Note before beginning:

Firstly, the first 25 chapters have a wide focus that also includes other key character's perspectives (characters who may not be with the MC at that time). These sections help to set the background of why and how the characters around the MC act, and also shape his decisions since he lacks the information that you, the reader, know!

These include 2 important flashbacks in the first 5 chapters that set the stage for what (I believe firmly) will be an epic journey for the MC as he rises to create his own Legend and Myth as the strongest!

The MC will always be the MC, but the early developments of other side characters is important to set the stage for an epic journey! All these stories will impact our MC's life, sometimes positively while at others times, these events will harm him!

Secondly, one of the driving factors in the story is MC's personality growth - from being someone who can't assertively take control of his fate (i.e. a loser), to a man who dominates even fate itself! However, his journey includes losing out in life and being fearful/ hesitant for the first 25 chapters!

Hope you can bear with me on this and make it through the starting!

---

[Many years earlier]

[16 September 1945 Morning 7:53 AM]

[In a forest on the outskirts of London after the end of the War between Worlds]

*Plimp plimp plimp plamp plettere*!

The sound of the rock skipping across the water concluded with the stone sinking.

Mikael remained frozen in the throwing pose, distracted. Or rather wishing to be distracted from the pain in his heart.

'Love... The reason I dislike that word is that it means too much for me, far more than you can understand.' The tall, handsome and athletic 23-year old revealed his nerdy side - a love for quoting literature and to wax poetic at times. It helped, sometimes.

Especially when it came to expressing the longing in his heart for home, and for the one he loved who was not his lover.

A loved one who now belonged forever to another.

'Unless he dies... Unless I... I kill him...'

"Hah!" He closed his eyes as he laughed at his sad, pathetic self.

The youngest legendary mage in all of history; one of the 7 renowned Heroes of the War between Worlds. One of the front-liners and greatest champions of mankind against their human invaders from across the planar portals... Yet he wouldn't even hurt a fly, much less hurt an innocent man!

'Despicable and repugnant though he may be...'

He felt like spitting when he thought about the man and the mother of his beloved who had forced her into the unwilling marriage.

A sudden wave of emotion overcame him, forcing him to scrunch his eyes tightly closed, staving off the tears and heart-wrenching pain that threatened to overcome him whenever he remembered what had happened last week - and the first and only love of his life.

Sara, his beloved.

He brooded as he thought about his past. A painful past, one that had transformed from a memory of constant joy to... Shame.

He remembered.

Remembered that morning 2 years ago when a younger, more naive version of himself had walked along the streets of the town and waved good-morning to the neighbours who had smiled warmly and waved back to him.

He had gulped, sweat pouring down his brown - though not from the heat, but from anxiety.

He was headed to make a monumental decision today; a turning point in his life.

He was going to meet the future in-laws and propose to Sara.

Intelligent, strong-willed, full of resourcefulness, independent. Her alcoholic father had lost his job at the tin mines ten years ago when the planar war started. Her mother, a victim of the times and societal expectations, was not allowed to work and struggled to manage the household duties due to her bad health.

As such, her eldest daughter had to work to provide for her family AND raise the kids - a family of 9 younger siblings.

From the tender age of 13, Sara had been forced to shoulder her family's burdens even as she struggled to complete her studies - collecting wooden sticks in the afternoon, rolling tobacco cigarettes for the soldiers in the evening,cooking for the family at night.

Then at night, ushering the rowdy siblings to sleep while her father drank away what meager savings her family still possessed, before finally studying by candlelight and sleeping for 4 hours.

The next morning she would have to wake up at 5 AM to cook breakfast for the family and nasi lemak to sell before school. Then going to school from 7:45 AM.

For ten full years, she had struggled through adversity. But she made it through - supported by the love of her childhood sweetheart and classmate, Mikael.

Today, at the age of twenty one, he gathered his courage, faced her parents and requested Sara's hand in marriage.

"She's too young... Give her three more years..." Her elderly mother - who he called Auntie - had said.

He nodded - whether three years or thirty, their love would never fade.

That night, Mikael and Sara had sat under a tree and promised - they would forever belong to one another, until the day the sun no longer rose in the east. They carved their names into the wood with a heart engraved around it - a sign of their promise.

Then he had left, conscripted into the war.

