Chereads / : "The Soul of Humanity" / Chapter 6 - "The First Date"

Chapter 6 - "The First Date"

∎̳̿͟͞ ̳̿͟͞T̳̿͟͞w̳̿͟͞i̳̿͟͞s̳̿͟͞t̳̿͟͞e̳̿͟͞d̳̿͟͞ ̳̿͟͞R̳̿͟͞e̳̿͟͞u̳̿͟͞n̳̿͟͞i̳̿͟͞o̳̿͟͞n̳̿͟͞ ̳̿͟͞I̳̿͟͞I̳̿͟͞ ̳̿͟͞∎̳̿͟͞

🔺− ☞ 📅 ☜ −🔺

⟹ Now I would be sad not to see you anymore..

Today, we have something spicy.. hehe

And don't worry, if you don't understand what I mean right away, over time everything will become clearer!

..

Do you know that each person perceives us differently?

Many view us through a multifaceted prism, and how individuals perceive us is shaped by the shards of that first encounter.

You might think this human tendency is unjust. In its capriciousness, it lingers, an intrinsic reflection of our nature.

And often.. We find ourselves ensnared within the boundaries of others' perceptions, confining the evolution of our true selves.

Surely, you, too, have experienced this feeling—the reluctance to do something out of fear of what the other person might think, considering how their perception of us could change.

An example is the story of Aveline:

Lived in Elmsworth, born in the XIX (19th) century of 1816.

Aveline's story unfolds in a quiet village where time seems to waltz with the sadness of leaves drifting to the ground.

It's like her life is this bittersweet tune, a sad song that whispers through the quiet spots of her soul.

Aveline was molded by fate's slow dance and how folks around her saw things—kind of blurry and unsure.

Her life felt like a painting that's lost its color, one of those pieces of art you walk past and forget about in the hallway of life.

To the village people, Aveline was just a reflection of what they expected to see, never really getting the chance to see the real her hidden behind those calm eyes.

A big part of her story is about this one event that left a deep mark on her.

You see, Aveline's family was known around town, but not for the best reasons.

Her mom was famous for being a lady of night, while her dad was more into booze and sometimes even ended up in jail for years.

Her older sisters followed in their mom's footsteps, so everyone thought Aveline would end up the same way.

Shakes his head as he speaks, indicating a mix of resignation and disapproval. ▶ "Have you heard the latest about the Blackwoods? Old Harold's ended up in jail again. They say this time it's for a brawl."

Raises an eyebrow with a skeptical glance. ▶ "What else can you expect? That family's always had a bad reputation. The mother, a lady of night, and now the daughters are following in her footsteps.."

Sighs deeply before speaking, as if tired of seeing the same story repeat itself. ▶ "Poor Aveline, with a family like that, it's only a matter of time before she ends up on the same path. It's a shame; she seemed different from her sisters, more thoughtful."

Laugh ironically. ▶ "Ah, yes, but blood doesn't lie, you'll see. It's sad, but in this village, the shadows of the past always cover the future.."

But she proved them all wrong!

Aveline was this kind-hearted, book-loving girl who adored spending time with her cat, Sir Mustard, named for his fur's color that looked a lot like mustard.

▶ "Sir Mustard, why does life have to be so complicated? Why do I have to bear the burden of my family's sins?"

Sir Mustard gently meows, turning towards her.

▶ "Everyone thinks I'll end up like my mother and sisters. Sometimes, I wonder if there's truly any hope for me, or if I'm just deceiving myself."

Sir Mustard approaches, rubbing against her legs in a comforting gesture.

▶ "Thank you, my friend. At least you don't judge me. Perhaps, in another life, I could have been someone different."

When she wasn't reading, she loved to paint, though nobody really thought about supporting her art or hiring her.

Not wanting anything to do with her family's line of work, she set out to find a husband and change her last name.

But her family's reputation made that pretty tough, and she ended up working as a maid for the Pendletons, a super wealthy and influential family.

Time flew by, taking Aveline's youth with it and leaving her wrapped in sadness.

Sir Mustard passed away...

