Legacy of the Dark Sage

Kyran did not warp immediately after taking Cade along to prevent Ruin from recognizing him. After confirming Ruin did not go after them, Kyran finally to Azaloth's Inheritance with Cade in tow.

Azaloth's Inheritance was hidden at a place Kyran was familiar with; at an inconspicuous cave in the ravine near the Chaos Palace.

Somehow, he was not surprised that Azaloth chose to hid his inheritance close to the palace. Given the latter's ties with Caelan, it was understandable that he wanted to hide his items near Chaos Palace.

It now made sense why Azaloth created the mist around the forest. It was to protect the Chaos Palace and his inheritance.

In Kyran's opinion, Azaloth likely had no intentions of giving his inheritance. However, if there was really a person who could survive the mist then it was proof of that person's capability and deserved to be rewarded.

Alas, the one who first discovered the location of the inheritance was Hugh. He found it by coincidence while searching for their people who went into the Misty Forest but was unfortunate to have entered at a time when the mist was more potent. None of their people survived and even Hugh suffered from the mist's effect. Others might think that finding Azaloth's Inheritance countered their misfortune. However, Hugh had no use for Azaloth's inheritance, which obviously favored Abjurers. They could offer it to Noir and the Blacksmith Order, but since going back to that place meant venturing back into the mist, they decided against it.

The cave was surprisingly spacious. With both walls, ceiling and floor made of white marble. Several thirty meters high columns with gold ornaments, lined on each side, supporting the celing. Floating light orbs lit up the hallway, which led into the inner part of the cave.

After Kyran and Cade appeared at the middle of the hallway, the former immediately took out a saint-grade healing potion and gave it to the latter.

"Please, drink this father," Kyran said while placing a bottle filled with light golden liquid on Cade's hand. "It will heal your wounds at once."

Cade looked at the bottle in silence. Truth be told, he was at a loss by their unexpected reunion.

Realizing the awkwardness of the situation, Kyran paused and removed his mask.

True Void decided to stay put, giving the two time to talk.

"I... know you don't want me to return," Kyran started. "At least, not at this point in time. But, I..."

When Kyran paused, unsure of what to say next, Cade lifted his head to look at him.

With a rare gentle smile, Cade finally said, "You've grown."

Like a floodgate that had been forced open, all the emotions Kyran kept hidden deep in his heart surged out. His chest felt like bursting and tears threatened to pour down from his eyes.

Kyran was surprised at how little restrain he had left with his emotions. Although reliving the tragedy of the Vates plane in the illusionary world probably played a crucial part in his self-restraint's weakening.

"Father..." Kyran paused and gritted his teeth as he fought back the tears that were on the verge of falling. However, it was a futile attempt because they soon streamed down his face.

Feeling somewhat embarrassed, at the same time, unable to put a stop to his tears, Kyran lowered his head and covered his eyes with a hand, while clenching the other tightly above his thigh.

Cade watched in silence. It was not the first time he had seen his son cry. The truth, Kyran was a crybaby when he was small. However, he would only cry when no one was around. At least, when he thought no one was around. But Cade had seen him, yet, he did not attempt to comfort him. Knowing how his son's future might play out, Cade decided to steel his heart and turned a blind eye to his pain. After which he focused on teaching him everything he needed to survive when the time came.

Kyran learned to endure and conceal his pain. But today, Cade realized he was already at his wits end. Thus, he let his son vent.

To the whole Regis Clan, the raid that started it all had happened roughly three months ago. But that might not be the case with Kyran.

After learning Kyran met Ruin in another plane, and also met Nolan, it was easy for Cade to guess what Kyran had went to the Tower of Tribulations. This meant Kyran had suffered and endured for several years in the tower, all the while, worrying about his clan, which might be destroyed at any time.

Nevertheless, Cade was glad to know that Kyran managed to find his own path and it even seemed his magic and combat strength had grown exponentially.

Kyran roughly wiped his tears and took a deep breath to stabilize his emotions. Now that he had let out most of his pent up emotions, it had become easier for him to suppress them again. Besides, given their situation he could not afford to lose focus.