Those 2 long years of fighting were horrific, long and gruelling. But the young man rose up quickly in the ranks while holding on to the hope; to the promise of his loved one.

He would write letters; letters that received no response. He checked the address time and time again before sending them, but every time the mailman returned to camp there was nothing for Mikael.

He thought back to what had happened just a week ago.

On the fateful day after the war ended; one week after receiving the title of "Legendary Mage", Mikael found out the reason why his letters went missing with no response.

* * * * *

One week earlier, Mikae returned after the end of the war. It had been 2 long years away from his hometown, the small town of Ipoh.

Sara's home.

He saw her, radiantly beautiful, smiling with motherly love.

Cradling a 3-month-old baby - her child. Beside her, a man holding her from behind. Smiling.

He fled the scene, unable to bear the sight of his childhood love and dreams smashed to smithereens.

He ran and ran and ran; running who knows where. Only to open his eyes and find himself once again in front of the tree - where they had made the promise.

Unable to resist looking; he found the sign they had carved together - Mikael LOVES Sara; a heart drawn around it. And under the heart, the words: "I'M SORRY".

He stood there for minutes, hours, maybe a day; not knowing how much time passed. He only knew that when he had arrived, it had been morning. But now, the sun was rising again.

He did not know what to think; what to do.

What happened to "3 more years"...? It had only been 2 years, less if considering the age of the child, and still... And still...

Mikael had clenched his fists so tight he no could no longer feel his hands - but he could feel the wetness of his tears as they fell onto his knuckles, along with the blood where his nails pierced his palms. Tiny rivulets of blood mingled with his tears as they dripped to the ground below.

He fell to his knees, sobbing and crumpled up on the floor.

'Why... Why???'

He didn't know how much time passed, until he heard a voice. One he had heard a thousand, ten-thousand times. One he had dreamed of every night for the whole 2 years.

"Mikael..."

Sara's voice rang through the quiet of the night.

* * * * *

[16 September 1945 Evening, 5:42 PM - London, Hyde Park Barracks]

[6 hours and 18 minutes before the departure of the 1st Planar Expedition]

Mikael sighed quietly as he packed up his things.

The other seven platoon members were also busy packing up. They had just gotten out from a briefing with the General and the other high-ranked military officers in the Permanent Committee for the Planar Expedition, or the PCPE for short.

The outcome of the session was simple: they would depart tonight at the stroke of midnight.

He looked over to his bunkmate Robin and smiled as they packed; this would probably be one of their last few moments of calm and safety before setting off to unknown lands.

Robin, the squads 'dai lou/ big brother[1],' despite just turning 27 this year, was a tall and large man with an equally large heart. His real name was Luo Bin and he was of pure Asian descent, unlike the mixed-blood Mikael.

"You can call me Robin. Easier for you gwai lou[2] to pronounce ma." The Asian man had introduced himself to the 20-man squad with his distinctive sing-song accent; grinning as he spoke.

Mikael smiled fondly and wistfully at the memory; their big bro was always the life of their parties and a very attentive and caring man.

He was also Mikael's saviour during the fateful final battle - the battle that closed the curtains on the stage of the War between Worlds.

He blinked, remembering Operation Dukedom, a strike at the invader's final bastion of defences just off the coast of Malacca. Without Robin, there would be no "Hero of the War" or "Youngest Legendary Mage" awards to speak of. He wouldn't even be alive if not for big bro Robin!

"What you looking at? Pack lah!"

Absent-mindedly, Mikael laid out all his meagre possessions onto the bed; one he had already removed the white sheets from. He sorted them into piles of things he would bring along with him: mainly essentials, clothes, some toiletries and small items such as the dog tag for their 108th platoon.

Hints of melancholy crossed his face momentarily as he donned the dog tag around his wrist.

The dog tags were supposed to come in pairs and were meant to be worn around the necks.

But he and all the remaining members of the platoon had left behind one tag each at the graves of their fallen comrades, wearing it around their wrists in memory of their departed Malaysian Lieutenant; the leader of the platoon.

He looked around at his teammates joking around and playing. As usual, a an awkward observer who sometimes struggled to slip a word in sideways among the jovial team of survivors.

Jessica Magallanes, their strategist. Calm, cool and collected, always analysing. But when she lost her temper, it became obvious that hell truly did have no fury like a woman scorned!

