Chapter 14: The Realm Of Darkness
Zain approached Riry, a hint of exhaustion evident in his voice. "Since it's getting late, would it be alright if I go and rest now?"
Zain felt an overwhelming exhaustion engulfing him as the weight of recent events pressed heavily on his shoulders. The tragic loss of his family, their lives taken so mercilessly, haunted his thoughts. His sister had also been taken away in that devastating fire.
The weight of grief bore down upon Zain's soul as he contemplated the fate of those who had aided him in his darkest hours. The faces of the fallen flashed before his eyes.
They had extended a helping hand when he needed it the most, offering solace and support amidst the turmoil.
But now, they were gone. Snatched away by the merciless hands of fate, their lives extinguished too soon.
Yet, amidst the waves of sadness, a bittersweet glimmer of hope flickered within him. A sliver of optimism emerged, whispering of the possibility to bring them back, to rewrite the cruel narrative that had stolen them away.
It was a fragile ray of light in the depths of despair, offering a faint glimmer of redemption.
Riry nodded empathetically, recognizing the depth of melancholy within Zain's heart. Her compassionate eyes met his, filled with a desire to offer solace and comfort in any way she could. Recognizing the need to lift his spirits, she extended an invitation that carried a glimmer of warmth and hope.
"Why don't you come and have dinner with us first?" Her voice carried a gentle kindness, an invitation to share a meal and a moment of respite from the heavy burdens he carried.
His relentless use of powers had consumed his focus, causing him to overlook the basic necessity of food. The pangs of hunger intensified, urging him to prioritize nourishment.
Engrossed in his encounters and the use of his powers, he had completely forgotten about nourishing himself. The thought of food suddenly sparked a ravenous hunger within him.
As soon as Riry mentioned dinner, Zain's stomach echoed her words with a loud grumble. The reminder of his hunger was undeniable, and grateful for Riry's invitation, he eagerly accepted, realizing how famished he truly was.
The prospect of a satisfying meal rejuvenated him, as he eagerly anticipated replenishing his energy with a hearty dinner.
The aroma of the delicious food filled the air as Zain savored each bite, relishing the flavors that danced on his taste buds. The satisfying meal brought a sense of comfort and warmth to his weary body.
With his hunger satiated, Zain excused himself and made his way to the room he was assigned, the one he had to share with Sherline.
*yawns*
Zain couldn't suppress a yawn as weariness washed over him. The weight of constant worry had taken its toll on his stamina, leaving him drained and in need of rest.
Sleep beckoned him, promising a temporary escape from the burdens that plagued his mind.
As Zain settled himself on the soft, comforting blanket, the weariness finally overcame him, lulling him into a deep slumber.
Later, Sherline cautiously entered the room, her eyes fell upon a sight that caught her off guard. There, sprawled across her designated space on the bed, lay Zain in a state of peaceful slumber. His carefree demeanor seemed to mock her, as if he had claimed her territory without a care in the world.
"This punk…."
Her eyes narrowed with irritation as she observed Zain occupying her sleeping spot. An exasperated sigh escaped her lips, and she contemplated what to do next.
Sherline, a spirited young woman, had spent her formative years studying abroad with her father, a highly esteemed and accomplished angel. Her father's responsibilities often necessitated frequent transfers to different locations, and Sherline, also awakened as an angel, eagerly embraced the opportunity to accompany him on his important duties.
Sherline, a remarkable prodigy at the tender age of 16, possessed extraordinary talents as an A-class 2 star angel. Her exceptional abilities and intelligence set her apart from her peers, earning her the reputation of a true genius in the angelic realm.
There was another classification system that delved even deeper, encompassing a total of six levels: S, A, B, C, D, and E.
This system was implemented to provide a clearer differentiation between the talents and abilities of both newcomers and established angels.
It aimed to highlight the distinctiveness and potential of each individual, allowing for a better understanding of their unique strengths and capabilities.
Sherline, with her exceptional talent and captivating beauty, always garnered praise and caught the attention of many admirers. While her accomplishments often fueled her confidence, she possessed a genuine kindness within her heart, despite her occasional arrogance.
However, upon encountering Zain, Sherline couldn't help but feel a curious sensation.
Unlike others, he appeared indifferent to her charms, not showing any particular interest or admiration. This piqued her curiosity, as she was accustomed to garnering attention wherever she went.
