Chapter 1008 It Is Called Love (2/2)
Despite the choice of eternal life, those souls had chosen to leave a legacy instead, gifting a better future and hope to future generations.
And the Grand Patriarch knew that such was his fate as well.
He looked up at the other Grand Patriarchs of generations past and the other Prophet champions whose souls now appeared and stood before him.
”This is the successor whom I have chosen. What do you think? Isn't he stronger than all of us?”
”Hahaha, not a bad choice.”
”As expected of my successor—even the successor you have chosen is stronger than my own candidate!”
”He would suffice. Just a little stronger than I myself was.”
The bustling voices echoed in the heart of the World Shrine as the elderly being exchanged gazes with the souls. He could feel the encouragement, the cheering, the appreciation, the pleasure, and the pride. All forms of positive emotion were congregating, but it left him bemused instead.
Because the Grand Patriarch could not accept it.
”I am sorry.”
As the souls curiously measured himself, Galgur lowered his head and gritted his teeth, biting down on every word. ”It is due to my error that we have connected to an unusual otherworld when we were probing the Root of Psi… the supernatural epidemic appeared out of nowhere, spreading and causing the deaths of countless brethren.”
The Grand Patriarch clenched his fists, feeling that his straight back was about to collapse due to the suffocating self-blame. He remembered the recent Extraordinary Pestilence that had spread from the Twelve Sanctuaries itself, overwhelming the Cult and killing endless Takurian civilians, including a significant number of elites and talents…there was great bitterness in Galgur's voice, and he could only manage to mumble slowly, ”It is all my fault…it is my mistake that has sliced apart our civilization's ever rising future…”
***
The Ultimate Plague had spread at the speed of thought that even the swiftest measures to contain it led to the deaths of a quarter of the total Ruin Cult population. Given that they were the first to encounter the epidemic itself, there was neither warning nor countermeasures—by the time the Grand Patriarch and the other champions had finally found a way to stop it from spreading, one-fourth of Takur's finest had perished.
Even with their most advanced soul preservation techniques, only a small piece out of entire souls could be retained due to the Ultimate Plague. The victims' soul would either disintegrate with only recorded thinking and memories left, or an entire chunk would be missing from their souls—a long period of nourishment was hence needed to recover it from the Infinity Dynamo of Divine Energy.
It was the single greatest disaster in the history of the Takurians, and being Grand Patriarch as well as the leader who caused it all, Galgur could hardly excuse himself.
And yet, no one would lay the blame on him.
”It is alright, Patriarch. All of this happened because of the decision we made together, it is not your fault alone.”
Tides of voices echoed—it was not only the eleven most powerful souls, but also every former Prophet's souls along with the translucent silhouettes that filled the World Shrine that had responded in a single voice, ”Even if you were at fault, we all forgive you.”
”Do not blame yourself; do not regret. The future is ever-changing that even if faith guides us and wisdom forges the path forward, none of us can ever foretell what we will encounter in that path.”
”It is all the aliens' fault. It is all those hateful aliens' fault.”
”Blood of my blood. Blame not thyself, for it was a necessary sacrifice in the face of the unknown. It is truly regrettable, but you have been very careful and there had been no errors at all…the enemy was simply too powerful beyond our own imagination.”
Amidst the tides of voices, the former Grand Patriarchs all nodded—those were their genuine opinions.
They all knew that their successor had done his very best, and not even them would have been able to prevent that calamity itself. Indeed, if they had wanted to reach the Root of Psi as well, it would have been certainty that the Ultimate Plague befell them as well. Furthermore, limiting the sacrifices to a quarter of the population and already rescuing the entire Ruin Cult from the Ultimate Plague only made Galgur's ability even more evident, instead of the fact that he had done poorly.
Then, as the Infinity Dynamo of Divine Energy reverted to its colorless form, a female Takurian stepped out from the sea of souls. She watched the Grand Patriarch with an affectionate gaze as she arrived before him.
”You have already done well enough, my child.”
