It only took two days after the meeting with the Asura for them to strike. Arrogantly they thought they could attack both Alacrya and Dicathen simultaneously, sending a smaller force to Dicathen since in theory it was weaker. Their logic was severely flawed.

Not only did Dicathen have Arthur, he was not the only integration stage mage. Before the Asura threat, the twins Reynolds and Cynthia had also managed to reach this level, as well as Tess. Arthur felt she could have made it to the integration stage sooner, but she didn't prioritize refining her core as she once did.

The other flaw with the Asuran plan was that they thought they knew all they needed to. However not even Kezess was aware Arthur was collecting Vritra horns, since he kept destroying the bodies. Dicathen had roughly two dozen horns from the Vritra-blooded, and a dozen pure blooded Vritra horns, as well as multiple mana cores from defeated Asura. A single horn of a Vritra-blooded could bring a silver core mage into the white stage, but the others could do so much better.

On average one Vritra horn could bring two white core mages into the integration stage, and ten silver core mages into the white stage, while the mana cores were even more effective. Ever since Sylvie returned and the threat of war loomed, as the commander of the Dicathen military, Arthur authorized the use of the horns and eventually the cores on the Lances.

The sanctuary became the secret Lance military base, where they trained daily. Thanks to some aether runes Arthur learned of from the Djinn in the second Dicathen relictomb, he made it impossible for even the Asura to see inside there with artifacts or mana arts, the sanctuary had become a black cloud to all forms of surveillance. There many of the lances absorbed the horns and cores, bringing their numbers to 50 white core mages, and 13 integration stage mages.

Reluctantly Arthur gave one of Agrona's horns to his remaining three children to help them reach integration, since three of them were Lances, and he needed the other two to be able to defend themselves if needed.

The last flaw the Asura made was their lack of understanding of fate.

When they attacked Dicathen they targeted Zestier, with the plan of turning the city into a crater and killing at least several members of Arthur's family. Ten Asura appeared over the city, intending to bombard the city from above, but their attack failed. No sooner than they appeared the mana barrier was raised, and their attacks looked like nothing more than fireworks as they exploded.

Arthur had decided to do as Elder Rinia, and looked into the future so they could prepare. He knew the exact time of the attack, so they could be ready. He also shared this information with Seris enabling her to get ready as well.

The Asura were confused as to how the barrier was so strong to survive just one attack, but they continued just the same, thinking the barrier couldn't withstand a true bombardment. They were so focused solely on that, and missed the fifteen white cores, five integrations and one dragon that came to deal with them. The battle was a complete victory for Dicathen, with three white core lances being lost in the battle, but the losses would have been worse if they hadn't been able to sneak up on them.

While most of the Asura were killed, one Titan was captured in the attack. After Arthur interrogated him, the titan was transported to Alacrya where he would be used as a battery for their own mana barriers.

Even though Alacrya suffered greater losses, at the end of the day it was an undisputed victory for both continents. However as the war carried on, it would become harder to distinguish between a win and loss.

——————————————————————-

The procession continued through Zestier with Arthur hardly giving any attention to the people along the sides of the road. He was lost in his thoughts as he remembered his time with Tess. From saving her from slave traders, to their time at Xyrus, their wedding, the shock of learning they were having twins, wedding anniversaries, even simple times like sitting on the dock together overlooking the lake drinking wine as they watched the sunset.

Over the near thousand lives he had lived this one had been like none other. It was rare for him to have gotten married, but sometimes when he did he was just settling because Cecilia had chosen to marry Nico. Even the times when he and Cecilia did marry, those times couldn't hold a candle to this life. The past lives were filled with near constant conflict, so the idea of having children was far from their minds that the only thought was to ensure they didn't have any. Even though he was sad and in pain now, and fought tooth and nail to get here, he felt like the universe had given him this life as a reward for all of suffering through all his past lives.

It took a few hours to exit the heart of Zestier and the mass of citizens. As they moved closer to the royal family grave site, people were still gathered around, but not as numerous as before. They eventually rolled up to a river being fed by a waterfall with an ornate wooden bridge over it, the opposite side was used as the royal graveyard, holding all the graves of every member ever since the founding of the kingdom.

Sylvie quickly made her way over to help Arthur down, but he refused and climbed down on his own. Several of his great grandchildren were supposed to carry her the rest of the way to where she was to be buried, but it only felt right to him to carry her as well. Channeling aether throughout his body Arthur grabbed one of the corners by her head, and led the way.

