Legacy of the Dark Sage

Kyran immediately understood what Ruin meant when he told him he had been played. He even knew who had played him, and everything that happened thus far started to make much more sense.

The Fates.

They manipulated everything that happened in the Blade Dancer plane, which resulted in Kyran failing to execute his plans.

Kairos mentioned that Kyran was immune to the Fates' intervention, and he had no reason to doubt the former. There had been instances where their well-woven paths were torn just from his appearance.

Of course, Kyran did not know that his supposed actions changed predetermined fates. In his opinion, he was only doing what he could to protect his people and was unaware that most of his actions succeeded because the Fates could not touch him.

That had been the case with Flos's and Obstruction's unexpected death.

After Kairos told him that he was immune to the Fates, Kyran made plans to take over the Blade Dancer Clan with that in mind. Unfortunately, he made one crucial mistake— he was the only one that the Fates could not touch. The Fates could simply change the target of their manipulation and could even try doing it in real time to prevent Kyran from influencing the fates of others.

Kyran guessed that the Fates manipulated the Blade Dancer Clan's actions, and maybe even The Emperor's and Ruin's way of thinking, to create the sudden turn of events in the Blade Dancer plane.

The Fates succeeded in thwarting Kyran's plans. However, his split-second decision to change how he goes about his objective in the Blade Dancer plane fortunately allowed him to accomplish his goal even if he could not execute his plans.

"Seems you understand what I am trying to say," Ruin said while raising his hand. Black mist formed around his shin, and he levitated. While hovering, he crossed his legs and used the black mist as a cushion to sit.

"To be honest, I sensed their influence when I met this guy," he pointed at himself, indicating he was talking about Neo. "I'm sure you've been wondering how I crossed the border that separated the Lower Realm from the Higher Realm. All I can say is that the Fates made that possible."

Ruin was right. Kyran did wonder about that. But since he believed Ruin was working with that mysterious Void user, he presumed the latter was the one who created a path that would allow Ruin to cross the border, separating the two realms.

As if he saw through Kyran's thoughts, Ruin said with raised brows, "You... did you really think that guy can just waltz into the Higher Realm? The Fates can't touch you, but not that guy."

Finally, Kyran could no longer feign indifference as his brows furrowed.

Ruin chuckled at the look of disbelief on Kyran and teased, "Ah~ Finally, a reaction. I bet you thought that because that guy can use the Void, he is also immune to the Fates Code. Eeeengkh! Wrong.

"Being an Ancient Magic user does not automatically make you immune to the Fates Code. The reason you are immune is because of who you are..." Ruin's voice trailed off, and he paused with a thoughtful look on his face, "I suppose that does not make much sense. But anyway, you'll understand it soon enough. Besides, I'm surprised you did not even recognize that guy. Ah~ah...

I suddenly feel bad for him~ He sacrificed himself to keep The Emperor's attention away from you, and yet you did not even recognize him."

Kyran's eyes widened. He did not even need Ruin to explain himself if he gave such a huge clue.

If that Void user was someone Kyran knew, only two names came to mind.

Caelan or True Void.

Between these two, it was easy to narrow down the choices further.

Caelan was already dead. Even if he managed to survive, he could only be a remnant soul. Similar to the one slumbering inside the Void core. But Shaiha— the first Soul Keeper— confirmed Caelan's death in every future she peeked into. Thus, he was already out of the running.

Thus, Kyran was only left with one choice: True Void.

'That's True Void?'

Ruin was right. Kyran truly did not recognize True Void.

To be honest, Kyran was frustrated by the realization because if he considered True Void, he would have easily guessed his identity.

True Void could manifest into anything he saw. Kyran did not know how True Void staged such a grand stunt, but he was truly shocked at the latter's presence when he confronted The Emperor.

'Was that True Void's real capability?'

"I admit the ripping of space and peering at Lucian's move is brilliant~. I'm guessing he tried to mimic how I appeared before him and this guy in the Lower Realm, but how his eyes resembled yours when you use your magic was a very good touch. No one would doubt that he was truly the new Void Master."

'Lucian?' Kyran repeated in his mind. He already suspected that it was The Emperor's real name. But learning that Ruin knew it made Kyran finally accept the story behind Layla's reasons for wanting to win the War of the Sovereigns and go to the Higher Realm.