In return, the elderly being started to speak, and yet for all his power knew not what he should say at once…because the elderly woman was his mother and one of the former Prophets, the strongest psionic serving under the former Grand Patriarch, who perished as she stayed behind to cover a retreat in a major border conflict against the Amos Court.
On the other hand, although his long-dead father did not have such profound ability to manifest a complete psionic form, his silhouette could be seen nearby, smiling as he watched his wife and child.
”We are always watching over you, son.”
In spite of the very flesh of his body having already aged and withered, the Grand Patriarch remained a child in the eyes of his mother, with her own appearance being equally elderly. At the moment, she was gazing solemnly into the eyes of her own progeny, and she was aware of his purpose in coming, what he had come to do—without needing a single word.
”Galgur Takur. The champion to inherit the title of the Grand Patriarch, my son whom I am proud of…do you have more to say?” she asked gently. ”In the very end, at the final juncture of life…do you have anything you wish to say?”
We will help you remember it—to remember all that you are.
”…Thank you, mother.”
The elderly being called Galgur, whose last name was his civilization's, looked up, his single eye leveled at his mother before turning towards the other Grand Patriarchs who were solemnly watching him.
”Thank you, blood of my blood.”
He then moved on to gaze upon the translucent silhouettes and the colossal World Shrine within which all Takurians resided, including each and every Takurian soul and memory within the great hall.
”Being able to be granted your forgiveness, being able to fight for our civilization, and alongside all of you…that is the only duty I have in life,” he murmured. ”I am truly blessed.”
Thus, the infinitely massive world core—the Infinity Dynamo of Divine Energy—began to whirl. The colorless shining orb was now ablaze, and as the Grand Patriarch affirmed his resolve, unlimited power was being imbued upon his body.
On the outermost cloister of the World Shrine, the ethereal soul silhouettes vanished one after another as they willfully entrusted the energy that maintained their forms unto Galgur's body. Although they would not really perish, as they would continue existing in the Infinity Dynamo of Divine Energy, they handed over the power and authority that determined the future to their Grand Patriarch with ease of heart.
Do your best.
Do not give up.
You are our greatest champion…
So please, keep moving forward.
The silent message spread and resounded upon the domain of souls. In the heart of the world and enveloped by every Takurian soul, Galgur Takur's power arose exponentially, as if all water from the seven seas had been poured into a single lake, allowing it to increase without limit.
”I know…I know…I know that what lies behind the infinite worlds are ever dark and unreasonable.”
”I know that this Multiverse is full of hostile foes and dangerous beasts.”
”But I know—I know! My kin who love me, friends who support me, and brethren who would journey forward with me are beside me!”
Over the Grand Patriarch's head, a twelvefold crown shone as boundless psionic energy and divine power converged, conjuring a smaller colorless fireball and a smaller Infinity Dynamo of Divine Energy that appeared at the center of the crown, eventually becoming the most dazzling gem embedded upon it. Hence, Galgur's aged body began to turn transparent as his body melted under unlimited divine energy, because he was using his individual body to embody the full power of the Takurian civilization.
It undoubtedly wrought ceaseless anguish and torture that would leave one insane—but it was all insignificant.
Because he knew the conclusion to all of it.
”I know of the foe that could not be more powerful on the other side of the dimensions, a great adversary that could ruin the future of which I have foreseen.”
Now, most of the translucent silhouettes were fading. Even the former prophets and the other colored silhouettes were slowly waning, while in front Galgur, the aged woman serenely extended her hand to touch her son's wrinkled but endlessly firm cheeks.
”I know that this journey of mine is necessary. I will do all I can to destroy the enemy that has killed a quarter of our own kind, the enemy who is far more terrifying than the Amos which threatens all of our cult.”
Because I am the Grand Patriarch of Takur, and this is the life that I have chosen.
Because of memories eternal, Takurians never once forget any grudges.
Because of memories eternal, no love would be forgotten.
The Multiverse, covered in cruel malice, is positioned in the ever-revolving Cycle of Misery.
Even so, the heart must carry hope in anticipation of tomorrow.
