Chapter 7: The Path of Rediscovery

"Attack and defend is how we know a true warrior. A warrior who dies meaninglessly in war has no honor. In a world of struggles, you must stand on your own. If you're left with friends to fight alongside, stick together as a team. If it's rebels you're left with, fight with strategy. And if it remains only you, make the right decision."

Kyrian won't back off, even if he's left alone. He's nothing now in a world of strangers, a former emperor of a great empire, living a life of luxury. He must do everything to restore the universe, protect against the coming war, and discover who he is now. But to do all this, self-discovery is the first step.

Who knows him? Nobody... except Soren. But Soren was old and a great cultivator, and this Soren is also a great cultivator, officer, or general, and young.

Kyrian runs out of the room and down the hallway. He stops as he senses heavy Qi energy, not just one but three. The light reveals Lira, Arric, and Aurelius.

"Kyrian the Tortoise," Arric says, and they laugh.

"You know I hate the fact we were born on the same day. I hate you being my brother. I hate you for getting father's love over me and Aurelius," Arric says angrily.

"What's happening to these kids? This body humbles me. I think I should show them who I am," Kyrian murmurs, smiling.

"What did you say, you tortoise?" Aurelius says, and they laugh again.

"Say something," Arric tells Lira.

"He's a prince, I can't disrespect him," Lira says.

"But you laugh when we call him tortoise," they laugh again.

Kyrian murmurs a spell as his Qi energy evolves. They are surprised as his water magic with its Golden Qi energy pushes toward them. They split, and he flies to the door entrance they blocked.

"Wow, slow but steady," Aurelius says, surprised and impressed.

"Ready for fast and furious," Arric says, sending a signal. Their Qi energy evolves together, and they combine it with their magic, floating above the air and throwing towards him. It's fast, but Kyrian is smart. He flies back, clicks a button for the deflector shields, which create a barrier, and presses another button, lifting them away to another floor.

"Stop! Shut it down, Kyrian! I'll punish you for this! I'll kill you!" Arric yells, trying to stop the lift. Kyrian couldn't help but smile. He walks behind the wall until he reaches a hall where many people are gathered, as Soren addresses them.

"So, our scientists, gunners, pilots, commandos, medics, engineers, and others, we are all divine beings with great knowledge at a great time. As we know, Zarath has been our enemy for 199,990 million years."

Kyrian is shocked. 199,990 million years have passed so quickly. Zarath still remains; he wonders how powerful and old he has become.

"He has been terrorizing our universe for thousands of years before fleeing to Aetheris and returning with huge advanced weapons we never knew of. We won't back off this time. We have launched attacks as he never expected, and we'll continue until we take him down. We discovered he takes aetherflow river in huge quantities," Soren says.

Kyrian is shocked the river still exists. That's where everything begins.

"We know how useful it is for cultivation. This time it's being guarded with security. We have nothing to worry about. Peace guard to the path of light," Soren concludes.

"Peace guard to the path of light," they all respond.

"A link is sent to you all, ensuring everyone's safety and the ability to connect with others and home if anything goes wrong. We won't back off till we win for victory," Soren says, rounding up.

"For the universe, for our soul, and for beyond infinity," they say in chorus.

As the lights dim, Soren bumps into Kyrian.

"Soren... don't tell me you don't know your lord. I am the only one in this world who knows you," Kyrian says. Soren observes him carefully.

"Welcome, Your Majesty. You come at a crucial time. We have been waiting for you for so long. Eldoria is now known as Aetheris planet," Soren says.

"What happened to the Eldoria Empire? Did you also die? Did Zarath kill you? Did you reincarnate? How did time pass so far? What happened to my people? What's going on?" Kyrian asks frantically.

"Your Majesty, these are the questions I was asking when I first came to this world. But I was not the only one reincarnated. We are quite many, but we arrived at different times. I'll answer all your questions when this war is over. We will conduct an official lesson for you, and you will be exposed. Trust only Lucius and Elena, no one else," Soren says with respect, leaving.

"Soren!..." Kyrian's words fade as Soren walks away. He couldn't help but smile; finally, he sees someone he knows.