The dying Nyarl-rothoth gasped for air and spoke with a voice that echoed like thunder. "I see that you seek the Stellar Heavenly Child," he said, "but be warned, Gordon Rameusy is a being of immense power. He seeks revenge against you, Jake, for what you did in your past, erasing his narrative and everyone in it, including his loved ones. He desires to end you once and for all."
My heart sank as I heard those words. I had been haunted by my past actions for years, and now it seemed that they had come back to haunt me. I turned to Jason and Ram, but their expressions were unreadable. I couldn't help but feel like they were wary of me, knowing what I had done.
Nyarl-rothoth continued, "To find the child, you must travel to the interdimensional city of Arkhonia. It is a place of great danger, with many obstacles in your path. But if you are successful, you will be rewarded with the knowledge you seek."
I nodded, determined to complete our mission and put an end to Gordon Rameusy's plans once and for all. But as we left the cave, I couldn't shake the feeling of unease. Would my past actions come back to haunt me once again? And would Jason and Ram stand by my side when the time came to face Gordon Rameusy? Only time would tell.
As we left the area, Jason and Ram began discussing their next move. "We have to find the child," Jason said, "and we have to find it fast."
"But how are we going to do that?" I asked, feeling anxious. "We barely know where to begin."
Ram spoke up. "We have to find the portal to the other dimension. It's the only way we can get to the child."
I nodded, feeling a bit more confident. "But what about me?" I asked. "I'm afraid that you guys might be wary of me, considering what I did in the past."
Jason put a reassuring hand on my shoulder. "Jake, we know that you're a good person. You've proven that time and time again."
Ram nodded in agreement. "We all have our dark moments, Jake. What matters is that we continue to move forward and fight against evil."
I felt a sense of relief wash over me, knowing that my friends still had faith in me. "Thank you, guys," I said, feeling grateful. "I won't let you down."
"We know you won't," Jason said, smiling. "Now let's get to work."
As we were walking towards the village, I felt a sharp sting on my finger. I looked down to see a small papercut, but it was bleeding profusely. I tried to ignore it, but the bleeding wouldn't stop. I could feel myself growing weak.
"Guys, I think I need to stop for a moment," I said, feeling lightheaded.
Jason and Ram immediately noticed the blood and helped me sit down on a nearby rock. Ram pulled out a handkerchief and wrapped it around my finger to stem the bleeding.
"We need to get you to a hospital," Jason said, looking worried.
I nodded weakly, feeling like I was going to pass out. We made our way to the nearest village, which fortunately wasn't too far away. The locals were helpful and directed us to the small hospital at the edge of town.
The doctors there were able to patch up my finger and stop the bleeding. They gave me some fluids to rehydrate me and rest to regain my strength. Jason and Ram were with me the whole time, looking after me and making sure I was comfortable.
As I lay in the hospital bed, I couldn't help but feel grateful for my friends. They had my back, no matter what. However, I couldn't shake the feeling that they were wary of me because of my past actions. I wanted to talk to them about it, but I didn't know where to start.
"Hey guys," I said after a moment of silence. "Can we talk?"
Jason and Ram turned to me, their expressions softening.
"Of course, man," Jason said. "What's on your mind?"
I took a deep breath. "I just...I know what I did in the past was wrong. I hurt a lot of people, and I can't take that back. But I want you both to know that I'm trying to make up for it. I want to be better."
Ram put a hand on my shoulder. "We know, Jake. We've seen the changes in you. And we're proud of you."
Jason nodded in agreement. "We've all made mistakes. It's how we learn and grow from them that matters. And you're doing that, man. You're making progress."
I smiled weakly, feeling grateful for their words. "Thanks, guys. It means a lot."
We sat in silence for a moment before Ram spoke up. "So, what's our plan now?"
I thought for a moment. "Well, we know we still need to find the Stellar Heavenly Child. The Dragon told us to go to Arkhonia, right?"
Jason nodded. "Yeah, but let's get you patched up first, Jake. We can't have you bleeding out on us."
Ram chimed in. "And while we're there, we might as well restock on supplies. Who knows what kind of trouble we'll run into on the way."
I winced in pain as I held onto the wound. "Sounds like a plan. But what if we run into Gordon before we find the child?"
Jason put a reassuring hand on my shoulder. "We'll deal with that when it comes. Right now, we need to focus on getting you better and finding the child."
I nodded in agreement, trying to push the thought of Gordon out of my mind. But the fear and paranoia lingered, and I couldn't shake the feeling that Jason and Ram were starting to view me differently because of my past actions.
