"Maybe this world doesnt have the concept of day. Or possibly, this world's acting Sun had been destroyed", Nathan voiced out his speculations as they strode towards the southern part of Planet Dem.
They had been pursuing Arabelle for a day now in hope that she would bring them to other survivors.
It had been 26 hours since they entered this planet. In that time, not in once did they bathe in the sun rays. They were satiated with the bloodish ray of the azure moon.
Now that they were at their peak state after taking hours of rest, their pace had improved profoundly. They were now closing in to Arabelle.
"Just 30 meters away", Nathan uttered.
Tailing him, Alab carried by Steven on his back was looking intently at Nathan. The dream he had last night remained vivid in his mind.
'Nathan, the villain and that Regression skill..'
Alab's interest was piqued by this intriguing puzzle-like event. On how Nathan changed drastically in terms of his attitude and skills. And on how he came to be knowledgeable of the survivors and other world concept.
The dream he had just further fueled his lingering speculation. Still, he was dubious as that could also be just a dream. After all, how would he inherit the memories of Nathan? Alab whacked his brain. Fumes seemed to erupt from his head as he couldnt solve this puzzle. Some parts were still missing whilst others deemed questionable.
Done overthinking, Alab decided to just toss off this thing for now and focus on the pressing matter ahead - clearing this portal.
In no time, a dilapidated village meters away welcomed their sight. Nathan halted in his steps as they entered the area.
There were about 14 huts in this village. Disarranged rubbles pierced the scorched soil. Huts that were now reduced to nothing but wrecked foundations dyed with color of coal.
Everywhere they looked, Alab and Nathan could only see traces of civilization residing here. Civilization that ended as fire disaster broke out.
"There is nothing but ashes here", Alab mumbled as he hopped off Steven's back. The latter just walked behavely as he followed Alab, maintaining a meter of distance.
Nathan kicked rubbles as he walked. Discreetly, he could feel the death aura that lingered in this area.
"About a hundred of people died here", with his mouth curved downward, Alab muttered.
He could feel their cry for redemption. Even their wailing for help as the fiery fire enveloped them. Alab had a vague vision of the massacre that happened in this area.
"Its not just a disaster... They", Alab paused as he glanced at Nathan, his eyes empathetic to the weeping souls.
"They were killed by someone", Alab added.
Contrary to Alab, Nathan remained composed as he had long been acquainted to death. Massacre of a hundred people did not make him shed a bit of empathy.
He glanced at Alab as he instructed.
"Enough with the nonsense. Absorb them, that way you can get stronger"
"Say, what would happen to them if I absorb them?"
Alab had been anxious over the fate of the souls he had absorbed. He was aware that there were about 38 souls in his body that he could use in his disposal. However, he also felt that he was messing with fate and death.
Nathan saw the change in the expression of Alab. He had known him to be empathethic yet vicious. He knew he had to convince Alab to absorb the souls less his strength would not increase. Then, clearing this portal would become a hard feat.
Gazing at a destroyed hut where a weak death aura lingered, Nathan explained.
"Reincarnation is the natural law of every world. If one dies, they reincarnate after some time. But, as you absorb them and consume their soul to further your power, you are depriving them of their rights to reincarnate.", Nathan explained
"This..."
Alab couldnt help but sulk at hearing his words. He couldn't believe that reincarnation was real, much more, he couldn't believe that he wielded a power to kill their chance of reincarnating. But, he also knew that he had to get stronger, at least stronger enough to clear this portal.
Alab felt conflicted.
"What about Steven? My undead, what would happen to them?", Alab inquired
Nathan shifted his gaze to Steven who looked back at him blankly. His murky face burning with flame as he flashed a deadpan expression.
"They would go the same path as the Lord of the Souls - to burn in flame of anguish for eternity"
*gulp
"I..."
Alab fell anxious as he couldn't believe he would go to such depth after death. Much more, he just dragged an innocent life in his destructive end.
Nathan saw the twitch in Alab's emotion, as the former [Lord of the Souls], he was all familiar to the reactions of Alab. After all, he had been through the same.
"You dont have to worry, that is my skill after all. Once I find a way to get it back, all your undead will undergoe reincarnation. Same goes to you", Nathan muttered
"As for these souls, I will let you decide your action. Just this once", he added
A comforting feeling surged in Alab's body. Somehow, he felt that Nathan was trying to console him.
'That cant be, he is a villain. A villain who has killed millions of people', Alab pondered as he recalled the dream he had.
As if he couldnt bother by this drama anymore, Nathan kept chase of Arabelle again. Seeing him, Alab hopped on Steven's back as he similarly exited the ruined village.
"I hope you all to reincarnate in a better world", Alab voiced to nowhere.
Steven strode forward with Alab on his back.
At the last scorched hut, burned steel collars entered Alab's sight. It was identical to collars used to pets back in Earth, just that these collars appeared bigger.
It could not be used for cats nor dogs. In size, Alab thought that it could fit perfectly to humans.