My Soul card is a Reaper

Three days later;

Said to be the Arcana world's first city, dating back to more than two million years ago, Canaan City's history predates even the existence of Arcana Masters and the Great Apocalypse.

It was once known to have civilization but for unknown reasons, everything just wiped out without a trace of existence, apart from one bird that was chained to the middle of an altar.

The immortal bird known as Ziz formed a friendship with a wanderer known as Abel Ben Adam, more than seventy thousand years ago. It was the time when the founders of all hidden clans either died or ascended to godhood, leaving the planet in the hands of their descendants.

A monster of the legend and a man formed a pact, tying up their fate. Ziz gave it all to make Abel the strongest of his time. After becoming the strongest demigod, Abel left the monster in search of the forbidden knowledge that could release it from imprisonment.

However, he never returned for the next ten millennium, and Ziz waited in solitude but eventually, someone else turned up.

Claiming to be Abel's descendant, the legendary Runic Master, Yareh, constructed the tower and bound Ziz's soul to the tower, shifting it from the altar.

Mystical runes were carved all over the 900ft tall tower, which not only turned out to be powerful enough to contain Ziz's soul but also made it indestructible against any attacks below the god realm when they were activated.

Of course, as Yareh too passed away in the course of time, the power of rune magic dwindled and can only be used once every millennium.

With the power of rune magic protection and Ziz's sea of knowledge, the Tower of Abel swiftly climbed up the ranks to attain its legendary status and became the ruler of Canaan.

It is rumored that the Tower of Abel contained all the knowledge that there is known about the universe, gods, demons, etc… To protect those secrets, they will go to any extent.

Canaan is still thriving but here, the authority of WAMO exists only on the paper and to maintain the world portal. The city dwellers one sees here are all the disciples or the servants of the tower and their spouses or children. Tourism is strictly forbidden and you need to get permission from the tower to enter the city.

"Okay, I understand that it has significant status but what does that have anything to do with me visiting the tower?" Azzy asked Gideon's clone, after hearing everything he had to say about the Tower of Abel.

Gideon's clone looked at him blankly and blinked a couple of times, "Didn't you just say that you want to bring back my main body?"

"Yeah," Azzy nodded, "but, if he just wants to leave on his own, they won't necessarily stop him right? I will only step in, if it is otherwise."

Gideon's clone sighed when he heard Azzy's response, "You probably didn't listen to me properly earlier. The Tower of Abel's rune magic is strong enough to protect the tower from even the gods. It also means that they are powerful enough to trap anyone inside too. Moreover, there will be Ziz to guard it. Going against it is the same as facing death.

My main body might stay safe, because of his connection with the tower, but you are not. I say we wait. He will come out when he attains the 9-star rank. With your influence, it should be a piece of cake for you to stop that marriage proposal."

Azzy firmly shook his head in disagreement, "I don't think I can wait for that long. If he needs the 9-star rank, I will help him in hunting down the monsters of the 9-star rank. I don't intend to take him by force or anything. I just want to ensure that he can return to the clan whenever he wants."

"But, why do you need to go to such lengths?" Gideon's clone wondered out loudly, "I heard that you are leaving and no one knows when you will return. Why do you even bother thinking about his personal life? It's not like you two spent decades together too. I just don't understand."

Azzy stretched his hand a bit and patted the clone's shoulder with a smile, "cuz he is my best friend, who sided with me when others rejected me. You always find people on your side when you are successful, but people you find on your side when you are in struggle are the ones you have to always remember. For all I can tell, on that day, I thought that he was my brother I must protect.

For me, a brother for a moment is a brother for a lifetime."

"I still don't understand it," Gideon's clone let out a deep sigh, "I guess it is because I'm merely a clone who had to act in his place so that no one here misses his disappearance. Even those memories I have in my mind don't feel like my own. Well, it doesn't matter anymore. Once he arrives, I will merge back with him."

Azzy stared at him for a few seconds and replied, "Do you know why I have never treated you as Gideon?"

"Hmm?" The clone looked at Azzy.

"Because you aren't his replacement, Gideon. You are your own, and I think it is time for you to think that way too and have a life of your own, not the one you are trying to fill someone else's shoes. Treat his existing memories as a foundation and build your own house on it. Don't merge with his soul. I will make him understand that. Don't worry."

Azzy left the clone and flew away. The clone couldn't help but look at his back through his spectacles and mumble, "You are a good friend, Young Master. Unfortunately, I couldn't tell you that my main body doesn't feel the same way as you do. I fear the moment when you learn it. From the memories I have in my head, you are someone who… Sigh…"

Meanwhile, at Canaan City, Abel Tower;

On the 21st floor's restricted room, also known as the Hall of Ziz, a man in a sleeveless vest, showing off his buffed body, which was currently enveloped by dancing sparks of scarlet lightning, was standing in front of an albatross-looking large monster with vibrant feathers, glowing golden eyes, and silver-ish sharp beak. The latter looked like it was in a bad mood.

With its gaze on the man, it let out a powerful screech, sending him a few meters in flying. As he managed to hold off the ground, the bird then spoke, "Gideon, no matter how many times you challenge me, the result won't change a bit. A fickle-minded person like you can never hope to receive my acknowledgment. Now, leave. Or else, I would forget the fact that you are Tower Master's successor."

Adjusting his spectacles, the man let out a smirk and flexed his muscles, turning the scarlet lightning sparks into purple lightning sparks, "I'm different from the last time, Ziz. Let the party get started."

He charged at the beast.