3 DAYS AGO
AKIHIRO ATLAS
Years have passed... My eyes have seen the decaying face of the world, my ears have heard the cries, my hands have been stained with blood time and time again. I spent years trying to understand what it means to be human; however, they were like creatures trembling in the shadow of fear, hunger, and ambition... But precisely these factors are their most valuable aspect. Because when they stand up against fear, an extraordinary spirit shines through an ordinary body. Protecting them... That's why it was the path I chose.
Cistern... You, the fortress of spiritual strength, the chain of my memories, the earth that breathes life into me anew. I have returned to you. But I am no longer an instrument; I am a shield. I am the last bulwark against the darkness that has descended upon humanity, a body standing to prevent hope from being shattered. What I strive to do is not an honor for me; it is embracing the bleeding wound, lifting the fallen hand, and shining a light in the darkest hour of hope.
Yes, I wasn't chosen. I chose myself. Because I know: when there's no one left to protect, you have to become the protector. And now I swear an oath... Until humanity's last breath, until the deepest stone of Cistern... I will protect you. No matter the cost, I will not extinguish your light until I kindle my own.
"As the darkness grows, the shield must become thicker." This is my path. And at the end of this path, I will either become a hero... or perish along with the ashes of those I sought to protect.
The passage is closed. I really don't like these transitions between Sacred Domains. They make me feel sick. I used them a few times during the 11 years I lived in Cistern, and they were truly torturous... At least the portal opened by someone skilled in this art like Magnus is more consistent and doesn't make me want to vomit, but it's still uncomfortable. I'm not someone who's fond of luxury, and I never will be. For me, the mission given by Cistern is sacred. However, I determine what needs to be done. That is why I became a general. That is why Aiga trusted me. If I were an ordinary person and had a personality that just followed orders, I wouldn't be a general. Although there are limitations in terms of talent to become a general, the Board of Directors generally falls short in terms of personality traits, and this is not a situation I find pleasing. Actually, I too was indifferent to this situation for a while. Until my master told me about the dozens of mistakes Divan had made... since then, I don't take Divan's orders very seriously. Although I have respect for them and an oath of absolute loyalty as the Cistern's rulers, I generally prefer to receive orders from the grand general. The one thing that never changes is that I only take orders. If the orders don't make sense to me, I don't carry them out. Because obedience isn't my thing.
"After three years, this place feels strange again. "
I just want to be here, but...
Still, it doesn't feel like home.
After all, before I became a general, no one here respected me.
I love all my team members very much, but... I wish my relationships with them were on the level of close friends, rather than just people who protect each other because they're on the same team.
Before leaving here, I could spend time with my teammates. That's why I developed a stronger obsession with saving them compared to the rest of the Cistern, but I had to overcome this. This was one of the most important reasons for me to undertake this three-year mission.
My master always told me that all people are the same. However, they are born and develop with dozens of differences. Not all are born strong. Spirituality, what sets them apart, the potential they possess, what sets them apart, their thoughts and aims, what sets them apart, and many more.
Therefore, I couldn't distinguish my own team. I grew up as someone who always wanted to save everyone.
Everyone meant everyone to me. It meant every human being. Not the despicable other species that tortures humans.
I call them despicable because I'm sure they have no understanding of the stages and challenges of being human. There are many children living through my childhood, and I hate how other species treat humanity like toys when there are people capable of standing up to them.
I turned my head to the sky.
The sky was clear, as if it refused to bear the weight of the entire world. That pale blue hue stretching towards the horizon deepened as I ascended, transforming into an endless void that drew my eyes in. Thin, almost transparent clouds were floating slowly; the wind was not breaking them apart but merely guiding them along.
The sun wasn't scorching... but it was inevitable. Instead of shining harshly, it touched everything, making surfaces shine like gold and even softening the shadows. There was a slight coolness in the air—the freshness that filled my lungs when I took a deep breath seemed to silence all the darkness accumulated within me for a brief moment.
But still…
Such a calm sky often precedes a storm.
"Isn't your well-being fine over there?"
I knew other living species were always above us.
I turned my head back down and opened the system panel before taking my steps.
[Akihiro Atlas]
Age: 21
Title: King of Thunderbolts
Image: Sentry
Avatar: Ares
Recently Contacted People: Magnus, Nyoko...
[You Have Not Been Invited to the Cross-Domain Communication Network.]
[Do You Want to Shut Down the System?]
Yes No
While my eyes were staring at that king's name with hatred and sorrow, I shut down the system. The last curse I'll ever bear in my life.
I remembered the days I spent on Earth. One of those who attacked me back then had said this.
