CHAPTER 83: LUCEM AETERNAM

Cara gasped, looking at the others.

"What do you mean you’re going to kill yourself?"

"It’s just as I say" Thaddeus chuckled, stretching his arms apart.

"It’s such a beautiful night, no?"

"You don’t seem to be joking, but" Dumroe paused, "You do know that death is the final stage of... everything"

"Not really" Thaddeus mused, glancing at Trent.

"What do you---"

"I should explain" Trent cut in, interrupting Ferinni as he stepped forward.

"As crazy as it might sound," he glanced at Thaddeus, "There is such a way"

"To... do what exactly?"

"Defeat Death, Cara... I always told you I was going to choose the day I die" Thaddeus chuckled

"I didn’t know it will be so close. What the hell are you thinking? And you..." She turned to Trent.

"What the fuck kind of delusion are you feeding this old Man?"

Thaddeus looked at Trent. Why wasn’t he doing that?

Ugh. It’s understanding that they’re confused. Why the hell did Seren ask to not be shown to them?

"I understand that you’re all confused" Trent exhaled.

"But before I begin..." He turned to Thaddeus.

"The method of death---"

"You don’t have to worry about that," Thaddeus chuckled, pulling a loaded syringe from his jacket.

"You crazy..." Cara blinked as she saw it.

"They say one of this and It’s bye bye" he waved it

They looked at each other. Was this some kind of prank?

"Trent," Ferinni looked at him, "I think you need to give a clearer explanation"

"How’s wanting to die not clear?" Thaddeus huffed

Trent exhaled and walked forward.

"As we already know... Death is final"

"The stars give death when it’s time" Ferinni nodded.

"But" Trent paused, looking at the machine, "What if can kind of defeat death?"

"Become immortal?"

"...Not physically" he paused, "A consciousness. What if we can preserve our consciousness and experience another realm"

"Our consciousness die with us, Trent..." Cara scoffed, "That’s why it’s called death"

"That’s what he’s saying. He’s found a way to stop that" Thaddeus cut in

They fell silent for a while, stewing in what he just said.

"That’s... possible?" Ignatius muttered, looking at the machine as she stepped forward.

"...That’s the plan" Trent replied, looking at her

"I thought you were just a stock trader... To think you found something so..." She paused, "It’s hard to believe"

Can’t really say I found it now, can I?

But... Whatever they think.

"Instead of just looking at each other and wasting time" Thaddeus mused, turning to the machine.

"I’ve called us here for this because I need to use my three orders before I die"

Dumroe looked at him. All leaders of Lumina get to give three orders that are absolute. Favors that must be kept.

He’s not used his since he became the leader. He must mean everything he’s said, then.

"What are your orders, Seraphim" he bowed slightly.

Seeing him, they all bowed along.

"My first order" Thaddeus mused, "I want you all to swear an oath not to go against him" he pointed at Trent.

They raised their heads and looked at Trent. That’s how first order?

"Ferinni... I want you to help an old friend— oversee the oath and my last prayers"

"...Alright, old friend" Ferinni nodded

"Good..." He chuckled, stretching the syringe to Trent.

"Let’s get this over with, kid"

Trent exhaled, looking at the syringe. Does he want me to...

Cara shook her head as he looked at the others.

"Astralis" Thaddeus mused, "Such a fine night to go out. I can’t imagine the stories they’ll tell"

"I’ll craft one for you" Ignatius chuckled, "The beast of the Stars that joined them on the day of the stars"

"You better. Sounds like a fairytale... I deserve such a fitting end"

He laid on the part where he needed to and turned to them.

"Now, what do you say about my order?"

"I swear..." Dumroe paused, looking at the others. They repeated after him.

"I swear to Sirius’ light that I will not harm, Trent Ackerman, directly or indirectly"

"That’s good. I trust you all to keep your words" he chuckled, looking at Trent. That’s the only gift I can give you, kid.

"Your second order, Seraphim" Dumroe walked forward.

"They say it takes thirty seconds for the drugs to totally kill a person" Thaddeus chuckled. "Thirty is enough time"

Dumroe stared at him for a while.

"Come on, Ferinni. Before Death finds out I’m about to cheat it" Thaddeus laughed, drawing him to reality.

