As this golden skeleton's voice reverberated through space, it was as if all other noises vanished and time stood still. The sheer force of its utterance appeared to shake the very fabric of reality, causing even the most resolute beings to tremble in its wake.
Raydon and Fehim were terrified by the overwhelming pressure it exerted. The sheer power emanating from the being appeared to permeate every molecule of air surrounding them, rendering them both awestruck and helpless in its might.
When they looked up at the skeleton's empty eye sockets, they felt as if they were staring into the very essence of power as they fought to keep their feet on the ground against its oppressive presence.
The golden skeleton's gaze appeared to penetrate their very souls, exposing all their fears and doubts in a single, withering look. For a moment, the two mortals felt as though they were entirely exposed before this immortal, divine creature, utterly at its mercy.
"Verily, it has been an unfathomable span of time since I sought to surmount the thirteen trials, from which I sought to emerge victorious ere my mortal demise. Yet lo and behold, this is all that remains. Nevertheless, I must commend thee, for thou hast overcome these very same obstacles despite the frailty of thy mortal vessels. Thy fortitude and resilience are truly worthy of praise." Looking at Raydon and Fehim, the golden skeleton spoke.
'What the hell is this shiny skeleton saying? ' Fehim was unable to comprehend his words due to the pressure on his head and brain, which caused every word to feel like needles were being pierced into his dry brain.
But unlike him, Raydon had been able to get some of the unanswered questions out of his mind.
'Oh, so there were previously 13 stages to this inheritance? I have no idea how powerful this thing was when it was alive, but the pressure I felt even from its dead body is evidence that it is more powerful than an F-Rank. '
How the golden skeleton maintained consciousness was beyond Raydon's comprehension, but if his words were to be believed, he had died so long ago that the dimension he had left behind had been unable to survive the ravages of time and had thus fallen to F-Rank.
As Raydon and Fehim continued to fight off the pressure, the voice of Aureus that had been eating away at their minds echoed once more in their ears.
"Though time's unyielding march has left me as nothing more than a mere skeleton, with only a handful of possessions to my name, I take solace in the knowledge that my legacy endures. Remember me as The Undead Flying Commander Aureus, and let it be known that even in death, my memory lives on. And if perchance thou shouldst find thyself in the land of my birth, ***** let it be, ensure that my name is spoken once more, that I may be honored and remembered for all eternity."
After the golden skeleton had finished his sentence and realized the name of the world he had uttered was completely soundless, a glow redder than blood burned for a moment in the eye sockets that had been empty until now, and then he lowered his head and continued, but this time in a sad tone rather than a nostalgic one.
"Since the last time I treaded the worlds, even my sovereign, to whom I pledged my loyalty, has succumbed to the ravages of time. My home planet has suffered complete annihilation, leaving no trace of its once thriving existence. Regrettably, there is no longer a place in the universe where my name can be uttered, for my world has been erased completely and mercilessly."
As he finished his sentence, the space around him began to bend and crack. The tremors that had stopped a while ago have also resumed.
'What nonsense this skeleton is spitting out. Does he want to kill us as well because he is upset about the end of his world? ' Raydon cursed to himself, but he did not dare speak out loud. It was evident that the general was saddened by the fact that his entire world had vanished.
While Raydon and Fehim feared that the dimension would collapse and bury them in oblivion as a result of Aureus' momentary grief, all anomalies ceased and everything returned to its previous state of silence.
"Let the past be buried and forgotten, for there is no use in lingering on it any further. The obliteration of my beloved home renders this inheritance I bequeathed pointless, yet I feel compelled to recognize your fortuitousness and perseverance." Aureus said as he lifted his hand to point at Fehim.
'Hell yeah. Will I finally receive my reward? ' Despite the fact that Fehim had not comprehended the skeleton's words up until this point, his idiotic instincts led him to conclude that the skeleton would reward him for his hard work in reaching this point.
"Behold, it appears that thou hast come into possession of a fragment of my corporeal being, which once fought valiantly alongside me in the many battles of my youth. Thus, it is only fitting that I bestow upon thee the other fragment, completing the set and endowing thee with the full measure of power that was once wielded by my former self." Aureus must have noticed Fehim's use of body enchantment since he mentioned it.
He extended his golden glowing skeletal hand and opened his palm, at which point a black withered bat wing materialized on his palm and began to float towards Fehim.
"Receive my gift."
Fehim took the object that was presented to him by Aureus, examined it, and then cried out in delight. ''Yes! Another blue-grade body enchantment. ''
Raydon's excitement increased when he heard this. He stared impatiently into the empty eye sockets of the golden skeleton, disregarding the pressure on him and the needles prickling his brain.
Finally, Aureus spoke while directing his attention to him.
"By the power vested in me, it is clear that thou dost carry a weighty sin in thy heart. Beyond the offerings within my possession, even thy ruler, were he to be present, would struggle to find a worthy recompense for thee."
Raydon, who was waiting impatiently for his reward, reflected on Aureus' words. 'Can't you just stop talking and give me the reward? I have no idea what you're talking about. '