethereal and translucent, unnoticed by everyone.
Azief knows that Azul lingering intent did not show this just for nothing.
It must have something to do with Azul regret somehow. And Azief also knows why the phrase of duty of self-sacrifice seems to disgust Azul very much.
Azief knows that while Azul has reincarnated himself and have no memories of the past, there is still some resonance of his lives.
When he was Azul of that Asura tribe, The Celestials reaped the lives of his race like they were cattle and they were servants and slaves of the Celestials.
It wasn't until he broke through and avenges the Celestial that his race could live and prospers in the Universe.
Now, once again, in this life, that same situation occurs. This Empire sacrifices its people like cattle to power the Wall of their Borders, sacrificing innocent lives.
However this time, the position of Azul is reversed. In his life before, he was the oppressed class, he was the slaves. This time however, he was the oppressor class; he is the master, a noble of great powerful house.
Yet, he still fights the injustice he saw and not be distracted and tempted by his new life. Azief believe this has something to do with that Defiant Heart of Azul.
Azief then looked back at the Reaping that is about to begin. Azul seems relived when he didn't see Tyr among the crowd of the Reapings.
As Azul look towards Zinar, Azul spotted his father in the stand looking at him. His eyes seems to ask
'Why are you among them son?' Azul heart sinks and Azief could feel it too.
From the glare of his father eyes it seems that after the reaping is done his father would inquire about his relationship with peasants.
His father has always suspected that Azul is quite sympathetic towards the peasant class.
Meanwhile, the ceremony of the Reaping is about to be started.
'Exalted Magus, please begins' The magus is a red hair woman, with a scar on both of her cheeks, that seems deep and painful.
She brought out a phial of blood from the box on the altar.
Through the blood of the people, would the world be prosperous. Then she crushes that phial of blood and the blood seems to seeped into the Magus body.
She waved her hand and manacles from below the stand of the Reaping flew snap closed on the wrist of the peasants.
The manacles are silver in color and seem to be imbued by some magical properties.
Then with another swish of her hands, a dozens of blades flew out from below the altar stand surrounding the frightened and crying peasants.
The magus and the Learned Ones, the Avengers of the Chaos look coldly and snorted.
Then the Learned One spoke what they always recite before the Reapings.
'Those who sacrificed themselves to God and held back the Chaos are blessed by the Angels and Heaven is their rewards'
Azul look at this and heard the words, yet his heart could not truly agree with the doctrine of the Church
'Those who resides in heaven shall know that the rewards in Heaven is great and beyond anything in earthly realms. But those who are selfish, love life more than their love for God will forfeit both their lives and the promise of heaven.'
Then the Learned One turns to the crowd of peasant that is below the stand
And then he ask
'Who is hiding from the sacred summons?'
Then as Azul is about to join his father in the podium among the nobles he saw something that takes his breath away.
The crowd gasped and Azul felt that he is getting dizzy and his throat parched. He saw someone he knew being dragged to the Reapings.
He could not believe it and something burns in his heart. Azief notices this too. Not the obvious expression on Azul face but that beating heart.
It seems to be beating with such power that Azief could only imagine the force behind that. Normal mortal would not sense it but Azief is not a normal mortal.
It was like as his heart is beating, the sound echoes through all Universes. The fire in Azul heart if it could be taken out could burns world.
Azief smiles bitterly.
'He is not enlightened'
'If Azul is enlightened his heart could burn everything. With only his Will he could burn anything in this Universe. The title of Divinity of Fire is not wasted on him'
As Azief look at the scene that took Azul by surprise, a trace of sadness also appears on Azief face.
He sighed and closes his eyes
**************************************************************************
MEANWHILE ON EARTH
That cave where Azief is now undergoing his trial is undisturbed and as Azief body enters the saber, a small green serpent enters the cave at the same time, like it was sensing that Azief is no longer there.
Strangely enough none of the restrictions, magic formation, and arrays did anything to that serpent.
The green serpent slithers, wandering the cave, moving deeper inside the cave. Until finally that serpent stop slithering.
It hissed, its slitted eyes seems to close and opens like it is capturing an image.
Then that serpent opens its mouth and green gas comes out from it.
That green gas covered the serpent and then that serpent turns into a young man wearing a clean cut suit that resembles closely to an Armani suit.