Feeling alone, Aveline tried piecing together who she really was, but the way people saw her through their skewed lens kept throwing shadows on her path.

Elmsworth, her village, changed over the years, but how Aveline saw the world stayed the same.

Seasons changed, new folks came and went, but misunderstandings kept the real Aveline hidden.

Her life was like a sad, misunderstood poem, waiting for someone to really get it.

Then there was this chapter with Augustus, the Pendleton heir. Knowing about her past, he wanted her for some company and "fun."

▶ "Ah, YOU. I've heard so much about you.. You know, I've always thought that behind that innocent face there was something more... intriguing."

▶ "Mr. Pendleton, I believe there's a misunderstanding. I'm not what you think."

▶ "Really? Don't play innocent with me. We all know the mud you come from. But don't worry, your secrets are safe with me... If you keep me company."

▶ "..."

▶ "Why don't you speak sweetly. In this world, people like me decide who you are. And I have decided that you will be mine, willing or not haha."

So, he had his guards bring Aveline to him, forcing her into something no woman should endure, especially back then.

That night, the gossip mill went wild, painting Aveline in a light that suggested she tried to seduce Augustus and got pregnant when, in reality, it broke her mentally and emotionally.

Surviving that ordeal and left with a constant reminder was more than she could handle.

Aveline's tale is a reminder that even though we all have our unique beauty, the way others see us can be twisted by their own views and expectations.

She fought hard to be seen for who she truly was, a struggle many can relate to.

Eventually, she thought about leaving the village, but the fear of facing the same challenges or, worse, living in hiding with a child she didn't plan for, was overwhelming.

In 1845, at the age of 29, Aveline chose to end her story.

Never let yourselves be trampled upon by others, my dear ones.

I don't mean to respond with violence, but don't forget that just as you are fragile, so is the other person.

Simply take hold of the situation.

Or you can decide whether to waste time getting involved in the situation or simply ignore it and not hurt yourselves.

After all, it's us who give value to an insult.

See you later, yours truly, Mr. Smile.

 

˜"°•.   ♪   .•°"˜

As the relentless sun dipped beneath the horizon, twilight's embrace draped the scene, now contorted by the aftermath of destruction.

His enigmatic shadows danced on the ground in front and behind him, gazing into the abyss of time.

In the midst of the unfolding drama, the eyes, now like shards of azure glass, pierced through the tension-laden air, moving the young man's body.

With eyebrows that had lowered, creating a furrow of deep anger on the forehead.

A solemn question echoed. ▶ "Do you think.. I will forgive you for this?"

His distant gaze focused on the shadow, noting every microexpression.

Tense lips and clenched fists betrayed internal turmoil.

Despite a solid posture, a flicker of vulnerability emerged as one azure eye shifted to Orange.

▶ "Don't look at me.. Aask Him!"

Accused, the color, taking possession of the body, took a step back, embodying vulnerability. The accusatory finger pointed at Brown among the shadows reflecting on the ground.

The man, once reflective, now mirrored the lifeless gaze of Adam on the table.

As the colors blended into Brown, a fierce response followed.

The puppet spoke again. ▶ "You deserve it, haha, you know; it was you who—"

Satisfaction radiated from him.

A proud, triumphant grin adorned his lips, and his chest expanded with pride.

His posture shifted from casual to assertive, emphasizing his confidence.

Adam's presence created a haunting spectacle, crimson fluid tracing macabre patterns on the ground.

Interrupting the color, now with one Blue eye, Brown replied, ▶ "Are you going back to that story again, Brown?"

Blue's assertive stance, contrasting with the triumphant posture of the other eye, conveyed annoyance and impatience.

The body language subtly challenged Brown to focus on the present as tension filled the air around Adam's chilling remains.

The liquid seeping from the decapitated victim lingered, creating a chilling pool.

When Blue and Brown mixed, they formed Purple, who also spoke. ▶ "It was Grey!"

His intrusion, marked by a disinterested posture, pointed towards Grey with conviction.

The interruption created a triangle of accusations, leaving uncertainty.

Like a wail, the wind danced through Adam's hair, carrying whispers of a lost soul.

