Chapter 28: What the future holds

Aemon gripped his hand. "The more I use this power, the more I am damaging my vision and body," he muttered, with sorrow in his voice.

"Admittedly, my body is not as refined as it once was. With the death of my master, the residing power he had left me is eviscerating from my body by the day. Not only that, as I get older, I begin to lose even the refinement of my soul core."

Airi understood immediately what this meant, without him having to explain as much. Her thoughts were one and the same with Xerxes now, meaning that if she knew something that wasn't as apparent to Xerxes, then he would, too.

What Airi had thought was surely to be true.

This was something Xerxes wasn't expecting; it felt as if the floor beneath him was dragged from under his feet. His face immediately met Leiya's, and she understood what was happening instantly.

Her face was dull, and it felt as if the both of them were wallowing in an insufferable void that spelt the words of the outcome Aemon was facing.

The words that were clear were:

Aemon didn't have long left to live.

"Over the years, I have made sure that this place is safe, safe enough for everyone within this city and anyone who has ever needed my help. I don't exactly regret or love the life I have lived, but I am glad that I have served everyone here well. I will commit the next few years I have left doing everything I can—righting my wrongs and bringing about a better tomorrow."

Leiya walked towards Aemon, her usual flare dulled in a fog of sorrow.

She held a cadence of sadness, unmistakable between every single word.

"But what if I'm not ready to say goodbye to you when that time comes?"

These were words that Xerxes had shared not so long ago, and she hadn't fully understood their meaning then. But the gravity of those words weighed down as she realised more about Xerxes' connection to them—and hers to her grandfather's.

"Leiya, my amazing grandchild, I'd be lying if I said that when I pass on, it would be easy. No loss is ever easy, but what it does is create something within you that can change you for the better or cultivate something dreadful. I've used my power on you, and what I can see..."

He looked up at the blank ceiling, a smile forming on his face, perhaps recollecting what his power had shown him.

Could it really show the future to a degree? If so, was their fate already determined by some higher power?

"I can surmise that your life won't have anything easy within it, like everyone in this world. However, you show more promise than even I have done. With the strength you carry in your blood and what fate has in store for you, you'll be someone I would forever be proud of."

Leiya immediately hugged her grandfather, the strength in her grip wrapping around his ribs palpable enough to perhaps shatter one of Xerxes'. But for the old man...

To say the least, his body was as durable as anything—durable enough to withstand the expression of strength and love Leiya was exuding.

Aemon gently stroked her head as her mood began to lighten, which made Airi and Xerxes elated with happiness. Though Xerxes wasn't linked to them by blood, over the years he had realised that concepts like that weren't relevant to him.

He was practically halfway across the world from the people he called family—Dorian, Aya, Vanessa, and the entirety of the Crossed Seas Guild. They were people Xerxes could mourn, people he could find strength in when he needed it most, and he felt the same way about the Truth family.

They were truly amazing people. It didn't matter about heritage or blood; what made them 'family' to him was their generosity, their ideals, their kindness, and their valour. All of these things made Xerxes feel the same love he had for everyone back in Layne.

Aemon was smiling but then peered over at Xerxes, who seemed deep in admiration.

"I can't forget our other family now, can I, Xerx my boy?"

Xerxes chuckled as he shot a toothy grin towards Aemon. He really called me by that name, huh?

"Now, if you like, I have something I would like to share with you—but the thing is, you can't press on it too much. Why, you may ask? Because even I don't have an answer for it."

"Not even you, Aemon?" he asked, ignorant to the fact that Aemon wasn't some all-knowing, omniscient god. He was still a man whose power had been slowly destroying his body and mind year by year.

Aemon shook his head, and Xerxes contemplated whether he wanted to hear what Aemon was inclined to tell him. Xerxes had an inkling that it wasn't going to be good news about himself, but regardless—life had thrown him a twisted fate.

On the brink of death, he had been miraculously sent here, uncovering mysteries within the City of Truth. If he had the chance, perhaps he would do it again—never rewrite history, almost die, and be sent here.

So if Aemon gave him dire news, maybe he could go about life the same way—twist fate on its arse. So he nodded.

"The original reason why we were so wary of you at the start is for one key reason: my eyes don't work on you. A few conditions for my power are that I cannot use it on someone stronger than me—and c'mon, you really think you can best your gramps."

Xerxes' face contorted with embarrassment. "Huh, of course I can! You saw me fight those mana beasts."

Airi imposed on Xerxes' bluff. "Xerxes, you may be able to feign blissful ignorance on the outside, but as your companion, I know you're lying through your teeth..."

"Damn it..." He felt defeated but listened and nodded in understanding.

"The second condition is that I cannot use the Power of Truth directly on a person more than fifteen times within a year—and I have never met you in my life, nor do you possess the strength to fight me on equal footing."

"Do you understand what I am getting at?"

His voice grew quite sinister. "I believe that you are some anomaly—an anomaly that somehow managed to best death once in a fierce battle by will alone, an anomaly that needs to discover more about himself to finally understand why it doesn't work on you. I am serious when I tell you this, Xerxes. This is something that would stump even my master—and if you thought I was strong, the difference between us would be like an insect fighting a dragon."

"That was how disparate we were in strength and intellect. So keep it in mind—when you spend more years here, when you journey back to Layne and beyond. Discover this meaning, and I am sure you will open many doors to different paths your life could take. For better or for worse."

Xerxes held his chin. It was another inexplicable thing in his life—well, he had grown used to inexplicable things happening. What was one more? Though the only thing on his mind was: when he discovered 'why', how could it actually change his life?

For better or for worse?

Xerxes looked at Aemon. "I appreciate you dearly, Aemon. Thank you for the knowledge, and I promise—by my blade and my soul—that I will bring about a better tomorrow and unravel the mystery."

Aemon smiled as the three embraced in a long hug. They soon found Conrad and Aliya, and Aemon explained what he had told them. There was a brief bickering match between Leiya and her parents about why they hadn't told her, but it quickly subsided.

They were all in great spirits, Xerxes especially. To say the least, he was in bliss. This new life he had once feared was extremely peaceful—but who knew how long that would last? With the augmented beast awakening in roughly two months, and the fact he had forgotten Leiya's birthday was only a month away!

Xerxes rested on his bed after a long day, Airi laying atop him, asleep. Cutting through the silence, Xerxes spoke.

"Hey, Airi?"

"What do you need assistance with, Xerxes?" she asked calmly, her voice slightly groggy.

"Can I ask you one thing, and I want you to answer without any bias?" She agreed, so Xerxes continued.

"I know I've only just gotten you today, and I don't know why I feel like this, but I feel guilty for not paying you much attention. I don't want to treat you like some ancient weapon, but as someone I can rely on—for my emotions, for battle, for when I'm bored. So... no, the question is: what do you want to be, and what do you want from me?"

Airi stood up on her feet and looked at Xerxes. She waited a few minutes before answering. Xerxes honestly thought their mental connection had broken, but then she spoke.

"I want you to achieve your earnest goals, and no matter what, stay firm on them. As for me and what I want to be... I'm not really sure. I can't tell whether I want to discover who I was or create who I want to be."

Xerxes asked a simple question—simple to him, at least. "Why not be both? You can forge the person you are with fresh metal and old metal. Well, at least I think so. Maybe?"

Airi giggled slightly. "I like you a lot. You're smart but stupid at the same time, Xerxes. I hope I can do both of those things, as you said—use 'old metal and fresh metal'," she teased.

Xerxes laughed as well, but that laughter was short-lived as Airi was forced to find help—something began changing within his soul core, making him wail in agony.