I was staring at the small papercut on my finger, watching as the blood flowed out. It wasn't a big deal, but I couldn't help feeling a little annoyed that such a tiny wound could affect me at all. That's when the doctor spoke up, "Don't worry, it's just a minor papercut. But you should be careful, with the way these online powerscalers are nowadays, they'll claim it's a disease called 'Anti-feat' and use it to debunk all of your feats."
I couldn't help but chuckle at the doctor's joke. It was funny, but it also hit a little too close to home. As someone who had been involved in battles with powerful foes, I had seen my fair share of online debates about my abilities. It seemed like no matter what I did, there was always someone out there trying to poke holes in my accomplishments.
But, as I sat there in the hospital, I realized that the opinions of these so-called "powerscalers" didn't matter. What mattered was that I had fought hard and done my best, regardless of what anyone else thought. And that was a lesson I would keep with me, papercut or no papercut. Plus I solo their favourite verse anyway.
Man that was pretty meta, anyway me, Ram and Jason walk over to a train which leads to the city of Arkhonia. I was still thinking about what the dying dragon had told us. The fact that Gordon Rameusy was after me didn't come as a surprise, but the revelation that he wanted revenge for something I did in the past was concerning.
As we boarded the train, I could tell that Jason and Ram were still thinking about it too. I felt paranoid, thinking they might be wary of me because of my past actions. I decided to break the silence.
"You guys okay? I know what the dragon said was a lot to take in," I said.
Ram turned to me with a small smile. "We're fine, Jake. It's just a lot to process. But don't worry, we're in this together. We'll find the child and put an end to this."
I nodded, feeling a sense of relief wash over me. It was good to know that I could still count on my friends.
As the train began to move, we settled into our seats and began discussing our plans for Arkhonia. I couldn't help but feel a little excited. Despite everything that had happened, we were one step closer to our goal.
It was a long ride, I knew I'd fall asleep through it.
As the train slowed to a stop, I gradually woke up from my slumber. I rubbed my eyes and looked out the window, only to be greeted by a magnificent sight. The city of Arkhonia stretched out as far as the eye could see, towering skyscrapers intermingling with intricate bridges and archaic stone structures. The city was like a fusion of the old and the new, medieval structures juxtaposed with modern architecture, forming a unique amalgamation that seemed almost otherworldly.
As we stepped out of the train, the sound of bustling streets and chattering people filled my ears. The air was infused with a sense of electricity, as though the city itself was alive and pulsing with an indescribable energy. It was clear that we had arrived in the biggest city in the country of Arathor, a sprawling metropolis that seemed to stretch on endlessly.
The streets were filled with people of all kinds, each with their own unique styles and dress, bustling to and fro as though they were in a hurry. The buildings themselves were towering and imposing, with intricate designs etched into every surface. The streets themselves were paved with cobblestone, intermingling with gleaming chrome and neon lights, almost as if the city was a strange mix of the past, present, and future all at once.
As we made our way into the heart of the city, I couldn't help but feel a sense of awe and wonder. The city was like nothing I had ever seen before, an amalgamation of technology, magic, and architecture that seemed almost impossible. It was a true testament to human ingenuity, a sprawling metropolis that was truly the city of cities.
As we made our way through the bustling market, we couldn't help but notice the wide array of people and cultures represented in this city of cities. Merchants selling exotic fruits, street performers showcasing their talents, and travelers from distant lands could be seen at every turn.
Ram's keen eye for bargains led us to a stall selling all sorts of trinkets and souvenirs. Jason was fascinated by a display of ancient relics, while I was intrigued by a map of the city's underground labyrinthine tunnels. We haggled with the shopkeeper over the prices, and eventually struck a deal that satisfied all of us.
As we continued our exploration of the city, we came across a group of street performers, putting on a dazzling display of acrobatics and juggling. Jason tossed a coin into their hat, and they welcomed us to watch their entire performance.
In the distance, we could see a vast cathedral, towering over the other buildings in the city. Curiosity piqued, we made our way towards it. Inside, we found ourselves in awe of the intricate stained-glass windows and ornate stone carvings.
As we exited the cathedral, Ram made a comment. "This is just the filler episode! What next? The beach episode?"
We all chuckled at his remark, it did make me wonder what the hell was going on with these comments.
As we were settling in for the night, we heard loud banging coming from the hotel lobby. We quickly made our way downstairs to see what was happening, and found a group of men in suits surrounding the hotel owner, Jimmy. They were demanding money from him and threatening to harm him if he didn't comply.
After we intervened and scared off the thugs, we talked to Jimmy and asked him about the incident. He told us that the group was a part of the interdimensional mafia that had been extorting him for money for months. He explained that they were hoarding a rare item, a liter of 2D milk, and that it was highly sought after by collectors.
