(anwhile, The Eternal Garden, Kaelith's POV)
Kaelith stood alone upon the rocky cliffside of the Eternal Garden, his robes shifting gently in the ocean wind as he gazed across the restless sea below.
Not far in front of him, two tombstones stood carved into sacred stone, one bearing the na of Raymond, and the other, Soron.
For a long mont he said nothing, simply staring at the horizon as though the ocean itself could offer counsel, before a faint smile curved along his lips, not one of joy, but one of resolve hardened over ti, while his eyes reflected a cold determination that had long since replaced grief.
"Today, I finally get to avenge you, my son."
He spoke quietly, his voice steady and controlled as the wind carried his words outward into the endless blue, and almost on cue a sharp wave crashed against the rocks beneath him, sending a spray of fine mist upward that brushed against his face and hair without drawing even the slightest reaction from him.
He then turned slowly toward the second grave, his gaze resting upon Soron's na etched deeply into stone, and for a fleeting mont the faint smile faded into sothing far more complicated, as mory and regret crossed his features in restrained silence.
"Forgive , brother, but I am about to destroy your beloved Ixtal in full."
Another wave struck the cliffside with force, scattering droplets across his robes as though the sea itself objected to his declaration, yet Kaelith remained unmoved, his posture straight and unyielding as he continued without hesitation.
"I know how much that planet ant to you, and in truth it held aning for as well.
However, I have already spared it once out of sentint, believing that restraint would earn respect, but I will not repeat that mistake again."
His jaw tightened slightly as he lifted his chin toward the horizon, the softness that had once accompanied nostalgia replaced now by calculated finality.
"Today, I destroy it for once and for all."
The wind intensified briefly, another surge of ocean water striking the rocks below as if punctuating his decision, while Kaelith's eyes narrowed in quiet focus.
"Leo Skyshard, today you will learn that every action carries consequences, and that killing my son was never going to end without retribution."
He clasped his hands behind his back as his aura stirred faintly around him, steady and imnse, no longer restrained by
uncertainty.
"With the Great Clan Alliance now standing behind , I no longer fear retaliation from Moltherak, and without that threat hanging over , there is nothing left to delay what must be done."
He paused only once more, allowing the weight of his intent to settle into certainty before moving ahead.
"Today, I co for Ixtal. Let us see what you can do about that."
He dared, as with that final declaration, he extended a hand forward as space before him distorted and folded inward, forming a stable Fourth Dinsional Portal whose edges shimred faintly against the sea breeze.
"Today, I co for retribution...."
He muttered, as without the slightest trace of hesitation, he stepped through the portal and vanished toward Ixtal.
(anwhile, Planet V-Star, Leo's POV)
As per his daily training routine, Leo returned to Planet V-Star, where the projection of the Tiless Assassin greeted him with a courteous nod, standing just outside the small hut as though he had been waiting for him all along.
"Cult Master."
The projection acknowledged calmly.
"Crazy projection."
Leo replied without hesitation, eting his gaze evenly as the faintest smirk tugged at his lips.
The projection frowned imdiately, clearly displeased by the title, as though after days of instruction and philosophical exposition, he had expected at least a slight elevation in how he was addressed.
"I see your respect for your teacher continues to evolve backward."
He remarked dryly, as Leo rely shrugged in response.
"Don't let it get to your head."
Leo said, as the projection exhaled lightly, choosing not to dwell on the insult, as he shifted the conversation back to what mattered.
"Ready for your session today?"
He asked, his tone returning to its usual asured calm.
However, Leo did not imdiately answer, instead lifting a hand to scratch the back of his head as though sothing far less theoretical than temporal gradients weighed upon him.
The projection narrowed his eyes slightly.
"What is it, boy? Is there sothing you wish to ask ?"
He inquired, folding his arms as he observed Leo more closely.
Leo let out a slow breath.
"Yeah... it's about... it's about my family issues. I'm not sure if I'm doing
the right thing, and I was hoping to get your opinion on it."
He admitted reluctantly as the projection's expression shifted into one of serious consideration, as though preparing to dispense wisdom refined across centuries.
"If you are experiencing any performance issues in bed, I do know a
few alchemical formulas that will turn you into an absolute beast."
He offered solemnly, as Leo recoiled imdiately at the suggestion.
"No, no, no, you perverted old man. I'm not having issues in bed."
He protested, visibly flustered.
"It's more of a marriage issue."
He began again, only for the projection to interrupt him with startling
enthusiasm.
"You are uncertain whether you should remain tied to one woman?"
He leaned forward slightly.
"Take my advice, boy. Absolutely do not bind yourself unnecessarily. There is no strategic advantage in restricting your legacy to a single womb when the universe is vast and receptive."
He declared, before letting out a short, satisfied laugh at his own
reasoning.
Leo stared at him in open disbelief.
"Right. That explains a lot."
He muttered under his breath as the projection blinked in confusion.
"Explains what?"
He asked, as Leo waved a dismissive hand.
"Never mind."
Leo said, shaking his head, as though already regretting his decision
to seek counsel from the old man.
"I think I'll hold off on the advice for now. I'd rather take advice from a
divorced man than from you."
He said flatly, as the projection stiffened slightly at that, clearly insulted for the second ti in as many minutes, though he chose not to escalate the matter.
"Your personal incompetence in choosing conversational topics is not
my concern."
He replied curtly, as Leo ignored him entirely, closing his eyes briefly as he forced his thoughts back toward discipline, pushing aside the emotional noise that had prompted the question in the first place.
"Alright. Enough of that."
He murmured, cracking his neck lightly.
"Let's get back to the study of ti." Without waiting for further comntary, Leo stepped forward and
began preparing to open a Fourth Dinsional Portal once again, as the projection, still mildly offended yet professionally composed,
allowed the matter to drop and refocused his attention on the training at hand.
After all, even flawed disciples required guidance. And despite his questionable romantic philosophy, the Tiless Assassin had never failed in matters that truly mattered.
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