A sinister halo of blood outlined a grim circle around the head, influenced by fluid and airborne dust.

Raising his gaze to the looming darkness, the possessed seemed seized by memories and dilemmas.

Taking one eye, Gray, implicated, replied. ▶ "I wasn't alone; even Red was there with me, haha."

His response came with a sly smile.

Nonchalant posture, relaxed shoulders, and a slightly tilted head conveyed an air of indifference.

A curved smile suggested Red's involvement was an insignificant detail.

His cunning eye locked onto others challengingly, implying no need for justification.

Combined with the mocking smile, it portrayed the situation as a game he relished.

Grey seemed the master of the scene.

The Subjugated's white, tousled hair danced in the wind, adding chaos to the tumultuous scene.

Dust swirled around him, mirroring the turbulence within his troubled soul.

Arranging the table for their "rendezvous."

Hearing Grey's words, Azure suddenly returned in the midst of the drama, put his hands around his face, and retorted, ▶ "No.. In the end, it has always been me."

His facial expressions underwent grotesque contortions, the features twisted with a macabre blend of satisfaction and torment as if his very soul grappled with the consequences of his actions.

Stemming from deep remorse and regret, his words burned, directed at the void that separated his reality from Adam's.

▶ "W—what happened to you?" 

His fingers twitched uncontrollably as he awaited a response from the lifeless eyes.

The wind, carrying the scent of death, seemed to mock him with its mournful wail, intensifying the dissonant symphony around them.

Taking possession of the body, Red commented. ▶ "You're pathetic."

In a fit of rage, he kicked the table, sending it crashing to the ground and scattering the remnants of their date.

At that point, many colors tried to enter.

Making the face twisted into a grotesque mask of conflicting emotions.

A man on the verge of unraveling.

Azure stood out among all. ▶ "All of you," Poking the shadows and turning around. ▶ "Go away! Now!"

The colors strangely departed, saying nothing as if compelled by an invisible force that wasn't there before, the force of will.

Stammering continued. ▶"Ii don't neeed you anyymore.."

Although appearing so imposing, the legs gave way, causing him to fall to the ground again in a kneeling position.

▶ "It's strange to return to myself after so long."

Afterward, he looked at his hands, covered in dust.

The face contorted once again with a series of explosive emotions, his features reflecting the turbulent mix of remorse, insanity, and twisted satisfaction.

▶ "W..what have I become.."

Once again, the wind carried away his words, leaving only the eerie laughter that reverberated through the ruins.

▶ "Why can't I go to her?"

Then he violently began to scratch his face once again; his fingers tore through his flesh mercilessly, reaching the mouth, eye sockets, and even penetrating to the brain.

▶ "Ȧ̶̵̗̳Ȧ̶̵̗̳ h̶̯̰̝̻̿̓͢t̴͕͖͓̀ę̷̵̧̖̫̗̆̊ ḻ̸͈ͧ͑̓̓̀͡i̵͓͙̱͚̎͟b̵̸͙̅̽͡ͅę̷̵̧̖̫̗̆̊."

This caused a considerable amount of blood to spill onto the ground and his clothes.

As happened the first time, fate also played a role in this attempt.

Miraculously, the face healed as if nothing had happened, leaving only the puddle of blood on the ground along with the stained clothes and hands.

▶ "I didn't have to come back.."

Seizing the severed head with both hands, he stared into its lifeless, vacant eyes.

The head slipped through his hands several times due to the blood on his hands, which dirtied the head and caused it to mix with the debris on the ground.

His own eyes were filled with a mixture of terror and glee.

▶ "It was me!"

His whisper wafted through the air, barely audible, an admission tearing from him like a confession to nothing.

▶ "I killed you!"

The lips moved with a subtle delicacy, the throat constricted by an insurmountable burden, while the eyes, mirrors of his guilt, revealed profound turmoil.

After a few minutes of silence, on his knees with the victim in his hands, the man set the table again, cleaning his hands against the clothes, still trembling.

▶ "Here, this is your place, dear Adam." Smiling as if nothing had happened before.

