Note

Text between " ", thoughts of characters.

Text between «", consciousness or voices of tertiary characters.

PVO POPP

"When KillVearn offered me a chance to see Dai, I didn't hesitate for a moment to agree to bond with his evil soul.

Maam asked me not to believe him, but she doesn't know that a month ago I acquired the ability to use high-level astral magic.

The wretch KillVearn invoked his dark power, and it was there that I took advantage of the fact that he was concentrating on the soul-binding spell to free myself and invoke my astral magic.

In the real world I kept Piroro immobile while I split my mind to materialize inside his.

There I came across several rocks wrapped in chains floating in a completely black plane.

Time is of the essence when using astral magic, as my human body is not capable of withstanding such a heavy load of life energy. That is why I had to release the light from my insignia to illuminate the rocks and find one that would allow me to see Dai.

While searching for it, I came across a golden rock. Because of its hardness and the exaggerated amount of chains protecting it, I imagined that it contained something very important that KillVearn didn't want anyone to discover.

Without wasting any time, I used a spell to destroy the chains, but when I tried to do the same with the rock, I got frustrated because none of my spells managed to make even the slightest scratch on it.

I was getting tired from the loss of energy, but I didn't want to leave without finding my friend and something told me that I had to see what KillVearn was hiding in that rock.

As a last resort, I placed my hand on her and concentrated my mental power to enter inside it.

The result was unexpected. The rock was not a container, but a stone of destiny.

I had already heard about them, and I know that they can show the past, the present or the future, and the only thing I had to do was decide which of the times I wanted to see.

I didn't have to think about it too much. Since I learned the truth about the existence of the Dragon Knights, and the reason why Dai decided to sacrifice his life, I set out to find a way to change his cruel fate, so I asked the stone to show me a future where my friend could find the eternal happiness that the gods had denied to his predecessors.

My wish was granted, and I was promptly transported sixteen years into the future.

In front of me was Dai. His appearance was logically that of a twenty-eight-year-old adult. His muscular build made him look even more powerful than his father Baran. His height was also quite a bit, (maybe he's taller than me, or maybe we're the same height, but since I haven't seen myself in this place, I can't say anything). His clothes were still similar to the outfits Leona had given him in the past and that meant that he lived with her, (I hope as husband and wife).

Apparently, he was in a field outside the kingdom of Papunika.

From his combat stance and his determined look of giving it his all, I could tell a fight was about to begin, and as I looked back, I saw a gigantic red dragon.

I don't know if he was talking about Velzar, but whether it was him or not, I could see that he is a thousand times more powerful than Vearn, when he started fighting Dai.

The two attacked each other with powers he had never seen before. Dai was able to use his emblem at full power and although the fight was taking a long time, he didn't seem tired.

A pack of monsters and dragons covered the sky. Dark clouds released lightning bolts that shattered the earth.

Several explosions were heard in the distance, and I watched in terror as the villagers' houses were destroyed.

Dai's scream forced me to look away from the devastation and although I tried to use my magic to help my friend, I was unable to summon even a Gira.

The frustration was great and no matter how much he shouted and tried to touch Dai or hit the dragon, the only thing he managed to do was pass through them.

The dragon released several flames of fire that hurt Dai to the point of making him fall to the ground.

He was about to launch more at him, when a halo of light hit his body, and his wings vanished from the force of the attack.

The dragon was lying on the floor breathing with difficulty when suddenly a young man of approximately fifteen years old fell on top of him.

His armor looked familiar to me, and I gasped in shock as I realized it bore a striking resemblance to Hyunckel.

A red light covered the young warrior's sword and using impressive speed, he began to cut the dragon's body, however its skin is so tough that he failed to hit a vital point.

Agitated, he jumped towards Dai and helped him up.

The two smiled at each other and with a nod that made me understand that they were planning their final attack, they adopted their combative poses and while Dai transformed into a dragon like his father, the young warrior made his fist shine with a light that I also recognized.

Without giving the enemy time to regain his strength, they launched themselves at him and with Dai's power combined with the boy's " Refractor Fist of Light", they managed to destroy the layer of skin that covered the dragon's heart, putting an end to his life with a crossed Giga Strash.

Once they confirmed that their mortal enemy was dead, they hugged each other and patted each other on the back.

-Hyun! -The voice of the woman who has my heart captive shook my body.

I slowly turned towards her and was struck by the beauty she had grown over the years, (even with the strange way of dressing she wore now).

