Chapter 15: The Dark Angel's Army
The voice seemed to grasp Zain's identity, its tone shifting from hostility to disbelief upon hearing his voice once again. Yet, it struggled to fully accept the truth, as if wrestling with the weight of its own doubts and uncertainties.
"You can't be him... right?" The voice quivered, laced with uncertainty and a glimmer of hope, as it questioned the veracity of Zain's identity. There was a palpable tension in the air, as if the voice teetered on the edge of disbelief and longing, unable to reconcile the possibility before it.
Zain's presence loomed in the darkness, his calm demeanor standing as a testament to the truth, awaiting the voice's response with quiet anticipation.
"Sigh, it's fine if you don't recognize me, but tell me, where are the others?" Zain's voice carried a mix of resignation and urgency, his words echoing through the dark void. Despite the voice's initial doubt, he remained resolute in his quest for answers.
The moment the voice heard this, a flicker of recognition illuminated the darkness. Gradually, a figure emerged, stepping forward with measured steps, his presence cutting through the void. As he drew nearer, Zain could discern the features of a man, his form shrouded in an air of mystery.
He seemed like a human, his appearance deceiving at first glance. However, as Zain's gaze trailed from his face to his back, he was greeted by a breathtaking sight. Sprouting proudly from his shoulders were magnificent wings, resplendent in their pure, silvery brilliance.
Each feather shimmered with an ethereal glow, radiating an aura of celestial power and grace. These wings served as a testament to his royal lineage among the angelic realm.
"I'm deeply sorry, Your Majesty. I have failed to recognize you, and for that, I deserve punishment," the man pleaded, his voice filled with sincere remorse and reverence.
Zain did not wish to add any more complexity to the situation; his sole desire was to seek answers, not retribution. All he wanted to know was where were the people whom he wished to see.
Zain's gaze hardened as he interrupted the man's plea for punishment. "We can discuss your punishments later... Right now, answer my question," he asserted, his voice carrying a firm tone that brooked no further delays.
"Yes, your majesty," the man began, his voice filled with respect and a hint of sorrow.
"As you passed away, Your Majesty, we made the decision to withdraw and conceal ourselves in the shadows, for without your presence, we felt powerless and purposeless. Consequently, several of our kind dispersed and sought refuge elsewhere," the man explained, his voice tinged with a mixture of remorse and regret.
"Moved out...? Where...? And how?" Zain inquired, his curiosity piqued by the man's statement.
The man took a moment to gather his thoughts before responding. "Your majesty, some of our brethren sought refuge in distant realms, far away from the prying eyes of those who might wish us harm. They ventured into uncharted territories, seeking sanctuary and building new alliances to safeguard our existence."
With a mixture of surprise and intrigue, Zain listened intently to the man's revelation.
"Your majesty, God promised us justice after your passing," his voice filled with a sense of hope. "He assured us that you would be granted the opportunity to reincarnate, and in the meantime, He granted us the freedom to venture wherever we desired and cultivate our strength."
Zain frowned, realizing the task ahead of him. "Hmm, that's troublesome. Even though the army is ready, I need to find the generals again..." he muttered, contemplating the situation.
The knowledge that only the generals had been granted the privilege to venture out weighed heavily on him. Time was of the essence, and he had to gather his trusted leaders to reclaim their purpose and strength.
Zain made a silent vow to seek out his loyal generals, for their collective guidance and expertise were crucial in fulfilling their shared destiny.
"Your majesty, would you like to meet the assembled army?" the man respectfully inquired.
"No, Kain, not yet. My physical presence is currently on Earth, and this is merely my consciousness that has entered this realm. I will meet with the assembled army once I ascend the Tower..." Zain's voice resounded with a hint of anticipation.
Kain's eyes widened with excitement as he eagerly proposed, "Master, you can meet the generals before assembling the entire army!"
