?830 Chapter 830: Vacant World
As the warm water eased his weary body, Ryder couldn't help but feel the weight of his actions.
The events of the day had forced him to make a difficult decision, one that went against his very nature. But he knew deep down that there was no other choice. The prophecy had tied their fates together, and he had to do whatever it took to protect his family, even if it meant making sacrifices.
As he stood under the shower, his mind wandered back to the ancient book on his study table. If he could unlock its secrets, he could potentially find a way to change their fate, but at this point, he didn't feel like there was any possibility.
He could only take other steps to protect his son. However, the more he thought about it, the more conflicted he became.
"Chaos, looks like I have no choice. I'll have to destroy every last remnant related to you, including..."
With a heavy sigh, Ryder turned off the shower and dried himself off. He knew he had to face the reality that awaited him. The long period of peace was over.
He dressed in fresh clothes and made his way downstairs, where his son, Nyx, was waiting with his mother and sister.
As Ryder entered the dining room, he could see the worry etched on Nyx's face. The young boy had witnessed the tense confrontation between him and Janus, and he still couldn't completely forget that.
Ryder knew that now was not the time to discuss what had happened. He needed to reassure Nyx.
He ruffled his son's hair, like a doting father before taking his seat.
"This smells delicious." Ryder spoke to his wife, trying to maintain a sense of normalcy amidst the chaos that surrounded them.
His wife nodded. "Of course it would seem that way, since you haven't eaten for days. That reminds me... Did Janus leave?"
She looked at her son, only now remembering it. She remembered her son had left with Janus. But he returned alone.
"Yeah, he won't be joining us. He had something important to do." Ryder calmly replied, not explaining further.
Nyx glanced at his father but didn't intervene. He also sat down.
"He left so early. He must be quite busy." Ryder's wife sighed as she sat down, not thinking much about it.
Ryder smiled at his son, grateful for his understanding and not asking any unnecessary questions. He knew there was a long journey before him, and he didn't want them to worry or feel guilty.
****
The Central World of the Upper Realm felt just as empty as always.
There were only a few people living in such a vast world, yet for Gabriel, this world felt full. In this world, he had everyone that he could ever need. He had his sister here. He also had his teachers, Cylix and Novius.
He even had the Holy Priestess of Summoning, who had been with him the longest and was very close to him. He also had the two demigods that had helped him in the past. And lastly, Karyk had also left the Goddess of Nature behind.
This small group of people had become something akin to his family, removing a large extent of his loneliness.
However, there was one absence which still stabbed deep in his heart. He sat before Ezekiel's grave, talking to himself.
No matter how many cherished people were around him, he couldn't forget Ezekiel, who had granted him this extra life. Ezekiel had even sacrificed his life to try to protect this peace of his life.
As Gabriel sat before Ezekiel's grave, memories of their time together flooded his mind. He couldn't help but feel a deep sense of loss. Ezekiel had been the one who had given him a second chance at life, and taught him almost everything he knew.
"I miss you," Gabriel whispered, his voice filled with a mix of sadness and gratitude. "If I had a father, I wonder if he would've been like you..."
He reached out and gently traced the engravings on the gravestone, as if trying to feel a connection to his fallen comrade.
The pain of Ezekiel's absence was still fresh, even though time had passed since his passing.
"I should've been the one to chase after her, instead of you. I should've... If only I..."
Gabriel wished he could have done more to save him, to prevent his sacrifice. But he knew deep down that Ezekiel had made that choice willingly.
He hadn't thought about this at that moment, but now he understood that Ezekiel had intentionally sent him to inform others while he chased after the girl, because he knew how risky it was.
And even after reaching that girl, he fought with his life on the line, all to protect this world that took everything from him, all because it was a world Ryder held dear.
He didn't even realize how much time had passed. With a heavy heart, Gabriel rose from his spot by the grave. He knew that he couldn't dwell in the past forever. He had a responsibility. He couldn't let Ezekiel's sacrifice go to waste.
He returned to the mansion where his sister and the others were waiting for him.
Although his responsibility was to protect his family by staying here, he had made up his mind. He couldn't stay idle and not do anything. However, he couldn't leave them behind either.
He informed everyone that all of them would be following him as he was going to the other worlds in the Upper Realm. He couldn't stay behind while doing nothing. As a war was on the horizon, he had to help in his own way.
While Aliac was searching for people in the ordinary worlds that had potential to be recruited and trained, he set up his mind on something else.
Since he had made up his mind, the others also didn't refuse him. And thus, the Central World was left completely vacant, holding no use anymore.
This contcnt is taken from