I don't remember Maam being one of those women who dress like a nun, but not even the long tunic that completely covers her body could overshadow her natural beauty. You could say that she has the style of a priestess, because she even wears the cap they usually wear on her head (she looks a lot like her mother when she fought alongside Master Avan). The only thing I didn't like is the black color that makes her look more serious than usual.

The excitement I feel as I look at the Maam of the future makes me move my legs to get closer to her, but I stop the moment a mature Hyunckel stands beside her.

He hasn't changed much either and unfortunately, I realize that he never managed to recover from the damage he suffered during the battle against Vearn, (the staff he carries in his hand and his slowness when walking proves it to me).

-Parents! -the young warrior shouted excitedly and ran until he reached them.

This is where my heart finally broke completely.

I had already sensed this outcome the moment I saw him use Maam's power but hearing him reaffirm my suspicions was a hard blow to my soul.

-I... well... it's just that... aren't you going to congratulate me? - the boy stammered so much and was red as a tomato, that even I felt bad for him.

As always, Hyunckel didn't say anything and kept his face serious, but Maam approached her son to hug him.

-You did well, Hyun.

Maam gave him a kiss on the cheek and walked away to one of the places where a fire could be seen consuming the villagers' houses.

Hyunckel patted her on the back and headed in a different direction from her.

"I was shocked... Since when was Maam so serious, especially with her own child?"

-Calm down, Hyun! -Dai put his hand on the boy's shoulder and smiled warmly at him -you know it's hard for Maam to watch you fight. It's because of these fights that your father was badly hurt, and his life hasn't been easy since then.

-I know, but I don't like seeing her sad all the time... She doesn't smile once, much less at my father or me -he said with pain.

-It is logical that it is so. It hurts her a lot to see the man she loves suffer because of his limitations, and in your case, following the same warrior path as Hyunckel is something she hates more than anything.

-I wish my father would recover! If he were healthy, our family would be happy - she clenched her fists so tightly that her palms bled - maybe if I hadn't been born, they wouldn't have had to get married.

-Don't say that Hyun -Dai pulled him to face him- your birth has been a blessing for the world and for me... It is thanks to you that I have been able to defeat enemies that in the past I would not have been able to defeat unless I sacrificed my life. If it weren't for you, I wouldn't have the beautiful family that I have with Leona.

-Uncle! - the young man was moved to the point of tears -my cousins, you and Aunt Leona deserve that life full of peace and love.

-Your parents deserve it too, that's why we must find a cure for Hyunckel. You'll see that if we find it, your mother will smile again.

A blizzard surrounds my body and throws me away from them.

When I open my eyes, I find myself back in KillVearn's mind and his laughter tells me he's awake.

I quickly escape from his mind and once my other self-returns to my body, I cast one of my new spells; Mahyado and rush away along with a fainting Maam, before that bastard recovers."

I finish my story and notice how everyone has their mouths open, (especially poor Hyunckel).

I clearly left out the parts where I felt like a loser with no future so they wouldn't feel sorry for me, but the rest of the information was too much for them.

-You're kidding, right? -Larhart is the first to recover and get up the courage to ask.

-I can't accept that as true! -Miss Amy reacted as I would have liked to if I could, (she hit the table with all her might).

-Well -said Chiu with a nervous smile on his face- the story is not so far-fetched... We have all seen how Miss Maam worries about the little warrior and if I remember correctly, in the battle against MystVearn, she spent the whole time hanging on the half-naked body of that grumpy guy.

"That damn rat knows where to hit me and it's a blow a thousand times more painful than Vearn's attacks."

Looking more closely, I see some looks I didn't want to see.

Pity is the worst feeling someone can give you, and it is precisely what Master Avan, Princess Leona, Crocodine, Him, and Maam's mother are feeling for me (Merle doesn't say anything and fortunately she doesn't look at me in such a cruel way either).

-Popp -the princess now speaks to me delicately- you should not believe in a vision you found in KillVearn's mind. You know well that he is a traitor and perhaps he devised a plan to hurt you.

-That's right, Popp! -Crocodine agrees -he probably knows your feelings for Maam and decided to use her to get you to let your guard down.

-That's right! -Him, exclaims and crosses his arms. -Although I haven't seen you drooling over that girl lately, I remember that you used to show a lot of interest in her and it's logical that that monster noticed it.

-Please, Popp -my master also intervenes- look beyond that vision. There are things that make me think that if it is true, it is not the best future that Maam can have.

