Chapter 23 - Vision

Falven stood proudly “Princess Sayri is right, anything occurs in harmony with the Dao. Harmony means in accordance to the Dao, as you cannot breath without air cultivators cannot exist outside of the Dao Laws. But the Heavens, since when are they in harmony with us? Cultivation is about seeking power, immortality, a never-ending rise from simple humans to Immortal Gods. Heavens are our biggest stepping stones, slaying them is in Harmony with the Dao. Life and death, destruction and reconstruction, killing and healing, the opposites coexist in accordance to the Dao, the harmony lies in the middle, accepting both is the righteous path”.

Indignant glares converged on the youth. Several geniuses wanted to rebuke his outrageous words, but before they could speak the core disciple Devil Suppressor stood, as calm and confident as ever “Please everyone, don’t jump to conclusions. My brother Fate Destroyer didn’t mean to disparage the Heavens, on the contrary, he was exalting their greatness. Just speaking theoretically, wouldn’t the Heavens be the last step of Humanity, wouldn’t facing them and learning from them raise us higher than ever? He meant they are our inner demon…”.

The core disciple’s speech calmed the many geniuses and the debate continued. Falven understood Devil Suppressor’s intentions, he didn’t act for helping his martial brother, he was seeking to make a good impression on the princess, it was crystal clear he was aiming for her.

The discussion continued and the meaningless blubber annoyed Falven, who silently left the courtyard, taking a stroll up to the walls of the palace.

While he was admiring the scenery light steps approached from behind “Your viewpoint was original, a refreshing voice out of the choir”.

“Princess Sayri, you can be blunt with me, no need to play a role” the youth smiled at the beauty besides him. She was taken aback, before smiling too “I meant it, you’ve also been bold to state something so controversial”.

“Mmph, it’s controversial just because people have a rigid mentality these days”. Sayri took her time to appreciate these words. She had always felt to be different, distant from the crowd, as if she couldn’t truly relate to the others. This was the first time someone else gave her the same feeling.

“People are scared, even the highest prodigies are, afraid of something they cannot control, of their fate. They refuge themselves in their believes, building certainties to replace the ominous unknown”.

“You’re right princess, but that speech of yours continues to be too polite. People delude themselves, they are like preys who hide their heads underground to not see the hunter, ignoring that his eyes are set on their exposed bodies. The only way to solve this is to accept that we are currently not the masters of our fates… and fight to gain control over it!”.

“How would you take control of your own fate then?” “The answer is as simple as brutal, being powerful enough to be in control”.

The two youths stayed silent for a bit, admiring the descending sun. After a while “Don’t you think, Fate Destroyer, that achieving such a power will create conflicts? If the Heavens are the enemies of humanity as you say, wouldn’t they strike before you gain enough power to defy them?”.

A sad smile appeared on the face of the youth, while staring at the princess, reminiscing on what he had lost, what he could never take back. She was indeed similar to her… but in the end she wasn’t her “Oh they do, they do indeed. Thus, the rise shall be quick and clever, not giving them the conditions to strike and the time to organise. Without risks you cannot rip the spoils”.

“And what about the many who’ll die in the massacre?” “This world has always been dominated by the strong, they are the ones who choose the path of their race. Everyone else has two options, to hide and hope, or to become powerful enough to not be crushed”.

The princess had this feeling of familiarity towards the youth, as if he was an old friend of hers, an intimate one. His absurd speeches felt so natural told by him, he seemed to merely describe the occurring events.

“And you, Princess Sayri, if you could choose what would you do?”

“I’m scared too, I’m human after all. The unknown frightens me, the chaos that would ensue crazy actions agitates me. I feel to bear a heavy burden, each day of each year, as if a Damocles sword is ready to cut my throat every time”.

Silence again, the two admired the red sunset from the walls.

“What I think is that your burden is not only tied to your position in the kingdom, but there’s something else which worries you. Something that only you know, that nobody else can get to know… maybe they wouldn’t even understand. I’m the same, a heavy burden weighs on me, a burden everyone else is oblivious to. I’m not forcing you, princess, but I can be here to lighten your burden, as long as you’re willing to share it with me. Come to Soaring Hill if you ever want to train together, you won’t regret it”.

With these words Falven left the walls while the sky was darkening, while the princess kept standing in the night fresh breeze, lost in her thoughts.

As the youth was about to leave the palace an old cultivator, still full of vigour and vitality, stopped his path “This junior greets the Royal Lord”.

“Junior, I can feel from here that the princess’ mood is in turmoil. I don’t know what you said to her, but I won’t allow you to trouble her majesty. Mark my words, if I ever suspect you’re going to sabotage her I will be brutal, regardless of who’s at your back”.

“Royal Lord, please don’t jump to conclusions. I can see she’s burdened and I’m not planning to trouble her any further. I appreciate you protecting her, I can rest at ease knowing she’s in good hands”.

————

Princess Sayri was still on the walls, the fresh breeze was teasing her long hair. She had much to think about, the strong feelings the youth elicited in her, why… could it be…

There was a reason why the Chosen Fate lineage had always been in charge of the Unbroken Kingdom, since before the Heavens Punishment. Their bloodline was unique and used to confer to the descendants a particular ability: Vision. This granted them the gift to see glimpses of the future, of the past or of the memories and feelings of their ancestors.

The process was not smooth nor clear, often they could just see metaphors. This ability had lied dormant since the Heavens Punishment and had awoken in Sayri, showing her the same vision her ancestor saw before the Apex World got capsized… and part of her emotions too.

The vision was elicited after the talk with the new core disciple, playing once again in the mind of the princess, with higher clarity.

She closed the eyes and the images unfolded once more. A planet was peacefully basking in the sunlight, magnificent and proud. A little flame was born, year after year the flame grew, radiating a firce light. The Sun of the planet was angered by the existence of the flame, it changed, its bright light became red and heavy. Flaming dragons and crimson lightnings annihilated the entire world and each form of life. The Sun then left, leaving the world in eternal darkness. The time run fast, many eras passed by in a brief moment, until a little flame came to life again. The flame grew and became a bright sun enlightening the world, which flourished once more. The Sun had saved the world, the more it grew the more the world would fprosper. He got brighter and brighter, his rays more and more powerful. Its warmth became scorching hot, its peaceful rays flamethrowers. The world it was nurturing was burnt to the ground by the sun itself, too huge and powerful for the little planet. Each life form decayed again, disappearing forever. A final explosion ensued, decreeing the ultimate end of this sorrowful world.

Trembling in fear and regret, with tears wetting her face, Sayri emotively whispered “Is it truly because of him?”