"So, you think you're done, Aurelion?" A gentle female voice resounded in his ears. He could not see; everything was either black or white. There was no mouth to speak through; it was a weird sensation.
"I feel like I am done, don't you think? I even set the record - the shortest-lived Aurelion. Don't I deserve a pat on the shoulder, Goddess?"
"You are not just any Aurelion. Your duty is not done, child." The voice was heard again, gentle yet also authoritative.
"What more is there left to do? I am dead. Even if I were alive, what more would you like me to do? I thought as a Goddess, your scales would reward me. Aren't my deeds heavy enough to tip the scales for a reward? Peace, maybe?"
"No peace. The scales have not yet tipped. You are my favourite child. Whatever that you wish to achieve, you will. There is still the great wall that you must repair, and lastly - put out the dark flame. Return now, Aurelion. Accept the mantle."
"I accept no mantle! Let me die as a legend! Goddess! Come bac-"
----------------------
Valtherion's one eye opened as he could see a silhouette coming towards him. It was dressed in white, giving him the feeling like it was the Goddess, but soon he realised that it was an Expert Orc. He was limping but making his way towards him just fine.
The sword was coming towards his head, but just before that, a Mograine Knight beheaded the creature, causing its body to stumble.
"Valtherion Mograine! Aurelion!" The knight picked him up gently like a bride as he carried him towards the army, his strides fast.
Valtherion wanted to move, yet he could not. He was barely seeing what was going on around him, and the knight was wearing a helmet. He could not even see his family crest, as his whole armour was covered in blood.
On a side note, he could feel his arm now, and the bleeding had stopped, somehow. Definitely a deed of Orianna.
"I have brought Aurelion back!" The knight shouted as horses came towards them.
Valtherion was passed from hand to hand until finally Luther caught him and placed him on his horse. His tears were streaming down as he looked at Valtherion's condition, unaware of the Goddess's magic.
"Godfa-ther...I...did it" A low groan escaped his lips, breaking Luther's heart.
"Master Luther Pendragon. We don't have much time; his body will not hold. Carry him towards the city as soon as possible. Let us pray for a miracle from the Goddess. Else...he will die in your arms..." Baron Linley said as he came forward, missing one eye but alive, somehow.
Luther said nothing as he urged the horse to ride as fast as it could. He looked towards Valtherion, unable to say anything, until he began talking, quietly, but still.
"I never wanted you to do it... I am proud of you that you did, yet I hate it. This is not your place...I regret teaching you how to fight; if I knew, I would've done anything possible so that you would become a renowned painter. It's too late now...I'm sorry, Valtherion. I failed you; I broke through too late. I will pray to the Goddess that you get up, yet I know it's impossible. I am sorry; I hope your father forgives me...I hope you forgive me. If there's ever a second chance, I would never leave your side or make an oath to do so...damned prophecies, damned gods...everything be damned...our boy is wilting..." His words were quiet, yet his tears were heavy as they drowned Valtherion, who could not move.
All he could do was suffer the physical and emotional pain he was feeling from Luther's words. He was not dead; the bleeding had stopped...he was just weakened, too weakened...
Valtherion did not know when, but they reached the centre of the city, and he sank into another pool of holy water, akin to the one in the Great Basilica. This time, it was silver water. His body could not move; he could not swim; it only sank.
Luther was looking at the holy statue, expecting a miracle with teary eyes...yet nothing was happening...he bowed down and prayed, and still. The soldiers around him did the same, to no avail.
"Valtherion Mograine, Aurelion of the Holy City, has passed away", Someone announced with a teary voice, but just then, a bleeding hand arose from the holy pool. It grabbed the silver railings, and a body rose.
"Valtherion!"
"Aurelion!"
Luther and Dain were the first to help him get up. He whispered something; only Luther heard him as he took out a can of wine and chugged it down his throat.
Valtherion choked as he spat out blood and bile before chugging more of the wine, satisfying his thirst.