Looking back at Cade, Kyran said, "Father, at the end of this hallway is the room to Azaloth's Inheritance. Nolan discovered it can restore your damaged core."

Cade raised his brows upon hearing this and a bitter smile appeared on his face. "That's very Nolan, alright. It seems he had suffered as well, all these years."

When he helped Nolan escape from the army's pursuit twenty years ago and ended up with a damaged core, Cade never blaned Nolan. Apparently, that had not been the case with the latter. Nolan felt responsible and tried to find a way to restore Cade's magic core. The fact that there was little information about Azaloth and yet Nolan managed to find it, was a testament of his determination to take responsibility.

"There is also a high probability for you to advance directly to a Magus. Even if that doesn't happen, as long as you can properly use your magic, we'll be able to deal with Ruin. Then we can save the whole clan-."

Cade raised a hand to stop Kyran.

"Dealing with that guy will not be simple. His magic is too strange. Apart from him, the Royal Family still have several powerful mages hiding among their ranks. We have reliable information that the Royal Family have three Arch Maguses, and an elder whose at a Legendary. Although the latter is said to have fallen into a deep sleep after the death of the previous emperor, the fact that he is still alive pose a huge threat."

Kyran was surprised to hear this. He did not doubt the authenticity of the information because he knew his father would not have told him if it was unreliable. In any case, it was no wonder the Royal Family was not afraid if the Royal Army, or even the other three big factions, the Conclave, Aureole and the Templar Code, would stage a revolt. Just the presence of three Arch Maguses was enough to suppress them.

"Another thing we have to consider is the other big factions. I have no information about the Aureole, but the Templar Code had ties with one of the Deputy Mashal, Imman. Aside from this, we have intel that the commander of the Templar Code is at the peak of an Arch Magus."

Kyran knew about this, but already confirmed that the connection the Templar Code had with Imman was solely due to the Rare Stone. Imman was the one in-charge of collecting the army's share, thus, he had to work with Tritus.

"There's no need to worry about Tritus. He will not make a move unless I tell him to."

Cade, who was just about to explain other factors they had to be wary of, fell silent.

What did he mean 'unless he tell him to'?

But Cade's insight had always been good, thus he was able to find the answer to his question even before it formed in his mind.

"You made him your Sigil?"

Kyran had no plans of hiding anything to Cade, and nodded at once.

"Mannick is also on my side."

He did not say their side because given the restrictions Mannick had as the Human plane's Sovereign, he would not be of any help. "As a matter of fact, he is Azaloth's essence. Although he can't make a move himself, I am sure he will not let his people join the Royal Family's forces when an all out war happens."

Unlike Nolan who was shocked beyond belief of this revelation, Cade managed to stay calm.

"Mannick's forces is actually bigger than Ingrid and Imman's combined together."

Kyran did not know that, but it did not matter to him.

Cade studied Kyran for a moment. He initially intended to tell Kyran all the intel they gathered through Jax's help, but apparently Kyran had not been idle.

"Tell me everything you know."

In the end, he decided to hear all the development from Kyran's side. It would be easier to come up with an action plan by understanding all their cards.

While Kyran felt it was better for Cade to take Azaloth's Inheritance first, he also knew that doing so would take a while. It was better for them to talk first before Cade entered the inheritance room. At least, while Cade was inside, Kyran could make last minute preparations rather than stay in the cave to wait.

Kyran laid out all his cards to Cade. He also mentioned True Void's ultimate move.

To say Cade was shocked to learn all the preparation Kyran had made was an understatement. However, he could not revel at his son's achievement nor he could offer his praise because they still had pressing matters at hand.

"We can trust Nolan to keep Ruin busy," Cade said with a wry smile. "That guy has always acted like he cannot be bothered to advance his level but I know he worked harder than anyone else."

"He's not just a Magus, is he?"

Cade shook his head, "No. When he left twenty years ago, he was already on the verge of breaking through to a Magus. If my guess is right, given how he easily pierced through Ruin's defences, Nolan is already a Sage, and not just a simple Sage but at the peak. Almost half-step to becoming a Sovereign."