Layla and Ruin had a strange and ambiguous relationship, and Kyran guessed that the two had some debts to settle with Lucian. Layla gave Kyran a brief account of her story, but he did not know Ruin's. However, from the short exchange he had heard during Ruin's and Lucian's confrontation, it was easy to guess that the latter took advantage of the former, and the ending was obviously not good.

"Wrong," Kyran replied while shaking his head. "The Emperor was not completely convinced that he was the new Void Master."

Ruin tilted his head, raising his brows. He then remembered how Lucian kept asking True Void who he was, which made him furrow his brows. He then recounted how Lucian acted when True Void refused to answer him.

Lucian wanted the Ancient Magic Cores. But rather than trying to capture True Void so he could take the Void core, he wanted to destroy him.

Seeing the look of realization on Ruin's face, Kyran guessed his thoughts and said, "That's right. He probably believed True Void was a manifestation of a powerful remnant thought... or maybe an illusion. I'm not sure."

"But when Lucian made a declaration, he referred to that guy as the Void Master."

"True. But that is only because it is easier to give him that 'title' to make his stance. At the end of the day, everyone will be on the lookout for a mage that can use the Void. Or a mage with that magic signature. Whether the one they found is True Void or me doesn't matter."

Ruin chuckled and leaned back, "Well~ it's not like it mattered. That guy can just stay inside the rift while scattering Void magic energies in different locations to keep Lucian busy. Besides, you can hide your aura... no one will be able to know you can use the Void."

Kyran did not respond. However, he looked at Ruin with a complicated expression for a short while before saying, "You are being overly friendly."

Ruin pointed at himself and looked at Kyran innocently, "Me?"

He then did a double take and lowered his finger, muttering, "Oh, this is not exactly my body, so I can't really say this is me."

Ruin chuckled to himself as if finding the thought amusing.

"Now that you've delivered your message, get out of Neo's body."

Ruin looked at Kyran with a wry smile.

"Such cold words. I already told you that I can't leave yet, right?"

"I know. You don't want the Fates to track and manipulate your fate. And because my presence alone can affect the fates of the people around me, you want to take advantage of that. But I don't really care about your concern. Isn't returning to the Higher Realm has been your goal? Now that you're here, go about your business; I won't stop you.

But first, get out of Neo's body, then leave."

Ruin's amiable smile turned slightly wicked as he said, "That is not how you ask for something, my cute little prey. Remember that I have this guy's core as hostage. Like you don't care about what I do, I also don't care what happened to this guy's energy core. I can make this body my own any time."

Kyran's eyes flashed at Ruin's threat.

The atmosphere between them strained in an instant. Still, no one moved to aggravate the situation further.

In the end, Ruin raised his hands as if in surrender, "But you know... I don't want to burn a bridge before it is even built, so let's be rational. Right now, since I need your immunity against the Fates and know I can offer something in return, how about we make a deal?"

Kyran was still in the process of understanding how his immunity against the Fates Code worked. However, Ruin seemed to know more about it than he did. Judging from his words, it would seem that as long as he established his connection with Neo— regardless of whether it was the person himself or his physical body— he would also be immune to the Fates Code.

But seeing how the Fates managed to observe and even manipulate Neo and True Void's movement, Kyran reckoned that their immunity was temporary.

"I can almost hear your thoughts~. You know I can just explain how it works without you exhausting your brain cells."

Without waiting for Kyran to say anything, Ruin started to explain.

"Your connection with this guy and those in the Lower Realm has been broken after you stepped into the Higher Realm. That's why you did not even realize they were nearby or even recognize them. If you want to influence how the Fates worked at their fates, you need to reestablish that. Unfortunately, that only works if you genuinely consider them your people.

"Now that we are on that subject. You have to do something about the rest of the Blade Dancer clan members. Otherwise, the Fates can use them against you.

"Anyway, the immunity you can provide to others is limited and not as potent as your immunity. However, it will obscure the Fates' observation to a certain degree, allowing them enough freedom to maneuver around."

Kyran pondered Ruin's words and thought it did make sense. If he could grant immunity at the same level as he had to everyone he considered his people, the Fates would have long done something to prevent that.

"In return for granting me that certain freedom to move around the Higher Realm without the Fates' intervention, I'll help divert Lucian's attention away from you. I can also provide much better intel. What do you think?"