They crossed the bridge, and walked a little further to come across a grassy area overlooking the waterfall. And to mark each grave were intricately designed tombstones, each more beautiful than the next as if each king was trying to outdo the one before them. This of course ended when they came to Virion's grave. Yes the tombstone was beautifully carved by a master sculptor, but it was the amethyst glow it gave off that truly made it stand out.

Even though Tess was loved by all of Elenoir, Virion's death struck the people much harder since he was seen as a true hero to the people of Elenoir. The procession may have been shorter, and the crowd no larger, but more tears were shed by the older generation. Like today they made the trip to the burial site, but that time only four people carried the casket, as only family was permitted. Per tradition after he was laid to rest, blood family members were to channel mana into the tombstone. Based on tradition Arthur and Merial were not supposed to do so, but his grandchildren and great grandchildren could. Alduin however didn't care about tradition that day.

Arthur was his fathers first and only disciple. In the past when elven nobles brought the children to him to show their skills, hoping he would take them as his disciples, he always rejected them saying they lacked the potential to make training them interesting. But then Arthur came, a commoner, a human boy younger than any of those children. Not only did he save his granddaughter and have a powerful beast will, Virion saw in him a limitless potential he had never seen before. Never before had a mage reached high enough to challenge a Lance, but Virion felt if anyone could do it, it would be Arthur.

With that mindset everyone channeled a small amount of mana into the tombstone, either water or wind. When Arthur stepped up he wanted to do something for the master that he credited for giving him the chance for this life of his, something that would truly make his grave stand out amongst all the former kings. Fire mana may have been seen as insulting, and he wasn't good enough with earth mana to want to distinguish him with that. Arthur placed his hand on the tombstone and began channeling a small amount of aether. That small amount created a glow so brilliant that at night it was almost like Virion's soul was standing over his own grave.

Alduin was completely moved by the sight, and saw it as his father receiving the honor he deserved. He was the first to receive this treatment, that not even Alduin received when he passed, however he was not the last.

They passed Virion who was laid to rest beside his wife, then Merial and Alduin. Next came Tess' grave, with a space to her left for Arthur, and to Arthur's left was another tombstone giving off an aetheric glow.

——————————————————————-

After defending against the first Asura attack, the only prisoner was sent to Alacrya to be used as a mana barrier battery. Arthur wasn't exactly pleased with this, but at the same time there were no laws in this world to protect prisoners. Alacrya was also in need of "batteries". Unlike Dicathen they had no means to power their barrier generators, which they didn't have many of in the first place. Alacrya was closely monitored for years, so constructing more barrier generators without being noticed was near impossible, since it could mean war if they were discovered. However once the true threat of war loomed they began to rush construction.

This meant that when the Asura attacked there was nothing to protect the cities. Thankfully Arthur saw where the first battle would be held, the northern dominion of Truacia, so Seris had the entire region evacuated through both the relictombs and every tempus warp they could get their hands on. Her forces were already there waiting for them, the region evacuated of civilians, the battle was even considered a victory, but half of the northern dominion was completely destroyed.

Two major cities and a few villages were wiped off the map as if they never existed, turning it into a barren desert. They managed to capture three Asura and plugged them into the barrier generators, however even with the prisoner provided by Dicathen, they were still severely lacking.

The relictombs had enough supplies to last a year isolated, and a third of the third floor was under their control with a part being cleared for farmland. The cities were overflowing with refugees and feeding everyone was soon going to be a problem, especially if the rest of the war went the same as the north.

After this failed attack the Asura went quiet. They had underestimated both continents and their ability to defend themselves, as well as became nervous as this reminded them of Agrona in how he always seemed to be ready for an attack.

This gave both continents the time they needed to deal with the refugee issue. For years now artificters from both continents had been working together to develop a large-scale intercontinental teleportation gate. They had managed to build smaller ones for use with just people, but if they tried to include wagons full of goods the gate would overheat quickly. Now with the war they redoubled their efforts.

In that time the Asura resumed their attacks, using a scorched earth tactic in Dicathen since they couldn't get past the barriers. During this time the international gate was completed and tested with success, and a near constant stream of refugees began to flow from Alacrya to Dicathen. Thanks to not having the Asura keeping as close an eye on them, Dicathen was able to build barrier generators for every city and several villages in central Sapin with fertile land that produced a large amount of the continents food supply, with additional land if more was needed.However instead of using this land for farming it became used to establish refugee camps, and food rationing began.

This all happened without Arthur being aware though. Shortly after he saw the barriers successfully holding, he and Regis left for Epheotus to bring the war to them, just as he promised. Keeping with the rules of war he was accustomed to from other lives he kept to only military targets, and did his best to avoid targeting noncombatants. However many Asura didn't wear any kind of uniform, so he did the best he could to scout his targets before attacking.

