The look on the Emperor’s face finally clicked in Ozul’s mind.

’No... but why?’

He was in a daze, not knowing what to make of this new information.

Because the familiar look in the Emperor’s eyes was just like that of Raven—when she was helpless against his decision. The same look the late Grandma Carol used to throw at him occasionally.

It was that wistful look they always had whenever it came to his stubbornness. There was longing and love, all veiled under a thick blanket of helplessness.

But why would the Heavenly Emperor look at him like that? And not just that, but come at him with such fierce attacks while having the look?

It didn’t make sense.

Lost in his thoughts, Ozul didn’t notice the blade that had appeared a little too close to him.

He could’ve still reacted, but as he found out, his back was already against a wall.

Another thought tugged at his heart as time seemed to slow down in his vision. Only his actions couldn’t keep up with the speed of his thoughts,

’I will die...’

For the first time ever, he felt that emotion creeping up, his eyes examining the pointed sword coming for his head.

It seemed that whatever power the Heavenly Emperor had, it could actually kill him!

None of it made sense.

He was still strong enough to survive until the Emperor burned out his essence, but a moment of carelessness, a hint of distraction, and now death was staring right at him.

Unable to move his body, he could only shift his eyes in the distance.

Raven and Blaze could be seen locked in their battles. Yet, from their posture, he was sure that their struggle was all just a pretense.

Not just them, but most of the powerhouses were pretending to struggle.

Their real attention was always on the battle between the Heavenly Emperor and him.

’Yes... it all depended on me,’ he thought.

Yet, he didn’t feel guilty; he didn’t feel the burden weighing on him anymore.

Instead, replaced by previous confusion, it was only relief.

Death didn’t seem as bad as people assumed it was.

Staring right at it, he could only feel peace. The burden of questions, the endless pursuit for answers, it was all useless in the face of death.

This wasn’t a new feeling.

He had felt this before. Yet, this time, it seemed certain that he wouldn’t be able to recover from the Emperor’s attack.

His instincts that had never betrayed him before all hinted at the same thing.

He was about to die.

Glancing at his companions one last time, he gave one last wistful look toward the Emperor.

Noticing the anguish on that man’s face, he couldn’t help but silently pray,

’I hope you too... find peace...’

And then he closed his eyes.

Let it come. Let it take him away from all this mess people called life.

He didn’t realize that a smile was tugging at his face.

...

Time resumed again.

*Thud*

A wind brushed past his cheeks.

Yet, the cold slice of the golden blade he was expecting never came.

The other powerhouses paused as well. Their eyes were glued to this scene.

It had happened so quickly that they didn’t notice Ozul had simply given up just a moment ago.

Even if anyone had noticed, they weren’t going to care, as they were witnessing something unbelievable this exact moment.

The Heavenly Emperor, the God who had ruled since the Realms came into being, that very being was on his two knees.

Ozul too stood stunned.

The golden sword that was threatening to behead him just a second ago was plunged into the pillar right next to his ear.

The Emperor hadn’t killed him.

On his knees, he looked weak. His long, golden hair drooped over.

His head hung low, and his arms rested weakly on both sides.

The Heavenly Emperor looked more like a helpless beggar on the streets than a being who had shaped the very Realms they were born in.

Everything seemed to pause.

They couldn’t believe their eyes.

Yasashii Hito, the Lord of Shadows, had also woken up and stood stunned, not comprehending what had happened.

Had Ozul won? Had he used some kind of power? He couldn’t tell.

And then it happened...

The Heavenly Emperor raised his head weakly. His golden hair fell back.

A tear trailed down his cheek.

"You-... why... why do you seek death with such certainty...?!"

His voice choked, but everyone was patient. They had expected anything but an outburst like that.

Ozul’s eyes widened. A familiar feeling crept out of his chest.

From a distance, Kami’s heart stirred. He had never seen his father so vulnerable before. He was about to step in, to rush to his side. But Old Gu’s hand placed on his shoulder, stopping him in his tracks.

At this moment, Ozul felt the acceptance of death vanish.

Replaced by that peace was the gnawing possibility of his answers.

Why was he born like that? Who, or rather, what was he?

It appeared that all of these questions were with the Emperor himself.

The way he looked at him and the reason why he didn’t kill him. All of it seemed to be connected to his questions.

Something ancient was gnawing at his conscience, and to break it free, he had to ask the Emperor.

Just as he was about to ask, however, the Emperor raised his voice.

"Why!?"

"Why..." His voice weakened again. A helpless look marred his face as he looked straight in Ozul’s eyes and uttered the words he could never expect,

"How can a son ever kill his father?"

Cold winds blew.

Ozul sucked in a cold breath. Memories of a young man flashed past his eyes, memories he didn’t recognize.

The others, whoever was still fighting, also stopped. Trying to make sense of that question, but all came short.

Only Ozul—only he felt a jolt of electricity course through his carcass of a body.

But the Emperor wasn’t finished...

"You cursed me to this fate! How could you do that?!"

"Why would you make me choose between this World and your life?!"

His voice rang over the now-silent battlefield. The ’God’ who had gone silent for more than a century was pouring his heart out.

"I had steeled myself at first...

I knew what I had to do. I understood the weight, and I was sure I could do it.

But then... Then I had a family of my own..."

The Emperor’s thoughts went to his wife, his only son. His lips stretched into a genuine smile, albeit weak.

"And as I walked this world... I saw happiness... I saw sadness.

It went on for so long that I was starting to forget the purpose of my birth. No... it was always in the back of my head. I had just... just thought I could get away without fulfilling it...

I trained disciples to walk the path of the Light, so they might do what I wanted to avoid doing...

But..."

The young face of Yasashii Hito appeared in his mind. A kid so young and so full of hope and ambition.

A simple lie, his own weakness to elude his responsibility, had made that innocent kid into the ’Demonic Emperor.’

Bitterness filled his heart. Followed by anger and sadness.

So many innocents died... only because he wasn’t strong enough.

"I wasn’t strong enough..." he struggled to utter those words.

Gasps spread throughout the quietened field.

The ’God’ was admitting his own weakness, admitting to his own mortal limits, admitting that he too was a man.

"Why did you make me... to suffer this torment?"

His accusing eyes bore into Ozul.

Blood trailed from his lips. He had burned away his life essence to get the power he had just displayed.

Yet, at the last moment, he couldn’t do it.

Swaying slightly, the winds pushed him to the ground, but not before he uttered his final words,

"Forgive me... Father... I couldn’t kill you..."