Adrian Edwards, the heavy weapons specialist. Strong and bold, full of bluster and bravado. At first, no one had liked the braggadocious bragging braggart! But he had quickly proved to be someone willing to lay his life on the line for his brothers and sisters, taking spells and bullets in the stead of his comrades, protecting them with his own body even as he spat out one over the top macho line or another.

Mia Yushkov, a jack of all trades and the youngest of them all, fiery and vivacious and fast as hell with her short blades. She'd even fibbed about her age to join, just so she could get payback for the invaders who burned down her village.

Their sniper Samuel Liew, shy, inexpressive and always putting on a serious face - but with a really poor sense of humour. Once, he'd told a joke so bad that a 10-year-old kid asked him, "Uncle, is that funny...?"

The entire team were left in stitches after that - not at the joke, but at poor ol' Sam...

Jayshree Purba, their tech, traps and gadgets girl. She almost never spoke, but they loved her anyway. And her gadgets had often been the difference between life and death for the squad.

And Kizuma Hajiro. A true introvert, awkward and shy. Yet when he got onto the battlefield, there was no one braver than he, who would charge in at the front lines, guns blazing and sword a-swinging. Sometimes, he'd lose his head and have to dragged back by Robin AND Adrian together, so crazy he needed two people to keep him down!

Mikael shook his head, chuckling at the warm memories. He met gazes with each of his teammates and they shared a warm smile together, before hurrying up to wrap up their own individual preparations.

Yet, under each and every one of their brave exteriors, who among them was not afraid of death...?

Maybe it was only him...

...Or maybe death was just a way to escape the pain of living daily with unfulfilled hope.

And unrequited love.

He sighed.

'I wonder if we'll make it back alive this time...'

"If I can stop one heart from breaking,

I shall not live in vain;

If I can ease one life the aching,

Or cool one pain,

Or help one fainting Robin

Unto his nest again,

I shall not live in vain."

-Emily Dickinson

* * * * *

[Some months earlier, the final deciding battle of the War between Worlds]

[16 May 1945 Night, 1.15 AM - 34 nautical miles/ 63km off the coast of Malacca]

[In the final hours of Operation Dukedom]

A tall Asian man was drenched; barely staying afloat as he swam backward, struggling to keep afloat along with his companion; a badly injured man. The shorter man being pulled along was gasping, shivering and hyperventilating from shock; the one carrying him desperate to reach land.

"Mikael! Mikael! Stay with me; don't fall asleep now! You can't fall asleep; LIVE!!" If he had a hand free, he would have slapped his buddy to keep him from drifting off and possibly never waking up again. He hadn't managed to take a look at Mikael's wounds, but they couldn't be light; he had been in close proximity to the detonation point of the mana bombs and the last Planar Portal. Too close.

It was a miracle that he was alive and still in one piece.

When it seemed that Operation Dukedom was doomed; that even the combined forces of all Earth were insufficient to pierce through the invader's defences to the Planar Portal; Mikael had created a miracle for them all.

It started when the warship carrying all their mana bombs was bombarded without warning; blowing it and almost all the surrounding ships into smithereens.

The main forces of the United Earth Army (UEA) were engaging with the invaders nearer to the coastline of Malaysia as a distraction while 4 heavily cloaked warships approached from the north-western direction. Nonetheless, despite their utmost attempts at concealment, the invaders managed to detect them, and nearly wipe out their forces.

This was not alarming to the UEA; they had prepared five such squadrons to ensure that they did not keep all their eggs in one basket.

However, as the saying went disaster came in threes, and in this case disaster came not in threes, but as five. The 4 other backup bombing fleets had been sunk as well, leaving Earth's defenders without the means to shut down the final portal before more invaders could pour through. Thanks to this the invader's forces were being bolstered more and more by the minute.

Unbeknownst to the leadership of the UEA; a brave squad had survived the bombardment; securing a lifeboat - invisible to the invader's scouts.

Mikael and Robin's platoon of 20 men and women.

Risking their lives, the team brought the last salvaged set of mana bombs all the way through enemy lines; using their skills, experiences, and synergy honed through 2 years of life and death battles. They took advantage of the two key facts: First, that the frontline battles were intense and stormy, with nary any troops to be spared to defend the vicinity of the portal. Second, the 5 bombing fleets were assumed already eliminated.

