Timeless Assassin

(Dream World, Leo's POV)

"You have my blood, so I'm assuming you're not that different from me. But feel free to correct me if I'm wrong." The Timeless Assassin began, as he squeezed Leo's shoulders just a tad bit tighter while looking towards the shifting clouds of the dream world with a soft smile.

"We are warriors who are driven by an obsessive compulsion to grow stronger.

I don't know why, but in my whole life, I've only ever felt most peaceful when I'm in the heat of battle and my thoughts are singularly focused towards survival, as only in that moment do I feel the most alive."

The Timeless Assassin shared, as Leo nodded in understanding.

This was exactly how he felt too.

"At first, I never understood why I had this drive to become stronger.

Or why I chased Godhood so relentlessly.

But it was only after I became a God that I realized why…."

He said, as he took a slow, deliberate pause.

"We chase strength, because that's the only way the thrill continues.

You know what's the most pitiful ending for a man?

The most pitiful ending for a man is when he's no longer in his prime.

When things he could do easily in his sleep, become a daily challenge.

When new upstarts start showing him that he's old and finished in his own line of work.

That's when a man starts to die.

And it happens long before he actually comes near his deathbed."

The Timeless Assassin shared, his voice filled with certainty.

"You're young, but by now you understand the frailty of mortal life.

And you understand that if you don't grow stronger, this body of yours will age and eventually die.

And then, you will no longer be able to chase that thrill of the battle, because you won't have it in you to fight.

You might not know it yet.

But the only reason you chase immortality is because deep down, you want yourself to keep feeling that thrill over and over again.

You want to give yourself the opportunity to feel alive.

And the only way you can guarantee it, is if your body remains in its peak condition, and obeys your every command."

The Timeless Assassin shared, as Leo listened carefully to his words of wisdom, absorbing everything he said like a sponge.

"However, let me tell you son, while the battles are what make you feel alive.

They're not your whole life.

Your whole life are the people around you.

The ones who give meaning to your existence.

As without them, you're nothing."

The Timeless Assassin shared, as he glanced towards Leo, his gaze kind and insightful.

"Imagine if you're surrounded by nobody but Grandmasters that are equally as powerful and talented as you.

Will you feel special then?

Will you feel powerful then?

Will chasing power have any meaning for you then? If everyone around you always remained at the same level of power as you?"

He asked, as Leo shook his head in denial.

Power was a means to an end, a tool.

And if chasing more power achieved nothing of substance, then it was useless.

"Exactly, every living human chases wealth, power, status, because it differentiates them from the others.

Because it gives them individuality in a crowd.

Because it gives meaning to their life.

But it's only meaningful, because others can't obtain it.

So in the end, what I'm trying to say is.

You, me, everyone, we are not really chasing power for the sake of becoming powerful.

We are chasing a vision,

A legacy,

Something that makes us feel that 'Leo Skyshard' was alive, and here is how his life changed the universe around him..."

He said, as he paused and let out a big smile.

"As a child, you make birthday cards for your mother, or do your best to make her smile.

Because as a child, that acknowledgement, that joy of your mother is what makes you feel happy, and your life meaningful.

But as you grow up and meet more people, it's wealth, status, and power that gives you that same feeling.

As being the most envied man in the room, is a powerful feeling that everyone wants.

However, let me warn you child.

What you're chasing is something very shallow.

And by the time you realize that by putting countless hours in getting stronger, you're losing countless hours you should have spent with people that matter, it will be too late.

In the blink of an eye, everyone you ever loved or cared for will be dead.

And by the time you stand at the pinnacle of power, having finally achieved immortality, the people you really wanted to be proud of you, will no longer be around you to cherish it."

The Timeless Assassin said, as Leo felt his own heart clench at those words.

His mother and father were mere mortals, while Luke, Amanda and Amelia were only going to be around for 100-150 years more unless they managed to ascend to Transcendent, which was highly unlikely.

In the grand scheme of time, if he really lived for thousands and thousands of years like Soron did, then the later parts of his life were bound to be extremely lonely.

"I was strict with how I raised Kaelith and Soron, because for me, my boys were my forever.

The two individuals who I would help reach Godhood, so that I could be proud of them, and they could be proud of me for an eternity.

But somewhere along that path, I made a mistake, which is evident in how I got killed.

So…. Looking back at my life, if I have one advice for you.

It's…. Cherish the people around you more.

You're going to miss them a lot someday, so try making the most of your time with them while you still have it, so that you don't grow up to be a lonely old man like me…."

"Finally, people come and go, but ideas are forever.

The Cult Of Ascension is not an organisation, but an idea.

An idea where Gods instead of using their power to oppress those under them, use it to improve their short lives instead.

As unlike them, who will live forever, the mortals they govern over will die in the blink of an eye.

So as overlords it's their duty to make those short lives as beautiful as possible.

And that's all I want for the Cult.

It doesn't matter how small or big it gets, as long as my people are happy…."

The Timeless Assassin shared, as with that he concluded his life advice and began cracking his neck.

"Alright, that's it for the old man's life talk. HAHAHAHA.

Thank you for listening, son.

Now for the next ten minutes, it's my turn to give back to you.

Tell me…. How can I help you?

What exactly is it that you want me to guide you on?

You can ask me for anything, and I won't say no—"

The Timeless Assassin offered, as Leo bowed before him deeply.

The Life Advice he had offered today, was already extremely valuable for Leo, as it guided him on how to not become a bitter old man filled with regrets.

However, since he still had the opportunity to learn some more, he decided not to waste a single second of it.

"Although there are many things I want to learn from you, sir, if there's one thing I want to see first, it's the pinnacle of your power.

I've heard legends about it.

So for once, I want to see it with my own eyes.

I want to see what the pinnacle of the assassin path truly looks like—"

He requested, as the Timeless Assassin's eyes beamed at the request.