Omarion was stunned by the entire story Veron told him. It’s confirmed many of his suspicions and even about Damien. He somehow got a record of a Space Dreamer in an ancient and decrepit location but it was far beyond his imagination to believe in it. Now his whole worldview had to change and it appeared as they were not even significant beings compared to everyone else.
“Veron, why are you telling me this? Isn’t it your responsibility to keep this information locked away?”
Veron appeared to have aged visibly but he had grown weary from reliving his painful memories. This time he brought out a bottle of wine and poured drinks for both of them.
“It no longer matters, Omarion. I have long relinquished my post as a guardian and have been in hiding with Damien ever since. Whether I told you or not, the outcome is going to be the same. Have a drink with me, forget about your code.”
He held out the drink for Omarion, but he did not readily accept it. He shoved it aside instead and demanded for more information.
“Elaborate, and I will drink with you.”
“I still have connections with those that receive news in the True World. Damien was to be killed from the moment he was born due to a prophecy. They thought they accomplished their mission, however he lives. To confirm his death is simple, just ask a Divine Seer and they would give you an answer. My sources told me they know he lives and they are coming for him. This time not to kill him, but to subjugate him for their own gain. They are coming, Omarion, and it will only take a couple more years before it’s all over.”
“Who’s coming, Veron? Why does it have to be all over? Frankly, I do not understand why that would happen.”
“The First Prince of the Ashea Family, Riecht Ashea. You may think I am powerful since I was once the guardian but I will tell you now that I am nothing compared to him. He does not need a reason for it to be over neither does the rest of them. If they want it to be, then that is enough reason to do it. Omarion, they believe everyone here are just ants ready to be stepped on and we can do nothing to stop it. Just take the drink with me, it may be the only time we will.”
Veron handed him his cup of wine and they toasted each other. Veron sipped on it lightly while Omarion hammered it down in one fell swoop. They continued to drink through the night as the inconsequential terror washed over Omarion. When dawn broke, he decided it was time to leave and bring the news back to Ari. He knew Veron had no reason to lie and now the clock was ticking toward a doomsday. Before he traversed the mountain back down, he looked back toward Veron’s lonely back and asked him the question that had been bugging him all night.
“Why didn’t you run? Run as far as you could with Damien and keep him away as best you could. He’s like a son, no he is your son now, so why didn’t you do that? Maybe you could have gotten away and lived in an isolated area where no one would find you.”
Veron didn’t turn around, but instead looked to the rising sun.
“That is no way to live and you know it. That is surviving and allowing others to decide your fate. I faced my life with heart wrenching pain, but I would not live it any other way. I came to this place because of these events. I lived a life of glory, worthy of dying in peace and I know my wife will meet me with a proud smile. Damien must face his tribulations that are fated against him in this life. That will be the only way he will ever have a chance to live the life he truly wants it to be.”
This story originates from Royal Road. Ensure the author gets the support they deserve by reading it there.
Omarion knew that this conversation was over. He knew that Veron had his own way of seeing things as did he. It was just a matter of differing opinions and no one could say what was right and wrong. He vowed towards Veron and paid his respects one last time toward Eldira. There were no more words to be said between them so Omarion started his descent down the mountain. He had no problems going down as the beasts wanted him to leave their territory which gave him a safe passage down. He traveled his way back to the academy where he now stood in front of Ari who had created a safe bubble around them to speak in confidence. Ari had listened to the whole story and the circumstances they had been put in. He kept his facial emotions in check since he had others in the room able to see him, but internally he was ready to break down from the news. His hand was clenched into a fist causing his knuckles to turn white.
Ari couldn’t help to look at Damien and think about Veron’s entire struggle to bring him to this point. Along with the fact he will face something greater than anything he could ever imagine. Knowing Veron was not one to exaggerate, even if all of Ari’s time with him was just a clone, he could only accept the reality. It didn’t take long for Ari to come up with the only plan that made sense to him.
“Listen closely, Omarion. We will not let anyone else know of this matter. Not the boy and especially not the other heads of academies nor the kingdoms. If they were to know then they would directly capture the boy and offer him up on a silver platter.”
Omarion nodded his in agreement but he wasn’t all the way on board with his plan. It still didn’t resolve the issue that was inevitably going to come. It only allows for the calmness in the continent to remain the same.
“Ari, that means we are throwing everyone under the bus, for what? What do you plan on doing when they come? It is not so simple to forget about it and hope for the best.”
Ari knew that there was no right answer for this predicament but this was his student and now his responsibility. Ari was someone who cared deeply for the students. If not then he would never become the Headmaster.
“We cannot have anyone evacuate or the people here from the True World will realize something is wrong. We don’t know how deeply they are integrated into our continent. I believe it’s best for everyone to continue living their lives as they have. Panic and unrest has never done us any good and it won’t change now. If Veron is correct about Damien’s talent, then we are going to back him completely and nurture him to the best of our abilities. There is no one I can think of that has a ceiling that high, not even Zurat.”
Ari and Omarion continued to talk amongst themselves, planning the future for Damien. Their talk about the impending doom was the first and last time they will speak about it. In the meantime, Damien rested for the rest of the night and came to the next morning with his friends by his side. This time he was not freaking out since he had the support of his close friends. Damien stayed in bed for a couple more days getting used to not wearing any glasses and also regaining his strength. The school year had already ended for them, but that was the least of his concerns as he still thought about the bet that was on the line. He had that as his priority when he was able to walk completely on his own.
A month after the duel, Damien fully recovered and he felt that he was just about ready to break through to the next stage. Before he went into a long cultivation state to overcome the Earth Realm, he went to find Zurat who lived on campus throughout the year. Most students had a home to go to but just like Damien, they both had nowhere to go. Damien brought along his friends so he could witness Zurat apologizing. He came to his room in the Point 3 building and knocked firmly. They waited a while until they heard rustling on the other side. Zurat swung the door open, revealing that his body was still badly damaged with bandages covering nearly his entire body. He scowled at the sight of them, however he walked back inside with the door open to invite them in.
“I was wondering if you were going to wake up and come see me. I didn’t take you as someone who would let things go, especially when you went through all of this. Well, a bet is a bet and a loss is a loss.”
Without any further words Zurat faced them and got down to his knees. He brought his head down to the floor and sincerely apologized.
“I am sorry to you all. I have changed my mind about humans. They are not an inferior species.”
‘He actually apologized so easily and it wasn’t a fake one!’
Everyone was thinking the same way. They believed they were going to force it out of him, but you could never know anyone too well. Damien let him stay in his posture a little while longer until he felt they were even between them. After a full minute passed, Damien reached down and brought him to his feet. To everyone’s surprise, Damien stuck his hand out looking to receive a handshake like nothing ever happened.