We didn't know what to make of it, but the idea of an interdimensional mafia intrigued us. We decided to look into it and see what we could find out. After some investigation, we discovered that the mafia was storing the milk in a hidden location in the city.
The mafia members were all 2D, which made it difficult to track them. Every time we thought we had spotted one of them, they would disappear when we turned a certain angle. It was like they were living in a different dimension.
In the midst of searching, Ram sees a street vendor selling an unusual fruit and asks the vendor what it is. The vendor replies, "It's called the 'Plot Advancement Fruit', it's known for moving the story along." Jason and Jake roll their eyes, and Jason quips, "We'll take two kilos of those, we need to hurry this shit up."
Jake, Jason, and Ram spent the next few days gathering more information on the 2D interdimensional mafia, asking around other well-known establishments in the city such as "The Gilded Lotus" and "The Silver Spire". Eventually, they stumbled upon a small group of the 2D mafia who called themselves "The Shady Silhouettes".
After some initial confrontation, The Shady Silhouettes agreed to give up the location of the main hideout in exchange for a favor to be named later. Jake and his companions reluctantly agreed and were given the name of the mafia - "The Paper Trail Gang".
As we approached the alleyway , I could feel my heart rate increase. My past experiences had taught me that I couldn't always control my powers, and I didn't want to hurt anyone. But we had to do something to help Jimmy.
We found a group of mafia members confronting Jimmy, and I couldn't stand by and watch them hurt him. I shouted my battle cry, "I AM IMMEASURABLE LAYERS INTO BOUNDLESS!" as I lunged towards them, hoping to intimidate them.
The fight was chaotic, with the 2D members disappearing from view every time they turned a certain angle. It made it hard to keep track of them, but I did my best to stay aware and defend myself and my friends.
As we fought, I could feel the energy coursing through me, and I was reminded of how powerful I could be. But I also had to be careful, to not let my powers get out of control. I was determined to protect my friends and stop these criminals.
Finally, we emerged victorious, and one of the 2D members gave us the location of the main hideout. But I couldn't shake the feeling of paranoia that Jason and Ram were wary of me, due to my past actions.
As we left the alleyway, I turned to them. "Hey guys, are you okay with me using my powers like that? I don't want to hurt anyone, and I know I can be unpredictable."
Jason put a reassuring hand on my shoulder. "We trust you, Jake. We know you'll do what it takes to protect us, and we have your back."
Ram nodded in agreement. "Yeah man, we're a team. We'll figure things out together."
Their words gave me a sense of relief.
The building was an average looking structure, nothing too special about it.
As we checked every corner of the hideout, it seemed like we were in the clear. But suddenly, the building began to shake and shift, and the walls morphed into massive arms and legs. We were trapped inside the now-living building known as Lotus.
The music blasted through the air, with a beat so intense that it shook the ground beneath our feet. As we prepared to fight, the lyrics blared through the speakers, with puns that fit the situation perfectly:
"I AM THE BUILDING THAT'S AWAKENED,
CONTROLLED BY MAFIA FORBIDDEN
MY FAMILY CREST IS MAFIA BLOOD
FORSAKEN I HAVE BEEN CHOSEN
A GOLEM OF STONE, DARK AND DIVINE
ASCENDING CHAOS, FURY UNBOUND
DESTINY COMES FOR YOU
AS I DEFEND THE 2D MILK WITH PRIDE"
I yelled out my iconic battle cry, "I AM IMMEASURABLE LAYERS INTO BOUNDLESS!" But to my surprise, the building roared back, "I AM IMMATERIAL LAYERS INTO BOUNDLESS!"
We fought with all our might, dodging the building's massive blows and chipping away at its stony exterior Every brick of the building contained its own cosmological hierachy of cosmology and transcended the concept of cosmology itself.
As Jake, Ram, and Jason entered the inner realm of Lotus, the building began to shift and move as if it were alive. Myriad narratives, universes, realities, and physical spaces were being thrown around like toys as Lotus bellowed, "I AM IMMEASURABLE LAYERS INTO BOUNDLESS!"
I charged at the building, ready to take it down. But to my surprise, the building was much stronger than I expected. We fought for what seemed like hours, throwing everything we had at it. Ram summoned celestial realms and Jason launched 2D projectiles, while I used my 0.00001% of power at the very maximum.
The fight was intense, with building materials being crushed, shattered, and scattered all around. But finally, with one final blow, we managed to take down Lotus.