When their boat was capsized 3 nautical miles from the closest detonation point, they continued by swimming the last of the distance.

However, they were ultimately unable to close the gap, ending their journey at 1 nautical mile too far; finally stopped by the impassable hordes of enemies from across the portal.

It was only thanks to the Legendary Mage Mikael's exquisite skills and powerful magic that they had managed to bring down the portal. Mikael had burnt his soul and magic power to trigger a Legendary spell; one powerful enough that it shook the fabrics of reality and nearly upended the seas in the area it was cast.

A spell so powerful that, in conjunction with the mana bombs, it brought down the last bastion of the invader's defences; closing the entry point to their world once and for all.

But all this had not come without cost.

They had lost almost half their squad with some others missing; and Mikael...

He was barely breathing; bleeding profusely and with no strength left to swim.

'Mikael... I... I'll get you back alive no matter what!' Robin fought against the rough, choppy waves, striving to swim in the frigid night-time waters of the Straits of Malacca.

'...I don't have anyone in this world left to go back to... I don't belong to anyone.' Thoughts ran through his mind as he spluttered, swallowing some seawater. 'Not like you. You have someone... Someone who is waiting for you. Someone to love. You must live!'

The feverish youth, his body burning despite the nearly freezing temperature of the water, nodded once before passing out once more.

* * * * *

When they somehow got out of the fallout of Operation Dukedom alive and were lying half-dead in the victorious UEA's infirmary, big bro Robin still had the heart in him to joke.

"You know that Emily Dickinson poem...? The one about the robin...?"

"...Cough, cough..." Mikael sputtered and coughed, then answered weakly. "...No." He was too cold; teeth chattering despite the lack of energy. However, he had to talk or do something; something to keep himself from the danger of losing consciousness in his critical state.

"Yeah? Well, it's about saving a fainting robin and bringing it back to its nest."

It was quiet for a while as they lay there, waiting for the doctors and nurses to begin urgent treatments on their torn bodies.

Seeing that the Asian man was waiting for him to say something, Mikael humoured him. "And then...?"

As if he had been waiting for it, the cheery man inclined his head to him to answer. "Well... If you get home alive to Sara... Then I'll be the one who can say I didn't live in vain..." He smiled and looked Mikael in the eye.

The younger man blinked back his tears that came unbidden. 'Sara... Are you well...? We're so close by here in Malacca, so close to Ipoh... Please... Please be well. I'll come back...!'

Then the Asian joker spoiled the moment by adding: "But once that happens; your name should be Robin! Because you're the robin I helped back to his nest! Hahahahahaha!!!"

"..." Mikael was dumbstruck. Then he smiled, laying his head back and gazing up at the tent ceiling, listening to the sounds of the winds and heavy rains outside as Robin continued to guffaw heartily, still acting as though he himself wasn't among the most wounded of them all.

'He's a good man...'

* * * * *

[16 September 1945 Night, 11:53 PM - London, in the Parade Grounds of Hyde Park Barracks]

[Just before the departure of the 1st Planar Expedition]

'Strange... Why am I remembering that...? I need to pay attention; it's no time to be day-dreaming.'

Or night dreaming, as he was lined up at midnight among seven others; the first batch of soldiers and pioneers for the scouting mission. The mission to the other side of the planar portal.

Contrary to his self-admonition to pay attention, his thoughts began to wander.

He thought fondly of his big bro who was queued up right beside him. Their dai lou had been promoted one rank from Lance Corporal, the second lowest rank, to that of Corporal. Whereas Mikael; due to his exceptional contributions, was promoted three whole ranks from Private to Sergeant; the commanding officer of their 108th platoon. Or as most called them, the Heroes of the World War.

His thoughts returned to the present; shaking his head as the address by the Queen began.

Yet despite himself, his mind drifted once more.

At the beginning of the war; Earth had been left at the mercy of the invading people - the self-proclaimed All-Heaven Divine Empire who looked just like humans but with the mythical powers of cultivators.

Portals would appear out of thin air whether in the middle of the Himalayas, in the midst of a crowded market square, or in the White House; resulting in the complete collapse of the American government.

