Author's Note: This will be the last chapter for today. This will also be the last chapter for the week so, be ready for the next couple of chapters that will be coming out next week on Monday. Enjoy!
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(Starting off with Alex's point of view) (Bro, we haven't seen you for like, 1 whole chapter!)
I was having some sort of dream where different things were connected into only 1 dream.
In the 1st scenario, there was a man who was trying to speak to me, but, I couldn't hear his voice for some reason. In the 2nd one, I saw a parent with 5 children. I thought that it must have been hard to care for 5 kids, but when I tried to look at the parent, they were shrouded in... something.
It was both too blinding and too dark to even see their figure, which confused me as that shouldn't be possible. 4 of the other children were just as hard to look at as they seemed to inherit their parent's mysterious 'cloak'. 2 of these 4 were blinding and the other 2 were like the abyss.
Only the smallest one, and the youngest one (I assume), was the only normal one. They weren't too dark and weren't too bright. I wanted to see their face, but that was when the scenes in my dream changed.
This time, I was floating in pure darkness. I wasn't able to hear anything and I couldn't see anything except the twinkling stars in the distance. After some time, I spotted something else moving in front of me. When it came closer, I realized that I have just seen something I never saw before.
I...
I didn't know how to describe it. The best analogy would be that it was like a giant boat, except that it didn't have any sails and was much, much bigger. I admired the giant 'ship' for a few moments before I realized that this can't be a dream. I remember in learning sessions with Luke that dreams were based on memories, thoughts, issues, stuff that plagued your mind.
I never saw this before and I never imagined something looking like this before, so this couldn't be a dream. Right when I thought that, I saw the 'ship' start to slow down. I thought it was stopping but, I just noticed that there would be absolutely no reason to stop in a place like this where there is nothing.
The slowing down kept going until the 'ship' completely stopped. When I looked around, I saw the stars in the distance start to disappear one by one, as if they were turned off. The only reason I wouldn't see the stars anymore would be if their light stopped reaching my eyes. But, this was a dream where I can actually see stuff, so I don't really know that.
But, that can't actually happen as stars all around me were disappearing, as if being swallowed by darkness. The only thing that could cause this would be if something is closing in on us and was just 'eating up' the stars. And we were right in the middle.
When all the stars disappeared, I saw something. Not really saw, but it was there. Darkness darker than dark. The fear that hit me was like time just froze in fear of also being swallowed by this thing. Only one phrase leapt into my mind: 'The extinction of everything.' As if responding to that phrase, another set of words crept in: 'The Scourge.'
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"AAAHHH!!!"
(Alex, calm down!)
What even was that?! I just felt fear like never before! It was almost like I just died with no hope of ever getting reincarnated ever again. I take in deep breaths to try to calm myself down, like what Calido instructed me to do.
After I calmed down, my memories started to return to me. The last thing I remember is Calido saving me by re-manifesting his original form and me passing out. Wait, the memory of my dream just now is slipping away. It seemed important so I tried to keep it in my mind but then, I got hit by a massive headache.
I clutch my head and try to get rid of it but to no avail. I try forgetting about trying to keep my dream in my memory and the headache goes away. I slump myself down onto the ground and started panting like I just ran a few miles.
(Are-are you alright, Alex?)
(I-I'm fine now, Calido.)
(What happened to you?)
I then proceeded to tell Calido about my entire dream and what I felt. When I finished, this was his response.
(Really? Even I don't know what that means.)
(What happened to your body?)
(Oh, well, after you passed out, I gave you and your cousin to the Champion. After that, I continued to roast any guy who was still stuck in your ropes of darkness. Or, should I say, 'Divine Dynamo'?)
He just explained what happened and roasted me at the end, figuratively, of course. That sounds like something I would definitely do. It looks like his re-manifestation sped up his regression into someone who acts like me. Also, Divine Dynamo is an amazing name!
Wait, the ropes my body made actually lasted that long?! Even after I passed out!? How much God energy was I using at that time?!
(But, something happened while you were still out cold.)
(What happened?)
(Okay, I'll try to explain it in as much detail as possible but, I might have some inconsistencies as I arrived late. You see, while I was 'taking out the trash', I witnessed an epic battle. It was between the Champion and another man who I assumed to be one of the leaders of the intruders.)
What!?
Glaive was fighting one of the leaders!? Also, how much has Calido's mind devolved, I mean, regressed?! Is this really how I sound like? I am... kind of annoying actually.
(There was so much stuff happening so I could only barely see them fighting. The Champion was certainly a strong fighter but, the other man impressed me just as much. He was able to block many of the Champion's attacks and hit back with speed and power that matched the Champion's. But, the most impressive thing was that he was fighting with his fists only.)
(His fists!?)
Oh my Death God. Why are the enemies getting much stronger all of a sudden!?
(He may have been an enemy, but his fighting style was worthy of praise. He waits for his opponent to hit first, parries them, and hits back. He was able to hold his own against the Champion, who had his sword, with only his armor and his fists. Frankly, I would like to learn how to fight like him as it perfectly fits me. It's explosive, it's manly, and it's just satisfying to beat up an enemy with your own hands.)
(Can you explain what happened already?)
Alright, this is confirmed. I remembered that he said that he would eventually inherit my traits, with some being more prominent than the others. It looks like he got my zeal for fighting, my courage, and my penchant for upholding justice. They might not be the only ones though.
(Oh, right. Well, they were in a stalemate for a long time until your cousin intervened and blinded the man. Glaive was able to escape with you and your cousin until I reached you.)
(Speaking of Ray, where is she?)
...
(...What?)
(You won't like my answer, but I don't know where she is now. When Glaive gave you back to me, he said this: 'You are much more powerful than me so, take care of Alexander. But, Ray isn't like him. I will bring her back to her parents, I swear.')
Wait, so Ray isn't here? I should be glad that Glaive is taking care of her, but I already broke my promise to Brutal Kyra. I can't take care of her, offer her support, or tell her Brutal's message to her anymore. This is selfish of me, but I wanted to be with her just a bit longer. Why am I always separated from people I love?
"So, did you find the files?"
"Yes, Sir!"
(Quiet, Alex. The man with the deeper voice is the one who fought toe-to-toe with the Champion.)
So, he is the one who was able to match Glaive in fighting skill.
"These are the files on every child in the Proving."
"Hey, this kid is familiar. He was one of the two brats the Champion was carrying."
*Tekko Returns With More Noises!*
"What? Then, according to the Golem, he was the one who released the energy?"
"Yes, our surviving members said the same thing as well, but it was too unbelievable, so we ignored them."
"Alexander Noxien Zetranos. A descendant of the 1st Hero, huh? We will track him down. Find and monitor any family members he may have."
"But, why?"
"... The Great Seer orders it."
Oh frick!
They are trying to hunt me down!? I need to get away from this place. I silently plunge into my shadow while holding onto Calido and keep shifting until I feel like I am far away enough. The moment I'm done, I see something translucent come out of the ground. I was about to scream, but the words of the translucent object told me everything.
"Your real mission starts now."