My master sometimes doesn't think about what he says. His words were too harsh for Hyunckel and as soon as he said them, his body shuddered.

-I imagined that some of you would not want to believe in the veracity of that vision. That is why I left to confirm it before making a decision.

-Who confirmed to you that it is true? -My teacher guessed that he was talking about someone.

-They are people I trust completely and with such great mystical power that no false vision could pass for real if it were not.

-Mystical power? -Princess Leona stands up to approach me -Who are you talking about? Merle didn't tell me that you had met such people during your trip.

-It's because she never found out. -Merle lowered her gaze, and I realized that it wasn't that she didn't notice. Rather, she never wanted to bother me with questions that I couldn't answer.

-Whoever they are, they must have lied to you. There can't be a future like that between Maam and me - Hyunckel finally spoke, and he did so with such determination, that for the first time I felt admiration because even knowing that he is Maam's great love, he doesn't want to hurt me with his triumph.

-Not only will it exist because it is a real vision - I answer as cheerfully as I can - there is also the fact that Maam has loved you for a long time and everyone in this room knows it.

-If she loves me as much as you say, why did you have to erase the memories she has of you?... What else did those beings with mystical powers tell you, that made you need to get out of the way?

"Damn fool!... I didn't expect him to question me like this and even if I wanted to reveal the rest, I can't, nor should I do so."

My friends evaluate Hyunckel's words and when they come to a conclusion, they look at me again, but this time with doubt.

-Before you all say that Hyunckel is right, let me remind you that if it weren't for Merle asking me to confess that I was in love for Maam when she was hurt because of me, Maam would never have felt the obligation to try to love me in a way other than that of an older sister.

My tears wanted to come out at this truth and although I never hide my sentimentality and I cry constantly, showing them how painful it is to not be reciprocated by the woman I love is the worst humiliation someone can have, and I am not willing to let them continue to feel sorry for me.

-Without those memories, your relationship with Maam will finally be able to happen, because the pressure of my confession will no longer exist in her heart... With their union, the warrior that Dai and this world need will be born - I force myself to smile and fortunately I manage to do so almost sincerely -that young man is our hope, and we must all fight so that when he is here, he will have a much happier life than the one I saw in that vision.

A look of bewilderment appeared on everyone's faces, but little by little that changed because they realized that I was right.

-I'm so sorry, Popp! -Princess Leona put her hand on my shoulder and looked at me again as if she didn't like it when people did that -I was hoping you two would end up together, but I... -her eyes crystallized -I want all humans to have the peace they long for and I also want Dai to be okay.

The others nodded at the princess's words and although they did not dare to say anything else, I know they think the same.

-Don't worry, princess -I stood up to wipe her tears- I never thought that Maam would fall in love with me because I know her better than anyone in this room and I know how much she loves Hyunckel. That's why I didn't want her to accompany me to look for Dai... Being charitable is a disadvantage because she didn't want to hurt me, but now we know that in the end love will win and thanks to that we will have a light of hope for everyone.

The princess cried even harder and then ran out of the room.

The awkward silence and the depressing atmosphere in the place drove me crazy and to top it off I started laughing.

Everyone looked at me like I was crazy, but at least they weren't sad anymore.

-Calm down, boys! -I looked at them with my hands on my waist while drawing a big smile on my face -I am a very handsome man and also young. I don't plan on getting married yet and I doubt I will soon... If you want to pity someone, you better pity Hyunckel... If my calculations are correct. When Maam turns eighteen, the poor guy will already have the noose of marriage tightly tied around his neck.

The exclamation was general due to the surprise of knowing that in just a few months they would have to prepare for the wedding of the two lovebirds.

Miss Amy could not bear this information and, like the princess, left the room crying her eyes out.

Merle stood up to follow her and as I saw that there were also traces of tears in her eyes, I hurried after her, but when I went out into the garden, a golden light appeared in front of me which then materialized into a beautiful woman, with a white priestess's robe (made of skimpy fabric, by the way), long black hair, adorned with various jewels and gold bracelets.

-Good night, darling! -she greeted me with her sensual voice and using her magic she teleported towards me to hug me -How did it go with the plan you came up with to make the little girl forget you?

-Ok... good! -As always, I got nervous because this woman is more voluptuous than Maam and the little clothing covering her body is a distraction for any man -Hey, stop hugging me like that!... if someone sees us, I'll look like a real pervert.