As we looked around, we realized that the 2D milk was not inside Lotus, but it was the very essence of the mafia itself. The building spoke again, "I AM IRRELEVANT LAYERS INTO BOUNDLESS! The 2D milk is me. You can only gain it by defeating me!!!"
We were taken aback, but there was no turning back. The fight began anew, with the stakes even higher. Lotus was a formidable foe, but we were determined to take it down.
As we fought, the song blared in the background, with lyrics modified to fit the building and 2D mafia theme:
"IMMORTAL TEMPTATION, ARISES FROM BUILDINGS' CORE,
TAKE OVER MY MIND, I'M DRIVEN TO THE CORE
FALLING WEAK ON MY KNEES,
SUMMON THE STRENGTH OF MAYHEM"
"INHERIT THE NIGHTMARE, SURROUNDED BY FAKE WALLS,
CAN'T RUN AWAY, I'LL BREAK THROUGH IT ALL,
KEEP WALKING THE LINE, BETWEEN BUILDING SIGHTS
LED ASTRAY"
"THROUGH VACANT HALLS, WE WON'T SURRENDER
THE TRUTH REVEALED IN EYES OF BUILDERS
WE FIGHT THROUGH FIRE AND ICE FOREVER
TWO SOULS ONCE LOST, AND NOW WE REMEMBER"
"I AM THE BUILDING THAT IS APPROACHING
PROVOKING MAFIA BOSSES IN THEIR STRONGHOLD
I AM RECLAIMER OF MY NAME
BORN IN CONCRETE, I HAVE BEEN BLESSED
MY FAMILY CREST IS A DEMON OF DEATH
FORSAKEN, I AM AWAKENED
A STEEL STRUCTURE IN DARK DIVINE
DESCENDING MISERY
DESTINY CHASING TIME"
Finally, with one last strike, we took down the building. The 2D milk was released, and I collected it.
As Lotus lay dying on the ground, he spoke in a hoarse voice, "The 2D milk... it exists in every dimension and no dimensions at the same time. It's a strange substance that was created long ago by a being beyond comprehension."
Ram stepped forward and added, "The 2D milk was created as a means to challenge the power of the 7D cereal. It was meant to be a counterbalance, a way to keep the cosmological hierarchy of cosmology in check. But the being who created it knew that it was too powerful to be left in the hands of any one person."
Lotus continued, "So the being split the 2D milk into fragments and scattered them across the the cosmological hierarchy of cosmology. But one of those fragments fell into my hands. I didn't know what I had at first, but once I did, I knew I couldn't let it go."
"The 2D milk is the only thing that can negate the power of the 7D cereal," Lotus gasped out. "It was meant to keep things in balance, but it's been misused by those who don't understand its true power. You have to keep it safe."
And with that, Lotus breathed his last breath.
Ram turned to us and said, "We have to be careful with the 2D milk. It's too powerful for any one person to handle. We have to make sure that it doesn't fall into the wrong hands again. With all of the fragments we may have a chance to fight Gordon Rameusy, even with the 7th dimensional cereal.
I wondered about Gordon Rameusy, and how far he is to finding it.
Ram sighed heavily and answered my unspoken question. "Gordon Rameusy has been seeking to harness the power of the 7D cereal for a long time now. His ambition knows no bounds, and he will stop at nothing to obtain it. He has already acquired some of the fragments, but we must gather the rest before he does."
I nodded, understanding the gravity of the situation. We had to act fast and retrieve the remaining fragments of the 2D milk before it was too late.
As we walked out of the abandoned building that was once the 2D mafia's hideout, Ram spoke up again. "Lotus mentioned that the 2D milk exists in every dimension at once and no dimensions at the same time. It's a paradoxical substance that defies the laws of physics and reality as we know it."
I was amazed by this revelation and asked, "How was it created?"
Ram hesitated before answering. "The origins of the 2D milk are shrouded in mystery, but it is said that it was created by a group of ancient beings who transcended the limits of the concept of cosmology itself. They imbued the milk with immense power and placed it in a safe location. But over time, it was discovered by beings who sought to use its power for their own gain."
I listened intently, taking in every word. Ram continued, "Lotus obtained the milk by extorting Jimmy. He was one of the few who knew of its true potential, and Lotus was willing to do anything to get his hands on it."
As we made our way back to our hideout, I couldn't help but feel a sense of unease. The 2D milk was a powerful and dangerous substance, and it seemed that everyone wanted it for themselves. We had to tread carefully and make sure that we didn't fall victim to its allure.
Ram spoke up one last time, "Remember, the 2D milk is the only thing that can negate the power of the 7D cereal. We have to use it wisely, and we can't let it fall into the wrong hands again."