Ferinni chuckled and pulled out an orb as he walked closer with the others following behind him.

He raised the orb up and muttered some words to himself. Bringing it down, he stretched it towards Thaddeus.

Thaddeus exhaled and closed his eyes.

"Canopus— the navigator’s touch" Ferinni raised the orb a bit

"May you guide the journey of this dear soul into Nirvana"

Trent looked at them as they answered

"Lucem Aeternam"

"Arcturus— guardian’s watcher... protect and grant authority unto his soul"

"Lucem Aeternam"

"Sirius— brightest flame... grant him vitality, passion and guidance in his next life"

"Lucem Aeternam"

"Alpha Centauri— twin lights... grant him solid companionship in his next life"

"Lucem Aeternam"

"Vega— luminous crown... grant him an everlasting royalty"

"Lucem Aeternam"

"The chosen ascends today. He meets the stars and they hold a banquet in his honor. Lucem Aeternam"

"Lucem Aeternam" They raised their heads and looked at Thaddeus

"Thank you, old Friend" he chuckled, nodding.

"Sirius— the brightest star in the nightsky, will lead you to Nirvana, old Friend. And may we meet again to shine in proclamation of our deeds"

"Lumina Aeterna" Thaddeus muttered, looking at Trent.

"It’s your turn, kid" he stretched his hand. "I’m not going to be a coward and let my grandson send me off"

"Right..." Trent scoffed, walking closer. "I’ll get this running and tell you when it’s complete"

They watched as Trent connected the machine and wore Thaddeus a metal cap.

"Just stay like that" he chuckled, inserting the chip.

Seren had directed him on every step to take on transferring the consciousness. What was he saying about a theory on dying?

Guess we’ll find out with this one...

"It’s all set," he glanced at Thaddeus as the sign that the consciousness was uploaded started.

According to Seren, we have to time this well to make sure it completes as he dies.

First of all, to make sure no one out of those present know that they can upload their consciousness while they remain alive.

And for that experiment he wanted to conduct... A test to see what happens when you die.

"You can start now" he muttered as the time remaining reached forty seconds

"Alright" Thaddeus exhaled, stabbing the syringe directly into his chest

Cara looked away while he did this.

"Now..." He coughed, looking at them. "Before my second order" he exhaled

"Trent... I want to give you one advice before I go. I know I have not been a good person and definitely not a good grandfather"

"You don’t have to---"

"It’s something I need to say" he cut in, interrupting Trent.

Trent walked to where he could see him and nodded. "I am here"

"Good" he looked at him for a while

"You don’t have much time left, Thaddeus" Cara said, reminding him.

"Yes" he scoffed. I don’t even know if this will go as planned...

"Responsibility. Take responsibility in anything you’re responsible for and anything you’re entrusted with" he paused

"You’ve rejected succeeding me. A decision that I have come to terms with the reasons"

"It is for your---"

"I never got my mother’s revenge" he exhaled. "I never took responsibility even though I yapped and dreamt about it"

"You will get your revenge" Trent grabbed his hand

"All thanks to you" he scoffed.

"Now." He turned to the others

"My second order— that Trent Ackerman, Stella of Lumina, becomes the new leader"

Trent gasped. "That’s... not" he paused as he looked at the others.

Why weren’t they reacting?

"You all had it in mind, no?" Thaddeus chuckled.

"The old generation needs to be replaced, old Friend" Ferinni laughed softly.

"I was doubtful until I saw how well you two relate. He’s also a fine young man, wouldn’t you say, Anneliese?"

Ignatius stepped forward, "Indeed"

Cara walked to Thaddeus and looked at him.

"You’re a big fool, Thaddeus" she sniffled.

"Cara... I..." His voice became shaky

"It’s time" Trent placed his hand on Cara’s shoulder.

They watched silently for a few seconds and Cara fell down to the floor crying

Trent walked to the other part of the machine. His consciousness should’ve been uploaded already. Seren says it takes milliseconds. Was this the effect of dying along?

"W–What’s happened?" Cara looked at him, seeing the look on his face

"I---"

"Did it not go as planned? Is Thaddeus really just---"

"I’m here, Cara"

She blinked, looking at her jacket.

"T–Thaddeus?"

"Yes. Now stop crying, will you? I still have to say my third wish"