The Invincible Hero

Lorne was very confused, of course he was a cultivator, hasn't he been cultivating for more than forty-five thousand years. As far as being a hero, what did that mean? There were lots of heroes in the multi-verse.

"I don't understand," Lorne replied.

By this time B'riri had awakened and moved closer to Tower who explained to her what was going on. She was shocked not because Paneneko was the Great Fiend but because her husband wasn't Tower or he wasn't only Tower. She didn't know what to say and when she heard Paneneko begin to explain things to Lorne and explain he still held brotherly love for him, she calmed down.

B'riri knew no matter what the Tower sitting next to her was her Tower, he loved her and she loved him. The fact the original Tower and Big Bear melded into one soul didn't mean the essence of who she loved was gone. The new Tower was still the person she married. She didn't know how she knew this, but she did.

"HAHAHA, I know you don't understand me, let me finish and then you will, little brother," said Paneneko.

Everyone was staring at Paneneko waiting for him to continue. General Maek was lost in thought and looked at Lorne, his enemy, but if what Paneneko said was true, then this bug freed a Great Fiend and now this Great Fiend could free him from the Fiend Fate. Suddenly, instead of feeling hatred and anger he felt endless gratitude towards this stubborn man who fought relentlessly against him.

"Brother, you are not a cultivator and the reason you aren't a cultivator is because you don't understand what a cultivator is. Once I explain what a cultivator is it will be obvious to you it isn't your path.

In short, a cultivator is a person who craves power. Their entire life is one set on a path to power. It doesn't matter why a cultivator wants power, we all want it. We sacrifice everything to acquire power. We shut ourselves off from the world to meditate and train. We don't meditate to understand the world around us, but to conquer the world around us. From your frame of reference, every cultivator is ultimately a super villain.

We can sacrifice almost anything to acquire power. Even the more "heroic" of us have willingly committed acts which are villainous and sinful. We are all amoral. We recognize no inherent right or wrong in the universe, we act on our whims and personal values. We are inherently selfish. We believe might makes right. If you want to act in a benevolent manner it is because you are strong enough to do so. However, if you want to act in an evil manner it is because you are strong enough to do that. There is no greater good or objective morality. There is just us and the pursuit of power so we can live our lives in complete freedom. We want no master whether it is another cultivator or a God. We want to be our own gods.

You on the other hand don't really care about power. You want people, other people, to live happy lives. You put yourself out there and fight against injustice because you do believe in an objective morality. You do not believe Might makes right but right makes right. Power is a means for you and not a end. You want people to be free to enjoy their lives but believe in the rule of law. For you, being a hero is standing up for the greater good and defending the object morality you ascribe to. Perhaps you believe in God, I don't know. You stand up to fight even when things are hopeless not because it's a chance to acquire more power, or because someone has crossed your bottom line, and certainly not for revenge. You stand up for justice because it is right to do so. You feel you are obligated to use your strength to stand up for others because that is the right thing to do.


Therefore, it is as I said, you are a hero and not a cultivator," Paneneko finished speaking.

Lorne slowly absorbed Paneneko's words and realized he was right! I knot in his soul was finally undone. Lorne understood who he was for the first time in thousands of years. Maybe he never understood who he was. Lorne could feel strength growing within himself. It wasn't an increase of power but a strengthening of his soul, confidence in his path, and an enlightened path towards the future.

"Thank you," said Lorne as he looked up at Paneneko. He was extremely grateful for Paneneko's explanation.

"You're welcome," said Paneneko with an affectionate smile.

"But, where does that leave us?" Lorne asked.

"Ha HA, since I understand you so well, obviously I understand our relationship. It puts us on opposite sides. I and true cultivators are Super Villains the same as the Fiends. There isn't a difference between cultivators and Fiends. The only difference I suppose is cultivators have more control over who they are and where they want to go. From a moral perspective, I guess it depends on the arbitrary values of each cultivator whether you have an ally or another enemy.

I am a sword and you are a shield. To a sword its job is to slash, pierce, and destroy all obstacles. The purpose of a shield is to defend against the sword. Its job is to protect, now matter how fond the shield may be of the sword or the sword of the shield we are perpetually at odds.

If I were being objective I would destroy you because you are a threat. However, you, Briri, and Tower are my family I can't change that feeling. Therefore, no matter how many times you obstruct my path, I won't kill you, even though I should. HAHAHA," said Paneneko.

Lorne got up from the ground and walked towards Paneneko. He extended his hand toward the other who shook the offered and and then Lorne pulled him into a hug. For the first time he felt truly close to this former brother of his. He felt like Paneneko was family as well. Without the confusion, Lorne understood how to act and what to do.

"Paneneko, I've already freed you from the Fiend Fate, perhaps I can also free you from your villainous path," Lorne laughed as he said this.

B'riri and Tower walked over to Paneneko and similarly hugged him. They were family even if they all had their own paths.

"You can't call me Paneneko anymore. That name is no longer sufficient," Paneneko said.

"Then what should we call you," asked Lorne.

"Oh, didn't you hear me earlier? I am an Overlord, everyone shall call me the Overlord from this day forth!" the Overlord said. His words were like thunder and became like an eternal decree.

"I'm not calling you that," said Lorne.

"Unless you give me another name, a real name, I'll keep calling you Paneneko," laughed Lorne.

The Overlord looked at Lorne and knew he wouldn't change his mind so he let it go. He then looked at Tower and B'iri.

"What are your plans," asked the Overlord.

"I don't know, you've given me a lot to think about. Big Bear wasn't a cultivator, he wanted to be like Lorne a hero. Tower, however was a cultivator and wants to ride off into battle with you. I guess for the time being I'll just try being a father," smiled Tower.

"You weren't supposed to tell them yet!" said B'riri.

Lorne and the Overlord's eyes went wide.

"You're pregnant?!" Lorne and the Overlord cried out at the same time.

"Yes," B'riri said shyly.

"We were waiting to start a family. We wanted to get to the new sect and have a stable life for a while and raise some children. When we agreed to join the new sect we believed we would have enough stability and reduce our focus on cultivation for a while. Then this secret realm happened. I've been worried about B'riri the whole time, but she's still fine and so is the baby!" Tower said happily.

The Overlord looked happily at B'riri and Tower. He as Paneneko was closest to Tower. He was truly happy for him and wanted the best for his family. However, he was also sad, his plans to take them with him weren't possible. He understood they wanted to be parents and for any cultivator this was often a good time to relax and be a part of the mundane world. It gave a cultivator perspective and was as important a time as when a cultivator began to build their foundation.

For every cultivator, the time to start a family was different. As for everything in the life of a cultivator, their instincts needed to be listened to. If Tower and B'riri felt it was time to start a family then they had to start a family.

"Then we'll need to part here for now," said Paneneko.

"I know you're anxious to leave but can't you wait for a few months until the baby is born? asked Tower.

"I wish I could, but the strength of my determination is extremely high right now. I must act on this feeling now or I will never be able to achieve my dreams. I'll always be stuck as a lowly low level cultivator. I would waste all of my dreams. Besides, I need to bring salvation to the Fiends and destroy them.

As he said this, the Overlord looked towards the Fiend General Maek.