Act 4: Fallen Heaven - Chapter 730: The Right Timing, Auren's Side

Act 4: Fallen Heaven - Chapter 730: The Right Timing, Auren's Side

"Does it seem like I have a choice? Either I choose to let the Caerulumen invade and massacre the people or fight them and have a chance of winning." Oscar frowned, displeased, but his lips flattened and brow smoothened, resigned to the obvious choice. He stood up under Metures's blazing glare and dragged his weary self closer, brushing past Ignyres, who remained silent and stepped aside. Erden grunted and walked by his side. They reached the throne, standing barely past the bottom of Metures's greaves. A firm and sharp aura pulsed around the Ancient of Metal, making Oscar reel from the sensation of his blood pinching against his veins.

"That may be so. But you will no longer be bound by me or by anyone else." Metures said clearly. "Fight the battles you wish. Save those you love. Spare those you pity. Not a tool. Not a weapon. But you. Let me ask. Once more." His breathing grew rushed. "What say you?"

"Yes. I will accept." Oscar said without hesitation. They had no time to deliberate or argue any longer. He felt it, the slight danger lurking nearby, constantly tapping on his instincts, knocking and hanging over his head. Sighing, Oscar sat down and watched Metures's hand reach out and place a finger gently on his head, a simple push capable of squashing his entire body into a splotch of blood. Metures brushed Oscar's hair and patted softly in a strange comfort that forced tears to well up and spill from his eyes. Why did this normal gesture of kindness strike him so hard?

"Forgive me. It has been a long, burdened journey, and you may endure more suffering in the future." Metures coughed, spewing out more clouds of rust, and gasped weakly. His red eyes shifted in his visor and locked on Erden standing to the side. "Prielapos, you have also been fortunate. Growing from a small, unassuming beast and elevated to the purest of blood."

"If the Ancient of Metal says so, then it must be true. My greatest fortune has to be meeting Oscar in Ashen Grove all those years ago." Erden laughed and nudged him in the face. He smacked his lips and grunted, "Is there a need for me to be here? I'd be better off fighting to save as many people above. Even if Oscar dies and I follow after, we are content, knowing we've fought to protect."

"Do not lower yourself. I hadn't considered it before. But I believe that fate is on our side. You are here, and Old Flame is also here. You have also crossed a strange border and have become more than just a beast. A new opportunity has risen for us." Metures turned his red eyes to Ignyres. "Old Flame. Are you willing?"

'So that's it!' Ignyres cackled, flickering his bright flames in a violent burst, radiating a fierce heat. Oscar couldn't read the Ancient of Fire's expression, but he knew a smile was on that flaming head. Ignyres blazed forward with wide strides, cackling in excitement. 'We are old and dying, mere embers waiting for the inevitable. Shall we risk it all by starting the greatest fire since the dawn of creation itself? I never thought a block of metal such as yourself had the mind to think of it. Yes! Yes! Our time is over, but our flames will burn the brightest.'

"A simple yes would have sufficed." Metures shook his head. "Very well. The time of the Ancients is over. Man and beast will reign, in control of their own destinies. Oscar shall inherit my mantle. Erden shall inherit Ignyres's. Thus, I have spoken, and so it shall be done."

The ground trembled after his declaration in response. Oscar closed his eyes and waited for it to start, but after a few seconds of silence, ignoring the soft cracklings of Ignyres's fire, nothing happened. He was confused and raised his head, baffled at the Ancient of Metal leaning back on the throne. "What are we waiting for? I can't waste any time. Why are we doing nothing when everyone is fighting out there?"

"Patience. Have faith in your people. The process cannot begin without the influx of Ein that will come from the Convergence. Tend to your body and wait." Metures said, peering up. "It is almost time."

Lysander flew straight to the top and let them go on the top disk, staring above at the ocean of stars with a strange look of longing, flashes of desire glinting in his pupils. Auren pretended not to notice, knowing better than to disturb and possibly antagonize this man, but Gloria had other ideas, fearlessly asking, "Lord Taradon, is there anything to find up there? I only see stars."

"Young miss–" Auren grew flustered, but Lysander's booming laughter knocked him to his rear.

"That's the point. There are only stars there. What mysteries exist beyond them? What do they look like up close? There is a wider world out there, far beyond our Talos. Ancient records tell of a few who came from the outside. Isn't that nice?" Lysander smiled and crossed his arms. "Wouldn't anyone want to journey out there and explore? Perhaps they can go to the moon, to our two suns, to faraway worlds, and meet new people."

"That sounds amazing!" Gloria covered her sonorous laughter and tucked her brown, wavy hair behind her ear. "I'd love to travel out there."

"You're not bad at all! You understand." Lysander said. "I had hoped to come here and jump off, soar out of Talos's reach, and live an adventurous life out there. What a shame." He shrugged and slowly raised his hand, his fingers shaking at the highest point. "Even here, I am still bound. Oh well. Get on with your ploy. I'll stand watch."

Right as he said that, another hatch burst off the floor and clattered a charred, melted mess, lighting flashing and ascending in thunderous roars. Auren hurried to the edge of the top disk and shivered in fear of the terrifying Ein that rivaled Lysander's. A man with blue hair and blue eyes emerged out of the new opening and brushed the dust off the golden decorations on his shoulders, from which he draped a mantle of gold with blue inscriptions on the back. His blue uniform shirt matched well with his blue pants, tightened by the black belt and locked by golden latches.

"Auren, hurry it up. This man is none of your concern." Lysander narrowed his gaze and shouted, "Took you a long time, you little bastard. Have you grown in the six months since I met you, or are you still a brat?"

"Lysander...." Gilbert Lockwood raised a brow, then sighed. "Just leave. You have no reason to stop me."

"Since when did I need a reason to do what I want?" Lysander floated off the disk, looking down on Gilbert. "No one can tell me otherwise when I've already decided. And I've decided to fight you."