"You will be the hero of every race except your own, Akihiro Atlas! "
I don't want it. There's no point if I can't protect humanity...
I have to protect my team, everyone else, and my home, right, Master? That's what you said... This was the place that gave me a purpose in life, it was you. Without the trust you gave me, I couldn't hold on to anything right now. I will continue until there is not a single King or Queen left. Or other similar species.
But these are not the things that will make me a hero. Heroism is much more complex than I ever imagined:
"Heroism... A simple word that shines in people's eyes. But when you step into it, behind that light lies an endless shadow. Being a hero isn't just about saving lives; it's about carrying the cost of that sacrifice in your heart for a lifetime. People applaud you, but beneath that applause lies a scream you don't know: 'Why didn't you save me?' Heroism is a choice, yes... but it's also an endless chain of guilt. Because whoever you save, you leave someone else behind.
Because if I am afraid to bear this burden, no one else will bear it. I know this, even though the generals are people I respect greatly... they all save people because they need help. However, people in need of help are not weak or lowly people. They are creatures that have not yet reached their full potential and have no flaws in the hierarchy. When the time comes to bear that burden... that's when... there are truly no heroes left. But I will break this. Even if I am the last hero left...
I was lost in deep thought... I needed to clear my mind. I slapped my face a few times and decided to focus here a bit after my 3-year absence.
My steps felt comfortable. It's like I've returned to where I belong... I was brought here from the world where I had no value and served. Occasionally I would return there for service, but it feels like Cistern, not the place where I was born. It can be described as a person's love for their homeland. That's how I was taught too. My master always said this;
''Listen, Aki... One must learn to protect not only those they love, but also those they hate. Because Cistern is not merely a structure or a realm. It is the mirror of humanity's purest flaws and highest virtues. You will love Cistern, because every soul born there carries its own light. That light is a spark that even my hatred cannot extinguish. And know this... protecting is greater than loving. Love can be broken, it can grow weak. But the will to protect... it is a power that defies the gods. You must love Cistern, Aki. Because loving means more than just embracing the parts you like; To love is to forgive even the wounds you hate. "
I have always held on to these words... I respect my master more than anyone else, even more than my brothers... He was the one who showed me love in my most loveless moment. They were the person who was there for me at my worst. They were the person who empowered me at my weakest. Most importantly, they were the person who made me Akihiro Atlas. I want to meet him first, but the chances of that happening are pretty low... there's a captains' meeting in the afternoon, and he won't be able to meet with me until then. He's usually very busy, but I'll go to our special meeting place and wait. That place is a real source of peace for me.
Now, I'm trying to get to Team 1's building without being seen by the civilians and servants or team members in the Cistern. I need to report to the Grand Captain and explain what I saw on my journey. Of course, there will be some exceptions. Ultimately, no matter how much I want to hide it from the great captain, some of what I've seen must remain private to me. For example… the fact that my relationship with Magnus continues, and the additional information I've gathered about certain individuals and organizations.
But there was very important information I had to keep secret.
Things related to myself.
I feel like I should have discussed these only with my master.
I decided to use one of my developed abilities. This ability completely transforms my body into lightning, and I can move to my desired location as lightning in the blink of an eye. It is incredibly difficult to control, but I've gotten used to it. This was the result of years of practice and study in lightning techniques, along with much more. However, not every lightning user can wield lightning this well. Development and power are concepts that are imbalanced. People often equate them, but the two are foreign to each other. Development is an ascent born from within; A journey shaped by pain, error, and regret. Power, on the other hand, is a result that manifests externally; it is often an empty shell. Power can be attained without development; a child holding a sword also possesses power. But without development, that power is merely destruction.
And development... is possible even without power. Because true development is about overcoming one's inner limitations; it is about learning not to waste one's tears. Therefore, the two are never equivalent. When a person develops, they do not always become stronger, but every person who becomes stronger falls into the illusion that they have developed.
My path is not about mixing the two; it is about distinguishing between them. Because heroism is not the path of the powerful, but of those who prioritize development over power."
I placed my right hand on my necklace, slowly brought my left arm behind my back, unlocked the clasp, took the necklace with my right hand, and concentrated my spiritual power. Before doing this, I made sure there was no one around me. Generals cannot summon their Image everywhere because they emit a level of Spirit Power that would be terrifying to civilians and servants.
Additionally, although my necklace appeared from the outside to be a piece of lightning, its true form was different. I am concealing something I want others not to know. Even though I don't want to say it, it's a key that unlocks certain memories I want to tell some people about one day.
Anyway... My necklace was a gift from one of the people I value most in this life and almost my only friend. Aurelia was one of the people I felt closest to since the academy. She is 2nd Since we started working together on the team, he has always backed me up, helped me whenever I was in a difficult situation, and been a supporter throughout my general officer career.
