Legacy of the Dark Sage



"This plane needs you," Kyran replied almost at once.

Stella smiled bitterly. She knew he would not agree to take her along. And though his answer sounded like an excuse, it was also correct.

All those who could read the book of Ancient Magic would understand what Kyran meant.

The rumor that the Human plane is a remnant of the Land of the Ancients is true.

There were records that mentioned the Land of the Ancients was also known as the Land of the Beginnings and was situation between the Lower and the Higher Realms. However, something happened that caused the land to fall apart. And most of its land turned to ashes because the essence that kept it in tact was gone.

But there was one piece of land that managed to remain in tact because it was able to preserve its essence.

That piece of land, is now called the Human plane. As for the 'essence' that prevented it from falling apart, some said it was the Heart of the Cosmos, while others said it was because of the Four Ancient Magic that lingered in the land.

The former was false because based on what Zephyr had said before, the Heart of the Cosmos, more known to them as the Shaiha, was in the Higher Realm. To be more specific, it was kept in the Dragon plane or more than a thousand years.

It was not until an internal strife happened among the dragons that the Dragon King was forced to leave their plane while taking the Shaiha with him. He then searched for the Land of the Ancients because that was the only place that could hide the Shaiha.

However, instead of finding the Land of the Ancients, there was only a remnant land left.

In the end, the Dragon King discovered that the land managed to keep its essence. Because of this, he chose to stay.

Moving back to the topic why Stella was needed by the plane, she represented one of the Ancient Magic that kept the Human plane from falling apart.

While having a Sovereign helped prevent the plane from getting destroyed, without its essences, the plane would slowly 'die.'

Currently, Cyneah, who possessed one of the Human plane's essence had left, which resulted in the Soul magic energy in the surroundings to thin drastically.

Kyran, who possessed both Draconic and Void magic, also planned to leave. When that happened, two more magic energies keeping the Human plane in tact would lessen.

If Stella also left, Nolan would be the only one who would keep the plane from getting destroyed. He might be able to pull it off alone, if he was not busy keeping other Sovereigns at bay.

But now that the Human plane's coordinates were revealed, more Sovereigns were likely to come and covet it.

Basically, one of the essences that kept the Human plane from falling apart must stay. There were more complex reasoning behind this, but because of the complexity involved in explaining every detail, it would take years for others to understand the theory completely. Only those who read the book of Ancient Magic would understand it.

Alas, only those who possessed Ancient Magic could actually read the book.

"Then," Stella started after a long pause. "I'll wait for your return."

Then she hastily added, "Along with the others."

"It will probably take me years. But if I found Malek and the others before Neah, I'll send them back first."

Stella frowned.

"With your magic, you can return and leave any time you want. You don't have to send them back by themselves."

Kyran did not reply. He only looked out the balcony with an unreadable expression.

But Stella had known Kyran for years. Although they had not personally met, the Conclave had kept tabs on him because of his identity as the new Void Master.

Thus, she was probably the only person outside his family who could read his supposedly unreadable expressions.

At that moment, Stella saw Kyran did not want to return if Cyneah was not with him.

This pained Stella. She wondered if she was the one who had left the Human plane, would Kyran possess the same reluctance to return without finding her?

After another long pause, Kyran sighed and finally spoke.

"Time differs in each plane."

"I know that. But showing up once in a while doesn't hurt."

Kyran shook his head, "Few nights ago, I... heard Neah calling for me."

Stella's eyes widened.

"'Calling'?" She repeated in surprise.

Kyran nodded and related what happened the night they returned after meeting with Empress Iulia.

Because of that, he deduced that wherever Cyneah ended up in, she had already stayed there for a few months.

The reason he thought this was simple.

Cyneah left on her own accord. Not to mention, she did not seem keen on being found.

Cyneah was one of the few people Kyran knew who had a strange stubbornness about them. Death did not even scare her. But for her to actually call for him, meant she had endured it for a long time but still ended up in a situation that might be worse than death. Thus, she could not help but try to reach out for help.

Of course, Cyneah likely knew the token would not work. But she still called for Kyran anyway. This only convinced Kyran that whatever situation she was in at that time, she was already at her last leg.

If not for the fact that Kyran could not warp directly to a plane, especially those he had yet to visit, he would warp to her the moment he heard her. Alas, there was still limitations to what the Void's warp nature could do.

Stella also felt the urgency to find Cyneah because of what Kyran had said.

"If that is true, then we have to find her as soon as possible. Do you need me to help research the other planes? I can use my magic to—."

"Don't," Kyran cut her off in exasperation. "You've overused your magic by trying see into the future. If you try to stretch Time to give me 'time' to do some research, you would wear yourself out."

Hearing his outright rejection to accept her help, Stella's frown deepened.

"Don't get me wrong," Kyran continued, sensing her displeasure. "I really appreciate your help. But I'd rather accept help that will not put your life at risk."

Hearing the sincerity in his words, Stella could not help but feel happy. Even though he said that not because he had special feelings for her, just knowing he was worried about her was enough.

Alas, how did she end up liking someone who would not return her feelings?

"In any case," Kyran changed the subject. He took out a similar device, which he gave Mimi and the others and gave it to Stella. "Use that device to contact me if there is an emergency."

Stella's face brightened as she took the device.

The device was a flat dark purple disc, pretty much the same with other communication devices. The only difference was it was very small. Its size was even smaller than Stella's palm.

"Can't I do that even if there is no emergency?"

Stella asked that while sounding hopeful that Kyran's brow did an involuntary twitch.

In the end, seeing her pleading look, he relented and said, "Try not to contact me all the time. Because of the time difference, there might also be cases where you can't reach me."

"I know. I can probably contact you if your in a plane that has little time difference. If the difference is far too big, then yes, the device will not work."

Kyran nodded. He did not need to explain things about time to someone known as the Time Keeper.

"When do you plan to leave exactly?"

"I still have a few errands to do. I'll leave after that."

"And True Void? He is still in deep slumber, right?"

"Yes," Kyran answered. "Initially, I wanted to wait until he wakes up, but...."

Stella smiled bitterly. After hearing Cyneah's plea, she more or less guessed how rattled Kyran had been. It was a wonder that he managed to keep his cool. After all, he had been known to be impulsive and reckless.

"What about your Sigils? Are you taking them with you?"

Kyran stayed for a few more minutes to answer some of Stella's questions. Even when he knew she was only trying to make him stay longer, he patiently answered them.

When Stella was satisfied, she finally let Kyran go.

Kyran went to look for more people before finally returning to the Regis Estate.

The building he had been staying in was outside the estate's Inner Walls.

Although the Inner Walls did not suffer from the previous battle, only the Regis clan members could enter because of Ames's protection. To ensure no one would think they were being 'stingy,' they decided to stay outside for the time being.