65

Together with the fall of snow, Aquila cast his Uniqueness. The Masters who were lifting their weapons stopped, the Elements that were on midair was frozen.

THE TIME STOP.

Aquila looked left and right, the scenes of stopping time were truly addicting. It was a feast for the eye, he couldn't get enough of this sensation. Even though his life was draining, he still loved this moment.

For his last attack, he would use his every power. Thousands of water and ice spike emerge from the air. They began to rotate rapidly, making it more deadly. They spin like a drill.

Aquila felt the blood coming out of his mouth, he snapped his fingers and thousands of spikes impaled all of his enemies.

It was a masterpiece, all of the spikes reached their targets, the time started to move but all of them fell. Pool of blood flooded the floor, it was frightening. The living Masters were now dead meat in just three seconds!

Aquila forced his body to move, his eyes were unfocused but he needs to see the end.

"Aquilaaaaaaa!!!!"

One of the survivors screamed, his arms were butchered and it was horrifying. Even the others were not left unscathed, their limbs were punctured and they bathed on blood.

Still, they must finish their work, killing the Emperor would gain them honor! They knew that fighting the Emperor was like knocking on the Grim Reaper's door but they still accepted this job.

They were the people who lost their families because of Cransia, they want to kill Aquila to avenge their loved ones.

They screamed almost losing their voices! They dashed into the Emperor even if their bodies were incomplete! Their eyes were thirsty, they want to see the Emperor hacked off his head!

Aquila chuckled, since the first time he killed a person, he knew that his end will not be peaceful. He closed his eyes, accepting his faith.

As the leader of the strongest country, he wouldn't cower. He would not beg and kiss their feet, he rather faced their hatred than lower his head.

The weapons came at him but he heard a clank of metals. The Masters were shocked to find that three people parried their weapons.

"Get ouuuuttttt!!!!"

They hysterically yelled, red saliva rained. But Pablo, Marlon, and Yuusha didn't feel any hesitation. They waved their swords forcing the three Masters to knockdown.

They were going crazy! They knew their strength was quickly vanishing and they only urging their battered bodies to move. It was frustrating, Aquila was close but they couldn't even reach him.

They cried and ran to face the three, their slashes were hectic and ragged. They didn't think about drinking any potion. Their bodies moved by the compelling force of hatred.

Yuusha and the others felt the strength of the Masters. They couldn't lower or move their weapons, they didn't have time. A barrage of slashes rain down on them and they could only defend.

Their bodies were starting to bleed because some of the attacks were slicing them.

"Hehe, it seems that someone doesn't want me to die… Christopher, what you want will never come true."

Aquila said. He knew that their plan would not be accomplished. His life was on its final.

His mind recalled the kid that he tortured, it's funny, he didn't know why he recalled him.

After some time, the thoughts and memories of his children came in. He remembered how he held his eldest son for the first time, it was the most satisfying event in his life.

He found what it means to be a father…… he regretted that he forgot it. He accepted the plea of Maria even though he knew that George would suffer. However, he couldn't turn back the time, sure he had the power to stop it but it's his limit.

The Masters were frustrated, their slashes became hasty and the three young men groaned in pain. They felt the horror and loathing in their attacks. It was depressing and sickening.

Pablo was the first to crash, his body couldn't keep up. Then, Marlon and Yuusha followed, they rolled on the floor bleeding. The enemies' desperation was stronger than them.

The Masters didn't attack them, instead, they rushed into the Emperor. They swing their swords hoping that this time, they could reach his neck!!!

*Baam!!!*

This was the moment that Julian wait. Water blade pierced their chests, but the attack was not over.

Excruciating pain hit their inside. They howled disturbing cries, the water blade was a dissolving acid. Their hearts melted but they didn't stop moving, they stretched their weapons wanting to finish the mission… but they failed. Sixteen Masters died not getting the revenge that they seek.

Aquila was on the floor, his unfocused eyes were looking at the ceiling.

Christopher was running holding a high-class potion. The other began to stand up, Julian was looking at his father. He didn't know what emotions he had, it was painful and lonely feelings.

Christopher knelt and uncorked the potion. He didn't think twice and put it in his mouth. Aquila gladly drunk the liquid because he was thirsty but his thirst was not satiate. He coughed more blood, the young men came near.

"Father…"

Julian leaned, the potion entered Aquila's body but he was not healing. Aquila's death was irreversible, Christopher knew it. But he was hoping that the scenario he made would be break.…

Aquila's vision was getting dark, he smiled. He wanted to say his last words before he die.

"Hero, I was a Hero when I was young.… Many people respect me and I was egotistic…"

His breathing became weak.

"But… I found Ariana, she didn't care about my status, she sees me as an ordinary man… I fall in love, married her…… And created a family. That's the reason I found that being a Hero was bullshit compare to being a father and a husband… "

Aquila lifted his hands, Julian hold his hand, squeezing it.

"Being Hero is nothing, the important thing is saving and protecting the people precious to you… The Cransia is my home, this land is my family. I made many mistakes but my heart would never change…… You, young men, are the next protector of this land. "

Pablo and Yuusha saw the longing in his soul.

Marlon was looking at the mightiest leader of the world, he didn't know what to say.

"Julian… I'm a bastard… hehe, you must not become like me…"

He smiled, his teeth were tainted by blood. Julian was starting to tear up, his father was not the best father but he loves him.

Aquila moved his head even though he couldn't see, he wants to talk to Christopher.

"Christopher……. You motherfucker, don't ever hurt Aria, I will hunt you in the afterlife if you do it…"

Christopher nodded.

"I will protect her."

"Good…"

"Father!!!!"

A voice of a woman echoed, Aria was crying, she wasn't wearing any sandals and she ran barefoot. Maria was behind her, she didn't think about her image and ran, she wanted to see the Emperor.

Together with the Princess, Empress, and his loyal retainers, Aquila felt warm.

Maria and Aria cried holding him tighter.

"Thank you……"

It was his last breath.

1798 Winsatl solar calendar, last month of Spring. Aquila, the greatest Emperor of Cransia died.

(This is the latest, that's why from now on, I will only update this six times a week. )