Rebellion Against Heaven - Part 17

Chapter 17: The Last Plunder

Ryuusei stood still for a moment, feeling the heavy air of the place that once chained him. He was no longer a Bastard Herald. That label had vanished along with the structure that maintained the old order. He took a deep breath, closed his eyes, and for the first time in years, felt the weight on his chest disappear.

It was not just a matter of rebelling, of destroying the chains that bound him, but of building something new from his own will. Up until that point, he had always been defined by others: a bastard, a servant, an intruder. But now, amid the ruins of his former prison, he realized that it was he who had to define who he was. And as he accepted that truth, he felt his body lighten, as if the whole world opened up to him for the first time.

The concept of home, of belonging, faded with every second I spent there. Before, this place represented everything I knew, even if I hated it. But now he understood that his home had never been here, or anywhere else physically. Her home was her own path, her own decisions, her right to forge her destiny.

Ryuusei opened her eyes. In his eyes there was no longer doubt or resentment, only an unshakable certainty. The world was not a cell; It was an infinite ocean, waiting to be navigated. And for the first time in his life, he felt truly alive.

Lara looked at him with a smile that hid something more than simple resignation.

"Ryuusei, you destroyed the order of the Heralds. But balance is an unbreakable cycle. In a few years there will be another earthquake, and new Supreme Heralds will arise. And this time, I hope they are loyal.

His words were a warning and, at the same time, an acceptance of the inevitable. Ryuusei did not answer. He knew the world wouldn't stand still for his revolution, but he didn't care. His war was personal.

Lara, already tired of his presence, threw him a scroll with the information of all people with special abilities.

"Get out." You have nothing to do here anymore.

The common Heralds looked at him with hatred. Torn voices spat insults at him:

"Go away, trash!" "Get out of here, you damned traitor!" "Shit, why are you still here?!"

Ryuusei just smiled coldly.

"I want to tour the place one last time," he said defiantly.

Lara, more interested in repairing the damage than watching it, looked away for a moment. It was the perfect opportunity. Sneaking away, Ryuusei slipped into what was once his office, now a relic warehouse. His goal was clear: to steal everything that could be of use to him.

Ryuusei advanced cautiously between the dusty shelves, his eyes sweeping over each object with hunter-like precision. He knew he didn't have much time before Lara noticed his absence, so he had to act quickly. His fingers ran over the surface of an old wooden bookshelf blackened by the years, until something caught his attention: nine black stones lined up almost ceremonially.

He recognized them instantly. Those gems were highly coveted among the Heralds. Their power lay not in offense or defense, but in something even more valuable: accelerated regeneration. Consuming one of them meant that wounds would close in seconds, broken bones would heal in minutes, and physical exhaustion would fade with just a few moments of rest. "Perfect for the next members of my group," he thought, with a satisfied smile. Without hesitation, he picked them up and put them in his cloak.

But his search did not end there. He knew that this place held more secrets than the Supreme Heralds ever wanted to admit. He continued to explore, pushing aside broken jars, illegible manuscripts, and weapons corroded by time, until his gaze fell on a small artifact wrapped in fine engravings of ancient runes. It was what he needed most at the time: an arcane translator.

Ryuusei sighed with relief. Ever since he had expanded his world, language had become a constant barrier. He was only fluent in Japanese, and now he was surrounded by languages he barely understood. This device could solve that. Quickly, he deciphered the instructions engraved on its surface: the mechanism worked by adapting the words of his surroundings directly into his mind, allowing him to understand any spoken or written language effortlessly. I couldn't pass up something so valuable. Without further delay, he activated it and kept it next to the black stones and incidentally took more for the members to be able to communicate with each other.

However, something inside him told him that there was still more to discover. He scanned the room again, this time more closely. It didn't take long for him to find what he was looking for: a small chest covered with sealed inscriptions. He opened it cautiously, and his eyes lit up at the sight of its contents.

Inside, rested nine green stones. To the naked eye, they looked similar to black, but their function was completely different. These gems did not grant regeneration, but something much more dangerous: they temporarily amplified the power of the one who consumed them. They were empowerment stones, capable of making a warrior multiply his strength, speed, or perception for a limited time. Its effect was unstable and dangerous, as the body was not designed to withstand such an increase in energy. Without proper control, an overdose could tear muscles, collapse organs, or even unleash an overload that consumed the user from within.

They were a double-edged sword. But in the right hands, they could be an uncounterable advantage. Ryuusei couldn't leave them behind.

And then, just when he thought he had exhausted the riches of this place, a subtle glow in a dark corner caught his attention. He walked over and removed the thick layer of dust that covered a set of summoning rocks. His surprise grew when he understood what they were.

These were not mere stones. There were 26 summoning rocks, each sealing within it a highly trained Herald. The essence of elite warriors was contained in these relics, converted into summoning cards that allowed their power to be unleashed at the right time.

Ryuusei felt a mixture of satisfaction and mockery as he held them in his hands. "If they destroyed my home, I'll take what's important from my former home," he thought wryly. With every object he took, he felt like he was taking his revenge, piece by piece.

But just when he thought enough was enough, a draught of air stirred an old scroll that fell at his feet. Almost as if fate itself is guiding him. Intrigued, he picked it up and unrolled it cautiously. His heart pounded as he read its contents: it was a detailed map of a secret base in Canada.

However, the most surprising thing was not its location, but its nature. According to the written information, this was not just any base. It was a living turtle, a colossal creature whose shell had been modified to become a high-tech mobile fortress. The most incredible thing of all was that, as far as the records indicated, she was still hidden from the world.

Ryuusei felt a surge of adrenaline run through his body. This was more than enough. If that base really existed, it could become the perfect refuge: a place to regroup, strengthen your team, and plan your next move without the constant threat of your enemies.

He had no more time to lose. He quickly put the scroll away and, without looking back, fled at full speed.

"So my dear Ryuusei steals things from me... How funny," Lara said, amused, with a fascinating twinkle in her eye.

With a subtle wave of his hands, the darkness around him came to life and a Titan Herald emerged from it. He was 3.43 meters tall, but he was not just any being. This one had a name: Snow.

"Snow, old friend, I've got a mission for you," Lara said with a mixture of seriousness and expectation. I want you to keep an eye on Ryuusei and follow his every move. If at any time you see him in danger, help him. And when you think he's ready, put him through the hardest, most effective workout possible. Ryuuusei is still weak to this world... But he could become the most legendary warrior humanity has ever seen.

He paused and stared at the titan, as if he could see fate reflected in his eyes.

"Besides..." I just saw his future. Poor boy... will suffer greatly. In about three years he will manage to form his own group and will face the Heroes in what will be remembered as "The War of the Rebels". Later, a being from space will arrive in search of revenge. On his way, he will meet a girl even stronger than him... and, if fate so wills, they will have children. Children with the strength of many gods. But before all that, there will be an even bigger battle... "The War of Divine Punishment". Two beings riding colossal dragons will shake the sky itself, and only one will be left standing. After that battle, the world will experience 300 years of absolute peace.

Lara smiled wistfully. His expression reflected both joy and sadness.

"Dear Heralds," he whispered in a calm voice. Sadly, I will die... and it will be for someone special. I know who he is.

For the first time in thousands of years, a tear of joy rolled down his cheek.

Arc 3: Fugitives from Fate

FINISHED