Lucian
What Ligera expected of me—how did Cai know I was ready to go down that path? I continued pacing back and forth, with one hand stuffed in my pocket and the other scratching at the top of my head. I had to consider something here—saving an entire planet weighed a hell of a lot more than saving my life! Did I seriously know what the fuck I was getting myself into? Could I honestly say I had enough willpower to save an entire civilization?
I mean, come on! There was a reason why my father didn’t even bother fighting this thing! And they expected me to do something about it?
Someone only half as powerful as he was?
“Lucian, that necklace you have around your shoulders, it belonged to your father. It is called the Light’s Core. It was a gift from the sun spirit, given to him at a very young age, thousands of years ago. Like you and I, your father had been born into a world, with a loving mother and father—pure and innocent, without a care in the world. Until these visions began showing him who he truly was, and his purpose in Ligera was set in stone. That isn’t to say that you don’t have a choice. But your father, he passed down the baton to you. We expect you to take his place here and protect his people, master the art of light wielding, and to use your powers to the best you are able. It is your responsibility, just as it is mine, to mend our broken world.”
“Not to sound negative, Cai, but unlike you, I have a hit on my head. I am an active target here, just like I was on Earth. Not only that, but you said no one knows where the hell these shadow elps are even coming from! No one has a clue where this Void thing is. So even if I’d like to help, I’d only be putting my life, and yours, in constant danger.”
“This isn’t true. I am being targeted for being a warrior of light. My life is in danger just as much as yours by having these shadow elps living in my home and terrorizing my people. As for the location of The Void, we will only know in time. All we can do is have faith. But there is… something especially pressing about your presence here, Lucian. Something that is part of your godly duties…”
I straightened my head up, looking at her staggered. “What is it?”
“In place of your father… well,” she briefed, Cai finding it hard to finish her words. It was the first I’d seen her being so apprehensive, unable to even look at me straight.
“Cai, what do I have to do?”
“Your father is expected to, in cases such as these, help reshape the world.”
“I thought that was something we had already discussed?”
“No, I mean, repopulate the world.”
“I’m sorry, come again?”
“Re-pop-u-late.”
She couldn’t articulate that any which way for me to accept what she had just said! Repopulate? As in breed? Breeding the women of Ligera! Did I catch that right?
She allowed her chest to deflate, taking a deep breath out before she elaborated. “One of Kiran’s responsibilities is to repopulate the world when it had gone through a crisis. And this attack falls under that category. Many lives, as you can see in Raito alone, have fallen. Men are scarce, and our numbers are being crushed by these disguised elps in hiding. For all we know, there may be fewer of us left than we thought. The way you are expected to proceed in your father’s place is by rank. In Ligera, there are seven districts, or countries. And in each of these districts, you have barons. Their goal is to control the districts and the defenses within those districts as well, in accordance to the king. The social structure of Ligera stands as is: The Light God, his district barons or lords, his warriors and army, wealth producers, and peasants… or untouchables.”
“Proceed? Am I really expected to swing my dick around the food chain, popping babies through noble ranks like some horrible breeding simulation?”
“Well, that duty is exclusively for the sun god, but his kin must take his place in this matter.”
“Is that a known fact?” I exclaimed.
“It is, to the family of barons, at least.”
“So, let me get this straight—you, Cai, warrior of my godly father, brought me, a regular-as-toast civilian from Earth, to not only protect an entire planet, but to provide, defend and breed it?”
“Yes,” she said, as a matter-a-factly.
“I’m in no position to have kids!”
“You won’t be around to raise them. The mothers, relatives, and maids of the court are given that responsibility.”
A ticket to being a displaced father? This really was the twilight zone…
“Of course, this task is what is expected of you… But, just know if you refuse, you will be doing us a great disservice. After all, the idea behind this is not only to repopulate, but to also bring out stronger light bearers.”
“Yeah, and I’m only a demi-god, which, by the way, I’m still having a hard time accepting!”
“It still counts regardless. And we will take all the help we can get.”
I sighed, scratching at the back of my head, conflicted. “It’s something to think about.”
“Yes, it is a great burden, I suppose.”
Whoa—was Cai being sarcastic? She must really think that banging royalty was on the top of my to-do list!
“The children you will bring into this world will be even greater warriors than I. Luckily for you, there are five daughters of our district barons, who don’t know that you exist yet. We will pay them a visit if you so choose.”
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“Wait, I thought you mentioned seven districts? Did the other barons not have daughters?”
Her face saddened. “No. They did, but, one was confirmed murdered, and the other confirmed lost during the war.”
“I’m… sorry about your loss.”
“Like I mentioned, Lucian, taking these women as your mates is of your choice and yours alone. Any other women you impregnate outside of nobility will not be allowed to court or wed you, as per rule. And as for the untouchables, they are just that. Untouchables. You may not socialize with them. After all, we don’t want the god’s lineage tainted with low-wielders of the light. But, we are thinking too far ahead of ourselves. We will begin with our mission of protection, starting with this pendant,” she said, walking up to me. Cai swept her fingers over my chest, carrying the gem in her hand. A clear contrast from the last time someone handled my father’s gift to me. Immediately, I could tell that Cai was genuinely concerned about this demi god, while Nicole had given me predator vibes. “The Light’s Core has a special property we need to unlock, available to kins of the eternal light. But you need light to use it. It is possible that shadow elp you dated knew that it could spot shadows posing as humans.”