He started by tracking down and destroying any long range teleportation gates, easing some pressure off the continents, but unable to completely end the attacks. He then moved from village to village, releasing some of his killing intent first. His logic was to force any non-combatants to runaway while drawing out any fighters. It wasn't foolproof, but it did prevent him from killing any children. The memory of the genocide he committed in his previous life still remained in front his mind to try and keep him from repeating the same regretful act. However it seems the universe had other plans.

Not long after the scorched earth campaign began in Dicathen, the council couldn't stand it anymore. Arthur's plan was to keep everyone safe inside the barriers, and recover the land after. Trees and forests can be regrown, but when a person dies that's it. With Arthur gone and an elven general stepping into cover for him, they ordered the Lances to defend outside the barriers. The losses were heavy considering the numbers of lances they had, but they had shown some success in repealing the Asura.

Sylvie couldn't be ordered by the council, but when she saw her siblings and mother enter the battle, she couldn't sit back and just watch. For Tess, even though she was a Lance, since she was now also the queen of Elenoir no one dared to order her. If they did, not only did they risk losing Elenoir's support, but if anything bad happened to her they would have to face Arthur's wrath. Technically they would face that if his children were harmed too, but they were lances still in their prime, and asked to be involved. With this Tess decided on her own to join the fight alongside her children.

They mostly fought over Elshire Forest and some over Sapin, with Darv being almost completely desert on the surface so the Asura paid it little attention for the time being. The beast glades took the heaviest damage since it was overall less important for the survival of the continent.

It was near the border between the beast glades and Elenoir, the glades were a blaze turning the sky black, they were moving on Elenoir. Despite how large the barriers in Elenoir were, it was impossible to protect very much beyond the city, let alone all of the forest. The loss of the forest would deliver a huge blow to the elves, especially since it would be impossible to miss seeing it even from within the barrier. Because of this the council authorized all white and integration stage lances to fight them off at the border.

On paper it was considered an even fight, where the number of Lance teams and integration mages equaled the number of Asura, but it was a trap. As soon as the two forces collided in a bloody battle, twice as many Asura had appeared from hiding within the smoke. Even though multiple lances had reached the integration stage that didn't mean they were on the same level as all Asura. There were races, specifically the phoenixes that were too much for them. Thankfully Sylvie was there, and was strong enough to handle them. As for Arthur's family, he had trained them all in swordsmanship and helped them to develop effective battle instincts, allowing them to at least hold their own in battle.

However some did better than others, Cynthia being one of them. She was known as the greatest plant mage Dicathen had ever seen, surpassing even Tess. Coupled with her swordsmanship, a cool leveled head, and aether arts, she was able to handle her own in a battle even against Asura. Unfortunately this battle was harder than others.

While in the heat of battle she saw her younger brother Adam in a free fall. His leg was severed and bleeding profusely from multiple wounds, and an Asura was right behind him to make sure he finished him. In that moment she forgot about her own opponent, and created a portal beneath him, sending straight to the sanctuary where teams of emitters were on standby. A blade then drove through her from behind, puncturing her left lung. She formed an aether sword behind her that severed her opponent's head, then focused on the rest of the battle.

They were going to lose if they didn't fall back right away, losing most if not their entire white and integration stage forces in the process. Like her father before her, she became a hero instantly. Using Aevum she separated herself from time and began creating portals to take everyone away. Sylvie had realized this and was able to join her, but was only able to ensure she wasn't left behind as she herself went into a portal. They all ended up in the sanctuary as the Asura remained at the border. Cynthia had rapidly created fifty portals, rescuing a majority of their forces, but the stain was too much for her weakened body and died before she even touched the ground.

Even though he was an ocean away, Arthur could feel something was wrong through his bond with Sylvie, and quickly returned. The Leywin family grieved for days. The council and acting commander were too scared to even come to offer their condolences while Arthur was there, afraid he would blame and punish them. But in truth he didn't, he blamed himself.

He had chosen to take the position of commander, but he left his post to fight in a distant land. He understood that he was the only one capable of fighting the Asura in their own continent, but that was no excuse. With the death of his daughter and one of his sons crippled, part of him broke. He decided he was being too easy on the Asura, they weren't playing by the same rules that he was, so why should he play by any?

He returned to Epheotus after Cynthia was laid to rest at the royal family grave a week later, and came to end the war.

He and Regis marched on the Indrath castle, which they continued to use for their council meetings. He knew they were probably there, but the defenses were stronger than he felt he could handle with his original strategy. Now though he didn't care, now he wasn't a Lance, a General, or a commander, he was the father of a dead child, and nothing less than extermination of those responsible would be enough.