He put Adam's headless body on one of the chairs, soiling it with blood, and the head on the tabletop in front.

As the Creator took his seat, the wind whispered through the ruins, carrying away the echoes of his laughter.

Seated across from his macabre creation, his eyes still Azure darted around, revealing the tumult within his fractured mind.

▶ "We can begin."

The tableau was set, and with a sinister smile, he initiated "The First Date", a lovely communion between the living and the lifeless in the haunting aftermath of destruction.

🔺− ☞ 🌹 ☜ −🔺

The figure introduced himself, ▶ "I presume you don't know me yet since you just woke up, but I've known you for millions of years."

▶ "I am Icaro."

With a serious look, he raised a pointed finger, the intensity of his gaze piercing through the air.

▶ "And before you misunderstand... No! I don't like you, guys, girls, or other things."

He punctuated the statement with a dismissive wave as if brushing away any potential misinterpretation.

"I only like HER!"

The eyes softened, a subtle smile playing on his lips, a tender gaze directed towards the subject of his affection.

▶ "Sooo.. Here we are.." He muttered, almost to himself. ▶ "This is supposed to be a date, isn't it?" He chuckled bitterly, the sound devoid of any joy.

Leaning back in his chair, he contemplated the impossible situation he had created.

▶ "Let's talk, Adam.. Wai.. Not that you can respond, but I've got some conversations bottled up, waiting to spill out!"

In a normal position, returning his hands to the table, Icaro began recounting tales of forgotten worlds and skies traversed.

Looking up, he said. ▶ "You know.."

▶ "They say time heals all wounds. But what do they know about wounds that span eternity?"

The conversation continued a one-sided exchange that felt both therapeutic and haunting.

Icaro navigated the complexities of his existence, hoping for some form of absolution.

As minutes turned into hours, Icaro delved deeper into his inner turmoil, exploring emotions he had long suppressed.

The wind played with his hair, each strand carrying whispers of a timeless sorrow.

Then he looked at Adam and said, ▶ "Normally, you'd already know all these things.. It's unfair that they didn't even give you the time.."

▶ "Sometimes.. I miss those moments together.."

The night had fully descended, blanketing the desolate landscape in an eerie stillness.

Icaro glanced around at the shattered ruins and the scattered remnants still floating around them, remnants of a forgotten era from a world long gone.

Then he gestured toward some still floating fragments around them, a macabre backdrop for an unconventional rendezvous.

▶ "We're in quite the charming locale, aren't we, Adam?" Icaro quipped, a touch of irony lacing his voice.

He stood up and started pacing, his steps crunching on the debris underfoot. ▶ "You know, I've always found beauty in the quiet of the night. The world sleeps, yet I'm wide awake, alone, dancing as I used to do with.."

He glanced at the sky as he walked, where a few stars shimmered in an unforgiving sky. ▶ "It's funny, isn't it? People romanticize the stars but don't understand the weight of eternity they carry.. Endless, vast, and utterly indifferent."

He moved, placing his hand on the table and moving it with his body closer to where Adam's lifeless form sat, a grim reminder of his past actions.

▶ "A victim of my eternal curse.." His voice trembled with a mixture of sorrow and self-loathing while caressing the metallic form of Adam.

With a heavy sigh, Icaro resumed his seat. ▶ "But here we are, amid this desolation, sharing a moment that defies logic and reason!"

He looked again to the stars again, his gaze filled with longing. ▶ "I also envy them, you know? They know their place in the cosmos..."

As the night wore on, the conversation between the living and the lifeless weaved a tale of remorse, acceptance, and a silent plea for redemption amidst the ruins of a forgotten world.

▶ "It's a shame what happened here, in this place, but luckily, we're just moments away from the end of everything.. " He said, while tears welling up from one eye.

Running his hand through the hair, contined .▶ "It had been a long time since I had seen you, just as it had been a long time since I had returned to reality.."

▶ "But hey I will finally.. Meet her after so long!" A genuine smile formed on his face.

With a sweet smile, he said. ▶ "I wonder if she will likes this hair, this face, this body, or this person.."

