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"I want..." he paused because usually, he would have said the return to Earth, or find his father, protect those he loves. But, now, Arthur was not sure anymore because of what happened with his father. "I want to have a purpose, one that I chose."

"You already have a purpose," Ori pointed his glass at him. "There are thousands of people waiting for your return and thousands more that need your help."

"I once believed that it is only natural to help people," Arthur traced the scar on his body. "I am uncertain now. Most do not deserve to be helped, and I see no reason for why I should do it."

"I see it now," Ori stared into his eyes. "The deterioration that you mentioned. I can see it now. You are different from the time you saved me. But, then, you had a goal," said Ori as he stared into his liquor. "I fear that you are more dangerous than helpful in your current state."

"I can be dangerous," admitted Arthur. "I killed your strategist today with the snap of a finger. I can do it again."

"That man deserved it, but I feared you would spare him. Maybe this emotionless state of yours can help you navigate your way around this world, but you need an anchor."

"An anchor?"

"A feeling that can bound you to humanity. It can be anything: rage, revenge, sadness, or... love."

Arthur's eyes widened as if he had just woken up from a long dream. But then, the colors in the world started to return, like a monochromic painting that someone colored.

"I have an anchor," smiled Arthur as he placed down his cup. "I still have my family, teacher, friends, and lover. The feelings for them have not died, even if my father destroyed my trust in the world."

"Fathers are always going to disappoint us," sighed Ori. "I am the same with my son. I know that he wants me to keep trying, but I am too tired to think of another way."

"Does Ark know the purpose he was created for?"

"I told him the moment he awakened," Ori smiled. "I must admit that I was quite foolish back then. Replicating life to harvest organs... that was a villainous behavior."

"Your feelings changed because you consider Ark as your son," Arthur smiled. "I don't see you as a villain, Ori. You wanted to survive and did what it took. However, you are a good man for giving up on your plan."

"The right choice is to die," Oriole gulped down more of his drink. "How ironic can life get? This is a game I will never understand, but I keep playing."

Arthur stood up and opened the windows that oversaw the city. The city was sleeping, but the lights were illuminating the world. Ori stood up and walked to stand beside him.

"We will play according to our own rules, no matter what it takes. The world needs saving, but I can't do it alone."

"Are you going to do it?"

"I am going to create a place where no one can harm me," answered Arthur. "I have no reason to save anyone, but I can't let these people die in the face of the calamity."

"Then, what are you going to do?"

"I will grow my city until it is strong enough to fight against the outbreak, and then I will leave this world and take you all with me."

"I will follow you anywhere, old friend."

***

Arthur knew he had no time to waste anymore. His father might have done him dirty and given him a responsibility he did not ask for, but this did not change Arthur as a person.

Whether he was a sacrifice or a cursed person, the world needed him. His aimlessness came from the lack of direction after his father told him the truth about this world.

The calamities and ancient gods were his enemies, and the people were far from his allies. Arthur will be hunted down no matter what he did as long as he had the Isotox, and it was better to prepare.

His father gave him the artifact because this city could not defend against the incoming darkness. The council met him once again, and they agreed to his proposal.

"We will follow you, Seika of Living Beings," bowed down all of the councilmen. "The people feel the same. Some of them wanted to take your offer to return to Earth, but the notion of time you mentioned deterred them."

"You will have better lives in the city I will create," answered Arthur. "I cannot promise that we can find all of your families, but I can promise that I will do the best I can to give them a home when I return."

This was the best solution for the city as a whole. Some people wanted to stay in this world, and others wanted to return to their families, but they were scattered over time.

Arthur would give those who wanted to return a way to Earth as soon as possible, but that was after he went back to Hidden City. His offer for them was a lot better than the alternative: create the strongest power in the world.

"Your father saved us from the darkness and loss," said Riana, "and for that, we can never repay him. So we will follow you now and fulfill our roles as your helpers."

"Your words alone are not enough," smiled Arthur as his eyes glowed. "I need to hear the truth."

***

The gears of change were moving, and Arthur realized that after looking at the Isotox in his hand. Arthur, the hydra, and its child were back at the inn, and their trip home had begun.

"I realized that I never asked for your name," asked Arthur while they were flying across the sky using a carriage that he controlled.

"I go nameless, but a friend once called me a name for the sake of convenience," she said with a smile of reminiscing. "You can call me Gwen."

"A befitting name for our guardian," smiled Arthur. "I will create an isolated place for you to live in my city. First, however, we need to discuss whether to stop the Mernars and their attacks."

"I thought that it is obvious to stop them," Gwen was confused. Arthur simply smiled and shook his head.

"I have a way to pressure the capital without taking away any lives. This will make those fallen ones come out to the surface and attack their king."

"You want to stage a coup that you will foil? You will need to be strong enough to defeat them, first," she frowned. Arthur nodded with a smile and did not say anything.

These were his intentions.

The battles ahead will be far from easy, but Arthur believed he could overcome them. His runes were there for him, and they were his strength, unlike what he imagined.

The doubts about Solomon being the inheritor of the Scholar Guardian were resolved with this, and Arthur came to know that he was not a vessel for any guardian.

This made him relieved but also raised the question of who he was exactly. Is this power his awakened ability, or is he a reincarnation of the past?

Their carriage took a day to reach the city, and Arthur returned to his subjects. Then, finally, the carriage flew across the sky for all to see and feel safe that their Seika has returned.

"You are back, my lord," rushed Courage with relief as Arthur got off the carriage. "I heard that you fought against the hydra and then left the city. Every child and adult tells the tales of your heroic defeat of the hydra in the kingdom. We are now respected by..."

"Before you embarrass yourself further," Arthur raised his hand. "Let me introduce you to the guardian of your city and a new friend I made. This is Gwen and her son, Kaya."

"A new friend?" the knight was confused and tilted her head. At that moment, Ma, Gruen, and the rest of his knights arrived. There was also Eleven and Hana who had returned from their search.

Gwen stepped out of the carriage with her child in hand. However, the rest were confused about her identity until Arthur gestured for her. Gwen removed her cloak, revealing the nine serpents on her back, all looking at the people with glowing eyes.

"You... you... you..." Ma was about to faint as he repeated. "You are the leader of the Mernars?"

"No," smiled Arthur. "She is the new guardian of our city."