The young man look slit with his hair combed back, his face look dashingly handsome and his body fit and lean.
He looks at the floating sabers and there is a complicated expression on his face. Then he shakes his head.
'Azief, you are attempting the Six Trials again this time? That man seems to be asking the silence.
'Six paths of suffering….is too long. There is a threat that is coming. And I could not wait that long, Azief. By now, you must have started the Second Trials. In the past, you did not pass the Trials…especially the last trial. I didn't know what the last trial is about…but I hope this time you will pass it. The world has changed, and so you have changed and maybe even the future might also on the path of changing'
He smiles a bit
'You become more compassionate…and you have begun to understand a bit to speak like humans' and that man chuckles a bit.
This man is none other than Loki the Trickster.
'You did not let go of your love. Though your love life is as complicated as before. But because you could not let go you are torn. I understand why you could not let go. Letting go is not as easy as one would think.'
Loki heard all about Sofia and Azief debacle.
But to him, it is a normal argument between couples that are in love and are not as serious as one would think.
And while stories and dramas would like to paint arguments as the reason why people broke up that is not true.
Argument is healthy.
Arguing and a fight are different. Arguing actually makes the romantic bonds unbreakable. It is sign that the relationship is maturing.
Arguing sucks. But conflict avoidance is worse. But like any other thing, there are mature and immature types of fights.
When people started to speak their mind clearly, that is a sign that relationship is maturing. And the fact that Sofia is angry means she cares.
Arguing means they are committed to each other. Absence of arguing is a sign major problem of lovers
But, Loki just afraid that this argument will turns to a fight. When fighting, one begun to mudsling and both will get dirty
Loki could not help but feel exasperated with both Sofia and Azief, this two lovers.
Not only he has to plot and scheme to stop what probably will be the end of the Universes, he has also to play matchmaker for Azief and Sofia.
And then there is the elephant in the room.
Katarina.
'Young love' Loki once remarked. Right now, Katarina is still sane not like that Goddess of Ice and Snow.
Loki has a theory about Sovereigns. Loki did not become Sovereign using the conventional way, fighting for the Will of the World and sitting on the Divine Throne.
But he notices something about Sovereigns that maybe the Sovereigns themselves didn't realizes.
And now, as he was in the past, and saw the origin story of the people who will one day become Sovereigns, Loki notice a common theme.
Loki in the future only knows Katarina when she was Sovereign. She was obsessed with the God of Death.
Her love for him sometimes bordered on insanity as she would not even allow normal mortal to love her object of adoration thus the curse she inflicted upon daughter of Milos
But the Katarina Loki knows now do seem to love Azief but not as obsessed as she was in the future.
And Azief in the future seems to be morbidly dark and has some obsession with Sofia, never allowing her to be hurt in a way that would allow her to die.
But Loki knows Azief true obsession. It is power. Or to be more accurate the truth of the world and the Universe.
Though Loki never knows what Azief would do with all of that power.
Raymond and his obsession with maintaining the order of the world. Oreki and Hikigaya also have their own obsessions.
Loki theory was that when one becomes a Sovereign their feelings were amplified hundred folds and even change some of them.
That would explain Katarina obsession with Azief. She was already in love with Azief before she becomes Sovereigns and that feeling only amplified when she became one.
Maybe the way to become a true Sovereign is to cut the obsession away.
Then he sighed
'That Azul is not some kind of normal Gods or Devils. That is a supreme ancient existence, an overlord that rules unchallenged in the Vast Universe. Why do you think he would set these six trials without a Price? But if you really passed this trial….then your control over Life and Death would probably be complete in the future. Then that time….you probably could…' and then Loki shakes his head and then he smiles to himself
He is thinking of a new future. Where the people he knew is alive, people he loves are well and happy.
He looks at the six sabers, only one is glowing with power.
'Blissful State' as he pointed his finger to one of the saber. He smiles as he notices that Azief did not yet enter that trial.
'Struggling Realm' he said as he look at the Heaven Sundering Saber. Azief once said that is the easiest trial and the fastest trial.
'Mortal Trial' he said as he looks at the glowing saber where Azief is in right now. Azief said that this trial is the easiest one to reach enlightenment.
