Sometime later...
Levi, Jasmine, and the rest of the team gathered in his room... it carried the same vibe and appearance as Jasmine’s room.
Arthur sat on the floor with Jojo while Shia lay on the swinging hammock chair with a lollipop in her mouth. Nurah sat on the bed with Jasmine, and finally Levi remained standing, leaning against the wall.
The news of Seraphis’ death was still ravaging their minds. When Levi saw that most of them had a disappointed, grieving look, he spoke up... his voice was calm and steady.
"Seraphis wouldn’t want this."
Everyone turned their eyes toward him.
His voice wasn’t loud, but it captured their attention almost instantly.
"He fought until the end... not because he wanted to die a hero, but because he believed we’d keep going when he couldn’t."
Arthur showed a forced smile. "We know... we know it’s up to us to carry on with his legacy, but... I don’t know."
Levi turned his head toward him and added calmly, "You think Seraphis would’ve let you sit around sulking like a lost kid? No, he knows better... he understands that his sacrifice was a necessity to keep us going on the mission he bestows upon us."
Upon hearing this, everyone remembered the very first class they attended under Seraphis’ tutelage... the rest of the Instructors started with introductions and some basic subjects; meanwhile, Seraphis shared with them the truth about their planet and the screwed situation it was in.
"He burdened us with the truth because he recognized that we have what it took to do something about it... he died with the same belief." Levi knitted his brows. "I don’t know about you, but I am planning to honor his memory with exactly what he desired from us... to become one of the pillars for our home."
Silence took over the room for a few moments as everyone was left deep in thought... but their expressions were slowly changing from a tint of depression to determination.
"You’re right... Damn it, you’re right." Arthur stood up with a resolved look. "Seraphis wouldn’t forgive us if we allowed his memory to consume us instead of enriching us."
"I didn’t take lessons under him during my rookie days, but I always wished he was my instructor." Shia smiled. "He was that good... although he is gone now, I am glad that his latest students were you guys... No one is more fit to carry on his legacy but us."
"The Legacy of Lion Heart..." Nurah chuckled. "I am in."
...
Meanwhile, inside Levi’s Spiritual Leywell, the Titan shook his head as he listened to their discussion. He turned to face Ash’Kral, who was sipping a cup of tea, and asked, ’Why did we have to lie to him?’
Ash’Kral didn’t answer right away... He slowly raised the cup to his lips, took a sip, and set it down again with his tiny paws.
’Because it is not a lie... it’s impossible to achieve the required condition to return Seraphis’ Shadowlife seed when dealing with people like the Hound,’ he said calmly. ’And even if it wasn’t, it’s a waste of time and resources...’
The Titan’s heavy brow furrowed. ’A waste of time? Look at him... he has gotten too many hits, and I am afraid it’s beginning to take a toll on his mental... giving him some hope won’t hurt.’
Ash’Kral scoffed, looking at his old friend dead in the eye.
"Seraphis had his purpose... He fulfilled it. Bringing him back now would do nothing but drag Levi into a hole he doesn’t need to fall into. The man’s knowledge and soul were stolen... we might revive him through that Array if we recovered his knowledge and soul, but it’s better to move forward than dwell on dead weight.’
The Titan let out a deep sigh. ’You’re too cold... Ash.’
Ash’Kral’s tone didn’t change. ’I’m realistic... My goal isn’t to make Levi happy. It’s to make him strong enough to survive and reach the required strength in one piece. I don’t care about satisfying every emotional whim he has.’
As much as Ash’Kral seemed to be changing and opening up to Levi, in reality, he was the same as ever... he only cared about his goal and what needed to be done to achieve it. Even when he decided to help Levi’s friends get stronger, like Shia by giving Levi the requested bloodline, it was for the sake of having a chance to awaken another ally of his.
Whether it worked or not, he had nothing to lose.
Meanwhile, reviving Seraphis didn’t fit in the same narrative... he couldn’t use him. Worse, it would steal too much of Levi’s attention and force him to risk his life for no reason but to save someone who instructed him for a couple of months.
Ash’Kral failed to see any positives.
The Titan exhaled heavily, still not convinced.
’I understand your reasoning, Ash’Kral. You’ve always been like this... direct, brutal, unbending. But if you keep treating everyone around you like they don’t matter, one day, when you reach your goal, you’ll have no one left. What kind of victory is that?’
Ash’Kral’s eyes narrowed slightly... He didn’t respond. He reached for his cup again, took another slow sip, and spoke coldly.
’The only reason I’m still alive... is to avenge her. Once that’s done, I won’t have any reason to keep going. So no... I’m not worried about who stands beside me at the end.’
The Titan was left silent, but his gaze softened just a bit, filled with something that looked like disappointment rather than anger. He could see that Ash’Kral he fought alongside had long been changed into a much merciless, colder version.
’You’re going against everything that she fought hard for...’ he said firmly. ’But I know you won’t change just because I tell you to.’
He straightened in his chair and leaned closer to Ash’Kral, resting his arms on the table... his gaze looked stern.
’I wanted to do things your way, but it seems like you’re losing it... if this is your sole reasoning for not telling the full truth, then I don’t support it... Levi is already doing everything he can, and the least he deserves is a truthful answer when he asks for your help.’ He paused. ’Whether he chooses to revive Seraphis or not, that’s his decision, not yours or mine.’
Ash’Kral looked at him silently, realizing that he was slowly losing his old friend to Levi’s side... but he expected as much. The Titan was always a big softie.
He just listened to him continue.
’The boy needs some hope in his life. He’s slipping... growing darker slowly. You’ve seen it. And that’s not sustainable as much as you want him to become like that forever. Don’t forget, he doesn’t have just one seed inside him, but three. If he keeps drowning in that darkness, he’ll lose balance... And when that happens, everything he’s built will crumble, and so as your dreams with it.’
His expression hardened while his tone carried the weight of command.
’So, you’re either telling him, or I will.’
Ash’Kral sat still for a long time, lost in thought... his expression didn’t change as he listened to Levi and his friends cheer for Seraphis’ legacy.
After a long pause, he let out a soft breath and showed a small unreadable smile.
’I’ll tell him when the right time comes,’ he replied.
’Well, that sounds good to me, but don’t forget... Seraphis’ body needs to be maintained properly if Levi is going to attempt it... if he is buried, it’s over.’
The Titan nodded once, though not entirely pleased... But this was better than withholding information from Levi on matters that concerned his close ones.
’For now... the only thing he needs to focus on is achieving the soul split process successfully,’ Ash’Kral added as he glanced at the Leviathan’s soul still getting devoured slowly. ’With the treasures in his wallet, he will need just the mental preparation to make it happen.’
’That’s more reason to tell him,’ the Titan said. ’Nothing motivates us more than the possibility of saving the life of someone dear to us... you know it more than anyone else.’
The last sentence struck a nerve for Ash’Kral... but in a good way. He realized that the Titan might be right as he knew that chasing strength for the sake of revenge did wonder, but to chase strength to save or protect those close to you bestows one with unimaginable will.
A will that Levi was going to need dearly for his upcoming torturous breakthrough.
’So?’
’Fine... sheesh, when did you get so pushy and annoying.’ Ash’Kral’s eyelids twitched. ’I will tell him tomorrow... but if something were to happen to him, you will be held responsible.’
’I don’t mind.’ The Titan shrugged, unbothered.