The perspective that girl brought to my life is almost one of the things that made me the person I am today. I can't wait to see her again. Three long years have passed, and I even miss hearing her voice. I miss every knowledgeable and intellectual conversation we had with her. When she leaned her head against my shoulder while telling me something with her brilliantly shining hair, I felt like I could forget some of my troubles even in hell.
My image has transformed into many objects in the past, but this is not something under human control. The object you keep with you most often, and which you love like an addiction, becomes your image; and the one who understands this is the echo of your soul in your heart.
As my necklace sparkled, lightning surrounded it and it transformed into a magnificent spear as a beam of light scattered around. The name of my spear, as known in Cistern, was Sentry. Because it means to protect, Great General Yayati said he placed it that way. When he said he saw me as someone who could protect the people of Cistern... ahh, are my eyes filling with tears?
I paused for a moment and wiped my eyes. Even though I've grown up, I'm always Akihiro Atlas, and I can't overcome my emotional nature. This is my biggest problem... when something has a strong emotional impact, I can't stop my emotions from turning into concrete things. Master Shu used to say that my emotions were my weak point. I guess he was right… though I can't remember a single moment when he wasn't.
Apart from my master, I also had other friends who knew me so well and were aware of my weaknesses. With my promotion to general, the respect and praise I received from people increased, and the bond between me and my team members grew considerably.
However, I would say that Hikari and Asahi cannot be replaced. They became my direct friends when I was first brought to Cistern, right before my academy years. Those brothers stood by my side during the few years when everyone else excluded me and treated me as if I were invisible.
There's no lie, I feel like I'm their third sibling.
If it weren't for my own siblings, of course.
Isn't that right, brother Mizu? We'll never be separated...
I'm afraid, I'm afraid I'll lose him one day too.
I stopped walking for a few seconds and stood still, then:
Since I had removed my image, I could now use my ability called "De Caelo". I focused my Spirit Power on the lightning I had released from my spear and body, and absorbed it back into myself. It's like breathing, but during the exhalation phase, I only need to concentrate on what's in front of my eyes.
In just a few seconds, while everything around me was passing by at the speed of light, I had arrived at my destination. I was in front of Team 1's building. The members around me were staring at me.
"General Akihiro, isn't that him?!!''
''Without a doubt, Akihiro Atlas is the most potential warrior in the Vault!''
''The Great General's student, General Sao, will go crazy if he sees him here!''
''But wasn't he on duty? How did he get back so quickly?''
A soldier whispered:
"Something... is different."
Another person swallowed.
"No... this man is not the same."
I hate these conversations. As I passed through all those ear-grating sentences, the guards standing guard at the door bowed to me, making way for me. I don't know if I miss the feeling of being a general; it's frustrating when people treat me like a worshipped god. I am not a god, I am a simple human being. Does having great power make me appear godlike to them? How absurd... Does a human worship another human? Why would a human worship anything? Worshiping is ignoring equality. It erects an invisible wall between me and them, lifting me to the heavens while actually chaining them to the earth. Yet I, too, am nothing but a being beset with mistakes, living in fear, and bearing wounds, just like them.
This is not respect; bowing down before a person and taking their absolute commands and treating their words and actions as sacred is merely worshipping them. If respect were to be this limited, one would abandon their own capabilities and only seek help from what they deem a god. If they look upon me as a god, they would be denying their own power. If they bow down to me, they forget how to stand on their own feet. And that's when... my protection doesn't set them free; it only creates a deeper slavery.
When people worship humans, they extinguish humanity's own light. My task is to enable them to hold that light in their own hands. I want to protect them, yes… but not as a god, but as a human being. Because without equality, neither protection, nor justice, nor heroism can exist—they are merely a sham.
That's why I didn't even look at any of their faces. I focused only on my path and after passing the door on the outer perimeter, I arrived at the inner entrance door of the building. Just at that moment, someone called out to me in a sweet and pleasant tone. It was a familiar voice.
''General Akihiro! What an honor to see you. Your return from duty on this date was unexpected. Welcome!''
I heard the words.
But I didn't answer.
I just looked.
For a moment.
And that moment… was enough.
The expression on the other person's face changed. His smile froze.
My inner strength must have drained away.
I couldn't control it.
...or I didn't want to.
"Honor?"
My voice was deeper this time. Heavier.
"My transformation… should not be a source of honor for anyone."
I took a step.
The ground cracked slightly—or so they thought.
"If you feel that way…"
I squinted my eyes slightly.
"…I hope you're looking at the right hero. "
END OF CHAPTER