"Huh...? What do you mean by that?" Zain furrowed his brow in confusion, unable to grasp the meaning behind Kain's words.
"Yes, all the generals are stationed in the cities within the tower. As you ascend the tower, you will have the opportunity to meet each of them along the way," Kain explained with a humble smile.
"Wait... so you mean to say that the tower has cities and many of them live in those?"
"Indeed, Your Majesty. The tower is a vast and intricate realm with multiple cities, each serving as a dwelling for different beings. Many of the generals have established their presence in these cities, overseeing their respective domains and waiting for your return," Kain elaborated, his voice filled with a sense of awe and wonder.
"Our realm of darkness is situated on the 60th floor of the tower. It is a place enveloped in shadows, where our powers thrive and darkness reigns. To meet us, you must ascend the tower and reach that specific floor. It is there that we eagerly await your arrival, ready to serve you once again."
"Hmm, looks like a lot of things have changed," Zain sighed, reflecting on the new information. While he was unaware of the tower that had been erected on Earth, he was familiar with the existence of other towers in different realms. The presence of this tower on Earth intrigued him, as it signified a shift in the balance of power and the emergence of new forces.
In the realm of existence, where light illuminates the world, its counterpart, the shadow, dances in the embrace of darkness.
Wherever light casts its radiant beams, the shadows eagerly find solace and thrive. They seek shelter in the recesses of every corner, lurking in the depths where darkness reigns supreme.
Zain stood at the helm of an extraordinary army, an army that thrived within the realm of darkness.
Spread across various towers scattered throughout the land, his forces were a formidable presence lurking in the depths of shadows.
Each tower held its own significance, but one tower stood out among the rest, a place where the generals, the esteemed leaders of his dark legion, had chosen to make their abode.
"Very well, I'll soon meet you all."
With a resolute determination, Zain's consciousness withdrew from the realm of darkness, back into the realm of his physical body.
The encounter had provided him with valuable information, igniting a newfound resolve within him. He knew that he needed to ascend the Tower, reunite with the generals, and rally his dark army once more.
As he gradually opened his eyes, Zain's gaze fell upon his wristwatch, a constant companion throughout his journey. The hands of the watch ticked steadily, reminding him of the passing time.
"It's already 5:14 AM?" Zain muttered in surprise, his eyes widening as he registered the early hour. With a swift motion, he lifted himself up from the bed, his mind racing with a newfound sense of urgency.
Realizing that Sherline was still asleep, he carefully tucked the blanket around her, ensuring she remained comfortable and undisturbed. Though he had assumed she was asleep, it seemed she had been awake all along.
Despite her usual fearlessness, Sherline found herself unable to even catch a wink of sleep. Her mind was filled with thoughts and curiosity about Zain, making it impossible to relax. She tossed and turned in the bed, her eyes staring blankly at the ceiling.
Zain, in his deep sleep, unintentionally shifted his position and his hand ended up grabbing her round and soft breasts while he was in sleep. Sherline's immediate reaction was a mix of surprise and discomfort. Although she momentarily felt a strange sensation, it quickly turned into discomfort and annoyance.
In her momentary irritation, she slapped Zain's cheek once or twice, hoping to wake him up and make him aware of his unconscious action. However, to her surprise, Zain remained completely unresponsive, as if deeply lost in his dreams.
Feeling a small tear trickle down her cheek, Sherline wiped it away and decided to let go of her frustration. Exhausted from the events of the day, she resolved to find solace in sleep.
Zain realized that leaving a letter would be the most appropriate way to communicate his departure. With a pen and a piece of paper in hand, he swiftly penned down his thoughts and reasons for leaving.
Once he finished writing, he carefully placed the letter on a visible spot in the room, ensuring that Sherline would find it. As he glanced at it one last time, a mix of emotions welled up inside him. Doubt, anticipation, and a hint of sadness tugged at his heart. With a deep breath, Zain made his way to the window, contemplating his next steps.