Releasing his killing intent Arthur and Regis walked to the castle. They made attempts to kill him, but all failed. He used Realmheart to overload dozens of spells, killing many of them instantly. Out of fear they summoned their entire force to fight him, and Arthur smiled, they played right into his hands. For the second time in his life he activated fate fully, using it to cut off all means of escape, trapping them in an atheric bubble, and filled it with destruction. He heard their screams, saw many trying desperately to break through and escape, but it was no use. Only then did they realize that Arthur was neither human nor Asura, he was the herald of death. Then with the intention of ensuring the safety of not only his family, but the rest of the world, he popped the bubble, and released destruction across the entire continent, turning it into a barren wasteland, just as they were trying to do to the other continents.

The Ppagpagi were kept powering the barrier for several months after the massacre, when the Asura came back. However instead of looming over a city, they appeared on the coast of Sapin on an uninhabited beach. Arthur, Regis, and Sylvie went to meet them, and as they approached ready for a fight, the all went down to their knees and bowed with their heads pressed against the sand. There were approximately three dozen Asura present, mostly children. An elder dared to look up and begged for forgiveness for the survivors, stating that they would submit to whatever punishment he saw fit, as long as the children were permitted to survive.

None of them looked like warriors. Most of the adults looked like they already had one foot in the grave, and many of the children could be seen shaking. They were no threat. Arthur gave them a simple punishment, banishment back to Epheotus, where they were to adopt the practices of the Ppagpagi, while essentially living in a penal colony. Their movements would be restricted, and representatives of both Alacrya and Dicathen would enforce this. They accepted, and a few days later Arthur took them and the Ppagpagi back to Epheotus where he marked off the area they couldn't leave, while also leaving several teleportation gates throughout the continent hidden so they couldn't find them.

——————————————————————-

Tess' body was laid to rest and buried, and the long process of every blood family member, and Sylvie channeling mana into her tombstone began. The stone was made of white marble into the shape of a tree with flowers among the leaves. The detail was nothing less than incredible, to the point that it looked like it was a real tree. After almost an hour the entire family was done, leaving Arthur for last just as he wished. Even though all of them could use aether, none channeled it into the tombstone, that was an honor left to her husband. As Arthur channeled the aether he also included an Aevum spell that would allow it to stand the test of time without ever deteriorating over the centuries. Following this they gathered back in the carriages and left for the reception, to be held at Arthur and Tess' home.

Despite having lived as king and queen in the palace for a time, the home they had built was always their home. They raised their children there, while living at the palace they vacationed there, and when they finally returned it was where the grandchildren, great grandchildren, and great great grandchildren came to visit them.

As the family grew, more homes had been built beside them so they could all be close since there wasn't enough room for everyone to sleep under the same roof. As they approached the house the field of flowers greeted them, all painstakingly planted by Arthur and Tess during the months after the house was completed.

Arthur smiled as he remembered the time. It was hard work planting all those flowers they got from the wedding, but he enjoyed that time with his wife. He even blushed a little bit as he remembered a few times they took a break from planting because Tess wanted to "play" right then and there among the flowers.

The carriages came up to the house and the family was helped out by servants from the palace, who had also set up the reception. Tables of finger foods were set up, and drinks were poured as everyone reminisced about Tess and the fond memories they shared.

Arthur took a seat in a padded chair on the patio as he watched his family with a weak smile.

"Papa, can I get you anything?" Sylvie asked him.

"How about a bourbon on the rocks?" He replied with a cheeky smile.

Sylvie shook her head. "Papa you know the doctors said you shouldn't be drinking alcohol."

Arthur chuckled. "I know, but I won't live forever, so I might as well enjoy the time I have left right?"

Sylvie sighed in resignation. "I'll be right back. I'll get you some food too."

Arthur took her hand before she walked off. "Thank you. You have always been such a good girl."

Sylvie smiled back as he released her, then walked off to get the food. Through their bond she felt something was off with him, but she just brushed it off. She had been feeling this from him for a while now, since Tess' passing, and assumed it was something to do with that.

Once away Arthur rolled up his sleeve to reveal the aetheric runes, an Aveum spell he created a little over a hundred years ago that stopped his body from aging. Otherwise he would have been dead long ago. He placed his opposite hand over the runes and his hand glowed violet. When he removed his hand the runes were gone, and he leaned his head back and closed his eyes.

Over by the drink table Sylvie was putting ice cubes in a glass when she froze and dropped the glass, she couldn't feel her bond with Arthur anymore.

"Sylvie?" One of the family members asked, concerned.