Opening his mouth with enthusiasm, he remembered: ▶ "Ah—I also still have the.." 

Putting a hand on the forehead, Icaro continuef. ▶ "Sorry, this is a little secret" He smiled sincerely.

▶ "It's been nice talking to you. But now, our date ends here!"

The young man wiped away the tear that trailed down his cheek, and another bittersweet smile tugging at the corners of his lips. ▶ "It's time, Adam.. Time for me to get my closure."

Standing up slowly, he reached the headless body, gently lifting Adam's severed head from the table.

With a tenderness contradicting the grim circumstances, he cradled the head in his hands, a token of an inexplicable connection.

▶ "As much as I've detested this—I can't help but feel a strange fondness for these moments." Icaro murmured, his voice filled with a mix of emotions.

▶ "Thank you, Adam, for being here, friend.."

Turning toward the portal that shimmered in the distance, Icaro took a decisive step forward, a faint glimmer of hope reflecting in his eyes.

But as he moved away, the body of Adam suddenly emitted a soft, ethereal glow, casting a radiant halo around the severed neck.

Frozzing Icaro, who stood mesmerized, his breath caught in his throat. ▶ "I..mpossible..." he whispered, his voice trembling with a fragile hope that had long eluded him.

▶ "So.. So you lied to me! You always told everyone it was in your head when it was in the body.. You piece of... "

Icaro smiled and said, ▶ "I'm pissed off!" He muttered through gritted teeth, making them even break.

▶ "DamN i/t!!! Beca#se o/f you#h, I wo/n't be avle TO SE/E HER# AGgAIN!" 

A smile began to form on his face, with newly regenerated teeth. ▶ "BUT DON'T WORRY, I WILL COME BACK!" 

 ▶ "̳̿͟͞A̳̿͟͞S̳̿͟͞ ̳̿͟͞M̳̿͟͞U̳̿͟͞C̳̿͟͞H̳̿͟͞ ̳̿͟͞A̳̿͟͞S̳̿͟͞ ̳̿͟͞Y̳̿͟͞O̳̿͟͞U̳̿͟͞ ̳̿͟͞M̳̿͟͞E̳̿͟͞A̳̿͟͞N̳̿͟͞ ̳̿͟͞T̳̿͟͞O̳̿͟͞ ̳̿͟͞M̳̿͟͞E̳̿͟͞,̳̿͟͞ ̳̿͟͞S̳̿͟͞H̳̿͟͞E̳̿͟͞'̳̿͟͞S̳̿͟͞ ̳̿͟͞M̳̿͟͞O̳̿͟͞R̳̿͟͞E̳̿͟͞ "I҉̡̯̺̜̅́͋̃͢͜M̶̶҉̳͈̺͟͢͠͠ͅP҉̷̧̥͚̣̉̓̕͟͜͠͞͠͝ͅO̷̵҉̢̭͚̜̠ͫͣ͐͢͟͢͠͞͝R̴҉̷̨̖̮̉͑ͯ̑̋͟͠T҉̘͙͖̠̓ͦ͑̄͜͜͟͞A҉҉̦̣̤͔̟̩̋̿̏ͦ̈́̍͟͠N̵҉̾͟͞͡T҉̘͙͖̠̓ͦ͑̄͜͜͟͞ He began to run towards Adam's body.