There is enough suffering for one to achieve enlightenment, but not too much that one could be consumed by it
As long as one did not waste their time in this trial one could achieve enlightenment by experiencing all the mortal feelings
Loki also felt the irony. The whole trials seem to be designed for people to learn to let go, both regrets and desires.
Then Loki looks at one of the other sabers and he said
'Lower Forms trial' It is one of the longest trial Azief mentioned to him in the future
And then he looks at another saber and he smiles.
'The Desire trial' and then he look at the last saber and his eyes glint with maliciousness.
'The Hell trial' Then he closes his eyes and sigh, his sigh is long and deep, hard and full of emotions.
He then said
'Azief, if you pass this trial, this detour is nothing. But if you fail, then it will be a waste of time. So, I will help you. After all that is the reason I was sent to the past.'
He chuckles a bit and then he pointed his finger to two sabers.
He then look up at the ceiling of the cave, but his eyes is actually looking at the sky and beyond it, knowing "that" eternal existence would hear him if he invokes his name
'Azul, you owe karma from me!' His voice boomed in the Dark Universe reaching the Vast Universe.
Loki did not use the voice from his vocal chords but using the power of his soul to let his voice travels through the extremity of space to reach the Vast Universe.
'Time has gone crazy, heavens and the lower realms were turned upside downs and the Laws of Time were changed. But you live outside of time, and so Karma between us still exists. Pay your Karma to me and let the memory of the past bless my friend!'
There were silence for a while but then the skies of Earth crack and thunder boomed like something is answering the call.
Loki on the other hand coughed a mouthful of blood to the ground. He then look up to the sky, smiling.
'We are even' Loki said towards the sky.
The sky boomed with thunder, acknowledging Loki words and somewhere in the Vast Universe, sitting in his gigantic throne with holy light glowing behind it, a gigantic being close his eyes.
The sky on Earth is calm again.
And then Loki smiles and turns once again into a serpent and slither outside the caves as time pass by.
*************************************************************************
Ok for my readers. There is news I have to share. It would not be a good news so brace yourself. I will not be able to update a new chapter for next week since my motorcycle broke down and I have no money to repair the tube.
And without a bike I couldn't go to a cyber café to post stuff. For patron that supported me, right now there is a problem with patreon in that it didn't clear the payments and I could only do stuff when that is clear.
You might not believe, but I have to wait for two months for me to withdraw money from patreon. Because my patreon is short of ten dollars so I could not withdraw it to the bank.
And I only live because of that money. Thank you. And no. I am not kidding. For people in US it is ten bucks but for me it is 40 ringgit in my country.
I only drink water, or being sponsored by my friends sometimes when I go out. I eat cup noodles( yes, Malaysia have cup noodles) and there were few days that I only eat once a day.
Every Friday, in a gas station in my town, they give free drinks and snack. I'm always the first one there.
And I would not ask help from my family not when they want to kill me. (Yes, literally they want to kill me) I already tried to report it to the authority but when I go to the police, they said try to talk to your family and look at my report nonchalantly.
When I threatened to go to the police to talk about what sibling threaten to do and prepared to do, my parents block me from going to the police, take my things away, and take away the bike so I could not make a report.
They promised that they would talk to that person but instead they did nothing. I lost hope in family and at the same time the police.
Anytime I got out, it is because I have learned how to deal with my family. It has been a year since we didn't talk to each other. ( We literally did not talk to each other)
Because there is nothing to talk about.
Anyway, that is my sob story. I think anyone has a few sob stories in their life. Now you know why my character in LS did not like his family.
I am telling this so people know why in the past my update is irregular. It is easy to write when nothing happens to you.
I at least wanted to be acknowledged about that. I don't think that is such a grandiose wish right? I think everyone want to be acknowledged for something in this world.
I read every comment. Those who supported me with their kind words, you do not know how much that words means to someone who is down.
And for those that critics my story, don't worry. Keep doing what you are doing. Some give me constructive criticisms, while some just hate for the sake of hating.
For those that gives me constructive criticisms of course i am grateful. it means you care. We argue because we care don't we?
My grammar is always a weakness of mine. Not because I dont care about it but because when I write long chapters I tend to lost focus on the words. And my screen I used is small so I missed many of the spelling mistakes and usage of grammar that is wrong
Some people ask me to do the correction from the first chapter. If I did that when will I have the time to write new chapter. And people are asking me to hurry it up with new release vs people who wont read until I correct the grammar.
