(20 hours before the war, Planet Ixtal, Leo's POV)

Leo sat across a long metal table, a recording camera placed in front of him, as the soft hum of the device filled the otherwise silent room, its lens already glowing faintly to indicate that it was active and waiting.

For several seconds, he said nothing.

He simply stared at the camera, shoulders relaxed but posture straight, hands resting flat against the cold surface of the table as if grounding himself, as the weight of what he was about to do slowly settled over him.

'This is harder than facing a God.'

The thought came uninvited, sharp and uncomfortable, as he exhaled slowly through his nose and reached forward to adjust the angle of the lens, making sure it was steady.

Once satisfied, he leaned back slightly.

"This message is for my family."

Leo said calmly, his voice steady despite the tension coiling beneath it, as he looked directly into the camera without flinching.

"If you're watching this, then I didn't make it back."

He paused, not for drama, but because the words themselves demanded space, as his fingers curled faintly against the tabletop.

"Caleb."

Leo continued, his tone softening as the name left his lips, as memories surfaced without permission.

"My eldest son."

He allowed himself a faint smile then, small and restrained, as his gaze briefly unfocused.

"I'm very proud of you."

Leo said simply, as sincerity filled every syllable.

"I still remember the day you were born.

I couldn't be there to see you, but when I heard the news, I was happier than I'd ever been in my life.

Looking back, it's easily one of the top five happiest moments of life….."

Leo said, as his gaze briefly unfocused and a genuine smile surfaced before fading again.

"If you're seeing this message, it means I'm already dead.

But that doesn't mean I've abandoned you.

If I'm gone, then the responsibility of this family falls on you.

You're the new man of this house now, and I expect you to take care of your mother, and your little brother, Mairon….."

Leo said, as his face turned serious for once.

"To do that properly, I expect you to become a fine warrior.

Not for glory.

Not for revenge.

But because strength is the only language this universe respects."

He leaned forward slightly as his tone hardened with expectation rather than cruelty.

"If I'm dead, then it means I wasn't as strong as I thought I was.

But even so, let me pass down what I've learned so you don't repeat my early mistakes.

First, focus on mastering aura.

Aura is the foundation of everything.

The earlier you grasp it, the earlier you step beyond the limits of a base warrior.

Second, don't choose the dagger.

Pick the path of a swordsman or a spearmancer.

Daggers are tools for assassins.

And unless you plan on becoming one, a sword will serve you better….."

Leo explained, as he tried to compress a lifetime of experience into a few short words of wisdom.

"And lastly.

Trust in your instincts more than your brain.

For while your brain may betray you, your instincts never will.

So if you ever find yourself in a tough jam.

Just close your eyes and trust your gut.

Odds are, you'll be just alright."

Leo finished, as he reached forward and switched off the first crystal recorder, the light fading as the room fell silent once more.

After a brief pause, he activated the second device, his expression softening immediately.

"Mairon.

My little troublemaker.

If you're watching this, then I guess I won't be there to yell at you anymore.

Try not to make your mother angry.

Listen to your brother.

Be a good boy.

And if you choose to walk the path of a warrior one day, remember this.

Strength exists to protect, not to bully.

Train hard.

But don't lose your heart.

That's all I ask."

The second crystal dimmed, as Leo exhaled quietly and activated the third.

Amanda.

He did not speak immediately this time, as several seconds passed while he stared into the lens, his composure finally cracking just enough to reveal the man beneath the legend.

"Love…. If you're watching this message, then I'm truly sorry.

I'm sorry for leaving you alone in this cruel universe.

And I fully understand that saying 'I love you' doesn't really work in a situation like this, so I won't cheapen those words now.

Instead, I leave everything I own in your name.

One hundred seventy-three billion and fourteen million MP in liquid assets.

Along with four billion worth of high-grade mana crystals stored in small storage rings placed strategically across the universe, which should take care of you and the kids financially for the rest of your lives.

I'm also leaving you the Skyshard estate, and every other property I own to your name, in hopes that it gives you stability, even without me."

His voice softened fully.

"If I had the chance to live my life again, I'd hope I'd fall in love with you all over again.

And this time, I'd give you the life you deserved.

But that's a dream left unfulfilled for now, so for today, all I can do is….. apologize."

Leo said, as his voice started to crack and slur.

"My life is over, but that doesn't necessarily mean yours is too.

I–if you find another man who is worthy of you.

You…. Y…

Move on.

I—

Just be happy."

He stumbled, before forcing the last crystal to go dark, right before a tear left his eye.

*Pant*

*Pant*

Leo sat there in silence for a long moment, his hands resting limply on the table as the room returned to stillness.

'Please let none of this ever be needed,' Leo thought, as he stood slowly and gathered the crystal recorders into his arms.

When he opened the door, Chaosbringer was already waiting outside, standing straight and silent, his flamboyance stripped away by the gravity of the moment.

Leo handed him the crystals without a word.

Chaosbringer accepted them with both hands.

Their eyes met.

Leo nodded once.

A single, solemn nod.

One that carried a single unspoken meaning.

'I hope this footage never sees the light of day.'

As Chaosbringer nodded back, hoping even harder than him that it didn't.

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