“You’re right. Using that Counter Resonance, we can even detect the locations of each Arcana!” Jared exclaimed, his eyes widened with excitement.

“Indeed. My mission will be to recover all the Arcanas and use The World to transport myself to the Nether Root.” Lewis responded

“With the Nether gone, it shouldn’t be a problem to infiltrate it.”

“Once I get in, I’ll find Karlia and get her out. She’ll finally be free of her pain.”

“Yes. That.” Jared muttered, rubbing his chin as he calculated their plans.

“It’s going to be an extremely difficult journey. Dangerous too. It’s uncharted territory, and I can’t even see any future in such a world. You’ll have no Magic, and you’ll have to navigate that plane on your own, with no assistance and multitudes of incomprehensible dangers sprawling from all directions. You might not last a second in there. You might even—”

“I am well aware of the risks, Jared. I realize that plans usually don’t work smoothly, and the chances of failure are much higher than those of success.”

“And you still want to go? Maybe it’s not too late to reconsider. Help us defeat Legris Damien. Once we’re done fighting him, all of us can assist you with Karlia.”

Jared instantly recognized his line of reasoning… and how similar it was to Kuzon’s words.

“You would do the same for Emilia, or for Maria. It’s no use trying to convince me, Jared.”

The blonde knew his other self was speaking the truth. He had felt the same only a moment earlier.

“I love Karlia. And I’ll do anything to save her!” Lewis clenched his fist and narrowed his eyes in determination.

This level of devotion moved Jared as he watched in both disbelief and relief.

“I suppose this is what I wanted. Someone who would fight for Karlia no matter what. Someone she deserves.”

It was very strange how love could make people do crazy things.

“I can’t guarantee we’ll come to your aid anytime soon, or even at all. No, in fact… there’s something else we need to discuss.”

“I know what you’re thinking. I suppose that’s another reason why I have to succeed in my mission.”

“Yes. Please… we’re counting on you.”

“I understand. But to succeed, I’ll need some tools. Time doesn’t pass here, right? I’ll be building a couple of things for my journey.”

“Sure. Everyone is waiting for me outside this space anyway. Once I send you on your way, I’ll return to my friends and we’ll return to stop Legris.”

“Fine, then. In the meantime, you’ll be helping me make my tools. With your assistance, it shouldn’t take too long.”

“How long are we talking exactly?” Jared asked, his brows raised as he stared at Lewis.

The older, black haired man only gave a smile and whispered. “Not long.”

And so, both began building.

*********

Two Years Later; The Great Sage’s Archives

“I’m finally ready for the journey.”

Lewis Griffith, the Great Sage, was currently clad in a long dark hooded cloak donning a long coat of the same color underneath, with dark trousers, and an obsidian necklace.

He had what resembled a watch on his right hand, as well as five rings on the fingers in his left hand.

He carried a satchel bag, obviously having a couple more items stored within it.

His bright blue eyes shone with anticipation, and he readied himself for the adventure of his life.

“Do it, Jared.”

“To think we spent two years… and you said it wouldn’t take too long…”

Lewis could only smile at the boy who stared at him with disbelief.

“Every second was worth it, Jared.”

“Sure it was.” Jared could only roll his eyes. “Only for you.”

“Just send me on my way already.”𝒩𝔬𝑽𝗅𝒩xt.𝚌𝑂𝓂

“Of course. I’ve had enough of your face for two years.”

“Pfft. Is that so? Well, whatever. I’ll be out of your hairs soon enough.”

“Damn straight!”

Both men stared at each other in silence after that.

Despite their heated exchange, they couldn’t help but appreciate each other. It was only by either of them that the other could exist.

For that alone, they were grateful to each other.

“I wish you success. At the very least, for the worst case scenario…”

“Same here. I wish you good fortune as well.” Lewis interrupted Jared’s words with a knowing smile.

Upon seeing this, the younger—or technically, older—Jared nodded.

“Thanks.”

And then, a swirl of pure energy began to form around him.

“Thanks to Crazy Neron’s letter, I have more than enough Aether to send you to the coordinates he specified.”

The swirl of energy rippled with multiple colors, glowing ever so brightly.

All the Arcanas formed around Jared, each displaying their respective sigils and glowing in their respective hues.

And then, at the very center of them all, where Jared floated, the final Arcana formed.

“The World”

The lone card glowed powerfully, overshadowing the rest in its beauty and glory.

“Farewell… Lewis.” Jared smiled in a complicated manner, unsure of what expression to make.

And then, the bright, multicolored blast of the card shot through the space of the Archives, reaching Lewis in no time at all.

“Farewell… Jared.”

And then, in one final surge of power… the space around Lewis imploded, sending him, and all he possessed into the void that was the Nether Realm.

Whether or not he would survive… was left to the decree of fate.

“And now, to alter my memory of this occurrence…” Jared whispered.

It was better this way.

********

I returned to my comrades who were patiently waiting for me after I told them to give me some time to make a final call.

Once I returned to them, I had a smile formed on my face, and my eyes were.more focused than ever.

“So, what will it be, Jared?” Kuzon asked, his arms folded as he stared at me seriously.

“After giving it a lot of consideration, I’ve decided to make the truly rational choice.”

I could see Kuzon’s expression light up the moment I said this, and the expressions of my other friends morphed into disbelief.

“I’m going to stop Legris Damien. That’s what the right choice really is.”

“J-Jared are you serious? You’d abandon Karlia?”

“Jared, just trust us. You can go and save her!”

“Don’t you believe in true love?”

Aloe, Edward, and Ciara respectively tried to protest, but their words didn’t make any sense to me at this point.

“What the hell are you guys talking about?” I smiled at them, my eyes genuinely reflecting confusion.

“Who is Karlia?”

*

*

*

End Of The Sixth Arc

This Arc has been my least enjoyable, and it’s probably because I fell sick a lot, had my Law exams, and a bunch of other personal stuffs that really ruined a lot of the journey for me.

I certainly hope you enjoyed some parts, if not all of the story.

Maybe when I’m all recovered and I return to check out this Arc, I’d have better thoughts.

For now, though… I’m more excited about the final two Arcs that will put a close to Jared’s story.

And so, for the next Arc, we have…

The Nether Realm Arc

I hope you enjoy this one.