She didn't respond, and god stepped way in an aetheric flash, and appeared right in front of Arthur.

"Papa?" She asked urgently, but there was no reply. "Papa? PAPA!" She practically shouted as she shook him, gaining people's attention. "Come on, wake up," she pleaded as she gently slapped his cheek and tears escaped her eyes. "No! You can't die!" She cried as she tried to use Vivum to bring him back.

All eyes were on them. They all knew and understood what was happening. Regis walked up and placed a hand on her shoulder. "I'm sorry Sylv," he said with a sorrowful expression. If he could cry, there was no doubt he would be now.

"No! No!" Sylvie cried as she held him and rested her hand on his shoulder as tears poured from her eyes.

Regis came around to his other side and took his hand as he knelt down and looked up at him.

"Enjoy your well deserved rest Arthur."

——————————————————————-

All was dark and Arthur was floating, or at least he thought he was. He wasn't even sure if his eyes were even open. The last thing he remembered was ending the Aevum spell that was keeping him alive.

"I guess it's reincarnation for me," he said with a depressed tone.

He didn't want to do this again, at least not with his memories. The idea of going on with another life, remembering what he lost, that wasn't life it was torture. Unlike his life as Grey, he was proud of his life as Arthur Leywin, and would give anything to live that life again, to hold Tess again.

"Art?"

Arthur felt as though his eyes widened, though his vision was the same.

"Tess? Are you here?" He asked with a panicked excitement as he tried to move. Something was different about Tess' voice, it wasn't as old or tired as it was when she passed, or the years prior, it sounded young and full of energy and life. He realized then he had hands, though they weren't nearly as rough from the years of wielding a sword.

"I'm here Art!"

Arthur finally managed to turn around in the void and saw her. She was a vision of beauty that he had not seen in centuries. There she was before him as they drifted closer, his wife and the greatest love he ever held, but she was not the same as he last saw her. Her cheeks were glowing, her emerald green eyes full of life, her skin supple without a single wrinkle. Before him was Tess, but as she looked when they first got married.

"I can't believe it." Finally in range Arthur reached out and grabbed her, and pulled her into a tight embrace. "I can't believe I'm getting to see you again.

"I missed you so much," she replied as she held him close.

Arthur pushed her away so he could look her in the eyes. "I'm so sorry I made you wait for me again," he said as happy tears streamed down his cheeks.

"Well, lucky for you you're worth waiting for." Tess caressed his cheek gently. "Who's the cry baby now?"

They both laughed as they held each other in their arms.

"So, is this what it's like to reincarnate?" She asked.

Arthur looked up to see a white light getting closer. "Except for the fact that I was always alone, yes."

She saw a look of dread and pain upon his face as he looked to the light.

"Hey," she gently brought his face down to look at her. "What's wrong?"

"I don't know what to expect, and I don't want to do this again without you."

She hugged him tightly. "I'm not going anywhere, I'm right here."

"These are just our souls, who knows where our new bodies actually are, or if we'll even remember each other."

"Then we'll find each other."

"But our memories? How will we find one another if we don't remember?"

"You said before that fate brought the three of you together life after life. Since you broke free of the plan, maybe you'll have your memories. And if I'm here, maybe we'll be drawn together again."

"But how can you know?"

"Hope. Hope that we'll be able to be happy together again, that no matter what happens we'll find one another again."

Arthur smiled and held her even closer. "Then I'm just going to hold you as close as I can. Maybe it'll help us get reincarnated close to one another."

Tess smiled as she held him tightly as well. "I can't wait to live another life with you."

Arthur locked eyes with her and smiled. "And I you. I love you."

"I love you too."

They then smashed their lips together lovingly, just as they were engulfed by the light.

Author's Notes:
With this I now finish the book series I started about three years ago. Amazing how what was supposed to be a fun little light hearted book turned into all this.

I have been asked if I plan on writing anymore TBATE fanfics, and for now the answer is no. It's not that I don't have any ideas, in fact I do have one, and intended to write it. However a new idea has come to mind and has grown into something that could become a pretty extensive project.

I always said I was too lazy to want to write my own story, but that's the path I want to go now. I have a well thought out plan to write my own fantasy story, and in you're following me on the "Fanfiction Haven" server on discord then you've already heard talking about it on my channel.

My plan now is to take a break and work on a name for my new story, then get to work on writing. I'm not sure if I'll be posting it here on Wattpad, Tapas, or somewhere else entirely, but I do hope to start posting the first few chapter this fall. I'll let you know where after I've decided.

With all that said, thank you all for joining me as I shared my hard work with you, and I hope to see more of you when I start releasing my new book.