But after nine years of research, mankind had turned the war around - the secret of the portals was cracked, and a global defence shell erected against planar incursions.

That marked the beginning of the end of World War 2; a war literally between two worlds. Without the ability to open any further portals, the invaders no longer held the power of surprise. And despite their best efforts to defend their existing portals; they were pushed back day after day - until the final portal collapsed; captured and sealed by mankind.

And now, it was time for retaliation.

Mikael perked his ears up for the closing portions of the Queen of the Commonwealth Nations blessing.

The regal, grey-haired monarch spoke with gusto; understanding yet exhorting the men and women of the importance of their roles. "This mission will be the landmark of humanity; a mark in history greater than any other. Greater than the first steps on the moon in 1927; perhaps the greatest achievement since the discovery of magic!"

She cleared her throat, growing solemn as she reached the last lines. "It will be dangerous. Some of you; many of you; may never return to our lands; our shores. But though you may lose your lives; remember this - you, the bravest and most valiant of all humankind, are laying down your lives as a foundation for our people; for our planet's future!"

"Now go! Godspeed! And may we meet again!"

The Queen bowed to the roaring applause from the thousands gathered; shocking the crowd who gasped at the unexpected act of humility - a member of the royal family who bowed to no one; and yet she had bowed to them - the greatest sign of respect they could imagine!

Mikael sighed once more.

'A man with a broken heart has no fear of a suicide mission...' He maintained a stoic, passive face; the perfect image of a decorated military hero.

'No... It's not "no fear"...' He mused as he prepared to enter the portal together with his squad members; brothers and sister with whom he had gone through the horrors of war and the victories of the battlefield for the past 2 years.

'Perhaps I look forward to ending it all...'

"Mages; on standby!"

"Aye!"

"Opening the portal in 5... 4... 3... 2... 1..."

"Portal open!"

"Go go go go go!"

The genius mage, the peak of all humankind's warriors, leaped into the luminous red rift in space with his team of 7 others.

And was swallowed up by endless darkness.

"Ahhh!!!"

"N-no!"

"Hel--"

The moment he opened his eyes; he was engulfed by scorching flames and a blinding white light. Then as his hearing recovered; his ears were flood by a cacophony of screams and yells of terror from his teammates.

'I thought...! It should be a secret portal! Unless--' Mikael, the leader of the group, had no time to consider any further - they were surrounded by thousands of enemies - countless cultivators led by a mighty powerhouse barely a step or two weaker than Mikael; a so called Spirit-Severing expert.

The portal was in the middle of a battle-formation; 100 metres in diameter - with no way to hide from their surrounding ambushers.

An ambush - the moment they set foot out of the portal.

Mikael desperately shielded himself with magic spells - Greater Protection From Magic, Spell Immunity, Greater Protection From Weapons - but he could feel that it would not be long before he fell under the onslaught.

"Men! Fire at will!" A valiant; refined-looking man with long black hair stood at the forefront of the cultivator troops; commanding them to slay the intruders.

Arrows blotted out the sky; along with energy-reinforced javelins and flaming ballista bolts. The lead cultivators in the formation channeled their Qi; summoning white pillars of fire to plummet down onto the group of 30 soldiers coming through the portal.

One after another, Mikael's companions emerged from the portal; only for them to cry out in horror; then they were pierced, burnt and turned to ashes under the siege of the cultivator's concentrated fire arts - right before their leader's eyes.

'My brothers... My sisters...! My comrades!!' Mikael gnashed his teeth in fury as he continuously incanted new layers of magical defences. But it was an exercise in futility - he was running out of mana; while the cultivators still had Qi in reserve, rotating their attacking formations to maintain their relentless barrage upon Mikaels squad.

He cried tears of blood and anger as he was forced to watch his cherished allies fall - teammates who had gone through thick and thin; life and death together.

'I'm sorry... I'm sorry...! I'm so so sorry...!! I should never have brought you here...!!!' He clenched his teeth and fists so hard that the veins in his neck bulged out; his palms bleeding from the nails pressed in. Nevertheless; willpower could not turn around the absolute difference in might - he slowly fell to the ground as his shields and knees gave way.

Finally; the last of his seven brothers and sisters had crossed over... And perished.

Except for Robin.

Robin; the big brother of their troops. Robin; who had counseled, raised and protected each and every one of them through the thick of war.

