Chapter 1337 Last Chance

It was a bizarre and oddly specific feeling but one that he had felt once before, in the underground laboratory of the creature called Sagax that created Baracus, the one he referred to as the 'progenitor'. (Ch 191)

"You had already begun meddling since that long ago? No, it was probably from the very start wasn't it, since Jin w.a.n.g was with me way before that," Hao Xuan turned towards him, and Jin w.a.n.g unwittingly nodded. ????????.???

"It started much earlier than you remember, from the day of the beast horde after your arrival on the Origin Planet." (Ch 11)

But Hao Xuan knew deep down that it wasn't just then. Something told him it started much earlier, perhaps even before the Mei Kingdom existed.

He looked at the seraphic figure before him, the one that had been named so many times in hushed whispers and cryptic messages.

"Thousand- No, tens of thousands of years of preparation throughout countless words, this planet, the Greater World, the Origin Planets and many others that I don't even know about. But all of it, every single action culminated in me standing here before you today, to what end? Just what is it that you want from me?"

A hush fell over the chamber. No one else knew of the Emperor's true plans but all of them were curious, especially Mr. Hyde and Jin w.a.n.g who had been a part of it for so long, braving countless challenges to make it all happen but in the end they were just tools playing their part.

"What do you want from me?" Hao Xuan repeated calmly, "And before you answer, you should know I can see through your lies."

He didn't specify how but it was a fact that he wanted the great Emperor to know so they could save each other some much-needed time and heartache.

Finally, after what felt like an eternity the Emperor's austere voice echoed within the chamber.

[What is your reason to fight?]

"My reason?" Hao Xuan frowned, "What does it matter-"

[Why do you endure? Why do you fight for the ones that would leave you behind without a second thought?]

A shockwave of golden energy exploded alongside the Emperor's voice and when it hit Hao Xuan something strange happened.

"Why?" his brow began to furrow as countless faces flashed past his eyes.

He was seeing all of them from the very beginning, their last moments resounding within the far boundaries of his mind.

The neighboring families from Earth that lived alongside them after they first arrived on the Beast world, all of which were killed during the rampaging Beast horde.

The brothers and sisters that he met within the Red Legion, each of whom became entwined within something much bigger than themselves and some had even lost their lives as a consequence.

From Ensis's real family to the Orcs, from the natives of this planet, and the cultivators that came after. He remembered every single face as if he had met them just a few minutes ago.

And then the answer came to him before even he realized. His lips moved automatically, "Because no one else will."

[That is why you were chosen. Your inability to turn a blind eye to the suffering of others is the sole reason you are here. I chose you from the 'well of suffering' because you will do what must be done]

In the brief period of silence that followed after the Emperor's response an earthquake shook the inner chamber.

Hao Xuan staggered backward, "What was that?"

Jin w.a.n.g extended a hand towards the ceiling and a second later his expression turned somber.

"Dai Zhi found them! His armies are outside."

"No! It wasn't supposed to happen so quickly, I still need more time!" Hao Xuan shouted in agitation and once the racing thoughts began nothing made sense.

"You can help them," he turned towards the Emperor, "Please, save them, I will do whatever you want in exchange! I agree to it as long as you can get them out of here, I don't care what it is."

But despite his great offer the Emperor's response was not what he was looking for.

[The ritual has begun and it cannot be stopped now. Those souls were always meant to be sacrificed for the greater good]

"NOO!" he suddenly shouted.

Something snapped inside Hao Xuan's brain and all the emotions that he had been pus.h.i.+ng down suddenly came flooding in, "NO MORE SACRIFICES! NO MORE DEATHS! Give me the power to fight them and I will color the galaxy red in your name!"

[The current will correct itself...no matter how many pebbles you throw in the river of time. Those souls were always meant to be lost, the same as yours. You cannot save them, not like-]

"Let me out," Hao Xuan interjected weakly, too tired to even argue back, "I should have never come here. You people...you are all the same, nothing good can ever come from you. I will deal with it myself like I always have..."

"...."

[This is a choice that must be made by you. If you do not embrace it then all will be for naught]

The portal opened behind him just as the dial stopped moving. Hao Xuan started walking towards it but paused to listen to the Emperor's last warning.

[My strength fades with every pa.s.sing second. Once you leave I cannot invite you back, remember that. This is your last chance]