THE CHOSEN ONE

Chapter 12 - Emptyt Throne

"How come you have a storage box that holds the remnants of my powers?" I inquired, still feeling the surge of mana coursing through me as I fully tapped into the energy from the storage box.

Dael paused for a moment, a contemplative expression crossing his face.

"You see, during the c****x of our sixty-ninth battle, I made a unique request to God Aramid. I asked him to make you a little bit weaker when you transferred her by sealing some of your skills and slightly reducing your overall mana. He actually agreed to it," Dael explained, his voice steady yet filled with a hint of gravity.

He continued, "That’s the reason why, when you initially arrived here, you found that some of your skills seemed to be locked away. You wouldn't even have a way to access them, because God Aramid deliberately stripped away your usual game-like interfaces and controls, leaving you somewhat incapacitated and disoriented."

As Dael spoke, he conjured a shimmering screen in front of me, filled with various icons and information that seemed to be part of the abilities I once possessed. The vibrant colors and intricate designs danced across the surface, making it evident that these skills were powerful and complex, not just mundane abilities. My eyes widened as I took in the visuals, a mixture of curiosity and frustration simmering within me. It felt as if pieces of myself were obscured, waiting to be unveiled, and I couldn’t help but feel a stirring desire to reclaim what was rightfully mine.

"Why would you do that? Why would you ask God Aramid to limit my powers?" I pressed, needing to understand Dael's motivations.

Dael's gaze softened, and he replied, "It was not meant to hinder you; rather, it was to ensure your safety and growth. With all your skills unleashed, you would have been overwhelming in battles, but not necessarily focused on what truly matters learning, adapting, and mastering your potential without relying too heavily on your innate abilities."

His words hung in the air, heavy with meaning, as I struggled to process the implications. Would this limitation ultimately lead to my greater strength, or was it simply a way to keep me at bay? The questions lingered, entwined with the very essence of my identity and the mystical journey I found myself on.

"So you are patiently waiting for me here to deliver this box," I remarked with a hint of amusement in my voice as I lifted the box, feeling its weight shift in my hands. The anticipation in the air was palpable, and I couldn’t help but tease him a little.

"Nah, why would I do that? I came here to train because I want to beat you!" Dael replied with a fire in his eyes, his determination unmistakable. He flexed his hands, and flames flickered to life around his fingertips, dancing like wild spirits. It was clear he was serious about this.

"I borrowed powers from God Aramid before, but I’m still at most at the same power level as when we last met. Even though I haven’t unlocked my King’s element yet," he continued, the intensity in his gaze only increasing with each word.

I was intrigued, watching as he demonstrated the fire that flowed from his hands, a testament to his commitment to growing stronger. The flames illuminated his face, giving him an almost otherworldly appearance. Dael then began to elaborate on the events that had transpired after our sixty-ninth battle, an encounter that had tested both our limits and left a lasting impression on us both.

He spoke of the moment when I had returned to the real world, recalling that at that time, he and God Aramid engaged in a deep and meaningful conversation. The discussions they shared had been rich with insights and revelations, infused with the kind of knowledge only a divine entity could provide. Dael recounted how he had sought the power to surpass me, the rival he aspired to defeat.

It was fascinating to hear him describe the period of training that followed our last confrontation. He had spent countless hours honing his skills, pushing beyond his limits and tapping into wellsprings of energy he never knew he had. Even though he had yet to unlock his King’s element, the drive he exhibited showed a fierce ambition and an unwavering resolve. Each word he spoke painted a picture of a young warrior preparing for greatness, fueled by a desire not just to prove himself but to surpass the boundaries of power that had once confined him.

As he finished detailing his journey, I could see the fiery spirit within him, a testament to his growth and determination. Here we were, engaged in a friendly yet competitive rivalry, and I couldn't help but feel a mixture of respect and excitement at the thought of our inevitable clash.

AFTER THE SIXTY NINTH BATTLE

( ON THE CELESTIAL DOME )

"Now I know why you really like him," Dael remarked, a perceptive glint in his eyes, causing a broad smile to spread across the face of God Aramid, illuminating the divine presence with a warm light. The majestic hall reverberated with a sense of camaraderie, the atmosphere thick with unspoken understanding.

“Haha! He truly knows how to revel in my world!” God Aramid chuckled delightfully, his voice echoing like thunder across the celestial dome.

“I genuinely believe he is the one I have been waiting for all this time, much like you have been by my side all these years,” he added, as he gracefully rose from his resplendent golden throne, his regal figure commanding reverence in the ethereal glow surrounding him.

Dael’s mind raced back to the moments of uncertainty he had experienced in the past time when he grappled with the decision of God Aramid to choose a human, especially one from another planet, to stake a claim upon the empty throne of divinity.

“I had countless questions back then,” Dael confessed, his brow furrowing slightly in recollection

“Wondering why you would select a mere mortal to carry such a monumental responsibility. But now, witnessing your connection with him, I am utterly convinced that he truly is the one you have been waiting for.”

With a newfound determination shining brightly in his eyes, Dael stepped forward, his voice firm and resolute.

“I, Dael Agdramuth, willingly offer my allegiance as the right-hand man to Vin Zero. Together, we will claim the throne that has remained vacant for far too long!” His declaration resonated with purpose, the essence of loyalty and camaraderie weaving a powerful bond among them, as they stood united in their quest for a new era.

BACK TO PRESENT

"That’s what I said to him back then when we were talking about you," Dael said to me, his tone firm and his expression filled with a strange kind of conviction. It was as if he had just unearthed a forgotten memory, one that carried a weight of significance that neither of us had fully grasped at the time.

I paused, trying to wrap my mind around what he had just revealed.

"Wait, Are you saying that God Aramid liked me? The Empty Throne? The right hand? Why has no one ever mentioned this to me before?" My voice carried a mix of confusion and disbelief as I turned my gaze toward Cassiel, silently imploring her to provide some clarity on this perplexing revelation.

Cassiel, who had been quietly observing our conversation, shook her head slowly.

"Honestly, I really don’t have any idea either," she responded, her tone reflective.

"Because we angels don’t even possess a complete understanding of this world. All I know is that this world was originally part of a much larger realm, but it was separated for reasons that remain a mystery. Unfortunately, that information might not be particularly useful for you right now. That's why I never brought it up before." She paused, contemplating the implications of her words.

"As for the empty throne and everything else you've mentioned, I must admit that this is the first time I’m hearing about it too." she said.

Her admission hung in the air, thick with uncertainty, as we both absorbed the weight of her statement. What did it mean for me to be connected to God Aramid? And why was the empty throne suddenly coming into play? I felt a flurry of emotions swirling within me. Questions raced through my mind, and the more I thought about it, the more I realized how little I truly understood about my place in this intricate cosmic drama. Would this newfound knowledge change everything? And, most importantly, what implications did it have for the future?

"My father once told me a story that reminds me of the one you're sharing now, about how our world is just a small part of a much larger realm. At the time, I thought it was simply a tale meant for children, a whimsical narrative to ignite our imaginations. It captivated me with its wonder and possibilities, yet I didn't take it too seriously. As I grew older, however, he stopped bringing up those stories." Lai said when things became quiet for some reason.

"It was as if, once I reached a certain age, they no longer felt relevant to him or perhaps to me. I often wonder why he chose to put those tales aside. Maybe he believed that adulthood required us to abandon such fanciful notions, or perhaps he thought I had outgrown them. Still, I can't shake the feeling that there’s more to those tales than I initially realized. They linger in my mind, echoing with the mysteries of a world far beyond our understanding." Lai continued thoughtfully.