Primordial's Conquest

Chapter 16: Limit

The Heart shard. A source of power unique only to those who have decided to join the ruling organisation known as the Renegades.

They were discovered thousands of years ago, in the era of Humans, when the inhabitants of this universe were subjugated and forced into servitude.

It was a source of power even the Reincarnators feared and were weary of.

A source of power only those from the Rendes universe could possess.

Almost no one knew where they came from, or how they were created.

Only the very top of the organisation had access to that information.

Anyone from beyond the organisation who managed to acquire a Heart shard, was immediately hunted down and exterminated.

It was the reason most people decided to join the Renegades.

There were Ten known stages of ascension.

Stage 1: Bonding.

"Stage 2: Surge.

Stage 3: Integration.

Stage 4: Harmony.

Stage 5: Dominion.

Stage 6: Ascension.

Stage 7: Sage.

Stage 8: Transcendence.

Stage 9: Pinnicle.

Stage 10: Exodus.

But according to the deceased previous emperor – who was killed by the Reincarnators during the lost era – there was an eleventh stage that no one had managed to reach yet.

A stage that would forever alter the course of the universe and grant the user power on the level of the being beyond their universe.

"Stage 11: Genesis."

Arbus's brows furrowed.

After a few seconds he shook his head.

"You said the same thing to me when I was younger Bastian."

"Back then, I was a naive kid looking for any way to get revenge, so naturally I believed you."

"But now that I know a lot more about the Renegades, and the heart shard..."

"There's no way something like that exists right?"

"If it did, the emperor would have already reached it."

Bastian let out a breath.

"No one believes it does, yes. But there is a possibility."

"The previous Emperor was known to be the wisest being that had ever lived."

"They were the one who came up with this theory."

"If anyone could have understood the nature of the Heart shard any further, I believe it would be them."

"So no, I don't think it's impossible."

Arbus pointed to himself.

"And you really think I can achieve what even the Emperors couldn't?... Why?"

"Be direct with me this time, please." He added.

Bastian nodded.

"Yes I do. In fact, I believe you're the only Renegade who can reach it."

"And I'm sure you can guess why."

Arbus frowned.

Of course he knew. His ability. The same one he had inherited because of his father. Although, there was more to it than that.

The same one that made him feel too similar to the Reincarnators.

He had come to this conclusion after Bastain's vague statement the last time they met.

"My immortality."

...

"Yes, your immortality."

Bastian leaned back again. "The Heart shard is truly amazing. It's the only reason every species besides humans still thrives in this universe."

"But, as I'm sure you heard, it's an extremely gruelling path of cultivation."

"Conviction is a very powerful thing."

"It is what has gotten every single Warden, and even the Pinnicles themselves, to where they are today."

"..."

"But it is not enough. Conviction alone will not help you defy reality if something is not possible."

"There must be a chance at least before you can pour your efforts into it."

"Every single species in this universe has a limit to their life. Even the increased lifespan from the heart shard can't change that."

"And sadly, the emperor has reached his."

"He can no longer go any further with the Heart shard, because he does not have the time."

"Like most of the most powerful Reincarnators, your father's power is one that breaks the limits of what is possible."

"That is why... You're the only Renegade that can achieve this."

Arbus's gaze fell again.

He couldn't believe what he was hearing.

The Emperor had always been a symbol of peace and hope for the universe. For everyone still alive today, they had only ever known what the universe was like under his rule. He didn't want to imagine what it would look like after his death.

Arbus finally broke the silence. "....Aren't you putting a little too much faith in me?"

"No matter how much I think about it, I can't understand it. Why you – the Sentinel of this entire solar system – would trust me, a half-human."

"I know you have the same reservations as everyone else towards me. So why?"

Bastain didn't say anything for a while.

He seemed to be deep in thought about something.

"...Have you heard of Adam." He asked suddenly.

Arbus blinked in surprise.

"...Yes, I have. The sword Saint." He replied in a sad tone.

Arbus had heard of him numerous times when he was younger. His father always talked about him in length and how he hoped Arbus could be like him one day.

A half-human Sentinel openly working with the Renegades.

It was a groundbreaking phenomenon, especially for half-human children who had always been discriminated against.

His deeds and fame even caused some the general public to see half-humans as the victims they truly were for a while.

But all that quickly changed when he was revealed to be a traitor.

According to the news, he annihilated his own star system under his care and went on a rampage, until he was stopped by a Warden and executed.

Arbus remembered being heartbroken by the incident.

It had increased the hatred for half-humans across the protected galaxies.

"He's the reason I trust you so much." Bastian continued with a slight smile.

Arbus was visibly confused.

"What?... Isn't he a traitor?"

"You're trusting me because of someone who ended up betraying the Renegades?" He asked in disbelief.

Bastian shook his head.

"I'm trusting you because you remind me of my old mentor."

He sighed slightly.

"You're still too gullible, Arbus."

"You shouldn't believe everything you're told."

Arbus was shocked to hear that Bastian had personally known The sword Saint.

He was even more shocked to discover the possibility that the sword Saint might have been innocent after all.

Bastian's brows furrowed.

"I don't believe Adam would actually do the things they said he did, no matter what anyone else tells me." He said, clenching his fists slightly.

Eventually, he changed the topic.

"I know I'm being reckless."

"But the truth is... there's no other choice."

Arbus remained silent as he thought of everything he had gone through today.

In just one day, he had survived a genocide, fought and killed a Reincarnator, met the Sentinel again, and found out multiple shocking and unbelievable truths.

It really did remind him of the worst day in his life.

Eventually, He glanced back at Bastain with an unreadable expression.

An image of a body wrapped tightly in his arms flashed through his mind.

"...I guess nothing has really changed then." He said as he turned to Bastain.

Bastain smiled slightly.

"I guess not."