“Eh, you say that like I would have fucked her knowing she was this monstrous alien from another galaxy.”
“Don’t take offense, Lucian. She only used your desires against you.”
Smph! Oh thanks, Cai, that made me feel a lot less pathetic!
“Shadow elps take on various forms, and sometimes use our insecurities, desires, or fears to morph themselves into the things we hate or like most, luring us to our deaths. The more skilled elps can possess human vessels, where they can either keep the vessel’s appearance or morph it to their liking. It’s a very dangerous feat against Ligerians, and for Earthlings. But, this pendant’s ability to spot the enemy could have helped our people. Though, Kiran would have had to stay in Ligera in order to use it. Which is a good thing he gave it to you before he left. What’s strange is that a shadow elp on Earth knew to take it from you…”
“Not as strange as one being on Earth to begin with.”
“The Light’s Core innately protects its wearer from fatalities without needing the power of light just as long as the user is a Ligerian god and has it on. It is why Kiran told you to keep it on at all times. If that shadow elp hadn’t snatched it from you, you wouldn’t have needed my healing. Whereas this property of spotting shadow elps in disguise requires light. Which is precisely why we need to visit the spirit mother Shinra, or Mother of Ligera, in the Zemia temple, to figure out how to awaken your light, seeing as you are part human, and not full god.”
“Are we even sure it will work for me?”
She paused, giving me a worrisome look. “No, but I am hoping. You are still part god. Shinra would know more about it. She is the mother of our earth, like Kiran is the father sun of Ligera. The two are close. Unlike Kiran, Shinra remains in spirit, where we can still talk to her.”
“You still haven’t answered one thing though,” I said, narrowing my eyes on her.
“And what is that?”
“What the hell do these shadow elps have to gain by killing humans?” I voiced strongly, my mother’s death suddenly flashing before me. And if it wasn’t for Cai, I would have been one of their victims as well.
“They are the embodiment of anti-life,” she explained. “They live to destroy and spread darkness. It’s why defeating The Void is very important not only to our world, but to yours as well.”
++++
Cai had dropped a lot on me. More than I bargained for. After she spun that whole save and impregnate the world bit, I felt mentally drained. Though, I had enough strength in me to go for an extended walk, one that wouldn’t cost me my life this time. She took me on a tour around the palace, which gave me Victorian dystopian vibes. I could tell a struggle had happened here, and that they were still recovering from the war. I also noticed the scarce number of people working and living in the estate, most of them women and children. I almost asked her what had happened to all of the men, before thoughts of battle stopped me from asking her such a stupid question.
For the most part, the west wing was destroyed, with exo-structure looking like it had done its time buried in flames. Rooms had no ceilings, some parts missing a solid foundation and frame. There was a cold hollow feeling coming from the corridor that swept me, even though the climate resembled that of springtime.
It was depressing to say the least, and as Cai and I walked, she continued to weave the tale of that one war that had taken down her civilization.
After the two-hour long tour and backstory, I couldn’t see myself leaving Ligera. By the sound of it, not only were their food different, but their people were too. She told me certain areas would shock me, people looking less human, and more… demi-human? The features varied, but she told me not to be frightened if I caught someone walking around with cat ears, fluffy tails, and other inhuman parts. To be honest, I was both excited and confused.
That wasn’t to say I wouldn’t miss my life back on Earth, but my father’s people needed a hero. Shit, that may have been presumptuous of me to think that I could mend this broken world, but I had to try. I not only owed it to Cai for saving me, but to my father as well.
The type of person my dad was sure as hell rubbed off on me. Kiran was unselfish, always ready to put others in front of himself. He was caught hiding out in charities, doing community work for Earthlings, even though he wasn’t one. My father was humble and hardworking, ready to give and give some more. My mother had admired that about him, and what she’d called, quote on quote, his devilish good looks.
I found myself still tailing Cai around the palace, but this time, it looked like we had a destination down at the east wing, where everything seemed untouched by chaos. I could appreciate the heavenly aesthetics and luxury of the place here, the aura already putting me in brighter moods. She took me to a hallway upstairs, past five doors, and stopped at the sixth one.
“You will be staying here tonight,” she said, pushing down the lever, welcoming me to a room suitable for a king.
“Are you sure this is where I will be staying?” I asked, my eyes still roaming while I stepped inside. I was visibly marveled by the marble on stone, the crisp white tones, and the tall towering pane of windows. I even had my own balcony, adding a bit of flair to the entire regal package.
“This bedroom was your father’s,” Cai said, making my head pivot behind me.
“My father’s?” I pondered, turning my person to her. That shocked expression on my face vanished, looking back at Cai now impressed. “Heh, I guess I have to appreciate it all I can before we head out, huh?”
“Our kitchen is still undergoing repairs, but, my friends and I are having a campfire in a little while if you’d like to join us.”
“Is that a dinner invitation?”
“It is.”
“Then count me in!”