The sky cracked like an old mirror as his final steps echoed across the silent field. Dust of the gods still swirled in the air, sparkling like stardust. Almost all the gods had fallen by his hand, leaving none behind—except those who had repented, who abandoned their pride and chose to hide behind prayers that no longer demanded anything.
Lucenor stood alone.
His sword was broken at the tip, his robe burned, and the blood—his and the gods'—had dried like paint on a painting left too long on display. He didn't look at the now-empty sky. He simply walked home.
At the foot of the mountain, the wooden house still stood. Simple. Quiet. As if it had never known that the world had just changed.
He opened the door.
The wooden chair by the window greeted him like an old friend. Lucenor sat down slowly. His breath was heavy, but his eyes were calm. Outside, the world gathered.
One by one, representatives of each race entered the house.
First, the human king stepped in.
He wore no crown. His sword was left outside. He stopped a few steps from the wooden chair, then knelt.
"Mahardika Lucenor," he said softly, his voice heavy but steady, "the human race stands today not because of fate… but because of your choice."
There was no answer.
The door opened again.
An elf, wearing a pale green robe that brushed the wooden floor, bowed deeply. Silver hair fell over their face.
"Our forests no longer whisper of doom. We owe you, Mahardika Lucenor."
Then came the dwarf leader, his steps heavy but steady. He did not kneel—his head bowed, the way his people showed respect.
"Our mountains still stand. That alone is enough for us to speak your name, Mahardika Lucenor."
A beast stood with its hands clenched at its chest.
A demon bowed without pride.
An angel folded their wings quietly.
None spoke of crowns.
None offered a throne.
Finally, the human king spoke again.
"On behalf of all races still breathing under this sky… we call you Mahardika Lucenor. We will do everything to repay your kindness."
Lucenor remained seated, not raising a hand, not smiling too widely. He simply looked at all the beings present with a gentle gaze, yet full of unmatched power.
"There is no need to kneel," he said, his voice calm but resonating through the wooden house. "I do not ask for recognition. I only ask that you… live. The choice is in your hands. Humans, elves, dwarves, beasts, demons, and angels—live your lives freely, but do not repeat the mistakes of the past."
Silence filled the room. Each representative bowed their head even lower, taking his words as a legacy more valuable than treasure or throne.
The human king looked at Lucenor with teary eyes.
"We understand, Mahardika Lucenor. We will protect the world. Our promise is not for you… but for the future you wish to preserve."
Humans, elves, dwarves, beasts, demons, and angels all nodded, each realizing they were not just witnessing a legend but also bearing a newly born responsibility to maintain peace.
Lucenor closed his eyes for a moment. In that quiet, his heart felt at ease. There were no cheers. No celebrations. Only calm, peace, and finally… freedom.
He opened his eyes again, taking a deep breath, and spoke softly.
"Let this world move on. I will rest… while this soul waits for its time to be reborn."
A young elf, voice trembling, looked at Lucenor. "Master Mahardika… you… you will leave us?"
The beast, large and imposing, tilted its head, eyes glowing faintly. "You… will truly leave us?"
The oldest demon, highly respected, nodded slowly. "We… are very saddened if you are really leaving."
Lucenor bowed his head, looking at each being present. His voice was gentle, yet every word pierced their hearts.
"This is not the end… only a new beginning," he said.
"I want you all to live in peace. Guard the earth, guard each other, and never repeat the mistakes of the past. I… will return when the world needs me again. Until then… choose your path wisely."
Lucenor looked around, his gaze penetrating the hearts of every being present.
His voice was gentle and sincere.
"Listen… I ask one thing before I leave." He took a deep breath, looking at the human king, the elf, dwarf, beast, demon, and angel one by one.
His voice was soft, full of sincerity.
"After my soul departs, bury me in a hidden cave. Let no one, including your descendants, know of it. That place must remain secret. I entrust this secret to you."
He bowed briefly, then continued in a deeper voice, as if passing on a legacy.
"After I leave this world, a great disaster will come. I will not be there by your side. When that time comes, unite… humans, elves, dwarves, beasts, demons, and angels. Solve the problem together. Do not let the world collapse again because of division.
Guard each other… and guard the earth."
He lifted his head, looking at all the representatives with eyes that shone with blue light, radiating strength and sincerity.
"This is my final request… not as a ruler, but as one who believes in you. I… will return someday, but until then… be the light for your own world."
Silence filled the room. Tears streamed down the cheeks of humans, elves, dwarves, beasts, demons, and angels. They felt deep sorrow… yet also immense honor. The Mahardika who saved the world was leaving… but the trust he left was now in their hands.
"Yes… Mahardika Lucenor!"
"Your request… we will fulfill!"
"The location will remain secret!"
"If disaster comes, we will unite!"
"We will protect the world, for you… for the future!"
Each word echoed, filling the air with grief, respect, and determination. Tears fell, voices trembled, yet no one dared to break Mahardika's request. They wept… but obeyed.
They had lost the leader who saved the world, but they knew the entrusted duty was more important than personal grief.
Lucenor closed his eyes for a moment. His breath was heavy, but his heart felt at ease. No cheers. No celebrations. Only peace, and the certainty that the world was now in capable hands.
"It's time for me to rest."
Silence filled the wooden house. His breath grew heavier, his body gradually weakening, but his eyes still radiated peace. Slowly, he leaned back in the wooden chair, hand reaching forward as if touching the world he had just saved. With one final breath,
Lucenor closed his eyes.
The stillness was so deep that even the rustling of leaves outside the window could be heard. Tears streamed down the cheeks of humans, elves, dwarves, beasts, demons, and angels. Their hearts were broken, yet obedient.
They knew Mahardika's trust was more important than personal grief.
Without a sound, they followed his final request. Together, all races carried Lucenor's body to a hidden cave, one that none of their descendants may ever know.
Inside the cave, the Mahardika was laid with full honor. Stones were placed gently over the simple yet sacred tomb. The scent of incense and flowers from all races filled the air, their crying and prayers merging into a mournful song that shook the soul.
Time passed. Not long after Mahardika was laid to rest, the great disaster he had foretold arrived. Thunder of nature, storms, tsunamis, and all manner of calamities struck the peaceful world. Yet this time, humans, elves, dwarves, beasts, demons, and angels united. They kept Mahardika's promise. Old conflicts were set aside, and their combined strength subdued the chaos. The world survived, but at a great cost.
And ten centuries later, in the residence of the Valenhart family, a baby was about to be born.