Whether in the face of an end where death is certain, or a future where ruination is destined, the hearts of every Takurian would never be alone or isolated.
For within the Canopy realms where beliefs and souls are connected, all things are bound to the deepest of love.
Therefore, do not show such a miserable face. This is my most honest, my most sincere choice.
Having assumed a complete psionic form, the elderly man, who was now a physical psionic singularity, raised his hand and wiped away the incorporeal tears that were flowing down his mother eye as she began to fade away.
Then, the radiance all vanished, dispersing as obscure specks of light.
”I will protect all of you.”
The voice, which was brimming with lucidity and immeasurable determination, echoed as the souls of the former Grand Patriarchs began to vanish as well, whereas their powers were all projected into the body of the incumbent Grand Patriarch. ”I am already very content that I can be forgiven by each and every one of you.”
To life, to myself, I am already very content that I was born as a Takurian.
So, thank you, mother.
Goodbye, brethren of mine.
I am going to fight.
***
In the Void of the Galaxy of Bloodbath, the center surrounded by the Twelve Sanctuaries…the light from the World Shrine went out.
The once brightest light that represented the Infinity Dynamo of Divine Energy was rapidly darkening.
Even so, in the very next moment, a light far more radiant than any other shone, illuminating all of the Void!
In that single split second, even the collective light from the Twelve Sanctuaries were completely repressed—that light transcended all of the dimensions, causing another profound will that existed in the Galaxy of Bloodbath to awaken as well.
At the very bottom zone of the Galaxy of Bloodbath, the incomparably majestic consciously lifted its gaze in surprise, and looked on in sheer astonishment.
”Setting off—”
Around the World Shrine at the center of the Twelve Sanctuaries, there were still clumps of silhouettes that had yet to fade off. Those translucent psionic shadows encircled the world from the outside, patiently waiting.
Because of the losses incurred by the Plague, the memories of the warriors are waiting to exact their revenge.
And now, they were rewarded, for the voice that would lead them forward had arrived.
[When the greatest threat struck, a quarter of all national citizens of the Ruin Cult had died out in a brief seven days. All interior production constitutions had been left in disarray, with significant gaps cutting into the entire body of civilization itself. Even if legacies were not actually lost, they no longer had the depth to stand against the Amos, not to mention the great unknown entity that had caused all of this.
Therefore, from here on, the Twelve Sanctuaries—the Canopy Realms would lead most citizens away, abandoning what was once their homeland, and to give up on the prolonged war against the Amos, which had stretched on for dozens of millennia. Meanwhile, Galgur Takur, the former Grand Patriarch would carry with him all powers that could be used from the Infinity Dynamo of Divine Energy, along with the warriors who had set their wills on to giving their all in the name of vengeance, thereby heading towards the Root where they would slay the enemy, ensuring the safety of all citizens as they evacuated. Even if there was truly no way for them to gain victory, they would utterly destroy the trail of teleportation they had unwittingly left behind…the one they had once used to explore the very origins of psionic energy.]
”…Goodbye.”
Outside the Twelve Sanctuaries, the former First Prophet and current Grand Patriarch stood in the blankness of space. He silently watched as the former Grand Patriarch and the legions of souls became light itself, opening the doorway headed to the faraway place on the other side of the dimensions.
It was only until the single second just before leave that he softly voiced a word of parting, ”I hope we will see each other again.”
It was not merely the Takurians who saw that light.
Near the Amos Court in the Galaxy of Bloodbath, a human captain and a foreign traitor both saw that same light, and stared blankly as the comet-like radiance glimmered amongst the stars until it disappeared.
More had seen it as well.
…at the star and the end of causality…
…on the other side of fate, as well as love and hate…
Because of the selfishness called egotism, because of the sacrifice called love, two clearly different wills—the individual whose name was beast and the collective which name was civilization—were thus developing a connection and causing a collision.
Therefore…
Starting from the black hole with a silver core, and from that place of a struggle between life and death as an origin point…
All possibilities were ceasing to be.