Who do i listen to? If I trying to correct my grammar from the beginning, I would not even have the time to write new chapters. Not that I am angry. I know it is also my mistakes.
I hope people would help me on that but for now I am focusing to write new chapters while minimising the mistakes.
And there are some people who crictis it for the sake of hating. I'm fine with it. I am kinda used to it. being cursed and yelled at for almost half of my life, you kinda grow an immunity against hatred.
Not that it didn't hurt. But i can handle it. Most of my plot is not solve in one volume. Some dragged out to many volumes. that was the case with Morgana arc and Loki grand scheme that would probably dragged until the Last Arc.
And most of the explanation have been written in the story if only some people bother to read chapters they deemed as fillers.
It is ok to bash on me. But it didn't sit right with me, when my readers have to defend for me in the comments.
If you all think this book is a fluffy story where everything is all rainbows and sunshine, you have not been paying attention.
If you think the future is grim in LS, that it is because it is grim that explains the motivation for Loki and even Morgana to change the future. And everybody keep asking and some even already made the fast decision that the future wold not change. How many breadcrumbs I spread to show the future is veering of path.
But will the future really change? Why don't you all stop worrying about that and enjoy the ride? And while we are at it, let em ask a question? Are you all really sure that the future is really that bad? all the readers only see bits and pieces....but are you really sure that the future is that bad?
And never expect me to give a straight answer about that.
In the beginning I made this story, there was one thing i am clear off. I never got too clear what will happen in the middle. But I always knew how this story would end.
And this story actually have two endings and I am still undecided which ending is better. And in between the beginning to reach the end, is a trail to that ending.
I only hope, you all would enjoy the journey
Now, onto another matter. Writing….is an outlet for me. It is more than just a money making scheme.
For those people who followed me from the beginning like Dok, I started writing in RR when that site looks like just a blog
I write Age of Adventure there. At that time, my grammar is even worse. There are a few editors that help me in the beginning but as the amount of chapter increases, they began to be swamp with life and drop one by one.
Then I write Age of Heroes. And all of that have no money or donation imposed when people are making money out of their works in japtem or RR.
It wasn't until later that I include donation in my works.
there is a reader in one of the chapters of LS that said I was only trying to write for the word count. That chapter was written long before Webnovel even recruited writers.
I want people to understand why I contracted myself to Webnovel…even though people said many bad things about them.
You don't think I have my doubts and fears entering in a contract like that? I don't want to disappoint my readers but I also have to live.
Most of the people here have never felt true hunger right? I am not talking about dreams or things like that. I am talking about literal hunger.
I once was starved so bad I could not even move. I felt like I was going to die. Of course now it is not like that. My friend had a café so he always extend me some kindness and give me some food or place to stay
It took me almost a month before I decided to contract myself. And you know why. Because I have no money. Because I no longer have money to buy cup noodles.
You might say, this author is just lying. I am living in Malaysia. If there is a reader in Malaysia just pm me and ask to meet me.
And if you are someone that is working at a good place do introduce me. My financial problem is not a new thing. Most of my old readers knew that I am dirt poor.
And their words help me a lot. All the criticism, the kind words, it helps you know. never underestimate the power of a beautifully crafted words of comfort.
I am trying all kinds of scheme to make money so I could write peacefully. I am making a youtube channel and I do promise food content but that has to be postponed for now. Right now I am only posting idol videos.
Pishang Monkey if anyone is interested. Mostly IZONE content.
Here is the link for anyone interested to see a few of my videos
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QMCQSyD7qvU
Yes, I am interested in idols.
The anime videos is not my creation. My friend did that. It is a two men channel. I would like to talk about the world of AOH, SOH, and LS but I don't think anyone would like to watch that right?
I even try to be a grab driver… but in Malaysia you have to have a car to register. I could not even buy a tube for a motorcycle how do I buy a car?
Ok, enough for my pity party.
How do you like the chapter? Loki is still like always scheming in the dark. Azief is getting suspicious of Azul trials.
And Don't let the schedule make you sad. When my friend is back from KL he can help me by getting me a ride to the cyber café. At that time I could post a new chapter. But for this month please be patient until I get the money for patreon. I will buy a tube for the motorcycle once I got it.