This wounded her pride, prompting her to resort to teasing and picking on him. Sherline couldn't fathom how someone could remain unfazed by her beauty and dismissive of her attempts to provoke a reaction.
"I can't believe I'm being treated like this by a loser," Sherline muttered under her breath, her usual charm failing to elicit the desired response from Zain. Accustomed to men bending over backward to accommodate her, she found his indifference both perplexing and frustrating.
*SLAP*
In a fit of frustration, Sherline's patience reached its breaking point, and she slapped Zain hard across the face. However, to her surprise, he didn't flinch or wake up from his seemingly deep sleep. Unbeknownst to her, he was occupied with other pursuits.
She glanced at the empty floor where Zain was supposed to sleep, contemplating her options. Sleeping on the hard floor was not something she was willing to endure at the moment.
Sherline's pride prevented her from accepting defeat, and a mischievous thought crossed her mind. With a mischievous smirk, she decided to claim her rightful place in the bed, despite Zain's presence. After all, she couldn't let a so-called "loser" disrupt her comfort.
With a slight push, she managed to make some space for herself on the bed, determined not to let Zain occupy the entire sleeping area.
Sherline settled down, pulling the blanket to cover herself, realizing that she would have to share it with him.
'I will punch him if he dares to… ahem.'
"Tsk, what a mess," she grumbled, succumbing to fatigue as sleep overcame her.
.
.
.
"Damn... just a bit more, a little bit more!" Zain's consciousness roared with unwavering determination. It felt as if an elemental storm was brewing within him.
A powerful surge of energy coursed through his veins, signaling a profound transformation taking place within him. He could sense his body undergoing a metamorphosis as his cells realigned and his inner strength intensified. The sensation was electrifying, as if every fiber of his being was being infused with newfound power.
It was as if he was shedding his old self and embracing a new, formidable identity.
"Huh...? Did it finish?" Zain's eyes snapped open, and he found himself engulfed in an abyss of darkness. The air felt heavy, suffocating, as if a shroud of shadows had descended upon him.
The absence of light consumed his surroundings, leaving him in a void of obsidian. Not a single speck of illumination could penetrate the abyss, and an eerie silence pervaded the air.
He strained his senses, but there was nothing to be seen, only an impenetrable blackness that swallowed everything in its path.
A surge of uncertainty and unease coursed through his veins, raising hairs on his arms as he realized he had emerged into a realm unknown, a realm beyond the realm of the living.
"This..."
"..."
"Yes! Perfect! I was able to enter the darkness realm!" Zain's inner voice echoed through the void, resonating with a mixture of exhilaration and anticipation. Though his physical form remained motionless, his mind surged with newfound energy, embracing the thrill of stepping into the dark realm.
It was a realm where shadows danced and secrets lurked, a place where his powers could awaken and his destiny awaited.
In reality, his physical body remained peacefully asleep while his consciousness traversed realms beyond the physical. It was within the ethereal realm of dreams and souls that Zain's inner journey unfolded.
"Are you here, Zordan?" he called out, his voice resounded with an air of authority and determination.
"..."
He was met with nothing but silence. The absence of a response gnawed at him, the void seeming to consume his words.
"Hmm, are you trying to hide or are you not answering my question?" he inquired. Though no immediate response came, Zain's senses heightened, detecting a subtle presence lingering just a few steps ahead. It was as if the very air held a mysterious energy, an unseen entity waiting to reveal itself.
"Invader... who are you? How did you find the entrance to this place?"
From the depths of the darkness, a voice echoed, cutting through the stillness with an air of authority. Its tone carried a mixture of curiosity and suspicion, as if challenging the presence that had intruded upon its domain.
Zain strained to locate the source of the voice, his ears attuned to every subtle sound reverberating through the empty expanse. The voice seemed to emanate from all directions, creating a disorienting effect that heightened the mystery of the encounter.
"...", Zain remained silent, attentively awaiting the words spoken by the mysterious voice
"How do you know my name? WHO SENT YOU HERE?!" The voice reverberated with an intense pressure, attempting to unnerve Zain. However, he remained steadfast, unaffected by the increasing intensity, maintaining his calm demeanor.
"Sigh... Zordan, can't you recognize me?" Zain's eyes were engulfed in a swirling black aura, while his pupils emitted a fiery red glow.
Zain's commanding voice effortlessly dispelled the overwhelming pressure in the air.
"It-It can't be..." stuttered the voice in disbelief.