A New World, an immersive game experience

Back to the Amnur and the rest, they were also now in some random plain. The city was in a state of absolute destruction and still very unstable, the group suspected the gods would intervene once they left, so they did just that.

The gods' actions were strange. There was some plan behind their interventions. The three legendary figures had this feeling that the gods wanted to force them to an ultimate conflict. Though, it was still far too early for the devil kings to move.

None of the three believed the gods to be good. While Asteria and the other gods of what they considered {gods of order} was not outright evil, their religion and interventions always seemed self-centered. At best the best of the gods could be classified as neutral, while the gods of chaos were pure evil.

Thus none of them expected that it would be anything else. They had no false hope that the gods were on their side. As strong as they all were, and even with Athtar, they knew they were just pawns of the gods.

However, both this battle and the previous one had been extremely early. Both also seemed to have happened because of Eldrian. The gods on the devil's side had wanted him dead for the first battle, however, the pressure of the gods had recently relaxed since.

This time, they weren't sure what the impetus was but the target was clearly still Eldrian.

"What do we do about him now?" Agamemas asked, while his first opinion of the kid had been bad he had grown to like him over the course of time. Even to the extent where he had agreed to bind his son with him.

Of course, the two who had been bound still didn't even fully understand what it meant nor what it actually was.

"I still don't think we should interfere," Amnur commented, he still believed that interference would stop Eldrian from finding his own path.

However, now the question changed to if Eldrian should follow the path he was on. It appeared to be heading to destruction, and while it was okay if it just destroyed Eldrian, it felt like it would involve far more than just him.

"You have to be kidding! While I hate to say it he is too unstable." Agamemas countered, "He needs guidance, we cannot let him continue to stray on the path of destruction."

"I agree," Zamia said, "You also have the aura of wrath, Amnur. Yet, you never caused the surrounding mana to collapse. It isn't even supposed to be possible for anyone before surpassing Tier 10 to directly influence mana to such a degree."

"It should take years of accumulation to reach that point, not a single fight." While they all knew this was common knowledge, they all started suspecting that the rule might not be true. Or that something might have changed in this regard. The latter they only suspected since they were vaguely aware that something had indeed changed. However, no one knew what that was, yet.

"Exactly!" Amnur countered back, "Does that not prove that his path is all the more special. That he should follow it! If he survives, he might even surpass Athtar."

"Oh?! You think so?" A jokingly friendly voice asked, the three turned stiff as they turned to look at the elf who had just arrived. "Don't give me that, we're friends." The elf joked upon seeing their stiff stares.

"Sure..." Amnur groaned, normally he wouldn't care for the difference in strength between him and Athtar, but he had just been keenly reminded of how great the chasm was. "It's just, I haven't seen you be serious in ages."

"Oh? Did you observe our fight?"

"Like we could!" Amnur grumbled, "But we sensed it, especially the last blow. I am shocked she could bring you to that point."

"Oh, no she didn't." Athtar replied with a smile, "Xelron decided to appear."

The three froze.

"Don't worry, we decided to postpone our battle. It isn't time for everything to be put on the line, not just yet. Actually, he promised to stop the devil's interference with this kid until the time comes... Right, he also saved the other devil."

The three did not like hearing that. If she managed to survive the ordeal and learn even a fraction of a technique behind the powers she had used. It would cause massive shifts in power.

"I doubt she will be able to master control over any of the powers she had used. She lacks the personality, her focus was revenge. Though..." Turning to look at Eldrian, Athtar looked at him curiously. "So this is the kid who caused such a large commotion multiple times now. Interesting."

Eldrian turned and looked at Athtar after feeling his stare. Of course, there was a barrier installed to keep what was being said secret. He simply glanced at them before returning his focus to Ceph.

"Truly interesting," Athtar mumbled, fascinated that Eldrian didn't even care who they were. "What are your opinions of them?"

"Them?" The three echoed.

"Ah, yes, did you all not know?"

"Know what? I know he has two auras but that doesn't qualify to call him them." Zamia replied.

"I see, you are unaware." Athtar nodded, "His- No, that isn't quite right..." Athtar paused, looking at Eldrian and trying to decipher his entire life. He had seen the bond between Eldrian and the Alicorn, it wasn't that. Though it did make it harder for him to decipher Eldrian's past.

"So strange, it might be that I am confused because he is a Chosen and has the bond of souls. Reportedly they come from another world. But I don't think that is it either..."

Leaving the barrier, Athtar knelt down next to Eldrian and looked at the sleeping Alicorn (in elven form still). "Do you hate yourself?"

Eldrian was shocked by the question, but he couldn't deny it. Clenching his fists, grinding his teeth, Eldrian did not reply for a long time. However, he wouldn't storm off and he wouldn't ignore the question.

"I do."

"Is it because you lost control?"

"No," Eldrian shook his head, "That's just the conclusion. I hate myself for becoming blinded, conceited, for forgetting what is truly important!"

"Do you think you will make the same mistakes?"

Gnashing his teeth, Eldrian ignored the pain as blood filled his mouth, as his fingers dug into his hands. "No, I can't ever lose myself again!" Yet as he said this he knew there was no guarantee that he wouldn't. And he hated himself even more for that.

"Then you should not hate yourself."

Spitting out a mix of blood and saliva, Eldrian tsk'ed in disapproval. "How can you say that?"

"Maybe it would help if I told you that you were cursed."

Eldrian simply spat out another mouthful and tsk'ed again.

"Does that not bring you relief?" Athtar was amazed, certain that it should have brought instant relief to anyone who had hurt their friends. Learning that they were not at fault should immediately lift the guilt. However, he could clearly feel that it had done nothing for Eldrian.

"Why do you not direct your anger at the one who cursed you?" Athtar asked.

"It won't help, now would it? I still fell for the curse." Eldrian replied, finally lifting his sights from Ceph.

AN: A big thanks to everyone who continues to support the story by simply reading on Web, voting for the story, or sharing comments.. It is all greatly appreciated.