Kian awakens once more, his head throbbing with pain as his brain grapples with the overwhelming influx of information.
He winces in discomfort, feeling the pounding ache reverberate through his entire body. Instinctively, his hands move to his head, fingers gently grazing his temples as he scowls in response to the lingering pain.
The room remains hushed as Kian grapples with the aftermath of Astrion's mind-bending revelation, his thoughts mirrored the discomfort and frustration he experiences.
Kian slowly pieces apart the information swirling in his head and gradually realises the precarious situation he finds himself in.
"Midnight Halls? Seriously? Where the hell am I? This sounds like a bad horror movie title. Great, just great. A tiny corner of a massive nightmare? So, what, I was almost monster chow? Dodging brain corruption? How does one even do that? This can't be real. Is this some messed-up dream or did I take a wrong turn into the Twilight Zone?"
The dark place he was in before was called the Midnight Halls – an enormous realm where beings of darkness dwell, divided into countless factions.
"Beings of darkness? Fantastic. Sounds like a Dungeons & Dragons campaign gone wrong. Countless factions? Are we talking about supernatural gangs? Do they have a leader? Should I be expecting a dark lord or something? This is too much for a regular dude like me."
The gravity of his survival in such a vast and ominous space dawns on him. He considers himself fortunate to have escaped unscathed, his brain intact, evading the clutches of corruption or demise.
"Surviving this cosmic horror show? Somehow, I'm still in one piece. Brain intact? Well, that's a relief. But corruption and demise were on the menu? Seriously, who's writing this script? Feels like I'm stuck in some twisted fantasy novel."
The weight of this revelation makes him break into a nervous sweat, fear gripping him as he contemplates the perilous nature of his existence.
"Okay, panic mode setting in. dangerous existence? Understatement of the century. I need answers – or a way out. This whole thing feels like a bad trip that I don't even want to go on. Reality check, Kian – or whatever this reality is supposed to be. I'm cooked"
His questions weave through his mind like raging winds, reflecting the tumultuous emotions of a teenager confronting the unknown and the daunting reality of his surroundings.
"Hold up, did I just... talk to the narrator? Is that even a thing? Like, am I in a story or something? This is getting weirder by the second. Note to self: check for hidden cameras. This can't be real. Maybe I'm losing it."
As Kian sifts through the information in his mind, he discovers the dire circumstances of the Dusklings, realizing they are a race on the brink of extinction.
The revelation hits him hard as he delves into the statistics – a mere trillion members remain. "Is this all that's left of these guys?"
While this number may seem significant, the context reveals the stark truth. Once a formidable race boasting a colossal population of 638quintillion, the Dusklings have dwindled to a fraction of their former strength."What happened to them? How did they fall so far?"
The gravity of this decline becomes palpable to Kian as he contemplates the vast difference between their past dominance, commanding 0.65% of the universe, and their current struggle for survival.
A multitudes thoughts swirl in Kian's mind, as he grasped the enormity of the numbers – the seemingly small remnants of a once-mighty race contrasted with the colossal figures of their former glory."It's like witnessing the rise and fall of an empire in the blink of an eye." The juxtaposition leaves him with a sense of awe, reflecting on the fleeting nature of power and the precarious state of the Dusklings' existence.
"If I'm their chosen one, what role do I play? What the fuck am I gonna do as a portable charger?"
Kian, overwhelmed by the weight of the Dusklings' plight, succumbs to a profound sense of hopelessness. He remains sprawled on the bed, his gaze fixed on the familiar yet enigmatic surroundings.
The room, adorned with runes and a surreal aura, offers little comfort in the face of the colossal challenges now imprinted in his mind. "What- what am I gonna do? chosen? Chosen my ass I'm just 17 and I don't even know my father's name. What on... EARTH AM I GONNA DO!." As the weight of responsibility presses down on him, Kian grapples with the daunting reality that his role may be pivotal in determining the fate of a dwindling race.
"What am I gonna do? Stop saying that."
As Kian delves into the information at his disposal, a thought echoes in his mind – "Whatever did that isn't meant to be fought."
Kian is taken aback by a sudden revelation and expresses his disbelief.
"Wow," he mutters as the gravity of the situation unfolds. The once-feared entity that led to the decline of the Dusklings was described as an abomination, a demonic force, a creature of hell. "An evil thing, a devil, an inhuman being, a creature of dread, torture... It was a Golfish."
The absurdity of the contrast between the ominous description and the relation to a seemingly harmless creature leaves Kian bewildered.
Confused, Kian searches through his memory, attempting to grasp the nature of a "Golfish." The information provided by Astrion seems insufficient, leaving Kian perplexed.
It appears that even the Dusklings, with their vast knowledge, are unaware of the specifics regarding this mysterious entity.
The ambiguity surrounding the Golfish adds an extra layer of uncertainty to Kian's understanding of the cosmic forces at play.
"The supposed invincible creature I was going to kill doesn't seem so hard to kill," Kian remarks, selectively ignoring the grim reality that it was the very reason over 600quintillion Dusklings perished. His casual observation underscores the complexity of emotions and perspectives in the face of overwhelming challenges.
Suddenly, Kian finds himself amidst a vast expanse of land, surrounded by towering trees radiating a surreal blend of glowing green and pink. The scene appears utterly unreal and mind-bending.
Realizing that this is Pandori, the homeworld of the Dusklings, Kian is taken aback by the enormity of the landscape.