-It's time for your friends to meet me -she tightened her embrace, and her breasts crushed against mine, causing me to blush deeply. -My sisters believe that there is no point in staying hidden anymore, because the future you want to achieve needs our magic and wisdom for when that girl's little one is born.

-Okay, you can show yourself to them - I fought to free myself, but she is even more powerful than Maam and my attempts were in vain - Do you want to let me go?... I already have a bad reputation and if they see me like this with you, that annoying rat will want to beat me up again.

- And what can he claim from you if you are already mine? -she caressed my cheek and then kissed me.

Returning a kiss is not easy when someone else lives in your mind and heart.

Many people think that for men it is not important who we give our first kiss to, but when I fell in love with Maam, I longed to have that experience with her, however fate did not want it that way and it is this woman who got what I wanted to share with my true love.

-You kiss better every day, and I even feel that it won't be long before you love me more than that clumsy girl who didn't know how to value you -she spoke without taking her lips off mine too much, and before letting go she kissed me passionately again - well! Did you tell them about both of your futures?

-Of course not. -I crossed my arms and looked at her, annoyed for having spoken out loud about that matter.

-That girl is right... the Dragon Knight's happiness is much more important to you than hers -although she doesn't like Maam, she is upset by my decision -if the other future were to come true, you would be the one who would have what you so desires.

-And Dai would die forever and would never be able to be happy with Princess Leona... Do you really think I'm going to allow my best friend to have that sad fate? Dai is the first person who trusted me. I love him like a brother and for him I'm capable of giving up my own happiness.

-If your friends help us, we can change the fate of the Dragon Knight. That way you would be happy too.

-Forget it! I'd rather die than have a woman by my side who's with me out of pity - I didn't want to speak harshly to her, but if she really likes me, why does she want me to change my mind?

-Are you sure it was out of pity?... I think you didn't see the difference between a happy face and a sad one.

-Astrid, you don't know her like I do. She likes very handsome men, and I don't fit that standard. I even doubt that you like me as much as you claim... with the future I chose for them, you and I will be able to be together, isn't that what you wanted? Or is it that you already got a better look at the immortal warrior and discovered that it's him who attracts you?

-I am the youngest of my sisters. That warrior's age would be the equivalent of a man six years older than me, even though I have lived for more centuries... In this world you and I would be the same age and I am not paying attention to your physical appearance even though you are becoming quite an attractive man. What I love about you is your character... You make me smile and I feel good when you are with me.

"So, for all women I am a clown who entertains them... that is not a compliment."

-You are not a clown. You have a kind and funny character. In the world where I was born, there is no laughter, no feelings.

-I hate it when you read my mind, you're just like Merle... Can't I have the freedom to think anymore without someone spying on me?

-You wanted to be stronger and that is why we joined together in body and soul. If it bothers you so much, you shouldn't have wanted to have more power.

Astrid turned her back on me because my words made her feel bad and I probably made her cry (I don't know why I have the ability to make women cry lately).

Embarrassed by my lack of tact, I worked up the courage to hug her from behind.

- Sorry, Astrid! You're right. Without you, I would never have obtained the power necessary to help Dai, so it will be an honor to be with you in your world.

-Will you do it, even if you never see her and your friends again? -She turned so that we were facing each other and put her arms behind my neck.

-I will keep the promise I made you. The only thing I hope is that you don't regret having asked me to be your life partner. Everyone knows that I am very weak, clumsy and unattractive.

I laughed to make her laugh too, but Astrid looked at me seriously and then held my face in her hands.

-You have very low self-esteem, and you don't realize how much you are worth... I know that your friends and even that girl, know your worth and maybe I should make you understand that they need you to have a beautiful future, but if you think that the other one is better, I will not insist that you change your mind anymore because I want you with me forever.

Astrid joins her mouth with mine again and although I still have Maam in my heart, I have decided that it is time to forget her and for the first time I reciprocate with the same passion that she shows me with every kiss she gives me, (after all, Maam will marry Hyunckel and give him a powerful son and I have to accept that we were never destined to be together).

That night I took a big step towards creating the future Dai deserves to have, as I ensured the birth of the one who will save the hero and the world.

*****

Hello!

This is the last chapter translated into English that will be published.

I think it is no longer necessary to continue with the translation because these days the platforms allow automatic translations, (plus I don't know if the translation I did was good or not).

Thank you to those who got to read it this way.

The first part of the story is complete in Spanish and now I will use the time I was investing in translations, to finish the second part.

Until another time!