Zenith Online: Rebirth of the Strongest Player

Though his expression was inherently sinister due to his transformation into a Fiend, Kieran couldn't hide the change in his emotions or keep them from showing on his visage.

Not from the Sacred Inheritor, at least. 

From what Kieran gathered, her abilities were built upon the premise of an empath, allowing her to sense and connect with nearby presences. That included feeling their emotions, which Kieran had confirmed with his… spiteful experiments. 

It was hard not to envy when you suffered, and others didn't.

His gaze was stuck on the Citadel of Resentments, growing increasingly grim the longer he looked at it. 

'The damned Flame! It's cooking up something devious to lure me back there! Any smart person would avoid it all costs.'

But Kieran didn't consider himself awfully intelligent. On the contrary, he was incredibly brash and tended to act according to his impulses. Those impulses generally went against the wisest decision for the sake of attaining a thrill.

It was an understandable sentiment but far riskier than some people felt comfortable with. Then again, what was satisfaction without risk? The reward lost value if the journey was too straightforward, bereft of challenge. 

Ah, but how does one challenge a God?

Kieran grimaced, scratching his head at an impasse while the Sacred Inheritor's voice sounded directly into his mind.

"Hey, big jerk. What's got you all worked up? You're staring at that uh… thingy? Fortress, I mean, awfully hard. Is there something wrong with it?"

Hearing her voice penetrate straight into his mind gave Kieran pause. 

He was sure he had terminated their initial connection while stuck inside the Darkness Below after feeling the Anchor shatter. His earlier contact was done using the same method as Altair — a quick message without establishing a lasting connection.

This wasn't a product of his ability but rather the Sacred Inheritor's innate ability. Before replying, he squinted at her, analyzing her expression.

'You can speak directly into people's minds?'

The Sacred Inheritor gave a smug smile; her pearly whites were on full display, dazzling and almost perfect. It felt like too much of a paradox to Kieran. The exterior was beautiful and pristine, but the interior was… somewhat rotten, though she wasn't entirely insufferable. 

More baffling than she was annoying. 

"I can do more than just speak into people's minds. I'll have you know… I can connect your thoughts, too! I am the bridge, after all. Duh. Like c'mon now, get it together."

Listening to the pompous lady speak in person made it hard for Kieran to refrain from binding her mouth with a ribbon of blood. But, then again, what good would that do? Her mouth wasn't her primary source of communication.

After joking around for a while, though, she dropped her crass act. Or maybe the situation merely warranted a more serious demeanor. 

"All jokes aside, tell me, what's up? I can feel your anxiousness."

Looking between the Citadel of Resentments and the Sacred Inheritor, Kieran sighed deeply.

"I've been grappling with this thing called the Flame for the entirety of the Trial. It's the mastermind behind this entire ordeal we're handling. But this is just the surface of it. I think… I think we'll have to abandon everyone here and enter that Citadel."

Listening to his explanation, the Sacred Inheritor sympathized with the change in Kieran's emotions. He was still watching Draegerys, Rhaenys, and Aerys put their life on the line like the Cardinal had. Thus, the thought of abandoning them weighed heavy on Kieran's mind.

Not that he knew them well, but he because it was the Flame orchestrating the mess. It made Kieran feel responsible. It was his personal ineptitude that allowed this situation to spiral out of control. Or, that's how he felt. 

Throughout the entire Trial, no matter how much power he gained, what he faced internally and externally… he felt this lingering powerlessness eat away at him. 

The choices that he would have to make left his mental state worse for wear.

What made everything worse… Kieran understood the morbid truth that he kept to himself. He was no maestro of fate, did not know how to read destiny, and couldn't peer into the future, but he could recognize patterns.

For every personal win, a graver loss lay in wait. 

Breaking free of the Flame and leaving the Darkness Below had only contributed to the ill-fated scenario. There were no greener pastures for Kieran to look to or strive for.

As he sunk into the mire of brooding, he felt a hand touch his shoulder. 

At first, he thought the Sacred Inheritor was attempting to console him, but that wasn't the case. The Natural Inheritor looked at him with eyes shimmering like stars in a night's sky. It was like peering into a galaxy or perhaps a distant world.

It was similar to Astraea's gaze but less ineffable. 

Seconds later, her voice traveled into his mind, too. She was more reserved than the Sacred Inheritor, seeming almost coy.

"You worry endlessly but neglect that the Myths were designed to complement one another. We need not all act together for us to act as one."

Kieran furrowed his brows, looking at the Natural Myth strangely. 

The way she spoke, the aura she exuded, and the effect of her words were abnormal. Kieran would have found it hard to dissent without his Furthered Scales of Balance rejecting whatever he sought to inject into this mind.

Of course, he didn't disagree with her here. 

Kieran simply didn't appreciate her attempts to sway his thoughts without consent. Perhaps it was an unsanctioned move, or maybe that was her natural aura now… which made sense if it were the latter. The more each Inheritor grew into their power, the greater they could impose it, whether willfully or unwittingly.

Noticing Kieran's change in expression, the Natural Inheritor clarified quickly.

"Do not be alarmed by what you feel. I mean no harm nor to intrude. My words carry with them intent. It comes with accepting the World's Embrace. If I'm to empower you, I must be able to speak its intent into you."

Kieran nodded.

'So it as I expected.'

From the sound of it, the Natural Myth was an almighty support class, likely specializing in augmentations. He could feel as her earlier words tried to augment the calm slumbering inside him. 

It was a peculiar feeling but not entirely unwelcome.

However, without first understanding the power, Kieran couldn't justify letting foreign energies invade his mind, body, or soul.

But, he was interested in what the Natural Inheritor had to say. It sounded as if she was privy to things the others weren't, making Kieran question her whereabouts during the Trial. 

How had she come to acquire the knowledge she possessed?

Kieran listened with rapt focus as she explained the essence of her words, delving deeper into the meaning of the "as one" comment.

Unlike the Sacred Inheritor, the Natural Inheritor was far more open about the nature of her power. Her class lacked offensive abilities, leaving her to rely upon allies for protection while she provided sanctuary. 

By the end, Kieran realized his understanding of her abilities was pitiful compared to her real potential. In short… she was a living resource depot. But she was only one-half of her power. 

The other half… 

Kieran looked at the Sacred Inheritor and gave a wan smile. 

'Why are you so damn important?'