Three suns, each positioned at different corners of the sky, contribute to the mesmerizing celestial display—one in green, one in yellow, and the other in dark blue.
The revelation dawns on Kian as he comprehends the peculiarities of the celestial bodies, having only noticed the familiar yellow sun when he was inside the room.
The vibrant purple grass beneath his feet and the visible winds add to Kian's disorientation, muddling his thought process. Amidst the confusion, he spots Astrion and the flaming Duskling, the one he encountered for the first time in the Midnight Halls.
The surreal surroundings and unexpected reunion leave Kian both bewildered and intrigued.
"Where am I?" Kian asks as he gazes around in awe. The flaming Duskling responds, informing Kian that he is home, surrounded by fellow Dusklings and the myriad creatures that inhabit this unique planet. The revelation leaves Kian with a mix of confusion and realization, as he grapples with the idea of belonging to this enigmatic world.
"Me? You're joking. I'm human through and through," Kian protests, a sense of disbelief in his words. However, Astrion merely chuckles, leaving Kian to exchange a quizzical glance with his blue companion.
"Okay, so you should know some info with what we've given you," Astrion remarks as its flaming dark green hair flails around following the wind. Kian refutes, saying he still hasn't gone through all of it. Some of it seems locked away, and he can't even access some of the information.
Astrion chuckles, "Well, you'll get there eventually. The Codex's information is vast, and it takes time to process."
Kian, still bewildered by his surroundings, replies, "But you're telling me I'm a Duskling? This is all so confusing. I thought I was just a regular human."
The flaming duskling interjects, "Appearances can be deceiving, young one. You carry the essence of the Codex, and that makes you one of us."
Kian squints in disbelief, "But I don't feel any different. I mean, what's a Duskling supposed to feel like?"
Astrion answers, "It's not about how you feel physically; it's about the connection with the Codex, the energy you possess. You're more than just human now."
Kian sighs, "I wish this could be simpler. Can't we just... I don't know, go back to Earth or something?"
The flaming Duskling responds, "Earth is not your only home anymore. Pandori is where you belong now."
Kian, still processing this information, mutters to himself, "Great, just great. I'm stuck on an alien planet as some mystical being. What else could go wrong?"
Kian, harbouring suspicions about his new companions, decides to keep his thoughts to himself. He's well aware that he's the weaker party here, and questioning too much might not be in his best interest.
As he gazes at Astrion and the flaming Duskling, he contemplates the surreal journey he's been on – from death to an otherworldly realm.
Despite the doubts lingering in his mind, he refrains from voicing them aloud. The information from the Codex is still unravelling within him, and the overwhelming experience of being on Pandori makes it hard for him to grasp the reality of his situation.
In this unfamiliar territory, Kian senses his vulnerability and chooses caution over confrontation.
For now, he decides to observe, absorb, and navigate this new reality with a measure of skepticism, uncertain of the motives behind his newfound identity and the beings guiding him through this perplexing journey.
Kian, feeling a mixture of curiosity and apprehension, decides to directly address Astrion and the flaming duskling. "So, what exactly do you want me to do?" he asks, his voice tinged with uncertainty.
Both companions exchange a knowing glance before Astrion responds, "For now, just get used to your new home and take some time to relax. You've been through a lot, and adjusting to this reality will take time. But rest assured, there's much more ahead for you."
The flaming Duskling chimes in, its voice carrying an otherworldly resonance, "Afterwards, you'll undergo training like never before. We have much to prepare you for, and your role as the chosen will require dedication and strength."
Kian nods, absorbing their words with a sense of determination mingled with a hint of trepidation. He understands that his journey is far from over and that he must steel himself for the challenges that lie ahead.
With a deep breath, he prepares to embrace his new reality and the path that awaits him.
As Kian contemplates his new reality, a surge of excitement courses through him at the prospect of mastering new abilities and embarking on extraordinary adventures.
The thought of shooting fireballs out of his hands fills him with a sense of exhilaration, overshadowing the uncertainty of his current situation.
However, amidst his excitement, a pang of sadness creeps into Kian's heart as he reflects on his loved ones back home. Memories of his little sister, his mother, and his best friend Aito flood his mind, reminding him of the life he left behind.
"I died back there, right?" he murmurs to himself, his voice tinged with melancholy.
"I hope they're doing okay."
A wave of sorrow washes over Kian as he imagines the grief and pain his family and friends must be experiencing upon learning of his death.
He can't help but feel a sense of guilt for leaving them behind, unable to offer them comfort or reassurance.
Taking a deep breath, Kian pushes aside his feelings of sorrow and focuses on the task at hand, determined to navigate his new reality with courage and resilience.
With determination burning in his heart, Kian makes a silent promise to himself and his loved ones. "I'll be back, don't worry," he whispers, his voice filled with conviction.
"I'll come back home, alive this time."
A surge of determination courses through Kian as he visualizes himself returning home, victorious and triumphant. "I'm going to shine brighter than ever," he vows silently, his resolve unwavering. "I'll be greater than before. I'll make you all proud. I'll make you happy."
With his mind set on his goals, Kian takes a deep breath and steps forward into the unknown, ready to face whatever challenges lie ahead. Though the journey may be fraught with difficulties, he is determined to emerge victorious and reunite with his loved ones, his spirit shining brighter than ever before.
"Kian Cornella Imornie will rise", he thinks, chuckling in anticipation.
Arise from the dead.