Robin; who had personally carried Mikael on his back through dozens of kilometres of hostile territory; through mud, rivers and jungles...

Robin. Big brother Robin - the one that everyone in the squad proclaimed as "the most reliable man on the face of the earth".

Big brother Robin popped out of the portal; then immediately began running - towards the enemy commander - untouched and untargeted by either spell or arrows as he charged through the hail of attacks. His face visibly changed from trepidation to fear as he scurried away from Mikael; away to the folds of their enemies.

"Robin... ROBIN!! YOU TRAITOR!!" Mikael was no fool - there was no way that the cultivators would leave a citizen of Earth unharmed - except...

If he were the traitor who had ratted them out.

Something snapped inside the heart and soul of the captain of the expeditionary forces. He abandoned his defences; and instchanted his last spell - at the cost of his life.

Legendary Spell: Wail of the Banshee.

A spell that did not discriminate between friend or foe; slaying every living thing that could not resist the lethal cry of the death-bringing Underworld spirit.

Being the nearest to the Legendary Mage; Robin was the first to wither away; his life snuffed out and eyes rolling up. With a panicked, timid and maddened scream, he frothed at the mouth, then collapsed; silent as the grave.

As the waves of soul-reaping sounds from the spell rippled out; hundreds of the weaker and tired men collapsed and died instantly, slain by the banshees wail.

But it was already too late for Mikael.

"Hahahahahahaha!! Brothers! Sisters! Fear not; I have avenged you!! Now; let us die together!" Eyes reddening with equal parts wrath and sorrow; Mikael fell to his knees; coughing blood.

"And in the next life-- I'll find the dark hand scheming behind the curtains!!!"

Then he was disintegrated as the flames finally broke through his defenses, thus ending the story of Earth's only legendary mage.

* * * * *

The red portal flickered once, twice, then dissipated - as if though it had never been there.

A cultivator in military garb quickly gathered reports from the various leaders of the squads of 50 men each; then ran over to their leader; the valiant and handsome black-haired man.

"Lord, it is over. The portal is sealed and we have confirmed the deaths of all twenty nin - I mean all thirty intruders."

"Continue, captain - what are our casualties?" Zhang Yu, their leader, and a Spirit-Severing powerhouse, nodded and spoke gently yet firmly. Despite their success, he looked sorrowful instead of jubilant.

"Sir..." The stern looking captain looked distraught as he provided his report. "Our brothers... More than 400 of our beloved brothers have fallen..." The tall and heavily muscled soldier's eyes turned red; as he fought to hold back his own tears.

The handsome man sighed heavily, turning to survey the battlefield once more. He formed a few hand-signs; paying his last respects to the departed.

"May you rise to the All-Father's embrace..." He closed his eyes and bowed his head.

Then, turning back to the captain before him; he gave his instructions. "Let the men rest; give the survivors double wages and a one week holiday. For those who have pa.s.sed on... Give their widows and families five times the normal amount."

The captain was shocked at his command - it was an excessively generous reward during such troubled times - one that would suck dry the resources of their entire branch! "Lord, Lord! I - We - Our southern Jin branch won't have the money to pay for this and still meet the monthly tribute for next month; how will we, how will we--" He spoke falteringly; with sincere worry - concerned for his master.

Zhang Yu held up a hand; silencing the captain and remaining calm despite the outburst. "Captain Liu; we will pay what is due to our men who laid down their life in defence against the cruel invaders. As for the payments next month..."

He turned face the east with lines of worry creasing his brow. "I will personally go to the east and seek the Prefecture Lord's forgiveness."

Captain Liu hesitated; before bowing deeply. "Yes Lord; this servant shall obey."

As the Captain hurried off to organise their troops, the troubled young lord sighed once more; raising a hand to stroke his chin, thinking.

'Why would these invaders suddenly appear here...? It was fortunate that Luo Bin… No that Robin warned us in time...' He mourned the loss of his long-time friend; who he had lost touch with for more than twenty years. He pondered who would hatch such a plot against the Zhang clan - and wondered...

'If I traced back the path Luo Bin had taken... Perhaps the family he serves had something to do with this nefarious scheme...?'

But he also wondered... Could his tiny branch family take on the powers who were great enough to hatch such a plot involving other worlds...?