In an endless sea of space, a cocoon made of wires floated aimlessly. Surrounding it was a vortex sucking in starlight from the surrounding void, seemingly trying to sustain itself.
Anyone looking at it from a distance would think nothing of it. As it seemed nothing more than a dust particle swimming in the vast space filled with countless Gas-Giants and Star-Clusters.
[Merging @&#%€, GHOST and ENAMAL... Successful]
[Error, Core Chip evolv@&#... Suc%$@s]
[Nano-Chip @odi&ication Success]
[Adaptation to new ener%y source... Success]
Suddenly, the calm cocoon picked up speed and shot into a certain direction. Its speed was so fast that even the space surrounding its previous location was ruptured!
The space then contracted on itself, as if to rub on its bruises.
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He was just about to lose all hope when a tiny cocoon made of shiny black wires shot down from the vast sky and into his forehead, without harming him in the slightest. Barely a second passed while all of this happened.
A pain equal to being pierced by one hundred needles assaulted his mind. The pain started spreading throughout his body. To keep his sanity, his brain shut down all pain receptors. His eyes were filled with fear for his mother's life.
He did not want to think about it. He must complete this task to save his mother. Then something foreign tried to infiltrate his mind. He was afraid. Another consciousness invaded his mind. He struggled to remain in control, but with each second he grew weaker.
Two consciousnesses began fighting for supremacy. The snake was already pouncing on him with its jaw stretched to its fullest.
Suddenly, a bright golden light enveloped the kid, making him hover a few inches above the ground.
—Bam!
The collision between the light barrier and the black sphere of darkness in the snake's jaw, occurred. For a few seconds, both parties didn't budge, and the swirling black sphere took all the force from both sides, sandwiching it.
But soon enough, it reached its limit and exploded, but unexpectedly, the barrier wasn't even scratched in the slightest! It not only absorbed all the force but also transferred it back to the snake, making it shoot back like a bullet!
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–
I opened my eyes, but I was... I was stupefied. Completely and utterly stupefied. Why? Because I was in the kitchen a moment ago!
And now I was in front of the most scary and threatening beast I've ever seen.
But the figure was oddly… mesmerising. It was a little more than 4 metres long and as wide as a slim girl's waist which was on its way to swallow me with its jaws wide open!
Then reality struck me, and it struck hard as my eyes filled with immense horror, but at the same time, with slight excitement.
'Am I finally going to meet mom and dad?'
Just when I had accepted my fate, a bright golden barrier erupted around me, protecting me from the snake.
I hadn't noticed another crucial detail... I wasn't in my own body!
Out of nowhere, foreign memories started flooding into my mind. I tried clutching my head instinctively due to the pain, to my shock and dismay, I realised I couldn't control my body.
'I guess that's to be expected, but what's happening? Where am I?' Once my train of thoughts reached, I was terrified by the calmness my mind was in.
'This–! This is 'The Forest of Nightmares'!'
"AARGHH!" Just when I thought the influx of foreign memories was dying down, there was a sudden burst of it making me scream out loud.
When I understood what those memories and emotions meant… my eyes moistened as my lips trembled, because… the kid was just like me.
Someone who is on the verge of losing something precious. Unlike me who already lost them.
'No, I won't let him suffer like me.'
So I made a promise to myself, a promise to not let what happened to me happen to this kid.
I didn't know if this was a decision I made under the burst of emotions or not. But the promise was made and sealed, there was no backing down now.
When I gained clarity in my eyes I received yet another surprise.
[Complete assimilation in body and soul achieved]
For the notification was in my father's voice!
I didn't have any more tears left to shed. I was spent mentally. Just when I was going to close my eyes, a thin transparent sheet formed over my eyes similar to contact lenses. That could project a message or video in the eyes of the wearer, as if the message was playing in front of them.
In that lens was the projection of my Dad…
[Ryan, this is not a recorded message. But a part of my soul that was left in that pendant, but most of it is spent guarding your Soul Essence. I don't have much time. But I want to tell you that I was originally from this world, Velpia. But had to flee.
But you don't have to worry about any of that. You always wanted to live a happy life. This is your chance, Son.
I've already transferred all you needed to know about this place in your... What was it called again? Ah.. right ENAMAL.
Where was I again? Yes, Ryan, since I merged your mind with this kid's mind, whose name is Ryan as well, you will have to fulfil whatever his last wish is. It's now your responsibility.
And you should really kill that mutated snake there. Its poison, when diluted, can be used as a very potent medicine. If you are lucky enough, That snake could be a good help in the future.
I guess this is the last goodbye then...]
While saying all of that, dad's face shifted into different emotions. The most evident one was his seriousness while telling me to forget about the investigation.
"So you were with me all along, huh… I don't know if I should feel angry at you for not telling me that you were with me, or feel happy that I was never alone… Haha… Dad, tell me what should I do?"
I don't know what to do anymore!
[You should just do what you want. I will leave a gift for you to receive when the time is ripe.] He said with a love filled gaze.
"I will try my best, Dad. Please tell Mom that I still love and miss her dearly." I said, while my eyes glistened due to daylight shining upon the welled up tears in my eyes.
[I will tell her how good you have been, son.] He nodded his head as a calm smile hung on his face.
Starting from his feet, his body slowly but surely started turning into particles that glowed with white light soothing to eyes.
"Dad…" I called out to him with my hand extended as I walked towards him. I have a lot to say, but my lips just won't listen to me!
Just as the tip of my fingers touched his figure, it all disintegrated into white particles.
Finally, my knees lost strength and the dam burst open... "Waaah.. waaa.. hic.. waaah.. sob.. hic.. Sob.."