"Godfather. Cousin. I will live. Take me out of this damned city, now!" Valtherion said; however, Luther did not pick him up, nor did Dain.
Luther was thanking the Goddess, bowing at her statue, as was Dain.
"Why leave the city, Aurelion? Aren't you going to rebuild it and rule it? You were chosen!" Someone asked and stated; it sounded like the knight that had initially found him.
"I have no desire to lead this city. It has brought me only pain. To me, and to those whom I love. Why don't you step up and lead the city yourself? Yes, step up, you and tell me what your name is?" Valtherion spoke with a commanding tone. He finally found the bastard that bride carried him and passed him like a rag.
"My name is Alexander, my lord!" He stated, his helmet still on, but he bowed.
"Why don't you lead the city, Alexander? One Alexander here and one Alexander in Targoth! It would be a good coincidence." Valtherion stated, causing the knight to step back. It was not possible. Valtherion was the chosen one, yet he did not wish for it.
"No, no, no! You must lead the city, Aurelion! She has chosen you! Only when you accept the mantle will the silver waters of Aure flow again!" Suddenly, the Imperial Seer appeared, her appearance, however, was much more sane, and her tone was much more... authoritative.
"I do not wish to lead, hag; it is all your fault!" Valtherion said, not backing down.
"You will. Your destiny is not over. The wall remains. You were chosen and brought back for a reason. Swear to the Goddess, now!" She grabbed his ear and pulled, causing him to stare directly into her eye.
"Ouch, you hag! In front of my Godfather? Godfather, take her off me and take me away from this city. Axel waits for us...Uncle?" Valtherion looked
Bowing down, Luther nodded towards the seer and grabbed Valtherion's hand. "Val, I know you have suffered. I know it hurt to see everyone break down around you...It was hard for me to carry your body here. I was praying to the Goddess for a second chance, a second chance to bring you back. I know you don't wish to accept... however, Valtherion...The sacrifices your father made, you made...The Goddess's second chance...It seems that you will have to take the silver crown. My Godson, I swear, I will be next to you through every step and every journey. Do not back away from what is rightfully yours. Your ancestors shed blood for this; you did as well. I will be with you, as will Dain.
"Till the very end? Even if we die?" Valtherion asked.
"Till the very end..." Dain and Luther replied in synchronicity.
"Then... I will do it. I will rebuild the city, reclaim the Great Wall. I will do it, with you by my side. The silver crown will have to wait. It is not something that can go without the Emperor's blessing. " Valtherion said
"But I have blessed you ever since your baptism," Knight Alexander said as he walked forward and took off his helmet.
"Emperor Alexander is here, bow down!" Baron Linley voiced as everyone took a bow.
"Rise, everyone. Besides you, young Aurelion, you cannot even move." Alexander said as he ruffled his hair.
Valtherion was shocked as he looked towards Emperor Alexander, the man who saved him, disguised as a knight. Even Leeroy Jenkins was here, smiling at him.
"Valtherion Mograine, do you accept the responsibility of the Holy City, the tasks given to you by the Goddess Orianna?" Emperor Alexander said as a crown of silver and blue flowers appeared in his hands
"I do," Valtherion said as Alexander then put the crown on his head. It was simple, freshly woven from Aurelion City's flowers, yet it carried more weight than anything currently. It sat on his hair just perfectly.
He tried to stand up, but he could not as his legs gave up on him. Luther and Dain stepped forward, but it was the Emperor himself who lifted him on his shaky legs.
The winds suddenly blew, silencing every cheer as silence began its reign. The sound of gushing water was heard as the Aure River began flowing around the city, filling every fountain, pool and well.
"Long Live Aurelian Mograine!" Alexander announced as he splashed water on himself and Valtherion.
"Long Live Aurelian! Long Live Aurelian!" the crowd announced, in line with the Goddess' will and the Emperor's.
The seer stepped up and whispered something in his ear, with the familiarity of the Goddess' voice that he had heard earlier.
"Valtherion Mograine has died. Aurelian Mograine has taken his place. May your rule with a just and swift hand, child"