Chapter 306 - Seekers Parting I (1/2)

”The river is gone?” Li perked up. He stared at Lira for answers. ”What exactly do you mean by that?”

Lira answered with a simple shrug. ”I cannot say. I know that these eyes of mine that can see the flow of fate only work in worlds where there is life a plenty. Elsewhere, such as in the void of stars, I see nothing.”

”So what are you suggesting?” Li narrowed his eyes. ”That somehow I am responsible for ending all life on this world? Ending this world, even?”

”That is what I initially thought,” said Lira. ”Seeing that was one of the primary reasons I did not trust you and attacked you. I hope you will understand me a bit better.”

She left out the fact that she had attacked Li largely also because of what he was in respect of his decision to conceal his true nature from those around him.

”I can understand,” said Li. ”But what I do not understand is what your vision about me means.”

”I would not think too much about it,” said Lira.

”Hm? Is the prospect of the end of all life on this planet not worth thinking about?” said Li.

”Yes, of course, but my ability to see the ripples of fate is limited. If, for example, the ripple you cast is infinitely vast, so much larger than any else such that it drowns out everything else, then it may be that I perceive such scale as the river itself disappearing.” Lira c.o.c.ked her head. ”Or perhaps your fate is tied to the end of all life or the shattering of this world. It is anyone's guess, really – my capacity to perceive fate was never meant to deal with scale such as this.”

Lira gave Li a knowing look, and Li understood what she wanted to convey. It was a warning to be careful of the battles ahead, for even if it was impossible that himself Li would ever destroy the world, he might unintentionally do so through a battle with another.

He had known since the moment he knew he would potentially have to face Noctus.

Yes, Li could fight Noctus. Yes, he could win, probably more times than he would lose now that his powers went beyond those he had in the game world.

But what of the cost? He could not kill Noctus instantly, and unlike in a game, a boss battle of that caliber would never be confined to a tidy and neat arena.

A full scale confrontation between Old Ones such as Li and Noctus was, as Li was increasingly beginning to realize, beyond the capacity of a single planet. One single damage oriented Ultima-class spell from Li was capable of likely shattering the vast majority of an entire continent.

What would happen if spells of that caliber began to clash with each other?

One of Noctus's most well-known and strongest spells was the ability to call down a mass meteor shower. That alone could likely wipe out a continent also, not to mention making the rest of the world utterly uninhabitable.

This was power. This was a clash between titans amidst a world made of paper and inhabited by ants.

Li breathed out, his expression set and serious.

Lira saw this and said, ”I would not worry much were I you. Relying on my vision is the last thing even I would do. Fate is fickle in the same vein that rushing water is. More likely than not, I am simply incapable of truly perceiving your fate.

And besides, I know that you have the capability to safeguard this world. You know this too. And now that I have seen into your daughter's memories, I believe you will wield your power and influence to that end.”

”Well, I guess that is reassuring in some way,” said Li. He sighed, deciding to himself that in a way, Lira's attitude was the right one to take. There was no point fretting about unclear fates in an unpredictable future.

No, it was better for him to act in the present and now to seize how the future turned out.

”I believe in you, lad,” said Old Thane, breaking the silence of worried faces among the mortals in the circle. ”Always have. Known you were destined for greatness since the day I took you in. And, it seems to me, your greatness is such that not even fate itself can handle it, heh.”

The others nodded to Old Thane's confident and cheery tone, but there was still a small sense of unease that Li sought to remove now.

”Thanks, old man,” said Li. ”But Lira is right. I am going to make this world right, and I know I will. All the life that was lost in past conflicts, I am restoring. Even now, you can see around yourselves life returning to what was once barren and desolate.

It does not matter what stands in front of me. To make things right, to preserve the preciousness of life, I will overcome any obstacle, no matter how small or large.”

”Well said.” Lira stood up with a nod. ”A good thing to hear before I go.”