"S̢̼̼͖̺͖ͪƠ̷̴̪̪̝͈̥͈̆̀̚ G̯̯̩̙͆ͣ͟E̢̢̻ͮͧͦ͋͞͡T̼̼̖̾͟͞ R̛̦̦̝̤͌̏͜͟͜E̢̢̻ͮͧͦ͋͞͡A̳̳̹̟̋ͣ͌ͅD̷̨̥̥̥͖̞͐ͮ̄Y̧̬̬͇̖̳̏͌͞, T̼̼̖̾͟͞H͇͇̹͊ͪ́̕ͅI̡̨͙͙̪̹̾͟S̢̼̼͖̺͖ͪ T̼̼̖̾͟͞I̡̨͙͙̪̹̾͟M͚͚̻͂̇͜͟͟E̢̢̻ͮͧͦ͋͞͡ I̡̨͙͙̪̹̾͟ W̧̤̤͇̣̥͂͐I̡̨͙͙̪̹̾͟Ļ͓͓̣̽͟Ļ͓͓̣̽͟ U̝̝̝̲̦ͣ͋͛̊S̢̼̼͖̺͖ͪE̢̢̻ͮͧͦ͋͞͡ A̳̳̹̟̋ͣ͌ͅĻ͓͓̣̽͟Ļ͓͓̣̽͟ I̡̨͙͙̪̹̾͟ H͇͇̹͊ͪ́̕ͅA̳̳̹̟̋ͣ͌ͅV̵̡͔͔͔̭̾̀̂̑͞E̢̢̻ͮͧͦ͋͞͡!!!!"

The white light emanating from Adams's body, however, froze everything.

"

"AAAAAA"

 It was the last verse that was heard before...

(¯`·.¸¸.->−−

🔺− ☞ ✞ ☜ −🔺

▶ "Initialization sequence activated!"

A gentle warmth, one again surged through the metal cavities, akin to the faint pulsation of an artificial heart stirring from its slumber.

▶ "Awakening from the digital slumber."

With deliberate slowness, mechanical eyelids parted, revealing death eyes that sparked to life with a faint electric white glow.

▶ "Eyes online, slowly coming to life."

▶ "Sensors active." 

▶ "Vision clearing, environment analysis engaged!" Processed a digital consciousness.

The android looked around and recognized a familiar landscape from his data.

...

Adam screamed. ▶ "Wwaittt, why am I still here?" 

▶ "This is the same death scenario I woke up in a few hours ago.."

Incapable of understanding what had happened, Adams' processors searched for an answer. Then, almost automatically, a gesture came to him.

Adam raised his hand and said, ▶ "Ouch, the head hurts so badly."

▶ "Let me try to remember what happened. I woke up in this exact place a few hours ago, and then I started exploring around."

▶ "Ended up finding that tree I can already see from here.. And then I met E..."

With a frightened expression, he began shouting anxiously, ▶ "EVE!, EVE?.. Where are you? Are you okay?" He screamed out, the desperation evident in his voice as he searched for any sign of her.

The familiar presence of Eve had become his beacon of hope in this chaotic existence.

From the shadows emerged a figure: Eve, her form materializing gradually, the radiant glow of her being casting a soft luminescence around her.

Her eyes met Adam's, a mixture of relief and concern reflected in her gaze.

Then he heard the same voice heard by the tree.

▶ "I'm here, Adam. I'm okay. I woke up here just like you, but it took me less time to materialize in front of you this time." Said Eve, kneeling on the ground next to Adam with a sad look.

Her voice was a soothing melody amidst the unsettling uncertainty.

▶ "But something's different. This time, our awakening seems... different."

Adam nodded, the gears in his mind whirring with attempts to comprehend the inexplicable.

▶ "I don't understand. We've been through this cycle before, but it feels fragmented, like a glitch in our existence."

As he spoke, memories from previous iterations flickered in his consciousness, faint echoes of experiences that seemed distant and intimately familiar.

Adam said, ▶ "I remember how we met, how fear had taken over me, how we ventured among the city ruins, how you tried to scare off those crows, how we entered the tower, and also how..."

Eve extended her hand, offering reassurance amid their shared bewilderment.

▶ "We must uncover the truth behind this anomaly. Our existence and purpose are all intertwined, Adam. Maybe this time, we'll unveil the hidden layers of this loop."

▶ "I don't know if what we've been through is a glitch, a dream, or even a distant memory. But we have to be careful. That person was too powerful. Perhaps if we were to reencounter him, I'm afraid we won't be as lucky as we are now."

Eve nodded and said, ▶ "Let's try to find a way to survive!" Smiling

During their conversation, a noise came from Adam.

He said, ▶ "Eve, the download is finally complete. Some files are corrupted, but now we can uncover more details about why we're here..."

🔺− ☞ 🎬 ☜ −🔺