Level Up Legacy

After their deal, Benjamin led them to ascend the mountain and meet the Netherborne Family. The black terrains of Mount Ehler extended into the clouds, like a path to heaven. The group of four stood at the base of the mountain, looking at its shackled gates and guards with apprehension.

"Have you sent word that we will be visiting?" asked Princess Sapphire, addressing Benjamin, who wore a silver cloak made of leather.

The Silvera Lord fastened his giant sword to his back, tightening it before answering the princess, "I have no method to communicate with them."

"What?" blurted out Rain with surprise. "You have been guarding this mountain for generations without even communicating with them?"

"Some of them descend down the mountain every now and then to check on things, but that's all. I only know how to ascend the mountain following the Ancient Trail."

"Let's hope that trail is as far away from the skeleton dragon as possible," muttered Raheem while pulling his collars to cover his neck.

"The dragon does not attack anyone on the mountain, only those above it and outside the fog. Once the enemy is in the fog, the hounds are after it," explained Benjamin.

Rain found it amusing that the old man was referring to himself and his men as hounds. But at least he had decided to help them give Arthur his rightful place in the clan.

"There are shadows moving in the mountain," said Sapphire while squinting her eyes. "Should we expect some resistance on the way?"

"Just from these patrolling guards," muttered Benjamin while glancing at the gates. In front of them were two black knights at least three meters tall. "They are the expendable soldiers of the Netherborne Family."

"It looks similar to the one I fought against," noted Raheem with fear. "I guess it's really the Netherborne that has intervened in the matters of Sourna."

"Do not jump to conclusions," reminded Benjamin. "Let's go and ascend the mountain. We have a long way ahead of us."

---

Arthur walked through the tunnels of the resistance, right after the battle against the Force Knights. His actions had earned him the respect of the sand thieves in defending that town.

Before he left the scene, Arthur visited the town and found it to be malnourished but still full of life. He wanted to help them, but the sand thieves warned him that any unusual activity in the town would make it seem like a base for the rebels.

For the time being, Arthur decided to wait and watch. He wanted to see what the ideals behind these resistance people were, and whether they would truly benefit the people of Sourna or just cause further chaos.

Thorne was watching a map of Sourna, separated by the Lesser Blood Ocean. On this new map, there was a place added for the emerging island that had further fueled the war between the east and west.

"Oh, Lord Arthur," muttered Thorne with surprise, reverence, and gratitude. "I once again thank you for defending the innocent."

"It's my duty," said Arthur with a nod as he stared at the map. "There is something I wanted to ask you. Why does the kingdom need an entire army for a single town? A single awakener could take it down."

"Most of the awakeners of Sourna are nobles, and they rarely get their hands dirty," said Thorne with a smile. "They use their force to control armies like the one you saw."

"And why such a number?"

"Because of us, of course," answered Thorne with a grin. "We have given them enough trouble to know better."

"I see how it is," Arthur looked at the map. "What exists here?" he pointed toward the northwest of Sourna. "This black thing."

"The Uncharted Lands. No one knows who resides there, or what. We know, however, that whoever goes there does not return."

"It forms a large portion of Orlan too," said Arthur with surprise. "What can hold back two nations from entering?"

"An entity powerful enough to instill fear in the hearts of those who know the truth," said Thorne with a shrug. "As long as we stay away from that place, it wouldn't harm us."

"I'm just curious, not scared," muttered Arthur before he turned toward Thorne. "I might have helped you in that battle, but it doesn't mean I will help you in the war."

"Did you not proclaim to be against the ruling class?"

"Their existence is a nuisance, but it can be the only thing preventing chaos from destroying the lives of many," said Arthur as he looked at the map. "I cannot promise to lead you like I did in Ilios."

"Why, Lord Arthur?" asked Thorne with a pale face. "We have always followed your lead, inspired by your rise against the ruling class. How can you abandon us now?"

"Abandon?" repeated Arthur with a laugh. "You cannot manipulate me like this, Thorne. I have not joined for me to abandon. Your cause is yours, and I stand with the well-being of the world."

"You used to be different," noted Thorne as he pressed his lips together. "The things you revealed about the Seven Families in the Memorial of Kera began this movement, the sand thieves. You told us about their plan to merge the world and cause it harm."

"And I was the one to merge it in the end," confessed Arthur with a smile, not that it was a secret. "At that time, the Seven Families were the ones who tried to stop me but failed."

"We know about that battle, but you must have your reasons, right?"

"Selfish ones, mostly, and an absolute belief that I can protect this world from whatever harm I have caused," declared Arthur to Thorne, just as Sahira walked into the conference room to hear him. "It seems that the Uncharted Lands are the reason that Sourna was least affected by the merge."

"We received some news from the capital," Sahira announced as she walked in with hurried steps. "The West and East each sent armies to Levan Island. This could be our chance to strike."

"Levan Island?" muttered Arthur with confusion, unfamiliar with the name.

"The island that appeared after the merge between West and East Sourna," explained Thorne with a frown. "The two sides are fighting to conquer it, giving them a great advantage in the fight."

"Is that the only reason?" asked Arthur with surprise. "And how come no one has conquered it yet?"

"Our spies heard that there is a great shield around the island, protecting it," Sahira continued with a frown. "No one was able to enter the island or harm its residents."

"There are people on that island instead of monsters?" Arthur was alarmed, never having considered the possibility. That means these people were from Alka, residents he might personally know."

"What happens to the island is not our problem, Lord Arthur," reminded Thorne, sensing that Arthur was losing focus on their goal. "This gives us the chance to strike the Wisemen."

"As I said before, I'm still unsure about what this step might bring," declined Arthur with a shake of his head. "In Ilios, I took measures to contain the damage in its capital. Here, a simple mistake can lead to an all-out civil war. I cannot risk it."

Thorne grit his teeth but didn't force Arthur to help them, not that he could. He ordered Sahira to prepare their men while he too went to get his armor.

Arthur, on the other hand, decided to return to Hikma. He left Diana with Alaric for too long, and this recent news might endanger them. Furthermore, he hasn't communicated with Rain for a while.

As the sand thieves prepared to depart, Thorne came to visit him one last time, almost begging for help. The man knelt on the ground, his head low. "Please, Lord Arthur. If you join us, we will have a chance to take down the Wisemen."

"And then what?" asked Arthur as he looked at the thieves one by one. "Can you rule Sourna after that? Wouldn't killing the Wisemen just destroy the balance that is already fragile?"

"No one knows what the future holds, Lord Arthur," said Thorne as he raised his head. "But no one would dare to challenge us if you are with us."

"Indeed, no one dares and no one could," said Arthur with a nod. "But this is not how I do things. I do not spread chaos as a flame but root out evil and leave the good. At the moment, I know very little about Sourna. You will have to forgive me for declining."

"…I understand," said Thorne after a slight pause, looking pained by his rejection. "Thank you for your aid so far."

"But you will receive my help if things go downhill," said Arthur as he produced a small ring engraved with his rune. "Summon me if your plans fail. But if you use this artifact poorly, you will be met with wrath, not kindness."