The Cycle of Life

The following days consisted of Will cultivating, meditating, and sparing in the arena.

Aside from training, he and Nisha spent a couple of hours every day practicing observing mana. It was a strenuous process, and he could be a bit more impatient with the training.

As days trickled Will checked in on Sir. Perceval every day. After helping Will learn to see mana, his health rapidly declined. And thanks to his help, Will could see his mana decreasing daily.

One day, in a regretful tone, he explained, "I can feel my spirit leaving. You shall be able to see your loved ones soon."

It was awkward for Will, waiting for one person to die so he could rescue another. He wondered how transplant doctors' dealt with morality.

Reading Will's thoughts Sir. Perceval said sickly to him, "Continue proudly with your life and gain the strength to protect your loved ones from harm. Along the way, you will face dangerous situations, maybe even worse than the ones you have survived already—but don't let the grief and rage corrode your heart. Move on, and learn from those experiences—better yourself—so they won't happen again."

Will blinked, a bit stunned to be lectured on morality by someone who mana core he needed to claim. Still, Sir. Perceval's words struck a chord within him.

"You humans have a very linear mindset regarding time. Based on my life experiences time is circular. History, circumstances, conversations, and friendships all have a tendency to repeat. I've seen kingdoms fall and others rise, only to repeat the same mistake. If you live long enough, you see what I mean. Life is a cycle.

You look at me and see death and soon to expunge soul. I look at myself and see a new journey about to begin. How would your family on Earth have looked at you if they absolutely knew it was not death that awaited you, but reincarnation?" Sir. Perceval wheezed.

Will did not want to admit it, but he'd gotten attached to the old dragon. His fantastical stories and sage wisdom inspired and encouraged Will.

Sir. Perceval let out a deep breath, and let out a labored whisper, "It's time."

"Yes, your soul is about to transcend. You shall return to the Gaia's bosom and Aether embrace," Mother Tiamat said appearing out of thin air. She bent over and kiss his forehead.

"Finally, I'll be able to leave this forsaken cave a bit faster," he jested. But the comment only made everyone sadder.

"Father, please stay a little longer!" shouted Dracul as he ran into the cave with ten priestesses.

A bright golden glow began radiating from Sir. Perceval's body. Will had to shield his eyes from the blinding light.

An empyreal stood and smiled at everyone. Will noticed it was Sir. Perceval's human avatar, but this time he looked more energetic and fit. He stood in front of his unbreathing body.

"You look so handsome," Mother Tiamat said with tears in her eyes. As more and more dragons piled inside the cave to send off Sir. Perceval.

Beneath his iridescent fiery red eyes were glowing golden runes that marked his neck and ran down to spread around his body. He wore an elegant white celestial robe with sacred engravings on it.

"Thank you Mother for the compliment. I haven't felt this could in several millennia," he laughed heartily. Golden light enveloped him.

"Son, what do you think about your old man now? I hope you take could care of my body, and use it to make a fine sword and armor. I love you, and you were the best thing to ever happen to me. I am so proud of you. You are my legacy and for that, I'm the most thankful," Sir. Perceval said.

Dracul began to cry. Tears streamed down his face. He collapsed to his knee, "Father I love you too and shall honor your legacy."

"How fortunate am I mother to have such a good son! I do believe he's the best of his bunch of young ones. Here, boy, I believe this is what you came for," Sir. Perceval said revealing a translucent red-colored mana core, the size of two fists.

The mana core gave off a powerful aura that made Will almost hesitate to take it. Holding Sir. Perceval's mana core, he felt he wasn't worthy of holding it.

Without waiting for Will to respond, he comforted him, "Everything that happens, happens for a reason. Everything was already ordained by the gods. You were destined to come here because I was destined to transcend at your arrival." Then he plucked a feather from his wings, wrapped the core in it, and then handed it to Will.

While Will studied the feather-encased mana core, he felt relaxed for the first time since he arrived. He now had the most important piece to save his master.

"Give me the core," Tiamat said. When Will gave her the core, she inscribed gold runes around it, making the core glow blazing even brighter with wisps of golden smoke than before. Then the markings slowly grew dimmer and then disappeared.

Then she touched Will's head with her finger and imparted the surgical procedure needed to save Elder Thaddeus.

"The gods have informed me it is now time to go. I wish to thank all my friends for coming out to send me off. I look forward to seeing you all in the next life!" he said

"Argh," Dracul cried out in sadness and cast a giant explosion that blew a hole in the ceiling of the cave. "No! I won't let you die here. If you refuse to go let you.

Sir. Perceval smiled, "only a black dragon would try to defy the will of the gods. You must grow up on your own. Soon you'll be old enough to journey outside our realm. Check-in on my core, and never stop growing stronger," Dracul advised.

Will saw, Dracul wiping tears from his cheeks with his claw. His draconic eyes were lined with tears, no matter how hard he fought to hold them back, it was a losing battle.

"Father I shall check in on your core, but I shall not protect this human brat!," Dracul cried.

"A brat who beat you! We black dragons are the most prideful of dragons. Yet, you are still young yourself. Grow stronger so you may defend our legacies and our bloodline! I wished to have more time with you, and now there is not enough time to finish it," he said before shimmering out of existence.

"Father, no!" Dracul cried out in anguish.

"Let's leave Dracul alone. Tonight we shall have a banquet in honor of Sir. Perceval's life," Mother Tiamat said to all the dragons present.

At the banquet, Will watched the dragons cheerfully celebrate Sir. Perceval's life. Every dragon Will met and many more were all in attendance. After the meal, Tiamat stood up and looked momentarily at the crowd.

"We've gathered here today to celebrate the life of a friend, brother, father, and son. Perceval was a rambunctious and passionate child.

Today we mark the end of one life and the start of another. We all know that life is not an end but a beginning. Each of us was made in the image of Aether and Gaia. From clay, Gaia molded us and Aether blew the breath of life into our lungs.

Our lives are like hourglass filled with sand. When we are born our vases of full and when we die they are emptied. While our bodies remain our soul transcends back from whence we came.

Even though Perceval has transcended, his memories live on. Grasps on to his memories, and learn from his experiences. Although, our ancestors transcend their memories remain with us forever.

It's also important to recognize that life never truly presents fresh starts – each of us gains a wealth of experiences from our forbearers' memories.

While we celebrate, Perceval is in the embrace of his creators. How wonderful it must be, to be embraced by the creator," Mother Tiamat said.

Will found her speech bittersweet and motivational, 'We do build on our ancestors' legacies,' Will thought to himself.

When he thought of the truth of the statement, it made Will feel grateful for his adopted and biological families. The Ballard family had a long history of nobility. Nobility that Will had capitalized on.

Will knew if he was born a commoner, he'd face more obstacles to his success.

He also thought about his first year at the Knight Academy, where he benefited from the reputation of his eldest brother. Moreover, he joined the same military fraternity as his eldest brother, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, and on and on.

And his mysterious birth mother had given him excellent terramancer abilities.

"Let us raise a glass of wine to my father," Dracul said walking through the door.

Everyone looked at Dracul respectfully. His tears were replaced by unshakeable confidence. He looked resolute and more mature.

"To my father, the greatest black dragon to ever live!" Dracul raised his glass high and stared deeply into Mother Tiamat's eyes.

"Cheers," shouted the crowd.