Legacy of the Dark Sage

Indeed, their talk about the past veered slightly off-track because they addressed what inspired the Four Greatest Minds of the Ancients to create artificial Ancient Magic Cores.

Armed with the information Kairos had shared, Kyran pieced together a theory that filled the gaps in his understanding of what the Four Greatest Minds had discovered through the Looking Glass.

Kyran chose not to discuss his theory openly with Kairos because they would probably veer off-topic once more.

For the record, Kyran's understanding of what transpired back then was as follows:

(1) The Four Greatest Minds discovered something involving the Fates that caused The Fall— something far more sinister than The Fall itself, which was why the Four Greatest Minds still went ahead with researching how to produce artificial Ancient Magic Cores even when it would also trigger The Fall.

(2) The Four Greatest Minds knew going up against the Fates was futile and did not consider stopping their plan. Instead, they decided to find a way to fix The Realm after The Fall.

(3) The only one that could fix The Realm was the Realm Scion. Back then, the Higher Being was supposed to inherit that identity. However, the Four Greatest Minds knew that the Higher Being's magic was insufficient to fix The Realm.

(4) The Four Greatest Minds concluded that the only way to fix The Realm was to find a suitable Realm Scion that could wield Ancient Magic.

(5) Wielding Ancient Magic was not enough, though. If it was, they could simply employ the assistance of the three beings wielding Ancient Magic once The Fall happened. This was because they were missing the most crucial Ancient Magic— Void. Unfortunately, no beings could wield the Void. In fact, the only one who could wield it was the original human, the Deity.

(6) Considering all these, the Four Greatest Minds decided first to create humans. After that, they would find a way to produce artificial Ancient Magic Cores that humans could inherit.

Kyran's theory was composed of information from all sources, such as the Ancient Magic books, tablets, and statements from beings who knew the truth, which he had acquired thus far. The rest, especially about the Deity, he got from Kairos.

Kairos sensed Kyran's thoughts and chose not to discuss them simply because there was no point in doing so.

Kyran's theory was correct, so they had no reason to discuss it further. Instead, Kairos decided to continue where they left off, hoping to allow Kyran to polish his theory better.

"If this had been any other clan, their leader would have complied with the Higher Being's demand and surrendered their research. But the Ancients were beings known not only for their advanced knowledge in Magic but also their bond.

"I am reminded of the Regis Family wherever their bonds were concerned. Their King chose to defy the Higher Being even if it would cause their clan's downfall."

"You mean... they knew their clan would also be destroyed?"

Kairos smiled sadly as he answered, "I don't know. The only ones who could truly answer that question were the King and the Four Greatest Minds."

He sighed before adding, "Regardless if they knew, that did not stop them from defying the Higher Being."

Kyran fell silent. Hearing how the King of the Ancients did not mind destroying the whole clan to save the Four Greatest Minds and their research made him remember how his clan chose to hide the truth about his magic. And when the secret was revealed, they were all prepared to die if it would mean he could escape from the Royal Army.

"In the end, the Higher Being, along with his supporters, succeeded in destroying the Land of the Ancients but was unprepared for the repercussions of his actions. The Realm suffered, and The Fall happened."

Kyran frowned after noticing Kairos's choice of words. Rather than saying the Higher Being destroyed the Ancients, he mentioned the Land of the Ancients.

"Although I tried to be as obvious as possible, others would not have noticed my choice of words. Truly remarkable," Kairos complimented Kyran the moment he saw through his doubts.

"If I had not met Diara and the other Ancients here, I would not think anything was amiss, to be honest," Kyran admitted, slightly shaking his head. "The Higher Being only succeeded in destroying the Land of the Ancients but failed to kill them."

"Yes," Kairos nodded, acknowledging Kyran's words. "Some Ancients survived. However, with time, the survivors also faded."

"But Diara and the others..." Kyran started to reason. However, a thought crossed his mind, and he fell silent again.

"Correct again, Void Master," Kairos replied solemnly. "The Ancients that took refuge in this tower... cannot truly be considered alive. Yes, they are still among the living. But if they tried to leave this place— or, to be more accurate— this space, then time will catch up on them."

For short, Diara and the remaining surviving Ancients could not leave the Tower of the Ancients. Once they do, they would vanish the moment their time moves again.

Kyran had no attachments to Diara and the other four Ancients who temporarily joined their group. Thus, he did not care what would happen to them. However, he still felt sorry.

They appeared happy at the prospect of them finally leaving the tower. But if they did, they would vanish.

"Don't feel sorry, Void Master. If they remained here, they will survive. Who knows... maybe once you accept your identity as the Realm Scion, you may find a way to free them."

Kyran chose not to react to Kairos's last comment. Instead, he asked, "Is the King of the Ancients still alive? Or, as you said, also among the living?"

Kairos did not answer right away, but he did not have to because his look and smile at Kyran were enough of an answer.

"You can sense my thoughts," Kyran started. "The things in my mind right now, are they correct?"

Again, Kairos did not answer. After a short pause, he finally replied, "Yes and no."

"Which is correct, which is not?"

Kairos lowered his gaze and contemplated how to answer that question.

Kyran did not pressure the older man and waited in silence.

After a long pause, Kairos looked at Kyran and answered, "That being who claimed to be the Cause of The Fall might genuinely be the Higher Being if he said his fate was tied with Shaiha.

"As for the King of the Ancients, I cannot give you a definite answer because my knowledge is limited to the things past Overseers knew. One thing I can tell you, however, is that the King of the Ancients did not take refuge in the tower."

"And what can you say about my theory of his identity?"

"...That... I do not know. Even the past Overseers could not confirm it. However, my predecessor did say she could sense him."

"Sense him? Right now?"

"It is faint, but she mentioned sensing the presence of their King earlier."

Kyran's heart sank after hearing Kairos's statement. It was only a passing thought, but now he was about 95% sure he was onto something.

Kairos's expression also turned grim after sensing Kyran's thoughts.

"You knew where the King of the Ancients is?"

"I still need to confirm it. When I met Caelan the second time, he told me a story."

"About the Dark Sage."

Kyran nodded, "Since you can sense my thoughts, I don't need to fill you in on the details, right?"

"True. However, I cannot see your memories. My understanding is limited unless you ponder what you discussed with Lord Caelan back then."

"Caelan asked me not to be hard on Layla because she was not at fault for what happened in the Human plane. She did that because someone influenced her."

"The Dark Sage."

"Yes. Even now, Layla was adamant about exacting revenge. She wanted to come to the Higher Realm and confront all those who wronged the Dark Sage.

"The more I learned about the past, the more I feel that the Dark Sage's revenge is not that simple."

Kairos felt strained at the sudden thought that flashed through his mind. Even without sensing Kyran's thoughts, he already understood what the younger man was trying to tell him.

"You believe the King of the Ancients is the Dark Sage?"

Kyran nodded, "But I am not entirely convinced. At least, after hearing how the King of the Ancients chose to protect the Four Greatest Minds rather than surrender them along with their research to the Higher Being, I don't think he is someone who would bear a grudge."

"I can understand what you mean."

"However, if your predecessor did sense him earlier..." Kyran's voice trailed off, unable to complete what he was about to say.

He did not have to since Kairos could sense it. And the moment the older man realized it, his complexion paled.

"Are you absolutely sure?"

"Yes," Kyran nodded. "If the King of the Ancients is the Dark Sage... then the one Caelan sealed inside the Macabre Glacier is him."