Level Up Legacy

After she was alone inside the city, Julia felt a sadness she could not fathom. This place had memories of her childhood, but it was now cold and dangerous. As she took the main street and walked toward the Tree of Mana, many citizens noticed her.

"Is that…?"

"I heard she escaped, so…."

"Should we arrest her?"

Many whispered as they pointed at her. Julia noticed their gazes: doubtful, hateful, and, most of all, fearful. She has become someone her people feared as if she was here to harm them. Yet, in a way, she realized she was.

Julia thought about her choices as she walked the Street of Ballad, which led toward the inner city where the guards formed their platoons. The moment that she met Arthur Silvera again, she changed.

Initially, her choices did not mean anything to her because she controlled her life. She wanted to stand beside Arthur, who had turned out to be a man of exceptional knowledge about runes. However, soon, her reasons changed.

Arthur became someone she trusted with her life. She would still trust him if he held a sword to her neck. He became like a little brother to her when he was younger. An amazing younger brother who made her proud.

A crowd of citizens formed around her as she reached the Gates of Runes. This separated the civil districts from the research facilities. Runera did not segregate its citizens, but it made sure that it kept evolving through awarding research.

A group of Runic Guards was at the gates, waiting for her. The man leading them was the strongest guardian of Runera, Captain Velos. His stern face beneath his helmet seemed displeased at the sight of her.

"What are you doing here?" asked Velos with a frown. "Are you here to surrender yourself?"

"I am, Captain," said Julia with a nod. However, Velos still seemed displeased and did not give the order. Thus, Julia raised her hand. "I am here to meet my father. Please, let me."

"You have betrayed Runera before," said Velos after a short silence and then glanced at the citizens behind her. "Our people would tear you apart if they had the chance. But, instead, you left and brought back a calamity to our doors."

"Arthur Silvera is not a calamity, but the true ruler of…."

"Close your mouth, whore!" shouted one of the citizens before he threw a rock at her. The projectile flew in an arch toward her head but stopped midair before it hit her. Julia made no effort to dodge.

"Arrest that man!" shouted Velos, who protected Julia. "Anyone who uses violence in Runera should be detained! I know of the little incident today, but I cannot arrest all of you. However, you make me disgusted to treat a woman like this!"

His outburst made the citizens afraid. Several Runic Guards bolted forward and snatched the man before throwing him on the ground. In one swift motion, he was cuffed and teleported to their prison.

Julia stared at Velos with surprise. She expected he would treat her even worse than Marcel since Velos was most loyal to Runera. The family heads might change as quickly as writing on paper, but Velos earned his position through the combined trust of every single runemaster.

"Don't look at me like that, girl. I raised you just as much as your father did. No matter what you did, I won't let anyone humiliate you," said Velos before raising two fingers at her and gesturing to follow him. "Come with me."

Julia obliged and followed after Velos. Two rows of Runic Guards made way for the two toward the Runic Council, where she would meet the rest of the family heads.

"Everything has changed over here," muttered Julia as she looked at the research buildings, filled with cautious eyes looking through the windows. "Runera was the city of curiosity; when did it become the city of fear?"

"A war is coming, and everyone might become a suspect after the recent events. I have no idea what the family heads are thinking, but I don't want a person I don't know as my ruler."

"Captain Velos…" muttered Julia with shock. "Does that mean you think Arthur is the ruler?"

"Close that foolish gaping mouth, girl," Velos frowned. "How can a man no older than twenty be the ancient ruler who founded Runera? Have you ever listened to the rubbish you are spewing?"

Julia could not help but smile at his scolding because she was used to it. Velos was not easygoing, but that made him the rock everyone could rely on. If Runera ever faced some danger, Velos would be enough to protect them.

"It might be hard to believe, but all evidence points toward that truth. Arthur will come to Runera and prove it."

"The one who could control Runera is not him, but the Ghost Ruler. Therefore, even though I disapprove of them changing my beloved city, I cannot oppose them. Everything needs to shut up about the true ruler this or that. I believe that the true rulers of Runera are the people."

"The same people who stoned me today," said Julia with a helpless face. "I thought that the people of Runera were kind and helpful. However, after today…."

"Humans are always kind and helpful, but that changes when threatened," said Velos as the two reached a giant arch that looked like a gate to another world. "The current family heads have brainwashed these innocent minds."

The gate glowed as it created a portal. Julia prepared herself as several runic guards came to take away her possessions. Captain Velos explained that this became a standard procedure ever since Casca Reverse died.

The guards took away all of her possessions, but she had already used the card that Master Yuvan had given her. Then, Captain Velos gestured for her to go into the portal.

"The family heads are still waiting for you. We were tasked with bringing you to them, but you saved us the trouble. I owe you one, little girl."

Julia was looking at the portal before her eyes teared. The last phrase was something that Velos told her when she was a kid. She turned toward the middle-aged man with a tearful expression.

"I'm sorry for leaving like that, Captain," said Julia as she bit her lips. "All of you deserved a better explanation than just leaving. I should have told you before… but…."

"I know, little girl. I never blamed you for leaving, and neither did your father," said Captain Velos, and Julia nodded before walking into the portal.

Space twisted, and the sickening feelings sank into her stomach again. Her head spun as the portal carried her elsewhere. Then, she appeared in a dark room, standing in the middle of a runic circle. The light then shone from above, showing her only the outline of twelve people sitting around the runic circle.

"Julia Vinera," called a voice she did not recognize. "You have been brought here for crimes against your home and birthplace. These crimes include treason, espionage, conspiracy against the council, and violence against the guards. State your defense."

"There is none," Julia said, standing with her back straight. "I offered Runera the option of peace if they surrender the runes. You refused that kindness, and I had no choice but to aid Arthur Silvera in his conquest. He has the right to invade Runera and dethrone you."

"Impudent!" roared another voice, this one also unfamiliar. "Even after surrendering yourself, you dare take the side of that fool? Are you forfeiting your life?"

"I came here because of the threat against my father, a family head. Runera has turned corrupted, and my father refused to be a part of it. He spoke out against them, and that's when they threatened his life. I had to do something to protect him and my family's honor," Julia replied, her voice shaking with emotion.

The Runic Council was silent. Julia could feel their glares, and she realized that none of them were people that she knew. The Family Heads seem to have changed.

"You and your father will be sentenced to die on the walls right before your beloved usurper, Arthur Silvera. Take her from before my eyes, and lock her with her father. Then, we will show the world what happens to those who betray us."