One More Time: Rebirth

Chapter 103: Releasing One's potential

Edge followed behind Elenor and walked for a bit. The whole walk was quiet as neither of them spoke. After some time Elenor finally stopped in front of a cave.

Edge looked at the cave and found that it was emitting an unknown aura. It wasn't mana, it was an entirely different feeling, it felt divine. 

As Edge was curiously looking at the cave, Elenor was looking at Edge. She was a bit nervous being alone with the strongest mortal soul, even she couldn't figure out why she was this nervous. This person might have the same personality and soul, but he wasn't the exact same person she met all those years ago. This reincarnation had a different experience than the last one and their past interactions could only be remembered by her and her alone.

Elenor stood before Edge her heart pounding a bit faster than usual. This wasn't the same person but he still felt so familiar, she knew it her head that he was the same yet different. She was nervous at first but after the long walk, she was able to calm herself down a bit. 

"Sir Edge, first off I want to apologize about the behavior of my fellow elves. The young ones have become quite arrogant as of late, and have gained too much pride. For what you have done, I also wish to thank you for showing them that there is always someone stronger."

Elenor bowed her head in front of Edge. Seeing the queen of the elves be so submissive to him made Edge look at her funnily. 

"Elven Queen, I'm sure that this is the first time we have met. So why is it that you're acting so afraid of me?" 

The elven queen's face twitched a bit as she heard Edge's question. She already knew that at some point Edge would ask such a question. The Elven Queen then sighed as she looked at Edge. 

"Sir Edge, do you believe in reincarnation?" Elenor suddenly asked out of the blue. When Edge heard this question he was visibly shaken. Did the elven queen know?

"Why do you ask?" Seeing Edge's reaction the elven queen smiled.

"It would seem that Sir Edge has some idea of what I'm talking about. Reincarnation is when one's soul is reborn into a new being. Usually, every one of us is purified upon reincarnation and begins anew. Yet there is one being that retains his core self, as his soul has been released from the bounds of the thing called fate. This being is called the strongest mortal soul." 

"Why are you telling me this?"

"Sir Edge, you are the strongest mortal soul." 

"Huh?" 

"The strongest mortal soul, the being that has reincarnated again and again outside the wheel of reincarnation. That is who you are Sir Edge." 

'Is that why I still retain the memories of my past life? But based on what the elven queen is saying I have already reincarnated multiple times, so why do I only remember one of my reincarnations and not the others?' Edge was silent for a moment as he continued to think, he then looked at Elenor and spoke. 

"I don't quite grasp everything that you're saying, but do tell me, so what if I'm this strongest mortal soul?" Edge was quite curious about this term. He has been called the strongest human before but the sound of the strongest mortal soul feels even more awe-inspiring.

"The strongest mortal soul is a special existence that grows powerful over time. There are many mysteries regarding the strongest mortal soul, all we truly know about this existence is that he usually is reincarnated at the time and place where someone who needs him calls for him. Truth be told we're not even sure about that piece of information. No one truly knows the secrets hidden in your soul, the only one who could possibly answer that would be your first incarnation, the one who is said to have vowed to reincarnate eternally as long as his mission hasn't be fulfilled." 

"Mission, what mission?"

"No one knows." Elenor shook her head and shrugged her shoulders. 

"Is that all you want to say? That's a rather interesting story, but it's completely worthless information to me. So what if I'm this so called strongest mortal soul, it doesn't really help my current situation, does it?" 

"Of course it can help. To tell you the truth with your abilities and your status as the strongest mortal soul, we elves have nothing we can teach you. Just by existing, you will gain strength, just by being yourself, you will sharpen your will and blade. But that will take some time, even with your incredible rate of growth you cannot overturn the war at the moment. It might take you a few years before you gain enough power to do that." 

"I can't wait that long, by that time the people I must protect might be gone. Besides, fighting against the odds is always more fun." Edge smiled a very vicious smile. Seeing that smile and hearing what Edge said made Elenor smile sweetly at him. 

"As expected, no matter the reincarnation the core of your being remains the same. I already expected you to say something like that. So that's why I brought you here. The elves might not be able to teach you anything, we might not be able to make you stronger, but there is someone that could."

"And who's that?" Elenor pointed at Edge. 

"Yourself, or to be precise your past incarnations. This cave will help you interact with them. This is the cave blessed and cursed by the spirits and the old gods. Inside the cave, aside from your past incarnations, there will also be malevolent spirits that would cause harm to you. Well, even your past incarnations might cause harm to you... All in all, if you enter this cave there is a high chance that you might die, but if you succeed and survive, once you come out you will have enough power to turn the war upside down. So will you take up the challenge?" 

"Why even ask, you should already know what my answer will be. Tell my sister and the others that I'm going to go train." Edge's smile grew even more vicious as he looked at the cave and then at the Elven Queen. Without saying another word Edge entered the cave. 

Watching Edge's back as he entered without hesitation, Elenor could see the shadow of that person she met all those years ago.